NASA and Boeing Extend International Space Station Contract

By

-

November 15, 2015

NASA has awarded a key contract to Boeing the International Space Station’s prime contractor, to continue providing key engineering support services, resources and personnel to the program through Sept. 30, 2020. The contract, valued at $1.18 billion, extends for five-years.

NASA and its 16 international partners are analyzing the ability to sustain station operations through 2020. Boeing’s contract includes a task to assess the feasibility of extending the life of the station’s primary structural hardware even further, through the end of 2028. ISS has been continually occupied since Nov. 2, 2000.

“This is a continuation of the successful relationship with NASA and 16 partner nations in maintaining the health of the station,” said John Elbon, vice president and general manager, Boeing Space Exploration. “In addition, it builds on Boeing’s tradition of innovation and technological advancement to incorporate efficiencies and improve performance to the station as its importance to the future of human spaceflight continues to grow.”

The extension includes end-to-end subsystem management for the majority of station systems and allows Boeing to continue providing the program with hardware and software sustaining engineering, among other tasks. The work will be performed at NASA’s Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Houston; John F. Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, Fla. Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala., and other domestic and international locations.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Defense, Space & Security is one of the world’s largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world’s largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Defense, Space & Security is a $31 billion business with 53,000 employees worldwide.

Our government is Pro-Poor and hence Pro-Market: Jayant Sinha

By

saurabh

-

November 15, 2015

0

“Hamari sarkar garibo ki sarkar hain,” said Mr Jayant Sinha, Minister of State for Finance, Government of India, as he delivered the Valedictory Address at the concluding session of CAPAM 2015 organised by FICCI here today. Highlighting his government’s framework for economic transformation, the minister emphasised that the present Government’s policies are investment oriented and supply-side focused. “We want to build hard and soft assets like infrastructure, skills and employability of people,” he clarified. “That’s how we build India’s productive capacity.” He explained that the country has to have the productive capacity to power growth for the next 30 years. In the past, there were flashes of high growth, but then that was followed by inflation. “It is time to get out of that trap. The answer is to build the country’s hard and soft assets, ensure longer term growth and lift all of our people out of poverty.” Mr Sinha enunciated five principles to pursue this strategy.

The Government is pro-poor; and because it is pro-poor, it is pro-market; the Government believes in empowerment, not entitlement; minimum government, maximum governance; and cooperative federalism. He discussed the various measures taken by the Government, like universal social security in the form of the ‘Jan Dhan Yojana’. Various initiatives have been undertaken to provide jobs to the youth, such as ‘Make in India’, ‘Skill India’, ‘Mudra Yojana’ and ‘Startup India’. “For the first time micro businesses have the ability to get a loan from a bank without security or collateral,” said the Minister referring to the MUDRA bank initiative. The Government has invested Rs 50000 crore in agriculture. The aim is to have water in every field. The financial sector is being transformed in a big way. Large investment has also gone into creating viable infrastructure. And there is a move to change the fiscal architecture of the country, with devolution of powers and more funds to the states, the Minister added. But, the Minister added, “It takes time to take initiatives from the policy level into day to day lives.” That is the reason why the optimism seems to be muted somewhat. Mr Sinha was confident that the Government’s policy initiatives will transmit through to the economy. Another reason for muted optimismis that the global economy is quite ‘soft’ at present. Hence our exports are not growing as quickly as they should. He called upon the gathering to look at the positive side of things. “If we want to build a better India we can start now,” he said. Mr Atul Joshi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, India Ratings and Research, delivered a presentation on ‘India in a Sweet Spot’. “We are the fastest growing economy in the world, the largest working population, the largest youth and consumer population over the next 30-40 years, but are we capitalising? How is India positioned across the world and across some of the developed markets?” He presented elaborate statistics to show that India is doing better than many of its counterparts globally. India’s GDP at 7.4% is definitely ahead of the other BBB rated countries such as Indonesia, Mexico and South Africa. In terms of real GDP growth in the last five years, India seems to be substantially better positioned than most of the emerging economies.

“This is the consumption power that this country holds,” he said. But the ideal situation would be to have high growth and manageable inflation, not vastly fluctuating inflation. Mr Joshi also pointed out that today rural growth in India is not restricted to agriculture. Presently, 70% of rural growth is non agricultural. This shows that the resilience to the monsoon has increased. India’s banking sector is least susceptible to macro risks. Global events will have minimal impact on the country’s banking system. Without a very strong banking system it would not be feasible for the economy to grow substantially. With India’s consumption power, rural growth trajectory and strong banking system, the country now needs to capitalise on these advantages to remain in the ‘sweet spot’ and come out a winner. Mr Sunil Sanghai, Chairman, FICCI Capital Markets Committee and MD & Head-Banking, India, HSBC, welcomed the Minister and the delegates, and Mr Anup Bagchi, Co-Chair, FICCI’s Capital Markets Committee and MD and CEO, ICICI Securities Limited, delivered the Vote of Thanks.

India and ASEAN Strengthening Economic Ties

By

saurabh

-

November 14, 2015

0

India’s economic and political relationship with ASEAN is growing stronger because of new regional dynamics. Many Indian businesses have sought to establish themselves in ASEAN to take advantage of regional trade flows as well as access to the Chinese market.

Recently, the Indian government has stepped up its efforts to solidify its relationship with ASEAN. Vice President Hamid Ansari made trips to Indonesia and Brunei to strengthen ASEAN ties, while the Indian government is also lobbying for an early ratification of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and ASEAN.

Subhir Gokaran,Economist,appointed as Executive Director International Monetary Fund

By

saurabh

-

November 14, 2015

0

Shri Subhir Gokaran,Economist who was previously posted as former Deputy Governor of Reserve Bank of India(RBI), has been appointed as Executive Director representing the Indian Constituency(India, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Sri Lanka at International Monetary Fund, in place of Rakesh Mohan.

IndianBureaucracy.com wishes the very best.

India signs MoU with Republic of Korea to enhance bilateral air service cooperation

By

saurabh

-

November 14, 2015

0

India has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Republic of Korea (RoK) after negotiations in New Delhi , to enhance bilateral air service cooperation between the two countries. The major issues that were formalized are as follows :

a) Capacity Entitlement: The capacity entitlement for both the countries have been increased from existing 6 services per week to 19 services per week.
b) Points of Call: -Two additional points of call viz. Chennai and Bengaluru have been granted for Republic of Korea carriers.
c) Additional Beyond Points: -Apart from Tokyo and Los Angeles, two additional beyond points of call viz. Seattle and Vancouver, have been granted for Indian carriers. This means that the Indian carriers can mount air services to these destinations via Korea so that the operations could become more economical.
d) Intermediate Point: -Ho-Chi-Minh city is now available as an intermediate point to the carriers of both countries in addition to Bangkok, Macau or Hong Kong. This gives an opportunity to the Indian carriers to provide additional options to the people travelling to Vietnam.
e) Domestic code share points: – To increase seamless connectivity for the benefit of passengers, both sides agreed to allow domestic code-share to any four points in their respective countries

One major success of the bilateral negotiations with Korea is the retention of fifth freedom on intermediate points at 100%, which had been a bone of contention in the previous talks. For fifth freedom for beyond points India succeeded in keeping the ratio at more than 50% (10 out of 19 frequencies) which was earlier only 50% of traffic rights.

The signing of the MoU comes against the backdrop of two rounds of inconclusive talks on 21st December, 2012 in New Delhi and on 20/21 October 2014 in Seoul, as the two sides could not come to an agreement on various issues including number of frequencies to be increased and the quantum of fifth freedom rights on intermediate points. Therefore, there was a stalemate on enhancement of air connectivity between India and Korea despite the growth in economic and trade relations and tourism between the two countries. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi paid a state visit to the Republic of Korea (ROK) on the invitation of Park Geun-hye, President of the Republic of Korea on May 18-19, 2015. The two leaders welcomed and encouraged the ongoing efforts, including through an aviation cooperation conference, by their respective civil aviation authorities to amend the bilateral Air Services Agreement with a view to enhancing flight connectivity and covering more cities.

With the signing of the above MoU, the air connectivity between the two countries will be enhanced further and this is expected to boost economic and people-to-people cooperation.

Indian Forest Service (Main) Examination, 2015

By

saurabh

-

November 14, 2015

0

Union Public Service Commission will be conducting the Indian Forest Service (Main) Examination 2015 at 08 Centres from 21-11-2015. The Commission has uploaded the e-Admit Cards on its website (http://www.upsc.gov.in.). The candidates are advised to download their e-Admit Cards and take a printout thereof. The candidates will have to produce the printout of their e-Admit Cards at the allotted venue for appearing in the examination. In case the photograph is not visible or available on the e-Admit Cards, candidates are advised to carry identical photographs for each session alongwith proof of Identity such as Identity Card, Voter Identity Card, Driving License, Passport etc. to the venue of the Examination. No paper Admit Card will be issued for this examination by the Commission.

In case of any discrepancy, the candidate may contact UPSC Facilitation Counter in person or on Tel. Nos. 23381125, 23098543 and 23385271.

Indian Air Force Exercise Livewire Continues

By

saurabh

-

November 14, 2015

0

The IAF is in the midst of Exercise Livewire. The exercise has been planned to validate the IAF’s operational philosophy as well as to assist the young generation of air warriors in honing their skills in a near-wartime scenario. Missions flown till date have placed emphasis on joint operations with the Indian Army and Navy. Integrating service elements to provide a better understanding of interoperability forms an important part of training. In addition to air operations, ground defence is also being practised. Updation of security around frontline bases is an ongoing process and this too is being put to test during the exercise. This exercise would assist in enhancing operational capability of the IAF as a whole. Almost all types of existing air assets of the IAF are being exercised.

All India Organisation of Employers urges government to apply amended Payment of Bonus Act, 1965 prospectively from 2016-17

By

saurabh

-

November 14, 2015

0

The applicability of enhanced bonus from April 1, 2015 is fraught with serious financial implications for the Indian industry, particularly the MSME sector. Keeping in view both the financial and operational hardship of industry, All India Organisation of Employers’ (AIOE), an allied body of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI),has requested the government to apply the amended legislation prospectively i.e. from the financial year 2016-17. Expressing concerns of the industry, Mr. Sanjay Bhatia, President of AIOE, has drawn the attention of Mr. Shankar Aggarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, on the Union Cabinet’s approval to a proposal to amend the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965 enhancing the limit of coverage for payment of bonus from the existing wage limit of INR 10,000 to INR 21,000 as well as the calculation limit for payment of bonus from INR 3500 to INR 7000, respectively. It is understood that the said amendment will be effective from April 1, 2015. Mr. Bhatia, in a communication to Secretary Aggarwal, has pointed out that apart from the burden of financial implications on the MSME sector, industries will face serious functional problems as the enhanced amount of bonus has not been provided for in the balancesheet/accounts statement of the previous year i.e. 2014-15, which ended on March 31, 2015. Since, the allocable surplus for payment of bonus is calculated during the preceding accounting year, out of which bonus is paid in the succeeding financial year, the payable bonus already stands allocated for the present accounting year ending March 31, 2015. Moreover, many industries have already paid bonus to their employees, at the existing rate, before the start of the festival session. The implementation of this proposal effective April 1, 2015 will therefore cause great inconvenience to industries in reallocating the bonus amount retrospectively causing financial and operational hardships.

New Website on National Clean Development Mechanism Authority launched

By

saurabh

-

November 14, 2015

0

ministry of environment-indianbureaucracy

A new website – http://www.ncdmaindia.gov.in has been launched by the National Clean Development Mechanism Authority (NCDMA) in the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change. The new website, launched last Friday, will capture the entire life cycle of CDM Projects. With step, the Ministry has taken another step in applying the principles of e-governance.

The on-line uploading of project related information in a module wise pattern will help to capture the entire life cycle of CDM projects. It will also enable monitoring of the projects at different stages. This web-based application will promote transparency in operation and monitor sustainable development activities relating to the CDM projects in the country. It will be the first such web-based application developed globally in this direction.

Speaking on the occasion, Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Ashok Lavasa, appreciated the initiative to further streamline the working of India’s National CDM Authority. The NCDMA is reckoned as one of the most efficient and pro-active Designated National Authority (DNA).

Shri Lavasa recalled that the National Clean Development Mechanism Authority (NCDMA) was established in December 2003 for according Host Country Approval (HCA) to the CDM projects. Till April 30, 2015, it has accorded HCA to 2, 941 projects facilitating possible investment of about Rs. 579,306 crores in the country. These projects are in sectors of energy efficiency, fuel switching, industrial processes, municipal solid waste, renewable energy and forestry which spread across the country (covering all states in India). As on 24th April 2015, 1, 564 out of a total of 7,629 projects registered by the CDM Executive Board are from India, which is the second highest in the world. Certified Emission Reductions (CERs) issued to Indian projects is 191 million (13.27%).

Since the inception of NCDMA, it used to approve projects based on the submission of hard copies of all documents. In July 2010, the Ministry of Environment and Forests, with the help of GIZ, developed the existing website (http://cdmindia.gov.in/admin/) to reduce the processing time and large-scale usage of papers to automate the project data submission process and started paperless operation partly, in July 2010.

Later, the Government mandated large-scale CDM projects to commit and earmark 2% of revenue generated from the sale of Certified Emission Reductions (CERs) to support sustainable development activities for the local communities. However, the existing framework does not have the requisite information and also lacks information on the status of the registered/ unregistered projects accorded Host Country Approval. Thus, to improve the functionality of the Designated National Authority (DNA), it was decided by the Members of the NCDMA to capture the entire lifecycle of the CDM projects and also have provision to monitor the commitment of the project proponents for sharing of 2% of the CERs revenue.

The new website has been designed and developed with the help of GIZ. This MIS is a web-based collation and monitoring tool functioning in a module-wise manner. It will capture all information provided by the project proponents in various modules starting from user registration, prior intimation, submission of projects, host country approval, validation, registration, issuance and Transaction of CERs. Based on the submission, it will undergo approval workflow, documenting all events relating to host country approval; NCDMA meetings, Issuance of Letter of Authority. The reporting module will generate various reports displaying the status of projects.

Shri Lavasa also said that in the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol (2013-2020), the number of CDM projects has come down drastically. In comparison, it may be seen that in 2012, there were 3, 227 projects registered with United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and in 2013, it was reduced to 307 projects. In 2014 it was further reduced to 158 projects and in 2015 it is only 47 projects registered so far. Interestingly, in 2013, India has registered 115 projects, which are the highest by any country. Last year, the NCDMA has accorded Host Country Approval to 76 projects and India registered 56 projects with UNFCCC in 2014. Thus, keeping a futuristic view, this website may help DNA to prepare for the future market mechanisms evolving under the UNFCCC.

Pawan Hans celebrates Vigilance Awareness Week 2015

By

saurabh

-

November 14, 2015

0

Pawan Hans Limited celebrates Vigilance Awareness Week from 26th October to 31st October 2015 with an aim to spread awareness among all the employees at different levels. The week-long awareness programme was started with the administrative pledge by Dr.B.P Sharma, CMD, PHL in the presence of Shri.Keshav Rao, CVO PHL among all the employees of Corporate Office. The theme for this Vigilance Awareness Week is “Preventive Vigilance as a tool of Good Governance”. Pawan Hans organised various competitions like Essay, Debate and Quiz Competition to commemorate this occasion. CMD, PHL, Dr.B.P Sharma and CVO, PHL handed over the prizes to the awardees at its Corporate Office.

I S Jha appointed as CMD, POWERGRID

By

saurabh

-

November 13, 2015

0

Shri I. S. Jha has been appointed as the Chairman & Managing Director of Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID) with effect from 10.11.2015. He was the Director (Projects) and was also holding the additional charge as CMD of the company.

Mr. Jha is an electrical engineer from NIT, Jamshedpur and had been the Director (Projects) of the company since 2009. He was on Board of State Transmission utilities of Haryana & Madhya Pradesh, Governing Board Member of CPRI and Member of Board of Governors of Indian Institute of Forest Management.
He is also the member of several prestigious professional bodies including Institute of Engineers (India), Power Engineering Society of IEEE in USA and CIGRE, France.

International Summit on Energy Efficient Technologies in Railways

By

saurabh

-

November 13, 2015

0

The Minister of Railways Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu inaugurated ‘International Summit on Energy Efficient Technologies in Railways’. This Conference has been organized by Indian Railways in partnership with United Nations Development Programme(UNDP). It is first of its kind initiative that the Ministry of Railways is partnering with the UNDP to explore the latest energy efficiency solutions and technology that it can reduce energy bills and facilitate sustainable development. The International Summit is a step in this direction. Chairman, Railway Board, Shri A.K. Mital, Board, Member Electrical Railway Board, Shri Navin Tandon, other Board Members, and senior officials from Railways were also present on the occasion. The theme of the summit was “Energy Efficiency Trends and Technologies in Railways.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister of Railways Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu that Indian Railways and UNDP should jointly chalk out a comprehensive road map for finding latest energy efficiency solutions. Shri Suresh Prabhu said that it is now necessary that Indian Railways itself sets standard for energy efficiency in each of its operations and then examine at vis-à-vis global benchmarks. He said that Indian Railways has already embarked upon the energy audit exercise which will help in understanding the base line which will facilitate in setting up the standards and will prepare to standup with respect to global benchmark. We need to devise integrated energy efficiency plan which incorporations intervention of appropriate technology. We have to therefore find the latest and the best technology and customize it in the Indian context. It is also imperative then to find out innovative financing for achieving these objectives in collaboration with UNDP. He said we need to understand the issue of demand side management and prepare strategies accordingly. Shri Prabhu said that Indian Railways is a natural green mode of transport and we want to make it further greener by adoption of renewable energy as a major source of energy. We are going for solarization in a big way and we have started wind energy. We have also started blending bio-diesel in this connection.

In his address Chairman Railway Board, Shri A.K. Mital said that the project initiated by the Ministry of Railways in partnership with United Nations Development Program (UNDP) is very significant. The project supports efforts to improve energy efficiency in the Indian Railways, which accounts for roughly 2% of the total electricity consumption in India.

Speaking on the occasion, Member Electrical Shri Navin Tandon said that the Summit shall aid in setting benchmarks for IRs best practices from railway systems around the world. The observations thus made will help in preparing the roadmap required for achieving the desired reduction in carbon emissions. The event will also see technology leaders demonstrating new technologies and introducing innovative solutions.

Minister of Railways Shri Suresh Prabhu also launched a very significant website on green initiatives of Indian Railways with the URL www.irgreenri.gov.in. This website will provide information to Railway employees, scholars, researchers, industries and passengers about initiatives taken by Indian Railways for moving to Green Technology and also will give new thoughts and innovative ideas for using non-conventional source of energy in Indian Railways. The Indian Railways Green Energy Initiative website “www.irgreenri.gov.in” will give a glimpse of Indian Railways efforts towards making Greener Environment Healthier Mother Earth and Cleaner Planet. This is a landmark development & is first of its type by any other energy intensive department of Government of India (GoI). This site has been developed by CRIS in consultation with Electrical Energy Management directorate of Ministry of Railway. This is a very informative website and will immensely helpful in promoting image of Greener Mode of Transport i.e. Railways and will also be helpful in achieving the ultimate objective of improving Energy Efficiency System on Indian Railways by 15% as per “Vision 2020”. This is just a beginning & lot will be done in the coming days to further this website. This will in the coming days become a major source of information on GREEN initiatives by Indian Railways.

Large number of delegates from all over the world including key experts from the rail sector, rail operators, rail infrastructure management companies, energy efficiency solution providers and energy-efficient technology suppliers are expected to attend this day long summit.

On the sidelines of the event, new technologies and innovative solutions to improve energy efficiency in the Rail sector has been showcased as an exhibition by technology leaders. This endeavour has also been supported by Institution of Railway Electrical Engineers (IREE), a professional body of Railway Electrical Engineers.

This summit is facilitating dissemination of information on important advances made in design and delivery of electric traction technologies and other solutions in Rail sector. During the event, research work of experts from the field of energy efficiency are being presented.

The Summit has provided a platform for policy makers, manufacturers, researchers and other stakeholders to discuss potential energy efficiency solutions and technologies for reducing IR’s carbon footprint.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION :

Indian Railways is one of the largest transportation network of the World running more than 19,000 trains. It runs 12,000 trains to carry over 23 million passengers per day connecting about 8,000 stations spread across the sub-continent. It runs more than 7,000 freight trains per day carrying about 3 million tonnes of freight every day. More than 30,000 Route Km out of its total 66000 Rkm Indian Railways (IR) is consuming 17 billion units of energy annually for which 10,500 Cr is being paid to Electricity Boards annually and consumes 27 lacs liters of diesel costing Rs. 20,000 Cr approximately. This amounts to more than 25% of total revenue budget of IR which is second largest component of its revenue expenditure.

In view of environmental concerns, directed efforts are required to reduce energy consumption, explore new and renewable resources which come from resources that are continually replenished to mitigate impact on the environment. These energy sources are more sustainable and also getting cheaper to use and require lesser maintenance to provide energy. Extensive research and development is essential to create urgent breakthroughs in the field of renewable energy applications. This enormous challenge requires a multi-disciplinary approach in close collaboration with Government, industry, and consumer. The technological innovation with good governance approach will promote the successful implementation of innovation. Indian Railways is an efficient mode of transport and we want to make it more efficient, green and environment friendly by adoption of renewable energy as a major source of energy to Indian Railways is one of the pioneering organizations focusing on energy conservation initiatives in yesteryears.

Indian Railway is using Non-Conventional Source of Energy like Solar Plants had been provided at Rai Bareilly, Rail Bhawan, GM Buildings at Tirupati & Ajmer and installed 1 MW at Katra, Railway Station. Solar panels are also provided on Coaches roofs on pilot basis. Indian Railways has harnessed about 10.5 MW of solar energy at LC gates, way side stations, solar based street lights etc. Indian Railways is planning to setup more than 160 MW of wind mill plants. This will help in reducing carbon emission. Railway electrification is one of the major initiatives taken by Electrical Department wherein more than two-third of freight traffic and half of Passenger Traffic is hauled on close to 40% of electrified network, presently.

The regenerative energy produced in three- phase electrical rolling stock during the breaking of trains, results in saving in energy consumption up to 30%. Some of the other initiatives are smart sense and smart grid system, provision of LED bulb under domestic efficient lighting program (DELP) Scheme; Introduction of Energy Efficient IGBT.

IndianBureaucracyPRO

Indian Bureaucracy

NASA and Boeing Extend International Space Station Contract

Our government is Pro-Poor and hence Pro-Market: Jayant Sinha

India and ASEAN Strengthening Economic Ties

Subhir Gokaran,Economist,appointed as Executive Director International Monetary Fund

India signs MoU with Republic of Korea to enhance bilateral air service cooperation

Indian Forest Service (Main) Examination, 2015

Indian Air Force Exercise Livewire Continues

All India Organisation of Employers urges government to apply amended Payment of Bonus Act, 1965 prospectively from 2016-17

New Website on National Clean Development Mechanism Authority launched

Pawan Hans celebrates Vigilance Awareness Week 2015

I S Jha appointed as CMD, POWERGRID

International Summit on Energy Efficient Technologies in Railways

IndianBureaucracy R

About us

Company

The latest

Pankaj Lalit IAS transferred as Director- Women and Child Development, Himachal Pradesh

B D Davera IAS transferred as CEO- Vadodara Urban Development Authority

Shailesh Kumar IAS transferred as DM & Collector – Bhadohi, Uttar Pradesh