General Affairs
Nitish Kumar Speaks Of Grand Alliance Of Anti-BJP Parties For 2019
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PATNA: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today spoke of all parties opposed to the BJP joining hands to form a Grand Alliance "on the pattern of Bihar" to push the ruling party out of power in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Mr Kumar was speaking in Patna after he formally took over as the Janata Dal (United).
The JD(U) joined hands with Lalu Prasad Yadav's Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress to form a Grand Alliance which trumped the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance and bring back Mr Kumar as Bihar Chief Minister for a third consecutive term in November last year.
"But, for this all of us will have to make sacrifices and follow the policy of give and take," Mr Kumar said, as he urged his party's leaders and workers to stop referring to him as the Prime Ministerial candidate for the future. "I believe in work and by announcing one name and throwing the hat in the ring you can't become Prime Minister in the next seven births...But, if the post is destined for you then no one can stop you from becoming the Prime Minister," Mr Kumar added.
Once again, he launched a sharp attack on the BJP and RSS. "Who has given them the right to issue the certificate of Deshbhakti (patriotism)," he said. "I'm a deshbhakt but (I) don't need any certificate from those people who played no role in our freedom struggle."
"If the BJP is serious about governance then they should fulfil the promise of bringing back black money and giving a better MSP (support price) to our farmers. But, to divert the attention, they talk about cow slaughter, ghar wapasi and deshbhakti," Mr Kumar said, addressing his party's National Council meeting.
The Bihar chief minister ruled out any reversal of his prohibition policy that came into force earlier this month. Instead, he said, he will now travel to Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand to impress upon the people and government to follow the policy rather than open new liquor outlets in the areas bordering Bihar.
PATNA: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today spoke of all parties opposed to the BJP joining hands to form a Grand Alliance "on the pattern of Bihar" to push the ruling party out of power in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Mr Kumar was speaking in Patna after he formally took over as the Janata Dal (United).The JD(U) joined hands with Lalu Prasad Yadav's Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress to form a Grand Alliance which trumped the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance and bring back Mr Kumar as Bihar Chief Minister for a third consecutive term in November last year.
Once again, he launched a sharp attack on the BJP and RSS. "Who has given them the right to issue the certificate of Deshbhakti (patriotism)," he said. "I'm a deshbhakt but (I) don't need any certificate from those people who played no role in our freedom struggle."
"If the BJP is serious about governance then they should fulfil the promise of bringing back black money and giving a better MSP (support price) to our farmers. But, to divert the attention, they talk about cow slaughter, ghar wapasi and deshbhakti," Mr Kumar said, addressing his party's National Council meeting.
The Bihar chief minister ruled out any reversal of his prohibition policy that came into force earlier this month. Instead, he said, he will now travel to Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand to impress upon the people and government to follow the policy rather than open new liquor outlets in the areas bordering Bihar.
Why Are Rights Groups Silent On Deaths At Jayalalithaa's Rallies: Minister
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NAGERCOIL, TAMIL NADU: Union minister Pon Radhakrishnan today wondered why human rights organisations, the Election Commission and others are "silent" on the deaths of people at election rallies addressed by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.
"It is strange why human rights organisations and the Election Commission are silent on the deaths that occurred at election rallies addressed by Jayalalithaa. People in large numbers are ferried to attend Jayalalithaa's meetings and are housed like cattle inside an enclosure," Pon Radhakrishnan, minister of state for road transport and highways and shipping, told reporters in Nagercoil today. Nagercoil is around 710 km from Chennai.
Four people who had attended Jayalalithaa's two rallies - at Virudhachalam and Salem- lost their lives due to heat.
A large section of the crowd was either brought to the rally ground in trucks and buses or had come on their own from nearby areas.
Mr Radhakrishnan also wondered why no action has been taken against organisers of the AIADMK leader Jayalalithaa's two election rallies where the deaths had taken place.
Queried about political parties changing their candidates, the Lok Sabha member from Kanyakumari, Pon Radhakrishnan said if the changes are made due to genuine reasons -family circumstances of the candidates - then it is understandable.
"But like a game of chess the political parties are replacing the candidates," he remarked.
Ruling AIADMK, DMK and PMK have announced new candidates in the place of the names announced earlier.
Asked about DMK treasurer MK Stalin offering prayers at the Mel Maruvathur Adi Parasakthi temple recently, Pon Radhakrishnan said: "I hope one of these days he will do the 'anga pradakshanam' (rolling on the ground in that temple)."
Party cadres are also upbeat about BJP's prospects in the six assembly constituencies in Kanyakumari district.
The BJP is contesting in 156 assembly constituencies in the May 16 election of the total 234 seats. The balance is shared with its allies.
He said the proposed port in Colachel in Kanyakumari district will change the economic position of the people in the region.
"The Congress and the DMK are betraying the interests of the people by opposing the project," he charged.
"It is strange why human rights organisations and the Election Commission are silent on the deaths that occurred at election rallies addressed by Jayalalithaa. People in large numbers are ferried to attend Jayalalithaa's meetings and are housed like cattle inside an enclosure," Pon Radhakrishnan, minister of state for road transport and highways and shipping, told reporters in Nagercoil today. Nagercoil is around 710 km from Chennai.
Four people who had attended Jayalalithaa's two rallies - at Virudhachalam and Salem- lost their lives due to heat.
Mr Radhakrishnan also wondered why no action has been taken against organisers of the AIADMK leader Jayalalithaa's two election rallies where the deaths had taken place.
Queried about political parties changing their candidates, the Lok Sabha member from Kanyakumari, Pon Radhakrishnan said if the changes are made due to genuine reasons -family circumstances of the candidates - then it is understandable.
"But like a game of chess the political parties are replacing the candidates," he remarked.
Ruling AIADMK, DMK and PMK have announced new candidates in the place of the names announced earlier.
Asked about DMK treasurer MK Stalin offering prayers at the Mel Maruvathur Adi Parasakthi temple recently, Pon Radhakrishnan said: "I hope one of these days he will do the 'anga pradakshanam' (rolling on the ground in that temple)."
Party cadres are also upbeat about BJP's prospects in the six assembly constituencies in Kanyakumari district.
The BJP is contesting in 156 assembly constituencies in the May 16 election of the total 234 seats. The balance is shared with its allies.
He said the proposed port in Colachel in Kanyakumari district will change the economic position of the people in the region.
"The Congress and the DMK are betraying the interests of the people by opposing the project," he charged.
Harish Rawat Cabinet Decisions During One-Day Rule Null And Void
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DEHRADUN: All decisions taken by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat during his one-day tenure, following quashing of President's Rule by the Uttarakhand High Court, stand null and void after the Supreme Court stayed the ruling till April 27, an official said today.
Mr Rawat, soon after assuming office, had convened two cabinet meetings -- on the night of April 21 and early on April 22.
As many as 18 decisions were taken during these high-level meetings and the bureaucrats were asked to implement them on priority.
The decisions included making some ad-hoc teachers permanent and regularisation of some other staff.
With the re-imposition of President's Rule, after the stay order from the apex court, the decision of the high court to re-install Mr Rawat as chief minister has become null and void and so have all the decisions taken by him during the one day he held office, the official told IANS.
DEHRADUN: All decisions taken by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat during his one-day tenure, following quashing of President's Rule by the Uttarakhand High Court, stand null and void after the Supreme Court stayed the ruling till April 27, an official said today.Mr Rawat, soon after assuming office, had convened two cabinet meetings -- on the night of April 21 and early on April 22.
As many as 18 decisions were taken during these high-level meetings and the bureaucrats were asked to implement them on priority.
The decisions included making some ad-hoc teachers permanent and regularisation of some other staff.
With the re-imposition of President's Rule, after the stay order from the apex court, the decision of the high court to re-install Mr Rawat as chief minister has become null and void and so have all the decisions taken by him during the one day he held office, the official told IANS.
Punjabi, Gujarati, Bengali Continue To Be Taught In UK Schools
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LONDON: The UK government has said that Indian languages such as Punjabi, Urdu, Gujarati and Bengali that have been part its school curriculum will continue to be taught across the country.
The UK's Department for Education confirmed this week that the four languages will continue to be among the choice of subjects as part of the GCSE and A-Level syllabus, the equivalent of India's central board level school examinations.
"I represent one of the most multicultural constituencies in the country so I can attest that we are more part of a global village now than we have ever been," said MP Bob Blackman, who had campaigned for the languages to be retained.
"Our young people have far more opportunities available to them if they are able to be multilingual and that is why I have argued for language studies to be prioritised and protected in our educational system," Bob said.
The UK government worked with the UK's exam boards to secure agreement that the community language qualifications will continue to be provided under these subjects.
"I congratulate everyone who worked to keep this important issue on the agenda and I am pleased that in Nicky Morgan [UK education minister] we have an Education Secretary willing to listen to the needs of people on a practical level," Bob said.
Other languages that have been retained as part of the school syllabus include Arabic, Modern Greek, Japanese, Modern and Biblical Hebrew, Polish, Portuguese and Turkish.
The UK's Department for Education confirmed this week that the four languages will continue to be among the choice of subjects as part of the GCSE and A-Level syllabus, the equivalent of India's central board level school examinations.
"I represent one of the most multicultural constituencies in the country so I can attest that we are more part of a global village now than we have ever been," said MP Bob Blackman, who had campaigned for the languages to be retained.
"Our young people have far more opportunities available to them if they are able to be multilingual and that is why I have argued for language studies to be prioritised and protected in our educational system," Bob said.
"I congratulate everyone who worked to keep this important issue on the agenda and I am pleased that in Nicky Morgan [UK education minister] we have an Education Secretary willing to listen to the needs of people on a practical level," Bob said.
Other languages that have been retained as part of the school syllabus include Arabic, Modern Greek, Japanese, Modern and Biblical Hebrew, Polish, Portuguese and Turkish.
US Warns North Korea Over Latest Missile Test
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WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES: North Korea's test Saturday of what appeared to be a submarine-launched ballistic missile was "a clear violation" of UN Security Council resolutions, the United States said, warning it was watching intently.
The missile flew 30 kilometres (18 miles) but the launch in the Sea of Japan was believed to have failed, the South Korean defense ministry said.
"We closely monitor North Korean activities and the situation on the Korean peninsula, especially North Korean military activities," US State Department spokesman John Kirby said in a statement.
"Launches using ballistic missile technology are a clear violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions.
"We call on North Korea to refrain from actions that further destabilize the region and focus instead on taking concrete steps toward fulfilling its commitments and international obligations."
North Korea has been pushing to acquire submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) capability that would take its nuclear strike threat to a new level, allowing deployment far beyond the Korean peninsula and the potential to retaliate in the event of a nuclear attack.
It has conducted a number of what it says were successful SLBM tests, but experts question the claim, suggesting Pyongyang had gone little further than a "pop-up" test from a submerged platform.
WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES: North Korea's test Saturday of what appeared to be a submarine-launched ballistic missile was "a clear violation" of UN Security Council resolutions, the United States said, warning it was watching intently.The missile flew 30 kilometres (18 miles) but the launch in the Sea of Japan was believed to have failed, the South Korean defense ministry said.
"We closely monitor North Korean activities and the situation on the Korean peninsula, especially North Korean military activities," US State Department spokesman John Kirby said in a statement.
"Launches using ballistic missile technology are a clear violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions.
North Korea has been pushing to acquire submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) capability that would take its nuclear strike threat to a new level, allowing deployment far beyond the Korean peninsula and the potential to retaliate in the event of a nuclear attack.
It has conducted a number of what it says were successful SLBM tests, but experts question the claim, suggesting Pyongyang had gone little further than a "pop-up" test from a submerged platform.
Business Affairs
India begins probe into steel dumping by 4 countries
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India has initiated a probe into alleged dumping of a certain variety of steel products by four countries, including China, Japan and Korea, following a complaint by major producers.
Steel Authority of India (SAIL), JSW Steel, Essar Steel India and JSW Steel Coated Products have filed a petition before the Directorate General of Anti-Dumping and Allied Duties (DGAD) for initiation of anti-dumping investigation.
These players have suggested for imposition of anti-dumping duty on the alleged dumped imports of 'cold rolled / cold reduced flat steel products of iron or non-alloy steel, or other alloy steel, of all widths and thickness, not clad, plated or coated' originating in or exported from China, Japan, Korea and Ukraine.
In a notification, DGAD has said it has prima facie found sufficient evidence of dumping of the goods from these countries
"...the authority hereby initiates an investigation into the alleged dumping causing consequent injury to the domestic industry in terms of the rules, to determine the existence, degree and effect of dumping and recommend the amount of anti dumping duty, which if levied, would be adequate to remove the injury to the domestic industry," it said.
These steel items are used in many applications and sectors such as automotive, appliances, furniture, electrical panels, general engineering, capital goods, construction, packaging including drums and barrels, coating and plating including galvanizing, color coating and tin plates.
DGAD is the nodal agency under the Commerce Ministry for such investigations. It recommends the duty, while the finance ministry imposes it.
The period of investigation is July-December 2015.
However, for the purpose of analysing injury, the data of 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15 and April-Dec 2015 will also be considered, the notification added.
As per available information, the four producers accounts for a major proportion of the total domestic production in India.
The move assumes significance as the sector is facing challenges due to cheap steel imports. The government has already taken steps such as imposing minimum import price and safeguard duty to guard domestic producers.
Speaking on this issue, Essar Steel India Chief Commercial Officer H Shivramkrishnan said it is a very significant step taken by the DGAD.
Anti-dumping measures are taken to ensure fair trade and provide a level-playing field to the domestic industry. It is not a measure to restrict imports or cause an unjustified increase in cost of products.
India has initiated a probe into alleged dumping of a certain variety of steel products by four countries, including China, Japan and Korea, following a complaint by major producers.
Steel Authority of India (SAIL), JSW Steel, Essar Steel India and JSW Steel Coated Products have filed a petition before the Directorate General of Anti-Dumping and Allied Duties (DGAD) for initiation of anti-dumping investigation.
These players have suggested for imposition of anti-dumping duty on the alleged dumped imports of 'cold rolled / cold reduced flat steel products of iron or non-alloy steel, or other alloy steel, of all widths and thickness, not clad, plated or coated' originating in or exported from China, Japan, Korea and Ukraine.
In a notification, DGAD has said it has prima facie found sufficient evidence of dumping of the goods from these countries
"...the authority hereby initiates an investigation into the alleged dumping causing consequent injury to the domestic industry in terms of the rules, to determine the existence, degree and effect of dumping and recommend the amount of anti dumping duty, which if levied, would be adequate to remove the injury to the domestic industry," it said.
These steel items are used in many applications and sectors such as automotive, appliances, furniture, electrical panels, general engineering, capital goods, construction, packaging including drums and barrels, coating and plating including galvanizing, color coating and tin plates.
DGAD is the nodal agency under the Commerce Ministry for such investigations. It recommends the duty, while the finance ministry imposes it.
The period of investigation is July-December 2015.
However, for the purpose of analysing injury, the data of 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15 and April-Dec 2015 will also be considered, the notification added.
As per available information, the four producers accounts for a major proportion of the total domestic production in India.
The move assumes significance as the sector is facing challenges due to cheap steel imports. The government has already taken steps such as imposing minimum import price and safeguard duty to guard domestic producers.
Speaking on this issue, Essar Steel India Chief Commercial Officer H Shivramkrishnan said it is a very significant step taken by the DGAD.
Anti-dumping measures are taken to ensure fair trade and provide a level-playing field to the domestic industry. It is not a measure to restrict imports or cause an unjustified increase in cost of products.
State discoms raise Rs 99 lakh crore via UDAY Bonds in FY'16
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Eight states have issued bonds worth over Rs 98,959.96 crore under UDAY Bonds scheme in 2015-16, which is aimed at improving operational and financial efficiency of state power distribution companies.
As part of the scheme, Reserve Bank had issued the special bonds (non-SLR special securities) on behalf of eight state governments in the last fiscal, RBI said.
The Power Ministry had launched UDAY (Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana) on November 20, 2015. The scheme is expected to help discoms save around Rs 1.8 lakh crore in the next three years.
The cumulative debt of discoms is Rs 4.37 lakh crore. These securities have been issued by the state governments under the Government Securities Act, 2006 and are eligible for market repo, RBI added.
In March, RBI had invited market participants interested in subscribing to the special securities under UDAY through private placement route. However, in a report on state finances earlier this month, RBI said UDAY may have adverse implications for state finances on account of burgeoning liabilities.
This would considerably reduce the fiscal space of states which might lead to curtailment of capital expenditure with an adverse impact on growth, the report had said.
Furthermore, interest burden of states would inflate with immediate effect, destabilising fiscal outcomes and resulting in a deviation from fiscal consolidation path as well as the targets set by the 14th Finance Commission, it added.
With improvement in the financial health of state discoms, counter party risk for banks may also come down, it had said. The state-wise issuance of UDAY Bonds during 2015-16 is as: Uttar Pradesh (Rs 24,332.47 crore); Rajasthan (Rs 37,349.77 crore); Chhattisgarh (Rs 870.12 crore); Punjab (Rs 9,859.72 crore); Jammu & Kashmir (Rs 2,140 crore); Bihar (Rs 1,554.52 crore); Jharkhand (Rs 5,553.37 crore) and Haryana (Rs 17,300 crore).
Eight states have issued bonds worth over Rs 98,959.96 crore under UDAY Bonds scheme in 2015-16, which is aimed at improving operational and financial efficiency of state power distribution companies.
As part of the scheme, Reserve Bank had issued the special bonds (non-SLR special securities) on behalf of eight state governments in the last fiscal, RBI said.
The Power Ministry had launched UDAY (Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana) on November 20, 2015. The scheme is expected to help discoms save around Rs 1.8 lakh crore in the next three years.
The cumulative debt of discoms is Rs 4.37 lakh crore. These securities have been issued by the state governments under the Government Securities Act, 2006 and are eligible for market repo, RBI added.
In March, RBI had invited market participants interested in subscribing to the special securities under UDAY through private placement route. However, in a report on state finances earlier this month, RBI said UDAY may have adverse implications for state finances on account of burgeoning liabilities.
This would considerably reduce the fiscal space of states which might lead to curtailment of capital expenditure with an adverse impact on growth, the report had said.
Furthermore, interest burden of states would inflate with immediate effect, destabilising fiscal outcomes and resulting in a deviation from fiscal consolidation path as well as the targets set by the 14th Finance Commission, it added.
With improvement in the financial health of state discoms, counter party risk for banks may also come down, it had said. The state-wise issuance of UDAY Bonds during 2015-16 is as: Uttar Pradesh (Rs 24,332.47 crore); Rajasthan (Rs 37,349.77 crore); Chhattisgarh (Rs 870.12 crore); Punjab (Rs 9,859.72 crore); Jammu & Kashmir (Rs 2,140 crore); Bihar (Rs 1,554.52 crore); Jharkhand (Rs 5,553.37 crore) and Haryana (Rs 17,300 crore).
Piyush Goyal woos investors; meets PE giants Blackstone, Warburg
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Wooing global investors including private equity giants such as Blackstone and Warburg Pincus, Power Minister Piyush Goyal highlighted the initiatives taken by the government to make India more business friendly.
He assured them that the government is taking all steps that are necessary to sustain the current economic growth in India and it will continue with all major initiatives to enhance the ease of doing business.
According to the Power Ministry, he also highlighted the need of India to have low cost, long tenor finance for his ambitious renewable energy scale of and requested investors to look at India for investments and take advantage of three Ds - democracy, demography and demand.
Goyal held meetings with the Blackstone Group Co-founder, CEO and Chairman Stephen Schwarzian; Warburg Pincus' Saurabh Agarwal; New York Green Bank President Alfred Griffin; Chairman of Energy and Finance, Office of Governor of New York, Richard Kauffman and Big Belly CEO Jack Kutner on Thursday.
The minister, who also holds the portfolio of Renewable Energy and Coal, is vising the US to participate in the launch of programmes under International Solar Alliance on Friday at the United Nations.
He expressed hope that given the prediction of a good monsoon this year, India may see double digit growth by end of 2016-17 financial year itself.
Goyal briefed the business delegations and investors on various steps undertaken by the government to improve energy access, rapid scale up of renewable energy, enhancing grid reliability, integration of renewable in the grid and the massive opportunity presented by the untapped demand in the Indian market.
He outlined the steps being taken to improve the contractual/counter-party risk framework, that is critical to all investors.
He also informed about the initiatives such as greening the grid, National Solar Mission, LED programme for enhancing energy efficiency.
Speaking on the Ujwal Discom Assurance Yojana (UDAY), Goyal stressed upon the steps being taken to bring a drastic change in India's power sector that can take India to double digit growth trajectory in the economy.
He also mentioned that India already has surplus power and demand stimulation through UDAY coupled with the growth in the Indian economy will quadruple electricity consumption by 2030.
Wooing global investors including private equity giants such as Blackstone and Warburg Pincus, Power Minister Piyush Goyal highlighted the initiatives taken by the government to make India more business friendly.
He assured them that the government is taking all steps that are necessary to sustain the current economic growth in India and it will continue with all major initiatives to enhance the ease of doing business.
According to the Power Ministry, he also highlighted the need of India to have low cost, long tenor finance for his ambitious renewable energy scale of and requested investors to look at India for investments and take advantage of three Ds - democracy, demography and demand.
Goyal held meetings with the Blackstone Group Co-founder, CEO and Chairman Stephen Schwarzian; Warburg Pincus' Saurabh Agarwal; New York Green Bank President Alfred Griffin; Chairman of Energy and Finance, Office of Governor of New York, Richard Kauffman and Big Belly CEO Jack Kutner on Thursday.
The minister, who also holds the portfolio of Renewable Energy and Coal, is vising the US to participate in the launch of programmes under International Solar Alliance on Friday at the United Nations.
He expressed hope that given the prediction of a good monsoon this year, India may see double digit growth by end of 2016-17 financial year itself.
Goyal briefed the business delegations and investors on various steps undertaken by the government to improve energy access, rapid scale up of renewable energy, enhancing grid reliability, integration of renewable in the grid and the massive opportunity presented by the untapped demand in the Indian market.
He outlined the steps being taken to improve the contractual/counter-party risk framework, that is critical to all investors.
He also informed about the initiatives such as greening the grid, National Solar Mission, LED programme for enhancing energy efficiency.
Speaking on the Ujwal Discom Assurance Yojana (UDAY), Goyal stressed upon the steps being taken to bring a drastic change in India's power sector that can take India to double digit growth trajectory in the economy.
He also mentioned that India already has surplus power and demand stimulation through UDAY coupled with the growth in the Indian economy will quadruple electricity consumption by 2030.
PM Modi to launch Rs 8K crore scheme for free LPG connections to poor
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on May 1 launch an ambitious Rs 8,000 crore scheme to provide 5 crore free LPG connections to BPL families using the money saved from 1.13 crore cooking gas users voluntarily giving up their subsidies.
Modi will launch the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana at Ballia in Uttar Pradesh on May 1 and do a repeat function at Dahod in Gujarat on May 15.
Though 'Give-it-Up' campaign seeking the well-heeled to voluntarily surrender cooking gas subsidies for one year was launched in January, 2015, Modi on March 27 last year officially launched the programme.
"Since the launch, 1.13 crore people have given-up LPG subsidies and are buying cooking gas at market price," Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan told reporters here.
Maharashtra tops the list with 16.44 lakh consumers giving up subsidies. Uttar Pradesh saw nearly 13 lakh users give up subsidies, followed by Delhi (7.26 lakh). Prime Minister's home state of Gujarat was way down the list with just 4.2 lakh giving up subsidies. Pradhan's home state of Odisha was even lower at 1.3 lakh.
"Five states of Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu account for roughly half of the people who have given up LPG subsidies," Pradhan said.
Consumers are currently entitled to 12 cylinders of 14.2 kg each or 34 bottles of 5 kg each in a year at subsidised rates. A subsidised 14.2-kg cylinder is currently available at Rs 419.13 per bottle in Delhi while the 5-kg pack costs Rs 155.
Market-priced LPG is available at Rs 509.50 per 14.2-kg cylinder. Giving up subsidised LPG will help cut the government's subsidy bill, which was at Rs 30,000 crore on the fuel last fiscal.
Nearly Rs 5,000 crore of subsidy saved through the campaign is being used to provide LPG connection to the poor.
"We have released 60 lakh new connection to poor in the last one year," he said.
Modi, Pradhan said, will on May 1 launch the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana for providing providing free LPG connections to women from BPL households.
"Under the scheme, Rs 8,000 crore has been earmarked for providing 5 crore LPG connections to BPL households," he said, adding that in the first year 1.5 crore connections will be provided.
The scheme provides a financial support of Rs 1,600 for each LPG connection to the BPL households. The identification of eligible BPL families will be made in consultation with the State Governments and the Union Territories, he said.
Pradhan said the country currently has 16.64 crore active LPG consumers.
Of the 21 million tonne LPG requirement, nearly 40 per cent is imported and this will go up as demand rises by double digit with new connections.
"We expect import ratio will rise to 50-55 per cent," he said.
Those who have decided to give up their subsidies have to buy the product at the market price.
The surrendered subsidy is used by the government to provide cooking gas connection to the poor in rural households free of cost, the official said.
On March 27, Modi had officially launched the 'Give-it-Up' campaign, urging the well-off to surrender their LPG subsidy so that it can be targeted for the needy. The aim is also to bring down the country's dependence on energy imports by 10 per cent by 2022.
LPG subsidy is transfered to beneficiaries directly in their bank accounts in advance.
Consumers can opt out of the subsidy by submitting written request to the distributor or electronically at mylpg.in.
Pradhan said with LPG coverage being predominantly in the urban and semi-urban areas, there are serious health hazards associated with cooking based on fossil fuels.
According to WHO estimates, about 5 lakh deaths in India alone due to unclean cooking fuels. Experts say having an open fire in the kitchen is like burning 400 cigarettes an hour.
"Providing LPG connections to BPL households will ensure universal coverage of cooking gas in the country. This measure will empower women and protect their health. It will reduce drudgery and the time spent on cooking. It will also provide employment for rural youth in the supply chain of cooking gas," he said.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had in his Budget for 2016-17 provided Rs 2000 crore to provide deposit free LPG connections to 1.5 crore women belonging to the Below Poverty Line (BPL) families.
Further, the Budget announced that the Scheme will be continued for two more years to cover 5 crore households.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on May 1 launch an ambitious Rs 8,000 crore scheme to provide 5 crore free LPG connections to BPL families using the money saved from 1.13 crore cooking gas users voluntarily giving up their subsidies.
Modi will launch the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana at Ballia in Uttar Pradesh on May 1 and do a repeat function at Dahod in Gujarat on May 15.
Though 'Give-it-Up' campaign seeking the well-heeled to voluntarily surrender cooking gas subsidies for one year was launched in January, 2015, Modi on March 27 last year officially launched the programme.
"Since the launch, 1.13 crore people have given-up LPG subsidies and are buying cooking gas at market price," Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan told reporters here.
Maharashtra tops the list with 16.44 lakh consumers giving up subsidies. Uttar Pradesh saw nearly 13 lakh users give up subsidies, followed by Delhi (7.26 lakh). Prime Minister's home state of Gujarat was way down the list with just 4.2 lakh giving up subsidies. Pradhan's home state of Odisha was even lower at 1.3 lakh.
"Five states of Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu account for roughly half of the people who have given up LPG subsidies," Pradhan said.
Consumers are currently entitled to 12 cylinders of 14.2 kg each or 34 bottles of 5 kg each in a year at subsidised rates. A subsidised 14.2-kg cylinder is currently available at Rs 419.13 per bottle in Delhi while the 5-kg pack costs Rs 155.
Market-priced LPG is available at Rs 509.50 per 14.2-kg cylinder. Giving up subsidised LPG will help cut the government's subsidy bill, which was at Rs 30,000 crore on the fuel last fiscal.
Nearly Rs 5,000 crore of subsidy saved through the campaign is being used to provide LPG connection to the poor.
"We have released 60 lakh new connection to poor in the last one year," he said.
Modi, Pradhan said, will on May 1 launch the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana for providing providing free LPG connections to women from BPL households.
"Under the scheme, Rs 8,000 crore has been earmarked for providing 5 crore LPG connections to BPL households," he said, adding that in the first year 1.5 crore connections will be provided.
The scheme provides a financial support of Rs 1,600 for each LPG connection to the BPL households. The identification of eligible BPL families will be made in consultation with the State Governments and the Union Territories, he said.
Pradhan said the country currently has 16.64 crore active LPG consumers.
Of the 21 million tonne LPG requirement, nearly 40 per cent is imported and this will go up as demand rises by double digit with new connections.
"We expect import ratio will rise to 50-55 per cent," he said.
Those who have decided to give up their subsidies have to buy the product at the market price.
The surrendered subsidy is used by the government to provide cooking gas connection to the poor in rural households free of cost, the official said.
On March 27, Modi had officially launched the 'Give-it-Up' campaign, urging the well-off to surrender their LPG subsidy so that it can be targeted for the needy. The aim is also to bring down the country's dependence on energy imports by 10 per cent by 2022.
LPG subsidy is transfered to beneficiaries directly in their bank accounts in advance.
Consumers can opt out of the subsidy by submitting written request to the distributor or electronically at mylpg.in.
Pradhan said with LPG coverage being predominantly in the urban and semi-urban areas, there are serious health hazards associated with cooking based on fossil fuels.
According to WHO estimates, about 5 lakh deaths in India alone due to unclean cooking fuels. Experts say having an open fire in the kitchen is like burning 400 cigarettes an hour.
"Providing LPG connections to BPL households will ensure universal coverage of cooking gas in the country. This measure will empower women and protect their health. It will reduce drudgery and the time spent on cooking. It will also provide employment for rural youth in the supply chain of cooking gas," he said.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had in his Budget for 2016-17 provided Rs 2000 crore to provide deposit free LPG connections to 1.5 crore women belonging to the Below Poverty Line (BPL) families.
Further, the Budget announced that the Scheme will be continued for two more years to cover 5 crore households.
Reliance Communications, Jio receive govt nod for spectrum sharing
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The Department of Telecom approved spectrum sharing between Reliance Communications (RCOM) and Reliance Jio in nine circles, a regulatory filing said on Friday.
RCOM said the department has taken on record 800MHz spectrum sharing in seven circles of the company and two circles of Reliance Telecom, a wholly owned subsidiary, with Jio on April 21, 2016.
The nine circles are Mumbai, Uttar Pradesh (East), Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Assam and North East.
According to sources, this nod will allow RCOM and Jio to offer 4G services on 10 MHz block in 800 Mhz band. "Move paves way for similar arrangement in the remaining 13 Circles as well, where Reliance Jio will be acquiring spectrum from RCOM vide spectrum trading," one source added.
Based on International Telecommunications Union standards, a 10 Mhz block can provide up to 80 Mbps speed and, with the 800 Mhz spectrum advantage, this can deliver Internet faster than many wireline broadband and Wi-Fi services offered now at a much more affordable cost.
The subscriber capacity also multiplies exponentially when spectrum is combined into a single block of 10 Mhz.
The Department of Telecom approved spectrum sharing between Reliance Communications (RCOM) and Reliance Jio in nine circles, a regulatory filing said on Friday.
RCOM said the department has taken on record 800MHz spectrum sharing in seven circles of the company and two circles of Reliance Telecom, a wholly owned subsidiary, with Jio on April 21, 2016.
The nine circles are Mumbai, Uttar Pradesh (East), Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Assam and North East.
According to sources, this nod will allow RCOM and Jio to offer 4G services on 10 MHz block in 800 Mhz band. "Move paves way for similar arrangement in the remaining 13 Circles as well, where Reliance Jio will be acquiring spectrum from RCOM vide spectrum trading," one source added.
Based on International Telecommunications Union standards, a 10 Mhz block can provide up to 80 Mbps speed and, with the 800 Mhz spectrum advantage, this can deliver Internet faster than many wireline broadband and Wi-Fi services offered now at a much more affordable cost.
The subscriber capacity also multiplies exponentially when spectrum is combined into a single block of 10 Mhz.
General Awareness
ISRO Scientists made world’s lightest material ‘Silica Aerogel’
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Scientists in Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre lab recentlymanufactured the world’s lightest material called silica aerogel or blue air.
- The Space Centre told that it is the world’s lightest syntheticmaterial made by man. It is a highly guarded technology. ISRO have indigenouslymade it in India.
Properties of Silica Aerogel:
- The blue air has excellent thermal resistance.
- It is so light weight that it can be delicately placed on a flower head.
- Aerogel is also called Frozen smoke, the matrix of aerogel is made up of 99 per cent air
- The material is very fragile and brittle and scientists are still finding ways to make it tough and resilient.
Applications:
- The aerogel can used as filler in soldiers’ uniforms to save lives of soldiers at the Siachen glacier.
- It can be handy in insulating rocket engines as it can be used both in space and on Earth.
- It can be also used to make light weight clothing. It can be also painted on windows in to keep buildings cool or warm.
- ISRO is planning to use this material on moon rover in Chandryaan-2 mission of India.
- Scientists in Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre lab recentlymanufactured the world’s lightest material called silica aerogel or blue air.
- The Space Centre told that it is the world’s lightest syntheticmaterial made by man. It is a highly guarded technology. ISRO have indigenouslymade it in India.
Properties of Silica Aerogel:- The blue air has excellent thermal resistance.
- It is so light weight that it can be delicately placed on a flower head.
- Aerogel is also called Frozen smoke, the matrix of aerogel is made up of 99 per cent air
- The material is very fragile and brittle and scientists are still finding ways to make it tough and resilient.
Applications:- The aerogel can used as filler in soldiers’ uniforms to save lives of soldiers at the Siachen glacier.
- It can be handy in insulating rocket engines as it can be used both in space and on Earth.
- It can be also used to make light weight clothing. It can be also painted on windows in to keep buildings cool or warm.
- ISRO is planning to use this material on moon rover in Chandryaan-2 mission of India.
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