Now, focus on irrigation

With road & power sectors gaining traction, time to focus politicalbureaucratic energies on action-agenda for irrigation & water resources.

Water woes A policy consultation paper by the International Water Management Institute has pointed out that the government’s irrigation programme (Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana) needs to target its resources at the 139 districts where the bulk of the country’s irrigation-deprived farmlands are situated.

Green Shoots turning brown? Core sector output data for April shows steel growing at 6.1% and cement at 4.4%. Turnaround indications.

Core sector performance brings cheer Five sectors—namely steel, fertilisers, cement, electricity and refinery products—reported growth in April, causing much cheer in the industry. Overall, growth of core sector at 8.5% is highest since November 2014.

Getting serious about water. Mandatory now for thermal power plants within 50 km of sewage treatment plant to use treated sewage water.

Recycled water to benefit all The government’s directive to power plants to use recycled sewage water has opened up a new avenue of investment of up to R30,000 crore in sewage water treatment plants. By using recycled water, power stations located along the Ganga will help prevent discharge of effluents into the river.

Growing public disenchantment over cleaning Ganga etc now forces govt to think of appointing pvt contractors for regularly removing muck.

Floating a new strategy The National Mission for Clean Ganga has invited bids from private companies for the removal of floating matter from the river in the five states that it passes through. The Union Cabinet had cleared an outlay of R20,000 crore over five years for the Clean Ganga project.

Ultimate power paradox: Claim India now surplus in power generation capacity with large part of population denied 24x7 quality grid power.

Power sector: peaks and troughs For the first time in history, there will be no power deficit in the country this year. As per the latest data of the Central Electricity Authority, India will have a surplus of 3.1% during peak hours and 1.1% during non-peak hours in 2016-17.

Welcome first “National Disaster Mngmnt Plan.” All segments—prevention, mitigation, response & recovery—will be put to test henceforth.

Paving the way for disaster management The Prime Minister recently unveiled the National Disaster Management Plan which seeks to lay down the guidelines for preparation of state-level disaster management plans as well as plans by each central ministry and department. It is mandated under the Disaster Management Act. Believe a first for India?! Delhi Elec Regulator fixes compensation to consumers from Discoms for services falling short of standards. Penalties for power outages As per the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) order to power distribution companies, they will have to compensate consumers for unscheduled outages extending up to two hours. Penalties can go up to R100 per hour.

RBI allowing NBFCs to refinance infra projects provides some relief to infra developers struggling to get additional liquidity from banks.

Easing of refinancing norms The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has eased norms for NBFCs to refinance projects and provide longer repayment tenures. The condition is that such loans should be substantially taken over from the existing financing lenders. Also, the repayment period should be fixed by taking into account the lifecycle of the project and cash flows from the project.