General Affairs
Manohar Parrikar Says Encounters Have Increased In Jammu And Kashmir
-
NEW DELHI: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today sought to downplay the recent spurt in violence in Jammu and Kashmir, saying "encounters" have increased in that state and not the attacks by terrorists.
"There is an increase in encounters," he said when asked about the spurt in the number of terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir.
Eight CRPF personnel were killed and 21 injured when terrorists ambushed a CRPF convoy in Pampore in Kashmir on June 25. Two terrorists were also killed by security forces.
Mr Parrikar had termed the killing of CRPF personnel at Pampore as an act of "frustration" on the part of Pakistani terrorists, several of whom were killed by Indian forces in the past one year.
Yesterday, an unidentified terrorist was killed in a gunfight with security forces in Lolab area of north Kashmir's Kupwara district.
Downplaying the recent spurt in violence in Jammu and Kashmir, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today said "encounters" have increased and not attacks by the terrorists.
"There is an increase in encounters," he said when asked about the spurt in the number of terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir.
Eight CRPF personnel were killed and 21 injured when terrorists ambushed a CRPF convoy in Pampore in Kashmir on June 25. Two terrorists were also killed by security forces.
Mr Parrikar had termed the killing of CRPF personnel at Pampore as an act of "frustration" on the part of Pakistani terrorists, several of whom were killed by Indian forces in the past one year.
Yesterday, an unidentified terrorist was killed in a gunfight with security forces in Lolab area of north Kashmir's Kupwara district.
Downplaying the recent spurt in violence in Jammu and Kashmir, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today said "encounters" have increased and not attacks by the terrorists.
India's Entry Into Elite Missile Technology Group A 'Big Victory': BJP
-
NEW DELHI: Under opposition flak over the government's high-pitched but unsuccessful Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) bid, BJP today cited the country's entry into Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) to hit back, saying it is a "big diplomatic victory" and the NDA dispensation succeeded where the UPA "failed".
The MTCR membership will provide a boost to India's space and missile technology, besides the government's Make in India initiative, the party said.
"Efforts to get MTCR membership had been on since 2004. This government's success now is a strong answer to our critics. It is a big diplomatic victory and successful outcome of our efforts in the last two years," BJP national secretary Shrikant Sharma told reporters.
Noting that neither China, which played a key role in stalling India's NSG bid, nor Pakistan was a MTCR member, he said India is the first country from the region to enter the grouping.
"The world now can no longer ignore India. It has emerged as a strong force," he said, adding opposition parties should appreciate the government's efforts instead of running it down.
Asked about the failure to find a place in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), Mr Sharma played it down saying the government was hopeful of getting its membership in future and its hard work should be lauded.
The MTCR membership will provide a boost to India's space and missile technology, besides the government's Make in India initiative, the party said.
"Efforts to get MTCR membership had been on since 2004. This government's success now is a strong answer to our critics. It is a big diplomatic victory and successful outcome of our efforts in the last two years," BJP national secretary Shrikant Sharma told reporters.
Noting that neither China, which played a key role in stalling India's NSG bid, nor Pakistan was a MTCR member, he said India is the first country from the region to enter the grouping.
"The world now can no longer ignore India. It has emerged as a strong force," he said, adding opposition parties should appreciate the government's efforts instead of running it down.
Asked about the failure to find a place in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), Mr Sharma played it down saying the government was hopeful of getting its membership in future and its hard work should be lauded.
Cabinet Reshuffle Likely Before July 6, Piyush Goyal Could Gain: Sources
-
NEW DELHI: Before the Parliament meets on July 18 for the monsoon session, new ministers are likely to be added to the cabinet and some may be given an upgrade, government sources said today.
Ministers of State Piyush Goyal and Dharmendra Pradhan may be promoted to cabinet rank. Mr Goyal's shift to a more high profile ministry has been speculated upon for months.
A few vacancies are likely to be filled. Sarabananda Sonowal moved to Chief Minister of Assam; Raosaheb Patil Danve resigned after he was appointed president of the BJP in Maharashtra. Junior ministers are to be added for states headed soon for elections like Punjab, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.
Sources say some ministers may swap departments.
Law Minister Sadananda Gowda, whose performance is believed to be seen in the government as below par, may gain a powerful minister of state who will "assist" him.
The cabinet cannot exceed 82 ministers; currently, it has 70 members including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A dozen cabinet ministers are from Uttar Pradesh, which votes next year. The result from India's most populous state will be used to measure the likely result of the next general election in 2019.
Discussions on the cabinet are expected this evening in a meeting between the PM, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and BJP President Amit Shah, said government sources who asked not to be named.
Changes to the cabinet are likely to be announced before July 6, when the Prime Minister leaves for Africa.
Ministers of State Piyush Goyal and Dharmendra Pradhan may be promoted to cabinet rank. Mr Goyal's shift to a more high profile ministry has been speculated upon for months.
Sources say some ministers may swap departments.
Law Minister Sadananda Gowda, whose performance is believed to be seen in the government as below par, may gain a powerful minister of state who will "assist" him.
The cabinet cannot exceed 82 ministers; currently, it has 70 members including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A dozen cabinet ministers are from Uttar Pradesh, which votes next year. The result from India's most populous state will be used to measure the likely result of the next general election in 2019.
Discussions on the cabinet are expected this evening in a meeting between the PM, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and BJP President Amit Shah, said government sources who asked not to be named.
Changes to the cabinet are likely to be announced before July 6, when the Prime Minister leaves for Africa.
NASA Tests Booster For Most Powerful Rocket For Space Mission
-
WASHINGTON: A booster for NASA's Space Launch System (SLS), the most powerful rocket in the world, has been successfully tested, an advance that may pave the way for future human exploration in deep space, including the journey to Mars.
The booster was fired up for its second qualification ground test at test facilities in Utah in the US, NASA said.
This was the last full-scale test for the booster before SLS's first uncrewed test flight with NASA's Orion spacecraft in late 2018, a key milestone on the agency's journey to Mars.
"This final qualification test of the booster system shows real progress in the development of the Space Launch System," said William Gerstenmaier, associate administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate at NASA.
"Experiencing the sound and feel of approximately 3.6 million pounds of thrust, helps us appreciate the progress we're making to advance human exploration and open new frontiers for science and technology missions in deep space," he said.
The booster was tested at a cold motor conditioning target of 4.4 degrees Celsius - the colder end of its accepted propellant temperature range.
When ignited, temperatures inside the booster reached over 3,300 degrees Celsius, NASA said.
The two-minute, full-duration ground qualification test provided NASA with critical data on 82 qualification objectives that will support certification of the booster for flight.
Engineers now will evaluate these data, captured by more than 530 instrumentation channels on the booster.
When completed, two five-segment boosters and four RS-25 main engines will power SLS on deep space missions. The solid rocket boosters, built by NASA contractor Orbital ATK, operate in parallel with SLS's main engines for the first two minutes of flight.
They will provide more than 75 per cent of the thrust needed for the rocket and Orion spacecraft to escape Earth's gravitational pull.
"SLS hardware is currently in production for every part of the rocket. We're on track to launch SLS on its first flight test with Orion and pave the way for a human presence in deep space," said John Honeycutt, SLS Programme manager at NASA.
The first full-scale booster qualification ground test was successfully completed in March last year and demonstrated acceptable performance of the booster design at 32 degrees Celsius - the highest end of the booster's accepted propellant temperature range.
Testing at the thermal extremes experienced by the booster on the launch pad is important to understand the effect of temperature on how the propellant burns.
The initial SLS configuration will have a minimum 77-tonne lift capability.
The next planned upgrade of SLS will use a powerful exploration upper stage for more ambitious missions, with a 115-tonne lift capacity.
The booster was fired up for its second qualification ground test at test facilities in Utah in the US, NASA said.
"This final qualification test of the booster system shows real progress in the development of the Space Launch System," said William Gerstenmaier, associate administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate at NASA.
"Experiencing the sound and feel of approximately 3.6 million pounds of thrust, helps us appreciate the progress we're making to advance human exploration and open new frontiers for science and technology missions in deep space," he said.
The booster was tested at a cold motor conditioning target of 4.4 degrees Celsius - the colder end of its accepted propellant temperature range.
When ignited, temperatures inside the booster reached over 3,300 degrees Celsius, NASA said.
The two-minute, full-duration ground qualification test provided NASA with critical data on 82 qualification objectives that will support certification of the booster for flight.
Engineers now will evaluate these data, captured by more than 530 instrumentation channels on the booster.
When completed, two five-segment boosters and four RS-25 main engines will power SLS on deep space missions. The solid rocket boosters, built by NASA contractor Orbital ATK, operate in parallel with SLS's main engines for the first two minutes of flight.
They will provide more than 75 per cent of the thrust needed for the rocket and Orion spacecraft to escape Earth's gravitational pull.
"SLS hardware is currently in production for every part of the rocket. We're on track to launch SLS on its first flight test with Orion and pave the way for a human presence in deep space," said John Honeycutt, SLS Programme manager at NASA.
The first full-scale booster qualification ground test was successfully completed in March last year and demonstrated acceptable performance of the booster design at 32 degrees Celsius - the highest end of the booster's accepted propellant temperature range.
Testing at the thermal extremes experienced by the booster on the launch pad is important to understand the effect of temperature on how the propellant burns.
The initial SLS configuration will have a minimum 77-tonne lift capability.
The next planned upgrade of SLS will use a powerful exploration upper stage for more ambitious missions, with a 115-tonne lift capacity.
China's Xi Jinping Urges Caution Over US Missile Deployment In South Korea
-
BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping today urged South Korea to pay attention to China's concerns about the deployment of the US THAAD missile defence system to the country and "cautiously" address the plan.
The United States and South Korea have begun talks on possible deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system after North Korea tested its fourth nuclear bomb on Jan. 6 and conducted missile tests.
China and Russia have urged the United States to back off, saying THAAD's deployment could also affect their security.
South Korea should "attach importance to China's legitimate concern on security and cautiously and appropriately address the United States' plan" to deploy THAAD in South Korea, Xi told visiting South Korean Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn, the official Xinhua news agency reported.
North Korea's drive to develop a nuclear weapons capability has angered China, Pyongyang's sole major diplomatic and economic supporter. But Beijing fears THAAD and its radar have a range that would extend into China.
The United States and South Korea have begun talks on possible deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system after North Korea tested its fourth nuclear bomb on Jan. 6 and conducted missile tests.
China and Russia have urged the United States to back off, saying THAAD's deployment could also affect their security.
South Korea should "attach importance to China's legitimate concern on security and cautiously and appropriately address the United States' plan" to deploy THAAD in South Korea, Xi told visiting South Korean Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn, the official Xinhua news agency reported.
North Korea's drive to develop a nuclear weapons capability has angered China, Pyongyang's sole major diplomatic and economic supporter. But Beijing fears THAAD and its radar have a range that would extend into China.
Business Affairs
How 24x7 retailing operations will benefit consumers, shop owners and GDP
-
It's a move which will change the landscape of retailing operations in India and bring the nation more closer to globalisation. Allowing shops, malls, cinema halls and restaurants to start 24x7 operations will have a tremendous effect on the services sector which contributes more than half to the GDP of the Indian economy.
The services sector in India comprises trade, hotels and restaurants, transport, storage and communication, financing, insurance, real estate, business services, community, social and personal services, and services associated with construction.
The revenue from the services sector will see a significant rise after shops, malls, cinema halls and restaurants will start operating round-the-clock throughout the year.
The Cabinet has cleared the Model Shops and Establishment Bill.
The law covers establishments employing 10 or more workers except manufacturing units and will provide freedom to operate 365 days with flexibility on timing to open and close.
This when implemented will add 'thousands' of additional skilled jobs, besides providing flexibility and convenience to customers.
The willingness of the states to adopt the law will have an impact on the success of the retail sector. The retailers who would like to take advantage of the move will have to do a cost-benefit analysis of opening stores for extended hours or throughout the night.
It's a move which will change the landscape of retailing operations in India and bring the nation more closer to globalisation. Allowing shops, malls, cinema halls and restaurants to start 24x7 operations will have a tremendous effect on the services sector which contributes more than half to the GDP of the Indian economy.
The services sector in India comprises trade, hotels and restaurants, transport, storage and communication, financing, insurance, real estate, business services, community, social and personal services, and services associated with construction.
The revenue from the services sector will see a significant rise after shops, malls, cinema halls and restaurants will start operating round-the-clock throughout the year.
The Cabinet has cleared the Model Shops and Establishment Bill.
The law covers establishments employing 10 or more workers except manufacturing units and will provide freedom to operate 365 days with flexibility on timing to open and close.
This when implemented will add 'thousands' of additional skilled jobs, besides providing flexibility and convenience to customers.
The willingness of the states to adopt the law will have an impact on the success of the retail sector. The retailers who would like to take advantage of the move will have to do a cost-benefit analysis of opening stores for extended hours or throughout the night.
Sensex gains 216 points, Nifty above 8,200 on 7th pay panel bonanza for govt employees
-
The S&P BSE Sensex on Wednesday gained 216 points, while the broader Nifty50 jumped above its key 8,200-mark ahead of derivatives expiry scheduled for Thursday.
The headline indices rallied with auto and retail sector shares gaining after the government approved a long-awaited pay hike for its employees, while sentiment was also boosted by a global relief rally as the immediate impact of Brexit began to fade.
The 30-share index ended the day at 26,740, up 215.84 points, while broad-based 50-share index quoted 8,204, up 76.15 points at close.
MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose 1 per cent to recoup around one-third of Friday's stinging loss after Britain voted to leave the European Union.
Aiding sentiment globally was data showing the US economy grew at a 1.1 per cent annualised rate in the first quarter, rather than the 0.8 per cent pace reported last month.
The calmer mood was also reflected in the India Volatility index, which fell about 9 per cent on Wednesday after rising 3.37 per cent last Friday.
"The falling volatility clearly indicates that there is some comfort in the market, and that the market has gone out from the event risk," said Chandan Taparia, a derivatives and technical analyst with Anand Rathi Securities.
"Even after having such a negative global event, the market managed to hold and digest the negative sentiment, which clearly indicates that the Indian market has the potential to move on the higher side."
Shares of consumer goods and auto makers rose after the Cabinet approved a rise in salaries and pensions for government employees, according to an official, though details of the hike were not immediately available.
Hero MotoCorp was among the top gainers on the Nifty Auto index, rising as much as 4.29 per cent to its highest in nearly three weeks.
Retail stocks Shoppers Stop Ltd and Future Enterprises gained as much as 8.11 per cent and 11.98 per cent, respectively.
Metal stocks also rose, after a government source said the Cabinet cleared a new mineral exploration policy that would allow private companies to carry out standalone exploration for the first time.
Vedanta jumped 4.10 per cent, Tata Steel gained 1.77 per cent and Hindalco Industries rose 2.75 per cent.
However, some recent outperformers fell, with ITC and Hindustan Unilever down more than 1 per cent each.
The S&P BSE Sensex on Wednesday gained 216 points, while the broader Nifty50 jumped above its key 8,200-mark ahead of derivatives expiry scheduled for Thursday.
The headline indices rallied with auto and retail sector shares gaining after the government approved a long-awaited pay hike for its employees, while sentiment was also boosted by a global relief rally as the immediate impact of Brexit began to fade.
The 30-share index ended the day at 26,740, up 215.84 points, while broad-based 50-share index quoted 8,204, up 76.15 points at close.
MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose 1 per cent to recoup around one-third of Friday's stinging loss after Britain voted to leave the European Union.
Aiding sentiment globally was data showing the US economy grew at a 1.1 per cent annualised rate in the first quarter, rather than the 0.8 per cent pace reported last month.
The calmer mood was also reflected in the India Volatility index, which fell about 9 per cent on Wednesday after rising 3.37 per cent last Friday.
"The falling volatility clearly indicates that there is some comfort in the market, and that the market has gone out from the event risk," said Chandan Taparia, a derivatives and technical analyst with Anand Rathi Securities.
"Even after having such a negative global event, the market managed to hold and digest the negative sentiment, which clearly indicates that the Indian market has the potential to move on the higher side."
Shares of consumer goods and auto makers rose after the Cabinet approved a rise in salaries and pensions for government employees, according to an official, though details of the hike were not immediately available.
Hero MotoCorp was among the top gainers on the Nifty Auto index, rising as much as 4.29 per cent to its highest in nearly three weeks.
Retail stocks Shoppers Stop Ltd and Future Enterprises gained as much as 8.11 per cent and 11.98 per cent, respectively.
Metal stocks also rose, after a government source said the Cabinet cleared a new mineral exploration policy that would allow private companies to carry out standalone exploration for the first time.
Vedanta jumped 4.10 per cent, Tata Steel gained 1.77 per cent and Hindalco Industries rose 2.75 per cent.
However, some recent outperformers fell, with ITC and Hindustan Unilever down more than 1 per cent each.
Pay commission likely to have ripple effect on economy
-
Whenever the government decides to raise the salaries of its employees, there tends to be a ripple effect in the economy. It may not be different this time either. The Cabinet is expected to revise the salaries of 4.7 million Central government employees and the pensions of another 5.2 million retired employees, in the coming days.
The total additional outgo, if the recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission are accepted completely, will be Rs 1.02 lakh crore.
As always, some portion of the additional money could be spent on consumer durable goods that are essential to households. One can expect an increase in consumption and demand for such goods. It could lead to more production, perhaps more capital investments, and better profits. But more importantly, the salary revision of government employees comes as an announcement, raising the expectations and hence prices of almost everything and every service. Right from vegetables to provisions, the prices of everything can go up. In other words, inflation can wipe out the advantage of the additional salary within no time for the employee.
The government cannot do much about this. The best it can do is perhaps implement the pay revision without much delay.
The committee of secretaries have finalised their views on the pay panel's recommendations. The Cabinet will look at it during the week itself. Since the government has already provisioned the additional amount under various heads in the current year's budget - including Rs 28,000 crore in the railway budget - it will not end up spending more than what it had planned to.
The overall trigger it can provide to the economic growth can be a positive.
The total additional outgo, if the recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission are accepted completely, will be Rs 1.02 lakh crore.
As always, some portion of the additional money could be spent on consumer durable goods that are essential to households. One can expect an increase in consumption and demand for such goods. It could lead to more production, perhaps more capital investments, and better profits. But more importantly, the salary revision of government employees comes as an announcement, raising the expectations and hence prices of almost everything and every service. Right from vegetables to provisions, the prices of everything can go up. In other words, inflation can wipe out the advantage of the additional salary within no time for the employee.
The government cannot do much about this. The best it can do is perhaps implement the pay revision without much delay.
The committee of secretaries have finalised their views on the pay panel's recommendations. The Cabinet will look at it during the week itself. Since the government has already provisioned the additional amount under various heads in the current year's budget - including Rs 28,000 crore in the railway budget - it will not end up spending more than what it had planned to.
The overall trigger it can provide to the economic growth can be a positive.
Amul to invest Rs 3,000 crore over four years on expansion
-
Dairy major GCMMF, which markets milk and dairy products under Amul brand , will invest Rs 3,000 crore over the next four years on its expansion plans.
Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) is planning to set up of new plants and add capacity to existing facilities.
The cooperative is also planning to enter states like Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Kerala and North-East to expand business, its managing director R S Sodhi said.
"In dairy sector, if you have to grow then you have to increase milk handling capacity. We are increasing our milk processing capacity to 320 lakh litre per day from the current 280 lakh litre per day. We target to increase this capacity to 360 lakh litres per day by 2020," Sodhi told reporters.
The cooperative is setting up new plants in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat and West Bengal as well as raising the capacity in existing plants, he added.
Asked about the investment, Sodhi said: "We are investing Rs 600-800 crore every year. We will invest about Rs 3,000 crore by 2020 on expansion."
GCMMF achieved a turnover of Rs 23,005 crore in 2015-16 and aiming to reach Rs 50,000 crore by 2020.
Elaborating on expansion, Sodhi said the new plants in Kanpur and Lucknow are expected to be operational in next two months. A cheese plant in Gujarat will start operation soon.
The cooperative is also setting up new plants in Mumbai and Kolkata.
"We are entering Assam market through third party manufacturing. We have plans to enter Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and Kerala markets soon," Sodhi said.
On new products, he said the cooperative will soon launch sweet 'Rasmalai' with a shelf life of one year.
GCMMF has about 60 processing plants, of which 40 are in Gujarat.
The cooperative's milk procurement for 2015-16 increased to 186 lakh litres per day as against 148.50 lakh litres in the previous fiscal.
Dairy major GCMMF, which markets milk and dairy products under Amul brand , will invest Rs 3,000 crore over the next four years on its expansion plans.
Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) is planning to set up of new plants and add capacity to existing facilities.
The cooperative is also planning to enter states like Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Kerala and North-East to expand business, its managing director R S Sodhi said.
"In dairy sector, if you have to grow then you have to increase milk handling capacity. We are increasing our milk processing capacity to 320 lakh litre per day from the current 280 lakh litre per day. We target to increase this capacity to 360 lakh litres per day by 2020," Sodhi told reporters.
The cooperative is setting up new plants in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat and West Bengal as well as raising the capacity in existing plants, he added.
Asked about the investment, Sodhi said: "We are investing Rs 600-800 crore every year. We will invest about Rs 3,000 crore by 2020 on expansion."
GCMMF achieved a turnover of Rs 23,005 crore in 2015-16 and aiming to reach Rs 50,000 crore by 2020.
Elaborating on expansion, Sodhi said the new plants in Kanpur and Lucknow are expected to be operational in next two months. A cheese plant in Gujarat will start operation soon.
The cooperative is also setting up new plants in Mumbai and Kolkata.
"We are entering Assam market through third party manufacturing. We have plans to enter Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and Kerala markets soon," Sodhi said.
On new products, he said the cooperative will soon launch sweet 'Rasmalai' with a shelf life of one year.
GCMMF has about 60 processing plants, of which 40 are in Gujarat.
The cooperative's milk procurement for 2015-16 increased to 186 lakh litres per day as against 148.50 lakh litres in the previous fiscal.
Govt approves Rs 5,965 cr road projects in three states
-
The government on Wednesday approved three highway projects each in Maharashtra, Odisha and Punjab to be implemented at a cost of Rs 5,965 crore.
The CCEA in its meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the projects for widening of Aurangabad-Telwadi section of NH 211 in Maharashtra, Angul-Sambalpur section of NH-42 (New NH-55) in Odisha and Phagwara-Rupnagar section of NH-344A in Punjab.
"The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA)...has approved the development of four laning of Aurangabad-Telwadi Section of NH-211 in Maharashtra. The cost is estimated to be Rs 2028.91 crore including cost of land acquisition, resettlement and rehabilitation," Ministry of Road Transport and Highways said in a statement.
The total length of the road to be developed is approximately 87 kms. The work will be done under the National Highways Development Project (NHDP) Phase-IV on design, build, finance, operate and transfer (BOT/DBFOT) basis in BOT toll mode.
Besides uplifting socio economic development, the project would generate employment potential of 3,54,090 (approx) mandays.
The project in Odisha will be taken up at a cost of Rs 2491.53 crore including cost of land acquisition, resettlement and rehabilitation and other pre-construction activities. The total length of the road to be developed is approximately 151 kms.
This work will be done under NHDP Phase-IV on Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) basis.
It would increase employment potential for local labourers for project activities. Employment potential of 6,16,600 (approx.) mandays will be generated locally during the construction period of this stretch, the statement said.
In Punjab, the four-laning of the section will be done at an estimated cost of Rs 1,444.42 crore. The total length of the road to be developed is approximately 80.820 kms.
"This work will be done under the National Highways (Others) on Hybrid Annuity Mode," the statement said.
The government said employment potential of about 3,30,000 mandays will be generated locally during the construction period of Phagwara-Rupnagar section in Punjab.
The section has recently been declared as NH-344A.
Presently, the proposed project highway is 2-lane with paved shoulder (68.820 km) and four lane (15.8km).
This road will join Phagwara to Rupnagar via Nawashahir and will be the shortest route to Amritsar from Chandigarh and vice-versa.
All the three projects will help expedite the improvement of infrastructure in the respective states besides reducing time and traffic.
The government on Wednesday approved three highway projects each in Maharashtra, Odisha and Punjab to be implemented at a cost of Rs 5,965 crore.
The CCEA in its meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the projects for widening of Aurangabad-Telwadi section of NH 211 in Maharashtra, Angul-Sambalpur section of NH-42 (New NH-55) in Odisha and Phagwara-Rupnagar section of NH-344A in Punjab.
"The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA)...has approved the development of four laning of Aurangabad-Telwadi Section of NH-211 in Maharashtra. The cost is estimated to be Rs 2028.91 crore including cost of land acquisition, resettlement and rehabilitation," Ministry of Road Transport and Highways said in a statement.
The total length of the road to be developed is approximately 87 kms. The work will be done under the National Highways Development Project (NHDP) Phase-IV on design, build, finance, operate and transfer (BOT/DBFOT) basis in BOT toll mode.
Besides uplifting socio economic development, the project would generate employment potential of 3,54,090 (approx) mandays.
The project in Odisha will be taken up at a cost of Rs 2491.53 crore including cost of land acquisition, resettlement and rehabilitation and other pre-construction activities. The total length of the road to be developed is approximately 151 kms.
This work will be done under NHDP Phase-IV on Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) basis.
It would increase employment potential for local labourers for project activities. Employment potential of 6,16,600 (approx.) mandays will be generated locally during the construction period of this stretch, the statement said.
In Punjab, the four-laning of the section will be done at an estimated cost of Rs 1,444.42 crore. The total length of the road to be developed is approximately 80.820 kms.
"This work will be done under the National Highways (Others) on Hybrid Annuity Mode," the statement said.
The government said employment potential of about 3,30,000 mandays will be generated locally during the construction period of Phagwara-Rupnagar section in Punjab.
The section has recently been declared as NH-344A.
Presently, the proposed project highway is 2-lane with paved shoulder (68.820 km) and four lane (15.8km).
This road will join Phagwara to Rupnagar via Nawashahir and will be the shortest route to Amritsar from Chandigarh and vice-versa.
All the three projects will help expedite the improvement of infrastructure in the respective states besides reducing time and traffic.
General Awareness
17th International Indian Film Academy Awards was held in Spain
-
-
17th Edition of International Indian Film Academy Awards is being celebrated in Spain.
Venue: Madrid, Spain
Hosted by: Shahid Kapoor and Farhan Akhtar
Winners List
Award Recipient/Film Best Picture Award
Bajrangi Bhaijaan
Best Female Playback Singer Award
Monali Thakur for Moh Moh Ke Dhaage, Dum Laga Ke Haisha Best Direction Award Sanjay Leela Bhansali for Bajirao Mastani
Best Performance in a Leading role (Male) Award Ranveer Singh for Bajirao Mastani
Best Performance in a Supporting role (Male) Award Anil Kapoor for Dil Dhadhakne Do
Best Story Award Juhi Chaturvedi for Piku Best Performance in a Leading Role (Female) Award Deepika Padukone for Piku
Best Cinematography Sudeep Chatterjee for Bajirao Mastani
Best Debutant Award Sooraj Pancholi and Athiya Shetty for Hero Best Performance in a Supporting role (Female) Award Priyanka Chopra for Bajirao Mastani
Best Lyric Writer
Varun Grover for Moh Moh Ke Dhaage, Dum Laga Ke Haisha Special award for Woman of the Year Priyanka Chopra
Best Editing
A Sreekar Prasad for Talvar
Best Screenplay Kabir Khan, Parveez Shaikh, V. Vijayendra Prasad for Bajrangi Bhaijaan
Best Performance in Negative role Award Darshan Kumaar for NH 10 Best Male Playback Singer Award
Papon for Moh Moh Ke Dhaage, Dum Laga Ke Haisha Best Performance in a Comic Role Award Deepak Dobriyal for Tanu Weds Manu Returns
About International Indian Film Academy Awards
Purpose: To honour both artistic and technical excellence of professionals in Bollywood, the Hindi language film industry
Established: 2000
- 17th Edition of International Indian Film Academy Awards is being celebrated in Spain.
Venue: Madrid, SpainHosted by: Shahid Kapoor and Farhan AkhtarWinners ListAward Recipient/Film Best Picture Award
Bajrangi Bhaijaan
Best Female Playback Singer AwardMonali Thakur for Moh Moh Ke Dhaage, Dum Laga Ke Haisha Best Direction Award Sanjay Leela Bhansali for Bajirao Mastani
Best Performance in a Leading role (Male) Award Ranveer Singh for Bajirao Mastani
Best Performance in a Supporting role (Male) Award Anil Kapoor for Dil Dhadhakne Do
Best Story Award Juhi Chaturvedi for Piku Best Performance in a Leading Role (Female) Award Deepika Padukone for Piku
Best Cinematography Sudeep Chatterjee for Bajirao Mastani
Best Debutant Award Sooraj Pancholi and Athiya Shetty for Hero Best Performance in a Supporting role (Female) Award Priyanka Chopra for Bajirao Mastani
Best Lyric Writer
Varun Grover for Moh Moh Ke Dhaage, Dum Laga Ke Haisha Special award for Woman of the Year Priyanka Chopra
Best Editing
A Sreekar Prasad for Talvar
Best Screenplay Kabir Khan, Parveez Shaikh, V. Vijayendra Prasad for Bajrangi Bhaijaan
Best Performance in Negative role Award Darshan Kumaar for NH 10 Best Male Playback Singer Award
Papon for Moh Moh Ke Dhaage, Dum Laga Ke Haisha Best Performance in a Comic Role Award Deepak Dobriyal for Tanu Weds Manu Returns
About International Indian Film Academy AwardsPurpose: To honour both artistic and technical excellence of professionals in Bollywood, the Hindi language film industryEstablished: 2000
No comments:
Post a Comment