Pipeline fire:Toll reaches 17, case of negligence against GAIL

PTI | Rajahmundry (AP) | Updated: Jun 28 2014, 20:02 IST

Blazing fire after an explosion at a gas pipeline of GAIL in Nagaram village in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh on Friday. (PTI)

The toll in the deadly blast and fire, apparently caused by leakage from a GAIL gas pipeline here, today rose to 17, even as Andhra Pradesh police registered a case of negligence against the state-run firm.
Two persons, including a girl, succumbed to injuries today. The condition of five among the 20 injured who have received around 80 per cent burns remains critical, police said.
"A 4-year-old girl and a man died today at a private hospital in Kakinada. With this the toll has risen to 17," East Godavari District Superintendent of Police G Vijay Kumar told PTI.
The massive blaze started early yesterday morning, apparently after leaked gas from the pipeline got ignited when a tea vendor lighted his stove. Gigantic flames scorched houses, coconut palms and everything else in a 1.5 km radius.
A case was today registered against the Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL), after examining eye-witnesses, recording statements of victims' relatives and based on preliminary investigation, a police officer said.
Several villagers have alleged that they had complained about foul smell of gas emanating from leaks in the pipeline, but no repair was undertaken by the company.
The case was registered under sections 304 A (causing death by negligence), 338 (causing grievous hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) and 286 (negligent conduct with respect to explosive substance) of the Indian Penal Code, the senior police officer said.
Meanwhile, a Centre-appointed committee today started a separate probe after inspecting the site of tragedy.
East Godavari district police have formed a special team to carry out their investigation. "We are examining documents related to the pipeline. GAIL officials will also be questioned," the senior police officer said.
The villagers had alleged that the pipeline was over two decades old and was rusting.
The investigators would check if the public sector company had taken necessary safety measures for the gas pipeline which passes through a populated area in the village.
Meanwhile, R K Singh, who heads the high-level probe panel of the Union Government, said it had started collecting samples from the site and in a couple of days it would be able to throw some light on the cause of the mishap.
"Reasons...we are yet to establish...we are looking at different possibilities. But as of now we are not able to come to a specific reason," Singh, Joint Secretary (Refineries) in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, said after site inspection.

SOIL TESTING - Introduction

SOIL TESTING - Introduction WONDERFUL DISCUSSION WITH SHRI JKP SIR DATED ON 10 JULY 2017

 The farmers find it extremely difficult to know the proper type of fertilizer, which would match his soil. In using a fertilizer he must take into account the requirement of his crops and the characteristics of the soil.

            The basic objective of the soil-testing programme is to give farmers a service leading to better and more economic use of fertilizers and better soil management practices for increasing agricultural production. High crop yields cannot be obtained without applying sufficient fertilizers to overcome existing deficiencies. 

            Efficient use of fertilizers is a major factor in any programme designed to bring about an economic increase in agricultural production. The farmers involved in such a programme will have to use increasing quantities of fertilizers to achieve the desired yield levels. However the amounts and kinds of fertilizers required for the same crop vary from soil to soil, even field to field on the same soil. The use of fertilizers without first testing the soil is like taking medicine without first consulting a physician to find out what is needed. It is observed that the fertilizers increase yields and the farmers are aware of this. But are they applying right quantities of the right kind of fertilizers at the right time at the right place to ensure maximum profit? Without a fertilizer recommendation based upon a soil test, a farmer may be applying too much of a little needed plant food element and too little of another element which is actually the principal factor limiting plant growth. This not only means an uneconomical use of fertilizers, but in some cases crop yields actually may be reduced because of use of the wrong kinds or amounts, or improper use of fertilizers. 

            A fertilizers recommendation from a soil testing laboratory is based on carefully conducted soil analyses and the results of up-to-date agronomic research on the crop, and it therefore is most scientific information available for fertilizing that crop in that field.

             Each recommendation based on a soil test takes into account the values obtained by these accurate analysis, the research work so far conducted on the crop in the particular soil areas, and the management practices of the concerned farmer. The soil test with the resulting fertilizer recommendation is therefore the actual connecting link between agronomic research and its practical application to the farmers’ fields. However, soil testing is not an end in itself. It is a means to an end. A farmer who follows only the soil test recommendations is  not assured of a good crop. Good crop yields are the result of the application also of other good management practices, such as proper tillage, efficient water management, good seed, and adequate plant protection measures. Soil testing is essential and is the first step in obtaining high yields and maximum returns from the money invested in fertilizers. 

How to collect a soil sample

Sample each field separately. However, where the areas within a field differ distinctly in crop growth, appearance of the soils, or in elevation, or are known to have been cropped or fertilized and manured differently, divided the filed and sample each area separately. Take a composite sample from each area. Scrape away surface litter, then take a small sample from the surface to plough depth from a number of spots in the field (10 to 15 per acre). Collect these samples in a clean bucket or some such wide container. Where crops have been planted in lines (rows), sample between the lines. Do not sample unusual area. Avoid areas recently fertilized, old bunds, marshy spots, near tress, compost piles, other non-representative locations. Take a uniform thick sample from the surface to plough depth. If a spade or a trowel is used, dig a v-shaped hole, then cut out a uniform thick slice of soil from bottom to op of the exposed soil face, collect the sample on the baled or in your hand and place it in the bucket. Pour the soil from the bucket on a piece of clean cloth or paper and mix thoroughly, discard, by quartering, all but 1 to 2 lbs. of soil. Quarterly may be done by mixing sample well, dividing it into four equal parts, then rejecting two opposite quarters, mixing the remaining two portions, again dividing into four parts and rejecting two opposite quarters, and so on. The sample should be dried in the shade for an hour or two before it goes into the cloth bag container. Each cloth bag should be large enough to hold a pound or two of soil, and should be properly marked to identify the sample. Fill out the soil sample information sheet for each sample. These forms may be sent separately to the laboratory or enclosed with the soil sample. Address the samples to the Soil Chemist, Soil Testing Laboratory, Goal Ghar, Port Blair. Keep a record of the areas sampled and a simple sketch map for reference when you get the soil test and fertilizers recommendation report from the soil testing laboratory.

  ROLE OF THE EXTENSION SERVICE IN SOIL TESTING 

The actual analysis of the sample and the making out of fertilizer recommendation is only part of the soil testing service. To a large measure, the efficiency of this service depends upon the care and effort put froth by extension workers and farmers in the collection and dispatch of samples to the laboratory. Its effectiveness also depends upon the proper follow-through of the fertilizer recommendations, including the establishment of result demonstrations on farmer’s fields to induce the farmers to follow the fertilizer recommendations. In this work the staff of the extension service play the most important role, since they are the people directly in contact with the farmers or this reason, the soil chemist in charge of the laboratory must give periodic and through training to the extension staff on these subjects.

COLLECTION OF SAMPLES 

             A useful soil testing service starts with the collection of representative soil samples. A fertilizer recommendation made after analyzing the soil can only as good as the sample on which it is based. Actually the one to ten grams of soil used for each chemical analysis should represent as accurately as possible the entire surface six inches of soil, weighing about 2 million pounds per acre. The importance of taking a representative composite sample is, therefore, self-evident. One field can be treated as a single sampling unit only if it is relatively uniform and does not exceed approximately five acres. Variations in slope, colour, texture, management, and cropping pattern should be taken into account and separate composite soil sample adequately representing the field, small portions of surface soil should be collected to depth of six inches from at least ten well-distributed spots in the field, mixed well, and about ½ kg of representative sample sent to laboratory. 

            Proper sampling tools are essential for collection of good soil samples. For a soft. Moist soil, the soil tube, phowda (spade), or khurpi (trowel) are usually quite satisfactory.

For harder soils, a screw type auger, or an adze might be more convenient. Post hole augers are convenient for sampling excessively wet areas like paddy fields. An extension worker whose duties include collection of soil samples should be supplied with at least a few of these tools, and also a plastic bucket. The phowda, khurpi and adze are very common implements available in most hardware shops and so there should be no difficulty in procuring these implements. 

            The farmers should be given help in filling out the soil sample information sheet with an ex-plantation of any items not understood. It should be remembered that the information sheet is very vital part of procedures that go to make a good soil test recommendation. This sheet must supply all of the background information that, in combination with the results of the analysis, makes possible an accurate fertilizer recommendation for a certain crop, for that particular field. Factors such as crop variety, slope of land, irrigation and drainage facilities, and pervious cropping seasons affect the amounts of fertilizer to be applied to particular crop. Any peculiarities noted in the soil or in the vigor or the crop would be very valuable information on the soil sample information sheet as a basis for making an adequate fertilizer recommendation. In the absence of this information, the soil chemist must base his recommendation upon the soil test values alone, and more often than not the farmer will receive an adequate fertilizer recommendation.

Fourteen Killed In India Gas Pipeline Blast - 27 June 2014

A gas leakage and blast in the GAIL pipeline in East Godavari district’s Nagaram village killed 14 people

14 killed in blast at GAIL pipeline in Andhra Pradesh

Hindustan Times  Prasad Nichenametla, June 27, 2014

First Published: 08:06 IST(27/6/2014) | Last Updated: 10:38 IST(27/6/2014)

A gas leakage and blast in the GAIL pipeline in East Godavari district’s Nagaram village killed 14 people and injured several others on Friday morning.

TV grab of fire following an explosion at GAIL pipeline near ONGC site in Andhra Pradesh.

The incident occurred around 6 am when many of the villagers were still sleeping. The dead were mostly people living in the huts in the coconut groves through which the gas pipeline passes. The bodies are charred beyond recognition.
The impact of the blast could be seen in the flames that leapt over 200 metres in the air. Most of the village took the impact and people ran to safety in horror. Half a dozen fire engines were rushed to the spot to control the fire.

GAIL explosion in AP, 15 feared dead

    15 persons were feared dead and 32 others injured after an exposion in a gas pipeline belonging to GAIL in East Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh on Friday. The death toll is likely to increase.

    The injured have been moved to the local hospitals in Razole, Amalapuram and Kakinada for medical support. The incident took place around 6 AM today at Nagaram Village in Amalapuram mandal.

    Speaking on the incident, GAIL Chairman BC Tripathi said that a fire broke our in 18-inch pipeline at a refinery complex. He added that exact reasons for the incident are not known yet. More efforts are going on to rescue the people from the arena.

    "My thoughts with the families of those who lost their lives in the GAIL Pipeline fire in AP. Prayers with the injured.", Prime Minster Narendra Modi Tweeted.

    AP CM Chandrababu Naidu tweeted,"Asked Dy CM Chinarajappa to go to the ONGC pipeline blast site and provide required support. We need a preventive"

The injured were rushed to the hospitals in Kakinada, the district headquarters.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed grief over the incident.
"My thoughts with the families of those who lost their lives in the GAIL Pipeline fire in AP. Prayers with the injured," he tweeted.
  Narendra Modi        ✔ @narendramodi Follow

I have spoken to the Petroleum Minister, Cabinet Secretary & GAIL Chairman and asked them to ensure immediate relief at the accident site.
 Andhra Pradesh home minister N Chinarajappa rushed to the spot. Naidu who is in Delhi expressed shock over the incident. Naidu along with the union petroleum minister are leaving from Delhi to visit the site.
The incident lead to angry reactions from the villagers, who blamed the GAIL authorities as not taking enough precautions to avoid such incidents.

The cause of gas leakage from the pipe are not known yet.

GAIL pipeline blast: 14 killed; Petroleum Minister constitutes committee to probe

Zee News

· 9 mins ago

·

Summary Hyderabad: At least 14 people were burnt to death and about 30 others injured in a huge blast and fire that took place at a gas pipeline belonging to Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) in East Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh, on Friday morning. It was not immediately clear how much production was affected. The huge flames leaping out of the pipeline damaged houses and shops near the blast site.

Internal Audit Plan

The internal audit plan consist of particular questions that you ask during the audit. These questions provide insight into your QA systems.


The audit plan could cover a system, process or department audit. The plan references your organization systems, or the ISO 9001 element for each question. The plan could cover an element from your interaction chart. The audit plan is a document that list the planned questions. A final report references the internal audit plan and provides the answers to those questions.
Here are some questions that I like to quiz employees during an departmental ISO 9001 audit.

Yes / No Questions

Do employees know the quality policy?

Do employees know the quality objectives and understand them with regards to their function?

Do employees know where their procedures are located?

Are all procedures and specifications controlled?

Are all forms current in the department?

Do employees know what is the most current revision of the document?

Can employee identify which documents cover inspection?

Can employee identify which documents contain the specifications?

Does employee know the specifications for the critical parameters?

Do employees know when changes are made to the process?

Do employees follow the inspection procedures?

Are the inspections documented?

Are inspection records completely filled in?

Do inspection records results agree with specification requirements?

Can employees locate the procedure for the equipment or process they are conducting?

Does the procedure for the equipment or process actually reflect employee’s methods?

Do employees send parts to MRB when inspection does not meet specifications?

Can the parts be tracked to all raw materials?

Can employee describe how to select next work item?

Does employee know the process on ordering goods?

Does employee know the approval process for a purchase order?

Is the equipment in the PM (Preventive Maintenance) system? Are there records for PM?

Are all critical raw materials labeled with accept stamps or traceable to an accept stamp?

Have all critical raw material been inspected and approved?

Are all measuring equipment labeled with measurement status?

Are all calibrations within due date?

Do employee know if testing equipment is OK to use?

Do calibration records reflect findings for the equipment?

Do employees know what to do with non conforming parts?

Are production status labels properly used?

Are storage containers properly labeled?

Are there training records for each employee?

Is the training effective?

Are employee training needs determined?

Are training needs being addressed by the supervisor?

Are employees involved in continuous improvement teams?

Do employees know what to do when an out of control condition exists?

Is department clean?

Does operator maintain cleanliness?

Are employees following safety procedures?

Do employees know where the MSDS are located?

Are employees properly storing tooling?

These are yes / no questions for the internal audit plan

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Open End Questions

Tell me about the quality policy.

What quality objective do you affect?

How do you know these procedures are OK to follow?

Tell me about your work process.

Show me this process in your procedure.

What is the specification for this inspection?

What do you do when you find a defective part?

What is the traceability for this product?

Show me how you record the inspection.

How do you know this product is good?

What do you do when you see an out of control point?

How do you order supplies?

What do you do when you encounter a production problem?

What type of training have you received?

How do you know if this measuring equipment is ok to use?

What do you do when a piece of equipment breaks down?

These are open end questions for the internal audit plan

Quality Audit Checklist

Quality Audit Checklist

A quality audit checklist is a quality record that tracks the questions and responses during a quality audit. The quality audit is a valuable tool for continuous improvement. Audits ensure your quality assurance system is sound. Audits are also necessary for ISO 9001 registration.

To create an audit checklist, first reflect on the reason behind the audit. What kind of audit will it be? What audit category are you examining.

Types of Audits

• 3rd Party Audits
• 2nd Party Audits
• 1st Party Audits

3rd Party Audit are done by an outside independent audit organization. In case of an ISO 9001 audit the independent organization is the registrar. They normally do not have an interest in the final outcome. The 3rd party could be a registrar, government employee, or a firm hired by the company. The result of the audit could be a certification, license, acceptance, or an award.
2nd Party Audit are Audits from those who have a deep interest in the final outcome. This could be you auditing your suppliers, or your customers auditing you. The audit could be called a survey or an assessment.
1st Party Audits are audits done internally. They are a management tool with the emphasis on continuous improvement. The auditor(s) must be independent of the audit area. The audit should be aligned with the company goals and metrics.

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Audit Categories

• System Audit
• Conformance Audit
• Compliance Audit
• Process Audit
• Product Audit
• Department Audit

System Audits are looking at a particular system which includes multiple processes and can spread across several employees and departments. The audit of your calibration system can be consider a system audit. Your interaction chart lists your systems.
Conformance Audits are audits to define system requirements. These are global in nature. For example a 3rd party audit of your ISO 9001 system is a conformance audit.
Compliance Audit is an audit to regulatory requirements. This includes government agency audits.
Process Audit is a focused audit on a set of processes within your organization. It examines adherence to procedures and specifications during production or service activities.
Product Audit is a focus audit on the product itself. This may be an inspection activity or an out of the box audit.
Department Audit is a focus audit on one department that looks at the processes, specifications, and systems in one department only. It will look at the different operations with in that department. It will also examine department organization and training.

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Audit Stages

• Determine the audit focus
• Prepare for the audit
• Perform the audit
• Report the findings in the initial findings report
• Determine the corrective action
• Update the findings report with the corrective action
• Conduct the corrective action
• Update the findings report when actions are completed
• Follow Up
• Closure

The audit focus is dependent on the organization needs. If it is a system audit, use your interaction chart to determine the system focus. If there are many problems with a particular process then conduct a process audit on that process. If there is a department with many issues then conduct a department audit.
You may want to issue an internal audit engagement letter to the auditee.
During the audit preparation, determine the quality audit checklist. This checklist is the audit plan. During preparation, review the procedures, standards, specifications and / or work instructions. These documents help you determine the quality audit checklist. Record audit questions on the checklist.
During the audit performance follow these guidelines

• Do not be biased
• Keep an open mind
• Do not be argumentive
• Be patient
• Remind the participant that the audit is for continuous improvement
• Always state the facts
• Do not correct the person on the spot.
• Report accurately and clearly
• Be familiar with the procedure

During the initial finding report, document the issues found. State the facts and provide evidence. Use names and demonstrate the findings. Show quality records for evidence. Apply the quality audit checklist as the basis for the findings report.
After the initial findings report, provide a copy to the corrective action team. Have a corrective action team meeting to issue the corrective actions. Document the corrective actions on the findings report. Be sure responsibilities and due dates are assign for the actions.
The team will then complete the corrective actions. Document the completion of the corrective actions on the findings report.
When all actions are completed, close out the report.

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Audit Schedule

For ISO 9001 certification, predetermine the management systems audit schedule. Use your interaction chart to establish the necessary systems to schedule. I recommend not scheduling out all of the system audits. Instead keep a 3 to 6 month schedule and update this every month. This will allow you to audit the concerned areas.
I also recommend using a software application to track your audits. The software can track audit questions, schedule, results, and corrective action.

Quality Audit Benefits

• It drives continuous improvement
• Lets management know problems or potential problems
• Provides input into management decisions
• Accesses training and effectiveness
• Shows management support of the quality program
• Verifies compliance

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Quality Audit Mistakes

These mistakes prevent an effective audit.

• Auditing with the “gotcha” attitude
• Finding faults and not facts
• Not recognizing that the audit is people focused
• Not properly defining the purpose and scope
• Not using a quality audit checklist
• Not issuing corrective action
• Not conducting follow up on the corrective action
• Not using a team approach to issuing corrective actions

India's Population 2014

Current Population of India in 2014	1,270,272,105 (1.27 billion)
Total Male Population in India	655,875,026 (655.8 million)
Total Female Population in India	614,397,079 (614.4 million)
Sex Ratio	940 females per 1,000 males
Age structure
0 to 25 years	50% of India's current population
Currently, there are about 51 births in India in a minute.
India's Population in 2012	1.22 billion
India's Population in 2011	1.21 billion

Current Population of India - India, with 1,270,272,105 (1.27 billion) people is the second most populous country in the world, while China is on the top with over 1,360,044,605 (1.36 billion) people. The figures show that India represents almost 17.31% of the world's population, which means one out of six people on this planet live in India. Although, the crown of the world's most populous country is on China's head for decades, India is all set to take the numero uno position by 2030. With the population growth rate at 1.58%, India is predicted to have more than 1.53 billion people by the end of 2030.

More than 50% of India's current population is below the age of 25 and over 65% below the age of 35. About 72.2% of the population lives in some 638,000 villages and the rest 27.8% in about 5,480 towns and urban agglomerations. The birth rate (child births per 1,000 people per year) is 22.22 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) while death rate (deaths per 1000 individuals per year) is 6.4 deaths/1,000 population. Fertility rate is 2.72 children born/woman (NFHS-3, 2008) and Infant mortality rate is 30.15 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 estimated). India has the largest illiterate population in the world. The literacy rate of India as per 2011 Population Census is 74.04%, with male literacy rate at 82.14% and female at 65.46%. Kerala has the highest literacy rate at 93.9%, Lakshadweep (92.3%) is on the second position and Mizoram (91.6%) is on third.

Every year, India adds more people than any other nation in the world, and in fact the individual population of some of its states is equal to the total population of many countries. For example, Population of Uttar Pradesh (state in India) almost equals to the population of Brazil. It, as per 2001 Population Census of India, has 190 million people and the growth rate is 16.16%. The population of the second most populous state Maharashtra, which has a growth rate of 9.42%, is equal to that of Mexico's population. Bihar, with 8.07%, is the third most populous state in India and its population is more than Germany's. West Bengal with 7.79% growth rate, Andhra Pradesh (7.41%) and Tamil Nadu (6.07%) are at fourth, fifth and sixth positions respectively. The sex ratio of India stands at 940. Kerala with 1058 females per 1000 males is the state with the highest female sex ratio. Pondicherry (1001) is second, while Chhatisgarh (990) and Tamil Nadu (986) are at third and fourth places respectively. Haryana with 861 has the lowest female sex ratio.

Some of the reasons for India's rapidly growing population are poverty, illiteracy, high fertility rate, rapid decline in death rates or mortality rates and immigration from Bangladesh and Nepal. Alarmed by its swelling population, India started taking measures to stem the growth rate quite early. In fact India by launching the National Family Planning program in 1952 became the first country in the world to have a population policy. The family planning program yielded some noticeable results, bringing down significantly the country's fertility rate. In 1965-2009, the contraceptive usage more than tripled and the fertility rate more than halved. The efforts did produce positive results, however, failed to achieve the ultimate goal and the population of India since getting independence from Britain in 1947 increased almost three times. Whereas India has missed almost all its targets to bring the rate of population growth under control, China's 'One Child Policy' in 1978, has brought tremendous results for the latter. The policy claims to have prevented between 250 and 300 million births from 1978 to 2000 and 400 million births from 1979 to 2010.

What is the Population of India 2014
According to recent estimates, Population of India in 2014 is 1.27 billion.

Current Population of India 2014
Rank	State or union territory	Population (2011 Census)	Density (per km²)	Sex ratio
01	Uttar Pradesh	199,581,477	828	908
02	Maharashtra	112,372,972	365	946
03	Bihar	103,804,637	1102	916
04	West Bengal	91,347,736	1029	947
05	Andhra Pradesh	84,665,533	308	992
06	Madhya Pradesh	72,597,565	236	930
07	Tamil Nadu	72,138,958	555	995
08	Rajasthan	68,621,012	201	926
09	Karnataka	61,130,704	319	968
10	Gujarat	60,383,628	308	918
11	Odisha	41,947,358	269	978
12	Kerala	33,387,677	859	1,084
13	Jharkhand	32,966,238	414	947
14	Assam	31,169,272	397	954
15	Punjab	27,704,236	550	893
16	Haryana	25,353,081	573	877
17	Chhattisgarh	25,540,196	189	991
18	Jammu and Kashmir	12,548,926	56	883
19	Uttarakhand	10,116,752	189	963
20	Himachal Pradesh	6,856,509	123	974
21	Tripura	3,671,032	350	961
22	Meghalaya	2,964,007	132	986
23	Manipur	2,721,756	122	987
24	Nagaland	1,980,602	119	931
25	Goa	1,457,723	394	968
26	Arunachal Pradesh	1,382,611	17	920
27	Mizoram	1,091,014	52	975
28	Sikkim	607,688	86	889
UT1	Delhi	16,753,235	9,340	866
UT2	Puducherry	1,244,464	2,598	1,038
UT3	Chandigarh	1,054,686	9,252	818
UT4	Andaman and Nicobar Islands	379,944	46	878
UT5	Dadra and Nagar Haveli	342,853	698	775
UT6	Daman and Diu	242,911	2,169	618
UT7	Lakshadweep	64,429	2,013	946
Total	India	1,210,193,422	382	940

Narendra Modi govt orders status quo on natural gas prices; $4.2 rate to continue till Sept-end

The various options before the government included applying the Rangarajan formula unconditionally from July 1. (Reuters)

SummaryGovt orders status quo on natural gas prices for 3 months

The Narendra Modi government today postponed revision in natural gas prices by three months pending a comprehensive review.
Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said the current rate of USD 4.2 per million thermal units will continue till September end.
The Centre was expected to decide on implementation of new gas pricing regime in the next two days. A series of discussions have been held between the Prime Minister's office, petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan and finance minister Arun Jaitley since Friday.
The government was tight-lipped on the likely proposals it was contemplating to implement. A senior petroleum ministry official, when asked on when the decision is expected, said, “Wait for 48 hours.”
The petroleum ministry is of the opinion that the issue of pricing of gas would need to be seen in the context of achieving the multiple objectives of incentivising domestic gas exploration and production on the supply side and meeting the higher subsidy outgo in successive budgets for the fertiliser and power sectors.
Therefore, the gas pricing need to strike a balance between the requirements of the exploration and production sector and the burden on the government exchequer.
India's natural gas output went down to 35.4 billion cubic metres (bcm) in FY14 from 47.56 bcm in FY12.
The various options before the government included applying the Rangarajan formula unconditionally from July 1, tweak the formula, allow higher price only for incremental production over and above the current levels or completely scrap the decision of UPA government.
There are several other issues surrounding implementation of the Rangarajan formula such as whether Reliance Industries' foreign partners – BP and Niko Resources – should be allowed to charge the higher gas price for output from once prolific KG-D6 basin; whether the pricing should be on gross calorific value or net calorific value, among others.

Energy Conversion

Unit		Conversion
1 normal cubic metre (m³(n))	=	1.054915 standard cubic metre (m³(st))
1 standard cubic metre (m³(st))	=	35.31 standard cubic foot (scf)
1 standard cubic foot (scf)	=	0.0283 standard cubic metres (m³(st))
100 standard cubic feet (scf)	=	2.83 standard cubic metres (m³(st))
1 kilowatt hour	=	3.6 megajoules (MJ)
1 kilowatt hour	=	3,412 Btu/hr
1 therm	=	29.3071 kilowatt hours (kWh)
1 therm	=	105.06 megajoules (MJ)
1,000,000 therms	=	29.3071 gigawatt hours (GWh)
1 bar	=	14.5 pounds/square inch (psi)
1000 mbar	=	1 bar
68.9 mbar	=	1 pound/square inch (psi)
m³ (st) - standard cubic metre natural gas: cubic metre natural gas at 101,325 Pa and 15°C, dry m³(n) - normal cubic metre natural gas: cubic metre natural gas at 101,325 Pa and 0°C, dry scf - standard cubic foot natural gas: cubic foot natural gas at 14.73 psi (abs) and 60°F (15.5556°C), dry

Cabinet Likely to Discuss Gas Price Hike Today

Oil minister Dharmendra Pradhan is likely to attend a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, amid speculation that the government India could soon raise gas prices. Mr Pradhan is not a member of the cabinet committee, but can attend the meeting as a special invitee.
The previous UPA government did not raise prices of domestically produced natural gas from April 1 as planned, following the Election Commission's request to defer the move until the conclusion of elections in May. The UPA government had notified the Rangarajan panel formula which would have increased the gas prices to $8.4 per unit from $4.2 currently.
According to estimates, every dollar increase in gas price will lead to a 45 paise per unit increase in electricity tariff. CNG prices would increase by a minimum Rs. 2.81 per kg, while PNG prices will go up by Rs. 1.89 per unit for every dollar rise in gas prices. Urea prices will go up by Rs. 1,370 per ton.
Besides gas price hike, the Cabinet is also likely to discuss hikes in LPG and kerosene prices, sources said. There is speculation that the government may allow small monthly hike in LPG and kerosene prices, similar to the current pricing mechanism in diesel.
Currently, oil marketing companies are losing Rs. 33/litre on kerosene and Rs. 433 per LPG cylinder by selling them below market prices.
ONGC and Reliance Industries, both of which could be beneficiaries of gas price hike, traded weak today, down 1.2 per cent and 0.7 per cent. (With Agency Inputs)

Storage Status of 85 Important Reservoirs in the Country as on June 19, 2014

Storage Status of 85 Important Reservoirs in the Country as on June 19, 2014

Live storage available in 85 important reservoirs of the country as on June 19, 2014 was 37.677 BCM which is 24% of total live storage capacity of these reservoirs. This storage is 103% of the storage of corresponding period of last year and 152% of storage of average of last ten years. The present storage position during current year is better than storage position of last year and average storage of last ten years.                           Central Water Commission monitors live storage status of 85 important reservoirs of the country on weekly basis. These reservoirs include 37 reservoirs having hydropower benefit with installed capacity of more than 60 MW. The total live storage capacity of these reservoirs is 155.046 BCM which is about 61% of the live storage capacity of 253.388 BCM which is estimated to have been created in the country. REGION WISE STORAGE STATUS: a)      NORTHERN REGION           The northern region includes States of Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Rajasthan. There are 6 reservoirs in this region having total live storage capacity of 18.01 BCM. The total live storage available in these reservoirs is 7.19BCM which is 40% of total live storage capacity of these reservoirs. The storage during corresponding period of last year was 38% and average storage of last ten years during corresponding period was 26% of live storage capacity of these reservoirs. Thus, storage during current year is better than the corresponding period of last year and average storage of last ten years during the corresponding period. b)     EASTERN REGION         The Eastern region includes States of Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal and Tripura. There are 15 reservoirs in this region having total live storage capacity of 18.83 BCM. The total live storage available in these reservoirs is 4.72BCM which is 25% of total live storage capacity of these reservoirs. The storage during corresponding period of last year was 21% and average storage of last ten years during corresponding period was 13% of live storage capacity of these reservoirs. Thus, storage during current year is better than the corresponding period of last year and average storage of last ten years during the corresponding period. c)      WESTERN REGION       The Western region includes States of Gujarat and Maharashtra. There are 22 reservoirs in this region having total live storage capacity of 24.54 BCM. The total live storage available in these reservoirs is 6.10 BCM which is 25% of total live storage capacity of these reservoirs. The storage during corresponding period of last year was 27% and average storage of last ten years during corresponding period was also 20% of live storage capacity of these reservoirs. Thus, storage during current year is better than storage of last year and average storage of last ten years. d)     CENTRAL REGION       The Central region includes States of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. There are 12 reservoirs in this region having total live storage capacity of 42.30BCM. The total live storage available in these reservoirs is 13.46 BCM which is 32% of total live storage capacity of these reservoirs. The storage during corresponding period of last year was 29% and average storage of last ten years during corresponding period was 11% of live storage capacity of these reservoirs. Thus, storage during current year is better than storage of last year and average storage of last ten years. e)      SOUTHERN REGION        The Southern region includes States of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. There are 30 reservoirs in this region having total live storage capacity of 51.37 BCM. The total live storage available in these reservoirs is 6.20 BCM which is 12% of total live storage capacity of these reservoirs. The storage during corresponding period of last year was 13% and average storage of last ten years during corresponding period was 19% of live storage capacity of these reservoirs. Thus, storage during current year is better than the corresponding period of last year and less than the average storage of last ten years during the corresponding period.  The States of Punjab,Rajasthan,Odisha,Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh,Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Tamil Nadu are having better storage than last year for the corresponding period. On the other hand the States of Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Tipura, Gujarat,Uttarakhand,Karnataka, Kerala are having lesser storage than last year for the corresponding period. The State of Andhra Pradesh is having equal storage to last year for the corresponding period. Samir/jk

(Release ID :105757)

Harness long-term Benefits by Investing in Biodiversity Conservation: Shri Javadekar

Harness long-term Benefits by Investing in Biodiversity Conservation: Shri Javadekar
Shri Prakash Javadekar addresses Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) through Video-Message

Shri Prakash Javadekar, Minister of State Environment, Forests & Climate Change, and President of the Eleventh Conference of Parties (CoP-11) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), addressed CBD’s Fifth Meeting of the Working Group on Review Of Implementation (WGRI-5) held in Montreal, Canada from 16-20 June 2014, through a video message highlighting key issues related to biodiversity conservation. In his address, the Minister urged the parties to decide on final targets for resource mobilisation for implementation of the Strategic Plan, as delaying action would not only limit our choices for cost-effective action, but also jeopardise the ability of ecosystems to continually provide vital services.

In his address, Shri Javadekar also highlighted the importance of addressing poverty reduction as a cross-cutting issue of the Strategic Plan. He expressed confidence that these initiatives would help to harness long-term benefits by investing in biodiversity conservation. The meeting assumes significance in the context of preparing for the mid-term review of implementation of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020, and its 20 Aichi targets. The ten-year framework for action by all countries and stakeholders to save biodiversity and enhance its benefits for people, had been welcomed by the United Nations General Assembly, as an overarching global framework to conserve and sustainable use of biodiversity. Its importance has also been reaffirmed in the Rio+20 outcomes.

Further, realising that the mission of the Strategic Plan was central to achieving sustainable development, the United Nations General Assembly had encouraged Parties to consider it in the elaboration of the post-2015 UN development agenda. The review came just before the midpoint of the UN Decade on Biodiversity, and presented an opportunity to redirect efforts to achieve the Aichi Biodiversity Targets.

WGRI-5 looked at progress made by Parties to implement the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020. Delegations also discussed technical and scientific cooperation under the Convention, the role of local and sub-national governments, and efforts to effectively engage stakeholders including the private sector. The meeting considered the mobilization of resources in support of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020. Further, delegations also looked at the relationship between biodiversity and sustainable development and poverty eradication, including the linkages between biodiversity and the ongoing discussions in the United Nations General Assembly on Sustainable Development Goals.

The Indian delegation led by Shri Hem Pande, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change and India’s National Focal point to the CBD, participated at WGRI-5 meeting. Shri Pande also chaired this meeting as representative of CoP President.

Having successfully hosted the CoP-11 to the CBD in Hyderabad in October 2012, India is currently the President of CoP, till the next CoP to be held in Pyeongchang, Republic of Korea.

CP/GV
(Release ID :105793)

Government to Bring a new Agriculture Insurance Scheme soon, Says Agriculture Minister

Government to Bring a new Agriculture Insurance Scheme soon, Says Agriculture Minister
Union Agriculture Minister Shri Radha Mohan Singh has said that a new Agriculture Insurance Scheme (Krushi Bima Yojana) would be brought as the present scheme is not proving much beneficial to the farmers while facing wrath of natural calamities. Addressing mediapersons in Patna today, the Agriculture Minister reiterated that betterment of agriculture, villages and farmers are on the priority of the union government. He further added that health of soil is necessary for the agricultural production and productivity and therefore ‘Soil Health card’ is being provided to the farmers. Besides these, government is undertaking all adequate measures to provide irrigation to every field, marketing of agri-produce and enhancement of livestock quality. He told that by the budget time, details of such schemes will be brought forward.

The minister assured of no discrimination or politics with states while making efforts for the overall development of agricultural sector as it is a state subject. However, he expressed concern over non-utilisation of full allocation by states in respect of central schemes like the National Food Security Mission, National Agriculture Development Scheme, National Micro-Irrigation Scheme and National Bamboo Mission.

Underlining the importance of agricultural Universities in the agricultural development, he lamented that four ranges of Bihar- Munger, Gaya, Saran and Champaran- are not having Agriculture University and the state must take the appropriate steps to establish it. He informed that despite in principle approval of the Planning Commission and allocation of about rupees 1,000 crore in the year 2009, the Rajendra Agriculture University, Pusa, Bihar is yet to get the status of central university. He confided that state government would soon take steps in this regard and the Centre is ready to provide all possible assistance. He also added that if land is provided, a Fishery Research Institute will be set up in Muzaffarpur, Bihar.


***

DK/PK
(Release ID :105784)

Management System Auditing

• What is a management system audit?
• What are the requirements for conducting management system audits?
• Why should I use 19011:2011?
• Where can I find more information about management system auditing? 

There are many different types of assessment – financial audits, property assessments, supplier reviews, contractor evaluations, registration audits, equipment evaluations…
What do all assessments have in common?
They compare a set of collected information against some established criteria.

 What is a Management System Audit?

 A management system audit is a specific type of assessment.
ISO 19011 defines a management system audit as follows:
“Systematic, independent and documented process for obtaining audit evidence and evaluating it objectively to determine the extent to which the audit criteria are fulfilled.” (ISO 19011:2011 3.1)
What makes a management system audit different from other types of assessments?
Three things -

1. It must be systematic.
2. It must be independent.
3. It must be documented.

Management system audits must be systematic.
Management systems are all about controlling processes – including the processes of the management system.  In order to conduct management system audits, you need audit procedures AND an audit program.

Management system audits must be independent.
Auditors can NOT audit their own work.  Audits need to be structured so they are free from bias and conflicts of interest.
Management system audits must be documented.
Audits are all about making decisions and taking action – in order for this to be accomplished, they need to be documented.

What Are the Requirements for Conducting Audits?

The requirements for conducting management system audits depend on two things –

1. The requirements set out in the applicable management system standard being used to establish the management system (e.g. ISO 9001, ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001)
2. The “planned arrangements” (processes and procedures) established for the audit program by the organization that is conducting the audit – or having the audit  conducted on its behalf.

All of the commonly used management system standards contain audit requirements.
In both ISO 14001:2004 and OHSAS 18001:2007, this is section 4.5.5 – which is entitled Internal Audit.  These requirements include establishing both an audit program and implementing and maintaining audit procedures.  ISO 19011 provides additional guidance on how these requirements can be met.

Why Should I Use ISO 19011:2011?

ISO 19011 is an international consensus standard developed by experts from around the World.  It has been developed to be applicable to all organizations that need to conduct internal or external audits of management systems or manage an audit program.  As a consensus standard, it reflects an auditing framework that has been agreed upon and accepted by a range of interested parties.
It is a guidance document; it is not a specification standard.  It contains suggestions for how to meet the audit requirements that are set out in other management system standards such as ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001.  It is useful for organizations that need to develop their own planned arrangements for conducting effective audits.

Posted 13th March 2013 by Dr. Amar Nath Giri-NAGARJUNA-GROUP-NFCL