{DNN} Daily News Notes: 22nd to 28th Nov, 2012

• ·         The 543rd anniversary of the founder of Sikh religion Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji is being celebrated with religious fervour and devotion. On this day in 1469 Guru Nanak was born in Nankana Saheb.
• ·         In West Bengal, the holy Raas Yatra of Lord Madan Mohan has begun at the historic Madan Mohan temple in Cooch Behar. The Raas Chakra is a symbol of religious harmony as it is made by a Muslim family as their hereditary duty. It is ornamented with pictures of Hindu God and Goddesses, the Buddhist Dharma Chakra and Tazia of Muharram.
• ·         Minister of State for Personnel has given the details of vacancies in Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and Indian Forest Services (IFoS) as on 1.1.2012 are as under:

• Name of Service	Total Authorized Strength (TAS)	Officers in-position	Cadre Gap
  IAS	6154	4377	1777
  IPS	4730	3475	1255
  IFoS	3078	2700	378

• He Informed that the Government has increased annual intake of IAS and IPS officers under Direct Recruitment Quota. Further, a third mode of recruitment, namely the Limited Competitive Examination has been introduced for recruitment into IPS. In promotion quota prompt actions have been taken for holding of Selection Committee Meetings for appointment by promotion/selection of State Service officers to IAS/IPS/IFoS.
• ·         Human rights activists have strongly condemned the execution of Ajmal Kasab and questioned the “unusual speed” at which his mercy petition was rejected and the secrecy surrounding the execution at the Yerwada prison in Pune. Though no amount of explanation could justify the brutal act of terror, the execution was no solution to the crime. The ‘Peoples’ Movement against Death Penalty,’ headed by Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer, described the execution as an “unconstitutional act” of the state. Stating that Kasab was brainwashed in the name of God to unleash unmindful act of terror, the organisation, in a statement, said poverty and ignorance of the “young boy” were exploited and he was used as a killing instrument by the hatred politics of a neighbouring state. Further, Amnesty International said the execution would undo much of the progress India made over death penalty. “Today’s execution means India has taken a significant step backward and joined that minority of countries that are still carrying our executions,” Director-Programmes, Amnesty International India, said in a statement. Background of 26/11 Mastermind and Handlers: [1.] SAJID MIR: LeT’s key commander who was the main handler of the 26/11 terrorists and was present in the control room and the man who chose targets in Mumbai. He remains at large; [2.] ABDUR REHMAN HASHIM SYED: Another LeT mastermind of 26/11 attacks who was also plotting future attacks in India. He remains at large; [3.] ISI’S MAJOR IQBAL: ISI officer who was present in the control room and played a crucial part in training of the attackers. Was handler of David Coleman Headley. Pakistan denies there is any person by the name of Major Iqbal; [4.] ISI’S MAJOR SAMEER ALI: ISI officer involved in training of the 26/11 attackers. Pakistan denies there is any person by this name; [5.] ABU HAMZA: Main trainer of 26/11 attackers who had earlier conducted the attack on IISC Bangalore. Was present in the control room; remains at large; [6.] ZARAR SHAH: Communications chief of LeT and a senior Lashkar commander. It is unclear whether he is in custody in Pak or at large; [7.] TAHAWWUR HUSSAIN RANA: A Pakistani national based in Canada who helped David Coleman Headley set up base in Mumbai and provided him funds. Was arrested in USA; [8.] HAFIZ SAEED: The LeT chief and the alleged mastermind of the 26/11 attacks who supervised the training of 10 terrorists, including Ajmal Kasab. Remains at large despite an Interpol notice from India and a US bounty of $10 m; [9.] ZAKI-UR-REHMAN LAKHVI: Operational commander of LeT who coordinated the 26/11 attacks and was present in the control room in Karachi to guide the attackers. In Pak jail; [10.] DAVID COLEMAN HEADLEY: Pak-born US national who did reconnaissance of the 26/11 targets – Taj Hotel, Oberoi Hotel, Leopold café and Nariman House – for the LeT and ISI. Was arrested in US after the attacks and remains in a US prison awaiting a sentence; [11.] ABU JUNDAL: The only Indian in the control room who trained the attackers to speak Hindi and guided them on Mumbai. Deported from Saudi Arabia and in custody.
• ·         RBI governor D Subbarao — who was finance secretary in UPA-1 — told the special CBI court that he had in 2007 questioned the telecom ministry’s proposal to fix Rs 1,600 crore as the fee for 2G licences. The RBI governor told the court that any loss figure needs to be seen in the context of a policy decision. There was a sacrifice of revenue but a policy sometimes needs to strike a balance between a welfare objective and revenue maximization, he said. Subbarao told the court he had written a letter on November 22, 2007 to then telecom secretary D S Mathur. “I wrote this letter to confirm if proper procedure was followed with regard to due financial diligence. I also questioned as to how the rate of Rs 1,600 crore, determined as far back as 2001, could be applied for licence given in 2007 without any indexation, let alone current valuation,” he said.
• ·         The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has joined the effort of chipping away at the dollar’s preeminent position as the world’s currency. The central bank called for inclusion of emerging market currencies as alternative reserve currencies to the dollar. RBI governor D Subbarao said that the dollar’s monopoly as a reserve currency had resulted in many countries facing a liquidity problem as foreign creditors and foreign investors turned risk averse. The governor pointed out that one alternative was to have a menu of reserve currencies. “But this cannot happen by fiat. To be a serious contender as an alternative, a currency has to fulfill some exacting criteria. It has to be fully convertible and its exchange rate should be determined by market fundamentals; It should acquire a significant share in world trade; The currency issuing country should have liquid, open and large financial markets and also the policy credibility to inspire the confidence of potential investors. In short, the ‘exorbitant privilege’ of a reserve currency comes with an ‘exorbitant responsibility’,” he said. According to the governor, another option of developing Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) — an overdraft facility that countries have with the International Monetary Fund to get credit denominated in dollars, pounds, euro or the yen — is not a feasible option as SDRs would have to be automatically acceptable as a medium of payment in cross-border transactions, it should be freely tradeable and its price has to be determined by forces of demand and supply.
• ·         The prime minister should come under the purview of the proposed anti-graft watchdog Lokpal and the controversial prescription for similar Lokayuktas in states should be dropped from the draft law, the Rajya Sabha select committee has recommended. The draft finalized retains the clause placing the office of the PM under the ambit of the Lokpal with the exception of matters relating to national security and foreign affairs. Successive governments have struggled with this clause — the UPA and the previous NDA regime opposed this provision.
• ·         The President of India in his message on the occasion of the martyrdom day of Guru Teg Bahadur has said, “Guru Teg Bahadur’s Martyrdom Day is a solemn occasion to remember the glory of his sacrifice. Guru Teg Bahadur was a selfless, courageous leader who taught all of us to seek strength from truth, worship and knowledge. This should be a day of contemplation – of considering the importance of selfless service, and the strength to stand for what is right.”
• ·         Minister of State for Finance has informed that the Gross-Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) of Public Sector Banks (PSBs) was about INR 1.5 lakh crore as at end September 2012. The Gross NPAs (GNPAs) of State Bank of India was ~32% of the GNPAs of PSBs as at end of September, 2012. To improve the health of financial sector, to reduce the NPAs, to improve asset quality of banks and to prevent slippages, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued instructions that each bank is required to have a loan recovery policy which sets down the manner of recovery of dues, targeted level of reduction (period-wise), norms for permitted sacrifice/waiver, factors to be taken into account before considering waivers, decision levels, reporting to higher authorities and monitoring of write-off/waiver cases. Reserve Bank of India also monitors the NPA levels in banks. This aspect is reviewed during Annual Financial Inspections of banks. The Government has advised Public Sector Banks to take a number of new initiatives to increase the pace of recovery and manage NPAs, which include appointment of Nodal officers for recovery, to conduct special drives for recovery of loss assets, to put in place early warning system, to replace system of postdated cheques with Electronic Clearance System (ECS).
• ·         Minister of State for Finance has given the following steps that are being taken by the Finance Ministry to mobilize resources to increase tax collection in order to reduce fiscal deficit: (A) Direct Taxes: [1.] Monitoring of Advance Tax payment especially by top taxpayers; [2.] Conducting surveys for detection of concealment of income and for compliance of TDS provisions; [3.] Emphasis on collection out of arrear demand and monitoring of high default cases; [4.] Cross-verification of data collected through Annual Information Return with the return of income and issuance of notices in suitable cases.  Using the data collected through Transaction statements for better quality assessments as well as recovery of demand; [5.] Multi-media campaign to encourage voluntary compliance of tax laws. (B) Indirect Taxes: [1.] To broaden the tax base and limit exemptions, negative list based comprehensive approach to service tax has been introduced; [2.] Service tax on transport of goods and passengers (in air-conditioned class and first class) by rail has been brought into effect; [3.] In addition, other steps including monitoring of revenue, strengthening of anti-evasion and audit mechanism, conduct of targeted audits and search operations, adjudication of pending show cause cum demand notices, realization of arrears, steps to curb undervaluation of import, disposal of confiscated bullion and precious stones, administrative steps like redeployment of human power to service tax field formations which have more potential for augmentation of revenue.
• ·         The Minister of Steel (Shri Beni Prasad Verma) has said that during the year 2011-12, the country’s total production of iron ore was 169.66 million tonnes (provisional) as against the total estimated consumption of about 116.3 million tonnes by the domestic iron and steel industry. Therefore, production of iron ore in India was in excess of the total estimated domestic consumption by the iron and steel industry. Further, he said that the States like Gujarat, Goa, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Kerala and West Bengal have not supported the concept of setting up of Ultra Mega Steel Plants (UMSP) in the country. He said, the main facilities required for setting up of steel plants are land, iron ore linkage, coking coal, power, water, etc. These are either under the purview of other Ministries of Government of India such as Ministry of Mines, Ministry of Coal, Ministry of Environment & Forests or the concerned State Governments. However, the response from State Governments on the concept of UMSP have not been encouraging. Ministry of Steel does not have any regulatory or statutory powers in this regard. It acts basically as a facilitator or coordinator. In view of the response of the State Governments, the implementation of the concept of UMSP has not been found feasible.
• ·         The Minister of State for Statistics and Programme Implementation has informed that the Per Capita Income at the national level, which was Rs. 46,117 in the year 2009-10, stands at Rs. 53,331 in the year 2010-11 and Rs. 60,603 in the year 2011-12. Further, he informed that every Lok Sabha constituency in the country is entitled for an amount of Rs.14 crore of MPLADS funds up to the current financial year during the 15th Lok Sabha period. He said, under the MPLAD Scheme, recommendation of works by MPs, sanction and execution of works by District Authorities is a continuous process. The MPLADS guidelines provide for completion of the sanctioned projects generally within a time period not exceeding one year. However delay in completion do take place at the level of the implementing authorities. The main reasons for the delays are non-availability of land, preparation of technical estimates, etc.
• ·         According to the Draft Evaluation Report, the Information, Education & Communication Scheme of the Ministry of Water Resources has yielded a positive result in terms of better awareness on water conservation. Some major work done by the govt. w.r.t. water conservation: [1.] Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), the designated agency for the conservation of ground water through rain-water harvesting, carries out its activities through 18 regional offices spread over the country. CGWB organizes training programmes on rainwater harvesting and artificial recharge in different parts of the country. During the last three years, CGWB has organized 56 such training programmes in different States. [2.] Government has proposed to set up an agency to encourage conservation of water by industries and the proposal to set up National Bureau of Water Use Efficiency inter alia envisages taking necessary steps to improve water use efficiency and encourage conservation of water in agriculture, domestic and industrial sectors. [3.] The National Commission on Integrated Water Resources Development had in its report (1999) assessed the demand of water in industry as 67 Billion Cubic Metres (BCM) and 81 (BCM) by the years 2025 and 2050. [4.] In view of the growing demand of water due to population growth, rapid industrialization and urbanisation, there is a need to conduct audit of water consumption by industries to ensure optimum utilisation of available water resources. The Government has formulated National Manufacturing Policy which, inter-alia, stipulates mandatory water audit for industrial and institutional units in National Investment and Manufacturing Zones. [5.] The Revised Draft National Water Policy( 2012) recommends that recycling and reuse of water, including return flows, should be the general norm. The Draft Policy further recommends that recycle and reuse of water, after treatment to specified standards, should be incentivized through a properly planned tariff system. [6.] National Water Mission has also been launched with the objective of conservation of water, minimizing wastage, and ensuring its more equitable distribution both across and within States through integrated water resources development and management. One of the Goals of National Water Mission is “increasing water use efficiency by 2050’’ across all sectors, including industries. Besides, National water Mission aims at providing incentives for water neutral and water positive technologies to industries.
• ·         According to a recent report of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), against an estimated sewage generation of about 38254 million litres per day (mld) from the Class I cities & Class II towns of the country, the treatment capacity is available only for 11787 mld. Thus, the country's response to pollution of water has been slow and has the capacity to treat only about 18 per cent of the sewage produced in cities and towns throughout the country. However, Ministry of Environment and Forest administers a Centrally sponsored scheme of National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) for assisting State Governments for various pollution abatement schemes for Interception and Diversion of raw-sewage, setting up of sewage treatment plants, creation of low cost sanitation facilities, setting up of electric / improved wood crematoria and, river front development. Ministry of Urban Development also supplements the efforts of the State Governments / Urban Local Bodies through Centrally Sponsored Schemes, namely, Jawahar Lal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission and Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Small and Medium Towns. Besides, Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation administers the Total Sanitation Campaign in rural areas with Solid and Liquid Waste Management as an integral component.
• ·         National Cadet Corps (NCC), the largest uniformed youth organisation in the world raised in 1948, celebrated its 64th anniversary today with traditional fervour. NCC has always been at the forefront of contribution towards social causes and community development activities. The cadets in the past have done the nation and the organisation proud by their remarkable achievements in the fields of sports and adventure and have won laurels in the National Shooting and Equestrian competitions.
• ·         Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports has informed that at present the Ministry/Government has not envisaged any plans of hosting Olympic Games in the country in the near future. The Government has introduced ‘Come and Play’ Scheme in the designated areas of Sports Authority of India stadia in New Delhi as well as in all centres of SAI spread across the country, for both imparting professional training to established sportspersons as also to beginners with the objective of encouraging participation in Sports and for optimum utilization of stadia. Further he said that his Ministry has already initiated preparations for Olympic Games, 2020 with intermediate milestones of Asian Games (2014 & 2019), Commonwealth Games (2014 & 2018) and Olympics-2016. Identification of sportspersons, training of core probables, provision of expert coaches and support personnel, foreign exposure for both training and competition, scientific support are part of such preparations under Long Term Development Plan (LTDP) which are prepared and finalized in consultation with respective National Sports Federations (NSFs).
• ·         Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises has said that the ‘Khadi’ is defined in the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) Act, 1956 as “a coarse homespun cotton cloth made in India”. It is now envisaged to have a distinct identity for khadi, ‘Khadi Mark’, to guarantee the genuineness of khadi sold in the market. Further, KVIC implement various schemes for the development and promotion of khadi and village industries. The schemes for khadi include: (i) Market Development Assistance (MDA), (ii) Interest Subsidy Eligibility Certificate (ISEC), (iii) Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI), (iv) Khadi Reforms and Development Programme (KRDP),(v) Workshed Scheme for Khadi Artisans, (vi) Product Development, Design Intervention & Packaging (PRODIP),(vii) Strengthening Infrastructure of Existing Weak Khadi Institutions and Assistance for Marketing Infrastructure and (viii) Scheme for Enhancing Productivity & Competitiveness of Khadi Industry and Artisans. In addition, Khadi Reforms and Development Programme (KRDP), a comprehensive package for revitalization of the khadi sector, including capacity building of 300 khadi institutions and improved marketing, is being implemented with assistance of Asian Development Bank (ADB). The Mahatma Gandhi Institute for Rural Industrialization (MGIRI) has also been established as a national-level institute for research, design and extension activities in the rural industrial sector.
• ·         Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises has said that the Government monitors the registered and unregistered sectors by conducting periodic Census of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the country. As per the 4th All India Census of MSMEs, 2006-07, the share of registered and unregistered sectors are 4.32% and 95.68% respectively, and the percentage share of micro enterprises in the registered and unregistered sector are 94.94% and 99.83% respectively. The steps taken by the Government to protect the interests of the artisan based industries are as follows: [1.] Khadi Karigar Janshree Bima Yojana; [2.] Artisans Welfare Funds Trusts; [3.] Workshed Scheme for Khadi Artisans; [4.] Strengthening Infrastructure of existing weak Khadi Institutions and Assistance for Marketing Infrastucture; [5.] Scheme for Enhancing Productivity & Competitiveness of Khadi Industry and Artisans; [6.] Special Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI); [7.] REMOT scheme of Coir Board.
• ·         Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises has said that MSMEs are highly diverse in their nature of activity and operate across the non-agricultural segment of the economy. The National Manufacturing Policy envisages share of manufacturing (including MSMEs) in the country to rise to 25% of Gross Domestic Product from the present 16% by the year 2022. Also, the contribution of MSMEs to GDP and total industrial production was estimated to be 8.72% and 44.86% respectively during the year 2008-09. The estimated contribution of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in total exports of the country for the year 2007-08 (latest available) was 30.80%. Thus, the Government has formulated several policies, programmes and schemes to facilitate promotion and development of MSMEs in the country. In the Union Budget 2012-13, capital gains tax on sale of a residential property has been exempted, if the sale consideration is used for purchase of new plant and machinery. The restriction on Venture Capital Funds to invest only in nine specified sectors has been removed. Another important incentive is through implementation of Public Procurement Policy for Micro and Small Enterprises Order 2012. Other major schemes include Credit Guarantee Scheme, Credit Linked Capital Subsidy Scheme, Cluster Development Programme, National Manufacturing Competitiveness Programme, Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme, Entrepreneurship & Skill Development Programme and Performance and Credit Rating Scheme, all of which help growth of this Sector. Further, enterprise-wise data collected on MSMEs during the 4th All India Census of MSMEs (2006-07) indicate that out of 15.64 lakh registered enterprises, entrepreneurs belonging to Other Backward Classes owned 38.28% while Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes entrepreneurs owned 7.6% and 2.87% enterprises respectively. The socially backward classes of the society together owned 48.75% of the MSMEs. The women entrepreneurs also owned 13.72%. The above data suggests that the MSME growth is inclusive.
• ·         Minister of State for Tourism has informed that his Ministry of Tourism has finalized the Sustainable Tourism Criteria for India (STCI) in February 2012. This criterion includes Principles and Indicators for Sustainable Tourism practices for the tour operators and hotel sector, the two most important segments of tourism industry. Further, he said that the ‘Guidelines for Tourism in and around Tigers Reserves’ has been notified by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), Ministry of Environment & Forests. As per these guidelines, all the States have been asked to notify the State-level ecotourism strategy within a year from the date of notification of the guidelines. The guideline has also recommended the identification and monitoring of ecologically sensitive areas surrounding the tiger reserves to ensure the ecological integrity or corridor/buffer areas which will prevent encroachment. The Ministry of Tourism has guidelines for Approval of Hotel Projects constructed around eco sensitive and protected areas. As per these guidelines, hotels at the project stage itself are required to incorporate various eco-friendly measures like sewage treatment plant (STP), rain water harvesting system, waste management system, pollution control, introduction of non-Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) equipment for refrigeration and air conditioning, measures for energy and water conservation etc. However, the Ministry of Tourism has not commissioned any study regarding the impact of tourism in the protected areas and hence no reports are available.
• ·         Minister of State for Programme Implementation has informed that the Government has a scheme for setting up of Centres of Excellence (COE) aimed at promoting petrochemical technology and research in plastics/polymers, which, inter-alia, includes recycling. Currently, two Centres of Excellence (COE) are functional at NCL, Pune and CIPET, Chennai conducting research in areas other than plastic recycling.
• ·         Minister of State for Tribal Affairs has said that the Union Government had earlier enacted the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, to correct the constrained over forest rights on its resources by these communities. Under this Act they were provided to live their life in the forest land under the individual or common occupation for habitation or for self-cultivation for livelihood; community rights such as nistar or by whatever name called, including those in erstwhile Princely States, Zamindari or such intermediary regimes; right of ownership, access to collect, use and dispose of minor forest produce which has traditionally been collected within or outside village boundaries; other community rights of uses or entitlements such as fish and other products of water bodies, grazing and traditional seasonal resource access of nomadic and pastoral communities; rights including community tenures of habitat and habitation for PTGs and pre-agricultural communities; rights in or over disputed lands under any nomenclature in any States where claims are disputed; rights for conversion of Pattas or grants issued by any local authority or any State Government on forest lands to titles; rights of settlement and conversion of all forest villages, old habitations, unsurveyed villages and other villages in forest, whether recorded, notified or not into revenue villages; right to protect, regenerate or conserve or manage any community forest resource which they have been traditionally protecting and conserving for sustainable use; rights which are recognized under any State law or laws of any Autonomous district Council or Autonomous Regional Council or which are accepted as rights of tribals under any traditional or customary law of the concerned tribes of any State; rights of access to biodiversity and community rights to intellectual property and traditional knowledge related to biodiversity and cultural diversity; any other traditional right customarily enjoyed by the forest dwelling Scheduled Tribes or other traditional forest dwellers but excluding the traditional right of hunting or trapping or extracting part of the body of any species of wild animal; right to in-situ rehabilitation including alternative land in cases where the Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers have been illegally evicted or displaced from any forest land of any description without receiving their legal entitlement to rehabilitation prior to the 13th day of December,2005. Recently, appropriate changes have been brought in the said act as Scheduled Tribes and other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Amendment Rules, 2012, notified by the Ministry on 6.9.2012. These changes provide for: [1.] disposal of minor forest produce within and outside forest area through appropriate means of transport; [2.] modification of the transit permit regime in relation to transportation of minor forest produce and issue of the transit permit by a Committee constituted by the Gram Sabha or the person authorized by Gram Sabha; [3.] making the collection of minor forest produce free of all royalties or fees or any other charges.
• ·         Minister of Panchayati Raj has informed that his Ministry has been conducting evaluation of the implementation of 73rd Constitutional Amendment in the form of State of Panchayat Report since 2006-07. The last State of Panchayat Report is available for the year 2008-09. Similarly, Ministry of Urban Development have undertaken a study on “Impact of the Constitution (74th Amendment) Act on the Working of Urban Local Bodies” (Study undertaken by the National Institute of Urban Affairs, New Delhi & other organizations and report submitted in November 2005). These study shows that there is progressive devolution of powers to Panchayats from year to year. Under Article 243G of the Constitution, States Legislatures are to endow the Panchayats with such powers and authority as may be necessary to enable them to function as institutions of self-governance. States are incentivized to devolve powers to Panchayats as mandated in Part IX of the Constitution, through Panchayat Empowerment and Accountability Incentive Scheme (PEAIS). In order to increase the capacity of elected representatives and functionaries of Panchayats, Ministry of Panchayati Raj implements capacity building program under Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF) and Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Yojana (RGSY). Further, he informed that his Ministry is implementing e-Panchayat Mission Mode Project (MMP) that addresses core aspects of Panchayats’ functioning viz. Planning, Monitoring, Implementation, Budgeting, Accounting, Social Audit etc., with the aim to make their functioning more efficient, accountable and transparent. However, imparting computer education at rural level is not sought to be achieved through this Mission Mode Project.
• ·         Minister for Law and Justice has informed that the Law Commission of India in their 230th Report has mentioned the matter of appointment of ‘Uncle Judges’ in the High Courts, wherein it is said that the Judges, whose kith and kin are practicing in a High Court, should not be appointed in the same High Court. Background: The appointment of Judges in the High Court and Supreme Court is made under the Memorandum for Appointment of Judges which has been laid down following the Supreme Court Judgments in 1993 and 1998. Under this, responsibility for initiation of proposals for appointment of Judges in the High Court and Supreme Court is with the Chief Justice of the High Courts/Supreme Court. Under Article 217 of the Constitution, a person who has been an advocate for 10 years in a High Court or in two or more such Courts in succession is qualified to be considered for appointment as the Judge of the High Court. Thus, under the Constitutional Provision, Chief Justice can recommend judges from the Bar to be appointed as the judge of the High Court. In this situation, kith and kin of those appointed as judges and practicing in the High Court is likely. With a view to correct the situation, judicial standards are being prescribed for the judges in the Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill, 2012 which has been passed by Lok Sabha already.
• ·         Minister of State for Finance has informed that in the Second Quarter Review of Monetary Policy 2012-13 that was issued by the Reserve Bank of India on October 30, 2012, the baseline projection of GDP growth for 2012-13 was revised downwards to 5.8 per cent from 6.5 per cent. The RBI has observed that the reasons behind the revision include rise in global risks and domestic risks emanating from factors including slowing down of investment demand and moderation in consumption spending etc. Further, he informed that the economic reform measures recently outlined by the Government that include reduction in the subsidy on diesel, announcement of disinvestment in certain PSUs and steps to strengthen the investment climate (liberalization of FDI in multi-brand retail, aviation, broadcasting) are expected to revive market confidence and restore growth momentum over the medium term. The other steps being undertaken by the Government to revive the economy, inter-alia, include better access to finance for manufacturing sector, fast tracking of large investment projects in the areas of power, petroleum and gas, roads, coal etc, use of buffer stocks to moderate food inflation, strengthening of financial and banking sector, reducing the volatility of exchange rate etc. Certain specific measures taken by the Government to achieve higher growth, inter-alia, include enhancing the level of investment for agriculture sector including irrigation projects, promoting Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector by way of higher allocation of funds, enhancing investment in the infrastructure sector focusing on Public Private Partnerships, a number of legislative measures to develop the financial sector and introduction of a new National Manufacturing Policy etc. Measures are being undertaken to facilitate fiscal consolidation and to expedite the passage of Direct Tax Code Bill and evolving a consensus among stake holders in implementation of goods and services tax. He also said that the need for greater coordination between monetary and fiscal policies has been emphasized time and again in many fora. The monetary and fiscal policies are broadly complementary and are expected to restore the growth momentum.
• ·         India’s GDP growth could fall to 4.5% in 2012, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD, a Paris-based think tank) said citing euro zone debt crisis as the biggest threat to the world economy even as the member countries of the currency union put out a bailout package for Greece that got a thumbs up from markets. The forecast for India beats even the 4.9% put out by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) last month. The OECD had pegged India’s growth 1n 2012 at 7.3% in its June 2012 forecast. The OECD called for ‘decisive policy action’ ‘to ensure that stalemate over fiscal policy in the United States and continuing euro area instability do not plunge the world back into recession’ listing excessive fiscal tightening in the US as the second biggest risk to the global economy.
• ·         Assamese movie Baandhon, directed by veteran filmmaker Jahnu Barua, has been chosen as the opening film of the Indian panorama section of International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2012 which will be held in Goa. Marathi movie Deool, directed by Umesh Vinayak Kulkarni, and Byari, a film in Byari language directed by Sumeeran, which won the best feature film shared award at the recent 59th National Film Awards for 2011, are the direct entries in this prestigious section of IFFI. The feature film category has entries from 10 languages including Assamese, Bengali, Bhojpuri, Byari, English, Kannada, Konkani, Malayalam, Punjabi and Tamil.
• ·         The Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure (CCI) has approved a proposal from Ministry of Railways for a policy framework for private participation in rail connectivity and capacity augmentation projects. The policy contains five models, namely, Non-Government Railway, Joint Venture with equity participation by Railways, capacity augmentation through funding by customers, BOT and BOT annuity. The policy would provide much-needed impetus to building of critical missing in railway network and evacuation from ports, mines, big industrial units and plants. The policy framework proposed would also encourage speedy execution of rail connectivity projects and thereby generate both direct and indirect employment, besides spurring growth of freight - intensive industries. This would contribute to economic growth of the country. 
• ·         The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the proposal of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation to extend the ongoing scheme of Integrated Low Cost Sanitation Scheme into the 12th Five Year Plan with revised features and cost estimates. The Government of India would extend the financial support to the State Governments for total eradication of the dry latrines from the urban areas. The obnoxious practice of manual scavenging or engaging fellow human beings into cleaning the untreated human excreta has been banned under the "Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrine (Prohibition) Act, 1993" which prohibits construction and/or maintenance of dry latrines and employment of manual scavengers. During the 11th Plan period under the ILCS scheme GOI had provided financial support for conversion of approximately 2.52 lakh dry latrines and construction of 1.56 lakh new toilets to economically weaker section households who had no toilets. All the States had reported that conversion has been complete. However, Census of India 2010 had pointed that out that nearly 2.08 Lakh latrines still exist in urban areas where the night soil is removed by humans. Out of this, more than 50% (1.06 lakh) exist in Uttar Pradesh only.
• ·         The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the proposal of IT modernisation project of the Department of Posts, covering all 1.55 lakhs post offices spread across all the States and Union Territories of the country. The IT project of the Department is a part of the Mission Mode Project (MMP) included in the National e-Governance Plan (NEGP) and will be implemented in a phased manner over a time period of 2 years. The project will improve the delivery of mails, banking and insurance services rendered by the Post offices across the length and breadth of the country. For the purpose of implementation, the IT modernisation project has been structured into 8 segments catering to IT infrastructure such as datacentre, network, computers and peripherals, software applications which will cover all the product and services of the Department of Posts, and change management which will help in effective transformation into IT mode. The IT modernisation project is expected to give following benefits to the citizens of the country: [1.] Improve customer satisfaction due to faster and more reliable delivery of services; [2.] Enhance visibility and transparency; [3.] Provide access by multiple channels to the customers e.g. post office counters, kiosks, internet, mobiles ATMs etc; [4.] Ensure delivery of "citizen centric services" .
• ·         The competent authority has appointed Shri Ranjit Sinha, IPS (BH-1974) as Director, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a period of two years.
• ·         1977 batch IPS officer Syed Asif Ibrahim, who used to be a highly efficient private secretary to then railway minister Madhavrao Scindia, is set to become India’s next Intelligence Bureau chief. Ibrahim, who will take charge on December 31, is going to be the first Muslim officer to be elevated to the coveted IB director’s post. But what has been the talk of the corridors is Ibrahim’s appointment as new IB director as he would be surpassing four senior officers. Further, the PM-headed Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has also picked up Alok Joshi, a 1976 batch IPS officer from Haryana cadre as the new director of Research and Analysis Wing (RAW).
• ·         The Union Cabinet approved revising the Core Network under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yjana (PMGSY) by including 2,687 left-out unconnection habitations (as per 2001 census) in Tribal (Schedule-V) areas (other than 82 IAP districts already covered) and Blocks adjoining International Border under Border Area Development Programme (BADP) and to provide new connectivity to these habitations. Construction/upgradation of rural road under PMGSY provides socio-economic benefits to all sections of the rural population including scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, differently abled and minority communities. It will, therefore, promote equity and geographical inclusiveness of growth processes by enhancing connectivity in the poorer and backward regions.
• ·         India needs to have a few world class banks. Some consolidation in the banking system is inevitable, Finance Minister, P. Chidambaram, said that India must have two or three world size banks. The consolidation of the banks is a long cherished objective and has already been recommended by the Narsimham Committee. “China has done it. And if India wants to be and as it will be the third largest economy in the world, we must also have one or two world size banks and some consolidation is inevitable,” he said. The country’s largest lender State Bank of India has acquired the board approval for the merger of its remaining five associates with itself. It has already amalgamated two of its subsidiaries. SBI had merged one of its associates, State Bank of Saurashtra, with itself in 2008 besides merging itself with State Bank of Indore in 2010.
• ·         Poachers have started using ‘meat bombs’ to hunt endangered birds and animals in Auroville, the international township near Puducherry. This is also posing a danger to walkers and trekkers in the area. The shocking practice came to the light last week when a pet dog of Auroville resident Rik Poot was kille d when it attempted to consume the meat rolled over a crude explosive device. Poachers make ‘meat bombs’ by rolling meat over country bombs and keep them in secluded forest regions to hunt wild birds and animals. They prefer ‘meat bombs’ to rifles or wire traps as it is easy to hunt without being caught by forest officials or residents.
• ·         Rejecting the argument that a mother can only be a custodian and not guardian of a child, the Madras high court has rejected an India-born US citizen’s claim that his right to be the guardian of his nine-year-old daughter could not be disturbed. The father’s counsel, citing the provisions of the Guardians and Wards Act, said he was the natural guardian under law and that he cannot be prevented from being the guardian. He wanted visitation rights every week and custody of the child during one half of summer vacation and Christmas holidays. The mother’s counsel, however, said the father did not show any interest in the welfare of the child and that the mother was taking care of the child from her own earnings. Referring to the man’s remarriage, she said it was not safe for the child to be with him.
• ·         A spate of avian flu outbreaks in the last few years has dashed India’s hopes of becoming a major egg exporter. Oman, the largest buyer of Indian eggs, has now imposed second ban on Indian shipments this year following the avian flu incidence in a research farm in Karnataka. The earlier embargo on Indian eggs enforced by Oman in March, was only lifted in September. Oman accounts for over 60% of the Rs.100-crore egg export turnover from India. West Africa and Afganistan are the other major buyers of Indian eggs. Further, India has been in the egg export business for nearly two decades and the export turnover had swelled to around Rs.450 crore six years ago. The first outbreak of avian flu in India happened in 2006 and ever since egg exports from the country have been showing a downward trend. Often the ban is imposed not knowing that the places where the avian flu occurred are far away from the exporting centre. Namakkal in Tamil Nadu is the egg export hub of India. Two incidents of avian flu outbreaks happened in Tripura and Karnataka. [Click here for Infographic]
• ·         Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers has informed that the prices of generic medicines sold in the open market are generally at par with the prices of the branded medicines. For example, price of 250mg of Ciprofloxacin tablet in branded and generic are Rs. 55 and Rs. 11.1 respectively. Further, he said that the generic drugs being sold at the Jan Aushadhi Drug Stores are not only equal in quality but also have the same efficacy and potency as compared with the much expensive branded medicines. Under Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 1995 (DPCO, 1995), Government is mandated to control the prices of 74 bulk Drugs and its formulation as per the provisions of the said Order. Background: The Jan Aushadhi Campaign was launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals with the main objective to make available generic medicines at affordable price to all. In so far as supply of generic medicines is concerned, presently all the five Central Pharma Public Secor Undertakings (CPSUs) namely IDPL, BCPL, RDPL, KAPL & HAL are manufacturing and supplying generic medicines for sale at the Jan Aushadhi Stores. Wherever Jan Aushadhi Stores have been opened, the concerned State Governments are issuing instructions/guidelines to their Doctors in the Government Hospitals to prescribe generic medicines. Similar instructions are also reported to have been issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to the Doctors to prescribe medicines in generic names.
• ·         The Cabinet has approved a long-pending National Pharma Policy, which may result in prices of 348 essential drugs including anti-diabetics, painkillers, anti-infectives and anti-cancer drugs, reducing by around of 20%. The new pricing mechanism uses “the simple average method” for determining the ceiling price of all the molecules (drugs) under a particular therapeutic area with over 1% market share, while the draft policy had capped the price by taking the “weighted average”. The reactions from pharma companies were, however, mixed. Though the industry was relieved that the existing cost-based formula was not employed to cap prices, it felt that there would be an additional impact as a result of the new formula of arithmetic average, as against the earlier weighted average mechanism. 
• ·         Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office has informed that Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is designing a satellite – GEO Imaging Satellite (GISAT), which will be placed in geostationary orbit of 36,000 km (1km=0.621miles). GISAT will provide near real time pictures of large areas of the country, under cloud free conditions, at frequent intervals. That is, selected sector-wise imaging every 5 minutes and entire Indian landmass every 30 minutes at 50m spatial resolution. GISAT will carry a GEO Imager with multi-spectral (visible, near infra-red and thermal), multi-resolution (50m to 1.5 km) imaging instruments. It will provide pictures of the area of interest on near real time basis including border areas.
• ·         Minister of State for Tourism has informed that the Working Group on Tourism for 12th Five Year Plan, set up by the Planning Commission, has recommended various strategies for promotion of tourism Industry to increase India’s share of International Tourist arrivals to at least 1% by end of 12th Plan from the level of 0.64% in 2011 and to provide adequate facilities for domestic tourism sustain the growth of over 12% during 12th Plan.
• ·         With ambitious plans of systemic change while projecting themselves as an alternative to the “corrupt” political establishment, anti-graft crusaders Arvind Kejriwal and Prashant Bhushan have launched a political party, calling it the Aam Admi Party (AAP). Although unveiled in the modest setting of a press conference, the AAP is aiming high, promising empowerment of the common man, decentralization of power, lawmaking through referendum, devolution of decision making powers to gram sabhas and an accessible judicial system. Pitching the party as a platform for aam admi, Kejriwal said there would be men and women representatives from the village or college levels up to the national level. However, the constitution that was adopted by the AAP betrayed an effort to address the concerns of Gandhian Anna Hazare and others. The formation of the party came after a bitter split with Anna Hazare over the question of the anti-corruption movement taking a political plunge as Kejriwal desired. During the August fast, Hazare and Kejriwal ended the agitation saying they will work for providing a political alternative for the country to fight both Congress and BJP. On October 2, Kejriwal announced the formation of the party saying its official launch will be on November 26, the day the Constitution was adopted in 1949.
• ·         Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office has informed that the operation of nuclear power plants is carried out in accordance with laid down procedures approved by the regulatory authority by trained personnel duly licensed by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB). Further, he informed that the current installed nuclear power capacity in the country is 4780 MW comprising twenty nuclear power reactors. There are seven nuclear power reactors, with a capacity of 5300 MW, under construction. They are:

• Project	Location & State	Capacity (MW)
  Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project Units 1&2	Kudankulam, Tamil Nadu	2X1000
  Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor	Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu	500
  Kakrapar Atomic Power Project Units 3&4	Kakrapar, Gujarat	2X700
  Rajasthan Atomic Power Project Units 7&8	Rawatbhata, Rajasthan	2X700

• Also, the XII Five Year Plan proposals envisage start of work on 19 nuclear power reactors with a capacity of 17400 MW. They are:

• Project	Location	Reactor Type	Capacity (MW)
  Indigenous Reactors
  Gorakhpur, Units 1&2	Gorakhpur, Haryana	PHWR	2X700
  Chutka, Units 1&2	Chutka, Madhya Pradesh	PHWR	2X700
  Kaiga, Units 5&6	Kaiga, Karnataka	PHWR	2X700
  Mahi Banswara, Units 1&2	Mahi Banswara, Rajasthan	PHWR	2X700
  Fast Breeder Reactor, Units 1&2	Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu	FBR	2X500
  Advanced Heavy Water Reactor	Site to be decided	AHWR	300
  LWRS with International cooperation
  Kudankulam Units 3&4	Kudankulam, Tamil Nadu	LWR	2X1000
  Jaitapur Units 1&2	Jaitapur, Maharashtra	LWR	2X1650
  Chhaya Mithi Virdi Units 1&2	Chhaya Mithi Virdi, Gujarat	LWR	2X1100
  Kovvadda Units 1&2	Kovvada, Andhra Pradesh	LWR	2X1500

• ·         Minister for Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises (Praful Patel) has informed that the cheaper equipment imported from China have become a threat for Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited’s solar power equipment project. “The Chinese dominate the manufacturing segment in the world market, and have a share of about 57% using crystalline technology as per one estimate. This is affecting photo-voltaic (PV) manufacturers worldwide.  Presently it is estimated that the global production capacity for solar power items/ equipment is in excess of the demand worldwide”, he said. Further, he said that the Government of India has taken following steps under Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) to protect Indian Solar Power Equipment Manufacturing Industry: [1.] All Solar Power Developers under Phase-I of JNNSM, using Crystalline Silicon Technology, are required to procure Cells and Modules manufactured in India.; [2.] Custom Duty Exemption is extended on goods required for manufacturing of Solar Cell and Modules.
• ·         Minister of State for Agriculture has informed that there is no scientific evidence of declining fertility of agricultural land with judicious use of chemical fertilizers. However, indiscriminate and imbalanced use of fertilizers coupled with low addition of organic matter has resulted in deterioration of soil health in the country particularly in the intensively cultivated areas of Ingo-Gangetic plains. Further, he informed about steps that have been taken by the Government to popularize and produce organic manure in the country: [1.] Under National Project on Organic Farming (NPOF) financial assistance is provided as credit linked back ended subsidy @ 33 per cent of total outlay for setting up fruit/vegetable market waste/ Agro-waste compost production units; [2.] Under National Project on Management of Soil Health & Fertility (NPMSH&F) financial assistance is provided @ Rs.500 per ha for promotion of organic manure; [3.] In addition, schemes like National Horticulture Mission (NHM), Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States (HMNEHS) and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY) allow subsidy on inputs, including organic manures; [4.] Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed improved technology for preparation of enriched/ vermi-compost from various rural and urban wastes.
• ·         Minister of State for Agriculture has informed that the Government provides financial incentives, grants, concessions to the farmers with special emphasis on holdings of small and marginal farmers through various Schemes such as National Food Security Mission, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, Revised Macro Management of Agriculture, Integrated Scheme of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm and Maize (ISOPOM), Development and Strengthening of Infrastructure Facilities for Production and Distribution of Quality Seeds, etc. Besides, Government has taken several measures for improving share of small and marginal farmers in total agricultural credit flow. As a result, share of small and marginal farmers in total agricultural credit flow has increased from 36% (~Rs.1.7 lakh crore) in the year 2010-11 to 45% (~Rs.2.3 lakh crore) in the year 2011-12. Also, as per provisional results of the latest Agriculture Census 2010-11, marginal operational holdings with operated area less than 0.50 hectare (0.50 hectare = 1.24 acre) accounted for 46.71 per cent of total operational holdings and 9.46 per cent of the total operated area respectively, in the country.
• ·         Minister of State for Health has informed that the Infant Mortality Rate has shown consistent 3 point annual decline since 2008. As per SRS report of Registrar General of India, IMR has declined from 53 per 1000 live births in 2008 to 44 per 1000 live births in 2011. He said that  under National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), the following interventions are implemented to reduce neonatal and child mortality rates in the country: [1.] Promotion of Institutional Delivery through Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) and Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK): Promoting Institutional delivery to ensure skilled birth attendance is key to reducing both maternal and neo-natal mortality. JSY incentivizes pregnant women to opt for institutional delivery and provides for cash assistance. JSSK entitles all pregnant women to absolutely free and zero expense delivery including caesarean section operation in Government health facilities and provides for free to and fro transport, food, drugs and diagnostics; [2.] Strengthening Facility based newborn care: Newborn care corners (NBCC) are being set up at all health facilities where deliveries take place to provide essential newborn care at birth to all new born babies; Special New Born Care Units (SNCUs) at District Hospitals and New Born Stabilization Units (NBSUs) at FRUs are being set up for the care of sick newborn; [3.] Home Based Newborn Care (HBNC): Home based newborn care through ASHA has recently been initiated to improve new born care practices at the community level and for early detection and referral of sick new born babies. The schedule of home visits by ASHA consists of at least 6 visits in case of institutional deliveries, on days 3, 7, 14, 21, 28 & 42nd days and one additional visit within 24 hours of delivery in case of home deliveries. Additional visits will be made for babies who are pre-term, low birth weight or ill; [4.] Management of Malnutrition: Emphasis is being laid on reduction of malnutrition which is an important underlying cause of child mortality. 647 Nutritional Rehabilitation Centres have been established for management of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM). Iron and Folic Acid is also provided to children for prevention of anaemia. Recently, weekly Iron and Folic Acid is proposed to be initiated for adolescent population. As breastfeeding reduces infant mortality, exclusive breastfeeding for first six months and appropriate infant and young child feeding practices are being promoted; [5.] Village Health and Nutrition Days (VHNDs) are also being organized for imparting nutritional counseling to mothers and to improve child care practices; [6.] Universal Immunization Program (UIP): Vaccination against seven diseases is provided to all children under UIP. 21 states with more than 80% coverage have incorporated second dose of Measles in their immunization program. Pentavalent vaccine has been introduced in two states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu and proposed to be scaled up in six more states. Year 2012-13 has been declared as ‘Year of intensification of Routine Immunization’. India has achieved a historic milestone by remaining polio free for one full year now. WHO has taken India off the list of polio endemic countries; [7.] Mother and Child Tracking System: A name based Mother and Child Tracking System has been put in place which is web based to enable tracking of all pregnant women and newborns so as to monitor and ensure that complete services are provided to them.
• ·         Minister of State for Health has said that as per the UNICEF Progress Report 2012  titled `Committing to Child Survival - A Promise Renewed’, India contributes to 24% of total global child deaths and ranks 49th in descending order of under 5 mortality in the world. Further, in the report , the global number of under- five deaths in 2011 is estimated to be 6.9million and under five deaths in India are 1.6 million.
• ·         Minister for Health has given present status in regard to setting up of hospitals on the lines of AIIMS:

• No.	Name of State	Location	Progress of work (in %)
  			Medical College	Hospital	Residential Complex	Electrical services	Estate Services
  1	Madhya Pradesh	Bhopal	79.18	52.34	97.92	23.50	10.20
  2	Orissa	Bhubaneswar	84.00	65.00	24	24.00	11.00
  3	Rajasthan	Jodhpur	84.00	77.10	Completed	45.00	8.00
  4	Bihar	Patna	90.00	48.12	99.80	79.45	10.50
  5	Chhattisgarh	Raipur	61.00	51.81	Completed	51.28	9.63
  6	Uttarakhand	Rishikesh	71.45	75.16	97.90	44.00	Nil

• ·         The Minister of State for Petroleum & Natural Gas informed that during 2011 the per capita consumption of oil in the country was 0.13 Toe (Tonnes oil equivalent) against the world average of 0.58 Toe. Oil consumption in India has also raised to 148 MMT during 2011-12 from 141 MMT in 2010-11, an increase of about 5%.
• ·         Minister of State for Finance has informed that Government of India has signed Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements (BIPA) with 82 countries, of which BIPAs with 72 countries have come into force. These Agreements are intended to promote bilateral investment flows by assuring fair and equitable treatment to investments on post establishment basis. These agreements contain provisions relating, inter-alia, to National Treatment, Most Favoured Nation Treatment and mechanism for dispute resolution on reciprocal basis.
• ·         Minister of State for Human Resource Development has informed that one of the section of Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009 provides that unaided private schools should admit in class – I (or pre-primary class, as the case may be) to the extent of at least 25% of the strength of the class, children belonging to weaker sections and disadvantaged groups. Education in government schools is free and admission is open to all children so there is no reservation of seats in government schools. However, implementation of this section was carried out by 7 States in 2011-12 and in 2012-13, 13 States have admitted children under the provision.
• ·         Minister of State for Human Resource Development has informed that the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009 has brought in several reform processes. States/UTs have inter-alia brought out notifications prohibiting corporal punishment, detention and board examinations in elementary education. The National Council for Teachers’ Education (NCTE) has laid down teacher qualifications and 22 States/UTs have conducted Teacher Eligibility Tests to improve the quality of teaching. In order to ensure free and compulsory education for all children in tribal areas, opening of new schools, residential schools/hostels, Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas transport/escort facility, additional teachers, special training for out of school children and funds for improving learning and retention have been provided under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) programme.
• ·         Minister of State for C&IT has informed that the Information Security Education and Awareness (ISEA) project is aimed at human resource development in the country in the area of Information Security. The academic activities of the ISEA project are implemented by 6 Resource Centers (including Indian Institutes of technology, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru and Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai) & 33 Participating Institutes (including National Institutes of Technology, Indian Institutes of Information Technology, Govt Engineering Colleges, select centers for Development of Advanced Computing and National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology). A scheme for participation of private institutes under ISEA Project was introduced in 2006. Further, the Minister informed that the Joint Working Group report on engagement with Private Sector for strengthening Cyber Security Architecture in the country was formally released by National Security Adviser in Oct. 2012. The key recommendation of the Joint Working Group include the following: [1.] Setting up of a permanent Joint Working Group under the aegis of National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) with representatives from government as well as private sector; [2.] Setting up of the Joint Committee of International Cooperation of Advocacy (JCICA); [3.] The private sector will set up information Sharing & Analysis Sector (ISACs) in various sectors and cooperate with the sectoral Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) at the operational level.
• ·         The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is implementing a Scheme on ’Development of Solar Cities’ which provides support for 60 cities to develop as Solar Cities in the country. Gandhinagar, Nagpur, Chandigarh and Mysore are being developed as Model Solar Cities. Ministry’s Secretary asked the Municipal Corporations to enhance the use of renewable energy in their area and save the fossil fuel based energy. They can amend the building bye-laws suitably to promote the solar water heaters, solar SPV rooftop systems, kitchen waste based plants in the various establishments of the city.
• ·         Minister of State for Finance has informed that the Government has imposed economy measures with a view to improve macroeconomic environment. These include a ban on holding of meetings and conferences at five star hotels, restrictions on foreign travel and ban on creation of Plan and Non-Plan posts. Ministries/Departments have been advised that posts that have remained vacant for more than a year shall not be revived except under very rare and unavoidable circumstances and after seeking clearance of the Department of Expenditure. Apart from the measures indicated above, the Government has taken the following steps to contain fiscal deficit: [1.] Government has reverted back to the path of fiscal consolidation with gradual exit from the expansionary measures in calibrated manner. The reduction in fiscal deficit from 5.9 per cent of GDP estimated in RE 2011-12 to 5.1 per cent of GDP in BE 2012-13 is designed with a mix of reduction in total expenditure as percentage of GDP and improvement in gross tax revenue as percentage of GDP; [2.] Government has also introduced “Medium-term Expenditure Framework Expenditure Statement”, setting forth a three-year rolling target for expenditure indicators with a view to undertaking a de-novo exercise for allocating resources for prioritized schemes and weeding out other that have outlived their utility. It would also encourage efficiencies in expenditure management; [3.] Government will also endeavour to contain the expenditure on Central subsidies; [4.] Government has also decided to adopt the following plan of fiscal consolidation during the period of the 12th Plan i.e. from 2012-13 to 2016-17:

• Year	Fiscal deficit (%)
  2012-13	5.3
  2013-14	4.8
  2014-15	4.2
  2015-16	3.6
  2016-17	3.0

• ·          Minister of State for Finance has informed that there is no concept called Tax Free Zones as such in operation. However, there are schemes like Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and Export Oriented Units (EOUs) which provide tax exemptions. Both above schemes are administered by the Department of Commerce. In addition to above, package of incentives for the Special Category States of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and North Eastern States (such as Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura) are provided by the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion under its Industrial Policy. Package of incentives provided to above States also include various tax concessions as p er notifications issued by the Department of Revenue.
• ·         Following are some of the important points made by the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh’s during the closing ceremony at the first meeting of the National Committee on Direct Transfers: [1.] The government today spends huge funds on schemes and programmes for the benefit of the common man and the under-privileged sections of society. The funds that are provisioned for direct benefits like pensions, scholarships and health-care benefits must reach the intended beneficiaries without delays and leakages; [2.] The government also provides an amount of over 3 lakh crore Rupees in subsidies which too must reach the right people; [3.] Direct Cash Transfers, which are now becoming possible through the innovative use of technology and the spread of modern banking across the country, open the doors for eliminating waste, cutting down leakages and targeting beneficiaries better; [4.] The twin pillars for the success of the system of Direct Cash Transfers that we have envisioned are the Aaadhaar Platform and Financial Inclusion. If either of these pillars is weak, it would endanger the success of the initiative. I would expect the Finance Ministry and the Unique Identification Authority to work in close coordination to achieve a collective goal; [5.] To move closer towards the goal of financial inclusion, the banking system perhaps needs to integrate the post office network, especially in the rural parts of the country. Ideally, the common man should be able to open a simple bank account on demand if they have an Aadhaar number; [6.] Individual ministries have to work in right earnest for implementation of the Direct Cash Transfers initiative. They will need to digitize their databases, most of which are with the States, and seed them with Aadhaar numbers.
• ·         The 3rd International Agronomy Congress on Agriculture Diversification, Climate Change Management and Livelihoods (26-30 November) was inaugurated. The primary objective of this congress is to take stock of technology capital available to address the issue of agriculture diversification, climate change management and livelihoods and draw future research strategies to address the emerging matrix of agriculture problems in holistic manner. On this occasion, Union Minister of State for Food Processing Industries has said that to encourage and promote food processing industries in India, Government has prepared “Vision-2015” with the objective to increase food processing by 20%. Food processing and secondary agriculture are the areas in which greater investment is required to create rural assets and increase employment opportunities.
• ·         Minister of State for Commerce & Industry has informed that certain conditions relating to FDI in single brand product retail trading have been amended. The amended policy, inter-alia, includes the following condition in respect of proposals involving FDI beyond 51% in single brand product retail trading: “In respect of proposals involving FDI beyond 51%, sourcing of 30% of the value of goods purchased will be done from India, preferably from MSMEs, village and cottage industries, artisans and craftsmen, in all sectors.” Further, he informed that in respect of Government’s decision to permit 51% FDI in multi brand retail trading, the following condition has interalia been prescribed: “At least 30% of the value of procurement of manufactured/ processed products purchased shall be sourced from Indian `small industries` which have a total investment in plant & machinery not exceeding US $ 1.00 million.” The above condition (both in Single as well as Multi-brand product) is expected to benefit Indian producers, including the Indian handicrafts sector, which provides livelihood to millions and is important from the point of low capital investment, high value-addition and high potential for export, as also to meet the critical need to integrate Indian producers with the domestic and global markets. Skill integration with craftsmen abroad is likely to help develop synergies with international brands and generate more employment. The consequential benefits, arising from the integration of global best practices in management, along with global standards in quality, design, packaging and production, are expected to assist in building capacities of local producers, by making it worthwhile for them to scale-up their production, thereby creating a multiplier effect on employment and income generation.
• ·         Minister of State for Commerce & Industry has informed that the government has recently announced the following decisions w.r.t FDI: [1.] As per extant FDI policy, FDI, up to 26% is permitted, in the defence sector; [2.] Amendment of certain conditions relating to FDI, up to 100%, in single brand retail trading; [3.] Permitting FDI, up to 51%, in multi-brand retail trading, subject to specified conditions; [4.] Permitting foreign airlines to invest, in the capital of Indian companies, operating scheduled and nonscheduled air transport services, up to the limit of 49% of their paid-up capital; [5.] Permitting FDI, up to 49%, in power exchanges; [6.] 100% FDI Permitted for Cold Storage Facilities.
• ·         Minister of State for Consumer Affairs has informed that the Kelkar Committee in its report (relating of Department to Food & Public Distribution) has mainly emphasized on the need for adjusting price of petroleum products on regular basis as incremental steps towards eventual deregulation of diesel and on affordable level of subsidy on LPG and kerosene, increase in the Maximum Retail Price of urea, efficient system of foodgrains delivery and linking of Central Issue Price increases to Minimum Support Price increases.
• ·         Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution has informed that a report has been brought out in October 2012 by United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN-ESCAP) regarding ‘Regional Cooperation for Inclusive and Sustainable Development: South and South-West Asia Development Report, 2012–13’. The report inter-alia mentions that rising food prices during 2010-11 may have kept 8 million people from exiting poverty in India. The report also mentions that food prices have increased due to various factors like pressure on agriculture sector, increase in population, rising consumption, increasing cost of fertilizers, competition for arable land and water sources, etc. The Minister said that his Ministry on its part has been taking several steps to contain price rise in essential commodities, which includes reduction of import duties on wheat, onion, pulses, edible oils, sugar etc.; ban on export of edible oils and certain pulses; imposing stock limits from time to time in case of select essential commodities; maintaining the Central Issue Price under the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) for rice and wheat; suspending futures trading in specified commodities; restoring levy obligation @10% on sugar factories for 2011-12 season; allocation of rice and wheat under Open Market Sale Scheme (OMSS) and resumption of the scheme for subsidised imported pulses through PDS, which includes a subsidy element to be paid to the designated importing agencies. Background: In June, 1997, the Government launched the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) with a view to successfully target poor sections of society for distribution of foodgrains. Under TPDS, Government allocates foodgrains (wheat and rice) to States/UTs @ 35 kg per family per month to the accepted number of 6.52 crore BPL families, including about 2.43 crore Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) families. Considering the availability of foodgrains in Central pool and past offtake, allocation is also presently being made for Above Poverty Line (APL) families between 15 kg and 35 kg per family per month.
• ·         The Government has said that the time taken to register a company has been reduced to 48 hours. Similarly, issue of Director’s Identification Number (DIN) and name availability of company can now be done online within 24 hours. Giving this information, Minister of Corporate Affairs said that as per the Report of World Bank titled “Doing Business 2012: Doing Business in a more Transparent World”, India is ranked 166th. The report maintains that for starting business in India, 29 days are required. The report also identifies factors like Sales Tax, Registration, purchase of office/lands/buildings etc., which are under the State Governments as responsible for delays in initiating business.
• ·         Government has said that one of the Clause of the Companies Bill, 2011, inter alia, provides for the Boards of specified companies to spend at least 2% of the average net profits (of last 3 years) in pursuance of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policy and in case of failure, to specify the reasons for not spending such amount in the Board’s Report. Giving this information, Minister of Corporate Affairs said that the provisions on CSR in the Companies Bill, 2011 were formulated also keeping in view the suggestions received from various stakeholders. He informed the House that the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance which examined the Companies Bill, 2009 and the Companies Bill, 2011 has also recommended inclusion of these provisions in the Bill.
• ·         Minister of State for Rural Development has informed that the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill, 2011 has been finalised and the Union Cabinet is likely to take it up soon so that it can be brought in Parliament in the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament. Earlier, the LARR Bill, 2011 was approved by the Cabinet on 5th September and it was introduced in Parliament two days later. The Bill was referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development and the Committee after detailed examination has submitted its 31st Report on the above Bill to the Lok Sabha on 17th May, 2012, which was laid in the Rajya Sabha on the same day. The Minister informed that based on the recommendations or otherwise of the 31st Report, the Bill was considered by the Cabinet on 28th August, 2012 and it was referred to the GoM. He said that the bill was finalised in the light of a suggestion of UPA Chairperson Smt Sonia Gandhi who had asked the government to take consent from 80 per cent land owners to purchase land for the purpose of setting up private projects. The GoM had suggested that the consent clause should be kept at 67 per cent for Public-Private Partnership projects and private projects.
• ·         Minister of Textiles has informed that the Government of India is implementing following schemes for improving the working and economic conditions of Textiles workers of different sector: [1.] Government is implementing Textile Workers Rehabilitation Fund Scheme (TWRFS) for providing relief to the textile workers rendered unemployed owing to permanent closure of entire/partial textile unit in the private sector to enable them to settle in another employment; [2.] Government is implementing Group Insurance Scheme for the Powerloom workers in association with LIC. Under the scheme, the powerloom workers are required to pay premium of only Rs. 80/- against the total premium of Rs. 330/- per worker per annum. The scheme provides for payment of Rs.60,000/- in the event of natural death, Rs.1.50 lakhs in case of accidental death or permanent disability and Rs.75,000/- in case of partial disability; [3.] Government of India has introduced the scheme for development of skills of the workers in all segments of textiles including garment and powerlooms; [4.] Government is implementing two separate schemes viz. the Health Insurance Scheme (HIS) for providing Health Insurance to the Handloom weavers and Mahatma Gandhi Bunkar Bima Yojana (MGBBY) for providing Life Insurance Cover in case of natural/ accidental death, total/partial disability due to accident.
• ·         Union Water Resources Minister has informed that his Ministry has evolved the Draft National Water Policy (2012) to meet the present challenges in the water sector. The salient features of the Draft National Water Policy (2012) are: [1.] Emphasis on the need for a national water framework law, comprehensive legislation for optimum development of inter-State rivers and river valleys, amendment of Irrigation Acts, Indian Easements Act, 1882, etc; [2.] Water (after meeting the pre-emptive needs for safe drinking water and sanitation, achieving food security, supporting poor people dependent on agriculture for their livelihood and high priority allocation for minimum eco-system needs) be treated as economic good so as to promote its conservation and efficient use; [3.] A portion of river flows should be kept aside to meet ecological needs ensuring that the proportional low and high flow releases correspond in time closely to the natural flow regime; [4.] A system to evolve benchmarks for water uses for different purposes, i.e., water footprints, and water auditing be developed to ensure efficient use of water; [5.] Setting up of Water Regulatory Authority has been recommended; [6.] Incentivization of recycle and re-use of water has been recommended; [7.] Adequate grants to the States to update technology, design practices, planning and management practices, preparation of annual water balances and accounts for the site and basin, preparation of hydrologic balances for water systems, and benchmarking and performance evaluation.
• ·         Within a span of one year when the pilot project at Kotkasim block in Alwar district on direct cash transfer of kerosene subsidies started in December 2011, the results have surpassed the initial expectations. Demand for subsidized kerosene has crashed by more than 90% to about 5,000 litres per month from 84,000 litres before the pilot project came into existence. The plan to transfer cash directly into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries instead of handing over subsidized foodgrain, fertilizers or fuel is aimed at not only checking leakages in the system, but also empowering consumers with choices and ensuring big savings for the cash-strapped government. As the consumers got direct cash transfers, there was also less room for the middlemen to divert the subsidized commodity. Earlier, the district authorities had expected the off-take will plunge to 40% as the demand would only come from actual users of the commodity. Further, through its cash transfer programme, the government is planning to transfer over Rs 4 lakh crore annually to the public, with each BPL (below poverty line) family getting over Rs 3,000 a month. The pilot project was part of Centre’s ambitious initiative to plug the loopholes in public distribution system and provide directly to the poor rural masses benefits of government’s welfare schemes. The scheme is visualized as a game-changer for UPA-2, like the NREGA was for UPA-1, and is expected to pay rich dividends during elections. Kotkasim in Alwar was the starting point for the Centre, which is now accelerating the drive to roll out the model throughout the country. Some important points: [1.] WHAT IS CASH TRANSFER? In lieu of subsidized food, fertilizer & fuel, BPL families would get between Rs.30,000- 40,000 a year in their bank accounts. In all, Rs.4,00,000 cr will be disbursed. APL families too would get money for subsidized cooking gas; [2.] HOW WILL IT WORK? Families with Aadhar card, entitled to subsidies, pension, scholarships, etc, will get money directly in their bank a/cs For this, they need to give their Aadhar card No. to service provider, say, gas agency & bank Option will be there to claim the cash subsidy at designated bank branch, by using a cash card; [3.] WHAT WILL IT COVER? To begin with, only subsidy transfers for cooking gas. Centre has asked states to launch pilots for food subsidy and work on fertilizer just begun Over time, it will cover all subsidies; [4.] WHEN WILL IT START? By Jan 1, 2013, 51 districts with high Aadhar penetration will be covered. By Dec 2013, whole country will be covered.
• ·         As the government is all set to roll out direct cash transfer for its welfare schemes, the National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI) said seven banks (SBI, Syndicate, Union Bank, Central Bank & ICICI Bank) have already implemented the Aadhar-enabled payment system (AEPS) and seven more are in the process of doing so. As per NPCI, there are two forms of payment systems under the AEPS. One will facilitate crediting money into the beneficiary accounts, while the other will enable account-holders to withdraw cash. Last week, the finance ministry had held discussions with bank chairman, UIDAI officials and NPCI authorities to assess the preparedness of the whole process for this. It further said that the infrastructure is ready for the whole process and presently pilot projects are going on in states like Jharkhand, Karnataka and Andhra.
• ·         RBI governor D Subbarao declared Ernakulam as the first district in the country to achieve total and meaningful financial inclusion. “Ernakulam was the first district in the country to achieve 100% family planning in 1970s. In 1990, Ernakulam was declared the first district to have 100% literacy. Today is the third step in the process… Ernakulam is becoming the first district in the country to achieve 100% financially inclusion,” Subbarao announced. Meaningful financial inclusion project offers operative bank accounts with micro-credit, micro-insurance and remittances facilities to households. Subbarao said the district, with a population of 32 lakh, has 37 lakh savings bank accounts. In his presidential address, he urged the state government to introduce curriculum on financial literacy in schools and colleges. The RBI has prepared a curriculum that has been translated into regional languages, including Malayalam. It was introduced in Karnataka four years ago on a pilot basis.
• ·         New Delhi will soon implement electronic challan system for penalizing traffic violators with the help of pocketbook-sized mini computers provided to each traffic corps. With the use of these devices, fines can be paid using credit cards and the device will be connected to a central server for instant digitization of violation data. The device can access traffic offence history of both the vehicle and the offender and hence repeat offenders will be issued greater penalties as per the Motor Vehicles Act. Currently, all traffic violations are treated as “first offence” as it is not possible to check violators for earlier prosecutions. These device will also attached with a camera and a printer. The camera will be able to take pictures of the defaulter, fancy number plates, unauthorized red beacons etc which will act as documentary evidence for reference, said traffic officials. This device will be GPRS and GIS enabled and the location and time of the challan issued will be recorded. The device can also function offline and store up to 500 challans in its expandable 16 GB memory and then upload these challans to the server once it connects again. It can even send a message to the central server once a vehicle has been towed away. The vehicle owner can then contact a helpline number with his vehicle details to get an SMS detailing where the vehicle has been towed away to.
• ·         The third meeting of the Advisory Council of National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms (NMJDLS) was held in New Delhi. In keeping with the objectives of the Mission, the focus of discussion was on issues which can help in reduction of pending cases in courts as well as review the strategic initiatives which can speed up the delivery of justice besides making it affordable. In this context, the Council discussed ways and means for speedier implementation of Gram Nyayalayas Act, 2008 which has been enacted to ensure inexpensive and speedier justice to the people at their door steps. The current pace of implementation of Gram Nyayalayas scheme has been slow for variety of reasons, the chief reason being they enjoy concurrent jurisdiction with the existing courts. Besides, other reasons are availability of prosecutors, lawyers, etc. The Council also discussed methods which could be adopted for accelerating reduction of pendency in the courts. In this context, the Council discussed the possibilities of making amendments to the Negotiable Instruments Act by which such transactions in which cheques are issued only as a collateral security, are excluded from its purview. Further, the Advisory Council has set up a Sub-Group (headed by the former Chairman of the Law Commission, Shri Justice P.V.Reddi) which is working on the proposal for setting up of Model Courts in the country. As model courts are envisioned to be the ‘Courts of Tomorrow’, this will be a major step forward for improving the quality of delivery of justice in future. Background of NMJDLS: NMJDLS was established in August, 2011, as outcome of National Consultation for strengthening Judiciary towards reducing pendency and delays held in October, 2009, based on the recommendation of Conference of Chief Ministers and Chief Justices of High Courts convened in August, 2009. The first meeting of it held in October, 2011 laid down a broad road-map and direction for National Mission to move ahead and formulation of five strategic initiatives. The 2nd meeting held in May, 2012 focussed on development of infrastructure facility of subordinate judiciary, review of pendency of cases in courts, formation of All India Judicial Service.
• ·         Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs has given the status of the following Newly Created Security Agencies: [1.] National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC): After issue of notification creating NCTC in Feb, 2012, some States raised certain objections. Thus, the process of formal consultations with all the states/UTs is on; [2.] National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID): NATGRID has been set up as an attached Office of the  Ministry  of  Home Affairs in Dec, 2009. Cabinet Committee on Security and Planning Commission have in principle approved the Detailed Project Report of the implementation of Foundation Horizon-I and some elements of Horizon-II of the NATGRID project.  The implementation of the Foundation and Horizon-I is in progress; [3.] Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems (CCTNS): CCTNS project is a mission mode project under National e-Governance plan being implemented by the Ministry of Home Affairs.  The project aims at creating a comprehensive and integrated system and a nation-wide networked solution for connecting more than 15,000 Police Stations and nearly 6,000 Higher Offices in 28 States and 7 Union territories of the country for sharing of real-time crime and criminal information.  The project implementation schedule of CCTNS project to be implemented in the XI plan (2007-2012) was proposed for four years (2008-2012) based on a rationale that project activities shall be undertaken by diverse stakeholders and would be successfully completed within the proposed time. Presently, few factors have been considered for extension of the project into the XII plan.
• ·         The Minister of Culture has said that the Cultural Programmes organized during the last three years and the current year by the Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs) include Lok Tarang, Octave, Prakriti, National Theatre Festivals, Summer Workshop for Children, SAARC Folklore Festival, Hampi Utsav, Mega Event of TRIFED, Diu Festival, ‘Lehar the Wave’ - National Festival of Coastal Arts, Dweep Mahotsav, International Children’s Film Festival, Sonepur Mela, Golden Beach Festival, Orange City Craft Mela & Folk Dance Festival, Lawani Mahotsava, Pimpri Chinchwad Festival, Parampara Mahotsav, Silver Jubilee Celebrations of Zonal Cultural Centres, Yatras, holding of exhibition, release of Coffee Table Book, folk performances at Indo-Pak border, Yuva Sangeet Nritya, Lok Kala Yatra in rural areas, Sharad Utsav, Nariyal Purnima, National Folk Dance Festival, Workshops  etc.
• ·         Minister of State for Health has informed that there is no single reason attributable to recorded higher numbers of dengue, Japanese Encephalitis and other vector borne diseases like Malaria, Chikungunya etc. cases. These are an outbreak prone disease governed by various man-made and environmental factors as under: [1.] unprecedented human population growth; [2.] unplanned and rapid urbanization; [3.] Inadequate waste management; [4.] water supply mismanagement; [5.] increased distribution and densities of vector mosquitoes due to man-made, ecological and lifestyle changes; [6.] Gaps in public health infrastructure; [7.] increase mobility of population… Further, the Minister has informed that GOI has taken the following steps for prevention and control of these diseases in the country: [1.] Dengue and Chikungunya: A Long Term Action Plan was formulated and circulated to the State/UTs for implementation in January, 2007. A Mid Term Plan was also developed for prevention and control of Dengue in May, 2011. The Number of Sentinel Surveillance Hospitals (SSH) has been increased from 110 in 2007 to 347 in 2012 in the country to improve diagnostic facilities. Improved case management of Dengue cases has resulted keeping the case fatality rate at 0.6% in 2012 despite an increase in the number of dengue cases; [2.] Japanese Encephalitis: Surveillance of JE strengthened by setting up 76 sentinel laboratories in affected States including Maharashtra and Delhi. 109 Districts in 15 States have been covered under JE vaccination campaign during 2006-2010.  JE vaccination incorporated in Routine Immunization under Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) in affected districts after vaccination campaign.; [3.] Malaria: Treatment of all Pf cases by using Artesunate Combined Therapy ACT and managing severe cases by using injection artemisinin derivatives. Vector control through indoor residual spray in rural high endemic areas and using larvicides, source reduction method & implementation of urban bye laws in urban areas.
• ·         Minister for Health has informed that the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 was enacted with the objective of ensuring availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption. This Act, as well as the earlier Prevention of Food Adulteration Act 1954, give a wide definition of ‘food’ and include therein any article/substance which is intended for human consumption. The Supreme Court in Godawat Pan Masala Vs UOI, 2004 has also held that “Since pan masala, gutka or supari are eaten for taste and nourishment, they are all food within the meaning of the (Prevention of Food Adulteration) Act.” As such, by virtue of the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011, read with the judgement of the Supreme Court on the issue, Gutkha products are food products containing tobacco and nicotine and their manufacture, sale or storage is not permitted under law. By virtue of the same regulation, Pan Masala, if it contains tobacco and nicotine, cannot be manufactured or sold. Enforcement of this regulation, however, lies with the Commissioners of Food Safety under the state govenments, as per the provisions of Food Safety & Standards Act 2006. The state governments which have so far issued orders/notification to enforce implementation of the ban in accordance with the above regulation are Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Bihar, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Haryana, Chhatisgarh, Jharkhand, Mizoram, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh and Punjab. In addition, Goa has enforced the ban through its State Public Health Act.
• ·         The Minister for Environment and Forests (Jayanthi Natarajan) has released the National Bear Conservation and Welfare Action Plan. The national plan summarises the threats faced by bears in India, and outlines management actions to be undertaken by the bear range states for their conservation and welfare. India is home to four of the eight species of bears found worldwide – making it one of the only two countries with this diversity, the other being China. The Indian bears include the sloth bear (Melursus ursinus), the Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus), the Himalayan brown bear (Ursus arctos) and the Malayan sun bear (Helarctos malayanus). Sloth bears are endemic to the Indian sub-continent and have gone extinct fairly recently from Pakistan and Bangladesh, underscoring the threats to the species of habitat loss and increasing human interface. The black bears and brown bears inhabit the Himalayan and sub-Himalayan regions, while the sun bears are found in very small numbers along the northeast Indian border. The bears have an almost pan-India distribution, being found in 26 of the 28 Indian states.
• ·         Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences has informed that the Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre (ITEWC) is established after the deadly Tsunami on 26 December, 2004 at Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Sciences (INCOIS – ESSO) in Hyderabad and is capable of detecting tsunamigenic earthquakes occurring in the whole of Indian Ocean region as well as in the Global Oceans within 10 minutes of their occurrence and disseminates the advisories to the concerned authorities within 20 minutes through various modes of communication like email, fax, SMS, GTS and website. The Indian Tsunami Early Warning System comprises a real-time seismic monitoring network of 17 broadband seismic stations to detect tsunamigenic earthquakes, a network of real-time sea-level sensors with 4 Bottom Pressure Recorders (BPR) in the open ocean and 25 tide gauge stations at different coastal locations monitor tsunamis and a 24 X 7 operational tsunami warning centre to provide timely advisories to vulnerable community. It also receives earthquake data from all other global networks to detect earthquakes of M>6.5. ITEWC in its capacity as National Tsunami Warning Centre (NTWC) for India disseminates tsunami bulletins to various national contacts like National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Battalions of National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) etc. ITEWC also acts as one of the Regional Tsunami advisory Service Provider (RTSP) along with Australia & Indonesia for the Indian Ocean region. About Tsunami: The tsunamis generated by the under-sea earthquakes in the two known subduction zones of Andaman-Sumatra and Makran in Indian Ocean, can potentially affect entire Indian coastal states and Island regions. The tsunami wave arrival time to different coastal locations depends upon the location of the under-sea earthquake. In general the tsunami reaction time will be around 2 hours for the Indian mainland if the earthquake has occurred in the above mentioned subduction zones. While for the Andaman & Nicobar Islands there is an exception where the reaction time will be less than half an hour if the earthquake occurs off the A & N Islands region.
• ·         Minister of State for Public Distribution has informed that installation of Global Positioning System (GPS) sets had been taken up for implementation in 11th Five Year Plan on pilot basis in States of Tamil Nadu and Chhattisgarh for tracking the movement of vehicles transporting Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) commodities. The Minister said that State Government of Tamil Nadu, who have implemented the scheme in two districts, have reported that it has helped in the quantities of foodgrains allotted from Food Corporation of India (FCI) to the intended godowns reaching without diversion; created moral fear among those involved in transportation of PDS items; enabled tracking the movement of vehicles carrying PDS items at short notice and avoided delays in transportation. The Minister said that in view of the feedback received from these State Governments, it has been decided to extend this scheme to all the States/UTs. Further, the Minister informed that his Department had also taken up a pilot scheme on Computerization of TPDS Operations to be implemented in 3 districts of 4 States i.e. Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh and Delhi. As reported by these States, digitization of databases and computerization of supply- chain management have been completed in Delhi and Chhattisgarh. Another scheme for Smart Card based delivery of essential commodities is being undertaken on pilot basis in Chandigarh UT and Haryana.
• ·         Minister of State for Environment and Forests has informed that the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), with State Pollution Control Boards, is monitoring ambient air quality in the country and Mercury is not included in the notified ambient air quality standards. Further, she informed that CPCB has prepared draft Guidelines on “Environmentally Sound Management of Mercury Waste in Health Care Facilities” which specify mercury spill collection procedure, storage and disposal options as well as alternatives to mercury based medical instruments. It also asked institutions to ensure that the spilled mercury does not become part of bio-medical or other solid wastes generated from the healthcare facilities. Further, mercury bearing waste containing equal to or greater than 50 mg/kg of mercury is required to be disposed of as per the Hazardous Waste (Management, Handling and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2008. Also, in March, 2010, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare have issued guidelines to reduce environmental pollution due to mercury in Central Government Hospitals and Health Centres. Under these Guidelines, all Central Government Hospitals and health centers have been asked to gradually phase out mercury containing equipments (thermometer, BP Instruments etc.) and replace them with good quality non-mercury equipments.
• ·         Minister of State for Environment and Forests has informed that the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), with its headquarters at Kathmandu, Nepal, was set up in 1983 with an objective  of promoting the development of an economically and environmentally sound mountain ecosystem in the extended Himalayan region (covering Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal and Pakistan), and to improve the living standards of its mountain communities. ICIMOD aims to assist mountain people to understand ongoing environmental changes, adapt to them, and make the most of new opportunities. The strategic area of work of ICIMOD are: (i) integrated water and hazard management, (ii) environmental change and ecosystem services, and (iii) sustainable livelihoods and poverty reduction. Further, the Minister informed that the main achievement of ICIMOD in India have been as following: [1.] Linking natural resource management to local livelihoods; [2.] Integrated Landscape Management for conservation of natural resources; [3.] Kailash Sacred Transboundary Landscape Management; [4.] Sustainable Mountain Tourism; [5.] Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment on Climate Change.
• ·         Minister of State for Environment and Forests has informed that the National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board (NAEB) has been set up for promoting afforestation, tree planting, ecological restoration and eco-development activities in the country. NAEB is implementing an afforestation scheme namely National Afforestation Programme (NAP) since 2000-01 under which a total of ~20 lakh hectares has been approved so far for treatment.
• ·         The Government has approved a Scheme under 12th Five Year Plan for carrying out an Anti-Piracy Initiative in the audio-visual sector. It is estimated by the FICCI-KPMG report for 2011 that the piracy market accounts for 600-700 million unit sales of DVDs each year with more than 10000 vendors operating in illegitimate DVD market. Another new emerging threat to legitimate exhibition of films is illegal download of films available on websites. The magnitude of this problem is set to increase in the coming years, given the expansion and availability of broadband infrastructure. Also, it is generally felt that money from piracy goes towards funding anti-national activities. Thus, Govt. has planned to take some major initiative: [1.] Campaign on piracy through audio-visual, internet and print media; [2.] Training programmes and workshops to sensitize police, judicial, administrative officials, multiplex and cinema hall owners about the Copyright Act; [3.] Conduct research on effects of piracy and develop public-private strategies to combat piracy; [4.] Efforts at inclusion of anti-piracy awareness material in the curriculum of the schools and colleges; [5.] Production of a film/documentary related to piracy.
• ·         The minister of state for power informed that the electricity generation target for the year 2012-13 is 9,30,000 million units (MU) comprising 42% from Central Sector (including Bhutan import), 40% from State sector and 18% from Private Sector. The capacity addition target for the year 2012-13 is ~18,000 MW comprising ~5% from hydro, 83% from thermal and 12% from nuclear capacities.
• ·         The Interceptor Missile AAD, a modified version of Prithvi, launched by the Scientists of DRDO from Wheeler’s Island, Odisha successfully destroyed the incoming Ballistic Missile at an altitude of 15 Kms. Long Range Radar and MFC Radar located far away could detect the Missile from take-off and tracked it through its entire path. The total trajectory of the incoming Missile was continuously estimated by the guidance computer and subsequently the AAD Missile was launched at an appropriate time to counter and kill the ballistic missile. The Ring Laser Gyro based Navigation System in Target, Fibre Optic Gyro based INS in Interceptor, Onboard computers, Guidance systems, Actuation Systems and the critical RF Seekers used for the terminal phase have performed excellently. In this mission, a special feature of intercepting multiple target with multiple interceptor was demonstrated successfully. An electronic target with a range of 1500 Kms was launched and the Radars picked up the target missile, tracked the target missile subsequently & launched an electronic interceptor missile. This electronic interceptor missile destroyed the electronic target missile at an altitude of 120 Kms. All the four missiles were tracked by the Radars and all the guidance and launch computers operated in full operational mode for handling multiple targets with multiple interceptor. All the four missiles were in the sky simultaneously and both the interceptions took place near simultaneously. This has proved the capability of DRDO to handle multiple targets with multiple interceptors simultaneously.
• ·         As Fajr V rockets rained down on Israel from battleground Gaza for a week, many Indian defence planners were keeping a close watch on the performance of Israel’s Iron Dome, which is probably the only deterrent to these homegrown short range missiles. The Iron Dome, according to reports, intercepted 87% of the rockets fired at Israel by the Hamas. The system is believed to have the capability to shoot down rockets and artillery shells with ranges of up to 70 km. The system has been shown to be effective against rockets or shells that might target populated areas. Several months ago, military scientists in the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) had suggested that India look at a joint development programme with Israeli firms to develop an Indian version of Iron Dome, touted as the most effective system against short-range missiles. Indian scientists believe Israel’s plight has several parallels to its threat from Pakistan. Pakistani terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) could well acquire similar capabilities that could threaten large groups of Indian population. Unlike ballistic missiles, against which DRDO claims to have a fairly good shield, there is almost no protection against short-range rockets or artillery fire. DRDO is currently collaborating with Israeli firms to develop medium range surface to air missiles. However, Iron Dome is in a different class altogether, Israeli diplomatic sources argue. Another reason why some defence planners are pushing for it is the possibility of another conflict with Pakistan. Pakistan has developed a nuclear weapons, like the Nasr, which is a solid fuelled battlefield range ballistic missile. While Pakistani analysts say this was developed in anticipation of India’s supposed Cold Start doctrine, some Indian sources say the Iron Dome might be an effective deterrent against this weapon.
• Sources said there have been some discussions between DRDO and its Israeli counterparts for a possible joint development of Iron Dome for India.
• ·         Minister of State for Home has informed that the Centre has sanctioned 35 new border outposts along the Indo-China border. They will be set up next year. He said the Centre has adopted a multi- pronged approach for effective domination on the borders to check infiltration and smuggling.
• ·         Retired scientist N K Kalia will not rest in peace till he gets justice for his martyred son Captain Saurabh Kalia, who was captured, brutally tortured and killed by Pakistani intruders just before the Kargil conflict erupted in the summer of 1999. Continuing his lonely 13-year-long battle, the senior Kalia is now knocking on the doors of the Supreme Court seeking directions to the Union government to take his son’s case to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at The Hague (Netherland), contending the brutal torture of 22-year-old officer constituted a war crime in blatant violation of the Geneva Convention. The Indian government should mount pressure on Pakistan to apologize as well as identify and punish those soldiers who had indulged in the barbaric torture, said the senior Kalia.
• ·         Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan spokesman (Pakistani Taliban) said that the TTP has pledged to attack Indian targets “anywhere” in India to avenge the execution of Ajmal Kasab, the lone survivor of the terrorist squad responsible for the November 2008 Mumbai attacks, and demanded that Kasab’s body be returned to Pakistan for an “Islamic burial”. “If they don’t return his body to us or his family, we will capture Indians and not return their bodies,” he warned. He also criticised the Pakistan government for failing to ask India to return Kasab’s body after Indian authorities said Wednesday that Kasab was buried on the premises of Pune's Yerawada prison. Indian authorities did not specify what burial rites were performed. The TTP, closely linked to al-Qaida, operates from Pakistan’s ungoverned tribal belt along the country’s border with Afghanistan.
• ·         A year after India and China agreed to cooperate in the rail sector, New Delhi signed its first agreement with Beijing during the second round of bilateral strategic economic dialogue (SED). India hopes to get Chinese investment to build high-speed passenger trains as well as upgrade and modernize railway stations and import newer technology in the sector, particularly on heavy haulage. India and Japan have signed a similar agreement to introduce high-speed trains in the Mumbai-Ahmedabad sector. But sources said the Japanese project was taking a while, and they hoped the Chinese would be able to deliver a better system faster. The agreement came at a time when railways has cleared six high-speed rail corridors in various parts of the country.
• ·         Minister of State for Commerce & Industry has informed that 55% of Indian pharmaceutical exports are exported to highly regulated markets like USA (25%), European Union and other European countries (21%), Canada (2%), Australia (1.3%). Indian exports to Africa and Latin American nations during 2010-11 were 17% and 7% respectively of the total Indian pharmaceutical exports.
• ·         Minister of State for Commerce & Industry has said that the import of any goods presupposes that its domestic price is higher than foreign price. Hence, invariably imported goods will be cheaper than their domestic counterparts. Thus, to protect the domestic producers, Trade Defense Measures (TDM) like Anti-dumping & Safeguard measures are available to the domestic industry to seek relief against unfair trade practices by exporters of goods from other countries.
• ·         Minister of State for Commerce & Industry has said that the European Union (EU) had commissioned a Report in 2010 to analyse the adequacy of protection of personal data provided in India. However, this report had not recommended India to be granted the Data Secure Status. Government through various fora has taken up the matter with the European Union requesting the EU to grant India Data Secure Status, capturing the developments after the amendment in Information Technology Act (2008) and the rules framed thereunder in 2011.
• ·         India has decided to scale down its ambitions for the free trade agreement in services with ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations includes Cambodia, Brunei, Myanmar, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Laos and Indonesia) in a frantic attempt to get the pact rolling after nine years of talks. Officials said Delhi is likely to settle for much narrower market openings for its professionals than what it had initially demanded. India had initially sought a more liberal visa regime for its professionals in areas like education, health, nursing, information technology, architecture and chartered accountancy compared to what Asean has offered to New Zealand and Australia in its FTA with the two countries. Asean has offered longer visa permits and other qualification relaxations to professionals from Australia and New Zealand, which go beyond the commitments made at the multilateral trading forum of the World Trade Organisation. The main reason why Asean is playing hardball with India is no secret. Since it managed to convince India to implement the FTA in goods in January 2010 independent of the agreement on services and investments, the 10 member-states do not have any incentive to conclude the latter. In fact, Indonesia and the Philippines have told India that they would not improve their services offers beyond what they have committed at the WTO and were ready to get lower openings from India in turn.
• ·         A top Pakistani Parliamentary panel has expressed reservations about the government’s move to grant the Most Favoured Nation-status to India, with some of its members claiming that the measure would “destroy” the domestic agriculture sector. However, the PPP-led government has repeatedly said it is committed to phasing out a negative list regime for trade with India by December 31 and granting MFN-status by the beginning of next year. The two countries have taken several steps in recent months, including the signing of three agreements, to boost bilateral trade to USD 6 billion by 2014.
• ·         IKEA, the world’s largest furniture retailer, is poised to become the first major foreign company to open wholly owned stores in India after it received a crucial government clearance by the Foreign Investment Promotion Board and now will have to be approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs to invest Rs.10,500 crore ($1.9 billion). All foreign investment proposals over Rs.1,200 crore have to be approved by the Cabinet panel, but this clearance is expected to be a formality since the government is keen to project a foreign investment-friendly image. It becomes the third foreign company after apparel maker Brooks Brothers and Pavers England, the UK-based shoemaker, to obtain FIPB approval under the foreign investment policy for single-brand retail. The government diluted some contentious provisions to accommodate the demands of the Swedish company. These included doing away with the condition that the foreign company opening retail stores in India must own the brand being sold in these stores. The government also watered down the clause that made it mandatory for foreign retailers to source 30% of the products they sell in India from small-scale units. Foreign direct investment into India has dropped 60% in April-August from a year ago amidst a general deterioration in the investment climate and experts hope the green signal to IKEA would spur foreign fund flows.
• ·         French cookware maker Le Creuset has proposed to start a fully owned single brand retail venture in India, becoming the fourth multinational retailer to apply for 100% FDI in the single brand retailing after UK-based shoemaker Pavers England, US-based accessories retailer Fossil Inc and Swedish furniture and homeware maker IKEA. Once it gets clearance from the Department of Industrial Promotion and Policy (DIPP), Le Creuset India Pvt Ltd plans to open company owned outlets, shop-in-shops in hypermarkets and department stores, and push franchisees to grow faster in India, the person said. Le Creuset’s cookware is sold in about 60 countries including the US, UK, Japan, Australia, South Africa and dozens of other nations.
• ·         India-born professor Mr Autar Kaw, is among the four recipients of the 2012 US Professor of the Year award (nation's highest honour for undergraduate teaching) for his 25 years, ‘Outstanding Doctoral and Research Universities Professor. He is presently working as a Mechanical Engineering Professor in University of South Florida (USF). India born Mr Kaw received his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, India, and his master's and PhD in Engineering Mechanics from Clemson University. 
• ·         Minister of State in the Ministry Of External Affairs has informed that the Pakistan and China has been in illegal and forcible occupation of approximately 78,000 sq. kms. and 38,000 sq. kms. of Indian Territory in Jammu and Kashmir. In addition, under the so-called `Sino-Pakistan Boundary Agreement of 1963`, Pakistan illegally ceded 5180 sq. kms. of Indian territory in POK to China. Further, he said that the Government is aware that Pakistan and China are executing projects in Indian territories under illegal occupation of those countries.
• ·         Minister of External Affairs has informed that India has called for expansion of the UN Security Council to make the UN more effective and reflective of contemporary geo-political realities. India has, in collaboration with Brazil, Japan and Germany, together known as the G-4, proposed expansion of the membership of the UN Security Council from the present fifteen to twenty-five with the addition of six permanent and four non-permanent members, including from Asia, Africa and Latin America. The efforts of the G-4 and other pro-reform countries played an instrumental role in starting text-based inter-governmental negotiations in the UN on the subject of Security Council reform in July 2010. Recognizing that there is widespread support to take the reform process towards a concrete outcome, the G-4 Foreign Ministers in a meeting in February 2011 decided to press ahead with all necessary steps to achieve at the earliest an expansion in both the permanent and non-permanent categories of membership of the Security Council. The G-4 Foreign Ministers in their latest meeting held in New York in September 2012 agreed on the need to stay united and sustain the growing momentum in favour of expansion of the Council in both categories of membership. Further, among the permanent members of the Security Council, UK and France have supported the G-4 proposal as well as the candidatures of the G-4 countries for permanent membership of an expanded Council. USA is in favour of limited expansion in permanent and non-permanent membership of the Council and would like the new permanent members to be selected on the basis of their contribution to maintenance of international peace and security. Russia and China have also articulated support for expansion of the Security Council but they would like any expansion to be limited, gradual and based on the widest possible consensus among the UN membership. Also, several countries, including but not limited to the US, Russia, UK, France, Germany, Japan, Australia, Brazil and South Africa, have expressed support for India’s claim for permanent membership in an expanded Security Council. This support has been conveyed in various fora, including, in bilateral discussions with the Government of India.
• ·         Minister of State for External Affairs has said that India continues to make efforts to build peaceful and stable relations with Pakistan including promotion of sporting ties. However terrorism against India emanating from Pakistan and territory under its control remains a core concern for us. Further, the Government has given clearance to BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) for Pakistan Cricket Team’s tour to India to participate in three One Day Internationals and two Twenty-Twenty matches in Dec-Jan. The issue of visas to Pakistani nationals coming to India to watch cricket matches at various venues will be in accordance with extant rules and regulations. Earlier, as per available information revealed by David Coleman Headley, two alleged conspirators of Mumbai terror attack visited New Delhi in 2005 on the pretext of watching India-Pakistan cricket match. But the Government continues to take steps to enhance and facilitate contacts between peoples of the two countries who lie at the heart of the bilateral relationship. Thus, the Indian Government has conveyed to the Pakistan leadership, including at the highest levels that Pakistan must abide by its commitment that it will not allow its territory and territory under its control to be used for aiding and abetting of terrorist activities against India and for providing sanctuaries to such terrorist groups.
• ·         Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs (Shri Vayalar Ravi) informed that financial assistant has been given to some NGOs through the Indian Missions abroad for providing legal assistance to 104 Indian women in distress/deserted by their overseas spouses, or facing divorce proceedings in foreign countries so far. As on date, 27 NGOs/ legal organizations are empanelled with Indian Missions in 7 countries namely United States of America, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Bahrain and Qatar for implementing the scheme. In the scheme, the term “Overseas Indian” would include Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs). However, the scheme would not be available to a woman having a criminal case decided against her, provided that a criminal charge of Parental Child Abduction shall not be a bar if the custody of the child has not yet been adjudicated upon. “Parental Child Abduction” for this purpose will be defined as the unauthorized custody by the mother, without the other parent’s agreement and contrary to family law ruling, which largely removes the child from care, access and contact of the other parent and family side and shall be deemed to be Parental Child Abduction. International child abduction occurs when a parent, relative or acquaintance of a child leaves the country with the child or children in violation of a custody decree or visitation order. Another related situation is retention of children when they are supposedly taken on vacation to a foreign country and are not returned.”
• ·         The President of India presented the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for 2010 to Mr. Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, former President of the Federative Republic of Brazil in New Delhi. The Prize has been awarded to His Excellency President Lula of Brazil for his outstanding contribution to the cause of eliminating hunger and promoting inclusive growth in Brazil, for his advocacy of stronger ties among the developing economies and for his signal contribution to the cause of the India-Brazil partnership. During President Lula’s presidency relations between India and Brazil steadily progressed and the seeds were sown of a close partnership in the IBSA, BRIC, G-20 and BASIC. Background: The Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development is awarded annually to a person or organization without any distinction of nationality, race or religion, in recognition of creative efforts towards enlarging the scope of freedom and enriching the human spirit. It consists of an award of Rs. 2.5 million and a trophy with a citation.
• ·         President Barack Obama’s top national security adviser has said the United States has “given a full embrace of India’s rise”, leaving little doubt that Washington sees New Delhi as a strategic counterweight to Beijing regardless of what China, India itself, and the rest of the world think of the idea. The exuberant phrasing from national security adviser Tom Donilon, coming just ahead of the president’s first foray abroad (to Southeast Asia) after his re-election, spilled out in response to a searching question from an Indonesian diplomat, who wondered about the evolving US relationship with India and China, and why in his speech, Donilon had described India as a strategic partner but not China. In reply Donilon said, “With respect to India, we have given a full embrace of India’s rise. The president went to India on a three-day trip, as you know, and stood beneath the picture of Mahatma Gandhi, and called for India’s membership in a reformed Security Council.”
• ·         Joaquim Barbosa has been sworn-in as Brazil's Supreme Court's first non-white Chief Justice at a packed ceremony in the capital Brazilia. He became the only black ever to serve on the court when he joined it in 2003. Barbosa, recently became a household figure in Brazil after overseeing one of the country's biggest corruption trials involving key members of the former President Lula Da Silva's government. Despite of having second largest non-white population in the warld after Nigeria, Brazil has only few of them achieve high office. In his inauguration speech Justice Barbosa acknowledged the flaws in the Brazilian legal system. Mr Barbosa is famous for his tough stand against political corruption. 
• ·         The sustained economic downturn has impacted career options of lakhs of Chinese youths. Now, it is official that more and more young Chinese want to be bureaucrats, despite the career is less remunerative. In the recently held national civil service examination, as many as 1.5 million applicants got registered, an indication that Chinese graduates are chasing more stable career than the high paid private sector jobs. According to local media reports, the number of civil service aspirants in China is now 20 times more than what it used to be a decade ago. Like most bureaucracy around the word, the Chinese Administrators too face the same criticism: lack of dynamism and entrepreneurial spirit. Interestingly, the Chinese do not prefer all administrative jobs. According to reports, customs and taxation service is the most preferred job whereas very few want to join services like China Earthquake Administration.
• ·         Pakistan has test fired a nuclear-capable ballistic missile with a range of 1,300 kilometers. The military described the Hatf V Ghauri missile as a liquid fuel missile, which can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads. It was Pakistan's eighth missile test so far this year and comes two months after its last test of a Hatf-VII with a range of 700 kilometers.
• ·         The United Nations Conference on Climate Change is underway in Doha amid global concerns to limit the greenhouse gas emissions and the divide among the developing and the developed nations. The Head of the U.N. Climate Change Secretariat, Christiana Figueres said, a faster response to climate change is necessary and possible and expressed hopes for the Doha round of negotiations. The Kyoto Protocol expires on the 31st of December this year. The bone of contention is how long the Second Commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol will last and its scope. The European Union, Australia and some small countries have said they would abide by their commitments in a second period. But Russia, New Zealand, Canada and Japan have ruled out any commitments on a ceiling on greenhouse gases emission. The United States is yet to ratify the Kyoto Protocol. Developing nations led by India are in favour of another extension to the Kyoto Protocol.
• ·         Pakistan's 52 cities face another spell of cellular blackout, which the federal government has imposed to fend off violence during Ashura commemorations. The move is aimed at preventing bombs being triggered by mobile phones. In another incident, a roadside bomb has killed at least three people near a Shiite Muslim procession in the north-west region of the country. The attack was in the city of Dera Ismail Khan, a stronghold of Sunni Muslim militant groups, who regard Shiites as non-Muslims. More attacks are feared in the coming days as Shiites mark the climax of the holy month of Moharram.
• ·         In Bangladesh, at least 124 workers have been killed in a fire which engulfed a garments factory overnight at suburban 30 kilometers away from Dhaka. Most of the people died as they were trapped in the ill fated building while some more died as they jumped off the eight story building. Bangladesh President Zillur Rehman, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Leader of the Opposition Khaleda Zia have expressed profound shock at the loss of lives.
• ·         A new study says, the age-old meditation of Yog Nidra is top on the advice list of yoga teachers and psychologists for physical, mental and emotional well-being of individuals leading a stressful life.
• ·         Serbian Novak Djokovic finishes as world number one for the second straight year, as he sits top of the final 2012 rankings.
• ·         The Indian Olympic Association elections took a dramatic turn with Randhir Singh announcing that he will withdraw his nomination for the post of President. Randhir claimed that he has the numbers to win the elections if he had contested, but insisted that the kind of atmosphere that has been created and the level of personal allegations have forced him to withdraw.