K E R A L A M O N I T O R . C O M May 2006 Proposal for India to join Turkey-Afghanistan-Pakistan Natural Gas Pipeline The Union Cabinet today approved articipation of India in the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (TAP) Natural Gas Pipeline Project. With India’s participation, the name of the project will get changed to Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) Natural Gas Pipeline Project. The Cabinet authorized Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas to put up a formal request for joining the project to the Governments of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Turkmenistan through ADB’s facilitation. It also authorized Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas to hold discussions with all concerned parties with a view to finalizing the amendments to the Inter-governmental Agreement and framework Agreement. With a view to meeting the rapidly growing gas demand of the country, it is projected that substantial quantities of gas would need to be imported. Joining the TAP project offers the possibility of an alternative of source of gas supply to India. At present, the total gas available for consumption in India is around 92 Million Standard Cubic Metres per day (MMSCMD) including regassified LNG, against an estimated demand of around 150 MMSCMD. As per India Hydrocarbon Vision –2025, the gas demand in the country is projected to increase to 313 MMSCMD by 2011-12 and to 391 MMSCMD by 2024-25. Meeting this burgeoning demand is going to involve, in addition to increasing the domestic E&P efforts, considerable volume of gas imports also. Plight of Overseas Indians in Gulf Discussed in Indian Parliament The Minister in the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, Shri Vayalar Ravi told the Rajya Sabha today that in order to further protect the interests of Overseas Indian workers, the Government is considering suitable amendments to the Emigration Act, 1983 which governs the migration of Indian workers for overseas employment. Shri Ravi further informed that complaints regarding ill treatment and exploitation of workers as well as cases/disputes regarding service benefits, legal dues etc. are received from time to time. Action is taken through the Indian Missions to redress such grievances of workers and for the amicable settlement of disputes. However, those who take up employment overseas illegally after going there on visit visas are susceptible to exploitation and have no protection of law in the host country. This information was given by the Minister in reply to a question by Smt. Hema Malini. Stating the living and economic conditions of overseas Indians in general and the working class in particular, the Minister in the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, Shri Vayalar Ravi told the Rajya Sabha today that over the years, overseas Indians, in general, have prospered socially and economically in their respective countries of domicile. NRI/PIOs have gained political and economic prominence in several countries such as USA, UK and Canada. Overseas Indians are recognised for their technical skills, knowledge and expertise in frontier technologies such as Information Technology and Bio-technology. He further stated that Overseas Indian workers are estimated at between 4 to 5 million with an annual gross flow of half a million workers excluding returnees. These workers are mostly semi/un-skilled and are appreciated for their sincerity, hard work and non-interference abroad. The remittances by overseas Indian workers into India are estimated at $12-15 billion annually. The largest numbers of overseas Indian workers are in the Gulf countries and are mainly in the unorganised sector. Since they are not covered by local labour laws, there are instances of workers being subjected to long working hours, non-payment of wages, poor working conditions etc. When such instances are reported, steps are taken by our Missions to redress the grievances of the workers. Shri Ravi further informed that while there is no overt move by foreign Governments to check the inflow of Indians to their countries, barriers have been raised through strict immigration/visa procedures, excessive checks and control in their travel to and stay in the host country. This information was given by the Minister in reply to a question by Dr. K. Malaisamy. Safety of Kidnapped UAE Diplomat Worries UA Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister, has voiced his concern over the situation in Iraq, calling for joint regional and international efforts to restore stability in the strife-torn country.Sheikh Abdullah made his comments to the Dubai-based Gulf News in the wake of reports that a top diplomatic representative of the UAE in Iraq was kidnapped by unidentified gunmen in Baghdad on Tuesday. "This is painful. We also understand that the situation in Iraq is unstable. This makes us more concerned about Iraq and the necessity to unite efforts at the Arab and international levels to restore stability and help Iraq return to the Arab and international fold," he told the English language daily.Late last night, A UAE foreign ministryofficial told WAM a diplomat based in the UAE embassy in Baghdad had gone missing. "We believe he has been kidnapped," suggested the source.The source said "the UAE has been actively involved in humanitarian efforts in Iraq, working closely with the Iraqi government and regional states on safeguarding Iraq's unity."A diplomat from the United Arab Emirates embassy in Iraq has gone missing in Iraq, according to a Foreign Ministry official here."We believe he has been kidnapped," suggested the source.The source said "the UAE has been actively involved in humanitarian efforts in Iraq, working closely with the Iraqi government and regional states on safeguarding Iraq's unity. The Minister for Civil Aviation, Shri Praful Patel gave the details of the outstanding dues of airlines to Airports Authority of India(AAI) in the Lok Sabha today. As per his statement, details of outstanding dues of private airlines as on 31st March, 2006 in respect of Delhi Airport viz. Jet Airways, Sahara Airlines, Air Deccan, Spice Jet, Kinghfisher Airlines, East West Airlines, NEPC Airlines, Skyline NEPC, Archana Airways, Elbee Air, Continental Aviation and Jagson Airlines are (Rs. In lacs) 687.40, 221.24, 223.61, 32.81, 79.38, 7.69, 14.72, 39.62, 11.86, 0.1 and 131.26 respectively. Outstanding dues in respect of Mumbai Airport viz. Jet Airways, sahara Airlines, Air Deccan, Kingfisher Airlines, Go Airlines, east West Airlines, NEPC Airlines, Skyline NEPC and Continental Aviation are (Rs. In lacs) 90.52, 12.52, 164.67, 96.20, 14.86, 407.43, 6.98, 34.94, 16.45 respectively. Dues are monitored regularly by AAI. Wherever necessary, action is taken through legal/arbitration/Public Premises Eviction Act. Besides, interest is levied for over due period on defaulting airlines and they are put on operation on cash and carry basis. The security deposit is also increased suitably based on operations. The Minister also stated that the revenue earned (Rs. In corres) by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) from Delhi Airport during 2003-04, 2004-05 and 2005-06 are Rs. 407.81, Rs. 489.33 and Rs. 667.53 and from Mumbai Airport are Rs. 436.38, Rs. 488.51 and Rs. 681.56 respectively. Indian Airline to Convert Flights into Fighter Aircrafts!!! Indian Airlines proposed to convert five of its aircrafts to freighter aircrafts. This information was given to the Parliament today, by the Minister for Civil Aviation, Shri Praful Patel. Indian Airlines proposes to convert five B-737 aircraft, at present operated by Alliance Air to freighter aircraft an average conversion cost of approximately USD 1.5 million per aircraft. Indian Airlines plans to operate these freighter services with Nagpur as a hub and Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai (via Bangalore & Hyderabad) as originating stations.With the operation of freighters, Indian Airlines would be able to expand its cargo business and also offer dedicated cargo service during the night time.However, no definite time frame for start of the cargo services has so far been finalized so far. The Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Shri Praful Patel in a reply to a question in Lok Sabha said that while Airports Authority of India (AAI) has no plan at present to modernize existing Hyderabad International Airport. The Government has approved a proposal of the State Government of Andhra Pradesh to set up a Greenfield International Airport at Shamshabad near Hyderabad through Joint Venture Route with Public Private Partnership. Hydrabad International Airport Modernisation Plan The Greenfield airport at Shamshabad near Hyderabad is being developed with Public Private participation (PPP), as a Joint Venture (JV) project wherein AAI has committed an equity contribution of 13%, which has been capped at Rs. 50 crores. Based on a competitive bidding process, consortium led by M/s. GMR Infrastructure Limited with Malaysian Airport Holding Berhard (MAHB) have been selected as the strategic joint venture parties holding 74% equity in the JVC and 13% equity is being held by Government of Andhra Pradesh The project agreements executed are: (i) Concession Agreement (ii) State Support Agreement (iii) Land Lease Agreement (iv) CNS/ATM Agreement (v)Airport Operation & Management Agreement (vi) Financing Agreement & (vii)EPC Agreements. The estimated expenditure expected to be incurred on the project is to the tune of Rs. 1761 crores.The completion time for the Project is 36 months from the date of Fiancial Close (FC). FC has been achieved on 22nd August 2005. Indian School Students, Teachers Visit Gulf Air Manama, Bahrain 16 May 2006: Two groups of about 50 senior class students from the Indian School Bahrain, specialising in marketing have visited Gulf Air. The students were given a presentation providing an overview of Gulf Air's history, its marketing strategies, branding, repositioning and the 'Smart Airline Successful Business' corporate strategy by Gulf Air Manager Services Quality Ghazi Mohammed Azzabi. The students were also taken on a tour of Gulf Air's safety and emergency procedures unit and the cabin crew training school, where they were shown the various procedures and action plans during an emergency as well as the training programme the cabin services crew undergo to provide quality service to passengers on board.The students were accompanied by Vice-Principal Ravi Warrior and class teachers. RTA’s study confirms excellent condition of Shindagha Tunnel May 17, 2006 The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) of Dubai has announced the completion of a comprehensive maintenance study on the Shindagha Tunnel, in association with Socotech International, a global company that specializes in the construction of dams, bridges and tunnels, which shows that the tunnel is in excellent condition. A team of specialized engineers from the RTA and Socotech International conducted an in-depth study of the internal walls and structure of the tunnel for cracks and other defects. Samples of the concrete from the tunnel were sent to UK for important tests and inspections, and results proved that the concrete is in good condition, confirming that the tunnel was still strong and safe.Maitha Bin Adi, CEO Roads Department, RTA said, "Studies proved that the steel used in the walls is still in very good state. The maintenance work done in 1985, after a decade of the tunnel's construction, involved coating the walls with special materials and paints to prevent the oxidization of iron, which has contributed to the excellent condition of the structure till date. The condition of the tunnel, three decades after it was built, is ample proof of the quality of the construction and maintenance works. "Under the guidance and instructions of H.E Mattar Al Tayer, CEO and Chairman of the RTA board, we are committed to carry out such periodic maintenance works on roads, tunnels and bridges in the Emirate. We plan to conduct a maintenance study on Shindagha tunnel once in three years with the expertise of global partners," she concluded.