India, Bangladesh to set up joint border security coordination committee
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Shillong : Indian and Bangladesh have proposed to constitute a Joint Border Coordination Committee to strengthen security along the porous Indo-Bangladesh border.
This was decided on the concluding day of the two-day bilateral conference of deputy commissioners and district magistrates of Meghalaya (India) and Bangladesh held here.
“This proposal will be placed before both the Indian and Bangladesh governments for a final decision,” East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Sanjay Goyal said, while briefing news persons on the resolutions and proposals agreed upon by the two sides on Tuesday.
According to Goyal, both sides proposed the constitution of the Joint Border Coordination Committee with the intention of institutionalizing this kind of set up by involving the civil administration including the concerned deputy commissioners, district police chiefs and officials from the Revenue, Narcotics and Customs department.
“The BSF and BGB would be part of the proposed committee,” he clarified.
Speaking on the issue of border crimes, the East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner said both sides have mutually agreed upon some ‘action plans’ to tackle crimes along the international border.
Goyal further informed that officials from both sides exchanged their contact numbers and official email ids for better coordination.
Referring to the list of habitual offenders, Goyal said that a list would be prepared by the concerned district police chiefs of both sides and shared with their respective counterparts on either side of the border.
He also said that it was agreed upon that the civil administration would be involved in sensitizing people on various aspect of border crimes.
On repatriation of convicted persons the coordination meeting also decided that the list of the persons to be repatriated back to their countries would be shared in advance so that such persons can be sent home after serving their jail term. He informed that the meeting observed that district officials from both sides should be members of the boundary conference.
Shillong : Indian and Bangladesh have proposed to constitute a Joint Border Coordination Committee to strengthen security along the porous Indo-Bangladesh border.
This was decided on the concluding day of the two-day bilateral conference of deputy commissioners and district magistrates of Meghalaya (India) and Bangladesh held here.
“This proposal will be placed before both the Indian and Bangladesh governments for a final decision,” East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Sanjay Goyal said, while briefing news persons on the resolutions and proposals agreed upon by the two sides on Tuesday.
According to Goyal, both sides proposed the constitution of the Joint Border Coordination Committee with the intention of institutionalizing this kind of set up by involving the civil administration including the concerned deputy commissioners, district police chiefs and officials from the Revenue, Narcotics and Customs department.
“The BSF and BGB would be part of the proposed committee,” he clarified.
Speaking on the issue of border crimes, the East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner said both sides have mutually agreed upon some ‘action plans’ to tackle crimes along the international border.
Goyal further informed that officials from both sides exchanged their contact numbers and official email ids for better coordination.
Referring to the list of habitual offenders, Goyal said that a list would be prepared by the concerned district police chiefs of both sides and shared with their respective counterparts on either side of the border.
He also said that it was agreed upon that the civil administration would be involved in sensitizing people on various aspect of border crimes.
On repatriation of convicted persons the coordination meeting also decided that the list of the persons to be repatriated back to their countries would be shared in advance so that such persons can be sent home after serving their jail term. He informed that the meeting observed that district officials from both sides should be members of the boundary conference.
Chile ends dictatorship-era electoral system
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Santiago: Chile’s Senate has voted to end a dictatorship-era electoral system that has squeezed out independent candidates and guaranteed an out sized presence in Congress for the center-right and center-left blocs.
The “binominal” system has been in place since the end of the 17-year dictatorship of Gen. Augusto Pinochet in 1990, but this is the first time there are enough votes in Congress to end it. Senators approved the measure early yesterday 24-3 with the key support of three center-right lawmakers after a debate that lasted more than 21 hours.
It had already been approved by the lower house and will now be reviewed by a joint commission before taking effect for the 2017 midterm elections. The current system distorts the vote by giving one of the two seats in each district to the trailing coalition as long as it gets at least a third of the votes.
In practice, that has meant many elections are decided behind closed doors, with the center-left and center-right blocs hand-picking candidates to ensure neither side will get its way in Congress. President Michelle Bachelet had promised to finally end it calling the system a “thorn pounded into the center” of Chilean democracy.
“The change of the binominal system is without a doubt, a great advancement,” Bachelet said after the vote. “It will allow us to be better represented and have better ideas” in Congress. The new system essentially allots seats to parties by the proportion of votes they receive in each district.
The reform also increases the size of the lower house to 155 from 120, and the Senate to 50 seats from the current 38. As of the next legislative election, women must represent at least 40 per cent of the candidates running for a party. Senate President Isabel Allende said the reform will allow for more competition and avoid a predetermined result. “As a result, we’re widening democracy,” said Allende, the daughter of the late President Salvador Allende, who was ousted in 1973
during a military coup that launched the dictatorship.
The “binominal” system has been in place since the end of the 17-year dictatorship of Gen. Augusto Pinochet in 1990, but this is the first time there are enough votes in Congress to end it. Senators approved the measure early yesterday 24-3 with the key support of three center-right lawmakers after a debate that lasted more than 21 hours.
It had already been approved by the lower house and will now be reviewed by a joint commission before taking effect for the 2017 midterm elections. The current system distorts the vote by giving one of the two seats in each district to the trailing coalition as long as it gets at least a third of the votes.
In practice, that has meant many elections are decided behind closed doors, with the center-left and center-right blocs hand-picking candidates to ensure neither side will get its way in Congress. President Michelle Bachelet had promised to finally end it calling the system a “thorn pounded into the center” of Chilean democracy.
“The change of the binominal system is without a doubt, a great advancement,” Bachelet said after the vote. “It will allow us to be better represented and have better ideas” in Congress. The new system essentially allots seats to parties by the proportion of votes they receive in each district.
The reform also increases the size of the lower house to 155 from 120, and the Senate to 50 seats from the current 38. As of the next legislative election, women must represent at least 40 per cent of the candidates running for a party. Senate President Isabel Allende said the reform will allow for more competition and avoid a predetermined result. “As a result, we’re widening democracy,” said Allende, the daughter of the late President Salvador Allende, who was ousted in 1973
during a military coup that launched the dictatorship.
Space pavilion opens at C-SiS
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KOCHI: The space pavilion, set up by the department of space, was inaugurated on Wednesday at the Centre for Science in Society (C-SiS), Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat).
"It's a dream come true for C-SiS which has been pursuing the pavilion with the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). Students from the state will now have an opportunity to know more about the Indian space programme," said director K G Nair.
The pavilion displays research and development activities related to space technology, space sciences and applications, various static models of satellites and launch vehicles. There are huge display panels about the Indian space programme, ISRO's activities, remote sensing satellites, communication satellites and the interplanetary mission, Chandrayaan.
A video documentary on various achievements and activities of the space programme is another feature.
Dedicating the pavilion to students and society, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) director M Chandra Dathan said that the public can learn about what the organisation has done for the society.
"We are working on developing a satellite that will be able to absorb sun's energy and transmit it to the earth station without causing any damage," said Dathan.
Cusat vice-chancellor J Latha, VSSC deputy director Ratnakara Rao, Cusat pro vice-chancellor K Paulose Jacob and registrar also spoke at the function.
The facility will be used for the mid-summer science talent programme and the total capacity development programme for schoolchildren.
KOCHI: The space pavilion, set up by the department of space, was inaugurated on Wednesday at the Centre for Science in Society (C-SiS), Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat).
"It's a dream come true for C-SiS which has been pursuing the pavilion with the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). Students from the state will now have an opportunity to know more about the Indian space programme," said director K G Nair.
The pavilion displays research and development activities related to space technology, space sciences and applications, various static models of satellites and launch vehicles. There are huge display panels about the Indian space programme, ISRO's activities, remote sensing satellites, communication satellites and the interplanetary mission, Chandrayaan.
A video documentary on various achievements and activities of the space programme is another feature.
Dedicating the pavilion to students and society, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) director M Chandra Dathan said that the public can learn about what the organisation has done for the society.
"We are working on developing a satellite that will be able to absorb sun's energy and transmit it to the earth station without causing any damage," said Dathan.
Cusat vice-chancellor J Latha, VSSC deputy director Ratnakara Rao, Cusat pro vice-chancellor K Paulose Jacob and registrar also spoke at the function.
The facility will be used for the mid-summer science talent programme and the total capacity development programme for schoolchildren.
21st Meeting of the Eastern Zonal Council
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The 21st Meeting of the Eastern Zonal Council comprising of the States of Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal will be held tomorrow at Patna under the chairmanship of Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh.
The 8th Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Eastern Zonal Council was held at Patna on November 7, 2014 to finalize the agenda for the Eastern Zonal Council Meeting. Besides this, some fresh additional items are likely to be presented in the meeting by the concerned State Governments.
The agenda for the meeting finalized by the Standing Committee comprising the Chief Secretaries ranges from a number of issues of Inter-State and Centre-State cooperation, allocation of additional assistance to the States to provide relief to the tribals, issues relating to security and other substantial issues that the Chief Ministers would like to raise in the meeting.
There are five Zonal Councils, namely Eastern, Western, Northern, Southern and Central Zonal Council which are advisory bodies and discuss any matter in which some or all of the States represented in a Council have a common interest. These Councils advise the Central and State Governments on any matter of common interest in the field of economic and social planning, linguistic minorities, inter-state transport, matters connected with or arising out of the reorganization of states and matters concerning border disputes.
Government had constituted a Commission on Centre-State relations under the chairmanship of Justice MM Punchchi, former Chief Justice of India, to look into the changing dynamics of Centre-State relations in the context of emerging social, political, economic, environmental and governance issues in the country. This Commission had recommended that the Zonal Councils should meet regularly with an agenda proposed by the States concerned to maximize coordination and promote harmonization of policies and action having inter-state ramification.
The 8th Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Eastern Zonal Council was held at Patna on November 7, 2014 to finalize the agenda for the Eastern Zonal Council Meeting. Besides this, some fresh additional items are likely to be presented in the meeting by the concerned State Governments.
The agenda for the meeting finalized by the Standing Committee comprising the Chief Secretaries ranges from a number of issues of Inter-State and Centre-State cooperation, allocation of additional assistance to the States to provide relief to the tribals, issues relating to security and other substantial issues that the Chief Ministers would like to raise in the meeting.
There are five Zonal Councils, namely Eastern, Western, Northern, Southern and Central Zonal Council which are advisory bodies and discuss any matter in which some or all of the States represented in a Council have a common interest. These Councils advise the Central and State Governments on any matter of common interest in the field of economic and social planning, linguistic minorities, inter-state transport, matters connected with or arising out of the reorganization of states and matters concerning border disputes.
Government had constituted a Commission on Centre-State relations under the chairmanship of Justice MM Punchchi, former Chief Justice of India, to look into the changing dynamics of Centre-State relations in the context of emerging social, political, economic, environmental and governance issues in the country. This Commission had recommended that the Zonal Councils should meet regularly with an agenda proposed by the States concerned to maximize coordination and promote harmonization of policies and action having inter-state ramification.
A S Kiran Kumar takes over as Secretary and Chairman, ISRO
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Mr A S Kiran Kumar, Distinguished Scientist (Apex) and Director, Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad, assumed the office of the Secretary, Department of Space, Chairman, Space Commission and Chairman, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) today (January 14, 2015).
Mr Kiran Kumar is a highly accomplished space scientist and engineer with a distinguished career spanning over four decades in ISRO in the satellite payload and applications domains.
He has made immense contributions to the design and development of Electro-Optical Imaging Sensors for Airborne, Low Earth Orbit and Geostationary Orbit satellites starting from Bhaskara TV payload to the latest Mars Colour Camera, Thermal Infrared Imaging Spectrometer and Methane Sensor for Mars instruments of India’s Mars Orbiter Spacecraft, which has successfully completed one hundred days in Mars Orbit recently.
Mr Kiran Kumar was instrumental in evolving the successful strategy for steering the Mars Orbiter Spacecraft towards planet Mars as well as its Mars Orbit Insertion. He has also made significant contributions for evolving the observation strategy encompassing land, ocean, atmospheric and planetary studies.
Mr Alur Seelin Kiran Kumar is an alumnus of National College, the esteemed educational institution of Bangalore. He obtained his Physics (Honours) Degree from Bangalore University in 1971 and later obtained his Master’s degree in Electronics from the same university in 1973, and thereafter his M.Tech Degree in Physical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore in 1975.
Mr Kiran Kumar began his career in ISRO by joining Space Applications Centre (SAC) in 1975. Later, he became its Associate Director and in March 2012 took over as the Director of SAC.
At SAC, Mr Kiran Kumar has been steering the design, development & realisation of payloads and application activities of earth observation, communication, navigation, space science and planetary exploration.
Mr Kiran Kumar is a recipient of many national and international laurels/awards including the Padma Shri Award conferred by the President of India in 2014, International Academy of Astronautics’ Laurels for Team Achievement Award for Cartosat in 2008 and for Chandrayaan-1 in 2013, Indian Society of Remote Sensing (ISRS) Award for the year 1994, VASVIK award (Electronic sciences and technology) for the year 1998, Astronautical Society of India Award (Space Sciences and Applications) for the year 2001, ISRO individual Service Award 2006, Bhaskara Award of ISRS in 2007 and ISRO Performance Excellence Award 2008.
He is a Fellow of professional institutions like Indian National Academy of Engineering, Indian Society of Remote Sensing, Institution of Electronics & Telecommunication Engineer, and Indian Meteorological Society. Besides, he is a member of the International Academy of Astronautics.
Mr Kiran Kumar has represented ISRO in international forums like World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS) and Indo-US Joint Working Group on Civil Space Cooperation.
Mr Kiran Kumar is a highly accomplished space scientist and engineer with a distinguished career spanning over four decades in ISRO in the satellite payload and applications domains.
He has made immense contributions to the design and development of Electro-Optical Imaging Sensors for Airborne, Low Earth Orbit and Geostationary Orbit satellites starting from Bhaskara TV payload to the latest Mars Colour Camera, Thermal Infrared Imaging Spectrometer and Methane Sensor for Mars instruments of India’s Mars Orbiter Spacecraft, which has successfully completed one hundred days in Mars Orbit recently.
Mr Kiran Kumar was instrumental in evolving the successful strategy for steering the Mars Orbiter Spacecraft towards planet Mars as well as its Mars Orbit Insertion. He has also made significant contributions for evolving the observation strategy encompassing land, ocean, atmospheric and planetary studies.
Mr Alur Seelin Kiran Kumar is an alumnus of National College, the esteemed educational institution of Bangalore. He obtained his Physics (Honours) Degree from Bangalore University in 1971 and later obtained his Master’s degree in Electronics from the same university in 1973, and thereafter his M.Tech Degree in Physical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore in 1975.
Mr Kiran Kumar began his career in ISRO by joining Space Applications Centre (SAC) in 1975. Later, he became its Associate Director and in March 2012 took over as the Director of SAC.
At SAC, Mr Kiran Kumar has been steering the design, development & realisation of payloads and application activities of earth observation, communication, navigation, space science and planetary exploration.
Mr Kiran Kumar is a recipient of many national and international laurels/awards including the Padma Shri Award conferred by the President of India in 2014, International Academy of Astronautics’ Laurels for Team Achievement Award for Cartosat in 2008 and for Chandrayaan-1 in 2013, Indian Society of Remote Sensing (ISRS) Award for the year 1994, VASVIK award (Electronic sciences and technology) for the year 1998, Astronautical Society of India Award (Space Sciences and Applications) for the year 2001, ISRO individual Service Award 2006, Bhaskara Award of ISRS in 2007 and ISRO Performance Excellence Award 2008.
He is a Fellow of professional institutions like Indian National Academy of Engineering, Indian Society of Remote Sensing, Institution of Electronics & Telecommunication Engineer, and Indian Meteorological Society. Besides, he is a member of the International Academy of Astronautics.
Mr Kiran Kumar has represented ISRO in international forums like World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS) and Indo-US Joint Working Group on Civil Space Cooperation.
Asteroid to fly by Earth safely
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An asteroid will safely pass about three times the distance of Earth to the Moon on January 26, according to NASA.
From its reflected brightness, astronomers estimate that the asteroid, designated 2004 BL86, is about 0.5 kilometres in size.
The flyby of 2004 BL86 will be the closest by any known space rock this large until asteroid 1999 AN10 flies past Earth in 2027, NASA said.
At the time of its closest approach on January 26, the asteroid will be approximately 1.2 million kilometres from Earth.
“Monday, January 26 will be the closest asteroid 2004 BL86 will get to Earth for at least the next 200 years,” said Don Yeomans from NASA’s Near Earth Object Programme Office at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California.
“And while it poses no threat to Earth for the foreseeable future, it’s a relatively close approach by a relatively large asteroid, so it provides us a unique opportunity to observe and learn more,” said Yeomans.
One way NASA scientists plan to learn more about 2004 BL86 is to observe it with microwaves.
NASA’s Deep Space Network antenna at Goldstone, California, and the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico will attempt to acquire science data and radar-generated images of the asteroid during the days surrounding its closest approach to Earth.
“When we get our radar data back the day after the flyby, we will have the first detailed images,” said radar astronomer Lance Benner of JPL, the principal investigator for the Goldstone radar observations of the asteroid.
“At present, we know almost nothing about the asteroid, so there are bound to be surprises,” said Benner.
Asteroid 2004 BL86 was initially discovered on January 30, 2004 by a telescope of the Lincoln Near-Earth Asteroid Research (LINEAR) survey in White Sands, New Mexico.
The asteroid is expected to be observable to amateur astronomers with small telescopes and strong binoculars.
From its reflected brightness, astronomers estimate that the asteroid, designated 2004 BL86, is about 0.5 kilometres in size.
The flyby of 2004 BL86 will be the closest by any known space rock this large until asteroid 1999 AN10 flies past Earth in 2027, NASA said.
At the time of its closest approach on January 26, the asteroid will be approximately 1.2 million kilometres from Earth.
“Monday, January 26 will be the closest asteroid 2004 BL86 will get to Earth for at least the next 200 years,” said Don Yeomans from NASA’s Near Earth Object Programme Office at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California.
“And while it poses no threat to Earth for the foreseeable future, it’s a relatively close approach by a relatively large asteroid, so it provides us a unique opportunity to observe and learn more,” said Yeomans.
One way NASA scientists plan to learn more about 2004 BL86 is to observe it with microwaves.
NASA’s Deep Space Network antenna at Goldstone, California, and the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico will attempt to acquire science data and radar-generated images of the asteroid during the days surrounding its closest approach to Earth.
“When we get our radar data back the day after the flyby, we will have the first detailed images,” said radar astronomer Lance Benner of JPL, the principal investigator for the Goldstone radar observations of the asteroid.
“At present, we know almost nothing about the asteroid, so there are bound to be surprises,” said Benner.
Asteroid 2004 BL86 was initially discovered on January 30, 2004 by a telescope of the Lincoln Near-Earth Asteroid Research (LINEAR) survey in White Sands, New Mexico.
The asteroid is expected to be observable to amateur astronomers with small telescopes and strong binoculars.
SC rejects plea against validity of review rules
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The Supreme Court on 14 January 2015 rejected a batch of petitions filed by various companies, including Vedanta group firm Sesa Sterlite and Bangalore-based Deccan Mining Syndicate, challenging the provisions of apex court rules by which the review petitions are decided by judges in their chambers by circulation and without hearing any of the parties.
The companies had challenged the constitutional validity of Order XL Rule 3 of the Supreme Court Rules 1966 on the ground that the provision was “arbitrary, unreasonable, unfair and unconstitutional”.
“A judgment passed by this court in a petition filed under Article 32 of the Constitution of India is final and there is no right of appeal to the aggrieved party”
Apart from Sesa Sterlite and Deccan Mining, the other companies whose petitions were rejected included VS Lad & Sons, Hothur Traders, M/S Thangavelu, Tungabhadra Minerals, M/S Lakshminarayana Mining Company.
However, a bench headed by Chief Justice HL Dattu asked Sesa Sterlite to mention its plea seeking review of its order on mining cap before the forest bench after its senior counsel Kapil Sibal argued that the company was not given an opportunity of hearing before imposition of 30-mt cap on iron ore mining in Karnataka.
The companies had challenged the constitutional validity of Order XL Rule 3 of the Supreme Court Rules 1966 on the ground that the provision was “arbitrary, unreasonable, unfair and unconstitutional”.
“A judgment passed by this court in a petition filed under Article 32 of the Constitution of India is final and there is no right of appeal to the aggrieved party”
Apart from Sesa Sterlite and Deccan Mining, the other companies whose petitions were rejected included VS Lad & Sons, Hothur Traders, M/S Thangavelu, Tungabhadra Minerals, M/S Lakshminarayana Mining Company.
However, a bench headed by Chief Justice HL Dattu asked Sesa Sterlite to mention its plea seeking review of its order on mining cap before the forest bench after its senior counsel Kapil Sibal argued that the company was not given an opportunity of hearing before imposition of 30-mt cap on iron ore mining in Karnataka.
Agreement signed to revive Ramagundam Fertilizer Plant
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National fertilizers Limited NFL), Engineers India Limited (EIL) and Fertilizer Corporation of India (FCIL) have signed an agreement to form a joint venture company (JVC) for setting up new Ammonia and Urea plants at the existing site of Ramagundam Fertilizer plant in District Karimnagar in Telengana. The joint Venture agreement for the new company named “Ramagundam Fertilizers and Chemicals Limited” was signed today at NOIDA in the presence of Shri Ananth Kumar, Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers, and Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of State (I/C) for Petroleum and Natural Gas.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Ananth Kumar said that in next four years, about Rs 40,000 crore will be invested in the country for revival of the old fertilizer plants, and setting up of new units. He said there is going to be a fertilizer revolution in the country that will make India self-reliant in fertilizer, particularly Urea production. Shri Ananth Kumar said that the initiatives are being taken in pursuance of two mantras of the Government- Make In India, and Good Governance. He said large investments are being made in the sector, and with coordinated efforts and political will, the Government will take steps in a time bound manner that will help our people, and the farmers. He said that steps are also being taken to check the imbalance in usage of fertilizers in the country. On the personal front, the Minister announced that he would forego the subsidized gas cylinder connection henceforth.
Minister of State (I/C) for Petroleum and Natural Gas Shri Dharmendra Pradhan said that with the setting up of new plants and revival of old plants, the supply gap in fertilizers will be reduced. He said that Agriculture is the prime stay of our country, and the interest of the farmers will be safeguarded. Shri Pradhan said that the new plant at Ramagundam will be a boon for the farmers of newly created state of Telengana. He said that the Government will set up a gas grid in the country. The Petroleum Minister also talked about the impressive response of the Governments’ scheme Pahal, the largest subsidiary distribution mechanism in the world. He appealed to the affluent and people belonging to well to do sections of society to give up subsidized LPG connection.
In order to augment the domestic urea capacity, revival of closed fertilizer units of Fertilizer Corporation of India Ltd. (FCIL) and Hindustan Fertilizer Corporation (HFC) has been on the top priority agenda of the Government of India. In this direction, Joint Venture Agreements have been signed on 24.12.2014 amongst GAIL, RCF, CIL & FCIL for the revival of Talcher unit of FCIL. Govt. of India has nominated FCIL’s unit located at Ramagundam to the consortium of three state run companies NFL, EIL and FCIL for revival. The Joint Venture (JV) signed today will be primarily responsible for setting up Gas based Ammonia-Urea plants. NFL and EIL will each have 26% equity in the JV. EIL would take up the project construction under EPC model. Pre-project activities have been started. NFL’s expertise would be utilised for the operation and maintenance of the plant
The project comprises of 2200 MTPD Ammonia plant and 3850 MTPD Urea plant. FCIL shall hold a stake in the JV, being the provider of existing infrastructure of Ramagundam Project. Total investment in the project by the PSU promoters is estimated to be in the range of Rs. 5000 crore.
The revival of the Ramagundam unit will trigger a great economic boom in the new born State of Telangana in the southern part of the country, as it will generate opportunities in the form of direct and indirect employment for the people in the region. Execution of construction activities is expected to start in early 2016.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Ananth Kumar said that in next four years, about Rs 40,000 crore will be invested in the country for revival of the old fertilizer plants, and setting up of new units. He said there is going to be a fertilizer revolution in the country that will make India self-reliant in fertilizer, particularly Urea production. Shri Ananth Kumar said that the initiatives are being taken in pursuance of two mantras of the Government- Make In India, and Good Governance. He said large investments are being made in the sector, and with coordinated efforts and political will, the Government will take steps in a time bound manner that will help our people, and the farmers. He said that steps are also being taken to check the imbalance in usage of fertilizers in the country. On the personal front, the Minister announced that he would forego the subsidized gas cylinder connection henceforth.
Minister of State (I/C) for Petroleum and Natural Gas Shri Dharmendra Pradhan said that with the setting up of new plants and revival of old plants, the supply gap in fertilizers will be reduced. He said that Agriculture is the prime stay of our country, and the interest of the farmers will be safeguarded. Shri Pradhan said that the new plant at Ramagundam will be a boon for the farmers of newly created state of Telengana. He said that the Government will set up a gas grid in the country. The Petroleum Minister also talked about the impressive response of the Governments’ scheme Pahal, the largest subsidiary distribution mechanism in the world. He appealed to the affluent and people belonging to well to do sections of society to give up subsidized LPG connection.
In order to augment the domestic urea capacity, revival of closed fertilizer units of Fertilizer Corporation of India Ltd. (FCIL) and Hindustan Fertilizer Corporation (HFC) has been on the top priority agenda of the Government of India. In this direction, Joint Venture Agreements have been signed on 24.12.2014 amongst GAIL, RCF, CIL & FCIL for the revival of Talcher unit of FCIL. Govt. of India has nominated FCIL’s unit located at Ramagundam to the consortium of three state run companies NFL, EIL and FCIL for revival. The Joint Venture (JV) signed today will be primarily responsible for setting up Gas based Ammonia-Urea plants. NFL and EIL will each have 26% equity in the JV. EIL would take up the project construction under EPC model. Pre-project activities have been started. NFL’s expertise would be utilised for the operation and maintenance of the plant
The project comprises of 2200 MTPD Ammonia plant and 3850 MTPD Urea plant. FCIL shall hold a stake in the JV, being the provider of existing infrastructure of Ramagundam Project. Total investment in the project by the PSU promoters is estimated to be in the range of Rs. 5000 crore.
The revival of the Ramagundam unit will trigger a great economic boom in the new born State of Telangana in the southern part of the country, as it will generate opportunities in the form of direct and indirect employment for the people in the region. Execution of construction activities is expected to start in early 2016.
India to be world's fastest growing economy in 2 yrs
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The World Bank’s Global Economic Prospects report has revised down its global growth forecast for this year to 3 per cent from its view of 3.4 per cent growth in June last year, but has bet on India to emerge as the world’s fastest growing major economy in two years, on the back of the structural reforms kicked off by the new Narendra Modi-led government.
The Washington-based development institution releases the Global Economic Prospects report twice a year. Although the Bank sees the decline in global crude oil prices to hold for the year and even extend to the next, it says structural difficulties in Europe and Japan may not allow them to fully benefit from the lower prices.
Also, the developing world is bracing for higher borrowing costs as the US Federal Reserve has signalled its first rate increase since 2006, possibly as early as April 2015.
“The global economy today is much larger than what it used to be, so it’s a case of a larger train being pulled by a single engine, the American one,” World Bank Chief Economist Kaushik Basu, the lead author of the report, told reporters on Tuesday during a conference call. “This does not make for a rosy outlook for the world.”
Among the major economies, India and the US remained exceptions where the growth forecast was revised upwards from June. The World Bank expects the country to grow 6.4 per cent in fiscal year 2015-16, up from 6.3 per cent it had forecast in the June report. For the US, the upward revision is from 3 per cent to 3.2 per cent in calendar year 2015.
Eurozone growth forecast has been trimmed from 1.8 per cent to 1.1 per cent, and China is seen slowing from 7.5 per cent growth to 7.1 per cent. Among the high income countries, Russia is the only instance where growth in calendar year 2015 is actually seen contracting to 2.9 per cent from the earlier forecast growth of 0.5 per cent.
The bank is optimistic regarding India. “After several years of stalled progress, the newly elected government has begun to implement measures to cut red tape, raise infrastructure investment, deregulate key parts of the economy, and shrink the role of government,” the report says.
In 2016-17, the World Bank expects India to match China’s GDP (gross domestic product) growth rate of 7 per cent. By 2017-18, India is expected to emerge at the top of the global growth pile by holding steady at 7 per cent growth, narrowly edging China at 6.9 per cent. It would be the fastest growth rate among the world’s 50 major economies.
But not everyone is impressed. Narendar Pani, professor at National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), observed that the slide in oil prices hasn’t yet had a beneficial effect on the country’s current account deficit (CAD).
“Why is the World Bank expecting India not to be hit by US Fed’s anticipated rate increase, particularly since much of our overseas investments are by FIIs as opposed to FDIs? FII sentiments can sour quickly and outflows can be immediate,” he notes. Also he advises caution on account of the slew of ordinances promulgated recently by the Central government.
“If any one ordinance fails to get enacted as a legislation, there will be doubts about the prospects of others.” Therefore, Pani says it is to be seen if the kind of assessments made by the World Bank would come through.
The Washington-based development institution releases the Global Economic Prospects report twice a year. Although the Bank sees the decline in global crude oil prices to hold for the year and even extend to the next, it says structural difficulties in Europe and Japan may not allow them to fully benefit from the lower prices.
Also, the developing world is bracing for higher borrowing costs as the US Federal Reserve has signalled its first rate increase since 2006, possibly as early as April 2015.
“The global economy today is much larger than what it used to be, so it’s a case of a larger train being pulled by a single engine, the American one,” World Bank Chief Economist Kaushik Basu, the lead author of the report, told reporters on Tuesday during a conference call. “This does not make for a rosy outlook for the world.”
Among the major economies, India and the US remained exceptions where the growth forecast was revised upwards from June. The World Bank expects the country to grow 6.4 per cent in fiscal year 2015-16, up from 6.3 per cent it had forecast in the June report. For the US, the upward revision is from 3 per cent to 3.2 per cent in calendar year 2015.
Eurozone growth forecast has been trimmed from 1.8 per cent to 1.1 per cent, and China is seen slowing from 7.5 per cent growth to 7.1 per cent. Among the high income countries, Russia is the only instance where growth in calendar year 2015 is actually seen contracting to 2.9 per cent from the earlier forecast growth of 0.5 per cent.
The bank is optimistic regarding India. “After several years of stalled progress, the newly elected government has begun to implement measures to cut red tape, raise infrastructure investment, deregulate key parts of the economy, and shrink the role of government,” the report says.
In 2016-17, the World Bank expects India to match China’s GDP (gross domestic product) growth rate of 7 per cent. By 2017-18, India is expected to emerge at the top of the global growth pile by holding steady at 7 per cent growth, narrowly edging China at 6.9 per cent. It would be the fastest growth rate among the world’s 50 major economies.
But not everyone is impressed. Narendar Pani, professor at National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), observed that the slide in oil prices hasn’t yet had a beneficial effect on the country’s current account deficit (CAD).
“Why is the World Bank expecting India not to be hit by US Fed’s anticipated rate increase, particularly since much of our overseas investments are by FIIs as opposed to FDIs? FII sentiments can sour quickly and outflows can be immediate,” he notes. Also he advises caution on account of the slew of ordinances promulgated recently by the Central government.
“If any one ordinance fails to get enacted as a legislation, there will be doubts about the prospects of others.” Therefore, Pani says it is to be seen if the kind of assessments made by the World Bank would come through.
Socio economic structure of India
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India has emerged as one of the most attractive destination not only for investment but also for doing business in the recent years. One of the fastest growing economies in the world which has not only sustained global downturn of 2008-09, India is slated to grow at consistently higher rates during next few decades. Some of the reasons which make India as a magnate of investments are:
- Large and fast growing middle class & graduation of poor to middle class and hence growing domestic consumption
- Indian Government’s constantly evolving investor friendly policy
- Lower cost of production due to lower labour rates
- Availability of skilled manpower
- Abundant natural resources
- English as one of the major business languages
- Government’s emphasis on infrastructure improvement
- India’s location, close to markets of South East Asia, Middle East and also Europe.
India is likely to become one of the largest economies of the world by the year 2025 as per projections made by internationally renowned consultants and IMF. Businesses around the world do not like to miss the growth opportunities offered by Indian markets and hence some of them are already stepping up their investments and rest eying India for investments in coming years.
Socio economic structure
India has a large sized middle class, which is further expanding substantially, offering a big fat market for foreign products and services. In fact, if India continues its recent growth trend, average household incomes will triple over the next two decades and it will become the world’s fifth largest consumer economy by the year 2025, according to a McKinsey report in 2010. The consistent economic growth in India has been an important factor that has contributed towards the decline in poverty.
India’s per capita income is estimated to be US$ 1223.45 in 2010-11, at current prices, which is higher by 17.9 percent from the per capita income in 2009-10.
In just eleven years, from 1993-94 to 2004-2005 the percentage of people below poverty line has declined from 36% to 28%, according to a survey conducted by National Sample Survey Organization (NSSO).
Governance
India has a Federal Republic Government, established in 1947 after it became independent.
The Indian political system is supported by Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches.
The political governance system in India was established by the ‘Constitution of India’ in the year 1950. It has given India’s Union Government the governing authority of all its administrative divisions, which comprise of 28 states and 7 union territories.
The Executive branch is constituted by India’s President, Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers.
The Legislative branch is made up of the dual functioning of Lok Sabha or the House of the People and the Rajya Sabha or the Council of States.
The Judicial branch is composed of the Supreme Court, High Courts and subordinate courts. India follows the British law which has been amended to suit local conditions.
The infrastructure
Road - India’s total road network spans 3.34 million KM which is second largest in the world. This road network consists of 65,589 KM of highways.
Rail - Indian rail route is 63,028 KM long which is largest in Asia and second largest in the world under one management. Indian Railways have 222,147 freight wagons for use in movement of freight to any corner of the country.
Ports - There are 13 major ports and 187 minor/intermediate ports along the coast line of the country. Total capacity of Indian ports in the year 2010-11 was 616.73 million tons. Ports handle over 90% of India’s international trade.
Airports - India has a total of 125 Airports, which include 11 International Airports.
SEZs - With a view to attract larger foreign investments in India, the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) Policy was announced in April 2000 by Indian Government. There are 133 special economic zones operating presently all over India.
Locational advantage
Located in south Asia, India has its border countries as China, Bhutan and Nepal on north-west side, Myanmar and Bangladesh on East side and Afghanistan & Pakistan on its North-West side. The great Himalaya Mountains divide India from rest of Asia in its North side. Some of the emerging and established markets such as Middle-East and South East countries are also closely located.
Naturally connected via the sea route from the other three sides, India is surrounded by Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean which facilitates most its overseas trade in all directions.
Total area of the country is about 3.3 million square kilometers, 90% of which is land area. India is the seventh largest country in the world in area. India’s coast line spreads over a length of 7,517 kilometers on three sides.
Resources
Population and work force
One out of every six people in the world is an Indian! In 2011, India’s population is estimated at 1.21 Bllion people, against the total world population which is 6.9 Billion. Moreover, India’s biggest asset is huge size of its young and working population class. The proportion of population in the working age-group 15-59 years is expected to rise from 57.7 percent in 2001 to 64.3 percent in 2026. This is going to positively impact India’s growth in the coming years. According to the National Population Commission, India will add 173 Million people in working-age population by the year 2026. In fact, by this time, India will have the largest working age population in the world. This will act as a vital point in making India a world leader in coming years.
Education strata and manpower resources
India can boast of remarkably strong manpower resources with one of the most developed higher education systems across the globe. India’s size of education system ranks third in the world, after US and China.
The literacy rate in India is 74 percent in 2011, with English being understood and used commonly as a medium of spoken and written communication.
India had 409 university level institutions in 2008-09. The total number of colleges is 25,990 and that of polytechnics was 1742.
Total number of annual enrolment for various postgraduate courses is as high as 18.6 Million in the nation.
India has 1522 degree-granting engineering colleges with an annual student intake of 582,000.
The number of student enrolled each year to become doctors is as large as 273,366 in India.
The number of graduates from other courses like management, law, architecture, hotel, travel and tourism management are also growing fast.
Material resources
India can boast of being rich in a variety of natural resources. Some of them are coal, iron ore, manganese ore, mica, bauxite, petroleum, titanium ore, chromite, natural gas, magnesite, limestone, arable land, dolomite, barytes, kaolin, gypsum, apatite, phosphorite, steatite and fluorite.
The distinctive India
India is a country rich in history, culture, religion and diversity. There are 22 officially recognized languages spoken here. People from all religions live harmoniously here who comprise of the Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Jains and many more.
India has emerged as one of the most attractive destination not only for investment but also for doing business in the recent years. One of the fastest growing economies in the world which has not only sustained global downturn of 2008-09, India is slated to grow at consistently higher rates during next few decades. Some of the reasons which make India as a magnate of investments are:
- Large and fast growing middle class & graduation of poor to middle class and hence growing domestic consumption
- Indian Government’s constantly evolving investor friendly policy
- Lower cost of production due to lower labour rates
- Availability of skilled manpower
- Abundant natural resources
- English as one of the major business languages
- Government’s emphasis on infrastructure improvement
- India’s location, close to markets of South East Asia, Middle East and also Europe.
India is likely to become one of the largest economies of the world by the year 2025 as per projections made by internationally renowned consultants and IMF. Businesses around the world do not like to miss the growth opportunities offered by Indian markets and hence some of them are already stepping up their investments and rest eying India for investments in coming years.
Socio economic structure
India has a large sized middle class, which is further expanding substantially, offering a big fat market for foreign products and services. In fact, if India continues its recent growth trend, average household incomes will triple over the next two decades and it will become the world’s fifth largest consumer economy by the year 2025, according to a McKinsey report in 2010. The consistent economic growth in India has been an important factor that has contributed towards the decline in poverty.
India’s per capita income is estimated to be US$ 1223.45 in 2010-11, at current prices, which is higher by 17.9 percent from the per capita income in 2009-10.
In just eleven years, from 1993-94 to 2004-2005 the percentage of people below poverty line has declined from 36% to 28%, according to a survey conducted by National Sample Survey Organization (NSSO).
Governance
India has a Federal Republic Government, established in 1947 after it became independent.
The Indian political system is supported by Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches.
The political governance system in India was established by the ‘Constitution of India’ in the year 1950. It has given India’s Union Government the governing authority of all its administrative divisions, which comprise of 28 states and 7 union territories.
The Executive branch is constituted by India’s President, Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers.
The Legislative branch is made up of the dual functioning of Lok Sabha or the House of the People and the Rajya Sabha or the Council of States.
The Judicial branch is composed of the Supreme Court, High Courts and subordinate courts. India follows the British law which has been amended to suit local conditions.
The infrastructure
Road - India’s total road network spans 3.34 million KM which is second largest in the world. This road network consists of 65,589 KM of highways.
Rail - Indian rail route is 63,028 KM long which is largest in Asia and second largest in the world under one management. Indian Railways have 222,147 freight wagons for use in movement of freight to any corner of the country.
Ports - There are 13 major ports and 187 minor/intermediate ports along the coast line of the country. Total capacity of Indian ports in the year 2010-11 was 616.73 million tons. Ports handle over 90% of India’s international trade.
Airports - India has a total of 125 Airports, which include 11 International Airports.
SEZs - With a view to attract larger foreign investments in India, the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) Policy was announced in April 2000 by Indian Government. There are 133 special economic zones operating presently all over India.
Locational advantage
Located in south Asia, India has its border countries as China, Bhutan and Nepal on north-west side, Myanmar and Bangladesh on East side and Afghanistan & Pakistan on its North-West side. The great Himalaya Mountains divide India from rest of Asia in its North side. Some of the emerging and established markets such as Middle-East and South East countries are also closely located.
Naturally connected via the sea route from the other three sides, India is surrounded by Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean which facilitates most its overseas trade in all directions.
Total area of the country is about 3.3 million square kilometers, 90% of which is land area. India is the seventh largest country in the world in area. India’s coast line spreads over a length of 7,517 kilometers on three sides.
Naturally connected via the sea route from the other three sides, India is surrounded by Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean which facilitates most its overseas trade in all directions.
Total area of the country is about 3.3 million square kilometers, 90% of which is land area. India is the seventh largest country in the world in area. India’s coast line spreads over a length of 7,517 kilometers on three sides.
Resources
Population and work force
One out of every six people in the world is an Indian! In 2011, India’s population is estimated at 1.21 Bllion people, against the total world population which is 6.9 Billion. Moreover, India’s biggest asset is huge size of its young and working population class. The proportion of population in the working age-group 15-59 years is expected to rise from 57.7 percent in 2001 to 64.3 percent in 2026. This is going to positively impact India’s growth in the coming years. According to the National Population Commission, India will add 173 Million people in working-age population by the year 2026. In fact, by this time, India will have the largest working age population in the world. This will act as a vital point in making India a world leader in coming years.
Education strata and manpower resources
India can boast of remarkably strong manpower resources with one of the most developed higher education systems across the globe. India’s size of education system ranks third in the world, after US and China.
The literacy rate in India is 74 percent in 2011, with English being understood and used commonly as a medium of spoken and written communication.
India had 409 university level institutions in 2008-09. The total number of colleges is 25,990 and that of polytechnics was 1742.
Total number of annual enrolment for various postgraduate courses is as high as 18.6 Million in the nation.
Total number of annual enrolment for various postgraduate courses is as high as 18.6 Million in the nation.
India has 1522 degree-granting engineering colleges with an annual student intake of 582,000.
The number of student enrolled each year to become doctors is as large as 273,366 in India.
The number of graduates from other courses like management, law, architecture, hotel, travel and tourism management are also growing fast.
Material resources
India can boast of being rich in a variety of natural resources. Some of them are coal, iron ore, manganese ore, mica, bauxite, petroleum, titanium ore, chromite, natural gas, magnesite, limestone, arable land, dolomite, barytes, kaolin, gypsum, apatite, phosphorite, steatite and fluorite.
The distinctive India
India is a country rich in history, culture, religion and diversity. There are 22 officially recognized languages spoken here. People from all religions live harmoniously here who comprise of the Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Jains and many more.
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