Namaste India concludes in Tokyo

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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Namaste India concludes in Tokyo

New Delhi : September 29, 2008

India Tourism, Tokyo, Union Ministry of Tourism, co-sponsored “Namaste India” in Tokyo from 27th September to 28th September 2008.

It is a concept which started as a small event showcasing India in Japan but has over the years grown into a mega-carnival that celebrates the very best of India in the heart of Japan. Namaste India is a window to Indian culture and economy for the Japanese people - and is today one of the largest Indian festivals held overseas which celebrates Indian diversity and uniqueness through a vivid display of our culture, cuisine, entertainment and business.

The two day programme which included Dance, Music, Theatre, Workshops, Exhibitions and Indian Cuisine was attended by more than 1,00,000 Japanese. It was inaugurated by Shri H. K. Singh, Ambassador of India to Japan. The Raghu Dixit Performance which was sponsored by the Indian Council of Cultural Relations was well appreciated by an audience of thousands. The Indian cuisine varying from Jalebis to Chole Bhatura and Bhel Puri to Chilly Chicken were a hit and long queues could be seen outside Food stalls.

Incredible India branding was all over the exhibition ground and 10 Velo Taxis wrapped in images of India’s Tourism Products ferried visitors from the subway station to the exhibition grounds free of cost.

The tour Operators indicated that they received various queries on the new packages launched to India as well as some confirmed bookings. The India Tourism stall was flocked throughout the day and the interest shown by the Japanese populace reflects that there will be an upward swing in tourist flow from this market.

AD/SL /:/.....spandey-dk/kol.....(RelSet1_29Sep08)












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Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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SJVN The first hydro electric company to get world bank funding with CDM benefits
Exceeds Power Generation Target in 2007-08

New Delhi : September 29, 2008

Union Minister of Power, Shri Sushilkumar Shinde has complimented Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam, SJVN for being the first Hydro Electric Company in India to get World Bank Funding for a large Hydroelectric Project, the Rampur HEP (412 MW) in Himachal Pradesh tied with Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) benefits. During the review meeting held here, the Minister advised SJVN to tie up more hydro electric Projects with concessional funding and noted with satisfaction that it was emerging as a major regional player in hydro power through its internal accruals having bagged the Arun-3 hydroelectric project (402 MW) through competitive bidding in Nepal. It was also updating/ preparing Detailed Project Reports for two Hydro Electric Projects in Bhutan namely 900 MW Wangchu HE Project and 486 MW Kholangchu HE Project.

Chairman cum Managing Director, SJVN informed that the Corporation since its inception has displayed a sustained growth in all aspects of the hydropower arena. SJVN successfully commissioned all the six units of 250 MW each ahead of the revised targeted schedule of July, 2004. Synchronization of all the six units with the country’s Northern Grid within a time frame of six months (the first one in September 2003 and the last one before the end of March 2004) established a new bench mark in hydropower development in India.

Generation from the 1500 MW Nathpa Jhakri Hydel Power Station (NJHPS) will surpass 28,000 million KWh in September 2008 within a period of less than five years of its operation. Generation during the last FY 2007-08 was 6449 MU which was in excess of the MOU target which was much higher than the first year’s achievement of 5108 MU. The Profit earned by the Corporation has been increasing constantly. The Corporation earned a Profit (After Tax) of Rs. 764.51 crore during the year 2007-08 against the first year’s profit of Rs. 298.43 crore. SJVN has been paying dividend to the Government since the first year of its attainment of full capacity in 2004-05. SJVN has declared Divided of Rs.244.00 crore for the year 2007-08. SJVN has got sufficient reserves and sound funding plan for the execution of the projects in hand and for the future upcoming projects from the internal resources besides loans from international and domestic banks & has available offers of funding tie ups from the World Bank & other agencies.

The capacity addition under execution by the Corporation is of 2962 MW (412 MW- under construction, and 2550 MW under investigation/implementation). The Corporation has the distinction of being conferred with the much coveted status of Miniratna : Category-I and Schedule-A status within only five years of coming into commercial
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operations. Since the commissioning of the largest underground 1500 MW Hydro Electric Power Station the Corporation has expanded its base from a single project to a Multi Project and thereafter from a single state to a National Corporation.

The present installed capacity of SJVN is 1500 MW. The capacity addition under execution by the Corporation is of 2962 MW (412 MW- under construction, and 2550 MW under investigation/implementation).

Besides the Rampur Project, the Corporation is executing Devsari Hydro Electric Project (252 MW), Jakhol Sankri Hydro Electric Project (45 MW), Naitwar Mori Hydro Electric Project (56 MW) in Uttarakhand State. Further, SJVN has also been allocated Luhri Hydro Electric Project (775 MW) and Khab Hydro Electric Project (1020 MW) and Dhaulasidh HEP (40 MW) for preparation of detailed project report and execution thereafter.

PRA/SKK /:/.....spandey-dk/kol.....(RelSet1_29Sep08)



Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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Provision of Rs. 2750 crore made for scheme of RRR of water bodies
Work Completed in 894 Water Bodies Till Now

New Delhi : September 29, 2008

A pilot scheme of Repair, Renovation and Restoration (RRR) of water bodies directly linked to agriculture was launched in January 2005 with an outlay of Rs.300 crores. The funding pattern for the scheme was 75 per cent grant by Government of India and 25 per cent by the concerned states. The scheme was sanctioned in respect of 1098 water bodies in 26 districts of 15 states. The scheme has been completed in 894 water bodies till now.

During 11th Plan period, it has been proposed to extend the programme/scheme throughout the country. Accordingly a proposal has been mooted in consultation with various stakeholders for expansion of the programme throughout the country. A provision of Rs. 2750 crore is kept to fund 25 per cent of the project cost.

Concurrent evaluation has been done through on site inspections and review meetings with the senior officers of the State Governments. The feedback has indicated satisfactory implementation. Independent evaluation and impact assessment is also being done with the help of Institutes and Universities.

SK/BS /:/.....spandey-dk/kol.....(RelSet1_29Sep08)


PIB Kolkata