Daily News Notes: 22nd Feb, 2012

· While releasing the Review of the Economy for 2011-12 in New Delhi, the Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council has pegged India's rate of economic growth for the next fiscal to be between 7.5 to 8 percent. He said the economy grew at 7.1 percent in 2011-12 and India might as well be able to achieve 9 per cent growth in due course if global economic conditions improve. Highlights: (1.) the High level of Budget Deficit is a matter of concern, thus the Indian economy needs to be fine-tuned to contain the Current Account Deficit and be proactive to attract Capital inflows; (2.) excessive appreciation of the Rupee is not good for the economy; (3.). growth in Agriculture during the year is expected to be 3 per cent and the average GDP growth rate for the farm sector in the first half of 2011/12 is 3.7 per cent; (4.) mining and quarrying sector has shown particular weakness this year while electricity sector has performed well; (5.) performance of Manufacturing and Construction have not been up to the mark; (6.) the Growth of GDP in the services sector was 9.6 percent in the first half of 2011/12 and growth in the sector is expected to be strong; (7.) inflation, which has remained at elevated level in 2011, he said it would moderate to 6.5 per cent by March end and 5-6 per cent in the next fiscal.
· The Kerala Police will conduct a search on the Italian vessel Enrica Lexie this afternoon to seize the weapons used to kill the two fishermen off Kollam coast a week ago. Meanwhile the Kerala High Court will be considering a petition moved by Dora Valentine, wife of Jelastine, one of the two fishermen killed in the firing. She had sought a compensation of one crore rupees from the shipping company. [Is judicial fight is for money and compensation?]
· In Jammu and Kashmir, the Accountability Commission has initiated suo-moto to action against the Minister for Public Enterprises who was recently divested of the School Education portfolio over copying scam and issued notice to him to appear in person or through counsel.
· In the 7th Consultative Committee on Urban Development met in New Delhi, the Committee discussed the second phase of JNNURM (Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission). Minister for Urban Development told the Members that constitution of municipal cadre could be considered to be a pre-requisite for grant to a State under JNNURM-II. Mr. Kamal Nath emphasized the need to set up Institutes of Urban Development. He said that State Government must transfer land to small municipalities so that they have a land bank. The members underlined the need for greater funds in JNNURM-II which are at present pegged at 0.25% of the GDP (Annually). Other matters discussed were the special need of J&K and NE, adequate attention to medium & small urban Centers, efficient governance system, more private investment, service level benchmarks, simplification of schemes etc.
· Sanctions have been made and funds have been released for conversion of all reported dry latrines to the States under Integrated Low Cost Sanitation. ILCS Scheme started with the objective of eradicating all dry latrines and thereby liberating manual scavengers from inhuman practice of carrying night soil. The scheme also has provision for construction of new latrines for the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) households who have no latrine facility. ILCS scheme is in its final year of implementation and the mandate of the scheme was conversion of dry latrines which has been fully achieved with total sanction of projects for conversion of all dry latrines reported by State Governments.
· In Madhya Pradesh, the issue of arrest of the Congress MLA Kalpana Parulekar rocked the state legislative assembly. They argued that police could not take action against any MLA on his act in the legislative assembly premises. On the other hand members of ruling party contended that the act of MLA did not come under the powers of immunity of the House and this matter is sub-judice. MLA was arrested in Ujjain, a few days back for allegedly displaying a morphed photograph of RSS Head, Mohan Bhagwat with MP Lokayukta, P P Naolekar. The Speaker later gave his ruling in the matter that since the arrest at Ujjain and the matter is sub-judice, he did not consider it as a breach of privilege of a member of the House and ending the matter, moved on to take other listed business of the House.
· During the meeting between PM and CM of WB, CM raised three issues, namely, the leakage in Farakka Barrage, the concern regarding National Counter Terrorism Centre, and the grant of Presidential assent to the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration Bill. PM said that he shared the CM’s concern and assured her for its early redress of the issues. [Google these issues]
· The second round of talks over Iran’s disputed nuclear program between the five member IAEA team led by its Chief weapons inspector, Herman Naeckarts and Iranian authorities has failed. The International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA says the talks with Iran have failed. Teheran has also rejected a request to visit a key military site in Parchin. An IAEA report in November had named Parchin as one of the military sites where Iran was suspected to work on developing an atom bomb.