19:17 IST
LOK SABHA
23 july 2009
India has signed the Inter Governmental Agreement on the Trans Asian Railway Network in June 2007 at United Nations Headquarters, New York. The agreement has come into force in June 2009 after eight signatories ratified the agreement. The Southern Corridor of Trans Asian Railway Network provides rail link via India between Asia and Europe. The link commences from Kunming in China and Bangkok in Thailand and ends in Kapikule in Bulgaria having total length of 11,460 kilometers, passing among other countries through Myanmar, India, Bangladesh and Pakistan.
The Trans Asian Railway network will provide viable land route to promote trade relations with the Middle East, Central Asia and South-East Asia and Europe. It has good potential for container traffic movement between South-East Asia and Europe and between Central and South Asia. Due to reduced transit time, the increased trade will bring benefit to the countries of the region.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Ministry of Railways, Shri K.H. Muniyappa in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
AKS/HK/LK/TR
Friday, July 24, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
RETREAT OF HIMALAYAN GLACIERS ?
Retreat of Himalayan glaciers not due to Climate Change
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(PIB)22 JULY 2009.19:1 IST
The statement of retreating Himalayan glaciers within next 40 years due to Climate change has no scientific evidence and these scenarios are painted by the West. Inaugurating a two day workshop on ‘Environmental Threats in Cold Deserts –Challenges and Way Ahead’ here today, Shri Jairam Ramesh, Union Minister of Environment and Forests (I/C) said we have to get out of the preconceived notion which is based on western media and invest our scientific research and other capacities to study Himalayan atmosphere. He said that the retreat of Himalayan glaciers is a fact today and the rate of retreat of Himalayan glaciers varies from a couple of centimetres every year to a couple of metres. But it is also true that this is a natural process occurred through out history. He also informed there are few glaciers that are advancing as well. Shri Ramesh said that there is no consensus on the number of glaciers .GSI put it at 9500 to 10,000, where as ISRO’s estimate on number of 14000 -15000. The Minister explained this difference is due to the area covered includes neighbouring countries also.Another reason for large number is due to fragmentation of glaciers, he added.
The Environment Minister added that why glaciers are fragmenting is a big scientific issue. The health of Himalayan glaciers is not in good shape because of various reasons like debri, large number of tourists, human intervention and natural factors. Shri Ramesh stress on need to study seasonal snow cover, strengthen research capacity in the areas of modeling the impact of climate change on agriculture, hydrology, cryosphere etc.
The minister informed that the government has automated weather stations largelyin Jammu and Kashmir and this network will be expanded in the states of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. He appealed scientists to educate people with right information and share their knowledge with all.
The two day workshop will have sessions on drought and desertification ,management of droughts, rapid onset disaster etc.
KP
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(PIB)22 JULY 2009.19:1 IST
The statement of retreating Himalayan glaciers within next 40 years due to Climate change has no scientific evidence and these scenarios are painted by the West. Inaugurating a two day workshop on ‘Environmental Threats in Cold Deserts –Challenges and Way Ahead’ here today, Shri Jairam Ramesh, Union Minister of Environment and Forests (I/C) said we have to get out of the preconceived notion which is based on western media and invest our scientific research and other capacities to study Himalayan atmosphere. He said that the retreat of Himalayan glaciers is a fact today and the rate of retreat of Himalayan glaciers varies from a couple of centimetres every year to a couple of metres. But it is also true that this is a natural process occurred through out history. He also informed there are few glaciers that are advancing as well. Shri Ramesh said that there is no consensus on the number of glaciers .GSI put it at 9500 to 10,000, where as ISRO’s estimate on number of 14000 -15000. The Minister explained this difference is due to the area covered includes neighbouring countries also.Another reason for large number is due to fragmentation of glaciers, he added.
The Environment Minister added that why glaciers are fragmenting is a big scientific issue. The health of Himalayan glaciers is not in good shape because of various reasons like debri, large number of tourists, human intervention and natural factors. Shri Ramesh stress on need to study seasonal snow cover, strengthen research capacity in the areas of modeling the impact of climate change on agriculture, hydrology, cryosphere etc.
The minister informed that the government has automated weather stations largelyin Jammu and Kashmir and this network will be expanded in the states of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. He appealed scientists to educate people with right information and share their knowledge with all.
The two day workshop will have sessions on drought and desertification ,management of droughts, rapid onset disaster etc.
KP
UNICHEM TO SET UP UNIT IN SIKKIM
Unichem to set up formulation plant at Sikkim
MUMBAI:22 JULY 2009
Unichem Laboratories plans to set up a formulation plant at Sikkim, a top company official said on Wednesday.
“The company will set up a formulation plant at Sikkim at a cost of Rs 32 crore. The facility will be operational by next year and basically cater to the eastern and north-eastern markets,” Unichem Labs Chairman, Mr Prakash Mody told shareholders at the company's annual general meeting here.
The company's export-oriented Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) has remained a thrust area and Unichem has added world-class multi-purpose manufacturing units at its plants at Roha, Maharashtra and Pithampur, Madhya Pradesh, Mr Mody said.
Unichem' total capex is estimated at Rs 100 crore. The expansion programme will be completed within a year and the funds will come from internal generation, he said.
“With these investments in manufacturing, Unichem has reached the threshold where there will not be any manufacturing constraints for both domestic and international markets,” Mr Mody said. - PTI
MUMBAI:22 JULY 2009
Unichem Laboratories plans to set up a formulation plant at Sikkim, a top company official said on Wednesday.
“The company will set up a formulation plant at Sikkim at a cost of Rs 32 crore. The facility will be operational by next year and basically cater to the eastern and north-eastern markets,” Unichem Labs Chairman, Mr Prakash Mody told shareholders at the company's annual general meeting here.
The company's export-oriented Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) has remained a thrust area and Unichem has added world-class multi-purpose manufacturing units at its plants at Roha, Maharashtra and Pithampur, Madhya Pradesh, Mr Mody said.
Unichem' total capex is estimated at Rs 100 crore. The expansion programme will be completed within a year and the funds will come from internal generation, he said.
“With these investments in manufacturing, Unichem has reached the threshold where there will not be any manufacturing constraints for both domestic and international markets,” Mr Mody said. - PTI
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
INCOME TAX EXEMPTION TO LEFT OUTS IN SIKKIM
SIKKIM: CS heads committee to study Income Tax exemption to ‘Left Outs’
Posted by barunroy on July 22, 2009
FROM SIKKIM EXPRESS
GANGTOK: The State government has constituted a six member committee headed by chief secretary ND Chingapa to consider exemption the left out individuals of Sikkim from the purview of Central Income Tax.
The other members of the committee are additional chief secretary TT Dorji, law secretary RK Purkhayastha, Chief Minister’s principle secretary RK Basnet and transport secretary KN Bhutia.
HB Rai, additional commissioner, commercial taxes division is the member secretary of the committee.
The high level committee has been tasked to examine all matters relating to grant of exemption of Central Income Tax (Direct Tax Law) to the ‘left out’ individuals in Sikkim and make recommendation to the State government for taking up the issue with the Centre. The committee has also been directed to submit its report at the earliest.
It may be added that the ‘left outs’ as referred by the State government implies those persons living in Sikkim for generations and had not been granted exemption from paying income taxes as provided to people with Sikkim Subject Certificates.
The Union government had last year exempted Sikkim Subject holders from paying Direct Income Tax by passing an amendment in the Finance Bill of 2008.
People of Sikkimese origin having Sikkim Subject Certificates have been exempted from Direct Taxes as per the 26AAA clause paving way for the Act to be enforced in the state.
However, the old business community who has been living in the State for generations but without Sikkim Subject certificates have expressed their objections for being left out of the Act.
The old business community had also expressed their objections for being bracketed into ‘Non Sikkimese’ category by the Union government in the Finance Act.
The old business community living here for generations had demanded to be defined as ‘Left out Sikkimese’ and not as ‘Non Sikkimese’.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted by barunroy on July 22, 2009
FROM SIKKIM EXPRESS
GANGTOK: The State government has constituted a six member committee headed by chief secretary ND Chingapa to consider exemption the left out individuals of Sikkim from the purview of Central Income Tax.
The other members of the committee are additional chief secretary TT Dorji, law secretary RK Purkhayastha, Chief Minister’s principle secretary RK Basnet and transport secretary KN Bhutia.
HB Rai, additional commissioner, commercial taxes division is the member secretary of the committee.
The high level committee has been tasked to examine all matters relating to grant of exemption of Central Income Tax (Direct Tax Law) to the ‘left out’ individuals in Sikkim and make recommendation to the State government for taking up the issue with the Centre. The committee has also been directed to submit its report at the earliest.
It may be added that the ‘left outs’ as referred by the State government implies those persons living in Sikkim for generations and had not been granted exemption from paying income taxes as provided to people with Sikkim Subject Certificates.
The Union government had last year exempted Sikkim Subject holders from paying Direct Income Tax by passing an amendment in the Finance Bill of 2008.
People of Sikkimese origin having Sikkim Subject Certificates have been exempted from Direct Taxes as per the 26AAA clause paving way for the Act to be enforced in the state.
However, the old business community who has been living in the State for generations but without Sikkim Subject certificates have expressed their objections for being left out of the Act.
The old business community had also expressed their objections for being bracketed into ‘Non Sikkimese’ category by the Union government in the Finance Act.
The old business community living here for generations had demanded to be defined as ‘Left out Sikkimese’ and not as ‘Non Sikkimese’.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday, July 19, 2009
toursim projects in sikkim since 2005 to 2008
GANGTOK, July 19: A sum of Rs. 6462.81 lakhs has been pumped from 2005 to 2008 for 52 tourism related infrastructural projects in East Sikkim with 51 of these projects funded by the Centre as Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS). Nineteen of these projects have been completed cementing the tourism potential of East district.
Among these projects, the State government has funded only project – improvement of approach road at Marchak at the sanctioned cost of Rs. 61.81 crores. The project has been completed.
Barring the Marchak project, the Centre has sponsored 51 tourism related projects at the cost of Rs. 6401 lakhs in East Sikkim which includes a multipurpose circuit development programme in the district worth Rs. 156.77 lakhs.
This scheme has seven projects which are tourist spot development work at Yakla above Tsomgo lake with a sanctioned cost of Rs. 33.95 lakhs. The works for this project is was completed in 2006. The other projects are construction of trekking foot trail at Central Pandam (Rs. 31.70 lakhs), construction of resting shed at Tsomgo (Rs. 7.96 lakhs), construction of octagonal view tower at Jhandidara, Pakyong (Rs. 25.67 lakhs, work completed), construction of natural trail at Jhandidara, Pakyong (Rs. 24.61 lakhs, work completed) and renovation of Dafter Bungalow at Gnathang (Rs. 23.64 lakhs).
Works are also in progress for the construction of institute of hotel management at Rumtek at the sanctioned cost of Rs. 800 lakhs.
The Ministry of Tourism has also pumped in Rs. 110.04 lakhs for development of tourist circuit of Rangpo-Singtam-Lamatar-Rumtek-Tinchim-Dzongu-Lamaongden areas. The development components are major renovation of tourist centre at Rangpo, construction of cafeteria and view point at Sang Khola, construction of parking yard at Sang Khola and yard development, additional protective work to the Sang Khola tourist infrastructure. All the works have been completed, says an official report detailing the status of tourism projects upto September, 2008.
A hefty sum of Rs. 651.38 has also been injected by the Ministry of Tourism for development of tourism spots under Rakdong-Tintek areas which includes the ambitious project of development of Jurassic Park at Rang Rang Khola, lower Samdong at the sanctioned cost of Rs. 325.49 lakhs. The land compensation has been paid and work started, states the official report.
The other tourism projects for Rakdong-Tintek are development of park and view point at Rakdong Dara (Rs. 87 lakhs), development of Rameetay Dara tower at Middle Kambal (Rs. 25.79 lakhs, work completed), development of Durga Mandir at Chuba (Rs. 24.25 lakhs, work completed), beautification and preservation of Naagthang at Regmi Gaon (Rs. 88.30 lakhs, work completed), construction of trekkers hut at Dhanbari, Rakdong-Tintek (8.84 lakhs, work completed) and beautification of Navey Cave under Simik Lingzey GPU (Rs. 25.66 lakhs, work completed).
The other completed tourism projects works at Rakdong-Tintek are extension of Durga Mandir at Simik Aritar (Rs. 7.4 lakhs), development of Teesta Hut at Samdong-Kambai GPU (Rs. 13.90 lakhs), construction of wayside amenities at Kokolay (Rs. 17.29 lakhs) and construction of cafeteria at Rashep, Upper Samdong (Rs. 8.27 lakhs). Works are also in progress for development of Devi Mandir at Raley Samdong, development of rock climbing at Gauthaley, Upper Samdong and construction of welcome gate at Rakshey, Rakdong-Tintek.
The Ministry of Tourism has also sanctioned Rs. 359.71 lakhs for integrated development of pilgrimage tourism and other infrastructure at Sang. The projects are trekking trail at Sang Khola via Zingla (Rs. 59.60 lakhs), improvement of old churches at Sang Khola (Rs. 16.76 lakhs), construction of Lepcha Gunpa at Beyong and beautification of Marchak Chorten Gunpa (RS. 30.71 lakhs), construction of nature trail from Sang Dak Bungalow for Tinjurey (Rs. 12.90 lakhs), construction of interlinking path from old monastery to Middle Camp via Khimsethang (Rs. 52.74 lakhs), construction pathways interlinking pilgrimage centres from Sang senior secondary school to Singtam via Chisopani (Rs. 57.44 lakhs), waiting shed at 9th mile and development of children park at Parou Gaon, Middle Camp (Rs. 24.29 lakhs, work completed), construction of guest house at Sang (Rs. 53.09), development of Gai-Dhara and Topakhani tunnel (Rs. 24.6 lakhs), development of parking yard at old Rumtek monastery (Rs. 19 lakhs, work completed) and construction of tourist sheds at three locations in Sang Martam (Rs. 8.53 lakhs, work completed).
In 2006-07, the destination development of Saramsa Garden was sanctioned at the total cost of Rs. 1657.77 lakhs. A sum of Rs. 441 lakhs have also been sanctioned for construction of pony trail and other tourist infrastructure at Tashi View Point, Ganesh Tok & Hanuman Tok of which work is under progress.
The Ministry of Tourism has also sanctioned a sum of Rs. 329.08 lakhs for development of Assam Lingzey to Khedi Trek route of which work is under progress. Work is also under progress for beautification and other tourist infrastructure at Tsomgo under destination development programme. The other projects under the schemes passed in 2006-07 includes development of Nathu La-Memencho-Kupup-Gnathang tourist circuit (Rs. 461.44 lakhs), tourist reception centre at Rangpo (Rs. 467.02 lakhs), development of Budang Gadi (fort) at Central Pandam (Rs. 208.74 lakhs), construction of foot trail from Adampool to Upper Rautey (Rs. 56.7 lakhs) and beautification of water bodies at Chochen Peri (Rs. 149.85 lakhs).
The other projects are construction of view tower bridge at Balawakhani (Rs. 57.47 lakhs), foot trail at Tadong (Rs. 35.53 lakhs), foot trail at TNA road (Rs. 17.01 lakhs), foot trail from Hitti Dara to Old Bridal Path at Ranipool (Rs. 37.04 lakhs) and foot trail at Shiva Lok village at 5th Mile, Tadong (Rs. 20.03 lakhs).
Among these projects, the State government has funded only project – improvement of approach road at Marchak at the sanctioned cost of Rs. 61.81 crores. The project has been completed.
Barring the Marchak project, the Centre has sponsored 51 tourism related projects at the cost of Rs. 6401 lakhs in East Sikkim which includes a multipurpose circuit development programme in the district worth Rs. 156.77 lakhs.
This scheme has seven projects which are tourist spot development work at Yakla above Tsomgo lake with a sanctioned cost of Rs. 33.95 lakhs. The works for this project is was completed in 2006. The other projects are construction of trekking foot trail at Central Pandam (Rs. 31.70 lakhs), construction of resting shed at Tsomgo (Rs. 7.96 lakhs), construction of octagonal view tower at Jhandidara, Pakyong (Rs. 25.67 lakhs, work completed), construction of natural trail at Jhandidara, Pakyong (Rs. 24.61 lakhs, work completed) and renovation of Dafter Bungalow at Gnathang (Rs. 23.64 lakhs).
Works are also in progress for the construction of institute of hotel management at Rumtek at the sanctioned cost of Rs. 800 lakhs.
The Ministry of Tourism has also pumped in Rs. 110.04 lakhs for development of tourist circuit of Rangpo-Singtam-Lamatar-Rumtek-Tinchim-Dzongu-Lamaongden areas. The development components are major renovation of tourist centre at Rangpo, construction of cafeteria and view point at Sang Khola, construction of parking yard at Sang Khola and yard development, additional protective work to the Sang Khola tourist infrastructure. All the works have been completed, says an official report detailing the status of tourism projects upto September, 2008.
A hefty sum of Rs. 651.38 has also been injected by the Ministry of Tourism for development of tourism spots under Rakdong-Tintek areas which includes the ambitious project of development of Jurassic Park at Rang Rang Khola, lower Samdong at the sanctioned cost of Rs. 325.49 lakhs. The land compensation has been paid and work started, states the official report.
The other tourism projects for Rakdong-Tintek are development of park and view point at Rakdong Dara (Rs. 87 lakhs), development of Rameetay Dara tower at Middle Kambal (Rs. 25.79 lakhs, work completed), development of Durga Mandir at Chuba (Rs. 24.25 lakhs, work completed), beautification and preservation of Naagthang at Regmi Gaon (Rs. 88.30 lakhs, work completed), construction of trekkers hut at Dhanbari, Rakdong-Tintek (8.84 lakhs, work completed) and beautification of Navey Cave under Simik Lingzey GPU (Rs. 25.66 lakhs, work completed).
The other completed tourism projects works at Rakdong-Tintek are extension of Durga Mandir at Simik Aritar (Rs. 7.4 lakhs), development of Teesta Hut at Samdong-Kambai GPU (Rs. 13.90 lakhs), construction of wayside amenities at Kokolay (Rs. 17.29 lakhs) and construction of cafeteria at Rashep, Upper Samdong (Rs. 8.27 lakhs). Works are also in progress for development of Devi Mandir at Raley Samdong, development of rock climbing at Gauthaley, Upper Samdong and construction of welcome gate at Rakshey, Rakdong-Tintek.
The Ministry of Tourism has also sanctioned Rs. 359.71 lakhs for integrated development of pilgrimage tourism and other infrastructure at Sang. The projects are trekking trail at Sang Khola via Zingla (Rs. 59.60 lakhs), improvement of old churches at Sang Khola (Rs. 16.76 lakhs), construction of Lepcha Gunpa at Beyong and beautification of Marchak Chorten Gunpa (RS. 30.71 lakhs), construction of nature trail from Sang Dak Bungalow for Tinjurey (Rs. 12.90 lakhs), construction of interlinking path from old monastery to Middle Camp via Khimsethang (Rs. 52.74 lakhs), construction pathways interlinking pilgrimage centres from Sang senior secondary school to Singtam via Chisopani (Rs. 57.44 lakhs), waiting shed at 9th mile and development of children park at Parou Gaon, Middle Camp (Rs. 24.29 lakhs, work completed), construction of guest house at Sang (Rs. 53.09), development of Gai-Dhara and Topakhani tunnel (Rs. 24.6 lakhs), development of parking yard at old Rumtek monastery (Rs. 19 lakhs, work completed) and construction of tourist sheds at three locations in Sang Martam (Rs. 8.53 lakhs, work completed).
In 2006-07, the destination development of Saramsa Garden was sanctioned at the total cost of Rs. 1657.77 lakhs. A sum of Rs. 441 lakhs have also been sanctioned for construction of pony trail and other tourist infrastructure at Tashi View Point, Ganesh Tok & Hanuman Tok of which work is under progress.
The Ministry of Tourism has also sanctioned a sum of Rs. 329.08 lakhs for development of Assam Lingzey to Khedi Trek route of which work is under progress. Work is also under progress for beautification and other tourist infrastructure at Tsomgo under destination development programme. The other projects under the schemes passed in 2006-07 includes development of Nathu La-Memencho-Kupup-Gnathang tourist circuit (Rs. 461.44 lakhs), tourist reception centre at Rangpo (Rs. 467.02 lakhs), development of Budang Gadi (fort) at Central Pandam (Rs. 208.74 lakhs), construction of foot trail from Adampool to Upper Rautey (Rs. 56.7 lakhs) and beautification of water bodies at Chochen Peri (Rs. 149.85 lakhs).
The other projects are construction of view tower bridge at Balawakhani (Rs. 57.47 lakhs), foot trail at Tadong (Rs. 35.53 lakhs), foot trail at TNA road (Rs. 17.01 lakhs), foot trail from Hitti Dara to Old Bridal Path at Ranipool (Rs. 37.04 lakhs) and foot trail at Shiva Lok village at 5th Mile, Tadong (Rs. 20.03 lakhs).
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