Daily News Notes: 11h to 13th August, 2012

· Labour Minister (Mallikarjun Kharge) has informed that the government is considering a National Policy for Domestic Workers. He said the proposed policy will lay down certain minimum working conditions for domestic workers which cannot be compromised with.
· Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment (Mukul Wasnik) has said that the government is adopting a multi-pronged strategy for eradication and rehabilitation of manual scavenging as the continuation of the practice of carrying night soil by human being is a matter of great concern. A fresh survey of the manual scavengers in towns is also being planned. He said, the self employment scheme for rehabilitation of manual scavengers was launched in January 2007 to provide financial assistance to the manual scavengers and their dependants for undertaking alternative occupations through the state channelising agencies.
· Mohammed Hamid Ansari took oath of office for the second term as Vice President. He has created history by winning a second term for Vice Presidentship after Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan. A veteran diplomat, Mr. Ansari joined Indian Foreign Service in 1961 and served as ambassador to Afghanistan, United Arab Emirates, Australia, Iran and Saudi Arabia. He also served as the President of the Indian Institute of Public Administration and Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations from 1993 to 1995, besides serving as the Chancellor of Punjab University and Vice-Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University. Mr. Ansari served as the Chairman of the National Commission for Minorities from 2006 to 2007 before being elected as Vice President of India same year.
· Minister of State of Road Transport and Highways has informed that the Union Government has approved National Road Safety policy which includes promoting awareness, establishing road safety information data base, encouraging safer road infrastructure including application of intelligent transport, enforcement of safety laws, setting up of state road safety council and district road safety committees etc. Besides this road safety has been made an integral part of road design at planning stage, conducting road safety audit of selected stretches of National Highways/ Expressways, enforcement of safety standards of vehicles, publicity campaigns on road safety awareness etc
· Based on the rercommendation of the pannel (hedded by Y.K. Alagh), the Centre Govt. has decided to constitute National Water Framework Act with guiding principles on water laws the States may implement. Incentives will also be given for water projects to states who adopt this Act. Water Resources Ministry established another panel (headed by T.S. Doabia) to amend the River Board act to establish River Boards, with the Chief Minister or Water Resources Minister as a member, of all basin States for prompt solution of disputes. The proposed framework law will address issues such as amendments to the Inter-State Water Disputes Act, 1956, the Rivers Board Act and the Easement Law to make groundwater a public property with government in the role of a trustee. It will facilitate in faster decisions over issues like: [1.] Ravi-Beas issue among Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan; [2.] Mandovi dispute among Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra; [3.] Krishna river water sharing quarrel among Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh; [4.] Mullaperiyar Dam dispute b/w Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
· As per the latest ruling of the Apex court, Private companies cannot claim any right of exploitation of minerals and the State can impose a ban on private mining notwithstanding its being permitted earlier.
· A Parliamentary Panel asked the government to put a halt on all field trials and demanded bar on Genetically Modified (GM) food crops. The committee sought probe into how permission was given to commercialize Bt. Brinjal seed when all evaluation tests were not carried out. It demanded explanation from the government on how the cotton seed oil extracted from Bt. cotton had gotten into the food chain and what could be the impact on medicinal plants. The Panel asserted that the Environment Ministry has not been able to perform its responsibility well and has overlooked the interests of the 70 % small and marginal farmers. It criticized the composition and regulatory role of the Genetic Engineering Approval (Appraisal) Committee and the Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation (RCGM). It questioned how the proposed Biotechnology Regulatory Authority could be a promoter of GM crops as well as a regulator. It drew attention towards ethical issues attached to the transgenics in agricultural crops, as well as studies of a long-term environmental and chronic toxicology impact. As per the panel, the GM crops didn’t provide any significant socio-economic benefits to farmers. Instead, farmers have incurred huge debts because of this capital-intensive practice.
· The Indian Institute of Soil Science has developed a web-based system for advising farmers the right quantity of fertilizers that they should use in their soils for a particular type of crop. This system is presently available district-wise for these 11 states: AP, BR, CG, HR, HP, KA, MH, OR, PB, TN and WB.
· Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment has informed that for the rehabilitation of drug addicts, the ministry implements a Central Sector Scheme of ‘Assistance for Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drugs) Abuse’. For rehabilitation of persons with disabilities, the major schemes being implemented by this Ministry are ‘Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS)’ and the Scheme of ‘Assistance to Disabled Persons for purchase/fitting of aids and appliances (ADIP)’. Under the Scheme of ‘Assistance for Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drugs) Abuse’, financial assistance is provided to the voluntary and other eligible organizations for identification, counseling, treatment and rehabilitation of alcohol/substance (drug) addicts. Under the ‘Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS)’, financial assistance is provided to Non-Government Organisations for various projects which include projects like Special School for Disabled, Vocational Training Courses, Half Way Homes, Community based Rehabilitation Centres, early Intervention Centres and rehabilitation of Leprosy Cured Persons (LCPs) etc. Under the Scheme of ‘Assistance to Disabled Persons for purchase/fitting of aids and appliances (ADIP)’, financial assistance is provided to Implementing Agencies for procuring durable, sophisticated and scientifically manufactured, modern, standard aids and appliances. Under these Schemes, financial assistance is not released to the State Governments, but to the Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and other eligible organizations after receipt of recommendations of the concerned State Governments.
· Union Labour & Employment Minister has informed that the Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act was enacted in 1988 which prohibits the employment of children in 18 occupations and 65 processes and regulates the working conditions of children in employment where they are not prohibited from working. The employment of children as Domestic servant and in Dhabas, restaurants, tea stalls, etc. has been banned. Child Labour is an outcome of various socio-economic problems such as poverty, economic backwardness and illiteracy, being addressed in the National Child Labour Policy announced in 1987. In pursuance of this policy, the Government is implementing National Child Labour Project (NCLP) in 266 districts of the country for rehabilitation of children rescued/withdrawn from work. Under the Project, children rescued/withdrawn from work are enrolled in the special schools, where they are provided with bridge education, vocational training, nutrition, stipend, health care, etc. before being mainstreamed into formal education system.
· Ministry of Planning, Science & Technology and Earth Sciences has informed that as a part of “Establishment of National Early Warning System for Tsunamis and Storm Surges”, the Ministry had taken up development “Coastal Vulnerability Modeling and Inundation Mapping”. Under this endeavor, a wide range of coastal vulnerability maps on different spatial scales are being generated for the entire coast of India primarily for use in the forewarning of various ocean hazards viz., Tsunami, Cyclones and Storm Surges. Further, the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), responsible for coastal zone management of India, has initiated a comprehensive project for hazards mapping of the national coastline, livelihood improvement of coastal communities and coastal ecosystem conservation in phase-1 covering Gujarat state, as a part of World Bank aided program. The agencies involved in development of these digital maps include Survey of India (SOI), National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), Integrate Coastal and Marine Area Management (ICMAM). An atlas on Coastal Vulnerability Index (CVI) for the entire Indian coast has been prepared. On a pilot scale, the 3-Dimensional Geographical Information System (3D GIS) maps for the coastal stretch between Cuddalore and Nagapattinum have been completed. The maps so generated are already being used by coastal administrators for saving lives and property during disasters.
· HIV infections have declined by 56% during the last decade from 2.7 lakh in 2000 to 1.2 lakh in 2009 in our country. HIV was detected in India over 25 years ago. The national response to HIV/AIDS in India is implemented through the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) and “Prevention and Care” as well as “Support & Treatment” form the two key pillars of all HIV/AIDS control efforts in India. One of the successful interventions of the national AIDS control programme has been the Targeted Interventions (TIs), whose main objective is to improve health seeking behavior of high risk groups and reducing their vulnerability and risk to acquire Sexually Transmitted and HIV infections. There are 1,821 Targeted Interventions providing prevention services covering 81% Female Sex Workers, 80% Injecting Drug Users, 64% Men having sex with Men, 40% Migrants and 57% Truckers. Furtheer, vaccines have been frequently cited as one of the most equitable low-cost, high-impact public health measures. Historically, vaccines have impacted significantly the spread of infectious diseases such as smallpox, polio, measles, and yellow fever. The eradication of smallpox was an outstanding display of concerted global action in a war against microbial invaders. The progress in expanding polio and measles vaccination efforts and their elimination from many regions further demonstrated that vaccines are among the most powerful public health tools.
· The Broadcasting Content Complaints Council BCCC (non-news television industry's self-regulatory body) has asked TV channels to be extra-cautious while showing violence against women. In its report the council has said that in 2011-12 out of the 717 specific complaints received, 47 per cent were on obscenity and nudity while 16 per cent were regarding depiction of violence. The BCCC directed some channels that since these programmes were not suitable for telecast during general viewing hours, they should suitably modify the content and air such programmes during restricted viewing hours. The main concern was use of vulgar language by participants and the alleged obscene acts performed by them during the shows.
· State owned Oil and Natural Gas Commission - ONGC has made a huge oil discovery in the currently producing D1 oilfield off the West coast. The find will make D1 to become the third largest field in western offshore after the Mumbai High and Heera offshore oil fields.
· Government has informed that in addition to 7 Central Government Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and 12 State/Private Sector SEZs set up prior to the enactment of SEZ Act, 2005, formal approval has been accorded to 588 proposals out of which 386 SEZs presently stand notified. The fiscal concessions and duty benefits allowed to SEZs are in built into the SEZ Act, 2005. These exemptions are in the nature of incentives for export and are consistent with the principles that guide export promotion initiatives of the Government in general. Revenue is also earned by the Government from the Domestic Tariff Area (DTA) clearance of the product of such units as per the provisions of SEZ Act, 2005. Exports from the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) registering a growth of 15.39% to Rs. 3.64 lakh crore in 2011-12. Out of the total employment provided to 9,20,243 persons in SEZs as a whole 7,85,539 persons is incremental employment generated after February, 2006 when the SEZ Act has come into force. The main objectives of the SEZ Scheme include generation of additional economic activity, promotion of exports of goods and services, promotion of investment from domestic and foreign sources, creation of employment opportunities and development of infrastructure facilities. The above figures would indicate the SEZs have by and large been able to attain the objectives for which these were set up. Some requests are received for de-notification of notified SEZs from time to time by the developer. The reasons for these requests, wherever indicated by the applicants, range from economic meltdown, poor market response, non-availability of skilled labour force, no demand for IT/ITES space and imposition of Minimum Alternate Tax (MAT) and Dividend Distribution Tax (DDT) on Special Economic Zones (SEZs).
· Credit Information Bureau (India) Ltd (CIBIL) is likely to bring in a “Risk Index” that will assist country’s banks in making faster decisions on extending loans to corporates and business houses. Banks would be able to gauge the potential of a company in servicing its loan by looking at its position in the index. While Banks, currently, take the help of credit rating agencies who provide a broader picture of the risk profile of the company on the basis of their trade data and balance sheets, the Risk index will assist lenders analyze the profile of business establishments.
· The Reserve Bank of India set up a panel (headed by NABARD Chairman Prakash Bakshi) to recommend ways to strengthen the rural Short-Term Co-operative Credit Structure (STCCS). The STCCS provides credit to the small and marginal farmers in the country. It will also find structural constraints in the rural credit delivery system and analyse alternatives to cut the cost of credit. It’ll test the possibility of establishment of a two-tier STCCS as against the existing three-tier structure.
· The Defence Minister has dedicated the Indian Navy’s Financial Information System (FIS) to the Nation. The FIS, a comprehensive financial information system, will facilitate effective planning, allotment, expenditure and monitoring of the Naval Budget. The system links the New Delhi based Naval Headquarters with the three Command Headquarters and various ships and establishments located far and wide across the country. The implementation of FIS marks a transition from the predominantly manual system of budget management and will reduce the delays and efforts involved in data collation and reporting, inherent in any manual system. Saying that the FIS “is another step in the series of measures to bring about more probity, accountability and transparency in our public dealings and financial transactions”, Mr Antony stressed upon the need to “Overcome existing constraints and enhance integration of CDAs to ensure maximum utilisation of the FIS”. The Financial Information System (Navy) is built on SAP Enterprise Resource Planning tools and has been custom configured and developed by M/s Wipro for the Indian Navy.
· Next month, Isro will score a century with its missions when the four-stage Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) lifts off at Sriharikota with two foreign satellites. The flight will mark the 100th mission since the launch of India’s first satellite, Aryabhatta, on April 19,1975, then USSR. The 100th mission will carry the 720kg French Spot satellite and a 15kg Japanese Protiers satellite. Spot is a high resolution optical imaging earth observaion satellite.
· The Navy and Coast Guard have been asked by the Defense Ministry to complete the first phase of the Coastal Radar Network (CRN) by October, 2012 to monitor the movement of suspicious vessels and to identify the maritime traffic in Indian waters. It aims to plug the loopholes in country’s maritime security.
· Defence Minister has informed that the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) was started in 1983 and completed in March 2012. IGMDP was sanctioned to develop Prithvi, Trishul, Akash, Nag and a Technology Demonstrator Agni Missile. Achieved targets are: [1.] Prithvi series of missile has been inducted; [2.] Akash missile is under production and induction; [3.] Nag with re-configured Nag Missile Carrier (NAMICA) cross country trial has been undertaken; [4.] Trishul missile system has been completed as "Technology Demonstrator"; [5.] Agni re-entry "Technology Demonstrator" project has been completed successfully and technology is used for Agni series of missile.
· The Planning Commission approved the Delhi Government’s move to engage with private entities in supply of water in several areas of the city similar to power sector. Thus, the private sector would be engaged in water distribution, management and maintenance of Delhi Jal Board’s infrastructure. Commission suggested Delhi govt to cut supply of non-revenue water and to encourage rain water harvesting and ensure regulated exploration of ground water resources.
· The Chief Minister of Maharashtra (Prithviraj Chavan) has termed mob vandalism at the Azad Maidan Mumbai that happened last Saturday as a conspiracy. CM announced that the crime branch of the Mumbai police would examine the alleged involvement of external forces and anti-social elements in the violence, in which 45 police personnel and some journalists were injured and 2 persons lost their life. The mob torched one police van and one television channel’s vehicle besides damaging six other police vehicles, 49 BEST buses, a couple of other outdoor broadcasting vans and numerous privately owned vehicles.
· Meghalaya Government recently unveiled four more districts (South West Khasi Hills, North Garo Hills, South West Garo Hills, East Jaintia Hills), taking the tally to eleven in this hill state. While inaugurating these districts, Chief Minister Dr. Mukul Sangma said, creating more districts would bring administration closer to the people. Stressing on the fact that rapid and people centric development can only come about with small districts in place, Dr Sangma said, this is but the beginning of a long journey of development.
· Inter-ministerial panel in its report has recommended ban on use of foreign telecom equipments for all critical networks. The panel supported 100% domestic sourcing of such equipments. It highlights networks in countries such as Taiwan, Japan and South Korea which also do not use telecom equipment for their critical networks manufactured by countries hostile to them. The move was taken due to apprehension over intrusion and control of vital cyber networks by foreign countries like China which can compromise with the security of the country. However, it does not call for violation of WTO norms as preferential treatment in buying equipment will be given to domestic manufacturers only for projects that have security implication for the country. The current preferential access policy directs that both state-owned and private phone, mobile and landline companies buy up to 30 % of network equipment and other related infrastructure from domestic manufacturers. The new policy wants these licensees to increase this up to “a minimum of 80 %” by 2020. Projects recommended for complete domestic sourcing are: [1.] National Optic Fiber Network; [2.] Network for spectrum; [3.] Other defense communication networks; [4.] National Knowledge Network; [5.] All communication projects of all utility companies such as the Indian Railways, and oil, gas and power companies.
· Commerce Minister has informed that Chinese export to India relies strongly on manufactured items meeting the demand of fast expanding sectors like telecom and power in India. Chinese companies supply relevant equipments at competitive prices. India’s exports are characterized by primary products, raw material and intermediate products. Further there are non-tariff barriers on imports of agricultural products in China as well as limited market access of Indian products. Further, India has not provided any special concessions for promoting trade of Chinese products except those that India generally makes available to all WTO member countries and those that are available to China as a signatory to the Bangkok Agreement now called the Asia Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA). India and China both are participating States of APTA. India has offered tariff concession on 570 tariff lines to non-Least Developed Countries (LDC) members of the APTA. In turn, China has also offered tariff concession on 1,697 tariff lines to non-LDC members of APTA.
· A 3,200-km trilateral highway linking India, Myanmar and Thailand will become a reality by 2016. India has given a $500 million loan to Myanmar. The trilateral highway, which is also being funded by the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank, will open up India’s northeastern states to southeast Asia. The trilateral highway project will allow freight and container trucks to move across the borders from India to Myanmar and Thailand via Chiang Rai and border towns. It will play a crucial role in boosting trade and investment flows in the three countries, creating jobs and other benefits.
· Suntech Power, the Chinese solar power manufacturer developed a new process for manufacturing silicon wafers for solar cells that could slash the cost of solar power by 10 to 20 %. It uses wafers made up of a single crystal of silicon. These are called “monocrystalline” wafers.
· China has successfully tested its new 120-tonne-thrust Liquid OXygen (LOX) and kerosene engine for its new generation carrier rocket- the Long March-5. The engine, also called as the “high-pressure staged combustion cycle engine”, is a non-toxic, pollution-free and highly reliable. China comes second after Russia, to use the core technologies for an LOX/kerosene high-pressure staged combustion cycle rocket engine. Long March-5 expected to make its maiden journey in 2014.
· NATO will hold an extensive air force exercise in the Czech Republic next month, with 17 countries having confirmed participation. The exercise will be controlled by the NATO command in Ramstein, Germany. The main goal of the exercise is to bring in harmony the activities of pilots of the tactical air force and the activities of forward air controllers in support of ground operations. A new oxidant “X” has been identified which plays a significant role in the formation of gaseous Sulphuric acid in the atmosphere. Until now, it was thought that the combination of OH (hydroxyl radical) oxidant with sulphur dioxide (SO{-2}) was responsible for the formation of gaseous sulphuric acid in the atmosphere. It is considered to contribute the formation of 50% of the total sulphuric acid produced in the atmosphere. Scientist relate the formation of “X” with “reaction of surface emission, such as naturally produced hydrocarbons, with ozone.”
· The IOC President Jacques Rogge then declared the 30th London Olympic Games closed. India finished the 30th Games with a record haul of six medals which include two silver and four bronze. The Ceremony, titled 'A Symphony of British Music', celebrated Britain's beautiful musical history over the last 50 years. Reunited for the biggest 'after show party', Spice Girls, performed atop London's iconic taxis. After the initial concert, the flag-bearers of the participating delegations entered the Stadium, followed by the athletes. The athletes marched together, not by nationality, a tradition that began at the Melbourne 1956 Olympic Games as a way of bringing the world together as 'one nation'. Indian tricolor was carried by boxer M C Mary Kom while Indian sportspersons were dressed in casual white. Further, the Prime Minister has congratulated Sushil Kumar on his winning the silver medal in the 66 kg freestyle wrestling event. Also, he also joined the nation in congratulating Yogeshwar Dutt on his winning the 60 kg freestyle wrestling bronze medal.