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 Land to landless adivasis of Kerala

Allotment of land to the landless tribals is a 'State' subject. The State Government has, however, been advised that the problems of landless tribals may be solved on an urgent basis and in a time bound fashion within the over all purview of the State Legislations on the subject. The State Government has also been advised to purchase land from private and other parties, if so required, for tribals from the Special Central Assistance (SCA) to Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) and grants under Article 275(1) of the Constitution and TSP funds of the State Government in this regard.

However, no proposal for undertaking any survey with regard to encroachment of Advasi land by others has been received in the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. Besides, being a State subject, the State Government is required to initiate necessary action in the matter. This information was given by the Union Minister of Tribal Affairs, Shri Jual Oram in a written reply to a question from Shri A. Vijaya Raghavan in the Rajya Sabha today.

Securitisation Scheme for Petroleum Sector

The Government is in the process of finalising securitisation scheme for the petroleum sector. The proposed scheme will be applicable for securitisation of State Electricity Boards' (SEB) dues in North Eastern Region in respect of outstanding dues of GAIL (India) Limited and Oil India Limited. This include issue of 10 years 8.5% State Government Bonds payable every six months. The repayments will be in 10 equal half yearly instalments commencing after a moratorium of 5 years. The other features include part waiver of past interest on case to case basis and payment of current dues through Letter of Credit. The above scheme is on the lines of the scheme that has been adopted for SEBs. The scheme would help in realisation of old oustanding dues of SEBs in North-eastern Region and ensure the timely realisation of current dues. The above information was given by the Minister of State for Petroleum & Natural Gas, Smt. Sumitra Mahajan, today in the Rajya Sabha in a written reply.

KONKAN RAILWAY SIGNS CONTRACT WITH JAMMU &KASHMIR CONSULTANCY COMPANIES

Sixteen Consultancy Companies formed by 400 local engineering graduates of Jammu & Kashmir have entered into a contract with the Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd. for providing engineering supervision services at different sites between Katra and Laole of Udhampur-Baramullah railway line project.

In a bid to add value to the valley, Konkan Railway has involved the local civil engineering graduates to participate in the project by forming companies. Konkan Railway will provide them the necessary on job training while compensating them for the work that they would do for Konkan Railway and after five years of working with the Corporation the young engineers' consulting companies will be of international class to compete globally.Most of the persons who have formed companies are fresh engineering graduates or under-employed engineers.