PIB Features, December

PIB Features December F

Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana

Power to Rural Households & Adequate Power For

Agriculture

One of the major commitment of the Shri Narendra Modi

provide 24X7 uninterrupted quality electricity to all parts of the country. Yet missing

infrastructure leaves large rural areas and many poor households behind. The

conditions are aggravated by the fact that, to irrigate their fields, mil

opt for pumping groundwater. Dwindling water tables and cheaper but ever more

powerful pumps together with high energy subsidies contribute significantly to

unsustainably rising electricity consumption. This not only adds to the fiscal bur

of the state but results in load shedding that disrupts well

In order to reverse the negative trends, several states have developed programmes

for rural electricity segregation whereby separate feeders provide agricultural and

non-agricultural consumers. According to evaluations of this scheme by the World

Bank, Gujarat which serves as the most interesting and widely disseminated example

previously had to deal with rampant power theft and farmers refusing to comply with

regulations for rationing. Eventually, the Gujarat electricity utilities decided to

enforce the rules through deployment of 500 ex

management reforms have, all in all, attempted to reduce the demand for both

electricity and groundwater am

increased power supply to villagers and small rural industries.

The new scheme of Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana

(DDUGJY), recently approved by the Union Government

inspiration from the similar pioneering scheme implemented by the Government of

Gujarat. This scheme will enable to initiate much awaited reforms in the

rural areas. It focuses on feeder separation (rural households &

PIB Features December Find Your Own Way

Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana Round The Clock

Power to Rural Households & Adequate Power For

One of the major commitment of the Shri Narendra Modi government is to



conditions are aggravated by the fact that, to irrigate their fields, millions of farmers



unsustainably rising electricity consumption. This not only adds to the fiscal bur

of the state but results in load shedding that disrupts well-being and production.



agricultural consumers. According to evaluations of this scheme by the World



for rationing. Eventually, the Gujarat electricity utilities decided to

enforce the rules through deployment of 500 ex-military men. Gujarats load


electricity and groundwater among farmers, but they have resulted mainly in

increased power supply to villagers and small rural industries.


(DDUGJY), recently approved by the Union Government

similar pioneering scheme implemented by the Government of

scheme will enable to initiate much awaited reforms in the


ind Your Own Way

1

Round The Clock

government is to



lions of farmers



unsustainably rising electricity consumption. This not only adds to the fiscal burden

being and production.



agricultural consumers. According to evaluations of this scheme by the World



for rationing. Eventually, the Gujarat electricity utilities decided to

military men. Gujarats load


ong farmers, but they have resulted mainly in


draws its

similar pioneering scheme implemented by the Government of

scheme will enable to initiate much awaited reforms in the



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agricultural) and strengthening of sub-transmission & distribution

infrastructure including metering at all levels in rural areas. This will help in

providing round the clock power to rural households and adequate power to

agricultural consumers .The earlier scheme for rural electrification viz. Rajiv

Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY) has been subsumed in the new

scheme as its rural electrification component

Components:

The major components of the scheme are feeder separation; strengthening of

sub-transmission and distribution network; Metering at all levels (input points,

feeders and distribution transformers); Micro grid and off grid distribution

network & Rural electrification- already sanctioned projects under RGGVY to

be completed.

Budgetary Support:

The full scheme entails an investment of Rs 43,033 crore which includes the

requirement of budgetary support of Rs. 33,453 crore from GOI over the entire

implementation period. All Discoms including private Discoms and State

Power Departments are eligible for financial assistance under this Scheme.

Discoms will prioritize strengthening of rural infrastructure work considering

specific network requirement and will formulate Detailed Project Reports

(DPRs) of the projects for coverage under the Scheme. Rural Electrification

Corporation (REC) is the Nodal Agency for operationalization of this

Scheme. It will furnish monthly progress reports on the implementation of the

scheme indicating both financial and physical progress to Ministry of Power

and Central Electricity Authority .

Monitoring Committee:

The Monitoring Committee under the Chairmanship of Secretary (Power)

will approve the projects and also monitor implementation of the scheme.

Suitable Tripartite Agreement will be executed between REC as the Nodal

Agency on behalf of Ministry of Power, the State Government and the Discom

to ensure implementation of the scheme in accordance with the guidelines


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prescribed under the scheme. Bipartite agreement will be executed in case of

State Power departments.

Execution Period:

Projects under this Scheme will be completed within a period of 24 months

from the date of issue of Letter of Awards by the utility.

Funding Mechanism:

Grant portion of the Scheme is 60% for other than special category States

(up to 75% on achievement of prescribed milestones) and 85% for special

category States (up to 90% on achievement of prescribed milestones). The

milestones for the additional grant are: timely completion of the scheme,

reduction in AT&C losses as per trajectory and upfront release of subsidy by

State govt. All North Eastern States including Sikkim, Jammu & Kashmir,

Himachal Pradesh and Uttrakhand are included in special category States.

Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana

Pursuant to the resolution adopted on 29-05-2007 by the National

Development Council (NDC), to reorient the current agricultural development

strategies to meet the needs of the farmers and for fresh efforts by the Central and

State Governments to rejuvenate the agricultural sector so as to achieve 4% annual

growth during the 11th Five Year Plan, a new State Plan Scheme of Additional Central

Assistance (ACA) for agriculture and allied sectors, namely, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas

Yojana (RKVY) was launched during 2007-08 with an envisaged outlay of Rs. 25,000

crore for the Plan period.

It requires the States to prepare District and State Agriculture Plans for

creation of such infrastructure, which are essential to catalyse the existing

production scenario for achieving higher production. Additional Central Assistance

(ACA) is made available to the States as 100% grants.

The RKVY Guidelines recognize and build on the need for convergence and

integration of the various programmes implemented at District/State level into

District Agriculture Plans (DAPs) and State Agriculture Plan (SAP). Each district is

required to formulate a District Agriculture Plan by including the resources available


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from other existing schemes, District, State or Central Schemes such as Backward

Region Grant Fund (BRGF), Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY),

National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS), Bharat Nirman and tied

and untied grants from the Central and State Finance Commissions etc. The District

Agriculture Plans are not to be the usual aggregation of the existing schemes but

would aim at moving towards projecting the requirements for development of

agriculture and allied sectors of the district. These plans present the vision for

agriculture and allied sectors within the overall development perspective of the

district. The District Agriculture Plans would reflect the financial requirement and

the sources of financing the agriculture development plans in a comprehensive way.

The DAP will include animal husbandry and fishery, minor irrigation projects, rural

development works, agricultural marketing schemes and schemes for water

harvesting and conservation, keeping in view the natural resources and technological

possibilities in each district. Each State is further required to prepare a

comprehensive State Agricultural Plan (SAP) by integrating the DAPs. The State will

have to indicate resources that can flow from the State to the district.

During XII Plan, RKVY funding will be provided through three streams viz.

production growth (35%), infrastructure & Assets and sub-schemes (20%). The

remaining 10% will be is provisioned as flexi fund from which states can undertake

either production growth or infrastructure & assets projects depending upon States

needs & priorities. Looking at the requirement of increasing investment,

Government has recently done way with 35% requirement in production stream thus

paving the way for 100% allocation in investments for infrastructure buildings &

creation of assets.

The States have been provided flexibility and autonomy in the process of

selection, planning, approval and execution of schemes to make investments in

interventions as per their priorities and agro-climatic requirements so that the

outcomes are as envisaged in the RKVY objectives. The projects of the State

Governments are approved by the State Level Sanctioning Committees (SLSCs)

under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary of the respective States. The funds are

routed through the State Agriculture Department, which is the nodal Department for

the scheme.


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Presently, six sub-schemes are being implemented as sub-schemes under

RKVY during 2014-15. These sub-schemes and their allocations are:-

i. Bringing Green Revolution to Eastern Region: - This programme

was initiated in 2010-11 targeting the improvement in the rice based

cropping system of Assam, West Bengal, Orissa, Bihar, Jharkhand, Eastern

Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Allocation for this scheme in 2010-11 &

2011-12 was Rs. 400 crore each, which has been enhanced to Rs. 1000.00

crore in 2012-13 & 2013-14. The allocation for the year 2014-15 is

Rs.1000.00 crore.

ii. Initiative on Vegetable Clusters: - Growing demand for vegetables

was proposed to be met by a robust increase in the productivity and

market linkage. For the purpose, an efficient supply chain needed to be

established, to provide quality vegetables at competitive prices. The

allocation for this sub-scheme was Rs.300.00 crore each in 2011-12 &

2012-13. The allocation for the year 2013-14 was Rs. 200.00 crore and

2014-15 is Rs. 175.00 crore.

iii. National Mission for Protein Supplements: - National Mission for

Protein Supplements was launched with an allocation of Rs.300 crore

during 2011-12 to take up activities to promote animal based protein

production through livestock development, dairy farming, piggery, goat

rearing and fisheries in selected blocks. During 2012-13 & 2013-14 an

amount of Rs. 500 crore & Rs. 400.00 crore were allocated for 2014-15,

Rs. 300.00 crore has been earmarked for this scheme.

iv. Saffron Mission: - The Scheme was initiated in 2010-11 with an overall

Government of India budgetary support of Rs.288.06 crore over four

years. Allocation has been Rs. 39.44 crore in 2010-11, Rs.50.00 crore each

in 2011-12 & 2012-13. The mission was meant to bring economic revival of

J&K Saffron. Outlay for the year 2013-14 was Rs. 100.00 crore. An amount

of Rs.100.00 crore is earmarked for 2014-15.


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v. Vidharbha Intensive Irrigation Development Programme: - The

Scheme was initiated in 2012-13 which seeks to bring in more farming

areas under protective irrigation. The allocation for the year 2012-13 &

2013-14 was Rs. 300.00 crore each. For 2014-15 Rs. 150.00 crore has been

allocated for VIIDP.

vi. Crop Diversification: - The original Green Revolution States have the

problem of stagnating yields and over-exploitation of water resources. The

answer lies in crop diversification. An amount of Rs.500.00 Crore was

allocated for 2013-2014 to the start a programme of crop diversification

that would promote technological innovation and encourage farmers to

choose crop alternatives. For 2014-15 Rs. 250.00 crore has been allocated

for this scheme.

Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya- The Man, The Spirit, The

Vision

The President has been pleased to award Bharat Ratna to Pandit Madan Mohan

Malaviya (posthumously) and to Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, has expressed delight at the Bharat

Ratna being conferred on Pt. Madan Mohan Malaviya and Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

"Bharat Ratna being conferred on Pt. Madan Mohan Malaviya and Shri Atal Bihari

Vajpayee is a matter of great delight. Country`s highest honour to these illustrious

stalwarts is a fitting recognition of their service to the Nation. Pt. Madan Mohan

Malaviya is remembered as a phenomenal scholar and freedom fighter who lit the

spark of national consciousness among people. Atal ji means so much to everyone. A

guide, inspiration and giant among giants. His contribution to India is invaluable,"

the Prime Minister said.


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Born in an educated orthodox Hindu family at Prayaga (Allahabad) in 1861 on

December 25, Madan Mohan Malaviya is recognized as an outstanding and noble son

of India.

His multifaceted personality made him, at the same time, a great patriot, an

educationist with a vision, a social reformer, an ardent journalist, reluctant but

effective lawyer, a successful parliamentarian and an outstanding statesman. Among

Malaviyaji's many achievements, the most monumental was the establishment of the

Banaras Hindu University or Kashi Hindu Vishvavidyalaya. In the course of his

lifetime Banaras Hindu University came to be known as a Capital of Knowledge

acknowledged across India and the World.

Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya created history in Indian education with this

institution - the first of its kind in the country. He chose Banaras as the site, because

of the centuries old tradition of learning, wisdom and spirituality inherent to the

place. His vision was to blend the best of Indian education called from the ancient

centres of learning - Takshashila and Nalanda and other hallowed institutions, with

the best tradition of modern universities of the west

Great minds and personalities like Annie Besant, Mahatma Gandhi, Rabindranath

Tagore, Shyama Charan De and many others joined hand with him in his quest for


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knowledge, arousing the national spirit in India and winning freedom with the power

of education and righteousness.

Malaviya passed away in 1946. But his spirit still lives and there are many who

bear the torch that he lit, Many more stand ready to shoulder the mantle of his

responsibility.

Malaviya Bhavan

Malaviya Bhavan, the former residence of the founder of the university, was

opened for public in 1961 during Malaviya Centenary Year. This memorial building

serves as the centre of studies and research on the life and teaching of Mahamanaji.

It consists of five main constituents - Geeta-Yoga Library, Yoga Sadhana Kendra,

Geeta Samiti, Malaviya Adhyayan Sansthan, and Malaviya Centre for Value Studies.

The Centre for Yoga runs Diploma and Certificate Courses in Yoga. The Geeta Samiti

organises morning lectures on religious-philosophical topics. Every Sunday Geeta


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discourses by eminent persons are held. The Centre for Value Studies offers a short-

term course on Value Education for Integrated Personality Development. Malaviya

Bhavan has a beautiful garden with a variety of plants. Every year the Flower Show of

the University is held here. The Central Assembly Hall of the Malaviya Bhavan is

often used for important cultural and religious events and lectures.

Biography of Mahamana Pt. Madan Mohan Malaviyaji (1861-1946)

An embodiment of Indian culture and wisdom, Mahamana Pt. Madan Mohan

Malaviya was born on Dec. 25th, 1861 i.e. as per Hindu Calendar "Paush krishna

Ashtami, Wednesday Sanvat 1918 vikramai" in the locality named Lal diggi in

Prayaga (Bharati Bhavan, Allahabad). His father was Pt. Braj Nath ji and mother was

Smt. Moone Devi. Both of them were spiritually awakened and had firm faith in

Sanatan Dharma. It is said that the grandfather of Pt. Braj Nath was Pt. Premdhar,

who was a renowned Sanskrit scholar and belonged to the family of Pt. Vishnu

Prasad ji of Malava, a state in Central India. The grandfather, Pt. Premdhar came to

Prayaga to settle down there, while other members of his family came to a nearby city

named Mirzapur of Uttar Pradesh. Pt. Premdhar was famous for his fine and heart

touching speeches on the Bhagavat Purana. Among all his siblings, Madan Mohan

was most talented and genius and had visionary aptitudes. This, 'Madan Mohan' by

dint of his vision and dreams significantly contributed to the building of New India.

He became a guide to mankind in the sense of giving a new kind of leadership not

only in the political field but more so in the field of Education, which was for him, the

backbone for arousing people from ignorance to wisdom, from imperfection to the

perfect man. This is how he was regarded as 'Mahamana'.

Education:-

The early education of Mahamana was completed in Allahabad. Started at the age

of five in Mahajani Pathshala, Madan Mohan imbibed the real Hindu Sanskaras and

while going to school, he used to visit the temple of Hanuman and recite the prayer

every day.

? ? ?? ? ?

? ? ?


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On the auspicious occasion of Sri Krishna Janmashtami, he used to celebrate it

whole heartedly. He started composing poetry at the age of fifteen with the pen name

'Makarand'. He passed matriculation examination in the year 1868 from Prayaga

Govt. High school. Then He joined Myore Central College. He used to participate in

several cultural events in the school as well as in the college. He established "Hindu

Samaj" in 1880.

Marriage:-

He was married with Kundan Devi daughter of Pt. Nand Lal ji of Mirzapur at the

age of sixteen.

Social Works:

Pt. Madan Mohan Malaviya was the founder of several organisation and edited

magazines of high standard in order to promote Hindu ideals of Sanatan Dharma,

and to build India as a strong and developed country in the world. For this purpose,

he founded "Prayaga Hindu Samaj", and wrote served articles on the Contemporary

issues and problems of the country. In 1884, he became the member of 'Hindi

Uddharini Pratinidhi Sabha'. In 1885, he edited 'Indian Union' English weekly. In

1887, he established "Bharata Dharma Mahamandal", to propagate Sanatan Dharma

and Hindu culture. He was editor of 'Hindustan'. In 1889, he edited 'Indian Opinion'.

In 1891, he become barrister and started practicing at Allahabad High Court. He

pleaded successfully for many significant cases during these days.

He left the law practice in 1913 and decided to serve the nation for attaining

freedom from British rule. Mahamana was keenly interested to help the students for

better learning and living and for this sake he arranged to build a Hostel named

'MacDonnell Hindu Hostel' at Allahabad, and in 1889, he also established there a

library.

He remained a member of municipality at Allahabad till 1916 and he was also an

honoured member of Indian National Congress for several years.

In 1907, on the day of "Vasanta Panchami" he started a weekly in Hindi, entitled

'Abhyudaya'. He was also instrumental in bringing out an English Daily called

'Leader' in 1909.


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After the death of his father, he decided to serve the nation in more than one way.

In 1919, at the auspicious "Kumbha" fair at Prayaga, he started "Prayaga Seva Samiti"

to serve the pilgrims. He admitted himself to the selfless action as inspired by

'Mahabharata', the great Epic, making the following famous shloka his mantra:

? ?, ?? ?

? ??

This goal became an ideal slogan later on.

Making of the Banaras Hindu University:-

Pt. Madan Mohan Malaviya was greatly inspired by Dr. Annie Besant, an

Irish lady, who came to India with motive of spreading Educational Programmes.

She started Central Hindu College at Kamachha in the city of Varanasi in 1889,

which became the nexus of the Banaras Hindu University later on. Pandit ji, with

help of the then Maharaja of Banaras, Sri Prabhu Narain Singh ji, proposed to

establish the University named the Banaras Hindu University in 1904. In the year

1905, this proposal got the sanction of several Hindu organizations. On 31st Dec.

1905, in the Town Hall of Varanasi, under the chairmanship of Sri D. N. Mahajan,

the proposal was finally approved.

In 1911, in the association of Dr. Annie Besant, a resolution was passed to

establish "Kashi Vishva Vidyalaya", and on 28 Nov. 1911, a society was formed to

begin the work for the Banaras Hindu University. On March, 25, 1915, Sir Hurcourt

Butler proposed a bill in the Imperial legislation Council for the establishment of the

University. On Oct. 01, 1915, the B.H.U. Act was passed.

On Feb. 4th, 1916, i.e. Magh Shukla Pratipada, samvat 1972, the foundation

of the Banaras Hindu University was laid down. A grand ceremony was organised to

celebrate the occasion in which several eminent personalities of India, were present.

Brief Summary of the Malaviya Jis Life

25.12.1861 Born in Allahabad


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1878 Marriage with Kundan Devi in Mirzapur

1884 B.A. from Calcutta University

July 1884 Teacher in Allahabad District School

December 18862nd Congress in Calcutta under chairmanship of Dadabhai

Nouroji. Speech on the issue of representation in Councils

July 1887Editorship of the Hindosthan in Kalakankar. Founding

conference of Bharat Dharma Mandal

July 1889 Leaving editorship joins LL.B. in Allahabad

1891 Passing LL.B. starts practice in Allahabad District Court

December 1893 Practice at Allahabad High Court

March 1898 Submits memorandum about Hindi to U.P. Lt. Governor

1902-1903 Construction of Hindu Boarding House in Allahabad

1903-1912 Service to province as member of Provincial Council

1904Proposal of establishing university under chairmanship of

Kashi Naresh

January 1906

Convened Sanatan Dharma Mahasabha on Kumbha in

Allahabad. Propagation of liberal Sanatan Dharma. Decision to

open university in Banaras

1907Editorship of the Abhyudaya. Propagation of Sanatan

Dharma and democratic principles

1909Editorship of the English daily Leader. Chaired the Lahore

Congress

October 1910Presidential address in 1st Conference of Hindi Sahitya

Sammelan


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22.11.1911 Formation of the Hindu University Society

December 1911At 50 gave up practice. Decision to serve country and work

for establishing the university

February 1915 Formation of Prayaga Seva Samiti under his chairmanship

October 1915 The Banaras Hindu University Bill passed

04 Feb- 1916 Foundation ceremony of the university

March 1916 Bill against Indentured Labour system in Councils

1916-18 Member, Industrial Commission

1918 Formation of Scout Association by Seva Samiti

December 1918 Chaired Annual Congress Conference in Delhi

February 1919Debate on the Rowlett Bill in Council. Resignation from

Council

Nov.1919-

Sep. 1939Vice Chancellor, B.H.U.

19 April 1919 Chaired Hindi Sahitya Sammelan in Bombay

January 1922 Convened all party conference

16 December 1922 Speech on Hindu Muslim goodwill in Lahore

1924

Formation of Independent Party in District and Assembly.

Satyagraha on Sangam [Confluence of rivers] in Allahabad.

Debate on the Steel Conservation Bill

August 1926Formation of Congress Independent Party with Lala Lajpat

Rai

February 1927 Statement before Agriculture Commission


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December 1929Convocation address in BHU. Asked students to serve

nation and be patriot

1930Resigns from Assembly. Arrested in Delhi. Six months

sentence

5 April 1931 Speech on Hindu Muslim Unity in Kanpur

1931Took part with Gandhi in the London Round Table

Conference

March 1932 Formation of All India Swadeshi Union in Banaras

20 April 1932 Nominated President of Delhi Congress. Arrested

September 1932 Chaired meeting on emancipation of outcasts in Bombay

April 1932 As Calcutta Congress President arrested in Asansole

August 1934Speech on emancipation of the outcasts in Gandhi's meeting

in Banaras

January 1936Convened Sanatan Dharma Mahasabha Conference in

Allahabad. Proposal for emancipation of outcasts

1938 Kalpa [Ayurvedic rejuvenation therapy]

November 1939 Appointed life Rector of BHU

1941 Founded Goraksha Mandal

January 1942 Gandhi's convocation address on Silver Jubilee of BHU

12 November -

1946Passed Away

ISRO touches new heights-Wins national award

On the 24th September 2014, India created history by becoming the first country

in the world to enter the Mars orbit in the very first attempt. Its Mars orbiter mission


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also called Mangalyan, was placed successfully in the orbit of the red planet on this

day. India thus joined the elite club of the countries exploring MarsUS, Russia and

Europe. It has also become the first Asian country to reach Mars planet.

While all other countries including the US and Russia, had to face initial

failures, India did it in one go. The whole operation was watched keenly by the

scientists across the world.

The Organization behind achieving this fete is the Indian Space Research

Organization, ISRO. To its credit, besides other achievements, is also the unmanned

moon mission Chanderyan 1, which was launched in 2008 for scientific exploration-

to map the moons surface and look for precious metals. The head of the organization

Dr. K.Radhakrishnan says that its second moon mission 'Chandrayaan 2', was also in

the pipeline. "In this area of scientific exploration, we have of course the

'Chandrayaan 2', with the Indian lander and the Indian rover, which are to be put in

place in another three years time, he said. According to him What we are now

looking for is a major scientific mission and, when that can happen will depend upon

the mission, could be 2018 or 2020.

No wonder then that ISRO has been chosen for this years Indira Gandhi prize

for Peace, Disarmament and Development. It has been chosen for the award for

strengthening international cooperation in peaceful uses of outer space.

Indias space activities which started in early 60s from Thumba in

Thiruvananthapuram have come a long way since then. The immense potential of

space technology in national development was first realized by Dr. Vikram Sarabhai

who firmly believed that this powerful technology could play a meaningful role in

solving the problems of the common man. He had said We are convinced that if we

are to play a meaningful role nationally, and in the comity of nations, we must be

second to none in the application of advanced technologies to the real problems of

man and society.

Initially, the space programme focused on achieving self- reliance by

developing capability to build and launch communication satellites for television

broadcasts, telecommunications and meteorological applications as also remote

sensing satellites for management of natural resources. In keeping with objective of


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ISRO to develop space technology and its application to nation building, it has

operationalized two major satellite systems. One is called Indian National Satellite

(INSAT) and the other Indian Remote Sensing (IRS). The first one is used for

communication services while the other is for management of natural resources.

ISRO uses Geostationary Satellite Launch Vehicles (GSLV) for INSAT type satellites

and Polar Satellite Launch vehicles for launching IRS type satellites. Its PSLV-C26

successfully launched IRNSS-1C, the third satellite in the Indian regional

Navigational satellite system on October 16from Satish Dhavan Space Centre,

Sriharikota at which the Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi congratulated ISRO

scientists. He described the occasion as a matter of immense pride and joy. IRNSS

is an independent regional navigation satellite system designed to provide position

information in the Indian region and 1500 km. around the Indian mainland.

On December 21st ISRO successfully test fired GSLV mark III to earn yet

applause by the Prime Minister. With this launch, India is now capable of sending

astronauts into the space. It can double the capacity of payloads which it can carry

into space and place up to 4 tonnes of communication satellites into space. India has

thus become a major player in the multibillion dollar competitive market of

commercial launch market.

Prime Minister Mr .Narendra modi has made it clear that he wants to expand

the Indian space programme. Accordingly, the budget for space research has been

increased by 50 percent to $ 1 billion this financial year. In June this year the Prime

Minister had asked ISRO to develop a satellite that would serve all SAARC nations.

During his Mayanmar visit he announced that the services of SAARC satellite will be

extended to Mayanmar also. This will be beneficial, among others, in the fields of

health, telemedicine, and long distance education.

In the words of K. Radhakrishnan Indias Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM),

powered by smart satellites, has shown the world the way of doing things differently

without making any sacrifice on the quality in space mission. Primarily a

technological mission, Mars Orbiter Mission is India's first interplanetary mission to

planet Mars. The orbiter craft has been designed to orbit Mars in an elliptical


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orbit. One of its main objectives is to develop the technologies required for design,

planning, management and operations of an interplanetary mission.

The success of the Mars Orbiter Mission has been lauded also for its low price

tag of $74 million. The Chandrayaan-1 (India's first unmanned moon probe), which

cost $79 million, was launched to map the moon's surface and look for precious

metals. The Mangalyan was built with most of its parts manufactured indigenously.

The application of satellites for human welfare has also been quite impressive.

For instance, INSAT-3D, which became operational in January this year, played an

important role in tracking Cyclone Hudhood which hit the east coast of India in

October last. During Cyclone Phailin, which hit east coast at the same time last year,

images from Kalpana played a vital role.

Indias space programme is thus set to move from one milestone to another and thus

realize the dreams of Dr. Vikram Sarabhai the father of countrys space programme.

Harnessing Information Technology for Good Governance

Globally governments have to communicate regularly with citizens. Efficient and

effective communication was, is and will remain as one of the key vehicles to achieve

good governance for any government.

Instruments like drums were a medium that governments used to reach out to

people, that have been now replaced by internet and data. The power of internet and

information technology has helped hasten the speed of communication, resulting in

information reaching out to the targeted group seamlessly.

Information Technology has ensured that a policy decision taken by the

government can be quickly executed and implemented at multiple locations, across

the length and breadth of the country. It also ensures transparency, accountability

while assuring quick and effective responsiveness of government, to citizens

problems and suggestions.

A SWOT (strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis of

Information Technologys role in improved governance, throws light on the benefits,

citizen enjoy from good governance. It also indicates that India as a country has not


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yet fully benefitted, from the power of IT in achieving good governance. There are

only islands of success.

But the success stories, howsoever modest, have demonstrated that each one

of them carry a huge potential, for it to be replicated in a large scale, across state and

nationto achieve good governance.

Take the example of Government of Chhattisgarh that has used ICT based

module to reform, to improve its Public Distribution System (PDS) that also ensures

a transparent and accountable delivery mechanism.

To address the leakages in PDS, the State of Chhattisgarh implemented an

end-to-end information technology solution in 2007. Operations at every level of the

scheme - from procurement of produce, to storage and transportation to state

warehouses and Fair Priced Shops- have been computerized.

There is continuous monitoring of operations at all levels via reports

uploaded onto the web in real time. Web management has led to enhanced

accountability of operations. The online platform provides an account of commodity

stocks which helps decision makers in utilizing the inventory of commodities with

greater efficiency.

A unique feature of PDS in Chhattisgarh is the innovative citizen interface

portal through which citizens can track the movement of PDS commodities and also

register their grievances.

The ICT solution being used in Chhattisgarh is showing very encouraging

results and states like Orissa, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh have showed

interest in rolling out a similar procedure

Then there is Karnataka State Government that has successfully eradicated

corruption in getting land records. Bhoomi is the Land Records computerization

effort by the Government of Karnataka. Work on the project launched in 1999. In

2001, the first online services were provided to the citizens and other stakeholders of

the project Bhoomi has not only sustained its commendable levels of service achieved

in 2006, but has also made very significant progress. Currently, as many as two and

half crores of property records are being issued to citizens every year, under the

Bhoomi programme.

The Record of Rights (ROR) is now made available at the doorsteps of

farmers also through as many as 800 tele-centres, in addition to the erstwhile


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centres at the taluka level. The process has now been extended to the village as a unit

from the erstwhile sub-taluka level unit.

Similarly the Gujarat Governments e-Dhara, (renames e-Jamin) the

computerized system of land records has been a tremendous success. All 225 Talukas

of 26 districts are connected by Gujarat state wide area network (GSWAN). The

number of property records issued from e-Dhara has gone up from 1.58 crores to

more than 3 crore per year as per the last estimates.

In 2007-08, these RORs started getting issued from e-Gram centres at

village panchayats and people did not have to go to Talukas. Through centralization

of all the 227 land record databases, which was effected in 2010, the RORs can now

be delivered from anywhere.

e-Dhara incorporated a feature to capture photographs and finger-prints of

owners to enable secured transactions under registration. Finger Print Scanners have

been provided at the Taluka level for verification by the Deputy Mamlatdar. These

and other measures have increased the security of data manifold.

In 2011, all transactions were centralized by bringing data from all the 227 e-

Dhara centres to a central server. This increased central control over data. The

project is also financially self sustaining, by generating about Rs. 2 crore per month

from the fees charged for the RoR copies being issued from the e-Jamine system.

The above three cases illustrate how good governance can be achieved and

also sustainable, with help of Information technology.

A number of government services that were plagued with corruption delay

and were out of reach for people, are now operating successfully, after IT was

introduced. Securing a passport and driving licence were a major project for an

individual. The use of IT in booking of railway tickets has ensured more

transparency and comfort for the traveler.

The emphasis laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from the ramparts of

Red Fort on August 15 this year, ensures that more success stories of good

governance using IT are assured, when he said, E-governance is easy governance,

effective governance and also economic governance. E-governance paves the way for

good governance.

Good governance is not an exclusive agenda of a political party, a leader or

one state in India. It is the way that everyone responsible for governance has to


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deliver. It is an assurance to the people who have chosen their representative, to

make policies and also execute them, efficiently.

Various leaders, political, spiritual, academic and corporate have spoken

about the need to have good governance, as an essential tool for development of a

nation. Mahatma Gandhi said, We must become the change we want to see. This is

the message for all those who wish to achieve good governance.

Information Technology is a powerful tool that this generation of policy

makers and executers are blessed with. The opportunity to use it for good governance

exists, so does the danger of losing it. It will be an interesting journey, amidst fast

growing number of mobile devices, broadband, new operating systems and ingenious

applications. Each of them is a platform to achieve good governance.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee : An apostle of peace - humanity personified

A 28-year old Dhoti-Kurta clad young man was jostling to push his blanket-

wrapped baggage into the unreserved compartment of a passenger train at Delhi

Railway station on May 8, 1953.

The scene was a send off to Dr. Syma Prasad Moookerjee, founder of the Bharatiya

Jana Sangh (predecessor of the present day Bharatiya Janata Party), on a mission to

enter Jammu & Kashmir defying the entry-permit order of the government &

demanding full integration of the state into the Indian Union.

On the call of duty was a journalist-turned hitherto unfamiliar political secretary

to Dr. Mookerjee and his name was Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Dr. Mookerjee was arrested on May 10, 1953 on the J&K border while entering the

state refusing to obtain an entry-permit and was taken to Srinagar jail.

He sent his aide Vajpayee back to Delhi with a message for the party rank and file

to continue the agitation against what he then termed as:

Ek desh mein Do Vidhan, Do Pradhan, and Do Nishan Nahin Chalenge (in one

country there cant be two constitutions, two prime ministers & two flags).


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Dr. Mookerjee died under mysterious circumstances while in custody in Srinagar

on June 23, 1953. And young Vajpayee, with his oratorical eloquence relentlessly

went on to spread his political mentors message across the country and made an

indelible mark as a debutant on the political scene of independent India.

Atalji entered the Lok Sabha from Balrampur in UP in the second general

elections in 1957 and his maiden speech earned him laurels from many

contemporary veteran parliamentarians, including the then prime minister

Jawaharlal Nehru who, while introducing Vajpayee to a visiting foreign dignitary

once said this young man one day will become the countrys prime minister.

Atalji was unsparing in his criticism of Nehru in the Rajya Sabha when National

Conference leader Sheikh Abdullah was released from house-arrest in Delhi on April

8, 1964 and was allowed to visit Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

But the same Vajpayee paid glowing tributes to the departed prime minister in the

upper house when Nehru died on May 27, 1964. Respect for political adversaries has

always been a unique feature of Vajpayees multi-faceted personality.

Vajpayee remained a member of parliament for 47 years, eleven time elected to

the Lok Sabha, and twice to the Rajya Sabha. But the issue of Jammu & Kashmir

always remained foremost in his mind. He was a staunch critic of Nehrus Jammu &

Kashmir policy. He was elected to the Lok Sabha from Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh for

six consecutive terms.

A poet by heart, Atalji articulated poetry as one of the means of expressing himself

in any given situation. He would often recite one of his poems during the course of

his speeches to convey his message for the occasion and enthral his audience.

Atalji inherited this talent from his father Krishna Bihari Vajpayee and practiced

poetry writing and recitation since childhood by accompanying him at Kavi

Sammelans in the erstwhile princely state of Gwalior where he was born in a middle

class family of a school teacher.


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Compilation of his poetry titled Meri Ekyaavan Kavitayein has been very

popular. Famous film producer Yash Chopra directed an album Antarnaad based

on some of Atal jis classic poems which were composed byGhazal maestro Jagjit

Singh with super star Shahrukh Khan articulating the theme.

One of his poems on Jammu & Kashmir Mastak Nahi Jhukega sums up Indias

position on the issue of Jammu & Kashmir.

As external affairs minister in the 1977 Janata Party government, Vajpayee

pursued the policy of friendly relations with Indias neighbours, including Pakistan,

on the principle of peaceful co-existence & mutual respect. His famous quote

you can change friends but not your neighbours went on to become a dictum in

the Indian foreign office establishment.

Resolving all the outstanding issues with Pakistan, including the issue of Jammu

& Kashmir issue in a peaceful manner through bilateral dialogue without any third

party intervention was Vajpayees Mantra when he became the prime minister, first

for 13 days in 1996, then for 13 months in 1998 and again for a full five-year term in

1999.

The successful nuclear test Operation Shakti in Pokhran on May 13, 1998, was

Atal jis strategic master stroke which he defended as a deterrent rather than a

weapon of mass destruction. He put India in the league of the worlds elite nuclear

club yet announced moratorium on future testing.

He carried his message of peace to Pakistan during a bus journey to Lahore on

February 19, 1999.

Vajpayee made it a point to visit to Minar-e-Pakistan where he re-affirmed Indias

commitment to the existence of Pakistan.

He reached out to the people of Pakistan in a passionate speech at the governors

house in Lahore telecast live both in Pakistan & India.


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Atalji extended a hand of friendship on the basis of reciprocity and mutual trust

and called for collective fight against poverty in the Indian subcontinent devoid of

terrorism and drug-trafficking.

Vajpayees emotional speech from the bottom of his heart made Prime Minister

Nawaz Sharif to comment Vajpayee Saheb, ab to aap Pakistan mein bhi election

jeet sakte haein (Mr. Vajpayee now you can win elections even in Pakistan)

Vajpayee also signed a Lahore Declaration with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on

February 21, 1999, wherein Pakistan agreed to resolve all bilateral issues between the

two countries, including the issue of Jammu & Kashmir in a peaceful manner and

through dialogue and to promote people to people contact.

The DelhiLahore Bus Service Sada-e-Sarhad (Call of the Frontier) was

launched as a symbol of the efforts of the Vajpayee government to promote peaceful

and friendly relations with Pakistan on the basis of reciprocity.

Atalji did now allow the bus service to be terminated even when Pakistan army

chief Parvez Musharraf launched an attack in Kargil between May & July, 1999,

which the Indian armed forces successfully repulsed forcing the Pakistani army to

vacate the occupied hills in the region.

However, the service had to be suspended during the heightened tension between

the two neighbours in the aftermath of the Pakistan-ISI sponsored terrorist attack on

the Indian Parliament on December 13, 2001. It was restored on July 16, 2003 when

Pakistan assured the Indian government as well as the international community that

Islamabad would not allow its territory to be used for terrorists activities.

There have been many ups and downs in the Indo-Pak relations in the last more

than fifteen years but the Delhi-Lahore bus remains a symbol of the desire of the

people of two countries to maintain people-to-people contacts.

Atal Jis doctrine of peace, progress and prosperity in Jammu & Kashmir in the

spirit of Insaniyat (Humanity) , Jamhuriyat (Democracy) and Kashmiriyat (Identity

of the people of Kashmir) was universally acclaimed by all segments across political


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spectrum in the state, including the extremist elements in the valley and perhaps the

Kashmiris across the Line of Control (LOC) in the Pak-occupied Kashmir.

All the setbacks to his dialogue initiatives, including Kargil conflict, high- jacking

of an Indian Airlines plane to Kandhar and terrorist attack on the Indian Parliament,

notwithstanding, Vajpayee did not allow the peace process to derail despite serious

provocations by the Pakistan army and the ISI.

His NDA government continued to encourage confidence building measures and

people-to-people contact in the larger interest of peace and tranquility in the sub-

continent, an essential ingredient of progress and development of the region where

one-third of the population lives below the poverty line.

And now the NDA-2 under the stewardship of Indias most popular and dynamic

leader Prime Minister Narendra Modi has embarked upon the mission of

accomplishing the unfinished agenda of Vajpayee for a terrorism-free prosperous

South Asia.

Prime Minister Modi picking up the thread where Vajpayee had left in matters of

Indias pro-active policy of improving relations with all immediate neighbours was

on display at the very outset of the NDA-2 when heads of all the SAARC member

countries were invited to witness Narendra Bhais swearing in-ceremony at the

forecourt of majestic Rashtrapati Bhavan in Lutyens Delhi.

Later he chose Bhutan and Nepal for his maiden foreign visits as prime minister in

the SARC spirit.

Narenda Modi, who has always held Vajpayee in highest esteem and considered

him his role model, never misses a chance to eulogize the larger-than-life towering

personality of this living legend.

Speaking in the central hall of parliament on the historic occasion of his

unanimous election as leader of the newly elected BJP parliamentary party on May

20, 2014, Narandra Modi didnt forget to remember Vajpayee when he said Yadi


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Atalji ka swasthay anumati deta aur woh aaj hamare beech hotein to sone par

suhaga hota ( if Atal jis health permitted and he would have been present here, it

would have been like the icing on the cake) .

Prime Minister Modi too has demonstrated his deep affection for the people of

Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh and has paid several visits to all the three region in a

short span of six months.

During his election rallies in the state, Narendra Modi promised to the people that

his government would fulfil the dream of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and bring peace and

prosperity in the state based on Insaniyat, Jamhuriyat aur Kashmiriyat (

Humanity, democracy & Identity of the people of Kashmir).

Modi, during his visits to the state, always mentioned that Atalji through his

three-point Kashmir-doctrine had made a special place in the hearts of Kashmiris

and ignited hope in every Kashmiri youth for a better future.

"Our Mantra is only development, development and development," he said,

adding "I will return your trust in me with interest by ensuring full fledged

development in J&K."

Prime Minister Modi has assured the state , "It is my wish and I will come here again

& again to fulfil Ataljis dream

The Narendra Modi governments decision to observe Ataljis 90th birth day on

December 25 as Good Governance Day is perhaps the most befitting tribute the

younger generation of his party could pay to its friend, philosopher & guide over the

last so many decades.

The media reports that Prime Minister Modi will be announcing Bharat Ratna for

Atalji on his birthday have been welcomed by political leaders across the party lines.

Perhaps it has been long overdue.


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Integrated Power Development Scheme--Ensuring 24x7 Quqlity Power in

Urban Areas

Power crisis in India is always a burning issue. With the demand for power

growing manifold day by day, the need for round the clock availability of power has

become more and more relevant. With the launch of the Integrated Power

Development Scheme (IPDS), power outages will be a thing of past. Moving towards

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi-led government's objective to provide 24x7

power supply, the Union Cabinet has recently approved multiple schemes to improve

transmission and distribution networks across the length and breadth of the country.

The Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS) is one of the flagship schemes of

the Ministry of Power and will be at the core attempt to ensure 24x7 power for all.

The IPDS announced in the Union Budget 2014-15 envisages strengthening of

sub-transmission network, Metering, IT application, Customer Care Services,

provisioning of solar panels and the completion of the ongoing works of Restructured

Accelerated Power Development and completion of the Reforms Programme

(RAPDRP). The scheme will help in reduction in AT&C losses, establishment of IT

enabled energy accounting / auditing system, improvement in billed energy based on

metered consumption and improvement in collection efficiency. The estimated cost

of the present scheme with the components of strengthening of sub-transmission and

distribution networks, including metering of consumers in the urban areas is Rs.

32,612 crore which includes the requirement of budgetary support from Government

of India of Rs. 25,354 crore over the entire implementation period. The component

of IT enablement of distribution sector and strengthening of distribution network

approved by Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) in June, 2013 in the

form of RAPDRP for 12th and 13th Plans will get subsumed in this scheme and

CCEA-approved scheme outlay of Rs.44, 011 crore including a budgetary support of

Rs. 22,727 crore will be carried over to the new scheme of IPDS.

Eligible Utilities :

All Discoms including private Discoms and State Power Departments will be

eligible for financial assistance under this scheme. Discoms will prioritize

strengthening of urban infrastructure work considering specific network requirement

and will formulate Detailed Project Reports for the projects for coverage under this


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scheme. Projects under this Scheme will be completed within a period of 24 months

from date of issue of Letter of Awards. Power Finance corporation is the nodal

agency for operationalisation of this scheme.

Funding Pattern:

Grant portion of the Scheme is 60% for other than special category States (up to

75% on achievement of prescribed milestones) and 85 % for Special category States

(up to 90% on achievement of prescribed milestones). The milestones for the

additional grant are : timely completion of the scheme, reduction in AT&C losses as

per trajectory and upfront release of subsidy by State government. All North Eastern

States including Sikkim, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are

included in special category States.

Tripartite/Bipartite agreement:

Suitable Tripartite agreement will be executed between Power Finance

Corporation as the nodal agency of the Ministry of Power, the State Government and

the Discom to ensure implementation of the scheme in accordance with the

guidelines prescribed under the scheme. Bipatite agreement will be executed in case

of State Power departments.

Model Benchmark:

A model benchmark for power systems in urban areas which sets standards in

items like digital/ prepaid metering ,underground cabling of 11KV and LT lines,

limits for AT&C losses etc will be prepared by Central Electricity Authority within

5th January 2015.

Inculcating Energy Saving Culture

Earlier our electricity bill used to be between three to four hundred rupees now it

does not exceed Rs 250, says Budhram a student of Government Senior Secondary

School Rambas in Narnaul district of Haryana. Budhram is one of the twenty Energy

Soldiers in the schools under Bal Urja Rakshak Mission. Budh ram says that people

in his neighbourhood including his own family would not switch off lights even

during the day and when not required but that is not the case now. Budhram says


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that they also educate villagers on how the electricity bill can be reduced by adopting

various measures to use electricity in an efficient manner. Aum Prakash, Energy

teacher in the schools says that many people have now started using CFL bulbs after

they impressed upon how the electricity consumed by these bulbs is much less. He

said they educate people on how tube lights give better light and save electricity. He

says that as part of the mission they have also been discouraging people to use fire

wood as it is polluting and harmful for cook but admits that it is not easy to change

the mindset of the people.

Not very far from this village Preeti Verma of Government Senior secondary

School in Pali village in Mahendergarh Block says she has been able to motivate

families in her village not to use fire wood for cooking but LPG.

Some households in my neighbourhood are now using solar lighting system

after I and my fellow Energy Soldiers started spreading awareness about renewable

energy like solar power and the subsidies available Preeti is one of the four Energy

leaders in her school.

Bal Urja Rakshak Mission, BURMS initiated in the state in 2008 as a pilot

project, is targeted at Secondary Schools (Class8-10 classes). Under the scheme,

each participating school mobilizes a team of 20 Urja Rakshaks (Energy Soldiers), 4

Energy Leaders & two energy teachers. The 20 Energy Soldiers form an Energy Team

to organize different events and competitions to generate awareness and

understanding about energy saving. The programme is being implemented in a

phased manner in selected schools in identified districts of the state and will be

completed by the end next year.

The mission was initiated with objective of bringing about attitudinal and

behavioural changes in children regarding saving energy by sensitizing them about

energy efficiency, Renewable Energy, Climate Change and Sustainable Development.

Under the mission, the aim was to develop a team of dedicated volunteer students

known as Urja Rakshak who would organize activities in their schools, homes and

neighborhood and community.The programme is designed to make full use of

childrens potential as persuasive and powerful agents of change by reaching out to

their family, fellow students and teachers and their immediate community.

Haryana Renewable Energy Development Agency (HAREDA) which is

the nodal agency for implementation of the programme has developed an elaborate

information and promotional kit for the students including booklets, interactive


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games and CD, films, posters, and stickers. Apart from celebrating energy related

days like National Energy Conservation Day, Akshay Urja Diwas & Urja Utsav,

campaigns and rallies on saving power for future, visits to renewable energy

projects and competitions in essay writing, slogan and paintings and working

models and projects are organized . Quiz competitions are also organized with cash

prizes for motivation at the school and district in order to inculcate their interest in

adopting renewable energy sources, technologies ,devices as well efficient use of

energy, environment climate change and sustainable development.

The Prime Minister Narendra Modi During his interaction with children on the

Teachers Day this year , also urged the children to save electricity and not waste it .

He said that it is expensive to make electricity but cheaper to save electricity.

There is no doubt that there is a pressing need to make the future generation

more aware of the issues and options concerning modest and efficient use of energy

resources. Towards that end the government is initiating a programme that is aimed

at creating awareness among the school children by reaching out to them through a

web portal. The web portal named Energy Savers for school children on Energy

Conservation is now all set to be launched on the National Energy Conservation

Day.

Major Features of Web Portal for school children on Energy Conservation

To create mass awareness and outreach among school children across all

segments of the society.

At the "going live" of the web portal, at-least 1 school in each state of the

country will be connected and directly communicate with the school children /

teachers.

This portal will support the spread of a culture of energy efficiency among

members of the school community, and help them in carrying out energy-

conservation activities themselves, and to engage with their immediate

environment including parents, teachers, friends and neighbors.

The portal will enable interaction amongst school children through:

Creation of Energy Clubs.


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Competitions based on Energy Audits and savings in their schools.

Essay Competitions etc.

Children who achieve success in the competitions and tasks would be

recognized for their achievement and awarded BUSS-labeled products, and

assigned titles that recognize their progressive achievements.

The portal will be subsequently developed in vernacular languages so as to

maximize outreach among children all over the country.

The portal will eventually connect with approximately 50,000 schools across

the country and create mass awareness on the need for Energy Conservation

and Energy Efficiency.

A category of best performing schools/high-achieving children could be

included in the National Energy Conservation Awards in the subsequent years..

Energy values and habits of conserving energy in a country like ours need

to be inculcated in the young generation by encouraging learning through

participation and programmes like these that could become a mass movement to

save energy, so very crucial for development of our country.

Measures to make Agriculture Profitable

The Various measures taken for quality improvement and availability of essential

factors like fertilizers, seeds,electricity and irrigation facilities for agriculture in order

to make it a profitable business include the following:

The Government is implementing various Missions, Schemes and Projects which

facilitate production, availability & distribution of quality seeds and fertilizers to

farmers. The Government of India has launched a new schemes viz. Deendayal

Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) which aims to provide reliable and

adequate power supply to farmers by separation of agriculture and non-agriculture

feeders and strengthening of sub-transmission and distribution infrastructure in

rural areas, among others. Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana for rural

electrification will get subsumed in DDUGJY.


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Water is a State subject; water resources/ irrigation projects are planned, executed

and maintained by State Governments from their own resources and as per their own

priorities. Government of India provides financial and technical assistance to the

States under Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme, Repair, Renovation and

Restoration of Water Bodies Scheme and CADWM Programme, to enhance the

irrigation potential of the country as well as to ensure its effective utilization.

Financial assistance is also being provided to farmers for micro irrigation and

protected cultivation under various schemes viz., Mission for Integrated

Development of Horticulture (MIDH), On-Farm Water Management (OFWM) under

National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas

Yojana (RKVY). Assistance for micro irrigation is being provided under OFWM @

35% for small & marginal farmers and 25% for other farmers for an area upto 5 ha

per farmer. This assistance is 50% & 35% respectively in the areas covered under

Drought Prone Areas Programme, Desert Development Programme and North

Eastern & Himalayan regions.

For protected cultivation, assistance is being provided under MIDH @ 50 % for

setting up green houses, etc. for an area upto 4000 square meters per farmer. State

Governments are also promoting these technologies under RKVY.

The Government is implementing many Missions/ Schemes such as Rashtriya

Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), National Food Security Mission (NFSM), Mission for

Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), National Mission on Oilseeds and

Oil Palm (NMOOP) and Grameen Bhandaran Yojana etc. for raising investments in

agriculture. In addition, Government has issued a framework for Public Private

Partnership for Integrated Agriculture Development (PPPIAD) for using RKVY

allocation for bringing greater association of private sector in agricultural

development projects in the States.

Agriculture sector has been identified by Government as priority lending

sector, which constitutes at last 18% of the total loan portfolio of the banks. Crop

loans are provided to farmers at a concessional rate of 7% per annum with 3%

interest subvention for timely repayment. Post harvest loan is also available to


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farmers on the basis of negotiable warehouse receipts for a period of six months on

the same terms so as to prevent distress sales. Thus, crop loans are available to

farmers at more favourable terms then loans available to industries sector. However,

loans for post harvest management activities including marketing, processing etc. are

available on rates decided by the banks concerned.

Government has also taken several fiscal incentive measures such as tax

deduction, waiver/reduction of Excise Duty, reduction of Custom Duty on specific

food items etc. with a view to encouraging the growth of food processing industries.

Agricultural & Processed Food Products Exports Development Authority (APEDA) is

also implementing various schemes for promotion of export of agricultural and

processed food products.

To provide high quality seeds and fertilizers to farmers, details of

various Missions, Schemes and Projects is as follows:

a. Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture

(MIDH) envisages to promote seed production for vegetables and spices.

Assistance is provided @ 100% of total cost to public sector. In case of Private

Sector, assistance is 50% of the cost as credit linked back ended subsidy for a

maximum area of 5 ha. per beneficiary.

b. Under the Sub-mission on Seeds and Planting Material (SMSP)

under National Mission on Agricultural Extension and Technology

(NMAET), number of programmes and activities are organized to

develop/strengthen seed sector and to enhance production and multiplication of

high yielding certified/ quality seeds of all agricultural crops and making it

available to the farmers at affordable prices and also place an effective system for

protection of plant varieties, rights of farmers and plant breeders to encourage

development of new varieties of plants. Financial assistance/grants-in-aid is also

provided to private/ public entities under the component Development and


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Strengthening of Infrastructure Facilities for Production and Distribution of

Quality Seeds.

c. The Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) also organise quality seed production

and distribution to farmers .During the last one year 1.57 lakh quintal seeds of

improved varieties and hybrids of cereals. Oilseeds, pulses, commercial crops,

vegetables, flowers, fruits, spices, fodder, forest species, medicinal plants and

fibre crops were produced and provided to 2.61 lakh farmers by KVKs.

d. Under the National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm

(NMOOP) support is provided for purchase of breeder seeds, production/

distribution of certified seeds, distribution of seek Minikits (Varietal

Diversification) for demonstration of new technologies, seed infrastructure

Development, Variety Specific Targeted Seed Production (VSTSP), planting

material for oil palm and Tree Borne Oilseeds (TBOs), establishment of seed

gardens of oil palm, maintenance cost for oil palm and TBOs. NMOOP also

provides support for production of bio-fertilizers/ bio-agents, gypsum/pyrite/

liming /dolomite and construction of vermi- compost.

e. Under the National Food Security Mission (NFSM) certified seeds of

high yielding varities/hybrids which have been released during last 10 years are

distributed on subsidy to the farmers under NFSM. Micronutrients, soil

ameliorants are provided to the farmers on subsidy under NFSM on rice, wheat,

pulses, coarse cereals. Bio-fertilizer (Rhyzobium/PSB culture) is given to the

farmers under NFSM-pulses on subsidy.

f. Fertilizer (Control) Order, 1985 has been promulgated for regulation of

quality of fertilisers. No person shall manufacture/import for sale, sell, offer for

sale, stock or exhibit for sale or distribute any fertiliser which is not notified in the

said Order or not of standard prescribed in the said Order. Samples of fertilizers

are drawn periodically by notified fertiliser inspectors of State Governments to

check their quality whereas in case of imported fertilisers, the fertiliser inspectors

of the Central Government draw samples from ships/containers for checking

their quality.


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g. The Department of Fertilizers under Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers

provides Quality Urea and 22 grades of Phosphatic and Potassic fertilizers to the

farmers on subsidized rates strictly as per the stipulation under the Fertilizer

(Control) Order (FCO), 1985.

Research Institutes Providing Solutions in Renewable Energy Sector

The need to have a sustainable energy supply necessitates the exploration of

available energy resources. Among these, renewable energy resources are in the

forefront. It is now an established fact that renewable energy can be an integral part

of sustainable development because of its inexhaustible nature and environment

friendly features. Renewable energy can also play an important role in resolving the

energy crisis in urban areas to a great extend. So far , renewable energy projects with

an aggregate capacity of about 33,200 MW have been installed in the country which

includes 22,168 MW of wind power, 2870 MW of solar power, 4225 MW of bio power

and 3938 MW of small hydro power.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has been supporting Research

and Development (R&D) for technology development and demonstration through

various academic and research institutions, autonomous organisations and industry.

In addition, the Ministry has set up three research institutes, namely, National

Institute of Solar Energy, Gurgaon, National Institute of Wind Energy, Chennai and

Sardar Swaran Singh National Institute of Renewable Energy, Kapurthala, Punjab for

R&D in solar energy, wind energy and bio-energy, respectively.

Budgetary Support to R&D:

Against a budget of Rs. 500.00 crore allocated for R&D in new and renewable

energy sector for the 11thFive Year Plan, a total of 169 R&D projects in the areas of

solar energy, bio-energy, hydrogen and fuels cells with an outlay of Rs.525 crore were

sanctioned and an amount of Rs.239.56 crore was released. The R&D projects taken

up include: higher efficiency solar cells, Mega Watt scale solar thermal power

generation, advance research in biomass energy, hydrogen production, storage and

utilization and fuel cells development. In the area of biogas, demonstration projects

on purification and bottling of biogas for various applications were taken up. During

the last two and a half years of the current plan period, a total expenditure of

Rs.208.12 crore has been incurred on R&D in new and Renewable energy.


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12th Plan- Increased Support:

For the current 12th Plan Period, the Ministry has increased the budgetary

provision for research and development to Rs.910.00 crore. The focus is on reduction

of cost and improving efficiency of renewable energy systems and the key areas for

R&D include: Solar energy, wind energy, biomass, biogas, bio-liquid fuels and

Hydrogen/fuel-cell technologies.

The details of the Institutes involved in R &D in Renewable Energy

Sector are as follows :

1. National Institute of Solar Energy

The main objective of the institute is to assist the Ministry in implementing

Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) and function as the apex

National Centre for research, testing and technology development in the area of solar

energy. The areas of research include solar photovoltaic, solar thermal, energy

storage and solar resource assessment.

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2. National Institute of Wind Energy, Chennai (NIWE)

The NIWE serves as the technical focal point for wind power development and

supports the growing wind power sector in the country. The activities being carried

out include wind resource assessment onshore and offshore, wind turbine

performance testing, Grid connection and Power Quality, operation and

maintenance, wind power development, human resource development, national and

international collaborations for research & design development, NIWE has

established real time network for wind resource assessment with 100m met-masts

at 73 locations, and 121 automatic stations for Solar radiation resource assessment

all over India. NIWE is also working on development and implementation of

procedures and guidelines for orderly development of quality wind turbines besides

preparation of Indian standards for wind turbines.

3. Sardar Swaran Singh National Institute of Renewable Energy


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The main objective of the Institute is to carry out and facilitate research, design,

development, testing, standardization and technology demonstration in bio energy.

The R&D activities include development of bio energy, bio fuels and synthetic fuels in

solid, liquid and gaseous forms for transportation, portable and stationary

applications and development of new technologies for effective utilization of different

types of biomass.

The achievements made by three institutes during last three

years are as follows:

1. National Institute of Solar Energy

(a) Solar Photovoltaic

Setting up of module reliability test beds

Setting up of accredited SPV modules test lab

Setting up of solar cell test and characterization lab

Setting up of roof top SPV power units

Setting up of solar hydrogen production & research facility

Setting up of advanced lighting system test lab

(b) Solar Thermal

Setting up of solar thermal system test lab

Setting up of solar water desalination plant

Setting up of solar air conditioning

Setting up of solar-biomass cold storage system

Setting up of 1 MW solar thermal power plant

(c) Energy Storage

Setting up of test bed for batteries used in solar systems

Setting up of test bed for inverters used in solar systems


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(d) Solar Resource Assessment

Setting up of establishment of solar radiation measurement set up

2. National Institute of Wind Energy

Continuous health monitoring facility for components of wind turbines of 2

MW established.

Three multi-institutional research projects dealing with grid connection,

power quality and blade aerofoil characteristics completed

Capacity building for acoustic measurement, power quality measurement,

small wind turbine performance testing, inter-laboratory comparison of power

curve measurements, establishing worlds largest real time resource

measurement networks for wind and solar, wind power forecasting and first

offshore wind measurement at Dhanuskoti, near Rameshwaram.

Over Rs.33 crores of internal revenue generated through the expertise

developed, to entirely meet and sustain the salary expenditure of regular and

temporary staff in the last three years.

Intangible outcome is the orderly development of over 7000 MW of wind

power installed capacity in India using indirectly the expertise of NIWE

scientists.

3. Sardar Swaran Singh National Institute of Renewable Energy

The laboratory infrastructure for production and characterization of bio

fuels has been created.

A project entitled Integrated technology development for biodiesel

production using heterogeneous catalyst was completed successfully in 2013.

Under this project a process has been developed for biodiesel production from

high free fatty acid containing Jatropha curcas oil in a single step, under

elevated condition.


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Two numbers of highly efficient thermo tolerant yeasts i.e. NIRE-K1 and

NIRE-K3, for bio ethanol production from lignocelluloses biomass have been

isolated, characterized and submitted to culture bank. A process has been

developed for bio ethanol production from lignocelluloses materials.

A thermo phallic consortium isolated and process has been developed for

biogas production from paddy straw and the research under biogas area is in

progress.

Testing and R&D facilities for improved biomass cook stove have been

established.

PIB Features, December

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