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| News Briefs Vol. 3 Issue No. 35 | September 16-30, 2007 |
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Union
Tourism Minister Ambika Soni recently placed in the Lok Sabha the detailed
statement of State wise tourism projects sanctioned during the last three
years of the 10th Five Year Plan. During
2006-07, the Ministry sanctioned a sum of Rs 939.35 lakh for nine projects
for Manipur and a sum Rs 649.48 lakh was released from the Ministry. No
sanction was made for Manipur during 2004-05. Initiatives
taken by AIR for North East Prasar
Bharati has set up an exclusive Marketing Division at Guwahati in 2006,
which is working as a single window for catering to the needs of advertisers
and clients of Assam and the entire North-eastern region. This division
accepts bookings for and on behalf of all the AIR stations of Assam and the
region. On
the other hand, the Union Government has implemented plans for strengthening
the radio coverage in border areas in the North East. As part of North East
plan phase-I, two FM transmitters at Itanagar and Kohima are ready. Central
schemes for North-East approved The
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has given its approval for several
schemes for the North East. (a)
Continuation of the Centrally sponsored scheme relating to ‘Establishment
of new Industrial Training Institutes in NE and Sikkim (outlay Rs100 crore)
and incur expenditure of Rs18.31 crore under various components, till
31.3.2008, after which the State Governments will bear the recurring
expenditure. (b)
Continuation of the other scheme component on strengthening / modernization
of ITIs in J&K (outlay Rs37 crore) and incur expenditure of Rs 30.49
crore for J&K, under various components including recurring expenditure
from 1.4.2007 till 31.03.2009. (c)
To incur expenditure of Rs13.70 crore for setting up of three new ITIs –
two in Sikkim and one in Assam. As additional allocation, within the
existing North East scheme, for next two years during the XI Plan from
1.4.2007 till 31.03.2009. (d)
Building in flexibilities for change of trades in the identified ITIs within
the State and for allocation of funds from one scheme of the project to
another and from one component of the scheme to another and between the
major components, within a upper limit of 10 per cent. Secretary, Ministry
of Labour and Employment will have the power for approving such changes
within the original project cost of Rs100 crore for North Eastern states and
Rs 37 crore for J & K. ONGC
to boost output The
Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has intensified efforts in Assam for
augmenting oil production. Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural
Gas, Dinsha Patel said intensified efforts included specialised drilling
techniques, aggressive infill drilling, development of newly discovered
fields, and implementation of improved oil recovery in mature fields and
engaging reputed consultants. However,
the figures furnished by the Minister showed that crude oil production in
Assam during the last five years has declined to 1.331 MMT from 1.735 MMT in
2002-2003. In 2005-2006, production touched an all-time low of 1.285 MMT. Central
share for SSA enhanced Bowing
to the pressure from the Northeastern states, the Union Cabinet decided to
modify the Centre-State funding pattern for Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) to
90:10 pattern. Information
and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi informed that the funding
pattern for the eight North-Eastern States would be modified as 90:10. "With
the eight North Eastern states requiring to provide only ten per cent as
their state share, it will be a measure of relief to these states against
enhanced state share envisaged in the eleventh plan period under the SSA,"
Mr. Dasmunsi said.
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