INDIA AND IRAN CHANGING ENERGY RELATIONS.

"INDIA'S ENERGY SECURITY ISSUES"

Dealing with sanctions on IranIndia’s energy security can’t be compromisedby G. Parthasarathy

WITH the US Presidential elections due later this year, President Obama has to be seen to be acting “tough” on Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Israel plays a key role in shaping American policies on Iran. The Iranians have not helped their own cause by threatening to “wipe out” Israel and backing radical Arab groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, which are perceived as acting as spoilers in the Middle-East peace process. Virtually, Iran’s all Sunni Arab neighbours also fear Iranian intentions and echo international concern on the lack of transparency in its nuclear programme.
With Iran threatening to shut the vital sea lanes of the Straits of Hormuz in the event of being attacked, Israel and the US appear to have been persuaded that military strikes would be counterproductive. Moreover, American National Intelligence Estimates have concluded that Iran is still one to three years away from assembling a nuclear weapon. President Obama has, therefore, acted continuously to tighten sanctions on Iranian oil exports.
On December 31, Mr. Obama approved US legislation imposing sanctions on foreign banks dealing with Iran’s Central Bank, by channelling payments for Iranian oil exports. The President can exempt sanctions for six months on a country that significantly reduces its dealings with Iran in situations where it is in US national security interests, or would be necessary for ensuring market stability. Sanctioned financial institutions would be frozen out of the US market. Within weeks, the European Union (EU) followed suit, imposing sanctions on oil imports from Iran. These sanctions will come into effect on July 1.
EU members like Greece, Italy and Spain will be adversely affected by these sanctions. Debt-ridden Greece is likely to seek exemption, given its large exposure to oil imports on favourable terms from Iran. Within Asia, the major importers of Iranian crude are China, India, Japan and South Korea. Iran is China’s third largest supplier, at 500,000 barrels per day. Moreover, China has committed huge investments in the oil and gas industry in Iran.
India has been hit hard by the expanding Western sanctions on Iran’s oil and gas sector. With its surplus oil refining capacity, India’s exports of refined petroleum products reached around $40 billion last year. Refined petroleum products are India’s largest foreign exchange earner in foreign trade. But American sanctions have constricted our export market. Iran is a major importer of refined petroleum products and exports to Iran from the Reliance Oil Refinery in Junagadh have been progressively reduced and ended in the face of American sanctions on exports of refined petroleum products to Iran. This is primarily because Reliance Industries, like most of our large industrial enterprises and financial institutions, has substantial business and financial interests in the US.
Towards the end of 2010, the US worked with its European partners to close the avenues for payments using European banks, which India was making to Iran, through the Asian Clearing Union, for its oil imports. Pushed to a corner, India had to look for banks across the world for oil payments to Iran, with an agreement finally being reached for payments through Turkey’s Halkbank in July 2011.
Anticipating the tightening of sanctions on Iran’s oil exports, India has worked to quietly reduce its exposure to Iranian oil imports, which are likely to fall to an estimated 13 million tonnes in this financial year from 21.2 million tonnes barely two years ago. In the wake of improving relations after the visit of King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, India is reported to have received assurances from the Saudis that they would be happy to meet any shortfalls we may face following reductions in imports from Iran. The Saudis are also reported to have given China similar assurances.
China has been particularly pro-active in dealing with the emerging situation, with Premier Wen Jiabao visiting Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE earlier this month. Wen’s visit to Saudi Arabia led to a Chinese investment of $8.5 billion in an oil refinery which will process offshore oil for shipment through a pipeline bypassing the volatile Straits of Hormuz. Similar investments by China are envisaged in Abu Dhabi. Like in Central Asia, China has acted more deftly and imaginatively than India has in the Persian Gulf in guaranteeing its energy security.
India will now have to move imaginatively and expeditiously to devise alternate payment mechanisms for Iranian oil imports. Statements by Halkbank representatives indicate that Turkey will fall in line by July 1 with American and EU sanctions on Iranian oil exports. One option for India would be to see if payments are possible through Russia, the largest oil producer in the world, through a bank like the Gazprom Bank, which has dealings with Iran. But there are reportedly indications that while Russia may back Iran against unilateral American sanctions, it may not like to directly undermine Western sanctions. Another possibility is to consider using our currency swap arrangement with Japan for Iranian oil payments. But this again may prove unworkable, given the fact that Japan itself has formally asked the US for a six-month waiver of sanctions on its oil imports from Iran. While a rupee trade arrangement with Iran may be ideal, it remains doubtful if this is possible, given the fact that the rupee has been the worst performing Asian currency in 2011. Moreover, the viability of such an arrangement may be limited, given the huge trade deficit we have with Iran.
Despite these difficulties and the fact that Iran has been an unreliable partner in honouring contracts it has signed on the supply of gas to India, we should seek innovative means, including the use of Indian banks, which do not have exposure to American markets and financial institutions, for routing payments for oil imports from Iran. The Americans cannot claim to be our “strategic partners” on the one hand while undermining our energy security on the other. Moreover, given the uncertainties on American policies in Afghanistan, Iran, which is our primary gateway to Afghanistan and Central Asia, will remain a crucial partner for facilitating access to and safeguarding our interests in Afghanistan.
There are concerns that, like in Iraq, the Americans will withdraw completely from Afghanistan in 2014, leaving behind an unstable, financially bankrupt and violence-ridden country. Iran and India would find a destabilised and dysfunctional Afghanistan, which will again become a haven for terrorism, a source of serious and common concern. The Iranians, in turn, will, however, have to be advised to be more transparent on their nuclear programme if they are to overcome their growing international isolation.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120202/edit.htm

Happy Indian Coast Guard Day 2nd February 2012

भारतीय कोस्ट गार्ड दिनानिमित्त ...

HOW TO JOIN INDIAN COAST GUARD – ENROLLED PERSONNEL YANTRIKS

Name of Post	Age as on first day of the month of the scheduled basic training	Education Qualification	Physical Standard
Yantriks	18-22 years (5 years relaxation for SC/ST and 3 years for OBC)	Matriculate and Diploma in Mechanical /Electrical /Electronics/ Aeronautical Engineering.	Height 157 cms, Weight Proportionate to Height Eye sight 6/12 and 6/24

Yantriks : Coast Guard offers excellent opportunity for diploma holders in Mechanical Electrical, Electronic and Aeronautical branches of engineering . The Yantriks are backbone of Coast Guard and responsible for operating and maintaining the machinery and equipment fitted on Indian Coast Guard ships and aircrafts.

Rank And Pay Structure

• Yantrik                            Rs. 5200-20200 with Grade Pay Rs.2400
• Uttam Yantrik                  Rs. 5200-20200 with Grade Pay Rs.2800
• Pradhan Yantrik                Rs.9300-34800 with Grade Pay Rs.4200
• Sahayak Engineer             Rs.9300-34800 with Grade Pay Rs.4200
• Uttam Sahayak Engineer    Rs.9300-34800 with Grade Pay Rs.4600
• Pradhan Sahayak Engineer Rs.9300-34800 with Grade Pay Rs.4800

How To Apply For Yantriks

• The recruitment is conducted bi-annually in the month of Apr/Oct.
• The advertisement is given in employment news all over India, both in Hindi as well as in English in the month of Jan/Nov.
•  The recruitment is conducted in Ten centers all over India, viz New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Vizag, Kochi, Paradip, Tuticorin, Gandhinagar, and Nagpur.
• The shortlisted candidates are called for selection tests at centre of their choice.
• The candidates are subjected to written test. Those who qualify the written test undergo interview. The qualified candidates are to undergo medical examination. If qualified they are selected as per merit list.

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Department of Defence & Strategic Studies 

MOOLJI JAITHA COLLEGE, JALGAON

HOW TO JOIN INDIAN COAST GUARD – ENROLLED PERSONNEL

NAVIKS(GD/DB)

HOW TO JOIN INDIAN COAST GUARD – ENROLLED PERSONNEL NAVIKS(GD/DB)
Name of Post	Age as on first day of the month of the scheduled basic training	Education Qualification	Physical Standard
Naviks (General Duty)	18-22 years (5 years relaxation for SC/ST and 3 years for OBC )	12th class in 10+2+3 scheme with Maths and Physics	Height 157 cms, Weight Proportionate to height, Eye sight 6/6 and 6/9 without glasses
Naviks (Domestic Branch)	18-22 years (5 years relaxation for SC/ST and 3 years for OBC)	10th Standard pass	Height 157 cms, Weight Proportionate to height, Eye sight 6/18 and 6/36

Naviks(GD) : Coast Guard provides excellent opportunity for young dynamic male candidates in General Duty branch for 10+2 entry. On joining you would specialize in various streams viz.

(a)      Seaman

(b)     Communication

(c)      Mechanical Engineer

(d)     Electrical

(e)      Aviation

Naviks( DB) : Candidates with 10^th qualification can join Coast Guard in Domestic branch as Cooks and Stewards.

Rank And Pay Structure^*

Naviks (GD)

• Navik                     Rs.5200-20200 with Grade Pay Rs.2000
• Uttam Navik           Rs.5200-20200 with Grade Pay Rs.2400
• Pradhan Navik        Rs.5200-20200 with Grade Pay Rs.2800
• Adhikari                 Rs.9300-34800 with Grade Pay Rs.4200
• Uttam Adhikari       Rs. 9300-34800 with Grade Pay Rs.4600
• Pradhan Adhikari     Rs. 9300-34800 with Grade Pay Rs.4800

Naviks (DB)

• Navik                     Rs.5200-20200 with Grade Pay Rs.1900
• Uttam Navik           Rs.5200-20200 with Grade Pay Rs.2000
• Pradhan Navik        Rs.5200-20200 with Grade Pay Rs.2400
• Adhikari                 Rs.9300-34800 with Grade Pay Rs.4200
• Uttam Adhikari       Rs. 9300-34800 with Grade Pay Rs.4200
• Pradhan Adhikari     Rs. 9300-34800 with Grade Pay Rs.4600

PROMOTION  

*  Promotion prospects exist upto the rank of Pradhan Adhikari with pay scale 9300-34800 plus Grade pay @ Rs. 4800/-.

* Promotion to the officer cadre subject to suitability and performance.

OTHER BENEFITS

Free ration, free clothing, free medical treatment for self and family including   dependent parents.

*      Government accommodation for self & family on nominal licence fee.

*      45 days Earned leave and 08 days Casual leave every year with leave travel concession for self, family and dependent parents as per Govt. rules. 

*      Insurance cover of Rs.20 lakhs at a premium of Rs.2000/- per month as Group insurance.

*      Contributory Pension Scheme, Provident Fund and Gratuity on retirement.

*      Canteen and various loan facilities.

*      Sports and adventure activities such as river rafting, mountaineering,   hot air ballooning, hang gliding and wind surfing etc.

TRAINING PATTERN

• Basic training with Navy at INS Chilka, Orissa 20 weeks
• Afloat training onboard Coast Guard Ships 08 weeks
• Professional Training at various Naval Schools 30 weeks.

How To Apply For Naviks(GD/DB)

·         The recruitment is conducted bi-annually in the month of Apr/Oct.

• The advertisement is given in employment news all over India, both in Hindi as well as in English in the month of Jan/Nov.
• The recruitment is conducted in 6 zones viz., Western Zone, Eastern Zone, North-Eastern Zone, A&N Zone, North West Zone and North Zone. The Recruitment Zones as follws:-

Sl No	Zone	Examination Centers	States	Application to be addressed to
(a)	Northern Zone	(i)    New Delhi (ii)   Shimla (iii)   Ambala (iv)   Dehradun (v)    Jodhpur (vi)   Jallandhar (vii)  Lucknow (viii)  Jammu	Candidates residing in the State of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Delhi and Union Territory of Chandigarh	The Recruitment Officer, Post Box No-127, NOIDA, (U.P), 201 301
(b)	North-Eastern Zone	(i)   Kolkata (ii)  Danapur   (Patna)  (iii) Shillong (iv) Aizwal	Candidates residing in the State of Bihar, Jharkhand, Mizoram, West Bengal, Assam, Sikkim, Meghalaya, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Tripura	The Recruitment Officer, Post Box No.4,Haldia Township, Haldia-721 605.
(c)	Eastern Zone	(i)  Chennai (ii) Visakhapatnam (iii) Cuttack (iv) Bangalore (v) Tuticorin (vi) Mandapam (vii) Secunderabad (viii) Pundicherry	Candidates residing in the State of Tamil Nadu,  Andhra Pradesh, Orissa & the Union Territory of Puducherry	The Recruitment Officer, Post Box No-808, Fort St George, Chennai-600 009.
(d)	Western Zone	(i)   Bhopal (ii)   Kochi (iii)  Mumbai (iv)  Nagpur (v)   Goa (vi)  New Mangalore  (vii)  Kavarati	Candidates residing in the State of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Chattisgarh, Kerala, Goa and Union Territory of  Daman and Lakshadweep	The Recruitment Officer, Post Box  No.    29105, Prabhadevi  P.O Worli, Mumbai- 400 030.
(e)	North-West Zone	(i) Gandhi Nagar  (ii)  Porbander	Candidates residing in the State of Gujarat	The Recruitment Officer, Post Box No. - 09, Sector -11, Gandhi Nagar, Gujarat -382 010.
(f)	A&N Zone	Port Blair	Candidates residing in the A&N Islands	The Recruitment Officer, Post Box No. 716, Port Blair-744 102.

• The shortlisted candidates are called for selection test at convenient centre at various zones.
• The candidates are subjected to Mental Ability Test (Verbal & Non-Verbal), (only Non-
  Verbal in case of DB), entrance test and interview. During the written test and interview
  the candidates have the option of answering in Hindi/English.
• The qualified candidates are to undergo medical examination, those who clear the medical examination are selected as per merit list.

SELECTION PROCEDURE

     Selection of candidates is based on the order of merit depending on their performance in Written Test, Physical Fitness Test (PFT) and Fitness in the Medical Examinations.

Written Test: 

     * The question paper will be bilingual (Hindi & English) and objective type.

 * The question paper consists of English, Science, Maths and General Knowledge.

     * Duration of examination: Mental Ability Test         - 30 Minutes

                                          Written Test            - 01 hour

    * The candidates are required to pass in all the tests.

Physical Fitness Test (PFT):

         All those who pass the written test will be subjected to the PFT.

     *  PFT will consist of 1.6 Km run to be completed in 6 minutes 30  seconds.

     *  20 squat ups (Uthak Baithak)

     *  10 Push ups. Candidates undergoing PFT will do so at their own risk.

Interview:

Candidates clearing the above tests will appear for interview

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HOW TO JOIN INDIAN COAST GUARD (OFFICER)
Name of Post	Branch	Age as on 1st July of the year of recruitment	Education Qualification	Physical Standard
Assistant Commandant(GD) (Male/Female)	General Duty	21-25 years of Age         (5 years relaxation for SC/ST and 3 years for OBC)	Bachelor's degree with 60% marks in aggregate of a university recognised by Central/ State Govt./UGC and minimum 60% in class XII Std of   10+2+3 scheme of education with  Mathematics and Physics as subjects.	Height 157cms(M)/ 152cms(F), Weight Proportionate to Height, Eye sight 6/6 & 6/9 without glasses
Assistant Commandant (GD)-SSA (Female)	General Duty (Short service appointment for a period of 08 years, which may be extended to 10 years and further extendable upto 14 years)	21-25 years of Age         (5 years relaxation for SC/ST and                  3 years for OBC)	Bachelor's degree with 60% marks in aggregate of a university recognised by Central/ State Govt./UGC and minimum 60% in class XII Std of   10+2+3 scheme of education with  Mathematics and Physics as subjects.	Height 152cms, Weight Proportionate to Height, Eye sight 6/6 & 6/9 without glasses
Assistant Commandant (GD-P/N) (Male/Female)	General Duty (Pilot/Navigator)	19-27 years (5 years relaxation for SC/ST and 3 years for OBC)	B.Sc with Physics & Mathematics and 55 % marks in aggregate and minimum 60% in class XII Std of 10+2+3 scheme of education.	Height Min 162.5 cms Max 197 cm, Leg Length Min 99 cms, Weight Proportionate to Height, Eye sight 6/6 without glasses
Assistant Commandant (GD-P-CPL) SSA (Male/Female)	General Duty Branch(Pilot - Commercial Pilot License - Short service appointment for a period of 08 years, which may be extended to 10 years and further extendable upto 14 years)	19-27 years (5 years relaxation for SC/ST and 3 years for OBC)	12th class passed or equivalent with 60% marks in 10+2 +3 scheme or equivalent and should possess current Commercial Pilot License on the date of selection	Height Min 162.5 cms Max 197 cm, Leg Length Min 99 cms, Weight Proportionate to Height, Eye sight 6/6 without glasses
Assistant Commandant (Tech)	Technical Branch	21-30 years (5 years relaxation for SC/ST and 3 years for OBC)	Degree with 60% marks in aggregate in in Naval Architecture/ Mechanical/ Marine/Electrical/ Electronics & Telecommunications/ Design/Production/Aeronautical /Metallurgy/Aerospace/Control Engineering or equivalent and minimum 60% in class XII Std of 10+2+3 scheme of education. or Should have passed section A and B of Institution of Engineers (India) Examination in any of the discipline listed above with 55% marks	Height 157 cm Weight Proportionate to Height, Eye sight 6/12 and 6/36
Deputy Commandant  (Law) (Male/Female)	Law Branch	Below 45 years (5 years relaxation for Govt. servant	(i) A degree in Law with          8 years experiences in legal matters. (ii) Should be qualified for enrolment as an advocate in a High Court. Desirable (i) A post graduate degree in Law. (ii) Knowledge / Experience Assignment connected with International Law/Maritime Law.	Height 157cms(M)/ 152cms(F), Weight Proportionate to Height, Eye sight 6/6 and 6/12 (with glass), 6/60 (without glass)

Officers General Duty Branch: This is the operational branch of the Indian Coast Guard. Command of Ships at sea can only be exercised by officer of the General duty branch. As a General duty branch officer you will operate weapons, sensors and perform the command function which demands a wide sphere of knowledge of your equipment. The safety of your ship and men, maneuvering of your ship in war and in peace time operations will be your responsibilities.

Pilot: Indian Coast Guard operates fixed wing aircraft from shore Air stations for surveillance of the Exclusive Economic Zone. In addition, helicopters are embarked on Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Vessels to provide local surveillance and perform Search and Rescue mission at sea. Operating these aircrafts at sea is challenging task and will bring your special skills to the fore. As an officer of the Pilot branch, you will have opportunity to serve both in the shore Air Stations along the coasts of India, as well as embark ships.

Technical Branch: Modern ships and aircrafts are abounding with advance technology and machinery. In the Technical branch you will be responsible to keep all these equipment serviceable. You will also get opportunities to work in shore jobs in Coast Guard repair organisations. In very few other careers will you be exposed to such a wide spectrum of opportunities to keep yourself abreast of modern developments in Engineering. Your carrier will be interspersed with technical training courses up to Post Graduation level.

Women in Coast Guard: Women are recruited in Coast Guard only as officers in General duty, General Duty (Pilot / Navigation) and General Duty (CPL Holders, Short Service entry) branches. The selection process for women is similar to that of male candidates. The women officers are posted in non sea going appointments. Unlike the other Armed Forces, the women officers in Coast Guard have the option to serve till superannuation, except for CPL holders and General Duty branch- Short service appointment.

Rank And Pay Structure

·         Assistant Commandant        Rs. 15600-39100 with Grade Pay Rs 5400/-

·         Deputy Commandant           Rs. 15600-39100 with Grade Pay Rs 6600/-

·         Commandant(Junior Grade)  Rs. 15600-39100 with Grade Pay Rs 7600/-

·         Commandant                      Rs. 37400-67000 with Grade Pay Rs 8700/-

·         Deputy Inspector General     Rs. 37400-67000 with Grade Pay Rs 8900/-

·         Inspector General                Rs. 37400-67000 with Grade Pay Rs 10000/-

·         Director General                  Rs. 37400-67000 with Grade Pay Rs 12000/-

            The pay would include Dearness allowance, Kit Maintenance allowance and Transport allowance. In addition other allowances will be admissible based on nature of duty/place of posting such as flying allowance, sea duty allowance and Island special duty allowance.

Other benefits:-          

         * Entitled rations, medical cover for self and family including dependent parents.

         * Government accommodation for self & family on nominal license fee.

         * 45 days Earned leave and 08 days Casual leave every year with leave

            travel    concession for self, family and dependent parents as per Govt. rules. 

         * Insurance cover of Rs.40 lakhs at a premium of Rs.4000/- per month as

         Group  insurance.

         * Contributory Pension Scheme, Provident Fund and Gratuity on retirement.

         * Canteen and various loan facilities.

         * Sports and adventure activities such as river rafting, mountaineering,

hot air  ballooning, hang gliding and wind surfing etc.

• The recruitment of Asst. Commandants is conducted bi-annually.
• The advertisement is given in leading national newspapers in both Hindi as well as in English in the month of Jan/Feb and Aug/Sep.
• The shortlisted candidates are called for Preliminary Selection (PSB) as per their choice of centers from Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata , Delhi, Kochi,  Vizag and Port Blair.
• The PSB consists of Mental Ability Test and Picture Perception and Discussion Test (PPDT).
• The candidates who qualify PSB are called for Final Selection Board (FSB) at Mumbai/Chennai/Delhi.
• The candidates, subject to their medical fitness are selected as per merit list.

http://indiancoastguard.nic.in/indiancoastguard/jobs/oFFICERS.htm

© Indian Coast Guard, Ministry Of Defence, Government Of India
 Coast Guard Headquarters, National Stadium Complex, New Delhi - 110001

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CAUTION: SELECTION IN COAST GUARD IS FAIR AND ON MERIT ONLY.  CANDIDATE SHOULD NOT FALL PREY TO UNSCRUPULOUS PERSONS POSING AS RECRUITMENT AGENT.  FOR COMPLAINT AGAINST SUCH PERSONS, CANDIDATE MUST APPROACH THE DIRECTOR (RECRUITMENT) COAST GUARD HQ, SELECTION BOARD, NOIDA ON PHONE – 0120-2411752.