The North-East - Projects and Development

[sunny20rocky]

Shillong, May 29: Development at times comes at an irreparable cost, with several farmers from three villages under Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills district hurtling towards an uncertain future ever since the construction of the Shillong bypass route, as the construction has negatively impacted agricultural production.

Today, along with members of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) of the Mawryngkneng circle, the farmers hailing from Mawryngkneng, Diengpasoh and Thangshalai villages, staged a six-hour hunger strike near the additional secretariat building here to demand the compensation from the government.

Detrik Kharsahnoh of Mawryngkneng village was mustering around 100 bags of rice from his paddy field at least for two years, before GR Infra Company started constructing the bypass.

However, after the firm had allegedly spilled his field with sand and boulders leading to an irreparable loss, the production has gone down by over 50 per cent.

Now, he is only getting around 40 bags of rice from the same field. The bypass, a 47km stretch, will connect Lad Umroi in Ri Bhoi district with Mawryngkneng in East Khasi Hills district.

While people are waiting for an early completion of the route to ensure smooth traffic movement in the city, several farmers like Kharsahnoh are still struggling to be compensated for the damage caused to their fields.

With uncertainty writ large on their sombre faces, the farmers, who once did not need to hurtle to the nearest grocery store for a packet of rice, as the production from their own paddy fields sustained their families, are now in trouble. For two years, several petitions have been sent to the government and also to the company to reimburse their losses, but till date nothing has come by. Like Kharsahnoh, another farmer, Korbar Sing Kharduit from Thangshalai village, is also a victim of development.

“Earlier, I mustered around 16 bags of rice from my paddy field. But after the company destroyed the field by throwing sand and boulders, the production has been reduced to zero. I had also planned to expand the production and invested Rs 40,000. However, before the first few bags of rice could be cultivated, everything went for a toss,” Kharduit told this correspondent.

The KSU, Mawryngkneng circle, has been at the forefront to demand compensation for the farmers and had also filed an FIR against the company. KSU Mawryngkneng circle president Wallambok Kharsati said even the FIR was not registered.

In November last year, the company had pleaded a week’s time to look into the issues concerning the paddy fields, but till now, nothing has come by. Apart from the paddy fields, it was alleged that even fields used for cultivating tomatoes have been damaged. The student body has now given a week’s time to the government to compensate the farmers, failing which, agitation programmes would be launched.

“We have been asking for compensation for the last one year, but nothing has happened. The compensation demand is justified, as the losses incurred by the farmers are irreparable. Starting from today, the government has a week’s time to settle the problems, else we would start launching a series of agitation programmes,” Kharsati said.

He also said the company was responsible for changing the course of streams. According to him, the company had also violated the conditions laid down by the Union ministry of environment and forests when environmental clearance was accorded to it for constructing the bypass.

Some of the conditions include the prevention of damage to agricultural land.


http://www.telegraphindia.com/112053...p#.T8WkTspVLSg

[sunny20rocky]

Imphal, June 3: After successfully launching the bamboo-fabricated bicycle, Manipur Cycle Club today announced the start of mass production of the environment-friendly cycle before the end of this year.

“We will start manufacturing the bamboo cycle by the end of this month and launch a cycle-on-rent project inside Kangla Fort, Manipur University complex and other selected places in a year’s time,” said Ramananda Wangkheirakpam, the newly elected president of the club.

The one-year-old cycle club held its general body meeting and elected new office-bearers today.

The club manufactured three different types of the bamboo-fabricated bicycle, called Wa (bamboo) Bike, during a four-day workshop, with a successful test ride on April 4 this year.

Manipur Cycle Club came into existence on January 23 last year and more than 100 people from different professions are active members.

The objective of the club is to promote and popularise use of the bicycle, which is good for health and saves on fuel expenses as well as reduces carbon emission and traffic congestion.

Wangkheirakpam said they would step up their campaign for a bicycle lane along the streets of Imphal city this year. The club had submitted a memorandum to chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh, seeking a bicycle lane last year. “However, we have got no response from the government till today,” the new president said.

“According to the latest census report, 52 per cent of road users in Manipur are cyclists. However, the government did not include them when it planned for the roads. The roads have been designed only for bikes and four-wheelers.”

Announcing the action plan for the current term, the president said they are planning to set up of a Manipur Cycle Cooperative Society, for manufacturing the Wa Bike and promote use of the bicycle. “We also have plans to create a cottage industry of Wa Bikes in the state,” Wangkheirakpam said.

http://www.telegraphindia.com/112060...p#.T8xTKFIgn48

[sunny20rocky]

NEW DELHI, June 3 – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is likely to sanction a USD 100 million loan to Meghalaya for supporting development of human capital of the State.

Technical Assistance Special Fund of USD 2,25,000 has been sanctioned on Wednesday. The project envisages facilitating environment for improving Meghalaya’s human capital through skill development mission, improving learning environment in secondary schools, besides strengthening capacity in relevant Departments.

The proposed project would help in enhancing the employability of Meghalaya’s youth by improving the quality and delivery of its skill development and secondary education programmes. ADB said that given Meghalaya Government’s long-term vision and commitment, the Bank proposes to support its efforts towards human capital development.

The proposed loan is aligned with Strategy 2020 and the Country Partnership Strategy (2009-2012), which focuses on supporting India’s efforts towards inclusive growth. The Bank said that the problem of low employability is not restricted only to Meghalaya. It is a national problem constraining India’s efforts towards inclusive growth, and impeding its transition to a knowledge-based globalised economy.

It is estimated that 57 per cent of India’syouth suffer from some form of un-employment. Given their challenging mandate of skilling 500 million people by 2022 and universalising secondary education by 2017 respectively, there is urgent need to implement these Missions effectively in States such as Meghalaya, ADBsources said.

Meghalaya has rich mineral reserves, forest cover of more than 70 per cent, and enjoys abundant rainfall. It has so far been unable to tap its rich resource base effectively owing to its hilly terrain, poor connectivity, and weak infrastructure. Unfortunately, the youth, who constitute 35 per cent of the population, are unable to compete for these jobs because of the poor state of Meghalaya’s secondary education and skill development programmes.

It is estimated that 60 per cent of the secondary schools do not have Science laboratories, 72 per cent do not have separate toilets for girls, while 27 per cent do not have access to reliable drinking water. Further, only 36 per cent of Meghalaya’s teachers at the secondary level are trained as against the national average of 90 per cent.

The drop-out rate at the secondary level is high because of the poor learning environment in schools, and the overall disconnect with the State’s skill development and vocational training programmes, ADB sources said. At least 70 per cent of the labour force remains employed in low-skilled agricultural jobs.

The industrial base is narrow with only limited processing and value addition taking place within the State. Given their fluency in English, the workers of Meghalaya can potentially look for jobs in hospitality, retail services, healthcare, IT and IT-enabled services, and as airport and airline staff outside the State as well.

While 90 per cent of the employment opportunities require vocational skills, Meghalaya’s education system continues to focus on rote learning. As most skill development programmes are funded by Central Ministries, the Government of Meghalaya has limited flexibility in tailoring them to meet the State’s emerging priorities.

These programmes have become out-of-date since they are not linked with the private sector. Their placement record is poor which adds to the general stigma associated with vocational and technical training.

The State Government launched the Meghalaya Basin Development and Livelihood Promotion Programme in 2012 to develop its human resources by enhancing their employability and income-earning potential.

As part of this programme, the Meghalaya Employment Promotion Council (EPC) has been constituted with the mandate to support placement-linked skill development within and outside the State, by involving the private sector. Nine missions have been launched so far.

http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/...=jun0412/oth07

[sunny20rocky]

ITANAGAR: The National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) has obtained CEA ( Central Elelctricty Authority)'s concurrence for the 600MW Tawang-I and the 800MW Tawang-II projects in Arunachal Pradesh. Environment clearances have also been accorded by the Union environment and forest ministry for both these projects, a statement said on Sunday.

The communique also informed that the corporation has achieved its highest ever net profit of Rs 2771.77 crore during the year 2011-12 - a 27.93% increase over the previous year. It registered sales of Rs 5509.65 crore against Rs 4,046.59 crore last year.

Stating that the Corporation achieved cumulative sales realization of Rs 4,415 crore against Rs 3,619 crore last year, the statement said it generated 18,683 million units (MUs) against a target of 18,500. In 2010-11, the corporation had achieved a generation of 18,606 MU. NHPC has proposed a final dividend of 70 paise for financial year 2011-12. However, it paid a dividend of Rs 738.04 crore to shareholders at the rate of 60 paise per equity share, including Rs 637.40 crore to the Government of India, for 2010-11.

The statement added that the Centre has conveyed its approval for change in object (clause 1a) of Memorandum of Association of NHPC which inter-alia allows the corporation to plan, promote and organize an integrated and efficient development of power in all its aspects through conventional and non-conventional sources in India and abroad.

NHPC has undertaken a number of community development initiatives under CSR and spent about Rs10 crore for this purpose during 2011-12. Major activities included skill development/vocational training programs, training for self-employment, adoption of ITIs, distribution of scholarships to SC/ST students, organizing health camps, constructing toilets for women etc, the statement added.

[sunny20rocky]

Guwahati, June 4:Football in the northeast is all set to receive a huge boost as world body FIFA, in association with the All India Football Federation (AIFF), has agreed to set up an academy for developing the game at the grassroots level in the region.

Mizoram Football Association (MFA) secretary Lalnghinglova Hmar told IANS Monday that the academy will be fully functional after the monsoon season.

“Last year some FIFA and AIFF officials visited Mizoram and some other places for setting up grassroots football school. The FIFA and the AIFF had selected Aizawl for setting up the school considering the soccer potential in the hilly state,” said Hmar.

“This grassroots school will be initially a one year project and it would be completely sponsored by FIFA. The international body will send their coaches and supporting staff as and when required to run the project,” he said adding that all the football enthusiasts between the age of 6 to 12 will be provided international level coaching during the training sessions. Hmar also informed that although FIFA had started such grassroots schools in African counties, it will be the first such project in India.

http://www.sentinelassam.com/localsp...5&ppr=1#119929

[sunny20rocky]

Post Bureau, Guwahati (June 5): In a decision that could have a far reaching impact on the economy of the northeastern region, the Centre on Tuesday significantly reduced the export compliance rate for NE states, including Sikkim. Besides, it also included Myanmar in the Focused Market Scheme (FMS) to give impetus to trade with the reclusive country — a long-pending demand of the trade bodies of the region.

The decision comes close on the heels of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to Myanmar, which is considered as India’s gateway to reach the ASEAN economy besides holding critical importance for the economic growth of the region that shares 1,064 km of international boundary with the neighbouring country.

FMS status to a country means there would be relaxation on high freight costs and other areas of export and import and in turn it will make Indian commodity affordable, which will make goods exported from India competitive in the Myanmar market. “It’s a sea change in the policy stance in a positive manner towards NE states. The measures were part of the ‘Look East Policy’ which if translated into reality will be a game changer for the region’s economy,” said Bijoy Phangcho, working president of North East Federation on International Trade (NEFIT).

Myanmar shares its boundary with four states of the region — Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh. At present, the trade ties between the two countries is estimated to be $1 billion per annum, which is taking place through land- and sea-trading route.

However, in absence of any formal trade agreement between the two countries, most of the border trade is undocumented. Besides promoting trade with the South Asian neighbor, the Union commerce and industries ministry in its foreign trade policy also announced slew of incentives for the growth of trade in the northeastern region.

To promote manufacturing activity and employment in the seven states of the region, export obligation under the Export Promotion Capital Goods Scheme (EPCG) have been reduced to 25% of the normal export obligation.

EPCG is an export promotion scheme under which an exporter can import amount of capital goods at minimal customs duty.

However, to avail the scheme, exporter has to meet a pre-determined export conditions and targets. “We have to look beyond Bangladesh and it is a positive step. But there should be an institutionalised mechanism to take the trade forward. At present, majority of the trade between the two countries are undocumented,” said R S Joshi, president, Federation of Industry and Commerce of North Eastern Region (FINER).

In the trade policy, an additional incentive to the extent of 1% to the export of specified products through existing land customs station to total value of exports will also be given. Currently, 40 products can be traded through these land customs stations.

http://sevensisterspost.com/?p=17177#

[sunny20rocky]

Guwahati, June 6: The World Bank is taking the first step in helping the Northeast manage its water resources in an integrated and optimised manner for multiple benefits.

The proposed US $200 million project christened “Northeast India Water Resources and Institutions Building” has been taken up at the request of the Centre and is currently under discussion with officials of ministry of development of northeastern region, relevant states and other stakeholders.

“The discussions are on how to ensure that the region’s abundant water resources are harnessed to better contribute to poverty reduction and economic development and improve disaster management in this region which is vulnerable to natural disasters,” a World Bank official told The Telegraph.

The project document will be made available by the end of the month so that more details are made available on its shape and likely interventions. Though the region has 30 per cent of the total water resource potential of the country and about 41 per cent of the total hydropower potential, it still has not been able to reap its benefits.

The bank had earlier carried out a study in which it was observed that resources in the Northeast would not lead to growth and development unless institutional mechanisms are right. It also mentioned that water resources management should be looked at from different angles. It, however, emphasised that without active co-operation by states no development or management of rivers of Northeast is possible.

The bank has classified the project under category A for environmental assessment. Category A project is likely to have adverse and unprecedented environmental impact. Such impact may affect an area broader than the sites or facilities subject to physical works.

Partha Das, programme head, water, climate and hazard programme of Aaranyak, said it is high time the state adopts a specific policy for integrated management of flood, riverbank erosion and land degradation in order to streamline the entire flood governance mechanism.

“We firmly believe the existing governance of flood management needs to be radically reformed,” Das said.

Das said climate change is having and will continue to have a significant impact on our water regime but knowledge of the nitty-gritty of such impacts is limited. “We do not have adequate database of our water resources and it has become important to mainstream climate change implications in water governance as a whole, for which formulation of a new policy will be required,” he added.

Aaranyak is holding a consultation forum on water governance in Assam on June 9 to identify the most important water related issues in the state and to formulate a set of effective strategies for effective mitigation.


http://www.telegraphindia.com/112060...p#.T9DpIVIgn48

[sunny20rocky]

NEW DELHI, June 7 – The Union Cabinet today cleared a proposal to set up an autonomous organisation ‘North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach‘ (Nectar) at Shillong at a total cost of Rs 292 crore.

The institute is proposed to be established during the 12th Five-year Plan period, as a society under the Societies Registration Act 1860, under the Department of Science and Technology.

The proposed institute would be set up under the aegis of Ministry of Science and Technology and is envisaged to be a nodal centre in the northeastern region.

Nectar would promote deployment of carefully selected technologies emanating from the public funded research institutions under Government of India and State governments in consultation with the northeastern States after assessing their potentials.

The Union Cabinet, at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, approved the setting up of the institute.

http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/...=jun0812/oth05

[psychedelic]

Originally Posted by sunny20rocky

Shillong, May 29: Development at times comes at an irreparable cost, with several farmers from three villages under Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills district hurtling towards an uncertain future ever since the construction of the Shillong bypass route, as the construction has negatively impacted agricultural production.

Today, along with members of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) of the Mawryngkneng circle, the farmers hailing from Mawryngkneng, Diengpasoh and Thangshalai villages, staged a six-hour hunger strike near the additional secretariat building here to demand the compensation from the government.

Detrik Kharsahnoh of Mawryngkneng village was mustering around 100 bags of rice from his paddy field at least for two years, before GR Infra Company started constructing the bypass.

However, after the firm had allegedly spilled his field with sand and boulders leading to an irreparable loss, the production has gone down by over 50 per cent.

Now, he is only getting around 40 bags of rice from the same field. The bypass, a 47km stretch, will connect Lad Umroi in Ri Bhoi district with Mawryngkneng in East Khasi Hills district.

While people are waiting for an early completion of the route to ensure smooth traffic movement in the city, several farmers like Kharsahnoh are still struggling to be compensated for the damage caused to their fields.

With uncertainty writ large on their sombre faces, the farmers, who once did not need to hurtle to the nearest grocery store for a packet of rice, as the production from their own paddy fields sustained their families, are now in trouble. For two years, several petitions have been sent to the government and also to the company to reimburse their losses, but till date nothing has come by. Like Kharsahnoh, another farmer, Korbar Sing Kharduit from Thangshalai village, is also a victim of development.

“Earlier, I mustered around 16 bags of rice from my paddy field. But after the company destroyed the field by throwing sand and boulders, the production has been reduced to zero. I had also planned to expand the production and invested Rs 40,000. However, before the first few bags of rice could be cultivated, everything went for a toss,” Kharduit told this correspondent.

The KSU, Mawryngkneng circle, has been at the forefront to demand compensation for the farmers and had also filed an FIR against the company. KSU Mawryngkneng circle president Wallambok Kharsati said even the FIR was not registered.

In November last year, the company had pleaded a week’s time to look into the issues concerning the paddy fields, but till now, nothing has come by. Apart from the paddy fields, it was alleged that even fields used for cultivating tomatoes have been damaged. The student body has now given a week’s time to the government to compensate the farmers, failing which, agitation programmes would be launched.

“We have been asking for compensation for the last one year, but nothing has happened. The compensation demand is justified, as the losses incurred by the farmers are irreparable. Starting from today, the government has a week’s time to settle the problems, else we would start launching a series of agitation programmes,” Kharsati said.

He also said the company was responsible for changing the course of streams. According to him, the company had also violated the conditions laid down by the Union ministry of environment and forests when environmental clearance was accorded to it for constructing the bypass.

Some of the conditions include the prevention of damage to agricultural land.


http://www.telegraphindia.com/112053...p#.T8WkTspVLSg

KSU is an organization made up of goons and jobless individuals. They are responsible for scuttling every attempt of bringing development in the state of Meghalaya. In the past they've have been known to have bullied non-tribal businessmen and professionals into leaving Shillong in hordes, they led the sectarian violence of the early 90's when many innocent "Dkhars" (term Khasis use for non-tribals) were lynched, beaten up and raped brutally for kicks by these criminals. I still remember those dark days as if it was yesterday, I remember slogans such as "we are Khasis by birth and Indians by mistake - KSU" and "Indian dogs go away - KSU" written on walls across the city, I remember how non-tribals didn't dare to venture into many areas in the city due to fear of getting bludgeoned for no reason or worse. Among their many misdeeds are the derailing of the uranium mining project of UCIL in the state, the lafarge limestone mining project etc. Former KSU leaders now hold plump political positions, one such example is the former KSU president Paul Lyngdoh. Paul the perennial xenophobic prick who cleverly used the misplaced hatred of the Khasi people against outsiders to gain political mileage and land a ministerial berth in the state government. It's time the Khasi people saw these criminals for what they are and put them in their place.

[psychedelic]

These idiots have also been demanding 50% reservation for locals in IIM Shillong, the reason I hate these people the most is because they dared to enter our school (which was arguably the best school in the northeast back then) and slap the principal in his chamber for allegedly not reserving enough seats for the locals.

[psychedelic]

Originally Posted by sunny20rocky

Shillong, May 29: Development at times comes at an irreparable cost, with several farmers from three villages under Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills district hurtling towards an uncertain future ever since the construction of the Shillong bypass route, as the construction has negatively impacted agricultural production.

Today, along with members of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) of the Mawryngkneng circle, the farmers hailing from Mawryngkneng, Diengpasoh and Thangshalai villages, staged a six-hour hunger strike near the additional secretariat building here to demand the compensation from the government.

Detrik Kharsahnoh of Mawryngkneng village was mustering around 100 bags of rice from his paddy field at least for two years, before GR Infra Company started constructing the bypass.

However, after the firm had allegedly spilled his field with sand and boulders leading to an irreparable loss, the production has gone down by over 50 per cent.

Now, he is only getting around 40 bags of rice from the same field. The bypass, a 47km stretch, will connect Lad Umroi in Ri Bhoi district with Mawryngkneng in East Khasi Hills district.

While people are waiting for an early completion of the route to ensure smooth traffic movement in the city, several farmers like Kharsahnoh are still struggling to be compensated for the damage caused to their fields.

With uncertainty writ large on their sombre faces, the farmers, who once did not need to hurtle to the nearest grocery store for a packet of rice, as the production from their own paddy fields sustained their families, are now in trouble. For two years, several petitions have been sent to the government and also to the company to reimburse their losses, but till date nothing has come by. Like Kharsahnoh, another farmer, Korbar Sing Kharduit from Thangshalai village, is also a victim of development.

“Earlier, I mustered around 16 bags of rice from my paddy field. But after the company destroyed the field by throwing sand and boulders, the production has been reduced to zero. I had also planned to expand the production and invested Rs 40,000. However, before the first few bags of rice could be cultivated, everything went for a toss,” Kharduit told this correspondent.

The KSU, Mawryngkneng circle, has been at the forefront to demand compensation for the farmers and had also filed an FIR against the company. KSU Mawryngkneng circle president Wallambok Kharsati said even the FIR was not registered.

In November last year, the company had pleaded a week’s time to look into the issues concerning the paddy fields, but till now, nothing has come by. Apart from the paddy fields, it was alleged that even fields used for cultivating tomatoes have been damaged. The student body has now given a week’s time to the government to compensate the farmers, failing which, agitation programmes would be launched.

“We have been asking for compensation for the last one year, but nothing has happened. The compensation demand is justified, as the losses incurred by the farmers are irreparable. Starting from today, the government has a week’s time to settle the problems, else we would start launching a series of agitation programmes,” Kharsati said.

He also said the company was responsible for changing the course of streams. According to him, the company had also violated the conditions laid down by the Union ministry of environment and forests when environmental clearance was accorded to it for constructing the bypass.

Some of the conditions include the prevention of damage to agricultural land.


http://www.telegraphindia.com/112053...p#.T8WkTspVLSg

KSU is an organization made up of goons and jobless individuals. They are responsible for scuttling every attempt of bringing development in the state of Meghalaya. In the past they've have been known to have bullied non-tribal businessmen and professionals into leaving Shillong in hordes, they led the sectarian violence of the early 90's when many innocent "Dkhars" (term Khasis use for non-tribals) were lynched, beaten up and raped brutally for kicks by these criminals. I still remember those dark days as if it was yesterday, I remember slogans such as "we are Khasis by birth and Indians by mistake - KSU" and "Indian dogs go away - KSU" written on walls across the city, I remember how non-tribals didn't dare to venture into many areas in the city due to fear of getting bludgeoned for no reason or worse. Among their many misdeeds are the derailing of the uranium mining project of UCIL in the state, the lafarge limestone mining project etc. Former KSU leaders now hold plump political positions, one such example is the former KSU president Paul Lyngdoh. Paul the perennial xenophobic prick who cleverly used the misplaced hatred of the Khasi people against outsiders to gain political mileage and land a ministerial berth in the state government. It's time the Khasi people saw these criminals for what they are and put them in their place.

[sunny20rocky]

Shillong, June 9: The long-cherished dream of Meghalaya to have a separate High Court will finally be fulfilled, following presidential assent to the North Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) and Other Related Laws (Amendment) Bill on June 7.

Along with the state, Manipur and Tripura, too, will have their own high courts. President Pratibha Patil signed the bill after it was passed in the Lok Sabha on May 11 and subsequently in the Rajya Sabha.

At present, Gauhati High Court has separate benches in Tripura, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.

“It is a great victory for the people as a long-cherished dream has been fulfilled,” deputy chief minister Bindo M. Lanong, who is also the law minister, told The Telegraph.

He said a separate high court would relieve the burden on litigants, as they would no longer need to travel all the way to Guwahati. “A high court here would also reduce the time taken to dispose of cases. At present, Gauhati High Court is overburdened with litigations. With three separate courts, the principal bench will be relieved to a great extent,” Lanong said.

The deputy chief minister also said while the infrastructure for the court is ready; the state would have to wait for appointment of a chief justice, judges and judicial officers.

“It might take some time but hopefully within this year itself, the full-fledged high court will start functioning. I want to thank the Union ministry of law and justice for considering this long felt aspiration of people,” he said.

http://www.telegraphindia.com/112061...p#.T9RWq1Ign48

[sunny20rocky]

GUWAHATI, June 10 – The Government of India has sought 1.5 billion US Dollars from the World Bank for implementing a part of the comprehensive plan to improve power transmission and distribution infrastructure in the North Eastern region and the project information document is likely to be prepared by the end of this month. The World Bank is also discussing with the Government of India for the development of water resources in the North East.

World Bank sources told The Assam Tribune that the Government of India has prepared a comprehensive scheme to augment the existing transmission and distribution infrastructure to facilitate increased availability of power, improve reliability and service across the North East states. The network expansion scheme is part of the Government’s wider efforts to develop energy resources in the North East for supply of electricity inside and outside the region.

Sources said that the fund has been sought by the Government from the World Bank in three parts of 500 million US Dollars each. The comprehensive scheme will cover areas like strengthening and augmenting the intra-state transmission and distribution network in six states of North East, development of institutional capacities for efficient and sustainable operation of the power sector etc. The six states proposed by the Government under the funding request are Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura.

World Bank sources said that at the request of the Government of India, the Bank is having discussion with the Department of Development of North Eastern Region (DONER), concerned states and other stakeholders a proposed project to support the development of water resources of the region. The discussions are centered around current efforts on how to ensure that the region’s abundant water resources are harnessed to economic development and poverty reduction. The project will also include disaster management preparedness in the region vulnerable to natural disasters.

Bank sources further said that Assam is the only state in the North East where state specific projects sponsored by the World Bank are now being implemented. Sources said that Assam Roads and Assam Agriculture Competitiveness project, together amounting to 482 million US Dollars are now being implemented. Besides, a Road project is being implemented in Meghalaya, while, the North East Livelihood project will be implemented in the states of Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura.

The recently approved Rural Livelihood Project would be implemented in four states – Nagaland, Mizoram and Sikkim in the initial stages. The project team has made good progress in the start up activities, said World Bank sources.

On the road project in Meghalaya, sources said that the state has one of the lowest levels of connectivity of all weather roads in the country. But since the beginning of the project, Meghalaya has been very enthusiastic about the same and even outperformed some of the advanced states of the country.

The Assam State Roads project has just been launched and its implementation is now commencing. However, at this stage, it is very early to comment on the progress of the project, admitted the World Bank sources.


http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/...d=jun1112/at05

[sunny20rocky]

Agartala, July 8:

ONGC’s Tripura unit would start releasing gas tomorrow to the ONGC-Tripura Power Corporation (OTPC) for the first phase of the 726.6-MW gas-based power project at Palatana in Gomati district, official sources said on Sunday.

Mr K Satyanarayana, manager, ONGC, Tripura Asset, will inaugurate the event tomorrow officials said and added the first unit is likely to start generation by August.

ONGC-Tripura Power Corporation (OTPC) is a 726.6 MW gas-based power project at Palatana would cater to the needs of power-deficit areas of north-eastern states of the country.

Assam, Mizoram, Meghalaya and Manipur will buy power from Palatana power plant.

“This is one of the most prestigious ventures in the entire north-east region with an investment to the tune of Rs 9,000 crores which is the highest-ever in the state of Tripura.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/...cle3616427.ece

“The project, upon implementation, shall make the state power surplus and earn revenue by power wheeling to other states, sources said.

State-run ONGC, major partner of the OTPC power project, would supply natural gas extracted from Tripura.

Sources said, 2.6 million standard cubic metre of gas per day (mmscmd) would be required when it would start generation in full scale and added it would take a few months more to make it fully operational.

Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh had laid the foundation stone for the project, Palatana, 60 km from Agartala in 2005.

Northeast Power Trading Company has already started erecting transmission line from Palatana to Bongaigaon in Assam, ONGC officials said.

[sunny20rocky]

This is the first step towards making NE, the power hub of india

[anidel]

Originally Posted by sunny20rocky

This is the first step towards making NE, the power hub of india

Yeah, but NE will become power hub due to the hydro power.

[sunny20rocky]

@anidel

The total installed hydroelectric power capacity of the entire North eastern state is approx. 60,000 MW. this is roughly 60% of india's power requirement(1,00,000 MW).

[anidel]

Originally Posted by sunny20rocky

@anidel

The total installed hydroelectric power capacity of the entire North eastern state is approx. 60,000 MW. this is roughly 60% of india's power requirement(1,00,000 MW).

Friend, its not installed but the potential.

[sunny20rocky]

Originally Posted by anidel

Friend, its not installed but the potential.

sorry dude. my mistake . typed in little hurry

[sunny20rocky]

Agartala, July 29 (IANS): The Northeast's fourth mega food park will be set up in Tripura at a cost of Rs 72 crore to accelerate the growth of food processing industry in the region, a minister said here on Sunday. It will be used to preserve fruits and vegetables coming from the country and abroad.

According to Tripura Industries and Commerce Minister Jitendra Choudhury, Assam has two Green Field Mega Food Parks while another such park is being set up in Manipur.

"Tripura grows abundant varieties of fruits and vegetables. By their processing and value addition through the proposed food park, the state is waiting to earn huge returns from both domestic as well as international markets," Choudhury told reporters.

"The food park will also help expand industries based on fruits and vegetable produces," he added.

The Tripura government has allotted 50 acres of land for setting up of the food park, being created by a private developer at a cost of Rs.72 crore, in Tulakona, 15 km north of state capital Agartala.

"Of the Rs.72 crore, union ministry of food processing industries (MFPI) would provide Rs.50 crore. A Kolkata based private company will develop the mega food park by next year end," the minister added.

"Fruits and vegetable growers would gain enormously if value addition is ensured," he said.

The food park will consist of necessary infrastructure such as cold storage, warehouse, workshops and weighbridge, and other common facilities like power and water supply would be made available.

"Various private and semi-government food processing companies would be allowed to set up their units in the food park," Choudhury added.

The mega food parks scheme, a flagship programme of the MFPI, approved during the 11th Five Year Plan, aims at accelerating growth of food processing industry in the country through facilitating establishment of strong food processing infrastructure backed by an efficient supply chain.

The mega food parks have been envisaged to help in creation of enabling infrastructure for food processing and a comprehensive 'farm-to-plate' supply chain system.

An official document said the food park would reduce wastage and ensure value addition, especially in perishables like fruits and vegetables.

"This is further aimed at reviving the agricultural sector by increasing the returns for farmers besides making processing more economically viable and help creating large employment opportunities particularly in the rural areas," the document added.


http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/...=jul2912/at044