Releases..........pt1

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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Ministry of Textiles
Dayanidhi Maran releases Rs 2,546 crore subsidy under TUFS
SUBSIDY TO REACH BENEFICIARIES BANK ACCOUNTS WITHIN 72 HOURS
WORKING GROUP CONSTITUTED TO FORMULATE NATIONAL FIBRE POLICY
New Delhi: August 6, 2009

Thiru. Dayanidhi Maran, Minister of Textiles today announced the
release of subsidy of Rs 2,546 crore under the Technology Upgradation
Fund Scheme (TUFS). While announcing this at a Press Conference here
today, Thiru. Maran said that this is for the first time that such a
large amount of subsidy has been released in a single tranche and the
amount will be credited to the bank accounts of beneficiaries in the
record time of 72 hours (3 working days). The Subsidy, with this
release, will be cleared upto June 30, 2009.
Thiru. Dayanidhi Maran, also announced the constitution of forty one
members Working Group under the Chairmanship of Secretary (Textiles)
to formulate the National Fibre Policy. The Working Group has
representatives from the Government, Trade and user Industry, and it
will submit its recommendations within three months.
Thiru. Maran also informed that contrary to global trends, India
textiles industry is predominantly cotton based and the ratio of
cotton to manmade fibre is 60:40, while it is reverse in developed
countries. The issue has been engaging the attention of the Government
and stakeholders, and on assuming charge he had announced the framing
of a National Fibre Policy in a time bound manner. This commitment was
subsequently reiterated in the 'Agenda for 100 Days', said Thiru.
Maran. The Group will examine ways to promote use of fibres equitably
as to ensure balanced growth of the entire textiles chain keeping in
view the future trends and the present consumption pattern both for
domestic and export markets, said the Textiles Minister.
Thiru. Maran outlined that the Group has been mandated to suggest
areas of concerted interventions by the Government in policy matter,
investment augmentation, support mechanisms, both fiscal and
non-fiscal, to enhance the growth and competitiveness of this labour
intensive manufacturing sector. Besides, the Group will also analyze
and suggests measures as to how the country will be in a position to
attain self-sufficiency in the fibres for internal consumption, value
additions and exports.
Highlights of TUFS:
The scheme has stimulated additional investments of Rs.1,66,839 crore;
benefited 24,685 textiles units, including 17,659 small scale units;
enabled the textiles industry to successfully face challenges of
global competition;. reduced the cost of capital for acquisition of
the state- of- the- art technology by 5%; ignited growth of
processing, garmenting and technical textiles sectors by extending 10%
capital subsidy; assisted the powerloom units by extending 20% margin
money subsidy and empowered the small scale sector with 15% capital
subsidy, informed Thiru. Maran.
The State-wise details of amount of subsidy released under TUFS today
and number of applications are as follows:
(Rs. in crore)
Sr. No. State / Union Territory No. of applications Subsidy released
1 Tamil Nadu 3,286 642.90
2 Maharashtra 1,186 637.24
3 Punjab 1,543 351.98
4 Gujarat 4,051 274.73
5 Rajasthan 589 134.75
6 Andhra Pradesh 287 132.13
7 Uttar Pradesh 205 86.33
8 Karnataka 269 64.43
9 Haryana 429 58.74
10 Delhi 299 57.96
11 West Bengal 140 26.34
12 Madhya Pradesh 68 23.55
13 Kerala 37 22.94
14 Jammu and Kashmir 12 6.64
15 Chandigarh 32 6.36
16 Uttarakhand 12 6.09
17 Himachal Pradesh 23 4.99
18 Dadra and Nagar Haveli (UT) 23 4.97
19 Daman and Diu (UT) 17 1.25
20 Jharkhand 3 0.68
21 Puducherry (UT) 1 0.58
22 Chhattisgarh 1 0.43
23 Assam 1 0.05
Total 12,514 2,546.06

rm/as/dk/kol/14:14 hrs.

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs Rajya Sabha
Foundation of Taj Mahal are stable and secure
New Delhi: August 6, 2009

Minister of State for Planning and Parliamentary Affairs Shri V.
Narayanasamy has said that the Taj Mahal is in a good state of
preservation. The scientific studies carried at the behest of
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on various structural aspects of
the Taj Mahal by Survey of India, Dehradun and Central Building
Research Institute, Roorkee have shown that the foundation of the
monument as well as its super structure are stable and secure.

In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today he said, essential
conservation works on the monument are regularly carried out by the
ASI.

ad/db/dk/kol/14:15 hrs.

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs Rajya Sabha
Auction of Articles of Great Indian Personalities
New Delhi: August 6, 2009

Minister of State for Planning and Parliamentary Affairs Shri V.
Narayanasamy has admitted in the Rajya Sabha today that frequent
auctioning of memorabilia of great Indian personalities such as
Gandhiji, Nehruji and others in other countries has come to
Government's notice.

In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today, he said, regarding the
works/letters/manuscripts written by Mahatma Gandhi which are put up
on auction/sale, a Committee of eminent Gandhians has been constituted
to examine and make recommendations, as and when the occasion arises.

ad/db/dk/kol/14:16 hrs.

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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Ministry of Tourism Rajya Sabha
Tourism Promotion in North-East States
New Delhi: August 6, 2009

The Minister of Tourism Kumari Selja has said that the review of
restrictions pertaining to Restricted Area Permit (RAP) /Protected
Area Permit (PAP) for tourists is a continuous process and is
undertaken by the Ministry of Home Affairs on receipt of proposal from
the concerned States and in consultation with security agencies.

In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today, she said, Ministry of
Home Affairs have conveyed relaxation of Protected Area Regime in the
following circuits of Arunachal Pradesh.

(i) Along-Mechukha.
(ii) Exiting Pasighat-Jenging-Yiungkiong to be extended up to Tuting.
(iii) Daporijo-Nacho Circuit Taliha and sayum.
(iv) Ziro-Palin-Nyapin-Sangram-Kaloriang.
(v) Doimukh-Sagalee-Pakke-Kasang-Seppa.

The Minister said, Government of Arunachal Pradesh has also been
authorized to issue Protected Area Permit (PAP) in respect of the
following: -

(1) To the visiting foreign tourists in a group of two or more persons
(as against the exiting requirement of group strength of four or more
persons) for a maximum period of 30 days.

(2) To a group of two foreign tourists even if they are not married
couples and to foreigners married to Indian national belonging to the
State of Arunachal Pradesh for visiting the State on tourist visas.

ad/db/dk/kol/14:16 hrs.

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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Ministry of Tourism Rajya Sabha
Tourism Villages
New Delhi: August 6, 2009

The Minister of Tourism Kumari Selja has said that Development and
Promotion of Tourism including Rural Tourism is primarily the
responsibility of State Governments/Union Territory Administrations
concerned. Ministry of Tourism provides Central Financial Assistance
to the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations for
infrastructure development in rural sites having core-competency in
art, craft, culture, handlooms/textiles etc. Community participation
and capacity building including skill upgradation in such rural sites
are supported through Government of India-United Nations Development
Programme Endogenous Tourism Project and Capacity Building for Service
Providers Scheme of the Ministry.

In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today, he said, so far 142
projects for Rs. 8742.70 lakh have been sanctioned for development and
promotion of Rural Tourism in the country.

ad/db/dk/kol/14:16 hrs.