‘5’

    A 30 member Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) Expedition team called on the Union Home Minister, Shri L.K. Advani, here today, to seek his blessings to scale Kanchanjunga South West face from Nepal side. The team is being led by Shri S.D. Sharma, Deputy Commandant who has distinction of climbing Mount Everest (8848 meters and Kanchanjunga 8586 meter earlier).

    Pandit Gautam Kaul, Director General, ITBP welcomed the Minister and stated that besides Everest and Kanchanjunga from Sikkim side the ITBP has climbed more than 100 Himalayan peaks during the past three decades.

    Lauding the role of ITBP in the field of Mountaineering Shri Advani stated that ITBP has operated with distinction in the Himalayan terrain. Taking various hardship and challenges in its stride, the ITBP has enhanced the image of India internationally by their exceptional performance in the field of Mountaineering. The Minister further said that such expeditions improve the capabilities of the organisation and inculcate the feeling of valour in the youth. Such programmes inspire others also to undertake new adventures, added Shri Advani.

    The United States has transferred to India a high-tech know-how, for the manufacture of Futuristic flexible-light-weight-pollution free batteries for use in laptops, cell phones and camcorders on the one hand to Battery operated cars and buses on the other. The global cutting-edge technology is being obtained under license from one of the foremost R & D laboratories of the world, BELLCORE – now known as TELCORDIA, USA. The joint promoters of the project are India’s premier R & D Agency the National Research Development Corporation (NRDC) and the private sector, Twenty First Century Battery Ltd. An agreement on this was initialed here last night between Representatives of TELCORDIA and the Twenty First Century Battery Ltd., along with the Technology Development Board (TDB) which is providing the equity.

    The plant is being set up in Mohali Industrial Estate, Ropar district of Punjab. After a gestation period of two years it will attain full capacity utilization of 12 million-watt hours. It will be gradually increased to 50 million-watt hours, per year.

    The revolutionary lithium-ion polymer – electrolyte flexible Rechargeable battery technology of TELCORDIA is highly versatile and superior to all other cost – effective battery know-how in almost every respect. It will help India join the select-band of nations in the world producing batteries for a variety of applications, especially controlling vehicular pollution.

    The Chairman of the TDB Prof. V.S. Ramamurthy describing it as the millennium battery said it holds out a great promise for enormous applications from consumer Industry to Space based Industry. The Managing Director of the NRDC, Mr. N.K. Sharma said that this is for the first time a project is being set up for such a technology which will not allow India to lag behind the level of highly advanced global technology. India is also one of the very few countries to take advantage of this technology first, he said.

    India and Singapore today signed a Memorandum of Understanding, institutionalising a framework for cooperation and collaboration in the Information Technology sector. The MoU which formally establishes a task force on IT will focus primarily on high technology activities in the IT sector. The MoU while recognising the extensive trade between the two countries in the information communications technology sector, underlines the need to tap the capabilities and opportunities in the sector in a more focussed and comprehensive manner. The scope of cooperation between the two countries will focus on Electronic Commerce, Electronic Government, Information Security, Human Resource Development, Research, Design and Development, and Exploring third country markets particularly of Southeast Asian countries. The MoU was signed by Shri Pramod Mahajan, Minister for Information Technology and Parliamentary Affairs, on behalf of Government of India and Mr. Yeo Cheow Tong, Minister for Communications and Information Technology, on behalf of Government of Singapore.

    In order to implement the scope of cooperation, the task force shall identify programmes for the purpose of Exploring and supporting research needs in the fields of innovation, incubation, venture financing and infrastructural development for ICT. The task force will promote developing skills through exchange programmes in both countries, through joint sponsorship of conferences, training programmes and seminars in the field of Information Communications Technology. A key issue in promoting programmes wherever possible, will be to encourage entrepreneurs in Singapore and India to foster incubation of start-ups. Another key item on the agenda will be to promote technology development, product development and trade and market development to be undertaken within and between the two countries on IT related issues. The task force shall comprise of representatives from Government agencies, IT related institutions and organisations, IT entrepreneurs, trade and business organisations from both the countries. The objective is to provide a platform for interaction between Government agencies and IT and business related bodies to promote content and technology creation on mutually agreed IT subjects between India and Singapore.

    Venture capital is considered one of the important areas of cooperation between the two countries. The Singapore Government has set up the Techno-Entrepreneurship 21 Venture Capital project to finance product development in the IT sector to first generation entrepreneurs. Ministry of Information Technology has also set a National Venture Fund for Software and IT services. As similar policy initiatives have been initiated in both countries, it is possible that with the signing of the MoU and setting up of the task force, cooperation in this sector would get a major boost.

    The setting up of the task force is an important bilateral initiative in strengthening the leadership role of India and Singapore in the Asia Pacific Region in the development and flow of benefits of IT to the economies of the region. The MoU illustrates the importance of Information and Communications Technologies in the shaping of the future of the regional economy dynamics. The MoU will also help both the countries in keeping pace with technological developments in the IT sector. It will also help creating linkages between IT research communities between the two countries with a view to build mutually leveraged capabilities and opportunities.

DR. M. S. GILL DECORATED WITH PADMA VIBHUSHAN

    Dr. Manohar Singh Gill, Chief Election Commissioner of India, today decorated with Padma Vibhushan in a glittering investiture ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi. Rashtrapati, Shri K. R. Narayanan awarded the Padma Vibhushan to Dr. Gill.

    In the citation issued by the Rashtrapati Dr. Gill has been appreciated for his pioneer work in the area of village development and election reforms.

    Born on June 14, 1936 at Aldinpur district, Amritsar, he studied in the village school, Tarn Taran, Mussoorie, Punjab and Cambridge Universities. He joined the Indian Administrative Service in 1958, in Punjab and worked passionately for the development of Village India. His idea of April Mandies, to create direct marketing of vegetables, by small farmers in cities, eliminating the middlemen, became a widely welcome success story. As Chairman of the Punjab Mandi Board, he machine metalled the 30,000 km of village link roads in Punjab. The farmers everywhere recognise in him a committed friend.

    As Secretary, Govt. of India, first for the Chemical, Petro-Chemical, and Pharmaceutical industries, and finally Agriculture, he pushed hard for development. He was instrumental in the establishment of the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, near Chandigarh, which is only the third such national organisation, after the National Physical and Chemical Laboratories.

    In the Election Commission of India, since 1993, Dr. Gill has played a major role in the three Parliamentary elections of 1996, 1998 and 1999, as well as in 45 State Assembly elections. With a calm, steady but firm grip on the Election Commission, he has managed to sustain and strengthen India's democracy. This has earned respect for him not only in the country, but worldwide. During the last three years, he has also pushed through major system changes. The entire electoral rolls of 620 million Indian have been computerised, and put on CD Rom Discs Constituency-wise. Electoral Voting Machines, have been finally put to use. In the Haryana elections, the Voter Identity Cards have been put to compulsory use. Dr. Gill has given a clear model for Indian democracy for the new scentury, with his slogan of : "An Identity Card in your hand and an EVM in the Polling Booth". In his long career in public service, Dr. Gill has striven to work with zeal and commitment, for the betterment of the Indian people.

'28'

    National Thermal Power Corporation has paid an Interim Dividend of Rs. 300 crore to the Ministry of Power based on the un-audited financial results for the period April to December 1999. Shri Rajendra Singh, CMD, NTPC in New Delhi presented a cheque of this amount to Shri P.R. Kumaramanglam, here today. Smt. Jayawanti Mehta, Minister of State for Power and other senior officials of the Ministry of Power and NTPC were also present on this occasion.

    The Corporation has achieved a provisional post-tax profit of Rs. 2015.18 crore for the nine monthly period ending December 1999, as compared to the post-tax profit of Rs. 1664.25 crore for the corresponding period in 1998-99.

    NTPC had paid an annual dividend of Rs. 650 crore for the year 1998-99 out of the post-tax profit of Rs. 2815.73 crore.

    NTPC is the largest power utility in India with an installed capacity of 19291 MW.

‘5’

    The Union Home Minister has made an announcement on suspension of operations by Security Forces against the Bodo Liberation tigers (BLT) in both the Houses of the Parliament on March 15, 2000. In pursuance of this decision taken by the Central Government in consultation with the Government of Assam, a tripartite meeting among the representatives of the Government of India, the Government of Assam and the BLT took place at New Delhi on March 28-29, 2000. The official team led by Dr. P.D. Shenoy, Additional Secretary (Home), Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India have had talks with the representatives of the BLT led by Chimang Brahma @ Chandan @ Kamal Muchahary, Vice Chairman, BLT to pave the way for lasting peace and to build up a conducive atmosphere for further discussions to peacefully resolve the problems relating to the Bodos:

    Both sides have agreed to suspension of operations w.e.f. March 15, 2000.

    The ground rules mutually agreed upon are as follows:

    The agreed ground rules envisage composition of Joint Monitoring Group.

    The composition of the JMG is as follows:

a) Joint Secretary (NE), MHA – Chairman-cum- Convener.

2. Two representatives of MHA

c) Representatives of the Army to be intimated by AHQ.

4. Representatives of CRPF to be intimated by DG (CRPF)

e) Two representatives of the Government of Assam to be intimated by

Chief Secretary, Assam

F) Two representatives of the BLT.

    The meetings of JMG may be held once in two months in routine or earlier if some emergency arises. Chairman may decide the venue of the meeting.

'24'

    The Department of Posts (DoP) is bringing out a set of four special postage stamps on "Natural Heritage of Manipur and Tripura, Indepex Asiana-2000 : Siroi Lily, Sangai Deer, Slow Loris and Wild Guava" here tomorrow with the objective of focussing public attention on the rich bio-diversity of North-East India. Three stamps are in the denomination of Rs.3/- each and the fourth is in the denomination of Rs.15/-.

    Indepex-Asiana 2000 is the 14^th Asian International Stamp Exhibition being organised by the Department of Posts, in cooperation with the Philatelic Congress of India. Being held under the patronage of Federation of Inter-Asian Philately (FIAP) and the recognition of Federation of International de Philatelie (FIP), Indepex Asiana 2000 is the second Asian International Philatelic Exhibition, hosted by India. It holds a special place in international philately, as it commemorates 50 years of the Republic of India, and also the new millennium. The exhibition will be hosted at Netaji Indoor Stadium, Calcutta from 7^th to 12^th December, 2000.

    Siroi Lily : Siroi Lily (Lilium macklinae), an Iris species, is a beautiful lily found only in the upper reaches of Sirohi hill ranges of Manipur. The plant grows in the Sirohi Kasom area of the hills on the windward side and eastern flank. It starts flowering with the advent of spring and continues to flower for about two months.

    Sangai Deer : Sangai Deer (Cervus eldi eldi) or brow antlered deer is a sub-species of the deer available only in Manipur. The deer is distinctive for its peculiar bow shaped antler, unique body structure and its elegant movement, which is often described as dancing. At one time it was considered to have become extinct. Systematic efforts succeeded in arresting the declining trend in the population of Sangais. Today the Keibul Lamjao National Park abounds with more than 150 Sangais, an appreciable progress from the 14 heads counted in 1974.

    Slow Loris : Slow Loris (Nycticebus coucang) is a round-headed, round-eyed lemur found in Tripura and adjoining parts of North-East India. Three geographical races are known, in India. Very distinctive is a brown stripe, marking the middle line of its back and terminating on the crown; distinctive also are the brown circles round its lustrous, owl-like eyes. The Slow Loris is believed to spend the day in sleep waking at dusk to hunt for food.

    Wild Guava : Wild Guava (Psidium guineense) is a rare plant of India found only in Tripura. The fruit of wild guava is edible but it is smaller in size than the guava and sour in taste. The plant is of small bushy type but if protected attains the size of a small tree. Constant depletion due to the firewood collection is endangering this plant, and special protection is now under consideration.

    The First Day Cover alongwith the information sheet will be available on sale at all Philatelic Bureaux/Counters and at selected Post Offices.

'7'

    The Government has extended the term of the Nine-Member Committee on Competition Law, headed by Shri S.V.S.Raghavan, a former Union Commerce Secretary, by two more months up to the end of May, 2000. The Committee, set up on October 26, 1999, was to submit its report by the end of March, 2000.

    The Committee is intended to suggest a modern Competition Law suitable to the needs of the country in the light of emerging globalization of Indian Economy. The Committee would propose appropriate changes in the Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Act, 1969 (MRTPA) or recommend altogether a new Competition Law to suit the requirement of international economic development and to subserve Indian conditions.

    The terms of reference of the Committee include looking into MRTP Act, 1969 and suggesting suitable legal framework in the light of international economic development and the need to promote competition. Such a legislative framework may entail a new law or appropriate amendments to MRTP Act. The Committee would also suggest appropriate changes relating to legal provisions in respect of restrictive trade practices to ensure clear demarcation between the jurisdiction of the MRTP Commission and Consumer Court under the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 and suggest suitable administrative measures in order to implement the proposed recommendations including restructuring of the MRTP Commission.

    Meanwhile, the Committee has completed much of its tasks. It has already interacted with trade, commerce and industry, elicited their well considered views, attended a seminar in London to see whether the British Competition Law could be emulated or replicated in India, consulted Chairman, European Commission on Competition Law and will now be finalising its report by giving finishing touches.

'16'

    Shri Murasoli Maran, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, will announce the Exim Policy here tomorrow. The Exim Policy for 2000-2001 is within the framework of the 5-year Exim Policy (1997-2002).

    The Exim Policy to be announced by the Minister will also be available on the Internet and can be accessed at the following website address immediately after its release: http://www.nic.in/eximpol In addition, the Policy will be available on the website of the Press Information Bureau (PIB).

    Mongolia has sought India’s help in setting up modern high school with computer teaching and the medium of instruction being English. The school is also to have facilities for teaching Hindi and Sanskrit languages. The Joint Indo-Mongolian school will be on the pattern of Russian–Mongolian, German–Mongolian and Turkish-Mongolian schools. This emerged at the talks the visiting Mongolian Minister for Enlightenment Mr. A. Battor had with the Minister for Human Resource Development, Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi here today. Mongolia also expressed keen interest in sending students for higher learning in Indian Colleges and Universities.

    Dr. Joshi told Mr. Battor that India can help Mongolia in setting up open schools, Research Labs and provide expertise in , Distance Education, text book materials, as also preparing a curricula suitable to its requirements. Mr. Battor expressed happiness that 150 schools in Mongolia have got Science labs with India’s help. Mr. Battor also sought India’s expertise in IT, Software and Satellite communication, as Dr. Joshi is also in charge of Science and Technology.

    The two sides also signed a programme of co-operation in culture for the period 2000-2002. It covers Education, Science, Culture, Arts, Mass Media and Sports. The programme was initialed by officials of the two countries in the presence of their Ministers.

    The Government has revised the price of wheat under Open Market Sale Scheme at Rs. 900 per quintal. The new price has been made uniform throughout the country and will be effective from April 1, 2000.

    The revision of issue price under the open market sale scheme of wheat became necessary following the revision of the Minimum Support price of wheat from Rs. 550 per quintal to Rs. 580 per quintal and the resultant increase in the economic cost of wheat of the Food Corporation of India. The central issue price of wheat for APL families has also been fixed at Rs. 900 per quintal. Since the APL issue price was placed at par with economic cost, the open market prices have also been revised to the level of economic cost of wheat for the year 2000-2001.

    The open market sale prices of wheat were last revised in December, 1999 and the rates were Rs. 688 per quintal for north zone, Rs. 705 per quintal for south zone, Rs. 699 per quintal for east zone and Rs. 697 per quintal for west zone.

    A quantity of 46.13 lakh tonnes of wheat was sold under open market sale scheme during the period from November 1998 upto March 23, 2000.

The Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Shri Ram Naik here today called upon the investors and industrialists to make use of the surplus natural gas availability in Tripura by setting up gas based industries in the State. Shri Ram Naik said that it was a very happy situation in the state of Tripura as other parts of the country looks for more gas to switch over from other fuels in their industrial operations. He expressed the confidence that the entrepreneurs and their friends will utilise the opportunity and also get the credit for playing a pivotal role in effecting transformation of Tripura from its present state of lesser development.

The Minister emphasised that Natural gas today occupies a pivotal place in the energy value chain. It is the fastest growing primary energy resource. Further, it is a much cleaner and environment friendly fuel. In India, the use of natural gas, in the past has been concentrated in the power and fertiliser sectors. However, over the years other industrial and commercial users have shown a marked preference for natural gas as compared to other fuels. He assured that the ONGC will meet the demand of gas of industrialists in the State and the Gas Authority of India Ltd., will make arrangement for transportation to the nearest possible point of the industry.

Shri Naik informed that GAIL is marketing the gas produced by ONGC in Tripura. It has created the required pipeline network connecting different gas fields. GAIL is in a position to augment its infrastructure to enable increased supply of gas at the doorstep of industrial consumers. Oil and Natural Gas Corporation(ONGC) started exploration work in Tripura in 1972 and natural gas was first struck in 1975. Unlike other regions in the country where availability is less than demand, the present production potential of natural gas in Tripura is over 3 Million Cubic Meter (MCM) per day which is much higher than the present utilisation of about 1 MCM of gas per day. With furtherance of exploration activities, the availability of natural gas is likely go much higher. Tripura has the potential of becoming one of the leading gas producing areas in the country. This will however, require the right kind of environment for enhancing the exploration efforts and for developing industries to consume the natural gas.

Shri Ram Naik also emphasised to ensure periodical meetings of a High Level Monitoring Committee on "Production and Utilisation of Natural Gas in Tripura" under the Chairmanship of Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Shri Santosh Gangwar. In addition, there is a Task Force under the Chairmanship of the Chief Secretary, Government of Tripura to monitor various issues relating to production and utilisation of natural gas in the State.

Referring to the India's self reliance of only about 30% of demand of petroleum products, the Minister informed that in order to maximise the domestic production of crude oil and natural gas, the Government of India has evolved a New Exploration and Licensing Policy (NELP). Twenty five new blocks (2 onland, 16 shallow water and 7 deep water) have been awarded in January 2000. The award of the deep-water blocks for the first time in the country has opened up a new horizon for oil and gas exploration. The minimum committed investment in the first phase of exploration in these 25 blocks will be around US$ 250 million. The investment figures will go up several folds depending upon the size of discoveries in these blocks. Contracts for these are expected to be signed shortly. He added that negotiations for finalisation of contracts in respect of 2 exploration blocks in Gujarat and the contracts will be signed shortly.

    Following is the uncorrected text of Minister's statement made at press conference today in New Delhi on impact of OPEC decision to increase crude oil production on Indian oil economy.

    "The oil prices reached a 12 year low level in December 1998. The price went below US $ 10 per barrel. To arrest the falling prices, Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) announced production cuts in March 1999. As a result of these productions cuts, the oil prices shot up and reached their highest level in February - March, 2000 when the price of Brent crude crossed $30 per barrel, the highest in the nine years after the Gulf war. Due to this steep increase in prices, the country's oil import bill is expected to touch Rs. 57,000 crores for the current fiscal year 1999-2000 as compared to about Rs. 27,000 crores for the year 1998-99. The oil pool deficit is also expected to be of the order of Rs. 6,300 crores at the end of the current fiscal year.

    Nine Members of the OPEC announced on Wednesday 29^th March, 2000 at Vienna, an increase in the production of crude oil by 1.45 million barrels per day. Though Iran has not joined the OPEC agreement, it is also expected to increase the production by 0.25 million barrels per day. In effect, the production may go up by 1.70 million barrels per day. As a result, the prices of crude oil have already shown some declines. The price of Dubai crude oil has fallen to Rs. 7550 per metric tonne ($23.51 per barrel) as compared to Rs. 8180 in early March. This is still higher than February 1999 price of Rs. 3210 per metric tonnes by 135%. OPEC aims to keep the oil price between $20 to 25 per barrel for Brent crude. OPEC will review the production levels after two months again in June 2000.

    Based on the February 2000 average oil import prices, the deficit for the oil pool account was expected to touch Rs. 19,000 crores by the end of fiscal year 2000-2001. To check this alarming trend and in keeping with the United Front Government's decision in November 1997 to reduce the subsidies in a phased manner by 2002, the LPG price was increased by Rs. 30 per cylinder, kerosene price by Rs. 2.50 per litre and the ATF price by Rs. 2 per litre. As a result of this increase, the deficit in the oil pool account was expected to come down by Rs. 5,400 crores, still leaving a deficit of more than Rs. 13,000 crores. After the OPEC accord, the average price of crude oil imported by India is likely to be in the region of 20 to 25 $ per barrel. This will have a favourable effect on the oil import bill as well as the pool account. The exact quantum will depend on the actual decrease in the oil price.

    Based on the crude oil price of $ 25 per barrel and after taking into account the increase in the prices effected recently, the remaining subsidy level in kerosene would have been Rs. 5.53 per litre and on LPG Rs. 124.96 per cylinder. The price of diesel is also less by Rs. 1.93 per litre, as compared to the import parity prices. While these subsidy levels will get reduced, depending on the reduction in oil prices, the remaining subsidies are still expected to be substantial."

    Shri Justice J. Eswara Prasad has been reappointed as Chairman of the Appellate Tribunal for Forfeited Property, for a period of three years with effect from the 5^th March, 2000. Earlier, as Chairman of the Appellate Tribunal for Forfeited Property from 1997-March 2000, Justice Eswara Prasad had taken effective steps for implementation of the statutory provisions prohibiting the nefarious trade in drugs, foreign exchange manipulation and the smuggling activities. He had brought about awareness of the law far and wide by conducting proceedings of the Tribunal in various parts of the country. Justice Eswara Prasad was earlier a judge of the High Courts of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. He was also Chairman of the Special Court under the Andhra Pradesh Land Grabbing Prohibition Act.

        The Appellate Tribunal for Forfeited Property is a national level Tribunal for adjudication of properties forfeited under the Smugglers and Foreign Exchange Manipulators (Forfeitures of Properties) Act, the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, the Customs Act etc.

IPCL SIGNS MOU WITH GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

    The Indian Petrochemicals Corporation Limited (IPCL) and the Government of India signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the year 2000-01 here today. The Secretary in the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, Shri Arvind Varma and the Chairman-cum-Managing Director, IPCL Shri Ashok Chawla were the signatories.

    Pursuant to commissioning of all Phase-I and II projects of the Gandhar Complex, the MOU production and sales targets for the year 2000-01 have been set at 10% higher than the target set in the corresponding period of the previous year. In order to secure steady stream of export earnings as strategy for growth, the MOU lays thrust on exports and has assigned appropriate/high weightage.

    The company proposes to achieve the targets set, by improving capacity utilization of all operating plants, optimizing energy consumption, maximizing sales revenue volume by strategic positioning of the products in the domestic and overseas markets controlling costs and taking up Research and Development projects.

    With state-of-the-art technologies and being a technologically progressive company, IPCL is confident of achieving the targets set, despite the prevailing market scenario.