Mining – India
1. Rajasthan seeks coal mine from centre
2. BJP takes govt to task over mine scam
3. India aluminium demand seen up 4-5 pct y/y - FIMI
4. India's NTPC eyeing SAfrican coal mining co-report
5. Govt regulations on sand mining in state soon
6. We want NMDC to be a multi-faceted organisation'
7. OMDC, BSLC to invest Rs1000 cr in setting up plants
Mining – International
8. BHP's remote blsting a first for world mining
9. EPA officials are reviewing 49 mine permits
10. Environmentalists Question Niger Uranium Mine
11. US Alcoa Commissions Juruti Bauxite Mine In Brazil
12. First Majestic to acquire Normabec Mining Resources
Other News
13. Naxal violence continues to rise: PM
14. Logging protests spread in Borneo as nomads block roads
15. 20 states, 2,000 police stations Naxal-hit
16. New Initiatives Under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREG
17. Rural Drinking Water Supply – achievements & initiatives
18. All parties are eco-unfriendly'
Mining – India
Rajasthan seeks coal mine from centre
14 Sep 2009, 1718 hrs IST, ET Bureau
JAIPUR: Rajasthan government has sought a coalmine from union coal ministry to cater to the increasing fuel demand for its upcoming power plants.
The coal from this mine would be used for the upcoming 4 critical units of 660 MW each at Suratgrh and Chhabra power plants. The state already owns a coalmine in a joint venture with Adani Power Limited in Chhatisgarh at Pasa Kante basin. The fuel from this mine would be used for two units each of Kalisindh and Chhabra.
“We have decided to apply for new mine due to the dilly-dallying treatment of Coal India towards fulfilling our fuel needs of our existing power plants,” an energy department official said. The state government is aiming to be self sufficient in power by 2013-14. “At present, we are generating around 7400 MW. We are planning to increase it to 15000-18000 MW in next 5 years.
For this the state government would be commissioning two power plants of 1320 MW each besides roping in a private player to start a super critical power plant at Banswara,” said power minister Jitendra Singh.
The state is also planning to implement new parameters of energy efficiency measures suggested by Evonik Energy Services (India) Pvt Ltd (EESPL), which is spearheading the upgrade and efficiency improvement programmes in power plants of India. “A 1 per cent improvement in efficiency would mean a saving of over 11 million tonnes of coal in India. Instead of complete revamping the power plant can be modernized in key areas to help promote efficiency.
This customized modernization can be done as part of normal revision work. By this method, the power plant will be off the grid for only about two to three months. The solution requires conscientious and thorough planning which can take two years,” said EESPL official Boven Anto.
Evonik has carried out baseline studies of over 85 thermal power plants in India to prepare a blueprint on improving efficiency of power plants in India. Evonik has extensive expertise in the area and operates over 11,000 MW of the total capacity of thermal plants spread across a number of countries. “They have selected 15 power plants to make them as model power plants. One of them is from Rajasthan,” said the energy minister.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/Rajasthan-seeks-coal-mine-from-centre/articleshow/5010182.cms
BJP takes govt to task over mine scam
Rajaram Satapathy, TNN 14 September 2009, 11:27pm IST
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BHUBANESWAR: BJP on Monday said an estimated 100 million tonnes of iron ore worth Rs 20,000 crore had been looted from the state in the past nine
years. The Naveen Patnaik government, despite being repeatedly told by the Centre and its own ground staff to initiate tangible action did nothing and allowed the plunder to continue, the party claimed.
"Illegal mining had all along been an issue. So much so, in 2004-05 the Centre, in response to a question, had informed Parliament of 483 cases of illegal mining, which is the highest in India. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on coal and steel, in its report, had also expressed concern over the rampant looting of ore from the state. The Centre had advised the state government to constitute a task force to check ore smuggling," BJP leader Bijay Mohapatra said here.
Though the state government responded to the Centre's suggestion and announced formation of the task force on September 28, 2005, the body was practically turned redundant. "Though it was supposed to meet once in a month to review the pace of progress in curbing illegal mining, the task force has so far not met even once," Mohapatra said. "So was the fate of transit permits passes, which ore traders surprisingly were allowed to print and use," he added.
Mohapatra held the chief minister squarely responsible for the "uncalculated damage" inflicted on the state in terms of looting of ores and destruction of forest, environment and livelihood of millions of poor people, especially tribals. He said official records revealed "112 traders alone from outside the state had been given license to do ore business in the state". "The CM is the prime promoter and conspirator of illegal mining in the state," he pointed out. "Ore smuggling has reached its peak, but not a single theft case has so far been registered," he added. He cited the recent incident of illegal mining at Tankura mines under Thakurani block where six people were buried under ore, after the land caved in there.
"The incident proves how the state government is completely oblivious to ongoing illegal mining even after much hue and cry. The racket can only be busted by the CBI. The present Vigilance investigation is just a sham," Mohapatra alleged.
He quoted official figures, while saying that Orissa has since 2000 produced nearly 420 million tonnes of iron ore worth Rs 84,000 crore, but has got a paltry sum of Rs 743 crore as royalty.
The BJP leader said that while the state government chose to close its eyes to illegal mining, the CM, just before the elections on January 24, sent party MP Pyari Mohan Mohapatra to meet the mines owners and industrialists.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/city/bhubaneswar/BJP-takes-govt-to-task-over-mine-scam/articleshow/5011252.cms
India aluminium demand seen up 4-5 pct y/y - FIMI
Tue Sep 15, 2009 2:17am EDT
MUMBAI, Sept 15 (Reuters) - India's aluminium demand growth is expected to accelerate to 4-5 percent this year from 3 percent last year, helped by the power, auto and construction sectors, a top official at the Federation of Indian Mineral Industries (FIMI) said.
"People are purchasing the metal even at higher prices, which shows demand is there," A.K. Sharma, chairman of the standing committee for non-ferrous minerals and industries at FIMI, said in a phone interview conducted late on Monday.
Indian demand expanded at a healthy rate of 7 to 8 percent in 2007/08 but then slowed down in 2008/09, said Sharma, who is also the director of production at state-run National Aluminium Co Ltd (NALU.BO) (NALCO). (Reporting by Ruchira Singh; Editing by John Mair)
http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssIndustryMaterialsUtilitiesNews/idUSBMA00592420090915
India's NTPC eyeing SAfrican coal mining co-report
Tue Sep 15, 2009 12:44am EDT
MUMBAI, Sept 15 (Reuters) - India's largest power producer, state-run NTPC Ltd (NTPC.BO), is looking to spend up to $1 billion to acquire a South African coal mining firm, the Mint newspaper reported on Tuesday.
"The South African firm has the exploration license for one billion tonnes of coal reserves. Once NTPC acquires the firm, it will also get the license to mine the coal," the paper quoted an unidentified person familiar with development as saying.
The name of the South African firm was not disclosed.
"With NTPC having huge cash reserves, it is in an advantageous position for a deal this size," the person told the paper.
NTPC, which aims to import 12.5 million tonnes of coal this year, has cash reserves of 443.9 billion rupees ($9.1 billion), the paper said.
A spokeswoman for NTPC reached by Reuters declined to comment on the report.
Last month a junior power minister told parliament three of NTPC's 15 power plants were facing acute coal shortage at that time. [ID:nDEL360360] ($1=48.6 rupees) (Reporting by Janaki Krishnan; Editing by Ranjit Gangadharan)
http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssIndustryMaterialsUtilitiesNews/idUSBOM47816220090915
Govt regulations on sand mining in state soon
First Published : 15 Sep 2009 03:48:05 AM IST
Last Updated : 15 Sep 2009 07:40:01 AM IST
BANGALORE: The State government would soon come out with a sand mining policy to regulate indiscriminiate mining activitis looting natural resources.
Transport Minister R Ashoka on Monday informed the Legislative Assembly that a final decision in this regard would be taken at the next Cabinet’s meeting.
According to him, the proposed policy is aimed to regulate and restrict sand mining activities to a few designated points across the state besides mopping up additional revenue by plugging leakages. Ashoka said that Tamil Nadu raises around Rs 200 crore revenue from sand mining as against Rs 10 crore from Karnataka.
Cheque bounce
According BJP MAL Suresh Gowda, government cheques issued to poor under various schemes had been bouncing in his Nagamangala Constituency.
``What if the government cheques bounce?,’’ Gowda wondered.
Water Resources Minister Basavaraj Bommai, however, downplayed the incident and said that such things happen due to technical reasons viewed seriously.
http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Govt+regulations+on+sand+mining+in+state+soon&artid=FCRVkILni54=&SectionID=7GUA38txp3s=&MainSectionID=fyV9T2jIa4A=&SectionName=zkvyRoWGpmWSxZV2TGM5XQ==&SEO=
We want NMDC to be a multi-faceted organisation'
Q&A: RANA SOM
C H Prashanth Reddy / September 15, 2009, 0:54 IST
India's largest iron ore miner NMDC says it is set on becoming far more than a mining company. The government-owned company is not in a hurry to tap the capital market, despite embarking upon a Rs 26,000-crore expansion and diversification programme. RANA SOM, chairman and managing director, speaks to Ch Prashanth Reddy. Edited excerpts:
Why do you want to mould NMDC into a multi-faceted organisation?
NMDC has been basically a single-dimension company. It has been doing well as a mining company. But, if you confine yourself to a single area of operation, you get stuck in your own system and structures and can't come out of it. So, our vision is to mould the company into a multi-faceted organisation, with mining being its core activity. Fortunately, we have the financial resources and a good management system to do this.
What steps are you taking to achieve this goal?
Besides investing more in exploration, we will go for forward and horizontal integration. In forward integration, we have taken up a number of initiatives. The first is setting up a steel plant in Karnataka, where the state government has allotted 3,500 acres for the project. We are also setting up an integrated steel plant at Nagarnur in Chhattisgarh, two pellet plants and a beneficiation plant for extraction of high-grade iron ore concentrates.
The merger of Sponge Iron India Ltd with NMDC is in an advanced stage and its yearly capacity will be expanded from 60,000 tonnes to 2,60,000 tonnes.
On the horizontal front, we are trying to acquire new mines. Our Tanzania project is already moving ahead. We have agreed to sign an MoU and finally enter into a joint venture with a South African firm so that we can acquire some mining fields.
At what stage are your plans to enter the coal sector?
We are trying for a public-private partnership (PPP) in the coal sector. NMDC had already signed an MoU with the West Bengal Mineral Development and Trading Corporation to develop two million tonnes of coal blocks. Efforts are being made to acquire more. The acquisition of coal properties in countries like Australia, Mozambique, Canada, Indonesia and USA are being pursued. NMDC is also one of the partners in International Coal Ventures Ltd (ICVL is a special purpose vehicle formed by SAIL, NTPC, Coal India, NMDC and RINL).
Are you going to pursue the PPP route even in the power sector?
We are not really planning to enter the power sector on our own. We feel the automatic expansion of the coal sector is the power sector. So, what is being done in coal will be done in power. However, while NMDC will be lead manager in the mining sector, it will not be a leader in the power sector.
What is the cost of your programme and how are you going to fund it?
The total expansion cost in the next five years is Rs 26,000 crore. Of this, we already have Rs 12,000 crore in our kitty. For additional funds, we have got two options — to take loans or tap the capital market. We will be weighing both options at an appropriate time. So, you have not yet decided about tapping the capital market?
At present, we have funds which exceed our immediate requirements. Besides, before taking any such decision, we have to evaluate how much money we have to keep for reserves, how much for expansion, how much we should take as loan and how much to raise from the public. It is not a healthy sign to raise money from the public and keep it idle. We will wait for some more time for taking any decision in this regard. It could be more than a year. First, our outflow of money should start and the projects should be cleared.
http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/\we-want-nmdc-to-bemulti-faceted-organisation\/370150/
Orissa Mineral Development Corporation, BSLC to invest Rs1000 cr in setting up plants
Monday, September 14, 2009
Bhubaneswar: Orissa Mineral Development Corporation and Bisra Stone Lime Co - two of the five Bird Group of Companies under the steel ministry - will invest Rs1,000 crore to set up a pelletisation and a cement plant respectively, besides upgrading their existing facilities.
In the Bird Group of Companies, two companies, OMDC and BSLC, have modernisation and upgradation plans. They will be making sufficient investments to the tune of Rs1,000 crore to achieve forward integration in terms of pelletisation, sponge iron and cement plant, steel secretary P K Rastogi said on Sunday.
OMDC, which has an estimated reserve of 200 million tones of iron ore, will set up a one-million tonne per annum (MTPA) pelletisation plant to convert the ores into pellets, used in making steel. The plant would cost OMDC about Rs900 crore, he said. It will expand its capacity to produce sponge iron from 100 lakh per tonne to 300 lakh per tonne. OMDC also plans to set up a ferro alloy and ferro manganese plant as it has manganese reserves of about 44 million tonnes, he said. BSLC will set up a 1-MTPA cement plant as it has limestone reserves of 367 million tonnes and dolomite of about 280 million tonnes.
http://www.orissadiary.com/ShowBussinessNews.asp?id=14433
Mining – International
BHP's remote blsting a first for world mining
Tuesday, 15/09/2009
A mine in North West Queensland has become the first in the world to introduce remote blasting, instead of firing underground.
BHP Billiton's Cannington Mine, near Cloncurry, has introduced new technology that gives miners the luxury of using radio communication channels to fire explosives.
Orica Mining Services developed the system, and spokesman Stuart Millers says it will lead the way for other mines across the nation and the world.
"This technology basically removes the hardwire, and you communicate wirelessly, like you would with a wireless broadband in your home, down an antenna to the blasting location," he says.
http://www.abc.net.au/rural/news/content/200909/s2686259.htm
EPA officials are reviewing 49 mine permits
Thousands of coal jobs could be in jeopardy, that's what one coal industry leader says after the EPA says they want to review 49 mine permits in eastern Kentucky.
Posted: 6:38 PM Sep 14, 2009
Reporter: Angela Sparkman
Email Address: angela.sparkman@wymtnews.com
EPA Mining Permits Review
Thousands of coal jobs could be in jeopardy, that's what one coal industry leader says after the EPA says they want to review 49 mine permits in eastern Kentucky.
EPA officials say they want to make sure water sources are protected.
"The administration pledged earlier this year to improve review of
mining projects that risked harming water quality. Release of this
preliminary list is the first step in a process to assure that the
environmental concerns raised by the 79 permit applications are
addressed and that permits issued are protective of water quality and
affected ecosystems," said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. "We look forward to working closely with the Army Corps of Engineers, with the involvement of the mining companies, to achieve a resolution of EPA's concerns that avoids harmful environmental impacts and meets our energy and economic needs."
Environmentalists say this is a step in the right direction to protect eastern Kentucky's water, but coal operators say this is a step in the wrong direction that could cause more miners to lose their jobs.
Ricky Handshoe says he's lived in Hueysville near mines his whole life. He says in the last 10 years, the streams turned orange and he worries about the drinking water.
“The dust has been horrible. They destroyed the stream here,” Handshoe said.
Friday, the Environmental Protection Agency said it wants to make sure these mines and others in the country are not causing water pollution nor violating the Clean Water Act.
The EPA is reviewing 79 mine permits, 49 in Eastern Kentucky.
“It's a start in the right direction. The valley fills, destroying our streams, it has to be stopped,” Handshoe said.
“These re-reviews just take away regulatory certainty,” David Gooch, President of Coal Operators said.
Some affected Coal Operators disagree with the decision, saying it is just a measure to stop mountaintop removal and other efforts in the coal industry.
“The bottomline, most of these so-called streams that we're talking about are nothing but dry luck ditches up at the top of the mountain,” Gooch said.
Coal Operators say this review of 49 surface and deep mines permits means some work is halted.
“Could very well cause layoffs of a couple of thousand people in eastern Kentucky,” Gooch said.
“We're not anti-coal here. These are just different methods of mining and this valley fill and filling up and burying streams is not the right method,” Handshoe said.
Coal operators say they care about the water quality too, and are not hurting it. Some Kentuckians for the Commonwealth members are in Washington D.C. right now lobbying for more action like this.
Meanwhile, coal operators say they're planning their next steps to fight this.
http://www.wkyt.com/news/headlines/59274267.html
Environmentalists Question Niger Uranium Mine
By Scott Stearns
Dakar
14 September 2009
Niger's President Mamadou Tandja (file photo)
Niger's opposition leader is in court facing charges of defying President Mamadou Tandja, who won a referendum last month extending his time in office. The president says one of the reasons voters want him to stay is to oversee the completion of a billion-dollar uranium mine. Some environmentalists are questioning the mine's impact.
Uranium is nothing new in Niger. First mined in 1971, more than seven percent of the world's uranium already comes from Niger.
But the new Imouraren mine by the French nuclear power group AREVA is unlike anything Niger has ever seen. The $1.4-billion investment is the country's biggest industrial project ever and is expected to be Africa's largest uranium mine, doubling Niger's output.
President Tandja will be there to see it all. His second and final term was due to expire in December. But last month's referendum gives him another three years in office and the freedom to run again if he likes.
President Tandja says he needs the time to finish several large projects, including the French uranium mine that is also expected to produce 30 megawatts of electricity.
During more than 40 years in Niger, AREVA has become one of the country's biggest employers. It has built schools and hospitals, contributed to local government projects, and constructed more than 650 kilometers of road.
But some environmentalists in Niger believe the company has not done enough to protect the land around uranium mines and the people who work there.
Oba Nduma Saliou heads the local environmental group CREN.
Sailou says if people in Niger have to talk about uranium, it is with bitterness because AREVA has been mining uranium in Niger for 40 years without benefiting people in the area. He says he can not understand how a country with such unimaginable riches continues to go around begging from other countries and mining companies.
Saliou says AREVA's impact on Niger is both social and environmental. Socially, he says poverty remains, particularly in mining areas. Environmentally, he says there has been serious degradation in mining zones.
Saliou says people have gotten sick from collecting contaminated mining equipment that AREVA has improperly disposed of. And he fears things will only get worse with the new Imouraren mine.
Moussa Sule handles public affairs for AREVA in Niger.
"There certainly is an impact, but I think it is very likely to be local," said Moussa Sule.
Sule says AREVA regularly monitors radiation levels around its mines and submits that information in annual reports to both the government and local civil society groups.
"The levels of radiation we have are in accordance with international standards and Niger standards," said Sule.
Sule says AREVA also tests the water table around its mines to ensure the health of its workers and the local population.
Saliou says there is an urgent need to improve both the quality and the quantity of drinking water in mining areas as well as more coordinated efforts to reduce air pollution.
Saliou says mining companies and the government of Niger should plant gum arabic trees in the area to reduce carbon levels and give the local population a much-needed source of revenue.
AREVA says environmentalists are wrong to compare conditions in the desert with other, more fertile parts of Niger. Sule says there are few trees and not many animals in the area near the mines.
He says AREVA has always been a good partner to the people and to the government of Niger and would do nothing to risk a 40-year investment of time and resources
"We know if there is something wrong, sooner or later we have to pay," said Moussa Sule. "So, the best way is to do it right, right now."
AREVA says it is committed to spending more than $8 million a year, every year for the next five years to improve health, education, transport, and access to energy and drinking water for Niger.
Production at AREVA's Imouraren mine is due to open in 2012. With an estimated annual production of 5,000 metric tons of uranium for more than 35 years, the mine is expected to make Niger the world's second-largest source of uranium.
http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-09-14-voa59.cfm
US Alcoa Commissions Juruti Bauxite Mine In Brazil
DUSSELDORF -(Dow Jones)- U.S. aluminium producer Alcoa Inc (AA) Tuesday said it commissioned the opening of its new bauxite operations in Juruti, Brazil, moving the company into the top quartile on the global cost curve in terms of low-cost production and completing the first of a two-pronged investment program in the country.
The 2.6 million metric tons a year mine, located in the heart of the Amazon, will supply Alcoa's Alumar refinery expansion, the second part of the investment program which is on schedule to be commissioned later this year.
The Juruti operations - part of the Alcoa World Alumina and Chemicals, or AWAC, joint venture with Alumina Ltd, in which Alcoa holds a 60% share - consist of a port facility, a mine and a 50-kilometer rail system to the port.
"This mine will serve our operations in Brazil and lower our costs," said Franklin Feder, President of Alcoa Latin America.
"At the same time we will mine bauxite and return the area to the same, if not better, condition than when we initially arrived. Our commitment is to deliver on both the business efficiency and the stewardship of the region."
The expansion at the 2.1 million tons a year Alumar alumina refinery in Sao Luis, Brazil will bring total production there to 3.5 million tons annually.
Following the expansion, Alcoa Aluminio and AWAC combined will hold a 54% share of the refinery. The remaining share is held by BHP Billiton PLC (BHP) ( 36%) and Rio Tinto Alcan (10%), a subsidiary of Rio Tinto PLC (RTP). The Alcoa share of the combined investment for the two Brazil initiatives is around $2.2 billion.
-By Andrea Hotter, Dow Jones Newswires; +44 (0)20 7842 9413; andrea.hotter@ dowjones.com
http://www.nasdaq.com/aspx/stock-market-news-story.aspx?storyid=200909150321dowjonesdjonline000075&title=us-alcoa-commissions-juruti-bauxite-mine-in-brazil
First Majestic to acquire Normabec Mining Resources
Mon Sep 14, 2009 1:13pm EDT
Sept 14 (Reuters) - First Majestic Silver Corp (FR.TO) said it has agreed to buy exploration company Normabec Mining Resources Ltd (NMB.V) in an all-share transaction to expand its business.
According to the deal, Normabec shareholders will be issued 0.060425 First Majestic share for each share they own, plus shares in a newly formed public company NEWCO, which will hold Normabec's interest in the Pitt Gold Property, First Majestic said in a statement.
The deal values each Normabec share at C$0.1806 -- comprising of C$0.1406 in First Majestic shares and C$0.04 in NEWCO shares -- representing a premium of 39 percent to Normabec's Friday's close on the Toronto Venture Exchange.
On completion of the deal, First Majestic will invest C$300,000 in NEWCO via a private placement, representing about 10 percent of it, the company said.
Normabec, whose assets include the Pitt Gold project in Quebec and Real de Catorce Silver project in Mexico, has about 75.3 million issued and outstanding shares.
Shares of the Vancouver, British Columbia-based First Majestic were down 8 Canadian cents at C$2.60 Monday afternoon on the Toronto Stock Exchange, while Normabec shares were up 4 Canadian cents at 17 Canadian cents. (Reporting by Koustav Samanta in Bangalore; Editing by Unnikrishnan Nair)
http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssIndustryMaterialsUtilitiesNews/idUSBNG46649120090914
Other News
Naxal violence continues to rise: PM
Press Trust of India
New Delhi September 15, 2009,
Describing Left wing extremism as the gravest internal security threat,
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today called for a nuanced strategy to tackle
naxal violence which, despite best efforts of the security forces, continues
in many parts of the country.
Addressing a conference of Directors General and Inspectors General of
Police, Singh said it has been consistently held that Left wing extremism
was perhaps the gravest internal security threat the country was facing.
"We have not achieved as much success as we would have liked in containing
it. It is a matter of concern that despite our efforts, the level of
violence in the affected states continues to rise," he said.
The Prime Minister said a nuanced strategy was required to deal with the
problem as it cannot be treated simply as a law and order problem.
"Despite its sanguinary nature, the movement manages to retain the support
of a section of the tribals and the poorest of the poor in many areas. It
has influence among sizable sections of civil society, the intelligentsia
and the youth. It still retains a certain plan," he said.
Singh said all this adds to the complexity of the problem and "I expect you
to keep this in mind as you devise newer and better strategies to deal with
the problem".
http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/naxal-violence-continues-to-rise-pm/73489/on
Logging protests spread in Borneo as nomads block roads
24 August 2009
Penan armed with blowpipes block road as Shin Yang logging trucks approach.
© Survival
Protests by the Penan tribe in Borneo have escalated, with twelve villages coming together to mount new road blockades against the logging and plantation companies that are destroying their rainforest.
Journalists covering at the blockades were intercepted by police with machineguns and taken away for questioning.
Hundreds of Penan have blocked roads at three new locations in the interior of Sarawak, in the Malaysian part of the island of Borneo. The protestors are demanding an end to logging and plantations on their land without their consent, and recognition of their land ownership rights.
BBC TV presenter Bruce Parry visited the Penan for his hit series, 'Tribe'. One Penan told him, 'It's not true that we Penan do not want progress. Not the 'progress' where logging companies move on to the land. What we want is real progress. What we need is land rights first of all.'
The new protests come only weeks after blockades by two nearby Penan villages. The destruction of their forest robs the hunter-gatherer Penan of the animals and plants they eat and pollutes the rivers they fish in. Without the forest, many Penan have difficulty feeding their families.
The Penan have been struggling for more than twenty years against the logging companies that operate on their land with full government backing. In areas where the valuable trees have been cut down, the companies are clearing the forest completely to make way for oil palm plantations.
The blockades are aimed at forcing the Malaysian timber companies Samling, Interhill, Rimbunan Hijau and KTS to end their activities on the Penan's land without the tribe's consent. One of the earlier blockades, mounted in June at the settlement of Ba Marong, resulted in the withdrawal of a KTS subsidiary from the area - but the Penan fear that the loggers may return.
In another Penan area, the notorious company Samling is advancing on an area of the tribe's forest that has never been logged before. Observers say that the road built by the company is likely to reach the remote Ba Jawi area within weeks.
Survival's director Stephen Corry said today, 'The logging and plantation companies are preventing the Penan from being able to feed their children. It's no wonder they're taking to the barricades. Penan in some areas are currently receiving food aid - before the loggers arrived, they would never have needed such hand-outs. The Malaysian government must recognize that this land is theirs and stops sanctioning its destruction.'
Visit Survival's Penan webpage
20 states, 2,000 police stations Naxal-hit
Raghvendra Rao Indian Express Tuesday , Sep 15, 2009
*New Delhi : * In an admission that reflected the serious Naxalite situation
in the country, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on Monday said various
groups adhering to Left-wing extremism have their pockets of influence in 20
states across the country and that more than 2,000 police station areas in
223 districts in these states were affected by the problem.
Addressing the Conference of Directors General of Police and Inspectors
General of Police, Chidambaram said, “Left-wing extremism purports to be a
radical form of communism. Today, various groups adhering to this outdated
ideology have their pockets of influence in 20 states across the country.
Over 2,000 police station areas in 223 districts in these states are
partially or substantially affected by the menace.”
Ironically, less than a year ago, at the same police conference, the then
Union home minister Shivraj Patil had a completely different take on the
matter and had tried to downplay the Naxal threat, saying its representation
was not accurate.
Chidambaram’s remarks, however, narrated an entirely different story. “The
CPI (Maoist) remains the most potent of the Naxal groups with a presence in
17 states and a 90 per cent share in Naxal violence. Recent decisions taken
by its politburo indicate that the CPI (Maoist) is determined to expand its
activities into newer areas, on the one hand, and intensify its ‘mass
resistance’ in the existing areas, on the other,” he said.
“Violence, the most visible aspect of Naxal menace, has been consistently
witnessed in about 400 police station areas of around 90 districts in 13 of
these states. Last year, 1,591 incidents of Naxalite violence resulting in
721 killings were reported from 399 police station areas of 87 districts of
13 states,” he added. “This year, 1,405 incidents of Naxal violence
resulting in 580 killings have already been reported (up to August 27) from
355 police stations in 78 districts in 11 states.”
Stating that the CPI (Maoist) has improved upon its military wares and
operational tactics, the Home Minister said in addition to targeting the
police, alleged police informers and so-called class enemies, it was laying
greater emphasis on attacking economic and development infrastructure.
“With increasing sophistication in fabrication and deployment of Improvised
Explosive Devices, it has inflicted more casualties on the security forces.
As many as 80 personnel were killed in 53 landmine-based attacks in 2008 and
123 personnel have lost their lives so far in 61 landmine-based Maoist
actions this year. Altogether, 231 personnel were killed in Naxal violence
in 2008 while 250 SF personnel have lost their lives this year,” Chidambaram
said.
He added that in a bid to expand its network and influence, the CPI (Maoist)
has been seeking alliances with secessionist and terrorist elements. “It has
been keenly seeking ideological resonance and tactical understanding with
the Northeast insurgents and has begun to lend support to their secessionist
ideology and demands,” he said.
Incidentally, PM Manmohan Singh has been called Left-wing extremism “perhaps
the most serious internal security threat that we face” during last year’s
DGPs/IGPs Conference, at the recent conference of Chief Ministers he
described it as “a serious challenge” and a problem that “is indeed a
complex one” that needed a “balanced and nuanced strategy to deal with it”.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/20-states-2-000-police-stations-naxalhit/517253/
New Initiatives Under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA)
13:9 IST
With a view to strengthen NREGA the Ministry of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj has taken up several new initiatives based on widespread consultations with different stakeholders including the state governments, members of the Central Employment Guarantee Council, professionals, academics, public representatives, civil society organizations. The key areas have been the strengthening of decentralization and mobilizing NREGA workers, enforcing transparency and public accountability, ICT for transparency and enforcing workers’ rights under NREGA, sustainable development through NREGA. These include :
1. District Level Ombudsman for effective grievance redressal:
1.1. The Ombudsman will be appointed by the State Government on the recommendation of the selection committee. Ombudsmen will be well-known persons from civil society who have experience in the field of public administration, law, academics, social work or management.
1.2 Ombudsman will be an agency independent of the central or state government. The Ombudsman will receive complaints from NREGA workers and others on any matters, consider such complaints and facilitate their disposal in accordance with law . Where facts are admitted case will be disposed by passing appropriate direction and if not admitted, Ombudsman will pass an award. There shall be no appeal against the award of Ombudsman and the same shall be final.
1.3. The Ombudsman will also issue directions for conducting spot investigation, lodge FIRs against the erring parties, initiate proceedings suo motu when required and look into direct redressal, disciplinary and punitive actions. In cases of corruption, he will forward the matter to take up criminal prosecution.
1.4. The Ombudsman will send monthly and annual report, list of awards passed to Chief Secretary and Secretary in charge of NREGA. Summary report of cases disposed by Ombudsman will be reported to the State Council and will also form part of the Annual Report to be placed in the Legislative Assembly.
2. NREGA partnership with Unique Identification Development Authority of India (UIDA):
NREGA will be collaborating with UIDA . The database of NREGA will be utilized by the UID Authority to expedite the development of the identification system for the residents.
3. National Helpline for receipt of complaints :
The Ministry has a Toll free National Helpline 1800110707 to enable the submission of complaints and queries to the Ministry for the protection of workers entitlements and rights under the Act. This is being CT enabled and linked with the State and District LevelHelplines to create a National Network of NREGA Helpline. It will also be linked to Office of the Ombudsman at district level for registration of complaints.
4. Social Audits: Gram Panchayats have been asked to organize Social Audits once in every six months. The monitoring of Social Audit is online through the NREGA website wherein the data, follow up action can be tracked down to the Gram Panchayat level.
a) The total number of issues reported and the action taken as on September 9, 2009 was 5819, the number of grievances submitted and action taken are 842.
b) NLM Visit: Thirty seven National level Monitor were deputed to 37 districts in 15 states for special monitoring of the social audit campaign initiated by the Ministry.
5. Independent Monitoring Mechanisms
. 100 Eminent Citizen Monitors will be identified to Report on the progress of NREGA.
6. Convergence
6.1. The Ministry of Rural Development has developed and disseminated Guidelines for convergence of NREGS with different Schemes and specific programs such as Indian Council of Agricultural Research(ICAR), National Afforestation Program and other schemes of the Ministry of Forest & Environment, Schemes of the Ministry of Water Resources,Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-PMGSY (Department of Rural Development), SwarnaJayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojana-SGSY (Department of Rural Development), Watershed Development Programs (Department of Land Resources, Ministry of Rural Development) .115 pilot districts in 23 states have been identified by the Ministry Of Environment & Forests, Ministry Of Water Resources and ICAR.
6.2. Draft Joint Guidelines have also been prepared with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries Department for convergence of NREGS and schemes of Ministry of Agriculture.
6.3. Civil Society Organizations/ Professional Institutions having technical competence & resources are being enlisted for monitoring of convergence pilots.
7. Enlarge the scope of works permitted under NREGA presently limited to unskilled manual labour
7.1 Schedule I, paragraph 1, sub para (iv) of National Rural Employment Guarantee Act 2005,“provision of irrigation facility to land owned by households belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes or to land of beneficiaries of land reforms or that of the beneficiaries under the Indira Awas Yojana of the Government of India”
has been amended as per Ministry of Rural Development Notification dated 22nd July, 2009, to: “provision of irrigation facility, horticulture plantation and land development facilities to land owned by households belonging to the Schedule Castes and Schedule Tribes or below poverty line families or to beneficiaries of land reforms or to the beneficiaries under the Indira Awas Yojana of Government of India or that of the small farmers or marginal farmers as defined in the Agriculture Debt Waiver and Debt Relief Scheme, 2008.”
7.2 It is also envisaged in the provisions that Gram Panchayats while approving work plans, as per the list of permissible works under the Act, will ensure that works on lands of SC / ST and BPL receive first priority.
Small & Marginal Farmers account for 80% of all land holdings and operate about 40% of all cultivated land. Permitting private works on lands of small & marginal farmers implies coverage of 40% of all cultivated area. Of the 142 million hectares of land under cultivation about 57 million hectares will come under ambit of NREGA works. With improved productivity on lands of small and marginal farmers, more employment will be generated on farmers’ fields as farmers’ capacities are increased through use of modern technologies and agronomic practices. This is a step in the direction of moving from unskilled manual labour to skilled farming practices.
http://pib.nic.in
Rural Drinking Water Supply – achievements & initiatives
________________________________________
13:14 IST
Government of India provides financial assistance to all states under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Accelerated Rural Water Supply Programme (ARWSP), renamed as National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) from 01.04.2009. To ensure that all aspects of rural water supply are adequately addressed, there are different components in the Program which have been restructured for implementation from 1st April 2009.
Physical Progress: During Bharat Nirman period, 55,067 un-covered and about 3.31 lakh slipped-back habitations were to be covered with provisions of drinking water facilities and 2.17 lakh quality-affected habitations were to be addressed for water quality problem. Against 55,067 un-covered habitations, 54,430 habitations have been covered. The remaining habitations, out of which some are in difficult areas lacking sustainable sources of drinking water, are proposed to be covered with provision of drinking water supply systems by 2011. Under the category of slipped back and quality affected habitations, against a target of 3,31,604 for slipped back habitations and 2,16,968 for quality affected habitations, 3,57,978 slipped back habitations and 50,167 quality affected habitations have been actually covered with potable water supply and projects for 2,59,773 water quality affected habitations have been approved and are at various stages of execution by the States.
Financial Progress: Under Bharat Nirman for rural water supply, it was envisaged that during 4 years, Rs. 25,300 crore would be required as Central share. Accordingly, Rs.4,098 crore in 2005-06, Rs.4,560 crore in 2006-07 and Rs. 6,441.69 crore in 2007-08 has been utilized. In 2008-09, a budgetary provision of Rs.7,300 crore has been made for rural drinking water out of which, Rs. 7276.29 crore (99.68%) has been utilized till 31st March, 2009. During 2009-10 an amount of Rs. 2377.07 crore has been released during April, 2009 against a budgetary allocation of Rs. 8000 crore.
Contingency plans for drinking water in the wake of slow progress of south–west monsoon
*Planning: In view of the delay in the onset of monsoon, in the month of June itself, States were asked to review the drinking water scenario in their States and draw contingency plans to tackle the problem. The plan should have both short-term and long-term measures, details of water stressed areas and details of transportation of water both by road and/or train, if required. The Department had also convened a meeting of State’s Secretaries in-charge of rural water supply on 1st July, 2009 and preparedness of states to tackle the situation was discussed in detail. Officers with the Department have been nominated to function as Area Officers to visit the States, remain in touch and look into specific problems of the allotted States. They are also visiting the States as a part of the Central Team. States have been urged to take a number of steps, which inter alia includes expediting completion of ongoing schemes, specifically those which can bring immediate relief; retain and reserve water in the tanks and reservoirs for drinking water purposes; take up hydro-fracturing, deepening and other measures for improving yields from the existing ground water based systems, campaign for repair and restoration of water supply systems especially hand pumps, etc. Department has also requested the States to fine tune their contingency plan and take action which will help in mitigating the problems viz. using NREGS, watershed and other programme funds for de-silting of water bodies, rejuvenation of water bodies, etc. Department has sought the details of help, if any States require to tackle the problem. They have also been asked to lay emphasis on water conservation.
*Monitoring: Department is keeping a close watch on the situation. At present, none of the States are reporting any major drinking water problem. With the improvement in rains, water supply through tankers has come down drastically in various States and situation has become normal. However, States are repeatedly sensitized to plan for the whole year till next monsoon so that during next summer, people do not face the drinking water problem. States have also been provided with some suggestions to help them in the planning as well as monitoring the same. In so far as drinking water situation is concerned, at present, situation is comfortable but depending on rainfall in next few weeks, situation may vary from State to State during the next year till next monsoon.
*Financial Provision: At the Government of India level, 5% of the annual allocation for rural water supply is retained to provide need-based assistance to the States in the event of natural calamities for mitigation of drinking water problems in the affected areas. This fund is meant for repair and restoration of damaged rural water supply infrastructure. Further, States can utilize up to 10% of their annual allocation for operation & maintenance of the existing rural water supply systems, which includes repair, replacement, rejuvenation, augmentation, restoration, etc. to provide drinking water. Keeping in view the need to bring in long-term sustainability to the existing water supply sources and systems, from 2009-10 provisions have been made to enable the States to utilize up to 20% of their annual allocation on 100% grant-in-aid basis for sustainability measures to ensure that water supply systems remain functional on a long-term basis. Sufficient funds have been made available to the States for rural water supply.
New policy for Drinking Water Program Implemented : National Rural Drinking Water Program (NRDWP) has been launched with the goal to provide every rural person with adequate water for drinking, cooking and other domestic basic needs on a sustainable basis. The program makes it mandatory to prepare village and subsequently district water security plans as an integral part of rural water supply programs. Since 1972, with the launching of Accelerated Rural Water Supply Program, coverage had been linked with the installation of a water supply system in the village / habitation. Now, coverage is linked to household level availability of potable, safe and adequate drinking water at a convenient location.
On-line Monitoring launched : To ensure proper reporting and transparency in program implementation, all information pertaining to rural water supply programs is now being obtained on-line. The on-line web based Integrated Management Information Systems (IMIS) has been launched and all information is now available in the public domain.
Incentive for handing over drinking water schemes to Panchayats: To encourage the States to ensure that the PRIs operate and maintain the water supply schemes, weightagehas been provided for “rural population managing rural drinking water supply schemes” under the revised criteria for fund allocation under NRDWP.
Support for setting up Sub-Division level water quality testing labs: Grant in aid is now made available for establishment of water testing laboratories at the sub-division level, especially in those areas where ground water is chemically contaminated with arsenic, fluoride, etc.
http://pib.nic.in
All parties are eco-unfriendly'
Ashwin Aghor / DNA
Tuesday, September 15, 2009 2:36 IST
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There is a general feeling of distaste among the city's environmentalists when it comes to the attitude of politicians to the city environs. The manifestoes of political parties have all the colours except green, they say.
"The city is bound to be inundated owing to sea level rise and global warming. It is just a matter of time. Policy makers must give a thought to the utility of huge infrastructure projects 20 years down the line," said Debi Goenka of Conservation Action Trust, an NGO formed to protect the environment, particularly forests and wildlife.
Commenting on the spending of Rs350 crore on the installation of Shivaji Maharaj's statue on an artificial island off Marine Drive, Goenka said, "The project will act as a catalyst in flooding the city and is not at all a sign of good decision making."
According to Nishikant Kale, an expert on climate change from Amravati, the government should also reclaim the thousands of acres of forest land in the state, which is now under control of the revenue department. "Huge encroachments on forest land are taking place post the Forest Rights Act. There is tremendous requirement for land for afforestation to compensate the loss," he said.
Kale and his troupe want political parties of the city to expedite action on these issues. "Erratic weather conditions are a result of climate change. But politicians are not even ready to acknowledge it," Goenka said. Traffic restraint modules and cost effective infrastructure should be on the manifestoes, he added.
When questioned specifically, political parties do seem to have some tricks up their sleeves. "Mumbai city is likely to suffer infrastructural losses to the tune of Rs3,00,000 crore due to global warming. MNS will work to mitigate effects of climate change in the city. The issue will have a prominent place in our manifesto," said Shirish Parkar, general secretary, MNS.
Madhav Bhandari, a BJP spokesperson, said, "These issues will be included in our vision document to be released on September 19. Projects like installingShivaji Maharaj's statue must be weighed on the provisions of relevant acts and a critical analysis of the impact on the environment. It should be done with 100% public participation and total transparency."
Nilam Gorhe and Sanjay Dutt, spokespersons for Shiv Sena and the Congress respectively, are also equally concerned and are planning to chalk out action plans in the coming years. The environmentalists still remain an unconvinced lot.
http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_all-parties-are-eco-unfriendly_1290280
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