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Inland Water Projects linking Kakinada-Mercanum canal

New Delhi -keralamonitor.com July 17, 2002.

Techno-Economic Feasibility Study for development of Kakinada-Mercanum canal system consisting of Kakinada canal, Elluru canal, Commamuru canal and Buckingham canal in the States of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu integrated with Godavari and Krishna rivers has been conducted which includes providing jetties at various location.

Further, for development of Inland Water Transport (IWT) in States, loan assistance of 50% cost of the approved scheme can be availed of by the State Government on re-imbursement basis under Centrally Sponsored Scheme.

With a view to accelerating development of Inland Water Transport in the Country, an Inland Water Transport Policy which includes policy guidelines and fiscal incentives for encouraging private sector to participate in IWT sector has been approved by the Government.This information was given in the Lok Sabha today by Shri S. Thirunavukkarasar, Minister of State for Shipping in a written reply to a question by Shri A. Brahmanaiah.

India’s navigable inland waterways extend to nearly 14,500 km out of which about 5700 km are suitable for mechanized crafts. No new national waterway was declared in the 9th Plan.

The important projects include Annual River Conservancy Works including bandalling, dredging, channel marking, talweg survey, issue of river notices in national Waterway-1 and 2, annual maintenance dredging, day channel marking, issue of river notices on National Waterway-3, construction of permanent terminal at Gaighat, Patna on NW-1 and Padu on National Waterway-2, terminals at 11 locations on NW-3, night navigation facilities on three National Waterways, requisition of dredger, survey launches, tugs, accommodation boats, acquisition of pontoons to be used as floating jetties for National Waterway-1 & 2, construction of National Institute of Inland Navigation at Patna etc. This information was given in the Lok Sabha today by Shri S. Thirunavukkarasar, Minister of State for Shipping in a written reply to a question by Shri T.T.V.Dhinakaran.

It is a fact that defence scientists have developed a drink for the soldiers keeping round the clock vigil on snow covered mountains and which does not freeze even at a temperature of minus twenty degree. The drink has been prepared by Field Research Laboratory, Leh and has been supplied to troops deployed at different posts of Siachen Glacier.This information was given by the Defence Minister Shri George Fernandes in a written reply to Dr. Abrar Ahmed in Rajya Sabha today.

DELAY IN INDUCTION OF SUKHOI JETS IN INDIAN AIR FORCE

New Delhi -keralamonitor.com July 17, 2002.Delay in the induction of latest Sukhoi fighter aircraft in the Indian Air Force was due to coordination problems during the development phase of the aircraft and the multinational nature of the project The project is regularly reviewed in high level joint meetings and technical problems faced are sorted out. One batch of aircraft has been received and induction of the remaining aircraft ex-import is likely to be completed by December 2003.

This information was given by the Defence Minister Shri George Fernandes in a written reply to Shri Ramachandra Khuntia in Rajya Sabha today.

To meet the enhanced requirement of Indian Air Force (IAF), an Inter Governmental Agreement between Government of India and Russia was signed on October 04, 2000 for licence manufacture of SU-30 MKI aircraft at HAL. In addition, the Government of India have accorded approval to HAL for holding discussions with international partners of Russia for co-design, co-development and co-production of Multirole Transport aircraft (MTA – Cargo and Passenger versions). A Heads of Agreement has been signed by HAL with Russian partners, Ilyushin Aviation Complex, Irkutsk Aviation Industrial Association and Rosoboronexport on June 06, 2001 during Indo-Russian Inter Governmental Commission meeting held in Moscow. A joint detailed product report is under preparation. The project is proposed to be launched based on approvals of the respective Governments of India and the Russian Federation.Such joint programmes with Russia are likely to result in the creation of capabilities within the country of producing world-class aircraft, engines and other airborne equipment.

The Joint Defence production with Russia was started during early 1960s when Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and erstwhile Soviet Union have entered into licence production programme for the manufacture of MiG series of aircraft, its engines and aggregates for the IAF.

This information was given by the Defence Minister Shri George Fernandes in a written reply to Shri P Prabhakar Reddy in Rajya Sabha today.

A Joint Indo-US exercise was conducted from May 07 to 27, 2002, involving joint para-drop at the designated dropping zone in Agra. The para-drop was conducted for training in interoperability and to inculcate the advantages of the techniques and technology employed by US Forces.

This information was given by the Defence Minister Shri George Fernandes in a written reply to Shri Aimmaduddin Ahmed Khan (Durru) in Rajya Sabha today.

India Bulgaria Joint Science Research

New Delhi -keralamonitor.com July 17, 2002.India & Bulgaria have constituted a joint Science & Technology Council for collaborative research in Metallurgy & Electron Beam Application. Both the countries also decided to create a Joint Software Promotion Council during the just concluded Indo-Bulgarian Joint Commission Meeting at Sofia, Bulgaria. The Union Agriculture Minister Shri Ajit Singh led a ten members Indian delegation for the Commission meeting last week. Bulgaria will also take a decision soon for import of genetic material and live buffaloes from India for further breeding. A protocol was signed between the two countries to extend the existing programme of collaboration in agricultural research till 2004.

During his visit to Bulgaria, Shri Ajit Singh called on the President Mr. Georgi Parvanov, the Prime Minister Mr. Simeon Saxe Coburg Gotha and Bulgarian Ministers of Finance, Transport and Economy. During these meetings Shri Singh stressed the need for continued cooperation between the two countries in the field of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Dairy.

Steel Mill Revival Plan.

New Delhi -keralamonitor.com July 17, 2002.Government has approved a revival package for Indian Iron & Steel Company (IISCO), Burnpur, West Bengal which inter alia includes grants for financing a Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) in Kulti Works, which is to be closed down. It has been decided to provide Government guarantees to raise money for financing VRS in Burnpur Works, mines and collieries, as well as for capital expenditure in these units. This is, however, subject to the Government of West Bengal conveying its approval to provide waiver of past dues and exemption from payment of sales tax (without any monetary ceiling), electricity duty, royalty and cess and municipal tax for the next five years.

As directed by BIFR Steel Authority of India Ltd. (SAIL) has submitted a rehabilitation proposal based on the above Government approvals, to the IDBI, the Operating Agency for IISCO.

This information was given by the Minister for Steel Shri B.K.Tripathy in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

Steel Authority of India Ltd. (SAIL) had engaged M/s. McKinsey & Co. in 1998 to prepare a 'Competitiveness Plan" for the company. The consultants examined some steel units of SAIL namely, Alloy Steel Plant (ASP), Salem Steel Plant (SSP) and Visvesvaraya Iron and Steel Ltd. (VISP).

According to McKinsey recommendations, the optimal course of action for ASP would be closure. Other measures should be to minimise losses through reduction in workforce, transferring hot metal from Durgapur Steel Plant etc. The main course of action available for VISP is divestment, so that the Joint Venture (JV) partner could open export markets and invest further in the plant, adding more value. Formation of a Joint Venture is best course of action for Salem Steel Plant. The Joint Venture partner, by providing backward integration for steel making and by opening new exports markets can make the unit viable in the long run. This information was given by the Minister for Steel Shri B.K.Tripathy in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

SAIL loss Rs.1707 crores.

New Delhi -keralamonitor.com July 17, 2002.The Steel Authority of India Ltd. (SAIL) has suffered a loss of Rs.1707 crore during the year 2001-02. The main reasons for losses incurred by SAIL are: stagnation in steel consumption due to slowdown in the economy, low sales realization, sluggish exports due to protectionist policies of various countries, high capital investment in the modernization projects leading to increased expenditures on interest and depreciation and high manpower costs. Government of India has approved a financial cum business restructuring package for SAIL in February, 2000. SAIL is currently undertaking the following steps to improve its performance: · Intensive cost control drive which envisages improvement of yield, reduction in consumption of coking coal and other raw material, reduction in consumption of power and fuel, reduction in consumption of stores and spares, improvement in other key techno-economic parameters etc. · Implementation of Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS). · Market oriented product-mix, increasing sales network and more focus on customer satisfaction etc. · Quality improvement to meet customer requirements and schemes relating to statutory requirement like safety, environment etc. · Restriction on fresh investment proposals except ongoing schemes. This information was given by the Minister for Steel Shri B.K.Tripathy in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

Eye Care Plan to control Blindness.

New Delhi -keralamonitor.com July 17, 2002.The Plan of Action for implementing National Programme for Control of Blindness during Xth Plan has been prepared and being submitted for approval of EFC/CCEA. It has been prepared in accordance with outlines of Global Vision 2020: The Right to Sight initiative launched by WHO and numerous countries. The plan includes controlling blindness due to cataract, glaucoma, diabetes and refractive errors. Special focus will be on prevention and control of blindness in children.

National Programme for Control of Blindness is being implemented throughout the country. Special attention is required in Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Jammu & Kashmir and Orissa where eye care services are not fully developed and performance is low.

Physical targets and budget allocation are made in accordance with requirements of the States. No proposal has been received from State Governments for setting up new Regional Institute of Ophthalmology.This information was given by the Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare, Shri A. Raja in a written reply to a question from Shri C. Sreenivasan and Shri Ambareesha in the Lok Sabha today.

The Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee has expressed profound grief over the demise of veteran Gandhian and noted freedom fighter Shri Ram Charan Bharatiya, who died in New Delhi today, at the age of 100 years . In his message Shri Vajpayee said that Shri Bharatiya was a true Gandhian who always fought for the cause of human dignity and freedom. It was in this spirit that in free India he opposed the imposition of Emergency and went to jail. In his death the nation has lost one of the prominent symbols of national pride and freedom, the Prime Minister added.