Government Funding for Commonwealth Game Projects entrusted to the Delhi Development Authority (DDA)

Press Information Bureau Government of India ****** CGHS Facility to PIB Accredited Journalists   New Delhi : October 15, 2009 Cabinet Decision DRAFT     The Cabinet today approved the renewal of CGHS facilities to PIB Accredited journalists according to the following recommendations of the Group of Ministers:   (i)                  CGHS cards to 1258 PIB accredited journalists may be renewed at the rates determined by Cost Accounts Division, Department of Expenditure.   (ii)                Arrears for past years may be recovered in three instalments.   (iii)               CGHS cards of 337 family members of journalist already availing CGHS facility may not be withdrawn provided the contribution at the rate fixed is paid for each members of the family.   (iv)              Beyond the 337 family member's presently availing CGHS facility, there should not be any further inclusion of family members of journalists.   (v)                Subscriptions to be paid by the journalists every year may be as worked out by the Department of Expenditure on an annual basis; and   (vi)              The insurance scheme that is being formulated by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare on the basis of the recommendations of the Sixth Central Pay Commission may be offered to accredited journalists also.   Journalists accredited with the Press Information Bureau have been entitled to OPD facilities under CGHS and hospitalization only in Central Government hospitals, even though they are not entitled to the facility. The facility was intended only to the journalists and not to their family members. Even though only the journalists were entitled to CGHS facility, by mistake family members of a few journalists were also included in the card. 1258 journalists and 337 family members were availing CGHS facility.   Validity of CGHS cards of accredited journalists was extended from time to time after they paid their contribution of Rs.600 per annum, which was fixed during August 1994. Subsequent to that period, contributions to be made by Central Government servants/pensioners have been revised two times.   Cost Accounts Division of Department of Expenditure advised the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare to review validation of CGHS cards issued to journalists on a 'Cost to Cost' basis, which was worked out at Rs.1,067/- per annum for the year 2004-05. As journalists resisted the increase in subscription rates, renewal of their cards was held up since March, 2008. Cards of those journalists were renewed who paid at the revised rates.   In addition, Cabinet has also recommended that an attempt should be made to bring a comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme which will also cover the journalists and their families.   HS/LV /spandey       Press Information Bureau Government of India ****** Government Funding for Commonwealth Game Projects entrusted to the Delhi Development Authority (DDA)   New Delhi : October 15, 2009   DRAFT-: CCI Decision   The Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure today gave its approval for Government of India's funding to the tune of Rs.827.85 crore for the development of the Commonwealth Games Village (other than residential zone), the Competition Venues at Yamuna and Siri Fort Sports complexes; and for up-gradation / refurbishing of existing sports facilities at Yamuna, Siri fort and Saket Sports Complexes for training facilities.   The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has been entrusted with the development of the Commonwealth Games Village, competition Venues for Badminton, Squash, Table Tennis, Archery (Preliminary) and Training venues for Badminton, Squash, Tennis, Swimming, Table Tennis, Gymnastics (Women's Rhythmic), Lawn Bowls, Archery, Hockey, Athletics, Weightlifting and Wrestling for the Commonwealth Games, Delhi 2010.   Based on the decisions taken at the meetings of GoM held on 4.1.2006 and on 6.8.2007, it was decided that DDA would develop the Games Village, competition venues and training facilities. It was also decided that for its requirement related to venue infrastructure, DDA shall seek capital grant from the Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD), and that Public-Private-Partnership model at NOIDA Mor near Akshardham Temple. The Competition and Training Venues are being developed at the Games Village, Siri Fort, Yamuna and Saket Sports complexes of DDA.   HS/LV  /spandey     Press Information Bureau Government of India ****** Disinvestment of shares of Andrew Yule & Company Limited (AYCL) held in Phoenix Yule Limited (PYL)   New Delhi : October 15, 2009 DRAFT :- Cabinet Decision   The Union Cabinet today approved the valuation of shares at the rate of Rs.49.50 per share for 11,943,074 shares of M/s. Phoenix Yule Ltd. (PYL), a Joint Venture Company of Phoenix Aktiengesellschaft (AG) Germany (PHX) (holding 74% equity) and Andrew Yule & Company Ltd. (AYCL), Kolkata a Central Public Sector Undertaking under the aegis of Department of Heavy Industry (DHI) (holding 26% equity) and to offload the 26% equity held by AYCL in PYL to M/s. Continental Conti Tech for a total consideration of Rs.62.82 crore (approx) including an additional compensation of Rs.3.69 crore.   This decision is a follow-up to the Cabinet decision of 22.02.2007 on the issue of restructuring of AYCL. Funds raised by way of disinvestment of AYCL's share in PYL will go towards repayment of a part of interest free GOI loan of Rs.87.06 crore which was extended to AYCL as a part of the restructuring package of AYCL.   Background:   Andrew Yule is a PSU under the aegis of DHI and is engaged in manufacture of industrial fans, tea processing machinery, industrial pollution control equipment, system and allied products. The Belting Division of AYCL was spun off and a joint venture firm with PHX having 74% equity and AYCL 26% equity was formed on 19.11.1998. PYL is one of the largest manufactures of conveyer belts in India. On 16.01.2007 PHX merged with M/s. Conti Tech AG, a subsidiary of M/s. Continental AG.   As on the date of transfer i.e. 01.02.1999 AYCL received Rs.33.99 crore as purchase consideration of 74% of the Firm Value. As per the Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) between AYCL and PHX, if one shareholder wishes to sell all or part of the shares in the JVC after five years from the transfer date i.e. 01.02.1999, it shall first offer such shares to the other shareholder in writing.   To implement the decision of the Cabinet dated 22.02.2007 an Inter Ministerial Group (IMG) headed by Additional Secretary & Financial Advisor, DHI was constituted to initiate the disinvestment process of AYCL's entire stake in PYL and to recommend the valuation of share price of PYL as per the terms laid down in JVA signed between AYCL and PHX on 19.11.1998.   Implementation strategy and targets:   A Share Purchase Agreement would be signed between AYCL and Phoenix BV and Phoenix Yule Limited and the transfer of shares will take place immediately after the fund of Rs.62.82 crore is received by AYCL.   Major Impact:   With the selling of the shares of AYCL held in PYL, AYCL will be able to repay back a major part of the interest free loan already taken from GOI in March 2008. The Company is now on the path of revival. The jobs of the AYCL employees of the tea gardens and other units in West Bengal and Assam have been protected through the process of its revival.   Expenditure involved   No expenditure is involved in this proposal. AYCL will pay back Rs.62.82 crore received from Phoenix BV to GOI against the interest free loan of Rs.87.06 crore which was extended to AYCL in March, 2008 as a part of the restructuring proposal.   Number of beneficiaries:    AYCL employs about 15,567 employees. Revival of the Company has protected the jobs of all the employees working in AYCL.   HS/LV/spandey       Press Information Bureau Government of India ****** Delhi High Level Conference on Climate Change: Technology Development and Transfer   New Delhi : October 15, 2009 DRAFT :- Cabinet Decision   The Union Cabinet today approved the proposal to exchange letters of Agreement between United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) and the Government of India for the provision of necessary privileges and immunities to the participants invited by the UN by the Government of India in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations during the Conference.   The Government of India in collaboration with the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) is organising a High Level Conference on Climate Change: Technology Development and Transfer on October 22-23, 2009 in Delhi. The Conference is being organised by the Ministry of Environment and Forests in association with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) as Conference Partner.   The Delhi Conference would be a step forward in the process of the international policy dialogue on technologies needed to address climate change. The Conference will advance the discussions on technology development and technology transfer initiated at the Beijing High-Level Conference in November 2008. The emphasis will be on defining a road map for technology development and transfer by bringing together the key players in the international climate change community. Technology has a central and fundamental role in addressing climate change concerns with due regard to the imperatives of national economic growth, energy security, and sustainable development. The outcomes of the conference will support the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) process and also help pave the way for a successful outcome in COP-15 to be held at Copenhagen in December, 2009.   The two-day Conference will open on 22nd October 2009 at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi and would be inaugurated by the Hon'ble Prime Minister of India. The Hon'ble President of Maldives will be the guest of honour at the Conference. This will be followed by a high level and ministerial session and panel discussions in thematic sessions designed to address relevant policy options and proposals.   The Ministry of Environment & Forests will also organise an international exhibition concurrent to the Delhi High Level Conference jointly with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), which will provide an opportunity to developed and developing countries to showcase their climate-friendly technologies and services.   Participants at the Conference and Exhibition will include high level representatives of Governments, senior officials of the UN bodies, climate change negotiators from developed and developing countries, senior representatives of industry, academia, civil society and other relevant national and international organizations. The High Level Conference will bring together high profile and accomplished experts from India and abroad to share their perspectives on issues relating to technology development and transfer in the context of climate change.   HS/LV/spandey        PIB Kolkata