Status of Jal Marg Vikas Project on River Ganga

‘Jal Marg Vikas’ is a  project on the river Ganga , being developed between Allahabad and Haldia to cover a distance of 1620 kms. The project envisages development of a fairway with three metres depth ,  which would enable commercial navigation of at least 1500 ton vessels on the river.  Construction of multi modal terminals, jetties, river information system, channel marking, navigational lock, river training and conservancy works are to be undertaken as part of the project. The project  is being implemented with technical and investment support from World Bank and would be completed over a period of six years at an estimated cost of Rs. 4200 crore.

The total procurement Plan for Phase 1 of the project from  Varanasi to Haldia  is  Rs.2041.25 Cr. Investment in UP stretch of Ganga  is Rs 700 crore. The status of the project is as follows :

Multi-modal terminal at Varanasi, UP (Phase-1)
Civil construction cost : Rs.169 cr+ Land cost: Rs.15 cr. Total : Rs.184 cr.
Duration: 26 months 
Status:

    Award delayed because of Allahabad High Court ban on construction on banks of Ganga.

     High Court allowed construction of terminal on 28 Apr 2016

   Construction work awarded. Mobilisation and pre-construction activity has commenced.

P   Phase 1A- land of 16 acres.

    Phase 2- Land of 70 acres for railway siding- Investment of Rs 110 cr

    Railway connectivity from JEONATHPUR to RAMNAGAR- 5 km length- DPR in progress

GAZIPUR-VARANASI dredging   
 Cost - Rs 11 crore
 Duration - completion by early 2017
 Status - hard strata removal-started in Oct 2015 - 
Terminal at GAZIPUR-

     on north bank at NAWAPURA

   Investment of RS. 150 cr including land cost

   Feasibility study almost complete- to start by Dec 2016

   Facilitate NEPAL cargo movement

       

GHAGRA river- 345 kms long- FAIZABAD to BALLIA

      Being designed to move 600 T vessels

     Investment of Rs 105 cr

      Floating terminals at DOHRIGHAT, and MANJHIGHAT

Ro-Ro terminals - Rs 120 cr, reduce road distance, facilitate connection between 2 banks of GANGA

   At MAJHUWA, connecting BALLIA- ZAMANIA,At MIRZAPUR connecting MIRZAPUR-CHUNAR 
     Trial run of 1000 Ton cargo vessel and Ro-Ro vessel with cars, from 

    VARANASI to KOLKATA- to start in JULY 2016

Passenger Ferry services at ALLAHABAD and VARANASI-

·  Investment of RS 100 cr

·  Decongest roads of these cities

·   Intermodal connectivity 
   Cruise services- Started between Patna and Varanasi

US-India Cyber Relationship

Cooperation on cyber issues is a key component of the bilateral relationship between India and the United States. The two countries have a strategic cyber relationship that reflects their shared values, common vision, and shared principles for cyberspace. Both sides recognize the value of enhancing and further institutionalizing their broad-based cooperation on cyber issues, and in that respect, intend to complete a framework based on the following shared principles and intended forms of cooperation.

Shared principles for the U.S-India cyber relationship include:

• A commitment to an open, interoperable, secure, and reliable cyberspace environment;

• A commitment to promote the Internet as an engine for innovation, economic growth, and trade and commerce;

• A commitment to promote the free flow of information;

• A commitment to promote cooperation between and among the private sector and government authorities on cybercrime and cybersecurity;

• A recognition of the importance of bilateral and international cooperation for combating cyber threats and promoting cybersecurity;

• A commitment to respect cultural and linguistic diversity;

• A commitment to promote international security and stability in cyberspace through a framework that recognizes the applicability of international law, in particular the UN Charter, to state conduct in cyberspace and the promotion of voluntary norms of responsible state behavior in cyberspace;

• A commitment to the multistakeholder model of Internet governance that is transparent and accountable to its stakeholders, including governments, civil society and the private sector, and promotes cooperation among them;

A recognition of the leading role for governments in cyber security matters relating to national security;

• A recognition of the importance of and a shared commitment to cooperate in capacity building in cyber security and cyber security research and development

• A commitment to promote closer cooperation among law enforcement agencies to combat cybercrime between the two countries; • A commitment to promote, protect, and respect human rights and fundamental freedoms online;

• A desire to cooperate in strengthening the security and resilience of critical information infrastructure; The main areas of cooperation between the two sides to advance these shared principles are expected to include:

• Identifying, coordinating, sharing, and implementing cybersecurity best practices;

• Sharing information on a real time or near real time basis, when practical and consistent with existing bilateral arrangements, about malicious cybersecurity threats, attacks and activities, and establishing appropriate mechanisms to improve such information sharing;

• Developing joint mechanisms for practical cooperation to mitigate cyber threats to the security of ICT infrastructure and information contained therein consistent with their respective obligations under domestic and international law;

• Promoting cooperation in the fields of cybersecurity-related research and development, cybersecurity standards and security testing including accreditation process, and cybersecurity product development, including further consultations on such issues;

• Elaborating and implementing practical measures that contribute to the security of ICT infrastructure on a voluntary and mutual basis;

• Continuing to promote cooperation between law enforcement agencies to combat cybercrime including through training workshops, enhancing dialogue and processes and procedures, and setting up consultations as needed;

• Improving the capacity of law enforcement agencies through joint training programs, including equipping them to draft appropriate requests for electronic evidence in accordance with the respective laws and regulations of the United States and India;

• Undertaking skill development and capacity building programs jointly in the fields of cybersecurity, efforts to combat cybercrime, digital forensics, and legal frameworks;

• Promoting the applicability of international law to state conduct in cyberspace and further exploring how it applies to state conduct in cyberspace.

• Promoting voluntary norms of responsible state behavior in peacetime, including the norms identified by the UN Group of Governmental Experts in the Field of Information and Telecommunications in the Context of International Security;

• Committing to voluntary norms under which

o A state should not conduct or knowingly support online activity that intentionally damages critical infrastructure or otherwise impairs the use of critical infrastructure to provide services to the public,

o A state should not conduct or knowingly support activity intended to prevent national CSIRTs from responding to cyber incidents. States should also not use CSIRTs to enable online activity that is intended to do harm,

o A state should cooperate, in a manner consistent with its domestic law and international obligations, with requests for assistance from other States in investigating cyber crimes, collecting electronic evidence and mitigating malicious cyber activity emanating from its territory.

o A state should not conduct or knowingly support ICT-enabled theft of intellectual property, including trade secrets or other confidential business information, with the intent of providing competitive advantages to companies or commercial sectors;

• Cooperating mutually on telecom security related issues such as telecom equipment security standards and testing, including accreditation of entities;

• Developing a common and shared understanding of international cyber stability, and destabilizing cyber activity;

• Discussing and sharing strategies to promote the integrity of the supply chain to enhance user's confidence in the security of ICT products and services.

• Continuing to promote dialogue on incident response best practices;

• Facilitating joint tabletop exercises covering priority cybersecurity scenarios to advance specific cooperation.

• Supporting the multistakeholder model of Internet governance;

• Continuing our dialogue and engagement in Internet governance fora, including ICANN, IGF and other venues, and to support active participation by all stakeholders of the two countries in these fora;

• Holding consultations and taking steps towards improving the effectiveness of transnational cybercrime cooperation;

• Strengthening critical Internet infrastructure in India;

• Working to ensure shared understanding of technology access policy, including dual use technologies sought to be controlled by either country, including through such mechanisms as the bilateral High Technology Cooperation Group.

The complete Framework for the U.S.-India Cyber Relationship, is expected to be signed within 60 days.

Historic address by Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi  visit to US and address at the joint session of the US Congress at Capitol Hill  highlights US support when Mumbai attacked by terrorists in 2008,empowerment of citizens through social and economic transformations,Mahatma Gandhis non violence path inspiration.

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Suresh Prabhu launches Tiger Express train

Shri Suresh  Prabhu launched  the Tiger Trail Circuit Train from Delhi Safdarjung Station. 

The launch of this Tiger Express on World Environment Day is to highlight the significance of environment in our lives. This tourist train will be operated by Indian Railway PSU namely Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC).

The train with 5 days/6 nights itinerary will start from Delhi Sufdarjung railway station and travel via Katani, Jabalpur, Bandhavgadh, Kanha.The semi-luxury train will take the guests onboard to the world famous Bandhavgarh and Kanha National Parks in Madhya Pradesh. In addition the trip will also take tourists to Dhuadhar Waterfall in Bedhaghat near Jabalpur.

Itinerary:

Day (Days)	From - To (Arr. - Dep.)	Remarks
Day 1 (Sunday)	Delhi Safdarjung - *** (*** - 15:00 hrs)	Departure from Delhi's Safdarjung Railway Station at 1500 hrs. Dinner & Overnight on board.
Day 2 (Monday)	Katni (05:40 hrs )	Arrive Katni Railway Station @ 0540 hrs. Breakfast on board, proceed for Bandhavgarh for hotel check in & lunch. Later proceed for evening safari (Khitauli Zone). Dinner & overnight at Bandhavgarh Hotel.
Day 3 (Tuesday)	Bandhavgarh - Kanha (*** - 11:00 hrs)	Proceed for Kanha. Check in & lunch at Hotel. Later proceed for evening safari (Mukki Zone). Dinner & overnight at Hotel.
Day 4 (Wednesday)	Kanha	Morning safari (Mukki Zone) in Kanha late morning Breakfast. Lunch at Hotel. Evening time for leisure. Dinner & overnight at Hotel.
Day 5 (Thursday)	Kanha - Jabalpur (***** - 22:05 hrs)	After Breakfast proceed for Jabalpur (135 Kms Approx). Lunch at Hotel in Jabalpur. Proceed for Dhuadhar Waterfall in Bedhaghat. High Tea in the evening before proceeding to Train Station. Dinner & overnight on board.
Day 6 (Friday)	**** - Delhi Safdarjung (15:50 hrs )	Breakfast and Lunch on board. Arrive at Delhi Safdarjung Railway Station by 1550 hrs. Tour Ends with Happy Memories.

Fare Structure:

The itinerary has a tariff structure starting from Rs 38,500. For travelling in 1AC, tariff has been fixed at Rs 49,500 for single occupancy, Rs 45,500 for double occupancy, Rs 44,900 for triple occupancy and Rs 39,500 for child with bed (5-11 years).

The fares for those travelling in AC 2-tier is Rs 43,500 for single occupancy, Rs 39,000 for double occupancy, Rs 38,500 for triple occupancy and Rs 33,500 for child with bed (5-11 years).

However, these rates are valid for Indian citizens only. An additional surcharge of Rs. 4,000 per person will be charged from foreigners for the Safari booking at Bandhagarh and Kanha.

The Online Booking of this train can be done on IRCTC Tourism Portal- www.irctctourism.com or tourism@irctc.com. For further information, one may dial toll-free number 1800110139 or 9717645648, 971764718, 9717640219, 9717644085, 9717645625.

Siemens CMD MEET BABU

In order to develop Andhra Pradesh in all sectors. Mr. Chandra Babu making all efforts to meet and greet all the business fraternity to  mobilize funds for the state. Today Mr. Sunil Mathur, CMD, Siemens, met  Chandra Babu Naidu at his office in Vijayawada and discussed opportunities to set up learning and development centres in the state of Andhra Pradesh.
Investments in the aerospace and defence sectors
 In the last two year's of chandra babu's tenure, he is  able attract or mobilise  some of the big ticket investments in the aerospace and defence sectors. Through this ,aims to attract investments worth ₹20,000 crore and create 5,000 jobs in the sector by 2020.
Major clusters and parks:

1. Aerospace and Defence Park (on PPP basis) in Anantapur and Chittoor/Nellore districts.
2. World-class Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility as a part of proposed Bhogapuram Aerotropolis near Visakhapatnam.
3. Air Cargo complex near Visakhapatnam
4. Aerospace and Defence industrial park in Palasamudram, Anantapur.
Existing projects:
1. DRDO
2. GMR
Upcoming projects in the state:
1. Essel Infra
2. Vittal Innovation City
3. Menzies Aviation

Hamid Ansari Tunisia Visit

photo courtesy: MIB

During The Vice President of India visit to Tunisia , Shri M. Hamid Ansari  met with the Prime Minister of Tunisia, Mr. Habib Essid,Tunisia on June 02, 2016. 

Highlights of the National Disaster Management Plan

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today released the National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP). This is the first ever national plan prepared in the country. 

Minister of Home Affairs Shri Rajnath Singh, Minster of State for Home Affairs Shri Kiren Rijiju, and senior officers of the Prime Minister's Office, Ministry of Home Affairs and National Disaster Management Authority were present during the function. 

Following are the highlights of the NDMP:

·         The NDMP has been aligned broadly with the goals and priorities set out in the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.

·         The Vision of the Plan is to “Make India disaster resilient, achieve substantial disaster risk reduction, and significantly decrease the losses of life, livelihoods, and assets – economic, physical, social, cultural and environmental – by maximizing the ability to cope with disasters at all levels of administration as well as among communities.

·         For each hazard, the approach used in this national plan incorporates the four priorities enunciated in the Sendai Framework into the planning framework for Disaster Risk Reduction under the five Thematic Areas for Actions:

o   Understanding Risk

o   Inter-Agency Coordination

o   Investing in DRR – Structural Measures

o   Investing in DRR – Non-Structural Measures

o   Capacity Development

·         The Response part of the Plan has identified eighteen broad activities which have been arranged into a matrix to be served as a ready reckoner:

o   Early Warning, Maps, Satellite inputs, Information Dissemination

o   Evacuation of People and Animals

o   Search and Rescue of People and Animals

o   Medical Care

o   Drinking Water/ Dewatering Pumps/ Sanitation Facilities/ Public Health

o   Food & Essential Supplies

o   Communication

o   Housing and Temporary Shelters

o   Power

o   Fuel

o   Transportation

o   Relief Logistics and Supply Chain Management

o   Disposal of Animal Carcasses

o   Fodder for livestock in scarcity-hit areas

o   Rehabilitation and Ensuring Safety of Livestock and other Animals, Veterinary Care

o   Data Collection and Management

o   Relief Employment

o   Media Relations

·         The Plan has also incorporated a Chapter on Strengthening Disaster Risk Governance. The generalized responsibility matrix given in this section summarizes the themes for strengthening Disaster Risk Governance and specifies agencies at the Centre and State with their respective roles. The matrix has six thematic areas in which Central and State Governments have to take actions to strengthen disaster risk governance:

o   Mainstream and integrate DRR and Institutional Strengthening

o   Capacity Development

o   Promote Participatory Approaches

o   Work with Elected Representatives

o   Grievance Redress Mechanism

o   Promote Quality Standards, Certifications, and Awards for Disaster Risk Management

·         The National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP) provides a framework and direction to the government agencies for all phases of disaster management cycle.

·         The NDMP is a dynamic document in the sense that it will be periodically improved keeping up with the emerging global best practices and knowledge bases in disaster management.

·         Globally, the approach towards post-disaster restoration and rehabilitation has shifted to one of betterment reconstruction. The NDMP provides a generalized framework for recovery since it is not possible to anticipate all the possible elements of betterment reconstruction.

·         The Plan also highlights that the disaster risk reduction will be achieved by mainstreaming the requirements into the developmental plans

Chennai Metro Rail Project Phase-I work get green signal

The Union Cabinet under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its ex-post facto approval to the proposal for Chennai Metro Rail Phase-I Project from Washermanpet to Wimconagar. It covers a length of 9.051 km. at a total cost of Rs. 3770 crore.

The project will be executed by the existing SPV of Government of India and the Government of Tamil Nadu having 50:50 equity of each i.e. Chennai Metro Rail Ltd. The project is scheduled to be completed by March 2018. 

This extension will provide improved access to public transport for dense population comprising predominantly industrial workers to move towards the central business district of the city for work. 

In the total project cost, Government of India's (Gol) share will be Rs. 713 crore and Government of Tamilnadu's (GoTN) share will be Rs. 916 crore. The share of GoTN included cost of Land and R&R of Rs. 203 crore. The balance amount of Rs. 2141 crore will be met from loan from multilateral/bilateral/domestic funding agency. 

The estimated ridership will be 1.6 lakh passengers per day in first year of operation. 

Cabinet approves setting up of India Post Payments Bank

The Union Cabinet under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for setting up the India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) as a Public Limited Company under the Department of Posts, with 100% Government of India (GOI) equity.

The total expenditure involved in this project is Rs 800 Crore. All citizens, especially 40% of the country's population that is outside the ambit of formal banking in the country will benefit from this project. The project will be rolled out in the entire country in a phased manner.

The IPPB will obtain banking licence from RBI by March 2017 and by September 2017, its services will be available across the country through 650 payments bank branches, linked post offices and alternative channels riding on modern technology including mobiles, ATMs, PoS/ m-PoS devices etc and simple digital payments.

The proposal will further the cause of financial inclusion by providing basic banking, payments and remittance services and facilitate financial services like insurance, mutual funds, pensions and access to credit in tie-up with third party financial providers with special focus on rural areas and the unbanked and under-banked segments. It will generate new employment opportunities for skilled banking professionals and will generate opportunities for propagating financial literacy across the country. It will create the largest bank in the world in terms of accessibility and in time, will encourage the move towards a less cash economy.



 Actuallly, it was announced during 2015-2016 budget toSet-up of the IPPB .  It was pending with RBI for approval, finally obtained the "in-principle approval" of the RBI in September 2015 to set up the India Post Payments Bank. The India Post Payments Bank will leverage the Department’s network, reach, and resources to make simple, low-cost, quality financial services easily accessible to customers all over the country. 

PM greets the people of Telangana on Statehood Day

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, has greeted the people of Telangana on their Statehood Day. The PM also extended his wishes to the people of Andhra Pradesh.

“On the Statehood Day of Telangana, my greetings to the people of Telangana. I hope the state progresses to new heights in the years to come.

I convey my greetings to my sisters and brothers of Andhra Pradesh. My best wishes as the state continues to develop at a rapid pace”, the Prime Minister said. 

Culture Universities in the Country

 

            There are four teaching institutions declared as deemed to be Universities under Ministry of Culture. There are no institutions under the administrative control of Ministry of Culture named as Cultural Universities.

These Universities /autonomous organizations are fully funded by the   Ministry of Culture. 

Sl. No.	State	Name of the Institute/University	Date of declaration of Deemed to be University
i	Bihar	Nava Nalanda Mahavihara (NNM),  Nalanda	13th November, 2006
ii	Jammu & Kashmir	Central Institute of Buddhist Studies (CIBS), Leh, Ladakh, J&K	15th January, 2016
iii	New Delhi	National Museum Institute, New Delhi	28th April 1989
iv	Uttar Pradesh	Central University of  Tibetan Studies (CUTS), Sarnath, Varanasi, U.P	5th April 1988

7 Bills passed during first week of this session; 3 by Lok Sabha and 4 by Rajya Sabha

inancial business main agenda for next week of Budget session of Parliament

Demands for Grants and working of 8 Ministries still to be discussed ; Finance Bill to be taken up



Discussion on Demands for Grants and working of identified ministries besides consideration and passing of the Appropriation and Finance Bill in respect of the General Budget for 2016-17 constitute the main agenda for the second week of the second Budget session of Parliament beginning Monday i.e May 2,2016.

In the Lok Sabha, discussion on Demand for Grants of the Ministry of Social Justice will resume before the same is voted upon. The Lower House is still to do the same in respect of the Ministries of Civil Aviation and Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation before Demands for Grants of other ministries are guillotined. Thereafter, the Appropriation (No.2) Bill,2016 and The Finance Bill,2016 will be taken up for consideration and passing.

Regarding other legislative business, the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Bill,2015 will be taken up in the Lok Sabha.

Rajya Sabha will discuss the working of Ministries of Health & Family Welfare, Human Resource Development, Finance, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and External Affairs besides considering and returning of the Appropriation (Railways) No.2 Bill, 2016. Other legislative business likely to be taken up in the Upper House includes the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill,2016 as passed by Lok Sabha and the Indian Trusts (Amendment) Bill,2015, as passed by Lok Sabha .

During the first week of this session last week, a total of seven Bills were passed including 3 by Lok Sabha and 4 by Rajya Sabha.

The Bills passed by Lok Sabha were the Sikh Gurudwaras (Amendment) Bill,2016 the Regional Centre for Bio-technology Bill,2016 and the Appropriation (Railways) No.2 Bill,2016 The Lower House also discussed and voted upon the Demands for Grants of the Ministries of Development of North-Eastern Region and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.

Rajya Sabha passed last week the Appropriation Acts (Repeal) Bill,2015, The Repealing and Amending (Third) Bill,2015, The Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order (Amendment) Bill,2016 and The Industries (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill,2015.

The Upper House also held a Short Duration Discussion on the situation arising out of drought and heat wave conditions and resultant water crisis and the remedial measures taken by the government besides taking up a Calling Attention Motion on the imposition of Central Excise Duty on gold jewelry.