PM TO INAUGURATE BUSINESS-LIKE PRAVASI BHARATIYA DIVAS
EAM TO REPRESENT INDIA AT ASEAN'S TSUNAMI SUMMIT
In the light of the tsunami tragedy and the Government's pre-occupation with relief and rehabilitation, it has been decided to scale down the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2005 (PBD 2005) meet in Mumbai next week. The PBD 2005 will be restricted to business sessions, cutting out all celebratory events, including entertainment and official banquets.Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has agreed to allow a scaled down PBD 2005 to be held, after initially considering its cancellation, because many of the several hundred delegates to the conference shave already arrived in India and have registered for participation. However, the Prime Minister has directed the Ministry for Overseas Indian Affairs, the nodal Ministry organizing the event, to cancel all celebratory events including entertainment, lunch and dinner programmes. The PBD 2005 will only have business-oriented sessions. It will also discuss ways in which overseas Indians can contribute to relief and rehabilitation efforts in a sustained manner. The Prime Minister will inaugurate the meet on 7th January, 2005 in Mumbai.
Because of his commitment to inaugurate the PBD 2005, the Prime Minister has requested the External Affairs Minister, Shri Natwar Singh to represent him at the ASEAN Leaders' Meeting on the Aftermath of Earthquake and Tsunami, scheduled for 6th January, 2005 at Jakarta. After participating in the meeting, Shri Natwar Singh will also fly to Colombo to discuss relief and rehabilitation issues with the Government of Sri Lanka.
COMMUNICATION LINK RESTORED AT CAMPBELL BAY AND CAR NICOBAR WITH THE COMMISSIONING OF INMARSATS & TELEPHONE EXCHANGE
EFFORTS ON TO RESTORE COMMUNICATION FACILITIES IN THE REST OF THE ISLANDS
The Minister of Communications & Information Technology, Shri Dayanidhi Maran, reviewed the progress made in restoring of communication facilities in Andaman & Nicobar Islands, here today at a high level meeting. The Minister of State for Communications & Information Technology, Dr. Shakeel Ahmad, who reached Port Blair yesterday afternoon to over see the relief and restoration work, visited the affected areas and directed the officials to make all out efforts to restore the telephone exchanges and satellite communications in the Tsunami affected areas of the Island.Meanwhile, Satellite Telephones have been commissioned at Campbell Bay and Car Nicobar with the installation of INMARSAT terminals by the team of engineers deputed by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL). The Satellite phones are now available to public for making calls. In addition to this a new telephone exchange of 256 lines (CDOT 256 Port) at Campbell Bay has been commissioned and is working with the telephone network of Andaman & Nicobar. One MCPC (Multiple Channel Per Carrier) equipment shipped to Car Nicobar yesterday is under installation. One VSAT has been airlifted today to Car Nicobar Island with engineers.
Three teams with 7 INMARSAT terminals have already left for Kamrota, Katchal, Terassa and Champin islands. Another separate team with INMARSAT terminals has left for Hutbay Island. They will commission additional satellite phone services by tomorrow.Efforts are on to provide PCOs in Bambooflat using Port Blair WLL systems’ coverage. It may be recalled that Bambooflat telephone exchange was completely washed out by the tidal waves.
In order to reduce congestion at Port Blair exchange, more than 200 additional circuits have been commissioned from Port Blair to Chennai and Kolkata. Four numbers of power plants (25A), six engine alternators and 10 battery sets are being air-lifted to Port Blair in addition to 8 numbers of power plants (25A) already sent to Port Blair yesterday. Seven numbers of CDOT 256 port switches, two numbers of power plants and five numbers of INMARSAT terminals have been airlifted to Port Blair. In addition, three more 256 port exchanges with MDF (Main Distribution Frame) and 14 numbers of optimux (optical fibre equipment) are being airlifted to Port Blair for installation in the affected areas. The entire operation of restoration of communication facilities in Andaman & Nicobar Islands is being supervised by a team of two senior officers of Department of Telecom, specially sent from Delhi.
NEW PROJECTS ARE IN ADDITION TO THE RS. 140 CRORE ALREADY SANCTIONED FOR TAMIL NADU UNDER CENTRAL ROAD FUND
16:28 ISTThe Union Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, Thiru. T.R. Baalu has sanctioned 54 new projects amounting to Rs.98.85 crore for widening, strengthening and improving the riding quality of roads, besides construction/ reconstruction of bridges/ culverts in the State of Tamil Nadu. These projects would significantly benefit the people socially and have a positive impact on the State’s economy. These new projects are in addition to the road projects worth Rs.140 crore already sanctioned under the Central Road Fund Scheme for carrying out a number of road works in Tamil Nadu.
Some of the major projects out of these new 54 projects are:
Widening the existing single lane to intermediate lane on NH-49-Extension in Bodimethu;
Improvement of riding quality of NH-209 in Palani;
Strengthening the road including reconstruction of minor bridges in NH-67 in Sengipatti;
Widening and strengthening in NH-67 in Karur;
Improvement to the steep gradient on NH-209 in Oddanchatram;
Strengthening of NH-205 in Thiruvallur;
Strengthening of NH-208 in Vasudevanallur;
Widening the existing single lane to 2-lane on NH-49 in Rameswaram;
Widening the existing intermediate lane on NH-45A to 2-lane in Sirkazhi;
Widening the existing intermediate lane to 2-lane on NH-45A in Nagapattinam;
Widening the existing intermediate lane on NH-45A to 2-lane in Poraiyar;
Strengthening of NH-68 in Salem;
Construction of protection wall in NH-66 in Uttangarai;
Strengthening the existing weak pavement in NH-209 in Coimbatore;
Construction of minor bridge in NH-67 in Palladam;
Strengthening of NH-68 in Salem-Ulundurpet road;
Strengthening of NH-68 in Vazhapadi;
Reconstruction/ widening of culverts in NH-66 in Gingee;
Reconstruction of major bridge in NH-4 in Katpadi;
Reconstruction of minor bridge in NH-209 in Coimbatore;
Reconstruction of culvert in NH-45B in Kariyapatti;
Strengthening of NH-205 in Tiruttani;
Reconstruction of minor bridge at NH-208 in Rajapalayam;
Reconstruction of 10 no. culverts in NH-210 in Karaikudi
Reconstruction of minor bridge and widening of minor bridge at NH-66 in Uttangarai.
Overseas Indians -Hectic Activity to Give Final Shape to the Third Pravasi Bharathiya Diwas 2005
The Year End - 2004 marks a lot of excitement and activity in the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs as the Ministry positions itself to play an active role as a facilitator for all the proposals and problems of the Overseas Indian community comprising the Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) and Non-Resident Indians (NRI), in the wake of the finalization of its work allocation and issue of the concerned notification in the closing month of the year.
The Ministry has been allocated a wide gamut of subjects concerning the Overseas Indians. These include - promotion of investment by overseas Indians in India; all emigration under the Emigration Act 1983; setting up and administration of centres for Overseas Indian’s Affairs in countries having major concentration of overseas Indians; policy regarding employment assistance to PIO/NRIs; scholarships to NRI/PIO students for study in India; external publicity relating to Overseas Indians Affairs; collection and dissemination of information concerning admission of NRI/PIO students to various educational, technical and cultural institutions, etc. The mandate also includes establishment of institutions to impart vocational and technical training to meet the requirements of skilled manpower abroad with the concurrence of the Ministry of Labour and Employment. Besides, the Ministry has also been entrusted with the task of taking up New initiatives for interaction by Overseas Indians with India in the fields such as Trade, Culture, Tourism, Media, Youth affairs, Health, Education, Science and Technology in consultation with concerned Ministries.
Apart from equipping itself to meet the challenges and new opportunities as enshrined under the mandate given to it the M/o Overseas Indian Affairs is also busy in giving the final shape to the arrangements for the `Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas’ scheduled to be organized in Mumbai from January7 to 9, 2005. Every effort is being made to make the three-day conference very focused and business-like, without losing out opportunities for networking, promotion of cultural activities and tourism. A larger number of delegates have already registered and the tempo is expected to build up in the coming days.
In this context, it may be mentioned that the Minister, Shri Jagdish Tytler and senior officers of the Ministry have been making untiring efforts and have also undertaken tours abroad to interact with the Overseas Indian Community and reflect their concerns and proposals on the Vision and objectives of the Ministry. The response from the Overseas Indian community everywhere has been overwhelming. Great expectations have been raised on the initiative of the new Government to set up an independent Ministry for their affairs.The Ministry is also taking steps to give effect to initiatives such as dual-citizenship, insurance for workers and redressal of failed NRI marriages.
PRIME MINISTER SANCTIONS RELIEF FOR TSUNAMI-HIT STATES
The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, has sanctioned initial relief for the calamity-hit States of Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh. The Prime Minister spoke to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Ms. Jayalalitha and sanctioned Rs 250 crore for relief work.Pondicherry is being sanctioned Rs 50 crore, while the initial relief for Andaman and Nicobar islands will be sanctioned as soon as the review is completed.The Prime Minister during his visit to the disaster hit states, reviewed the situation with the Chief Ministers of Kerala and Andhra Pradesh and also sanctioned relief of Rs 106 crore for Kerala and 100 crore for Andhra Pradesh.
Special Report - Tsunami – The Destroyer
The tsunami disaster that has engulfed nearly 25,000 lives in south Asia, was triggered by the world’s biggest earthquake in four decades, epicentred near Indonesia. Several countries in the region are severely struck by it. These include India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar, Somalia and Bangladesh.
Tsunami
Tsunami, in Japanese means ‘tidal waves’ and pronounced as "Su –nam – ee. The tidal waves that played havoc this weekend, spread west and north across the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean with a magnitude of 8.9, one of the most powerful in history — off the Indonesian island of Sumatra devastated southern Asia and triggered waves of up to 30 feet high. These waves are usually caused by seismic disturbances - coastal earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or undersea landslides that shake the ocean floor. A tsunami is not a single wave, but a series of waves that can travel across the ocean at speed of more than 800 km (500 miles) an hour. In the deep ocean, hundreds of miles (km) can separate wave crests, many people have lost their lives during tsunamis after returning home thinking the waves had stopped. The weekend’s tsunami was triggered by ten earthquakes – four in Sumatra and six in Nicobar. (Click Image for Detailed View
Tsunami, however, is a known phenomenon in the Pacific Ocean region stretching from Chile in Latin America to Japan in far east Asia. Japan is one of the two Asian countries - the other being Indonesia - which has been frequently hit by tsunamis. According to Arun Bapat a Pune-based research seismologist "a few major tsunamis have hit the Indian coastal region. The first available record is from the Madras Port Trust. The eruption of the Krakatoa volcano in Indonesia in August 1883 had its impact on the region. Eearthquakes on January 4, 1907, in Indonesia and on June 26, 1941, in the Andamans, also gave rise to tsunamis. An earthquake on November 27, 1945, located about 100 km south of Karachi in the Arabian Sea, also generated a tsunami". Therefore, tsunami is not new to India.
According to experts, the earthquake-driven tidal waves that devastated coastlines from Asia to Africa registered in the Pacific Ocean as far away as the United States and the coast of South America. "We recorded tsunami waves along the coast of South America, on the coast of American Samoa, in Fiji, even Mexico, and the west coast of the United States. It is probably the first multi-ocean tsunami since Krakatoa"," said the geophysicist with the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre on Oahu.
The international tsunami warning centre issued a tsunami warning bulletin over the weekend and tried to warn the countries in the path of the tidal waves, but lacked the right contact numbers as there is no tsunami warning centre for the Indian Ocean. None of the countries most severely affected - including India, Thailand, Indonesia and Sri Lanka - had a tsunami warning mechanism or tidal gauges to alert people to the wall of water that followed a massive earthquake, said Waverly Person of the USGS National Earthquake Information Centre.The United Nations has also warned of epidemics within days unless health systems in southern Asia can cope.
As large tsunamis, or seismic sea waves, are extremely rare in the Indian Ocean, people were never taught to flee inland after they felt the tremors of an earthquake. In the wake of the disaster, the country has decided to install recording system in the Indian Ocean floor to get warnings of tsunamis and join a global network of countries exchanging information on underseaquakes.
Relief and Aid
Aid agencies round the world have rushed staff, equipment and money to southern Asia after tsunami struck the coastal communities in at least six countries on Sunday. "The longer term effects may be as devastating as .... the tsunami itself," said UN’s Emergency Relief Coordinator. The European Union would also send an initial 3 million euros ($4.06 million) to help the victims. Indian Government has already sent immediate aid in terms of money, medicine, doctors, aircrafts and naval vessels to Sri Lanka and other affected countries.
On national level, the Central Government has announced to provide Rs. 500 crore from the National Calamity Fund for immediate relief to the tsunami-affected southern States and the Union Territory of Pondicherry. The Finance Minister has made an appeal to the people on behalf of the Cabinet to contribute generously – in cash and in kind to the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the victims. All members of the Union Council of Ministers would donate one month’s salary towards PMNRF. Similarly, all Central Government employees and those working in Central Public Undertakings/autonomous bodies have been exhorted to donate one day’s salary towards the PMNRF. The Prime Minister has also announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs. One lakh from PMNRF to the next of the kin of each deceased in the calamity.
The donations can be made by cheque or draft in the name of "The Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund" and sent to the Prime Minister’s Office, South Block, New Delhi-110001. As per directions the nationalized banks are not to charge any commission on preparation of drafts favouring the PMNRF. Contributions can also be made directly to the branches of the State Bank of India, Central Bank of India, Union Bank of India, Dena Bank, Syndicate Bank, Corporation Bank, Bank of India, Indian Overseas Bank, Punjab National Bank, Indian Bank, Allahabad Bank and Citi Bank. Contributions can also be sent through Money Orders with no commission chargeable. Contributions to the PMNRF have been notified for 100 per cent deduction from taxable income under section 80 (G) of the Income Tax Act.
The Ministry of Finance has asked the Insurance Companies for provision for immediate relief to victims and their families in the affected regions. Accordingly, the Life Insurance Corporation has set up special cells in the concerned zones for immediate settlement of claims. Similarly, non-life insurance companies like New Indian Assurance Company, National Insurance Company, United India Insurance Company and Oriental Insurance Company are also making arrangements for urgent help to the affected persons/families. A Task Force has been set up under the Deputy Governor, RBI, Shri V. Leeladhar, to monitor relief measures.A Control Room is working round the clock in the Home Ministry to monitor relief and rehabilitation measures. The telephone numbers of the Control Room are 23092923, 23093054, 23092885 and 23092763.
District Hospital at Car Nicobar Operationalised.
Rs. 1 Crore for Procuring Emergency Drugs in Tamil Nadu
In Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the team of doctors sent by the Centre has operationalised the district hospital at Car Nicobar. In addition, three groups of doctors are providing services to the people in the islands of Hut Bay, Noncowry and Campellbay and adjoining islands. The Centre has placed Rs.1 crore at the disposal of the Tamilnadu Government to procure emergency drugs for relief work in the affected districts. This is an addition to Rs.40 lakh worth of emergency medical stores which had been supplied to Pondicherry and Andaman & Nicobar islands earlier. The HSCC, a Health Ministry Public Sector Undertaking, has procured 30 essential drugs and consumables for dispatch to the Maldives and Sri Lanka. The Home Ministry has been informed about the procurements.As per reports received from the regional office of Health and Family Welfare, no outbreak of diseases has been reported by the state authorities. The sporadic diarrheal cases at Nagapattinam are being attended to and brought under control. The Union Health Secretary and the Director General of Health Services are keeping a close watch on the situation and coordinating the logistic supply and manpower deployment.
Proposal To From Coordinating Group to Effect Relief to Tsunami Disaster Areas
President George Bush and US Secretary of State, Colin Powell had spoken to Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh and EAM, Shri K. Natwar Singh yesterday on the proposal to form a coordinating group of India, Australia, Japan and the United States based on the capabilities and resources that these countries have to effect relief in areas that have been worst affected by the Tsunami disaster. It was conveyed that India would be prepared to join in this humanitarian effort. Following these conversations, a teleconference was held this morning between US Under Secretary of State Marc Grossman, Australian Permanent Secretary, Douglas Chester, Director General of the Japanese Economic Cooperation Bureau, SATO and Foreign Secretary, Shri Shyam Saran. This conference was initiated by Mr. Grossman in order to coordinate relief and rescue efforts and welcomed by the others.
The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh at the Tsunami affected areas at Kolachel, in Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu on December 30, 2004.
The main purpose of the coordination effort is to avoid duplication of efforts, identify gaps in the relief process and find ways and means to address these deficiencies. A videoconference will be held tomorrow between the Washington-based Ambassadors of India, Australia and Japan with Mr. Grossman and UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan. This group of four countries has agreed to work together closely with the UN and examine where the relief effort can best be channelised through the UN.
Foreign Secretary acquainted the other members of the group with the relief and rescue efforts already launched by India for Sri Lanka and Maldives, including substantial assistance being provided through deployment of Indian naval ships and aircraft, including helicopters. These had been deeply appreciated by Sri Lanka and Maldives and are continuing. This could be expanded further as needed. As far as the disaster in South India and Island territories is concerned, India is confident that we will be able to deal with the challenges with our own resources and international relief therefore could be directed where it is most urgently required.
GOVERNMENT EXEMPTS ASSOCIATIONS FROM ACCEPTING FOREIGN CONTRIBUTION FOR PROVIDING RELIEF TO TSUNAMI VICTIMS - PRESS NOTE
In order to facilitate the immediate acceptance of foreign assistance, in cash and kind by various agencies working in the Tsunami hit coastal areas of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry and Kerala and other parts of the country for providing relief to the affected persons, the Central Government has exempted, with immediate effect and upto 31st March 2005, all associations (other than a political party) having a definite cultural, economic, educational, religious or social programme, from the provisions of section 6 (1-A) of the Act to accept foreign contribution, in cash and kind, for providing relief to the affected persons without obtaining a formal approval of the Central Government, subject to the following conditions:
1. Each such association would open a new bank account for this purpose;
2. The said account would be designated as the "Tsunami Relief Account";
3. The association would receive foreign contribution only in the said designated bank account;
4. The association would maintain a separate set of accounts and records in respect of foreign contribution received in the said designated bank account;
5. The association would submit its particulars in Form FC-1A to the Foreigners Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs within one week of the opening of the said designated bank account;
6. The association would make an intimation regarding receipt of foreign contribution in Form FC-3 and in Form FC-6 in respect of articles, duly certified by a Chartered Accountant, within 4 months of the closure of the year to the Foreigners Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs in the manner prescribed in Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Rules, 1976.
The forms can be downloaded from the Ministry of Home Affairs Website at: http://mha.nic.in/fore.htm
Voluntary organisations already registered under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 1976 are hereby permitted, as a special case, to receive foreign contribution in cash and kind for assisting the victims of Tsunami, irrespective of the fact that their aims and objects provide for such activity or not, under intimation to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Certain voluntary organisations are also in receipt of permission to accept foreign contribution for a specific project. Such organisations are also permitted, as a special case, to use the foreign contribution for assisting the victims of Tsunami, under intimation to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
KALPAKKAM PLANT READY TO RESUME POWER GENERATION
There has been concern about the status of the nuclear power reactors and other facilities in Kalpakkam in view of the Tsunami hitting the east coast. To assess the status of their health, the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) deputed a Senior Level Team consisting of five members. The team visited the site on 29 December, 2004 and inspected the affected areas. At the time the Tsunami struck the Kalpakkam coast, Unit-2 of the Madras Atomic Power Station was operating at its authorized power. Following entry of sea water into the pump house, Unit-2 was tripped and the reactor was brought to a safe shutdown state. Unit-1 of the station has been shut down for some time for refurbishment.The AERB team inspected all the important areas of the plant including the reactor building, the control room, the turbine building, the pump house, jetty, firewater pump house and outer peripheral areas of the service building. All systems, services and structures were found to be in good condition. All radiological conditions in the plant are normal and there has been no release or discharge of radioactivity from the plant. The AERB team also noted that the operator response to the event had been correct and timely. After completing its comprehensive inspection, the team has concluded that the plant is in a healthy state and is ready to resume power generation.The Fast Breeder Test Reactor and other facilities in the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research at Kalpakkam were also inspected by the team. It was observed that there has been no impact on these facilities.
MORE MESSAGES OF SYMPATHY RECEIVED FROM NATIONS ACROSS THE WORLD IN REGARD TO TIDAL WAVE RELATED DISASTER
More Heads of States from across the world have sent their messages of sympathy and support to the Government and people of India with regard to the loss of life and damage to property caused by the tidal wave, which hit the Southern coast on December 26. The messages have been addressed to the President, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.The Heads of States whose messages have been received are the President of South Korea, Mr. Roh Moo-hyun, the President of Slovenia, Dr. Janez Drnovsek, the President of Turkey, Mr. Ahmet Necdet Sezer, the King of Sweden, His Majesty Carl XVI Gustaf and the President of Singapore.Messages have also been received from the winner of the Presidential elections in Ukraine, Mr. Viktor Yushchenko and the Supreme Head of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church in Damascus, Ignatius Zakka I Iwas.Year End Review 2004
HIGH PRIORITY TO RELATIONS WITH NEIGHBOURS AND INCREASING PEOPLE TO PEOPLE CONTACT
The UPA Government has come out with a foreign policy which is purposeful, result-oriented and pro-active. India, today, enjoys a unique profile in the international arena as a factor of stability, a model of plural and secular democracy and an economic powerhouse that is destined to play a greater role in the international affairs.India’s emergence as a compulsory destination in the itineraries of leaders from all parts of the world reflects the high standing and credibility that the Government and its leadership enjoy.
Amongst the earliest crisis that the Government faced was the kidnapping of three Indians for ransom in Iraq. After more than a month’s long patience and delicate effort, the Government was able to ensure safe return of hostages without sacrificing any principles. The successful and mature handling this crisis set the stage for reorientation of Indian Foreign Policy in the service of the nation in a rapidly transforming and ever more challenging global environment.
HIGH PRIORITY TO RELATIONS WITH NEIGHBOURS
The Government has re-focused India’s Foreign Policy giving high priority to relations with all its neighbours. The Minister for External Affairs chose Nepal for his first visit after taking over his office. A number of high level visits have been hosted from the neighbouring countries, including both the President and the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, King of Bhutan, the Prime Minister of Nepal and Foreign Minister, Commerce Minister and Finance Minister of Bangladesh have been among the recent visitors. A major landmark has been the visit of the Head of State of Myanmar to Delhi in November this year, the first such visit in 26 years. This has resulted in important cross-border projects being taken up and coordinated action to deal with insurgency in border areas.
The Government’s engagement with India’s neighbours has not been limited only to Government-to-Government level but has consciously encompassed different sections of society and across the political spectrum. The UPA Government believes that it is important to have frequent and regular contacts and wide-ranging discussions with the neighbouring countries at all levels to take forward and to maximize opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation. At the same time, the Government has not hesitated to address issues where there may be differences, but has done so in a spirit of friendship and in a constructive search for practical and mutually acceptable solutions. This will be the approach to the forthcoming SAARC Summit, which will be held in Dhaka in January 2005. The present Government remains committed to a collective future of peace and prosperity for the entire South Asian region.
A SUSTAINED & COMPREHENSIVE DIALOGUE PROCESS WITH PAKISTAN
With Pakistan, the Government has put behind reactive policy, which frequently oscillated between euphoria and despair. The Government now has engaged in a sustained and comprehensive dialogue process. It will not be deflected by transient developments and often contradictory pronouncement from the other side of the border. The Government’s confidence in taking this process forward is reflected in the number of wide-ranging confidence building measures that it has put on table, including several on unilateral basis. Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, has clearly enunciated the parameters within which India seeks peace with Pakistan.
INTENSIFYING RELATIONS WITH CHINA
The Government has managed to intensify relations with China. Prime Minister recently met the Chinese Prime Minister, Wen Jia Bao, during the ASEAN Summit in Vientiane. The Chinese leader said that the most important item on his agenda in 2005 would be his visit to India in March 2005. Two rounds of talks have already been held between the special representatives of the two countries on the boundary question. The importance of the relationship is also reflected in the visits recently of two senior Chinese State Councillors and Shri K. Natwar Singh, Minister for External Affairs, four times in three months in Qingtao, Jakarta, New York and Almaty. During his visit to India, State Councillor Tang Jia Xuar recognised the active role that India could play in international affairs and in the Security Council.
BROAD RANGE OF DISCUSSIONS WITH U.S.
For India, relations with the US are special because both are vibrant democracies. India’s relations are being expanded across the board. Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh met President Bush in New York in September 2004, which resulted in a strong reaffirmation of the strategic partnership between the two countries. The Secretary of Defence, Rumsfeld, visited New Delhi in December. India’s perspectives on specific issues may be different and that may lead to differences in policies. However, India shares a great enduring affinity as peoples wedded to democratic values and today there is such a broad range of interaction between the two countries across the board, that changes in the US administration have not resulted in any uncertainty or doubt. India-US relations are beginning to acquire a degree of stability and predictability. Both countries are ready to work together on shared concerns.
Two million diaspora of India is a strong factor in this relationship. On missile defence, India has given no commitment about its participation. At this stage, India is being given technical briefings and presentation on missile defence by the US. The US administration has approached the US Congress for the supply of a weapons package to Pakistan, including surveillance aircrafts and anti-tank missiles. The UPA Government has expressed India’s strong concern over this move at very high levels of the US government. It has pointed out that supply of arms to Pakistan at a time when India-Pakistan dialogue is at a sensitive stage, would have a negative impact. India has also conveyed that US arms supplied to Pakistan would also have a negative impact on the goodwill the US enjoys in India, particularly as a sister democracy. On the possible supply of F-16 aircrafts to Pakistan, the US government has conveyed that no decision has been taken and is not imminent. The Government has cautioned the US against such a decision. The Government will not hesitate to take steps to ensure that India’s defence preparedness is not compromised in any way.
A STRATEGIC & TIME TESTED RELATIONSHIP WITH RUSSIA
With Russia, India has a strategic and a time-tested relationship, which has stood the challenge of a changing global and regional environment. President Putin’s recent visit to India provided an opportunity to take forward these relations to a much higher level of interaction. Significant successes in the field of space and energy cooperation have strengthened the strategic nature of the relationship. The signing of 4 agreements and 6 MoUs is indicative of the breadth of India’s relationship with Russia. A declaratory phase in relations between the two countries has given way to concrete steps to put substance into professed intentions. The Government is also gratified that President Putin supported India’s candidature for the United Nations Security Council seat with veto power.
EU – INDIA AN INDISPENSABLE PARTNER
There is a growing recognition of India as an indispensable partner by the international community and this is reflected particularly in the European Union (EU), now consisting of 25 members, seeking a strategic partnership with India. This was the theme of the visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to The Hague in November 2004. The declaration on strategic partnership will now be followed by a political declaration and an Action Plan to be adopted at the next India-EU Summit in the year 2005. This will provide a new focus and add substance to already wide-ranging relationship with the EU.
A NEW DIMENSION TO LOOK EAST POLICY
India’s "Look East Policy" has now been given a new dimension by the UPA Government. India is now looking towards a partnership with the ASEAN countries, both within BIMSTEC and the India-ASEAN Summit dialogue as integrally linked to economic and security interests, particularly for India’s East and North East region. Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh flagged off the first India-ASEAN car rally from Guwahati that drew enthusiastic support from within the ASEAN countries as also from India’s North Eastern States. The adoption of the document on "India-ASEAN Partnership for Peace, Progress and Prosperity" at the Indo-ASEAN Summit on November 30, 2004 symbolises that India now forms the inner core of countries in ASEAN’s political relationship with the rest of the world.
WEST ASIA & GULF – HELPLINE CENTRE FOR INDIAN CITIZENS
The importance which West Asia and the Gulf enjoy in terms of India’s interest cannot be over emphasised. Particularly, when more than 3 million Indian citizens live and work in this region. Recognising this, the Government has intensified India’s relations with all key countries in the region, as well as with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) with which India has signed a Framework Agreement for Economic Cooperation. For the Indian citizens in the region, the Government has established 24 hour Helpline Centre in Saudi Arabia and will extend to other capitals. All Indian Missions and Posts in the Gulf observe an "Open House" once a month to enable the Indian nationals to meet senior officials without appointment to seek any assistance.
NUMBER OF HAJ PILGRIMS INCREASED
The Government has taken a decision not only to increase the number of Haj pilgrims from India but also restored the subsidy which had been reduced by the previous Government.
India’s long standing friendship with the Palestinian people and its support for their cause was reaffirmed when Shri K. Natwar Singh, Minister for External Affairs, led a multi-party delegation to Cairo to pay homage to the memory of Yasser Arafat, the much revered leader of the Palestinian people. In September, Minister of State for External Affairs, Shri E. Ahamed, had visited Ramala with a goodwill message from Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh reiterating India’s unwavering support to Palestine, which was greatly appreciated by the late President Arafat.
NO TROOPS TO IRAQ
The Government has made a clear-cut enunciation of its policy of not sending troops to Iraq, which has been endorsed by Parliament. At the same time, the Government has maintained India’s engagement with the friendly people of Iraq. This has taken the shape of humanitarian and reconstruction aid and more recently support for the forthcoming election process in Iraq. The restoration of political stability in Iraq is of direct concern to India, which depends upon this region for a substantial part of its energy supplies and also because over 3 million Indian citizens live and work in this region.
FOCUS ON AFRICA
One of the key achievements of the Government has been ‘Focus Africa Policy’. In the last few months, in Africa-India relations, in terms of more and greater exchanges of high level visits, greater economic and technical cooperation, both bilateral as well as within the context of the African Union and India’s contribution to peace-keeping in several African countries. Illustrative of this is the announcement of President of India, while visiting South Africa in September 2004, of an ambitious project for linking all 53 African countries through a satellite as well as a fibre optic based network. This would be the backbone of the services such as tele-medicine, distant education and IT-enabled services.
CENTRAL ASIA – AN IMPORTANT ECONOMIC PARTNER
Central Asia is not only a strategic region, but also extended neighbourhood with which India enjoys long-standing, historical and cultural relations. Central Asia is an important economic partner, particularly in terms of India’s energy requirement. The Government is moving quickly to intensify India’s relations with countries in this region through high-level visits and improved communications and increased economic and commercial relations. The Minster for External Affairs, Shri K. Natwar Singh, visited Kazakhstan in October 2004 and also hosted the Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan.
LATIN AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN
The Government has also intensified relations with Latin America and the Caribbean both at the bilateral level and with the regional groups. Ministerial visits of Foreign Ministers of Mexico, Venezuela, Suriname and the visit of Shri Rao Inderjit Singh, Minister of State, to Panama, Colombia, Dominican Republic and El-Salvador has maintained high-level interaction with the countries of the region. India’s commonalities with Brazil have continued to grow as both collaborate on Security Council reform and the WTO. The process of finalizing Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) with MERCOSUR (Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay) is on course and negotiations are being held with Chile.
UN PERMANENT MEMBER
The efforts of the Government have ensured that India’s claim to be a Permanent Member of the Security Council within the context of overall reform of the UN has been well established within the international community. It was thanks to intensive diplomacy on the part of the UPA Government that India was able to create a common platform of the four most credible aspirants for Permanent Membership of the Security Council. India, Brazil, Germany and Japan are mutually supportive of each other and have agreed to work together to realise their shared objective. India also supports African representation in the Permanent Membership. Recently, the panel appointed by the Secretary General of the United Nations on "Threats, Challenges and Change" has submitted a number of recommendations or institutional changes in UN, including the composition of the UN Security Council. India will study them and in consultation with other Member States will decide how to take the process of reform forward during the next year.
FOREIGN POLICY AND DOMESTIC DEVELOPMENTS
The Foreign Policy today cannot be divorced from domestic developments. In order, therefore, to ensure a more consultative approach in Indian Foreign Policy, the Minister for External Affairs has initiated a mechanism for coordination with other Ministries and agencies as well as with State Governments, particularly those which border India’s neighbours. For example, the Ministry of External Affairs is closely coordinating its diplomacy with the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas in respect of securing energy supplies for India in different parts of the world. The Government is also engaged in a major programme for the upgradation of cross-border infrastructure working together with the Ministries of Home and Surface Transport as also with State Governments.
MULTI DIMENSIONAL & CONSULTATIVE PROCESS
The Government has put in place a multi-dimensional and consultative process of thought and action. The Government’s foreign policy today has clear focus, a sense of maturity and a pro-active character recognizing that the lines dividing the domestic from external, the political from the economic, are becoming increasingly blurred. Today, there is a general recognition that India’s destiny is being guided by steady hands, backed by both experience and wisdom and demonstrating a confidence that it can deliver.
NATIONAL CONSENSUS
India’s Foreign Policy has traditionally been based on national consensus. It is the Government’s intention that the consensus should be maintained and strengthened.
Recognizing the fact that there is much wisdom which also lies beyond the corridors of the Ministry of External Affairs in the South Block, the Minister for External Affairs has set up a foreign policy Advisory Group to get inputs on important contemporary issues from experts and academics outside the Government. The Government has also been hard at work to make the Ministry of External Affairs a much more effective instrument for implementing India’s Foreign Policy. Today there is much better morale in the Indian Foreign Service and a much more collegiate style of work with the result that the quality of Indian diplomacy has improved considerably.
DIPLOMACY – RESPONDING TO THE NEEDS OF THE TIMES
The Government is of the view that practice of diplomacy must respond to the needs of the times. Accordingly, Indian Ambassadors abroad have not only become active in economic diplomacy but have also been reaching out to the Indian diaspora with a view to involving them in exciting task of building a new India. Indian Ambassadors are also mandated to look after the interests and security of Indians abroad. Regular training courses for different levels of Foreign Service personnel are conducted by the Foreign Service Institute.
It has been the endeavour of the Government to follow the basic principles of India’s Foreign Policy, which have guided India since its independence. It has reoriented and readjusted it wherever necessary in response to new challenges that confronts India. Many difficult challenges lie ahead and India’s resources are limited but there is now a sense of assurance and confidence with which India would continue its journey towards a destiny which was eloquently articulated by India’s first Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in 1947, a destiny in which India, "attains her rightful place in the world and makes her full and willing contribution to the promotion of world peace and welfare of mankind."
Alappuzha District Collector transferred for lapse in carrying out relief activities in district
Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Umman Chandy has announced new relief measures that would be taken to help the victims of tsunami attack. He informed that the state government has decided to ask the centre for a monetary help of Rs. 757 crores for the relief activities and that a request would be given to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who would be visiting Kerala tomorrow. Umman Chandy also informed that the Alappuzha District Collector K.M.Ramanandan would be transferred for the lapse in carrying out relief activities in the affected areas. In his place, K.R.Muraleedharan would take charge as the new Alappuzha District Collector.
Minister Dominique Presentation and MLA Kuttappan attackedThe death toll in Kerala has risen to 162, according to official reports. The victims of the various districts, which came under the attack of tsunami waves, are still having a tough time in the temporary camps. Red cross and other voluntary organizations are providing food, clothing and water in many places like Kollam. But even in the middle of this, people are upset about the thefts that took place in the camps. They were unhappy about the thefts and police inaction about it. According to media reports the law and order situation failed in Kerala and the police was busy escorting the ministers and VIPs visiting the affected areas. They were also deployed in the special marriage functions of Kunjalikutty's son.
Nothing much is being done for the people and the whole activities of cleaning up the affected areas, burial of dead bodies and relief activities are being carried out by voluntary organizations and local people who have formed informal groups to carry out the relief operations. Parties like CPI (M) provided food and other supplies for the affected people. The agitated people in the camps of Edavanakkadu in the Ernakulam district attacked Minister Dominique Presentation and MLA Kuttappan who visited the camps saying that they didn't go to the real areas, which were affected, by the tsunami attack. It is also seen that the people there are in such a mental position that they don't want any ministers or VIPs to visit these places but rather do something to employ more people and money to carry out relief operations and cleaning up of the places. As most of the dead bodies, which are being found out, have started decaying, the speed of the cleaning-up activities have reduced. -Keralamonitor.com
Bahrain simplifies immigration process with e-visa
Travel developments to be discussed at first Arabian Hotel Investment Conference
(Dubai, December 2004): Streamlined visa processes in Arabia are essential to stimulate visitor figures, according to one government tourism official, who said that online visa application facilities have proved highly successful since their recent introduction.Bader Nasser, head of marketing for tourism affairs for the government of Bahrain, highlighted the Kingdoms e-visa initiative as a necessary measure if the drive for fast and seamless immigration processes for business and leisure travellers is to be met.
The Bahrain e-visa project a first for the Middle East and one of only a handful in the world comes as the topic of visa restrictions comes under the spotlight at the first-ever Arabian Hotel Investment Conference, to be held in Dubai on April 30 May 2.
Bahrain was the first country in the Middle East and one of the only countries in the world to issue online visit visas to simplify and fast track - its immigration processes. To date, an average of 1,500 visas are downloaded a month, with numbers expected to double during the next 12 months.The e-visa initiative is the first phase of a drive to move all of Bahrains immigration processes online. Nasser said: For too long, the issue of visas in Arabia has blighted the attempts of the tourism authorities especially to stimulate visitor numbers. We are pioneering the switch to e-visas as part of our strategy to become a tourism destination of the future.
Residents of 33 countries outside the GCC can apply online at www.evisa.gov.bh, allowing them to download their visit visa anywhere in the world before travelling to the Kingdom. Those able to take advantage of these facilities include UK, US, Australia and most European passport-holders. Nasser said: While the ideal scenario is still a single visa for Arabia to facilitate travel between the Gulf states, we have to look at new and innovative ways to make the immigration process as smooth and simple as possible for international visitors.
The visit visas are valid for two weeks for a fee of BD7 (US$18.50) enabling travellers to fast-track the arrival process in Bahrain by completing the visa process ahead of time rather than on arrival. In addition, the downloaded visa removes the need to pay in local currency.Jonathan Worsley, organiser of the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference, said: The issue of one visa for Arabia has already been tabled for discussion at the conference next year. Indeed, the majority of our advisory panel of 50 regional tourism leaders identified visa restrictions as a challenge in this marketplace. This initiative from Bahrain has shown how governments can harness technology to improve efficiency and therefore service, which is another discussion that has been scheduled for AHIC.
The advisory panel includes among others: Zaher El Ajjaoui from the Bahrain-based Gulf Finance House; Sarmad Zok, CEO Kingdom Hotel Investments; Salem bin Dasmal, CEO of Dubailand; Gerald Lawless, managing director of Jumeirah International; James Wilson, president of IFA Hotels and Resorts; Wahid Attala, executive director of Nakheel; Jurgen Baumhoff, CEO of Qatar National Hotels; Jean-Claude Baumgarten, president of World Travel & Tourism Council; and regional directors from international hotel groups InterContinental, Marriott, Movenpick, Rezidor SAS and Rotana.
The conference is set to attract more than 300 delegates to discuss topics as broad-ranging as environmental and sustainable tourism to real estate issues, investment and industry trends, supply / demand dynamics and security issues.
The event will run from April 30 to May 2, 2005 at the Madinat Jumeirah resort in Dubai, setting the scene for the regions largest dedicated travel exhibition, Arabian Travel Market, which opens on May 3. The conference is organised by CB Richard Ellis Hotels, the largest commercial real estate firm in the world, and MEED Conferences. Details of AHIC can be found on www.arabianconference.com.
Already signed up as platinum sponsors are: IFA Hotels and Resorts; Nakheel Company LLC; Kingdom Hotel Investments and Rezidor SAS Hospitality.
Gold sponsors are: Arabian Travel Market; Deloitte; Gullivers Travel Associates; HVS International; Interval International; Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts; Jones Lang LaSalle; Jumeirah International; InterContinental Hotels Group; Marriott International; Movenpick Hotels & Resorts; RCI Middle East; Octopus Travel; RSP Group and Strategic Solutions.
Media sponsors are: AME Info, CNBC Arabia, CNBC Europe, Global Hospitality Resources, HOTELS and TTN. Supporters are: Dubai Convention Bureau, Emirates Academy of Hospitality; International Hotel & Restaurant Association; Villeroy & Boch; the World Travel & Tourism Council and WOW Travels.
PRIME MINISTER RECEIVES CONTRIBUTIONS TO NATIONAL RELIEF FUND IN THE WAKE OF TSUNAMI TRAGEDY
People from all walks of life, including political leaders, paramilitary forces and banks made contributions to the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund, in the wake of tsunami tragedy, which has affected several parts of the country. Shri M. Karunanidhi, on behalf of DMK has contributed Rs. 1 crore to the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund. A delegation of Left leaders led by Shri H.S. Surjeet and Shri Nilotpal Basu presented a cheque for Rs. 15 lakhs on behalf of CPI (M) Central Committee to the Relief Fund. The Left leaders also told the Prime Minister that all MPs belonging to the Left parties would contribute a month’s salary to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund.Union Minister of Power, Shri P.M. Sayeed, gave a cheque of Rs. 15 crore to the Prime Minister. Shri Sayeed informed Dr. Singh that the amount had been drawn up from eight companies of the Power Ministry.The Director-General of Central Reserve Police Force, Shri J.K. Sinha, presented a cheque for Rs. 4.4 crore to PM’s National Relief Fund. The DG informed Dr. Singh that the contribution has been raised from a day’s salary of CPRF personnel. The Prime Minister conveyed the gratitude of the Government and the nation towards the paramilitary forces for the services rendered by them.
The CMD, Andhra Bank, Shri T.S. Narayansami, presented a cheque for Rs. 2 crore to the Prime Minister for PMNRF. All employees of the Andhra Bank contributed one day’s salary amounting to Rs. 2 crore. The CMD of Union Bank of India, Shri K. Cherian Verghese, handed over a cheque for Rs. 2 crore to Dr. Manmohan Singh for the tidal wave tragedy. Corporation Bank also presented a cheque for Rs. 1 crore to the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund for the tsunami tragedy.
WORLD LEADERS CALL PRIME MINISTER TO EXPRESS GRIEF
The UN Secretary General, Mr. Kofi Annan, and other world leaders have expressed their anguish at the tragic loss of lives and the devastation caused in the Southern parts of the country by the Tsunami on December 26, 2004. The leaders who talked to the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, over phone to express their grief and offer support in this hour of crisis include the King of Bhutan, H.M. Jigme Singye Wangchuk; Prime Minister of Bangladesh, H.E. Mrs. Begum Khaleda Zia; Bangladesh Leader of the Opposition Sheikh Hasina Wajed; Sri Lankan President, H.E. Mrs. Chandrika Kumaratunga; President of Maldives, H.E. Mr. Maumoon Abdul Gayoom; H.E. Shaukat Aziz, Prime Minister of Pakistan, President of the United States, H.E. Mr. George W. Bush and the Prime Minister of Australia, H.E. Mr. John Howard.JOINT STATEMENT - MEETING BETWEEN FOREIGN SECRETARIES OF INDIA AND PAKISTAN
19:38 ISTThe Foreign Secretaries of Pakistan and India met in Islamabad on 27 – 28 December 2004 to review overall progress, commence the next round of the Composite Dialogue and discuss the issues of Peace and Security including CBMs, and Jammu and Kashmir. Foreign Secretary of Pakistan Mr. Riaz H. Khokhar, led the Pakistan delegation while the Indian delegation was led by Foreign Secretary Mr. Shyam Saran. The talks were held in a frank, cordial and constructive atmosphere.
Recalling the solemn and categoric reassurance contained in the Joint Press Statement of 6th January, they expressed their determination to carry the process forward.
On the issue of Peace and Security including CBMs, the two Foreign Secretaries, inter-alia reviewed the progress made during the meetings of Experts on Nuclear and Conventional CBMs. Building upon the existing contacts between DG MOs, they agreed to promote regular contacts at local level at designated places and explore further CBMs along the international boundary and the LoC. They discussed and narrowed further their differences on the draft agreement on pre-notification of flight testing of ballistic missiles, and agreed to work towards its early finalization.
Both sides discussed the issue of Jammu and Kashmir and agreed to carry forward the process in the light of the Joint Statement issued after the meeting between President of Pakistan General Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh in New York on September 24, 2004.
The meetings on the other six subjects under the Composite Dialogue, i.e. Siachen, Wullar Barrage/Tulbul Navigation Project, Sir Creek, Terrorism & Drug Trafficking, Economic & Commercial Cooperation and Promotion of Friendly Exchanges in Various Fields would be held on mutually agreed dates between April and June 2005.
The two sides also agreed that technical meetings including the Joint Study Group on Trade matters headed by the Commerce Secretaries, Indian Coast Guards and Pakistan Maritime Agency, Pakistan Rangers and Border Security Force of India, Expert level dialogue on Nuclear and Conventional CBMs, technical level meeting on bus service between/through Amritsar and Lahore, meeting between the Narcotics Control Authorities would be held between January and June 2005.
They also discussed issues related to apprehended fishermen, civilian prisoners and missing defence personnel. It was inter-alia agreed that:
* Immediate notification would be provided to the respective High Commissions through the Foreign Ministries of arrested Pakistani/Indian nationals;
* Consular access would be provided within three months of apprehension;
* Repatriation would be done immediately after completion of sentence and nationality verification;
* A mechanism would be introduced for early repatriation, without sentencing of inadvertent crossers;
* A similar mechanism would be established for early release, without sentencing of those under 16 apprehended by either side.
The Foreign Secretaries of the two countries would meet in New Delhi to review the overall progress in the Composite Dialogue in July-August 2005.
The Foreign Ministers and the Prime Ministers of the two countries would meet during the SAARC Summit in Dhaka in January 2005. The External Affairs Minister of India Mr. K. Natwar Singh would visit Islamabad in February 2005 for bilateral discussions.
The Foreign Secretary of India called on Prime Minster Shaukat Aziz and Foreign Minister Khurshid M. Kasuri of Pakistan during the course of his visit to Islamabad
PROJECTS APPROVED FOR TSUNAMI AFFECTED AREAS
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has sanctioned 390 Mega Work Camps to be organized by Nehru Yuvak Kendra Sangthan at the cost of rupees 1.95 Crore for putting up rescue camps, community kitchens, reconstruction of damaged houses of poor and establishments like schools, Public Health Centres etc in the Tsunami affected areas.As a long term measure, following three programmes have been also been sanctioned to NYKS in all the 17 Tsunami affected districts: (i) Setting up of Counselling Centres for organizing lifeskill counselling services for one year; (ii) Setting up of a Help Lines at District Hqrs for one year.; (iii) Residential Camps for 200 participants for three months in each affected district. These three projects will involve an expenditure of rupees 1.20 Crore.
The Nehru Yuvak Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) and NSS Volunteers are continuing their rescue and relief work in Tsunami affected areas of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry and Kerala. The Youth Clubs affiliated to NYKS are mainly involved in shifting people, arranging drinking water, preparing food in community kitchen, runing Medical Camps, organising couselling and setting up of make-shift shelters etc.
The Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports, Shri Sunil Dutt has applauded the relief work undertaken by the NYKS and NSS volunteers in all the affected areas including the difficult terrain of Andaman & Nicobar Islands. He appreciated the fact that in all the affected districts, the NYKS volunteers were the first ones to reach the sites of the disaster and were actively involved in saving lives.
SHRI DAYANIDHI MARAN REVIEWS RESTORATION OF COMMUNICATION FACILITIES IN TSUNAMI AFFECTED AREAS
The Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Shri Dayanidhi Maran today reviewed the measures being taken to restore communication facilities at the earliest in the Tsunami affected areas. In the meeting, the senior officers of the Department of Telecom and the CMD of BSNL briefed the Minister of various steps being taken to restore the communication facilities in the telecom circles of Andaman & Nicobar, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.During the meeting, the Minister directed the BSNL officials to install INMARSAT on top priority basis in Andaman & Nicobar. It was decided to charge the normal tariff for the calls made by the public. He further directed that the telephones in the Tsunami affected area should not be disconnected for non-payment of bills.
In the Andaman and Nicobar Circle, 5 telephone exchanges i.e. Diglipur, Kalighat, Kalera, Kishori Nagar and Ram Nagar have been restored. Satellite equipment at Diglipur, Campbel bay and Kamorta have been restored. Five INMARSAT terminals have been air lifted and reached Port Blair. In addition to this, 10 more INMARSAT terminals have been diverted from various circles to Andaman & Nicobar. These are proposed to be used as PCO in locations where telecommunication facilities are completely out of order in consultation with the local administration. With a view to mobilise technical manpower and supervise the restoration work, 3 teams one each from Southern Telecom Region, Eastern Telecom Region and West Bengal telecom circle have reached the islands. Another team under CGM, Eastern Telecom project is being deputed to make assessment of the damages to buildings and equipment and to install new equipment including small exchanges and satellite equipment.
In the Tamil Nadu telecom circle, all the 12 telephone exchanges reported to be affected on 26th December, 04 have been restored. All the five mobile BTS have also become operational. The GM’s Telecom have been instructed to contact the collectors of the districts to provide whatever communication assistance that may be required to meet the exigencies of damage restoration. Helplines have been provided wherever they have been asked for by the local authority.
In the Kerala Telecom Circle, out of 2 exchanges affected in the circle, Alappad exchange has been restored. For Srayikkad exchange, whose building and equipment was completely damaged, telephone connections have been provided to hospitals and relief centres for public use from Karunagappally exchange.During the meeting, it was informed that two senior officers of the Department have reached Port Blair and Chennai and are coordinating with local telecom officials in restoration of telecom facilities. Control rooms have been opened up in Andaman and Nicobar, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. All the affected circles have been advised to remain in touch with local administration for meeting their requirements.
