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Home , Piyush Goyal, Santosh Gangwar, Uma Bharti

Ministry of Water Resources

A.B. Pandya Appointed Chairman of Central Water Commission (15-May 2014)

Shri Ashwin B. Pandya, has been appointed as the Chairman of Central Water Commission & Ex-officio Secretary to the Government of . He was holding additional charge of the post since November, 2013. A graduate in Civil Engineering from Saurashtra University and post-graduate in Structural Engineering from IIT, , Shri Pandya joined the Central Water Engineering Service in CWC in October, 1977 as Assistant Director. In a career spanning more than 36 years, he has held various positions in the Department and other organizations under the Ministry of Water Resources like WAPCOS, NWDA and NPCC. He was elevated to the post of Member (Design & Research) & Ex- officio Addl. Secretary to the in August, 2012. Shri Pandya has all round experience in water resources sector involving resource assessment, project planning, design, execution, operation and safety assurance, funds management, commercial consultancy management etc. An avid proponent of irrigation, multi-purpose and hydropower projects, his stint as the Chairman of the Organisation is expected to provide much needed boost to the Sector.

Department of Atomic Energy

AERB reviews hot water spillage incident at KK NPP Unit-1 (20-May 2014)

Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) has reviewed the recent hot water spillage incident at Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) Unit – 1 which occurred on May 14, 2014. Based on the investigations of AERB at site as well as review by a high level committee of AERB, it is concluded that the incident of the hot water spillage leading to the hot water burn injuries to 3 of NPCIL workers and 3 of the contract workers was during maintenance of a 3-way hot water inlet valve to a heater loop in the turbine building of KK NPP Unit 1 (which was under shutdown during the maintenance period) due to trapped hot water release.

Preliminary investigation of the incident reveals that hot hold up water spread over the persons during dismantling of the valve of 500 mm size leading to the burn injury. This was due to inadequate draining of the hot water before taking up the routine maintenance work on the valve. It is also concluded that there was no design deficiency with respect to the construction of the said valve. The injured persons having 1st degree burn are presently undergoing treatment at hospitals.

Department of Atomic Energy

Incubation of Technology for “Biodegradable and Edible Films for Food and Pharmaceuticals Packaging (21-May 2014)

The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) under the Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India through its Centre for Incubation of Technologies (BARCIT) has signed a MoU with M/s Veena Industries, Nagpur for incubation of technology for “Biodegradable and Edible films for Food and Pharmaceuticals Packaging” today at Trombay, .

The biodegradable edible films for food and pharmaceutical packaging from natural resources have been developed by BARC for overcoming the disadvantages of plastic packaging materials. The films have comparable mechanical and barrier properties to commercially used PVC cling films.

Scale up of this technology will be carried out at the incubation centre of BARC with M/s Veena Industries, Nagpur to develop products as per market requirement. While scaling up this technology, emphasis will be given to develop economically viable and user friendly product with improvement in the mechanical and barrier product of the film. A suitable dose of Gamma radiation will be given to the raw material to improve its mechanical and barrier properties such as tensile strength and water vapour transmission rate. BARC will provide its technical know how and infrastructure, whereas, Veena industries will provide market search, manpower and material at its own cost for the incubation plan. Finally, the technology developed will be licensed to Veena Industries.

It may be noted that Packaging constitutes the largest market for plastics, amounting to over 12 million tons per year. Synthetic packaging materials are made up of petroleum based products which are non- biodegradable and non-renewable. Large scale use of such packaging material is thus a major environmental concern. This has led to a search for packaging material that are biodegradable as well as recyclable. One of the alternative is the development of packaging material from biopolymers that are biodegradable, non-toxic and from completely renewable resources. Major limitation in the use of biopolymers as packaging materials are their relatively poor mechanical and barrier properties such as tensile strength and water vapour transmission rate as compared to their non-biodegradable counter-parts.

Ministry of New and Renewable Energy

IREDA and AFD Sign Euro 100 million Agreement (22-May 2014)

The Agence Francaise de Developpement (AFD) is extending a Line of Credit (LoC) of Euro 100 million to M/s Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Ltd. (IREDA) to be utilized for financing Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency projects in India. The said Line of Credit is being extended for a tenure of 15 years and without any guarantee from Government of India.

Agreement for availing the LoC of Euro 100 million from AFD, was signed by Shri K S Popli, Chairman and Managing Director, IREDA and Mrs Aude Flogny - Director of AFD’s Regional Office in New Delhi in the presence of Senior officials of MNRE & IREDA.

Developing renewable energy sources helps address environmental concerns and also improves energy security and spurs regional economic development. The agreement signed today will help in supporting the Government of India’s focus on a low carbon growth strategy for power generation in India.

IREDA is a dedicated financing institution for financing RE projects under the aegis of Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). It has till date disbursed more than Rs 14,550 crores for RE projects and has total loan portfolio of over Rs. 8200 crores. IREDA has been raising resources from various bilateral / multilateral agencies as also from domestic sources through both taxable and tax-free bonds for providing long term finance on competitive terms and conditions.

Ministry of New and Renewable Energy

Shri Takes Over Charge of Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (27-May 2014)

Shri Piyush Goyal today took over as the Minister of State(Independent Charge) of Ministry of New & Renewable Energy. Speaking to media persons while taking the charge of the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy today, Shri Goyal said that his priority would be to expand scope and usage of clean and green energy and to ensure synergy in the power, coal and renewable energy sectors. A holistic vision for ensuring energy security of India would be developed.

Appreciating the model in the development of renewable energy, Shri Goyal said that he would learn from the experiences of Gujarat, , as well any other best practices from anywhere in the world that could be brought to India. Laying down the vision of his Ministry, Shri Goyal said that it would be policy driven and process driven where the focus would be on the outcomes and action.

Later the Minister held a meeting with the senior officers of the Ministry and familiarised himself with the functioning of the Ministry.

Ministry of Coal Shri Piyush Goyal assumed charge of the (27-May 2014)

Briefing the media on the occasion, the Minister said establishing synergy between Power and Coal sector is very important. Making Energy Sector more vibrant is the priority of the Government. Shri Goyal expressed the hope that his Ministry would work in tandem with Environment Ministry to ensure faster clearance of mining projects. But Environmental interests of the nation will also be kept in mind. He said that promoting the private investment in Power sector is also very important; the Government would provide all possible support to encourage the investment.

The Minister also had detailed discussion with the senior officials of the Ministry and chairman of Limited on the various issues in Coal Sector. A presentation was made by the officials of the Ministry to brief the Minister regarding the issues.

A rank-holder Charted Accountant and law graduate, Mr. Goyal has been on the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance and the Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Defence during his stint as MP from . He is also involved with NGOs in diverse fields such as tribal education and welfare of the physically challenged.

Ministry of Agriculture

Shri Takes Over As Agriculture Minister (28-May 2014)

Shri Radha Mohan Singh today took over as the Union Minister for Agriculture. He is 63 year old.

Shri Singh represents Purvi Champaran constituency in Bihar in the newly constituted 16th .

Shri Singh has wide experience as a parliamentarian. This is his fifth term as Member of Parliament. He has been in a number of parliamentary committees. He has also been active in rural development and welfare of the downtrodden.

Immediately after joining as Agriculture Minister, Shri Singh held meeting with senior officers of all three Departments of the Ministry, who briefed him about different aspects including the preparedness to tackle deficient rainfall during the monsoon season, farm insurance, matters relating to small and marginal farmers, animal husbandry, agricultural research and education.

Photograph of the Minister taking charge is available at pib.nic.in

MP:SS:CP: AM taking over (28.5.2014)

Ministry of Water Resources

Sanosh Gangwar Takes Over as New Minister of State for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation (28-May 2014)

Shri today took over as new Minister of State for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation. Speaking on the occasion at the Shram Shakti Bhawan here in New Delhi the minister said said the priority will be given for the works related with rejuvenation of river Ganga as well as the cleaning of other important rivers in the country as per the vision of Prime Minister.

Earlier, the minister was received by Shri Alok Rawat., Secretary Water Resources along with senior officers in the Ministry.

Ministry of Water Resources

Takes Over as New Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation (28-May 2014)

Sushri Uma Bharti today took over as new Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation. Speaking on the occasion at the Shram Shakti Bhawan here in New Delhi she said the Government will work out a policy initiative for the rejuvenation of river Ganga as well as the cleaning of other important rivers in the country.

The Minister said Ganga has been known for its religious importance and many civilizations have flourished on its banks. She said efforts will be made to make it clean as pious as it was in the past. with the theme” Aviral Ganga Nirmal Ganga”

Earlier, the minister was received by Shri Alok Rawat., Secretary Water Resources along with senior officers in the Ministry.

Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change

Shri Takes Charge as Environment Minister (29-May 2014)

Shri Prakash Javadekar Takes Charge as Environment Minister

Launches New System for Online Submission of Applications for Environmental Clearance

A new system for online submission of applications for environmental clearances has been launched here today by Shri Prakash Javadekar. While interacting with the media persons after taking charge as Minister of State (I/C) of Environment, Forest and Climate change, Shri Javadekar said that the new system will bring in the following benefits to the stakeholders:

1. Transparency in the application processes for environmental clearance 2. Online real-time monitoring and adherence to timelines for verification 3. Stage-wise approval and compliance mechanism 4. A more user-friendly application process

Shri Javadekar further stated that under the new system, the applicant will have to register on the website, upon which he/she shall be provided with a password. This shall ensure security, while simultaneously maintaining transparency between the Ministry and the applicant.

The Minister also said that there shall be a maximum time limit for the entire approval process, with stage-wise timelines. He also said that continuous efforts shall be made to bring down the timelines for each stage. Every state shall be taken along and that the aspirations and difficulties of state Governments will be duly considered; at the same time, active co-operation from them in nation building will be expected, the Minister added. Shri Javadekar said that this will be done without making any compromise whatsoever on the ongoing efforts to preserve the environment. He added that the application for forest clearances too shall be made online next month.

No contradiction between Growth and Environmental Protection

The Minister said that growth and environmental protection go hand in hand; both are possible and there is no contradiction between the two. He said both of these will be pursued together. He said that it is not a question of environment versus growth and that sustainable development has become the catchword.

Shri Javadekar said that the addition of the words “Climate Change” in the name of the Ministry is significant. He said that India should present its case in international forums very forcefully. He added that preparations are already underway for the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which is expected to take place in December 2015, in Paris, France.

The Minister announced also that a half-day leadership motivation conference shall be held next week for the senior Officials of the Ministry in order to instill a change in mindset.

Earlier in the day, on assuming office, senior officials of the Ministry welcomed the Minister, after which the Minister reviewed the activities of the Ministry.

RM/ RC/DM

Ministry of Water Resources Chandrababu Naidu Calls on Uma Bharti (30-May 2014)

The Chief Minister designate of Andhra Pradesh Shri N Chandrababu Naidu called on Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Sushree Uma Bharti here today. Both the leaders discussed various issues concerning water resources and river Projects in the state of Andhra Pradesh. With reference to a particular issue raised by Shri Naidu, the Minister said “ the Union Government will ensure that the interests of the people of both the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are duly taken care of. ” Union Civil Aviation Minister Shri Ashok Gajpati Raju also joined the discussion.