Solar Power Systems on Railway Stations

The Government of India  is encouraging installation of solar power systems particularly on rooftops all over the country including on railway stations and airports as well. This was stated by Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of State (IC) for Power, Coal & New and Renewable Energy (IC) in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha .  The Minster further stated that so far as aggregate capacity of 17.69 MWp solar power systems have been installed at airports and 1.5 MWp in railway stations . The details are solar power systems installed at airports and railway stations

. Details of solar power systems installed at airports and railway stations

Sl.No.	Name of Airport/Railway Station	Solar power (ground mounted) (MWp)	Solar power rooftop (MWp)
A	Airports
1.	Cochin	13	0.10
2.	IGIA, New Delhi	2.14	--
3.	Mumbai	--	0.65
4.	Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan, Safdarjung Airport	--	0.25
5.	Bhopal	--	0.10
6.	Indore	--	0.10
7.	Bhubaneswar	--	0.10
8.	Raipur	--	0.10
9.	Jaiselmer	--	0.10
10.	Amritsar	--	0.40
11.	Lucknow	--	0.50
12.	Guwahati	--	0.05
13.	Jaipur	--	0.10
	Total	15.14	2.55
B	Railways	--
1.	Katra railway station	--	1.00
2.	Other railway stations	--	0.50
	Total	--	1.50

The Minister further  stated that the Government is promoting use of renewable energy systems all over the country which includes airports and railway stations and other public places in the country for which the following steps are being taken:

·         Ministry of Railways has set a target for setting upof  1,000MWp solar power plants on railway/private land and railway buildings in next 5 years.

·         Financial support in the form of generation based incentives and viability gap funding for solar power projects.

·         Subsidy for grid connected rooftop solar systems, solar pumping systems, concentrated solar thermal and other off-grid solar applications.

·         Fiscal incentives such as accelerated depreciation, concessional custom duty, excise duty exemptions,  income tax holiday for 10 years

·         Concessional loans from Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency

·         Loans under Priority Sector Lending uptoRs. 15 crore for renewable energy projects. 

·         Bank loans as a part of home loan/ home improvement loan for solar rooftop systems

·         Capacity building and public awareness through electronic and print media.

WI – FI Service Facility to Railway Passengers

Wi-Fi facility with free access to rail passengers for first 30 minutes in a day is proposed to be provided at all A1 (75), A (332) and B(302) i.e. total 709 railways stations. For period after 30 minutes the service will be available on payment. 

Initially the Wi-Fi service is proposed to be provided at 400 nos. of A1 and A category stations. For B category stations Request For Proposal (RFP) issued and date of opening is 23.12.2015. 

Initially Wi-Fi project shall be undertaken in phases to cover all A1 and A category stations. 

Non-Suburban stations with an annual passenger earning of more than ` 60 crores are categorised as A1 stations. Non-Suburban stations with an annual passenger earnings of ` 8 crores and upto ` 60 crores are categorised as A stations. 

RailTel Corporation of India Limited (a Public Sector Undertaking of Ministry of Railways) has entered into a collaboration with M/s. Mahataa Information India Private Limited (an Indian Subsidiary of Google Inc.) for the present, no direct investment has been made so far. The proposed investment will come in the form of providing technology, design and equipments required for providing Wi-Fi service. 

Work of providing of Wi-Fi service within the scope of the collaboration is in progress at 100 category A1 and A stations, after which work at balance 300 category A1 and A stations shall be taken up.

Highlights of Agriculture Census 2010-11

Department of Agriculture, Cooperation& Farmers Welfare has released Agriculture Census 2010-11(Phase-II).  Highlights of the Census are:

Highlights

As per Agriculture Census 2010-11,

·         Total number of operational holdings were estimated as 138.35 million.

·         The total operated area was 159.59 million hectare.

·         The average size of the holding has been estimated as 1.15 hectare. The average size of holdings has shown a steady declining trend over various Agriculture Censuses since, 1970-71.

·         The Size Group wise percentage of number and area of operational holdings are given in the following table.

Sl.No	Size-Group	Percentage of number of operational holdings to total	Percentage of area operated to total
1	Marginal (below 1.00 ha.)	67.10	22.50
2	Small (1.00 - 2.00 ha.)	17.91	22.08
3	Semi-medium (2.00 - 4.00 ha.)	10.04	23.63
4	Medium (4.00 - 10.00 ha.)	4.25	21.20
5	Large (10.00 ha. & above)	0.70	10.59

·         The Gross Cropped Area (GCA) was estimated at 193.76 million hectare.

·         The nine States, viz., Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and West Bengal together account for about 78 per cent of the Gross Cropped Area in the country.

·         Out of the total 64.57 million hectare Net Irrigated Area, 48.16 percent is accounted by Small and Marginal holdings, 43.77 percent by Semi-medium & Medium holdings and 8.07 percent by Large holdings.

·         The Cropping Intensity as per Agriculture Census 2010-11 works out to 1.37.

·         For 96.95 per cent of operational holdings, entire operated area was located within the village of residence.

·         Among various sources of irrigation, Tube-wells was main source of irrigation followed by canals.

All India level, during 2010-11, the proportion of net irrigated area to net area sown was 45.70 percent.

Agriculture Census in India is conducted at five yearly intervals for collection of information about structural aspects of agricultural holdings in the country. The basic statistical unit for data collection is ‘Operational Holding’. The reference year for the present Census was Agriculture Year 2010-11 (July-June). Agriculture Census data is collected in three phases. During Phase-I, data is collected on primary characteristics such as number and area of operational holdings. In Phase-II, detailed data is collected on sample basis from 20 per cent villages covering characteristics such as tenancy, land use, irrigation, cropping pattern, dispersal of holding etc. During Phase-III, generally referred to as Input Survey, data is collected on pattern of use of inputs.

            The concept of agricultural operational holdings does not include those holdings which are not operating any agricultural land and are engaged exclusively in livestock, poultry and fishing etc. On the basis of operated area, operational holdings in Agriculture Census are categorized as follows:-

Sl.No.	Category	Operated Area
1	2	3
1	Marginal holdings	Below 1.00 hectare
2	Small holdings	1.00 – 2.00 hectares
3	Semi-Medium holdings	2.00 – 4.00 hectares
4	Medium holdings	4.00 – 10.00 hectares
5	Large holdings	10.00 hectares and above

            The results of Phase-I and Phase-II of Agriculture Census 2010-11 have already been finalized and released. The detailed data /tables of Agriculture Census are available in the website of the Department at http://agcensus.nic.in. The All India Report of Agriculture Census 2010-11 is based on the data collected during Phase-II of the Census.

Cabinet approves Central Legislation to declare 106 additional inland waterways as national waterways

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval to carry out official amendments in "The National Waterways Bill, 2015". The amendments are based on the recommendations of the Department related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture and comments of State Governments. It provides for enacting a Central Legislation to declare 106 additional inland waterways, as the national waterways. After the inclusion of 106 additional inlands waterways to the existing five national waterways, the total number of national waterways goes upto 111. 

The number of waterways to be declared as new National Waterways is now proposed as 106 and adding the existing NWs, the total number of National Waterways in the bill goes up to 111. The following changes have been effected in the original list of 101 waterways that was introduced with the National Waterways Bill 2015, on 05.05.2015:- 10 waterways of Kerala have been omitted, 17 waterways have been merged with the existing waterways and 18 waterways (5 Karnataka, 5 Meghalaya, 3 Maharashtra, 3 Kerala, 1 each from Tamilnadu and Rajasthan) have been added, thus, making a total of 106 waterways that have been finalized for declaration as new National Waterways in addition to the 5 existing waterways. In order to carry out these changes, an official amendment to the National Waterways Bill, 2015 will have to be moved in the Lok Sabha in the current Session of Parliament. 

Declaration of the above additional 106 waterways as National Waterways would not have any immediate financial implications. Financial approval of the competent authority for each waterway would, however, be taken based on the outcome of the techno-economic feasibility studies etc. that are being undertaken by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) currently. IWAI will develop the feasible stretch of National Waterways for shipping and navigation purpose through mobilization of financial resources. 

The declaration of these National Waterways would enable IWAI to develop the feasible stretches for Shipping and Navigation. The right over the use of water, river bed and the appurtenant land will remain with the State Government. In addition, other benefits to States are: fewer accidents, less congestion on roads, cheaper mode of ferrying passengers, reduced logistics costs in cargo movement and development of adjoining areas. 

The expeditious declaration of National Waterways and its subsequent development will enhance the industrial growth and tourism potential of the hinterland along the waterway. This will also provide an additional, cheaper and environment friendly mode of transportation throughout the country. 

Background:

Inland Water Transport is considered as the most cost effective and economical mode of transport from the point of view of fuel efficiency. One horse power can carry 4000 Kg load in water whereas, it can carry 150 Kg and 500 Kg by road and rail respectively. Further in a study as highlighted by the World Bank, 1 litre of fuel can move 105 ton-Km by inland water transport, whereas the same amount of fuel can move only 85 ton-Km by rail and 24 ton-Km by road. Studies have shown that emission from container vessels range from 32-36 gCO2 per ton-Km while those of road transport vehicles (heavy duty vehicles) range from 51-91gCO2 per ton-km. 

FDI in Railway Sector

Ministry of Railways issued Sectoral guidelines in November, 2014 for Domestic/Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in rail sector in the following identified areas: (i) Suburban corridors through Public Private Partnership (PPP); (ii) High speed train projects; (iii) Dedicated freight lines; (iv) Rolling stock including trains sets and locomotive/coaches manufacturing 

and maintenance facilities; (v) Railway electrification; (vi) Signaling system; (vii) Freight terminals; (viii) Passenger terminals; (ix) Testing facilities and laboratories; (x) Non- Conventional Sources of Energy; (xi) Railway Technical Training Institutes; (xii) Concessioning of standalone passenger corridors (branch lines, hill railways etc.); (xiii) Mechanized Laundry; (xiv) Rolling stock procurement; (xv) Bio-toilets; (xvi) Technological solutions for manned and unmanned level crossings; (xvii) Technological solutions to improve Safety and reduce accidents. 

(c): The FDI policy aims at benefiting domestic industries through infusion of foreign equity and technology. 

(d): It is not possible to anticipate the extent of FDI inflows. However, agreements have been signed for setting up of two locomotive factories at Madhepura (Electric) and Marhowra (Diesel) costing about ₹ 2600 crore entailing FDI inflow in these activities. 

Qaumi Ekta Week will be observed from 19th to 25th November, 2015

The Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh has asked the Central and State Governments to organise and celebrate the “Qaumi Ekta Week” in a befitting manner so that the message of Communal Harmony and National Integration could reach out to every part of the country and society. 

With a view to foster and reinforce the spirit of Communal Harmony, National Integration and pride in vibrant, composite culture and nationhood, the “Qaumi Ekta Week” (National Integration Week) will be observed all over the country, from the 19th to 25th November, 2015. 

This occasion provides an opportunity to reaffirm age old traditions and faith in the values of tolerance, co-existence and brotherhood in a multi-cultural and multi-religious society. The observation of the ‘Quami Ekta Week’ will also help to highlight the inherent strength and resilience of our nation to withstand actual and potential threats to the eclectic and secular fabric of our country, and nurture a spirit of communal harmony in its widest sense. 

The week long programmes to be observed during Qaumi Ekta Week will be as under: 

• November 19, 2015 will be observed as National Integration Day and programmes like meetings, symposia and seminars will be organized to emphasize the themes of secularism, anti-communalism and non-violence. 

• November 20, 2015 will be observed as Welfare of Minorities Day and items of the 15 Point Programme are emphasized on this day. 

• November 21, 2015 will be observed as Linguistic Harmony Day. Programmes like Special literary functions and Kavi Sammelans will be organized to enable people of each region to appreciate the linguistic heritage of other parts of India. 

• November 22, 2015 will be observed as Weaker Sections Day and meetings and rallies will be organized to highlight programmes under various Governments which help SCs/STs and weaker sections with particular emphasis on the distribution of surplus land to landless labourers. 

• November 23, 2015 will be observed as Cultural Unity Day and cultural functions will be organized to present the Indian tradition of unity in diversity and for promoting cultural conservation and integration. 

• November 24, 2015 will be observed as Women’s Day. On this day, the importance of Women in Indian Society and their role in development of nation-building are highlighted. 

• November 25, 2015 will be observed as Conservation Day and several meetings and functions will be organized to emphasise the growing need for awareness and action to conserve the environment. 

The National Foundation for Communal Harmony (NFCH), an autonomous organisation with the Ministry of Home Affairs, also organises Communal Harmony Campaign coinciding with the Qaumi Ekta Week and observes the Communal Harmony Flag Day on 25th November. The Foundation promotes Communal Harmony and strengthens National Integration. It also provides financial assistance for relief and rehabilitation of children rendered orphan or destitute in communal, caste, ethnic or terrorist violence. 

Winter session of Parliament from November 26 till December 23,2015

2 day discussion on Commitment to Constitution as part of 125th Birth Anniversary of Dr.Ambedkar

The Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs (CCPA) today met and recommended convening of Winter session of Parliament from November 26 till December 23, 2015 subject to the exigencies of Government Business. This was announced to the media by Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Shri M.Venkaiah Naidu. 

Shri Naidu also informed that separate special sittings of both the Houses of Parliament will be held on the first two days of Winter session to discuss ‘Commitment to the Constitution’ as a part of 125th Birth Anniversary celebration of Dr.Bhim Rao Ambedkar and November 26 will be observed as ‘Constitution Day’ commemorating the acceptance of Draft Constitution on November 26,1949. Question Hour and Zero Hour will be dispensed with on these two days. 

Talking to media persons later, Shri M.Venkaiah Naidu urged the opposition parties in the Parliament to cooperate in passing of important pending Bills pertaining to introduction of Goods and Service Tax (GST) and setting up Real Estate Regulators etc. He said that the Bihar Assembly Verdict reflected the mood of the people in the state and it should not be construed as a mandate to stall the functioning of the Parliament. He said : “I was disturbed by media reports and analyses in the media after yesterday’s Bihar verdict that opposition parties in the Parliament will now be more emboldened to unite and stall the government’s Parliamentary agenda for the coming winter session. I sincerely hope that it is not the view of the concerned parties. All concerned need to understand the Bihar verdict in right perspective. People of Bihar like in other states too want development. By development, it means rapid economic growth through flow of investments into different sector like infrastructure, power, irrigation, education, health etc. 

To realise rapid economic growth, we need to put in right environment in place. This required carefully considered reforms. To interpret Bihar verdict in any other manner only amounts to questining the wisdom of the people of the state. Bihar verdict is a clear statement of people’s aspirations. It should not be interpreted as a mandate to obstruct Parliament. 

Development of Bihar and that of India are interlinked and are mutually reinforcing. The legislative initiatives under consideration of the Parliament are equally crucial for Bihar in as much as for other states. Measures for introduction of GST and Real Estate Regulator have been initiated long back and need to be taken to their logical conclusion given the benefits that flow. Opposition parties may have some concerns and the Government is always willing to sit with them and address them. This has been our approach since assumption of office last year.” 

Govt. of India has sponsored one week Study tour for 100 research Scholars to UK

 

Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Govt. of India has sponsored one week Study tour for 100 research Scholars in four groups of 25 participants each - two groups  to Columbia University New York, U.S.A.   and London School of Economics, U.K. during the period from 12^th October, 2015 to 28^th Nov., 2015, celebrating 125^th Birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar,

Research Scholars sharing their experiences with Union 

Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment

 after the completion of their study tour.

Two groups have since completed the study tour to Columbia University, New York and returned back to India.  Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot,  Hon’ble Union Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment  and Ms. Anita Agnihotri, Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment interacted with the participants on their return.  The study tour inter-alia  covered lectures and panel discussions with eminent persons with question answer sessions and visit to various places such as Library of Congress at Washington, Martin Luther King Memorial Park, National Science Foundation, Arlington, Camps and Library of Columbia University etc.  The participants found the tour very useful as it gave them an opportunity to get acquainted with the life, ideas and philosophy of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

Increase of Financial Assistance under the Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN)

To further ease access to financial assistance under Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN), the Government has decided to enhance the financial powers delegated to designated Central Government hospitals/institutes from Rs. 2 lakh to Rs. 5 lakh for providing financial assistance in cases where emergency surgery is to be conducted.

The RAN was set up in 1997 to provide financial assistance to patients, living below poverty line prescribed from time to time and who are suffering from major life threatening diseases related to heart, liver, kidney and cancer cases, etc., to receive medical treatment at any of the super specialty Government hospitals / institutes or other Government hospitals. Revolving Funds have been set up in 12 Central Government hospitals/institutes and amount up to Rs. 50 lakh is placed at their disposal for providing financial assistance. Details are available in the website of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Accordingly only cases for financial assistance beyond Rs. 5 lakh would now be required to be referred to Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.

For patients suffering from life threatening diseases, where time is a premium, this would facilitate commencement of treatment of poor patients found prima facie eligible for assistance under the Scheme by these hospitals/institutions. This would also enable to curtail the procedural delay for treatment, which would bring relief to thousands of patients annually.

The Government also provides financial assistance through the Health Minister’s Cancer Patient Fund (HMCPF) set up for providing financial assistance to the poor patients suffering from cancer having treatment in 27 Regional Cancer Centres (RCC). Financial assistance is also available under the Health Minister’s Discretionary Grant (HMDG) to patients having family annual income up to Rs.1,00,000/- and below to defray a part of the expenditure on hospitalization/treatment in Government Hospitals, in cases where free medical facilities are not available.

These Schemes have benefitted 37063 poor patients so far.