Science > Physics > HYDROGEN, ETHANOL AS FUELS; MONSOON RAINS; CORPORATE AGRICULTURE; EMPLOYMENT
| Topic: |
Science > Physics |
| User: |
"or www.mantra.com/jai Dr. Jai Maharaj" |
| Date: |
11 Jun 2007 01:20:33 PM |
| Object: |
HYDROGEN, ETHANOL AS FUELS; MONSOON RAINS; CORPORATE AGRICULTURE; EMPLOYMENT |
HYDROGEN & ETHANOL As Fuels + Monsoon Rains + Corporate
Agriculture + Employment
Forwarded message from Shantu Sharma
[ Date: Monday, June 11, 2007
HYDROGEN & ETHANOL As Fuels + Monsoon Rains + Corporate
Agriculture + Employment
In This NEWS Bulletin
On ECO-FRIENDLY FUELS---
1. CCEA to take up issue of mandatory 10% ethanol blending
2. Hydrogen fuel research needs sops: Montek
3. Monsoon in Mumbai by mid-June
On NREGA - for rural employment -
4. CEFS social audit finds tribals hardpressed for work in Kalahandi
CORPORATISATION OF INDIAN AGRICULTURE
5. Govt mulls farmland companies
6. Rs 19.5 cr sought for co-op schemes
CCEA to take up issue of mandatory 10% ethanol blending
http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=166683
ASHOK B SHARMA
Wednesday, June 06, 2007 at 0000 hours IST
NEW DELHI, JUNE 5: The Cabinet Committee on Economic
Affairs (CCEA) is slated to deliberate on the issue of
increasing the blending of auto-fuel by ethanol from the
existing 5% to 10%.
At present there is a mandatory provision for 5% blending
of auto-fuel by ethanol. This scheme, which began initially
in select 9 states, was subsequently extended to cover the
entire country. However only five states have not been able
to implement the scheme.
With a view to bail out the sugar industry from the present
critical situation, the Union food and consumer affairs
ministry in a note to the CCEA has proposed to increase the
ethanol blending to 10%.
At present the sugar industry produces about 550 million
litre of ethanol, which is sufficient for the 5% blending
programme across the country. Industry have assured the
food and consumer affairs ministry, that they are ready to
more than double the ethanol production, in case 10%
ethanol blending becomes mandatory.
Sugar industry is also planning to introduce a more cost-
effecting method of extracting ethanol directly from cane.
At present ethanol is produced from molasses.
The proposal for 10% mandatory blending of auto-fuel has
been opposed by a section of the chemical industry and the
breweries who apprehend that they will not be able to get
enough rectified spirit, molasses or alcohol for use as raw
material as sugar industry would be diverting ethanol for
blending of auto-fuel.
Though ethanol pricing is quite remunerative at Rs 21.50
per litre, the sugar industry has demanded that the ethanol
price should be at parity with the landed price of crude
oil.
In a note to the CCEA, the food and consumer affairs
ministry has cited sugar industry being in a critical
situation with an estimated high production of 27.7 million
tonne coupled with falling prices, leading to an
accumulation of Rs 6,000 crore payable to cane growers as
arrears. Therefore, the sugar industry needs to given the
option to earn through allied activities like production of
ethanol, power cogeneration. The blending of auto-fuel with
ethanol would be eco-friendly and also reduce the
dependence on import of crude oil.
Hydrogen fuel research needs sops: Montek
http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=166159
ASHOK B SHARMA
Tuesday, June 05, 2007 at 0000 hours IST
NEW DELHI, JUN 4: The Planning Commission has favoured
subsidies for hydrogen fuel. It suggested subsidy on
research as a better option.
Inaugurating a conclave on national hydrogen energy road
map here on Monday organised by the Union ministry of new
and renewable energy alongwith industry bodies, deputy
chairman of the Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia
said: "Subsidy is necessary for the scheme aiming at one
million hydrogen-fuel driven vehicles by 2020. But we need
to ascertain at which point we need to subsidise. It would
be better to subsidise research."
Singh said that experiences have shown that subsidies do
not necessarily increase the competitiveness of the product
or the application.
He admitted that the cost of developing was very high and
therefore subsidy was necessary. "We need to decide whether
subsidies should be given on research or on the product,"
he said.
Saying that subsidy was necessary to jump-start the
programme, he cautioned "It is unlikely to become a
plausible solution in the energy security if it continued
to be subsidized perpetually."
Delivering the presidential address Union minister of state
for new and renewable energy Vilas Muttemwar said his
ministry was confident of achieving over 10% of the total
installed power generating capacity in the country by 2012
from renewable sources.
About 10 lakh solar photovoltaic systems were being used
for domestic lighting purposes, he added.
The National Hydrogen Energy Road Map has proposed major
initiatives for developing hydrogen-powered engines and
fuel cell-based automobiles. Chairman of the steering
committee of the National Hydrogen Board Ratan Tata said
though the technology remained elusive and posed problems,
"the challenges are not insurmountable."
India has largest programmes on renewable energy
technologies in the world. The total power generating
capacity in the country as of March 2007 was about 1,33,000
MW. Renewable power generating capacity is about 10,252 MW,
which contributes 7.75 % of the installed power generating
capacity.
Monsoon in Mumbai by mid-June
http://www.indianexpress.com/story/32922.html
ASHOK B SHARMA
Thursday, June 07, 2007 at 0000 hrs
New Delhi, June 6: The US-based Centre for Ocean Land
Atmosphere studies (COLA) has predicted that monsoon would
reach Mumbai by June 13. The normal time for the arrival of
monsoon in Mumbai is around June 10. There will be heavy
rains on the west coast at least till June 21.
The situation leading to the emergence of the cyclonic
storm Gonu had virtually stalled the progress of the
monsoon since May 29. Monsoon has not yet reached Goa after
touching the Kerala coast on May 28.
Thanks to the subsidence of Gonu, the decks are now cleared
for further movement of the Southwest monsoon. Monsoon is
also slated to arrive in the next 72 hours in the Northeast
region.
"The subsidence of Gonu will now cause the monsoon system
to come back to its normal state. The winds, which were
concentrated on the western Arabian Sea, would now move
eastwards and facilitate further movement of the monsoon
system along the western coasts of India," Advisor in the
Union Ministry of Earth Sciences Akhilesh Gupta said.
The European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecast has
also predicted heavy rains on the western coast and in the
southern part of the peninsula in June.
According to India Meteorological Department (IMD) the
severe cylonic storm which recently generated over
northwestern Arabian Sea has moved northwestwards and
crossed Oman coast during morning hours of Wednesday, the
June 6. Later on, it emerged into Gulf of Oman and lay
centred near Lat. 23.5°N and Long. 59.5°E.. The system is
likely to weaken gradually and move in a north-
northwesterly direction.
NREGA SCHEME FOR RURAL EMPOYMENT
CEFS social audit finds tribals hardpressed for work in Kalahandi
http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=166766
ASHOK B SHARMA
Monday, June 11, 2007 at 0000 hours IST
NEW DELHI, JUN 10: There are no smiles on the faces of the
poverty-stricken tribals of the infamous KBK hunger belt of
Orissa. The government’s ambitious National Rural
Employment Guarantee Scheme, being implement in the region,
has turned out to be a mockery, largely benefiting the
implementing authorities at the expense of poor tribals,
according to a survey by Centre for Enviournment and Food
Security (CEFS), conducted under the Union government’s
social audit programme.
The erstwhile Kalahandi-Bolangir- Koraput (KBK) has been
divided into six districts, namely Bolangir, Nuapada,
Kalahandi, Koraput, Nabrangpur and Rayagada. As the region
was known for starvation deaths, it was declared as the
region for special attention.
According to the survey, there are irregularities in
entries in job cards, maintenance of muster rolls and
disbursement of payments to the intended beneficiaries.
CEFS conducted a survey of 100 villages in the six
districts in the last two months.
Among the major findings of the CEFS report social audit
has not been conducted in any of the 100 villages and the
muster rolls have not been checked by the village people.
In none of the villages under survey 100-day employment was
given. No job cards are issued in 11 villages, no work was
undertaken in 37 villages after issuance of job cards and
after 16 months of the launch of the scheme. Job cards
issued in 23 villages are not given to the workers, they
are still in the custody of panchayat executive officers
(PEOs) and junior officers.
In 25 villages under survey partial payments have been made
to workers and in three village no payments have been made
even after 4 to 8 months of work. In 6 villages in Kashipur
block in Rayagada district work is being undertaken without
issuance any job cards
"Our findings reveal a nexus between a chain of officials,
from state to village levels, responsible for
implementation of the scheme. Benefits are not reaching the
beneficiaries, " CEFS director, Parashuram Ray told FE.He
said the BDO of Nandur block in Koraput district, Jyoti
Rajan Mishra had instructed the PEOs not to show any muster
rolls to the visiting CEFS team.
The PEO of Raisingh gram panchayat, Nagesh Choudhary has
given in writing that he would not show any muster roll
without the permission of the BDO. The next day when the
CEFS team contacted the BDO he said that the permission
from the district collector was necessary. The CEFS team
even contacted the state commissioner- *****-secretary of
panchayati raj, Rabindranath Dash to resolve the issue, but
failed.
Ray said despite such hindrances, the CEFS team could get
some interesting accounts from the people. In Maagaral
village card no 2401 was issued to Hari Sisa for 59 day-
work, but actually he was offered work for only 20 days.
According to the study, there are six enteries in the
muster rolls in the name of Hari Sisa. Similarly job card
no 2335 was issued to Mini Budi Khilo for 36-day work while
he was offered work for only 8 days with three entries in
the muster rolls. Balaram Sisa was issued job card no 2397
for 30-day work, but was offered work for only 5 days. Hagu
Hemendru was issued job card no 2360 for 58-day work, but
was offered work for only 6 days.
Govt mulls farmland companies
http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=166485
ASHOK B SHARMA
Friday, June 08, 2007 at 0000 hours IST
NEW DELHI, JUN 7: After toying with the concept of
contract farming, the Union agriculture ministry is now
planning to promote land share companies.
This concept is quite new, where farmers' land can be
considered as an equity in the company. The farmers can
form a company of their own in the process and if they need
any capital they can invite investments from any processing
company. At present land share companies do exist, even
though there is a legal framework for formation of producer
companies.
According to this new concept of land share companies,
farmers from any specified village or a cluster of villages
can become shareholders in proportion to their size of
holdings. In this case the land would be lease out to the
company and the farmer would receive a share in the profit
of the company. At the same time, he can lease in land
including his own land from the company for cultivation for
a fixed rent. A farmer thus can benefit from farming and as
well as share in the agro-processing unit.
The policymakers feel that such participatory land share
companies would accelerate the pace of agricultural growth
and increase farmers' income. However, there is a fear that
the farmer may be alienated from his land in case the
company suffers a loss of liquidation. Keeping in view this
apprehension, the government is planning some safeguard
mechanisms
According to a proposal access to shares in the land share
company should be largely restricted to farmers and up to
25% of the paid up capital of the company can be subscribed
to in cash by others, including an agro-processing unit or
a trading company.
The land share company would operate on commercial basis
and the management should be vested in an elected board of
directors. Voting rights should be on the basis of
cooperative principles - one member, one vote, irrespective
of the value of share of each member. Farmer's sons or
descendants can inherit the shares in the company.
A farmer can sell his share to other farmers, but the
shares should not be traded through public issue as there
may be risk of takeover by corporate houses or other
entities.
In case of liquidation of the company, the shareholders,
particularly the farmers and tribals would get back their
land rights. The liability of the company should be met by
disposing off non-land assets.
The government feels that the concept of the participatory
land share company which is a midway between contract
farming and direct corporate forming can ensure faster
growth in the farm sector and increase farmers’ income.
At present there are not many cases of direct corporate
farming in the country. There are tea companies. The ITC
has been traditionally growing tobacco in Andhra Pradesh
and Pepsico has recently started growing potatoes,
tomatoes, chilli and rice in Punjab, Maharashtra, Karnataka
and West Bengal. The Mittals, in collaboration with the UK
bank Rothschild, have started cultivating several crops in
a big way.
In 2002, the Tamil Nadu government initiated the programme
of leasing out wastelands to corporates for 30 years for
growing commercial crops like cotton, flowers, fruits and
vegetables and spices. The Gujarat government has also
leased out wastelands to corporate houses for cultivation
up to 2000 acre for 20 years.
Rs 19.5 cr sought for co-op schemes
http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=166487
ASHOK B SHARMA
Friday, June 08, 2007 at 0000 hours IST
NEW DELHI, JUN 7: The National Cooperative Development
Corporation (NCDC) has chalked out a programme of Rs.19,
640 crore for various cooperative development schemes in
the country during 11th Plan. An outlay of Rs. 2000 crore
has been approved for the programme activities for the
current financial year.
The Union agriculture minister, Sharad Pawar presiding over
the 64th Meeting of the General Council of NCDC here today
said that NCDC would continue to support and supplement the
efforts of the state government for the development of
cooperative activities in agriculture and allied sectors.
The major thrust would be on marketing and distribution of
inputs, consolidation of existing processing facilities by
way of modernization or expansion, rehabilitation of sick
and dormant units, development of weaker section activities
like fisheries, dairy, handlooms, area development
programme on integrated basis, creation of adequate
infrastructural facilities like cold storages and other
storages, development of horticulture, improving production
and productivity of plantation crops and agriculture
credit, he added.
The minister informed that the committee constituted by the
general council to suggest measures for rehabilitation of
sick processing cooperatives has since finalized its report
and the agriculture ministry would give due consideration
to its recommendations.
Pawar commended NCDC for its spectacular performance in
terms of record financial sanctions of Rs. 6253 crore and
highest ever disbursals of Rs. 4009 crore during 2006-07.
End of forwarded message from Shantu Sharma
Jai Maharaj
http://tinyurl.com/yhjyp5
http://www.mantra.com/jai
http://www.mantra.com/jyotish
Om Shanti
Hindu Holocaust Museum
http://www.mantra.com/holocaust
Hindu life, principles, spirituality and philosophy
http://www.hindu.org
http://www.hindunet.org
The truth about Islam and Muslims
http://www.flex.com/~jai/satyamevajayate
o Not for commercial use. Solely to be fairly used for the educational
purposes of research and open discussion. The contents of this post may not
have been authored by, and do not necessarily represent the opinion of the
poster. The contents are protected by copyright law and the exemption for
fair use of copyrighted works.
o If you send private e-mail to me, it will likely not be read,
considered or answered if it does not contain your full legal name, current
e-mail and postal addresses, and live-voice telephone number.
o Posted for information and discussion. Views expressed by others are
not necessarily those of the poster who may or may not have read the article.
FAIR USE NOTICE: This article may contain copyrighted material the use of
which may or may not have been specifically authorized by the copyright
owner. This material is being made available in efforts to advance the
understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic,
democratic, scientific, social, and cultural, etc., issues. It is believed
that this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as
provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title
17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without
profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included
information for research, comment, discussion and educational purposes by
subscribing to USENET newsgroups or visiting web sites. For more information
go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml
If you wish to use copyrighted material from this article for purposes of
your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the
copyright owner.
.
|
|
|
Related Articles |
|
|
