Recent Policies, Programmes and
Initiatives by the Government of India

Atomic Energy

Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee dedicated
the first of the twin units of the Kaiga Atomic Power
Station to the nation on March 5, 2000. The unit was
operating at 210 MW.

Rajasthan Atomic Power Station already has two
operating units, which were reconditioned and reha-
bilitated in the years 1995-1998. In addition, two new
units based on Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor
technology were being indigenously set up. The re-
actor of Unit No. 3 was made critical on December
24, 1999 and the same has been synchronized with
the grid on March 10, 2000.

Civil Aviation
Disinvestment of Indian Airlines

The Government has decided to disinvest 51% of
Government Equity in Indian Airlines, the national
domestic carrier presently owned by the Government
of India. Of the 51% of equity 26 per cent may be
given to a joint venture/strategic partner. The re-
maining 25% would be offered to employees; finan-
cial institutions and the public. The disinvestments
would be done within the framework of the Domestic
Air Transport Policy.

The Ministry has concluded aviation bilateral agree-
ments with Austria, Romania, Uzbekistan, UK, Thai-
land and Turkmenistan, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Oman,
Qatar and Syria providing for an increase of 9680
seats per week in air-seat entitlement in each direc-
tion.

Commerce

Exports exceed targeted growth rate
in 1999-2000

India's exports during 1999-2000 are estimated at
over U.S. $37 billion, which is 11.58% higher in
dollar terms than in the previous year 1998-99. The
growth in percentage terms has thus exceeded the

12 INDIA NEWS « May-June 2000

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11.3% growth targeted for the year. In rupee terms,
India’s exports during 1999-2000 have increased by
14.93%. India’s exports have achieved a double-digit
growth after several years.

Setting up of Special Economic Zones

The Special Economic Zone (SEZ) concept has been
introduced for the first time in the EXIM Policy of
2000-2001. Two such Zones are expected to come
up shortly — one in Tamil Nadu and another in
Gujarat. Such Zones can also be set up in the private
sector or the joint sector.

Environment & Forest

The Biological Diversity Bill, 2000, tabled in Lok Sabha.
The Bill seeks to provide for conservation and sus-
tainable use of bio-diversity and equitable sharing of
the benefits arising out of the use of biological re-
sources. With a view to regulate and control noise
producing and generating sources, the Noise Pol-
lution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 notified
for prevention and control of noise pollution in the
country.

Industry

Automatic approval of FDI

The Government have placed all items under the
automatic approval route for foreign direct invest-
ment (FDI)/NRI and Overseas Corporate Body (OCB)
investment, except for a small negative list. This move
is aimed at increasing the present inflows of FDI into
the country to an annual figure of U.S. $10 billion.

Setting up of Foreign Investment
Implementation Authority

To bridge the gap between FDI approvals and actual
inflows, a Foreign Investment Implementation Au-
thority (FIIA) has been set up as an institutional
response to provide foreign investors with a single
point interface with various approval authorities at
both the central and state levels. This would com-