NGRBA and Mission Clean Ganga Transferred to Ministry of Water Resources from Ministry of Environment

NGRBA and Mission Clean Ganga Transferred to Ministry of Water Resources from Ministry of Environment

National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) including the mission Directorate, National Mission for clean Ganga and other related matters of Ganga Rejuvenation have been transferred to Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. All issues related to Conservative, Development management and abatement of pollution in River Ganga and its tributaries will also be looked after by the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation. Inter Linking of Rivers The Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR) has formulated a National Perspective Plan (NPP) for Water Resources Development envisaging inter-basin transfer of water from surplus basins to deficit basins/areas. National Water Development Agency (NWDA) has identified 30 links under the NPP. Based on the concurrence of the concerned States, three links namely Ken-Betwa Link, Damanganga - Pinjal link and Par-Tapi-Narmada link have been taken up for the preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR) by the National Water Development Agency (NWDA) out of 30 interstate links identified under National Perspective Plan (NPP). The DPR for Ken-Betwa Link Project and Damanganga - Pinjal link have been completed by NWDA. In addition, out of 46 proposals of intra-state links received by NWDA from 9 States, the Burhi Gandak-Noon-Baya-Ganga Link of Bihar, Kosi-Mechi Link of Bihar, Ponnair-Palar Link of Tamil Nadu, Wainganga-Nalganga Link of Maharashtra and Barakar-Damodar-Subernarekha Link of Jharkhand have also been taken up for the preparation of DPR by the NWDA on the request made by the concerned States. The DPRs of two intra-state links i.e. Burhi Gandak-Noon-Baya-Ganga Link Project and Kosi-Mechi Link Project have been completed and sent to Government of Bihar in December, 2013 and March, 2014 respectively.

TAPI Pipeline Project ,Government Proposes to Develop Unconventional SOURCES of Gas

The Minister of State (I/C) for Petroleum & Natural Gas Shri Dharamendra Pradhan informed the Lok Sabha in a written reply today that India is pursing the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) Pipeline Project to receive Natural Gas supply from the Yolotan Osman (Galkynysh) fields in Turkmenistan. The landfall point of the pipeline in India will be at Fazika (Punjab). The Gas Pipeline Framework Agreement (GPFA) and Inte Governmental Agreement (IGA) have been signed amongst the four member countries in December 2010. Company level bilateral Gas Sales and Purchase Agreements have been signed between each of the gas buyers and the seller. Pursuant to the signing of Transaction Advisory Service Agreement (TASA) between the four entities ( 3 Buyers and the Seller) and Asian Development Bank (ADB) on 19.11.2013, ADB was appointed the Transaction Advisor. It was agreed to constitute a Special Purpose Vehicle (TAPI Ltd.) to carry out pre-project activities and to finalize an appropriate consortium leader for the Project. The Government of India approved the proposal for formation of SPV (TAPI Ltd.) for the TAPI Pipeline Project and permitted GAIL to join the SPV. Based on the recommendations of the commercial and legal consultants, on the legal and corporate structure of the consortium, a decision to incorporate TAPI Limited at Jersey was taken in February, 2014 among the Transaction Advisor (ADB) and the four member countries. Government Proposes to Develop Unconventional SOURCES of Gas  The Minister of State (I/C) for Petroleum & Natural Gas Shri Dharamendra Pradhan informed the Lok Sabha in a written reply today that the Government proposes to develop unconventional sources of gas like Coal Bed Methane (CBM), Gas Hydrates and Shale Gas. In order to develop Coal Bed Methane (CBM) resources, the Government has awarded 33 blocks for exploration and exploitation of CBM. The prognosticated CBM resources are estimated to be of the order of 63 Trillion Cubic Feet (TCF). Out of the 33 blocks, 30 blocks have been offered through International Competitive Bidding (ICB), 2 on nomination basis and 1 through Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) route. For the exploration and development of Gas Hydrates, the National Gas Hydrate Programme (NGHP) was formulated by Government in 1995. The first NGHP Expledition-01 was carried out in 2006, wherein coring and drilling at 21 sites in western offshore, eastern offshore and Andaman sea were done to know the occurrence of gas hydrates in offshore areas. The presence of gas hydrates has been established in Krishna-Godavari, Mahanadi and Andaman deep water basins along east coast of India. The Shale gas potential in the country has been assessed based on the geo-scientific data gathered for conventional oil and gas over the years in different sedimentary basins by National Oil Companies and Private/Joint Venture Companies. The preliminary study indicates that the potential of Shale gas exists in Cambay, Gondwana, Krishna-Godavari onland, Cauvery onland, Assam-Arakan and Indo-Gangetice sedimentary basins. The Government has, on 14.10.2013, notified the policy guidelines for exploration and exploitation of shale gas and oil by National Oil Companies (NOCs) in their onland PEL (Petroleum Exploration Lease)/ PML (Petroleum Mining Lease) blocks awarded under the nomination regimes. As per the policy, the NOCs will undertake a mandatory minimum work programme in a fixed time frame for shale gas and oil exploration and exploitation, so that there is optimum accretion and development of shale gas and oil resources. Under the first phase of assessment of shale gas and oil, exploration and exploitation, at present, 56 PEL/PML blocks (ONGC – 50, and OIL-6) have been identified by NOCs. ONGC has drilled one well where coring has been completed. In addition, ONGC has collected cores from another 7 wells. The Government has awarded 33 blocks for exploration and exploitation of CBM under the four bidding rounds launched, so far. Out of these, 8 blocks are under development phase wherein good CBM potential have been established. The Field Development Plans (FDP) for these blocks have been approved and development activities have been carried out by the contractor.

Solar Powered Lighting Solutions

The Government implements schemes for cost effective solar power lighting solutions for rural population in electrified/unelectrified areas and villages in the country that may have an impact on kerosene subsidy bill. Lighting up about 47 percent of the country population will depend on the fund availability in the respective programme. This was stated by Sh. Piyush Goyal, Minister of state for Power, Coal & New and Renewable Energy (Independent Charge) in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today. Details of programme implemented by MNRE and Ministry of Power (MoP) are as under I. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is implementing Remote Village Electrification (RVE) Programme for providing financial support for lighting/basic energy using renewable energy sources including solar energy in those remote unelectrified census villages and unelectrified hamlets of electrified census villages where grid extension is not found feasible by the State Governments and hence are not covered under the Rajiv Gandhi Gramin Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY). The programme is implemented in States by State Nodal Agencies. II. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is also implementing Off-grid and decentralized solar applications scheme of Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission for installation of solar PV systems and power plants in various parts of the country including power deficit areas/unelectrified areas. III. Ministry of Power is implementing Decentralised Distributed Generation (DDG) scheme under Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY) for electrification of villages where grid connectivity is either not feasible or not cost effective. In XII Plan, DDG has also been extended to the grid connected area where supply of electricity is less than 6 hours a day. Decentralized Distributed Generation (DDG) can be from conventional or renewable sources including solar energy. Both under the DDG scheme of Ministry of Power and RVE programme of MNRE, the Government provides subsidy of 90% of the project cost. Under the DDG scheme, the balance 10% can be arranged by the Implementing Agency at their own or arranged from any financial institutions/Rural Electrification Corporation (REC), whereas for RVE projects the balance 10% cost of projects for remote village electrification is financed through contribution from the state governments and beneficiaries, etc. However, it is necessary that at least half of the balance cost is met from state government’s funding. The RVE projects are taken up only in remote unelectrified census villages and unelectrified hamlets of electrified census villages where grid extension is not found feasible by the State Governments and hence are not covered under the RGGVY. The norms followed for solar photovoltaic (SPV) based DDG projects are that the average household load should not be more than 100 watt, population of the villages/hamlet should be more than 100 and cost norms of MNRE benchmark to be followed. Under the Off-grid and decentralized solar applications scheme of Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy provides 30% capital subsidy for installation of solar PV systems and power plants in various parts of the country including power deficit areas/unelectrified areas. (90% capital subsidy for Government organizations of special category States).

Power Generation from Renewable Energy Sources

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has set a target of capacity addition of 29,800 MW from various renewable energy sources during 12th Plan period. The target comprises of 15,000 MW from wind, 10,000 MW from solar, 2,100 MW from small hydro and 2,700 MW from bio-power. This was stated by Sh. Piyush Goyal, Minister of state for Power, Coal & New and Renewable Energy (Independent Charge) in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today.             The Minister further stated that the details of power generated from the renewable energy sources in the public sector undertakings under the control of Government as well as in the private sector during 2012-13 and 2013-14 are 47.61 billion units and 53.22 billion units respectively.             An amount of Rs 19,113 crore has been provided for promotion and generation of renewable energy during the Twelfth Five Year Plan period. The funds allocated for 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-15 are as below:- Year Budget Estimate (in Rs. crore) Physical Target(In Megawatt) 2012-13 1385.00 4125 2013-14 1521.00 4325 2014-15 2519.00 3770 The Minister further stated that Budget allocation for the years 2015-16 and 2016-17 will be allocated after approval of Annual Plans by the Government and Physical Targets will be fixed accordingly. Power Generation Targets The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has set a target of capacity addition of 29,800 MW from various renewable energy sources during 12th Plan period. The target comprises of 15,000 MW from wind, 10,000 MW from solar, 2,100 MW from small hydro and 2,700 MW from bio-power. This was stated by Sh. Piyush Goyal, Minister of state for Power, Coal & New and Renewable Energy (Independent Charge) in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today. The Minister further stated that the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has prepared a Strategic Plan for New and Renewable Energy Sector in the year 2011 which has indicated a cumulative installed capacity of renewable power to about 72,000 MW by 2022.

Ministry of MSME and Samsung join hands to set up Technical Schools at MSME Technology Centres across India

The Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) and Samsung today announced a partnership to set up Technical School in MSME Technology Centres across India. Speaking on the occasion the Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Shri Kalraj Mishra said, “The MSME sector employs maximum number of people in India next to Agriculture and to meet skilled manpower requirement in the sector, the Ministry of MSME is committed to create industry responsive manpower by giving thrust on employable skills and vocational training in partnership with Industry. Various field establishments under the Ministry are regularly conducting skill development training programmes. I hope that this joint initiative of Ministry of MSME and Samsung would be able to train approx. 10,000 youth per year who would have the opportunity to find placement in various appliances manufacturing organizations including Samsung. I also believe that many of them can also establish their own enterprise and Service Centre for repairing and maintenance of electrical and electronics goods”. Shri Amarendra Sinha, Addl. Secretary and Development Commissioner, Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises said “Industry experience is a critical aspect of skilling students of ready employment. We are confident that with hands-on training components of the A.R.I.S.E.2 program, students of technology centre across the country will be better equipped to enter the job market”. Mr. B.D. Park, President & CEO South West Asia, Samsung Electronics said, “India is a key growth market for global consumer electronics manufacturing which lends itself to enormous employment opportunity. As an Industry leader, Samsung is committed to working with the Indian Government to tap this potential. Our collaboration with the Ministry of MSME to create a pool of skilled workforce through the MSME – Samsung technical school is a step in this direction. We are confident that through the Samsung A.R.I.S.E.2 program, students will get hands-on experience that will make them an asset to the Industry”. The partnership will provide a boost to trainees by incorporating a strong component of hands-on Industry training. The MOU was signed by Development Commissioner and Addl. Secretary, Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, Govt. of India, Shri Amarendra Sinha and Mr. B.D. Park, President and CEO, South West, Asia, Samsung Electronics in presence of the Minister of MSME Shri Kalraj Mishra. The announcement also marked the inauguration of the first MSME-Samsung Technical School at MSME Extension Centre, Bal Sahyog, Connaught Place, situated in the heart of Delhi. The MSME-Samsung Technical School will run Samsung’s Advanced Repair and Industrial Skills Enhancement (A.R.I.S.E.2) program, providing students trade-specific training on various aspects of repair and troubleshooting for consumer electronics products such as mobile phones, televisions, home theatres, home appliances and their related accessories. Students will also get real time working experience at Samsung authorised services centres. Other than technical skills, as part of the course the students will get a chance to learn soft skills which will further enable them to provide exemplary customer service. Ten MSME-Samsung Technical Schools will be set up across India – one each in Delhi, Ahmadabad, Aurangabad, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Ludhiana, Mumbai and Varanasi.

Madan Mohan Malviya Teachers Training Programme

The Government in the current budget 2014-15 has announced the Madan Mohan Malviya Teachers Training programme. The programme envisions to focus holistically on whole sector of education without fragmenting it based on levels and sectors and also to strengthen institutional mechanisms for strengthening vertical and lateral linkages. This would consolidate and strengthen on-going programmes related to teachers and teaching through effective coordination. It will also provide an integrated platform for building synergies among all the existing initiatives and will attempt to create a comprehensive vehicle for Teacher/Faculty related programmes and schemes. The programme envisages augmenting capacity at individual level and also enhance institutional infrastructure to give impetus to training of teachers at pre service and in service level. Uniform Labour Law The Minister of State for Mines, Steel and Labour and Employment, Shri Vishnu Deo Sai has said that “Labour” is in the Concurrent List of the Constitution. Thus, both the Centre and the States can legislate in this area. There are 44 labour related statutes enacted by the Central Government dealing with wages, social security, labour welfare, occupational safety and health and industrial relations etc., being enforced by Central and State Governments, as appropriate Governments, as envisaged in the respective Acts. Each Act has been enacted keeping in view its objectives which are defined in each Act and accordingly the definitions have been incorporated in the Acts. In a written reply in the Lok Sabha today, Shri Vishnu Deo Sai has said that ministry is also addressing the issue of ease of compliance to promote an enabling business environment. A single unified Web Portal is being developed for Online Registration of Units, Reporting of inspections, and submissions of Annual Returns and redressal of grievances. This portal will facilitate ease of reporting at one place for various Labour Laws by a single online Annual Return; consolidate information of Labour Inspection and its enforcement thereby enhancing transparency in Labour Inspection as well as that in monitoring of Labour Inspections. An Inspection scheme has also been notified with the objective of simplifying business regulations and for bringing in transparency and accountability in labour inspections. The scheme envisages objective criteria for selection of Units for inspection.

PM's Nepal Visit - Some Highlights

Focus on 4Cs: Cooperation. Connectivity. Culture. Constitution India will give Nepal a one billion dollar line of credit. This will be in addition to any existing lines of credit. Pancheswor Development Authority will be set up and DPR finalized in one year India and Nepal have agreed to conclude Power Trading Agreement in 45 days. India will provide assistance for construction of a motorable bridge over the Mahakali River. India will expedite construction of postal roads and feeder roads to the Terai. Prime Minister announced a gift of 2500 kg of sandalwood to the Pashupatinath Temple. Work on a Dharamshala to be set up by Pashupatinath Development Authority will commence soon with Indian assistance. Renovation and restoration of the Complex will be done using expertise of Archaeological Survey of India. India will provide Rs. 25 crore for the same. India will offer assistance for development of Janakpur-Lumbini, including Lumbini as part of Buddhist circuit. Scholarships for Nepali students increased from 180 to 250. Joint Working Group on Agriculture will meet quickly. India will offer assistance in soil testing. Nepal gave an assurance that Nepali soil will not be used for anything inimicable to Indian interests. During his meeting with Nepali leaders from across the political spectrum, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi urged them - dal ke hit me mat socho, desh ke hit mein socho - Think in terms of the nation's benefit, not the party's benefit.