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Govt puts ammonium nitrate extraction from wastes under industrial licensing
- Published on 06 November 2014
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(Image courtesy- Yara Pilbara Nitrates Pty Ltd)
Is extraction of a chemical/metal from effluents a manufacturing activity? And if the extracted material is hazardous or prone to criminal use, would extraction require an industrial licence?
If Government’s decision on extraction of ammonium chloride from effluents is any indication, then extraction of all hazardous materials whose manufacturing is subject to industrial licensing should require such permit.
This is the larger picture one would draw after looking at the case of ammonium nitrate, which is often used by terrorists including naxalities for producing improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
At its last meeting held on 26th September, the Industrial Licensing Committee (ILC) declared ammonium nitrate extraction from effluents as a manufacturing activity. It is thus subject to industrial licensing regulations.
ILC took this decision after over-ruling the legal stance taken by the Explosives Section (ES) of the Department of Industrial Policy (DIPP). ES had contended that “manufacturing is defined as the process of converting raw materials, components or parts into finished goods. This is clear that extraction is not manufacturing and so will not be covered under Industries Development and Regulation (IDR) Act.
India’s 2nd strategic uranium extraction plant on the anvil
- Published on 07 December 2014
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(Phosphoric acid plant: Image Courtesy PPL)
The Heavy Water Board (HWB) intends to set up a Rs. 273.33-crore project for extracting uranium and other rare earth elements from wet phosphoric acid (WPA) produced at Paradeep Phosphates Limited (PPL), a privatized fertilizer enterprise.
HWB document says: “The proposed Rare Material Recovery (RMR) Plant has been declared as strategic by Government of India. Recommendation of Secretary DAE (Department of Atomic Energy) and approval of NSA (National Security Advisor)” have been obtained.
It adds: “The production of Rare Material will make our country self-reliant, which will enable sustaining various activities of DAE.”
This would be the country's second commercial-scale uranium extraction (UEP)/RMR plant for segregating this nuclear fuel from fertilizer-grade phosphoric acid. The first one, also at Paradeep in Odisha, is being set up at Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO)’s phosphatic fertilizers complex at a cost of Rs 285 crore. HWB secured environmental approval for clearance for the 85-tonnes per annum (tpa) UEP in May 2014.
Sanctions against Russia set to deepen its ties with India
- Published on 08 December 2014
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Image Courtesy: PIB
The US State Department spokesperson Marie Harf has sounded skeptical about the outcome of Russian Vladimir V. Putin’s visit to India during 10-11th December for the 15th annual bilateral summit.
The other day she reportedly stated: “I know there's a lot of rumours, often of trade deals or economic deals, but let's see what's actually put into practice here.”
The US might well have to rue the fact that sanctions by the US and its allies are driving Russia to clinch a slew of economic and other bilateral agreements with India.
In the run-up to Mr. Putin’s visit, the Indian Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has been nudging ministries to develop positive stance towards certain draft agreements / proposals that have been put forward by the Russians.
One agreement that in all probability would be signed is the Green Corridor Agreement (GCA), which PMO considers an opportunity to boost Indian exports to the Russian Federation.
As noted by PMO last month, an agreement between the Customs of the two countries for fast track clearances of export consignments can greatly help India’s export to Russia. PMO indicated that Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) has to take a decisive call on the Russian draft on GCA.
DIPP Shows how Small Reforms can Deliver Results in Defence Arena
- Published on 20 December 2014
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Image Courtesy: Tyre Corporation of India Ltd
The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) has set a benchmark in the administrative efficiency by taking small but swift steps in the reforms process under the Modi Government.
DIPP, in consultation with Department of Defence Production (DODP) and Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), has brought about a significant change in licensing regime through step-by-step approach.
DIPP continues to take one initiative after another often without facilitating ‘sound-bites’. The latest initiative in the pipeline is to convert State Governments’ delayed response to applications for defence projects into a “deemed approval.”
From the Files