National Auto Fuel Policy announced
New Delh- Ram Naik, Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas, in a Press Conference held here today, announced the National Auto Fuel Policy, which was approved by the Cabinet on 3.10.2003. Broadly, the policy gives a roadmap for achieving various vehicular emission norms over a period of time and the corresponding fuel quality upgradation requirements. While it does not recommend any particular fuel or technology for achieving the desired emission norms, it suggests, taking into account security of supplies and existing logistics perspectives, that liquid fuels should remain as main auto fuels throughout the country and that the use of CNG/LPG be encouraged in cities affected by higher pollution levels so as to enable vehicle owners to have the choice of the fuel and technology combination. The report also recommends measures for improving the present mechanism of checking pollution from in-use vehicles.
The report has estimated that the existing domestic oil refineries, in addition to the investment of Rs. 10,000 crore already made to achieve Euro-I auto fuel specifications, would need to incur an additional investment of around Rs. 18,000 crore by the year 2005. Further investment of around Rs. 12,000 crore will need to be made during the period 2005-2010. The investment requirement of the automobile industry is estimated at around Rs. 25,000 crore over this period.
Naik said that in view of a number of Public Interest Litigations had been filed in the various Courts of the country seeking for issuance of directions for controlling vehicular pollution in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, etc. In order to take a holistic view of the diverse aspects of auto emissions, auto technologies and auto fuel quality on the one hand and the social costs and security of fuel supply on the other, it was decided at a meeting chaired by the Prime Minister on 30.8.2001 to set up a Committee of Experts of national repute headed by Dr. R.A. Mashelkar, Director General, Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), to make recommendations to the Government on an appropriate Auto Fuel Policy for the country. Accordingly, this Ministry constituted an Expert Committee on 13.9.2001 to suggest an Auto Fuel Policy for India, along with a roadmap for its implementation as also suitable auto fuels, automobile technologies, fiscal measures, etc., to attain the desired objectives.The Committee submitted its final report on 25.9.2002 which was examined by the Ministry in consultation with the Ministries of Finance, Environment & Forests, Road Transport & Highways, Non-Conventional Energy Sources, Planning Commission and State Governments. -keralamonitor.com
Amicable Settlement for Marad massacre issues
K M correspondent October 5, 2003
Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Government finally reached a settlement in the Marad issue through a second round of discussions with the representatives of Hindu and Muslim organizations on 5th. The Government has decided to consider the demand for a partial CBI probe into the Marad massacre paving the way for a peaceful rehabilitation of the 400-odd minority community families in the affected region.
After the meeting, Kerala Chief Minister A.K.Anthony said that the next meeting of the State Cabinet would take a decision on the question of recommending a CBI inquiry into the alleged conspiracy and inter-state links of the accused in the May two incident in which nine people were killed by an armed gang. The Government had also decided to enhance the compensation for the families of those who were massacred to Rs ten lakh from the present Rs one lakh. The compensation amount was returned by the recipients recently.
Similarly, those who were seriously injured would be given Rs five lakh and other injured would be given Rs three lakh. One dependent each of those killed would be given a Government job. The minority community families who left the beach area after the incident fearing retaliation, were staying in relief camps during the past five month following large protests from the Sangh Parivar outfits. After the announcement of the decisions, the CM expressed his happiness that he had been able to restore peace back to the communities. Responding to the decision on the CM for partial probe into the Marad massacre, KPCC president K.Murlidharan said that such a decision was the government's defeat before the BJP.
All countries must resolve to combat terrorism in all its forms - says Advani
The Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani today called on all nations of the world to resolve for combating terrorism in all its form. He said, come what may, no country should help a country which is aiding and abetting terrorism. Advani said that the September 11 attack on World Trade Centre has proved that distance can not provide immunity. He was inaugurating the 19th General Assembly of the Eastern Regional Organization for Public Administration, here today.
L.K. Advani said globalization has brought with it considerable gains and opportunities for every country but it is also brought with it several challenges which the public administration must be equipped to face. This calls for a high degree of professionalism amongst public administrators and their ability to compete in a global world. Therefore, what is needed is that the administrators should adequately equip themselves to look at opportunities and challenges in a global context and not limit themselves to national boundaries alone. For this intensive efforts are needed in Human Resource Development.
Talking about major changes and challenges that public administration is facing today, he said the most important is the expectation of good governance. With rising levels of income and awareness the demand for better services has been growing. Today's citizen demands quicker services with less harassment and at lower cost. Fortunately, the new emerging technologies have provided opportunities for fulfilling this demand. Take the case of Information Technology, it can be leveraged for better governance and better satisfaction of peoples' needs. E-Governance is the need of the day. This technology revolution is one of the most important challenges. The next important factor is the present liberalization. The entry of private sector into the provision of services has come to stay. Therefore, the public sector and the private sector will have to work hand in hand. They can not think that they are on the opposite side of the table, rather they should view more as partners in the common task of national building. Advani said considering the trend of globalization a country's policies have to be intrinsically linked to various international events and administrators must be fully aware of what is happening around the world that will help them to appropriately prepare themselves for the future. Last but not the least the administrators must keep updating themselves and try to improve their skills.
The Deputy Prime Minister hopped that the weeklong conference will come out with concrete suggestions which will help to devise our Policies and Programmes for providing better living for our people. The Minister of State for Home, Harin Pathak also addressed the gathering.
Redington Gulf FZE Surpasses US$ 100 Million in online transactions With HP
First distributor of Hewlett Packard in the Middle East to reach this milestone.
Dubai, 5 October 2003; Redington Gulf FZE, with their head office in UAE, has crossed the magical number of US$ 100 Million in shipments for the current financial year from Hewlett Packard across all products groups. This spectacular achievement is enhanced by the fact the company is the first distributor of Hewlett Packard in the Middle East to reach this milestone.
Commencing operations in 1997, with their head office in the UAE, Redington Gulf FZE currently has country offices located at UAE, KSA, Iran and Egypt with a formidable team of over 100 qualified & experienced professionals managing these offices. The company aims at increasing its market share and expanding its reach in the Middle East through more in country offices.
Redington and Hewlett Packard have always been synonymous with extremely successful & mutually rewarding relationships and boasts of a long and cherished history of dedication, commitment and understanding from both sides. The seeds of the Redington / Hewlett Packard relationship in the Middle East were sowed six years ago for one market - Iran , and one product group - IPG. Today it boasts of covering the entire region and across multiple product groups and support services.
According to Mr. Raj Shankar, Director of Redington Gulf FZE, "As relationships progress, many hurdles are crossed which are quickly forgotten; but there are a few milestones which need to be remembered because they are reached after intense battles to overcome the tough road blocks. Crossing this huge milestone of US$ 100 Million amidst stiff competition was not easy, but it was achieved, and we will always look back and proudly remember it."
Redington Gulf FZE's excellent vendor & customer relationships have been the key element in their continuing success. It has helped them in gaining partnerships with major IT companies throughout the Middle East. Redington enjoys a strong channel loyalty in the UAE and in the Middle East.
NCC girls have broken 21 year-old record by climbing Gangotri peak II
The 52nd NCC Girls Mountaineering Expedition team has achieved a rare feat of climbing Mount Gangotri II Peak 6,590 meters (21,166 feet) at 1040 hours on 23 Sep 2003 by successfully climbing this peak they have broken 21 years old threshold of 21000 feet crossed earlier by girl cadets.
Ajay Prasad Defence Secretary flagged in the successful 52nd NCC Girls Mountaineering Expedition to Gangotri Peak II at Directorate General NCC Conference Hall, New Delhi today. He praised the team for their determination and dedication in scaling the peak. Prasad informed that NCC is planning to take all women expedition to Mount Everest in 2005. On this occasion Director General NCC Lt Gen BK Bopanna congratulated the members of the expedition for their great success.
The expedition to the Gangotri II was flagged off from Delhi on Sep 05, 2003 by NN Vohra President Indian Mountaineering Foundation and Former Defence Secretary.
The expedition team consisted of 18 girl cadets, 04 officers and 17 members of the support team. The team was led by Lt Col JS Dhillon, Sena Medal a veteran mountaineer of NCC. Col Dhillon has many peaks to his credit and his name figures in Limca Book of World Records for doing Mt Kamet from west face. The girl cadets in this expedition were selected from all over the country.
The Gangotri II Peak located in Garhwal region of Uttaranchal state is a fairly technical peak a good training ground for budding young mountaineers. The climb on the peak requires meticulous planning and excellent climbing skills. The team after a comprehensive acclimatization and training schedule reached the Base Camp on 17 Sep 03. Even the inclement weather and intermittent rains and snowfalls in the region did not deter the team to attempt the summit. Gangotri - II is 21,615 ft high and lies 20 kms south of Gangotri ne.
