The government will take a final decision within a month on the demand by the cement industry for exempting cement from compulsory packaging in jute bags, the Rajya Sabha was informed yesterday. Textiles minister R L Jalappa said during question hour that the government was considerng recommendations of a standing advisory committee, which had heard representations by various cement-user industries. Jalappa said the Cement Manufacturers Association was of the view that there was high cement seepage in jute bags, loss of strength in transit and storage and dust pollution at packaging and handling points.
VIP security: The entire system of providing security cover to VVIPs, VIPs, MPs and others in Delhi will be reviewed and action will be taken on the basis of fresh threat assessment in these cases, home minister Indrajit Gupta informed the Rajya Sabha.
Brahmaputra diversion: A Rajya Sabha member expressed serious concern over reports saying that some Chinese engineers had proposed diversion of river Brahmaputra in Assam with the help of nuclear devices.
Raising the issue during zero hour, Parag Chaliha (AGP) asked the government to spell out measures to meet the situation.
Narmada: The government said it was for the implementation of the Narmada dam in accordance with the provisions of Narmada Water Disputes Tribunal award. Replying to a written question in the Rajya Sabha, Union water resource minister Janeshwar Mishra, however, declined to say whether it was in favour of the decision taken by the Gujarat government. He said the matter was sub-judice.
LOK SABHA
Pay panel report: The government yesterday declined to give any definite time frame for implementing the pay commissions report as also on raising the retirement age of government employees upto 60 years. Replying to a spate of supplementaries by members in the Lok Sabha on the implementation of the report and the raising of the age limit, Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral said the recommendations of the commission had to be scrutinised by an empowered committee.
Cryogenic engine: The design of the cryogenic engine for Indias geosynchronous satellite launch vehicle (GSLV) has been completed and the engineering model is underway, the Lok Sabha was informed. In a written reply, the minister of science and technology, Y K Alagh, said the facilities required to fabricate and test the engine and the cryogenic upper stage are in advanced stage of readiness, and the development of the cryogenic stage is progressing as planned.
Refuelling row: Prime minister I K Gujral denied in the Lok Sabha that he had given permission for refuelling of US military aircraft in India in 1991 during the Gulf war. No permission was sought nor any permission was given. During that time VP Singh government was in office, the Prime Minister said during zero hour in response to queries raised by BJPs Lal Muni Chaubey.
Farooq suggestion: Prime Minister I K Gujral rejected in the Lok Sabha the suggestion mooted by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah to convert the line of control into a permanent border with Pakistan and asserted that bilateral parleys with Islamabad would be held only under the ambit of the Shimla agreement.
Hawala cases: The enforcement directorate busted 734 hawala cases since 1995 till March this year involving a whopping amount of over Rs 1,020 crore, the government informed the Lok Sabha. Replying to a query, minister of state for finance M P Veerendra Kumar said in 1996 alone, 185 cases were detected which involved Rs 653.55 crore.
He said adjudication proceedings had been initiated against those who are prima facie involved in these cases.
NTPC project: Prime Minister I K Gujral assured in the Lok Sabha that the government would give high priority to the speedy rehabilitation of families displaced due to acquisition of land for the Kahalgaon super thermal power project set up by the National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC) in Bihar.
