Memorandum of Understanding between India and Bhutan on Technical Cooperation
Memorandum
of Understanding between India and Bhutan on Technical Cooperation in
the Field of Capacity Building, Benchmarking and Bilateral Exchange in
Infrastructure Engineering
The Union
Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today gave its
approval for signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between
India and Bhutan on technical cooperation in the field of capacity
building, benchmarking and bilateral exchange in infrastructure
engineering.
India and Bhutan have had a long standing diplomatic, economic and cultural relations with each other. The India-Bhutan friendship treaty signed in New Delhi in February, 2007 also strengthens the mutual relations. The Hon'ble Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi made a state visit to Bhutan in June 2014. The visit reinforced the tradition of regular high level exchanges between the two countries. During the Indian Prime Ministers' visit, the two sides agreed to continue close coordination and cooperation in areas relating to their national interest.
The MoU is in furtherance of Article 2,7 and 8 of the India-Bhutan friendship treaty. The MoU will provide an Umbrella for educational, scientific & technical research and environment protection which are also stated aim of the India-Bhutan foundation established in August 2003.
There is already ongoing Hydro Power Cooperation between the two countries which provides an exemplary template for mutual cooperation.
Through this MoU, the Central Public Works Department will stand to gain in terms of experience in hills road construction which is of paramount importance in J&K, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and various States of North-East Region. The CPWD also expects to garner some road construction projects in Bhutan.
India and Bhutan have had a long standing diplomatic, economic and cultural relations with each other. The India-Bhutan friendship treaty signed in New Delhi in February, 2007 also strengthens the mutual relations. The Hon'ble Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi made a state visit to Bhutan in June 2014. The visit reinforced the tradition of regular high level exchanges between the two countries. During the Indian Prime Ministers' visit, the two sides agreed to continue close coordination and cooperation in areas relating to their national interest.
The MoU is in furtherance of Article 2,7 and 8 of the India-Bhutan friendship treaty. The MoU will provide an Umbrella for educational, scientific & technical research and environment protection which are also stated aim of the India-Bhutan foundation established in August 2003.
There is already ongoing Hydro Power Cooperation between the two countries which provides an exemplary template for mutual cooperation.
Through this MoU, the Central Public Works Department will stand to gain in terms of experience in hills road construction which is of paramount importance in J&K, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and various States of North-East Region. The CPWD also expects to garner some road construction projects in Bhutan.
************
Amendments in the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Bill, 2015
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today
gave its approval to move official amendments in the
Compensatory Afforestation Fund Bill, 2015.
The legislation will ensure expeditious utilization of accumulated unspent amounts available with the ad hoc Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), which presently is of the order of Rs.40,000 crore, and fresh accrual of compensatory levies and interest on accumulated unspent balance, which will be of the order of approx. Rs. 6,000 crore per annum, in an efficient and transparent manner.
Utilization of these amounts will facilitate timely execution of appropriate measures to mitigate impact of diversion of forest land, for which these amounts have been realised. Apart from mitigating the impact of diversion of forest land, utilisation of these amounts will result in creation of productive assets and generation of huge employment opportunities in the rural areas, especially the backward tribal areas.
Apart from the amendments of drafting and consequential in nature, the official amendments provide for the following:
i. Amendment of clause 2 (e) of the Bill to make the list of environmental services inclusive and to delete some of environmental services for which credible model to assess their monetary value does not exist.
ii. Amendment of clauses 2 (I) and 30 (1) of the Bill to provide for prior consultation with States Governments for making rule under the new legislation.
iii. Amendment of clause 4 (1) of the Bill to provide for establishment of State Fund of a Union territory having no legislature under Public Account of the Union of India.
iv. Amendment of clause 6 (d) of the Bill to provide for use of monies realised from the user agencies in lieu for forest land diverted in protected areas for voluntary relocation from protected areas.
v. Amendrnent of clause 8 (4) (ii) of the Bill 'to include Secretaries of Ministries dealing with Space and Earth Sciences as members of governing body of the National Authority.
vi. Amendment of clause 8 (4) (x) of the Bill to increase the number of expert members in governing body of National Authority from two to five.
vii. Amendment of clause 9 (2) (ix) of the Bill to increase the number of expert members in executive committee of National Authority from two to three.
viii. Amendments of clause 11 (2) and 11 (3) of the Bill to include an expert on tribal matters or representative of tribal community as a member in both steering committee and executive committee of a State Authority.
ix. Amendment of clause 15 (1) (i) of the Bill to fix time limit of three months for Executive Committee of National Authority to approval annual plan of operations of State Authorities and to empower Executive Committee Of National Authorities to make amendments in annul plan of operations of State Authorities.
x. Amendment of clause 29 of the Bill to provide for laying of the annual report and the audit report along with memorandum of action taken on recommendations contained therein of State Authority constituted in Union Territories having no legislature before each house of the Parliament.
The amendments do not involve any additional expenditure. The legislation will extend to the whole of India except the State of Jammu and Kashmir.
Background
While according prior approval under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 for diversion of forest land for non-forest purpose, Central Government stipulates conditions that amounts shall be realised from the user agencies to undertake compensatory afforestation and such other activities related to conservation and development of forests, to mitigate impact of diversion of forest land.
In compliance of Orders passed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court these amounts are deposited in the State-wise accounts operated by an Ad-hoc Authority consisting of two officials of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change one representative of the Comptroller and Auditor General and one representative of the Chairperson of the Central Empowered Committee.
In the absence of permanent institutional mechanism more than Rs.40,000 crores have accumulated with the said ad-hoc Body.
In order to provide for the establishment of funds under the public accounts of India and the public accounts of each State and crediting thereto the monies received from the user agencies towards compensatory afforestation, additional compensatory afforestation, penal compensatory afforestation, net present value and all other amounts recovered from such agencies under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 Central Government introduced the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Bill, 2015 in the Lok Sabha on 8th May 2015. The Bill also provides for constitution of an authority at national level and at each of the State and Union territory Administration for administration of the funds and to utilise the monies so collected for undertaking artificial regeneration (plantations), assisted natural regeneration, protection of forests, forest related infrastructure development, Green India Programme, wildlife protection and other related activities and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
The legislation will ensure expeditious utilization of accumulated unspent amounts available with the ad hoc Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), which presently is of the order of Rs.40,000 crore, and fresh accrual of compensatory levies and interest on accumulated unspent balance, which will be of the order of approx. Rs. 6,000 crore per annum, in an efficient and transparent manner.
Utilization of these amounts will facilitate timely execution of appropriate measures to mitigate impact of diversion of forest land, for which these amounts have been realised. Apart from mitigating the impact of diversion of forest land, utilisation of these amounts will result in creation of productive assets and generation of huge employment opportunities in the rural areas, especially the backward tribal areas.
Apart from the amendments of drafting and consequential in nature, the official amendments provide for the following:
i. Amendment of clause 2 (e) of the Bill to make the list of environmental services inclusive and to delete some of environmental services for which credible model to assess their monetary value does not exist.
ii. Amendment of clauses 2 (I) and 30 (1) of the Bill to provide for prior consultation with States Governments for making rule under the new legislation.
iii. Amendment of clause 4 (1) of the Bill to provide for establishment of State Fund of a Union territory having no legislature under Public Account of the Union of India.
iv. Amendment of clause 6 (d) of the Bill to provide for use of monies realised from the user agencies in lieu for forest land diverted in protected areas for voluntary relocation from protected areas.
v. Amendrnent of clause 8 (4) (ii) of the Bill 'to include Secretaries of Ministries dealing with Space and Earth Sciences as members of governing body of the National Authority.
vi. Amendment of clause 8 (4) (x) of the Bill to increase the number of expert members in governing body of National Authority from two to five.
vii. Amendment of clause 9 (2) (ix) of the Bill to increase the number of expert members in executive committee of National Authority from two to three.
viii. Amendments of clause 11 (2) and 11 (3) of the Bill to include an expert on tribal matters or representative of tribal community as a member in both steering committee and executive committee of a State Authority.
ix. Amendment of clause 15 (1) (i) of the Bill to fix time limit of three months for Executive Committee of National Authority to approval annual plan of operations of State Authorities and to empower Executive Committee Of National Authorities to make amendments in annul plan of operations of State Authorities.
x. Amendment of clause 29 of the Bill to provide for laying of the annual report and the audit report along with memorandum of action taken on recommendations contained therein of State Authority constituted in Union Territories having no legislature before each house of the Parliament.
The amendments do not involve any additional expenditure. The legislation will extend to the whole of India except the State of Jammu and Kashmir.
Background
While according prior approval under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 for diversion of forest land for non-forest purpose, Central Government stipulates conditions that amounts shall be realised from the user agencies to undertake compensatory afforestation and such other activities related to conservation and development of forests, to mitigate impact of diversion of forest land.
In compliance of Orders passed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court these amounts are deposited in the State-wise accounts operated by an Ad-hoc Authority consisting of two officials of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change one representative of the Comptroller and Auditor General and one representative of the Chairperson of the Central Empowered Committee.
In the absence of permanent institutional mechanism more than Rs.40,000 crores have accumulated with the said ad-hoc Body.
In order to provide for the establishment of funds under the public accounts of India and the public accounts of each State and crediting thereto the monies received from the user agencies towards compensatory afforestation, additional compensatory afforestation, penal compensatory afforestation, net present value and all other amounts recovered from such agencies under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 Central Government introduced the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Bill, 2015 in the Lok Sabha on 8th May 2015. The Bill also provides for constitution of an authority at national level and at each of the State and Union territory Administration for administration of the funds and to utilise the monies so collected for undertaking artificial regeneration (plantations), assisted natural regeneration, protection of forests, forest related infrastructure development, Green India Programme, wildlife protection and other related activities and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
On 13th May, 2015 Lok Sabha referred the Bill to the Department-related
Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science & Technology,
Environment & Forests. On 26th February, 2016 the Committee
submitted its report to the Parliament. The Central Government after
examination of the report of the Department-related Parliamentary
Committee propose to move official amendments in the Bill.
***********
Transfer
of 21.93 acre of land belonging to the Central Tobacco Research
Institute, Rajahmundry to the Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural
University, Hyderabad for establishment of an Agriculture
College at Rajahmundry
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today
gave its approval for transfer of 21.93 acre of land belonging to the
Central Tobacco Research Institute (CTRI), Rajahmundry to the
Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Hyderabad on a long lease
basis for a period of 50 years for establishment of an
Agriculture College at Rajahmundry.
Background:
Background:
The Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University had established a new
agriculture college at Rajahmundry in East Godavari district during the
academic year 2008-09 to train agricultural graduates for acquiring
advanced agricultural knowledge associated with Godavari Delta. At
present, the agricultural college is temporarily running from rented
accommodation of local Arts and Science College (SKVT College). After
transfer of the land, the college would be able to develop its own
permanent campus. Establishment of a new agriculture college at
Rajahmundry would certainly go a long way in development of agricultural
research and education in Godavari delta and also help the Indian
Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to fulfill one of its mandates
including education research and extension.
************
Memoranda of Understanding on Youth Exchange Programmes
with foreign countries
The Union
Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi was today
apprised of the Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) signed with Bahrain,
Kuwait, Nepal, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and BRICS Nations on
Organising Youth Exchange Programmes with these countries.
International Youth Exchange programmes promote exchange of ideas and
values amongst youth of different countries and help in developing
international perspective among the youth. Further, through
people-to-people contacts, these Programmes promote peace and
understanding and strengthen friendly relations between countries.
*************
Cabinet approves signing the Paris Agreement
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today
gave its approval for signing the Paris Agreement adopted at the 21st
Conference of Parties held in Paris in December 2015.
Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Prakash Javadekar, will sign the agreement on behalf of India on 22 April 2016 at the high level signature ceremony convened by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki-moon.
The Paris Agreement on climate change is a milestone in global climate cooperation. It is meant to enhance the implementation of the Convention and recognizes the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities in the light of different national circumstances.
The salient features of the Paris Agreement are as follows:
a) The Paris Agreement acknowledges the development imperatives of developing countries. The Agreement recognizes the developing countries' right to development and their efforts to harmonize development with environment, while protecting the interests of the most vulnerable.
b) The Paris Agreement recognizes the importance of sustainable lifestyles and sustainable patterns of consumption with developed countries taking the lead, and notes the importance of 'climate justice’ in its preamble.
c) The Agreement seeks to enhance the 'implementation of the Convention' whilst reflecting the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, in the light of different national circumstances.
d) The objective of the Agreement further ensures that it is not mitigation-centric and includes other important elements such as adaptation, loss and damage, finance, technology, capacity building and transparency of action and support.
e) Pre-2020 actions are also part of the decisions. The developed country parties are urged to scale up their level of financial support with a complete road map to achieve the goal of jointly providing US $ 100 billion by 2020 for mitigation and adaptation by significantly increasing adaptation finance from current levels and to further provide appropriate technology and capacity building support.
Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Prakash Javadekar, will sign the agreement on behalf of India on 22 April 2016 at the high level signature ceremony convened by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki-moon.
The Paris Agreement on climate change is a milestone in global climate cooperation. It is meant to enhance the implementation of the Convention and recognizes the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities in the light of different national circumstances.
The salient features of the Paris Agreement are as follows:
a) The Paris Agreement acknowledges the development imperatives of developing countries. The Agreement recognizes the developing countries' right to development and their efforts to harmonize development with environment, while protecting the interests of the most vulnerable.
b) The Paris Agreement recognizes the importance of sustainable lifestyles and sustainable patterns of consumption with developed countries taking the lead, and notes the importance of 'climate justice’ in its preamble.
c) The Agreement seeks to enhance the 'implementation of the Convention' whilst reflecting the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, in the light of different national circumstances.
d) The objective of the Agreement further ensures that it is not mitigation-centric and includes other important elements such as adaptation, loss and damage, finance, technology, capacity building and transparency of action and support.
e) Pre-2020 actions are also part of the decisions. The developed country parties are urged to scale up their level of financial support with a complete road map to achieve the goal of jointly providing US $ 100 billion by 2020 for mitigation and adaptation by significantly increasing adaptation finance from current levels and to further provide appropriate technology and capacity building support.
India had advocated a strong and durable climate agreement based on the
principles and provisions of the Convention. The Paris Agreement
addresses all the important concerns and expectations of India.
************
Operationalisation of new Indian Institute of Science Education and Research at Tirupati
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has
given its approval for operationalisation of new Indian Institute of
Science Education and Research (IISER) at Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh from
the Academic Year of 2015-16 from a transit / temporary campus, at an
estimated cost of Rs. 137.30 crore for the initial three years
(2015-18).
Background:
Background:
As a sequel to the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, bifurcating
the then State of Andhra Pradesh to the States of Andhra Pradesh and
Telengana, the Government of India inter alia decided to establish an
Indian Institutes of Science Education & Research (IISER), an
Institute of National Importance, in the residual State of Andhra
Pradesh. Consequently, the State Government of Andhra Pradesh has
earmarked 244 acres of land at Srinivasapuram, Pangur and Chindepalli
villages of Yerpedu Mandal for construction of the permanent campus of
IISER, Tirupati. Meanwhile, pending construction of the 'permanent
campus for the Institute, on the recommendation of the Site Selection
Committee, it has been decided to commence its functioning from the
academic session of 2015-16 from the transit / temporary campus at Sree
Rama Engineering College, Tirupati.
*************
Transfer
of 58.81 acres land of Farakka Barrage Project at Farakka to Border
Security Force for establishment of 04-BattaIion Head Quarters of BSF
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has
given its approval for transfer of 58.81 acres of surplus land of
Farakka Barrage Project under Ministry of Water Resources, River
Development and Ganga Rejuvenation to Border Security Force under
Ministry of Home Affairs for establishment of 04-Battalion Head Quarters
of BSF at Khejuriaghat in Mouza Jagannathpur, J.L.No. 35 P.S.
Kaliachak, District, Malda of West Bengal.
Farakka Barrage Project will also be benefitted by guarding of crucial
Indian frontiers with Bangladesh by BSF in Malda District, which is
adjoining to Farakka Barrage Project, a project of both National and
International importance. Also, possibility of encroachments of FBP land
and
ensuing security concerns to FBP would be reduced due to presence of the
BSF personnel in the area.
***********
Expansion of India - Chile Preferential Trade Agreement
The Union
Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given
its approval for expansion of India - Chile Preferential Trade Agreement
(PTA) between India and Chile.
India's export basket with Chile is diversified and keeping in view the wide variety of tariff lines offered by Chile, the expanded PTA would immensely benefit India. Under the expanded PTA, Chile has offered concessions to India on 1798 tariff lines with Margin of Preference (MoP) ranging from 30%-100% and India has offered concessions to Chile on 1031 tariff lines at 8-digit level with MoP ranging from 10%-100%. Under the proposed expanded PTA, 86% of India's exports to Chile will get covered with concessions, which is likely to result in doubling of our exports in the near future.
A Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between India and Chile was signed in March, 2006. The said PTA came into force with effect from August, 2007. During 2006-07, Chile was ranked 51st export destination for India. Bilateral Trade during the year 2006-07 was US$ 2.3 billion. Trade dynamics changed after the PTA came into force from September 2007. Bilateral trade registered a growth of 58.49% from 2006-07 to 2014-15. Bilateral trade during 2014-15 stood at US $ 3.65 billion with exports at US $ 0.57 billion and imports at US$ 3.08 billion respectively.
India's export basket with Chile is diversified and keeping in view the wide variety of tariff lines offered by Chile, the expanded PTA would immensely benefit India. Under the expanded PTA, Chile has offered concessions to India on 1798 tariff lines with Margin of Preference (MoP) ranging from 30%-100% and India has offered concessions to Chile on 1031 tariff lines at 8-digit level with MoP ranging from 10%-100%. Under the proposed expanded PTA, 86% of India's exports to Chile will get covered with concessions, which is likely to result in doubling of our exports in the near future.
A Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between India and Chile was signed in March, 2006. The said PTA came into force with effect from August, 2007. During 2006-07, Chile was ranked 51st export destination for India. Bilateral Trade during the year 2006-07 was US$ 2.3 billion. Trade dynamics changed after the PTA came into force from September 2007. Bilateral trade registered a growth of 58.49% from 2006-07 to 2014-15. Bilateral trade during 2014-15 stood at US $ 3.65 billion with exports at US $ 0.57 billion and imports at US$ 3.08 billion respectively.
India has friendly relations with Chile. Chile has been cooperating with
India at the International fora and expansion of India Chile PTA will
enhance the trade and economic relations between the two countries. The
expansion would be an important landmark in India-Chile relations and
consolidate the traditional fraternal relations that have existed
between India and LAC countries.
Post a Comment