Pakistan has confirmed availability of 300 mw power for export to India for the next 10 years, which could be increased to 600 mw as per availability during certain period of time depending on technical limits of the system on either side, the Rajya Sabha was informed by minister for power and on-conventional energy sources PR Kumaramangalam on Tuesday. He said two rounds of discussions had already been held between the two countries. The operating agreement for purchase of power and tariff rates have yet to be finalised, the minister said.

Neyveli exceeds overburden removal target

The Tamil Nadu-based Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) exceeded targets in overburden removal, lignite production, power generation, urea and coke production during February 1999. According to an official release issued in New Delhi on Wednesday, the overburden removal target has been exceeded by 21.73 per cent. The earlier target was 71 lakh cubic million.Lignite production during the month was 14.89 lakh tonnes, though the target was 14.50 lakh tonnes. Power generation was exceeded by 4.38 per cent by generating 439.84 million units. Power export was also above the target by 3.99 per cent. The power exported during the month was 946.34 mw.

Assam transport corp in a soup

The Assam government has stated that the Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) is in financial mess due to excess staff. In a memorandum submitted to the Eleventh Finance Commission in Guwahati on Tuesday, the government stated that the crisis has assumed such an alarming proportions that the staff-bus ratio has increased to around 18:1 and establishment expenses were around 137.5 per cent of the traffic earnings.

Shell to set up solar pv co in India

Shell International Renewables Ltd would shortly set up a 100 per cent subsidiary in India to assemble and market solar photovoltaics (PV) home lighting systems. Shell, which was recently given the approval to set up acompany in the country would make an initial investment of Rs 10 crore for marketing and Assembly of SPV home systems, D Miller, senior officer, Shell Renewables International, United Kingdom, told PTI.

TN demands share in Centre's additional revenue

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi on Tuesday demanded the Centre to share with the states the additional revenue generated through the increase in the excise duty and income-tax surcharge proposed in its budget.

Presenting the state budget in the assembly, he said the Centre had proposed to generate an additional Rs 3,000 crore by way of the hike in the excise duty. He also demanded that the Centre extend financial help to the state to meet a part of the additional expenditure for implementing the Fifth Central Pay Commission recommendations to the state government employees also.

Rs 150cr drinking water scheme for urban areas

Tamil Nadu is to implement a special scheme for improving the drinking water supply in urban areas at acost of Rs 150 crore. Announcing this, state Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, while presenting the 1999-2000 budget told the state Assembly that the scheme would be implemented in 10 municipalities and 25 town panchayats. The state would earmark Rs 50 crore for the project this year and another Rs 100 crore would be mobilised through loans from financial institutions.

PVC pipe small units face closure

More than 400 small scale PVC pipe manufacturing units have closed down their operations in various parts of the country due to non-implementation of the rate contract by state governments. All India PVC Pipe Manufacturers Association (AIPPMA) said in New Dellhi on Wednesday that the Directorate General of Supplies and Disposals (DGS&D) had finalised the rate contract after a lapse of 13 years as these rates help central and state governments to purchase guaranteed and quality pipes conforming to Indian standard specifications at a fixed price.