Panel studying proposal for dedicated
air-corridor for copters

MUMBAI, Apr 13: The Central Government has not given up the proposal to create a dedicated air corridor for helicopters in Mumbai and Delhi even though there are certain constraints.

"The proposal has been with us for sometime...We had not taken it up due to certain constraints...Lately, we are actively considering it," a top Civil Aviation Ministry official said here.

A four-member committee comprising representatives from the Directorate-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Airports Authority of India (AAI), Rotary Wing Society of India (RWSI) and Pawan Hans Helicopters Corporation is presently considering the proposal put forward by the helicopter industry.

The committee will submit its recommendations at the earliest, the official said, adding that it would then be sent to the AAI for its consideration.

"We are keen that a comprehensive study be carried out so that solutions to a number of bottlenecks and operational problems are found," RWSI’s President, Air Vice Marshal, Krishnaswamy Sridharan, said.

The civil helicopter industry has long been demanding segregation of helicopter and aircraft traffic, particularly at Mumbai and Delhi airports to deal with congestion.

There are no designated areas for helicopters in Indian airports. Mumbai and Delhi have the highest density of helicopter operations.

"None of these airports have any designated areas for helicopters," United Helicharters’ Managing Director, Capt Uday Gelli, said.

Even the Kaw Committee has recommended separated routes for helicopter operations.

Mumbai’s Juhu aerodrome accounts for 75 per cent of helicopter traffic followed by Delhi and Pune.

According to industry estimates, monthly air hours at Juhu (Mumbai) ranges from 1,900-2,000 hours, while it moves some 12,000-12,500 personnel every month.

In addition, it airlifts cargo of around 30,000-32,000 kilogrammes a month and some 35-40 sorties per day.

There are on an average 40-45 landings as well.

"Presently, no traffic can operate out of the Juhu helipad without clearance from the Air Traffic Controller at Juhu and hence, there is at least a 20-minute waiting period," Sridharan said.

"A separate corridor will ensure that there are no disruptions in domestic and international incoming and outgoing traffic," he added.

There are three categories of civil helicopter operators-the non-scheduled, private (mainly corporate) and Government (State Government-owned and public sector undertakings).

The combined fleet strength of all operators is around 180. (PTI)

Dam construction can affect aquatic resources: Report

NEW DELHI, Apr 13: Dams constructed on rivers for power generation can affect the aquatic resources and alter their ecosystem, a report has said.

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in its latest annual report 2006-2007 said, "development of impoundments (artificial lakes and reservoirs) due to Hydro-electric projects result in change in natural flow of river with the alteration in sub-stratum composition.

This subsequently affect the biological establishment of benthic macro-invertebrates of rivers."

The negative impacts were noticed by the CPCB during the monitoring of selected surface water bodies on major dams used for hydro-electric power projects on hilly region such as Tehri Dam, Sardar Sarovar Dam, Ranganadi Dam in the past two years.

In total 19 major dams constructed on major rivers including Bhagirathi, Alaknanda, Dhauliganga, Jhelum, Chenab, Mahi, Tapi, Narmada, Godavri and Ranganadi in five states in the country were monitored.

"The idea was also to make ecological assessment of surface water bodies through biological study at upstream and downstream reaches of water bodies subjected to the impact of Hydro-electric power project in the country," the report said.

The bio-monitoring of major dams has been considered as most suitable measure to evaluate the health of ecosystem of surface water bodies at dam areas, it said.

Based on ecological disturbances on substratum composition of rivers and composition of benthic macro-invertebrates, five sampling locations were selected on rivers such as reference station, inlet, reservoir, outlet and power house, the CPCB said in its report.

Biological water quality of surface waters, using Biological Water Quality Criteria, was observed for various rivers subjected to hydro-power generation.

It was noticed that the hydro-electric projects were detrimental to the biological establishment of benthic macro-invertebrates communities, eliminating some substratum specific sensitive families and at the same time appearance of tolerant families, it said. (PTI)

I would love to make a film on Indo-Pak history: Mansoor

NEW DELHI, Apr 13: The historic release of Pakistani film ‘Khuda Ke Liye’ in India has opened a way to bridge the cultural gap across the border, its director Shoaib Mansoor says and hopes to make a movie focusing on the combined history of the two countries.

"I would love to make a film on the history of the two countries," says Mansoor, who is in India to promote his debut feature, the first Pakistani film to hit the theatres here in 40 years.

Mansoor’s film became a huge sensation immediately after releasing in Pakistan setting several box office records, besides creating ripples worldwide with its sensitive portrayal of Muslims caught between fundamentalism and the hostility of post-9/11 era.

Mansoor is a celebrated name in the Pakistani entertainment industry for last 30 years. He said ‘Khuda Ke Liye’ is the culmination of his anger with the way his religion has been misinterpreted by Islamic fundamentalists and by the world outside.

"I have entered in filmmaking very late and I want to do so much, I do not know how much I will be able to do, but I will never do a formula film," Mansoor said.

He hopes that ‘Khuda Ke Liye’ will remove the general "misconception" among Indians concerning Pakistan and its people and such exchanges will create a positive atmosphere in both the countries. (PTI)

DGCA prepares draft rules for seaplane services

NEW DELHI, Apr 13: With the Government encouraging operations of seaplane services along the vast coastline of the country, new rules and regulations are on the anvil to ensure that such operations were safe and secure.

Under the fresh guidelines drafted by the aviation authorities, various kinds of pre-flight inspections and passengers’ briefings on safety are being made mandatory, official sources said.

Seaplanes have been defined as those aircraft that could land on and take off from water.

The new rules also lay down the requirements of equipment to be fitted on these aircraft that are either different or are in addition to those found on board the land-based planes.

Government has already announced a slew of measures to promote seaplane operations including allowing 100 per cent FDI, low taxes on jet fuel and operational benefits like slashed navigational and other charges.

The draft Civil Aviation Requirements (CARs) issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation is currently in the process of being finalised.

While recommending stringent airworthiness standards for the seaplanes and their maintenance, the draft makes the pilot-in-command responsible for all major pre-flight actions including inspection of the aircraft.

The draft CARs make it mandatory for the passengers to be briefed on the safety actions to be undertaken in case of an accident.

Due to the lack of time of preparation for evacuation and the likelihood of major structural damage to the cabin from an impact with water, passenger survival in seaplane accidents was the most critical aspect.

During such a crisis, the pilot could be too busy issuing instructions beyond the order to evacuate. The pilot could also become incapacitated. Hence, it is important for all passengers to know what and how to take safety measures in such situations.

However, the seaplanes are capable of remaining afloat for longer periods if their floats are not breached.

"Clear and distinct instructions with physically pointing out the location and operation of both normal and emergency exits and safety equipment on board shall be demonstrated," the draft says, adding that the pilot should simulate the actions involved as closely as possible.

The pre-flight briefings for passengers would also include the use of safety belts and exit points of the seaplanes, as in other aircraft.

Besides such instructions, the DGCA has also recommended rules for ‘right-of-way’ for aircraft on water, like when on crossing courses, the aircraft or vessel to the other’s right would have the right-of-way.

In case of overtaking, the one overtaking should alter course to keep clear of the other’s course, the draft says. (PTI)

‘Weapon smuggling’ threatens country

HYDERABAD, Apr 13: The country would face another threat from the terrorists, who were resorting to violence by triggering blasts from Bangladesh, with the increasing dumping of advanced weapons in several states through ‘weapon smuggling’ operations from Bangladesh.

The police sources said, with the arrest of a suspected terrorist Mohammed Faique Aziz in the capital city on April 11, they got clues that the terrorist organisations operating from Bangladesh were supplying advanced weapons to some organisations which were involved in the ‘anti national’ activities.

Harkat Ul Jihadi Islami (HUJI) Commander Shahed alias Bilal, who was ‘successfully’ resorting to violent activities by triggering blasts using Imrpovised Explosive Devises (IEDs) in the country was the mastermind behind the weapon smuggling operations from Bangladesh.

The HUJI leader had already sent about 10 kg RDX to trigger blasts in the country last year, besides, some advanced weapons smuggled from Bangladesh which had reached his aides, who were engaged in recruiting youth for terror activities. The weapons were stocked in capital cities where the terrorists had already showed their ‘might’ by triggering blasts claiming several lives.

"It shows that the terrorists have set up a network which would help them to strengthen their terror organisations by continuing the lucrative weapon smuggling operations from Bangladesh to India," the sources said.

The Special Investigaiton Team (SIT) which had arrested Faique had recovered a weapon from him which was sent by Shahed from Bangladesh.

The links between the banned organisations which were supporting the terrorists were also playing an active role in the transportation of smuggled weapons in several parts of the country. (UNI)

Govt gives ‘in principle’ approval for CAS in 4 metros

NEW DELHI, Apr 13: Government has given its "in principle" approval for roll out of Conditional Access System (CAS) in the whole of Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai and also in 55 other cities of the country.

Official sources said that while the three metros may witness cas roll out by November this year, it may be introduced in 55 cities by January next year. Currently cas is applicable only in Chennai, south Delhi, south Mumbai and south Kolkata.

Dates for CAS roll out are expected to be finalised in a meeting between cable industry and State Government representatives scheduled for later this month, sources added.

Meanwhile the "in principle" approval was given in a meeting held between Union Ministry for Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Secretary Asha Swarup and representatives of cable industry, broadcasters and several State Government officials earlier this week. Chief Secretaries of Delhi, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and West Bengal were present in the meeting.

Official sources said that the cable industry representatives had last month submitted an action plan to the ministry for roll out of CAS in 55 other cities.

The plan was prepared by Cable Operators Federation of India (COFI) and Multi-System Operator (MSO) alliance on the orders of the I&B ministry.

Ashok Mansukhani, president of MSO Alliance, who was also present in the meeting, said that once the roll out dates are finalised, notification for implementation of CAS in remaining areas of three metros and 55 other cities may come out by next month.

He expressed optimism over the fact that the Government has been sensitive towards the significance and requirement of CAS in the country.

"In fact Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) TRAI had recommended its roll out in 55 cities in a phased manner between October 2008 and March 2011," he added.

With the Government on the verge of rolling out CAS, TRAI’s recommendation could soon become a reality. (PTI)

Programme for dealing with climate change to begin

NAINITAL, Apr 13: A programme to train personnel to develop future strategies and to deal with the upcoming threats due to climate change in India has been initiated by an international non-profit organisation in collaboration with the British High Commission.

Leadership for Environment and Development (LEAD), an organisation with a rapidly growing network of 1,700 personnel in 80 different countries across the world, would along with the British High Commission train the persons coming from various section of the society.

The persons selected could be a local community leader, a farmer and a highly qualified academician/scientist.

In India climate change is often termed by experts as a leadership free zone and hence local/regional climate change concerns are seldom taken into account when decisions are taken at national level. In other words, information gap is more glaring between local and national level than national and international level, experts say.

The programme would initially be confined to Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Indo-Gangetic Plain of Uttar Pradesh and the north-east comprising all seven states and West Bengal.

Pragaya Varma, Executive Director of Lead India said that in all, 60 climate change leaders, 30 from each region would be trained. The programme would further be implemented in China, Mexico, Brazil and Indonesia, she added.

According to Central Himalayan Environment Association (CHEA) -one of the key partners in Uttarakhand - the selected individuals will be trained on all relevant aspects of leadership such as system thinking, team building, negotiation and conflict resolution, cross cultural communication, skill building over a period of one-and-half years.

The programme would later on be implemented in other parts of the country. Speaking about the choice for initiating this programme in Himalayan region, CHEA said though it is difficult to precisely predict the large-scale impacts of the changing climate on human beings in the world, tropical countries including India with high populations are likely to suffer more.

There are reports about glaciers recession in Himalayas, declining wheat productivity in northern Indian plains, early ripening of wild edible fruits of kafal (myrica esculenta) and early flowering in rhododendrons in central Himalaya, loss of agricultural land due to the rise in sea level in Sunderbans, it said.

Many diseases such as dengue, chicken guinea are spreading in regions where they were earlier unknown, CHEA added.

Leadership and partnerships are required to respond to the challenges from local to global scale.

The key implementing partners for the northern and north eastern regions are CHEA and TML. The programme will also draw upon the expertise of individuals and institutions working in the field of climate change in both regions, by inviting them to join a ‘regional advisory council’.

Lead was established in the wake of the world earth summit held in Rio De Janeiro in 1992 to cater to the need of creating a new generation of global leaders. (PTI)

CSIR unveils incentives for its scientists

NEW DELHI, Apr 13: Wary of its scientists seeking other jobs, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has come out with sops to retain talent and attract young researchers for a career in its laboratories.

CSIR, which has 37 laboratories under its aegis, has also promised more rewards for its scientists and special benchmarks for researchers working in the societal and strategic sectors.

A third of the CSIR’s 5,000 scientists work in areas of societal and strategic applications and an equal number work in two key areas of basic sciences, and technology and product development.

With the new incentives, being implemented from January this year, awardees of the prestigious Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Awards will receive a supplementary grant of upto Rs two lakh per year, which could be used to keep themselves up-to-date in their area of research.

This grant, in addition to the special honorarium of Rs 15,000 per month, could be used for expenses such as attending international conferences and buying journals and books to keep scientists abreast of the developments in their area of research.

"The incentives are for recognising and retaining talent within CSIR and also to attract young talent," CSIR Director-General Samir Brahmachari said.

As many as 260 scientists have won the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award and 30 are working in CSIR laboratories.

Young researchers, who have won the CSIR and Indian National Science Academy Uoung Scientist Awards stand to gain a special honorarium of Rs 7,500 per month which they will get till they attain the age of 45 years.

The annual research grants for CSIR Young Scientist Awardees working in the council’s laboratories have also been increased from Rs two lakh per annum from this year.

Awardees who are yet to complete their research projects will also be eligible to receive the increased grants.

However, scientists winning both CSIR or INSA Young Scientist Awards and Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize will only be eligible to receive only one cash incentive at a time. (PTI)

NCP ready to support Sonia, Rahul as
PM after 2009 polls

NEW DELHI, Apr 13: Sharad Pawar-led NCP, a key constituent of the ruling UPA, has said it is ready to support Congress president Sonia Gandhi or her son Rahul for the post of Prime Minister in the 2009 Lok Sabha elections.

"Congress is the biggest party in the UPA. There is no question of NCP, DMK or RJD or any other party coming close to their numbers and if tomorrow Congress decides to nominate Mrs Gandhi or Rahul Gandhi, it’s not a question for NCP to decide," NCP general secretary Praful Patel said.

Patel, the Civil Aviation Minister, pointed out that his party had given Gandhi a letter of support for Prime Ministership four years ago.

"The choice of Prime Ministership of the Congress (led Government) is not an issue which we need to be consulted about," he told Karan Thapar on Devil’s advocate programme telecast on CNN-IBN.

Pawar, Union Food and Agriculture Minister, had suggested that the next Lok Sabha polls be fought under Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Asked whether his party would support Rahul Gandhi if he is in a position to be nominated as the leader of the next Government, Patel shot back: "if the UPA comes with a majority and if the Congress party so chooses, what is the question? Why is this being debated?"

Patel sought to downplay party colleague D P Tripathi’s "unfavourable" remarks against Sonia Gandhi saying "...She has been very magnanimous, she has not shown any pettiness, no matter what impression may have been created."

Patel, whose party shares power with the Congress in Maharashtra, said that the senior partner should consult NCP before appointing the Governor or changing the Chief Minister in the western state.

"It is imperative that both parties, whether it is the Congress or NCP, should be taken on board," he said.

On the Chief Minister, Patel made it clear that the person is the legislative party leader of both parties.

"Let’s not forget that the CM of Maharashtra is also the Legislative Party Leader of both Congress and the NCP. We don’t put spokes that you make X or Y (the CM) but the fact is that we should be consulted, our advice should be sought, and the reason is very simple, the person chosen is leading both the parties in the legislature and the state," he said.

Dwelling on the differences between NCP and Congress in Meghalaya and Nagaland, Patel said: "Probably some people in the Congress Party may not have been very happy with the fact that Mr (P A) Sangma would be working with us."

Congress and NCP fought the elections to the Meghalaya Assembly separately and an alliance of regional outfits led by Sangma came to power despite Congress emerging the single largest party.

Patel expressed regret that the Congress and his party had not come together to form the State Government.

"We fought elections separately. We did not get majority, neither did the Congress. It would have been much nicer had we both come together and formed the Government but that has not happened," he said.

Patel said NCP has been very consistent with its ties with the Congress and had even spurned offers from the BJP to join the NDA. (PTI)

SC rules out applicability of US standards
to test quota law

NEW DELHI, Apr 13: The Supreme Court has ruled out the applicability of American standards to review the law providing 27 per cent quota for OBCs in Central Educational Institutions, saying "the gamut of affirmative action in India is fully supported by constitutional provisions".

The five-Judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan was unanimous that the US practice of putting "suspect legislation" to "strict scrutiny" cannot be applied to examine the Constitution (93rd amendment) Act enabling the Government to make law providing reservation.

"We have not applied the principles of suspect legislation and we have been following the doctrine that every legislation passed by Parliament is presumed to be constitutionally valid unless otherwise proved," the CJI said, and whose view was shared by Justice R V Raveendran.

On the same lines, Justices Arijit Pasayat and C K Thakker said, "while interpreting the constitutional provisions, foreign decisions do not have great determinative value ... The strict scrutiny test is not applicable and indepth scrutiny has to be made to decide constitutionality or otherwise of a statute".

Justice Dalveer, who was more categorical in refusing the argument, said, "the decisions of foreign country are not binding on Indian courts. Indian courts have not adopted american standards of review".

He held that for challenging the law providing OBC quota, the principles enunciated by the US Supreme Court are not strictly applicable as "cases decided by other countries are not binding but do have great persuasive value".

Justice Pasayat said "it is worth putting in perspective that difference between reservations in India and affirmative action in America is that the former talks about extirpating caste where as the latter is interested primarily in representing races".

He said, "Americans believe in race representation and not in quotas and in not sacrificing standards for social justice."

Justice Bhandari said US judgements may provide broad guidelines as India and America has similar problem vis-a-vis caste and race.

"The caste system is peculiar to this country (India). Perhaps the entire society has been divided on the basis of caste. This social problem can be compared to some extent with that of American society. In the US, the problem of racial discrimination has existed for centuries."

"The cases of affirmative action decided in the US are relevant. They show US how that society has dealt with the problem of racial discrimination," Justice Bhandari said. (PTI)

CIC dissatisfied with Govt efforts on RTI awareness

NEW DELHI, Apr 13: The Central Information Commission has expressed dissatisfaction over the Centre’s efforts to create public awareness with regard to the right to Information Act.

Observing that it is the Centre’s duty to take steps for educating people on the transparency law, Chief Information Commissioner Wajahat Habibullah said the Government was "not doing its part satisfactorily" towards that cause.

Even as he quoted an official report to claim that the RTI Law was being increasingly used by ordinary citizens, including people below poverty line, the CIC was categorical in expressing his dissatisfaction when he said, "very little has been done by Government to create awareness of the RTI Act."

Speaking at a workshop organised by industry body ASSOCHAM recently, Habibullah was, however, appreciative of the efforts of NGOs and the media, which he said had been instrumental in building greater awareness and understanding among citizens about their rights under the pro-people legislation.

His remarks assume significance as it criticises the Centre for its lack of initiative in extending the benefits of the RTI Law to the masses. The law has been projected as a result of UPA’s efforts to usher transparency in governance.

Habibullah, who heads the statutorily formed Commission went ahead to suggest that the Centre could play an indirect role in generating awareness about the RTI Law by providing financial support to organisations to act on its behalf.

Habibullah also stressed on the need to computerise records within Government departments and integrate the RTI network with Centre’s Rs 23,000 crore national e-governance scheme.

To a specific question over the CIC’s recent admission that it did not maintain a computerised database of records pertaining to appeals filed before it, Habibullah said that immediate steps have been directed to ensure proper management of its documents.

"We need to streamline our own administration. We have to put our own house in order," he said, adding that it would take around three months to ensure e-administration within the Commission. (PTI)