Daily News Notes: 11th April, 2012

· In an unusual reference to farmers, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, in his inaugural speech at the India Water Week on Tuesday, said: “Groundwater sources of drinking water often fail due to competition over the same aquifer between public drinking water systems and private irrigation.” Here “Private irrigation” is a new term coined by the government as it is moving towards bringing strict laws to price irrigation water as well as control ground water.
· The operations of Chinese telecom equipment providers Huawei Technologies and ZTE Corporation in India have again come under the scanner of law enforcement agencies and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). The matter now relates to Reliance Communications (RCom) getting huge loans from Chinese financial institutions with the help of the two firms. Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), in a note to DoT, pointed to Huawei Technologies' “links” with the People's Liberation Army and the Ministry of State Security of China. The note also talks about how the two Chinese firms have launched an “aggressive Indianisation' drive to change their public perception in India. “It may be recalled that in 2010, BSNL, on security grounds, cancelled a contract awarded to Huawei and ZTE for GSM projects in the northern and eastern zones in India even though their bid was adjudged the lowest,” the note said. Notably, Huawei and ZTE have been providing equipment to various firms like Bharti Airtel and Tata Teleservices besides offering them easy payment options for such purchases. However, Huawei India refuted such “allegations” as “untrue, baseless and malicious in intent.”
· With Rajasthan deserts providing “one of the worst testing environments, yet another round of trials, perhaps the last, will be conducted in June-July 2012 of the anti-tank Nag missile and more importantly its specially designed carrier, NAMICA. Although the third generation missile with “top attack and fire and forget” capabilities was expected to be inducted last year after it was tested for various ranges in July 2010, it was delayed with the Army seeking modifications in NAMICA. Each NAMICA can carry 12 missiles, eight of them in ready-to-fire mode. Nag missile, which has a range of four km, would be tested for its full range, two km and a minimum of 500 metres. The missile would be fired to destroy both moving and stationary targets during the trials. The shorter the range, the more difficult it would be for the missile to attack a moving target. “This time DRDO scientists would demonstrate the lock-on-before launch capability of the missile for a four-km range with an upgraded imaging infrared seeker. In lock-on-before-launch mode, the missile keeps acquiring the image of the target every 30 milliseconds right from the launch till the impact on target. There was no other anti-tank missile in the world with a lock-on-before launch system for a four-km range. The U.S. Javelin and the Israeli Spike had lock-on-before launch systems but the range was only 2.5 km. In recent field trials, the lock-on-after-launch capability of the Helina missile (airborne version of Nag) was proved.”
· The continuing oppression of tribal people by the police in Chhattisgarh has led to over 44,000 tribal people migrating to the border districts of Khammam, Karimnagar and Warangal, a group of social activists said in statement. They said that under Operation Green Hunt, ostensibly against the Maoists, the police of the neighbouring State and paramilitary forces were indulging in extra-judicial killings and rape of Adivasi women.
· The government declared fresh FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) norms for FIIs (Foreign Institutional Investors). The DIPP (Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion) consolidated FDI policy and the fresh norms come into effect. Under the new norms: [1.] FIIs can now invest up to 23% in commodity exchanges without seeking prior approval of the government; [2.] Yet, FDI will continue to need the approval of the FIPB (Foreign Investment Promotion Board). At present, Foreign investment, within a composite FDI and FII cap of 49%, under the government approval route is permitted in commodity exchanges. Within this overall limit of 49%, investment by registered FIIs is limited to 23% and investment under the FDI scheme is limited to 26%. This change adjusts with the policy for foreign investment in commodity exchanges, with that of other infrastructure companies in the securities markets, viz. stock exchanges, depositories and clearing corporations. It was also decided by the DIPP that the consolidated FDI circular will be declared each year instead of 6-monthly basis. Thus, next policy would be declared on March 29, 2013.
· Min of Health and Family Welfare have assured that the situation with respect to instances of H1N1 is well under control and is being monitored. Director, National Institute of Virology, Pune has clarified that the presently circulating strain of H1N1 pandemic virus belongs to clade 6 and 7. (Clade is the medical terminology used to describe related organisms descended from a common ancestor). These clades are circulating in many countries. All are treatable with Oseltamivir (an antiviral drug which slows the spread of influenza (flu) virus). The currently available vaccine can be used, as antigenic (antigen is a substance that when introduced into the body stimulates the production of an antibody. Antigens include toxins, bacteria, foreign blood cells, and the cells of transplanted organs) differences are not significant. There is no mutation to suggest change of virus to 'dangerous form'.
· “Ensuring quality services for safe motherhood” is the theme for 2012 National Safe Motherhood Day. 11th April, which is the birth anniversary of Smt Kasturba Gandhi, is being celebrated every year as National Safe Motherhood Day from 2003 onwards. On this day celebration are organized throughout the country involving different stake holders to sensitize the people, media, health professionals and health institutions about safe motherhood. “To celebrate this day, a government panel has proposed that the mother, who primarily looks after the children, should be listed as first guardian for all official purposes. The panel has recommended review of all laws to make mothers equal guardians of their children. As of now, fathers are mentioned as the first guardian in all official documents, including birth certificates, school and college admission forms. The suggestion, if accepted, will ensure a woman’s first right over her child whether she is married or divorced, said a member of the panel.” Further, In India, over the last decade there has been a considerable decline in MMR, IMR and TFR. However, Regional disparities are considerable and an extra impetus needs to be given to the efforts to accelerate the pace of decline in these indicators in many states.
· The Ministry of Labour & Employment has launched a National Skill Development Mission in the Eleventh Five Year Plan with the following three tier structure: [1.] Prime Minister’s National Council on Skill Development under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble Prime Minister, for policy direction and review of skill development efforts in the country;[2.] National Skill Development Coordination Board (NSDCB) under the Chairmanship of Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission to enumerate strategies to implement the decisions of PM’s Council; [3.] National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), a not- for-profit company under the Companies Act, 1956. The corporation is being funded by the trust “National Skill Development Fund” to which the Government has contributed a sum of Rs.1495.10 crore during Eleventh Five Year Plan. The National Sample Survey Office in the year 2009-10 estimated the number of new entrants in the labour market, to be 5.0 million per annum. However, a study has been conducted by National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), according to which the incremental requirement of skilled manpower in 21 high growth sectors by the year 2022 is estimated to be 347 million. Highest amoung them is Infrastructure Sector.
· In order to have a uniform wage structure and to reduce the disparity in minimum wages across the country, the concept of National Floor Level Minimum Wage (NFLMW) was mooted on the basis of the recommendations of the National Commission on Rural Labour (NCRL) in 1991. On the basis of increase in the Consumer Price Index (Industrial Worker), the Central Government has revised the NFLMW from time to time. Presently, the same was raised to Rs.115/- (from Rs.35/- per day in 1996) with effect from 01.04.2011. Since NFLMW is a non-statutory measure, the Ministry of Labour & Employment has requested to all the States/UT Governments that in none of the scheduled employments, the minimum wages should be less than the NFLMW. At present, there is also a proposal to amend the Minimum Wages Act, 1948 to make the NFLMW statutory.
· The Armed Forces are on high alert to tackle any tsunami threat in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago. A flag was raised immediately after a massive earthquake, measuring 8.7 on the Richter scale, was reported at 1408 hours today with epicenter at 270 nautical miles south of Campbell Bay. Meanwhile the Eastern Naval Command is preparing ships with disaster relief teams embarked on it to provide immediate assistance to affected areas, if required. The IAF has also kept two C-130J on standby at the Hindon airbase in Ghaziabad. The giant aircraft are ready to fly a swift reaction team of 80 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel equipped with sniffer dogs at any momentupon call. Ten tonnes of medical supplies and rescue and relief material have also been loaded on the aircraft. One IL-76 aircraft has also been kept on standby at Chandigarh which will also carry NDRF team while two AN-32s and Dorniers are on standby in the southern sector.
· A 10-day convention of agricultural scientists from SAARC nations commenced in Karnal, Haryana. It is held to discuss the issues relating to increasing milk production, processing, quality control, marketing and food security in the SAARC nations.
· India and Afghanistan inked a historic MoU for mutual cooperation in the field of iron and steel sector. The basic objective of this MoU are: [1.] To pave way for institution and capacity building in the Afghanistan’s iron and steel sector; [2.] To promote economic co-operation b/w India and Afghanistan and promote public and private sector Indian companies to invest in mineral rich Afghanistan; [3.] This paves way for for Indian companies to invest in mineral rich Afghanistan. “India is one of the biggest contributors and donors to the economic development of Afghanistan. The two nations have already inked a number of MOUs in several spheres, including mines and minerals, natural gas, and commerce & industry. In October 2011, Afghanistan and India inked historic strategic partnership agreement acclaiming the commencement of a new era in their relations. Also, India's SAIL-led consortium has already won the mining rights for 3 iron ore blocks at Hajigak in November 2011.”
· Pakistan is targeting to double its tea imports from India by 2015 — from 24 million kg in 2011 to 50 million kg. A memorandum of understanding to this effect was signed between the Indian Tea Association and the Pakistan Tea Association (PTA) on Tuesday. Pakistan is one of the top three tea importing nations with a consumption of 220 million kg and an official import of 120 million kg. Its main supplier is Kenya.
· A top Chinese official on Tuesday said China was open to the idea of a trilateral dialogue mechanism with India and the United States to build trust between the countries, in remarks that have been seen as reflecting a larger, subtle shift in Chinese foreign policy away from a traditional “zero-sum” view of its relations. Its remarks were seen by analysts and diplomats as reflecting a wider shift in Chinese strategic thinking away from a traditional view of its relationships in the region which, for instance, tended to frame ties with India largely against the backdrop of China's relations with Pakistan and concerns over U.S. “containment.”
· The Asian Development Bank flagship annual publication Asian Development Outlook, pointed out that the recent rise in the pace of road construction and clearances for power projects in India is creating positive signal to increase investment in the country. Lauding the government efforts, the publication said, a number of bills and measures to improve India’s investment environment have been introduced in Parliament, but they are making little progress amidst lack of sufficient consensus for immediate reforms. The Bank has projected a moderate increase in growth rate of 7 per cent in 2012-13. It has also said that the dip in inflation is expected to continue on the expectation of normal monsoons and more stable global commodity prices, with the average rate expected to be 7 per cent in 2012-13 and 6.5 per cent the following year.
· India has said that the 15-nation UN Security Council should be expanded to include about 10 more members, cautioning that delay in reforming the powerful world body will be at the international community's own peril. Participating in the 8th round of inter-governmental negotiations on UN Security Council reforms, India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Hardeep Singh Puri said that a reformed UNSC, with expansion in the permanent and non-permanent categories, will enhance the Council's credibility and effectiveness in dealing with global issues. He said structural reform of the Council should respond to the pressing need for credible improvements in the global governance architecture.
· The Quartet of international peace mediators will be meeting in Washington today to discuss the stalled Middle East peace process. The Quartet leaders -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov have already called for the resumption of Israeli-Palestinian talks and a framework agreement by the end of 2012. Ahead of the meet, the Palestinian Ambassador to UN said he was hopeful that the Quartet would be able to break the impasse so that stalled talks can be resumed. The last Quartet summit took place in September at U.N. headquarters around the same time that Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president, submitted an application for full Palestinian membership. The move couldn’t sail through the Security Council because of a US veto.