Releases...........pt2

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
* * * * * *
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
* * * * * *
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
* * * * * *
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
* * * * * *
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.
(iv) 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
* * * * * *
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.

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
* * * * * *
Ministry of Environment and Forests Factsheet
Status of GM rice development in India
New Delhi: August 6, 2009

GM rice is being developed by several public/private institutions.
Status of GM rice in India is as follows:
S.No. Developer Gene events Trait Status
1 M/s Mahyco cry1Ac gene Insect resistant Multi Locational Trials
completed in 2007 for
generation of biosafety
data known as Biosafety
Research Trails level-1
(BRL-1).
2 Directorate of Rice Cry1Ac gene Insect Resistant Green house stage
Research (DDR)
Indian Council of
Agricultural Research (IARI) and University of
Agricultural Science,
Dharwad (UAS).
3 IARI/ICAR Cry1Aa3 gene Insect resistance Laboratory stage
4 IARI/ICAR Chitinase gene Disease resistance Laboratory stage
5 IARI/ICAR DREB1a, TPSI Drought and Laboratory stage
salinity tolerance
6 IARI/ICAR PDC gene Submergence Laboratory stage
tolerance
7 IARI/DRR/Tamil Nadu GR-1& GR-2 Nutritionally Green house stage
Agricultrual University enhanced
(TANU)/ Delhi University )
(DU)
8 Bayer Cropscience EE-1 event Insect resistance Multi Location
Trials (BRL-1)
9 Pioneer/ Dupont - insect resistance Laboratory stage
10 Avesthagen Antisense Multy Location Trials
unedited (BRL-1)
NAD9 gene
11 Avesthagen MNSOD Tolerant to Green house stage
oxidative stress
12 MS Swaminathan Research Mangrove Submergence Green house stage
Foundation tolerance
13 Punjab Agricultural amA-1 gene Nutritioally Green house stage
University and Cuttack Rice Research Institute enhanced

kp/dk/kol/16:35 hrs.

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
* * * * * *
Ministry of Home Affairs
Amarnath Yatra concludes peacefully

HM CONGRATULATES J&K GOVT, SECURITY FORCES AND OTHERS FOR THEIR ROLE
New Delhi: August 6, 2009

The Amarnath Yatra came to an end yesterday. The Yatra has always been
an expression of unity and traditional secular values in vogue from
time immemorial in the State of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Union Home Minister Shri P. Chidambaram has congratulated the
State Government, Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, the Central
Paramilitary Forces, the State Police, Intelligence agencies and all
others for ensuring the successful and peaceful completion of the
Yatra.
The Yatra commenced on 15th June 2009. The delayed start was because
of heavy snowfall in that area. Nevertheless, during the 52-day
period, 3.92 lakh pilgrims performed the Yatra and visited the shrine.
This year 67 companies of Central Paramilitary Forces (CRPF – 40, BSF
– 27) were deployed for the Yatra. Besides, the State Police deployed
their own Forces. Despite a large number of attempts to infiltrate and
disrupt the Yatra, security forces working in close concert with the
Intelligence agencies were able to ensure that the Yatra was not
disrupted and that all the pilgrims were safe. The Shri Amarnathji
Shrine Board (SASB), which is responsible for the Yatra, performed an
admirable job and was able to achieve total coordination among all
agencies involved in the arrangements.

ok/rs/pkm/dk/kol/16:36 hrs.

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
* * * * * *
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions RAJYA SABHA
All 27 States have constituted Information Commission under RTI Act
New Delhi: August 6, 2009

All the 27 States to which the Right to Information Act, 2005 applies,
have constituted the Information Commissions. Union Territories are
covered by the Central Information Commission.
Government has initiated a centrally sponsored scheme on
'Strengthening, Capacity Building and Awareness Generation for
Effective Implementation of the RTI Act' by providing funds to State
Information Commissions for their IT enablement and propagation of
right to information; imparting training to various stakeholders; and
generating awareness through media etc.
This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of
Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Shri Prithviraj Chavan in a
written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.

rs/sr/dk/kol/16:36 hrs.

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
* * * * * *
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions RAJYA SABHA
Disproportionate Assets cases probed by CBI
New Delhi: August 6, 2009

During the period from 01-01-2000 to 30-06-2009, 920 cases of
Disproportionate Assets were registered by the CBI. Charge sheets were
filed in 529 cases and 60 cases of Disproportionate Assets resulted in
conviction. 139 such cases are pending trial in various courts for
more than ten years. No Disproportionate Assets case is pending
investigation for ten or more years.
CBI files charge sheet as soon as investigation in a case is
completed. The time taken for investigation of cases by the CBI
depends on the nature of cases, number of voluminous documents
requiring scrutiny and the number of witnesses. CBI endeavors to
complete investigation in all cases at the earliest. There is a laid
down system of holding monthly and quarterly review meetings where the
cases under investigation are examined with a view to finalise them
early.
Also, 39 Special Courts exclusively for trial of CBI cases have been
set up all over the country for speedy disposal of CBI cases.
This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of
Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Shri Prithviraj Chavan in a
written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.

rs/sr/dk/kol/16:37 hrs.

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
* * * * * *
Ministry of Law & Justice Lok Sabha
Women Judges in Courts
New Delhi: August 6, 2009

Appointment of Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts is made
under Articles 124 and 217 of the Constitution of India respectively,
which do not provide for reservation for any caste or class of
persons. The Government has, however, addressed letters to the Chief
Justices of the High Courts from time to time impressing upon them the
need to give representation to persons from the Bar, belonging to
Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, Minorities
and from amongst Women, who may be suitable for appointment as High
Court Judges.
This information was given by Dr. M.Veerappa Moily, Minister of Law
and Justice, in the Lok Sabha today in a written reply.

vlk/ska/dk/kol/16:37 hrs.

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
* * * * * *
Ministry of Law & Justice Lok Sabha
Corruption in Judiciary
New Delhi: August 6, 2009

Allegations of corruption in the higher judiciary have come to the
notice of the Government time to time. As for the subordinate
judiciary, the administrative control over its members vests with the
concerned High Courts and the State Governments as per the provisions
of Article 235 of the Constitution of India.
The Government is in the process of preparing a road map for judicial
reforms in the country. Consultations in this regard have already
begun. Accountability in the judiciary is also one of the components
of the judicial reforms. A decision in the matter will be taken on
completion of the process of consultation.
This information was given by Dr. M.Veerappa Moily, Minister of Law
and Justice, in the Lok Sabha today in a written reply.

vlk/ska/dk/kol/16:37 hrs.

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
* * * * * *
Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs Rajya Sabha
Instructions to various departments/organisations in official
correspondence with MPs
New Delhi: August 6, 2009

Apart from the previsions in the Conduct Rules, and the Manual of
Office Procedure, Government has issued detailed instructions on the
conduct of Government servants in official dealings and correspondence
with the Members of Parliament.
The need for observance of the instructions reiterated from time to
time as and when felt necessary.
On a few occasions when complaints were received, they were taken up
with the authorities concerned and pursued.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Parliamentary
Affairs & Planning, Shri V. Narayansami in written reply to a question
in Rajya Sabha today.

sp/as/dk/kol/16:38 hrs.

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
* * * * * *
Ministry of Railways Lok Sabha
7500 Summer special trains run during 2009
New Delhi: August 6, 2009

The Railways have run approximately 7500 summer special trains during
this year compared to 3616 in the year 2008 and 2295 summer special
trains in the year 2007.
Time table for Summer Special trains is published every year. However,
it is not always possible to include all summer special trains in the
time table as some of the special trains are run at short notices in
order to clear surge of passenger traffic due to certain events.
Publicity to the extent feasible is given to such special trains
through print media and notice boards/public announcement system at
the stations.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Ministry of
Railways, Shri K. H. Muniyappa in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

aks/hk/lk/tr/dk/kol/16:38 hrs.

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
* * * * * *
Ministry of Railways Lok Sabha
Railway Projects funded by Foreign Financial Institutions
New Delhi: August 6, 2009

Railways have taken loans from various foreign financial agencies for
the execution of following ongoing railway projects. These are:-
i) Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP) for improvement of suburban
rail services in Mumbai area, which has both road and rail components.
The estimated cost of the rail component of the project is Rs. 4174.40
crore. It is partly funded by a loan from World Bank i.e. The
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) loan and
International Development Association (IDA). Credit earmarked for the
rail component of the project are US $ 304.5 million and US $ 60
million respectively from IBRD and IDA. The total amount utilized
under this loan upto March 31, 2009 is US $ 132.072 million of IBRD
loan and US $ 42.47 million of IDA credit.
ii) Modernization of Signalling between Ghaziabad and Kanpur at an
estimated cost of Euro 108.5 million is being partly funded by loan
from Kreditanstalt fur Wiederafbau (KfW), Germany. The loan amount is
Euro 94.5 million. The total amount utilized under this loan upto
March 31, 2009 is 24.028 million Euros.
iii) The Asian Development Bank has extended a loan to finance the
Railway Sector Improvement Project with the objective of enhancing
capacity of the rail network and improving operational
efficiency/safety. The subprojects to be funded from the loan are
principally in the Golden Quadrilateral and its Diagonals and Port
Connectivity projects. The estimated total cost of the various
projects under this loan is Rs. 990.82 crore. The loan amount is US $
212.3 million. The total amount utilized under this loan upto March
31, 2009 is US $ 126.115 million.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Ministry of
Railways, Shri K. H. Muniyappa in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

aks/hk/lk/tr/dk/kol/16:39 hrs.

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
* * * * * *
Ministry of Railways Lok Sabha
Rehabilitation of Railway Bridges
New Delhi: August 6, 2009

A total of 12851 numbers of Railway Bridges, including 1345 numbers of
distressed bridges, have been rehabilitated/rebuilt/strengthened on
Indian Railway since 1998-99 upto May 2009. No Railway bridges in the
country have been declared dangerous by the Railway Safety Review
Committee.
Rehabilitation/rebuilding/strengthening of Bridges is an ongoing work
on Indian Railways. Rehabilitation/rebuilding/strengthening of Bridges
is undertaken on the basis of their physical condition as ascertained
during regular inspections carried out in the field and not on the
basis of age. Therefore, all old Bridges do not necessarily require
rehabilitation/rebuilding/strengthening.
Certain bridges which may show signs of deterioration of physical
condition indicating need for rehabilitation etc. are classified as
Distressed Bridges. These, however, are neither unsafe nor dilapidated
bridges. Priority is given to early
rehabilitation/rebuilding/strengthening of such Distressed Bridges. If
required, suitable speed restrictions are imposed on such bridges till
rehabilitation/rebuilding/strengthening is carried out. Sometimes, the
bridges are strengthened due to the requirement of heavier axle loads
and higher tractive effort. Based on such identification of bridges,
allotment of funds is made annually to carry out their
rehabilitation/rebuilding/strengthening duly prioritizing the works as
per requirement.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Ministry of
Railways, Shri K. H. Muniyappa in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

aks/hk/lk/tr/dk/kol/16:39 hrs.

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
* * * * * *
Ministry of Railways Lok Sabha
Railways take measures to prevent accidents
New Delhi: August 6, 2009

As a result of safety measures taken by the Railways to prevent
accidents, there has been a declining trend in the number of train
accidents from 415 in year 2001-02 to 194 in 2007-08 and further to
177 in the year 2008-09. Measures taken include timely replacement of
over-aged assets, adoption of suitable technologies for upgradation
and maintenance of track, measurement of overstressing of track and
bridges, rolling stock, signaling and interlocking systems, safety
drives and inspections at regular intervals to monitor and educate
staff for observance of safe practices.
Each and every train accident is inquired either by a committee of
railway officers or by the Commission of Railway Safety depending upon
the seriousness of the accident. During the years 2006-07, 2007-08,
2008-09 and in the current year from April to July 2009, a total of
613 consequential train accidents took place on Indian Railways. Out
of which, 80 were inquired into by the Commission of Railway Safety
and balance 533 were inquired into by the Departmental committees.
Each inquiry establishes the cause and the responsibility.
Recommendations/findings of the Commission of Railway Safety and the
Departmental Committees are examined by the concerned Departments of
Indian railways for compliance if feasible and disciplinary action is
taken against the defaulting staff. During 2006-07 to 2008-09, major
penalties have been awarded to 207 defaulting staff and minor
penalties have been awarded to 303 defaulting staff. In the current
year from April-June 2009, major penalty has been awarded to 19 and
minor penalty has been awarded to 30 defaulting staff.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Ministry of
Railways, Shri K. H. Muniyappa in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

aks/hk/lk/tr/dk/kol/16:40 hrs.

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
* * * * * *
Ministry of Railways Lok Sabha
Implementation of Integrated Security System on Railways
New Delhi: August 6, 2009

The Ministry of Railways has accorded approval for implementation of
Integrated Security System at 195 sensitive/vulnerable railway
stations in the country at an estimated cost of Rs. 344.31 crore.
Modern Arms/Ammunition worth Rs. 10.91 crore have been procured for
the Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel during the year 2008-09.
Rs. 67.09 crore have been sanctioned to RPF for procurement of
security equipment. 973 numbers of additional posts have been
sanctioned to strengthen RPF.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Ministry of
Railways, Shri K. H. Muniyappa in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

aks/hk/lk/tr/dk/kol/16:40 hrs.
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
* * * * * *
Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises Lok Sabha
Vehicles for Physically Challenged Persons
New Delhi: August 6, 2009

The Department of Heavy Industry (DHI) has been advising the car
manufacturers to bring out at least one or two models of their cars
suitable to be driven by the physically challenged persons. The
Government of India is also providing excise duty concession on
vehicles meant for physically challenged people.
The Indian Automobile Manufacturers were earlier providing vehicles
with automatic transmission for physically challenged persons.
However, they had to discontinue the making of such vehicles as the
demand for those vehicles is less and making them available "off the
shelf" is not economically viable. Therefore, the Society of Indian
Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) has informed that Indian Automobile
Industry is committed to manufacture such vehicles on specific order
to suit the disability of persons. This will ensure that the vehicles
are tailor-made to suite the specific disability of persons. Ever
since the disinvestment of the Maruti Udyog Ltd. (MUL), there are no
car manufacturing companies in the public sector.
The Minister of State gave this information for Heavy Industries and
Public Enterprises, Shri Arun Yadav in the Lok Sabha today.

ss/pm/dk/kol/16:41 hrs.
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
* * * * * *
Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises Lok Sabha
Mini Ratna Status to CPSEs
New Delhi: August 6, 2009

The proposals for the grant of Miniratna status to Central Public
Sector Enterprises (CPSE) originate from the concerned administrative
Ministry/ Department. The Department of Public Enterprises (DPE)
conveys its approval within six weeks of the receipt of such
proposals.
As per criteria, the CPSEs having profit in the last three years
continuously, with pre-tax profit of Rs.30 crore or more in at least
one of the three years, and having positive net worth are eligible to
be considered for grant of Miniratna Category – I status. The CPSEs
having profit in the last three years continuously and having positive
net worth are eligible to be considered for grant of Miniratna
Category- II status.
As of now, no proposal has been received in the Department of Public
Enterprises for grant of Miniratna status to any of the Central Public
Enterprises (CPSEs) in the Textiles sector.
The Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises,
Shri Arun Yadav said that the executives of the Central Public
Enterprises (CPSEs) are entitled to House Rent Allowance (HRA) if they
are not staying in the official accommodation provided by the CPSEs.
Where CPSEs provide the leased residential accommodation, the
responsibility of repair and maintenance lies with the lessor, in
terms of the lease deed. However, self-leased accommodation should not
become a source of additional income for the executives. The
Government has reiterated this position of prohibiting reimbursement
to executives towards repair and maintenance of leased accommodation
provided to them in line with C & AG's observations.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Heavy
Industries and Public Enterprises, Shri Arun Yadav in the Lok Sabha
today.
ss/pm/dk/kol/16:41 hrs.