Strategic Petroleum Reserves
6-Mar-2017: Cabinet approves signing of the Definitive Agreement on Oil Storage and Management between ISPRL and ADNOC of UAE
The Union Cabinet has given its ex-post facto approval for signing of the Definitive Agreement on Oil Storage and Management between Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserve Ltd (ISPRL) and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) of UAE.
According to the Agreement, the ADNOC will fill up 0.81 MMT or 5,860,000 million barrels of crude oil at ISPRL storage facility at Mangalore, Karnataka.
Out of the crude stored, some part will be used for commercial purpose of ADNOC, while a major part will be purely for strategic purposes. The signing of the Agreement will augment India's energy security.
India and UAE are strategic partners. The investment by ADNOC is a major investment from UAE under the High Level Task Force on Investment (HLTFI) and the first investment by UAE in India in the energy sector.
Mission Fingerling
11-Mar-2017: Government launches Mission Fingerling to achieve Blue Revolution.
Mission Fingerling with a total expenditure of about Rs. 52000 lakh to achieve Blue Revolution. Recognizing the potential and possibilities in the fisheries sector, Government of India has envisaged a program named ''Blue Revolution'' to unlock the country's latent potential through an integrated approach.
Blue Revolution, in its scope and reach, focuses on creating an enabling environment for an integrated and holistic development and management of fisheries for the socioeconomic development of the fishers and fish farmers. Thrust areas have been identified for enhancing fisheries production from 10.79 mt to 15 million mt in 2020-21.
Greater emphasis will be on infrastructure with an equally strong focus on management and conservation of the resources through technology transfer to increase in the income of the fishers and fish farmers.
Productivity enhancement shall also be achieved through employing the best global innovations and integration of various production oriented activities such as: Production of quality fish seeds, Cost effective feed and adoption of technology etc.
Fish Fingerling production is the single most important critical input visualised to achieve fish production targets under the Blue Revolution. It need to establish more hatchery to produce Fry/PL required for different categories of water bodies.
The Department has identified 20 States based on their potential and other relevant factors to strengthen the Fish Seed infrastructure in the country.
This program with a total expenditure of about Rs. 52000 lakh will facilitate the establishment of hatcheries and Fingerling rearing pond to ensure the fish production of 426 crores fish fingerling, 25.50 crores Post Larvae of shrimp and crab in the country.
Ornamental fisheries
9-Mar-2017: Government to launch pilot project on ornamental fisheries.
The Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries has envisaged a programme to unlock the potential of country’s ornamental fisheries sector. In this regard, the government will launch a pilot scheme for promoting ornamental fisheries sector with an outlay of Rs 61.89 crore to meet rising demand in domestic and export markets.
The project will be implemented in eight states — Assam, West Bengal, Odisha, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, the Agriculture Ministry said in a statement.
The pilot project will focus on creating an enabling environment for a sustainable and holistic development of ornamental fisheries for the socio-economic development of the people involved in this activity as well as for exports.
The thrust areas have been identified for enhancing ornamental fisheries production through cluster-based farming and conservation of natural resources, both inland and marine, through habitat restoration, the statement said.
The major objectives are: (i) to promote ornamental fish culture with cluster-based approach (ii) to augment ornamental fisheries trade and export earnings (iii) to create employment opportunities for the rural & peri-urban population and (iv) use of modern technology and innovation to make ornamental fisheries a thriving activity.
The pilot project on ornamental fisheries shall be implemented by the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) through the Fisheries Departments of States/UTs.
Ornamental fisheries sector is a sub-sector of the fisheries sector dealing with breeding and rearing of coloured fish of both freshwater and marine water. In India it is small but vibrant and there is a potential for tremendous growth. About 400 species of marine ornamental fishes and 375 freshwater ornamental varieties are available in various parts of the country. Ornamental fisheries generate livelihood and income for the rural and peri-urban population, especially women and unemployed youth as part-time activities. The low production cost and high returns within a short span of time and the ever growing demand, both in domestic and international markets, etc. are the major attractions.