FLOOD CONTROL IN ASSAM

    The Government have formulated a long-term policy on Brahmaputra River to control the flood situation in the State of Assam.

    Since Independence, flood control measures in an organised manner have been implemented to control the floods of Brahmaputra river. Till the end of Eighth Plan an area of 1.63 million hectares in the Brahmaputra valley has been given reasonable protection against floods through construction of 4,450 km. of embankments, 643 anti-erosion works, 85 major sluices and 85 km of drainage channels. During the IX Plan, it is anticipated that an additional area of 0.65 lakh hectare will be benefitted by the implementation of further flood control schemes in the Brahmaputra basin.

    This information was given by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Water Resources Shri Sompal in a written reply to Smt. Basanti Sarma in the Rajya Sabha today.
 
 

FALL IN GROUND WATER LEVEL IN GUJARAT

    NThe long-term observations of ground water levels in Gujarat have been made by the Central Ground Water Board. They have shown a decline of water levels upto 10.61 metres in shallow aquifers and upto 50.37 metres in deeper aquifers in the State.

    As per information made available by the Government of Gujarat, the `Sardar Sarovar Canal and Mahi Pipeline-based drinking water supply Plan' has been prepared for sustainable drinking water sources for Saurashtra, Kutch, North Gujarat including Panchmahal districts with an approximate cost of Rs. 4,700 crores. Extensive work of recharge and water harvesting structures has also been taken up to solve the drinking water problem of Kutch District. The State Government have also informed that they have formulated a project for augmenting surface water recharge in over-exploited aquifers in North Gujarat region for O.E.C.E. (Japan) assistance amounting to Rs. 359.5 crores to solve the problem of drinking water and scarcity of irrigation resources in the region.

    Central Ground Water Board, while carrying out scientific exploration through drilling of wells in different parts of the country, has handed over 12 wells in Kutch District.

    This information was given by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Water Resources Shri Sompal in a written reply to Shri Gopalsinh G. Solanki in the Rajya Sabha today.
 
 

NATIONAL WATER POLICY

    The updated draft National Water Policy has been considered by the National Water Board, on which all the State Governments are represented by their Chief Secretaries and it has been approved by general consensus. Some States had some reservations about certain aspects of the Policy.

    The draft National Water Policy is to be placed before the National Water Resources Council for adoption.

    This information was given by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Water Resources Shri Sompal in a written reply to Shri P. Prabhakar Reddy in the Rajya Sabha today.
 
 

IRRIGATION PROJECTS FOR UNIRRIGATED LAND

    With a view to cover more areas under irrigation, the Planning Commission has set target for creation of additional irrigation potential during the Ninth Five Year Plan at 17.05 million hectares comprising 9.81 million hectares through major and medium irrigation and 7.24 million hectares through minor irrigation. For the purpose of achieving the said targets, Planning Commission has allocated outlays of Rs. 43035 crores and Rs. 9315 crores for major and medium irrigation sector and minor irrigation sector respectively in the Ninth Five Year Plan. Also, based on the proposals received from the State Governments, the Government of India will continue to provide Central Loan Assistance (CLA) to the States for expeditious completion of selected ongoing major and medium irrigation and multi-purpose projects under Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) launched in 1996-97.

    This information was given by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Water Resources Shri Sompal in a written reply to Shri Lajpat Rai in the Rajya Sabha today.
 
 

IRRIGATION PROJECT

    Irrigation being a State subject, Irrigation projects are taken up for implementation by the State Governments themselves out of their own resources as per their priorities. The completion of a project depends on various factors, such as, its size, availability of land, clearances, geological conditions etc. Equally important are the funds allotted by the State Governments to individual projects.

    The details of ongoing major and medium projects in the State of Gujarat and Maharashtra are as under :-

Major Medium Total

Gujarat 5 8 17

Maharashtra 33 49 82

    The position of various ongoing Irrigation projects is reviewed every year during annual plan discussion of the States in the Planning Commission. In addition, Central Water Commission also monitors the progress of important projects. The Centre has launched Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) since 1996-97 for providing Central Loan Assistance to the States for completion of those irrigation projects which are in advance stage of completion or mega projects which are beyond the resource capability of the States. The National Bank for Agricultural and Rural Development (NABARD) is also providing funds under Rural Infrastructure Development Funds (RIDF) for irrigation projects.
 
 

WATER SCARCITY

    Although the water availability in the country remains more or less fixed according to the natural hydrologic cycle, the per capita water availability is reducing progressively owing to increasing population, industrialisation and urbanisation. In 1955, per capita water availability was 5300 cu.m., which has come down to 2200 cu.m. in 1998 and by 2025, the availability will be only 1500 cu.m. at national average. According to the United Nations' criteria, any situation of water availability less than 1000 cu.m. per capita is considered as scarcity condition. Therefore, even at the end of 2025 A.D., India is not likely to face water scarcity situation at national level though uneven water availability may cause local water scarcity at some places.

    The Government has initiated various measures through Command Area Development Programmes and National Water Management Programme Scheme to improve efficiency of irrigation water use in the country. The National Water Policy (1987) also provides for better water planning and management of the country's water resources. Inter-basin transfer of water is also being contemplated in order to use the surplus monsoon flow. As such, there is no apprehension of cutbacks in supply of irrigation water.

    This information was given by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Water Resources Shri Sompal in a written reply to Shri Santosh Bagrodia in the Rajya Sabha today.
 
 

WATER MANAGEMENT

    Due to competing sectoral water demands, particularly from energy and industrial sectors, the availability of water for irrigation in total water use is likely to come down from 83.3% in 1990 to 64.7% in 2050 A.D. To overcome this scarcity situation, the following two pronged strategy has been suggested.

1. a. Optimisation of water use efficiency.
b. Water conservation including rain water harvesting. c. Control of population growth, and
d. Conjunctive use of surface water and ground water to improve overall irrigation performance.
2. Augmenting the utilisable water availability throughinter-basin transfer of surplus water.

    The Government has initiated various measures through Command Area Development Programme and National Water Management Programme Schemes to improve efficiency of irrigation water use. The National Water Policy (1987) provides guidelines & recommendations for better planning and management of the country's water resources.

    The National Water Policy is being updated to cover issues like inter-sectoral water allocation, environment problems, inter-state water disputes, farmers' participation, private sector participation etc. National Water Development Agency and Ministry of Water Resources has prepared perspective plan for inter-basin transfer of surplus water to augment availability of water by about 224 billion cubic meters.

    This information was given by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Water Resources Shri Sompal in a written reply to Prof. Vijay Kumar Malhotra and Shri Raghavji in the Rajya Sabha today. RBM/U...wmanagement
 
 

FLOOD MANAGEMENT FOR BRAHAMAPUTRA RIVER

    The Brahmaputra Board has prepared Master Plans in three parts, namely, Master Plan Part-I for mainstream of Brahmaputra, Master Plan Part-II for Barak River and tributaries and Master Plan Part -III for thirty nine tributaries of Brahmaputra and eight rivers of Tripura for flood management in Brahmaputra & Barak Valleys. The Master Plans envisage storage dams, embankments, anti erosion measures, town protection works and schemes to prevent drainage congestion covering the flood- prone areas in the North East.

    The Master Plans have been sent to the North Eastern States for implementation of approved schemes by the States Governments from the funds allocated under State Flood Control Sector by the Planning Commission, and also from the funds provided by the Centre to the Government of Assam as Central Assistance.

    This information was given by the Minister of State for Agricuture and Water Resources Shri Sompal in a written reply to Dr. Arun Kumar Sarma in the Rajya Sabha today.
 
 

HUDCO TO LAUNCH RETAIL HOUSING FINANCES

    The Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO), a public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Urban Affairs and Employment, has set up a Retail Lending Window for individual home financing in its Home Finance Division. This is intended to give a new thrust for individual home financing as also a chance to HUDCO to show its all round ability to the people at large. The individual home financing has a built-in flexibility intended to cater to the needs of all sections of the society. The average loan size under the scheme, would be around Rs.2 lakhs. So far, HUDCO has been financing organisations, Government Housing Boards, Housing Cooperative Societies and others and not meeting the individual demand for housing loan.

    The scheme is contemplated to be in operation in early 1999-2000, to begin with. In the first instance, HUDCO has planned to open offices in the six metros and thereafter in other cities where it has regional and development offices. The cities not covered by the HUDCO network will be served by the Division through "outreach" programme.

    Set up in 1970 as a fully owned Government company under the Ministry of Urban Affairs and Employment as the apex techno- financial organisation to provide loan and technical support to States and other eligible organisations for various housing activities and infrastructural development projects, HUDCO is a leading housing and urban infrastructure financial company. The present authorised capital of HUDCO is Rs.385 crore, which has now been fully subscribed . A proposal to increase the authorised capital of HUDCO by additional equity support of Rs.1250 crore during the current Ninth Plan period is under consideration of the Government.
 
 

TOTAL TRANSPARENCY IN UTILISATION OF WORLD BANK LOAN TO CIL

    The World Bank loan sanctioned to Coal India Limited against Coal Sector Rehabilitation Project comprises 530 million US dollars from IBRD and an equal amount from EXIM Bank of Japan.

    The procurement of Dragline, Excavators, Dumpers, Dozers, Drills, Shovel and other equipment will be through International Competitive Bidding procedure of the World Bank. All equipment packages and turnkey contracts are subject to prior review and no-objection by the World Bank. For this purpose, Standard Bidding Documents are used which have been designed by the World Bank with great care to ensure total transparency in the bidding and the bid evaluation process.

    CIL Board with no objection from World Bank is the competent authority for purchases of Rs. 10 crores and above and Chairman, CIL is the competent authority for purchases below Rs.10 crores.

    This was stated by Minister of State for Coal Shri Dilip Ray in reply to a question of Shri Prabhash Chandra Tiwari in Rajya Sabha here today.
 
 

EXPANSION OF MAHANADI COALFIELDS LIMITED

    The coal production from Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) by the terminal year of the IX Plan 2001-02 has been projected at 50.90 million tonnes and by the end of the terminal year of X Plan 2006-07 at 86.55 million tonnes. The capacity of the sanctioned and completed projects and on-going projects is 43.54 million tonnes. MCL has undertaken implementation of 6 nos. of Advance Action projects and one re-organisation project which will create an additional capacity of 44.90 million tonnes. With the implementation of these projects, production of the X Plan will be met.

    The matter of development of infrastructural facilities like acquisition of forest and tenancy land, mining rights, roads, rails and port facilities etc. is being taken up with the state administration at the appropriate level to sort out the problems.

    This was stated by Minister of State for Coal Shri Dilip Ray in reply to a question in Rajya Sabha here today.
 
 

PUBLIC ENTERPRISES SURVEY RELEASED

    The Annual Report of the working of Industrial and Commercial Undertakings of the Central Government - The Public Enterprises Survey 1997-98 - was laid in both the Houses of Parliament today.

    During 1997-98 there has been a remarkable improvement in the overall performance of Central Public Sector Enterprises. The major highlights of the 236 operating enterprises are as under:-

BENEFIT OF IMPORTED MEDICAL EQUIPMENTS TO THE COMMON MAN
    In all the three Central Government Hospitals in the National Capital of Delhi, the medical equipments imported from abroad are being utilised for providing services to the common man coming for treatment in these hospitals.

    The hospitals/institutions which have availed of duty exemption under Notification No.64/88- Customs dated 1.3.88 (since rescinded) will, however, be required to fulfil the conditions of free services as stipulated in the notification as long as they enjoy the benefit of such exemptions. If they fail to fulfil the conditions of import under the Notification, Custom Duty Exemption Certificate given to them is to be revoked and action to recover the amount of duty concession is to be initiated as per process of law.

    This information was given by the Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Shri Dalit Ezhilmalai in a written reply to Shri D.P.Yadav, in the Rajya Sabha today.
 
 

EFFORTS TO DEVELOP AN AIDS VACCINE RELEVANT TO INDIAN REQUIREMENTS ARE ON

    Efforts to develop on AIDS a vaccine relevant to Indian requirements have been initiated. The HIV-I and HIV -II virus characterisation in India has been done and sub type mapping has also been carried done and sub type C of HIV-I is pre-dominantly found in India. Such sub typing is a pre-requisite for vaccine development.

    In order to prevent and control the speed of HIV/AIDS in India, a comprehensive programme is currently under implementation throughout the country as a centrally sponsored scheme.

    The total AIDS patients reported as on 31st January 1999 is 6703 (six thousand seven hundred and three).

    During the last two years AIDS cases have increased in the States of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Manipur.

    There are 62 surveillance centres where HIV testing facilities are being provided.

    This information was given by the Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Shri Dalit Ezhilmalai in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
 
 

A DRAFT NATIONAL POPULATION POLICY SUBMITTED FOR GOVERNMENT'S APPROVAL

    A draft National Policy on Population has been prepared and submitted for Government's approval by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. This policy seeks to address all relevant issues for reaching the desired goal of population stabilisation within the shortest possible time. This policy has been prepared only after taking into consideration suggestions from various committees and group of experts. The Indian Medial Association has recommended for setting up of an Apex Committee headed by the Prime Minister to control population.

    This information was given by the Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare (Independent Charge) Shri Dalit Ezhilmalai in a written reply to Shri O.P.Kohli in the Rajya Sabha.
 
 

THAILAND SHOWS INTEREST IN DEVELOPING ROADS IN INDIA

    Thailand has expressed its desire to develop highways in India. A trade delegation led by Thailand's Deputy Commerce Minister, Dr. Pravich Rattanapian who called on the Minister of State for Surface Transport, Dr. Debendra Pradhan here today expressed keenness in developing roads in India. Dr. Rattanpian told Dr. Pradhan that they have the expertise to develop modern roads as they have build several expressways in their own country.

    Dr. Pradhan told the 12-member delegation that India has undertaken a massive road development programme involving 13,000 kms of road widening and construction joining the major metropolitan cities and trade centres. He informed the delegation that a model concession agreement which spells out risk sharing between the Government and the Private Sector operators has been finalised which will go a long way in encouraging Private investors. Dr. Pradhan said that an enabling environment has been created in which construction of roads by Private Sector has been made easier. He requested the Thailand delegation to consider investing through Government to Government basis or through Private Sector. In this connection, he said, opportunity exists for civil contractors and construction firms to participate in road projects in India. For construction of roads, Joint Ventures of Thai firms and Indian firms is also possible, he added. He told the delegation that over the next 10 to 15 years India expects an investment of about US $ 60 billion in its National Highway development programme.

    The Secretary of the Ministry of Surface Transport Shri R. Vasudevan, Chairman of the National Highways Authority, Shri Deepak Dasgupta and Director General (Road Development), Shri Prafulla Kumar assisted the Minister during the discussions.