PM: NREGA should be integrated with the overall plan of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana

In yet another initiative aimed at benefiting farmers, the Prime Minister has asked concerned Departments and Ministries of the Union Government to fast-track the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana. Today`s meeting follows yesterday`s decision by the Union Cabinet, in which amendments to the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, were cleared. The amendments include the pro-farmer step of bringing 13 most frequently used Acts for Land Acquisition for the Central Government Projects into the purview of the Land Acquisition Act, thus benefiting a large number of farmers whose land is acquired for such projects.

Chairing a high-level meeting involving the Ministries of Agriculture, Water Resources, Rural Development, the Prime Minister called for a multi-pronged approach to the ultimate goal of providing irrigation for every farm through the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana.

The Prime Minister noted that NREGA had been used over the past few years for creation and augmentation of irrigation assets. He said that NREGA should be integrated with the overall plan of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana. He also called for precise monitoring of outcomes in this regard.

At the macro-level, the Prime Minister asked the Ministry of Water Resources to identify river-interlinking projects that could be immediately taken up.

The Prime Minister called for comprehensive mapping and identification of water bodies across the country. He said satellite imagery and 3D photography could be used to guide villages to best possible sources of irrigation.

The Prime Minister has asked concerned departments to look into the possibility of identifying progressive farmers, who could take the lead in implementing water conservation and innovative irrigation techniques.

The Prime Minister has also called for integrating water recycling projects of key towns and cities, to irrigation in nearby rural areas. He emphasized the importance of generating consciousness among people towards water conservation.

The Union Minister for Water Resources, Ms. Uma Bharati, and the Union Minister for Agriculture, Shri Radha Mohan Singh, were present on the occasion.

Additional charge of DG, ITBP to DG, CRPF

Shri Prakash Mishra, IPS (OR:77), Director General, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) will hold the additional charge of the post of DG, Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) w.e.f. 01.01.2015, consequent to the retirement on superannuation of Shri Subhas Goswami, IPS (AM:77), Director General, ITBP on 31.12.2014.

Press Communique-Transfer of Judges

In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (1) of article 222 of the Constitution of India, the President, after consultation with the Chief Justice of India, is pleased to transfer Miss Justice Jaishree Thakur, Additional Judge of the Punjab & Haryana High Court, as an Additional Judge of the Rajasthan High Court. Similarly, Shri Justice Ashutosh Kumar, Additional Judge of the Patna High Court, is transferred as an Additional Judge of the Delhi High Court. They have been directed to assume charge of their new offices on or before 06th January, 2015.

Ministry of Water Resources Launches its E-Book

As a major step towards e-governance and transparency, the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation has launched its e-book. The 87 page e-book is exhaustive one and covers all most all programmes and schemes of the Ministry. Up to date information about various activities of the Ministry has been provided on the e-book. The e-book link is http://mowr.gov.in/writereaddata/e-book.pdf.

It may be recalled that on November 12, 2014 the Ministry had launched its facebook page towards its efforts to reach to a larger audience through social media.

Global crude oil price of Indian Basket was US$ 56.26 per bbl on 29.12.2014

The international crude oil price of Indian Basket as computed/published today by Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC) under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas was US$ 56.26 per barrel (bbl) on 29.12.2014. This was lower than the price of US$ 57.91 per bbl on previous publishing day of 26.12.2014.

In rupee terms, the price of Indian Basket decreased to Rs 3580.95 per bbl on 29.12.2014 as compared to Rs 3685.39 per bbl on 26.12.2014. Rupee closed weaker at Rs 63.65 per US$ on 29.12.2014 as against Rs 63.64 per US$ on 26.12.2014.

The table below gives details in this regard:

Particulars	Unit	Price on Dec 29, 2014 (Previous trading day i.e. 26.12.2014)	Pricing Fortnight for 16.12.2014 (Nov 27 to Dec 11, 2014)
Crude Oil (Indian Basket)	($/bbl)	56.26 (57.91)	67.24
	(Rs/bbl	3580.95 (3685.39)	4165.52
Exchange Rate	(Rs/$)	63.65 (63.64)	61.95