The Prime Minister, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee will dedicate to the nation Ennore Port on February 1, 2001 at Chennai at an inaugural function to be presided over by the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Shri M. Karunanidhi, in the august presence of the State Governor, Ms. Justice M. Fathima Beevi, Union Minister of Law, Justice and Company Affairs and Shipping, Shri Arun Jaitley and Minister of State for Shipping, Shri Hukumdeo Narayan Yadav and guests of honour Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Murasoli Maran and Union Minister of Environment and Forests Shri T. R. Baalu, among other dignitaries.

    The Department of Company Affairs (DCA) has ordered prosecution of M/s. Munoth Investment Ltd. , Chennai and its directors/ officers in default for violation of the provisions of Section 224 (8) (b) of the Companies Act, 1956 for having not fixed remuneration of the auditors of the company by the Board of Directors as authorised by the members and shareholders.

    The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the following:

1. Shri N.S. Sisodia, IAS (RJ: 68) to be Additional Secretary in the Cabinet Secretariat vice Shri Pawan Chopra.
2. Shri Arun Kshetrapal, IAS (MP: 68), presently on leave, to be Additional Secretary in the National Security Council Secretariat vice Shri N.S. Sisodia.
3. Shri Anil Baijal, IAS (AGMUT: 69) to be Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. He would also hold additional charge of the post of Executive Member, Prasar Bharati Board for a period of six months from the date of appointment or unitil further orders, whichever is earlier.
4. Smt. Sarita Prasad, IAS (HP: 69), presently in the Cadre, to be Chairman, National Authority for Chemical Weapons Convention, Cabinet Secretariat in the rank and pay of Additional Secretary vice Shri C.N.S. Nair, IAS (AM: 67) reverting to the Cadre on 6.2.2001.
5. Shri B.S. Minhas, IAS (RJ: 69), presently in the Cadre, to be Additional Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Cooperation vice Shri Bhagat Singh, reverting prematurely to the cadre on 5.2.2001.

6. Ms. S. Chowdhary, IAS (JK: 69), presently in the Cadre, to be Additional Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forests vice Shri K. Roy Paul.

    Shri Murasoli Maran, Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, has cleared 13 foreign direct investment (FDI) proposals involving FDI worth Rs.219.00 crore. The proposals cover various sectors including manufacture and sale of pharmaceuticals and basic drugs including anti cancer drug formulations, information technology & software solutions, ISP related services, telecom services, environmental services and NBFC activities. The list of proposals cleared by Shri Maran is given below. Earlier, the Foreign Investment Promotion Board had submitted its recommendations for the Minister's clearance.

    The Mines Minister Shri Sundarlal Patwa, immediately after the earthquake, asked all the officials of the Ministry, subordinate organisations and the PSUs to contribute one day’s salary to the PM’s Relief Fund for the quake victims of Gujarat. He has also asked the PSUs to rush all kinds of help to the earthquake affected areas to accelerate rescue and relief work.

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    The following is the text of the statement of the Prime Minister, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, expressing sympathy in the wake of the earthquake at Ahmedabad yesterday:

    To further strengthen relief operations for earthquake victims in Gujarat, Union Minister for Information Technology and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Pramod Mahajan has suggested a change to the guidelines governing the dispersal of funds under the MPLAD (Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme). The suggestion would enable Members of Parliament to allocate the entire amount of Rs. 2 Crores available under the Scheme for each MP. Under the present guidelines, (Para 1.3) MPs can recommend an amount not exceeding Rs. 10 lakhs per annum outside the State/Constituency for rehabilitation measures in the event of natural calamity of rare severity in any part of the country. The initiative can lead to the possibility of generating Rs. 500 crores from the Members of the Rajya Sabha alone. It also provides the Lok Sabha Members the opportunity to disperse their available share under the given scheme for facilitating relief work in the State of Gujarat.

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   In a major initiative to support and strengthen the relief operations for earth quake affected victims of Gujarat, the Union Minister of State for Petroleum & Natural Gas, Shri E. Ponnuswamy, has undertaken measures to facilitate relief work in the State of Gujarat.

   Shri N.T. Shanmugam, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Coal has appealed to Coal Companies in both the public and private sectors to formulate a strategy for a breakthrough leading to Zero Accident Potential. He said that every major incident /accident must be properly and thoroughly enquired into to find out the root cause. Punitive and preventive action should be sincerely taken. The Minister was addressing the 22^nd Meeting of Standing Committee on Safety in Coal Mines here today. Mine Safety should be regarded as a part of production process and Safety Audit should be regularly done alongwith drawing up a separate Safety Budget in each company. The Minister said Internal Safety Organisation should be strengthened and empowered and thrust be given on training of workers and quality of trainers and improving Training Centres.

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NEYVELI LIGNITE CORPORATION POSTS GOOD PROFIT

    The Neyveli Lignite Corporation has shown 132 percent growth in profit during the third quarter over that of corresponding period last year. During the current year, the third quarter has recorded a profit of Rs.148.84 crore against Rs.64.04 crore posted last year. The profitability for the period from April to December 2000 stands at Rs.460.75 crore as against Rs.269.46 crore during the corresponding period last year i.e., a growth of 71 percent.

    The total overburden quantity removed at 27.64 Million M during third quarter is the highest for any quarter since inception. During the first nine months of the current year 2000-2001, Lignite production was 12.75 million tonnes against 12.67 million tonnes last year registering a growth of 0.63 percent. Power generation was 10.59 Billion Units against 9.70 Billion Units during the corresponding period last year registering a growth of 9.1 percent.

    The system commissioning of Mine - I Expansion was completed in August 2000 one month ahead of the schedule.

    The Department of Telecommunications and the Telecom Industry are working in tandem to restore, rectify and provide telecommunication links to the people of earthquake hit regions of Gujarat. The Chairman, Telecom Commission, Shri Shyamal Ghosh convened a special meeting of Telecom Industry representatives late last evening to work out a detailed plan of collaboration between the Private Telecom Companies and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited and the State Government of Gujarat to provide communication links to the people. The industry representatives responded generously to help the victims of the earthquake by providing their expertise and equipment which includes setting up of mini telephone exchanges, public call offices, satellite phones, mobile hand sets, pager facilities, free internet access and special web sites with helpline facilities.

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GOVERNMENT TO GIVE HIGHEST PRIORITY TO ELIMINATION OF LEPROSY -PRIME MINISTER

    The Prime Minister, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, has called upon all countries still affected by leprosy to pledge to attain the target of elimination of the disease in the next five years. He said that the Government would give the highest priority to the elimination of the disease in India. In a message to the first meeting of the Global Alliance for Elimination of Leprosy (GAEL) here today, the Prime Minister said:

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N.H.P.C. LADIES WELFARE ASSOCIATION CONTRIBUTES RS. TWO LAKH ONE TO GUJARAT EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS

    Smt. Pratima Prasad, President, Ladies Welfare Association of National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Ltd. (NHPC) presented a cheque of Rs. Two Lakh One here for the earthquake victims of Gujarat to Minister of State for Power, Smt. Jayawanti Mehta towards the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund.

    Dr. Najma Heptulla, Deputy Chairperson of Rajya Sabha and the Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha Committee on MPs Local Area Development Scheme, has donated Rs. One crore out of her annual MP Local Area Development Fund for the relief work in earthquake hit areas of Gujarat. She has also written to Members of Parliament to make similar contributions to overcome the effects of this huge calamity. Dr. Manmohan Singh and other members have agreed to contribute substantially.

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GAEL MEETING ADOPTS "DELHI DECLARATION"

    The first meeting of GAEL (Global Alliance for Elimination of Leprosy) being held here on January 30-31, 2001 has adopted the "Delhi Declaration". The Declaration recommends that the Alliance members collaborate in order to eliminate leprosy as a public health problem from every country by the year 2005. It acknowledges that despite significant progress, the diagnosis and treatment of leprosy in many endemic countries remains "unacceptably low". It expressed concern that other more pressing public health priorities may push some authorities to ignore leprosy and lose this window of opportunity. The Declaration supports the final push strategy to eliminate leprosy in all endemic countries and emphasis the need to involve the general health services to provide leprosy services.

    It urges all concerned to ensure uninterrupted availability of free multi-drug therapy, MDT, at all health centres; to dispel the negative image of leprosy and to improve community awareness of the availability of the treatment.

    "We, the participants of the First Meeting of the Global Alliance for the Elimination of Leprosy, convened at the initiative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in New Delhi, India, from 30-31 January 2001, under the chairmanship of the Union Minister of Health India:

    RECALL that significant impetus was given to leprosy elimination efforts with the 1991 World Health Assembly Resolution (WHA44.9) to eliminate the disease as a public health problem by the year 2000, elimination being defined as a prevalence rate below one case per 10 000 population. In order to make a "Final push" to detect and cure all the remaining leprosy cases in the world and thereby eliminate leprosy from every country by me year 2005, a Global Alliance for the Elimination of Leprosy was created in November 1999.

    RECOGNIZE that Multidrug therapy (MDT) is highly effective in curing leprosy, interrupting its transmission and is available free of charge for all patients. The key to eliminate the disease is to detect all persons suffering from leprosy and curing them with MDT.

    ACKNOWLEDGE that despite the significant progress made so far, the geographical coverage of leprosy diagnosis and treatment in many endemic countries remains unacceptably low and that significant fear and prejudice still surrounds the disease and those who suffer from it.

    EXPRESS CONCERN that in the light of other more pressing public health priorities some authorities may ignore leprosy and thereby lose this unique window of opportunity to finally consign leprosy to the history books.

    ENDORSE the Final Push strategy to eliminate leprosy in all endemic countries and emphasize the need to provide leprosy services to all communities through the existing general health services.

    URGE all concerned:

• To focus their efforts on urgently implementing the Final Push strategy on a  large scale:
• To empower all local health services to diagnose and treat leprosy;

• To dispel the negative image of leprosy and improve awareness in all communities of the availability of free and effective MDT treatment;

• To ensure the uninterrupted availability of free MDT at all health centres;

• To adopt flexible approaches to ensure that patients receive a full course of treatment and are cured of leprosy;

• To actively monitor progress being made towards reaching elimination;

• To ensure that prevention and management of leprosy related disabilities are an integral part of community based rehabilitation for all disabled persons;

• To collaborate closely at the field level to ensure the efficient and effective use of resources for the elimination of leprosy;

• To mobilize additional resources to permit the implementation of the Final Push strategy at the necessary scale.

    RECOMMEND that the members of the Global Alliance for the Elimination of Leprosy collaborate in the true spirit of partnership in order to eliminate leprosy as a public health problem from every country by the year 2005."

    Fourteen personnel of the Railway Protection Force and the Railway Protection Special Force have been honoured with the President’s Police Medal on the Republic Day this year.

    The President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service has been awarded to Shri Nasir Zulfikar, Assistant Security Commissioner, Northern Railway, New Delhi.

    Besides, the thirteen other RPF personnel who have been awarded for Meritorious Service are: Sh. Lalit Kumar, Addl.CSC, New Delhi, Northern Railway, Sh.A. Gunasekaran, Sr. DSC, Mumbai, Western Railway, Sh.S.A.S. Husaini, AIG/P, New Delhi, Railway Board, Sh. Prem Singh, ASC, New Delhi, Northern Railway, Sh. Satish Chandra, ASC, GRC, Kolkata, South Eastern Railway, Sh S.S. Pannu, ASC, Patiala, Northern Railway, Sh. K. Deivasigamani, Inspector, Podanur, Southern Railway, Sh. Raja Shankar Tiwary, Inspector, Shalimar, South Eastern Railway, Sh. Sahadeo G. Parab, SI, Parel, Western Railway, Sh. T.G. Abraham, ASI, Lucknow, RPSF, Sh. Ambika Singh, ASI, Gonda, North Eastern Railway, Sh. Sattan Prasad, Head Constable, Gorakhpur, North Eastern Railway, Sh. Nankoo Ram, Constable, Lucknow, Northern Railway.

    The Minister for Power Shri Suresh Prabhu held a detailed meeting with the Gujarat Minister for Energy, Shri Kaushikbhai Patel in Ahmedabad today in which a detailed action plan was drawn-up for short term and long term measures for restoration of power and assistance to be provided by the Government of India and its Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) to the earthquake affected state. The Power Minister also met the Gujarat Chief Minister, Shri Keshubhai Patel.

1. The earthquake that occurred on 26.01.2001 has caused severe devastation in Gujarat. The track on Viramgam – Gandhidham BG section, Navlakhi – Dahinsara BG section and Palanpur – Gandhidham MG section has suffered extensive damage. Communication has been disrupted on these sections. There have been damages to Railway station buildings (100), bridges(36),cabins(15) and staff quarters(350). Railways have launched relief operations on a war footing.

BG

BG section completely restored up to Gandhidham at 1250 hrs on 29.01.2001. Train service restored up to Gandhidham

MG

MG section restored from Radhanpur to Samakhiali from date and 2 pairs of MG services shall run on this section

2. Emergency Cells:

The following emergency cells are operating round-the-clock manned by officers:

Office	Telephone No.s
Railway Board, New Delhi	011- 3388503, 011- 3388230
Western Railway, Mumbai	022 -2017420
Ahmedabad	079 - 2111413
Ajmer	0145 - 421048
Rajkot	0281 - 454063
Vadodara	0265 - 641244

3. Medical Relief trains:

GUJRAT EARTH QUAKE

One more special has been ordered to leave at 1700 hours on 30.01.2001 from Secundrabad to Rajkot.Five special trains from Ahmedabad for Howrah at 1600 hrs., Delhi at 0130 hrs. (31.1.1 ), Puri at 1900 hrs, Banglore at 0030 hrs (31.1.1 ). and for Chennai at 2330 hrs. and from Gandhidham to Mumbai at 1600 hrs on date

• Bull-dozer special (A – class ODC) consisting of 4 BRH(flat wagons) loads with dozers left Bhilai at 0315 hours on 28.01.2001. Passed Udna at 12.50 hrs on date.
• One rake of GI Strips was on the point of departure ( TE on) with 8 BOX + 5 BRH. This train will pickup 11 BOX loaded from Tumsar Road. The train left Vavodara at 11.50 hrs on date.
• First labour special of 225 men reached Maliya at 1340 hours on 27.01.2001
• Ballast special reached Indiranagar with 40 Ballast hoppers wagons.
• II labour special reached Indiranagar at 2017 hours on 28.1.1
• 4 buses of labour 124 men sent from Palanpur
• Relief material consisting of 700kg atta, 500 kg Potatoes, 200kg Onion, 200 blankets, 1000 water pouches sent by truck ex-Ahmedabad at 1235 on 27.01.2001. One water tanker moved by 111 Passenger.
• Relief material consisting of 70 blankets, 80 kg Potatoes, Onions, Atta, Cooking oil tents etc. sent by truck ex-Abu Road on 27.01.2001.
• Medical Relief Train ex-Palanpur reached Kidiyanagar at 06.40 hrs on 28.1.2001 with a team of Doctors and medical equipmen
• A material train ex-Palanpur with 600 cribs and 100 sleepers and all engineering relief material reached Adheser at 10.3 hrs on 28.1.2001.
• One material special left Melmarubathur ( SRLY ) at 18.10 on 29.1.2001 passing Belampalli ( SCR ) at 1130 hrs

    The Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) will donate Rs. 5 crore to Gujarat Earthquake Relief Fund. This was decided by the Board of Directors of SCI at a meeting here today.

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COAST GUARD SHIPS AND AIRCRAFT PRESSED INTO SERVICE IN GUJARAT

    Coast Guard ships and aircraft have been pressed into service for relief and rescue operations in Gujarat. Coast Guard air units are flying round the clock to transport relief material and medicines and airlifting critically injured to the nearest medical facility. The Coast Guard ships with integral helicopter and medical teams are providing a floating hospital and medicine dispensing platform.

    Meanwhile, all functions related to Coast Guard Week celebrations on 1^st February have been cancelled by the Director General Coast Guard in view of the eathquake tragedy in Gujarat.

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MADRAS REGIMENT BAGS BEST MARCHING CONTINGENT PRIZE

    Madras Regiment has been adjudged the best marching contingent from Services in the Republic Day Parade this year.

    Delhi Police contingent was the best among para military forces and other auxiliary contingents.

    The tableau, "Maru Mein Swar Lehri Ki Bahar" from Rajasthan has bagged the first prize, followed by Ministry of Railway’s tableau depicting Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, in the tableaux category. The Gujarat tableau showing Uttarardh Festival at Modhera Temple and the tableau "Sufi Tradition" from Jammu & Kashmir have jointly bagged the third prize.

    In the School Children items category, Chholia Dance from North Central Zone Cultural Centre, Allahabad, has bagged the first prize. The ‘Exuberance of youth’ presented by DAV Public School, Sector-7, Rohini, New Delhi and the Badhai dance presented by South Central Zone Cultural Centre, Nagpur, have bagged the second and the third prize respectively.

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COAST GUARD IN RESCUE AND RELIEF OPERATIONS

    Coast Guard has joined others in rescue and relief operations at war footing in the quake affected areas of Gujarat. The organisation has deployed two of its ships, four Dornier aircrafts and one helicopter for this assignment besides a number of Coast Guard personnel. Ship ‘Vijaya’ has been converted into a floating hospital at Kandla Port and has provided medical aid to a number of injured persons. It is also assisting port authorities in manning essential services and rendering services to civil authorities in rescue and supply of food provisions at Gandhidhram and Anjar. The ship ‘Veera’ which sailed from Mumbai yesterday with food and clothing is expected to reach Kandla Port day after tomorrow.

    Coast Guard personnel of their district Headquarters, Porbandar have set up relief camps at Bhuj and Anjar and have so far treated 250 cases of Suturing and have evacuated 50 persons from 12 nearby villages to Bhuj camp. The Dornier aircraft have been carrying out round the clock sorties from Mumbai to Bhuj from the very beginning. They have also airlifted 61 doctors to Bhuj and Kandla besides other relief materials. The Coast Guard has also installed one satellite communication terminal at Air Force Air Traffic Control, Bhuj. The organisation has also flying one helicopter from Mumbai to Kandala to assist the relief operations in the area.

    The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Shri N.K. Singh, IAS(BH:64) as Officer on Special Duty in the Prime Minister’s Office on contract basis with effect from 1.2.2001, till further orders. Shri N.K. Singh would continue to enjoy the rank and pay of Secretary to the Government of India in this assignment.

    The Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee has appealed to the people to contribute generously towards the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund(PMNRF) for earthquake victims of Gujarat.

http://pmindia.nic.in/funds/app.htm

    The President has summoned the Rajya Sabha to meet on Monday, February 19, 2001, at New Delhi. Subject to exigencies of business, the Session is scheduled to conclude on Friday, May 11, 2001.

   The Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee has constituted an Empowered Group of Ministers to deal with the situation arising out of the recent earthquake in Gujarat. The EGOM will be headed by the Home Minister Shri L.K. Advani and the other members of the GoM are the Railway Minister Ms. Mamata Banerjee, Defence Minister Shri George Fernandes, Agriculture Minister Shri Nitish Kumar, Communications Minister Shri Ram Vilas Paswan, Shri Suresh Prabhu, Minister of Power, Shri Kashiram Rana, Minister of Textiles, Shri Shanta Kumar, Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Shri Yashwant Sinha, Minister of Finance, Dr. C.P. Thakur, Minister of Health and Family Welfare and Shri K.C. Pant, Dy. Chairman, Planning Commission.