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Rs 10 subsidy for solar power a unit

Tuesday, 08 September 2009 01:53 administrator
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Deccan Chronicle 08.09.2009

Rs 10 subsidy for solar power a unit

September 8th, 2009
By Our Correspondent

Chennai, Sept. 7: In a bid to promote solar energy, the Centre plans to provide a subsidy of Rs 10 for every unit of solar power produced. Union minister for new and renewable energy (MNRE), Dr Farooq Abdullah, said this would be provided as part of the solar mission to be launched by the prime minister on November 14.

Delivering the presidential address after inaugurating the manufacturing facility of WinwinD Power Energy (WinWinD) at Vengal, near Tiruvallur district, Dr Abdullah said the solar mission, estimated to cost Rs 19,000 crore, would address all issues related to solar power generation. “The cost of generation of one unit of solar energy is Rs 18. We have decided to provide a subsidy of Rs 10 per unit. Once the solar mission comes out, all issues related to solar energy will be sorted out.”

Adding that technology transfer was the need of the hour, Dr Abdullah invited the countries world over to share technology in the ar-eas of non-conventional and solar power. “We need tremendous help from the West. We need to produce energy from wind, solar, bio-mass and hydro. MNRE is going to make it very easy.”

Earlier, delivering the inaugural address, state minister for electricity Arc-ot N. Veerasami, requested the MNRE to provide subsidy for generating 100 MW of solar energy in the state. “As far as non-conventional energy sources are concerned, we have almost exha-usted our potential. There is no scope for generating power from hydel sources as the rains are down and storage is limited. So, I request the Centre to provide subsidy for generating 100 MW of solar power.”

Pointing out that Tamil Nadu was one of the pioneers in generating power through non-conventional sources, he said the state would be in a position to export nearly 6,000 MW of power to states like Maharashtra and Karnataka. “Before 2014, the state would be in a position to ge-nerate 10,000 MW through thermal power.”

Mr Iikka Hakala, CEO, WinWinD, said in the new facility at Vengal, the initial production capacity was four wind turbine generators (WTG) and there are plans to scale up to eight WTGs per day. It would provide employment to 1,000 people.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 08 September 2009 01:55
 

Women get 50% quota

Friday, 28 August 2009 16:32 administrator
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Deccan Chronicle 28.08.2009

Women get 50% quota

August 28th, 2009
By Our Correspondent

New Delhi Aug. 27: The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved a proposal to provide 50 per cent reservation for women in all three tiers of panchayats across the country, a major decision to ensure greater representation of women in the decision-making process at the local level.

The government will now bring a Constitution amendment bill in the next session of Parliament to enhance reservation for women in panchayats from the current 33 per cent to at least 50 per cent. The move will apply to the total number of seats filled by direct election, the office of chairpersons and seats and offices of chairpersons reserved for SCs and STs.

Panchayati raj minister C.P. Joshi said the decision aims at empowering women and recognising their contribution in nation-building. At present, of the total elected representatives of panchayats numbering approximately 28.18 lakh, 36.87 per cent are women. With the proposed constitutional amendment, the number of elected women representatives is expected to rise to more than 14 lakh. Panchayats play a vital role in women’s emancipation.

 

Equitable standard education from 2010

Thursday, 27 August 2009 04:13 administrator
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The Hindu 27.08.2009

Equitable standard education from 2010

B. Kolappan

Common syllabus, textbooks for classes I and VI

System to be extended to other classes in 2011

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu government on Wednesday announced the implementation of equitable standard school education in the State from the next academic year. It will begin with the introduction of a common syllabus and textbooks in Classes I to and VI.

“The system would be extended to other classes from 2011-2012,” said an official press release, explaining the decision taken at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi.

“It is a historic decision in response to a long-pending demand,” said School Education Minster Thangam Thennarasu. The decisions of the meeting would be placed before the Cabinet on August 29 for approval, he added.

Only on Tuesday, a committee, headed by retired IAS officer M.P.Vijaykumar and appointed by the State government, to advise it on the implementation of common syllabus based on the recommendations of S. Muthukumaran committee submitted its report.

The State government decided to create a Common Board by merging all boards. As for the medium of instruction, besides Tamil, other languages now being used would continue.

Currently, four streams of school systems – State Board, Matriculation, Anglo-Indian and Oriental – are being followed in Tamil Nadu.

The State government on September 8, 2006, appointed a committee headed by former Vice-Chancellor of Bharathidasan University S. Muthukumaran to study the possibilities of introducing equitable standard education in schools. The committee submitted its report on July 4, 2007.

Expressing happiness over the government decision, Dr. Muthukumaran said equitable standard education could be implemented only in a phased manner.

Last Updated on Thursday, 27 August 2009 04:15
 
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