Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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Vice President's Secretariat
Vice President confers National Safety Awards(Mines)
New Delhi: October 23, 2009
The Vice President of India Shri M.Hamid Ansari conferred the "National Safety Awards(Mines)" at a function organized by Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) under Ministry of Labour and Employment here today. Addressing on the occasion he said that while the Indian mining industry has achieved phenomenal progress in production and productivity, accidents in the mining sector are also, sadly, a fact of life. While the risk of hazard cannot be eliminated from mining activity, the consistent efforts since Independence has been to ensure the safety, welfare and the health of workers of mines by minimizing the hazards through all available technological means.
He said that the death rate and serious injury rate per thousand persons have increased during this decade. This needs to be addressed with alacrity, notwithstanding the progress made on safety issues in the decades after nationalization of coal mines and also considering the fact that our record is better than that of many other coal-producing countries.
The Vice President expressed his concern that the total number of inspections carried out by DGMS has gone down by a third in the last fifteen years – from 9942 inspections in 1991 to 7041 inspections in 2006. The paucity of human resources is an obvious hindrance to inspection work. The DGMS website notes that "keeping in mind the limited resources available by way of inspecting officers and associated infrastructure, it is humanly impossible for them to ensure compliance by management at all times and at all work places." He called upon them to correct this situation at the earliest and empower the regulator for mines safety to recruit the requisite talent. This would ensure that lack of personnel does not hinder inspections and thereby cause more human fatalities and casualties.
He praised the efforts of DGMS in organizing safety campaigns and observing safety weeks, holding first aid and rescue competitions and undertaking awareness and information dissemination.
Following is the text of Vice President's address :
"It gives me great pleasure to participate in today's function and felicitate the winners of the National Safety Awards (Mines) for the year 2007. These awards are recognition of the exemplary contribution of the winning mining companies for bettering the safety standards in one of the most hazardous of professions.
Minerals are important for the economic growth of any nation and mining in our country has a history of over two centuries. The incidents of major mining disasters and consequent legislative intervention to ensure mine safety also have a history of over a century. While the Indian mining industry has achieved phenomenal progress in production and productivity, accidents in the mining sector are also, sadly, a fact of life. While the risk of hazard cannot be eliminated from mining activity, the consistent efforts since Independence has been to ensure the safety, welfare and the health of workers of mines by minimizing the hazards through all available technological means.
Technology, globalization and the hunger for mineral assets fuelled by economic development has compounded the safety issues and increased the complexity of addressing them. Mineral activities are expanding laterally and into greater depths, mechanization is intensifying and mine working is extending to adverse locations as a result of the new economic and technological forces. Productivity and efficiency are improving, and in some cases safety and well being are also being compromised.
The latest available Standard Note of the Directorate General of Mines Safety indicates that in the decade 1997-2006, while incidents of fatal and serious accidents in metalliferous and oil mines have significantly reduced, in the case of coal mines the incidence has more or less remained the same. The death rate and serious injury rate per thousand persons have also increased during this decade. This needs to be addressed with alacrity, notwithstanding the progress made on safety issues in the decades after nationalization of coal mines and also considering the fact that our record is better than that of many other coal-producing countries.
The Directorate General of Mines Safety functions under the premise that most of the accidents are preventable, that accidents do not just happen but are caused. The focus on safety thus is on all the three elements of working environment equipment and the workers. Mine safety is extremely important in human terms, keeping in view the catastrophic consequences of injury or fatality for the families involved. Equally important is the heavy economic cost of lack of mine safety.
The Constitution of India under Entry 55 of the Union List under the Seventh Schedule mandates the Central Government to enact legislation for regulation of labour and safety in mines and oil fields. The Directorate General of Mines Safety has been the nodal agency administering all extant legislation on mine safety. One of the most potent instruments available with the DGMS to oversee compliance by the owners and agents of mines with existing safety laws and regulations is the periodic inspection of mines. It is a matter of some concern that the total number of inspections carried out by DGMS has gone down by a third in the last fifteen years – from 9942 inspections in 1991 to 7041 inspections in 2006.
The paucity of human resources is an obvious hindrance to inspection work. The DGMS website notes that "keeping in mind the limited resources available by way of inspecting officers and associated infrastructure, it is humanly impossible for them to ensure compliance by management at all times and at all work places." We must endeavour to correct this situation at the earliest and empower the regulator for mines safety to recruit the requisite talent. This would ensure that lack of personnel does not hinder inspections and thereby cause more human fatalities and casualties.
It is a matter of satisfaction that mines safety is being addressed through self regulation by management and promoting participation of workers in safety management. The two institutional mechanisms of 'Safety Committees' and 'Workmen's Inspectors' have been given statutory backing and have led to greater strides in safety. The efforts of DGMS to organize safety campaigns and observe safety weeks, hold first aid and rescue competitions and undertake awareness and information dissemination are indeed praiseworthy. There is, however, no room for complacency and we must continue to emphasise on systemic inheritance and incorporation of safety measures.
I once again congratulate all the winners of Awards today for being trend setters on mines safety. I thank Shri Mallikarjun Kharge for inviting me to this function."
sk/rs/dk/kol/16:07 hrs.
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
NDA & Naval Academy Exam (I), 2010 to be held on April 18, 2010
New Delhi: October 23, 2009
The Union Public Service Commission will hold the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (I), 2010 on April 18, 2010 for admission to Army, Navy and Air Force Wings of NDA for 125th Course and Naval Academy for 45th 10+2 (Executive Branch) Course commencing from December 30, 2010.
Only unmarried male candidates born not earlier than January 2, 1992 and not later than July 01, 1994 are eligible.
Minimum educational qualification for Army Wing of National Defence Academy is 12th Class pass of 10+2 pattern of school education or equivalent examination conducted by a State Education Board or a University.
For Air and Naval Wings of National Defence Academy and for 10+2 (Executive Branch) course of Naval Academy, 12th Class pass of the 10+2 pattern of school education or equivalent examination with physics and mathematics, conducted by a State Education Board or a University is required. Candidates who are appearing in 12th class under 10+2 pattern of school education or equivalent examination can also apply for this examination.
The candidates must apply in the Common Application Form devised by the Commission for its examinations, which can be purchased from the designated Head Post Offices/Post Offices (specified in Appendix-III of the Notice) throughout the country against cash payment of Rupees twenty only.
All applications must reach the "Secretary, Union Public Service Commission, Dholpur House, Shahjahan Road, New Delhi-110069" either by hand or by post/speed post or by courier, on or before the November 16, 2009. However, in respect of candidates residing abroad or in certain remote localities specified in the Notice the last date for receipt of applications by post/speed post only (not by hand or by courier) is November 23, 2009.
For details regarding the syllabus and scheme of the examination, centers of examination, guidelines for filling up application form etc. aspirants must consult the detailed notice of the examination published in the Employment News/Rozgar Samachar dated October 17, 2009. They can also visit UPSC website www.upsc.gov.in.
In case of any difficulty in obtaining Application Forms from the designated HPOs/Pos, the candidates should immediately contact the concerned Post Master or UPSC's "FORMS SUPPLLY MONITORING CELL" over telephone nos. 011-23389366/fax no.011-23387310. In case of any guidance/information/clarification regarding their applications, candidature etc. candidates can contact UPSC's Facilitation Counter near gate 'c' of its campus in person or over telephone no.011-23385271/011-23381125/011-23098543 during working hours.
rs/sr/dk/kol/16:08 hrs.
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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Ministry of Steel
Nation-wide survey to correctly assess rural demand of steel: Sh.Virbhadra Singh
New Delhi: October 23, 2009
The Steel Ministry has decided to launch a Nation-wide survey on rural steel consumption and demand to correctly assess the rural steel consumption. This survey will cover all the states and union territories covering nearly 300 districts and 1500 villages in the country. The survey conducted by the Joint Plant Committee (JPC) will reveal a true picture of steel consumption pattern and the potential demand, covering all socio-economic and geographical entities of the country. This was announced by the Steel Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh while inaugurating the Conference on 'Diversifying and Enhancing Steel Consumption' here today. He said, based on this survey, we will orient our strategy for an accelerated steel consumption growth in rural India, which will also be in concurrence with the government's programme for a vibrant and developing 'Gramin Bharat'. The Minister said consumption of steel in rural areas remains quite low despite a modest rise in last 2-3 years.
He said, one of the major reasons of low rural consumption is the lack of easy availability of steel in remote blocks and villages. Emphasising the need to strengthen distribution network in rural areas he said if steel items of mass consumption were easily available in the villages, the picture could have been different. The Minister said, over the past few years the PSU steel companies have taken lead in opening nearly 1500 distribution centers in the district and block levels. Steel Processing Units are also being set up in various states to manufacture the products locally to cater to the specific needs of that region. Shri Virbhadra Singh expressed the hope that private sector steel units will soon take action in establishing rural distribution networks and see that their products of mass consumption are easily available in the remotest parts of the country, at affordable prices.
He urged the steel industry to be proactive in steel application designs. Better quality and lower cost of application will certainly be acceptable by the users by way of value offers. This will be one of the most positive ways of improving steel consumption. The Research and Resign (R&D) in steel sector should put higher emphasis on steel intensive product innovations and design applications.
The Minister expressed his happiness that FICCI has been bold enough to choose a topic on the diverse subject concerning steel consumption. He hoped the Conference would elaborate on the various diverse issues and arrive at a common consensus
dnm/pkm/sb/dk/kol/16:08 hrs.
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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Ministry of Labour & Employment
Vice President gives away National Safety Awards
New Delhi: October 23, 2009
LABOUR MINISTER CALLS FOR COMPREHENSIVE MECHANISM FOR OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SURVEILLANCE IN MINES
The Vice President Shri M. Hamid Ansari presented the National Safety Awards (Mines) for the year 2007 here today.
Speaking on the occasion, the Vice President said that technology, globalization and the hunger for mineral assets fuelled by economic development has compounded the safety issues and increased the complexity of addressing them. He said that the productivity and efficiency are improving; and in some cases safety and well being are being compromised as a result of the new economic and technological forces.
The Vice President expressed satisfaction over the fact that mines safety is being addressed through self regulation by management and promoting participation of workers in safety management. He said that the two institutional mechanisms of ' Safety Committees' and 'Workmen's Inspectors' have been given statutory backing and have led to greater strides in safety. He said that consistent efforts since independence have been made to ensure the safety, welfare and the health of workers of mines by minimizing the hazards through all available technological means.
The Vice President however expressed the concern that over the fact that the total number of inspections carried out by the Directorate General of Mines Safety to oversee the compliance of safety norms by the owners, has gone by a third in the last fifteen years – from 9942 inspections in 1991 to 7041 inspections in 2006.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Mallikarjun Kharge said that in the previous year (calendar year 2008), we have achieved one of the lowest fatality rates of 0.26 per thousand persons of employment in coal mines while the corresponding figure for non-coal mines stands at 0.55. "However, we will have to go a long way to achieve the coveted goal of Zero harm in our mining industry," the Minister added.
Shri Kharge emphasized that creation of a "Culture of prevention" across all employees of an organization is critical for progress towards zero harm and added that a comprehensive approach, based on a culture of prevention, of all accidents, injuries and occupational diseases in mines needs to be adopted.
Stating that safety is a fundamental right, the Minister said that production of minerals at a high cost especially in terms of human lives or human sufferings is not an acceptable proposition. Shri Kharge said that there is an urgent need to formulate and implement a comprehensive mechanism for occupational health surveillance in mines. Stating that mining has a large employment potential, employing more than a million persons directly, the Minister said that it should be our endeavor to ensure the safety and health of these workers who toil hard in this key sector, with continuous risk to themselves, to take the nation forward. Shri Kharge said that this can be done through training and education by suitable and effective means.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister of State for Labour & Employment Shri Harish Rawat congratulated the awardees for their outstanding feat of promoting and maintaining highest standard of safety in mines.
Shri Rawat noted with satisfaction that the years 2007 & 2008 had recorded a very low rate of fatal and serious accidents in mines and added that the mine workers and there managements deserved to be commended for this. He, however, cautioned that there is no room for complacency and relentless efforts must be put in to make our mining industry one of the safest in the world. Real progress in the area of mines safety would be possible only with a full cooperation and commitment of all the stakeholders – management employees and the government, Shri Rawat added.
Shri P. C. Chaturvedi, Secretary, Ministry of Labour & Employment informed that the Ministry undertakes various measures to ensure safe and healthy work environment for the mine workers which include legislative measures also. Shri Chaturvedi also informed that the average number of fatality per year has come down from 264 during 1971-80, i.e. prior to institution of the Awards, to 110 during 2001-08 for coal mines. Corresponding figures for non-coal mines is 74 during 1971-80 to 69 during 2001-2008.
The Ministry of Labour & Employment, instituted the National Safety Awards (Mines) in the year 1982-83 to recognize and encourage the exemplary performance for prevention of accidents in Mines. These awards were given away for the first time in the year 1984 for the contest years 1982 & 1983 and thereafter, regularly every year.
The Award Scheme is operated by the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS), Dhanbad.
For the purpose of the contest for National Safety Awards (Mines), all mines have been divided into seven different groups depending upon the type of mineral and nature of workings. The indicators of safety performance for determining eligibility of these awards include Longest Accident Free Period in terms of manshifts worked during three consecutive years ending with the contest year and Lowest Injury Frequency Rate during three consecutive years ending with the contest year.
A tripartite Awards Committee comprising of eight representatives of trade unions, with the Director General of Mines Safety as its Chairman submits its recommendation on the list of award winners for the contest year to the Ministry.
The detailed list of Awardees is available on the Website of the PIB. :- Click on this Link for the List of Awardees
vba/rs/dk/kol/16:08 hrs.
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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Ministry of Environment and Forests
Workshop on EPI for Identification of Assessment of Critically Polluted Areas
New Delhi: October 23, 2009
One Day Workshop on Development of Environmental Pollution Index (EPI) for Identification and Assessment of Critically Polluted Areas begins here tomorrow. The aim of this workshop is to develop an Environmental Pollution Index (EPI) for the quantification of the environment health of industrial areas. The EPI helps in synthesizing the available information on environmental status of the area by using quantitative criteria, thus reducing complex information into a smaller, more easily retained, amount of information. EPI also helps in determining the effectiveness and comparing alternative plans and policies and assists environmental decision-makers in initiating appropriate measures in ranking the critically polluted areas. Subsequently, the decision makers can devise an effective and efficient management plans to improve the environmental quality of the identified critically polluted areas.
The new EPI will help to yield information about linkages between causes and effects and cross-link them. It will be possible to analyze adequately complex, multidisciplinary, large-scale, global phenomena.
Objectives of the workshop are to identify the adequacy of the available data and monitoring protocols in terms of air, water and soil quality parameters which could be used for representing the environmental health of the area, to get feedback on the proposed EPI which is based on the concept, Source -> Pathways -> Receptor, which is simple to use, transparent, and expandable across other issues, apply the proposed EPI to selected polluted area and relatively rank them in terms of their environmental health and propose a guideline for preparing action plan (industry specific as well as infrastructure specific) as corrective and preventive measures for the critically polluted areas.
kp/dk/kol/16:09 hrs.
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Wheat and edible oil prices show declining trend
New Delhi: October 23, 2009
Retail prices of wheat, groundnut oil, mustard oil, and vanaspati witnessed a declining trend in Delhi in the last six months.
As per data collected by the Department of Consumer Affairs, the price of wheat came down from Rs. 14 to Rs.13 per kg.
Groundnut oil became cheaper by Rs. 4 per lt. while mustard oil recorded a decrease of Rs. 5 per lt. at Rs. 61, down from Rs. 66.
Vanaspati prices also registered a declining trend during the same period. Its price was Rs. 51 per lt. down from Rs. 54.
The prices of pulses, however, remained on higher side. In the meantime, PSUs have contracted 3.02 lakh tonne of pulses. Out of this 2.23 lakh tonne have arrived and 0.98 lakh tonne have been disposed from the stocks with these agencies upto 7th of October 2009.
mp:sb:cp:commodity prices(23.10.2009)/dk/kol/16:09 hrs.
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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Ministry of Food Processing Industries
First National Conference on National Meat and Poultry Processing Board
New Delhi: October 23, 2009
National Meat and Poultry Processing Board under the aegis of Ministry of Food Processing Industries is organising the first National Level Conference "Meat and Poultry processing Industry in India- Potential and Challenges" Exhibition-cum-Training on 4th, 5th and 6th November, 2009 here. The Conference/Exhibition-cum-Training will have participants from Meat/Poultry sector, entrepreneurs and meat/poultry workers, State Government officials and all other stake holders. Shri Subodh Kant Sahai, Minister of Food Processing Industries will inaugurate the Conference.
Exhibition of 50 participants of the meat/poultry sector consisting of small micro, medium and large sector industry will be displayed for three days. Films on meat/poultry sector, lectures from experts in this sector regarding slaughtering of animals, dressing, personal hygiene, vending, dispatch, capacity building, technology, quality issues, processing, packaging, R&D, cold chain and preservation of products will be discussed.
The first day will include inaugural session and technical sessions. The second day will consists of basic training of 100 prospective entrepreneurs in the meat and poultry sector and third day will have training of 100 meat/poultry sector workers.
vlk/ska/dk/kol/16:10 hrs.
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
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Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises
Shri Dinsha Patel presides over the 3rd Governing Council Meeting of Ni-MSME, Hyderabad
New Delhi: October 23, 2009
The 2nd Annual General Meeting and the 3rd Governing Council Meeting of Ni-MSME (National Institute for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises), Hyderabad, a national level Entrepreneurship Development Institute under Ministry of MSME was held recently. Shri Dinsha J. Patel, Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises presided over the meeting.
Appreciating the work done by NiMSME in the field of entrepreneurship development, the Minister noted that Ni-MSME had trained more than 1.25 lakh Indian participants and more than 7000 executives of 127 countries since its inception. He praised the Institute for training 59% more participants during the year 2008-09 as compared to the year 2007-08.
The Minister informed that the Prime Minister had set up a High level task force to look into the problems faced by MSMEs and he hoped that Government would be able to take important policy decisions on the basis of the report of the task force.
He further stated that the Prime Minister had set up Skill Development Mission to train 500 million persons by 2022 under which the Ministry and its organisations, including NiMSME, would play an important role.
On the occasion, the Minister also launched the redesigned website of Ni-MSME and hoped that it would help the entrepreneurs in making use of the services offered by NiMSME.
rts/vn/dk/kol/16:10 hrs.
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