Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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Prime Minister's Office
PM's address at the Presentation of National Awards to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
New Delhi: August 28, 2009
The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, gave away the National Awards to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises for their outstanding entrepreneurship in New Delhi today. Following is the text of the Prime Minister's address on the occasion:
"I am very happy to be in your midst in this National Awards Function for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. This is an occasion to recognize excellence of entrepreneurs and institutions and individuals in this very important segment of our economy. I greet and heartily congratulate today's awardees. Their accomplishments bear testimony to their sustained hard work and great business acumen under difficult economic conditions.
Let me once again state what I have said on a number of occasions earlier: Our Government attaches the highest priority to the development of MSME sector. This was the reason why we had created a separate Ministry for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in the year 2004. I am very happy that the Ministry has done well after its creation. I compliment and congratulate Shri Dinsha Patel, Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and his talented team of officials for their continuing hard work for the promotion, development and expansion of the MSME sector.
This important sector is an important component of our national economy. It provides employment to nearly 60 million people and contributes over 45% of the total manufactured output and 40% of our exports earnings. The growth and good health of these enterprises is therefore not only crucial for our economy as a whole, but also for protecting the livelihood and well being of a very large section of our people.
The MSMEs have also have an important role to play in developing the skills of our youth and thereby empower them to lead a life of dignity and self respect. Apart from producing technical manpower, this sector has trained a very large number of young people to become in due course of time successful entrepreneurs and contribute to the growth of disbursed industrialization in our large country.
A large segment of micro and small enterprises lies in the unorganized sector. The establishment therefore of the National Commission for Enterprises in the Unorganized Sector under Dr. Arjun Sengupta was a serious effort of the previous UPA government to look after the requirements of this sector and the well being of those working therein. This Commission has made a number of very useful recommendations and we have already implemented some of them. The examination of the remaining recommendations will be completed very soon.
As you all know, the recent global economic slow down has had an adverse impact on the growth of our economy. Micro, small and medium enterprises have also not remained unaffected. But I can say with some satisfaction that the Government has been alive to the needs and concerns of the sector. Following my interaction with the representatives of this sector in December 2008, I had issued instructions for the careful examinations of the demands put forward at that conference. I am happy that the stimulus packages that the Government announced in coordination with the RBI contained many measures, which have been of help to this sector. These measures have been taken forward in the Union Budget of 2009-10.
But I do recognize we need to do more to realize the full development potential of this very important sector. It is in this pursuit that I have had the benefit of taking a meeting with the representatives of this sector two days back and I have issued directions for constitution of a Task Force that would look into the remaining difficulties still being faced by this sector. After the recommendations of the Task Force are available within a time bound period of three months, we will decide on how to further move ahead on this road to provide relief and support to this important sector. Let me assure each one of you that your concerns will continue to receive our government's very serious and honest consideration.
At this meeting two day's ago, it was pointed out and rightly so that credit is the lifeline of any business more so for businesses in MSME sector. Our government is committed to double the flow of credit to MSMEs in five years. I note with some satisfaction that loans outstanding to this sector from the public sector banks have registered a growth of close to 25% during the one year. Today we have felicitated some public sector banks for their commendable role in providing credit to MSMEs. I would urge other banks also to ensure higher flow of funds to these enterprises. Greater availability of credit can contribute to the faster modernization and expansion of these enterprises and the augmentation of their productivity and competitiveness. I would urge MSMEs to also explore new and emerging sources of finance such as venture capital and private equity.
The effort of our government is to enable entrepreneurs in the MSME Sector to get one-stop access to facilities for capacity building and skill development, credit, marketing support and quality technology. This would, I believe, enable them to execute their projects speedily and achieve better results. To this end, 2000 clusters have been identified across the country and specific interventions are being carried out in 500 of them to start with. I am told that response of entrepreneurs and other stakeholders to these initiatives has been encouraging. I am also very happy to know that a programme of comprehensive reforms in the Khadi sector is planned to be launched with assistance from the Asian Development Bank. And I congratulate Kumud Ben for the leadership that she has provided to this very important segment of our economy. I would urge the State governments and banks to work hard for the success of these programmes in active collaboration with various development agencies of the government.
In order to improve the competitiveness of MSME sector, the National Manufacturing Competitiveness Programme will have to be implemented in the right earnest with the cooperation of Industries Associations, technical bodies and all other stake holders. I am sure, with the implementation of schemes for lean manufacturing, Mini Tool Rooms, the Design Clinics, business incubators and ICT applications the competitiveness of these units will increase considerably. This will require of course sustained efforts of all the stakeholders. I urge the industrial associations to take full advantage of these programmes.
It is important to get a clear picture of the opportunities available to and the constraints faced by the MSMEs. This requires more accurate data. I believe that the fourth All India Census of this sector will provide detailed information about the MSME sector. This will in due course of time help in formulating new policies and strengthening the existing ones for more effective implementation of development and promotional plans.
Let me conclude by reiterating once again our governments' commitment to support to nurse and to encourage this very important segment and sector of our economy. I once again congratulate today's award winners and I hope that they will serve as an inspiration for others and role models for guiding more people to come in this vital area of national economy".
akt/sh/vk/dk/kol/13:35 hrs.
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
Shri Prasada returns with successful NELP VIII & CBM IV Road Shows at Houston and Calgary
OVER 50 COMPANIES/ORGANIZATIONS EACH ATTEND THE ROAD SHOWS
New Delhi: August 28, 2009
The Minister of State for Petroleum & Natural Gas has returned from highly successful visit to US and Canada in connection with chairing Road Shows for promoting the 8th round of offers under New Exploration Licensing Policy (NELP-VIII) and 4th round of offers under Coal Bed Methane(CBM-IV). Speaking at the road shows Shri Prasada invited E&P companies to be part of the highly attractive offers in the Indian basins. He also emphasized that over two dozen foreign companies like British Gas, British Petroleum , Shell, ENI, Gaz de France, BHP Billiton, Santos, Gazprom, Nafotgaz, Cairn Energy, Niko Resources, Hardy Exploration & Production etc. The Minister further informed that over 70 oil and gas discoveries have been made in the blocks offered under NELP. He expressed hope that the E&P companies would take the advantage of the attractive investment opportunities offered in NELP-VIII and CBM-IV.
A total of 94 delegates from more than 50 companies/Organisations including some the leading E&P companies and service providers participated in the successfully held road show at Calgary. These included 17 E&P companies, 29 oil and gas field service providers and 10 other organizations, including investors. Some of the main E&P companies which participated in the Roadshow were Canoro Resources, Alberta Oilsands Inc, Pengrowth, Husky Energy, Oil India Limited, BG India, GAIL India Limited, Niko Resources Limited, TransGlobe Energy, Plan Energy Inc, Crew Energy Inc, etc.
The Road Show at Houston (US) on August 20, 2009 was attended by 52 companies and organizations which also featured an investors' round table on the sideline. These included 27 E&P companies/Organisations including the leading E&P companies and 25 non E&P companies. Some of the main E&P companies which participated in the Roadshow were Conoco Philips, Noble Energy, Exxon Mobil, Petrotel, BHP Billiton, Devon Energy, Hess Corporation, BP, BG, Apache, TOTAL, RIL and ONGC etc. The concerns of US companies were clarified by the Indian Delegation.
To facilitate data viewing by Exploration and Production companies, the Government of India has opened a data centre at Noida , India, and at other centres at Houston, London, Calgary and Perth, the data centres will be available for access on request. The data for NELP-VIII &CBM-IV can be viewed by companies at any of these centres as well as online through website and thereafter interested companies may purchase data.
Promotional Roadshows for NELP-VIII and CBM-IV have been planned also at London ( 8-9 September 2009), Perth ( 22nd September 2009) and Brisbane ( 24-25 September 2009).
The bid closing date for NELP-VIII and CBM-IV is 12th October, 2009. It is expected that NELP-VIII and CBM-IV bid rounds would result in a very good response from E&P companies and prospective investors as they are likely to avail of the excellent investment opportunities being offered through NELP-VIII and CBM-IV. Government is committed to complete evaluation, award and signing of production Sharing Contracts in a reasonable time frame and the whole process would be completed in a transparent manner as demonstrated in past rounds of NELP &CBM.
rcj/ls/dk/kol/13:35 hrs.
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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Ministry of Railways
National Sports Awards to Railway Sports Promotion Board and Railway Sportspersons
New Delhi: August 28, 2009
Railway Sports Promotion Board of Ministry of Railways has bagged the first "Rastriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar", in the category – Employment of Sportspersons and Sports Welfare Measures of National Sports Awards for the year 2009 announced by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
Besides, Shri Sushil Kumar (Northern Railway), Wrestler has also been awarded with "Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna", the highest individual sports award of the country. Moreover, Shri Jaidev Bisht (Northern Railway), Boxing Coach has been honoured with prestigious "Dronacharya Award" and Shri Mangal Singh Champia (Eastern Railway), Archer and Ms. Surinder Kaur (Northern Railway), Women Hockey player, have also been honoured with "Arjuna Awards".
The "Rastriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar" has been introduced by the Government of India, from this year. The efforts being made by Railway Sports Promotion Board for promotion of sports in the country have also been appreciated by the Government of India and honoured with the first "Rastriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar".
aks/hk/lk/tr/dk/kol/13:35 hrs.
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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Ministry of Railways
Performance of production units during April - July 2009
New Delhi: August 28, 2009
Chitranjan Locomotive Works (CLW) produced 45 electric locomotives against the target of 48 electronic locomotives and Diesel Locomotive Works (DLW) produced 86 diesel locomotives against the target of 83 diesel locomotives during April-July 2009. Rail Coach Factory (RCF) produced 515 coaches against the target of 515 coaches where as Integral Coach Factory (ICF) produced 403 coaches against the targets of 407 coaches during the same period. Rail Wheel Factory (RWF) produced 63266 wheels and 24898 axles during the same period against the target of 62099 wheels and 20037 axles during April-July 2009.
During the month of July 2009, CLW, DLW, ICF, RCF and RWF have produced 19 electric locomotives, 25 diesel locomotive, 118 coaches, 140 coaches, 19501 wheels and 8135 axles respectively against the target of 21 electric locomotives, 21 diesel locomotive, 110 coaches, 140 coaches, 19094 wheels and 6284 axels.
Railways have realized an amount of Rs. 28.75 crore approximately during the month of July 2009 through ticket checking.
aks/hk/lk/tr/dk/kol/13:35 hrs.
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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Ministry of Water Resources
Water quality monitoring at major river basins
New Delhi: August 28, 2009
Central Water Commission (CWC) under Ministry of Water Resources monitors water quality at the key locations covering all the major river basins of the country. It has a three-tier laboratory system for analysis of the parameters for monitoring.
The Level – I laboratories are located at 258 field water quality-monitoring stations on major rivers of India. The physical parameters such as temperature, colour, odour, specific conductivity, total dissolved solids, pH and dissolved oxygen of river water are observed in these laboratories.
The Level-II laboratories located at 24 selected divisional headquarters to analyse 25 physico-chemical characteristics and bacteriological parameters of the river water.
The Level–III/II+ laboratories are located at 4 places namely Varanasi, Delhi, Hyderabad and Coimbatore. 41 parameters including heavy elements/toxic parameters and pesticides are analysed periodically in these laboratories.
CWC computerizes the data generated in the Data base system and disseminates in the form of Hydrological Year Book and Status Reports. Water Quality yearbooks are published and water quality bulletins also issued regularly.
sk/bs/dk/kol/13:35 hrs.
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