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Customized Debt Financing for Commercial Mining, Mine Developers and Operators

 REC Limited, a leading public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Power, hosted a workshop on ‘Customized Debt Financing for Commercial Mining & MDOs (Mine Developers and Operators).’ The workshop, held at Hotel Oberoi, New Delhi, was attended by key stakeholders from government and industry, including from the coal mining and financing sectors. The workshop agenda was structured to offer a comprehensive understanding of customized debt-financing solutions and as a platform to share knowledge and explore innovative ways of financing that can further drive the growth and development of this crucial sector. The workshop featured presentations from REC and the Mining agencies, highlighting their unique perspectives on financing challenges and opportunities within the mining sector. The workshop provided an opportunity for presentation of both lenders’ and borrowers’ perspectives, followed by open forum discussion, in which queries of Mining Developers were addressed.

Chief Guest and Secretary, Ministry of Coal, Shri Amrit Lal Meena advised banks and non-banking financial companies to find suitable and appropriate solutions regarding credit availability for commercial coal mines, while working on the proposals placed before the Ministry. He also highlighted the necessity of efficiently closing coal mines once they reach the end of their operational life and of rejuvenating such exhausted mines for sustainable endeavors like Pumped Storage facilities and Solar Parks. In doing so, the Secretary emphasized the commitment to harness these lands for more sustainable purposes in the future.

Additional Secretary, Ministry of Coal, Shri Nagaraju commended REC’s initiative and said that the coal sector is there to stay for meeting base load demands.

Addressing the participants, Chairman and Managing Director, REC Limited, Shri Vivek Kumar Dewangan said: “Mining industry in India plays a pivotal role in the economic progress of the nation. The Government’s focus on ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India’ have set the stage for expansion in the mining sector and it is high time for customized debt financing solutions. We at REC are committed to being a partner in this journey”.

Director (Marketing), Coal India Ltd., Shri Mukesh Choudhary reiterated the role of Mining and Mine Developers in their contribution towards the development of the nation. He urged Financial Institutions to come forward and support the developmental works in the sector, with special mention of the role of REC through its financial solutions supplementing the growth needs of the nation.

Director (Finance), REC Ltd., Shri Ajoy Choudhury and Director (Projects), REC Ltd., Shri. V K Singh addressed the queries raised by the Mining Developers and highlighted the financial solutions provided by REC Limited.

About REC Limited

REC Limited is an NBFC focusing on Power Sector Financing and Development across India. Established in 1969, REC Limited has completed over fifty years of operations. It provides financial assistance to state electricity boards, state governments, central/state power utilities, independent power producers, rural electric cooperatives and private sector utilities. Its business activities involve financing projects in the complete power sector value chain; for various types of projects including Generation, Transmission, Distribution and Renewable Energy. REC’s funding illuminates every fourth bulb in India. REC has recently diversified into financing infrastructure and logistics sector as well. The Loan Book of REC stands at Rs 4.54 Lakh Crore, ending the first quarter of the current financial year.

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REC Limited declares its Financial Results for Q2 and H1 FY-24

 REC limited, a ‘Maharatna’ company under the administrative control of the Ministry of Power, Government of India, and registered with RBI as Non-Banking Finance Company (NBFC), Public Financial Institution (PFI) and Infrastructure Financing Company (IFC), has today reported its unaudited financial results (Standalone) for the 2nd Quarter and Half Year ended 30th September 2023.

The Key highlights were briefed by CMD, REC Ltd. Vivek Kumar Dewangan in a press conference in Mumbai today. The Director (Projects) Vijay Kumar Singh, Director (Finance) Ajoy Choudhary, Executive Director (Finance) Sanjay Kumar, Executive Director and Company Secretary JS Amitabh and Executive Director TSC Bosh were also present on the occasion.

The key highlights are as under:

Operational and Financial Highlights –Q2 FY24 vs Q2 FY23 (Standalone)

  • Sanctions: ₹ 1,04,366 crore vs. ₹ 84,889 crore, up 23%, Renewable sector constitutes for 24%
  • Disbursements: ₹ 41,598 crore vs. ₹ 17,827 crore, up 133%
  • Interest Income on Loan Assets: ₹ 11,213 crore vs. ₹ 9,534 crore, up 18%
  • Net Profit: ₹ 3,773 crore vs. ₹ 2,728 crore, up 38%
  • Total Comprehensive Income: ₹ 4,188 crore vs. ₹ 1,915 crore, up 119%

Operational and Financial Highlights –H1 FY24 vs H1 FY23 (Standalone)

  • Sanctions: ₹ 1,95,163 crore vs. ₹ 1,44,784 crore, up 35%, Renewable sector constitutes for 26%
  • Disbursements: ₹ 75,731 crore vs. ₹ 30,269 crore, up 150%
  • Interest Income on Loan Assets: ₹ 21,678 crore vs. ₹ 18,796 crore, up 15%
  • Net Profit: ₹ 6,734 crore vs. ₹ 5,176 crore, up 30%
  • Total Comprehensive Income: ₹ 7,331 crore vs. ₹ 3,690 crore, up 99%

Owing to the improving asset quality, increase in lending rates and effective management of Finance Cost, REC is able to record its highest ever quarterly profit of ₹ 3,773 crore. As a result, the annualised Earnings Per Share for the quarter ended 30th September 2023 accelerated to ₹ 51.14 per share as against ₹ 39.32 per share as at 30th September 2022.

Aided by growth in profits, the Net Worth has grown to ₹ 63,117 crore as on 30th September 2023, an increase of 18% YoY.

The loan book has maintained its growth trajectory and has increased by 20% to ₹ 4.74 lakh crore as against ₹ 3.94 lakh crore as at 30th September 2022. Signifying improving asset quality, the Net Credit-impaired assets have reduced to 0.96% with Provision Coverage Ratio of 69.37% on NPA assets, as at 30th September 2023.

Indicating the ample opportunity to support the future growth, the Capital Adequacy Ratio (CRAR) of the Company stands at a comfortable 28.53% as on 30th September 2023.

Continuing with the tradition to reward its shareholders, the Board of Directors of the Company has declared the second interim dividend of ₹3.50 per equity share (on face value of ₹ 10/- each) and 13th November 2023 has been fixed as Record Date for payment of Second Interim Dividend. The Total Interim Dividend for the FY 23-24 is ₹6.50 per equity share (on face value of ₹ 10/- each)

REC Limited has also diversified into infrastructure and Logistics sector in a major way, ever since it became a Maharatna company in September 2022. Recently, for implementation of various infrastructure projects, REC has signed MOU with Punjab National Bank for ₹55,000 crore, signed MOU with Bank of India for ₹30,000 crore and also signed MOU with SJVN for ₹50,000 Crore for setting up power generation projects based on conventional and renewable sources of energy.

REC Limited, a Maharatna company, has emerged as a frontrunner in catalyzing India’s energy transition in alignment with the nation’s COP26 commitments and recent G20 pledges. With a resolute vision and unwavering commitment, REC is on a trajectory to achieve a green finance loan book of ₹3 Lakh crore by the fiscal year 2030.On the sidelines of the G20 Summit, REC held one-on-one discussions with RE Developers leading to successful signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) amounting to a total of around ₹2.86 Lakh crore.

REC’s dedication to fostering green finance initiatives and its pivotal role in India’s energy transition reinforce its commitment to creating a sustainable and eco-friendly future. As India and the world strive towards a cleaner and greener energy landscape, REC stands as a beacon of growth and overall development of economy of the country.

 

About REC Limited: 

REC Limited, a Maharatna CPSE established in 1969, under the Ministry of Power, provides long-term loans and other finance products for the Power-Infrastructure sector comprising of Generation, Transmission, Distribution, Renewable Energy and new technologies like Electric Vehicles, Battery Storage, Green Hydrogen etc. REC has also diversified into the core infrastructure sector comprising Roads, Metro, Airports, IT, Ports, etc. The Loan Book of REC stands at ₹ 4.54 Lakh crore, ending the first quarter of the current financial year. 

 

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Road Transport and Highways

 The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), has undertaken several activities all over the country under the “Special Campaign 3.0”, aimed at institutionalizing Swachhata (cleanliness) and minimizing pendency within the Ministry and its subordinate offices viz NHAI, NHIDCL & IAHE. These activities include “Swachhata Abhiyan” (cleanliness drive) in the offices, at various toll plazas, project sites etc disposing of pending files, weeding out scrap and making roads pothole-free.

The campaign commenced on 2nd of October and concluded on 31st of October. The entire initiative has been meticulously planned in alignment with the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, under the expert guidance of Minister of Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari and Minister of State for Ministry of Road Transport and Highways General V.K. Singh.

The Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Shri Anurag Jain inspected the offices and building premises at Transport Bhavan during the campaign. During the inspection, he firmly emphasized the crucial need to maintain the highest standards of cleanliness and directed the officials to give the offices a smart look. He spent time at the Central Registry (CR) Section (Dak Section) of the Ministry, which handles external communication, including Public Grievances, PMO references etc. and gave necessary instructions to improve its efficiency. Joint Secretary Shri Kamlesh Chaturvedi and other senior officials were present during the inspection.

As a precursor to the campaign, a “Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) campaign” was carried out from 15th to 30th September, following which a special campaign “Ek Taarikh, Ek Ghanta, Ek Saath” was conducted on 1st October all over the country. On 2nd October, in commemoration of Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary, a Swachhata pledge ceremony and cleanliness drive were held at Transport Bhavan to launch the “Special Campaign 3.0”. The ceremony was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

Till 31st October. The ministry has achieved 100% target in disposing 764 Public Grievances, 334 Public Grievance Appeals, 799 MP references, 18 PMO references and 48 out of 49 Parliamentary Assurances. It has weeded 6,017 physical files. As many as 13,168 Cleanliness campaign events have been organized in different parts of the country. The Ministry has been able to free a 1070 sq. ft area within office premises during the campaign so far. The Cleanliness campaigns are being organized at toll plazas, Regional Offices & PIU/PMUs of MoRTH/NHAI/NHIDCL.

As part of the campaign, monitoring of disposal of pending MP references, Public Grievances, record management of files etc was done by MoRTH daily through a dedicated portal. Efforts were made for their quality disposal through coordination among different offices.

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Indian River Basins (IRBs)

 Frequency of extreme rainfall is likely to increase over the Western Ghats and Northeast river basins, while an increase in heavy rainfall intensity is projected over the Upper Ganga and Indus basins. The study explored the new possible hotspot regions for future urban flooding due to increasing heavy rainfall patterns over different Indian River Basins.

In the past few decades, the increased frequency of hydroclimate extreme events over the Indian River basins (IRBs) due to global warming has led to a significant rise in flood-related disasters, mortality rates, and economic losses, ultimately affecting the gross domestic product. In this context, it becomes exceedingly essential to examine the future hydroclimate extremes and identify hotspot regions over the Indian River Basins (IRBs) that are most susceptible to hydroclimate extremes. This can enable the prioritization of urgent policy interventions, mitigation and adaptation strategies.

A research led by Prof. R. K. Mall, Cordinator of the Department of Science & Technology-Mahamana Centre of Excellence in Climate Change Research (DST-MCECCR) at Banaras Hindu University (BHU), including Ph.D. scholar Pawan Kumar Chaubey, used high-resolution simulated precipitation from Coupled Model Intercomparison Project-6 (CMIP6) experiments to examine the future hydroclimate extremes over the different River Basins of India. The work supported under the Climate Change Program of the Department of Science & Technology (DST), projected intense precipitation specially over the Western Ghats and Northeast river basins, and an increase in heavy rainfall intensity (14.3%) over the upper Ganga and Indus basins as well as intensification of severe droughts.

The study highlighting an agricultural drought in the lower Ganga basin due to a decline in mean rainfall was published in the renowned journal Earth’s Future, American Geophysical Union (AGU). It urged policymakers to devise strategies to cope with water surplus or scarcity.

The research elaborated that approximately 4% to 10% of the heavy rainfall is projected to increase over the western part of Indian River basins. In the mid-future, under certain carbon emission scenarios, a significant increasing change of about 30% precipitation per day was likely over the West flowing River Kutch & Saurashtra, including Luni, Indus, and Upper Ganga River Basins.

The results also showed that the significant changes in the frequency of hydro-climate extreme events may have a considerable impact on agriculture, health, and other socio-economic conditions of the society. The major hotspots of highly populated cities identified for future urban flooding could help policymakers design appropriate basin-wise climate adaptation and mitigation strategies, including water and emergency services policies to minimize risk due to extremes in the basins.

Publication Link: https://doi.org/10.1029/2023EF003556   ( Earth’s Future, AGU )

 

Fig. 1 Increasing and decreasing trend of annual mean precipitation change (%) from low to high emission scenarios for Near-future (2021–2040) relative to 1995–2014.

Fig. 2 Spatial changes in observed and projected intensity of extreme precipitation events (5-day rainfall) and frequency of extreme events (dry days).

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DEPARTMENT OF EMPOWERMENT OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

 Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities organized Special Campaign 3.0 to reduce pendency and effective management of space with special attention on field/outstation offices in addition to the Department’s attached/ subordinate offices.

As part of the Campaign, the Department had adopted various initiatives to create better/appealing workplace, not only in the Department but also in National Institutes and some Public Places for betterment of the people. Some initiatives, taken by the Department and its attached/subordinate officers, are as under:-

Special Campaign 3.0

Shramdaan Activities at the Tikamgarh Railway Station, and District Disability Rehabilitation Centre, Tikamgarh, Madhya Pradesh by Dr. Virendra Kumar, Hon’ble Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment and other officers/officials and volunteers Special Campaign 3.0

Shramdaan at rly station Tikamgarh 1

RLY Station Tikamgarh

Shramdaan Activities by cleaning the nearby Hospital and Tilak Bridge Railway Station in New Delhi by the officers/ officials of PDUNIPPD:

PDUNIPPD team contributed whole-heartedly to Swacchta Hi Sewa abhiyan 3.0 by cleaning the TILAK BRIDGE railway station in New Delh

PHOTO-2023-10-01-12-40-33

 

Nukkad activities during Special Campaign 3.0 by NIEPMD for creating awareness:

Swachhata Hi Seva activities organised by NIEPMD at Kelambakkam bus stand, Tiruporur Taluk, Chengalpet District 2

 

Swachhta Campaign by CRC at A&N:

Swachh Hi Seva at Carbyn's cove beach, Portblair, A&N Islands by CRC- A&N

Swachhata hi seva at Bhathu basti market, Port blair, A&N Islands, by CRC - A&N

 

As part of the observance of Special Campaign 3.0, NIEPMD organized Human Chain formation for awareness:

As part of the observance of Swachhata Hi Seva from 15th Sep - 2nd Oct 2023, NIEPMD organized Human Chain formation by Staff, HRD students, PwDs and Parents of PwDs

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NITI Aayog orgaises Workshop on ‘India-AU Collaboration for a Better Inclusive World’

  NITI Aayog organised a workshop on India-AU Collaboration for a Better inclusive World in partnership with the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) at the Taj Palace, New Delhi today. The workshop focused on deliberations to implement the commitments laid out in the New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration (NDLD) which was signed recently concluded G20 Conference.

 Dr. V K Saraswat, Member, NITI Aayog, analysed the various aspects of India-AU cooperation and said that India and the AU have a lot to offer each other in terms of knowledge, skills, and resources. He urged the participants to come up with concrete proposals for cooperation in the three key areas of inclusive growth, sustainable infrastructure, and migration management.

Prof. Ramesh Chand, Member, NITI Aayog, spoke about the importance of agricultural growth and potential mutual learning between the two regions. He said that India and the AU can learn from each other’s experiences in agriculture and agribusiness. He also highlighted the need for cooperation in areas such as agricultural research, technology transfer, and market access.

Shri Dammo Ravi, Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) highlighted the importance of India-AU cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, and development. Addressing the participants, Shri Sudhendu J. Sinha, Advisor, NITI Aayog emphasized the importance of India and the African Union (AU) to work together to achieve the goals of the NDLD.

The workshop brought together over 50 experts and participants from prominent National and International think tanks, academia, and diplomats from India and the African Union (AU). The participants had in-depth discussions on three key themes:

  • Indo-AU collaboration for an inclusive world: The participants discussed methodologies to promote inclusive growth and development, reduce poverty and inequality, and ensure that all people have access to basic necessities such as food, water, healthcare, and education.
  • Indo-AU collaboration for sustainable and resilient infrastructure: The participants discussed cooperation to develop sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including in the areas of energy, transportation, and water management. They also discussed how to support economic growth and development and make the world more resilient to climate change and other shocks.
  • Managing Migration: The role of Indo-AU Partnership: The participants deliberated on managing migration in a safe, orderly, and humane manner. They also discussed the root causes of migration, providing support to migrants and refugees, and combating trafficking in persons.

The workshop received immense interest from the participants who gave valuable inputs. NITI Aayog will endeavour to use these inputs to develop an Action Plan that would facilitate in the implementation of  the commitments laid out in the NDLD.

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Indian athletes who participated in Asian Para Games 2022

 The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi interacted with and addressed India’s Asian Para Games contingent at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, in New Delhi today. The programme is an endeavor by the Prime Minister to congratulate the athletes for their outstanding achievement at the  Asian Para Games 2022 and to motivate them for future competitions.

Addressing the para-athletes, the Prime Minister said that he always looks forward to meeting them and sharing their experiences. “You bring along new hopes and renewed enthusiasm whenever you come here”, the Prime Minister said. He emphasized that he is here only for one thing and that is to congratulate the para-athletes on their successes. He underlined that he was not only following the developments at the Para Asian Games very closely but also living through it. He lauded their contributions and also congratulated their coaches and their families. Shri Modi expressed gratitude on behalf of 140 crore citizens of the country.

Underling the extremely competitive nature of sports, the Prime Minister also dwelled on the internal competition of the athletes within themselves as they compete with each other. He acknowledged the highest level of practice and dedication of the athletes. “All of you present here, some came back winners, some wiser but none came back defeated”, the Prime Minister said. “There is no losing in sports, only winning or learning”, the Prime Minister underlined as he highlighted the learning process involved in sports. He also noted the selection from 140 crore citizens as a huge achievement for the para-athletes. “Your success inspires the entire nation and also instills a feeling of pride among the citizens”, Shri Modi said, noting the record-breaking success in terms of the total medal count of 111.  

The Prime Minister related with the athletes for their record-breaking performance and recalled the feeling when he was congratulated by Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee for record electoral performance in Lok Sabha from Gujarat. “These 111 medals are not just numbers but 140 crore dreams”, he added. He informed that the number is three times the number of medals won in 2014 while the number of gold medals is ten times more and India moved from 15th place in medal tally to top 5. 

The Prime Minister highlighted India’s recent achievements in the field of sports during the past few months and said, “Your success at the Para Asian Games is the icing on the cake”. He mentioned the Gold Medal at the World Athletics Championship in Budapest in August, the Badminton Men’s Team’s first gold medal at the Asian Games, first medal by Women’s Pair in Table Tennis, Thomas Cup victory by Men’s Badminton Team, record 107 medals including 28 gold medals at Asian Games, and the most successful medal tally at the Asian Para Games. 

Recognizing the special nature of Para Games, the Prime Minister said that a sports victory by a divyang is not a matter of inspiration in sports only but it is a matter of inspiration in life itself. “Your performance can re-energise any person howsoever deep in the grip of despondency”, PM Modi said. The Prime Minister highlighted the progress of India as a sporting society and its sporting culture. “We are trying to organize the 2030 Youth Olympics and the 2036 Olympics”, he said. 

The Prime Minister said that there are no shortcuts in sports and said that players rely on their own capabilities but a little help has a multiplier effect. He stressed the need for collective support of families, society, institutions and other supporting ecosystems. He mentioned changing the outlook towards sports in the families. 

“Society has started recognizing sports as a profession, unlike earlier times”, the  Prime Minister remarked. He highlighted the transformation in approach by the present government from ‘athletes for the government’ to ‘government for the athletes’ and credited the sensitivity of the government towards the success of athletes. “When the government recognizes the dreams and struggles of the athletes, its impact can be witnessed in its policies, approach and thinking”, PM Modi emphasized. He lamented the lack of policies, infrastructure, coaching facilities and monetary assistance for the athletes by the previous governments and said that it had become a huge hurdle in attaining success. In the past 9 years, the Prime Minister said that the nation has grown out of the old system and approach. He mentioned that 4-5 crores are being spent on various athletes today. “Government’s approach today is athlete-centric”, the Prime Minister said as he underlined that it is removing obstacles and creating new opportunities for them. “Potential plus Platform is equal to Performance. Performance gets a boost when potential finds the needed platform”, he remarked and mentioned the Khelo India Scheme which catapulted the athletes to success by identifying them on the grassroots levels and nurturing their talent. He also mentioned the TOPS Initiative and a Disability Sports Training Center.

The Prime Minister said that the athletes’ resilience in the face of difficulties is their greatest contribution to the nation. He said that you have overcome insurmountable obstacles. This inspiration is recognized everywhere, the Prime Minister mentioned the praise for para-athletes on social media platforms.  Every section of society is drawing inspiration from the para-athletes. “Your participation in every tournament is the victory of human dreams. This is your biggest legacy. And that is why I am confident that you will work hard like this and keep making the country proud. Our government is with you, the country is with you”, the Prime Minister said. 

The Prime Minister concluded by reiterating the power of resolve. He said that as a nation we don’t stop at any milestone and rest on our laurels. “We have reached among the top 5 economies, I emphatically say that we will be among the top 3 economies within this decade and in 2047 this nation will become Viksit Bharat”, he said. 

Union Minister for Youth and Sports Affairs, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, President of Paralympics Committee of India, Smt. Deepa Malik, Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, Shri Arjun Munda and Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports, Shri Nisith Pramanik were present on the occasion.

Background

India won a total of 111 medals including 29 gold medals in the Asian Para Games 2022. The total medal tally at the Asian Para Games 2022 witnessed a 54% increase over the previous best performance (in 2018), and the 29 gold medals won were almost twice as won in 2018.

The programme was attended by the athletes, their coaches, officials from the Paralympic Committee of India & Indian Olympic Association, representatives from National Sports Federations, and officials from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

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REPL Global – Planning Consultancy Firm in India

 

 REPL Global, is an Indian planning firm that specializes in various aspects of urban and infrastructure planning and development. It is a well-established organization that has been involved in numerous projects aimed at enhancing urban environments, real estate development, and smart city initiatives across India. Some key aspects of REPL Global’s activities include:

Urban and Regional Planning: REPL Global engages in comprehensive urban and regional planning, helping cities and regions design and develop sustainable infrastructure, transportation networks, and land use plans. They focus on creating well-designed urban environments that promote economic growth, environmental sustainability, and quality of life for residents.

Smart City Initiatives: The firm is involved in India’s Smart Cities Mission, which aims to transform selected cities into technologically advanced, sustainable, and citizen-centric urban areas. REPL Global plays a role in planning and implementing smart city projects, which may include IoT-based infrastructure, digital services, and innovative urban solutions.

Real Estate Development: REPL Global is also active in real estate development, encompassing residential, commercial, and mixed-use projects. They contribute to the design and execution of real estate ventures, often with a focus on sustainable and environmentally friendly development.

Infrastructure Development: The firm takes on infrastructure projects that involve the construction and maintenance of critical transportation, utility, and public facilities. These projects aim to improve connectivity and accessibility in urban areas.

Consultancy Services: REPL Global provides consulting services in the fields of architecture, engineering, project management, and more. They work with public and private sector clients to bring projects from concept to completion.

Divya Kala Mela 2023 to be inaugurated in Bengaluru

 The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) regularly organizes Divya Kala Mela unique event showcasing the products and craftsmanship of Divyang entrepreneurs/artisans from across the country. To continue the efforts of empowering Divyang Entrepreneurs Divya Kala Mela will be organized from 27thOctober -5thNovember, 2023 at HMT Ground Jalahalli Main Road, Bengaluru, Karnataka.  The Minister of Stateof Social Justice & Empowerment, Shri A. Narayanaswamy and Minister of State of Social Justice & EmpowermentKm. Pratima Bhoumikwill inaugurate the Mela on 27th October at 6.00 PM.Various other dignitaries will also grace the occasion.

The event would present an enthralling experience to the visitors, as vibrant products from various parts of the country including Jammu and Kashmir, North Eastern states will be seen together.Around 100 Divyang artisans/artists and entrepreneurs from about 20 states/UTs will be showcasing their products and skills in Bengaluru. There would be Products in the following broad categories: Home Décor and lifestyle, Clothing, Stationery and eco-friendly products, packaged food and organic products, Toys and gifts, Personal Accessories – Jewellery, Clutch Bags Paintings etc. It will be an opportunity for all to go ‘vocal for local’ and products made by Divyang craftsmen with their extra determination can be seen/purchased.

The 10 Days ‘Divya Kala Mela’, Bengaluru, Karnataka will be open from 10.00 AM to 10.00 PM and witness a series of cultural activities, including performances by Divyangjan artists and well-known professionals. Visitors can also enjoy their favourite foods from various regions of the country at the event.

This is a unique initiative of DEPwD towards the economic empowerment of PwD/Divyangjan. The Divya Kala Mela presents a bigger platform for marketing and showcasing the products and skills of Divyangjan (PwD). The Divya Kala Mela, Bengaluru is the ninth one in series starting from 2022 (i) Delhi, December 2022, (ii) Mumbai, February 2023, (iii) Bhopal, March 2023, (iv) Guwahati, May 2023 (V) Indore, June 2023 (Vi) Jaipur 29th– June to 5th July 2023 (vii) Varanasi, 15thto 24thSeptember,2023(viii) Secunderabad, Hyderabad 6thto15th October 2023(ix) Bengaluru, Karnataka 27th October -5th November, 2023.

The department has grandiose plans to promote the concept, as part of which ‘Divya Kala Mela’ is being organised across the country. During 2023-2024 the event will be organized in 12 cities.


8th Convocation Ceremony of Indian Maritime University, Chennai

 President Smt. Droupadi Murmu and Governor of Tamil Nadu Shri Ravindra Narayan Ravi will attend 8th Convocation Ceremony of Indian Maritime University (IMU), Chennai tomorrow. The event will begin at the university campus. IMU – headquartered in Chennai. IMU was established on 14th November, 2008 as a Central University by merging seven legacy institutes to provide quality maritime education, training, and research.

During this event 10 gold and 10 silver medals will be conferred to the meritorious students. Apart from this 1,944 students of the four Schools from the six campuses of IMU as well as from the affiliated institutes of IMU qualified will receive their degrees. A total of 245 candidates will receive the degrees in person. This includes two Ph.D. Scholars and one Scholar of M.S. (By Research).

The Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways and Minister of AYUSH, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal will grace the event as the Guest of Honour. During this event Shri Sonowal will lay the foundation stone of Innovation Lab worth Rs. 6.8 crores and Admin Block ‘C’ worth Rs. 21.25 crores.

The other dignitaries of the event are Dr. T. Sumathy Thamizhachi Thangapandian, Member of Parliament, South Chennai, Shri. Shripad Naik, the Minister of State, Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Ministry of Tourism, Shri Shantanu Thakur, the Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways’, Dr. K. Ponmudy, Minister of Higher Education, Government. of Tamilnadu, Shri P. Shankar, IAS (Retd), Chancellor of the Indian Maritime University at Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

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Launch of Reference Fuels fosters vision of AtmaNirbhar Bharat

 by: Shashikant Nishant Sharma

“The Launch of Reference Fuels produced by IndianOil’s Paradip & Panipat Refineries, utilizing the intellectual talent available at IndianOil’s Research & Development Centre, is a dynamic achievement”, said Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Housing & Urban Affairs. He was speaking at the historic occasion marking the launch of ‘Reference Gasoline and Diesel Fuels’ produced by IndianOil for the first time in India. Shri Pankaj Jain, Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Shri S.M. Vaidya, Chairperson, Indian Oil were also present at the event here today.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri said that this step stamps our indigenous technical prowess which gives impetus to the Make in India mission of the Government of India. It is yet another initiative to foster the AtmaNirbhar Bharat vision of our Hon’ble Prime Minister, he noted.

The Minister said that this is the first time that India is venturing into the production of Reference Gasoline and Diesel Fuels. He said, the home-grown development of these products in-line with international benchmarks testifies to the brilliance and relentless hard work of IndianOil. This achievement not only reduces India’s dependence on imports but also catapults India’s energy industry to the select global players armed with exclusive competencies, he stressed.

The Petroleum & Natural Gas Minister spoke about the four-pronged energy security strategy adopted by the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas. He said  that the strategy guided by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of transforming India into an ‘energy-independent’ nation by 2047, includes, (i) Diversification of energy supplies (ii) Increasing India’s exploration and Production footprint (iii) Alternate energy sources and meeting energy transition through Gas based economy and (iv) Green Hydrogen and EVs.

Shri Puri lauded the efforts of Oil Companies that are making major strides toward fulfilling national goals & commitments under the guidance of the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas. He also mentioned about the Ministry’s efforts in the direction of clean energy especially Bio-fuels section, transition to BS-VI fuels and introduction of EV charging stations, CBG, Sustainable Aviation Fuel, Ethanol blending, and Hydrogen fuels are to be mentioned.

Calling Panipat Refinery & Petrochemicals Complex as the flagbearer of path-breaking initiatives for enhancing IndianOil’s green agenda by commissioning India’s first 2G & 3G ethanol plants, the Minister said that the upcoming 10 KTA green hydrogen plant at Panipat will further augment IndianOil’s green energy transition. The Unit is on the cusp of a major expansion and it heralds a promising future for the nation’s energy industry, he added.

Referring to the Paradip Refinery as the most modern and complex refinery of India that can process 100% high sulphur crude oil, he said that the refinery marked a major milestone when it handled its 1000th vessel at the south oil jetty in the recent past.

The Minister complimented IndianOil’s Research & Development Centre for crossing the milestone of filing 1500 patents and winning recognition for decades of its pioneering work. “I uphold the contribution of IndianOil R&D Centre along with Paradip & Panipat refineries in the successful production of the reference fuel”, he said.

Shri Hardeep Singh Puri acknowledged the significant strides made by India towards fulfilling its aspirations for a more sustainable future. He noted the steps undertaken for reducing emissions such as expedited implementation of fuel blending, moving the ambitious target of achieving 20% blending from 2030 to 2025, the sale of E20 blended fuel at over 5,000 petrol retail outlets.

Recalling the introduction of green hydrogen fuel cell buses in Delhi recently, he said that this confirms our dedication to eco-friendly alternatives

Given the status as the 5th largest economy in the world, while maintaining equilibrium in crude oil prices; the Minister said, we are optimally harnessing our potential as a coveted player in the global energy market.

Highlighting the importance of innovation in gas & energy sector, the Minister congratulated the oil companies for consistently sustaining innovation in their processes and technologies to improve product line for the customers.

About Reference Fuels: 

IndianOil has successfully commenced the production of Reference Gasoline and Diesel Fuels for the first time in India. These fuels are used for calibration and testing of vehicle by Automobile manufacturers and testing agencies like ICAT (International Centre for Automotive Technology) and ARAI (Automotive Research Association of India). The indigenous development of this product is in-line with Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision for “Atmanirbhar Bharat”.

IndianOil’s teams of Refineries and R&D have strived hard to achieve this feat in the shortest possible time. To meet the International standards, these products had passed through three layer of certification viz., Refinery lab, IOCL R&D Centre and an internationally reputed third party lab.   

India is dependent on imports to cater to the demand for this specialized fuel. These indigenously developed products will lead to import substitution at better price and minimum lead time for the Vehicle manufacturers. Reference Gasoline fuels will be available in E0, E5, E10, E20, E85, E100 from Flagship Paradip Refinery. Reference diesel fuel shall be available in B7 grade from Panipat Refinery.

Reference fuels (Gasoline and Diesel) are premium high-value products, used for calibration and testing of vehicles by Auto OEMs and organizations involved in testing and certification in the automotive field. 

Specification requirements of Reference Fuels are more stringent than commercial gasoline and diesel. The demand of Reference Fuels in India is currently met by importing from other countries. 

The indigenously developed product by IndianOil meets Automotive Industry Standard (AIS) specifications, substitutes imports, and is available at better price with reduced lead time.

Indian Oil Corporation Limited has established facilities for production of Reference Gasoline Fuels (E-5, E-10 and E-20) at its Paradip Refinery and Reference Diesel Fuel (B-7) at its Panipat Refinery.

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Capacity building at every level

 Addressing the 9-week long Foundation Training Program (FTP) of 846 Direct Recruited Assistant Section Officers (ASOs) of Combined Graduate Level Exam 2022 (Phase – I) being conducted at the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) in New Delhi today, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh emphasised the importance of Capacity Building at every level and said that the Government headed by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has institutionalized Capacity Building programmes for employees across the sections.

Specific training modules have been launched on the Mission Karmayogi platform for new recruits to various categories of employees, he said.

The present training programme is being held at besides four other centres across the country who joined through video conference.

195 trainees were present at the IIPA and the rest joined online undergoing training at ISTM, BIPARD, MC Reddy Institute, Hyderabad and Academy of Administration, Bhopal.

Dr Jitendra Singh, who is also the Chairman, IIPA, said, Capacity Building is a continuous exercise and the decision to have a CBC in the Government by itself is a step in the direction of Capacity Building process. This is in line with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision for building a Viksit Bharat, he said.

Dr Jitendra Singh said PM Modi has streamlined processes with the resultant ‘Whole of Government’ approach.

“We have a very synergized approach to work, in all spheres of life including office; so no longer you work in isolation regardless of whichever department,” he said.

Appreciating the fact that the current batch of ASO trainees has a very impressive educationally qualified profile, Dr Jitendra Singh this is a result of the pathbreaking reforms initiated by PM Modi including abolishing interviews for Group C posts in Government. 

Besides recruitment, Dr Jitendra Singh said, the Prime Minister also streamlined the process of promotions and started a trend of mass promotions thus clearing off the large backlog of stalled promotions accumulated over several decades.

The Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) had last month approved the mass promotion of 1,592 officials working in the capacity of ASOs to the post of SOs on adhoc basis with immediate effect. Last year alone about 9,000 mass promotions were made and prior to that the DoPT granted 4,000 promotions in the preceding three years.

Dr Jitendra Singh said the last quarter of the century of Independent India, the Amritkaal as envisioned by PM Modi, is turning out to be the “Best of Times” for the youth to fulfil their aspirations.

“The level of aspiration in the third generation of youth today has gone up with the democratization of the education system, easy accessibility of knowledge-information and the preparation material and the erosion of feudal class differentiation between one section and the other,” he said.

On the occasion, an MoU was signed between IIPA and National Telecommunications Institute (NTIPRIT), Ghaziabad (Apex Institute of Indian Telecom Service) for academic collaboration. Shri SN Tripathi, DG IIPA and Shri Deb Kumar Chakrabarty, DG NTIPRIT exchanged the MoU in the presence of the Union Minister.

Dr Jitendra Singh also handed over Promotion Certificates to 21 Staff members who got promoted or placed in the next higher pay level.  

Meeting of the National Level Steering Committee of Atal Bhujal Yojana

 The Secretary, Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation (DoWR, RD & GR), Ministry of Jal Shakti, Ms. Debashree Mukherjee chaired the fifth meeting of the National Level Steering Committee (NLSC) of Atal Bhujal Yojana and the Wrap up of the World Bank Mission in New Delhi today. The committee reviewed the overall progress of the scheme and directed the States to expedite all the activities including procurement as well as convergence for the implementation of the interventions proposed under Water Security Plans (WSPs). Atal Bhujal Yojana aims to demonstrate community-led sustainable ground water management which can be taken to scale. Objective of the Scheme is to improve the management of groundwater resources in select water stressed areas in identified states viz. Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.

State-wise presentations, enumerating impacts with evidence on “Emerging Impacts of the Program” were presented by all States. The highlights included improvement in ground water level and storages; involvement of local people, particularly women in utilization of equipment for monitoring of both water level and quality; creating sense of ownership and community-led ground water management, etc. The findings of the World Bank review mission conducted in all the Seven States were presented by the Task Team Leader from the World Bank. The gaps in the areas of scheme implementation and related concerns were discussed for improvement and effective implementation of the scheme in all the participating States. The senior officers from the participating States, members of NLSC, representatives from various Ministries/Departments, officers of the World Bank and NPMU attended the meeting.

 

 

The Secretary, DoWR, RD & GR, Ms. Debashree Mukherjee stated that there are several projects in our country for water security and management, however, Atal Bhujal Yojana is the only program targeting demand side groundwater management, focusing on behavioral change of the community. She emphasized on the importance of various equipment installed under Atal Bhujal Yojana which are being utilized to make the communities aware of the ground water situation. This will help the community manage their ground water resources, improve demand side measures and start preparing water budgets in the gram panchayats. The Secretary highlighted the fact that allocation under Atal Bhujal Yojana is fungible and better performing States will get more share of incentive. She also emphasized that since Atal Bhujal Yojana is a convergence-oriented program, the Chief Secretaries should regularly monitor the progress of the schemes in their States for effective implementation. 

 

 

Ms. Mukherjee asserted that strengthening of Institutions, partner agencies and capacity building of the civil society should also be given due importance. Since communities are at the forefront in this scheme, importance of capacity building of the communities was emphasized upon. The Secretary underscored the importance of assessment of quality of the trainings being provided at the Gram Panchayat level. She also requested all participating States to integrate WSPs in the Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs). This integration will provide sustainability to the approach followed by the scheme even after completion of time period. She also directed the States to document the best practices being implemented under the scheme.

 

 

The Joint Secretary and National Project Coordinator for Atal Bhujal Yojana, Shri Subodh Yadav, in his opening remarks earlier, highlighted that the scheme is in the fourth year of implementation and the remaining one and a half years shall be optimally utilized for improvement in performance of the participating States. He also emphasized that the community participation is the fundamental aspect of the scheme which shall be prioritized.

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Forest fire prevention, post-fire restoration and forest certification as a tool for sustainable forest management

 Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Labour and Employment Shri Bhupender Yadav emphasized the importance of forest fire prevention, post-fire restoration and forest certification as a tool for sustainable forest management.

In his video message at the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) at Forest Research Institute (FRI) Dehradun Shri Yadav stressed that forest fires not only cause irreparable damage to flora and fauna but also affect the livelihoods of communities living at forest peripheries. He emphasized that an important tool for promotion of sustainability of forests is forest certification, which nonetheless, presents numerous challenges notably for small-scale producers in developing countries. The Union Minister said India has embarked on its national forest certification scheme to address these challenges. He called on all participants to work together to create a sustainable future that is equitable, just, and resilient.

Minister of Forests, Languages & Technical Education, Government of Uttarakhand Shri Subodh Uniyal in his address today welcomed all distinguished delegates to “Dev Bhoomi”, the state of Uttarakhand. In his remarks he dwelled into the states initiatives and programmes and stated to minimize forest fire incidences, empowering communities living in proximity to forests and incentivizing them to work in tandem with the forest departments has been a strategy that has found success. He affirmed that Forest Certification is an equally important area, being a mechanism for forest monitoring, and is the focus within Global Forest Goals. He emphasized that all will benefit from the exchange at the Forum of traditional knowledge, technology innovation, and community engagement practices.

Director, UNFF, Ms. Juliette Biao Koudenoukpo said that issue of forest fires has been escalated as a global concern, and their detrimental impact on ecosystems, and communities makes action imperative and the second theme for the CLI being forest certification has been a long-standing topic for discussion and actionable solutions are now need of the hour. She highlighted the impact of forest fires on ecosystem are more profound now and mentioned about the challenges of numerous stakeholders and upcoming regulations that need attention. She stressed that the outcome of this CLI is very important and the success will lie in all our collective ability to identify areas for action and recommendations to UNFF 19.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India has taken the initiative for hosting a United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF), from 26-28 October 2023, at Forest Research Institute (FRI) Dehradun. More than 80 delegates are participating from 40 countries and 20 International Organisations, both in person and online, are attending the programme, including Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) and International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO), along with delegates and organisations from India. The programme has adopted a hybrid, physical and online formats for enabling participation across the globe.

This Country Led Initiative (CLI) focuses on two thematic areas: forest fires/wildfires and best practices on its prevention and restoration in fire-affected areas, and forest certification and sustainable forest management.

Forest fires/wildfires profoundly impact biodiversity, ecosystem services, human well-being, livelihoods, and national economies. In recent years, forest fires/wildfires have increased in scale and duration. Accordingly, there is a need to enhance collaboration and action at local, regional and international level on its prevention, reduction of its impacts and restoration of impacted land.

Forest certification has received growing global attention in recent years. Between 2020 and 2021, the certified forest area increased by 27 million hectares, led mainly by Europe and Northern America. However, developing countries and marginal forest managers continue to face challenges with the certification process. The Forum aims to provide a platform to discuss these aspects and the aspect of aligning certification systems with trade rules.

The Forum is planned over two days of exchange on the thematic areas and will host sessions on how to live with fire in a warming world, policies needed for implementing integrated fire management, how to make best use of the newly developed Global Fire Management Hub, and Forest Certification and Sustainable Forest Management. The discussions will be followed by cultural programmes at the end of each day, and field trip to Rajaji National Park on the third day.

The Director-General, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change shared with the delegates the importance of CLI and deliberations in these meetings in enhancing international cooperation on global forestry related issues. He highlighted the issues that accompany these forest fires/wildfires and its negative impact on public health, economic activity and forest biodiversity. He also spoke about the current scenario in India where more than 62% of Indian states are prone to high-intensity forest fires and how India has significantly improved its forest fire monitoring systems and fire forecast models. He shared with the participants the country’s proposed global collaboration i.e. Gandhinagar Implementation Roadmap and Gandhinagar Information Platform, that emanated from G20 deliberations, to tackle restoration of forest fire and mining degraded lands.

The forum’s meeting witnessed today varied panel discussions on forest fires, policies enhancing prevention of forest fires and on the global forest management hub. Various countries and International Organisations participated as panelists including New Zealand, Madagascar, Colombia, Morocco, India, Portugal, Malawi, Botswana, Russia, Nigeria, South Africa, Spain, FAO, UNEP, ITTO and IUFRO. Subsequently many other countries and organizations expressed their views and suggestions on prevention and effective management including the role of community participation.

The forum on Thursday, the 27th October, 2023 will cover a round of interaction on Forest Certification and Sustainable Forest Management with country presentations from South Africa, Russia and India.

The outcome of the Forum will be a summary by the Co-chairs on the discussions held, which will be submitted to the 19th session of UNFF for consideration. UNFF19 will be held in May 2024 at United Nations headquarters.

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Western Zone Vice Chancellors’ Conference on Implementation of NEP-2020

 Union Minister for Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Shri Dharmendra Pradhan addressed the Western Zone Vice Chancellors’ Conference on implementation of National Education Policy-2020, as a chief guest. Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Bhupendra Patel; Minister for Health and Family Welfare and Medical Education, and Higher and Technical Education, Law, Justice, Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs, Government of Gujarat, Shri Rushikesh Patel; Minister of State, Parliamentary Affairs, Primary, Secondary and Adult Education, Higher Education, Government of Gujarat, Shri Praful Pansheriya; Chairman graced the occasion.

Addressing the event Shri Pradhan commended the Government of Gujarat and the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda for organising this 1st zonal-level conference to accelerate the ground implementation of NEP 2020. He said that the journey of articulating the approaches, roadmap and strategies for implementation of NEP 2020 that began in 2022 at the Shiksha Samagam in Kashi on the banks of Ganga to today’s zonal conference being organised at the plateau of Narmada will play a defining role in carving a brighter future for India.

Bharatiya Bhasha, Bharatiya Gyan Parampara, Skilling, Employment and entrepreneurship education are priority areas of NEP. He expressed his confidence this zonal conference will pave the way for development of a new culture and best practices of multidisciplinary education, multiple entry-exit and equitable opportunities for all through effective NEP implementation.

He expressed his happiness that the zonal conference is deliberating on several priority areas of NEP, particularly on Quality of education, Skilling ecosystem in education, Research, innovation & entrepreneurship in education, Bharatiya Gyan Parampara & Internationalisation. He hoped that the approaches, thoughts and roadmap germinated from here will be converted into a compendium of best practices & case study and passed on at the college-level for paving the way for a uniform approach to NEP implementation.

Several Technical sessions were held during the Conference including Panel Discussions on Access to Quality Education and Governance– Higher Education; Equitable and Inclusive Education Issues of Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Groups (SEDGs); Creating Synergy between Education and Skilling Future Workforce; Holistic Education through integration of Skilling, Industry Connect and Employability; Innovation and Entrepreneurship; Research and Development; Internationalization of Education; and Indian Knowledge System. 

UGC, Prof. M. Jagadesh Kumar; Chairman, AICTE, Prof. T.G. Sitharam; Vice-chancellor of The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Prof. Vijay Kumar Srivastava; Dr. Hasmukh Adhia; other dignitaries, Vice Chancellors, and eminent educationists were present at the event. 

 

 

Later in the day, Shri Pradhan visited the iconic Statue of Unity in Kevadia and called it as a symbol of pride, unity, peace and gratitude. A tribute to the ‘Iron Man of India’ and his statesmanship, the Statue of Unity—the world’s tallest monument is a must-visit for all travel enthusiasts, he added.

 

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