Eroding democratic gains,pak

The events that have unfolded in Pakistan over the last two weeks have all but wiped out the country’s small democratic gains of the last six years. A few thousand protestors under the leadership of cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan, who leads the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and a rabble-rousing cleric, Tahir ul Qadri, a Canadian of Pakistani origin, have effectively held the nation hostage, refusing to call off their agitation until the elected government of Nawaz Sharif resigned. In most democracies, such demands are settled in Parliament. Where the opposition has sufficient numbers, it may even succeed in unseating the government. Where it does not, it focusses on winning the next election. The Pakistan Army denies it but there has been much speculation about its role in the protests from the start, fuelled in recent days by the allegations of a top PTI leader who broke ranks with Mr. Khan. In any case, the Army’s eagerness to use the situation to tilt the civilian-military balance decisively in its favour has been all too apparent. The moment that the Army chief, Raheel Sharif, spoke to Mr. Khan and Mr. Qadri in an effort to end the stand-off will be remembered as the point at which the military gained an upper hand over the government. Since then, the Army has been urging talks between the government and the protestors and criticising the use of the police force to disperse mobs. A Corps Commanders’ conference to “discuss” the political situation cemented its position further.

The crisis itself might not have come about if Mr. Sharif had a better grip on governance. Mr. Khan’s campaign grew from a small complaint of election-rigging in a few constituencies. A simple way out would have been to address those complaints but the government let the matter drift. Despite his huge mandate, Mr. Sharif’s 15 months in power have been marked by all-around drift. He may survive this crisis for now as Mr. Khan stands politically isolated, save for support from Mr. Qadri and his following. Tuesday’s Parliament session, at which all other political parties — opponents and allies alike — made impassioned speeches urging Mr. Sharif to stand firm against the efforts to remove him, will perhaps go down as one of the most stirring in Pakistan’s chequered history of tentative democracies. But it is already clear that continue though he might, it will only be as a much weakened Prime Minister. How much ground the military has wrested from him, especially on policies on India and Afghanistan, will become apparent only in the days to come. New Delhi called off talks last month, and Pakistan’s changed scenario may only make it more difficult for the two sides to get back to the table.

A new sunrise

India and Japan have enjoyed the best of relations over the decades. Yet, their trade and economic partnership has, strangely, been under-performing, belying the promise and potential. Bilateral trade at $16.29 billion in 2013-14 accounted for just 2.13 per cent of India’s total trade and barely 1 per cent of Japan’s. The low-profile trade relationship is especially disappointing considering how much Japan has to offer in terms of investment and technology, and how much India needs both. India may be one of the largest recipients of Japanese ODA (Official Development Assistance), but when it comes to foreign direct investment (FDI), it ranks low, well behind China. Between April 2000 and February 2014, Japanese companies cumulatively invested $15.97 billion in India, accounting for just 7.46 per cent of total FDI inflows into India, which in a way epitomises the state of the economic relationship between the second and third largest economies of Asia. All this could change for the better, post-Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Japan, which seems to have breathed new life into economic relations. Japan has said it would invest 3.5 trillion yen ($33.5 billion) in India in the next five years in the sectors of infrastructure, manufacturing, transport and clean energy, and on smart cities, all thrust areas for development for the Modi government.

To be sure, this is not the first time we have seen positive intent in the leadership of the two Asian giants to improve trade and investment. Ever since India liberalised in the early 1990s, there has been steady interest among Japanese companies and investors — but they have often been frustrated by complicated procedures and cumbersome processes. Actually, Japanese companies willingly ceded market space in India to competitors from South Korea and China rather than deal with the red tape. It is in this context that Mr. Modi’s promises of “red carpet, not red tape”, and a special track in the Prime Minister’s Office to facilitate Japanese investments, have to be seen. Mr. Modi harped on all the right themes including the three Ds that India can boast of, namely democracy, demography and demand, while making his pitch to Japanese business. With manufacturing costs increasing in China and given the political issues between the two countries, Japanese businesses are looking to diversify, and India presents a good choice with its huge market. New projects such as those for super-fast trains and smart cities are ideal destinations for Japanese investments. The Modi government has to now move quickly to fulfil its promises of easing procedures and facilitating investment to capitalise on the optimism and goodwill generated from what has clearly been a successful visit in economic terms.

Dr Jitendra Singh Announces DBT Collaboration in Establishing A “National Cancer Institute” at Jhajjar, Haryana.

Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Minister of State in Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Space and Atomic Energy, today, formally announced the decision to offer collaboration on behalf of Department of Bio-Technology with All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi for establishing National Cancer Institute at Jhajjar in Haryana. Addressing a heavily attended Press Conference, Dr Jitendra Singh said, the project is to come up at the cost of 2000 crore and the Department of Bio-Technology under him will offer major inputs for Cancer Research and Care. He also announced the setting up of a Joint Research Advisory Body, which, he claimed, would be possibly the best in the world. The Minister said this joint initiative with Health Ministry and AIIMS, New Delhi is a part of his Ministry’s and endeavour to use Science and Technology as a medium of service to the society and to promote new technologies at affordable and cost effective price. Dr Jitendra Singh said, the Bio-Technology Department under him will help the medical researchers to design clinical trials and collaborate for joint development and evaluation of vaccines, biomarkers, therapeutics, etc. In addition, Dr Jitendra Singh also announced setting up of a major new Institute under Department of Bio-Technology for “Pre-term Birth” Research Clinical applications. This will be his Department’s major support to medical science considering the fact that India, with its highest number of Pre-term Birth and the highest number of Pre-term Deaths worldwide, contributes 25% of global pre-term related deaths, he added.

Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) Releases the Annual Report for the Year 2013-14

The Annual Report for the year 2013-14 has been released by AERB in accordance with its mandate to keep the public informed on safety issues of radiological safety significance. Each year AERB publishes its Annual Report, which brings out the safety status of the nuclear and radiation facilities regulated by it and the highlights of its regulatory activities and decisions. The Annual Report focuses on safety status of Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs), Fuel Cycle Facilities (FCFs) and radiation facilities monitored by AERB. The report includes the highlights of safety review and regulatory inspections carried out by AERB which culminated in the successful commissioning of and power production in India’s first pressurized water reactor at Kudankulam, Tamil Nadu. The report also briefs about the progress made in the safety review of indigenously developed Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu and 700 MWe Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) units under construction at Kakrapar Atomic Power Project (KAPP) and Rajasthan Atomic Power Project (RAPP). AERB continued to monitor the progress of safety enhancements at operating nuclear power plants post Fukushima accident and the information on the safety measures already implemented in various NPPs have been given in the report. The safety statistics of NPPs and FCFs for the year 2013-14 brings out the following salient information: • The radiation doses of occupational workers of nuclear facilities were well within the annual dose limit. • The liquid and gaseous waste discharged to the environment from the operating units were only a small fraction of the allowed Technical Specifications limits for operation. • The estimated radiation dose to the members of the public near the operating plants is much less than the annual limit of 1 mSv as prescribed by AERB, the maximum being less than 2.8 % for old plant sites and less than 0.1% for new plant sites. The impact of this dose is indistinguishable from natural background radiation. • No event in the operating NPP has been categorised as an `accident’ as per International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale (INES). Of the 33 events reported during the year, 32 were below scale (having no safety significance) and one event was at scale ‘1’ (categorised as ‘anomaly’ i.e. minor problems in components while sufficient defense in depth is remaining). • Over the years, with constant efforts from AERB and dedicated commitment from utilities, the industrial safety performance of DAE units has improved appreciably. The report also summarizes the progress of an e-governance initiative taken by AERB through launch of a web-based application ‘e-Licensing of Radiation Applications (e-LORA)’ with the objective to enhance the efficiency and transparency in the regulatory process by utilizing automation of regulatory processes for registration of various radiation facilities, radiation professionals and exchange of information. To begin with e-LORA modules which provide the platform for registration of radiation professionals of radiotherapy practice, registration of radiotherapy utilities and registration of medical diagnostic radiology equipments (x-rays etc) have already been made functional. The report also highlights AERB’s participation in various international forums including participation and contribution of India in the 6thInternational Review Meeting of Convention on Nuclear Safety (CNS) held at IAEA, Vienna during March-April 2014 wherein National Report of member countries on safety status of their NPPs and their safety practices were presented and discussed. India’s report was well received. ‘VVER Regulators Forum’ which consists of Regulators dealing with NPPs of VVER type (i.e. of type at Kudankulam), had its last year’s annual meeting in India in December, 2013, under India’s Chairmanship; the details are provided in the report. India is in the process of subjecting its nuclear regulatory system to international peer review, by hosting an Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) mission of IAEA and has already made a formal request to IAEA for the same. This will be a unique opportunity to benchmark our regulatory practices against international standards. The annual report presents a brief account of the activities completed and in progress with respect to the IRRS mission for India. AERB continued its efforts towards wider public outreach by conducting and supporting various conferences including press conferences, seminars and meetings in different parts of the country and these efforts have been summarized in the report. The full report is available on AERB website at following link. http://www.aerb.gov.in/AERBPortal/pages/English/annrpt/annrptBody_publications.action

Landmark Initiatives for Energy Efficiency Launched

Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of State (I/C) for Petroleum & Natural Gas has called for adopting energy efficient techniques for ensuring energy security of the nation. He was speaking at a function here today after launching three landmark initiatives for Energy Efficiency. These three initiatives are, “Design Guidelines for Energy Efficient Multi-Storey Residential Buildings and Star Ratings for Diesel Gensets and for Hospital Buildings”. The Minister said by adopting energy efficient equipment and techniques, valuable money, much needed for the nation’s development and for providing basic amenities to the rural masses can be saved. He said crude oil worth about Rs. Six lakh crore is imported annually and if the energy efficient techniques could bring down the consumption by even 10 %, it will usher in a big change. Emphasising that conservation and efficiency is the only way forward, the Minister said that technology should be adopted in a befitting manner. Speaking on the occasion, Secretary, Ministry of Power, Shri. P.K. Sinha said that the Design Guidelines are the first initiative of the government to bring energy efficiency into the design of homes. He said that hospital buildings are highly energy intensive commercial buildings and the introduction of star labels for hospital buildings provides both energy benchmarking and recognition for a fast - growing sector. He also said that these labels will help hospitals benchmark their own energy consumption and also identifying opportunities for improvement. The launch ceremony was attended by over 300 stakeholders in the energy sector, along with Shri. R.N.Choubey, Addl. Secretary, Ministry of Power, Dr. Ajay Mathur, Director General, Bureau of Energy Efficiency and several officers of Ministries of Power, Coal, NRE, Petroleum & Natural Gas, Delhi Development Authority and Town & Country Planning Organisation.

Initiatives of the Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change

1. Process for devolution of CAMPA funds for afforestation initiated which will ensure transfer of₹30,000 Crores to states. With the approval of Cabinet, Draft CAMPA Order, 2014 containing provisions for transfer of an amount of 95 % of ₹35,000/- crorers accumulated with the Ad-hoc CAMPA to inalienable non-lapsable, interest bearing fund to be created under Public Accounts of the respective States/ UTs has been filed before the Hon’ble Supreme Court for their approval before the same is published in the official gazette. Amounts to be realised in future in lieu of forest land diverted for non-forest purpose will also be credited directly to the said fund. The CAMPA order envisages creation of a permanent institutional mechanism, both at Centre and each State Government, replacing the present body i.e. Adhoc Campa, with a view to ensure effective and expeditious utilization of the accumulated funds by the States, whom the funds actually belong to, in a transparent and effective manner for the purpose of compensatory afforestation, catchment area treatment, assisted natural generation, forest management, protection, infrastructure development, wildlife protection and management, relocation of villages from the Protected areas, managing human-wildlife conflicts, training and awareness generation, supply of wood saving devices and allied activities. 5% funds will be retained by the National CAMPA for the purposes 0f monitoring and evaluation of schemes implemented in the States, setting up of institutes, societies, centre of excellence in the field of forest and wildlife, pilot schemes, standardization of codes/guidelines etc. for the sector. 2. Transparency ensured by starting online submission of application for Environment and Forest Clearances successfully As a major step to ensure that the proposals seeking grant of forest clearance are processed in time-bound and transparent manner, a web portal for online filing and monitoring the forest clearance proposal applications has been launched. The portal will minimize the need for human interface between project proponents and officials dealing with Forest Clearance proposals in the Central and the State Governments. The portal will enable real time monitoring of the Forest Clearance proposals so as to ensure that time-lines stipulated for processing of these proposals by various authorities in the Centre and State Governments are adhered to. The portal also has inbuilt features to ensure that proposals complete in all respect only are accepted. Valuable time will thus not be lost to seek and obtain additional information, once a proposal seeking Forest Clearance has already been accepted by concerned authority in the State Government. So far 34 applications have been received online for Forest Clearance. On-line submission of applications for Terms of Reference (ToRs) and Environment Clearance (EC) has been mandated w.e.f. 1st July, 2014 with a view to increasing transparency in the system and facilitating early decision making. Till now, 219 applications for ToRs and 46 applications for ECs have been received in the Ministry for project proposals in different sectors. 3. A System of Realtime Monitoring of Ganga Water Quality initiated on the main river. Highly polluting Industries asked to install online continuous emission and effluent monitoring equipments There are 764 grossly polluting industries (discharging effluents with 100 KG BOD or more effluents) in the five States of the Ganga Basin e.g. Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal. 704 of these were inspected by CPCB out of which 48 industries have been issued letters and 180 industries have been issued directions under Section 5 of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and under Section 18 (1) (b) of Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 for abatement of pollution. There are more than 3,200 highly polluting industries (falling in 17 categories) in the country, which are monitored vigorously by the SPCBs and CPCB. Most of these industries do not have online continuous monitoring system for emissions and effluents. State Pollution Control Boards have been given directions under Section 18(1) (b) of Water Act and Section 18 (1) (b) of Air Act to get online Continuous Monitoring Station equipments installed in all of these industries by 31st March 2015. Directions are being monitored. Similarly, SPCBs have been issued directions to get online Continuous Monitoring equipments installed in all 175 CETPs, 25 Common Hazardous waste incinerators and 179 Bio Medical waste incinerators in the country 4. Benchmarks for pollution norms for cement industries upgraded to ensure cleaner environment Cement industry is one of the major air polluting sector among the 17 category of identified highly polluting industries. There are about 190 large cement plants and 365 mini/small cement plants. Though, number of mini plants is more, the contribution to production is less than 10%. India is second largest producer of cement with cement production of 280 million tonnes during 2013. Previously, emission standards for Particulate Matter (dust) between 50-400 mg/Nm3 were in place depending upon capacity, type and vintage of cement plant. It has been revised to 30-150 mg/Nm3 and published in gazette on 25.08.2014. International norms for Particulate Matter are between 30-100 mg/Nm3 except Germany (20/10) and Netherland (15). Norms for Sulphur Dioxide (100/200 mg/Nm3 against international norms between 50-500), Oxide of Nitrogen (500-800 mg/Nm3 against international norms ranging between 200-900), Wastewater and guidelines for Storm water have been prescribed for the first time. In brief, the status is: Pollution Norms Air Now Earlier Particulate Matter( mg/Nm3) 30-150 50-400 Sulphur Dioxide mg/Nm3) 100-200 not existing Oxides of Nitrogen mg/Nm3) 500-800 not existing Wastewater zero discharge or comply with norms not existing Storm water guidelines prescribed not existing 5. Bor tiger reserve created in Maharashtra, approval for special tiger protection force and rewilding of orphaned tiger cubs. On the recommendation of the National Tiger Conservation Authority, the State Government of Maharashtra has notified Bor Tiger Reserve covering an area of 138.1214 sq.km. (core /critical tiger habitat) on 16 August, 2014. The Bor Tiger Reserve is rich in biodiversity with a wide variety of flora and fauna, including tiger, co-predators, prey animals and birds. The habitat is on the boundary of Nagpur and Wardha districts, amidst the Satpura-Maikal landscape, forming catchment of the river Bor. The sanctuary is also an important corridor between Tadoba-Andhari and Pench Tiger Reserves of the State. Bor is the 47th tiger reserve in the country and the 6th tiger reserve of Maharashtra. With Project Tiger coverage, the reserve would receive funding and technical support which would strengthen tiger conservation, besides eco-development to benefit fringe people. 6. Border roads and all defence infrastructures within 100 kms of Line of Actual Control brought under General Approval scheme. To expedite creation of requisite infrastructure along Line of Actual Control (LAC) the MoEF on 4th July 2014 accorded general approval under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 for diversion of forest land required for construction and widening of two lane roads by the BRO/ other agencies whom the Ministry of Defence entrusts the job, in the area falling within 100 kilometers aerial distance from the LAC and widening of link roads, between Border roads in the area within 100 kilometer aerial distance from the LAC and National Highways/State Highways/Other State Roads. Ministry of Defence has also been requested to identify strategic defence infrastructure related activities such as Army Stations, Ammunition Depots, Training Centres and other support infrastructure, such as schools, hospitals, residential quarters etc. which are to be taken up in the area within 100 km aerial distance from the Line of Actual Control and submit the list of such activities along with the proposal for grant of General Approval under Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980). 7. Forest Clearances for roads in Left Wing Extremism areas brought under General Approval scheme. To expedite creation of road infrastructure in the Left Wing Extremism (LWE) Affected districts to facilitate the Security Forces to effectively combat Left Wing Extremism, the Ministry has extended general approval under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 for diversion of forest lands for construction of all categories of public roads, except those falling in the Protected areas, irrespective of the area of forest land involved, by Government Departments in 117 LWE affected districts. Further, relaxation of general approval under the FC Act has been extended from for diversion of forest land from the present 1 hectare to 5 hectares for execution of public utility projects of 15 specified categories by Government Departments in Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected districts. These categories are Schools; Dispensaries/Hospitals; Medical Colleges, Electrical and Telecommunication Lines; Drinking Water; Water/Rain Water Harvesting Structures; Minor Irrigation Canal; Non Conventional Sources of Energy; Skill up Gradation/Vocational Training Center; Power Sub-stations; All category of public roads; Communication Posts; Police establishments like Police Stations / Outposts / Border Outposts / Watch Towers in sensitive area (identified by Ministry of Home Affairs); Underground laying of optical fiber cables, telephone lines & drinking water supply lines; and quarrying of materials for construction of public roads. This initiative will help in faster construction of the public utilities and help in winning over the confidence of people. 8. Process of granting permission for forest diversion upto 40 hectares for developmental projects decentralized. 90% files for this purpose won’t come to the Ministry. The Ministry has decided to delegate powers to the Regional Empowered Committees (REC) to be constituted at each Regional Office of the Ministry to finally dispose of all forest clearance proposals seeking diversion of forest land upto 40 hecatres, except the proposals relating to mining, regularization of encroachments and Hydel Projects. Draft Forest (Conservation) Second Amendment Rules, 2014 to provide for inter-alia constitution of the RECs at each Regional Office of the Ministry under Chairmanship of the concerned Addl. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Central) and having inter-alia three non-official experts in forestry and allied disciplines and two representative of the State/ UT concerned have been formulated and sent to the Ministry of Law and Justice for vetting before its publication in the Official Gazette. More than 90% of proposals seeking forest clearance will now be finally disposed off by the Regional Office. Mere 10% of the proposals for forest clearance will come to the Ministry for decision. 9. Process of granting permission for forest diversion for all linear projects like Road, Rail, Canals, Transmission and Pipelines decentralized. To expedite grant of forest clearance to linear projects like Road, Rail, Canal, Transmission Lines and Pipelines, most of which are of public utility nature, the Ministry has decided to delegate powers to grant forest clearance to such projects irrespective of the area of forest land involved to the Regional Empowered Committee being constituted at each Regional Office of the Ministry. The Ministry has also issued guidelines to provide that in case of linear projects in-principle approval under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 may be deemed as the working permission for tree cutting and commencement of work, if the required funds for compensatory afforestation, Net Present Value, wildlife conservation plan, plantation of dwarf species of medicinal plants, and all such other compensatory levies specified in the in-principle approval are realised from the user agency. 10. Decentralization of powers to State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authorities (SEIAAs) for granting Environment Clearance Vide Notification S.O.1599 (E) dated 25th June, 2014, more powers have been delegated to SEIAAs to grant EC to various projects. Earlier, the projects in Category ‘B’ were being appraised as Category ‘A’ at MoEF level if they were located within 10 km. of Protected Areas, Critically Polluted Areas, Eco Sensitive Areas, and Inter-state / International boundaries. Now, this distance has been reduced to 5 km. subject to stipulations stated in the aforesaid notification, implying thereby that more projects can now be considered by SEIAAs for granting ECs. Apart from this, the capacity up to which non-molasses based distilleries and mineral beneficiation activities could be considered as Category ‘B’ has been increased. Also, all bio-mass fuel based thermal power plants with capacity greater than or equal 15 MW have been put in Category B’. Earlier, such projects were considered as Category ‘A’ projects, if their capacity exceeded 20 MW.

Government puts Agriculture Sector on Fast Track

The Government has taken a number of initiatives to boost agriculture production, develop high quality seeds, increase storage capacity and steps to reach the benefits of various research works from lab to land. Speaking to media persons yesterday, Union Agriculture Minister, Shri Radha Mohan Singh enumerated various initiatives taken by Government since its formation in May 2014. The Government has launched Rastriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) to promote use of organic farming and reduce dependence on chemical inputs, the minister said. Making a mention of Soil Health Card Scheme, he said that these cards will be issued to 3 crore farmers during current year and 5.5 crore cards each during next two years. Also 100 mobile soil testing laboratories will be made available during the current year, he added. Shri Singh said that during August 2014, 5 new customised fertilizers have been approved, so that farmers may get required nutrients for their fields. Mentioning initiatives in Horticulture Sector, Shri Singh said that with the launch of Saffron Park recently at Pampore (J&K), facility for processing packaging, e-auction of saffron will be available. Under a new initiative named ‘Chaman’ the horticulture crops would be mapped through remote sensing (Satellites). He further said that under Indo Dutch Cooperation project ‘centre of excellence’ have been approved in Jalandhar (Punjab), Baramati (Maharashtra), Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala), which would develop modern technique for fruits and vegetables. Shri Radha Mohan Singh said that under National Agroforestry Policy 2014 a platform will be provided to stimulate component of farming system which will lead to meeting the ever increasing demand of timber, food, fuel, fodder, fertilizer, fibre and other agroforestry products; conserving the natural resources and forest; protecting the environment & providing environmental security; and increasing the forest/tree cover. Shri Singh further added that Government have also taken all possible steps to meet the challenge of drought and have announced a subsidy of 50% in diesel, seeds, where 50% rainfall deficit has been reported. An additional allocation of Rs. 700 crore under Mission of Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) during current year for availability of fodder has been made, he added. In addition, waiver of duty on import of de-oiled soya extract, groundnut oil cake, sunflower oil cake, canola oil meal, mustard oil cake, rice bran and palm kernel cake to increase availability of feed ingredients will also be given, he said. Elaborating the initiative taken in marketing sector, Shri Singh said Central Government has advised State Governments to keep fruits and vegetables out of the purview of Mandi regulations so as to bring down their prices. Process has already been started to set up ‘Kisan Mandi’ marketing sector, he added. A new scheme is proposed to be started in consultation with the State Government to provide insurance cover to production, productivity and farmers’ income. Shri Singh said that Government has also started giving information online regarding the registration of Multi State Cooperative Committees. In order to give better information facility about 30.5 crore agricultural messages were sent to farmers through SMS portal, he said. Mentioning initiative in crops and seeds development sector the Minister said that pulse production under National Food Security Mission (NFSM) in all districts of J&K, Himachal Pradesh and Uttrakhand, Coarse cereals production under NFSM in entire North-Eastern Region (excluding Assam) has been made effective. Shri Singh said that 48 high quality seeds for various crops [foodgrains (34), pulses (6) oilseeds (4), fodder (2), sugarcane (2)] have been issued and notified. Shri Radha Mohan Singh said that Central Government have taken various steps to boost milk production and develop better breeds of bovine. There is 199 million bovine population in India, which constitutes 14% of total bovine population in the world. Out of this 83% are desi cows. The bovine genetic resource of India is represented by 37 well-recognised indigenous breeds of cattle and 13 breeds of buffaloes. The potential to enhance the productivity of the indigenous breeds through professional farm management and superior nutrients, as well as gradation of indigenous bovine germplasm will be done with an outlay of Rs, 500 crores, he added. Shri Singh said that National Kamdhenu Breeding Centre is being set up to protect indigenous breeds. Nucleus herd will be set up to increase productivity and to ensure genetic advancement of 37 cow breeding, 13 buffaloes breeds. In order to promote Agri Rail Network for transportation of milk, orders have been placed by AMUL and NDDB on behalf of Dairy Cooperative Federation for procurement of 36 new Rail Milk Tankers and will be made available by railways. This will help in movement of milk from milk surplus areas to areas of demand providing dairy farmers with greater market area, he said. Under a new initiative of National Blue Revolution the Government will fill in the critical gaps such as fish seed and feed and introduce new technology like cage culture and re-circulatory aquaculture systems. This will be ensured by participation of fishermen societies, cooperative bodies, scheduled castes and scheduled tribes and more importantly women, and thereby make the National Blue Revolution an inclusive process, he said. Elaborating the initiative taken by Department of Agriculture Research and Education (DARE), Shri Singh said that two institutes of excellence on the pattern of Indian Agriculture Research Institute, Pusa, will be set up in the States of Assam and Jharkhand. An Agriculture University in Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan and Horticulture university in Telangana and Haryana will be set up, he said. During the year 2014 in order to benefit farmers with latest agriculture technology two Krishi Vigyan Kendras have been established in the districts of Baksa in Assam and Ramgarh in Jharkhand. Also, Indian Institute of Biotechnology at Ranchi has been inaugurated during last week with a view to promote organic farming in that region, he added.