Australian companies presented their capabilities in different areas and highlighted the projects they are engaged in particularly Clean Coal Technologies (CCTs) viz Coal Bed Methane (CBM), Coal Mine Methane (CMM), Underground Coal Gasification (UCG), safety improvement, reclamation of mined out areas etc. In view of the proposed enhancement of coal production in the next five years India is focusing on …
Indian basmati rice all set to get GI tag
The IPAB cleared the decks for issuing GI tag to Indian Basmati rice. A GI is a place name used to identify the origin and quality, reputation or other characteristics of products. Article 22 of TRIPS Agreement says unless a GI indication is protected in the country of its origin, there is no obligation under the Agreement for other countries …
PESA
On the basis of the report of the Bhuria Committee submitted in 1995, PESA was enacted in 1996 to extend Part IX of the Constitution with certain modifications and exceptions to Fifth Schedule areas in 108 districts in 10 States. Effective implementation of PESA will enhance people’s participation in decision making at local level as tribal population will feel more …
Jal Kranti Abhiyan
Ministry of Water Resources initiated Jal Kranti Abhiyan during 2015-16 for creating awareness on aspects of water security and water conservation. Under Jal Kranti Abhiyan two villages, preferably facing acute water scarcity, are being selected as “Jal Grams”. An integrated water security plan, water conservation, water management and allied activities are being planned for these villages by Panchayat level committees …
Borehole Geophysics Research Laboratory
A Borehole Geophysics Research Laboratory (BGRL) is being established by the Ministry of Earth Sciences at Karad to address challenging seismological problems of societal relevance through drilling investigations. BGRL was conceptualized as part of the Ministry’s programme of Scientific Deep Drilling in the Koyna Intra-plate Seismic Zone for geological investigations and modelling, dedicated to earthquake research in the area. Reservoir …
Trans-Pacific pact may impact exports
The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), or the mega-regional free trade pact led by the U.S. and including 11 other Asia-Pacific countries, is likely to indirectly impact India’s exports in several industrial sectors such as textiles, plastics, leather, clothing, cotton and yarn, besides the country’s regime on investment, labour standards, intellectual property rights (IPR), government procurement and State-owned enterprises (SOE). The TPP …
TRAI for PPP model for Bharat Net Project
TRAI has recommended public private partnership (PPP) model for the roll out of the Bharat Net project. Bharat Net seeks to connect all of India’s households, particularly in rural areas, through broadband by 2017, forming the backbone of government’s ambitious Digital India programme. At present, a special purpose vehicle, Bharat Broadband Network Ltd (BBNL), under the telecom ministry is handling …
Towards a law on euthanasia
The Union government has now informed a Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court that its experts are examining a draft Bill proposed by the Law Commission in its 241st report. Whether patients who are terminally ill and possibly beyond the scope of medical revival can be allowed to die with dignity? The question was raised with a great deal of …
Seizing the ‘One Belt, One Road’ opportunity
The ‘One Belt, One Road’ (OBOR) initiative is likely to become the lynchpin of Chinese engagement with the world. The novel idea of ‘entity diplomacy’ argues for engaging within and across regions to secure the best interests of an entity that is necessarily larger and with interests broader than those of any sovereign. This follows from the argument of a …
MGNREGA
The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act completed ten years of implementation on 2nd February 2016. Of the workers, percentage of Scheduled Caste workers has consistently been about 20% and Scheduled Tribe workers has been about 17%. Sustainable assets have been created linked to conservation of natural resources and overall development of Gram Panchayats. An electronic fund management system …