NewzIntel.com

Category: Commerce

  • MIL-OSI USA: DCCA NEWS RELEASE: REAL ESTATE COMMISSION TO HOST A FREE VIRTUAL “CONDORAMA” EDUCATION EVENT

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    DCCA NEWS RELEASE: REAL ESTATE COMMISSION TO HOST A FREE VIRTUAL “CONDORAMA” EDUCATION EVENT

    Posted on Nov 4, 2024 in Latest Department News, Newsroom

     

    DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS

    KA ʻOIHANA PILI KĀLEPA

     

    PROFESSIONAL AND VOCATIONAL LICENSING DIVISION

     

    JOSH GREEN, M.D.
    GOVERNOR | KE KIAʻĀINA

    NADINE Y. ANDO
    DIRECTOR | KA LUNA HOʻOKELE

    AHLANI K. QUIOGUE

    LICENSING ADMINISTRATOR

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    November 4, 2024

    REAL ESTATE COMMISSION TO HOST A FREE VIRTUAL “CONDORAMA” EDUCATION EVENT

     

    HONOLULU — The Real Estate Commission, together with Community Associations Institute Hawaii Chapter will conduct a free “Condorama XIII” event via webinar, on Saturday, November 9, 2024. The event runs from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and will feature speakers highlighting topics relating to the condominium community.

     

    The event is geared toward condominium owners and is open to the public. Registration is available online at https://www.caihawaii.org/. Following the presentation, a recording of the event will be made available on the CAI Hawaii and the Real Estate Branch Condorama websites.

    TOPICS INCLUDE:

    • The Hawai‘i Civil Rights Commission

     

    Marcus Kawatachi, Deputy Executive Director of the Hawai‘i Civil Rights Commission (“HCRC”) will provide information on the HCRC and its function, how complaints are processed, types of claims received and tips to avoid complaints.

     

    • Dealing with Violence in Associations

     

    Jeffrey Owens, CSP, CTM, CVP, Major-HPD Ret., will provide an overview on dealing with violence in associations, including strategies on managing events to safety, productive communications, reducing personal risk during encounters and regaining control when people are out of control.

    For more information regarding Condorama XIII, please visit the Real Estate Branch Condorama website at https://cca.hawaii.gov/condorama/, or call the Real Estate Branch at 808-586-2644.

    # # #

    The Real Estate Commission is one of 52 boards, commissions and programs administratively attached to the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs’ Professional and Vocational Licensing Division. It is responsible for the licensure, education and discipline of real estate agents; registration of prelicense schools, continuing education providers, condominium projects, condominium associations, condominium managing agents and condominium hotel operators; and certification of prelicense and continuing education courses and prelicense instructors.

    Media Contact:

    William Nhieu

    Communications Officer

    Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs

    [email protected]

    Office: 808-586-7582

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Economy – Affirm needs strategic positioning amid regulatory shifts in the crowded UK BNPL market, says GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    Following the news that the US-based buy now pay later (BNPL) startup Affirm has entered the UK market;

    Phoebe Hodgson, Associate Analyst, Banking and Payments at GlobalData, offers her view:

    “The BNPL market in the UK is becoming increasingly saturated. According to GlobalData’s 2024 Financial Services Consumer Survey*, only 21% of respondents in the UK have used an online BNPL service while buying goods and services. This limited adoption, coupled with an already concentrated market, where 75% of the UK market is held by five BNPL providers, suggests Affirm may find it challenging to position itself among the well-established competitors like Klarna, PayPal and Zilch.

    “Affirm’s unique selling points, such as extended loan periods and strategic partnerships, could help distinguish it, but it will have to overcome significant obstacles. One of the biggest hurdles is the evolving regulatory environment. The UK government seeks to regulate the BNPL product further, treating it as if it were a credit product, subjecting them to stricter consumer protections and potentially reducing the appeal for BNPL for both providers and consumers alike. Soon to be under stricter regulations, Affirm must work under pressure to assert itself among the UK customers, who are more cautious of debt amid high living costs and economic uncertainty. Furthermore, with competitors already moving towards innovative product extensions, and compliance initiatives, Affirm’s market entry may need to be more than just a product push – it must be a strategic positioning exercise to resonate with cautious UK consumers.”

    *Global survey conducted online in Q2 2024 among 67,292 consumers across 41 markets globally. The survey explores global consumer behaviors, purchasing preferences, and attitudes across the most important banking products. The UK’s sample is 5,003.

    About GlobalData

    4,000 of the world’s largest companies, including over 70% of FTSE 100 and 60% of Fortune 100 companies, make more timely and better business decisions thanks to GlobalData’s unique data, expert analysis and innovative solutions, all in one platform. GlobalData’s mission is to help our clients decode the future to be more successful and innovative across a range of industries, including the healthcare, consumer, retail, financial, technology and professional services sectors.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Disaster Assistance Available to New Mexico Private Nonprofit Organizations

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    “As communities across the Southeast continue to recover and rebuild after Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the SBA remains focused on its mission to provide support to small businesses to help stabilize local economies, even in the face of diminished disaster funding,” said Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman. “If your business has sustained physical damage, or you’ve lost inventory, equipment or revenues, the SBA will help you navigate the resources available and work with you at our recovery centers or with our customer service specialists in person and online so you can fully submit your disaster loan application and be ready to receive financial relief as soon as funds are replenished.”

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Low-interest federal disaster loans are now available to certain private nonprofit organizations in New Mexico following President Biden’s federal disaster declaration for Public Assistance as a result of severe storm and flooding that occurred Oct. 19-20, announced Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman of the U.S. Small Business Administration. Private nonprofits that provide essential services of a governmental nature are eligible for assistance.

    These low-interest federal disaster loans are available in Chaves County.

    “Private nonprofit organizations should New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Recovery Bureau by calling (505) 476-9600, emailing recovery.unit@dhsem.nm.gov or visiting https://www.dhsem.nm.gov to obtain information about applicant briefings,” said Francisco Sánchez Jr., associate administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the Small Business Administration. “At the briefings, private nonprofit representatives will need to provide information about their organization,” continued Sánchez. The Federal Emergency Management Agency will use that information to determine if the private nonprofit provides an “essential governmental service” and is a “critical facility” as defined by law. FEMA may provide the private nonprofit with a Public Assistance grant for their eligible costs. SBA encourages all private nonprofit organizations to apply with SBA for disaster loan assistance.

    SBA may lend private nonprofits up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets.

    For certain private nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help with meeting working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic Injury Disaster Loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that cannot be paid because of the disaster’s impact. Economic injury assistance is available regardless of whether the nonprofit suffered any property damage.

    “SBA’s disaster loan program offers an important advantage–the chance to incorporate measures that can reduce the risk of future damage,” Sánchez continued. “Work with contractors and mitigation professionals to strengthen your property and take advantage of the opportunity to request additional SBA disaster loan funds for these proactive improvements.”

    The interest rate is 3.25 percent with terms up to 30 years. The deadline to apply for property damage is Dec. 31, 2024. The deadline to apply for economic injury is Aug. 1, 2025.

    Interest does not begin to accrue until 12 months from the date of the first disaster loan disbursement. SBA disaster loan repayment begins 12 months from the date of the first disbursement.

    On October 15, 2024, it was announced that funds for the Disaster Loan Program have been fully expended. While no new loans can be issued until Congress appropriates additional funding, we remain committed to supporting disaster survivors. Applications will continue to be accepted and processed to ensure individuals and businesses are prepared to receive assistance once funding becomes available.

    Applicants are encouraged to submit their loan applications promptly for review in anticipation of future funding.

    Applicants may apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information at SBA.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration
    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Administrator Guzman Celebrates Native American Heritage Month

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    WASHINGTON– Today, Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice in President Biden’s Cabinet for more 34 million small businesses, kicked off Native American Heritage Month byhighlighting the unprecedented progress made in supporting Native small business owners across the country.

    “Native American small businesses are a vital component of the economic fabric of our nation, contributing to job creation, innovation and community development across the U.S.,” said SBA Administrator Guzman. “Under the Biden-Harris Administration, the SBA has made significant strides in its work to support and uplift these businesses, delivering the resources and opportunities needed to succeed. Every month we honor and respect Tribal Nations, and during Native American Heritage Month in particular, we acknowledge the many contributions Indigenous people have made to this country. We are proud to honor their achievements and support their continued success.”

    Under the Biden-Harris Administration, the SBA has prioritized engagement with Native communities, resulting in significant advancements in federal contracting, access to capital and policy development. Currently, there are 13 Native banks or Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) that lend with SBA programs, representing a 30% increase since January 2021. The SBA has nearly doubled its lending dollar amount to Native entrepreneurs from FY20 to FY24, reaching $267 million for both 7(a) and 504 lending in the last fiscal year. Native American contracting, including Alaska Native Corporations (ANCs), Native Hawaiian Organizations (NHOs), has also experienced unprecedented growth, with a remarkable 49% increase from FY20 to FY23.

    Additionally, in recognition of the importance of Tribal consultation, the SBA has updated its Tribal Consultation Policy and successfully held rounds of consultations that have directly influenced final policy outcomes. The Biden-Harris Administration has also developed two groundbreaking programs to further support Native small businesses: The Small Business Tribal College Achievement (TCSBA) grant program, which enhanced entrepreneurship education and training, and the Native Trade Export Program (NATEP), which expanded Native businesses’ access to international markets.

    Since taking office, Administrator Guzman has made it a priority to visit Native communities, lands and convenings, surpassing the record of any previous SBA Administrator. Notable visits include the Winnebago Tribe, Navajo Nation, All Pueblo Council of Governors, Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, North Dakota, Chickasaw Nation, Anchorage, Nome, Juneau, Honolulu, Maui and participation in the Reservation Economic Summit (RES) hosted by the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development. Additionally, the Administrator has participated in the White House Tribal Nation Summits on three occasions, demonstrating the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to Tribal consultation.

    ###

    About SBA’s Office of Native American Affairs (ONAA)

    The Office of Native American Affairs (ONAA) is in the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) headquarters in Washington, DC. Our goal is to promote and support Native American entrepreneurs. We engage in numerous outreach activities including tribal consultations, development and distribution of promotional materials, attendance and participation in national economic development conferences.

    ONAA facilitates full access to business growth and expansion tools for small businesses owned by Native Americans. ONAA engages in tribal consultations, produces promotional materials and participates in national economic development conferences.

    American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians can use our local assistance tool to find nearby offices and resources. There, you can get counseling on whether our 8(a) Business Development Program is right for you.

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration 
    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI—Hagerty Joins Mornings with Maria to Discuss Failed Economic and Foreign Policies of Biden-Harris Administration

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Tennessee Bill Hagerty
    NASHVILLE, TN—United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Senate Banking and Foreign Relations Committees, today joined Mornings with Maria on Fox Business to discuss the failed economic and foreign policies of the Biden-Harris Administration and their sharp contrast with the successful policies of the Trump Administration. 

    *Click the photo above or here to watch*
    Partial TranscriptHagerty on the failed economic policies of the Biden-Harris Administration: “Well, the economic policies of this Administration under Kamala Harris have been an absolute disaster for America. If you look at it, 72 percent of American people think that this country is on the wrong track, and the number one issue, Maria, is the fact that real wages have gone down. Inflation has destroyed and devastated families here in America, and I think the only thing keeping the market up right now is the anticipation, and frankly, the sheer hope that President Trump gets reelected on Tuesday.”
    Hagerty on the failed foreign policies of the Biden-Harris Administration: “Well, if you look at the foreign policy of this Administration, it’s absolutely pathetic. Under President Trump, we had no wars. Under [Joe] Biden and [Kamala] Harris, this has been a complete disaster. It goes back to the failed withdrawal from Afghanistan where Kamala Harris was the quote, ‘last voice in the room.’ That was an absolute disgrace and a disaster that embarrassed our nation like nothing in our lifetimes, Maria. And that invited and precipitated, I think, and emboldened our adversaries around the world. You look at what happened with Iran: the day that this Administration came into office, they stopped enforcing sanctions against Iran. I worked very closely with President Trump and in his Administration to impose maximum sanctions on Iran, to put maximum pressures on them, to get our allies to stop buying oil from Iran. It worked. What we did was we made Iran basically broke. We stopped the funding of Hamas, stopped the funding of Hezbollah, the Houthis had no funds. We saw peace break out in the Middle East. President Trump was able to move our embassy to Jerusalem. He was able to take out Soleimani and Al-Baghdadi. He even did the Abraham Accords, which was the foundation, I think, of peace and prosperity in the Middle East. Iran could do nothing about it. As soon as [Joe] Biden comes into office, as soon as [Kamala] Harris comes into office, they start allowing the funds to flow, and we have terrible wars outbreaking in the Middle East.”
    Hagerty on Kamala Harris running conflicting advertisements on Israel stance: “Well, she wants to [have it both ways]. It’s a complete lack of integrity. And if you talk about having it both ways, we have seen her flip-flop on every major policy. It’s like an avatar, Maria. The media have helped support this. Again, the partisan media, not yourself, have helped support creation of a candidate that’s nowhere close to where Kamala Harris from San Francisco, the most liberal Senator in the United States Senate, has been for her entire political career. Now they’re trying to create something entirely different, entirely false. They send one message into Michigan. They’ll send a completely different message into Pennsylvania to try to appeal to Jewish voters. I think the American public can see right through this.”
    Hagerty on Iran changing its nuclear policy to produce nuclear weapons: “Well, I remind you, we wouldn’t be in a position for Iran to respond at all were President Trump in office because we brought Iran to its knees. That’s got to happen again. If Kamala Harris gets into office, I think Iran’s going to have free range to do whatever they want to do, because they’re going to continue to allow Iran to bring billions of dollars in. They’re going to continue to allow them to pump [oil]. They’re going to continue to allow Iran to sell weapons to Russia. Iran has had free reign under Kamala Harris, and at the same time, you see her bringing in people like Liz Cheney, others that all want to see war breakout in the Middle East. I think what we’ve got to do is look directly at what the past has shown us. We’ve got a track record with President Trump That has delivered peace and prosperity. We’ve got a track record with Kamala Harris that has delivered nothing but agony and war in the Middle East and around the world.”
    Hagerty on the top priority of a second Trump Administration: “Well, for me, Maria, our foreign policy is derived directly from the strength of our economy. We have the most amazing, the most prosperous economy in the world. Access to that economy is absolutely critical. President Trump understands that. Let’s get our economy moving again. That’s what the people of America need to see. We need to see security at our southern border. We have a national security risk like we’ve never seen before. No one’s better than you in reporting on this. But then we’ve got to turn around and deal with strength and credibility with our adversaries. No one in the world believes that Kamala Harris can deal with Vladimir Putin, can deal with Xi Jinping, can deal with the Ayatollah. She has no credibility whatsoever. President Trump has and will.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ernst Names Small Business of the Week, Revelton Distilling Company

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)
    RED OAK, Iowa – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Ranking Member of the Senate Small Business Committee, today announced her Small Business of the Week: Revelton Distilling Company of Clarke County. Throughout this Congress, Ranking Member Ernst plans to recognize a small business in every one of Iowa’s 99 counties.
    “Revelton Distilling Company has found a neat way to keep spirits high with award-winning bourbon created from Iowa-grown corn,” said Ranking Member Ernst. “For the last four years, master distillers Robert and Christi Taylor have supported local farmers and found new ways to stay dedicated to their old fashioned craft. Let’s raise a toast and celebrate this Clarke County business earning international recognition!”
    After learning that Kentucky bourbon producers source their corn from Iowa farmers, Robert and Christi Taylor decided to attend distillery school in 2016 and opened Revelton Distilling Company in 2020. Revelton Distilling Company offers a wide variety of spirits, including their barrel-aged bourbon whisky and their award-winning mulberry gin. The taste and design of Revelton Distilling Company’s products have earned them multiple international awards from the Micro Liquor Spirit Awards and San Francisco Spirit Awards. Today, over 600 bars, restaurants, liquor stores, and grocery stores carry their spirits.
    Stay tuned as Ranking Member Ernst recognizes more Iowa small businesses across the state with her Small Business of the Week award.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Reverend Warnock, Colleagues Urge Federal Agencies Expand Outreach on Discharging Student Loan Debt in Bankruptcy

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock – Georgia

    Senator Reverend Warnock, Colleagues Urge Federal Agencies Expand Outreach on Discharging Student Loan Debt in Bankruptcy

    New data shows vast majority of borrowers using the new guidance received recommendations for either full or partial debt discharge
    ICYMI from Business Insider: More student-loan borrowers are taking advantage of an updated route to get rid of their debt in bankruptcy court, top Democratic senators say
    Senator Reverend Warnock, lawmakers: “We encourage your agencies to continue to expand awareness of the guidance so that the 43 million borrowers in the United States… may be able to access relief if they need to file for bankruptcy”
    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) urged the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of Education (ED) to continue expanding awareness to student loan borrowers who are struggling financially about available resources to discharge their student loans in bankruptcy.
    In November 2022, the DOJ and ED issued guidance to DOJ attorneys that sought to streamline the process of discharging student loans in bankruptcy. Prior to this change, borrowers had to undergo a confusing, invasive, and time-consuming process in bankruptcy court to prove repayment would constitute an “undue hardship.”
    “The ‘undue hardship’ standard historically set an unnecessarily high bar that essentially required borrowers to demonstrate a certainty of hopelessness to obtain relief,” wrote the senators.
    99.9% of borrowers who filed bankruptcy from 2011 to 2019 did not have their student loans discharged — borrowers came to believe that there was no way out of the crushing weight of student loans, even through bankruptcy. Since DOJ and ED’s new process was announced, more and more borrowers have received relief. New data obtained by Senator Warren’s office show that, under the Biden administration’s new guidance, 85% of borrowers who sought relief received recommendations for either full or partial debt discharge.
    The high rates of total or partial discharge for those who have applied through the new guidance suggest that many other borrowers could also qualify if they applied. The senators are pushing to expand awareness on the more transparent, fair, and accessible process.
    “We thank you for your agencies’ ongoing commitment to helping borrowers struggling with student debt and urge continued outreach to expand awareness of the streamlined process for qualified borrowers,” concluded the senators.
    Senator Reverend Warnock has long advocated for comprehensive action to address the student loan crisis and has continued pushing the Administration to deliver meaningful student debt relief. Most recently, Senator Warnock led the first Senate Banking committee hearing in over a decade to focus on private student loans and explored the lack of data and transparency in that market and loan servicing concerns while highlighting the potential legislative and regulatory recommendations and measures to stop these abusive practices and to better protect students and taxpayers. Additionally, in August of 2023, the Senator pushed President Biden to swiftly fulfill his promise to deliver targeted student debt cancellation to working and middle-class families following the misguided SCOTUS decision overturning the President’s student debt cancellation.
    The letter can be found HERE and text of the letter is below:
    Dear Attorney General Garland and Secretary Cardona:
    We are writing today to highlight and support your agencies’ progress in making it easier for borrowers struggling financially to discharge their student loans in bankruptcy. In November 2022, the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of Education (ED) released guidance to DOJ attorneys that sought to streamline the process of discharging student loans in bankruptcy. In the time since, more and more borrowers have taken advantage of this guidance and received relief.
    The 1978 Bankruptcy Code allowed borrowers to discharge their federal student loans by demonstrating that repayment would impose an “undue hardship” on the borrower or by showing that the loan became due at least five years before the borrower’s bankruptcy filing. Subsequent amendments benefitting lenders, however, removed the second option. Further, the “undue hardship” standard historically set an unnecessarily high bar that essentially required borrowers to demonstrate a certainty of hopelessness to obtain relief. The federal government’s aggressive challenges in bankruptcy court against students who pursued undue hardship claims only exacerbated the issue. The lack of clarity resulted in a situation where 99.9% of borrowers who filed bankruptcy from 2011 to 2019 did not have their student loans discharged and remained burdened by student loans even after exiting the bankruptcy process.
    In November 2022, after we advocated for a more simplified and transparent process, DOJ and ED published new guidance to make it easier for borrowers to discharge student loans through bankruptcy. The guidance outlined a more transparent, fair, and accessible process designed to empower borrowers burdened with crippling student loan debt who previously had no clear pathway for relief.
    Previously unpublished data obtained by our offices show the impressive growth of the program thus far. For example, while only roughly 200 borrowers attempted to discharge student debt in each of Fiscal Years (FY) 2021 and 2022, that number rose to 648 in FY 2023. In less than eight months in FY 2024, nearly 900 borrowers sought to discharge their student loans in bankruptcy, adding up to 1,520 borrowers since the guidance was implemented.
    Equally important, both unpublished and publicly available data show that the overwhelming majority of those who sought discharge using the new guidance were provided debt relief through full or partial discharge. The Biden Administration recommended approximately seven in 10 borrowers who filed using the updated guidance for full student loan debt discharge. The Administration recommended another 15% of borrowers receive partial debt discharge, meaning 85% of borrowers using the new guidance received recommendations for either full or partial debt discharge. Critically, courts accepted those recommendations in 98% of cases, meaning borrowers received real relief at the end of this process.
    ED and DOJ deserve praise for the complete turnaround of student loan bankruptcy outcomes and you should continue to build on the successes of the streamlined guidance so that more borrowers with crushing student loan debt can find relief. We encourage your agencies to continue to expand awareness of the guidance so that the 43 million borrowers in the United States, who carry a total of $1.6 trillion dollars in student loan debt, may be able to access relief if they need to file for bankruptcy. The high rates of total or partial discharge for those who have applied through the new guidance suggest that many other borrowers would also qualify if they have applied. For years, borrowers came to correctly believe that there was essentially no way out of the crushing weight of student loans, even through bankruptcy. ED and DOJ have changed this narrative and you should continue to educate potentially qualifying borrowers, their attorneys, and other individuals and organizations who work to help borrowers. 
    We thank you for your agencies’ ongoing commitment to helping borrowers struggling with student debt and urge continued outreach to expand awareness of the streamlined process for qualified borrowers. Further, for Congress and the public to better assess your agencies’ plans to increase borrowers’ access to relief through bankruptcy, please provide responses to the following questions by November 12, 2024:
    What types of education and outreach have your agencies already used to reach borrowers regarding the new guidance?
    What are your agencies’ plans for continued and improved education and outreach about the streamlined process to borrowers who may benefit from it? 
    What specific goals do your agencies have for measuring the success of increased education and outreach to borrowers who may benefit from the streamlined process? How will these goals change over time if at all? 
    Do your agencies have systems in place so that borrowers who have filed for bankruptcy can track their filing? If a system does not yet exist, what resources do your agencies need to create one? 
    How much time elapses, on average, between a borrower’s bankruptcy filing and a discharge determination entered by a court under the new process? Please provide a timeline of the different phases of the process (e.g., filing of an adversary proceeding, review by the assigned DOJ attorney, review by ED, recommendation filed by DOJ and ED) and how long each phase typically takes.
    Do your agencies track or record the reasons for denial of discharge based on the factors considered under the guidance? If so, please describe the 3-5 most common reasons you have identified.
    Do your agencies track or record student loan discharge outcomes by region? If so, please describe any regional trends you have observed.
    How can Congress support your agencies as you increase your education and outreach efforts to borrowers?

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Virginia Company and Two Senior Executives Charged with Illegally Exporting Millions of Dollars of U.S. Technology to Russia

    Source: US State Government of Utah

    Eleview International Inc., Oleg Nayandin, 54, of Fairfax, Virginia, and Vitaliy Borisenko, 39, of Vienna, Virginia, made their initial appearance today in the Eastern District of Virginia pursuant to a now unsealed complaint charging them with conspiracy to violate the Export Control Reform Act.

    “As alleged, the defendants — a Virginia company and two of its senior executives — conspired through three evasion schemes to circumvent the export restrictions imposed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “U.S. companies are responsible for complying with laws that protect our national security. The National Security Division is committed to holding accountable individuals and companies who violate these laws and place financial profit over our collective security.”

    “This company allegedly used not one, not two, but three different schemes to illegally transship sensitive American technology to Russia,” said Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement Matthew S. Axelrod of the Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS). “Today’s charges, against both the company and two top executives, are a prime example of our work to bring to justice both the companies and the corporate executives alleged to have circumvented our rules in search of a fatter bottom line.”

    “We must not allow critical systems and technologies to be transferred to anyone who may use them against America and our global partners,” said U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Guarding against these transfers is imperative, and violations of the laws that protect our national security will be met with ardent prosecution.”

    “Export control evasion schemes put the American public at risk by concealing the true recipient,” said Special Agent in Charge Derek W. Gordon of Homeland Security Investigations Washington, D.C. “In this instance, HSI, working in partnership with our colleagues at Department of Commerce’s Office of Export Enforcement, uncovered this scheme was supporting a sanctioned country, thus threatening our national security and the safety of other countries. HSI is dedicated to preventing technology with military applications from falling into the wrong hands.”

    According to the complaint, between approximately March 2022 and June 2023, Eleview International Inc. (Eleview), allegedly a Virginia-based company that operated a freight consolidation and forwarding business; Nayandin, the owner, president, and CEO of Eleview; and Borisenko, who oversaw the day-to-day operations of Eleview’s freight forwarding business, conspired to illegally export goods and technology from the United States to Russia by transshipping them through three countries bordering or near Russia.

    As alleged, the defendants operated an e-commerce website that allowed Russian customers to order U.S. goods and technology directly from U.S. retailers, who shipped the items to Eleview’s warehouse in Chantilly, Virginia. The defendants then consolidated the packages before shipping them to the Russian customers, often using other freight forwarders as intermediaries, in exchange for a fee. After the Department of Commerce imposed stricter export controls in response to Russia’s further invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the defendants began shipping items to purported end users in Turkey, Finland, and Kazakhstan, knowing that the items were ultimately destined for end users in Russia. To facilitate these illegal exports, the defendants made numerous false statements to the Department of Commerce and other freight forwarders about the end users and ultimate consignees of the items in these shipments.

    As part of the conspiracy, the defendants engaged in three export-control evasion schemes, each specific to a different intermediary country. In the Turkey scheme, the defendants exported about $1.48 million worth of telecommunications equipment to a false end user in Turkey, knowing that the equipment was intended for a Russian telecommunications company that supplied the Russian government, including the Federal Security Service, or FSB. The telecommunications equipment that the defendants illegally exported as part of the Turkey scheme had military applications, including use by the Russian military to create and expand communication networks in its war effort against Ukraine.

    In the Finland scheme, the defendants exported about $3.45 million worth of goods purchased to Russia through Eleview’s e-commerce website to a false end user in Finland that neither purchased nor sold goods. Before consolidating the packages into larger pallets for shipment to Finland, the defendants affixed to each package a label with a Russian postal service tracking number so that the Russian postal service could easily ship the package to the customer in Russia. The goods that the defendants illegally exported as part of the Finland scheme included “high priority” items that the Department of Commerce has identified as particularly significant to Russian weaponry, including the same type of electronic component found on Russian “suicide” drones used to destroy Ukrainian tanks and jets.

    In the Kazakhstan scheme, the defendants exported about $1.47 million worth of goods to Russia through an entity in Kazakhstan that advertises its ability to deliver goods to Russia. The goods that the defendants illegally exported as part of the Kazakhstan scheme included controlled dual-use items.

    If convicted, Nayandin and Borisenko each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    The BIS and Homeland Security Investigations are investigating the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gavin R. Tisdale and Amanda St. Cyr for the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorney Garrett Coyle of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case with past assistance provided by then-First Assistant U.S. Attorney Raj Parekh.

    The case is being coordinated through the Justice and Commerce Departments’ Disruptive Technology Strike Force and the Justice Department’s Task Force KleptoCapture. The Disruptive Technology Strike Force is an interagency law enforcement strike force co-led by the Justice and Commerce Departments designed to target illicit actors, protect supply chains, and prevent critical technology from being acquired by authoritarian regimes and hostile nation states. Task Force KleptoCapture is an interagency law enforcement task force dedicated to enforcing the sweeping sanctions, export restrictions and economic countermeasures that the United States has imposed, along with its allies and partners, in response to Russia’s unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine.

    A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Quincy Jones mastered the art of arrangement, transforming simple tunes into epic soundscapes

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Jose Valentino Ruiz, Associate Professsor of Music Business and Entrepreneurship, University of Florida

    Quincy Jones left his indelible touch on some of the 20th century’s most iconic albums. Arnold Turner/Getty Images for Netflix

    On the sleeve notes of some of the most memorable and best-selling albums of all time, you’ll find the words “Produced and arranged by Quincy Jones.”

    It was a hallmark of quality.

    Jones, who died on Nov. 3, 2024, at the age of 91, transformed our understanding of musical arrangement. His work spanned decades and genres, from jazz and pop to hip-hop and film scoring. He worked with pop icons like Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin, and also collaborated with lesser-known artists such as Lesley Gore and Tevin Campbell.

    Each of his projects, collaborations and forays into new genres redefined what it meant to arrange music.

    As a music business and entrepreneurship professor, I’ve studied and taught Jones’ techniques, which I hope can inspire the next generation of musicians.

    A master musical architect

    Musical arrangement might seem like an abstract concept.

    Simply put, it’s the art of deciding how a song unfolds. While a composer writes the melody and harmony, an arranger shapes the experience, choosing which instruments play when, how textures build and where dynamics shift.

    Arrangement transforms a song from notes on paper into a fully realized piece of art that resonates with listeners. In essence, an arranger acts as a musical architect, designing the structure of a song to tell a compelling story.

    Jones brought a visionary approach to arranging. He wasn’t merely filling in the gaps around a melody with a drum beat here and a horn section there; he was crafting a musical narrative that gave each instrument a purpose, guiding listeners through an emotional journey.

    From his early work in the 1950s and 1960s with jazz greats like Count Basie and R&B star Ray Charles, to his blockbuster productions with Michael Jackson, Jones saw arrangement as a tool to guide listeners from one musical moment to the next.

    Elevating voices

    His work on “Sinatra at the Sands” is but one example.

    Jones created lush, energetic big-band arrangements that perfectly complemented Sinatra’s smooth, warm voice. The choice of brass swells and the dynamic shifts amplified Sinatra’s charisma, turning the album into a lively, almost-cinematic experience. Unlike many arrangements, which often stay in the background, Jones’ took center stage, blending harmoniously with Sinatra’s vocals while adding depth and excitement to the entire performance.

    In Ray Charles’ “I Can’t Stop Loving You,” Jones used orchestral swells and background vocals to bring out the soul in Charles’ voice, creating a richly emotional experience for listeners. By intelligently pairing Charles’ gospel-tinged vocals with a polished, orchestral arrangement, Jones captured the tension between sorrow and resilience – a demonstration of his ability to communicate complex emotions through arrangement.

    Ray Charles, left, shares a laugh with Quincy Jones in 2004.
    George Pimentel/WireImage for NARAS via Getty Images

    Turning songs into stories

    Jones’ skill at using arrangement as a storytelling device was exemplified by his collaboration with Jackson.

    Albums like “Thriller” and “Off the Wall” showcased Jones’ knack for inventively layering sounds. On “Thriller,” Jones combined electronic and acoustic elements to create a multidimensional soundscape that set a new standard for production.

    His ability to incorporate textures, background vocals and unique instrument choices – such as horror actor Vincent Price’s iconic narration on the song “Thriller” – transformed pop music, setting the stage for future producers to experiment with storytelling in their own arrangements.

    In Jackson’s “Bad,” Jones pushed the boundaries of genre by blending funk rhythms with pop structures, giving Jackson’s music a timeless appeal.

    The title track’s arrangement has layers of rhythm and harmony that build a feeling of tension and power, enhancing Jackson’s message of confidence and defiance. Each instrument and background vocal in “Bad” serves a purpose, creating a sound that is bold, exciting and engaging.

    Lessons for educators

    For educators teaching music production and commercial music, Jones’ approach provides a gold mine of practical lessons.

    First, his commitment to genre fusion teaches students the importance of versatility. Jones’ career demonstrates that blending jazz, pop, funk and even classical elements can create something innovative and accessible. Students can learn to break free from the constraints of single-genre production, seeing instead how various musical styles can work together to create fresh, engaging sounds.

    Quincy Jones, pictured here with Michael Jackson, won 28 Grammys during his career.
    Chris Walter/WireImage via Getty Images

    Second, Jones’ emphasis on storytelling through arrangement offers students a framework for making music that resonates.

    In my classes, I encourage students to ask themselves: How does each musical element support the emotional arc of the song? By studying Jones’ arrangements, students learn to think of themselves as storytellers, not just sound engineers. They can begin to see arrangement as an art form in itself – one that has the power to captivate audiences by drawing them into a musical journey.

    Finally, Jones’ work shows the power of collaboration. His willingness to work across genres and with a variety of artists – each bringing unique perspectives – demonstrates the value of open-mindedness and adaptability.

    His life’s work serves as a reminder that music is more than just sound; it’s an experience shaped by careful, intentional decisions, with every sound and silence in a piece of music serving a purpose.

    Jose Valentino Ruiz is the CEO of JV Music Enterprises.

    – ref. Quincy Jones mastered the art of arrangement, transforming simple tunes into epic soundscapes – https://theconversation.com/quincy-jones-mastered-the-art-of-arrangement-transforming-simple-tunes-into-epic-soundscapes-242877

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI: Questor Announces Departure of Vice President of Operations and Engineering

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CALGARY, Alberta, Nov. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Questor Technology Inc. (“Questor”, the “Company”), (TSX Venture Exchange: QST) would like to announce Mr. Quentin Kyliuk is no longer with Questor Technology Inc., effective October 28, 2024.

    On behalf of the employees and Board of Directors, the Company thanks Quentin for his contribution to Questor and wishes him all the best in his future endeavours.

    ABOUT QUESTOR TECHNOLOGY INC.

    Questor Technology Inc., incorporated in Canada under the Business Companies Act (Alberta) is an environmental emissions reduction technology company founded in 1994, with global operations. The Company is focused on clean air technologies that safely and cost effectively improve air quality, support energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emission reductions. The Company designs, manufactures and services high efficiency clean combustion systems that destroy harmful pollutants, including Methane, Hydrogen Sulfide gas, Volatile Organic Hydrocarbons, Hazardous Air Pollutants and BTEX (Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene and Xylene) gases within waste gas streams at 99.99 percent efficiency per its ISO 14034 Certification. This enables its clients to meet emission regulations, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, address community concerns and improve safety at industrial sites.

    The Company also has proprietary heat to power generation technology and is currently targeting new markets including landfill biogas, syngas, waste engine exhaust, geothermal and solar, cement plant waste heat in addition to a wide variety of oil and gas projects. The combination of Questor’s clean combustion and power generation technologies can help clients achieve net zero emission targets for minimal cost. The Company is also doing research and development on data solutions to deliver an integrated system that amalgamates all of the emission detection data available to demonstrate a clear picture of the site’s emission profile.

    The Company’s common shares are traded on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol “QST”. The address of the Company’s corporate and registered office is 2240, 140 – 4 Avenue S.W. Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2P 3N3.

    QUESTOR TRADES ON THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE UNDER THE SYMBOL ‘QST’

    Investor Relations Contact

    Aly Sumar – Chief Financial Officer

    investor@questortech.com

    Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

    This document is not intended for dissemination or distribution in the United States.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI China: Cambodia, China eye stronger digital economy cooperation

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    PHNOM PENH, Nov. 4 — The 2024 China-Cambodia Digital Economy Cooperation Forum was convened here in Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia, on Monday, exploring ways to boost stronger digital economy cooperation between the two countries.

    In an opening speech, Cambodian Minister of Economy and Finance Aun Pornmoniroth said the forum was vital to further promoting cooperation between Cambodia and China, especially in the fields of technology, innovation, and digital economy.

    “For Cambodia, the development of the digital economy is considered an important driver in the process of economic development,” he told the forum with approximately 250 participants.

    Pornmoniroth, who is also a Cambodian deputy prime minister, said the development of digital technology is one of the top priorities in the Cambodian government’s Pentagonal Strategy Phase 1 and that digital technology will help Cambodia achieve its vision of becoming a high-income country by 2050.

    “In recent years, digital technology has been rapidly developed, becoming a new stand for supporting and ensuring economic resilience,” he said.

    “The digital technology has spurred new innovations that contribute to value added creation, productivity increase, and work efficiency, as well as become a catalyst for global trade and economic connectivity,” he added.

    Pornmoniroth said Cambodia and China have been working closely to promote digital economy and that the Southeast Asian country has collaborated with Alibaba to boost e-commerce and with UnionPay International and Ant International’s Alipay+ to bolster cross-border QR code payments.

    At the event, the Digital Economy Professional Association of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia was launched.

    Pornmoniroth hopes that the association will play a leading role in promoting digital innovations, producing digital talents, and enhancing the use of digital technology.

    Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wenbin praised Cambodia for its rapid development of digital economy, and was amazed by the significant rise of mobile payments with smartphones.

    He was pleased to see that China-Cambodia digital economy cooperation has progressed well, saying that China will continue to help Cambodia achieve the goal of 100 percent high-speed Internet coverage in urban areas and 70 percent coverage in rural areas by 2025.

    “Chinese companies in Cambodia have fully utilized their own technological advantages to promote emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, cloud technology, and mobile payments in Cambodia, helping the kingdom improve its digital level and promote digital transformation,” he said.

    Lin Shiqiang, president of the China Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia, said China Unicom, Huawei and other companies have played a crucial role in constructing Cambodia-China submarine cable, providing strong support for the deep integration and connectivity of the digital economy of the two countries.

    Joseph Matthews, a senior professor at the BELTEI International University in Phnom Penh, said China has been a great supporter of digitalization of Cambodia, gradually transforming Cambodia’s present system into digitalization.

    “China has a policy. They are sharing their wealth and their technology with countries and with their friends like Cambodia,” he told Xinhua.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China holds wide appeal for investors

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Motivated by China’s complete removal of market access restrictions for foreign investors in the manufacturing sector, executives from multinational corporations attending the seventh China International Import Expo said they will deploy more resources in the country, with a particular focus on high-end manufacturing.

    This year’s CIIE, scheduled in Shanghai from Tuesday to Nov 10, will debut more than 400 new products, technologies and services across advanced sectors, including high-end equipment, advanced materials and marine engineering products, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

    The latest edition of China’s national negative list for foreign investment, which took effect on Friday, has removed the last two manufacturing-related restrictions, further opening the sector to global investors, according to the National Development and Reform Commission.

    Attracted by China’s innovation capability, business model transformation and bilateral and multilateral free trade deals, many global manufacturers are increasingly inclined to invest in new innovation centers, expand production capacities and advance digital transformation initiatives within the country, said Sun Xiao, secretary-general of the China Chamber of International Commerce.

    For China, the manufacturing industry is the earliest sector to open up to foreign investors, and it is also the most competitive, with a high level of integration with the global industrial division of labor, said Sun.

    Schneider Electric, a French industrial and technology group and a seven-time participant at the CIIE, will present at this year’s event new concepts, products, services and applications that combine digital, automation and electrification technologies, underscoring its commitment to China through its “China Hub” strategy.

    Yin Zheng, executive vice-president of Schneider Electric’s China and East Asia operations, said that China has become Schneider Electric’s second-largest market in the world and one of its four global research and development bases.

    “Through the CIIE, a world-class communication platform, we aim to continuously deepen ecosystem cooperation and work with more Chinese industrial partners to jointly build new quality productive forces,” he added.

    Arthur Xu, president for China at Danfoss Group, a Danish engineering company, said that Danfoss will bring its products and solutions in the data center, water and wastewater treatment, marine, food and beverage, and heat recovery fields, among others, to the CIIE this year. These proven solutions will offer unique value for China’s green transition, he said.

    In addition to plans to begin construction in April in Jiaxing, Zhejiang province, on its new manufacturing facility, which will be one of the biggest production sites in Danfoss’ history, the company also announced in September that it has completed construction of a work campus in Nanjing, Jiangsu province.

    The new campus is dedicated to the innovation and production of specialized transistor modules as well as electric and hybrid power train systems.

    With the structure of foreign investment continuing to be optimized, China saw the high-tech manufacturing sector use 77.12 billion yuan ($10.87 billion) in foreign direct investment in the first three quarters of 2024, accounting for 12 percent of the national total, according to the Ministry of Commerce. That is an increase of 1.5 percentage points from the same period last year.

    Tang Wenhong, assistant minister of commerce, said that China’s well-developed industrial system, commitment to continued openness, and efforts to scale up high-tech manufacturing remain key drivers for foreign manufacturers’ investment in the country.

    Nipsea Group, a Singapore-based paint and coating manufacturer, will make its debut as a participant at the CIIE this week with a 300-square-meter booth.

    “This year, we have officially transitioned from being a witness to a participant at the CIIE, presenting our latest products and technology solutions,” said Eric Chung, CEO of Nippon Paint China, a subsidiary of Nipsea Group.

    “This move not only underscores our unwavering commitment to the Chinese market, but also reflects our firm determination to contribute to the high-quality development of China’s economy,” Chung said, adding that the company will showcase its newest automotive coatings and marine paint products at the expo.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Auckland News – Beacons of Light Return to Parnell for Christmas

    Source: Parnell Business Association

    A vibrant art installation featuring works from two esteemed New Zealand artists will be on display in Heard Park, Parnell, for the festive season.
    ‘Beacons of Light’, which debuted in the city-fringe suburb last year, is a work of art in the form of five lightboxes standing tall in Heard Park that play with colour, darkness, light, and speak to a quintessential Kiwi Christmas. This year, the beacons are adorned by works of art by renowned landscape painter Tony Ogle, represented locally by Parnell Gallery, and esteemed cubist painter James Watkins, who is also Gallery Manager at Parnell’s International Art Centre. Each artist has selected five artworks which will stand at 2.5 metres tall and be illuminated by night.
    Last year saw a successful launch of this installation, with many visitors pausing in the park to admire the art and take photos to share online. The Parnell Business Association, who commissioned this installation, cannot wait to see ‘Beacons of Light’ return to the area, updated with new artworks for the coming Christmas season.
    ‘Beacons of Light’ will be on display in Heard Park, Parnell from 20 November-6 January, and are free to visit for the duration of this period.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA to Open Virtual Business Recovery Center to Assist Havasupai Tribe Businesses and Residents Affected by Flooding

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    “As communities across the Southeast continue to recover and rebuild after Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the SBA remains focused on its mission to provide support to small businesses to help stabilize local economies, even in the face of diminished disaster funding,” said Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman. “If your business has sustained physical damage, or you’ve lost inventory, equipment or revenues, the SBA will help you navigate the resources available and work with you at our recovery centers or with our customer service specialists in person and online so you can fully submit your disaster loan application and be ready to receive financial relief as soon as funds are replenished.”

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Francisco Sánchez Jr., associate administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the Small Business Administration, today announced the opening of its virtual Business Recovery Center to meet the needs of Havasupai Tribe businesses and individuals who were affected by flooding that occurred Aug. 22–23.

    “When disasters strike, our virtual Business Recovery Centers are key to helping business owners and residents get back on their feet,” Sánchez said. “At these virtual centers, people can connect directly with our specialists to apply for disaster loans and learn about the full range of programs available to rebuild and move forward in their recovery journey.”

    SBA has established a virtual Business Recovery Center to answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help each individual complete their electronic loan application.

    Virtual Business Recovery Center

    Mondays – Fridays
    8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Pacific Time
    FOCWAssistance@sba.gov
    (916) 932-8956

    Opens at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5

    Closed Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, in observance of Veterans Day

    Businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets.

    For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic injury assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage.

    “SBA’s disaster loan program offers an important advantage–the chance to incorporate measures that can reduce the risk of future damage,” Sánchez continued. “Work with contractors and mitigation professionals to strengthen your property and take advantage of the opportunity to request additional SBA disaster loan funds for these proactive improvements.”

    SBA disaster loans up to $500,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $100,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property, including personal vehicles.

    Interest rates can be as low as 4 percent for businesses, 3.25 percent for private nonprofit organizations and 2.813 percent for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    Interest does not begin to accrue until 12 months from the date of the first disaster loan disbursement. SBA disaster loan repayment begins 12 months from the date of the first disbursement.

    On October 15, 2024, it was announced that funds for the Disaster Loan Program have been fully expended. While no new loans can be issued until Congress appropriates additional funding, we remain committed to supporting disaster survivors. Applications will continue to be accepted and processed to ensure individuals and businesses are prepared to receive assistance once funding becomes available.

    Applicants are encouraged to submit their loan applications promptly for review in anticipation of future funding.

    Applicants may apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information at SBA.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

    The deadline to apply for property damage is Dec. 24, 2024. The deadline to apply for economic injury is July 25, 2025.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Foxconn’s planned business headquarters a vote of confidence in mainland market

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Foxconn, the world’s leading electronics manufacturer, is set to build a new business headquarters in Zhengzhou, central China, in a move the Taiwan company described as “a crucial step” in expanding its presence on the mainland market.

    Analysts say the decision highlights Foxconn’s commitment to investing in the mainland, despite rising global trade protectionism and “decoupling” and “de-risking” rhetoric ratcheted up by certain Western politicians.

    The tech giant recently won a bid for a 2.84-hectare plot at 150 million yuan (about 21.07 million U.S. dollars) in the Zhengdong new district in Zhengzhou, capital of Henan Province, where it plans to build a headquarters focusing on key technology sectors, according to the Zhengzhou Public Resources Trading Center in a recent statement.

    This initiative aligns with Foxconn’s “3+3” strategy targeting electric vehicles, digital health and robotics, along with advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors and next-generation communication, the company said.

    Foxconn’s planned headquarters will feature a construction area of approximately 70,000 square meters in its first phase, with an investment of 1 billion yuan. The company has not yet provided a groundbreaking date.

    In a speech at the unveiling ceremony for the new business headquarters in April 2023, Chairman Young Liu emphasized that the headquarters will mark the beginning of a new journey for Foxconn’s strategic industry development on the mainland, and the company’s new businesses are both a response to global market trends and an embrace of the latest wave in technological advancement.

    Henan’s favorable infrastructure and business environment, as well as the collaborative relationship between Foxconn and the local governments, were pivotal factors in the decision to locate the headquarters there, Liu noted.

    Between February and April 2023, Liu visited Henan three times, pledging to “build a new Foxconn” in the province. In July this year, the company signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the Henan provincial government to accelerate projects related to new business ventures.

    Per the deal, Foxconn plans to leverage its expertise in smart manufacturing, along with its global technological capabilities and supply chain resources, to advance projects in the new energy vehicle, energy storage battery, digital healthcare and robotics industries.

    Construction of a trial manufacturing center for new energy vehicles has started at Zhengzhou Airport Economy Zone, with operations expected to commence by the end of the year.

    Foxconn’s increased investment in Henan and its focus on future industries represent a win-win approach, said He Liang, an official with Zhengzhou Airport Economy Zone.

    “We will continue to provide quality service and foster a first-rate business environment that is market-oriented, law-based and internationalized,” He added.

    Henan and Foxconn share a deep bond.

    Foxconn, the principal assembler of Apple iPhones, established operations in the inland province in 2010. By the end of 2023, its Zhengzhou factory spanned around 2.8 million square meters and had recorded 12 consecutive years of growth in industrial output. Over the years, Foxconn has further expanded its footprint across Henan, setting up facilities in cities such as Jiyuan, Hebi and Zhoukou.

    The cooperation has also transformed Henan’s economy, turning the province into a global hub for intelligent terminal manufacturing. From 2016 to 2020 alone, the Zhengzhou factory attracted over 200 related supply chain enterprises to the Zhengzhou Airport Economy Zone, with total investments exceeding 300 billion yuan, according to the zone administration.

    Analysts view Foxconn’s moves as part of a broader bet on emerging industries, such as new energy vehicles, solid-state batteries, robotics, AI and semiconductors — sectors that are likely to shape the future of global manufacturing.

    Song Xiangqing, deputy head of the Commerce Economy Association of China, noted that the company’s increased investment in Henan underscores the opportunities created by the digital economy and technological progress on the mainland, as well as the resilience of its industrial chain and its shift toward high-quality manufacturing.

    The world’s second-largest economy has been steadfastly expanding its institutional opening-up in recent decades, rolling out various policies aimed at achieving high-quality development and offering the rest of the world new growth momentum and opportunities.

    At its third plenum, the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China renewed the country’s commitment to the basic state policy of opening to the outside world and continuing to promote reform through opening-up.

    The commitment to an open economy, paired with its massive domestic market, presents significant opportunities for companies that are aiming to scale up operations in China despite global headwinds.

    In May, U.S. carmaker Tesla began construction on a mega factory in Shanghai to manufacture its energy-storage batteries. In his recent visit to China, Apple CEO Tim Cook also reaffirmed the company’s investment commitment in the country.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: SFST promotes Hong Kong’s status as international asset and wealth management and risk management centre in Switzerland (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui, started his visit to Zurich, Switzerland, yesterday (November 4, Zurich time) to promote Hong Kong’s status as an international asset and wealth management and risk management centre.

         Mr Hui in the morning met with the Chief Executive Officer, Corporate Solutions, Swiss Re Group, Mr Ivan Gonzalez, and the Chairman of the Board of Zurich Insurance Group, Mr Michel M Liès, respectively. During the exchanges with these two world-leading insurance services and risk-solution providers, Mr Hui updated them on Hong Kong’s latest initiatives as announced in “The Chief Executive’s 2024 Policy Address (Policy Address)” to further strengthen Hong Kong’s position as a global risk management centre. The initiatives include reviewing the risk-based capital regime implemented in July 2024 and examining the capital requirements for infrastructure investment to enrich insurance companies’ asset allocations for risk diversification, and drive investment in infrastructure; as well as continuing to invite Mainland and overseas enterprises to establish captive insurers in Hong Kong. 

         Hong Kong is currently home to around 160 insurance companies. It has the largest concentration of insurance companies and the highest insurance density in Asia.    

         Mr Hui had a lunch meeting with the Swiss-Hong Kong Business Association (SHKBA), one of the members of the Federation of Hong Kong Business Associations. Mr Hui shared with SHKBA members the huge scale and diversified investment opportunities of Hong Kong’s asset and wealth management business, adding that the city welcomes investors and family offices around the world.      

         At another gathering with leaders of a multinational financial service provider, Mr Hui briefed them on the enhancements proposed in the Policy Address that further strengthen Hong Kong’s status as an asset and wealth management hub. Hong Kong will consult the industry on increasing the types of transactions eligible for tax concessions for funds and single family offices to cover emission derivatives/emission allowances, insurance-linked securities, loans and private credit investments, virtual assets, etc. He also updated participants that the Government’s issuance of green bonds has been attracting strong interest from local and international investors. So far a total of HK$220 billion in government green bonds have been successfully issued, including a diverse array of bonds – retail, institutional, and tokenised – across multiple currencies and tenors.

         On the same day, Mr Hui met with the Head of Bilateral Cooperation, Swiss National Bank, Ms Lena Lee Andresen, to discuss issues of mutual concern such as the global trend of monetary policies. 

         Mr Hui also visited the headquarters of Gategroup, and met with their Chief Financial Officer, Mr Urs Schwendinger. Gategroup is a market-leading inflight caterer with a global presence, including Hong Kong. Noting that Hong Kong is an international aviation hub with continuous development of the Airport City, Mr Hui welcomed Gategroup to further expand their business in the city.  
        
         Mr Hui will depart for Geneva in the morning of November 5 (Zurich time) to continue his visit in Switzerland.                     

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Fijian journalists embrace multimedia landscape for the digital age

    By Catrin Gardiner, Queensland University of Technology

    In the middle of the Pacific, Fiji journalists are transforming their practice, as newsrooms around Suva are requiring journalists to become multimedia creators, shaping stories for the digital age.

    A wave of multimedia journalists is surfacing in Fijian journalism culture, fostered during university education, and transitioning seamlessly into the professional field for junior journalists.

    University of the South Pacific’s technical editor and digital communication officer Eliki Drugunalevu believes that multimedia journalism is on the rise for two reasons.

    “The first is the fact that your phone is pretty much your newsroom on the go.”

    With the right guidance and training in using mobile phone apps, “you can pretty much film your story from anywhere”, he says.

    The second reason is that reliance on social media platforms gives “rise to mobile journalism and becoming a multimedia journalist”.

    Drugunalevu says changes to university journalism curriculum are not “evolving fast enough” with the industry.

    Need for ‘parallel learning’
    “There needs to be parallel learning between what the industry is going through and what the students are being taught.”

    Mobile journalism is growing increasingly around the world. In Fiji this is particularly evident, with large newsrooms entertaining the concept of a single reporter taking on multiple roles.

    Fijian Media Association’s vice-president and Fiji Times editor-in-chief Fred Wesley says one example of the changing landscape is that the Times is now providing all its journalists with mobile phones.

    “While there is still a photography department, things are slowly moving towards multimedia journalists.”

    Wesley says when no photographers are available to cover a story with a reporter, the journalists create their own images with their mobile phones.

    Journalists working in the Fiji Times newsroom, which is among the last few remaining news organisations in Fiji to have a dedicated photography department. Image: Catrin Gardiner, Queensland University of Technology

    The Fiji Broadcasting Corporation (FBC) also encourages journalists to take part in all types of media including, online, radio, and television, even advertising for multimedia journalists. This highlights the global shift of replacing two-person teams in newsrooms.

    Nevertheless, the transition to multimedia journalists is not as positive as commonly thought. Complaints against multimedia journalism come from journalists who receive additional tasks, leading to an increase in workload.

    FBC advertises for multimedia journalists, reflecting the new standard in newsrooms. Image: FBC TV/Facebook/QUT

    Preference for print
    Former print journalist turned multimedia journalist at FBC, Litia Cava says she prefers focusing on just print.

    She worked a lot less when she was just working in a newspaper, she says.

    “When I worked for the paper, I would start at one,” she says. “But here I start working when I walk in.”

    Executives at major Fijian news companies, such as Fiji TV’s director of news, current affairs and sports, Felix Chaudhary, also complain about the lack of equipment in their newsrooms to support this wave of multimedia journalism.

    “The biggest challenge is the lack of equipment and training,” Chaudhary says.

    Fiji TV is doing everything it can to catch up to world standards and provide journalists with the best equipment and training to prepare them for the transition from traditional to multimedia journalism.

    “We receive a lot of assistance from PACMAS and Internews,” Chaudhary says. “However, we are constantly looking for more training opportunities. The world is already moving towards that, and we just have to follow suit or get left behind.”

    More confidence
    Fortunately for young Fijian journalists, Islands Business managing editor Samantha Magick says a lot of younger journalists are more confident to go out and produce and write their own stories.

    “It’s the education now,” she says. “All the journalists coming through are multimedia, so not as challenging for them.”

    University of South Pacific student journalist Brittany Louise says the practical learning of all the different media in her journalism course will be beneficial for her future.

    “I think that’s a major plus,” she says. “You already have some sort of skills so it helps you with whatever different equipment it may be.”

    Catrin Gardiner was a student journalist from the Queensland University of Technology who travelled to Fiji with the support of the Australian government’s New Colombo Plan Mobility Programme. This article is published in a partnership of QUT with Asia Pacific Report, Asia Pacific Media Network (APMN) and The University of the South Pacific.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: SITI commences visit to Canada (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, began his visit to Toronto, Canada, on November 4 (Toronto time).

         In the morning, Professor Sun visited MaRS Discovery District, an innovation hub, and met with its Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Alison Nankivell, to receive a briefing on the hub’s successful experience in nurturing an innovation and technology (I&T) ecosystem. Located close to major universities and hospitals in downtown Toronto, MaRS focuses on nourishing deep technology industries including clean technology and life science. As the largest urban innovation centre in North America, MaRS Discovery District supports 1 200 enterprises and renders direct assistance to enterprises in the hub with a view to building communities of innovators and promoting the adoption of new solutions.

         Professor Sun then visited the University of Toronto, and toured the Centre for Analytics & Artificial Intelligence Engineering of the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering of the University. Professor Sun met with the Dean of the Faculty, Professor Christopher Yip, and the Acting Associate Vice-President International Partnerships, Professor David Wolfe, and was briefed on the latest developments and research and development (R&D) achievements of the Centre. The Centre brings together universities and industries to translate the latest advances of artificial intelligence and data analytics into technologies in areas ranging from advanced manufacturing to human health. Its team also delivers ongoing guidance for advanced analytics projects in industry settings. Professor Sun encouraged the University to co-operate with universities in Hong Kong to participate in the InnoHK research clusters to strengthen global R&D collaboration.

         In the afternoon, Professor Sun visited a start-up that provides storage and delivery services in North America. The start-up adopts a smart platform that automatically processes orders and updates inventory levels in real time. It also utilises robotic shuttles to manage inventories automatically, thereby reducing the overall cost for logistics and delivery services.

         Professor Sun attended a networking dinner organised by the Hong Kong-Canada Business Association (Toronto Chapter) in the evening, and had an exchange with Hong Kong young people studying and working in Toronto to learn more about their study and work lives in Canada. Professor Sun shared with them Hong Kong’s efforts to develop as an international I&T centre and build an international hub for high-calibre talent. He noted that it is of paramount importance to enlarge the talent pool for the I&T development in Hong Kong, adding that the city is an ideal destination for young people to develop their careers and that Hong Kong youngsters are encouraged to seize the myriad opportunities there.

         Professor Sun will proceed to Ottawa and continue his visit on November 5 (Ottawa time).                  

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Affirm needs strategic positioning amid regulatory shifts in the crowded UK BNPL market, says GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    Affirm needs strategic positioning amid regulatory shifts in the crowded UK BNPL market, says GlobalData

    Posted in Banking

    Following the news that the US-based buy now pay later (BNPL) startup Affirm has entered the UK market;

    Phoebe Hodgson, Associate Analyst, Banking and Payments at GlobalData, offers her view:

    “The BNPL market in the UK is becoming increasingly saturated. According to GlobalData’s 2024 Financial Services Consumer Survey*, only 21% of respondents in the UK have used an online BNPL service while buying goods and services. This limited adoption, coupled with an already concentrated market, where 75% of the UK market is held by five BNPL providers, suggests Affirm may find it challenging to position itself among the well-established competitors like Klarna, PayPal and Zilch.

    “Affirm’s unique selling points, such as extended loan periods and strategic partnerships, could help distinguish it, but it will have to overcome significant obstacles. One of the biggest hurdles is the evolving regulatory environment. The UK government seeks to regulate the BNPL product further, treating it as if it were a credit product, subjecting them to stricter consumer protections and potentially reducing the appeal for BNPL for both providers and consumers alike. Soon to be under stricter regulations, Affirm must work under pressure to assert itself among the UK customers, who are more cautious of debt amid high living costs and economic uncertainty. Furthermore, with competitors already moving towards innovative product extensions, and compliance initiatives, Affirm’s market entry may need to be more than just a product push – it must be a strategic positioning exercise to resonate with cautious UK consumers.”

    *Global survey conducted online in Q2 2024 among 67,292 consumers across 41 markets globally. The survey explores global consumer behaviors, purchasing preferences, and attitudes across the most important banking products. The UK’s sample is 5,003.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Eco-friendly formulations and sustainable packaging drive Asia laundry detergent market, reveals GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    Eco-friendly formulations and sustainable packaging drive Asia laundry detergent market, reveals GlobalData

    Posted in Consumer

    Rising environmental awareness among the Asia-Pacific (APAC) consumers is fueling demand for eco-friendly laundry detergents, as buyers increasingly prefer products with sustainable packaging and chemical-free, biodegradable formulations. A growing aversion to traditional chemical-based detergents, due to their adverse effects on ecosystems and marine life, is accelerating this shift, making sustainability a crucial factor in laundry detergent purchasing decisions across the region, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    Naveed Khan, Consumer Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Eco-friendly detergent formulations with ingredients such as plant extracts, essential oils, enzymes, and natural preservatives are becoming increasingly popular. These ingredients are perceived by consumers to have low to no environmental impact, throughout the product lifecycle from production till disposal.”

    GlobalData 2024 Q3 Consumer Survey* corroborates this trend, where 80% of the consumers in Asia & Australasia regard “sustainable/environmentally friendly” attributes in product purchases as either essential or nice to have. In the same survey, 79% consider the same for “recyclable packaging” tags.

    In response, detergent manufacturers are making their production process sustainable and ecologically friendly to attract consumers. For instance, in Malaysia, Ouji Seiyaku introduced a detergent liquid under its Fab Zero brand name. According to the company, the product is biodegradable and contains plant-derived ingredients such as alkyl glycoside from corn fermentation extract. Similarly, in Singapore, Watson’s Personal Care Stores launched Orita-branded laundry detergent with 97% biodegradable ingredients, which includes coconut oil.

    Deepak Nautiyal, Consumer and Retail Commercial Director, APAC and ME at GlobalData, adds: “Consumers seek environmentally friendly packaging as concerns about increasing packaging wastes, which end up in landfills and oceans, polluting the region’s land, water, and air, mounts. Thus, packaging features such as zero plastic packaging, 100% recyclable packaging, and biodegradable packaging are increasingly offered by manufacturers to capitalize on the growing consumer concerns.”

    In line with this, in Malaysia, sustainable detergent brand, The Laundry Pods, introduced its line of bio-enzyme laundry pods with plastic-free packaging. Similarly, in Singapore, Bio-Home branded Laundry Sheet Detergent with completely dissolvable detergent sheets packed in paperboard box was awarded the WorldStar Award at the 2024 Singapore Packaging Star Awards.

    Khan concludes: “Increasing consumer demand for sustainable and ecologically safe options will create new growth opportunities for manufacturers to improve their shares. However, incorporating sustainable aspects, ingredients, and materials in the production process will require more investments. Thereby striking the right balance between increasing production costs and keeping prices competitive while compromising on margins will be challenging for manufacturers.”

    *GlobalData 2024 Q3 Consumer Survey – Asia & Australasia, published in October 2024, included 6,131 respondents

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Sun Dong begins Canada visit

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry Prof Sun Dong began his visit to Toronto, Canada, by touring an innovation hub, the University of Toronto and a startup.

    In the morning of November 4, Prof Sun visited MaRS Discovery District and met its Chief Executive Officer Alison Nankivell to receive a briefing on the innovation hub’s successful experience in nurturing an innovation and technology (I&T) ecosystem.

    Located close to major universities and hospitals in downtown Toronto, MaRS focuses on nourishing deep technology industries including clean technology and life science.

    It is also the largest urban innovation centre in North America, which supports 1,200 enterprises and renders direct assistance to enterprises, with a view to building communities of innovators and promoting the adoption of new solutions.

    Prof Sun then visited the University of Toronto and toured the Centre for Analytics & Artificial Intelligence Engineering of the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering.

    He met Faculty Dean Prof Christopher Yip and Acting Associate Vice-President International Partnerships Prof David Wolfe, and was briefed on the centre’s latest developments and research and development (R&D) achievements.

    The centre brings together universities and industries to translate the latest advances of artificial intelligence and data analytics into technologies in areas ranging from advanced manufacturing to human health.

    Its team also delivers ongoing guidance for advanced analytics projects in industry settings.

    Prof Sun encouraged the university to co-operate with universities in Hong Kong to participate in the InnoHK research clusters to strengthen global R&D collaboration.

    In the afternoon, the technology chief visited a startup that provides storage and delivery services in North America.

    Apart from adopting a smart platform that automatically processes orders and updates inventory levels in real time, the startup also utilises robotic shuttles to manage inventories automatically, thereby reducing the overall cost for logistics and delivery services.

    In the evening, Prof Sun attended a networking dinner organised by the Hong Kong-Canada Business Association (Toronto Chapter), where he had an exchange with Hong Kong young people studying and working in Toronto to learn more about their studies and work life.

    Prof Sun shared with them Hong Kong’s efforts to develop as an international I&T centre and build an international hub for high-calibre talent.

    He noted that it is of paramount importance to enlarge the talent pool for Hong Kong’s I&T development, adding that the city is an ideal destination for young people to develop their careers.

    He also encouraged Hong Kong youngsters to seize the myriad opportunities.

    Prof Sun will proceed to Ottawa and continue his visit.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI: International Petroleum Corporation Announces Third Quarter 2024 Financial and Operational Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, Nov. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — International Petroleum Corporation (IPC or the Corporation) (TSX, Nasdaq Stockholm: IPCO) today released its financial and operational results and related management’s discussion and analysis (MD&A) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024.

    William Lundin, IPC’s President and Chief Executive Officer, comments: “We are pleased to announce another positive quarter of operational performance. IPC achieved average net daily production during the third quarter of 45,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd), following planned maintenance shutdowns during the quarter. We also continue to purchase IPC common shares under the normal course issuer bid (NCIB). We have now almost completed the 2023/2024 NCIB, reducing the outstanding number of common shares by over 6% since the beginning of December 2023. We intend to seek Toronto Stock Exchange approval to renew the NCIB in December 2024. We are also pleased to report on the progress achieved at the Blackrod Phase 1 development in Canada, which remains on schedule and on budget.”

    Q3 2024 Business Highlights

    • Average net production of approximately 45,000 boepd for Q3 2024, in line with guidance (49% heavy crude oil, 17% light and medium crude oil and 34% natural gas).(1)
    • Successful completion of planned maintenance shutdowns at Onion Lake Thermal (OLT) in Canada and the Bertam field in Malaysia.
    • Drilling activity at the Suffield area in Canada continued with four wells drilled in Q3 2024 and completed by October 2024.
    • Development activities on Phase 1 of the Blackrod project continue to progress on schedule and on budget, with forecast first oil in late 2026.
    • 2.6 million IPC common shares purchased and cancelled during Q3 2024 under IPC’s normal course issuer bid (NCIB), on track to complete the 2023/2024 NCIB during November 2024.
    • IPC plans to seek Toronto Stock Exchange approval for the renewal of the NCIB in December 2024.

    Q3 2024 Financial Highlights

    • Operating costs per boe of USD 17.9 for Q3 2024, below guidance.(3)
    • Operating cash flow (OCF) and Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) of MUSD 73 and MUSD 68 respectively in line with guidance for Q3 2024.(3)
    • Capital and decommissioning expenditures of MUSD 102 for Q3 2024, in line with guidance.
    • Free cash flow (FCF) for Q3 2024 amounted to MUSD -38 (MUSD 44 pre-Blackrod Phase 1 project funding).(3)
    • Gross cash of MUSD 299 and net debt of MUSD 157 as at September 30, 2024.(3)
    • Net result of MUSD 23 for Q3 2024.

    Reserves and Resources

    • Total 2P reserves as at December 31, 2023 of 468 MMboe, with a reserves life index (RLI) of 27 years.(1)(2)
    • Contingent resources (best estimate, unrisked) as at December 31, 2023 of 1,145 MMboe.(1)(2)

    2024 Annual Guidance

    • Full year 2024 average net production guidance range maintained at 46,000 to 48,000 boepd.(1)
    • Full year 2024 operating costs guidance revised to below USD 18 per boe.(3)
    • Full year 2024 OCF guidance estimated at between MUSD 335 and 342, assuming Brent USD 70 to 80 per barrel for the remainder of 2024.(3)
    • Full year 2024 capital and decommissioning expenditures guidance forecast maintained at MUSD 437.
    • Full year 2024 FCF guidance estimated at between MUSD -140 and -133 (between MUSD 222 and 229 pre-Blackrod Phase 1 project funding), assuming Brent USD 70 to 80 per barrel for the remainder of 2024.(3)
      Three months ended
    September 30    		   Nine months ended
    September 30
    USD Thousands 2024   2023     2024   2023  
    Revenue 173,200   257,366     598,659   655,446  
    Gross profit 39,505   93,429     167,397   210,559  
    Net result 22,875   71,681     101,804   143,269  
    Operating cash flow (3) 72,589   119,142     263,831   279,414  
    Free cash flow (3) (38,269 ) 34,703     (74,021 ) 67,379  
    EBITDA (3) 68,313   123,054     259,304   284,334  
    Net cash/(debt) (3) (157,228 ) 83,097     (157,228 ) 83,097  
                       

    Oil prices softened in the third quarter with Brent prices averaging USD 80 per barrel compared with USD 85 per barrel in the second quarter. Volatility during the quarter was high with Brent prices ranging from USD 89 per barrel in July to USD 70 per barrel in September. Notwithstanding the volatility in prices, the crude market was in a deficit through the third quarter, aided by the proactive supply management by the OPEC+ group. The continued conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine led to increased oil prices, though these were partially offset by concerns over global oil demand growth, in particular consumer and industrial demand in China. Despite some of these negative factors, the physical market remains tight with OECD crude stock levels below the five-year average, with oil demand expected to be at an all-time high in 2024 and continue to grow in 2025. Approximately 50% of IPC’s forecast 2024 oil production is hedged at USD 80 per barrel WTI or USD 85 per barrel Dated Brent through to the end of 2024.

    The third quarter 2024 WTI to Western Canadian Select (WCS) price differentials averaged just under USD 14 per barrel, in line with the second quarter and approximately USD 5 per barrel lower than the first quarter differential average of USD 19 per barrel. The Trans Mountain expansion (TMX) pipeline continues to support tighter differentials with the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin (WCSB) now having excess spare pipeline capacity for the first time in more than a decade. Crude exports from the new TMX pipeline are flowing off the coast of British Columbia, with deliveries to the US West Coast and Asia creating new end destinations for Canadian heavy oil. Around 70% of our forecast 2024 Canadian WCS production volumes are hedged at a WTI/WCS differential of USD 15 per barrel.

    Natural gas prices in Canada remained suppressed in the third quarter, with AECO pricing averaging CAD 0.67 per Mcf during the period, compared to CAD 1.17 per Mcf average for the second quarter. This has led to some Canadian natural gas producers curtailing production as western Canada gas storage levels continue to sit above the five-year range. IPC implemented hedges during the third quarter for approximately 14,500 Mcf per day at CAD 1.57 per Mcf from August to year end 2024.

    Third Quarter 2024 Highlights and Full Year 2024 Guidance

    IPC delivered average daily production rates of 45,000 boepd for the third quarter. The average daily production for the first nine months of 2024 was 47,400 boepd and the full year Capital Markets Day (CMD) production guidance of 46,000 to 48,000 boepd is maintained. During the third quarter, planned maintenance shutdowns at the Onion Lake Thermal (OLT) asset in Canada and at the Bertam field in Malaysia were successfully completed. High uptimes were achieved across all major producing assets in our portfolio during the quarter and the business benefited from the oil wells drilled within our Southern Alberta assets and the new wells brought on stream from sustaining Pad L at the OLT asset.(1)

    Operating costs in the third quarter of 2024 were below forecast at USD 17.9 per boe. The lower costs were largely driven by lower energy input costs within our Canadian asset base. Full year 2024 operating costs guidance is revised to less than USD 18 per boe, below the CMD guidance range of USD 18 to 19 per boe.(3)

    Operating cash flow (OCF) for the third quarter of 2024 was USD 73 million in line with forecast. Full year 2024 OCF guidance is revised to USD 335 to 342 million (assuming Brent USD 70 to 80 per barrel for the remainder of 2024).(3)

    Capital and decommissioning expenditure for the third quarter was in line with plan at USD 102 million. Our full year 2024 capital and decommissioning expenditure guidance is unchanged at USD 437 million.

    Free cash flow (FCF) was USD -38 million (or USD 44 million pre-Blackrod Phase 1 development funding) during the third quarter of 2024. Full year 2024 FCF guidance is revised to USD -140 to -133 million (or USD 222 to 229 million pre-Blackrod Phase 1 development funding) assuming Brent USD 70 to 80 per barrel for the remainder of 2024.(3)

    Net debt was increased during the third quarter of 2024 by approximately USD 69 million to USD 157 million.(3) This is due to the growth capital expenditure at the Blackrod Phase 1 project and continued funding of the normal course issuer bid (NCIB) share repurchase program. The gross cash position as at September 30, 2024 was USD 299 million. In the third quarter, IPC enhanced its financing position by entering into a letter of credit facility in Canada to cover all of its existing operational letters of credit, giving full availability under IPC’s undrawn CAD 180 million Revolving Credit Facility.

    With a robust balance sheet and strong cashflow generation from the producing assets, IPC is strongly positioned to deliver on our three strategic pillars of organic growth, shareholder returns and pursue value-adding M&A.

    Blackrod Phase 1 Project

    The Blackrod asset is 100% owned by IPC and hosts the largest booked reserves and contingent resources within the IPC portfolio. After more than a decade of pilot operations, subsurface delineation and commercial engineering studies, IPC sanctioned the Phase 1 development in the first quarter of 2023. The Phase 1 development targets 218 MMboe of 2P reserves, with a multi-year forecast capital expenditure of USD 850 million to first oil planned in late 2026. The Phase 1 development is planned for plateau production of 30,000 bopd which is expected by early 2028.(1)(2)

    2024 marks a peak investment year at the Blackrod Phase 1 project for IPC, with USD 362 million planned to be spent in the year. Project progress has advanced according to plan, with approximately USD 245 million spent through the first nine months of 2024. All major third-party contracts have been executed, including but not limited to, the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) agreements for the central processing facility (CPF) and well pad facilities, midstream agreements for the input fuel gas, diluent and oil blend pipelines, and drilling rig and stakeholder agreements. All major long lead items have been procured and pre-operations onboarding continues as the asset undergoes rapid change from a pilot steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) operation to a commercial SAGD operation. IPC’s core operational philosophy is to responsibly develop and commission projects with the staff that are going to manage and operate the asset to ensure the seamless transition from development to operations.

    As at the end of the third quarter of 2024, over half of the Blackrod Phase 1 development capital had been spent since the project sanction in early 2023. All major work streams are progressing as planned and the focus continues to be on executing the detailed sequencing of events as facility modules are safely delivered and installed at site. The total Phase 1 project guidance of USD 850 million capital expenditure to first oil in late 2026 is unchanged. IPC intends to fund the remaining Blackrod Phase 1 development costs with forecast cash flow generated by its operations and cash on hand.

    Stakeholder Returns: Normal Course Issuer Bid

    Under the current 2023/2024 NCIB, IPC has the ability to repurchase up to approximately 8.3 million common shares over the period of December 5, 2023 to December 4, 2024. IPC repurchased and cancelled approximately 7.5 million common shares up to the end of September 2024. The average price of common shares purchased under the 2023/2024 NCIB was SEK 132 / CAD 17 per share. IPC expects to complete the 2023/2024 NCIB during November 2024, resulting in the cancellation of 6.5% of the total number of common shares outstanding as at the beginning of December 2023.

    As at September 30, 2024, IPC had a total of 120,751,038 common shares issued and outstanding and IPC held 30,000 common shares in treasury. As at October 31, 2024, IPC had a total of 120,244,638 common shares issued and outstanding and IPC held 44,400 common shares in treasury.

    The IPC Board of Directors has approved, subject to acceptance by the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX), the renewal of IPC’s NCIB for a further twelve months from December 2024 to December 2025. We expect that the 2024/2025 NCIB will permit IPC to purchase on the TSX and/or Nasdaq Stockholm, and cancel, up to a further approximately 7.5 million common shares, representing approximately 6.2% of the total outstanding common shares (or 10% of IPC’s “public float” under applicable TSX rules) following completion of the current 2023/2024 NCIB. IPC continues to believe that reducing the number of common shares outstanding while in parallel investing in material production growth at the Blackrod project will prove to be a winning formula for our stakeholders.

    Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Performance

    As part of IPC’s commitment to operational excellence and responsible development, its objective is to reduce risk and eliminate hazards to prevent occurrence of accidents, ill health, and environmental damage, as these are essential to the success of our business operations. During the third quarter of 2024, IPC recorded no material safety or environmental incidents.

    As previously announced, IPC targets a reduction of our net GHG emissions intensity by the end of 2025 to 50% of IPC’s 2019 baseline and IPC remains on track to achieve this reduction. During the first quarter of 2024, IPC announced the commitment to remain at end 2025 levels of 20 kg CO2/boe through to the end of 2028.(4)

    Notes:

    (1) See “Supplemental Information regarding Product Types” in “Reserves and Resources Advisory” below. See also the annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2023 (AIF) available on IPC’s website at www.international-petroleum.com and under IPC’s profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.
    (2) See “Reserves and Resources Advisory“ below. Further information with respect to IPC’s reserves, contingent resources and estimates of future net revenue, including assumptions relating to the calculation of NPV, are described in the AIF.
    (3) Non-IFRS measures, see “Non-IFRS Measures” below and in the MD&A.
    (4) Emissions intensity is the ratio between oil and gas production and the associated carbon emissions, and net emissions intensity reflects gross emissions less operational emission reductions and carbon offsets.

    International Petroleum Corp. (IPC) is an international oil and gas exploration and production company with a high quality portfolio of assets located in Canada, Malaysia and France, providing a solid foundation for organic and inorganic growth. IPC is a member of the Lundin Group of Companies. IPC is incorporated in Canada and IPC’s shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) and the Nasdaq Stockholm exchange under the symbol “IPCO”.

    For further information, please contact:

    Rebecca Gordon
    SVP Corporate Planning and Investor Relations
    rebecca.gordon@international-petroleum.com
    Tel: +41 22 595 10 50    		       Or       Robert Eriksson
    Media Manager
    reriksson@rive6.ch
    Tel: +46 701 11 26 15
             

    This information is information that International Petroleum Corporation is required to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation and the Securities Markets Act. The information was submitted for publication, through the contact persons set out above, at 07:30 CET on November 5, 2024. The Corporation’s unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements (Financial Statements) and management’s discussion and analysis (MD&A) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 have been filed on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and are also available on the Corporation’s website (www.international-petroleum.com).

    Forward-Looking Statements
    This press release contains statements and information which constitute “forward-looking statements” or “forward-looking information” (within the meaning of applicable securities legislation). Such statements and information (together, “forward-looking statements”) relate to future events, including the Corporation’s future performance, business prospects or opportunities. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, unless otherwise indicated. IPC does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable laws.

    All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, forecasts, guidance, budgets, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as “seek”, “anticipate”, “plan”, “continue”, “estimate”, “expect”, “may”, “will”, “project”, “forecast”, “predict”, “potential”, “targeting”, “intend”, “could”, “might”, “should”, “believe”, “budget” and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be “forward-looking statements”.

    Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to:

    • 2024 production ranges (including total daily average production), production composition, cash flows, operating costs and capital and decommissioning expenditure estimates;
    • Estimates of future production, cash flows, operating costs and capital expenditures that are based on IPC’s current business plans and assumptions regarding the business environment, which are subject to change;
    • IPC’s financial and operational flexibility to continue to react to recent events and navigate the Corporation through periods of volatile commodity prices;
    • The ability to fully fund future expenditures from cash flows and current borrowing capacity;
    • IPC’s intention and ability to continue to implement strategies to build long-term shareholder value;
    • The ability of IPC’s portfolio of assets to provide a solid foundation for organic and inorganic growth;
    • The continued facility uptime and reservoir performance in IPC’s areas of operation;
    • Development of the Blackrod project in Canada, including estimates of resource volumes, future production, timing, regulatory approvals, third party commercial arrangements, breakeven prices and net present value;
    • Current and future production performance, operations and development potential of the Onion Lake Thermal, Suffield, Brooks, Ferguson and Mooney operations, including the timing and success of future oil and gas drilling and optimization programs;
    • The potential improvement in the Canadian oil egress situation and IPC’s ability to benefit from any such improvements;
    • The ability to maintain current and forecast production in France and Malaysia;
    • The intention and ability of IPC to acquire further common shares under the NCIB, including the timing of any such purchases;
    • The ability of IPC to renew the NCIB and the number of common shares which may be purchased under a renewed NCIB;
    • The return of value to IPC’s shareholders as a result of the NCIB;
    • The ability of IPC to implement further shareholder distributions in addition to the NCIB;
    • IPC’s ability to implement its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity and climate strategies and to achieve its net GHG emissions intensity reduction targets;
    • IPC’s ability to implement projects to reduce net emissions intensity, including potential carbon capture and storage;
    • Estimates of reserves and contingent resources;
    • The ability to generate free cash flows and use that cash to repay debt;
    • IPC’s continued access to its existing credit facilities, including current financial headroom, on terms acceptable to the Corporation;
    • IPC’s ability to maintain operations, production and business in light of any future pandemics and the restrictions and disruptions related thereto, including risks related to production delays and interruptions, changes in laws and regulations and reliance on third-party operators and infrastructure;
    • IPC’s ability to identify and complete future acquisitions;
    • Expectations regarding the oil and gas industry in Canada, Malaysia and France, including assumptions regarding future royalty rates, regulatory approvals, legislative changes, and ongoing projects and their expected completion; and
    • Future drilling and other exploration and development activities.

    Statements relating to “reserves” and “contingent resources” are also deemed to be forward-looking statements, as they involve the implied assessment, based on certain estimates and assumptions, that the reserves and resources described exist in the quantities predicted or estimated and that the reserves and resources can be profitably produced in the future. Ultimate recovery of reserves or resources is based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management.

    Although IPC believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because IPC can give no assurances that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks.

    These include, but are not limited to general global economic, market and business conditions; the risks associated with the oil and gas industry in general such as operational risks in development, exploration and production; delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures; the uncertainty of estimates and projections relating to reserves, resources, production, revenues, costs and expenses; health, safety and environmental risks; commodity price fluctuations; interest rate and exchange rate fluctuations; marketing and transportation; loss of markets; environmental and climate-related risks; competition; innovation and cybersecurity risks related to our systems, including our costs of addressing or mitigating such risks; the ability to attract, engage and retain skilled employees; incorrect assessment of the value of acquisitions; failure to complete or realize the anticipated benefits of acquisitions or dispositions; the ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources; failure to obtain required regulatory and other approvals; geopolitical conflicts, including the war between Ukraine and Russia and the conflict in the Middle East, and their potential impact on, among other things, global market conditions; and changes in legislation, including but not limited to tax laws, royalties, environmental and abandonment regulations.

    Additional information on these and other factors that could affect IPC, or its operations or financial results, are included in the MD&A (See “Risk Factors”, “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information” and “Reserves and Resources Advisory” therein), the Corporation’s Annual Information Form (AIF) for the year ended December 31, 2023, (See “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information”, “Reserves and Resources Advisory” and “Risk Factors”) and other reports on file with applicable securities regulatory authorities, including previous financial reports, management’s discussion and analysis and material change reports, which may be accessed through the SEDAR+ website (www.sedarplus.ca) or IPC’s website (www.international-petroleum.com).

    Management of IPC approved the production, operating costs, operating cash flow, capital and decommissioning expenditures and free cash flow guidance and estimates contained herein as of the date of this press release. The purpose of these guidance and estimates is to assist readers in understanding IPC’s expected and targeted financial results, and this information may not be appropriate for other purposes.

    Non-IFRS Measures
    References are made in this press release to “operating cash flow” (OCF), “free cash flow” (FCF), “Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortization” (EBITDA), “operating costs” and “net debt”/”net cash”, which are not generally accepted accounting measures under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and, therefore, may not be comparable with similar measures presented by other public companies. Non-IFRS measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures prepared in accordance with IFRS.

    The definition of each non-IFRS measure is presented in IPC’s MD&A (See “Non-IFRS Measures” therein).

    Operating cash flow
    The following table sets out how operating cash flow is calculated from figures shown in the Financial Statements:

      Three months ended September 30   Nine months ended September 30
    USD Thousands 2024   2023     2024   2023  
    Revenue 173,200   257,366     598,659   655,446  
    Production costs (100,984 ) (130,765 )   (328,110 ) (364,889 )
    Current tax 373   (7,459 )   (6,718 ) (16,045 )
    Operating cash flow 72,589   119,142     263,831   274,512  
                       

    The operating cash flow for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 including the operating cash flow contribution of the Brooks assets acquisition from the effective date of January 1, 2023 to the completion date of March 3, 2023 amounted to USD 279,414 thousand.

    Free cash flow
    The following table sets out how free cash flow is calculated from figures shown in the Financial Statements:

      Three months ended September 30   Nine months ended September 30
    USD Thousands 2024   2023     2024   2023  
    Operating cash flow – see above 72,589   119,142     263,831   274,512  
    Capital expenditures (99,100 ) (76,844 )   (308,457 ) (183,904 )
    Abandonment and farm-in expenditures1 (2,575 ) (2,755 )   (4,938 ) (7,683 )
    General, administration and depreciation expenses before depreciation2 (3,903 ) (3,547 )   (11,245 ) (11,124 )
    Cash financial items3 (5,280 ) (1,293 )   (13,212 ) (3,593 )
    Free cash flow (38,269 ) 34,703     (74,021 ) 68,208  

    1 See note 16 to the Financial Statements
    2 Depreciation is not specifically disclosed in the Financial Statements
    3 See notes 4 and 5 to the Financial Statements

    The free cash flow for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 including the free cash flow contribution of the Brooks assets acquisition from the effective date of January 1, 2023 to the completion date of March 3, 2023 amounted to USD 67,379 thousand.

    EBITDA
    The following table sets out the reconciliation from net result from the consolidated statement of operations to EBITDA:

      Three months ended September 30   Nine months ended September 30
    USD Thousands 2024   2023     2024   2023  
    Net result 22,875   71,681     101,804   143,269  
    Net financial items 4,124   4,257     23,942   16,227  
    Income tax 8,257   25,451     29,473   50,671  
    Depletion and decommissioning costs 30,491   31,687     96,305   71,488  
    Depreciation of other tangible fixed assets 2,023   1,509     6,503   6,503  
    Exploration and business development costs 197   (24 )   344   2,007  
    Depreciation included in general, administration and depreciation expenses 1 346   405     933   1,180  
    Sale of Assets –   (11,912 )   –   (11,912 )
    EBITDA 68,313   123,054     259,304   279,433  

    1 Item is not shown in the Financial Statements

    The EBITDA for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 including the EBITDA contribution of the Brooks assets acquisition from the effective date of January 1, 2023 to the completion date of March 3, 2023 amounted to USD 284,334 thousand.

    Operating costs
    The following table sets out how operating costs is calculated:

      Three months ended September 30   Nine months ended September 30
    USD Thousands 2024   2023     2024   2023  
    Production costs 100,984   130,765     328,110   364,889  
    Cost of blending (29,818 ) (39,836 )   (116,699 ) (128,523 )
    Change in inventory position 2,755   (8,067 )   3,160   2,228  
    Operating costs 73,921   82,862     214,571   238,594  

    The operating costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 including the operating costs contribution of the Brooks assets acquisition from the effective date of January 1, 2023 to the completion date of March 3, 2023 amounted to USD 245,395 thousand.

    Net cash/(debt)
    The following table sets out how net cash/(debt) is calculated:

    USD Thousands September 30, 2024   December 31, 2023  
    Bank loans (6,431 ) (9,031 )
    Bonds1 (450,000 ) (450,000 )
    Cash and cash equivalents 299,203   517,074  
    Net cash/(debt) (157,228 ) 58,043  

    1 The bond amount represents the redeemable value at maturity (February 2027).

    Reserves and Resources Advisory
    This press release contains references to estimates of gross and net reserves and resources attributed to the Corporation’s oil and gas assets. For additional information with respect to such reserves and resources, refer to “Reserves and Resources Advisory” in the MD&A. Light, medium and heavy crude oil reserves/resources disclosed in this press release include solution gas and other by-products. Also see “Supplemental Information regarding Product Types” below.

    Reserve estimates, contingent resource estimates and estimates of future net revenue in respect of IPC’s oil and gas assets in Canada are effective as of December 31, 2023, and are included in the reports prepared by Sproule Associates Limited (Sproule), an independent qualified reserves evaluator, in accordance with National Instrument 51-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Oil and Gas Activities (NI 51-101) and the Canadian Oil and Gas Evaluation Handbook (the COGE Handbook) and using Sproule’s December 31, 2023 price forecasts.

    Reserve estimates, contingent resource estimates and estimates of future net revenue in respect of IPC’s oil and gas assets in France and Malaysia are effective as of December 31, 2023, and are included in the report prepared by ERC Equipoise Ltd. (ERCE), an independent qualified reserves auditor, in accordance with NI 51-101 and the COGE Handbook, and using Sproule’s December 31, 2023 price forecasts.

    The price forecasts used in the Sproule and ERCE reports are available on the website of Sproule (sproule.com) and are contained in the AIF. These price forecasts are as at December 31, 2023 and may not be reflective of current and future forecast commodity prices.

    The reserve life index (RLI) is calculated by dividing the 2P reserves of 468 MMboe as at December 31, 2023 by the mid-point of the 2024 CMD production guidance of 46,000 to 48,000 boepd.

    IPC uses the industry-accepted standard conversion of six thousand cubic feet of natural gas to one barrel of oil (6 Mcf = 1 bbl). A BOE conversion ratio of 6:1 is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead. As the value ratio between natural gas and crude oil based on the current prices of natural gas and crude oil is significantly different from the energy equivalency of 6:1, utilizing a 6:1 conversion basis may be misleading as an indication of value.

    Supplemental Information regarding Product Types

    The following table is intended to provide supplemental information about the product type composition of IPC’s net average daily production figures provided in this press release:

      Heavy Crude Oil
    (Mbopd)    		 Light and Medium Crude Oil (Mbopd) Conventional Natural Gas (per day) Total
    (Mboepd)
    Three months ended        
    September 30, 2024 21.9 7.8 91.9 MMcf
    (15.3 Mboe)    		 45.0
    September 30, 2023 25.8 7.1 103.4 MMcf
    (17.3 Mboe)    		 50.2
    Nine months ended        
    September 30, 2024 23.7 7.9 94.8 MMcf
    (15.8 Mboe)    		 47.4
    September 30, 2023 25.9 8.6 102.4 MMcf
    (17.1 Mboe)    		 51.6
    Year ended        
    December 31, 2023 25.8 8.1 102.8 MMcf
    (17.1 Mboe)    		 51.1
             

    This press release also makes reference to IPC’s forecast total average daily production of 46,000 to 48,000 boepd for 2024. IPC estimates that approximately 50% of that production will be comprised of heavy oil, approximately 16% will be comprised of light and medium crude oil and approximately 34% will be comprised of conventional natural gas.

    Currency
    All dollar amounts in this press release are expressed in United States dollars, except where otherwise noted. References herein to USD mean United States dollars and to MUSD mean millions of United States dollars. References herein to CAD mean Canadian dollars.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: SFST promotes HK in Zurich

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Christopher Hui yesterday began a visit to Switzerland, where he is promoting Hong Kong’s status as an international centre for asset, wealth and risk management.

    In Zurich, Mr Hui met Swiss Re Group’s Chief Executive Officer, Corporate Solutions Ivan Gonzalez, and Chairman of the Board of Zurich Insurance Group Michel M Liès, giving them an update on initiatives announced in the 2024 Policy Address to strengthen Hong Kong’s position as a global risk management centre.

    These initiatives include reviewing the risk-based capital regime implemented in July and examining capital requirements for infrastructure investment in order to enrich insurance companies’ asset allocations for risk diversification and drive investment in infrastructure. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will also continue to invite Mainland and overseas enterprises to establish captive insurers in Hong Kong.

    Mr Hui also had a lunch meeting with the Swiss-Hong Kong Business Association, a member of the Federation of Hong Kong Business Associations. He briefed the association on investment opportunities in Hong Kong’s asset and wealth management sectors, stressing that the city welcomes investors and family offices from around the world.

    At another gathering, with leaders of a multinational financial service provider, Mr Hui spoke of the enhancements proposed in the Policy Address to strengthen Hong Kong’s status as an asset and wealth management hub.

    The industry is to be consulted on increasing the types of transactions, by funds and family offices, that are eligible for tax concessions. It is proposed that emission derivatives and allowances, virtual assets, insurance-linked securities, loans and private credit investments, and more, be made eligible.

    Mr Hui added that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government’s issuance of green bonds is attracting strong interest from local and international investors, with $220 billion in government green bonds having been issued so far.

    The treasury chief also met the Swiss National Bank’s Head of Bilateral Cooperation of Lena Lee Andresen to discuss issues of mutual concern such as global trends in monetary policy.

    In addition, Mr Hui visited the headquarters of Gategroup, a market-leading inflight caterer with a global presence and operations in Hong Kong, and met its Chief Financial Officer Urs Schwendinger.

    Highlighting that Hong Kong is an international aviation hub and that development of its Airport City is ongoing, he invited Gategroup to expand its operations in the SAR.

    Mr Hui’s visit to Switzerland will continue today in Geneva. 

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) imposes penalty of ₹ 3 Lakh on a coaching centre for advertising misleading claim regarding UPSC CSE 2020 result

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 25 JAN 2025 1:26PM by PIB Delhi

    The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has imposed penalty of ₹ 3 lakh on Vision IAS for advertising misleading claim regarding result of UPSC CSE 2020. The decision was taken to protect & promote the rights of consumers as a class and ensure that no false or misleading advertisement is made of any goods or services which contravenes the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.

    In view of the violation of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, the CCPA, headed by Chief Commissioner, Smt. Nidhi Khare, and Commissioner, Shri Anupam Mishra has issued an Orders against Vision IAS.

    Vision IAS in its advertisement made the following claim-

    1. “10 in Top 10 selections in CSE 2020 from various programs of Vision IAS”

    The CCPA found out that Vision IAS prominently displayed successful candidate’s names & pictures. However, the information with respect to the course opted by the said successful candidates in UPSC Civil Service Exam 2020 was not disclosed in the abovementioned advertisement.

    Vision IAS mentioned the course opted by AIR 1- UPSC CSE 2020 i.e. GS Foundation Batch Classroom Student but deliberately concealed information regarding the courses chosen by the other nine successful candidates. This concealment created misleading impression that the remaining nine candidates were also enrolled in the ‘GS Foundation Batch Classroom Student’ course which was not true. Out of remaining 9 candidates- 1 took foundation courses, 6 took test series related to Pre and Mains stage and 2 took Abhyaas test.

    Further, CCPA examined the digital profiles and fee receipts submitted by Vision IAS and discovered that the Foundation course is the most expensive, costing ₹1,40,000/-, whereas the Abhyaas one-time prelims mock test costs only ₹750. As per the available information, Rank 1 enrolled in the Foundation Course 2018 (Classroom/Offline), and Rank 8 enrolled in the Online Foundation Course 2015 of the Institute.

    CCPA found that Rank 2, Rank 3, Rank 5, Rank 7, Rank 8, and Rank 10 of UPSC CSE 2020 enrolled in the GS Mains Test Series. This comes into play in Mains examination i.e. after clearing prelims examination which is a screening test wherein approximately only 1% students able to clear the said stage, making it the toughest stage with the most competition. The abovementioned students took GS Mains test series which is one of the various components of the Mains examination which implies that the aforementioned candidates cleared the prelims and Interview stages on their own, without any contribution of opposite party.

    Additionally, Rank 4 and Rank 9 of UPSC CSE 2020 enrolled in Abhyaas test, a mock test for the Prelims exam. Rank 6 enrolled in the GS Prelims Test Series. This implies that the abovementioned candidates cleared the Mains and Interview stages on their own, without any contribution of opposite party.

    By deliberately concealing about the specific course opted by each of the successful candidates, the Vision IAS made it look like all the courses offered by it had the same success rate for the consumers, which was not right. These facts are important for the potential students to decide on the courses that may be suitable for them and should not have been concealed in the advertisement.

    CCPA has observed that several coaching institutes use the same successful candidate’s names and photographs in their advertisements while deliberately concealing important information about specific course opted by them to create a deception that the successful candidates were regular classroom students at coaching institute or were students of several courses offered in the advertisement.

    Therefore, information regarding the specific course opted by successful candidates is vital for the knowledge of consumers to enable them to make an informed choice while deciding the course and coaching institute/platform to enroll in.

    In light of these circumstances, CCPA found it necessary to impose a penalty in the interest of young and impressionable aspirants/consumers to address such false or misleading advertisement.

    CCPA had taken action against several coaching institutes for misleading advertisements and unfair trade practice. In this regard, CCPA has so far issued 46 notices to various coaching institutes for misleading advertisements and unfair trade practice. The CCPA has imposed a penalty of 74 lakhs 60 thousands on 23 coaching institutes and directed them to discontinue the misleading advertisements.

    (Final Order is available on the Central Consumer Protection Authority website https://doca.gov.in/ccpa/orders-advisories.php?page_no=1 )

    ****

    AD/NS

    (Release ID: 2096067) Visitor Counter : 84

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Minister of Textiles Shri Giriraj Singh to inaugurate Handloom Conclave ‘Manthan’ at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre Janpath, New Delhi on 28.01.2025.

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Union Minister of Textiles Shri Giriraj Singh to inaugurate Handloom Conclave ‘Manthan’ at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre Janpath, New Delhi on 28.01.2025.

    HMoT to launch Handloom weavers E- Pehchan Portal and Handloom Awards Online module.

    Posted On: 25 JAN 2025 11:58AM by PIB Delhi

    “Handloom Conclave- Manthan” is an interactive workshop with various stakeholders of Handloom sector viz. Handloom weavers/manufacturers, Retailers, Buyers, Designers, Academicians,Startup Founders,Handloom Entrepreneurs/Innovators,Handloom Co-operatives, E commers companies, from all segments of 5F vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister -Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign to chalk out future road map for handloom sector. The conclave will be attended by almost 250 stakeholders comprising 21 panelists, 120 handloom beneficiaries coming  from all parts of the country to join the conference , 35 officials from Weavers Service Centres and IIHTs, around 25 State Govt. Officials (Handloom,Silk & Textiles) and officials from various other departments and establishments of the Textile Ministry.  The conclave aims to serve as a platform for various stakeholders to come together and share best practices, innovations, and strategies for growth in the handloom sector.

    This initiative aligns with the government’s ongoing efforts to enhance the livelihoods of weavers and improve the overall handloom industry. It will also help in developing the handloom sector as a key sector with immense potential to act as a growth engine for Viksit Bharat 2047.

    Hon’ble Union Minister of Textiles will grace the event as the chief guest for the Inauguration. The Hon’ble Minister of State for Textiles will be the guest of honour, in the gracious presence of Secretary (Textiles) and Development Commissioner for Handlooms.

    Key highlights of the Event:

    • There will be 03 Technical Sessions:
    1. Support for start-up eco system in Handloom Sector.
    2.  Handloom Marketing Avenues and strategies.
    3. Modelling Handloom Sector for Young Weavers: Approach and Strategy.

    The Technical session on “Support for start-up eco system in Handloom Sector” will highlight various initiatives of Office of DC (Handlooms) to support start-ups and young entrepreneurs and to create a robust eco-system for start-ups working in handloom sector.

    In the panel discussion on “Handloom Marketing Avenues and Strategies” experiences and best practices of the handloom marketing will be shared by the distinguished panellists.  This discussion would be useful for the aspiring entrepreneurs, organizations and also for the entire handloom sector.

    The final session will be focussed on discussing various strategies for making the handloom sector attractive for the younger generation and involving the youth in creating a more vibrant and sustainable value chain in the handloom sector by adding more value proposition through various technical interventions and help of social and digital media.

    The panelists of above technical sessions will be representing various entities of the entire handloom value chain such as Government Officials, Technical Experts, Start-up founders, Handloom Co-operatives, Producer Companies,Academicians from NIFT and other institutes,E-Commerce stores, Handloom retailers, Weaver Entrepreneurs/innovators, Sustainable brands, Handloom Exporters and designers; their valuable insights will benefit the entire handloom community attending Handloom Conclave: Manthan.

    ****

    Dhanya Sanal K

    Director

     

    (Release ID: 2096040) Visitor Counter : 33

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Year End Review 2024: Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation,

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 25 JAN 2025 10:14AM by PIB Delhi

    The Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of JalShakti has been working relentlessly towards achieving the vision and mission of making India a ‘Water Secure Country’ as envisioned by Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi. The Ministry of Jal Shakti, formed in 2019 by bringing together all water related departments and organizations under one umbrella Ministry, has been playing a pivotal role in implementation of a focused strategy towards making India ‘Water Secure’ while ensuring optimal utilization of precious and scarce water resources across the nation. During the year2024, the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation has undertaken several new initiatives and achieved significant outcomes/milestones. Following is some of the key achievements of the Department in 2024:

    1.  ​National Mission forClean Ganga (NMCG)

    National Mission for Clean Ganga, in the year 2024, completed 25 projects which resulted in the completion of a cumulative total of 303 projects, sofar, and also sanctioned 39 new projects amounting to ₹ 2,056 crore, bringing the cumulative total to 488 projects sanctioned worth ₹ 39,730 crore. In sewerage infrastructure, 12 projects for the creation/ rehabilitation of 305 MLD sewage treatment capacity have been sanctioned between January to December 2024. In the same period, 16 projects for the creation/ rehabilitation of 750 MLD sewage treatment capacity have been completed. Till date, a total of 203 sewerage infrastructure projects have been sanctioned in the Ganga Basin for the creation of 6,255 MLD sewage treatment capacity and the laying of a 5,249 km sewer network.

    Other key achievements during the year 2024 are as follows:

     

    (A) Inauguration and Laying of Foundation Stones Sewerage infrastructure projects by Hon’ble Prime Minister (Under Nirmal Ganga)

     

    • On 25thJanuary 2024, the Hon’ble Prime Minister inaugurated the following projects with a cumulative cost of ₹ 790.5 Crores from Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh.

     

    1. Construction of 30 MLD STP at Masani, Mathura (under Hybrid Annuity-basedPPP (HAM) model under Namami Gange Program), Rehabilitation of existing (30 MLD at Trans Yamuna and 6.8 MLD STP at Masani, Mathura) total 36.8 MLD and Construction of 20 MLD TTRO plant (Tertiary Treatment and Reverse Osmosis Plant), Masani, Mathura 
    1. Construction of 58 MLD STP with 264 km and sewerage Network at Moradabad

     

    • On 1st March 2023, the Hon’ble Prime Minister inaugurated three projects worth
      ₹ 575 crore       from Hooghly, West Bengal. These projects include, 40 MLD STP work with Interception & Diversion at Bally, West Bengal, 60 MLD STP work with Interception & Diversion at Kamarhati and Baranagar Municipalities, West Bengal and 65 MLD STP work with Interception & Diversion at Howrah.

     

    • On 2nd March 2024, the Hon’ble Prime Minister inaugurated twelve projects worth ₹ 2,189 crore from Aurangabad, Bihar. These projects include 60 MLD STP and 162 km sewerage network at Saidpur, Patna, 60 MLD STP at Pahari, Patna, 93 km sewerage network at Pahari Zone IVA (S), Patna, 116 km sewerage network at Pahari Zone V, Patna, 180 km sewerage network at Beur, Patna, 96 km sewerage network at Karmalichak, Patna, 11 MLD STP at Barh, Patna, 10 MLD STP at Sultanganj, Bhagalpur, 9 MLD STP at Naugachia, Bhagalpur, 3.50 MLD STP at Sonepur, Saran, 32 MLD STP at Chhapra, Saran.

     

    • On 10th March 2024, the Hon’ble Prime Minister inaugurated three sewage projects worth ₹ 1,114 crore from Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh. These projects include 72 MLD STP and I&D network work at Naini (District-G, 42 MLD), Phaphamau (District-F, 14 MLD) and Jhunsi (16 MLD), Prayagraj, 30 MLD STP and I&D network  work at Jaunpur and 45 MLD STP and I&D network work at Etawah.

     

    • On 2nd October 2024, the Hon’ble Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for ten sewage treatment plant (STP) projects with a total cost of ₹ 1,555 crore. Among these, five projects worth ₹ 534.25 crore were inaugurated across Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Additionally, laid the foundation stone for five more projects across Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh, amounting to ₹ 1,021 crore.

     

    (B) Inauguration and Laying of Foundation Stones Sewerage infrastructure projects by Hon’ble Union Minister of Jal Shakti (Under Nirmal Ganga)

     

    • On 4th January 2024, the Hon’ble Union Minister for Jal Shakti inaugurated 14 MLD Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) with a 2.4 km Interception & Diversion (I&D) Network worth ₹ 77.36 crores in Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh.

     

    • On 18th January 2024, the Hon’ble Union Minister for Jal Shakti laid the foundation stone for the 220 MLD Meerut sewage treatment plant (STP) with interception and diversion (I&D) project worth ₹ 370 crore in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh.

     

    1. Training on Occupational Health & Safety Audit

    NMCG organized 9 virtual safety training program and trained more than 1,500 officials on “Occupational Health and Safety Audit (OHSA)” From January 2024 to December 2024, to ensure workplace safety and compliance.

    1. Activities Under Biodiversity Conservation (Under Aviral Ganga)

     

    The programme has sanctioned projects focused on protecting and rehabilitating fishery, turtles, crocodiles, and dolphins. Projects Sanctioned in the year 2024 are as under :

     

    • Advancing Rescue System for the protection of stranded Ganges river Dolphins.
    • Conservation, Reintroduction, and Rehabilitation of threatened Turtles along ganga basin.

    · Expanding Conservation Breeding Programme of Freshwater Turtle and Gharial at Kukrail Rehabilitation Centre, Lucknow

    NMCG, in partnership with CIFRI, has successfully implemented fish ranching programs for Indian Major Carps and other species. In 2024, notable achievements include – Ranching of Indian Major Carps (IMC): 49.25 lakhs, Mahseer: 7,370, Hilsa: 42,117 and Hilsa tagging: 1,387 nos.

    1. Important Activities (under Jan Ganga)

     

    • Launch of Namami Niranjana Abhiyan: NMCG launched the “Namami Niranjana Abhiyan” on 20th February 2024, aimed at ensuring the perennial flow of the Niranjana (Falgu) river and bolstering the ongoing efforts of the “Niranjana (Falgu) River Recharge Mission”. The Falgu river, revered as Niranjana in Bodhgaya and Falgu in Gaya, originates from Belgadda in the Simaria block of Chatra district, Jharkhand, holding profound significance in the Hindu Sanatan religion. Pilgrims partake in rituals such as PindDaan and Tarpan for their ancestors using water from the Falgu river.
    • Celebration of International Day of Yoga: On the occasion of the International Day of Yoga, the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) organized ‘Ghat Par Yoga’ at BSF Camp, Zero Pushta, Sonia Vihar in Delhi on the bank of River Yamuna on 21st June, 2024. Over 1,000 people participated in the event including officials and staff from the NMCG, NGOs under the Yamuna Action Plan (YAP-III) of the Delhi Jal Board (DJB), the Border Security Force (BSF), Ganga Vichar Manch, various other NGOs, as well as students and children.
    • 8thIndia Water Week 2024: The 8th edition of India Water Week (IWW) 2024 was held during 17-20 September 2024, in New Delhi, on the theme “Partnerships and Cooperation for Inclusive Water Development and Management.” This prestigious international event has become a key platform for collaboration in water resource management. The event was inaugurated by the President of India,  alongside Hon’ble Union Minister of Jal Shakti, and Hon’ble Minister of State for Jal Shakti.

     

    • Ganga Utsav- A River Festival 2024: On 4th November 2024, the 8th edition of Ganga Utsav was organized by NMCG at scenic Chandi Ghat in Haridwar to promote the conservation of the Ganga River, emphasize its cultural and spiritual importance, and raise public awareness about cleanliness. The event was inaugurated by Hon’ble Union Minister of Jal Shakti in the august presence of the Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Hon’ble Uttarakhand Minister for Women & Child Welfare, Secretary, DoWR, RD & GR, Ministry of Jal Shakti, and DG, NMCG. This eighth edition of the event was the first time held on the riverbank, with celebrations extending across more than 110 districts in the Ganga basin states.The event featured participants from diverse spheres, including students, scientists, spiritual leaders, and more.
    • 9th India Water Impact Summit: The 9th India Water Impact Summit (IWIS) & 2nd Climate Investments and Technology Impact Summit were organised jointly by NMCG & c-Ganga from 4th to 6th December 2024 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
    1. International Collaboration

     

    • Meeting with German Delegates: On 9th May 2024, a meeting was held with the Deputy Head of the Economic Division, German Embassy to discuss the current status of projects aimed at rejuvenating the Ganga River, supported through bilateral cooperation between India and Germany.
    • Workshop on Strengthening Quality Infrastructure for Water Monitoring of the Ganges River II: NMCG in association with Physikalisch- Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB)  under Indo-German Technical Cooperation Programme organised a 6-day training programme from 22nd July to 31st July 2024.
    • Inception Workshop for District Ganga Plans: On 5th July 2024, NMCG in association with GIZ organized an inception workshop for the District Ganga Plans. The workshop aimed to create comprehensive District Ganga Plans (DGPs) based on a River Basin Management approach, which has been prepared for four pilot districts.
    • Smart Laboratory for Clean Rivers (SLCR): The Smart Lab for Clean Rivers (SLCR) has been set up under the Green Strategic Partnership between India and Denmark to bring global solutions on current challenges in the field of clean river water, conduct collaborative research and development to fit in real environment through Living lab approach and creation of platform between Government authorities, academic institutions and technology providers for knowledge sharing and co-creation to achieve clean river water.
    • Meeting of the Joint Review Committee: On 9th October 2024, the first meeting of the Joint Review Committee (JRC) under the India-Israel Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was held under the chairmanship of DG, NMCG, to address priority areas such as reducing non-revenue water, urban water management through IoT and AI, wastewater treatment, and sewage sludge management.
    1.  Development of knowledge products (Under Gyan Ganga)

     

    The ‘River Atlas for Ganga Main Stem Districts’, an in-house developed knowledge product of the GKC was launched by the Hon’ble Minister of Jal Shakti on 09thDecember 2024 during the 13th Empowered Task Force Meeting. The atlas comprises maps of River Ganga and its tributaries, covering five main stem states in the Ganga basin – Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. This comprehensive Atlas is essential for the effective implementation of policies and programs and accurate planning and informed decision-making.

     

    1. ​National Water Mission (NWM)
    • MoU with Girganga Parivar Trust (Girganga) has been signed on 22.10.2024 on Pro bono basis. They have committed to build 11,111 bore well recharge and 11,111 check dams.
    • MoU with Sarkaritel.com/jalprahari.in has been signed on 13.12.2024 on Pro bono basis. They have committed for generating awareness on Water Conservation in the public.
    • MoU with Vyakti Vikas Kendra India (VVKI), the Art of Living has been signed on 16.12.2024 on Pro bono basis. They have committed for creating of Water recharge structure with the help of implementing many River Rejuvenation Programs through Government scheme MGNREGA
    • Central Water and Power Research Station, Pune
    • Central Soil and Material Research Station, New Delhi
    • National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee
    • Central Water Commission, New Delhi
    • Publication of research/ technical reports – 281 Nos.
    • Organisation of Trainings and workshops – 94 Nos.
    • Training of people for capacity building- 2623 persons
    • Publication of high impact technical report & research papers – 18 Nos.
    • 13 new research schemes has been recommended by Standing Advisory Committee and approved by Secretary (WR).
    • The research project “Hydro-geological Assessment and Socio-Economic implications of Depleting Water Resources in tourist towns of Uttarakhand” has been completed.
    • The research project “Irrigation Efficiency Improvement through On–farm Water Management” has been completed.
    • The research project “Dynamic Downscaling to study Climate Change Impacts on
    • Water Resource in India” has been completed.
    1. ​ National Water Development Agency (NWDA): Inter-Linking of Rivers Project

    Under National Perspective Plan (NPP) formulated by Government of India, 30 inter-basin water transfer links (16 Peninsular and 14 Himalayan component) have been identified by National Water Development Agency for preparation of Feasibility Reports. Detailed Projects Reports (DPRs) of 11 links, Feasibility Reports (FRs) of 26 links and Pre-Feasibility Reports (PFRs) of all the 30 links have been prepared. The Inter-Linking River (ILR) Programme has been taken up on high priority by Government of India. The works related to ILR projects are already in progress. Five links have been identified as priority links by Govt. of India viz., Ken-Betwa Link Project (KBLP), Modified Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal Link Project (MPKC) and Godavari-Cauvery (G-C) Link Project (comprising of 3 link systems).

    System studies of four link projects viz.; Manas-Sanksoh-Teesta-Ganga (MSTG) link, Ganga-Damodar-Subernarekha (GDS) link, Subernarekha-Mahanadi (SM) link and Farakka-Sunderbans (FS) link have been initiated and the work of these four links has been awarded to IIT, Guwahati, NIT, Patna, NIT, Warangal and NIH, Roorkee respectively. Inception Reports have been submitted in June, 2023 by all the four Institutes. The draft final reports of MSTG and GDS have been submitted by the respective Institutes. The system studies of Mahanadi-Godavari link have been completed by NIH, Roorkee and the Final Report has been submitted in May, 2023. Awarding of work for system studies of southern linkage initiated, however, it may be taken up after finalization of quantity of water that can be transferred from MSTG, GDS, FS and SM link projects to Mahanadi river, as per system studies. 

    Ken-Betwa Link Project (KBLP): is the first inter-linking of rivers (ILR) project for which implementation has been initiated. The project will be of immense benefit to the water starved Bundelkhand Region, spread across the States of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh which includes districts of Panna, Tikamgarh, Niwari, Chhatarpur, Sagar, Damoh, Datia, Vidisha, Shivpur&Raisen and Banda, Mahoba, Jhansi & Lalitpur respectively. The status of KBLP is as given below:

     

    1. Subsequent to signing of tripartite agreement in year, 2021, Govt. of India approved implementation of the project in December, 2021 at an estimated cost of Rs. 44,605 Crore with central support of Rs. 39,317 Crore.
    2. With allocation of budget under RE of FY 2021-22, the implementation of the project has started.
    3. Steering Committee and Ken-Betwa Link Project Authority (KBLPA) were been constituted vide Gazette Notification dated 11.02.2022.
    4. KBLPA HQ Office is set up at Bhopal with three more offices at Chhatarpur, Panna and Jhansi, which are fully functional with regular CEO/ACEOs, Director (Fin.) and other officials.
    5. Six meetings of Steering Committee and Six meetings of KBLPA have been held so far.
    6. Initially the focus is on land acquisition, R&R, fulfilling the compliances to the conditions of forest clearance and wildlife clearance.
    7. Greater Panna Landscape Council (GPLC) under Chief Secretary, Govt. of MP has been constituted for implementation of Landscape Management Plan through various stakeholders. Its first meeting was held on 05.09.23. Sub-Committee of GPLC was constituted on 16.10.2023 and its 1st& 2nd meetings were held on 17.10.2023 & 29.11.2023 respectively.
    8. Planning for an Integrated Research and Learning Centre (IRLC) at Panna has already been initiated by WII.
    9. The Monitoring Committee for R&R works of KBLP under Secretary, DoLR, MoRD has been constituted.
    10. Collector, Chhattarpur has made payment of Rs. 197.23 Crore to the affected Families. Whereas, Collector Panna has made payment of Rs.76.82 Crore to the affected families of Panna. The remaining Land Acquisition Payment for Private land in both the districts are in Progress.
    11. The work for engagement of Project Management Consultant (PMC) is in process. 9 bids were received for PMC, Result of Technical Evaluation of Bids was published on the CPP Portal on 22.08.2024. The Financial Proposals of the 5 technically qualified firms were opened on 10.09.2024. 20 meetings of Consultancy Evaluation Committee (CEC) for hiring PMC have been held so far. 20th meeting of CEC was held on 11.09.2024 for financial evaluation of bids. After financial and technical evaluation of bids received, recommendations of the CEC have been submitted to DoWR,RD&GR, MoJS for approval on 13.09.2024.
    12. A Technical Advisory Group for KBLP (TAG-KBLP) for KBLPA has been constituted to review and advise KBLPA on various planning and technical matters on implementation of various components of the link project. 10 meetings of TAG have been held so far.
    13. The tender document for the main component of the project i.e. Daudhan dam and its Appurtenant works (EPC mode) was finalized by Technical Advisory Group of KBLP and the Tender Evaluation Committee (TEC) and floated on CPP portal on 11.08.2023.   The complete proposal of technical and financial evaluation of bids was sent to Ministry of Jal Shakti that has been approved by Ministry. Subsequently, KBLPA has issued Letter of Acceptance to M/s NCC Limited for the work of Daudhan dam on 28.11.2024.
    14. Stage–II Forest Clearance for diversion of 6017.00 ha of forest land for development of KBLP has been accorded by MoEF& CC on 03.10.2023.
    15. The draft tender for EPC execution of Ken-Betwa Link Canal is prepared in two packages and circulated to State Governments of MP and UP for their comments/suggestions. Suggestions from Govt. of UP have been received.
    16. PTR has accepted total 6017 ha non-forest land Transferred/ Mutated. Notification of 6017 ha has been completed by Forest Department under section-29 of Indian Forest Act-1927 and has been published.
    17. Land in submergence: 3239 ha (Govt. Land: 1784.67 ha + Private Land 1454.33 ha) of land is coming under submergence area of Daudhan Dam. Private land of 1454.33 ha and Government land of 1604.429 ha has been mutated in favour of WRD, MP. Balance 180.241 ha Government land is likely to be transferred to WRD, MP soon.
    18. Land Acquisition for Ken Betwa Link canal (99 villages of MP and 10 villages of UP) is under progress.
    19. The work on State specific components like Lower Orr, Kotha Barrage and Bina Complex Multipurpose Project is already in progress. Head Works of Lower Orr has been completed whereas Head Works for Kotha & Bina are ongoing.

    Cumulative Progress (%) upto December, 2024

    1. Lower Orr      : 67.00
    2. Kotha Barrage: 59.00
    3. Bina Complex: 50.20
    1. The preparation of DPRs of components of UP likes two barrages, renovation and modernization of Tanks of Mahoba district, renovation and modernization of three weirs and ken command system is in progress.
    2. Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji laid the Foundation Stone of KBLP on 25.12.2024 at Khajuraho (Madhya Pradesh).
    3. The project is planned to be completed in 8 years by March, 2030.

     

    Modified Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal Link Project (MPKC):

     

    1. PFR has been circulated to concerned States. The work of DPRs is under progress.
    2. Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed on 28.01.2024 amongst States of MP, Rajasthan and Govt. of India.
    3. Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) of Modified Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal link project has been signed on 05.12.2024 amongst States of MP, Rajasthan and Govt. of India. Subsequently Hon’ble Prime Minister declared the signing of the agreement on 17th December, 2024 at Rajasthan.

     

    Godavari-Cauvery (G-C) Link Project (comprising of 3 link systems):

     

    1. Modified proposal for transfer of 4189 MCM of water from Godavari along with supplementation in Krishna basin through Bedti-Varda link (524 MCM) has been studied by NWDA.
    2. Draft DPR of the modified /revised proposal has circulated to the concerned State/UT during Jan., 2024.
    3. Draft MoA has been prepared for implementation of the project and circulated to concerned State/UT for perusal and observation during April, 2024.
    4. Concerted efforts are being made for building up consensus amongst the States/UT for signing of MoA for the early implementation of this link project.

     

    8th India Water Week 2024:

     

    1. IWW-2024 was successfully organized/held from 17th to 20th September, 2024 at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.
    2. The theme of the 8th India Water Week is “Partnerships and Cooperation for Inclusive Water Development and Management”.
    3. The mega event was inaugurated by the Hon’ble President of India.
    4. The four-day multi-disciplinary conference comprises of Ministerial Plenary, Global Water Leaders’ Plenary (2), Country Forum (4), Water Leaders Forum (9), Practitioner’s Forum (8), Startup Forum, Youth Forum, Water Convention (18) one-day study tour and concurrently organized exhibition. Denmark, Australia and Israel were the Partner Countries. There were 15 Partner States viz.; Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, J&K, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana.

    More than 4500 delegates from India & abroad participated in the IWW-2024. About 215 delegates from 40 countries participated in the conference. Parallel to the conference, in the exhibition 143 Exhibitors from Central, States Government, Public Sector undertakings, Private Firms, NGOs, Startups and Schools etc. showcased their technologies.

    1. ​ Central Water Commission (CWC)

          (i)   Central Water Commission has undertaken sedimentation assessment studies of selected reservoirs located in various States using Satellite Remote Sensing technique under the plan scheme “Research & Development Programme in Water Sector”. It is planned to take up the studies in respect of 80 reservoirs during 2021-26. Accordingly, the work of carrying out the study for the first batch of 40 reservoirs was outsourced.  Due to non-availability of either the desired water levels or satellite data for a reservoir on date of satellite pass, study in respect of 31 reservoirs was feasible which has been completed and reports published during 2022 to 2024. Besides this sedimentation studies in respect of 30 reservoirs have been completed in-house using Remote Sensing Techniques. Furthermore, a Google Earth Engine-based tool has also been developed by CWC officers, in-house under Smart Water Resources Modelling Organization (SWRMO) – Centre for Excellence, to automate the assessment of sedimentation in the live storage zone of reservoir.

          (ii)  A World Bank (WB) and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) team conducted the Mid-Term Review (MTR) mission for the Second Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP-2) between January 17 and May 3, 2024. The mission held discussions with Implementing Agencies (IAs) in Bhubaneshwar (Odisha), Surat (Gujarat), and New Delhi and undertook field visits to selected dams in Gujarat (Ukai) and Odisha (Hirakud, Rengali). The wrap-up meeting was held in New Delhi, chaired by Joint Secretary, D/o WR, RD&GR, Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS) and attended by Project Director, Central Water Commission (CWC), members of the Central Project Management Unit (CPMU), the Engineering and Management Consultant (EMC), and representatives of all Implementing Agencies (IA). As part of the mission, a detailed exercise on the use of the rapid risk assessment tool for Indian dams, in compliance with the National Dam Safety Act 2021, was carried out between March 5 and May 3, 2024.

          (iii) The quarterly dialogues on Coastal Area Management, initiated as per the direction of the Chairman, Central Water Commission (CWC) was held in April and May 2024.These dialogues brought together stakeholders from various levels of government, research institutions, and relevant departments to discuss pressing issues such as coastal erosion, salinity ingress, and the need for robust data collection and management. The dialogues provided a platform for sharing information, best practices, and innovative solutions from all stakeholders. As an outcome of the Quarterly Dialogue, CWC has published a report titled “Status Report on Coastal Area Management- An Indian Perspective, Region Issues & Remedial Measures”. The report provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges and initiatives related to coastal management in India. The report highlights the significant impacts of coastal erosion and salinity ingress, emphasizing the need for robust data collection, effective mitigation strategies, and increased collaboration among stakeholders.

    (iv) A Smart Water Resources Modelling Organization acts as Centre of Excellence to grow as a pioneering hub for developing in-house expertise and innovation in tackling diverse problem statements and studies in water sector and directly reports to Chairman, CWC.

    (v) Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on 06.06.2024between Central Water Commission (CWC) and IIT, Roorkeefor research work related to Irrigation Efficiency Assessment, Water Accounting studies, Cropped Area Mapping, Water Auditing, Urban Flood Forecasting & Risk Management, Urban Flood Inundation & Hazard Mapping, etc. These works will be carried out through mutual consultations and collaboration, leveraging the expertise and resources of both institutions.

    (vi) A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between Central Water Commission (CWC) and Space Application Centre (SAC) in the field of hydrology and water resources management, leveraging remote sensing and collaborative research efforts for mutual benefit on 08th July,2024.

    (vii) Support for Irrigation Modernization Program (SIMP): Central Water Commission (CWC), DoWR, RD & GR has taken up an initiative Support for Irrigation Modernization Program (SIMP) with technical assistance from theAsian Development Bank (ADB) to modernize Major/ Medium Irrigation (MMI) projects in the country.

    (viii) SIMP is proposed to be taken up in 4 phases. SIMP Phase-1 concluded on 31.12.2021 under which 4 MMI projects have been identified for inclusion under 1st batch of projects for preparation of Irrigation Modernization Plans (IMPs) out of the 57 proposals received from 14 States and 2 UTs. The entire process including the preparation of IMPs, Detailed Project Report (DPRs), detailed designs and final implementation/ project execution is expected to be completed by Phase-4. Implementation of the project would lie with the concerned States who would have an option to either fund it from their own resources or they can avail loan facility from ADB or any other financial institutions.

    (ix) SIMP Phase-2 was initiated from November 2022. Irrigation Modernization Plan (IMP) of four projects namely VanivilasaSagara Project, Karnataka, Palkhed Project Maharashtra, Purna Project, Maharashtra and Loharu Lift Irrigation Project, Haryana have been prepared. As a 1st step for preparation of IMPs, FAO developed RAP-MASSCOTE (Rapid Appraisal Procedure-Mapping System and Services for Canal Operation Techniques) workshops were organized to assess the present status of the identified four projects. The findings of RAP MASSCOTE workshops and issues related to Batch 1 SIMP projects were discussed in a mid-term workshop organized by ADB and CWC on 09.06.2023 at New Delhi.

    For capacity building under SIMP phase-II, the following activities were organized:

    • From 6th to 10th November 2023, a five days training on modernization and design of Pipe Distribution Networks (PDN) was organized at Panchkula/ Chandigarh. 22 Engineers from Karnataka, Maharashtra, Haryana, Punjab and CWC participated in the training.
    • On 15th and 20th December 2023, a Webinar on Irrigation Modernization and Design of PDN Systems was organized.
    • A Training on Asset Management Planning for Irrigation Schemes was held from 8th  to 12th  January 2024 at WALMI, Aurangabad.
    • A training on new technologies in Agriculture and Water Practices was held from 22nd  to 25th  January 2024 at HIRMI, Kurukshetra, Haryana.

    The Preliminary Project Reports (PPR) of all the four projects has been submitted by ADB to the concerned project authorities. PPR of Loharu, Haryana is under process with Govt department. PPR of Palkhed and Purna, Maharashtra is under process in Planning Department of Haryana, PPR of VVS, Karnataka is under process with state finance Govt of Maharashtra.

    PPRs are to be finalized by the states and submitted to DEA. After necessary approval from DEA, action for phase-3 will be taken up for preparation of DPRs.

    (x) A Training program on the application of Rapid Risk Assessment tool, in association with the World Bank for the officers of the core group was held during April 22, 2024 – May 3, 2024 at Auditorium, 1st floor, CWC Library Building, Near Sewa Bhawan, Sector-1, R K Puram, New Delhi. Total 66 officials nominated by CWC, NDSA and States / DRIP IAs for taking forward the assignment of carrying out the Rapid Risk Assessment of specified dams in the country.

    1. GLOF and Flood forecasting activities: –

    CWC finalized the criteria for Risk Indexing of Glacial Lakes in the Indian Himalayan Region in September 2024, which provide a comprehensive methodology for identifying and categorizing Glacial Lakes based on factors such as Glacial Lake size, Glacial Lake type, Side slope, Snout distance from GL etc. and the potential socio-economic impacts of a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood.

    In the year 2024, 2 new stations (Inflow) have started functioning. Currently CWC is providing flood forecast at 340 stations (200-level forecasting stations & 140-inflow forecasting stations). During the period from 1st April to 30.11.2024, 10415 (i.e. 7093 Level and 3322 Inflow) forecasts were issued, out of which 9947 (95.5%) forecasts were found within the accuracy limit (±0.15m for level forecast and ±20% for inflow forecast).During flood season, CWC operates the Central Flood Control Room on 24×7 basis at its headquarter in New Delhi and 36 Divisional Flood Control Rooms spread throughout the country for monitoring flood situation. On an average, about 10,000 forecasts are issued during flood season every year by the CWC. Normally, these forecasts are issued 6 to 30 hours in advance, depending upon the river terrain and location of the flood forecasting sites and their base stations. In addition to conventional flood forecasting techniques, mathematical model forecasting based on rainfall-run off methodology is being used for some areas. This has enabled CWC to issue 7-day advance flood advisory.

    Automated online 7-day flood advisory for all the level and inflow forecasting stations is maintained. “Flood Situation for next seven days” in respect of stations likely to be above warning level has been added in the “Daily Flood Situation Report cum Advisory” based on the 7-day advisory.

    1. Flood Plain Zoning

    In order to have a reasonable degree of protection, floods need to be managed through both structural & non-structural measures so as to reduce the losses. Non-structural measures are planned activities to modify susceptibility due to flood related damages. These are meant to keep people away from floods. Flood Plain Zoning is one of the main non-structural measures for management of floods worldwide.

    A technical committee under the chairmanship of Member (RM) was constituted during November 2022 for formulation of ‘Technical Guidelines on Flood Plain Zoning’ . After due deliberations, the committee submitted the guidelines to Ministry. The guidelines is presently under circulation to the states for their comments/review. Once implemented, these guidelines shall serve as a valuable document in guiding the states in framing their own legislation in protecting their rivers from future encroachments.

    1. Hydrological Studies:

    The success of a project is largely governed by the hydrological inputs. The success of a project is largely governed by the hydrological inputs. The Hydrological Studies Organization (HSO), a specialized unit under Design and Research (D&R) Wing of CWC, carries out hydrological studies in respect of the water resources projects in the country. The inputs in Detailed Project Report (DPR) or Pre- Feasibility (PFR) stage are made available in the form of:

    • Water availability/yield studies.
    • Design flood estimation.
    • Sedimentation studies.
    • Diversion flood studies.

    The country has been divided into 7 zones and further into 26 hydro- meteorologically homogeneous sub-zones and flood estimation models are developed for each subzone to compute the design flood in ungauged catchments. So far, flood estimation reports covering 24 sub-zones have been published. During the year 2024- 25, technical examinations of hydrological aspects of DPRs in respect of 88 projects have been carried out in CWC. Out of this, 46 projects have been cleared and comments were issued for 17 projects. Rest of the projects are under examination.

    Some of the major works carried out during this period are:

    •   Flood frequency analysis & carrying capacity of Yamuna River from Hathnikund Barrage to Delhi.

    •   Hydrology Chapter for Bakchachuu HEP, Ringyang HEP, &RimbiKhola HEP has been submitted.

    •   100 yr& 500 yr Return Period flood of Chandrawal River under Ken Betwa Link project.

    •   Water Availability of the untapped catchment between alignment of feeder canal, Mahalpur barrage and Navnera Barrage Under MPKC link.

    Technical Assistance / Advice tendered

    HSO has provided secretariat assistance to various technical/ expert committees for undertaking special studies on various aspects related to water resources development and management. Some of the important contributions during the year 2024- 25 are as under:

    • Hydrological Studies for Ponnaiyar River Basin, to resolve the interstate issue between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
    • Hydrological modeling for heavy rainfall across the Yamuna River catchment in July 2023 caused significant runoff and discharge, leading to rapid water level rises. In this study estimated submergence areas for different return-period floods, analyzed embankment overtopping, and identified drainage congestion and afflux of existing structures using 2-D modeling for the river reach between 21 km upstream of Wazirabad barrage and 10 km downstream of Okhla barrage.

    Hydrological modeling for tackling issues related to high intensity rainfall, riverine flood, drainage and interrelated issues in urban areas.

    1. Planning and Design of Water Resources Projects

    CWC is actively associated with design of majority of the mega water resources projects in India and neighboring countries, viz., Nepal and Bhutan by way of design consultancy or in the technical appraisal of the projects. At present CWC is provided design consultancy to 94 projects. Out of this, 31 projects (including 3 from neighboring countries) are at construction stage, 35 projects (including 2 from neighboring countries) are at DPR stage and 28 projects involve special problems.

    National Committee on Seismic Design Parameters: –

    The National Committee on Seismic Design Parameters (NCSDP) was constituted by MoWR Order dated 21 st October, 1991 with the objective to recommend the seismic design parameters for the proposals received from the dam owners. Member (D&R), CWC is the chairman of the committee with 12 other experts from various engineering disciplines from different technical institutions and Government organizations as its members. Director (FE&SA), CWC is the member Secretary of NCSDP. The 38th meeting of NCSDP was held on 10.05.2024 at CWC, New Delhi under the Chairmanship of Member (D&R) wherein six projects were cleared.

    Further, a special meeting of NCSDP was held on 05.06.2024 wherein the Guideline for Preparation and Submission Of Site-Specific Seismic Study Report of River Valley Project To National Committee On Seismic Design Parameters was revised comprehensively to be in line with the International practices.

    1. National Register of Large Dams:

    Before enactment of Dam Safety Act 2021, Dam Safety Organisation (DSO) , CWC compiled and maintained the register of large dams across the country in the form of National Register of Large Dams (NRLD) based on information provided by State Govts. / PSUs. After enactment of Dam Safety Act 2021, the NDSA has been mandated to maintain National level database of all specified dam in the country. The National Register of Specified (Large) Dams 2023 was released by Hon’ble Vice President of India in International Conference on Dam Safety held during 14th-15th September 2023 at Jaipur. As per NRLD- 2023, there are 6138 constructed and 143 under construction dams in the country. The NRLD, 2023 is available on CWC’s website and can be accessed by l ink- https:// cwc. gov. in/ publication/nrld.

    1. Technical Examination of Instrumentation aspects of the projects:

    Hydroelectric project:-

    Detailed Project Report (DPR)/ construction drawings of 29 river valley projects in various States/ countries namely Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, Odisha, Sikkim Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Jammu & Kashmir, Bhutan and Nepal were examined, out of which 4 projects have been cleared with respect to instrumentation aspects and remaining 25 projects are at various stages of examination.

    Pumped storage Project:-

    Detailed Project Report (DPR)/ construction drawings of 42 river valley projects in various States/ countries namely Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh were examined, out of which 6 projects have been cleared with respect to instrumentation aspects and for remaining 36 projects, clearance from instrumentation aspects is no longer required as per the latest CEA guidelines.

    1. Standing Technical Advisory Committee of CSMRS

    The Standing Technical Advisory Committee (STAC) was constituted under the Chairmanship of Member (D&R), CWC for providing an overall perspective and guidance in technical scrutiny of research schemes being undertaken at CSMRS. The STAC is composed of 11 members drawn from various public sector institutions and is headed by Member (D& R), CWC. The 39th Standing Technical Advisory Committee (STAC) meeting of CSMRS was held on 25.10.2024

    1. Other Seismic works:

    Work related to technical evaluation and critical examination of web-based tool Seismic Hazard Assessment Information System (SHAISYS) being developed by IIT Roorkee and CWPRS Pune under DRIP is being carried out. A meeting is proposed on 18th December 2024 under the chairmanship of Member (D&R), CWC with the expert of IIT Roorkee at CWC, New Delhi regarding way forward for development of SHAISYS.

     

    1. CWC Activities under National Hydrology Project (NHP):

    Study on “Physical based Mathematical Modelling for estimation of Sediment Rate and Sediment Transport in Seven River Basin” has been completed.

    Extended Hydrological Prediction (multi week forecast) for Yamuna, Narmada and Cauvery basins is in progress.

    • Reservoir Sedimentation Studies using Hydrographic survey for 32 reservoirs” under Phase-I has been completed. Works of Phase II: Consists of 87 reservoirs in 10 states (Rajasthan, Gujrat, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Telangana, and Odisha is under progress.
    • Supply, Installation, Testing & Commissioning (SITC) of 93 Nos. ADCP (14 + 29 + 50 in three phases) for the measurement of discharge at the HO sites of CWC has been completed. Further procurement of additional 46 no’s ADCP and 8 no’s Total station is in under progress.
    • Supply, Installation, Testing & Commissioning (SITC) of 32 velocity radar sensors for modernization of discharge observations has been completed.
    • 7 no’s of  Water Quality Equipment (ICP-MS and GC-MS) have been commissioned and installation & Commissioning of 3 more Water Quality Equipment (1 GC-MS and 2 ICP-MS) is under process.
    • Consultancy services for “Early Flood Warning System Including Inundation Forecast in Ganga Basin” is in progress.
    • Consultancy services for Development of Decision Support System near to real time for Integrated Reservoir Operation System of Ganga Basin” has been completed.
    • Real Time Data Acquisition System (RTDAS) for Narmada Control Authority (NCA) and Arunachal Pradesh comprising of network of 48 & 50 no’s hydro meteorological Stations respectively has been commissioned.
    • Reservoir Sedimentation Studies using Hydrographic survey for 32 reservoirs” under National Hydrology Project, Phase-I have been completed and reports published and under Phase II studies in respect of 87 reservoirs are taken up.
    1. DAM REHABILITATION AND IMPROVEMENT PROJECT (DRIP) Phase-II and III

    Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP) is an externally aided project with financial assistance from the World Bank, targeting rehabilitation of some of the selected dams of the Country along with accompanying institutional strengthening component.

    Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (Phase-II & III):

    Based on the success of DRIP Phase- I, Ministry of Jal Shakti initiated another externally funded scheme, DRIP Phase-II and Phase-III. The Union Cabinet has approved the Scheme on October 29, 2020.

    The scheme has provision for rehabilitation of 736 dams located in 19 States (Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, and three Central Agencies (Central Water Commission, Bhakra Beas Management Board, and Damodar Valley Corporation). It is a State Sector Scheme with Central component, with duration of 10 years, to be implemented in two Phases i.e. Phase- II and Phase-III, each of six years duration with an overlap of two years. The budget outlay is Rs 10,211 Cr (Phase II: Rs 5107 Cr; Phase III: Rs 5104 Cr) with rehabilitation provision of 736 dams. Out of this cost, Rs. 7,000 crore is an external loan and Rs. 3,211 crores would be borne by the respective participating States and the three Central agencies. The funding pattern of scheme is 80:20 (Special Category States), 70:30 (General Category States) and 50:50 (Central Agencies). The scheme also has provision of Central Grant of 90% of loan amount for special category States (Manipur, Meghalaya and Uttarakhand). The DRIP Phase-II and III Scheme is 10 years duration, proposed to be implemented in two Phases, each of six-year duration with two years overlapping. Each Phase has external assistance of US$ 500 M. The Phase-II of the scheme is being co-financed by World Bank and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), with funding of US$ 250 million each. The loan agreement by World Bank was signed on August 04, 2021 with 10 States (Gujarat, Kerala, MP, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Rajasthan, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Chhattisgarh) and became effective from 12th October, 2021. In addition to 10 States, four States (Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Karnataka) have been notified by World Bank for inclusion under this scheme in June 2022 and their loan declared effective in January 2023.

    The loan agreement by AIIB was signed on 19th May, 2022 with 10 States (Gujarat, Kerala, MP, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Rajasthan, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Chhattisgarh) and declared effective on 29th December, 2022 by AIIB.

    Inclusion of four States (Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Punjab, Telangana) and two Central Agencies (BBMB and DVC) is under process.

    Important project achievements include approval of PSTs of 139 dams costing Rs 3715 Cr by the World Bank. The contract(s) amounting approximately Rs 2906 Cr have been awarded by various Implementing Agencies and an amount of Rs 1487 Cr spent as on 30.11.2024 on various project activities including dam rehabilitation, institutional strengthening and project management activities

    A training on DRIP Ph-II &Ph-III was given to 40 officers of Punjab WRD on 12th June 2024 at Shahpur Kandi. Few topics were covered like Overview of DRIP Ph-II &Ph-III scheme; dam structural problems & their identification; Procurement procedures; Hydro-Mechanical structural problems; PST preparation; Financial Management of DRIP scheme etc.

    A three days training on DFR organized during 8th to 10th July, 2024, in which 22 participants from seven (7) states and CWC participated.

     The Management Information System (MIS-with 05 modules) was officially rolled out to SPMU on 14th  August 2024. In this regard a virtual MIS demonstration was organized on 14th August 2024 in which concerned officials of CPMU, SPMU, and EMC participated.

    2nd meeting of National Level Steering Committee (NLSC) on DRIP Phase-II and III chaired by Secretary, DoWR, RD and GR were held on 25.09.2024 at New Delhi to discuss the progress and issues of DRIP Scheme.

    3rd  meeting of Technical Committee of DRIP Phase II and III was held on 18.10.2024 under the chairmanship of Member (D&R), CWC at Dehradun, Uttarakhand in which nodal officer and Project Director of DRIP IAs participated. Deliberations in respect of technical matters with regard to pertaining to implementation of the scheme were held during the meeting.

    1. National Task Force for Integrated Water Resources Development and Management

    National Task Force for Integrated Water Resources Development and Management (NTFIWRDM) has been set up by DoWR, RD & GR vide its OM dated 25.11.2024.

    Sustainable development of water resources and its efficient management is the key to water security and economic growth. As a country, aspiring to be the world leader with the most powerful economy, challenges like increasing population, economic growth, industrialization and urbanization are bound to result in increased and conflicting demands for various purposes across the country. Moreover, the vagaries of climate change have already started to affect the water sector adversely. In the wake of ever-growing challenges in the water resources sector, it has become necessary to prospectively assess the projected water use for various purposes. In view of above, Department of Water Resources, RD & GR has set up a National Task Force for Integrated Water Resources Development and Management (NTFIWRDM) on 25.11.2024 under the chairmanship of Hon’ble Member, Niti Aayog with members from various Govt. Departments and experts from different organisations; thereby comprehensively covering various domains of water resources. Chief Engineer, BPMO, CWC is the Member Secretary of the NTFIWRDM. The NTFIWRDM – 2024 is expected to complete its work within 24 months, with interim reports submitted at yearly intervals.

    (xxii) LIST OF IMPORTANT PUBLICATIONS OF CWC during 2024

    Sl. No.

    Publication

    Released during

    1

    Water Sector at a Glance-2022

    Aug-2024

    2

    Water & Related Statistics-2023

    Sept-2024

    3

    Water Sector at a Glance-2023

    Sept-2024

    4

    National Register of Major & Medium

    Irrigation Projects in India-2024

    Sept-2024

    5

    Compendium on Sedimentation of Reservoirs in India

    August 2024

    6

    Assessment of Area Affected Due to Floods in India

    July 2024

    7

    Report on Flood Damage Statistics (1953-2022)

    July 2024

    8

    Assessment of Area Affected Due to Floods

    in India [Part II: Assessment at Sub-District Level]

    September 2024

    9

    Criteria for Risk Indexing of Glacial Lakes in

    Indian Himalayan Region

    September 2024

    10

    Status Report on Coastal Area Management –

    An Indian Perspective, Regional Issues & Remedial Measures

    September 2024

     

    1. ​Central Ground Water Board (CGWB):

    National Aquifer Mapping and Management Programme (NAQUIM)

    Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) is implementing National Aquifer Mapping and Management program (NAQUIM), which envisages mapping of aquifers (water bearing formations), their characterization and development of Aquifer Management Plans to facilitate sustainable management of ground water resources. Out of 32 lakh sq km of the entire country, entire mappable area of 25 sq lakh km has been covered under this programme. NAQUIM outputs are shared with various stakeholders including the District Authorities. Building on the experiences of the NAQUIM, the NAQUIM 2.0 has been initiated from the year 2023-24 which emphasizes on detailed mapping and implementable management plans for identified priority areas. CGWB has completed 68 such studies (covering nearly 40,000 sq km) in year 2024.

    In order to create infrastructure for data generation under NAQUIM, a Project has been approved by the Public Investment Board (PIB) with an outlay of Rs 805 Cr for implementation by CGWB during the period 2022-2026.  As of now, tenders amounting approximately Rs. 550 Cr have been awarded. 

    One of the components of the project involves the construction of 7000 piezometers and the installation of Digital Water Level Recorders with telemetry devices for strengthening and automation of groundwater monitoring networks in the country.  Construction of piezometers for strengthening groundwater monitoring has been initiated in 15 states (Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, MadhyaPradesh, Chhattisgarh, UttarPradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, WestBengal, Odisha and Jammu&Kashmir).  A total of 1796 piezometers have been constructed till 31st December 2024.

    Another component of the project involves construction of 1135 Exploratory Wells (EW) and Observation Wells (OW) for completing the data gap in the NAQUIM project area for which work has been initiated under all awarded packages in 11 states (Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha, Assam). A total of 319 EW/OWs have been constructed till 31st December 2024.

    Ground Water Resources

     

    The Ground Water Resource Assessment for the water year 2024 was carried out jointly by Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) and States/UTs, through the web-based automated application “INDIA-GROUNDWATER RESOURCE ESTIMATION SYSTEM (IN-GRES) for the entire country. The assessment provides the state wise ground water resource scenario and insights required to adopt an integrated and sustainable ground water management in the Country.

    As per the assessment, the total annual groundwater recharge in the country has been assessed as 446.90 billion Cubic Meter (BCM). The annual extractable ground water resource has been assessed as 406.19 BCM. The annual groundwater extraction for all uses is 245.64 BCM. The average stage of groundwater extraction for the country stands at 60.47 %. Out of the total 6746 assessment units (Blocks/ Mandals/ Talukas) in the country, 4951 (73.4 %) assessment units are categorized as ‘Safe’. 711 (10.5 %) assessment units are categorized “Semi-critical’’, 206 (3.05 %) assessment units, have been categorized as ‘Critical’ and 751 (11.1%) assessment units have been categorized as ‘Over-exploited’. Apart from these, there are 127 (1.8%) assessment units, which have been categorized as ‘Saline’ as major part of the ground water in phreatic aquifers in these units is brackish or saline.

    Key Highlights:

    • Total Annual GW Recharge has increased (15 BCM) substantially and Extraction has declined (3 BCM) in 2024 from 2017 assessment. There is slight reduction in recharge and increase in extraction in the present assessment year compared to the preceding year.
    • Recharge from Tanks, Ponds and WCS has shown a consistent increase in the last five assessments. In the year 2024, it has increased by 0.39 BCM w.r.t. 2023.
    • With respect to the year 2017, there is an increase of 11.36 BCM in recharge from Tanks, Ponds & WCS (from 13.98 BCM in 2017 to 25.34 BCM in 2024).
    • The percentage of Assessment Units under Safe Category have increased from 62.6% in 2017 to 73.4 % in 2024 (The percentage of Safe assessment units was 73.14 % in 2023).
    • The percentage of Over Exploited Assessment units have declined from 17.24 % in 2017 to 11.13 % in 2024 (The percentage of OE Assessment units was 11.23% in 2023)

    The Union Minister for Jal Shakti released “National Compilation of Dynamic Ground Water Resources of India 2024” on 31st December, 2024.

    High resolution aquifer mapping and management in Arid areas of India

    • The Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) has undertaken high resolution aquifer mapping in the arid regions of Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Haryana using advanced heliborne geophysical surveys. Under Phase I of the project, an area of 97,637 sq. km has been surveyed, covering 40,313-line km across 92 blocks in these states.
    • Based on the heliborne geophysical survey results, Gram Panchayat-level information of saturated/de-saturated, saline/fresh aquifers, groundwater potential zones, drilling sites, and managed aquifer recharge sites has been identified. Detailed reports have been prepared for 39 out of 92 blocks, comprising 20 blocks in Gujarat, 11 in Rajasthan, and 8 in Haryana.
    • A Coffee Table Book on the Summary of the findings of Heliborne Survey Phase I was released on 19.09.2024 in India Water Week-2024 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi by the Hon’ble Minister of State, Jal Shakti.

    Artificial Recharge Activities

    Groundwater augmentation through artificial recharge in identified water stressed areas of Rajasthan, comprising Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Alwar, Jhunjhunu & Sikar districts of Rajasthan has been taken up in three phases

    • Phase-1: Two large dams have been constructed:
      • Zoned Earth Fill Dam with Clay Core, Indroka, Mandore, Jodhpur
      • Concrete Gravity Dam, Bastawa Mata, Balesar, Jodhpur.
    • Phase-2: 82 WHS (Stone Masonary Check Dams (MCD), Anicuts, Concrete Check Dams (CCD & Recharge shafts) have been constructed in certain water stressed blocks of Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Sikar district.
    • Phase-3: 39 WHS (Check Dam, Anicut, Model Talab) have been constructed certain water stressed blocks in Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Sikar, Jhunjhunu and Alwar districts of Rajasthan to know the concentrated effect of artificial recharge.

    Regulation of Ground Water extraction

    • The primary role of Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) is to regulate groundwater resource exploitation in the country. The Authority has been regulating groundwater development and management by way of issuing ‘No Objection Certificates’ for groundwater extraction to industries, infrastructure projects, Mining Projects, registration of drilling rigs etc., and framed guidelines in this connection.

     

    • Development of a new portal for NoC issuance to ground water users i.e. BhuNeer APP, which is an advanced version of the application processing software of CGWA for issuing NOC to ground water users of Industries, Infrastructure & Mining projects and Bulk Water Supply. The motto of developing this portal is to provide users a smooth experience with new features and functionalities.

    Rajiv Gandhi National Ground Water Training & Research Institute (RGNGWTRI) 

    It is the training wing of CGWB and functions as a `Centre of Excellence’ with the national role of capacity building of Officers and Officials of CGWB, other Central Govt. Depts., State Govt. Depts., Public Sector Undertakings, Non-Governmental Organizations, Academic institutions and other stake holders through three arms -Tier I (National Level), Tier II (State Level) and Tier III (Block level) trainings.

    • During the last 10 years, from 2012-13 to 2024-25(As on 24.12.2024) a total of 1711 training courses (Tier-I, Tier-II & Tier-III) were organized (Male 83,330 + Female 30,369 = 1,13,699 Participants) by RGNGWTRI, Raipur.
    • The institute has also conducted Four trainings for foreign nationals, during the last 10 years

    Development of three Indigenous Softwares as part of Smart India Hackathon (SIH) 2022- a significant step towards Atmanirbhar Bharat

    • Smart India Hackathon (SIH), a nationwide initiative envisioned under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister is an important mega annual event among students to provide solutions through innovations for specific challenges identified by different organizations. It is an annual event organized by the Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell, All India Council for Technical Education, along with partners. Based on problem statements shared by CGWB and under the mentorship of CGWB scientists, following three software applications were developed by engineering students as a part of Smart India Hackathon (SIH)
    • Hydra-Q: A Standalone desktop application for analysis, visualization and interpretation of hydrochemical data.
    • Aqua Probe: A Standalone desktop application for Pumping Test data analysis.
    • OASIS-G: Online application System for Stable Isotope Studies-Ground Water

    The software applications can be accessed / downloaded from CGWB website (https://www.cgwb.gov.in/freewares-groundwater-data-analysis).

    These freeware applications will be useful for students, researchers and groundwater professionals. So far, the software that are used for such kind of analysis are developed mostly in countries other than India. This is a significant step towards Atmanirbhar Bharat and is likely to reduce India’s dependence on foreign software.

    Aquifer Management for Augmentation and Sustainability of Urban Water Supply- Faridabad

     

    CGWB has taken up a study on augmentation of water supply to Faridabad city through sustainable ground water development in active Yamuna flood plain in 2024. CGWB has signed MoU with Faridabad Metropolitan Development Authority (FMDA)

    Ground Water Quality Analysis

     

    The comprehensive assessment of Ground Water Quality conducted by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) provides valuable insights that can guide remedial actions and inform future planning by various stakeholders. Notably, this report on Ground Water Quality is the first to implement a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for groundwater quality monitoring, which ensures consistency in data collection, analysis, and interpretation. Additionally, the use of internationally recognized methods significantly bolsters the credibility and technical rigor of the findings. On December 31, 2024, Sh. CR Paatil, Hon’ble Union Minister of Jal Shakti, unveiled the Annual Groundwater Quality Report, 2024.

    Key Highlights:

    • In terms of cation chemistry, calcium dominates the ion content, followed by sodium and potassium. For anions, bicarbonate is the most prevalent, followed by chloride and sulphate. This indicates that overall water in the country is of Calcium-Bicarbonate type.
    • Some regions face sporadic contamination of nitrates, fluoride, and arsenic.
    • Seasonal trends observed in parameters like Electrical Conductivity (EC) and fluoride provide evidence of positive monsoon recharge effects, which improve water quality.
    • From an agricultural perspective, the analysis of Sodium Adsorption Ration (SAR) and Residual Sodium Carbonate (RSC) reinforces the generally favorable suitability of groundwater for irrigation, with over 81% of samples meeting safe thresholds. However, localized issues of high sodium content and RSC values demand targeted interventions to prevent long-term soil degradation.
    • 100% of ground water samples in North-Eastern States are in excellent category for irrigation.
    1.     Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)

    Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) for 2021-26 with an outlay of ₹93,068 Crore to benefit about 22 lakh farmers

    • Against a target of 34.63 Lakh Ha irrigation potential of 25.80Lakh Ha (approx.74.5%) created through AIBP works of the prioritized projects during 2016-17 to 2023-24
    • Nine (09) new MMI projects and two (02) new National projects have been further included under PMKSYAIBP.

     

    Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)- Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP):

    The Government of India on 27.07.2016 approved funding of the 99 prioritized irrigation projects (and 7 phases) with an estimated balance cost of Rs. 77,595 Crore (Central share- Rs. 31,342 crores; State share- Rs. 46,253 crores) for completion in phases. The works include both the AIBP and CAD works. Funding arrangement for both Central Assistance (CA) and State Share made through NABARD under Long Term Irrigation Fund (LTIF). Targeted Irrigation Potential to be created under the scheme is 34.63 Lakh ha. An expenditure of Rs. 68891 crore (upto March 2024) has been reported to be incurred by the concerned State Governments on these projects since 2016-17. In January 2020, Ministry of Finance conveyed the continuation of ongoing centrally sponsored scheme up-to 31.03.2021.

     

    Physical Progress: Against the target of 34.63 Lakh Ha. Irrigation Potential of about 25.80 Lakh ha. has been created through AIBP works of the prioritized projects during 2016-17 to 2023-24. The potential created during 2024-25 shall be available only after the end of cropping season.

     

    Project Completed under PMKSY-AIBP: AIBP works of 62 prioritized projects out of identified 99 projects (and 7 phases) were reported to be completed till date.

    The Government of India has approved implementation of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) for 2021-26 with an outlay of ₹93,068 Crore on date 15-Dec-2021 to benefit about 22 Lakh farmers. The Union Cabinet has approved central support of ₹37,454 Crore to States and ₹20,434.56 Crore of debt servicing for loan availed by Government of India for irrigation development during PMKSY 2016-21. Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme, ‘Har Khet Ko Paani’ and Watershed Development components have been approved for continuation during 2021-26. Total additional irrigation potential creation targeted during 2021-26 under AIBP is 13.88 Lakh hectare. Apart from focused completion of 60 ongoing projects including their 30.23 lakh hectare command area development, 9 additional projects have been taken up till date. Also, two national projects, namely Renukaji Dam Project (Himachal Pradesh) and Lakhwar Multipurpose Project (Uttarakhand) have also been included for central funding of 90% of works of water component under the scheme.

     Inclusion of new Major/Medium Irrigation (MMI) projects as well as funding of National Projects under AIBP.

     Financial progress requirement is dropped for inclusion of a project underAIBPand only physical progress of 50% to be considered.

     Advanced stage (50% physical progress) criteria are relaxed for projects having command area of 50% or more in Drought Prone Area Programme (DPAP), tribal, Desert Development Programme (DDP), Flood prone, Tribal area, Flood prone area, left wing extremism affected area, Koraput, Balangir and Kalahandi (KBK) region of Odisha, Vidarbha& Marathwada regions of Maharashtra and Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh & Uttar Pradesh, as also for Extension Renovation Modernization (ERM) projects and also for States with net irrigation below national average.

     Reimbursement is allowed for due central assistance in subsequent year also.

       Project completion permitted with physical progress of 90% or more.

     Online Management Information System (MIS) has been developed for monitoring of the projects. A nodal officer for each of the 99 priority projects has been identified who updates the physical and financial progress of the project regularly in the MIS.

     GIS based Application has been developed for geo-tagging of project components. Remote Sensing Techniques have been used for digitization of the canal network of the projects. Further, the Cropped Area estimation in the command of 99 priority projects is being carried out annually through remote sensing.

     To resolve the issue of Land Acquisition (LA) and increase water conveyance efficiency, use of Underground Pipeline (UGPL) has been actively promoted. Guidelines for Planning and Design ofPiped Irrigation Network were released by this Ministry in July, 2017.

     Pari-passu implementation of Command area development works in the commands of these projects is envisaged to ensure that the Irrigation Potential Created could be utilized by the farmers. New Guidelines bringing focus on Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM) have been brought out. Further, transfer of control and management of irrigation system to the Water Users’ Association (WUA) has been made necessary condition for the acceptance of CADWM completion.

    The Financial Progress under PMKSY-AIBP is as follows:

     

    Funds Released

    2016-17 to 2023-24

    2024-25 (so far)

    Total

    Central Assistance for AIBP projects

    including special and National Projects

    18550.98

    629.22

    19180.20

    State Share

    33830.83

    180.60

    34011.4

    Total

    52,381.81

    809.82

    53191.6

     

    Special Package for Maharashtra: A Special Package approved on 18.07.2018 which provides Central Assistance to complete 83 Surface Minor Irrigation (SMI) projects and 8 Major / Medium Irrigation Projects in drought prone districts in Vidarbha and Marathwada and rest of Maharashtra in phases up to 2023-24 (extended till March-25). The overall balance cost of the said projects as on 1.4.2018 is estimated to be Rs.13651.61 Crore. Total CA is estimated to be Rs. 3831.41 Crore including reimbursement for expenditureduring 2017-18Balancepotentialof 3. 77 Lakh Ha would be created on completion of these schemes. CA of Rs. 2901.63 crores have been released under the scheme so far. Under the scheme, 53 SMI and 2 MMI projects have been reported to be completed by the State Government of Maharashtra. Overall irrigation potential of 1.66 Lakh ha. has been reported to be created through all these projects during 2018-19 to 2023-24. Further potential created during 2024-25 shall be available only after the end of cropping season.

    Modernization of Command Area Development & Water Management (M-CADWM):

    The Ministry of Jal Shakti is reviewing the CADWM programme to make it more relevant in the current context of water use efficiency and agricultural productivity. The proposed change is a proposed smart irrigation scheme which envisages transforming the existing command (whether rain fed or gravity based) to a Pressurized Piped Irrigation Command (PPIC) by providing pressurized irrigation water from Established source to Farm Gate below Minor (Tertiary) Level Network. This will make the entire command area micro-irrigation ready with robust back-end infrastructure using Surface Water. The farmers shall be empowered by creating a Water User Society, which will also be an “economic entity”.

    The Scheme will develop suitable models for different Agro-Climatic zones, integrating various sources of water, and different levels of water availability, covering both areas of assured irrigation and protected irrigation. These models will pave the way for development of a National Plan for Modernization of water management in rural area in general and irrigation services in particular based on integrated, sustainable, efficient and inclusive water management.

    Polavaram Irrigation Project: Polavaram Irrigation Project was declared as National Project under Section 90 of AP Reorganization Act, 2014, which came into force on 1st  March 2014. The project with 2467.50 m of earth-cum-rock fill dam and 1121.20 m long spillway aims at irrigating 2.91 Lakh ha in erstwhile East Godavari, Visakhapatnam, West Godavari and Krishna districts besides several other benefits envisaged by it. Central Government is funding 100% of the remaining cost of the irrigation component of the project, as on 01.04.2014. Government of Andhra Pradesh is executing the irrigation component of the project on behalf of Government of India. The approved cost of the Project as per Revised Cost Committee (RCC) is Rs 29,027.95 cr at 2013-14 PL and Rs 47,725.74 cr at 2017-18 PL up to FRL i.e. EL +45.72 m. After declaration as National Project, a sum of Rs. 15,605.96 cr has been released for execution of Polavaram Irrigation Project so far.

    The Union Cabinet has approved the revised cost of the PIP in its meeting held on 28.08.2024, with water storage upto EL + 41.15 m at a cost of Rs. 30,436.95 cr with balance central grant for the project limited to Rs. 12,157.53 cr. Further, an amount of Rs. 2,348 cr has been released on 09.10.2024 as advance payment to GoAP on account of execution of Polavaram Irrigation Project in addition to the reimbursement of Rs 15,605.96 cr made to GoAP.

    As reported by Water Resource Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh, an expenditure of Rs 18,348.84 cr has been incurred on the project works up to 30.11.2024, after declaration of Polavaram irrigation project (PIP) as National Project.

    1.  Atal Bhujal Yojana (Atal Jal)

    Atal BhujalYojana (Atal Jal) is a Central Sector Scheme of Government of India with an outlay of Rs 6000 Crore, with focus on community participation and demand side interventions for sustainable ground water management in identified water stressed areas in 8203 water stressed Gram Panchayats of 229 administrative blocks/Talukas in 80 districts of seven States in the country viz. Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. The scheme, partly funded by the World Bank, is being implemented from 1.04.2020 for a period of 6 years.

    This unique scheme aims at increasing the capacity of States to manage their ground water resources and for ensuring their long-term sustainability with active participation of the local communities through a mix of top-down and bottom-up approaches. It also envisages convergence of various ongoing schemes for implementation of interventions for improving ground water availability with emphasis on demand management and also to inculcate behavioral changes in the community to ensure optimal use of available water resources.

    The launch of Atal Bhujal Yojana heralds a change in the Government policy for ground water management by emphasizing the importance of community participation in planning, execution, and monitoring of scheme activities; convergence of ongoing schemes for implementing interventions aimed at improving ground water availability; focus on demand side management through improving water use efficiency and incentivizing participating States for awareness creation among the masses on the importance of ground water.

    Atal Bhujal Yojana also envisages improving the capacity of States for ground water governance through strengthening of institutions dealing with ground water management, improving ground water monitoring networks, creation of awareness among the public on the importance and criticality of ground water resources and building the capacity of the grass root level stakeholders to plan and utilize the available resources in a judicious manner. It also addresses the gender perspective by making it mandatory to include women in all activities of the scheme.

    Atal Bhujal Yojana is expected to improve ground water conditions in the target areas and to contribute significantly to ensure ground water sustainability for interventions planned under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM). It is also expected to contribute to the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s goal of doubling farmers’ income and to result in optimal use of ground water by the stakeholders in the long-run.

    Further, to bridge the gap in the data availability at the GP level for better water management across India, Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation in collaboration with Ministry of Panchayati Raj has taken the initiative to expand water budgeting exercise to non-Atal Jal areas as well by their inclusion in the Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs).

    Key achievements under Atal Bhujal Yojana are as follows:

    • Public disclosure of data in all the Atal Jal GPs through various modes of disclosure viz., central/state web portals, display board at each GP, social media, wall paintings, distribution of pamphlets/brochure, public meetings and Atal Jal Mobile application.
    • States have used innovative measures like Groundwater Data Information Dissemination Centers, QR codes, social media, etc., to disseminate the groundwater related data to public.
    • Community led Water Budget and WSPs prepared for all the 8203 GPs and updated on yearly basis.
    • Groundwater monitoring system has been strengthened at GP level by providing equipment like Digital Water Level Recorders, water level indicators, rain gauges, water quality testing kits, water flow meters etc. In addition, piezometers have been constructed in GPs for monitoring of water levels.
    • A total of 49 State level, 410 District level, 1152 Block level and 99,406 GP level trainings have been conducted so far.
    • Awareness and sensitization at GP level through innovative Information Education and Communication practices like narrowcasting in Haryana, folk dances/songs in Karnataka, Jal dindis in Maharashtra, Ratri Choupals in Rajasthan have been used to drive the message of sustainable groundwater management.
    • Investment of Rs. 4355 Crore towards implementation of interventions proposed under WSPs through convergence.
    • An area of around 6.7 lakh Hectares has been brought under efficient water use practices including Drip, Sprinkler, Mulching, Crop Diversification etc.
    • More than 70,000 wells are being monitored for water level at GP level and shared with community.
    • More than 90,000 existing Water Conservation and Artificial Recharge structures have been mapped.
    • 813 GPs in 47 Blocks have shown improvement in ground water level.
    • A total of Rs.3420.57 Cr. has been disbursed to the States since the inception of the scheme. A total of Rs.2863.98 Cr. has been utilized by the States since the inception of the scheme.
    • Sixth meeting of National Level Steering Committee (NLSC) for implementation of Atal Bhujal Yojana was held on 07 June 2024.

     

    1. Minor Irrigation Statistics: Progress under the scheme “Irrigation Census”:

     

    Minor Irrigation Census conducted quinquennially in order to create a sound and reliable database on groundwater and surface water minor irrigation schemes in the country. The Minor Irrigation Census is conducted under the centrally sponsored scheme “Irrigation Census” with 100% central funding through which State Statistical Cells constituted under different States/UTs are also supported.

     

    The sixth Minor Irrigation Census and the first Census of Water bodies covering all water bodies in the country, both rural and urban have been completed. All India and State-wise report on 6th Minor Irrigation Census and First Census of Water Bodies has been published and are available at the Department website ‘https://jalshakti-dowr.gov.in’. Key results have been disseminated on Bhuvan portal and the state wise unit level data has also been disseminated on Open Government Data (OGD) platform.

    During 2024, the following progress under the scheme “Irrigation Census” has been achieved:

    • 7th Minor Irrigation Census and 2nd Census of Water Bodies are underway, along with two new censuses: the 1st Census of Springs and the 1st Census of Major and Medium Irrigation Projects, with reference year 2023-24.
    • An all-India Workshop on these Censuses was held in 2023, with participation from all States and Union Territories. NIC has developed a mobile/web application for these censuses, with pilot testing successfully conducted in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Odisha, and Meghalaya in month of October, 2024.
    • Six regional workshops for training of trainers for upcoming censuses are being conducted at regional centers in Tripura, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, and West Bengal from December, 2024 to January, 2025 to provide training to trainers at State level for further capacity building.
    • Grands-in-aid to States/UTs were released timely on receipt of proposals from eligible States/UTs.

     

    1. ​Flood Management Wing (FM):

     

    Flood Management and Border Areas Programme (FMBAP):

     

    The “Flood Management Programme (FMP)” and “River Management Activities and Works related to Border Areas” (RMBA) under operation during XII Five Year Plan were merged as “Flood Management and Border Areas Programme” (FMBAP) for the period 2017-18 to 2019-20 and further extended up-to March, 2021. Cabinet further approved the continuation of FMBAP scheme during 2021-22 to 2025-26 with an outlay of Rs. 4100 Crore (FMP-Rs. 2940 Crore and RMBA – Rs. 1160 Crore).

    Since the inception of FMBAP (till December 2024), Central Assistance of Rs. 7136 crores have been released to States/UTs under FMP component of Flood Management & Border Area Programme (FMBAP) scheme and Central Assistance of Rs. 1258.73 crores have been released to UTs/States under RMBA component of FMBAP scheme.

     

    Completion of balance works of North Koel Reservoir Project: DoWR, RD & GR has taken up the long pending project for completion of balance works of North Koel Reservoir Project, Bihar and Jharkhand. In August, 2017 the Union Cabinet has approved the proposal for balance works of North Koel Reservoir Project at an estimated cost of Rs. 1622.27 crore during three financial years from the start of the project. Subsequently, at the request of both State Governments, certain other components were found necessary to be included in the project. Complete lining of Right Main Canal (RMC) and Left Main Canal (LMC) was also regarded essential from technical considerations to derive envisaged irrigation potential. Thus, the works of Gaya distribution system, lining of RMC and LMC, remodeling of enroute structures, construction of a few new structures and onetime Special Package for R&R of Project Affected Families (PAFs) were to be provided for in the updated cost estimate. Accordingly, Revised Cost Estimate of the project was prepared. Out of the cost of balance works of Rs. 2430.76 crore, the Central would provide Rs.1836.41 crore. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has given its approval to the proposal to complete the balance works of North Koel Reservoir Project at a revised Cost of Rs. 2,430.76 crore on 04.10.2023. Project will provide irrigation benefit to 114,021 hectares of land annually in drought prone areas of Aurangabad and Gaya districts of Bihar and Palamau and Garwa districts of Jharkhand. Project also has the provision for supply of 44 MCM water for drinking and industrial water supply. The execution of balance works of the project on turnkey basis by M/s WAPCOS Ltd., a CPSU under DoWR, RD & GR as Project Management Consultant (PMC). 10% works on dam & appurtenant, 100% of additional works of Mohammad Ganjbarrage, 86% works on left main canal and works on Right Main Canal in Jharkhand Portion & 18% works on Bihar portion have been completed.

     

    India and Bangladesh Matters

     

    A Treaty was signed by the Prime Ministers of India and Bangladesh on 12th December, 1996 for the sharing of Ganga/Ganges waters at Farakka during the lean season. As per the Treaty, the Ganga/Ganges waters is being shared at Farakka (which is the last control structure on river Ganga in India) during lean period, from 1st  January to 31st  May every year, on 10-daily basis as per the formula provided in the Treaty. The validity of Treaty is 30 years. The sharing of water as per the Treaty is being monitored by a Joint Committee headed by Members, JRC from both sides. The following India-Bangladesh Joint Committee Meetings have been convened.

     

    • The 83rd  meeting of the Joint Committee on sharing of the Ganga/Ganges waters at Farakka was held at Dhaka on 24th  January, 2024 after a visit to the joint observation site at Hardinge Bridge, on 24th January, 2024.
    • The 84th  meeting of the Joint Committee on sharing of the Ganga/Ganges Waters at Farakka was held at Kolkata on 7th  March, 2024 after visit to the joint observation sites at Farakka on 5th  March, 2024.
    • The 85th  meeting of the Joint Committee on sharing of the Ganga/ Ganges waters at Farakka was held at Dhaka (Bangladesh) on 14th  November, 2024 for the finalization of Annual Report of the lean/dry season of the year 2024.

    During the 83rd  and 84th  Joint Committee meetings, the Indian delegation was led by Mr. Atul Jain, Commissioner (FM), Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Ministry of Jal Shakti. During the 85th Joint Committee meeting, the Indian delegation was led by Mr. Sharad Chandra, Commissioner (FM), Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of the Republic of India and Member, India-Bangladesh Joint Rivers Commission. The Bangladesh delegation was led by Dr. Mohammad Abul Hossen, Member, India-Bangladesh Joint Rivers Commission, Ministry of Water Resources, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.

    1. National River Conservation Directorate (NRCD)

    Cleaning of river is a continuous process and Government of India is supplementing the efforts of the State Governments in addressing the challenges of pollution of rivers by providing financial and technical assistance. Assistance is provided to State Governments for abatement of pollution in identified stretches of various rivers (excluding river Ganga and its tributaries) under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) on cost sharing basis between the Central & State Governments for taking up various pollution abatement works relating to interception & diversion of raw sewage, construction of sewerage systems, setting up of sewage treatment plants, low cost sanitation, river front/bathing ghat development, etc.

    • Project for ‘Pollution Abetment River Banganga at Katra’ in Jammu & Kashmir at a cost of Rs.92.10 crore was sanctioned.
    • Project for ‘Pollution Abetment and Conservation of river Mindhola at Surat’ in Gujarat at a cost of Rs.98.51 crore was sanctioned.
    • Project for ‘Interception & Diversion of Sewerage Water from Existing Drains to Nearest STP for Treatment Purposes in Jodhpur City for Pollution Abatement of River Jojari at Jodhpur’ in Rajasthan at a cost of Rs.13.10 crore was sanctioned.
    • Project for ‘Sewer rehabilitation of old and deteriorated pipes by Trenchless CIPP Technology for main trunk sewer lines heading towards Nandari and Salawas STPs for pollution abatement of Jojari River at Jodhpur’ in Rajasthan at a cost of Rs.51.99 crore was sanctioned.
    • Project for ‘Design of Complete Sewerage System and Proposal of Development of New STP for Jhalamand Area, Jodhpur for pollution abatement of river Jojari at Jodhpur’ in Rajasthan at a cost of Rs.53.63 crore was sanctioned.
    • Project for ‘Establishing and Commissioning of 30 MLD Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) at Nandari for pollution abatement of river Jojari at Jodhpur’ in Rajasthan at a cost of Rs.53.86 crore was sanctioned.
    • Project for ‘Rejuvenation of Imphal-Manipur River and Faecal Sludge and Septage Management at 27 ULBs’ in Manipur at a cost of Rs.92.39 crore was sanctioned.
    • Project for ‘Elamkulam sewerage project for rejuvenating Chitrapuzha River through restoration of natural streams/outfalls carrying sewage/pollutants-Construction of STP 17.5 MLD’ in Kerala at a cost of Rs.47.53 crore was sanctioned.
    • Project for ‘Perandoor Sewerage Project for Rejuvenating Periyar River through Restoration of Natural Streams/Outfalls Carrying Sewage/Pollutants—Construction of 19 MLD STP (Part 1)’ in Kerala at a cost of Rs.49.78 crore was sanctioned.
    • Project Management Consultant has been appointed for implementation the project of ‘Pollution abatement and conservation of River Nag at Nagpur, Maharashtra’ sanctioned at a cost of Rs.1,926.99 crore with Japan International Cooperation Assistance.
    • Project for pollution abatement of river Devika and Tawi at Udhampur, Jammu & Kashmir sanctioned for Rs.186.74 crore has been completed 3 sewage treatment plants (STPs) with total capacity of 13.06 mld constructed under NRCP.
    • Project for pollution abatement of river Tapi at Surat, Gujarat sanctioned for Rs. 971.25 crore has been completed 11 sewage treatment plants (STPs) with total capacity of 208.97 mld constructed under NRCP.
    • Central Assistance amounting to Rs. 425 crores released to various State Governments/Agencies for implementation of projects under NRCP.
    • Stakeholder Consultation Workshop on Guidelines for National River Conservation Plan and DPR Preparation held on 06th May, 2024 in the presence of Secretary, DoWR, RD & GR. The recommendation and suggestions of the stakeholders are under review and accordingly will be proposed in the revised guidelines of NRCP and DPR guidelines.
    • First meeting of the Stakeholder Advisory Committee (SAC) was held on 31.05.2024 under the Chairpersonship of Secretary, DoWR, RD & GR at Nagpur under the project Condition Assessment and Management Plan of Six River Basins (Cauvery, Periyar, Narmada, Mahanadi, Godavari and Krishna).
    • The project “Assessment of ecological status of 7 rivers viz. Narmada, Mahanadi, Godavari, Cauvery, Periyar, Pamba and Barak for conservation planning” has been entrusted to Wild Life Institute of India (WII) at a sanctioned cost of Rs. 24.56 crore in September, 2020. The project broadly aims to spearhead river conservation in above seven Indian rivers for biodiversity conservation and maintenance of ecosystem services. Intensive ecological studies will be carried out in the seven prioritized river basins of India and ecological status will be assessed. Stake Holders workshops of NRCD- WII held at Bengaluru, Karnataka Cauvery River basin.

     

    1. External Affairs & International Cooperation (EA&IC)

    DoWR, RD & GR has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with different countries on cooperation in the field of water resources management and development. For effective implementation of activities under the various signed MoUs, to enhance the collaboration under the MoU, certain activities were undertaken including Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting, the details of which is as follows –

     

    1. MoU with Denmark – The MoU between India and Denmark on Cooperation in the field of Water Resources Management was signed on 12.09.2022. Two projects namely “Centre of excellence on Smart Water Resources Management (CoESWaRM)” and “Smart Laboratories on Clean River (SLCR)” have been identified under the MoU. Indian side Joint Working Group was formed on 05.08.2024. First Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting under the MoU was held on 05th December 2024. In the meeting, it has been agreed to have organizational division at PMU level into two sub-thematic areas under the existing Centre of Excellence (CoE).

     

    1. MoU with European Union – The MoU between India and the European Union on Water Cooperation was signed on 01.10.2016. Three JWG meetings have been convened so far.  Third Meeting of JWG was convened on 12.07.2023 virtually. The 6th EU-India Water Forum meeting was held on 18.09.2024 during the 8th India Water Week in New Delhi. The forum inter-alia explored trilateral collaboration between East Africa, India and the EU to address water challenges in regions like Lake Victoria and Lake Tanganyika. 

     

    1. MoU with Israel: The MoU between India and Israel on Water Resources Management and Development Cooperation was signed on 11.11.2016. A Joint Review Committee (JRC) (Now Steering Committee) has been formed on 20.02.2024 to assess the activities and progress of the projects identified for implementation under the MoU. 1st meeting of the JRC was convened on 9th Oct 2024 recommending the proposal for the “Establishment of India-Israel Centre of Water Technology (CoWT)”.

     

    1. MoC with Japan (Water Resources): The Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) between India and Japan in the area of Water Resources was signed on 11.12.2019. Two meetings of Joint Working Group (JWG) have been convened so far. 2nd JWG meeting was held on 14.11.2024. In the meeting both sides agreed for extension of the MoU and to identifying additional areas for collaboration.

     

    1. MoU with Morocco- The MoU between India and Morocco on cooperation in the field of Water Resources was signed on 14.12.2017. Four JWG meetings have been convened so far. Fourth JWG meeting was convened on 20.09.2024. It was agreed upon that both the countries will share their experiences, analysis, findings, policies and developments in the field of water resources in its next meeting of JWG.

     

    Bilateral Meetings of Hon’ble Minister of Jal Shakti with the Ministers of Foreign Nations during India Water Week 2024 in New Delhi: –

     

    • Denmark: Mr. C.R. Paatil, Hon’ble Minister of Jal Shakti met with H.E. Mr. Morten Bødskov, Denmark’s Minister of Industry, Business and Financial Affairs. Denmark’s Minister reaffirmed Denmark’s commitment to sustainable water solutions and highlighted the expertise of Danish companies in water management. The Hon’ble Minister of Jal Shakti proposed collaborative initiatives to develop scalable technologies for water challenges, suggesting pilot projects at the district level.
    • Guyana: A significant meeting took place between Mr. C. R. Paatil, Hon’ble Minister of Jal Shakti and Mr. Collin D. Croal, Hon’ble Minister of Housing & Water, Guyana. It was agreed upon that both the countries will share their experiences, policies and developments in the field of water resources
    • Tanzania: Mr. C. R. Paatil, Hon’ble Minister of Jal Shakti, India met with Mr. Mathew Andrea Kundo, Deputy Minister of Water, Tanzania. The Tanzanian Minister proposed discussions on a new project to transport water from Lake Victoria, estimated at $600 million, to address water challenges in Tanzania. Hon’ble Minister of Jal Shakti assured that this proposal would be deliberated upon in the Ministry positively.
    • Zimbabwe: A productive meeting took place between Mr. C. R. Paatil, Hon’ble Minister of Jal Shakti and Mr. Vangelis Peter Haritatos, Hon’ble Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe’s Minister sought innovative financing options beyond traditional avenues such as EXIM etc. Hon’ble Minister for Jal Shakti assured that these matters would be deliberated upon positively, emphasizing that improvements in Zimbabwe’s irrigation sector would significantly enhance food security across Africa.
    1. Barhmaputra & Barak (B&B) Wing

     

    Expert Level Mechanism (ELM)

    During the visit of the Hon’ble President of the People’s Republic of China to India on November 20-23, 2006, it was agreed to set up an Expert-Level Mechanism to discuss interaction and cooperation on provision of flood season hydrological data, emergency management and other issues regarding trans-border Rivers as agreed between them. Accordingly, the two sides have set up the Joint Expert Level Mechanism through a Joint Declaration by both the countries.

    The ELM meetings are held alternately in India and China every year. Fifteen meetings of ELM have been held so far. The 15th meeting of ELM was held at Beijing, China during 13th-14th August 2024. The GoI delegation was led by Shri S.K. Sinha, Commissioner (B&B), DoWR, RD & GR, Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Chinese delegation was led by Mr. Hao Zhao, Director General of the International Economic & Technical Cooperation and Exchange Centre, Ministry of Water Resources, People’s Republic of China.  Representatives of Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Central Electricity Authority (CEA) and Central Water Commission (CWC) had also participated in the meeting.

    (ii)        INDIA-BHUTAN COOPERATION

    1. Joint Group of Expert (JGE) on Flood Management:

    A Joint Group of Expert (JGE) on Flood Management has been constituted between India and Bhutan to discuss and assess the probable causes and effects of the recurring floods and erosion in the southern foothills of Bhutan and adjoining plains in India and recommend to both Governments appropriate and mutually acceptable remedial measures. Ten meetings of JGE have been held so far. The 10th meeting was held during 28th-29th February, 2024 at New Delhi, India. The GoI delegation was led by Shri S. K. Sinha, Commissioner (B&B), Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation (DoWR, RD& GR), Ministry of Jal Shakti, GoI and the RGoB delegation was led by Mr. Karma Dupchu, Director, National Centre for Hydrology and Meteorology (NCHM), RGoB.

    1. Joint Technical Team (JTT) on Flood Management:

    In accordance with the decision taken during the first meeting of JGE, a Joint Technical Team (JTT) on Flood Management between the two countries was constituted. The purpose of JTT is to assess the field situation and provide technical support to JGE on flood management. Eight meetings of JTT have been held so far. The 8th meeting of JTT was held during 18th–20th November, 2024 at Chalsa, Jalpaigudi, West Bengal. The Indian delegation was led by Shri G.L. Bansal, Chief Engineer, Brahmaputra Basin Organisation (BBO), Central Water Commission, GoI and the Bhutanese delegation was led by Dr. SingayDorji, Chief of Meteorological Services Division (MSD), National Centre for Hydrology and Meteorology, RGoB.

    1. Joint Experts Team (JET) on Flood Forecasting:

    A Joint Experts Team (JET) consisting of senior officials from the Government of India and Royal Government of Bhutan(RGoB) continuously reviews the progress and other requirements of a network of 36 hydro-meteorological sites located in the catchments of trans-border rivers Puthimari, Pagladiya, Sankosh, Manas, Raidak, Torsa, Aie and Jaldhaka. So far, JET has met 38 times alternately in India and Bhutan since its reconstitution in 1992 and the last JET meeting i.e. 38th meeting was held at Mandarmani, West Bengal, India during 10th-11th December, 2024.

    The Indian delegation was led by Shri Subhrangshu Biswas, Chief Engineer, Teesta&Bagarathi-Damodar Basin Organisation (T&BDBO), Central Water Commission, GoI and the Bhutanese delegation was led by Mr. Karma Dupchu, Director, National Centre for Hydrology and Meteorology (NCHM), RGoB.

    13.     NERIWALM

    The North Eastern Regional Institute of Water and Land Management (NERIWALM), under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, continued its vital contributions to water and land management across North East India in 2024. As the only institute of its kind in the region, it upheld its mandate of capacity building and skill enhancementfor efficient management of water and land resources for irrigation and agriculture.

    During the year (January to December, 2024), the institute organized 76 training programmes, reaching 3,173 beneficiaries. Among these were induction-level courses for newly recruited engineers from the Irrigation and Agriculture Departments of Assam, as well as the Brahmaputra Board. A faculty development program on advancements in agriculture and water management was also conducted. NERIWALM collaborated with leading national institutions and agencies to host a two-day National Seminar on Advances in Irrigation Technologies and Management, fostering knowledge exchange and innovation.

    In research and development, the institute undertook a diverse range of projects sponsored by state and central government departments. Key initiatives included the preparation of State-Specific Action Plans for 19 states, evaluations of PMKSY-AIBP and PMKSY-HKKP irrigation projects in Assam and Meghalaya, research project on farmer participation in irrigation management in Manipur, studies on good water management practices and study on the impact of climate change on dam-related hydro-geomorphic and social aspects in Arunachal Pradesh.

    NERIWALM’s academic program also progressed with the enrollment of 15 students in the M.Tech course on Water Resource Management for the 2024-25 session. The institute further strengthened its credentials by developing e-learning modules on water resource management for the i-GOT platform. NERIWALM was accredited as “EXCELLENT” under the Capacity Building Commission’s National Standards, while its Soil and Water Laboratory achieved NABL accreditation.

    14.       NATIONAL HYDROLOGY PROJECT
     

    National Hydrology Project (NHP), with support from the World Bank, envisages establishing a system for timely and reliable water resources data acquisition, storage, collation and management. It has pan-India coverage with 48 Implementing Agencies (IAs) {12 from Central Government (including 3 from River Basin Organisations) and 36 from States/ UTs}. It will also provide tools and systems for informed decision making for water resources assessment, planning and management. The National Hydrology Project has been approved with an outlay of Rs. 3,679.77 Crore as a Central Sector Scheme with 100% grant to State Governments and Central Implementing Agencies. The project originally had a duration of 8 years from 2016-17 to 2023-24. However, Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance has accorded approval for extension of project till Sept-2025 within the same allocation.

    Broad objectives of NHP include: a) To improve the extent, quality, and accessibility of water resources information; b) To create decision support system for floods and basin level resource assessment/planning; and c) To strengthen the capacity of targeted water resources professionals and institutions in India.

    Under the ongoing NHP, almost 22960 Real Time Data Acquisition System (RTDAS) surface water and ground water stations have already been installed in the country. Besides, 46 Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) packages have been commissioned; almost 5667 piezometers constructed; 134 stationary as well as mobile water quality labs have been developed/procured/maintained and put into operation;
    high-resolution DEMs, CORS network as well as Geoid model have also been developed. Furthermore, Bathymetric surveys of 464 important reservoirs of the country covering 162 BCM have also been taken up under NHP of which 373 studies have already been completed. Further 36 State Data Centres / Regional data centres / knowledge centres, etc. have been completed under the ongoing NHP. The need for development & maintenance of appropriate institutional framework both at the Central as well as State level for water resources information system intended for collection, collation and dissemination of the database was given shape in the ongoing NHP. As envisaged in the Cabinet note, the National Water Resources Informatics Centre (NWIC) has been created in 2018 and is now functional. Additionally, the formation of the State Water Informatics Centres for development of respective State Water Resources Information Systems was expedited in the ongoing NHP. Till date almost 19 SWICs have already been formed with a few more under process. The information system covering hydro-meteorological, hydro-geological, sedimentation, morphological and water quality data is also important in the context of various studies being done under NHP which
    include IT Applications, Digital Products, geospatial hydro products, etc.

     

    15.     Surface Minor Irrigation (SMI) scheme

     

    Under the Surface Minor Irrigation (SMI) scheme, since 12th plan onwards, 7282 schemes are ongoing with an estimated cost of ₹ 16113.560 crores. Central Assistance (CA) of Rs. 9009.169 crores have been released to states up-to March, 2024. Further, 4965 schemes have been reported to be completed up-to March, 2024. Target irrigation potential creation of these schemes is 11.58 L Ha and out of this, 8.59 L Ha is reported to be created till March, 2024.

     

    16.     Repair, Renovation and Restoration (RRR) of Water Bodies scheme

     

    Under the Repair, Renovation and Restoration (RRR) of Water Bodies scheme, since 12th plan onwards, 3075schemes are ongoing with an estimated cost of Rs. 2834.692 crore. Central Assistance (CA) of Rs. 554.279Crore has been released to states up to March, 2024. Further, 2192 water bodies have been reported to be completed up to March, 2024. Target irrigation potential restoration of these schemes is 2.41 L Ha and out of this, 2.00 L Ha is reported to be restored till March, 2024

     

    18.       Mass Communication Internship programme

     

    DoWR, RD & GR undertook internship programme in mass communication on during 2024.  Students pursuing Degrees or are Research Scholars enrolled in recognized University/Institution in the field of Mass Communication in India are given opportunity to apply as “interns”. The Internship Programme provided short term exposure to “selected candidates” to be associated with the Department’s work related to media/social media activities. The objectives of the programme are to well acquaint the “Interns” with the working of the Department in field of media/social media related activities etc. and simultaneously the “interns” to supplement the process of mass publicity of this Department to create awareness about importance of development and management of water resources in holistic manner.

     

    03 interns were selected for an initial period of 6 months under the program.

    *****

    Dhanya Sanal K

    Director

    (Release ID: 2096022) Visitor Counter : 29

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: 31% of companies are not paying tax in Australia. How do they do it?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kerrie Sadiq, Professor of Taxation, QUT Business School, and ARC Future Fellow, Queensland University of Technology

    Seb Zurcher/Unsplash

    Large companies paid the Australian government a record A$100 billion in tax in the last year, a 17% increase on the previous year. But, over the same period, there were still 31% of large companies, operating here but not paying any tax.

    The Australian Taxation Office’s annual corporate tax transparency report released last week includes data on nearly 4,000 of Australia’s largest corporations.

    In its tenth year, the report is lauded by the government and ATO as a way to increase corporate accountability and reduce tax avoidance. But there is no detail on the tax practices of multinational entities, including how they interact with their offices around the world.

    In particular, there is little information about how 1,200 companies paid no tax.

    What the report tells us

    The transparency report provides data on corporations with income of $100 million or more and businesses which pay the petroleum resource rent tax (PRRT). This includes Australian public and foreign-owned corporate tax entities, as well as Australian-owned resident private companies.

    The report details the total income, taxable income, tax payable, and PRRT payable for all entities that meet the reporting threshold. Taxable income is simply assessable income minus deductions. Tax payable as a percentage of taxable income, can then be used to calculate an effective tax rate. The statutory corporate tax rate is 30%.

    A variation between an effective tax rate and the statutory tax rate is not evidence of tax avoidance. However, questions need to be asked about how profitable companies reduce their tax liability to zero.

    Zero liability can be achieved by deducting offsets and credits. For example, companies that conduct significant research and development are given tax breaks which reduce the amount of tax payable.

    Where a company has accounting losses or a tax loss because it has incurred more expenses than income, tax will be zero. These are legitimate reasons for paying no tax.

    But the limited information provided simply tells us how profitable a company is, the amount of tax deductions claimed against that profit, and the tax payable.

    What the report doesn’t tell us

    The transparency report reveals little about tax practices of multinational entities.

    The question remains what deductions are being claimed by corporations and tax entities. The ATO has this information but can only publish what the law allows them, which is limited.

    For multinationals, deductions will include dealings with overseas parts of the global entity, such as subsidiaries or the parent entity. These transactions create legitimate tax deductions.

    Common transactions include payments to overseas subsidiaries for services, royalty payments for intellectual property, and interest on overseas borrowings.

    In the case of petrol company Chevron, money was borrowed in the United States at around 1.2% and on lent to a related Australian entity at 9%.

    After a long court battle, about 5% of interest was allowed as a deduction, an amount significantly above the original interest rate. This gave Chevron in Australia a large tax deduction.

    It is through these types of transactions profits earned in Australia are shifted overseas. Current tax law allows this but requires the transaction, known as the transfer price, to be at arm’s length – that is, the price is agreed to between independent parties entering the same transaction.

    What is transfer pricing?

    Multinationals are global by nature and therefore logically maximise worldwide profits. Tax systems do not operate in the same way.

    Tax comes under domestic law which means transactions between parts of a global entity are recognised for tax purposes.

    If goods or services are sold by one part of the entity to another, an internal transaction occurs. For tax purposes the transaction is recognised as a deduction in one location and income in another. An Australian entity would pay a foreign party for things like marketing, and get a deduction for the expense.

    In recent years the ATO has settled marketing disputes with large multinationals including Google, BHP, Apple, Rio Tinto, ResMed and Microsoft.

    Where a deduction is allowed in a high tax jurisdiction, such as Australia, and income is included in the profits of a low tax jurisdiction, such as Singapore, the result is larger overall global profits.

    The tax system recognises the incentive for multinational entities to shift profits this way and requires transactions to be at a commercial or negotiated price. Determining the price however can be fraught and has led to numerous court cases and tax disputes.

    The tax transparency report reveals nothing about these types of transactions.

    Taxing multinationals in Australia

    In the last decade there have been moves to tax income in the location of the economic activity. The OECD has tried to stop profit shifting by companies, which erodes the tax base of high taxing jurisdictions, through its tax reform agenda.

    Further complicating the issue of transfer pricing is the question of whether there is any real activity in the countries where different parts of a multinational are located.

    Singapore is recognised for what are known as service hubs. These are places where various services such as sales negotiations are conducted and marketing occurs. Singapore also happens to have a headline corporate tax rate of 17%. This is often reduced to single digits after deals are entered into between taxpayers and the Singapore revenue authority.

    Intellectual property poses similar problems.

    These are increasingly valuable assets for multinational entities as they provide a unique edge in the market. We only need to think of Apple, Microsoft and Google to understand how valuable names, logos and designs are.

    By its very nature intellectual property has no physical location and can be owned anywhere in the world. Often, intellectual property is held in low or no tax countries.

    The transparency report includes no details about how much is transferred to these locations. This is where Australia’s proposed public country-by-country reporting may assist.

    Is the ATO’s corporate tax transparency report worthwhile?

    Australia should continue to strive to be a leader in corporate tax transparency.

    A two-step approach is required to eliminate corporate tax avoidance. Information is valuable and public transparency measures are an important first step.

    A second step, however, is to reform substantive tax laws to tax profits where they are genuinely being generated.

    Kerrie Sadiq is the recipient of a four year Australian Research Council Future Fellowship Grant.

    – ref. 31% of companies are not paying tax in Australia. How do they do it? – https://theconversation.com/31-of-companies-are-not-paying-tax-in-australia-how-do-they-do-it-242695

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung Opens Its Largest Experience Store in Gurugram at DLF CyberHub, Redefining Customer Engagement with Next-Gen Technology

    Source: Samsung

     
    Samsung, India’s leading consumer electronics brand, has announced the launch of its largest Experience Store in Gurugram, located at DLF CyberHub—a centre known for its diverse mix of entertainment, lifestyle, and commerce. This sprawling 3,000 sq. ft. space is where consumers can immerse themselves in Samsung’s most advanced mobile and connected technology offerings.
     
    Located in one of Gurugram’s busiest and most accessible areas, the store is designed to cater to the city’s tech-savvy and innovation-driven community. Visitors can experience hands-on interaction with Samsung’s flagship smartphones, wearables, audio devices, and the SmartThings ecosystem in thoughtfully curated immersive zones.
     
    In addition, the store emphasizes personalized customer engagement, with dedicated experts available to guide visitors through Samsung’s latest products, helping them discover tailored solutions that meet their lifestyle needs.
     
    “Our new Experience Store at DLF CyberHub marks a significant step in Samsung’s journey to bring innovative, seamlessly-integrated technology closer to consumers. This store is more than a retail space, it offers a glimpse into the future of connected living, where our SmartThings ecosystem and mobile experiences converge to improve everyday life. Building on the success of our existing experience stores nationwide, the CyberHub location is set to elevate customer engagement through hands-on demonstrations, personalized consultations, and immersive zones that highlight our latest innovations. We invite consumers to explore and experience the cutting-edge technology that is shaping the future of how we live, work, and connect,” said Sumit Walia, Vice President, D2C Business, Samsung India.
     
    Samsung’s new Experience Store is a careful blend of the physical and digital worlds. With a full omni-channel experience, customers can transition effortlessly between browsing in-store and purchasing online through Samsung’s Store+ platform. Whether in-store or online, consumers have access to over 1,200 Samsung products, ranging across Mobiles, Smart TVs, Refrigerators and beyond, all available for home delivery.
     
    Samsung is also taking customer engagement a step further with its ‘Learn @ Samsung’ initiative, offering workshops designed for AI education. This includes topics that focus on consumer passion points and interests such as doodling, photography, fitness and productivity. The new Samsung Experience store will also be providing after-sales service for smartphones and the convenience of booking home service calls for all consumer electronics needs.
     
    To mark the opening, Samsung is rolling out special offers for early visitors, including the Galaxy Fit3 at INR 1,999 on select Galaxy purchases and double SmartClub points on all transactions. These exclusive deals add even more value to the immersive experience awaiting customers at DLF CyberHub.
     
    Samsung invites all tech enthusiasts, shoppers, and innovators to visit the new Experience Store and explore the best in mobile technology, connected solutions, and personalized services—all designed to deliver a premium, future-forward experience.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s commerce minister urges active role from France in reaching EV trade solution

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    China’s Commerce Minister Wang Wentao has called on France, as a key European Union (EU) member, to play an active role in pushing the European Commission to show sincerity and meet the Chinese side halfway to secure a solution concerning the EU’s anti-subsidy probe into Chinese electric vehicles (EVs).

    Wang made the remarks during a meeting with French Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and French Nationals Abroad, attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Sophie Primas, in Shanghai on Sunday, according to the Ministry of Commerce. Wang and Primas met ahead of the seventh China International Import Expo (CIIE), which starts this week.

    The EU’s anti-subsidy probe into China-made EVs has severely hindered cooperation between EU and Chinese auto industries, currently a critical concern for industries on both sides, Wang said, noting that technical teams from China and the EU are presently engaged in a second round of consultations.

    Wang reiterated China’s commitment to addressing China-EU trade friction through dialogue and consultation — based on respect for facts and compliance with WTO rules.

    Wang said that unlike the EU’s anti-subsidy probe initiated without industry applications, China’s trade remedy investigations targeting certain EU goods, such as brandy, pork and dairy products, were launched at the request of domestic industries in full compliance with WTO rules and Chinese laws and regulations.

    He stressed that China would continue to handle these investigations in accordance with laws and regulations, safeguard the legal rights of enterprises from EU member states, including France, and base its rulings on evidence and facts.

    China is ready to work with the European Commission to seek a proper solution in this respect, Wang added.

    Noting that this year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of China-France diplomatic relations, with France featuring as a guest country of honor at the CIIE again, Wang said that over 100 French companies are set to participate in the expo this year — the highest number among EU countries, highlighting French companies’ strong interest in the Chinese market.

    Primas affirmed France’s firm commitment to deepening economic and trade relations with China and expressed her pleasure at France’s role as a guest country of honor at the expo again this year.

    With agricultural and food products being vital elements of France’s trade with China, she conveyed France’s significant concern over China’s investigations aimed at EU products, including brandy.

    France does not wish to see further escalation of current EU-China trade tensions and hopes both sides will resolve trade disputes through consultation, Primas said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI: 4BIO Capital Strengthens Investment Team

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Press Release

    LONDON, 4 November 2024 – 4BIO Capital (“4BIO” or “the Group”), an international venture capital firm focused solely on the advanced and emerging therapies sector, announces today the appointments of Dr. Therese (Thera) Liechtenstein as an Investment Director based in Munich and Tay Salimullah as a Venture Partner based in Chicago.

    Dmitry Kuzmin, Managing Partner at 4BIO Capital, said: “Thera and Tay’s extensive experience and innovative perspectives will be invaluable to 4BIO as we continue to drive forward our mission of investing in transformative therapies. We are always keen on the diversity of thought and expertise that strengthens 4BIO’s unique edge as the leading advanced and emerging therapies investor. We are very excited to see where their thesis and experience take them and look forward to their contribution to our portfolio and investments.

    Thera Liechtenstein, newly appointed Investment Director commented: “I am thrilled to join 4BIO Capital and contribute to the firm’s mission of fostering advanced and emerging therapies. I look forward to playing a role in bringing transformative treatments to patients with significant unmet needs.”

    Tay Salimullah, newly appointed Venture Partner added: “This is a remarkable opportunity to work with a team dedicated to advancing transformative therapies. I look forward to leveraging my experience to support innovative companies that are poised to make a significant impact on healthcare and patient outcomes.”

    Thera Liechtenstein joins 4BIO Capital from M Ventures, the corporate venture arm of Merck KGaA, where she was a Senior Investment Director in the Biotechnology team. At M Ventures, Thera led company creations, new investments in Seed and Series A rounds, as well as follow-on investments in companies across Europe and North America, and supported these companies as a member of the board of directors. Previously Thera managed strategic projects for the Healthcare business of Merck. Prior to Merck, Thera was a client relationship manager in the field of wealth preservation, at Industrie- & Finanzkontor Ets. She has a strong academic background having received her PhD in Immuno-Oncology from University College London, an MSc in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Amsterdam, and a BA in Biology and Business studies from New York University.

    Tay Salimullah has over 20 years of leadership experience in the rare disease and MedTech sectors, with a proven track record in incubating and scaling innovative, high-value technologies, including cell and gene therapies. He spent over a decade at Novartis in a series of leadership roles. As an Executive Committee member at Novartis Gene Therapies, Tay executed a new commercial model for Zolgensma® and Kymriah®, securing approvals in more than 55 countries, helping to treat over 4,000 patients, and generating more than $5 billion in revenue. Prior to his roles at Novartis, Tay spent over ten years working in a variety of investment and healthcare roles, including a decade at Pfizer where he held several strategic and commercial roles. His expertise spans drug development, pricing science, market access, and operational excellence in high-value healthcare solutions. Tay holds a BSc in Management Sciences from the University of Brunel, London. 

    – Ends –

    Contacts

                                                    

    About 4BIO Capital

    4BIO Capital (‘4BIO’) is an international venture capital firm headquartered in London, focused solely on the advanced and emerging therapies sector. The 4BIO team, which has an unrivalled network within the advanced therapy sector, comprises leading advanced therapy scientists and experienced life science investors.

    The firm maintains a global footprint across the US, Europe and Asia with an objective to create, invest in, support, and grow early-stage companies. Its ultimate goal is ensuring access to potentially curative therapies for all patients, with a specific focus on viable, high-quality opportunities in cell and gene therapy, RNA-based therapy, targeted therapies, and the microbiome.

    4BIO is currently investing out of its Fund III, having secured support from prominent global institutional investors, including the Children’s Minnesota, UPMC, Development Bank of Japan, Kyowa Kirin, Exor, and many other endowments and foundations. For more information, connect with us on LinkedIn and X (@4biocapital) and visit www.4biocapital.com.

    The MIL Network –