Mega and Major Projects under Implementation by CPSEs

• Central Sector Projects- In the central sector there were altogether 607 projects under implementation as on 31 March, 2011  of which 157 projects  were  Mega projects (each costing Rs. 1,000 crore and above), 450 Major projects  (each costing between Rs. 100 crore and Rs. 1000 crore).  The total estimated cost of these 607 projects works out to be Rs. 7,76,715.89 crore.  The total expenditure incurred on 607 Mega and Major projects stands at Rs. 3,55,698.64 crore as on 31 March, 2011.   
• CPSEs Projects - Out of these 607 projects in the central sector, 170 projects (costing Rs. 500 crores and above) belonged to Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs).  Of these 170 projects, 113 were Mega projects and 57 were Major projects. The total estimated cost in respect of these 210 projects of CPSEs stood at Rs. 4,59,799crore, while the revised/anticipated cost is equal to Rs. 5,07,459 crore. 
• Atomic Energy - There were 4 projects in atomic Energy sector under implementation as on 31 March, 2011.  These projects belonged to the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited, Uranium Corporation of India Ltd. and Bhavini Limited and cost above Rs. 500  crore. 
• Civil Aviation - There were 9 projects in the civil aviation sector under implementation, as on 31 March, 2011.  Of these, 2 were in Mega category, 7 in Major category.  All these projects belonged to Airport  Authority of India Limited.
• Coal - There were 45 projects in the coal sector under implementation, as on 31 March, 2011.  Of these, 7 were in Mega category, 38 in Major category.  These projects belonged to Central Coal Fields Limited, South-Eastern Coal Fields Limited, Northern Coal Fields Limited, Singareni Colliers Company Limited and Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd. 
• Fertilizers - There were 6 projects in the fertilisers sector under implementation as on 31 March, 2011.  Of these, 3 were in Mega category, 3 in Major category.  All these projects belonged to National Fertilisers Limited.  
• Mines -  There was only one Mega project in the mining sector as on 31 March, 2011.  This belonged to National Aluminium Company Limited. 
• Petroleum -  There were 82  projects in the petroleum sector under implementation, as on 31 March, 2011.  Of these, 40 were in Mega category and 42 in Major category. These projects belonged to Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, Bongaigaon Refinery & Petrochemicals Ltd., Gas Authority of India Limited, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited, Indian Oil Corporation Limited and Oil & Natural Gas Corporation Limited.  
• Power -  There were 87 projects in the power sector under implementation, as on 31 March, 2011.  Of these, 44 were in Mega category and 43 in Major category.  All these projects belonged to National Hydro-Electric Power Corporation, National Thermal Power Corporation, North East Electric Power Corporation, Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited, Power Grid Corporation of India Limited, and Tehri Hydro Development Corporation Limited. 
• Shipping & Ports - There were 26 projects in the Shipping & Ports sector under implementation, as on 31 March, 2011.  Of these, 7 were in Mega category and 19 in Major category.  These belonged to Mumbai Port Trust and Shipping Corporation of India. 
• Steel -  There were 19 projects under implementation in the steel sector, as on 31 March, 2011.  Of these, 6 were in Mega category and 13 in Major category.  These projects belonged to National Mineral Development Corporation, Rastriya Ispat Nigam Limited and Steel Authority of India. 
• Telecommunication - There were 41 projects under implementation in the telecommunication sector as on 31 March, 2011.  Of these, 3 were in Mega category and 38 in Major category.  These projects belonged to Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited. 
• CPSEs Under Construction - There are some CPSEs which yet to go on regular production on a commercial scale as they are at construction stage.  Many of these CPSEs are subsidiary companies set up by (Holding) CPSEs.   Some of these subsidiary companies are ‘shell companies’ which have been set up tentatively to facilitate the establishment of Ultra Mega Power Projects (UMPP) or similar other Projects.   The objective of ‘shell companies’ for UPMM is to develop large capacities of power generation in the different parts of the country.  It brings in the potential investors in UMPP after obtaining the necessary clearances.  The Power Finance Corporation Limited (PFCL) was selected as the Nodal Agency for the development of  such power projects by the Central Electricity Authority.  Many of the ‘shell companies’ are subsidiary companies of PFCL.  As on 31 March, 2011, there were altogether 28 CPSEs ‘under construction’, as against 32 as on 31 March, 2010.  While seven CPSEs ‘under construction’ existing in 2009-10 have been left out, three CPSEs have been added to this list during the financial year 2010-11.

Union Cabinet approved India’s National Communication to UNFCCC on Climate Change

The Union Cabinet  of India on 12 April 2012 approved India`s Second National Communication to the Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change towards fulfilment of the reporting obligation under the Convention.

This report shall benefit state and national level policy makers in enhancing the understanding of the issues related to climate change and its impact and create general awareness of the stakeholders relating to Government of India`s proactive commitment towards addressing the challenges due to climate change.

The range of studies included in this report has been conducted broadly at the national level, with some specific case studies highlighting the enormous diversity of India and their regional imperatives. India is a Party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate (UNFCCC).

The Convention, in accordance with its Article 4.1 and 12.1, enjoins all Parties, both developed and developing country Parties, to furnish information, in the form of a National Communication (a national report), regarding implementation of the Convention.

Supreme Court upheld the Constitutional Validity of the RTE Act, 2009

The Supreme Court of India on 12 April 2012 upheld the constitutional validity of the Right to Education Act, 2009, which mandates 25 per cent free seats to the poor in government and private unaided schools uniformly across the country. The apex court clarified that its judgment will come into force from 12 April 2012. However, the act will apply uniformly to government and unaided private schools except unaided private minority schools.

A three-judge bench of Chief Justice S H Kapadia and justices K S Radhakrishnan and Swantanter Kumar gave the ruling.

The   bench had reserved its verdict on 3August 2012 on a batch of petitions by private unaided institutions which had contended that the  section 12 (1)(c) of RTE Act violates the rights of private educational institutions under Article 19(1) (g) which provided autonomy to private managements to run their institutions without governmental interference.
 Right to Education Act (RTE) was passed by the Indian parliament on 4 August 2009.The act came into force on 1 April 2010. It  has the provision of free and compulsory education for children between 6 and 14 in India under Article 21A of the Indian Constitution. India became one of 135 countries to make education a fundamental right of every child.
Section 12(1)(c) of the RTE act says that every recognized school imparting elementary education is obliged to admit underprivileged children even if it is not aiaded by the government to meet its expenses.

Union Cabinet approved Extension of Funding for Swavalamban Scheme

The Union Cabinet on 12 April 2012 approved the extension of funding support for implementing the Swavalamban Scheme under the New Pension System (NPS) from three years to five years for all subscribers enrolled during 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13.

The exit norms of the scheme were also relaxed to enable subscribers under Swavalamban to exit at age 50 instead of 60, or a minimum tenure of 20 years, whichever is later.

The Cabinet decided to provide an additional funding support of Rs 2065 crore to the scheme till 2016-17. The cabinet’s decision will benefit 70 lakh workers in the unorganised sector.

Cabinet approved Public Procurement Bill & Ad-valorem Regime for Calculating Royalty for Coal

The Union Cabinet on 12 April 2012 approved Public Procurement Bill, 2012 which aims at regulating public procurement of above Rs 50 lakh and provides fair treatment to bidders. The move is aimed at bringing transparency in State purchases.

Public Procurement Bill, 2012 aims at regulating public procurement by all ministries and departments of the Union government, Central public sector enterprises (CPSEs), autonomous and statutory bodies controlled by the Centre and other procuring entities. The Bill also proposes absence of price negotiations, except in circumstances that are prescribed, and for which reasons are to be recorded.

Ad-valorem Royalty on Coal

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on 12 April 2012 also approved an ad-valorem regime for calculating royalty for coal and lignite. Following the approval the coffers of coal-bearing states will get richer by over Rs 1000 crore. Currently the hybrid formula is in place for charging royalty on coal and lignite at the rate of 14 per cent and 6 per cent respectively.

Royalty rates on coal and lignite have not been revised since 2007. The ad-valorem regime will enable major coal producing states to earn revenue of about Rs 6980 crore in place of Rs 5950 crore being earned at present at existing rates. The new regime is to increase the combined earning by more than Rs 1050 crore.

The CCEA also approved the proposed joint venture between state-run Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) and Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd for setting up a 1980 MW thermal power plant at Ghatampur in Kanpur district in Uttar Pradesh. The proposed power project, which could entail investments of over Rs 10000 crore, by the JV company is to cater to the demand of Uttar Pradesh and northern region.

National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation Bags Scope Meritorius Award for the Year 2010-11

National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC) a Government of India undertaking organisation under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has achieved a distinction of being the recipient of Standing Conference of Public Enterprises (SCOPE) Meritorious Award for the year 2010-11 for the Best Managed Public Sector Enterprise (PSE) under section-25 to NBCFDC. President of India, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil awarded the Commendation Certificate on the occasion of Public Sector Day here today. Prior to this NBCFDC has also received MoU Award and was rated one of the Top Ten PSE’s fourth time.

NBCFDC was setup in the year 1992 as a company Not for Profit to promote economic and developmental activities for the benefit of Backward Classes living below double the poverty line. NBCFDC has consistently given excellent results during the XIth Plan and cumulatively disbursed loan of Rs.2065.76 Crore to 1464270 beneficiaries in 27 States and Union Territories. The Corporation has received a budgetary support of Rs.672.35 Crore out of Authorized Share Capital of Rs.700Crore. Rs.1393.41 Crore over & above budgetary support has been recycled. Recovery of loan is about 89%.

The Corporation provides financial assistance by way of soft loans for self employment and income generating activities in various sectors like Agriculture and Allied activities, Small business/Artisan &Traditional Occupation, Transport Sector & Service Sector and Technical & Professional Trades/Courses in India and abroad have been financed at concessional rate of interest.

The Corporation is creating new opportunities in the area of providing self employment, education development, skill development training and marketing support to the target group comprising of artisans, farmers, fishermen and small businessmen. Top remote quality products made by artisans, corporation were exhibited during Shilpotsav, Dilli Haat, IITF, New Delhi and Suraj Kund Craft Mela etc.

The Corporation has also given emphasis on women empowerment and has designed special scheme for women “New Swarnima”under term loan and “Mahila Samriddhi Yojana” under Micro Finance scheme through SHGs.

Constitution of a Committee on Corporate Governance

The Ministry of Corporate Affairs has constituted a Committee under the Chairmanship of Shri. Adi Godrej for framing a ‘National Corporate Governance Policy’ to suggest a comprehensive policy frame work to enable corporate governance of highest quality in all classes of companies without impinging on their internal autonomy to order their affairs in their best judgment.

The other Members of the Committee are as under:

Dr. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw,CMD, Biocon Ltd; Shri Sidharth Birla,, FICCI; DG, IICA; Shri M.K. Chauhan, Vice Chairman, Asian Centre for Corporate Governance & Sustainability; Shri R.S. Sharma, former MD, ONGC; Shri G. Ramaswamy, former President, ICAI; Shri Deosthali, L&T; Shri S. Balasubramaniyan, former Chairman, Company Law Board; Shri S.K. Rungta, ex-CMD, SAIL; Shri K.K. Mistry, CFO, L&T; Ms. Ziya Modi, Lawyer; Shri Sudhir Mittal, Additional Secretary in the M/o Corporate Affairs. In addition there will be nominees from the CII, Asshcham and the Institute of Cost Accountants of India as members. The President of ICSI as memer Secretary and Convener of the Committee.

The Committee is expected to make its recommendations within six months from the date of its first meeting after wide consultations with all stakeholders in the corporate sector, academics and members of the public.

World’s first women paramilitary pipe band marches on

The world’s first all-women paramilitary pipe band on April 9 marched to its maiden tune after it got its ceremonial colours under the CRPF at an event here.

Minister of State for Home Jitendra Singh presented the ceremonial ‘pipe mace’ to the band commander, called ‘Major of Pipes’, sub-inspector Darshana Kumari during the ‘Valour Day’ celebrations of the CRPF.

The 23-member band, after being commissioned into the force, presented a fine display of their music and accorded a traditional salute to the Minister before getting a word of praise from CRPF chief Vijay Kumar.

Dressed in Scottish-style tunics, the women have been picked up from various battalions of the CRPF and will now undergo rigorous training for few months by band experts before starting regular performances.

Out of the 23 band players, twelve play the pipes while five are on the drums while the rest play other musical instruments.

The women band will not only play martial and ceremonial tunes at traditional events, it would also be sent at foreign duty locations in future. CRPF Deputy Inspector-General Neetu Bhattacharya, who was instrumental in putting together the new band squad, said the band will add few more members in the coming days.

Indian to head world’s first trial with liver stem cells

An Indian-origin professor in the U.K. will head the world’s first trial using liver stem cells that could avoid transplant surgery.

Paediatric liver consultant Professor Anil Dhawan, who will head the trial at King’s College Hospital, has described the use of stem cells to treat liver disease as an “exciting breakthrough”.

Doctors have developed a pioneering treatment for liver disease that could save hundreds of lives a year and avoid the need for transplant surgery, it said.

Eighteen British children suffering from rare and life threatening liver conditions are to receive infusions of specially treated liver cells removed from the organs of dead donors, the paper said.

It said that doctors believe they will make vital stem cells — the building blocks of life — and repair the damaged organ.

“We have many very sick children and babies who need transplants. If we can cure them without a transplant that will be a fantastic development.

“We have tried using ordinary liver cells with limited success, but is the first time a treatment has been developed that gets the liver to regrow using stem cells,” Mr. Dhawan was quoted, as saying by the daily.

He added that if all goes well, the children, who are being treated with the cells, will show an improvement within a couple of months.

“We would expect those children to come off their medicines and therapy. It will mean the liver cells have done their job and corrected the defects that made them ill. “Then we will have to see how long the effect lasts and whether we have to top up these children with further infusions. I am optimistic the treatment will work,” he said.

Pottery and Iron age Megaliths belonging to the pre-Megalithic Period discovered in Tamil Nadu

Pottery and iron age megaliths dated to the pre-Megalithic/Iron Age period in T.N. — 1,800 BC-1,500 BC found at Mandapam village, near Aarpakkam intersection, about 14 km from Kancheepuram in April 2012.

The importance of the vast urn-burial site is that it belongs to a period earlier than the Megalithic Age or Iron Age in Tamil Nadu.
The site has been ravaged by quarrying for blue-metal.

Villager P. Mani, who discovered the site, reported it to V. Arasu, Head of the Department of Tamil, University of Madras, and S. Elango, lecturer in Tamil, Madras University.

The flat/conical bottomed urns were buried only one or two feet below the soil surface. While some had ritual pottery and terracotta plates inside, others were empty. There were disintegrated human bones in several urns. Also, there were no cairn circles on the surface of the graves to mark them. There were no graffiti marks on the urns either.

It was discovered that the cairn circles or the big stones, i.e., liths, were placed in a circle on the surface of the soil and urns were kept below them. The urns were found to have been kept inside cists, which are compartments made of granite slabs. Since big stones/liths mark the urn burials below, they are called Megalithic Age burials.

The Iron Age and the Megalithic Age are contemporaneous in south India. Archaeologists believed the Iron Age in south India extended from 1000 BCE to 300 BCE.

BSES Yamuna Power Limited (BYPL) won British Safety Award

BSES Yamuna Power limited (BPYL) won the prestigious 54th British International Safety Award. BYPL has been selected for this award given the steps taken by it for the safety of its over 11 lakh consumers and safety and health of its employees. The list of award winners was announced in London in the last week of March 2012. The award will be presented in May 2012. BPYL is the first Indian discom to be selected for this award.

BYPL distributes power to an area spread over 200 sq kms with a population density of 5953 per sq km. It’s 11.9lakh customers are spread over 14 districts across Central and East areas of Delhi including Chandni Chowk, Daryaganj,  Shankar Road, Patel Nagar, G T Road,Paharganj, Karkardooma, Krishna Nagar, Mayur Vihar, Yamuna Vihar, Laxmi Nagar, Nand Nagri and Karawal Nagar.

India Water Week to be celebrated as Annual International Event

The Ministry of Water Resources since this year has endeavoured to celebrate India Water Week annually as an international event to focus on water issues. It would provide a global platform for water related issues that will bring policy makers, industry leaders, experts, professionals and practitioners together to address the challenges, showcase technologies, discover opportunities, recognizing the excellence of professionals/organizations and celebrate their achievements. As a part of the event, besides the technical and special sessions, there would also be an exhibition to focus on the various aspects of the main theme. 

The first international event in the series of India Water Week on “Water, Energy and Food Security: Call for Solutions” will be organized during April 10-14, 2012 at New Delhi. Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh will inaugurate the event at Vigyan Bhawan. A book on award winning children’ paintings on Water Conservation will also be released by the Prime Minister besides presentation of National Water Award. 

In all there shall be 15 parallel technical sessions during the three day event from 10th to 12th April, 2012 which will cover various issues/challenges faced in the water sector. On April 13th there shall be special sessions on Water Policy, water treatment as well as National Ground Water Congress. Technical visits are also proposed on 13th and 14th April to IRI and IIT at Roorkee and Central Soil Salinity Research Institute at Karnal and Hathnikund Barrage. 

An exhibition ‘Water Expo 2012’ is also planned during the India Water Week as a technology show case to meet future challenges for the overall development of water, food and energy sector. A significant exposition of WARIS (Water Resources Information System) – a fully web based information system for India will also be showcased. There will be a number of exhibitors showcasing their capabilities in sophisticated technology areas like automated hydrological instrumentation, irrigation, project planning and execution, modern water efficient methods of irrigation etc. The Exhibition which is being held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi will be inaugurated by Minister of Water Resources and Parliamentary Affairs Shri Pawan Kumar Bansal, on 10th April, 2012. 

The event is patronized by all concerned Ministries such as Ministry of Agriculture and Food Processing Industries, Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Ministry of Environment and Forest, Planning Commission and others. State Governments and their units handling major water resources projects are also participating in this event. 

About 1000 participants including 43 from abroad are likely to participate in the event where about 200 experts including 30 invited speakers drawn from across the world will make presentations on various issues. High level delegations from Tanzania, Oman, Nepal and other countries are also participating. Two important publications, ‘Water Resources Development Scenario in India’ and ‘History of Irrigation Development and Management in India’ have been prepared for the occasion. The outcome of the event is expected to pave way for generating new implementation strategies for the ongoing programmes and also provide an insight into the approaches for framing future programmes. 

India commissions nuclear powered submarine 'INS Chakra'

India has inducted Russian- made nuclear powered submarine 'INS Chakra' into the Navy, joining an elite group of five nations possessing such sophisticated warships.

Defence Minister A K Antony formally commissioned the Akula II class Nerpa, rechristened INS Chakra, into the Navy at the Ship Building Complex in Visakhapatnam.

With the country entering the select club consisting of theUS, Russia, the UK, France and China with nuclear submarines after a gap of two decades, Antony said, "INS Chakra will ensure security and sovereignty of the country."

He did not subscribe to the view that the induction of nuclear powered submarines will lead to any arms race in the region. He said the armed forces will be strengthened to meet any challenge.

"India does not believe in arms race. We are not a confrontationist nation. We are a peaceloving nation....but, at the same time, the armed forces will be strengthened to meet any challenge," Antony told reporters when asked aboutPakistan's reaction that INS Chakra's induction will lead to arms race in the region.

"We have a vast land border. We have more than 7500 kms of coastline and more than two lakhs EEZs (Exclusive Economic Zone). We have to protect the sea lanes of our core area of interest," he said.

With INS Chakra and indigenously built INS Arihant expected to start operational patrols soon, India will soon have two nuclear submarines guarding its vast maritime boundary.

To a question on China's increasing military capability, Antonysaid “Induction of INS Chakra or Vikramaditya (aircraft carrier) warships or any other platform is not aimed at any country. It is to strengthen our national security to meet any challenge more effectively.”

With a maximum speed of 30 knots, the submarine can go upto a depth of 600 metres and has an endurance of 100 days with a crew of 73.

The vessel is armed with four 533mm torpedo tubes and four 650mm torpedo tubes. India had leased and operated a Charlie class Russian nuclear submarine in 1988 for training its personnel on such submarines.

Antony said, "INS Arihant will be ready for sea trials sometime this year."

He also said the induction of INS Vikramaditya, earlier called 'Admiral Gorshkov', will take place sometimes early next year.

On future induction of platforms in the Indian Navy, he said four warships, including INS Vikramaditya, were expected to be delivered at the end of this year, besides 15 fast interception craft.

"In the next few years, the Navy will get more submarines," the Defence Minister said.

He refused to share details with the media about the cost of leasing INS Chakra from Russia. He said there is a proposal for leasing another submarine but refused to take queries on the issue.

"There is a proposal. But we have not taken any decision...Cost is not necessary, but India can afford it,"Antony said.

On whether the process of procuring submarines from Russiawas too long and slow, he said, "We want speedy procurement and we will modernise our armed forces as quickly as possible. At the same time, zero tolerance to corruption is also our policy."

INS Chakra has been taken on lease from Russia for 10 years and would provide the Navy the opportunity to train personnel and operate such nuclear-powered vessels.

India had signed a deal with Russia in 2004 worth over USD 900 million for leasing the submarine.

It was expected to be inducted a couple of years back, but after an on-board accident in 2008, in which several Russian sailors died, the delivery schedule was changed.

Indian Navy personnel have already been imparted training inRussia for operating the submarine.

A crew of over 70 people, including around 30 officers, is required to operate INS Chakra.

India, Qatar sign pact to boost coop in oil & gas sector

A pact to enhance cooperation in the key sector of oil and gas exploration is among the six agreements inked between India and Qatar, which has the world's third-largest natural gas reserves afterRussia and Iran.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani held comprehensive talks on a whole gamut of bilateral ties, including boosting trade as well as energy cooperation and welfare of Indian workers.

There are around 500,000 Indians in the Gulf country. After the talks, Petroleum Minister S Jaipal Reddy and Qatar's Energy Minister Mohammed Bin Saleh al-Sada signed an MoU to establish a cooperative framework to facilitate and to enhance bilateral cooperation in the oil and gas sector for mutual benefit.

It envisages cooperation in the areas of upstream and downstream oil and gas activities.

It is expected to encourage and promote investment and cooperation between two ministries of oil and gas and through affiliated companies.

Qatar is the largest supplier of LNG to India, which buys 7.5 million tonnes/per year of LNG from it. India wants to have huge additional supply of oil and LNG from Qatar but pricing is an issue.

Other pacts are in the areas of educational exchanges, cultural contacts, promoting tourism and cooperation in legal affairs.

An MoU was also signed between the Reserve Bank of Indiaand Qatar Central Bank for sharing of supervisory information and enhancing cooperation in the area of banking supervision.

Ministry of Corporate Affairs announced setting up of Committee for Corporate Governance

Ministry of Corporate Affairs in March 2012 set up a committee under the leadership of Adi Godrej, chairman Godrej Group to bring out a formal policy document that will initiate enlisting of diverse elements of corporate governance under a single national corporate governance policy.

The committee that comprised members from industry chambers and corporate houses is to submit its report in six. The first meeting of the committee is scheduled to be held on 5 April 2012.

The members of the committee include Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, CMD of Biocon Ltd; former ONGC chairman RS Sharma; former ICAI chairman G Ramaswamy; CMD L&T Finance Holdings YM Deosthalee; S Balasubramanian, ex-chairman company law board; former SAIL chairman SK Roongta; Zia Mody of AZB and partners, and representatives from the institute of company secretaries and cost and works accountants.

The committee’s report is to synthesise the disparate elements in diverse guidelines and draw on innovative best international practices and practices of specific companies.

Also, the committee is entrusted with the responsibility to anticipate emerging demands on corporate governance in enterprises of various classes and scales of operations.

Currently, listed companies are expected to follow corporate governance norms under Clause 49 of the listing agreement of market regulator, SEBI.

The ministry has a voluntary guidelines for corporate governance released in 2009. However, the ministry had mentioned that in cases where corporates are unable to adopt the guidelines, they should inform their shareholders about the reasons for not adopting these guidelines either fully or partially.

National Green Tribunal suspended the Environment Clearance Granted to Posco's Steel Project

The National Green Tribunal on 30 March 2012 suspended the environment clearance granted to Posco's mega steel project in Orissa in January 2011. The tribunal comprising Justice C V Ramulu and Devendra Kumar Agarwal held that the clearance given to Posco's mega steel project in Jagatsinghpur district of Orissa will remain suspended till the environment ministry reviews it afresh.

The tribunal pointed out that memorandum of understanding between the Orissa government and Posco states that the project is for production of 12 million tonnes of steel per annum (MTPA) but the environment impact assessment (EIA) report has been prepared only for 4 MTPA steel production in the first phase.

The tribunal’s order came following a petition filed by environment activist Prafulla Samantray seeking quashing of the environmental clearance granted to Posco on the ground that it was "contrary to the provisions of the EIA Notification 2006" and was "illegal and arbitrary".

Posco India Pvt Ltd was granted environmental clearance for its two projects, steel-cum-captive power plant project and captive minor port, in Jagatsinghpur district of Orissa in 2007.

The Ministry of Environment and Forest, after reviewing the same, issued environmental clearance with additional conditions on 31 January 2011 which prompted the petitioner to move the tribunal.

Vanya Mishra crowned Pantaloons Femina Miss India World 2012

Chandigarh girl Vanya Mishra crowned as the Pantaloons Femina Miss India World 2012 in the grand finale of the 49th edition of the beauty pageant on 30 March 2012 in Mumbai. The Miss India Earth title went to 24-year-old Prachi Mishra of Pune won the Miss India Earth title while Chennai girl Rochelle Maria Rao was crowned as the Miss India International.  The 2012 winners selected among 20 finalists were crowned by last year's winners Kanistha Dhankhar, Hasleen Kaur and Ankita Shorey.

19-year-old Vanya will represent India at the Miss World 2012 Pageant. Prachi and Rochelle is to represent the country at Miss Earth 2012 Pageant and Miss International 2012 Pageant, respectively. Femina will not send the beauties to the Miss Universe pageant as it had decided in 2010 to abstain from the event.

The event was hosted by Ayushman Khurana and Manish Paul.

Nargis Fakri and Sonam Kapoor added glamour to the event judged by Sonam, producer Ekta Kapoor, film director Rohit Shetty, actor Sonali Bendre, cricketer Harbhajan Singh, designer Raghavendra Rathore, Managing Director of Bajaj FimServ Sanjiv Bajaj, singer Sonu Nigam and TV actor Sakshi Tanwar.

Singer-actor Ali Zafar engaged the audience with his first dance performance with former Miss Indias Manasvi Mamgai and Neha Hinge.

The grand evening was also graced by Julia Morley, Chairperson of the Miss World Organisation and reigning Miss World Ivian Lunasol Sarcos Colimenares.

Laureus Awards, 2012

Serbian tennis giant Novak Djokovic and Kenyan distance runner Vivian Cheruiyot have been named as the best Sportsman and Sportswoman of the year, respectively, while the glory of best Team went to reigning Champions League football holders FC Barcelona.

Djokovic, the first player representing Serbia to win a Grand Slam singles title, is also the youngest player to reach the semi-finals of all four Grand Slams in the open era, at the age of 24.

Cheruiyot was considered one of the greatest distance runners of this generation. She picked up gold medals of both 5,000 and 10,000 metres at the World Championships in Daegu, South Korea.

Barcelona, under coach Pep Guardiola, was winner of the Champions League and the Spanish League in the 2010/11 season. It was the fourth time the team was nominated for the Laureus but won it for the first time.

Oscar Awards, 2012

Best Film: Thomas Langmann for “The Artist”. The film is the first silent film to win the award since the World War I saga “Wings” was named outstanding picture at the first Oscars in 1929.
Best Director: Michel Hazanavicius for “The Artist”.
Best Actress: Meryl Streep for “The Iron Lady”. This was her third Oscar.
Best Actor: Jean Dujardin, for “The Artist”.
Best Actor in a supporting role: Christopher Plummer for “Beginners”. He is 82 years old and wins his first Oscar.
Best Supporting Actress: Octavia Spencer for “The Help”.
Best Foreign Language Film: Asghar Farhadi for Iranian film “A Separation”, which became the first Iranian film ever to win an Oscar.
Short film Animated: William Joyce and Brandon Oldenburg for “The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore”.
Short Film (Live Action): George and Oorlagh George for “The Shore”.
Original Screenplay: Woody Allen for “Midnight in Paris”. This was his first Oscar in last 25 years.
Adapted Screenplay: Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon & Jim Rash for “The Descendants”. Best Original Song: Bret McKenzie from “Man or Muppet”.
Best Original Score: Ludovic Bource for “The Artist”.
Best Visual Effects: Rob Legato, Joss Williams, Ben Grossmann and Alex Henning for “Hugo”.
Best Animated feature film: Gore Verbinski for “Rango”.
Best Documentary: T.J. Martin, Dan Lindsay and Rich Middlemas for “Undefeated”.
Best Makeup: Mark Coulier and J. Roy Helland for “The Iron Lady”.
Best Costume Design: Mark Bridges for “The Artist”.
Art Direction: Dante Ferretti (Production Design); Francesca Lo Schiavo (Set Decoration) for “Hugo”.
Best Cinematography: Robert Richardson for “Hugo”.

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy, 2010-11

Punjabi University, Patiala has won the trophy defeating arch rivals GNDU, Amritsar. The coveted sports trophy has been awarded to the university for the fourth time as it had earned the maximum number of medals in the All-India Inter-University championships and registered the best overall performance in individual and team events held in one calendar year.

National Tourism Award

In a nod to the active interest that States have taken in developing tourism, Madhya Pradesh and Sikkim swept the National Tourism Award ceremony with the maximum number of awards. While Madhya Pradesh got four awards, including best State for tourism infrastructure and best tourism film, Sikkim got the award for tourism infrastructure in the north-east and best State for the Clean India campaign.

Besides Madhya Pradesh and Sikkim, Rajasthan and Kerala also bagged the awards. Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Hyderabad was adjudged the best airport and New Delhi Railway Station got the award for best tourist-friendly station in the country.

Business Standard awards for Corporate Excellence

CEO of the Year: Rajiv Bajaj, MD & CEO of Bajaj Auto
Company of the Year: Cognizant
Star MNC: Nestle India
Star SME: Jubilant FoodWorks
Star PSU: National Mineral Development Corporation

Grammy Awards, 2012

Song of the Year: “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele Adkins and Paul Epworth
Pop Solo Performance: “Someone Like You” by Adele
Pop Performance by a Duo or Group: “Body and Soul” by Tony Bennett and Amy Winehouse
Pop Vocal Album: “21” by Adele
Alternative Album: “Bon Iver” by Bon Iver
Rock Song: “Walk” by Foo Fighters
Rock Album: “Wasting Light” by Foo Fighters
Rock Performance: “Walk” by Foo Fighters
Hard Rock/Metal Performance: “White Limo” by Foo Fighters
R&B Album: “F.A.M.E.” by Chris Brown
R&B Song: “Fool For You” by Cee Lo Green, Melanie Hallim and Jack Splash
R&B Performance: “Is This Love” by Corrine Bailey Rae
Rap Album: “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” by Kanye West
Rap Performance: “Otis” by Jay-Z and Kanye West
Rap Song: “All of the Lights” by Jeff Bhasker, Stacy Ferguson, Malik Jones, Warren Trotter and Kanye West
World Music Album: “Tassili” by Tinariwen
Country Solo Performance: “Mean” by Taylor Swift
Country Album: “Own the Night” by Lady Antebellum
Country Performance by a Duo or Group: “Barton Hollow” by The Civil Wars
Country Song: “Mean” by Taylor Swift
Jazz Vocal Album: “The Mosaic Project” by Terri Lyne Carrington and various artists
Jazz Instrumental Album: “Forever” by Corea, Clark and White
Historical Album: “Band on the Run” by Paul McCartney

Infosys co-founder Narain Murthy named in the Fortune’s List of 12 Greatest Entrepreneurs

Infosys co-founder Narain Murthy got his name figured in the list of 12 greatest entrepreneurs of our time. The list published by the magazine on 28 March 2012 was prepared considering the economic and social impact and world changing vision of entrepreneures.

Other famous personalities who got their name included in the list are Steve Jobs of Apple, who also topped the list. Microsoft’s Bill Gates was second on the list followed by Fred Smith of FedEx.

The list comprised of ten entrepreneurs from America, one from India and one from Bangladesh.

The Fortune places the 12 individuals in the following order:

1) Steve Jobs of Apple, 2) Bill Gates of Microsoft, 3) Fred Smith of FedEx, 4) Jeff Bezos of Amazon, 5) Larry Page and Sergey Brin of Google, 6) Howard Schultz of Starbucks, 7) Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook, 8) John Mackey of Whole Foods, 9) Herb Kelleher of SouthWest Airlines, 10) Narayana Murthy of Infosys, 11) Sam Walton of Wal-mart Stores, 12) Muhammad Yunus of Grameen Bank.

Jawaharlal Nehru University conferred Doctorate Degree on Russian President Dimitry Medvedev

Russian President Dimitry Medvedev was conferred with the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy by the Jawaharlal Nehru University on 28 March 2012. JNU Vice-Chancellor Sudhir K. Sopory conferred the degree on the Russian President who is on the visit of India to attend the BRICS summit.

A law graduate from Leningrad State University, Medvedev on 7 May 2008, took an oath as the third President of the Russian Federation.

Tsunami Alert System

Globally all countries, including India, are facing the vandalism by some unidentified elements on the ocean observing systems and possible steps are being discussed even at the level of Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), the Minister of State for Planning, Science & Technology and Earth Sciences Dr. Ashwani Kumar stated in a written reply in Lok Sabha.

The Minister further stated that despite the above, Government is making all efforts to maintain sufficient redundancies to ensure the sustenance of the critical ocean observing systems over the north Indian Ocean so that the tsunami warning capability is not compromised at all. Similarly efforts are made through 

(i) raising awareness to Indian fishermen by distribution of pamphlets and conducting workshops 

(ii) buoy identification through World Meteorological Organization(WMO) identification code 

(iii) fitting buoys with beacon lights as per international standard IALA code (iv) fitting radar reflector as per standard 

(v) making the buoy surface slippery and protective hood to avoid tie-up by boats 

(vi) making suitable structural changes so as to make difficult to remove fixtures / fasteners, etc. 

(vii) notifying the buoy locations through Mariners notice sent to National Hydrographic Organization (NHO) to other neibouring naval watch area commanders 

Research Station in Antarctica

The construction of the third Indian research station in Larsemann Hills, East Antarctica was initiated in 2009-10. The basic infrastructure and shifting of heavy construction machinery at the site was accomplished. In the year 2010-11, the stilt foundation was made ready, roads built, fuel storage farm and pipe lines were erected. During the current year 2011-12, the superstructure has been built. The station has been running on a trial basis. The first winter over team has started living there and has commenced their work of testing of equipments and systems, the Minister of State for Planning, Science & Technology and Earth Sciences Dr. Ashwani Kumar stated in a written reply in Lok Sabha,

The Minister further stated that ‘Maitri’, India’s second Research Station was built in 1988-89 and has been hosting summer team of about 70 members and winter team of 25 members every year since then. ‘Maitri’ has been serving as the gateway for Indian scientists to venture into interior Antarctic mountains. The meteorological, geomagnetic, geological, glaciological and seismological observations have continuously been collected and contribute data to Indian and international data centres and prove the utility of this station. 

The Minister said that during the year 2011-12, a sum of Rs. 95 Crore was earmarked for Indian Antarctic Expeditions. This expedition involved the voyage of the scientists to Antarctica to do the research, maintenance of the Antarctic station and providing the scientists necessary infrastructure and logistic support to perform their experiments. Most of the scientific programs such as monitoring of Antarctic climate, synoptic measurement of weather parameters, monitoring of ozone hole, recording of fluctuation of ice sheet margin, aerosol monitoring, fluctuation of snout of glacier, Ionospheric measurements etc., have direct bearing on the understanding of processes of Climate Change.

BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missile test-fired successfully

BrahMos, the supersonic cruise missile, was successfully test-fired on 28 March 2012 by BrahMos Aerospace, off the coast of Odisha. 290-km BrahMos is the surface-to-surface Army version missile. It is capable of carrying a conventional warhead of 200 to 300 kg.
The important advantage of new version of the cruise missile is that it can hit the target vertically and at high speed. The competing versions in the global arena fly and hit the target almost at horizontal levels and lower speeds.
The BrahMos, supersonic cruise missile attained 2.8 Mach speed and a full range of 290 km. The Indian Army has already inducted the missile in a couple of its regiments.
BrahMos, a supersonic cruise missile, has been developed by BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited, a joint venture between Republic of India's Defence Research and Development Organisation(DRDO) and Russian Federation's NPO Mashinostroeyenia. It is the world's fastest cruise missile in operation. It can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft or land.
The name BrahMos is the blend of the names of two rivers, the Brahmaputra of India and the Moskva of Russia.

Second Nuclear Security Summit was held in Seoul

The second nuclear security summit was held in Seoul, capital of South Korea on26-27 March 2012. 53 heads of state and government, as well as representatives of the United Nations (UN), International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), European Union (EU) and INTERPOL, attended the 2012 Seoul Nuclear Security Summit. Compared to the 2010 Washington Summit, there were seven new participants: Azerbaijan, Denmark, Gabon, Hungary, Lithuania, Romania and INTERPOL.

The EU was represented by both the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission, making the number of participating leaders 58 in total. The first Nuclear Security Summit was held in Washington in  April 2010. It was initiated by US President Barack Obama.

Solar Cities On The ANVIL

Our country is passing through a phase of immense and rapid development and hence consequentially the rising demand for energy. Urbanization and industrial growth are only adding to the growing demand. But at the same time, there is also a thrust for using “clean and green” energy so as to reduce the green house gas emissions. Keeping in mind the need of the hour, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has initiated the programme of ‘Development of Solar Cities’.  The programme has been designed to support/encourage Urban Local Bodies to prepare a Road Map to guide their cities in becoming ‘renewable energy cities’ or ‘Solar Cities’.

The Solar City programme aims to consolidate all the efforts of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and address the energy problem of the urban areas in a holistic manner. The various initiatives of the Ministry which include promoting solar water heating systems in homes, hotels, hostels, hospitals and industry; deploying Solar Photo Voltaic(SPV) systems/devices in urban areas for demonstration and awareness creation; establishing ‘Akshya Urja Shops’; designing Solar Buildings and promoting urban and industrial waste/ biomass to energy projects would be streamlined under the programme. In a Solar City all types of renewable energy based projects like solar, wind, biomass, small hydro, waste to energy etc. will be installed in an energy efficient manner as well as commensurate with the requirements of the city. The Solar City aims at minimum 10% reduction in projected demand of conventional energy and increasing energy production through renewable energy. The basic aim is to motivate the local Governments for encouraging and adopting renewable energy technologies and energy efficiency measures.

The Solar City would be identified on the premise of population; potential of renewable energy resources and energy conservation; initiatives taken by local governments as well as the general public and industry in the same arena. The cities may have population between 0.50 lakh to 50 lakh, however, relaxation is considered for special category States including North-Eastern States and hilly States, Islands and Union Territories. A total of 60 cities/towns were identified to be supported for development as Solar Cities during the 11^th Plan period. At least one city in each State to a maximum of five cities in a State may be supported by the Ministry as Solar City.

Aims of Solar City Programme

•    To enable and empower Urban Local Governments to address energy challenges at City - level.

•   To provide a framework and support to prepare a Master Plan including assessment of current energy situation, future demand and action plans.

•  To build capacity in the Urban Local Bodies and create awareness among all sections of civil society.

•    To involve various stakeholders in the planning process.

•  To oversee the implementation of sustainable energy options through public - private partnerships.

The programme seeks to assist the Urban Local Governments financially as well as technically. The local governments would be encouraged to make Master Plan and provide institutional arrangements for it. The master plan of the city will include the base-line for energy consumption during the year 2008, demand forecasting for the years 2013 and 2018, sector-wise strategies and action plan for implementation of renewable energy projects so as to mitigate the fossil fuel consumption in the city. Proper awareness generation activities would be included in the scheme.

Financial Assistance

Under the programme, financial assistance up to Rs. 50.00 Lakhs per city/town is provided depending upon population and initiatives decided to be taken by the City Council/Administration as per the following details:

• Up to Rs 10.00 lakhs for preparation of a Master Plan within a year  along with few implementable Detailed Project Reports .

•  Up to Rs. 10.00 lakhs for setting up of Solar City Cell and it’s functioning for a period of three years.

•    Up to Rs. 10.00 lakhs for oversight of implementation during three years.

•  Up to Rs. 20 lakhs for capacity building and other promotional activities to be utilized in three years.

In addition, the financial and fiscal incentives available under various programmes of the Ministry are also applicable on the Solar Cities for installation of renewable energy projects, systems and devices.

Solar Cities

An in-principle approval has been given to 48 Cities for Solar Cities which include Agra, Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh, Rajkot, Gandhinagar, Surat in Gujarat, Nagpur, Kalyan-Dombiwali, Thane, Nanded, Aurangabad and Shirdi in Maharashtra, Indore, Gwalior,  Bhopal and Rewa  in Madhya Pradesh, Imphal in Manipur, Kohima and Dimapur in Nagaland, Dehradun, Haridwar-Rishikesh, Chamoli-Gopeshwar in Uttarakhand, , Gurgaon and Faridabad in Haryana, Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, Vijaywada in Andhra Pradesh, Bilaspur and Raipur in Chhattisgarh, Agartala in Tripura,  Guwahati and Jorhat in Assam, Hubli-Dharwad and Mysore in Karnataka, Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi in Kerala, Amritsar, Ludhiana and SAS Nagar Mohali in Punjab, Ajmer, Jaipur and Jodhpur in Rajasthan, Bhubaneswar in Orissa,  Aizawl in Mizoram, Panji City in Goa, Itanagar in Arunachal Pradesh, Hamirpur and Shimla in Himachal Pradesh and Howrah in West Bengal and Chandigarh.  Out of them sanctions have been issued for 38  cities namely Agra, Moradabad, Rajkot, Gandhinagar, Surat, Nagpur, Kalyan-Dombiwali, Thane, Aurangabad, Gwalior, Imphal, Kohima, Dimapur, Dehradun, Haridwar-Rishikesh, Chamoli-Gopeshwar, Chandigarh, Gurgaon, Faridabad, Coimbatore, Vijayawada, Bilaspur, Raipur, Agartala, Guwahati, Jorhat, Hubli-Dharwad, Mysore, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Jodhpur, Bhubaneswar, Aizawl, Panaji City, Itanagar, Hamirpur, Shimla and Shirdi. The Master Plans for 20 cities have already been prepared. Three cities namely Nagpur, Chandigarh and Gandhinagar are being developed as Model Solar Cities.