Ganga Swachhta Sankalp Divas on May 02, 2017

Ganga Swachhta Sankalp Divas on May 02, 2017

                     National Mission on Clean Ganga (NMCG) will be observing Ganga Swachhta Sankalp Divas on May 02,2017 at 12 locations, namely- Kanpur, Allahabad, Varanasi, Patna, Bhagalpur, Sahibganj, Kolkata, Raj Ghat (Hardoi), Bithoor, Srinagar ( Uttarakhand), Vidhur Kuti (Bijnor) and Devprayag. The event would also be organized at more than 30 other locations through Ganga Vichaar Manch, local NGOs and volunteer support.

                  Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation  Sushri Uma Bharti would attend the events at Vidhur Kuti , Srinagar and Devprayag. Events at other locations shall be presided by various Central and State level dignitaries and functionaries, and senior officials from Ministry of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation and NMCG.

                    The objective of the Ganga Swachhta Sankalp Divas is to spread awareness and evoke active involvement of the masses through Ganga Swachhta Sankalp (Pledge) reiterating their commitment to Swachh Gangathrough a series of events like Swachhta sandesh rally, Shram daan, plantation, Swachhta sankalp etc.  to develop a sense of pride and ownership among citizens to engender support for Namami Gange programme.

               Ganga Vichar Manch, a volunteer wing of NMCG would execute the aforesaid events in close coordination with State Programme Management Groups, State Government Departments/Agencies, District Administration and other key stakeholders at each location respectively.

                    It may be recalled that NMCG observed 16 days long ‘Ganga Swachhta Pakhwada’ along five Ganga Basin States, which was launched at Allahabad on  March 16, 2017 and concluded on March 31, 2017 at Haridwar. The pakhwada emerged as a mass movement and witnessed active involvement and participation of various stakeholders. Considering the success and overwhelming response and active participation of various communities in the pakhwada, NMCG is organizing ‘Ganga Swachhta Sankalp Divas’ on   on  May 02, 2017

EPF members now required to submit self-declaration for advance in case of illness of members/ dependents

EPF members now required to submit self-declaration for advance in case of illness of members/ dependents

EPF members will now only be required to submit a self-declaration for the advance in case of illness of members/ dependents. Differently abled members will also get advance on the basis of self-declaration. A member will no longer be required to submit any medical certificate or any other certificate or document or proforma whatsoever to avail advances under paragraph 68-J or under paragraph 68-N of EPF Scheme 1952.

Ministry of Labour & Employment has amended Paragraph 68-J and Paragraph 68-N of Employees’ Provident Fund Scheme, 1952 and It will come into force from the date of its publication in the official Gazette. According to it, a member would only be required to submit a self-declaration, which has already been included in the composite claim form, to avail advance under the EPF Scheme in case of illness of members/ dependent and also in case of differently abled members.

This is in continuation of initiatives taken by EPFO as part of next phase of its e-governance reforms with a view to make the services of EPFO available to its stakeholder in an efficient and transparent manner. An administrative order was issued on 20.02.2017 in the matter of Introduction of Composite Claim Forms (Aadhar and Non-Aadhar ) to replace existing Claim Forms No. 19, 10C & 31 and Forms No. 19 (UAN), 10C(UAN) & 31 (UAN). EPFO has since implemented Universal Account Number (UAN) for its subscribers. It is now possible for subscribers, who have seeded their UAN with Aadhar Number and Bank account details, to submit claim forms directly to EPFO without the attestation of employers.

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Real Estate Act comes into force from tomorrow; A new era begins, says the Government

Real Estate Act comes into force from tomorrow; A new era begins, says the Government

Ongoing and new projects shall be registered with Regulatory Authorities by July end

Model Regulations issued by the Government

Regulation of real estate sector becomes a reality ending nine year wait

Ending the nine year long wait, regulation of real estate sector involving over 76,000 companies across the county becomes a reality from tomorrow i.e May 1, 2017 with the Real Estate (Regulation & Development) Act,2016 coming into force.

With all the 92 Sections of the Act coming into effect from tomorrow, developers shall get all the ongoing projects that have not received Completion Certificate and the new projects registered with Regulatory Authorities within three months i.e by July end. This enables the buyers to enforce their rights and seek redressal of grievances after such registration.

Minister of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation Shri M.Venkaiah Naidu in his tweets on the occasion said today; “Real Estate Act coming into force after a nine year wait marks the beginning of a new era making buyer the King while developers benefit from the confidence of the King in the regulated environment. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s personal interest in the matter made the Act a reality now. The Act ushers in the much desired accountability, transparency and efficiency in the sector with the Act defining the rights and obligations of both the buyers and developers. This important legislation gained momentum under this Government and could see the light finally”.

Ahead of the Act coming into force, Ministry of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation has formulated and circulated Model Real Estate Regulations for adoption by the Regulatory Authorities in the States/UTs. Under these Regulations, developers are required to display sanctioned plans and layout plans of at least 3 feet X 2 feet size at all marketing offices, other offices where properties are sold, all branch offices and head office of the promoters in addition to the site of project. Real Estate Regulatory Authorities may take decisions on all issues preferably through consensus failing which through voting with Chairman using Casting Vote in case of a tie. There shall be quorum for the meetings of the Regulatory Authorities and if a meeting is adjourned due to lack of such quorum, such meeting can take place without quorum. Members of Regulatory Authorities shall declare interest if any in the matters coming up for discussion and shall not participate there in.

Some of the major provisions of the Act, besides mandatory registration of projects and Real Estate Agents include:

1.Depositing 70% of the funds collected from buyers in a separate bank account in case of new projects and 70% of unused funds in case of ongoing projects;

2. Projects with plot size of minimum 500 sq.mt or 8 apartments shall be registered with Regulatory Authorities;

3.Both developers and buyers to pay the same penal interest of SBI’s Marginal Cost of Lending Rate plus 2% in case of delays;

4.Liability of developers for structural defects for five years; and

5. Imprisonment of up to three years for developers and up to one year in case of agents and buyers for violation of orders of Appellate Tribunals and Regulatory Authorities.

Further to several rounds of consultations, the Ministry of HUPA has made several and substantial changes in the Real Estate Bill that was first introduced in the Rajya Sabha in 2013 to make the final Act more effective towards promotion of the sector.

At the time of passing of the Bill in Rajya Sabha in March last year, there were 76,044 companies were operating in the real estate sector including 17,431 in Delhi, 17,010 in West Bengal, 11,160 in Maharashtra, 7,136 in Uttar Pradesh, 3,054 in Rajasthan, 3,004 in Tamil Nadu, 2,261 in Karnataka, 2,211 in Telangana, 2,121 in Haryana, 1,956 in Madhya Pradesh, 1,270 in Kerala, 1,202 in Punjab and I,006 in Odisha.

As per industry information, between 2011 and 2015, real estate projects in the range of 2,349 to 4,488 projects were launched every year amounting to a total of 17,526 projects with a total investment of Rs.13.70 lakh cr in 27 cities including 15 State capitals. About ten lakh buyers invest every year with the dream of owning a house.

Chronology of events leading to regulation of real estate sector including both residential and commercial segments from May 1, 2017:

1.May,2008: Ministry of HUPA first prepared a Concept Paper on regulation of real estate sector and a model law for legislation by States/UTs;

2. Conference of Ministers of Housing in 2011 suggested a central law for regulation of real estate sector;

3.July, 2011: Ministry of Law & Justice too suggested central legislation for regulation;

4. June,2013: Union Cabinet approved Real Estate Bill, 2013

5. August, 2013: Real Estate Bill was introduced in Rajya Sabha and was referred to Standing Committee;

6. February, 2014: Report of Standing Committee was laid on the Tables of both Houses of Parliament;

7. February, 2014: Attorney General upheld validity of central law for regulation of the sector

8. April,2015: Union Cabinet approved official amendments based on recommendations of Standing Committee;

9. May, 2015: Matter referred to the Select Committee of Rajya Sabha

10. July, 2015: Report of Select Committee tabled in Rajya Sabha

11. December, 2015: Real Estate Bill, 2015 incorporating several modifications based on Select

Committee report and stakeholder consultations was approved by the Union Cabinet;

12. March 10, 2016: The Real Estate (Regulation & Development) Bill, 2016 passed by Rajya Sabha;

13. March 15, 2016: Lok Sabha passed the Bill as passed by Rajya Sabha;

14. March 25, 2016: President gives assent to the Bill;

15. April 26, 2016: 59 Sections of the Act were notified making them effective from May 1, 2016 enabling preparation of Real Estate Rules, setting up of Regulatory Authorities and other infrastructure;

16. April 19, 2017: Remaining 32 Sections of the Act notified making them effective from May 1st this year requiring registration of projects within three months from tomorrow.

17. May 1, 2017: New era begins for development of real estate sector in an atmosphere of investor confidence.

AAR/KM 

Production Performance of Oil & Natural Gas Sector for March, 2017

Production Performance of Oil & Natural Gas Sector for March, 2017

Crude Oil

1.            Crude oil production during March, 2017 was 3090.40 TMT which is 6.26% lower than target but 0.94% higher when compared with March 2016. Cumulative crude oil production during April, 2016 - March, 2017 was 36008.40 TMT which is 2.90% and 2.53% lower than target and production during corresponding period of last year respectively. Unit-wise and state-wise crude oil production is given at Annexure-I. Unit-wise crude oil production for the month of March, 2017 and cumulatively for the period April, 2016 - March, 2017 vis-à-vis same period of last year has been shown in Table-1 and month-wise in Figure-1.

Table-1: Crude Oil Production (in TMT)

Oil Company	Target	March (Month)				April-March (Cumulative)
	2016-17 (Apr-Mar)	2016-17		2015-16	% over last year	2016-17		2015-16	% over last year
		Target	Prod.*	Prod.		Target	Prod.*	Prod.
ONGC	22766.00	2043.83	1931.29	1869.18	103.32	22766.00	22217.94	22359.71	99.37
OIL	3480.00	344.25	293.20	268.85	109.06	3480.00	3258.03	3226.04	100.99
PSC Fields	10839.32	908.86	865.91	923.45	93.77	10839.32	10532.43	11356.01	92.75
Total	37085.32	3296.94	3090.40	3061.47	100.94	37085.32	36008.40	36941.75	97.47

            Note: Totals may not tally due to rounding off.                                                                                            *: Provisional

Figure-1: Monthly Crude Oil Production

Unit-wise production details with reasons for shortfall have been given in following sub-sections:

1.1        Crude oil production by ONGC during March, 2017 was 1931.29 TMT which is 5.51% lower than the monthly target but 3.32% higher when compared with March, 2016. Cumulative crude oil production by ONGC during April, 2016 - March, 2017 was 22217.94 TMT which is 2.41% lower than target for the period and 0.63% lower than production during corresponding period of last year. Reasons for shortfall in production are as under:

v  Delay in deployment of MOPU-Sagar Samrat in WO-16 

v  Delay in implementation of “Development of Western Periphery of MHS (ZC)” Project.

v  Natural decline in matured fields of Western Offshore.

1.2        Crude oil production by OIL during March, 2017 was 293.20 TMT which is 14.83% lower than monthly target but 9.06% higher than production in March, 2016. Cumulative crude oil production by OIL during April, 2016 - March, 2017 was 3258.03 TMT which is 6.38% lower than target for the period but 0.99% higher than production during corresponding period of last year. Reasons for shortfall in production are as under:

v  Less than planned contribution from high producing areas like Greater Hapjan, Shalmari, Chandmari and Moran fields primarily on account of rise in water cut.

v  Less than planned contribution from newly drilled wells.

1.3        Crude oil production by Pvt/JVs during March, 2017 was 865.91 TMT which is 4.73% lower than the monthly target and 6.23% lower than March, 2016. Cumulative crude oil production by Pvt/JVs during April, 2016 - March, 2017 was 10532.43 TMT which is 2.83% lower than target for the period and 7.25% lower than the production during corresponding period of last year. Reasons for shortfall in production are as under:

v  RJ-ON-90/1: Mangala production is less due to liquid cut back for rectification of 14" MPT to CPF feed water line leak on 6.3.2017. Few high water cut wells closed at Mangala, poor reservoir performance of Bhagyam.

v  Panna-Mukta:  PF platform shutdown for riser remedial since 27.02.2017.

v  CY-ONN-2002/2: Under Test Production.

v  Natural Decline in Ravva.

Natural Gas

2              Natural gas production during March, 2017 was 2750.29 MMSCM which is 11.74% lower than the target for the month but 8.29% higher when compared with March, 2016. Cumulative natural gas production during April, 2016 - March, 2017 was 31896.67 MMSCM which is 6.51% lower than target for the period and 1.09% lower than the production during corresponding period of last year. Unit-wise and state-wise natural gas production is given at Annexure-II. Unit-wise natural gas production for the month of March, 2017 and cumulatively for the period April, 2016 -March, 2017 vis-à-vis same period of last year has been shown in Table-2 and month-wise in Figure-2.

         Table-2: Natural Gas Production (MMSCM)

Oil Company	Target	March (Month)				April-March (Cumulative)
	2016-17 (Apr-Mar)	2016-17		2015-16	% over last year	2016-17		2015-16	% over last year
		Target	Prod.*	Prod.		Target	Prod.*	Prod.
ONGC	22743.43	2095.77	1972.33	1642.79	120.06	22743.43	22087.98	21176.66	104.30
OIL	2950.03	243.44	251.02	253.68	98.95	2950.03	2936.55	2837.94	103.47
PSC Fields	8425.44	776.97	526.93	643.21	81.92	8425.44	6872.14	8234.61	83.45
Total	34118.90	3116.17	2750.29	2539.68	108.29	34118.90	31896.67	32249.21	98.91

Note: Totals may not tally due to rounding off.                                                                                              *: Provisional

Figure-2: Monthly Natural Gas Production

2.1        Natural gas production by ONGC during March, 2017 was 1972.33 MMSCM which is 5.89% lower than the monthly target but 20.06% higher when compared with March, 2016. Cumulative natural gas production by ONGC during April, 2016 - March, 2017 was 22087.98 MMSCM which is 2.88% lower than the cumulative target but 4.30% higher than the production during the corresponding period of the last year. Reasons for shortfall in production are as under:

v  Less than planned production from Daman & C-26 Cluster due to evacuation constraint (export lines to TCPP platform are not completed) and natural decline from Bassein field

2.2        Natural gas production by OIL during March, 2017 was 251.02 MMSCM which is 3.12% higher than the monthly target but 1.05% lower than March, 2016. Cumulative natural gas production by OIL during April, 2016 - March, 2017 was 2936.55 MMSCM which is 0.46% lower than the cumulative target but 3.47% higher than the production during the corresponding period of last year.

2.3        Natural gas production by Pvt/JVs during March, 2017 was 526.93 MMSCM which is 32.18% lower than the monthly target and 18.08% lower when compared with March, 2016. Cumulative natural gas production by Pvt/JVs during April, 2016 - March, 2017 was 6872.14 MMSCM which is 18.44% lower than the cumulative target and 16.55% lower than the production during the corresponding period of last year. Reasons for shortfall in production are as under:

v  Underperformance of wells in KG- OSN-2001/3.

v  Underperformance of Sohagpur West CBM block, closure of few wells for maintenance in Raniganj East CBM block.

v  Closure of 2 wells in D1D3 field in KG-DWN-98/3. Gas rate reduced to study potential sand incursion issue in MA2 & study well performance vis-à-vis water production in MA8 since 13.03.2017.

v  Panna-Mukta: PF platform shutdown for riser remedial measures since 27.02.2017.

v  RJ-ON-90/1: Mangala production is less due to liquid cut back for rectification of 14" MPT to CPF feed water line leak on 6.3.2017. Few high water cut wells closed at Mangala, poor reservoir performance of Bhagyam.

v  RJ-ON/6: Increase in Water cut in few wells.

Refinery Production (in terms of crude oil processed)

3        Refinery production during March, 2017 was 21312.91 TMT which is 3.83% higher than the target for the month but 0.33% lower when compared with March, 2016. Cumulative production during April, 2016-March, 2017 was 245368.89 TMT which is 2.06% higher than the target for the period and 5.37% higher than the production during corresponding period of last year. Unit-wise production is given at Annexure-III. Company-wise production for the month of March, 2017 and cumulatively for the period April, 2016 - March, 2017 vis-à-vis same period of last year has been shown in Table-3 and month-wise in Figure-3.

Table 3: Refinery Production (TMT)

Oil Company	Target	March (Month)				April-March (Cumulative)
	2016-17 (Apr-Mar)	2016-17		2015-16	% over last year	2016-17		2015-16	% over last year
		Target	Prod.*	Prod.		Target	Prod.*	Prod.
PSUs	135565.03	11821.08	12139.82	11951.73	101.57	135565.03	137394.61	127087.28	108.11
IOCL	65100.00	5758.09	6280.05	5500.97	114.16	65100.00	65190.52	58007.49	112.38
BPCL	25250.15	2083.67	1803.21	2097.65	85.96	25250.15	25361.56	24082.81	105.31
HPCL	16800.29	1493.00	1621.33	1615.53	100.36	16800.29	17845.56	17233.65	103.55
CPCL	10250.00	811.11	752.60	958.91	78.49	10250.00	10252.43	9643.70	106.31
NRL	2670.00	221.17	229.51	236.14	97.19	2670.00	2693.70	2520.27	106.88
MRPL	15450.00	1450.00	1445.66	1534.83	94.19	15450.00	15965.20	15531.99	102.79
ONGC	44.59	4.05	7.45	7.71	96.68	44.59	85.64	67.37	127.11
JVs	15000.00	948.55	1347.74	1574.90	85.58	15000.00	16881.52	17115.51	98.63
BORL	6000.00	525.00	618.67	638.34	96.92	6000.00	6360.06	6402.21	99.34
HMEL	9000.00	423.55	729.08	936.56	77.85	9000.00	10521.46	10713.31	98.21
Private	89852.65	7756.77	7825.35	7856.44	99.60	89852.66	91092.76	88662.01	102.74
RIL	69561.01	6084.87	6064.54	6084.87	99.67	69561.01	70173.87	69561.01	100.88
EOL	20291.64	1671.90	1760.81	1771.56	99.39	20291.64	20918.89	19100.99	109.52
TOTAL	240417.68	20526.41	21312.91	21383.07	99.67	240417.68	245368.89	232864.80	105.37

        Note: Totals may not tally due to rounding off.                                                                                    *: Provisional

Figure 3: Monthly Refinery Production

3.1    PSU Refineries’ production during March, 2017 was 12139.82 TMT which is 2.70% higher than the target for the month and 1.57% higher than the production achieved in the corresponding month of last year. Cumulative production by PSU refineries during April, 2016 - March, 2017 was 137394.61 TMT which is 1.34% higher than the target for the period and 8.11% higher than the production during corresponding period of last year. Reasons for shortfall of refinery production in some PSU refineries are as under:

v  IOCL, Paradip:  Throughput is lower due to coke containment.

v  IOCL, Haldia:  Throughput is lower due to VGO stock build-up due to problems in OHCU.

v  IOCL, Digboi / Guwahati: Lower availability of Assam crude.

v  BPCL, Mumbai:  Throughput is lower due to shifting of CDU3 shutdown and BS4 implementation.

v  CPCL, Manali: Lower due OHCU shutdown.

3.2    Production in JV refineries during March, 2017 was 1347.74 TMT which is 42.08% higher than the target for the month and 14.42% lower than the production achieved in the corresponding month of last year. Cumulative production by JVs refineries during April, 2016 - March, 2017 was 16881.52 TMT which is 12.54% higher than the target for the period but 1.37% lower than the production during corresponding period of last year.

3.3    Production in private refineries during March, 2017 was 7825.35 TMT which is 0.88% lower than the target for the month and 0.4% lower when compared with March, 2016. Cumulative production by private refineries during April, 2016 - March, 2017 was 91092.77 TMT which is 1.38% higher than the target for the period and 2.74% higher than the production during corresponding period of last year.

3.4    Refinery-wise details of the capacity utilization and production of petroleum products during the month of March, 2017 and cumulatively for the period April, 2016 - March, 2017 vis-à-vis April, 2015 - March, 2016 are given at Annexures-IV and V respectively.

Click here to see Annexure- I

Click here to see Annexure- II

Click here to see Annexure- III

Click here to see Annexure- IV

Click here to see Annexure- V