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USAID partners with IFMR to test innovative approach to conserve power, water

New Delhi(NVI): The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has awarded the Institute for Financial Management and Research approximately $800,000 through the Development Innovation (DIV) program to test a policy to replace electricity subsidies for farmers with lump sum cash transfers as an incentive to conserve power and water.

The pilot project is being rolled out in Punjab and Rajasthan.

State and National governments in India provide electricity subsidies to rural farmers to help defray the cost of pumping water for irrigation.
However, the subsidy can also result in unsustainable water pumping in areas already facing severe water shortages.
Government think tank Niti Aayog has estimated that water levels are declining in 52 percent of India’s 20 million wells, with 820 million people across India facing water scarcity.
With support from USAID, the Poverty Action Lab of South Asia at the Institute for Financial Management and Research is testing a new win-win policy to replace electricity subsidies for farmers with a lump-sum cash payment.
The farmer can choose to spend the payment on electricity, the equivalent of the status quo, or reduce their electricity consumption and keep the money.
This new approach gives farmers an incentive to conserve power and water, and if found to be effective could be scaled across India to improve conservation or reduce the negative impacts of other subsidies.
Through DIV, USAID supports evidence-driven solutions that transform millions of lives at a fraction of the usual cost. Grant applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Delhi air quality remains “very poor”

New Delhi(NVI): The air quality in national capital today remained in the “very poor” category for the second consecutive day.

According to System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR),the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital stood at 347 which falls in the “very poor” category.

The worst affected areas are Dhirpur, Delhi University, Chandni Chowk, Pusa, Lodhi Road, Mathura Road, IGI Terminal 3 and the neighbouring Noida.

Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that cold to severe cold conditions will prevail over the entire north India for the next few days.

The weatherman said that in Delhi, the minimum temperature will be around 8.3 degree Celsius today. The maximum temperature recorded yesterday was 14.6 degree Celsius.

“Haryana, Chandigarh, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi will remain under the ambit of the cold wave,” the IMD stated in its All India Weather Warning Bulletin.

No change in GST rates till revenue stabilizes: Sushil K Modi

New Delhi (NVI): There is no possibility of any change in Goods and Services Tax (GST) rates till the revenue stabilises, Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar and Convenor of Group of Ministers on IGST Sushil Kumar Modi said.

Speaking at 92nd Annual Convention of FICCI on the theme ‘India: Roadmap to a $5 Trillion Economy’, Modi allayed the fears of any hike in GST tax rate saying the media reports have been wrong in predicting an increase in the rates.

“I want to assure you that not a single state including the Union Government is ready to raise the tax rates,” he said.
“At a time when the economy is in a slowdown, if you cannot cut the tax rate, do not increase the rates to boost consumption. At these times you cut the duties and tax rates, and not increase them,” Modi said.

On the chances of any reduction in GST rates, he said that till the time GST revenue does not stabilise, we cannot think of decreasing the tax rates. In fact, there is no possibility of any change in slabs and tax rates, hike or cut, in the near future.

“The GST Council, in its last meeting, decided to consider any change in tax rates only once in a year and not in each and every meeting,” he further said.

“Compared to the pre-GST period, 99% of the goods and services have less taxes levied on them post-GST,” he added.

“However, Fake invoicing has become a major issue and the government is looking for ways to check the menace,” he further added.

India, China agree to respect each other’s sensitivities

New Delhi (NVI) India and China today agreed that both sides should respect each other’s sensitivities and concerns in order to build mutual trust, as this was important for the future development of the bilateral relations.
The consensus was expressed during the 22nd meeting of the Special Representatives of India and China held here, according to a press release issued by the External Affairs Ministry.
The Indian side was led by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval while the Chinese side was led by State Councillor and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi.
“The talks were constructive with focus on taking forward the India-China Closer Developmental Partnership as per the guidance provided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping at the 2nd Informal Summit at Chennai in October 2019, and reviewed the progress made since the 2nd Informal Summit in Chennai,” the release said.
The Special Representatives shared the view that stable and balanced development of India-China relations is a positive factor for peace and prosperity in the region and the world.
Both the Special Representatives underlined the importance of approaching the boundary question from the strategic perspective of India-China relations and agreed that an early settlement of the boundary question serves the fundamental interests of both countries, the release said.
“The Special Representatives resolved to intensify their efforts to achieve a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution to the India-China boundary question in accordance with the directives provided by PM Modi and President Xi Jinping,” it said.
Both sides agreed that it is important to maintain peace and tranquility in the border areas for the overall development of the bilateral relationship, pending final settlement of the boundary question.
“In this context, they recognized the importance of existing Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) to promote exchanges and communication between the border personnel and to ensure predictability in border management as well as strategic communication. They also agreed to work together for more CBMs in this regard,” the release said.
 The Special Representatives also exchanged views on important bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest.
The next meeting of the Special Representatives will be held in China as per mutual convenience.

Enough cash available in banks, industry should take advantage: SBI Chairman 

New Delhi (NVI): There is enough cash available in the banking system and it is now for the industry to take advantage of this, SBI Chairman Rajnish Kumar said today.

Speaking at the 92nd Annual Convention of FICCI– ‘India: Roadmap to a $5 Trillion Economy’, Kumar said there is no problem of liquidity or availability of the funds with the banking system but the banking system today is more cautious than what it used to be.

“Currently three sectors, solar, city gas projects and roads, are seeing demand for credit,” he said.

On the issue of loan monitoring, Kumar said that the method of lending itself would need to undergo a change.

“Asset-based lending will continue to work for term loans but for working capital, we will have to move to cash flow-based lending,” he said.

Commenting on the issue of interest rates, he said that in banking system, dependence for borrowing in India is largely depositors.

“We can’t lower the interest rates without lowering the interest rate for depositors and there is a threshold below which we cannot reduce the interest rate for deposits,” he added.

FICCI President Sandip Somany said the global economy is going through a phase of synchronised slowdown and more than 90% of the world will see a reduction in growth in the year 2019.

“To boost consumption, support has been given to NBFCs and HFCs to improve retail credit, payments that have been held up in the government system are being expedited,” he said.

“The banking system itself is changing at an unprecedented pace given the advent of technology. Digitisation is the new mantra and data is the new source of revenue. Digital financial inclusion is now in vogue and the partnerships being worked out between banks and fintechs are yielding some very good results,” he added.

Disaster preparedness during “Fani” offers lessons to the world: WEF

New Delhi (NVI): The Odisha government has come in for praise from the World Economic Forum (WEF) for its efficient handling of the extremely severe cyclone ‘Fani’ which struck the state in May this year.

The WEF said that Odisha has not only set an example in disaster preparedness but also has set a record in biggest human evacuations in history with 1.5 million people being shifted in just 24 hours.

“The more recent severe cyclone Fani was a rare summer cyclone and the first one to hit in 43 years. It made its landfall on the religious town of Puri and Khurda district and travelled through Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, wreaking havoc with extensive damage to the life and property of more than 1.65 crore people in 12 districts” the report said.

“As Odisha had already set a global benchmark in handling disasters by leveraging technology, strengthening institutional capacities and building resilience measures, it was fully prepared to face this calamity of national magnitude. The state undertook one of the biggest human evacuations in history with a record 1.5 million people shifted in just 24 hours,” the report said.

The report said that Cyclone Bulbul in 2019 highlighted how Odisha has mastered disaster management – with lessons for other disaster-prone cities and states.

Giving an example on ho the state has managed after the super cyclone that ravaged the state the report said, “In 1999 there were only 75 cyclone shelters along the entire coastline. Some 800 multipurpose cyclone and flood shelters have since been built in the coastal districts following the super cyclone”.

The report said that around 800 new multipurpose cyclone and flood shelters have been built since 1999 in the coastal districts following the super cyclone.

“The major cyclones that have hit the state in the last two decades are the 1999 super cyclone, Phailin in 2013 and Titli in 2018,” report said in a statement.

The report also praised Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik fopr handling the disaster and focus on saving lives to creating cyclone-resilient infrastructure.

Modi congratulates European Council President Charles Michel

Prime Minister Narendra Modi meeting Prime Minister of Belgium Charles Michel, in New York, USA on September 25. File photo.

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated President of European Council, Charles Michel on assuming office and expressed confidence that India-EU partnership will strengthen further.

According to an official statement, the Prime Minister received a call from Charles Michel today and during the conversation, Modi also conveyed best wishes for a successful tenure of the President of European Council.

Recalling his meeting with Michel in New York on the sidelines of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) earlier this year, Modi mentioned that India was committed to making progress on issues of mutual interest, including BTIA, connectivity partnership, Europol, Euroatom, counter terrorism, climate change and other issues.

Both the leaders agreed to hold the next India-EU Summit at an early opportunity next year in Brussels.

Dates in this regard will be decided through diplomatic channels, the statement added.

PwC to undertake campus recruitment drive in J&K

MoS in PMO Dr Jitendra Singh during a meeting with a delegation of PricewaterhouseCoopers in Delhi.

New Delhi (NVI): PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), a leading multinational consultancy firm will undertake a campus recruitment campaign in Universities and higher educational institutions of Jammu and Kashmir.

PwC will soon undertake undertake campus recruitment in J&K, besides a similar campus placement exercises in University of Kashmir and NIT, Srinagar, IIM, IIT and Government College of Engineering & Technology in Jammu and Institute of Technology, Zakura besides the Union Territory of Ladakh.

Chairman of PwC Shyamal Mukherjee said this while giving a presentation to Minister of State in PMO Dr Jitendra Singh here yesterday.

Mukherjee said the PwC will not only tap the local talent in J&K but also provide mentorship for students and career counselling besides enhancing employment skills, an official statement said.

“Initially, the campaign will run for graduate and post-graduate students, but slowly programmes will be launched at 10+2 level,” he said. Adding that imparting soft skills and behavioural workshops are also in the pipeline.

Dr Singh during the meeting said that the private sector is making a beeline for investment in the Jammu and Kashmir.

“Within two months of the changed administrative landscape in the newly carved out Union Territory, the private sector is coming in a big way to tap the potential of the youth and economy,” he said.

Lauding PWC for taking the lead, the Minister said that this campaign will not result in any additional burden to the exchequer as there is no financial liability for the UT Administration.

“The psychological hurdle of Article 370 was so huge that the private industry was reluctant to invest in the erstwhile state of J&K. Now that this barrier has been breached under the able leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the opportunities for development and prosperity are opening up,” he said.

He also directed the officials to firm up the proposal and roll out the campaign in consultation with the Secretary of Higher Education.

Delhi air “severe”; cold wave conditions in north India

Delhi air quality
File Photo

New Delhi (NVI): For the second day today, the air quality of the National Capital remained in the “severe” category with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of 420.

According to System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), there is a possibility of scattered rain over Delhi region today night, adding that the improvement in AQI will depend on the strength of rainfall.

It further said that slight drizzle can deteriorate air quality.

SAFAR has predicted that by tomorrow, the AQI is likely to improve December as wind speeds are likely to pick up.

The worst affected areas are Dhirpur, Delhi University, Chandni Chowk, Pusa, Lodhi Road, Mathura Road, IGI Terminal 3 and the neighbouring Noida.

Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said that the minimum temperature in Delhi will settle around 6.4 degree Celsius today which is two degree below normal. The maximum temperature recorded yesterday was 17.5 degree Celsius which was five degree below normal.

The IMD said that cold wave conditions are likely to prevail at isolated pockets over Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand and Gangetic West Bengal during the next 24 hours.

Dense fog is very likely during morning hours in isolated pockets over plains of northwest India and parts of central, east and northeast India during the next 2-3 days and likely to increase in intensity and spatial distribution thereafter over these regions.

J&K placed third in full immunization coverage

Jammu (NVI): The Health Department of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has been placed in the third position in the country in full immunization coverage with 96 percent after Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

During 2019–2020, the Directorate of Family Welfare, MCH & Immunization Department has vaccinated 2,17,984 children (0-1 year age) out of the total target of 2,27,474, an official statement said.

The left out children would now be covered under the Intensified Mission Indradhanush 2.0 (IMI), for which Baramulla and Kupwara districts have been chosen by the department.

Through this programme, the Centre aims to reach each and every child up to two years of age and all pregnant women who have been left uncovered (left outs and drop outs) under the routine immunization programme.

In 2018-19, the Directorate had launched and successfully completed the vaccination campaign against measles and Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS), responsible for irreversible birth defects.

During the Measles-Rubella vaccination campaign, around 38 lakh children from the age group of 9 months to 15 years were vaccinated in record two and half month with 100 per cent achievement.

Mission Indradhanush, Gram Swaraj Mission Indradhanush, Mission Indradhanush for aspiration districts Baramulla and Kupwara were also held with 100 per cent achievement.

TD (Tetanus-Diphtheria) was introduced throughout the J&K in 2018-19 and is now part of UT’s UIP schedule.

Besides, Rota Virus Vaccine was also introduced by Directorate of Family Welfare, MCH & Immunization Department this year which will help to avert 40 per cent deaths due to diarrheal diseases. The Rota Virus Vaccination programme will cover over two lakh and twenty thousand children annually.

Under a new initiative by the Directorate of Family Welfare, MCH & Immunization Department, around 40,000 Government employees of health department will be vaccinated with Hepatitis B Vaccine which will be given free of cost.

The Health department has signed an MOU with United Nations Development Programme-India (UNDP) to introduce very unique software called e-VIN in the Union Territory of J&K. The Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network- eVIN is an innovative technological solution aimed at strengthening immunization supply chain systems.

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