Daily News Notes

· Releasing a report on malnutrition and hunger in New Delhi, the Prime Minister assured people that a multi-sectoral programme in 200 districts where malnutrition is very high will be launched soon as this problem is a national shame and pointed out that India has not succeeded in reducing the levels of malnutrition very fast. Survey indicates that 1 child in 5 has reached an acceptable healthy weight and 20 percent decline in malnourishment in the last seven years but expressed concern still 42 percent of children are under weight. Policy makers and programme implementators need to clearly understand, many linkages between Education and health, between Sanitation and hygiene, between drinking water and nutrition, and then shape their responses accordingly as these sectors can no longer were an isolation of each other.
· Following recommendations of the Foreign Investment Promotion Board, FIPB, the government today approved 20 FDI proposals of over 1900 crore rupees including Sterlite Grid, Equitas Micro Finance and TV Vision.
· In Madhya Pradesh, the empowered committee of State Finance Ministers is discussing various issues related to the States and the Centre, just before the pre-budget meeting. Chairman of the Committee Sushil Kumar Modi said that the issue of delay in giving compensation to the States by the Centre in lieu of lowering of Central Sales Tax from 4 percent to 2 percent will be raised in the pre-budget meeting. The committee has also suggested reduction in the number of Centrally-sponsored schemes.
· Government had constituted a Committee for drafting the National Competition Policy with a view to achieve highest sustainable levels of economic growth, entrepreneurship, employment, higher standards of living for citizens, protect economic rights for just, equitable, inclusive and sustainable economic and social development, promote economic democracy and support good governance by restricting rent seeking practices.
· The total number of Krishi Vigyan Kendras throughout the country has reached 605. The largest numbers of KVKs have been opened in Uttar Pradesh (68), Madhya Pradesh (47) and Maharashtra (44). Krishi Vigyan Kendras are farm science centres established by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). KVKs are aimed at helping farmers in adopting appropriate farming technology, thereby improving productivity and income from agriculture and allied activities.
· In Pakistan, at least 20 people were killed and 30 others injured in a bomb explosion at a market in the Khyber tribal region close to the afghan border. Members of an anti-Taliban militia were passing through the market at the time of the explosion.
· Describing India as the greatest democracy on earth, President Shimon Peres today said that of Israel has backed India's bid for permanent membership of United Nations Security Council. Mr. Krishna gave credit to Israel for being an inspiration to India in becoming self-sufficient in food production.
· Myanmar's Union Parliament has announced January 31 as the date for holding the third session of the Parliament in Nay Pyi Taw which comprises two houses -- the House of Representatives, Lower House and the House of Nationalities, Upper House.
· Global agency Moody's today upgraded India's short-term foreign currency rating from speculative to investment grade. This will help domestic companies to raise funds from overseas markets at better rates.
· International Maritime Organization (IMO) has made the following regulations mandatory for the international Shipping: Sulphur limit in the fuel oil is reduced to 3.5% from 4.5% and Sulphur limit in the fuel oil is reduced to 1% from 1.5% in Emission Control Area (ECA). The proposed regulation by International Maritime Organization sets a required ‘Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI)’ value to apply in four phases from 1st January, 2013 to 1st January, 2025.
· India would assist Zimbabwe in reducing its infrastructural deficit. Indian PSUs like IRCON, RITES and WAPCOS which had earlier also executed infrastructure projects in Zimbabwe could participate in executing fresh projects. India would also assist Zimbabwe in bridging the technological gaps being faced by the country. It will also speed up the execution of the Pan-African e-Network Project.