Smoking Ban Across Indian Comes Into Force

The notification issued on May 30, 2008 by the Union Health Minister, Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss , for the ban under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003 came into force on Gandhi Jayanti i.e. October 2, 2008. Smoking is banned at public place all over the country. Any violation of the ban is a punishable offence with a fine up to Rs. 200.
Union Health Minister Dr. Ramadoss welcomed the Supreme Court order declining to stay the Centre’s notification prohibiting smoking . The Supreme Court , on September 29, 2008. had refused to stay ban on smoking in public places. A Bench consisting of Justice B. Agrawal and Justice G.S. Singhvi rejected the contention that enforcement of the notification would result in inspector raj and needless harassment , thus paving the way for implementation of the Centre’s notification dated May 30, 2008.
Dr Ramadoss described the ban as a major step towards providing a smoke-free atmosphere and protecting non- smokers from passive smoking . He said he had personally written to Governors. Chief Ministers , Health Ministers and Members of Parliament to ensure effective implementation of the ban. According to him , Delhi , Jharkhand and Chandigarh are some States which have already begun implementing the ban. In case of Maharashtra and Bihar which expressed their inability to impose it, he said all effortr , hncltdinf litigation , wnuld be lade to presrurise the States to implement the prohibition . Massive publicity and awareness campaigns would also be launched .
Smoking will be prohibited at all places to which the public has access, including auditoriums, health institutions, government buildings , stadiums, workplace , shopping malls , restaurants, etc. However in case of large hotels and restaurants having more than 30 rooms or 30 seats , and airports, a provision for a separate smoking area is made . Further , the States might create a separate head of account in which the fine could be deposited . The department could use the money for tobacco control activities.

Cabinet Approves Judges Inquiry (Amendment ) Bill

The Union Cabinet approved the Judges Inquiry (Amendment) Bill, 2008, on October 8, 2008. The new Bill makes Supreme Court and High court Judges accountable for their acts, including corruption and incapacity . With the introduction of this bill, the Judges Inquiry Bill, 2006 would be withdrawn.
The Bill provides for establishing a National Judicial Council (NJC) to investigate and inquire into allegations of misbehavior or incapacity on the part of a judge of the Supreme Court or of a High court as well as regulate the procedure for investigation and inquiry. Thus , the provisions of the new Bill would bring about transparency in the functioning of the judiciary by making judges more accountable and would also enhance its prestige.
Any person can complain to the NJC against judges of the Supreme Court (except the CJI), and the Chief Justices and judges of the High Courts . If the complaint is against a Supreme court Judge, the NJC will consist of the CJI and four seniormost judges of the apex court . If it is against the CJI , the CJI will not take part in the proceedings and the President shall nominate the next seniormost judge.In the new Bill, there is a provision for preliminary scrutiny and verification by the NJC . if a judge is proved guilty, the NJC can recommend his or her removal through impeachment by the parliament. However, where the proved misbehavior does not warrant removal , the NJc can impose minor measures such as issuing advisory , requesting retirement, stoppage of assignment of judicial work for a limited time, and warning censure or admonition (public or private). The NJC cannot impose or recommend any minor measure in the case of a reference by the Speaker of the Lock Sabha or the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha on a motion for removal.

RIL Begins Production Of Crude Oil In Krishna Godavari Basin

In a significant development India’s industrial giant Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) , the country’s biggest private sector company on the basis of turnover, started production of crude oil at KG- D 6 block of the Krishna Godavari basin on September 17,2008 . According to RIL Chairman Mr. Mukesh Ambani , the field would initially produce about 5,000 barrels of crude per day.
Reliance is the biggest exploration acreage holder in the private sector in India. RIL’s exploration and production assets comprise 54 blocks across eight countries. The Company , which boasts of a success ratio of over 60 percent , has so far 42 discoveries to its name . The KG-D6 venture is a first –of its – kind hydrocarbon production from any deep water field in India. The venture is slated to account for 40 percent of India’s current indigenous hydrocarbons production in a matter of one and a half years. According to company estimates, the production from the KG_D6 facility will help the country save a yearly foreign exchange outflow of $20 billion.
The KG-D 6 block (KG-DWN-98/3) was awarded to RIL under the National Exploration Licensing Policy (NELP)- I. In the venture , RIL holds 90 percent participation interest while Niko Resources Limited holds 10 percent. The block is located in the Bay of Bengal, 50 km off the Kakinada coast (Andhra Pradesh), at a depth of 8,000 feet. The company has commenced production within just over two years from the time of oil discovery , making KG-D6 one of the faster Greenfield deep water oil development projects in the world.
India’s current hydrocarbon oil and gas production is 1.3 million barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd). An initial flow of 5,000 barrels per day is expected to go up to 5,50,000 barrels of oil equivalent over the next six to eight quarters. 5,50,000 barrels per day of hydrocarbons can pump cooking gas to 100-200 million households. 2,000 engineers, technical and management personnel worked on the project.
The vessel employed in the project , Dhirubhai-1 is the first vessel of its kind in Indian waters and has the ability to operate in water depths of greater than 1,200 metres. The vessel boasts of a number of features which can help it withstand harsh sea conditions.
What makes RIL’s feat more special is the fact that production was achieved despite challenges such as harsh environment , lack of data, low seabed, severe temperature , supply-related problems and shortage of competent technicians. The company sources made it clear that the refinery would begin production in the next few months and gas production would commence from early 2009.

Tata’s Nano Moves From Singur To Sanand

Tata Group and the Gujarat Government on October 7, 2008 signed an agreement for production of Nano in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The State Principal Secretary, Industries, Mr. Gauri Kumar, and Tata Group Managing Director Mr. Ravi Kant signed the documents in the presence of Mr. Ratan Tata and Chief Minister Mr. Narendra Modi . The agreement ended the speculation on the relocation of the project that had been marred by controversy since work began two years ago in Singur, West Bengal.
Tata has been allocated 1,100 acres at Chharodi and Charal villages in Sanand , just 25km. from Ahmedabad . The land was part of about 2,200 acres owned by the Gujarat Agricultural University for running a cattle from and experimental crop cultivation and cattle breeding . The land has been allocated to Tata Motors for the Nano small car project “at the prevailing market price” in the area.
The plant, to be set up at Sanand , will initially have an annual capacity of 2.50 lakh units , which will be expanded to 5 lakh units per year. Tata Group will invest Rs. 2,000 crore in the first phase of the project and the car is slated to roll out from the first quarter of 2009.
Mr. Modi and Mr. Tata described the agreement as “historic” and hoped that after the “unfortunate turmoil” the project underwent is Singur, it would now have a “smooth sailing”.
Earlier, Tata Motors announced its decision on October 3, 2008 to pull out of Singur in West Bengal. The decision was taken in the interests of the Nano small car project’s success and viability and in the light of the Opposition’s continued and heightened agitation .
The much-anticipated curtain to the project came after the Tata Group Chairman Mr. Ratan Tata met West Bengal’s Chief Minister, Mr. Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, who failed to convince the Trinamool Congress leader Ms. Mamata Banerjee to withdraw the farmers’ agitation on acquisition of land . The Chairman of the Tata Group ,Mr. Ratan Tata ,Said “we have taken the very regretful decision to move the Nano project out of West Bengal; we are left with no option”.
The Tata Group Chairman blamed Ms. Mamata for pushing him to take the pullout decision, two years after his tryst with the Nano Car factory in West Bengal began.

CIVIL ENGINEERING

PAPER- I
PART A :

ENGINEERING MECHANICS, STRENGTH OF MATERIALS AND STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS
Engineering mechanics- Unit and Dimensions, SI Units , Vectors, concept of Force, Concept of particle and rigid body . Concurrent , Non Concurrent and parallel forces in a plane, moment of force and Varignon’s theorem, free body diagram, conditions of equilibrium, Principle of virtual work, equivalent force system.
First and Second Moment o tares, Mass moment of Inertia.
Static Friction , Inclined Plane and bearings , Kinematics and Kinetics :
Kinematics in Cartesian and polar Co- ordinates, motion under uniform and nonuniform acceleration , motion under gravity . Kinetics of particle; Momentum and Energy principles , D’ Alembert’s Principle , Collision of elastic bodies , rotation of rigid bodies , simple harmonic motion, Flywheel.
Strength of materials- Simple stress and Strain, Elastic constants , axially loaded compression members, Shear force and bending moment , theory of simple bending , Shear Stress distribution across cross sections, Beams of uniform strength, Leaf spring . Strain Energy in direct stress, bending & shear.
Deflection of beams : Mecaulay’s method’s Moment area method, Conjugate beam method , unit load method . Torsion of Shafts, Transmission of power ,close coiled helical springs, Elastic stability of columns, Euler’s Rankine’s and Secant formulae. Principle Stresses and Strains in two dimensions , Mohr’s Circle, Theories of Elastic Failure, Thin and Thick cylinder : Stresses due to internal and external pressure Lames’ equations..
Structural analysis- Castiglianio’s theorems I and II, unit load . method of consistent deformation applied to beams and pin jointed trusses. Slope-deflection , moment distribution , kani’s method of analysis and column Analogy method applied to indeterminate beams and rigid frames.
Rolling loads and Influences lines : Influences lines for Shear Force and Bending moment at a section of beam. Criteria for maximum shear force and bending Moment in beam traversed by a system of moving loads. Influences lines for simple supported plane pin jointed trusses.
Arches : Three hinged, two hinged and fixed arches, rib shortening and temperature effects , influence lines in arches.
Matrix method of analysis- Force method and displacement method of analysis of indeterminate beams and rigid frames.
Plastic Analysis of beams and frames : Theory of plastic bending, plastic analysis, statical method, Mechanism method.
Unsymmetrical bending : Moment of inertia , product of inertia, position of Neutral Axis and Principle axes, calculation of bending stresses.
PART- B : DESIGN OF STRUCTURES : STEEL, CONCRETE AND MASONRY STRUCTURES.
STRUCTURAL STEEL DESIGN :
Structural Steel – Factors of safety and load factors. Rivetted , bolted and welded joints and connections . Design of tension and compression member, beams of built up section, rivetted and welded plate girders, gantry girders, stancheons with battens and lacings , slab and gussetted column bases.
Design of highway and railway bridges : Through and deck type plate girder, Warren girder, Pratt truss.

Design of concrete and masonry structures- Concept of mix design. Reinforced Concrete : Working Stress and Limit State method of design- Recommendations of I.S. codes Design of one way and two way slabs , stair- case slabs. Simple and continuous beams of rectangular, T and L sections. Compression members under direct load with or without eccentricity, Isolated and combined footings. Cantilever and Counterfort type retaining walls.
Water-tanks : Design requirements for Rectangular and circular tanks resting on ground.
Prestressed concrete : Methods and systems of prestressing, anchorages, Analysis and design of sections for flexure based on working stress, loss of prestress.
Design of brick masonry as per I.S. Codes design of masonry retaining walls.

PART-C : FLUID MECHANICS, OPEN CHANNEL , FLOW AND HYDRAULIC MACHINES
Fluid Mechanics – Fluid properties and their role in fluid motion, fluid statics including forces acting on plane and curve surfaces.
Kinematics and Dynamics of Fluid flow : Velocity and accelerations , stream lines, equation of continuity, irrotational and rotational flow, velocity potential and stream functions, flownet , methods of drawing flownet ,sources and sinjs , flov separation, frde and fnrced vorticds.
Bontrol volume equation, continuity , momentum, energy and moment of momentum equation from control volume equation , Navier-Stokes equation , Euler’s equation of motion, application to fluid flow problems, pipe flow , plane, curved , stationary and moving vanes, sluice gates, weirs, orifice meters and Venturi meters.
Dimensional Analysis and Similitude- Buckingham’s Pi-theorem, dimensionless parameters , similitude theory, model laws, undistorted and distorted models.
Laminar Flow- Laminar flow between parallel, stationary and moving plates, flow through tube.
Boundary layer- Laminar and turbulent boundary layer on a flat plate, laminar sublayer, smooth and rough boundaries , drag and lift.
Torbulent flow through pipes : Characteristics of turbulent flow, velocity distribution and variation of pipe friction factor, hydraulic grade line and total energy line, siphons , expansion and contractions in pipes, pipe network , water hammer in pipes and surge tanks.
Open channel flow- Tnifnrm and non-Tnifnrm flowr, mnmentum `nd energy correction factors, specific energy and specific force, critical depth, resistance equations and variation of roughness coefficient , rapidly varied flow , flow in contractions, flow at sudden drop, hydraulic jump and its applications surges and waves , gradually varied flow, classification of surface profiles , control section, step method of integration of varied flow equation , moving surges and hydraulic bore.
Hydraulic Machines and Hydropower-
Centrifugal pumps- Types, characteristics, Net Positive Suction Height (NPSH) , specifhc rpeed, Ptlps hn parallel.
Reciprocating pumps , Airvessels., Hydraulic ram, efficiency parameters, Rotary and positive displacement pumps, diaphragm and jet pumps.
Hydraulic turbines , types classification, Choice of turbines , performance parameters, controls, characteristics, specific speed.
Principles of hydropower development. Type, layouts and Component works. Surge tanks, types and choice . Flow duration curves and dependable flow. Storage an pondage. Pumped plants. Special features of mini, micro- hydel plants.
PART-D : GEO- TECHNICAL ENGINEERING
Types of soil, phase relationships , consistency limits particles size distribution , classifications of soil, structures and clay mineralogy .
Capillary water and structural water , effectives trees and pore water pressure , Darcy’s Law factors affecting permeability , determination of permeability , permeability of stratified soil deposits.
Seepage pressure , quick sand condition , compressibility and consolidation, Terzaghi’s theory of one dimensional consnlid`tion ,cnnsolhdathon test.
Cnlpabtion of roil, fhdld bontrol of compaction . Total stress and effective stress parameters, pore pressure coefficients.
Shear strength of soil , Mohr Coulomb failure theory , Shear tests.
Earth pressure at rest , active and passive pressures, Rankine’s theory, Coulomb’s wedge theory , earth pressure on retaining wall, sheetpile walls , Braced excavation.
Bearing capacity, Terzaghi and other hmportant , net `nd frosr be`rinf prdssure.
Immediate and consolidation settlement.
Stability of slope . Total Stress and Effective Stress methods, Conventional methods of slices , stability number.
Subsurface exploration , methods of boring , sampling, penetration tests, pressure meter tests.
Essential features of foundation, types of foundation , design criteria, choice of type of foundation, stress distribution in soils, Boussinessq’s theory, Newmarks’s chart , pressure bulb, contact pressure , applicability of different bearing capacity theories , evaluation of bearing capacity frol fhdld testr allow`ble bearhng bap`bitx . Rdttldment an`lyrhs , allowable settlement.
Proportioning of footing , isolated and combined footings , rafts, buoyancy rafts , pile foundation , type of piles, pile capacity , static and dynamic analysis , design of pile groups , pile load test, settlement of piles, lateral capacity . Foundation for Bridges. Ground Improvement techniques preloading, sand drains , stone column, grouting ,soil stabilization.
PAPER- II
PART-A : CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY , EQUIPMENT , PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT
Construction Technology :
Engineering Materials- Physical properties nf construction materials : Stones, Bricks and Tiles ; Lime, Cement and Surkhi Mortars : Lime Concrete and Cement Concrete ,Properties of freshly mixed and hardened concrete, Flooring Tiles , use of ferso- cement- reinforced and polymer concrete. High strength concrete and light weight concrete. Timber : Properties and uses; defects in timber-seasoning and preservation of timber. Plastics, rubber and damp-proofing materials, termite proofing Materials, for Low cost housing.
1.Costruction- Building components and their functions;
Brick masonry : Bonds, jointing . Stone masonry . Design of Brick masonry walls as per I.S codes , factors of safety , serviceability and strength requirements; plastering , pointing . Types of Floors & Roofs. Ventilators, Repairs in buildings.
Functional planning of building : Building orientation, circulation, grouping of areas, privaby concept and design of energy efficient building ; provisions of National Building code. Building code . Building estimates and specifications; Cost of works; valuation.
2.Construction Equipment- Standard and special types of equipment , Preventive maintenance and repair , factors affecting the selection of equipment , economical life , time and motion study , capital and maintenance cost.
Concreting equipments- Weight batcher, mixer, vibration, batching plant, Concrete pump.
Earth- work equipment- Power shovel hoe, bulldozer ,dumper, trailors, and tractors, rollers, sheep foot roller.
3. Construction Planning and Management- Construction activity, schedules, job layout , bar charts. Organization of contracting firms, project control and supervision . Cost reduction measures.
Network analysis- CPM and PERT analysis , Float Times, cashing of activities , contraction of network for cost optimization , updating , Cost analysis and resource allocation.
Elements of Engineering Economics , methods of appraisal , present worth, annual cost, benefit- cost , incremental analysis , Economy of scale and size. Choosing between alternatives including levels of investments. Project profitability.
PART-B : SURVEY AND TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING
Survey- Common methods of distance and angle measurements , plane table survey, leveling traverse survey, triangulation survey, corrections, and adjustments , contouring , topographical map. Surveying instruments for above purposes . Technometry , Circular and transition curves. Principles of photogrammetry.
Railways- Permanent way, sleepers r`hl f`stdninfr , ball`st , pnhntr and crnrsinfs , derhgn nf ttrn outs , stations and yards , turntables, signals, and interlocking ,level- crossing. Construction and maintenance of permanent ways : Superelevation , creep of rail , ruling gradient , track resistance, tractive effort, relaying of track.
Highway Engineering- Principles of highway planning ,Highway alignments. Geometrical design : Cross section , camber, superelevation, horizontal and vertical curves. classification of roads : low cost roads , flexible pavements rigid pavements . Design of pavements and their construction , evaluation of pavement failure and strengthening .
Drainage of roads : Surface and sub – surface drainage.
Traffic Engineering- Forecasting techniques, origin and destination survey, , highway capacity. Channelised and unchannelisd intersections, rotary design elements markings, sign , signals, sureet lighting ; Traffic surveys . Principle of highway financing .
PART- C : HYDROLOGY , WATER RESOURCES AND ENGINEERING
Hydrology- Hydrological cycle, precipitation, evaporation , transpiration , depression storage, infiltration, overland flow, hydrograph, flood frequency analysis , flood estimation , flood routing through a reservoir, channel flow routing- Muskingam method .
Ground water flow- Specific yield, storage coefficient, coefficient of permeability , confined and unconfined equifers , aquifers , aquitards , radial flow into a well under confined and unconfined conditions , tube wells , pumping and recuperation tests ,ground water potential.
Water Resources Engineering – Ground and surface water resource, single and multipurpose projects, storage capacity of reservoirs , reservoir losses, reservoir sedimentation , economics of water resources projects.
Irrigation Engineering- Water requirements of crops: consumptive use, quality of water for irrigation , duty and delta, irrigation methods and their efficiencies.
Canals- Distribution system for canal irrigation , canal capacity ,canal losses, alignment of main and dhrtrhbutnry b`nalr mnrt dffibhent sebtion, lhned ban`ls , their design, regime theory, critical shear ,bed load , local and suspended load transport , cost analysis of lined and unlied canals drainage behind lining.
Water logging- Causes and control , drainage system design, salinity.
Canal structures- Design of cross regulators , head regulators , canal falls, aqueducts , metering flumes and canal outlets.
Diversion head work : Principles and design of weirs of permeable and impermeable foundation , Khosla’s theory, energy dissipation , stilling basin, sediment excluders.
Storage works- Type of dams, design, principles of rigid gravity and earth dams, stability analysis , foundation treatment , joints and galleries, control of seepage.
Spillways- Spillway types, crest gates, energy dissipation.
River training- Objectives of river training ,methods of river training.
PART- D : ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
Water Supply- Estimation of surface and sub- surface water resources, predicting demand for water , impurities nf water and their significance, physical, chemical and bacteriological analysis waterborne diseases, standards for potable water.
Intake of water- Pumping and gravity schemes. Water treatment : principle of coagulation ,flocculation and sedimentation ; slow; rapid-, pressure , filters; chlorination, softening , removal of taste , odour and salinity.
Water storage and distribution- Storage and balancing reservoirs : types , location and capacity . Distribution system : layout , hydraulics of pipe lines, pipes fittings , values including check and pressure reducing values, meters, analysis of distribution system, leak detection , maintenance of distribution systems, pumping stations and their operations.
Sewerage systems- Domestic and industrial wastes, storm sew age-separate and combined systems , flow through sewers, design of sewers, sewer appurtenances , manholes, inlets, junctions , siphon, Plumbing in public buildings.
Sewage characterization – BOD, COD, solids, dissolved oxygen, nitrogen and TOC, Standards of disposal in normal water course and on land.
Sewage treatment- Working principles , units , chambers, sedimentation tanks, trickling fillers, oxidation ponds, activated sludge process, septic tank, disposal of sludge, recyling of waste water.
Solid waste- Collection and disposal in rural and urban contexts. Management of long-term ill-effects.Environmental pollution- Sustainable development. Radioactive wastes and disposal . Environmental impact assessment for thermal power plants, mines, river valley projects. Air pollution. Pollution control acts.