Kerala CM launches Japan-aided water scheme

Cherthala: Kerala Chief Minister . A.K.Anthony has launched the ambitious Japanese-aided drinking water project which is expected to benefit 4.5 million people in five districts on Sunday. Since its inception the project had been in controversy . Initially it was started by the LDF government while they were in power. At that time, the UDF, then in opposition had raised allegations of corruption in selecting consultants for the project. So LDF had to abandon it at that time. When it came to power, the UDF took up the project when it was the turn of LDF to raise charges of corruption in the selection of consultants. However, the project got a boost after the high court recently dismissed a public interest litigation alleging irregularities in appointing consultants for the scheme with an observation that government followed the guidelines and there was transparency in taking decision on the scheme.

The Rs 1787.45 crore project aided by Japan Bank for International Cooperation would have a loan component of Rs 1519.38 crore. The scheme would bring potable water to people in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Cherthala, Kozhikode and Kannur, The project would be implemented in a fast-track mode with a high-level committee under the chief secretary to monitor the progress. The government has planned to complete the scheme in three years.

65 TN fishermen detained by Sri Lankan navy

Rameswaram: 65 fishermen in 15 boats were intercepted by Sri Lankan fishermen near Kachchatheevu and were handed over to the Sri Lankan Navy. All the detained Tamil Nadu fishermen have been lodged in a jail in Oorkkaval Thurai in Sri Lanka. This has created much tension in Rameswaram town. Tamil Nadu Fishermen's Association and Launch owners have lodged a complaint with the police in this connection.

Chengalpattu-Villupuram electrified BG line inaugurated

Union Minister of State for Railways A K Moorthy inaugurated the Chengalpattu-Villupuram electrified Broad Gauge line on Sunday in a grand function held at the Chengalpattu Railway Station. The electrification on the Chengalpattu-Villupuram line was completed about six months ago and several goods trains had been operated on the line. But due to a delay in completion of certain minor works along the section, the passenger traffic on the electrified line was delayed, Moorthy said. The electrification allowed speeding up of the trains, more than the diesel locos. Moreover, the electric locomotives were more eco-friendly than the diesel locos, he added.

ITDC launch Indian Handicrafts Boutique at Indira Gandhi International Airport

India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) has opened an exclusive Indian Handicrafts duty free boutique at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport at New Delhi. Inaugurated today by the Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Shri Rajiv Pratap Rudy, the boutique offers hand picked merchandise from TRIFED - the House of tribal Crafts and COHANDS - the handloom Development Corporation and other specialty products. Besides showcasing the rich and traditional arts and crafts from different parts of India, this outlet will also serve a social objective in promoting and uplifting the cause of tribal and other Artisans.

Inaugurating the beautiful boutique, the Minister of State for Civil Aviation said that tourism along with the civil aviation is very important for the economy. The Government has given high priority to tourism and civil aviation, and is working for development of infrastructure in both the areas. Very soon Mumbai and Delhi Airport will be modernised to the world standard.

On the occasion, Secretary, Tourism, Smt. Rathi Vinay Jha said those tourism arrivals in the country was picking up very fast. Marketing strategy was being made more pockets oriented to attract more visitors. A number of projects were being launched for the improvement for tourism projects. These steps certainly boost the tourism in the coming days, she said.

ITDC has finalised the layout plans for a massive refurbishment of main duty free shop at IGI Airport. This will be a completely open and walk-in shop with attractive wall units and Gondolas designed to International Standards. Simultaneously, the arrival shops at the IGI airport, which are being relocated, will have a brand new look.

Conservation works with the cost of Rs. 10 crore to be taken up at Jaisalmer Fort
The Ministry of Tourism & Culture has planned massive conservation work for Jaisalmer Fort with a cost of Rs.10 crores. A MoU with World Monuments Fund, New York was signed today to mobilise fund for the project in the presence of the Minister of Tourism and Culture, Shri Jagmohan and Technical Director, Mr. Mark Weber. The World Monument Fund will provide Rs.2.5 crore while Ministry of Tourism & Culture will give Rs.5 crores besides an amount of Rs.2 crore already released for the project by it.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister of Tourism and Culture, Shri Jagmohan, said that his Ministry is working on number of projects to present glorified picture of our ancient civilization and heritage. Tourism and cultural hubs are being developed at 34 sites in the country, which include Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu, Hampi in Karnataka, Ajanta & Ellora in Maharashtra, Chittorgarh, Kumbalgarh and Jaisalmer in Rajasthan. Massive work is already going on these sites and the Ministry would spend about Rs.300 crores on the development of these hubs. Within one or two years number of such hubs will be fully developed, Shri Jagmohan added.

Expressing concern over present state of Jaisalmer Fort, Shri Jagmohan said that it had suffered damage due to excessive water intrusion. He said that the Fort being a monument of national importance efforts would be made to restore its glory. Total Rs.10 crore will be spent by the Ministry including Rs.2.5 crores provided by the World Monuments Fund.

The MoU signed among World Monuments Fund, Archeological Survey of India and National Cultural Fund ensures implementation of conservation project in two phases. During the first phase, assessment of ongoing work will be made, archival research and geo-technical and hydro-geological studies will be undertaken to assess damage. In second phase, required conservation work will be taken up which will include water outlets, pitching walls and other work. The project is expected to be completed within one-and-a-half years. Jaisalmer Fort is one of the greatest architectural treasures of India and indeed the world, founded in 1156 by the Rajput prince Rawal Jaisal. Jaisalmer Fort is known Colloquially as Sonar Kila, or the Golden Fort, after its luminous golden sandstone.

HUDCO sanctions 2.57 lakh houses in Rajasthan under 2 Million Housing Programme
Rajya Sabha

Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO) has sanctioned 2,57,074 dwelling units up to June 2003 in Rajasthan under the 2 million Housing Programme. Category wise details of the dwelling units sanctioned are as below: -

CATEGORY NUMBER
EWS (U) 72210
EWSW (R) 61690
LIG 64600
MIG 41453
HIG 17113
Upgraded (R) -
Upgraded (U) 8
In all, HUDCO has sanctioned 852 low cost urban housing schemes in Rajasthan having a project cost of Rs. 1320 crores. A loan of Rs. 904 crores has been sanctioned for these projects. In addition, HUDCO has also approved 50,147 applications for individual housing under HUDCO NIWAS scheme and sanctioned a loan of Rs. 103.24 crores. The Minister of State for Urban Development & Poverty Alleviation, Shri Pon, gave this information. Radhakrishnan in a written reply to the question of Shri R.K. Anand and two other members in Rajya Sabha today.

In reply to another question by Dr. Abrar Ahmed, the Minister stated that under the Integrated Development of Small and Medium Towns (IDSMT) Central assistance amounting to Rs. 1021.31 lakhs to 20 towns (12 ongoing + 8 new towns) falling in 12 different districts was released as per request of the State Government of Rajasthan during the Ninth Plan period.

North East Satellite Channel to cover hilly population

Rajya Sabha
The Minister of Information & Broadcasting, Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad has said that the 24-hours North East Satellite Channel was started on 27th December, 2000 with a view to extend coverage to the population in the hilly and difficult terrain of North Eastern Region of India.

Replying to a question by Dr. Arun Kumar Sarma in Rajya Sabha today, Shri Prasad said that the required capital outlay of Rs. 321.35 crores, projected for the period 2001-02 to 2004-05, will be spent in four phases. A number of special programmes have been commissioned which include programmes on development themes, cross border terrorism, militancy, magazine programme on events achievement of North Eastern Region and fiction serial on the award winning novel from NER.

The Minister further said that the North East Channel is available outside North East Region, through satellite. An amount of Rs. 142.10 crores has been approved mainly for upgradation of programme service for the 24-hours Satellite Channel for North East. The Channel has already started functioning for 24-hours and telecasting programmes in major dialects of North East, Shri Prasad added.

Core group to amend Copyright Act

Rajya Sabha

The Government has said that a Core Group has been set up to consider amendments to the Copyright Act and different groups of the music industry have made their submissions with regard to retention/deletion/modification in Section 52 (1) (i) of the Copyright Act 1957.

Replying to a question by Shri N. P. Durga in Rajya Sabha today, the Minister of Information & Broadcasting, Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad said the nodal Ministry for the Copyright Act, 1957 is the Ministry of Human Resource Development.
The Minister said that in 1999, the Copyright Division started the exercise of amending the Copyright Act, mainly to bring it in consonance with WIPO Copyright Treaty 1996 and WIPO Performance and Phonogram Treaty, 1996 and the TRIPS Agreement.
Shri Prasad said that there is no unanimous view of the entire music industry on Section 52 (1) of the Copyright Act.