Ram Naik releases draft Natural Gas Pipeline Policy

7000 km National Gas Grid proposed at Rs. 18,000 crore investment

In a major initiative, Shri Ram Naik, Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas released the draft Natural Gas Pipeline Policy for the development of natural gas sector and optimum utilisation of the gas available from various sources in the country. In accordance with the draft Policy, transportation of all gas is envisaged to be done through a network of pipelines laid with the authorisation granted by the Regulator through a transparent mechanism. Shri Ram Naik informed that the draft Policy has been placed on the Website of Ministry (www.petroleum.nic.in) for soliciting suggestions from various stake holders, interested organizations and public latest by 31st October 2003.

Addressing a Press Conference here today, Shri Ram Naik informed that according to draft Policy, all trunk pipelines covering more than one State or operating at a pressure more than the notified level will be built/managed by a company to be notified by the Government, and till it is notified by GAIL. It is proposed to set up a National Gas Grid consisting of 7,000 Km long pipeline network at a cost of around Rs. 18,000 crore over the next 5-6 years. Further, any producer of gas, subject to prior permission of the Regulator (and Central Government for the PSUs) will have the right to sell gas within 100 Kms. of well-head or land-fall point to consumers directly and lay the pipeline for this purpose.

Shri Naik announced that the Policy envisages appointment of a Regulator under the Petroleum Regulatory Board Bill 2002 for regulating transmission, distribution, supply and storage system for natural gas/LNG and to promote development of the sector. The Regulator will ensure access to the gas pipelines on non-discriminatory common carrier principle for all users. He will also approve pipeline tariff for the common carrier pipelines. Till the Regulatory Board is set up, the Government will perform functions of the Regulator.

It is also proposed to set up a "National Advisory Council" to promote and develop the gas sector which will consist of stakeholders of gas grid system including State governments. The Council will give advice on the matters to the Government, and if desired, to the Regulator.

Shri Ram Naik emphasized that the draft Pipeline Policy has features, which would promote investment in gas pipelines and will provide a policy framework for the systematic development of gas sector. He said there is a need to provide a proper linkage between gas sources and its market centres along with inter-connectivity between regions, consumers and producers. With the recent major discoveries of gas in the K.G. Basin on the Eastern Coast and other discoveries on the Western Coast and in Rajasthan, it is expected that the domestic production of natural gas will increase substantially. LNG imports will also become a reality when India's first LNG terminal being set up by Petronet LNG Limited at Dahej starts its operations from January 2004.

With all these efforts, the natural gas is on the threshold of playing a much bigger role in the energy sector of India. This policy framework will greatly benefit the core sectors of the Indian economy namely, power, fertilizer and steel. The draft Policy is also expected to give an impetus to the development of CNG projects for supply of gas to the vehicles in different cities on the lines of CNG Projects in Delhi and Mumbai and lead to significant reduction in vehicular pollution bringing environmental benefits. The growth of these sectors will galvanize the economy of the nation as a whole.

Ernakulam LS elections; LDF candidate Wins

Kochi: In the Ernakulam by-elections, Left Democratic Front (LDF) candidate Sebastian Paul evolved victorious with a lead of 22,134 votes defeating his nearest United Democratic Front (UDF) rival M O John (INC). Dr Paul polled 335,310 votes, while Mr John secured 313,176 votes, the BJP-supported independent V Viswanatha Menon polled 51,420 votes and Poonthura Siraj of the People's Democratic Party secured 17,426 votes. Sebastian Paul lead in all the six of the total seven seats. During the counting of the polls and soon after the results came, there was a large crowd outside the residence of veteran congress leader Mr. K.Karunakaran, who said that the whole responsibility for the party's setback in its stronghold rested with Chief Minister A K Antony.

Mr. Karunakaran had kept away from campaigning in protest against the selection of Mr. John as the party candidate. His supporters had openly campaigned for Left Democratic Front candidate Sebastian Paul inorder to defeat Mr. A.K.Anthony's candidate. Karunakaran strongly criticized Mr.Anthony saying that he doesn't have any hope of change in the attitude of Mr.Anthony , but also said that he doesnt want to put the blame on the Chief Minister, nor want to discuss the merits and demerits, but also said that Anthony and his followers should learn a a lesson from the byelection verdict.There was great celebrations at the residence of Mr.Karunakaran at the loss of Mr.A.K.Anthony's candidate. The LDF has at this stage said that, the CM needs to resign as the elections proved the dislike of the people for the present government rule. The women of Marad at this stage also celebrated the victory of Mr.Paul and expressed their joys at the defeat of the candidate put forward by Mr.A.K.Anthony. K.P.C.C. president Mr.Muraleedharan, commented that the government ought to learn from the consequences of the elections and if they do not learn a proper lesson, the aftereffects of their attitude may turn out disastrous in future.

Wild Life week celebrations to be inaugurated by T.M.Jacob

Thiruvananthapuram: This years Wild Life week would be celebrated from October 2nd to October 8th.The one-week long celebrations would be inaugurated by T.M.Jacob on October 2nd evening 3.30.p.m in the museum auditorium. B.Vijayakumar MLA would preside over the function. V.ShivakumarMP and K.Mohankumar MLA would attend the programme.

Blood Donation Day to be celebrated

Thiruvananthapuram: October 1st would be celebrated as National Blood Donation Day and as a part of the event, the state government and non-government blood banks would conduct awareness campaigns and other programmes to encourage blood donation. Electricity Minister Kadavoor Shivadasan would inaugurate the state level celebrations at V.J.T Hall, Thiruvananthapuram on October 1st morning 11.a.m. B.Vijayakumar MLA would preside over the function. Mayor Prof.J.Chandra would give the Blood Donation message. V.S.Shivakumar MP would deliver the keynote address. As a part of the programme, there would also be motor rally with the cooperation of different voluntary organizations.

 

 

 

Jaitley clears 15 Foreign Technology Collaboration cases

Shri Arun Jaitley, Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, has approved
15 cases of foreign technology collaboration/franchise agreements based
on recommendations of the Project Approval Board (PAB). In addition 7
cases of Industrial Licence have also been approved.

Government has approved Technical Collaboration Agreement between Toyota
Kirloskar Motor Private Limited and Toyota Motor Corporation, Japan for
the manufacture of new model Multi Purpose Vehicle. This will add to the
existing product line up in India.

Government has also approved Technical Collaboration Agreement between
Toyota Kirloskar Auto Parts Private Limited and Toyota Motor Corporation
for the Engine Assembly for the new model Multi Purpose Vehicle to be
launched by Toyota Kirloskar Motor Private Limited.

Another proposal for technical collaboration for the manufacture of
LPG/CNG powered three-wheeled vehicle by M/s Piaggio Vehicles Pvt. Ltd. in
collaboration with M/s Piaggio & C. SPA of Italy has been approved. The
new vehicle will be Bharat-II compliant and meet standards of
environmental pollution.

The Project Approval Board (PAB) in its meeting held on 19.9.2003 under
the chairmanship of Shri Rajeeva Ratna Shah, Secretary, Department of
Industrial Policy & Promotion, had recommended these cases for approval.

The Licensing Committee (LC), in its meeting held on 19.9.2003, had also
recommended 7 proposals for grant of industrial licenses and/or
amendments in existing ones. The main sectors/areas of the
recommendations include Defense, Bio-Technology, Chemicals and Textiles.

The detailed list of recommended cases would be available on the website
of the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion viz., www.dipp.nic.in.

States asked to prepare action plan to double the food production