Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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Ministry of Power
Advance planning must for achieving Power Sector targets: Sushilkumar Shinde
INTERNATIONAL CONCLAVE ON "KEY INPUTS FOR ACCELERATED DEVELOPMENT OF INDIAN POWER SECTOR FOR 12TH PLAN & BEYOND" BEGINS IN NEW DELHI
New Delhi: August 18, 2009
Setting the tone for deliberations at the International Conclave on "key inputs for accelerated development of Indian power sector for 12th plan & beyond" which began in New Delhi today, Union Power Minister Shri SushilKumar Shinde called upon all stakeholders in Power Sector to plan in advance so that targets could be achieved well in time. Delivering the inaugural address, the Minister observed that advance planning is required due to long gestation period of the power projects. He said that lack of adequate planning had been the main cause of failure in achieving power sector targets set for the 8th, 9th and 10th plan periods. He said that more than 16000 MW capacity has already been added in the 11th plan and the rest of the targeted capacity is under various stages of construction. Appreciating the initiative of the Central Electricity Authority, CEA in preparing base paper for industry and utilities to asses their preparedness to meet future requirements, particularly in the 12th plan and beyond, Shri Shinde expressed hope that such efforts will ensure that the power sector targets are achieved without much hindrances. Expressing confidence in the power sector's capabilities to achieve future targets, the Minister pointed out that there is a positive environment for the growth of the sector in the country. He said that while his Ministry planned for only 9 Ultra Mega Power Projects in 2007, 13 of them are being considered today.
Addressing the gathering, Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Dr. Montek Singh Ahluwalia stressed the need for concentrating on generation from renewables since the country has a large potential in the area.
The main objective of the Conclave organized by Ministry of Power and CEA is to sensitize the industry and the utilities about the capacity addition and transmission/distribution expansion programme during the 12th Plan and beyond and to discuss their preparedness with respect to meeting the requirements of the power sector. During the Conclave Issues and Constraints being experienced by the project developers and the industry will be discussed and a road map for overcoming the bottlenecks in implementation of the capacity addition plan as also the corresponding transmission and distribution programmes would be drawn. CEA has prepared a base paper on key inputs for accelerated development of power sector for 12th Plan & beyond and a booklet indicating requirement of various equipments and materials for 12th Plan generation, transmission and distribution projects to enable industry to do advanced preparations.
Speaking on the occasion, the Guest of Honour, Shri Bharat Sinh Solanki, Minister of State for Power, said that the major challenge before the Power Sector revolves around providing competitive power to industries and to all households while improving the reliability and quality of supply. Stressing the need to join hands and strive forward together to meet this challenge he said it is essential to exploit a balanced mix of all available energy resources governed by the principles of sustainable development, keeping in view the energy security of the country. The Minister also observed that due to the efforts of the Ministry of Power, orders were placed for about 51,000 MW during the last 2 years and nearly 80,610 MW is being monitored for implementation during the 11th Plan.
Earlier, Shri HS Brahma, Secretary, Ministry of Power, stressed the need for team efforts to achieve future targets. The Conclave, he observed, aims to build that team spirit among all the stake holders.
The two day event is widely attended by equipment manufacturers, contractors, private entrepreneurs, Power Utilities, financial institutions, consultants and training institutes. The industry partners of the Conclave are CII and IEEMA.
pra/pls/dk/kol/16:11 hrs.
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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Ministry of Mines
Government to improve investment climate for mining sector : Handique
New Delhi: August 18, 2009
The Minister of Mines and Minister of Development of North Eastern Region, Shri B.K. Handique has said that efforts would be made to improve the investment climate for mining in the country. He said this while delivering the inaugural address at the 43rd Annual General Meeting of Federation of Indian Minerals Industries (FIMI) here today.
Speaking on the occasion, he said, "we are conscious that policy initiatives and legislative measures need to be evolved constantly with the changing needs". Shri Handique said that sustainable development of our mineral industry, with a view to achieve desired growth rate lies at the very core of our efforts. Indeed, it is our common goal and we are all working towards its fulfillment, he added.
Shri Handique said that the 100 days Agenda include framing of new legislation to give effect to the National Mineral Policy 2008 on the aspects relating to transparency and seamlessness in the concession regime, sustainable development framework etc. The draft legislation is being finalized and will be brought before Parliament in the ensuing Winter Session.
The Minister also gave away Environment, Social Awareness and Excellence awards for the year 2008-09.
nsk/ak/dk/kol/16:11 hrs.
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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Ministry of Urban Development
Annual meeting of the States Secretaries of Urban Development Department of States/uts tomorrow.
New Delhi: August 18, 2009
Ministry of Urban Development has convened the Annual Meeting of the Principal Secretaries /Secretaries of Urban Development of States and Union Territories tomorrow to discuss project completion in 65 Mission Cities under Jawahar Lal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), submission of Quarterly Project Reports (QPRs), utilisation of funds, projected requirement of funds under UIG/UIDSSMT and BSUP / IHSDP. Union Minister for Urban Development, Shri S.Jaipal Reddy will inaugurate the meeting at Vigyan Bhawan.
Implementation of reforms under JNNURM committed up to the end of the fourth year, achievements and shortfalls thereof, reforms committed to be achieved in the fifth year and impact of implementation of reforms on the financial/ functional capabilities of the JNNURM Cities will also form the agenda for discussion. Other Urban Development Schemes like National Urban Sanitation Policy, Pilot project on implementation of Service Level Bench Marks and Accelerated Urban Water Supply Programme (AUWSP), Cooperation with GTZ etc will also be discussed in the meeting.
tfk/ks/dk/kol/16:11 hrs.
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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Presidents Secretariat
President's greetings on the occasion of the Parsi New Year
New Delhi: August 18, 2009
The President of India, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil in her message on the occasion of the Parsi New Year which is being celebrated tomorrow, has said: -
"On the joyous occasion of Navroz, I extend my greetings and good wishes to all my fellow citizens, especially my Parsi sisters and brothers.
May this unique festival heralding the Parsi New Year bring happiness and fulfilment to our people and make us feel proud of our composite culture and pluralistic society".
akt/ad/sh/lv/vk/rk/dk/kol/16:12 hrs.
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