Culture and tourism hub being planned in Almora: Jagmohan

NEW DELHI, Nov 16: Government proposes to set up a culture and tourism hub at Almora and a tourism circuit connecting prominent pilgrimages in the country, Tourism Minister Jagmohan said here today.

Inaugurating a photo exhibiton by Ashok Dilwali on different facets of the Himalaya in Pragati Maidan, he said the Government was financing new tourism projects in Himachal, Sikkim and other Himalayan States.

Stating that a number of initiatives were being taken to upgrade infrastructure in the Himalayas to make them ideal eco destinations, Jagmohan said that he himself had toured the Himlayas in the last two months to identify potential tourist destinations. (PTI)

Country on its way to achieve energy security: Ram Naik

NASIK, Nov 16: The decision to blend five per cent ethanol with petrol in nine states and four Union Territories (UTs) from January one 2003, along with two significant gas discoveries in India and securing equity in a major oil field in Sudan had boosted the country’s efforts to achieve energy security, according to Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Ram Naik.

Addressing a press conference here today, Mr Naik said the programme to blend ethanol with auto fuels would help in reducing the country’s import dependence which was about 70 per cent of its crude requirement worth Rs 78,000 crore per annum.

The first phase will cover Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Goa and contiguous UTs Daman and Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Chandigarh and Pondicherry.

The supply of ethanol-blended petrol would be extended to the entire country in the second phase, he said adding that the proportion of methanol would be increased to 10 per cent in the third phase after bis specifications were modified.

No modification was required in vehicles using the 10 per cent ethanol-blended petrol, he said.

At least 35 crore litres of petrol would be saved annually following the blending due to begin in the first phase, he said adding that the blended fuel will be supplied through 11,538 retail outlets.

At present, these states and UTs use 65 per cent (4.6 million tonnes) of the total 7 million tonnes of petrol consumed in the country.

Of the three pilot projects that had been implemented successfully, two were in Maharashtra at Miraj and Manmad, he said adding that the Miraj project catered to about 159 retail outlets in Sangli, Kolhapur, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts with a sale of about 9000 kl ethanol for blending.

The Manmad project catered to 59 retail outlets in Nasik, Aurangabad and Ahmednagar districts with a sale of about 2000 kl while the third pilot project was implemented at Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh (UP).

Out of the six more projects that had been approved for ethanol-petrol blending, three in up at Nazibabad, Gonda and Kanpur (Panki) had already become operational, said Mr Naik.

The project at Rajamundary (AP) would be inaugurated on November 19, 2002 while the remaining two projects in Punjab at Bhatinda and Pathankot would commence by the end of November 2002, he said. The Petroleum Minister said that in the next phase, ethanol would also be blended with diesel depending on the success of research and development studies.

Besides supplementing the domestic resources of hydrocarbons, the ethanol-petrol blending programme would bring better returns to sugarcane farmers, help reduce emission through more efficient combustion of auto fuels, generate more employment in rural areas through increased operations in farms and distilleries and give a boost to equipment manufacturers for distilleries and allied industries.

Mr Naik said that simultaneously, the Government had also made significant progress in implementing the New Exploration Licensing Policy (NELP) to accelerate the pace of exploration to find hydrocarbon reserves within the country.

In the first two rounds on NELP, the Government had signed 47 production sharing contracts in the last two years. Another 23 blocks were on the anvil and were expected to be awarded by the end of November, said Mr Naik.

With this, the total number of blocks under NELP had gone up to 70 in the past three years as against 22 blocks in the previous 10 years.

He pointed out that the efforts under NELP had already started showing results in the short span of two years with the consortium of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) and Niko resources of Canada reporting a major gas discovery in the NELP-1 block on October 30, 2002 in the Krishna Valley. (UNI)

Textile industry needs paradigm shift

CHANDIGARH, Nov 16: The textile industry needs a paradigm shift using drivers such as knowledge management, disruptive technologies, innovative products and Government intervention, recommended CII’s conference on emerging trends in textiles today.

The three-day conference, which concluded today, also recommended that both the Government and the industry must take decisive and concrete steps towards mailing the sector globally competitive.

Expert speakers at the conference rationalised that what the textile industry required was a level-playing field for the organised Indian industry, infusion of new technology, encouragement to innovation, knowledge creation and management, and, above all, the creation of new work culture.

Summing up the proceedings of the conference, Dr M L Gulrajani, IIT, New Delhi, said the conference’s recommendations to the Government included discontinuation of discrimination, introduction of MODVAT, easing the entry and exit policy and the creation of apparel parks.

Stressing on the key role of the creation and management of knowledge, the conference called for the creation of a textile university and perhaps revamping the textile research associations like ATIRA, BTRA, SITRA, NITA etc.

On the product development front, the conference felt that the industry needed disruptive technologies for a quantum leap into the future. This meant creating high knowledge based fibres using biotechnological methods. The future belonged to intelligent and dynamic smart textiles, equipped for biochemical sensing, health monitoring, electronic functions and mechanical sensing. The conference, over eight plenary sessions, deliberated on diverse aspects of textile production such as yarn manufacturing, fabric production, chemical processing, garments, made-ups - home textiles and post MFA. In terms of yarn manufacturing, the concerns were reduced comfort levels due to excess capacity and low level of productivity.

In fabric production, which at present composed 83 per cent woven fabric and 17 per cent knits, 50, 000 new shuttle-less looms and modernization of 2.5 lakh plain looms was expected by 2004.

Experts at the conference also made recommendation for zero stoppage of looms. Chemical processing was identified as the weakest link in textile production, requiring significant technology upgrade and modernisation. The trend was towards eco-friendly .

The garment sector, which contributes over 60 per cent of textiles exports, was expected to increase in the post mfa period as the Government has opened up this sector and garment parts were bring set up. The challenges here were to increase productivity, reduce price by 10-15 per cent, develop value added products, reduce delivery period to 90 days and build brands.

In the furnishing and home textiles sector, which commanded a total world trade 8.6 billion us dollars, India’s share was 16 per cent and growing. India’s USP was handmade niche products, terry towels and kitchen and table products. Here product development designing and flexibility in production were the need to the hour.

Experts at the conference agreed that the garment industry would be the driving force. India had to negotiate post MFA hurdles in terms of regional trade pacts, bilateral agreements, social accountability, residual duties and ecological responsibility.

The present total production value of 31 billion US dollars with exports amounting to around 12 billion US dollars was targeted to increase to a the total production value of 64 billion US dollars with realistic export targets of 35 billion US dollars by the year 2010. The conference rationalised that what the textile industry required was level playing field for the organised indian industry, infusion on new technology, encourge innovation, knowledge creation. (UNI)

‘India, Crotia should intensify mutual economic relations’

MUMBAI, Nov 16: India and Crotia should intensify mutual economic relations and trade between the two countries as it could involve an expanded range of goods and services like power, oil, gas, pharmaceutical, computer technology and iron.

In a meeting with members of business chambers here yesterday, Crotian President Stjepan Mesic said, we must change our common interest, the current situation of a relatively poorer economic cooperation as compared with our very good political relations.

Crotia was a window to major European markets for Indian products and services by virtue of its favourable geographical position and developed transport infrastructure, he said.

Crotia can also offer the services of Zagreb Airport and Rijeka Seaport as well as Crotian free trade zones to India as distribution and manufacturing centres for the European market, he added. (UNI)

Haryana to have multi-purpose tomato paste unit

LONDON, Nov 16: A first of its kind multi-purpose tomato paste unit that would benefit the growers will be set up in the food park in Ambala district of Haryana with the assistance of Italian company Alberto Bertuzzi.

A memorandum for setting up the Rs 12 crore unit was signed here today between Alberto Bertuzzi representative, Mr Roberto Benvenuti, Radha Agro Wax Limited Managing Director Laxman Goyal and Haryana State Industrial Development Corporation (HSIDC) Managing Director Harbaksh Singh.

The unit will have a daily production capacity of 200 tonnes and it would benefit tomato growers of the districts of Ambala, Panchkula, Yamunanagar and Kurukshetra.

The Italian firm will provide technical know-how and the machinery whereas the land would be provided by the HSIDC. The equity participation of Radha Agro Wax and Alberto Bertuzzi would be 55 per cent and 35 per cent respectively.

Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala, who is on a six-nation tour to attract foreign direct investment to the state, was also present on the occasion. The London Chamber of Commerce and NRIs, who showed inclination towards investing in the state, felicitated him.

Chamber Chief Executive said various industrial houses had evinced keen interest in setting up their ventures in Haryana.

While addressing the meeting, Mr Chautala said Haryana was emerging as a major industrial state and offered an environment conducive for growth of the industrial sector with excellent infrastructure facilities.

Later, the Chief Minister inaugurated a computer centre set up by Non-Resident Indians at Leicester. He assured the NRIs that he would personally take up with the centre the problems being faced by them and ensure all possible assistance.

Mr Chautala also addressed a function organised by the Euro Asian Business Association and said that many new policies had been implemented to usher in a new era of development in the state. (UNI)

Punjab signs MoU with Canadian firm for waste
to energy project

CHANDIGARH, Nov 16: Chief Minister Amarinder Singh today said that Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) has signed an MoU with a Canadian firm for setting up of Rs 80 crore six megawatt capacity project for generating power from municipal solid waste in Ludhiana city.

"This project is going to be first of its kind in the state and more such projects having private participation will be encouraged," he told reporters here.

At present Ludhiana city is generating municipal solid waste to the tune of 1500 tonnes per day. The project will be using controlled air oxidation incineration technology.

The MoU was signed on behalf of Sindhia Holdings Limited along with Richway Environmental Preservation Company Limited by Harry S Lall and PEDA’s Chairman D S Kalha.

Speaking on the establishment of Canadian Consulate General here, the Chief Minister said his Government would encourage foreign investments for his state including in the areas of agro-processing and animal husbandary.

Canadian Minister of Natural Resources Herb Dhaliwal evinced keen interest to make investments in the field of hydro-power, agro-forestry, bio-technology, dairy development and information technology.

Dhaliwal said that India is Canada’s largest trading partner in the South Asia region and this market offers promising opportunities for partnering, application of high-tech solutions, technology sharing and long-term business development.

"There are opportunities in some of Canada’s areas of strength in the natural resources sector and allied industries, including geoscientific and geomatics technology, and renewable energy sources," he said.

Dhaliwal said that he had suggested to the Chief Minister to have ‘single window clearance’ facility, which will encourage investors. "He (CM) has promised me transparency, quick approvals and fair deal for any Canadian investor who wants to put his money in the state," he said.

Asked when the new industrial policy would be ready, Amarinder Singh said it was in the final stages and would be made public very shortly.

Canadian High Commissioner Peter Sutherland said that both India and Canada enjoyed extremely good relations. "Both the countries are cooperating in different areas to give a further boost to the trade ties also," he said. (PTI)

3-day seminar on handicrafts gets underway

NEW DELHI, Nov 16: To celebrate the ‘golden jubilee of handicrafts resurgence in India’, the Ministry of Textiles today began a three-day international seminar to highlight the problems being faed by the sector and focus on steps needed for its development.

The seminar, - ‘craft, carftsperson and sustainable development’ began with ten ‘shilp gurus’ (master craftsmen) giving details of their work, responsibilities and involvement in the sphere.

Though celebrated, many of them complained of inadequate government support which was leading to many craftsmen leaving the field and opting for other works.

"We should have a healthy pension scheme for craftsmen who attain a certain age.

"Otherwise, it becomes difficult for many of them to sustain once they stop working, also forcing them to encourage their children to move away from their traditional work, which will be bad for india’s handicrafts," they said.

Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) Tinoo Joshi admitted that the state of many craftspersons was not very good, adding that the Government was taking steps for its improvement.

"We are asking for State Governments’ support in this endeavour and asking them to encourage more talent so that traditional do not get faded," she said.

Also, she said the Government was carrying out a feasibility study in the United States and European countries to see what the consumers expected from the Indian handicrafts industry.

"The ten Shilp Gurus were yesterday awarded by President A P J Abdul Kalam who said that handicrafts played an important role for the country’s economy," she said.

Highlights at the seminar include exhibition on 50 years of handicrafts development policies, challenges faced by craftspersons — an Asian view and discussion on craft and education.

Apart from craftspersons from across India, the seminar also has participation from international countries like Sri Lanka and Philippines. (UNI)

500 mw prototype fast breeder reactor at Kalpakkam soon

CHENNAI, Nov 16: Work on the 500 mw prototype fast breeder reactor at Kalpakkam, near here, will start soon, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) Director S B Bhoje said today.

Inaugurating a quiz programme at a school here, he said preliminary work had been completed and once the cabinet gave its clearance, construction work would commence. The work was expected to begin in the first quarter of next year, he added.

Mr Bhoje said the prototype reactor, to be located adjacent to the two units of Madras Atomic Power Station, would use mixed plutonium-uranium oxide as fuel and liquid sodium as coolant.

The IGCAR was already running a Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR) with a capacity of 13 mw. The test reactor uses plutonium-carbide, a unique fuel, he said.

The commissioning of the prototype fast reeder would mark a significant jump in using breeder technology to generate electricity, he said.

Referring to the ongoing construction of eight nuclear reactors at various places in the country, Mr Bhoje said nowhere in the world eight reactors were built at the same time.

These reactors were two (1000 mw each) units being built at Koodankulam in Tamil Nadu, two (220 mw each) at Kaiga in Karnataka, two (220 mw each) in Rajasthan and two (540 mw each) in Tharapur.

Participating in the function, Atomic Energy and Space Commission Member-Secretary S Prabakaran said nuclear energy would become inevitable in the years to come. "We will have no option but to go in for nuclear power in the future," he added.

The Indian Nuclear Society organised the quiz programme, in which 1,000 students from various schools took part. St Johns School, Villivakkam, won the first place. (UNI)

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