Saturday, August 14, 2010

Kaushal Vikas Yojana

The aim of ‘Kaushal Vikas Yojana (KVY)’ is to provide more equitable access to skill development opportunities across the country by reducing regional imbalances in skill development institutions.

Immediate objective of KVY is to set up 1500 new Industrial Training Institutes, 5000 Skill Development Centres across the country.

The institutes will be set up preferably in unserviced blocks (blocks where no ITIs/ITCs exists), difficult & backward areas including hilly areas, border areas etc.

The scheme is yet to be started and would be implemented through Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode involving three partners:-

(i) Private Training Provider playing the lead role;

(ii) State Governments are expected to extend all the possible logistical support, provide land & basic infrastructural facilities free of cost; and

(iii) Central Government providing Viability Gap Funding (VGF).

Navigation System by ISRO

Indian Space Research Organisation is developing its own navigation system called Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS). The IRNSS will have a constellation of 7 satellites and complementary ground infrastructure. The IRNSS system is planned to be made operational by end of 2014. Government has approved the IRNSS project at a total cost of Rs. 1420.00 crores in May 2006 for both space and ground infrastructure.

Saral Satellite by 2011

India plans to launch SARAL (Satellite with ARGOS and ALTIKA) satellite to monitor the sea water level. SARAL satellite will carry an Altimeter (ALTIKA) for studying the sea surface heights; and ARGOS payload, which is a satellite based data collection platform.

SARAL satellite is a joint project of Indian Space Research Organisation and the French National Space Agency. The ALTIKA and ARGOS payloads are built and supplied by the French National Space Agency. The satellite building and launching are the responsibilities of Indian Space Research Organisation.

The satellite bus is under fabrication at Indian Space Research Organisation. Integration and testing of the payloads are ongoing at the French National Space Agency. The satellite is likely to be launched in 2011.

This Information was given by Sh.Prithviraj Chavan, Minister of State for Science & Technology & Earth Sciences, PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions & Parliamentary Affairs in reply to a written question in Lok Sabha today.

Nalanda University Bill

The University of Nalanda is proposed to be established under the aegis of the East Asia Summit (EAS), as a regional initiative. Government of India constituted a Nalanda Mentor Group (NMG) in 2007, under the Chairmanship of Prof. Amartya Sen to examine the framework of international cooperation, and proposed structure of partnership, which would govern the establishment of this University as an international centre of education. The NMG also has representatives from Singapore, China, Japan and Thailand. The NMG has met six times. The last meeting was held in New Delhi on 2-3 August 2010.

India has initiated steps to introduce the Nalanda University Bill 2010 in the Parliament. An endowment Fund has been allocated by India in the form of a special grant for the commencement of activities and till such time the Nalanda University becomes sustainable on its own.

The Government of Bihar has acquired about 500 acres of land at Rajgir (in the vicinity of the original Nalanda University of the yore) and transferred the same to the Centre for the establishment of the Nalanda University.

The University shall have the following schools of education upon its establishment:

1. Buddhist Studies, Philosophy and Comparative Religions

2. Historical Studies

3. International Relations & Peace Studies

4. Business Management in relation to Public Policy and Development Studies

5. Languages and Literature; and

6. Ecology and Environmental Studies



The University shall have any other school or schools as may be prescribed by the Statute.

The Government of India is prepared to provide funds for the smooth establishment and maintenance of the University. Private donations, international contributions from other foreign governments and member countries of EAS are expected on voluntary basis.

The Nalanda University is planned to be as in times past, a great seat of learning, scholarship, philosophy and statecraft. As such it will make contribution to the development and progress of the entire region in the vicinity of the University.

The university is being established as a regional initiative under the aegis of EAS. At the EAS Summit held in Thailand on 24-25 October 2009, the EAS member countries issued a Joint Press Statement which, inter-alia supported the establishment of the Nalanda University as a non-state, non-profit, secular and self-governing international institution with a continental focus that will bring together the brightest and the most dedicated students from all countries of Asia. As regards funding, positive indications have been received from countries like Singapore, Thailand and Australia in the project. The Singapore Foreign Minister during his recent visit to India from August 1-4, 2010 announced that the Buddhist organizations in Singapore have offered funds amounting to around US$4-5 million for building a library at the proposed Nalanda University.

Friday, August 13, 2010

Report on Green House Gas Emissions

According to the recent report prepared under the aegis of Indian Network for Climate Change Assessment (INCCA), the total Green House Gases (GHGs) emissions of anthropogenic origin from the sectors such as Energy, Agriculture, Industry, Forestry and Wastes was of the order of 1,727 million tons of CO2 equivalent. Between 1994 and 2007, some of the sectors indicate significant growth at a Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) in GHG emissions such as cement production (6.0%), electricity generation (5.6%) and transport (4.5%). The report only provides the sources and the estimations of emission of GHGs. The analysis of the energy intensities and efficiency related aspects were beyond the scope of the report.



The Government has released the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) which outlines India’s strategy to meet the challenge of Climate Change. Two of the eight National Missions i.e. National Solar Mission and National Mission on Enhanced Energy Efficiency relate to mitigation of emissions and include ambitious programmes aimed at generating solar power and conserving energy. Energy Efficiency mission envisages setting norms for achieving energy efficiency under perform, achieve and Trade Scheme. Further, public and private sector entities participate in the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) of the Kyoto Protocol which helps in reducing emissions. These initiatives have the effect of reducing carbon emissions. In addition to a range of policies and programmes taken to respond to reducing emissions, interalia, include:



(i) Setting up of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency and encouraging energy conservation and introduction of energy efficiency labeling.

(ii) promoting use of renewable energy

(iii) power sector reforms and active renewable energy programme

(iv) use of cleaner and lesser carbon intensive fuel for transport

(v) fuel switching to cleaner energy

(vi) afforestation and conservation of forests

(vii) promotion of clean coal technologies

(viii) reduction of gas flaring

(ix) encouraging Mass Rapid Transport systems

(x) environmental quality management for all sectors

Global Center for Nuclear Energy Partnership

India will establish a Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership. The Centre will be owned and managed by the Government. It will be open to international participation through academic exchanges, training and research and development efforts. The Centre is aimed at strengthening India’s cooperation with the international community in the areas of advanced nuclear energy systems, nuclear security, radiological safety and radiation technology applications in areas such as health, food and industry. This initiative was announced by Prime Minister at the Nuclear Security Summit held in Washington on 13th April 2010.

A phased approach will be followed for setting up of the Centre and no expenditure has so far been incurred on the Centre.

Exploration of Thorium

India is known to be the only country in the world operating the Kamini reactor with Uranium 233 based fuel. The Indian Advanced Heavy Water Reactor is the only large scale reactor that has been designed and developed to produce a large fraction, nearly 2/3rd of its power from the fission of Uranium 233 in the equilibrium state of this reactor core.

In the early stages of development of nuclear energy in the world, several fuel options were investigated by different countries. These investigations also covered the use of thorium. Notably, the Shippingport Pressurised Water Reactor in United States and Arveitgemeinschaft Versuchs Reaktor (AVR) and Thorium High Temperature Reactor (THTR)-300, the High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactors in Germany demonstrated the use of thorium bearing fuel. However, no major programme was pursued for recycling of thorium based fuel and large scale utilization of thorium in reactors where a major component of power came from fission of Uranium 233.

India has been working on the development of technologies for Utilisation of Thorium for Nuclear Power Generation since the inception of the Indian Nuclear Programme. As a part of this work thorium has been irradiated in our Research Reactors and also in Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors. Technologies for reprocessing of irradiated thorium fuel for the separation of Uranium-233 have also been developed on a pilot plant scale. Uranium-233 thus separated has been used as fuel in research reactor Purnima-II and later in the 30 kw Research Reactor Kamini now in operation at Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR). Thorium based fuel has been manufactured and loaded in the Advanced Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR) critical facility for Reactor Physics experiments as well. Further development of technologies for large scale commercial level manufacture and reprocessing of Uranium 233 bearing fuels is underway.

Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD), a constituent unit of Department of Atomic Energy has established 10.70 million tonnes of Monazite resources in the Beach sand placers along the eastern and western coast of the country as well as the inland placers in parts of Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Orissa and Jharkhand. Monazite resources contain about 9-10% of Thorium Oxide. About 8.5 lakh tonnes of thorium metal can be recovered from the said Monazite resources which will be used for future programmes of DAE.

Technology to Predict Tsunami

The Government has developed an advanced Expert Decision Support System (DSS) based on state-of-the-art Information Technology (IT), Visualization, geo-spatial and remote sensing technologies to build Indian Tsunami Early Warning System.

The Indian Tsunami Early Warning System comprises a real-time network of seismic stations, Bottom Pressure Recorders (BPR), tide gauges and 24 X 7 operational tsunami warning centre to detect tsunamigenic earthquakes and to monitor tsunamis and to provide timely advisories to concerned government departments and to vulnerable community by means of latest communication methods with back-end support of scenario database, vulnerability modelling and Decision Support System.

Following are the Major Components of the Indian Tsunami Warning System:

i) Dedicated Tsunami Warning Centre operating on 24x7 basis for generation of timely advisories.
ii) A network of land-based seismic stations for earthquake detection and estimation of focal parameters in the two known tsunamigenic zones and to communicate the same to the Early Warning Centre in near-real time.
iii) A network of BPRs (that could detect and measure a change in water level of 1 cm at water depths of up to 6 km of water) to detect and monitor tsunami around these two tsunamigenic zones.
iv) Real-time observational network for upper ocean parameters and surface met-ocean parameters.
v) A network of real time tide gauges, radar-based coastal monitoring stations and current meter moorings to monitor progress of tsunami and storm surges.
vi) Generation of high resolution data base on bathymetry, coastal topography, coastal land use (for costal areas within 1-3 km in general and for 10-25 km at selected areas near coastal water bodies). vii) Coastal vulnerability modelling & Inundation mapping.
viii) Capacity building, training and education of all stake holders on utilisation of the maps, warning and watch advisories.
This information was given by the Shri Prithviraj Chavan ,Minister of State (Independent Charge) Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions and Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs in a written reply to a question by Shri K N Balagopal in Rajya Sabha today.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Steps to Improve Urban Infrastructure Development in Cities

The Government of India has taken a number of steps to improve urban infrastructure and basic services. These include the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), which was launched in 2005-06 and seeks to improve urban infrastructure, housing, transport and urban basic services. The JNNURM comprises sub-Mission-I on Urban Infrastructure and Governance and sub-Mission-II on Basic Service for Urban Poor and covers 65 identified towns apart from Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Small and Medium Towns (UIDSSMT) and Integrated Housing and Slum Development Programme (IHSDP) which covers other towns. This information was given by Shri Saugata Roy, Minister of State, Urban Development in reply to a question in Rajya Sabha Today.

He said that financial assistance for urban infrastructure is also being provided by the Ministry of Urban Development under the 10 percent lumpsum scheme for the development of Northeastern region including Sikkim, the ADB added North Eastern Region Development Programme and Pilot project on Development of Urban Infrastructure in Satellite Towns around the Seven mega Cities, besides identified metro and other projects.

Urban development is subject matter of states. Central Government supplements the efforts of the states through financial assistance and policies. As per the 11th Five Year Plan estimates, the requirements for water supply, sewerage, sanitation, drainage, solid waste management and urban transport are projected at Rs.2,61,809 crore. The revised estimates of housing requirements stand at Rs.5,10,000 crore. Against these requirements, the overall central assistance under JNNURM was initially envisaged at Rs.50,000 crore over a seven year mission period of 2005-12.

With the launch of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission in 2005, the Government of India has significantly increased the expenditure on urban development. The Ministry of Urban Development has taken a number of steps to ensure that allotted funds are effectively utilized. A system of calling for quarterly progress reports, review meetings and independent review and monitoring by third parties has been developed for efficient utilization of funds, the minister added.

Untreataed Poisonous Effluents in GroundWater

Ground water is found in a variety of geological formations. Physiographic and geomorphologic settings are among the important factors that control the occurrence and distribution of ground water. Ground water is a replenish able source. Rainfall is the principal source of recharge to ground water. Ground water levels reflect changes in the ground water regime due to recharge to and discharge from the aquifers. Depletion of ground water is defined as “The withdrawal of water from a ground water source at a rate faster than its rate of recharge, usually over an extended period of several years”

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has established ground water monitoring network in 411 Wells in 21 States. The Monitoring is done on half yearly basis in case of ground water.

The groundwater samples are being analyzed for 28 parameters consisting of physic-chemical and bacteriological parameters (Temperature, pH, Conductivity, BoD, Nitrate-N, Total Coliform, Faecal Coliform, COD, TKN, Ammonia, Total Dissolved Solids, Total Fixed Solids, Total Suspended Solids, Turbidity, Total Hardness, Fluoride, Boron, Chloride Sulphate, Total Alkalinity, P-Alkalinity, Phosphate, Sodium, Potassium, Calcium and Magnesium for ambient water samples apart from the field observation. Besides this, trace metals and pesticides are analyzed in selected samples.

The major sources of ground water contamination are domestic sewage, industrial pollution, agricultural pesticides and fertilizer percolation and natural geogenic activity. The ground water quality is degraded due to geogenic reasons with respect to salinity and major cations /anions. Increase of Nitrates and BOD are due to fertilizer and unsewered sanitation respectively. Ground water is largely affected due to salinity, fluoride, nitrate and arsenic.

The water pollution in rural areas is caused due to discharge of domestic sewage directly or indirectly into water bodies, agricultural run-off during rainy season containing chemical fertilizers and pesticides and effluents from agro-based industries. As per the Department of Drinking Water Supply, the ground water in a total number of 1,79,999 habitations in 26 States have been sound to be contaminated with fluoride, arsenic, iron , nitrate, or salinity.

The Ministry of Agriculture has taken steps to discourage excessive use of chemical fertilizer and pesticides. The Ministry of Rural development has been implementing schemes for improving rural sanitation and providing piped water supply to rural habitations affected by ground water contamination. The Pollution Control Boards have been undertaking regular inspection of agro-based industries in order to regulate their effluent quality.

Overall Status of Ground-Water Quality in Country

The Ministry of Environment and Forests is implementing programmes related to the pollution abatement of water bodies such as rivers and lakes. The Ministry of Water Resources is the nodal agency in all matters related to ground water. The Central Pollution Control Board has established a network of 411 Wells for monitoring the ground water quality. Co-ordination among various Ministries is ensured through committees like Water Quality Assessment Authority (WQAA), which is the apex body to monitor and check ground water depletion and pollution, the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRABA) headed by the Hon’ble Prime Minister etc. with representation at appropriate levels from different Ministries including M/o Water Resources etc.

Pollution and Depletion Threaten Groundwater

The groundwater becomes polluted when toxic substances become dissolved in water at the land surface and are carried down, or leached, to the aquifer with the percolated water. The groundwater contamination is the result of human activities on the land surface. Many of these activities involve the use and disposal of chemicals which are potential pollutants. Since groundwater moves slowly, many years may pass before a pollutant released on the land surface above the aquifer is detected in water taken from the aquifer some distance away. This means that the contamination is often widespread before being detected. Groundwater becomes depleted in an area where more water is being drawn out on an aquifer and consumptively used than is entering or recharging the aquifer.

Overall Status

Apart from reported cases by different institutions, groundwater quality concerns in India was realized way-back in mid eighties with a systematic study of groundwater quality and identification of ‘problematic zones’ by Central Pollution Control Board with reference to pollution. These (problem) areas due to their complex industrial scenario and increasing dependence on natural resources have been witness to excessive exploitation of groundwater for domestic and industrial uses. With pollution control enforcement activities gaining momentum there were observed cases of indiscriminate waste disposal, subsurface discharge of effluent and inappropriate wastewater management by industries. This has led to severe stress on groundwater, in terms of ‘quantitative imbalance’ as well as ‘quality deterioration’. In consideration of the pollution in these problem areas, Central Pollution Control Board has monitored the groundwater quality in these areas.

Besides this, the country is facing severe problem of natural geogenic pollution such as Arsenic and Fluoride. The states like West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand and Chattisgarh is having Arsenic Contamination, Tamilnadu, Rajasthan is having Fluoride problem while Maharashtra is having Nitrate Problem.

Ground water quality is deteriorated mainly due to following factors:

1. Natural contaminants e.g. fluroids, arsenic, salinity and iron.

2. Man-made sources e.g. domestic sewage, industrial effluents and agricultural chemicals.


S. No.
Contaminants
       Sources
                      Affected Areas
1.
Fluoride
Natural
About 200 districts in 20 states of the country
2.
Arsenic
Natural
3 districts of West Bengal and some projects of Bihar
3.
Iron
Natural
North-Eastern states of India
4.
Salinity
Natural and Man-made
Many intensive integrated areas, coastal areas, high exploitation areas
5.
Nitrate
Man-made Uncollected sewage, garbage and intensive application of fertilizers
Large urban areas especially metro cities and intensive application of  fertiliser areas.
6.
Pathogens
Man-made
Uncollected sewage, garbage and intensive application of fertilizers

Large urban areas especially metro cities and intensive application of  fertiliser areas.
                                                                              

7.
Pesticides
Intensive pesticides application
areas

 Andhra Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab




Steps to Prevent Deterioration in Pollution

Two important legislation-Water ( Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Environment ( Protection) Act, 1986 have been promulgated by the government. Several initiatives are taken. They include:

1) Setting up standards of effluents;

2) Regular monitoring of effluents;

3) Special drive for 17 categories of highly pollution industries;

4) Several incentives for control of pollution;

5) Legislation for environmental auditing;

6) Scheme for ‘eco mark’ for voluntary promoting eco-friendly products in the market;

7) Promotion of low waste and no-waste technology for production;

8) Pollution abatement policy 1992;

9) Policy on conservation and management of natural resources; and

10) Common Effluent Plants (CEPs) and Treatment Storage and Disposal Facilities(TSDF)



For control of urban sewage pollution River Action Plan is launched.Under this programme, a large number of sewage treatment plants are established.

Monday, August 9, 2010

Schemes for Unorganised Workers


The Government is implementing various  schemes providing for social security to the workers in the unorganized sector. A Statement indicating allocation and expenditure under some of the schemes under schedule-I of the Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Act, 2008 is as under:

(Rs. in crores)

S. No
Scheme
Allocation
Expenditure

2006-07  
2007-08
2008-09
2006-07
2007-08
2008-09
1.        
(i) Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme  providing for old age pension to BPL family at the age of 65 yrs.
(ii) National Family Benefit Scheme  assistance to destitute bread earners.
2489.61*
2889.73*
45000*
1968.27*
3121.93*
4055.82*
2.        
Janani Suraksha Yojana for safe motherhood.
135.51
250.00
1281.47
258.32
880.17
1241.33
3.        
Handloom Weavers’ comprehensive Welfare Schemes providing for health insurance and life & disability cover to  handloom weavers.
40
115.60
124.00
40

115.58
123.92
4.        
Handicraft Artisans’  comprehensive Welfare Schemes providing for health insurance and life & disability cover to artisans.
5.60
80.08
83.91
5.01
76.08
83.91
5.        
National Scheme for welfare of Fisherman and Training & Extension providing housing assistance, insurance and training.
23.81**
21.38**
25.00**
7.51
6.38
13.17
6.        
Janashree Bima Yojana providing for life and accidental cover to BPL and marginally above BPL persons.
500***


132.79
2.04.50
267.13
7.        
Aam Admi Bima Yojana providing for life and accidental cover to landless rural household
-
1000***
500***
(scholarship fund)

44.81
43.53
(includes scholarship)
8.        
Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana providing for smart card based cashless health insurance cover to BPL families in unorganigsed sector.  The scheme became operational from 01.04.2008
-
-
250
-
-
101.65

* includes five components of National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP)  viz. Indira Gandhi Old Age Pension Scheme, National Family Benefit Scheme, Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme,  Indira Gandhi Disability Pension Scheme, and Annapurna.
** This is combined allocation for all four components i.e. Development of Model Fishermen Villages, Group Accident Insurance, Saving-cum- Relief an Training-cum-Extension
***This is a corpus fund