General Affairs
Godrej Aerospace Delivers First Of 100 Airframes For BrahMos
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Godrej Aerospace, a unit of Godrej & Boyce, today handed over the first of the 100 orders for the airframes for the air-launched version of the prestigious BrahMos missile systems to Defense Research Development Laboratories (DRDL).
Godrej had won the orders for 100 sets of airframes for the air-launched missile in December 2017 from the DRDL.
The DRDL will now do the qualification tests of the ingeniously manufactured assembly unit, the company added.
The BrahMos missile is a supersonic cruise missile with a flight range of up to 290 km. It carries a conventional warhead weighing 200-300 kg and can cruise at an altitude as high as 15 km and as low as 10m above the ground and maintains supersonic speed (over 1 km per second) throughout the duration of its flight.
Being highly versatile, the missile can be launched from land, air or water to seek and destroy targets on land and on water and once fired, the missile doesn't need an further guidance from the control centre, making it a 'fire and forget' missile.
The first successful launch of the BrahMos missile took place on June 12, 2001 from a land-based launcher at the interim test range off the Chandipur coast in Orissa.
The missile section manufactured by Godrej will undergo testing processes set by DRDL, it said, adding the company will deliver the next set of airframes by December.
The company also aims to produce the first indigenous missile booster that till now has been imported.
Till date Godrej has supplied over 100 sets of the land version of the missile to BrahMos Aerospace.
Congratulating Godrej Aerospace for manufacturing the first airframe, Dashrath Ram Yadav, programme director for BrahMos at the DRDL, said "the delivery of the first air frame assembly for the air-launched version of the BrahMos missile in such a short time frame goes a long way in showcasin Godrej's commitment towards the project as the delivery comes in the span of just eight months."
Sudhir Mishra, director general and CEO of BrahMos Aerospace said, indigenous manufacturing of defence equipments brings down costs and enhances the know-how about critical technologies while ensuring reliability of spare parts.
Jamshyd Godrej, chairman and managing director of Godrej & Boyce said, it is a matter of pride that today we have handed over the first airframe assembly of the prestigious air launched version of the BrahMos missile in just eight months.
"Our partnership with BrahMos and DRDL is unique as it brings together the planning of defence units and the innovation of private enterprise to robustly achieve one strategic goal of securing the nation," he said.
Godrej Aerospace has been associated with the BrahMos programme since the inception in 2001 manufacturing most of the metallic sub-systems in the BrahMos missile system.
Besides the main airframe, Godrej also supplies control surfaces and nose-caps apart from supplying the mobile autonomous launchers, missile replenishing vehicles for the land launched versions, Godrej said.
Godrej had won the orders for 100 sets of airframes for the air-launched missile in December 2017 from the DRDL.
The DRDL will now do the qualification tests of the ingeniously manufactured assembly unit, the company added.
The BrahMos missile is a supersonic cruise missile with a flight range of up to 290 km. It carries a conventional warhead weighing 200-300 kg and can cruise at an altitude as high as 15 km and as low as 10m above the ground and maintains supersonic speed (over 1 km per second) throughout the duration of its flight.
Being highly versatile, the missile can be launched from land, air or water to seek and destroy targets on land and on water and once fired, the missile doesn't need an further guidance from the control centre, making it a 'fire and forget' missile.
The first successful launch of the BrahMos missile took place on June 12, 2001 from a land-based launcher at the interim test range off the Chandipur coast in Orissa.
The missile section manufactured by Godrej will undergo testing processes set by DRDL, it said, adding the company will deliver the next set of airframes by December.
The company also aims to produce the first indigenous missile booster that till now has been imported.
Till date Godrej has supplied over 100 sets of the land version of the missile to BrahMos Aerospace.
Congratulating Godrej Aerospace for manufacturing the first airframe, Dashrath Ram Yadav, programme director for BrahMos at the DRDL, said "the delivery of the first air frame assembly for the air-launched version of the BrahMos missile in such a short time frame goes a long way in showcasin Godrej's commitment towards the project as the delivery comes in the span of just eight months."
Sudhir Mishra, director general and CEO of BrahMos Aerospace said, indigenous manufacturing of defence equipments brings down costs and enhances the know-how about critical technologies while ensuring reliability of spare parts.
Jamshyd Godrej, chairman and managing director of Godrej & Boyce said, it is a matter of pride that today we have handed over the first airframe assembly of the prestigious air launched version of the BrahMos missile in just eight months.
"Our partnership with BrahMos and DRDL is unique as it brings together the planning of defence units and the innovation of private enterprise to robustly achieve one strategic goal of securing the nation," he said.
Godrej Aerospace has been associated with the BrahMos programme since the inception in 2001 manufacturing most of the metallic sub-systems in the BrahMos missile system.
Besides the main airframe, Godrej also supplies control surfaces and nose-caps apart from supplying the mobile autonomous launchers, missile replenishing vehicles for the land launched versions, Godrej said.
No Country-Specific Waiver Under Russian Sanctions Act, Says US
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No blanket waivers from punitive US sanctions will be issued for any one particular country under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), an official of the Trump Administration said.
Speaking to reporters on the condition of anonymity, the senior official said the grant of any such waiver for significant transactions with Russia would be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
"There are no blanket waivers that will be issued for any one country, and any waiver that we might contemplate for significant transaction with Russia would be assessed on a case-by-case basis and would require, among other things, countries to significantly reduce their reliance on Russian arms," the official said yesterday.
The punitive Russian sanctions act or CAATSA, which was recently amended by the US Congress, does not have a country-specific provision, the official said while responding to a question on whether the waiver was a done deal for India.
India is planning to buy five S-400 Triumf missile air defence systems from Russia for around $4.5 billion.
The Trump Administration, the official said, was fully committed to implementing the CAATSA.
"We have discussed CAATSA with the government of India, along with other partners, and we continue to look for ways to work with India and other countries to help them identify and avoid engaging in potentially sanctionable activities," the official said.
"I really can't discuss the S-400 specifically, but I can say in general terms that we've made great progress with India as a major defence partner to create the conditions where we can offer more advanced technology," the official said.
The two countries, the official added, have made progress on the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA).
"That's one example of the type of enabling agreement that'll allow us to provide India or offer India some of our most advanced technology. Now, certainly India is going to make its decisions based on its interests, but we're encouraged that increasingly more capable US-sourced technology can be among their choices," the official said.
Ahead of the two-plus-two talks in New Delhi next week, India and the US has had several rounds of negotiations on the COMCASA. "We are encouraged by the progress we've made. At the 2+2, it'll be discussed, and we'll see how far we get," the official said.
In addition to the CAATSA, the impacts of Iranian sanctions are expected to feature in the 2+2 talks as well.
"We continue to discuss our Iran policy with our Indian counterparts and speak to them, certainly, about the implications of our re-imposition of sanctions previously lifted or waived under the JCPOA," the official said.
President Donald Trump, the official said, had made it very clear that the US was fully committed to enforce all its sanctions, and that the curbs on Iran's energy sector, the Central Bank of Iran, and Iran's shipping sectors would come into effect from November 5.
"We are looking into ways to remain closely engaged with India in finding a way forward to end Iran's destabilising behaviour," the official added.
With regard to oil, America's goal was to completely cut down imports from Iran by November 4. "We are prepared to work with countries that are reducing their imports on a case-by-case basis," the official added.
Speaking to reporters on the condition of anonymity, the senior official said the grant of any such waiver for significant transactions with Russia would be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
"There are no blanket waivers that will be issued for any one country, and any waiver that we might contemplate for significant transaction with Russia would be assessed on a case-by-case basis and would require, among other things, countries to significantly reduce their reliance on Russian arms," the official said yesterday.
The punitive Russian sanctions act or CAATSA, which was recently amended by the US Congress, does not have a country-specific provision, the official said while responding to a question on whether the waiver was a done deal for India.
India is planning to buy five S-400 Triumf missile air defence systems from Russia for around $4.5 billion.
The Trump Administration, the official said, was fully committed to implementing the CAATSA.
"We have discussed CAATSA with the government of India, along with other partners, and we continue to look for ways to work with India and other countries to help them identify and avoid engaging in potentially sanctionable activities," the official said.
"I really can't discuss the S-400 specifically, but I can say in general terms that we've made great progress with India as a major defence partner to create the conditions where we can offer more advanced technology," the official said.
The two countries, the official added, have made progress on the Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA).
"That's one example of the type of enabling agreement that'll allow us to provide India or offer India some of our most advanced technology. Now, certainly India is going to make its decisions based on its interests, but we're encouraged that increasingly more capable US-sourced technology can be among their choices," the official said.
Ahead of the two-plus-two talks in New Delhi next week, India and the US has had several rounds of negotiations on the COMCASA. "We are encouraged by the progress we've made. At the 2+2, it'll be discussed, and we'll see how far we get," the official said.
In addition to the CAATSA, the impacts of Iranian sanctions are expected to feature in the 2+2 talks as well.
"We continue to discuss our Iran policy with our Indian counterparts and speak to them, certainly, about the implications of our re-imposition of sanctions previously lifted or waived under the JCPOA," the official said.
President Donald Trump, the official said, had made it very clear that the US was fully committed to enforce all its sanctions, and that the curbs on Iran's energy sector, the Central Bank of Iran, and Iran's shipping sectors would come into effect from November 5.
"We are looking into ways to remain closely engaged with India in finding a way forward to end Iran's destabilising behaviour," the official added.
With regard to oil, America's goal was to completely cut down imports from Iran by November 4. "We are prepared to work with countries that are reducing their imports on a case-by-case basis," the official added.
Let 18 Years Be Recognised As Legal Age For Marriage For Men Too: Law Panel
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The Law Commission today suggested that 18 years should be the minimum legal age for men and women alike to get married, saying the insistence on recognising different ages of marriage between consenting adults must be abolished.
In its consultation paper on 'Reform of Family Law', the panel also said "if a universal age for majority is recognised, and that grants all citizens the right to choose their governments, surely, they must then be also considered capable of choosing their spouses".
The age of majority, 18 years, must be recognised uniformly as the legal age for marriage for men and women alike as per Indian Majority Act, 1875.
"The difference in age for husband and wife has no basis in law as spouses entering into a marriage are by all means equals and their partnership must also be of that between equals," the paper said.
The law panel was of the view that maintaining the difference of 18 years for women and 21 years for men "simply contributes to the stereotype that wives must be younger than their husbands".
The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act 2013 -- enacted after what is popularly called the 'Nirbhaya case' -- now deems any intercourse under the age of 18 years as rape, it pointed out.
"The law in such cases needs to duly consider whether criminalising all intercourse, even between the ages of sixteen-eighteen after the 2013 amendment may also have the consequence of criminalising consensual intercourse.
"The end goal of any legislative endeavour for empowerment of women or gender justice should prioritise autonomy of women," the document said.
Instead of a full-fledged report on a uniform civil code, the law panel preferred a consultation paper as it had little time at hand to bring out a comprehensive report.
In its consultation paper on 'Reform of Family Law', the panel also said "if a universal age for majority is recognised, and that grants all citizens the right to choose their governments, surely, they must then be also considered capable of choosing their spouses".
The age of majority, 18 years, must be recognised uniformly as the legal age for marriage for men and women alike as per Indian Majority Act, 1875.
"The difference in age for husband and wife has no basis in law as spouses entering into a marriage are by all means equals and their partnership must also be of that between equals," the paper said.
The law panel was of the view that maintaining the difference of 18 years for women and 21 years for men "simply contributes to the stereotype that wives must be younger than their husbands".
The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act 2013 -- enacted after what is popularly called the 'Nirbhaya case' -- now deems any intercourse under the age of 18 years as rape, it pointed out.
"The law in such cases needs to duly consider whether criminalising all intercourse, even between the ages of sixteen-eighteen after the 2013 amendment may also have the consequence of criminalising consensual intercourse.
"The end goal of any legislative endeavour for empowerment of women or gender justice should prioritise autonomy of women," the document said.
Instead of a full-fledged report on a uniform civil code, the law panel preferred a consultation paper as it had little time at hand to bring out a comprehensive report.
Nitish Kumar Ready to Go It Alone In Bihar, Party Insists It's BJP's Loss
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The BJP has begun testing the waters on seat-sharing with allies in Bihar ahead of the 2019 parliamentary elections, claiming earlier this week that it had worked out a deal that was fair to all while ensuring the NDA alliance wins every seat it can in a crucial battleground state.
Under the proposed formula, the BJP will contest 20 of Bihar's 40 Lok Sabha seats and its main ally, Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal United (JD-U) will have just 12, while Ram Vilas Paswan's Lok Janashakti Party (LJP) will fight on six seats - the same number it won in 2014 - and Upendra Kushwaha's Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP), two.
JD-U leader KC Tyagi denies anything has been finalised. "The talks are still on, so where have these figures come from? Besides, they are totally unacceptable to us," he said.
The BJP's by-poll defeats in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, followed by its failure to form a government in Karnataka, have encouraged the JD-U to raise its stakes and go for a larger share of the 40-seat pie.
Ahead of its national executive meeting in July, KC Tyagi had even claimed that the "JD-U will be a big brother in seat-sharing for 2019 polls in Bihar".
A senior JD-U leader told that of the 40 seats, the party wants 16, leaving 16 for the BJP, while the remaining eight seats will be for a mix of old NDA allies and new entrants - six for Ram Vilas Paswan, one for former RJD lawmaker Pappu Yadav and one for a rebel lawmaker from Upendra Kushwaha's party.
The JD-U's seat-sharing formula leaves out Upendra Kushwaha, an NDA ally whose party had won three seats in the 2014 polls.
Interestingly, the formula was reportedly drawn up over a month ago, yet it was only this week that Upendra Kushwaha, for the first time, publicly hinted that he could cross over to the rival alliance - with the remark that "tasty 'kheer' can be prepared if the milk from the Yaduvanshis (Yadav community) and rice from Kushwanshis (Kushwaha community) is mixed together." Kushwaha has since backtracked, but JD-U leaders remain unconvinced.
The JD-U's aggressive posturing on the seat-sharing deal ignores the new ground reality.
In the 2014 elections, after Nitish Kumar opted out of the NDA over the projection of Narendra Modi as its prime ministerial candidate, the JD-U decided to fight alone and got the drubbing of its life, winning just two seats. The BJP won a staggering 22. Lalu Prasad's RJD and the Congress won six and two.
The JD-U's argument that before 2014, it used to contest 25 seats and the BJP 15, has no takers in the BJP which has transformed into a mean election machine under its chief Amit Shah. "It was an old arrangement that has little relevance after the near decimation of the JD-U in 2014. In politics, you are only as good as your last election," Arun Jha, a BJP worker in Begusarai, told. This seat was won by the BJP in 2014 and by the JD-U in 2009.
nitish kumar narendra modi pti
Prime Minister Narendra Modi (left) with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar (file).
"By that logic we can ask for 150-plus seats in the 2020 state assembly polls. We have 71 MLAs while the BJP has only 53, will they agree?" asks a senior JD-U leader who is also an aspiring candidate for the 2019 national election.
The BJP is not buying into the arguments.
"We won 22 seats last time, and we will contest all of them again. There is no question of sacrificing a single seat," one of the BJP leaders tasked with managing the party's election strategy in the state told. "At best, we can offer the JD-U 10 seats, nothing more," he said.
"If the BJP does not agree, we are ready to contest alone,'' countered a member of team-Nitish, "After all these are the Lok Sabha elections and Nitish Kumar is not staking his claim to the prime minister's office, so we have less to lose than the BJP."
The comment drives home the point that the Bihar chief minister is already looking beyond next year and gearing up for the 2020 state elections.
But election managers in the BJP also know that Bihar in 2019 might not be a cakewalk as it was in 2014.
Lalu Yadav's younger son Tejashwi Yadav's political stock has been rising after the party's stunning victories in three of four by-polls held in March, and amid a deep sense of disappointment among the state's 16 per cent Dalits and 26 per cent economically backward castes, who see a failed promise of "achhe din".
"These communities believe Nitish Kumar is well-meaning, but it's the BJP which has been pushing an anti-Dalit, anti-poor agenda. The centre's economic policies, especially GST, has also driven a large number of backward artisan castes, who had voted for Narendra Modi, to the brink. The BJP believes Modi is invincible, but the fact is that in Bihar, they need Nitish Kumar as much as he needs them," says Amar Azad, a Patna-based Dalit leader and state president of the Bhim Army.
In an acknowledgement that Bihar is going to be no walk in the park, the BJP has sent CR Patil, a parliamentarian from Gujarat, to assist its general secretary Bhupender Yadav, who is in charge of elections in the state. Mr Patil was earlier assigned the task of delivering Surat, the bastion of the Patels, to the BJP during the Gujarat polls, at a time when the community was seen as having turned against the party. The BJP won all nine seats in urban Surat, which established Mr Patil as BJP chief Amit Shah's go-to man in a crisis.
Mr Patil is also in charge of development work in PM Modi's Varanasi constituency.
Right now the only miracle Mr Patil is hoping for in Bihar is a seat-sharing plan that is acceptable to all. "We are still working on it," is all he would say.
The mistrust between the two allies continues to grow. The JD-U is convinced that in the last few months, a campaign to demolish brand Nitish has been unleashed by the BJP. The chief minister was made to look weak and ineffective after the centre sanctioned only Rs. 1,700 crore for flood relief against his government's demand for Rs. 7,636 crore. In April, aggressive Ram Navami processions led by local BJP leaders and their supporters led to widespread communal violence and tarnished the Chief Minister's reputation of an able administrator, besides alienating the party's all important Muslim voters - nearly 17 per cent of Bihar's population.
"But it's the Muzaffarpur shelter home case where minor girls were routinely abused that has done the most damage to his image. It had nothing to do with the BJP and everything to do with his poor handling of this horrific affair," says Mahesh Kumar, a member of the ABVP, the BJP student's wing. He believes the scandal will definitely become an election issue in the hands of the opposition parties, but will hurt the JD-U, and not the BJP.
With time running out for the BJP and JD-U to sort out their egos, Tejashwi Yadav insists that UPA partners are on track with their tie-ups. He has already extended an invite to Upendra Kushwaha to join the RJD-led alliance. "And if Mayawati-ji wants to open the BSP's innings in Bihar, we are even ready to talk to her," he told.
Under the proposed formula, the BJP will contest 20 of Bihar's 40 Lok Sabha seats and its main ally, Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal United (JD-U) will have just 12, while Ram Vilas Paswan's Lok Janashakti Party (LJP) will fight on six seats - the same number it won in 2014 - and Upendra Kushwaha's Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP), two.
JD-U leader KC Tyagi denies anything has been finalised. "The talks are still on, so where have these figures come from? Besides, they are totally unacceptable to us," he said.
The BJP's by-poll defeats in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, followed by its failure to form a government in Karnataka, have encouraged the JD-U to raise its stakes and go for a larger share of the 40-seat pie.
Ahead of its national executive meeting in July, KC Tyagi had even claimed that the "JD-U will be a big brother in seat-sharing for 2019 polls in Bihar".
A senior JD-U leader told that of the 40 seats, the party wants 16, leaving 16 for the BJP, while the remaining eight seats will be for a mix of old NDA allies and new entrants - six for Ram Vilas Paswan, one for former RJD lawmaker Pappu Yadav and one for a rebel lawmaker from Upendra Kushwaha's party.
The JD-U's seat-sharing formula leaves out Upendra Kushwaha, an NDA ally whose party had won three seats in the 2014 polls.
Interestingly, the formula was reportedly drawn up over a month ago, yet it was only this week that Upendra Kushwaha, for the first time, publicly hinted that he could cross over to the rival alliance - with the remark that "tasty 'kheer' can be prepared if the milk from the Yaduvanshis (Yadav community) and rice from Kushwanshis (Kushwaha community) is mixed together." Kushwaha has since backtracked, but JD-U leaders remain unconvinced.
The JD-U's aggressive posturing on the seat-sharing deal ignores the new ground reality.
In the 2014 elections, after Nitish Kumar opted out of the NDA over the projection of Narendra Modi as its prime ministerial candidate, the JD-U decided to fight alone and got the drubbing of its life, winning just two seats. The BJP won a staggering 22. Lalu Prasad's RJD and the Congress won six and two.
The JD-U's argument that before 2014, it used to contest 25 seats and the BJP 15, has no takers in the BJP which has transformed into a mean election machine under its chief Amit Shah. "It was an old arrangement that has little relevance after the near decimation of the JD-U in 2014. In politics, you are only as good as your last election," Arun Jha, a BJP worker in Begusarai, told. This seat was won by the BJP in 2014 and by the JD-U in 2009.
nitish kumar narendra modi pti
Prime Minister Narendra Modi (left) with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar (file).
"By that logic we can ask for 150-plus seats in the 2020 state assembly polls. We have 71 MLAs while the BJP has only 53, will they agree?" asks a senior JD-U leader who is also an aspiring candidate for the 2019 national election.
The BJP is not buying into the arguments.
"We won 22 seats last time, and we will contest all of them again. There is no question of sacrificing a single seat," one of the BJP leaders tasked with managing the party's election strategy in the state told. "At best, we can offer the JD-U 10 seats, nothing more," he said.
"If the BJP does not agree, we are ready to contest alone,'' countered a member of team-Nitish, "After all these are the Lok Sabha elections and Nitish Kumar is not staking his claim to the prime minister's office, so we have less to lose than the BJP."
The comment drives home the point that the Bihar chief minister is already looking beyond next year and gearing up for the 2020 state elections.
But election managers in the BJP also know that Bihar in 2019 might not be a cakewalk as it was in 2014.
Lalu Yadav's younger son Tejashwi Yadav's political stock has been rising after the party's stunning victories in three of four by-polls held in March, and amid a deep sense of disappointment among the state's 16 per cent Dalits and 26 per cent economically backward castes, who see a failed promise of "achhe din".
"These communities believe Nitish Kumar is well-meaning, but it's the BJP which has been pushing an anti-Dalit, anti-poor agenda. The centre's economic policies, especially GST, has also driven a large number of backward artisan castes, who had voted for Narendra Modi, to the brink. The BJP believes Modi is invincible, but the fact is that in Bihar, they need Nitish Kumar as much as he needs them," says Amar Azad, a Patna-based Dalit leader and state president of the Bhim Army.
In an acknowledgement that Bihar is going to be no walk in the park, the BJP has sent CR Patil, a parliamentarian from Gujarat, to assist its general secretary Bhupender Yadav, who is in charge of elections in the state. Mr Patil was earlier assigned the task of delivering Surat, the bastion of the Patels, to the BJP during the Gujarat polls, at a time when the community was seen as having turned against the party. The BJP won all nine seats in urban Surat, which established Mr Patil as BJP chief Amit Shah's go-to man in a crisis.
Mr Patil is also in charge of development work in PM Modi's Varanasi constituency.
Right now the only miracle Mr Patil is hoping for in Bihar is a seat-sharing plan that is acceptable to all. "We are still working on it," is all he would say.
The mistrust between the two allies continues to grow. The JD-U is convinced that in the last few months, a campaign to demolish brand Nitish has been unleashed by the BJP. The chief minister was made to look weak and ineffective after the centre sanctioned only Rs. 1,700 crore for flood relief against his government's demand for Rs. 7,636 crore. In April, aggressive Ram Navami processions led by local BJP leaders and their supporters led to widespread communal violence and tarnished the Chief Minister's reputation of an able administrator, besides alienating the party's all important Muslim voters - nearly 17 per cent of Bihar's population.
"But it's the Muzaffarpur shelter home case where minor girls were routinely abused that has done the most damage to his image. It had nothing to do with the BJP and everything to do with his poor handling of this horrific affair," says Mahesh Kumar, a member of the ABVP, the BJP student's wing. He believes the scandal will definitely become an election issue in the hands of the opposition parties, but will hurt the JD-U, and not the BJP.
With time running out for the BJP and JD-U to sort out their egos, Tejashwi Yadav insists that UPA partners are on track with their tie-ups. He has already extended an invite to Upendra Kushwaha to join the RJD-led alliance. "And if Mayawati-ji wants to open the BSP's innings in Bihar, we are even ready to talk to her," he told.
PM Modi Inaugurates 400-Bed Nepal-Bharat Maitri Pashupati Dharamshala
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Nepalese counterpart K P Sharma Oli today jointly inaugurated a 400-bed Nepal-Bharat Maitri Pashupati Dharamshala - a rest house for pilgrims - build with the Indian assistance in Kathmandu.
"I am glad to inaugurate the Nepal-Bharat Maitri Pashupati Dharamshala in Kathmandu," Prime Minister Modi said as he handed over the rest house to the Pashupati Area Development Trust.
The Dharmashala has provision for family rooms, kitchen, dining hall, library and some multipurpose halls to meet the requirements of the travellers and families on pilgrimage to Pashupatinath Temple - located on the banks of the Bagmati River.
"This is not just a building...The Nepal-Bharat Maitri Pashupati Dharamshala will remind the visitors about the friendship of the two neighbours," PM Modi told a gathering, amid applause.
He also hailed the Nepal Government's decision to publish in Nepali language the poems of late prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
"I thank Prime Minister Oli and the Nepal Government for this touching gesture," PM Modi said.
He said the Buddhism teaches how to successfully confront the challenges of extremism and terrorism.
PM Modi also lauded the political stability in Nepal, saying the government in Kathmandu is working for the welfare of the Nepalese people.
"I am glad to inaugurate the Nepal-Bharat Maitri Pashupati Dharamshala in Kathmandu," Prime Minister Modi said as he handed over the rest house to the Pashupati Area Development Trust.
The Dharmashala has provision for family rooms, kitchen, dining hall, library and some multipurpose halls to meet the requirements of the travellers and families on pilgrimage to Pashupatinath Temple - located on the banks of the Bagmati River.
"This is not just a building...The Nepal-Bharat Maitri Pashupati Dharamshala will remind the visitors about the friendship of the two neighbours," PM Modi told a gathering, amid applause.
He also hailed the Nepal Government's decision to publish in Nepali language the poems of late prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
"I thank Prime Minister Oli and the Nepal Government for this touching gesture," PM Modi said.
He said the Buddhism teaches how to successfully confront the challenges of extremism and terrorism.
PM Modi also lauded the political stability in Nepal, saying the government in Kathmandu is working for the welfare of the Nepalese people.
Business Affairs
India's GDP growth picks pace, but will the momentum continue
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The first quarter GDP estimates for FY 19 released by the government shows that the worst may be over and the disruptive effects of demonetisation and the initial chaotic implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST) may finally be behind us. The estimates of the first quarter GDP growth are 8.2 per cent - quite a bit higher than the 7.5-7.7 range that many economists had predicted. Of course these are initial estimates based on a limited set of data that is available, and they will be revised later, but even then the numbers would have come as a big relief for the government facing opposition attacks on their track record for the economy.
But a closer look at the details of the GDP estimates shows that some worries remain and whether the 8 per cent plus can be maintained and bettered in the next several quarters will depend both on external factors as well as how well the government can manage its finances.
For one, there was a certain amount of favourable base effect which came into play. "Manufacturing, construction and public administration were the three fastest growing sectors in Q1 FY2019. While the former two sectors benefited from a favourable base effect, which would wane going forward, the extent to which government expenditure can prop up growth in the remaining quarters of FY2019 without contributing to a fiscal slippage, would take a cue from revenue buoyancy," points out Aditi Nayar, principal economist of ICRA in a release.
The problem is that much of the last year's GDP growth has been propped up by high government spending. And this dependency shows even in this quarter's GDP numbers, where defence, administration and other such government spending component in the GDP growth remained high - even on a high base. Private administration, defence and other services grew at 9.9 per cent (GVA at basic price) on the base of 13.5 per cent in the same quarter last year. How far the government can continue spending to keep the GDP growth high without a fiscal slippage - especially if oil prices move higher or rupee keeps falling or both.
The other worry is that services growth remains subdued. Given the importance of services to our economy, the sector needs to fire up if the growth momentum needs to be sustained.
But there are also plenty of things to be optimistic about in the GDP estimates. One, private consumption seems to be very robust and that is good news for an economy that is dependent more on private consumption than on exports. Two, gross fixed capital formation seems to be recovering steadily. Also, some of the growth in the GDP is led by job creating sectors like construction and manufacturing.
"Sustaining GDP growth at over 8% over the next few years would require significant traction in private investments and relentless implementation of reforms to raise productivity. An encouraging development is the slow but steady rise in private consumption spending growth. From 6.7% in Q4FY18, it rose to 8.6% in Q1FY19 -- the highest in six quarters. For private investments to pick up, a strong and sustained revival in household spending is critical," says D K Joshi, chief economist of CRISIL, in his report.
But a closer look at the details of the GDP estimates shows that some worries remain and whether the 8 per cent plus can be maintained and bettered in the next several quarters will depend both on external factors as well as how well the government can manage its finances.
For one, there was a certain amount of favourable base effect which came into play. "Manufacturing, construction and public administration were the three fastest growing sectors in Q1 FY2019. While the former two sectors benefited from a favourable base effect, which would wane going forward, the extent to which government expenditure can prop up growth in the remaining quarters of FY2019 without contributing to a fiscal slippage, would take a cue from revenue buoyancy," points out Aditi Nayar, principal economist of ICRA in a release.
The problem is that much of the last year's GDP growth has been propped up by high government spending. And this dependency shows even in this quarter's GDP numbers, where defence, administration and other such government spending component in the GDP growth remained high - even on a high base. Private administration, defence and other services grew at 9.9 per cent (GVA at basic price) on the base of 13.5 per cent in the same quarter last year. How far the government can continue spending to keep the GDP growth high without a fiscal slippage - especially if oil prices move higher or rupee keeps falling or both.
The other worry is that services growth remains subdued. Given the importance of services to our economy, the sector needs to fire up if the growth momentum needs to be sustained.
But there are also plenty of things to be optimistic about in the GDP estimates. One, private consumption seems to be very robust and that is good news for an economy that is dependent more on private consumption than on exports. Two, gross fixed capital formation seems to be recovering steadily. Also, some of the growth in the GDP is led by job creating sectors like construction and manufacturing.
"Sustaining GDP growth at over 8% over the next few years would require significant traction in private investments and relentless implementation of reforms to raise productivity. An encouraging development is the slow but steady rise in private consumption spending growth. From 6.7% in Q4FY18, it rose to 8.6% in Q1FY19 -- the highest in six quarters. For private investments to pick up, a strong and sustained revival in household spending is critical," says D K Joshi, chief economist of CRISIL, in his report.
India's GDP grows at 8.2% in June quarter, retains fastest growing economy tag
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India registered an increase of 8.2 per cent in its gross domestic product during the first quarter of the financial year 2018-19. The Indian economy managed a strong show in the April-June quarter of the current fiscal on the back of strong core performance and a healthy base.
"GDP at constant (2011-12) prices in Q1 of 2018-19 is estimated at Rs 33.74 lakh crore, as compared to Rs 31.18 lakh crore in Q1 of 2017-18, showing a growth rate of 8.2 percent. Quarterly GVA at basic price at constant (2011-2012) prices for Q1 of 2018-19 is estimated Rs 31.63 lakh crore, as against Rs 29.29 lakh crore in Q1 of 2017-18, showing a growth rate of 8.0 percent over the corresponding quarter of previous year," said a statement by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
Back in 2015, the Indian government had shifted the base year for GDP calculation from 2004-05 to 2011-12 by updating the goods and services in the basket. Even with the updated base year, experts had been estimating the GDP growth to remain in the range of 7.5-7.6 per cent during the June quarter.
The GDP growth figure of 8.2 per cent means India is the fastest growing major economy in the world, and comes as a boost for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government after demonetisation and GST had led to a slowdown in the economy. Earlier this month, China had reported a 6.7 per cent growth for June quarter compared with 6.8 per cent in March quarter.
GDP growth rate of 8.2 per cent in the June quarter is also the fastest in the past eight quarters. The previous best was 9.2 per cent in the July-September quarter in 2016. It had slowed down to 5.6 per cent in the April-June quarter in 2017, before picking up pace and touching 7.7 per cent in the July-September quarter in 2017.
External factors have been difficult for India with rising oil prices severely hitting the Indian rupee. India's current account deficit has also widened. Amid such troubles, the GDP figures come as a relief to the government. The GDP figures of June quarter are likely to be pivotal in the monetary policy meet scheduled on October 3-5.
The economic activities which registered year-on-year growth of more than 7 per cent during the June quarter are manufacturing, electricity, gas, water supply and other utility services, construction, and public administration, defence and other services, according to data by Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
'Agriculture, forestry and fishing', 'mining and quarrying', 'trade, hotels, transport, communication and services related to broadcasting', and 'financial, real estate and professional services' registered growth of 5.3 per cent, 0.1 per cent, 6.7 per cent, and 6.5 per cent respectively during this period.
Manufacturing remained the best of the lot with its quarterly GVA at basic prices for the quarter growing by 13.5 percent as compared to growth of (-) 1.8 per cent in corresponding quarter previous fiscal. The next sector to show the most promise was construction, which grew by 8.7 per cent during the quarter under review as compared to growth of 1.8 per cent in Q1 2017-18.
"GDP at current prices in Q1 of 2018-19 is estimated at Rs 44.33 lakh crore, as against Rs 38.97 lakh crore in Q1 of 2017-18, showing a growth rate of 13.8 percent. GVA at Basic Price at current prices in Q1 of 2018-19, is estimated at Rs 41.02 lakh crore, as against Rs 36.34 lakh crore in Q1, 2017-18, showing an increase of 12.9 per cent," said the Ministry's statement.
"GDP at constant (2011-12) prices in Q1 of 2018-19 is estimated at Rs 33.74 lakh crore, as compared to Rs 31.18 lakh crore in Q1 of 2017-18, showing a growth rate of 8.2 percent. Quarterly GVA at basic price at constant (2011-2012) prices for Q1 of 2018-19 is estimated Rs 31.63 lakh crore, as against Rs 29.29 lakh crore in Q1 of 2017-18, showing a growth rate of 8.0 percent over the corresponding quarter of previous year," said a statement by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
Back in 2015, the Indian government had shifted the base year for GDP calculation from 2004-05 to 2011-12 by updating the goods and services in the basket. Even with the updated base year, experts had been estimating the GDP growth to remain in the range of 7.5-7.6 per cent during the June quarter.
The GDP growth figure of 8.2 per cent means India is the fastest growing major economy in the world, and comes as a boost for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government after demonetisation and GST had led to a slowdown in the economy. Earlier this month, China had reported a 6.7 per cent growth for June quarter compared with 6.8 per cent in March quarter.
GDP growth rate of 8.2 per cent in the June quarter is also the fastest in the past eight quarters. The previous best was 9.2 per cent in the July-September quarter in 2016. It had slowed down to 5.6 per cent in the April-June quarter in 2017, before picking up pace and touching 7.7 per cent in the July-September quarter in 2017.
External factors have been difficult for India with rising oil prices severely hitting the Indian rupee. India's current account deficit has also widened. Amid such troubles, the GDP figures come as a relief to the government. The GDP figures of June quarter are likely to be pivotal in the monetary policy meet scheduled on October 3-5.
The economic activities which registered year-on-year growth of more than 7 per cent during the June quarter are manufacturing, electricity, gas, water supply and other utility services, construction, and public administration, defence and other services, according to data by Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
'Agriculture, forestry and fishing', 'mining and quarrying', 'trade, hotels, transport, communication and services related to broadcasting', and 'financial, real estate and professional services' registered growth of 5.3 per cent, 0.1 per cent, 6.7 per cent, and 6.5 per cent respectively during this period.
Manufacturing remained the best of the lot with its quarterly GVA at basic prices for the quarter growing by 13.5 percent as compared to growth of (-) 1.8 per cent in corresponding quarter previous fiscal. The next sector to show the most promise was construction, which grew by 8.7 per cent during the quarter under review as compared to growth of 1.8 per cent in Q1 2017-18.
"GDP at current prices in Q1 of 2018-19 is estimated at Rs 44.33 lakh crore, as against Rs 38.97 lakh crore in Q1 of 2017-18, showing a growth rate of 13.8 percent. GVA at Basic Price at current prices in Q1 of 2018-19, is estimated at Rs 41.02 lakh crore, as against Rs 36.34 lakh crore in Q1, 2017-18, showing an increase of 12.9 per cent," said the Ministry's statement.
Govt spends Rs 4.18 to make one Rs 2,000 note, Rs 2.57 for one Rs 500 note: RTI
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When it comes to spending our money, we tend to weigh in the value against the want and utility of the product. It is a widely adopted manoeuvre. However, when it comes to money itself, we are mostly in the dark about its cost. For instance, do you know how costly it is to produce one Rs 10 note? Does it cost more or less than its value?
India Today tried to find out the answer. It filed a RTI and asked Bhartiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran (P) Limited the cost of printing different denomination notes. India Today asked how much money does the government spend on printing different notes.
Turns out that the Government of India spends Rs 4.18 on each Rs 2,000 note. It spends Rs 2.57 on every Rs 500 note, Rs 1.51 for every Rs 100 note and Rs 1.01 for every Rs 10 note. The Rs 20 note is, in fact, cheaper by a paisa than the Rs 10 note.
As per calculations, the government spends Rs 1,010 for a thousand Rs 10 and Rs 50 notes, Rs 1,000 for a thousand Rs 20 notes, Rs 1,510 per thousand Rs 100 notes, Rs 2,570 for a thousand Rs 500 notes and Rs 4,180 per thousand Rs 2,000 notes.
India Today also found the cost of printing the old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes that were demonetised on November 8, 2016.
The cost of printing the old Rs 500 note was Rs 3.09 which works out to be more expensive by 52 paisa than its current counterpart. The cost of printing the old Rs 1,000 note was Rs 3.54 which means that it was cheaper by 64 paisa than the current Rs 2,000 note.
Printing a thousand Rs 500 notes of the demonetised currency cost the government Rs 3,090, while they spent Rs 3,540 per thousand Rs 1,000 notes.
India Today tried to find out the answer. It filed a RTI and asked Bhartiya Reserve Bank Note Mudran (P) Limited the cost of printing different denomination notes. India Today asked how much money does the government spend on printing different notes.
Turns out that the Government of India spends Rs 4.18 on each Rs 2,000 note. It spends Rs 2.57 on every Rs 500 note, Rs 1.51 for every Rs 100 note and Rs 1.01 for every Rs 10 note. The Rs 20 note is, in fact, cheaper by a paisa than the Rs 10 note.
As per calculations, the government spends Rs 1,010 for a thousand Rs 10 and Rs 50 notes, Rs 1,000 for a thousand Rs 20 notes, Rs 1,510 per thousand Rs 100 notes, Rs 2,570 for a thousand Rs 500 notes and Rs 4,180 per thousand Rs 2,000 notes.
India Today also found the cost of printing the old Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes that were demonetised on November 8, 2016.
The cost of printing the old Rs 500 note was Rs 3.09 which works out to be more expensive by 52 paisa than its current counterpart. The cost of printing the old Rs 1,000 note was Rs 3.54 which means that it was cheaper by 64 paisa than the current Rs 2,000 note.
Printing a thousand Rs 500 notes of the demonetised currency cost the government Rs 3,090, while they spent Rs 3,540 per thousand Rs 1,000 notes.
How Vodafone, Idea merger will affect its consumers
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Vodafone India and Idea Cellular are now Vodafone Idea Limited. With the new company taking the top spot in the Indian telecom industry and dethroning Bharti Airtel for the first time in 15 years, the benefits are expected to seep down to the customers as well. For now, both companies will continue with their individual brands on the public front. For tasks like mobile phone recharge and payment of phone bills, the customer won't witness a major change. Vodafone and Idea websites are still functioning on their old domain. However, the merged capital and increased reach may result in more benefits to users than before.
Welcoming customers to India's leading telecom network, Mr. Balesh Sharma, CEO, Vodafone Idea Limited, said, "As India's leading telecom operator with two popular and loved brands, the company has the scale and resources to ensure sustainable customer choice and introduce new technologies. We are committed to offer both our retail and enterprise customers an excellent experience while fulfilling their evolving digital and connectivity needs via new products, services and solutions. We will offer them more network coverage, more value and more excitement. My team and I look forward to your continuing support and invite you to enjoy the Vodafone Idea experience."
Better network
One of the greatest strengths of the merged entity will be a more robust ecosystem of cellular towers. This could yield better coverage than before. The company claims that it is now the largest voice network with over 200,000 unique GSM sites and has 235,000 kms of fibre to cover over 1.2 billion Indians (92% population). Other than that, the new entity will have a large spectrum portfolio and more broadband carriers to provide better service on 2G, 3G and 4G platforms. In the upcoming broadband tariff war, Vodafone Idea will be ready with their consolidated network of over 340,000 broadband sites covering 840 million Indians.
New technology
The merged entity will have a better hold on digital services which includes Voice, Data, Mobile payments, IoT, advanced enterprise offerings, high speed and secure leased lines, digital wallets, MIMO and cloud services. These services can be accessed via 15,000 stores and 1.7 million retail touchpoints.
Competitive offers
The factor that impacts the end user the most is the price. Vodafone Idea Ltd. will now be better positioned to counter Reliance Jio's aggressive pricing. The company will have a Pan India Revenue Market Share (AGR) of 32.2 per cent which not only puts it on top of the list but also leaves some breathing space for it to introduce new offers.
Idea will infuse Rs 67.5 billion with Vodafone's Rs 86 billion. Additionally, the monetisation of standalone towers of both companies will yield a value of Rs 78.5 billion. This provides the company with a strong cash balance of over Rs 193 billion (after deducting the payout amount of Rs 39 billion to the DoT).
Welcoming customers to India's leading telecom network, Mr. Balesh Sharma, CEO, Vodafone Idea Limited, said, "As India's leading telecom operator with two popular and loved brands, the company has the scale and resources to ensure sustainable customer choice and introduce new technologies. We are committed to offer both our retail and enterprise customers an excellent experience while fulfilling their evolving digital and connectivity needs via new products, services and solutions. We will offer them more network coverage, more value and more excitement. My team and I look forward to your continuing support and invite you to enjoy the Vodafone Idea experience."
Better network
One of the greatest strengths of the merged entity will be a more robust ecosystem of cellular towers. This could yield better coverage than before. The company claims that it is now the largest voice network with over 200,000 unique GSM sites and has 235,000 kms of fibre to cover over 1.2 billion Indians (92% population). Other than that, the new entity will have a large spectrum portfolio and more broadband carriers to provide better service on 2G, 3G and 4G platforms. In the upcoming broadband tariff war, Vodafone Idea will be ready with their consolidated network of over 340,000 broadband sites covering 840 million Indians.
New technology
The merged entity will have a better hold on digital services which includes Voice, Data, Mobile payments, IoT, advanced enterprise offerings, high speed and secure leased lines, digital wallets, MIMO and cloud services. These services can be accessed via 15,000 stores and 1.7 million retail touchpoints.
Competitive offers
The factor that impacts the end user the most is the price. Vodafone Idea Ltd. will now be better positioned to counter Reliance Jio's aggressive pricing. The company will have a Pan India Revenue Market Share (AGR) of 32.2 per cent which not only puts it on top of the list but also leaves some breathing space for it to introduce new offers.
Idea will infuse Rs 67.5 billion with Vodafone's Rs 86 billion. Additionally, the monetisation of standalone towers of both companies will yield a value of Rs 78.5 billion. This provides the company with a strong cash balance of over Rs 193 billion (after deducting the payout amount of Rs 39 billion to the DoT).
Reliance Entertainment has nothing to hide on Rafale deal-French film link: Sources
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Reliance Entertainment has nothing to hide, say sources in the group, responding to allegations of quid pro quo with former France President Francois Hollande. It was Anurag Kashyap's Phantom Films that produced the French leader's partner Julie Gayet's production Tout La-Haut. Reliance Entertainment had issued a formal release on 24 January, 2016 announcing the film (which was to be named 'Nomber One' originally). The release had specifically mentioned it was Julie Gayet's Rouge International that would be making the film.
Directed by French actor and film-maker Serge Hazanavicius, Tout La-Haut released on December 20, 2017 in France and never released in India. The 98-minute film was first screened at the San Sebastian International Film Festival in Spain. The movie was eventually released in eight other countries including UAE, Lebanon, Belgium, Estonia, Latvia and Taiwan.
Phantom Films, the production and distribution company set up by Anurag Kashyap, Vikramaditya Motwane, Madhu Mantena and Vikas Bahl was founded in 2011. Reliance Entertainment picked up 50% stake in 2015.
"The film Tout La-Haut was produced by Phantom Films which was set up by Anurag Kashyap and team and Reliance Entertainment owns 50 per cent in it," a source told BusinessToday.In.
Besides, this wasn't the first time that Reliance Entertainment was producing a French Film. In 2014, it had released a film called The Hundred Foot Journey featuring Helen Mirren and Om Puri, along with DreamWorks Pictures and Harpo Films.
Anil Ambani's company also owns a host of other companies, along with Phantom Films, so it is not the operating company when it comes to these firms, sources said.
This response came in the wake of a report that Anil Ambani's Reliance Entertainment signed an agreement with former France President Francois Hollande's partner Julie Gayet two days before the French leader came to India for Republic Day celebrations in 2016. It was that visit during which Hollande signed a MoU with PM Modi for the delivery of 36 Rafale aircraft. The final agreement was signed later in the year on 23 Sept, 2016.
Later that year, in 2016, Reliance Defence joined the offset programme of the Rafale deal through Dassault Reliance Aerospace Ltd. It holds 51% stake in the entity, while Dassault Aviation that manufactured the jets, owns 49%.
Reliance Entertainment has nothing to hide, say sources in the group, responding to allegations of quid pro quo with former France President Francois Hollande. It was Anurag Kashyap's Phantom Films that produced the French leader's partner Julie Gayet's production Tout La-Haut. Reliance Entertainment had issued a formal release on 24 January, 2016 announcing the film (which was to be named 'Nomber One' originally). The release had specifically mentioned it was Julie Gayet's Rouge International that would be making the film.Directed by French actor and film-maker Serge Hazanavicius, Tout La-Haut released on December 20, 2017 in France and never released in India. The 98-minute film was first screened at the San Sebastian International Film Festival in Spain. The movie was eventually released in eight other countries including UAE, Lebanon, Belgium, Estonia, Latvia and Taiwan.
Phantom Films, the production and distribution company set up by Anurag Kashyap, Vikramaditya Motwane, Madhu Mantena and Vikas Bahl was founded in 2011. Reliance Entertainment picked up 50% stake in 2015.
"The film Tout La-Haut was produced by Phantom Films which was set up by Anurag Kashyap and team and Reliance Entertainment owns 50 per cent in it," a source told BusinessToday.In.
Besides, this wasn't the first time that Reliance Entertainment was producing a French Film. In 2014, it had released a film called The Hundred Foot Journey featuring Helen Mirren and Om Puri, along with DreamWorks Pictures and Harpo Films.
Anil Ambani's company also owns a host of other companies, along with Phantom Films, so it is not the operating company when it comes to these firms, sources said.
This response came in the wake of a report that Anil Ambani's Reliance Entertainment signed an agreement with former France President Francois Hollande's partner Julie Gayet two days before the French leader came to India for Republic Day celebrations in 2016. It was that visit during which Hollande signed a MoU with PM Modi for the delivery of 36 Rafale aircraft. The final agreement was signed later in the year on 23 Sept, 2016.
Later that year, in 2016, Reliance Defence joined the offset programme of the Rafale deal through Dassault Reliance Aerospace Ltd. It holds 51% stake in the entity, while Dassault Aviation that manufactured the jets, owns 49%.
General Awareness
International Energy Agency (IEA)
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What to study?
For Prelims and Mains: IEA- Key facts, need for innovation on clean energy.
Context: The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology, and the International Energy Agency (IEA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Enhancing Innovation for Clean Energy Transition.
Highlights of the MoU:
The MoU seeks to deepen co-operation in support of clean energy innovations to accelerate the research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) of clean energy technologies in India and will help support the generation of data for policymaking and improve knowledge of good policy practices for innovation in India and around the world.
The MoU will ensure cooperation for sharing of energy policies on RD&D and sharing of best practices on data collection and analysis. This MoU also has a provision for activities such as training and capacity building and accelerating energy innovation by identifying sources of finance.
About International Energy Agency:
Founded in 1974, the IEA was initially designed to help countries co-ordinate a collective response to major disruptions in the supply of oil, such as the crisis of 1973/4. While this remains a key aspect of its work, the IEA has evolved and expanded significantly.
Important functions performed by IEA:
The IEA examines the full spectrum of energy issues including oil, gas and coal supply and demand, renewable energy technologies, electricity markets, energy efficiency, access to energy, demand side management and much more.
Through its work, the IEA advocates policies that will enhance the reliability, affordability and sustainability of energy in its member countries and beyond.
Publications:
Its publications include the flagship World Energy Outlook and the IEA Market Reports; data and statistics, such as Key World Energy Statistics and the Monthly Oil Data Service; and a series of training and capacity building workshops, presentations, and resources.
The four main areas of IEA focus are:
Energy Security: Promoting diversity, efficiency, flexibility and reliability for all fuels and energy sources;
Economic Development: Supporting free markets to foster economic growth and eliminate energy poverty;
Environmental Awareness: Analysing policy options to offset the impact of energy production and use on the environment, especially for tackling climate change and air pollution; and
Engagement Worldwide: Working closely with partner countries, especially major emerging economies, to find solutions to shared energy and environmental concerns.
What to study?
For Prelims and Mains: IEA- Key facts, need for innovation on clean energy.
Context: The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology, and the International Energy Agency (IEA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Enhancing Innovation for Clean Energy Transition.
Highlights of the MoU:
The MoU seeks to deepen co-operation in support of clean energy innovations to accelerate the research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) of clean energy technologies in India and will help support the generation of data for policymaking and improve knowledge of good policy practices for innovation in India and around the world.
The MoU will ensure cooperation for sharing of energy policies on RD&D and sharing of best practices on data collection and analysis. This MoU also has a provision for activities such as training and capacity building and accelerating energy innovation by identifying sources of finance.
About International Energy Agency:
Founded in 1974, the IEA was initially designed to help countries co-ordinate a collective response to major disruptions in the supply of oil, such as the crisis of 1973/4. While this remains a key aspect of its work, the IEA has evolved and expanded significantly.
Important functions performed by IEA:
The IEA examines the full spectrum of energy issues including oil, gas and coal supply and demand, renewable energy technologies, electricity markets, energy efficiency, access to energy, demand side management and much more.
Through its work, the IEA advocates policies that will enhance the reliability, affordability and sustainability of energy in its member countries and beyond.
Publications:
Its publications include the flagship World Energy Outlook and the IEA Market Reports; data and statistics, such as Key World Energy Statistics and the Monthly Oil Data Service; and a series of training and capacity building workshops, presentations, and resources.
The four main areas of IEA focus are:
Energy Security: Promoting diversity, efficiency, flexibility and reliability for all fuels and energy sources;
Economic Development: Supporting free markets to foster economic growth and eliminate energy poverty;
Environmental Awareness: Analysing policy options to offset the impact of energy production and use on the environment, especially for tackling climate change and air pollution; and
Engagement Worldwide: Working closely with partner countries, especially major emerging economies, to find solutions to shared energy and environmental concerns.
For Prelims and Mains: IEA- Key facts, need for innovation on clean energy.
Context: The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology, and the International Energy Agency (IEA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Enhancing Innovation for Clean Energy Transition.
Highlights of the MoU:
The MoU seeks to deepen co-operation in support of clean energy innovations to accelerate the research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) of clean energy technologies in India and will help support the generation of data for policymaking and improve knowledge of good policy practices for innovation in India and around the world.
The MoU will ensure cooperation for sharing of energy policies on RD&D and sharing of best practices on data collection and analysis. This MoU also has a provision for activities such as training and capacity building and accelerating energy innovation by identifying sources of finance.
About International Energy Agency:
Founded in 1974, the IEA was initially designed to help countries co-ordinate a collective response to major disruptions in the supply of oil, such as the crisis of 1973/4. While this remains a key aspect of its work, the IEA has evolved and expanded significantly.
Important functions performed by IEA:
The IEA examines the full spectrum of energy issues including oil, gas and coal supply and demand, renewable energy technologies, electricity markets, energy efficiency, access to energy, demand side management and much more.
Through its work, the IEA advocates policies that will enhance the reliability, affordability and sustainability of energy in its member countries and beyond.
Publications:
Its publications include the flagship World Energy Outlook and the IEA Market Reports; data and statistics, such as Key World Energy Statistics and the Monthly Oil Data Service; and a series of training and capacity building workshops, presentations, and resources.
The four main areas of IEA focus are:
Energy Security: Promoting diversity, efficiency, flexibility and reliability for all fuels and energy sources;
Economic Development: Supporting free markets to foster economic growth and eliminate energy poverty;
Environmental Awareness: Analysing policy options to offset the impact of energy production and use on the environment, especially for tackling climate change and air pollution; and
Engagement Worldwide: Working closely with partner countries, especially major emerging economies, to find solutions to shared energy and environmental concerns.
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