{DNN} Daily News Notes 4th to 10th Dec, 2012

· Communications and IT Minister informed that calls on mobile phones will be made free in the next ten years. He said communication is a fundamental right and it should not be charged. He said that telecom companies are working on a plan to earn revenue from data instead of calls.
· Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation Minister has informed that the 2nd phase of the Rajiv Awas Yojana will cover all cities in the country irrespective of population. Any town recommended by the State governments will be included in the project. The Minister said, the first phase of the Rajiv Awas Yojana will continue till 2014. The second phase of the scheme is intended to overcome the shortage of about 1.8 crore houses in the urban areas. He said that 35 percent dwelling units will be reserved for the economically weaker sections.
· The Indian Air Force will conduct its first ever day-night exercise and display its full combat capability during ‘Iron Fist’ to be held at Pokhran firing ranges from February 22, 2013. About 100 different aircraft Sukhoi 30, Mirage 2000, Jaguar, MIG 21, attack helicopters, UAV and high-tech AWACS will display their potential. The transport aircraft taking part in the exercise will include AN-32, Embraer, IL-76, IL-78 and C-130J while Mi-17V5 and Mi-35 attack helicopters will constitute the rotary wing ingredients. The Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) will be used to monitor the mammoth exercise, while an unmanned aerial vehicle will stream live video images of the targets set for destruction. The air defence activities will include firing of surface-to-air guided missiles. Mock radar sites, tanks, marshalling yards, terrorist camps, runway, BMP, blast pens and convoys are among the few targets that the IAF pilots will seek to destroy during the exercise. Para-drop and troop insertion of Garudas (IAF’s special force) to neutralize a mock terrorist camp will also be on display.
· The President had led the nation in paying homage to Bharat Ratna Baba Saheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar on his 57th Mahaparinirvan Diwas on 6th Dec, 2012. On this occasion, the Centre has announced to transfer the prime Indu Mill land (12.5-acre land worth Rs. 11,000 crore) in Mumbai to Maharashtra government for building a memorial to BR Ambedkar.
· Recently released feature film ‘Life of Pi’ has been given two National Tourism Awards by the Ministry of Tourism recognizing the impact it has had in promoting India as a tourism destination, especially Puducherry and Munnar (Kerala). These Awards would be given to Mr. Ang Lee, Director of the film ‘Life of Pi’ and Mr. Yann Martel, writer of the book of the same name. The Ministry of Tourism has identified ‘Film Tourism’ as a Niche Tourism product. It has requested the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations to recognize the potential of Film Tourism and constitute special bodies/cells to facilitate filming in their respective States/Union Territories.
· Union Minister for Communications and IT has given away Web Ratna Awards 2012. Web Ratna Awards acknowledge the exemplary initiatives in e-Governance using the medium of World Wide Web in different categories highlighting application of ICT, right from web presence to delivery of citizen services to public participation and innovation in use of technology. The list of awardees can be accessed at the “Click Here”. The first ever "Web Ratna Awards" were presented in 2010.
· President of India has given away National Level Awards for Cooperative Excellence to: Dakhin Rampur Gaon Panchayat Samabay Samity Ltd., Distt. Kamrup, Assam under Cooperatively Least Developed States category; Mulukanoor Women’s Cooperative Dairy Vishwandapuri, Distt. Karimnagar, Andhra Pradesh under Cooperatively Under-developed States category; and Samarth Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana Ltd., Ankushnagar, Distt. Jalna, Maharashtra under Cooperatively Developed States category. Background: National Cooperative Development Corporation has been conferring “NCDC Award for Cooperative Excellence” once every two years since 2002 to the best Primary Society from each State/UT. In addition, from this year onwards, NCDC has also instituted three National Level Awards for Primary Cooperative Societies, one each from cooperatively developed States, cooperatively under-developed States and cooperatively least developed States. National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) is a statutory Corporation set up under an Act of Parliament in 1963 to plan, promote and finance programmes through cooperatives for the production, processing, marketing, storage, export and import of agricultural produce and other notified services. NCDC has now completed 50 years of distinguished service to the cooperatives and is celebrating its Golden Jubilee this year. Significantly, this is also the International Year of Cooperatives (IYC) as declared by the United Nations.
· [Sports election SCAM] After months of warnings, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has banned the Indian Olympic Association. Reasons cited by IOC for suspension of IOA are IOA’s failure to comply with the Olympic Charter and its statutes, failure to inform the IOC in a timely manner, and as a protective measure against Government interference in the IOA’s election process. The ban means an effective end to funding from the IOC to the national Olympic committee (IOA), no Indian officials attending Olympic meetings and Indian athletes banned from competing at the Olympics under their country's flag. This ban comes with the Lalit Bhanot (who spent 11 months in custody last year following corruption charges that plagued the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi and who is out on bail) was confirmed for the post late on Friday after the rival faction pulled out ahead of Wednesday's election. Executive Board of IOC has also confirmed that the IOA is not entitled to hold any elections until all pending issues are resolved and the Executive Board decides to lift the suspension. However, the Government of India strongly feels that the IOC’s decision to attribute suspension to Government interference in the IOA’s election process is entirely misplaced, as the National Sports Development Code includes such age and tenure guidelines for office-bearers of Sports Bodies as are enshrined in the Olympic Charter itself. They are similar to the practices followed by the IOC and are drawn from the Constitution of the IOC and have been upheld by the Courts of Law in India. In fact, it is not the Sports Code, but the IOA’s constitution which is not aligned with the Olympic Charter. The IOA had agreed to amend its constitution in 2010, but has failed to bring about the necessary amendments in the past 2 years. Had this been done, there would have been no cause for intervention by the IOC. Further, disregarding the ban imposed by the International Olympic Committee, a defiant IOA went ahead with its AGM and elections claiming that it has not violated any guidelines even as the government and the national sports body blamed each other for the fiasco. Meanwhile, International Olympic Committee, in its suspension letter to IOA has made it clear the national sports body would remain suspended until it was in a position to satisfy all the conditions set out in the Olympic Charter and IOC's requirements.
· [Sports election SCAM] The Ministry of Sports has suspended recognition of Indian Amateur Boxing Federation (IABF) with immediate effect. The decision has been taken as the election of the IABF held in Sep, 2012 was in violation of the procedure laid down in the Sports Code. The major defects were: [1.] The publication of the electoral roll was flawed because it was not possible for the electoral roll to be dispatched to members by post prior to the last date for filing of nominations and merely publishing on the website is not considered sufficient notice or information to all members; [2.] Members were not given sufficient time to file nominations as the gap between the finalization of the electoral roll and the filing of nomination was too short to allow people to travel large distances and file nominations personally; [3.] Nominations of candidates were taken from the floor of the House on a date which was after last date of nomination and this is not permissible.
· [Sports election SCAM] The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports has de-recognized Archery Association of India (AAI) with immediate effect. The Archery Association of India held its elections in Nov, 2012. While the procedures adopted in the elections were in conformity with the procedures laid down in the Sports Code and common practice, the Archery Association has violated the age and tenure restrictions prescribed in the Sports Code. The President elect of the Archery Association of India has served for more than three consecutive terms in the past and is also above the age of 70 years. The High Court in its Civil Writ Petition had directed that the Government shall not grant recognition to the Archery Association of India unless they hold elections as per the Sports Code. In view of the directions of the High Court, the Government has no option but to withdraw the recognition of the Archery Association of India.
· Minister of State for Personnel has informed that the power to sanction leave to an officer vests with the authority under whose administrative control the officer is working. Willful absence from duty after the expiry of leave may render a member of the Service liable to disciplinary action. In All India Services there is a provision of effecting deemed resignation under AIS (Leave) Rules, 1955 which can be invoked in a case where an officer is absent without authorization for a period exceeding one year from the date of expiry of sanctioned leave or permission. Also, the number of officers who have been deemed resigned under AIS(Leave) Rules accounts to as: IAS=23, IPS=1, IFS=0. However, number of officers against whom action has been recommended/taken by the State Government comes out to be as: IAS=5, IPS=5, IFS=0.
· Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare has informed that the Government has adopted a multi-pronged strategy to curb female foeticide in the country. Some of the measures are: [1.] For prohibition of sex selection, before and after conception, and for regulation of prenatal diagnostic techniques, the Government has enacted the Pre-conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act in 1994; [2.] Regulation of use of portable ultrasound equipment has been notified only within the registered premises; [3.] Restriction on medical practitioners to conduct ultrasonography at maximum of two ultrasound facilities within a district has been placed; [4.] Prime Minister has urged the Chief Ministers of all States to provide personal leadership to reverse the declining trend inchild sex ratio and address the neglect of the girl child through focus on education and empowerment; [5.] Matter has been taken up with Ministry of C&IT to block sex selection advertisements on websites; [6.] The National Inspection and Monitoring Committee (NIMC) have been reconstituted and inspections of ultrasound diagnostic facilities have been intensified; [7.] Religious leaders, women achievers etc. are being involved in the campaign against skewed child sex ratio and discrimination of the girl child.
· Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare has informed that the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) which was launched in 2005, essentially seeks to provide accessible, affordable and quality healthcare services to the rural populations. The key features of the Mission include making the public health delivery system fully functional and accountable to the public, human resource management, community involvement, decentralization, rigorous monitoring and evaluation against standards, convergence of health and related programmes from village level upwards, innovations and increased flexible financing. Key indicators have shown desired results under NRHM. A total of 8,146 Primary Health Centres have been made into 24X7 facilities. Hospital/Community Health Centres have been upgraded as First Referral Units after the inception of NRHM. The proportion of pregnant women undergoing three antenatal check-up increased from 49.8% in 2007-08 to 68.4 % in 2009 while institutional delivery increased from 47% to 72.9% and children getting fully immunized increased from 54% to 61% in the same period. The impact of NRHM is visible in the decline of Infant Mortality Rate (IMR, declined from 58 in 2005 to 44 in 2011), Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR, declined from 254 in 2004-06 to 212 in 2007-09) and Total Fertility Rate (TFR, declined from 2.9 in 2005 to 2.5 in 2010) during the period of implementation of the mission so far. The annual rate of decline of IMR improved by about 37% in the period after inception of NRHM ie. 2005-11.
· Minister of State for Agriculture has informed that there are 4 major insurance schemes in agriculture that are being implemented by the govt. They are: National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAlS), Pilot Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (WBCIS), Pilot Modified National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (MNAIS) and Pilot Coconut Palm Insurance Scheme (CPIS).
· Defence Minister has informed that the Government has approved setting up of seven additional Service Selection Boards viz. 2 for Army, 3 for Navy and 2 for Air Force.The Army have undertaken sustained image projection and publicity campaign to create awareness among the youth on the advantages of taking up a challenging and satisfying career. Further, he informed about the Intergovernmental Agreements on Defence Cooperation have been concluded in the last three years with Republic of Korea, Ecuador, Mongolia, Spain and Thailand. However, these agreements are in the nature of enabling, framework agreements and do not involve supply of defence material.
· The Minister of State for Labour & Employment has informed that the total number of cases registered under human trafficking by placement agencies during the period 2009, 2010 and 2011 were ~2800, ~3400 and ~3500 respectively (i.e. it’s increasing day-by-day). He told that many poor girls from various parts of the country including Jharkhand, Bihar and West Bengal are being brought to Delhi and other metropolis by traffickers who handed them over to placement agencies for their employment as maid servants when most of these are young girls and below sixteen years. Further, the Minister informed that the preventive steps taken by the Government against trafficking are: [1.] Trafficking in human beings or persons is prohibited under the Constitution of India under Article 23 (Prohibition of traffic in human beings and forced labour); [2.] The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 (ITPA) is the premier legislation for prevention of trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation; [3.] Ministry of Labour is implementing the Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986, which prohibits the employment of children below the age of 14 years in 18 occupations and 65 processes. The employment of children below 14 years as domestic help has been banned as per the Act, since October, 2006; [4.] Anti-Trafficking Nodal Cell was set up in Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to act as a focal point for communicating various decisions and follow up on action taken by the State Governments, National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) and other Ministries. All the States/ UT administrations have nominated Anti Trafficking Nodal Officers who coordinate amongst themselves in inter-state trafficking cases. Similarly, Anti-Trafficking nodal cells have been created at district Level headed by Superintendents of Police; [5.] Ministry of Women and Child development is implementing “Ujjawala”- a Comprehensive Scheme for Prevention of Trafficking and Rescue, Rehabilitation, Re-Integration and Repatriation of Victims of Trafficking for Commercial Sexual Exploitation. As on 31st October 2012, 101 rehabilitative homes (in 21 States) have been sanctioned which can accommodate nearly 4650 victims. The Schemes provide for shelter, food, clothing for victims, counselling, medical care, legal and other support, vocational training and income generation activities. The scheme also promotes community based systems to prevent trafficking from source areas; [6.] In addition, trafficked victims are also given shelter in Short Stay Homes and Swadhar Homes for women in difficult circumstances. The Schemes provides for shelter, foodand clothing for women and children below the age of 18 years, counselling, clinical, medical, legal and other support, training and economic rehabilitation and helpline facilities.
· Minister of Mines has informed that FDI up to 100% is permitted under the automatic route in Mining and Exploration of metal and non-metal ores including diamond, gold, silver and precious ores. However, restrictions are stipulated for Titanium Ores and thus FDI is not allowed in prescribed substances as notified by Department of Atomic Energy. Further, he informed that FDI inflow leads to induction of (i) mining technology, (ii) Automation in mining, and (iii) productivity increases.
· Minister of State in the MHA has informed that a Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) is being carried out throughout the country. The Nodal Ministries of this Census are the Ministry of Rural Development and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation and technical support is being provided by the Ministry of Home Affairs (Office of Registrar General and Census Commissioner). Giving updates, the Minister informed that the SECC field work has already been completed in 29 States/ UTs and is in progress in the remaining States of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Manipur, West Bengal, Jharkhand and Maharashtra. Based on the feed-back from the State Governments, the field-work of the SECC is likely to be over by March 2013. Further, he said that after the data has been collected in the Hand Held Devices (HHDs) from the field, the Office of Registrar General and Census Commissioner would process the caste data and hand over the details of the castes/tribes returns to the proposed Expert Group to be constituted by the Central Government in consultation with the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs for categorization and classification.
· Minister of State in MHA informed that the Integrated Action Plan (IAP) for Selected Tribal and Backward Districts, which covers 82 districts has been currently approved for implementation upto 2012-13. The structure of the Backward Regions Grant Fund, including IAP, in the remaining four years (2013-14 to 2016-17) of the 12th Five Year Plan will be decided as per the finalization of the 12th Five Year Plan. Background: The IAP was initiated on 25.11.2010 with funds to be placed at the disposal of the Committee headed by the District Collector and consisting of the Superintendent of Police and the District Forest Officer. The District Level Committee is to draw up a plan consisting of concrete proposals for public infrastructure and services. The projects so selected are required to show results in the short term. In a short period of two years, out of ~93000 works taken up, ~66000 works have been completed i.e. about ~70%.
· Minister of State for Commerce has informed that after witnessing positive growth of ~33% in 2010-11 and ~17% in 2011-12 respectively, India’s exports to China in first half of 2012-13 (April-September) have seen a decline of ~20% compared to the corresponding period in 2011-12. India’s imports from China (for the same period) have also recording a decline of ~2.5%. Since our imports have been more than the exports to China, it has resulted in trade deficit with China. The decline in exports can be attributed to decrease in the exports of Iron ores, other ores and minerals, plastics & linoleum products, dyes/intermediates and chemicals, petroleum (crude & products), electronic goods, ferro alloys, drugs, pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals, transport equipment etc. The decline in imports can be attributed to decrease in the imports of machinery except electrical & electronics, iron & steel, transport equipment, artificial resins, plastic materials, non-ferrous metals, inorganic chemicals and gold. The decline in bilateral trade can be attributed to overall negative global sentiment because of economic recession and low demand from the US and Europe. Ban of exports of iron-ore from Karnataka and Goa also contributed to decline in India’s exports to China. Further, the Minister said that there is no specific uncertainty on the future of India’s trade relationship with China. However, both the sides are engaged to realize the target of bilateral trade of US$ 100 billion by 2015.
· Minister of State for Tribal Affairs has informed that her Ministry is implementing a programme for development of Forest Villages since 2005-06 for integrated development of forest villages with a view to raise the Human Development Index (HDI) of the inhabitants of the Forest Villages and for provision of basic facilities and services in ~2500 forest villages spread over 12 States. Under the programme, funds are released out for infrastructure work relating to basic services and facilities viz. approach roads, healthcare, primary education, minor irrigation, rainwater harvesting, drinking water, sanitation, community halls, etc. for development of Forest Villages. The programme is being implemented due through Forest Development Agencies (FDA) in the State Governments. FDAs are under the administrative control of the Forest Departments of the concerned States. Further, she informed that does not envisage upgradation of forest villages into revenue villages. As per the provisions of the Scheduled Tribes and other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 and the Rules framed thereunder, the forest right related to conversion of forest villages into revenue villages is to be adjudicated by the Gram Sabha, Sub-Divisional Level Committee and the District Level Committee. However, after the enactment of the Act, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs has not received any report regarding the conversion of the forest villages into revenue villages as per the provisions of the Act. Further, the Minister said that her Ministry has recently issued guidelines in July-2012, inter-alia impressing upon all the State/ UT Governments to convert all such erstwhile forest villages, un-recorded settlements and old habitations into revenue villages with a sense of urgency in a time bound manner. The conversion would include the actual land use of the village in its entirety, including land required for current or future community uses, like, schools, health facilities, public spaces etc.
· Minister of State for Health has informed that formulation and implementation of Patient Charter rests with the States as public health is a State subject. However, the Central Govt. has provided templates of Citizen Charter for different level of health care facilities viz. Sub Health Centre (SHC), Public Health Centre (PHC), Community Health Centre (CHC) and District Hospital (DH). Further, he said that under the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) a Patients Charter for Tuberculosis Care developed by the World Care Council has been adopted. This charter empowers people with the disease and their communities through knowledge of the disease. Initiated and developed by patients from around the world, the Charter makes the relationship with health-care providers a mutually beneficial one. The Charter embodies the Principle of Greater Involvement of People with TB (P-GIPT).
· Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel has informed that the Supreme Court in the matter of M. Nagaraj case, while upholding validity of the Constitution amendments regarding reservation in promotion to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, has laid down certain pre-requisite conditions for providing reservation in promotion to SCs and STs, namely the State has to see about inadequacy of representation, backwardness of the class and efficiency of administration. To overcome these pre-requisite conditions, the Government of India had proposed to introduce a Bill on the Constitutional amendment for reservation of Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes in promotion in the Government jobs. The Bill aims to amend Article 16(4A) so as to continue with existing provisions of reservation in promotion to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, without any impediment.
· Minister of State for Commerce & Industry has informed that the provisions of Minimum Alternate Tax (MAT) have been made applicable to Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Developers and Units with effect from 1st April, 2012. The SEZ sector has seen a sharp slowdown due to a number of reasons including withdrawal of exemption from MAT and Dividend Distribution Tax (DDT) provisions, uncertain fiscal regime for SEZs, global slowdown in exports etc. The number of applications for denotification of SEZs has shown a significant increase in the last two financial years and the trend is continuing in the current financial year also with 40 of the total 52 de-notifications of SEZs having been approved between 2010 and 2012. Further, the Minister informed that the export target for the year 2011-12 has been achieved with approximately 15% of growth rate. However, the data for April-September 2012 shows slowdown in export. Further, the growth of export to West Asia (GCC), other West Asian Countries, ASEAN, other South Asian countries in the year 2011-12 was 6.79%, 22.89%, 43.38% and 14% respectively. Also, in recent years Indian export has shown an increase of non-traditional items including leather, electronics, chemicals and services.
· The Minister of State for Labour & Employment has informed that the V.V. Giri National Labour Institute had conducted a study to assess the impact of the proposed amendments to the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970 on the economy and financial implications for the Central and State Governments, including different sectors of productions and employment which depend on labour as one of their important inputs. Further, the Minister gives out the figure of estimated contract labour engaged by licenced contractors (as on March, 2009) which comes to be around 15lakhs and 45lakhs in Central and State sphere respectively. Also, the number of contract labour not engaged by licenced contractors is estimated to be over five times the number covered. The Minister said that the contract labour are being paid less wages than the wages given to the regular workers even though contract labour perform same or similar kind of work. Thus, to safeguard the interests of the contract labour further in term of wages and social security, a proposal to amend the Contract Labour (Regulation & Abolition) Act, 1970 is under consideration of the Government.
· IT major Infosys plans to roll out in about two years, its Rs 700-crore project that would help India Post transform its banking and insurance operations across 150,000 post offices in the country. As per an agreement between Infosys and India Post, the two would embark on a transformational initiative, aimed to transform India Post into a technology-enabled and autonomous market leader, by revolutionising its financial operations and end-user services. This was part of the ‘India Post 2012’ modernisation programme that aimed at bringing transparency, agility, flexibility and scalability to India Post’s operations.
· Minister of State for Highways has informed that in addition to taking up National Highway (NH) projects through Private Sector Participation, his Ministry has decided to take up certain road development projects, which are not viable on Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) mode, on Engineering, Procurement & Construction (EPC) on 100% Government funding. So far, 32 National Highway (NH) stretches have tentatively been identified for taking up on EPC mode. Background: Under an EPC contract, the contractor designs the installation, procures the necessary materials and builds the project, either directly or by subcontracting part of the work. This is often done in situations where the construction risk is too great for the contractor or when the owner does the construction. One main reason an owner may prefer an EPC arrangement is "certainty of cost". An EPC contract binds the Contractor to deliver the project at a firm, predetermined price regardless of any increase in costs that the Contractor may incurr after the contract is signed. However, changes to specifications initiated by the owner (better finishes for example) may be incorported through a "change order".
· Government has appointed tax expert Dr. Parthasarathy Shome as Adviser to Finance Minister, in the rank of Minister of State, co-terminus with the period of office of the Finance Minister. Shome was appointed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as the Chairman of the Committee on General Anti-Avoidance Rules in July. He had earlier worked with the International Monetary Fund and also advised the World Bank and the United Nations in various projects.
· Arun Chaudhary has been appointed as Director General, Sashstra Seema Bal (SSB). He is an IPS officer of 1977 batch, Bihar Cadre.
· Minister of Law and Justice informed that the 6 month drive of a High Courts case pendency reduction drive will continue till the end of this month. He said that under this drive emphasis is being laid on increasing the number of Judges in subordinate judiciary by filling up the vacancies and creating additional posts. He said that the government has set up a national mission for justice delivery and legal reforms with the objective of increasing access by reducing delays and enhancing accountability through structural changes.
· The Chairman of Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) has announced that Tirupur is the first textiles cluster in India to arrive at the Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) in Dyeing & Processing Technology. It is to be noted that due to the High Court order, the Dyeing & Processing Industry in Tirupur has terrible problem, with many of the units shut. However, with this technology there comes the hope for the revival of this sector, he added. Technology: Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) describes a process that completely eliminates liquid discharge from a system. The goal of any well-designed ZLD system is to minimize the volume of wastewater that requires treatment, process wastewater in an economically feasible manner, while also producing a clean stream suitable for reuse elsewhere in the facility. ZLD systems provide numerous economic and environmental advantages too for plant managers—water is recycled and reused, saving on the cost and treatment of raw water. Since all water is reclaimed, no effluent is discharged from the plant, avoiding the cost of environmental impact. The technology is particularly appropriate in water-short areas.
· Minister of State for Railways has informed that a number of policies were announced during Eleventh Five Year Plan to encourage private investment in terminals and wagons. These include: Private Freight Terminal policy (PFT), Special Freight Train Operations (SFTO) policy, Automobile Freight Train Operators (AFTO) policy, Auto-hub-ancillary policy, Operation of Container Trains, R3I (Railways’ Infrastructure for Industry Initiative) and R2CI (Rail connectivity to coal and iron ore mines) policies to facilitate participation of private sector in the development of Railway Infrastructure. He said that while these policies will continue to be pursued during the Twelfth Five Year Plan, a revised policy for encouraging private participation in rail connectivity projects has been approved recently by the Union Cabinet including Liberalized Wagon Investment Scheme, notification for the Private Freight Terminal have been issued and private container train operators have now been given permission for operation of container trains.
· Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) director, general Samir K Brahmachari said that the design and development of India’s first Regional Transport Aircraft (RTA), whose development has been actively pursued by the government to enhance air connectivity between tier-II and tier-III cities with the major metros, will be a joint venture between defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and a consortium of industries. The inclusion of private industries in the development of RTA means that, the suggestions given in the feasibility report, submitted by the 16 member high powered committee headed by former ISRO Chairman G Madhavan Nair, is rejected. In June 2011, the committee, comprising experts from the government, industry, financial institutions and aviation regulatory authority, submitted a feasibility report stating that there is a market potential for the development of the RTA. It also recommended that the government fund the development phase, and that a joint venture be created with a private partner for the production phase.
· Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office has informed that the India Based Neutrino Observatory (INO) project is being set up in the Bodi West Hills at the Pottipuram village in Theni district of Tamil Nadu. The project aims at carrying out research to study the properties of neutrinos which are the second most abundant particles in the Universe. Neutrinos are neutral particles and weakly interactive particles which are very difficult to detect. Therefore, they need a massive detector. INO detector will be a multi-layer stack of magnetized iron plates. A large number of such plates will be needed to build the INO detector and with back up of electronics, these detectors are expected to detect neutrinos passing through them. The INO will ultimately help in understanding the evolution of universe. The detectors developed for the INO project will also have societal applications such as in medical imaging. Further, the Minister informed that the North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC) carries out applications projects in the fields of Earth Observations Applications (EOA), Satellite Communications (SATCOM), Disaster Management Support (DMS) and Space Science. This will also provide developmental support to the North Eastern Region (NER) of the country using space science and technology. He said that the current projects and programmes undertaken by NESAC in NE region include Remote Sensing & Geographical Information System(GIS) application Projects in the areas of Forestry & Ecology, Agriculture & Soils, Water Resources & Hydrology, Geology, Infrastructure Planning, Natural Resources Census etc.; Satellite Communication application projects such as Telemedicine, Tele education and Village Resource Centre; Space Science Projects related to the study of aerosol radiative forcing, atmospheric trace gases; and Disaster Management Support Projects such as Flood Early Warning System, drought monitoring and Hazard Risk Vulnerability Assessment.
· Based on the study of Water Quality data of 10 years (2000-09), Union Water Resources Minister has informed that the water of some stretches of Ganga, Yamuna, Chambal, Sone and Wainganga are not fit for drinking purposes. For improving the quality of the water, both the Central and the State Governments have taken various steps such as interception and diversion of raw sewage, setting up sewage treatment plants, creation of low-cost sanitation facilities, setting up of electric/improved wood crematoria, installation of Common Effluent Treatment Plants and river front development. Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) recommendation for drinking water quality: [1.] BIS recommended range for pH is 6.5 to 8.5); [2.] BIS recommended limit for Electrical Conductance (EC) is 750 μS/cm that can be extended to 3000 μS/cm in case of no alternate source available; [3.] BIS recommended limit for Chloride concentration is 250 mg/l that can be extended to 1000 mg/l in case of no alternate source available; [4.] Water having Fluoride concentration of more than 1.5 mg/l is not suitable for drinking purposes; [5.] Water having Sulphate concentration more than 400 mg/l is not suitable for drinking purposes; [6.] The permissible Iron concentration in surface water is less than 1.0 mg/litre as per the BIS Standard for drinking water; [7.] Water having Magnesium concentration of more than 100 mg/l is not suitable for drinking purposes; [8.] BIS has recommended 5.0 mg/l concentration of Dissolved Oxygen (DO) for outdoor bathing; [9.] BIS has recommended 3.0 mg/l concentration of Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) for outdoor bathing; [10.] As per CPCB guidelines, for outdoor bathing, the Total Coliforms count should be equal to or less than 500 Most Probable Number per Hundred milliliter (MPN/100ml).
· Minister of State for Environment and Forests has informed that India signed the Nagoya Protocol on 11 May 2011 and ratified it on 09 October 2012. The number of signatories to the Protocol is 92, and so far nine countries have ratified the Protocol. These are Seychelles, Rwanda, Gabon, Jordan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Mexico, India, Fiji and Ethiopia. Background: Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) is a new international treaty adopted under the auspices of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Nagoya, Japan in October, 2010, after six years of intense negotiations in which India was also an active participant. The objective of the Nagoya Protocol is the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources, including by appropriate access to genetic resources and by appropriate transfer of relevant technologies. Once the Nagoya Protocol enters into force, the user country measures enshrined in it would oblige all Parties to provide that users of genetic resources within their jurisdiction respect the domestic regulatory framework of Parties from where genetic resources have been accessed, thereby addressing the concerns of misappropriation.
· Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs has informed that the Government has launched Mahatma Gandhi Pravasi Suraksha Yojana (MGPSY) on 1st May 2012 on a pilot basis. The objective of MGPSY is to encourage and enable overseas Indian workers having Emigration Check Required (ECR) passports going to ECR countries, to (a) save for their return and resettlement and (b) save for their pension. They are also provided Life Insurance cover against natural death, during the period of coverage, without any additional payment by them.
· A Grand Tattoo show was organized by Border Security Force in Delhi as a part of 150th year celebrations of Indian Police. Exciting display of traditional dances and martial arts, scintillating display of stunts by BSF daredevils, J&K Police, AP Police and lady motorcyclists of Himachal Police and glorious BSF camel contingent were added attraction of the show.
· Minister of State for Finance has informed that several agencies such as the RBI, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Home Affairs, Security and Intelligence Agencies of the Centre and States, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) etc., are working in tandem, to thwart the illegal activities related to Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN). FCORD (FICN Coordination Cell) moritors the activities of these agencies and coordinates/shares all available information/intelligence and analysis on circulation/smuggling of FICN in the world. The government has also constituted a Terror Funding and Fake Currency Cell (TFFC) in National Investigation Agency (NIA) in 2010 to focus on investigation and prosecute Terror Funding and Fake Currency Cases.
· The Minister of State for Power said that the Kishanganga Hydroelectric Power Project has been discussed between India and Pakistan in a number of meetings of the Permanent Indus Commission, wherein Pakistan side has raised objections on the design of the project with respect to the provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty 1960. As per the Treaty provisions, Pakistan had initiated arbitration proceedings for resolution in a Court of Arbitration, Hague. Scheduled proceedings before the Court have been completed. The Award is expected to be announced within six months of the close of the Scheduled hearings. Background: The KHE Plant is part of a run-of-the-river hydroelectric scheme that is designed to divert water from the Kishanganga River to a power plant in the Jhelum River basin. It is located in Jammu and Kashmir and will have an installed capacity of 330 MW when it’s expected to be complete in 2016. Construction on the dam was halted by the Hague's Permanent Court of Arbitration in October 2011 due to Pakistan's protest of its effect on the flow of the Kishanganga River (called the Neelum River in Pakistan). Pakistan is constructing the Neelum–Jhelum Hydropower Plant downstream of the Kishanganga. The Kishanganga Hydroelectric Plant operates in a similar sense as the Neelum–Jhelum Hydropower Plant, using a dam to divert the Kishanganga (Neelum) River to a power station before it is discharged into Wular Lake which is fed by the Jhelum River. The Kishanganga Project will divert a portion of the Neelum River from Pakistan which will reduce power generation at the Neelum–Jhelum Hydropower Plant. India states the project will divert 10 percent of the river's flow while other estimates stand as high as 33 percent.
· Minister of State for Finance has informed that the Government proposes to set aside an Innovation Fund for inclusive economic growth. The fund is to be targeted at the bottom of socio-economic pyramid, and directed at benefitting India’s common citizen, particularly in rural areas who do not have all basic services. The fund will help innovative Indian enterprises in developing innovative solutions to meet the development challenges. The fund shall have minimum size of Rs. 500 crore which can be scaled upto Rs. 5000 crore.
· Minister of State for HRD has informed that 87.7% elementary schools have toilets, 94.6% have drinking water, 53.6% have ramps, 70.1% have boundary walls and 79.1% have playgrounds. Further, he said that the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) seeks to augment school infrastructure with the objective of meeting RTE requirements.
· The Minister of State for Power has informed that Kerala Govt. has submitted application for allocation of gas, as per the gas allocation policy for 12th Plan, for setting up of two gas based power plants, namely Brahmapuram Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) and Cheemeni CCGT. Further, he said that due to uncertainty in availability of domestic gas in the country, Central Electricity Authority has issued an advisory not to plan any new gas based plant till 2015-16. Therefore, the new gas based power projects including above power plants of Kerala, could not be allocated gas so far.
· The Minister of State for Power informed that Restructured Accelerated Power Development & Reforms Programme (R-APDRP) is being implemented in various States of India including Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. Background: R-APDRP focus on actual, demonstrable performance in terms of sustained loss reduction, establishment of reliable and automated systems for sustained collection of accurate base line data, and the adoption of Information Technology in the areas of energy accounting. It is proposed to cover urban areas - towns and cities with population of more than 30,000 (10,000 in case of special category states). Projects under the scheme shall be taken up in Two Parts. Part-A shall include the projects for establishment of baseline data and IT applications for energy accounting/auditing & IT based consumer service centres. Part-B shall include regular distribution strengthening projects.
· Minister of State for Finance has given the list of steps taken to attract greater foreign investment into India: [1.] The Qualified Foreign Investor (QFI) scheme was introduced in the Budget 2011-12 by allowing foreign investors to invest in Mutual Funds. In Jan, 2012, the Government expanded this scheme to allow QFIs to directly invest in Indian Equity Market. As announced in Budget 2012-13, QFI can now also invest in corporate bonds also; [2.] The policy pertaining to the Foreign Direct Investment is being periodically reviewed and the latest liberalisations measures taken are in the sectors of multi-brand retail trading, single brand retail trading, permitting investments in the civil aviation sector, enhancing limits in the Broadcasting sector, permitting FDI in power exchanges; [3.] The debt limit allocation mechanism for FIIs have been rationalised by allowing reinvestment facility to FIIs; Reduction in utilization period of debt limits and adoption of First Come First Serve (FCFS) method of allocating limits in case of the long term infra bonds.
· Minister of State for Coal has informed that the estimated proved coal reserves of 118 billion tones were always more to the current level of production. However, in view of various constraints coming in the way of enhancing coal production during the XI Five Year Plan, the gap widened between projected demand and domestic availability. The Minister said that the major constraints in expanding the coal production have been delays in obtaining Environment & Forestry clearances, Land Acquisition and related R&R issues, Law & Order problems in some of the states and Coal Evacuation constraints. Further, he informed that the Coal India Limited (CIL), besides taking up coal production through its own resources, has also outsourced some of its operations to increase total coal production to meet the present demand. Also, CIL is in the process of finalizing document for development of 27 identified projects through outsourcing to enhance coal production capacities during the XII five year plan.
· Defence Minister informed that the Central welfare schemes like Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), Indira AwasYojana and National Slum Development Programme have not been extended to any Cantonment Board (a body corporate under the Cantonments Act, 2006 which is deemed to be a municipality). However, Government of Maharashtra has partly extended assistance and benefits under various schemes including Central welfare schemes covering areas of education, health and family welfare, to Deolali Cantonment Board, Nasik.
· Aiming to bring justice to doorsteps of people in villages, the Centre plans to set up at least 2,500 courts at the taluka level, saving rural folk the trouble of having to travel to the district headquarters. The plan is an extension of the gram nyayalaya scheme, in which mobile courts visit villages to dispense speedy justice by adopting summary proceedings. The plan was first notified in 2009. In the proposed funding pattern, the Centre will meet 75% of the cost of infrastructure and running expenses while states will pitch in with the remaining 25%, the same as in the case of subordinate courts and the high courts. These civil courts will be headed by a judicial magistrate but will not be bound by the rules of Code of Criminal Procedure or those followed in civil suits. These courts have also been exempted from strictly adhering to the rules of evidence, unlike other courts. In case the litigants are not satisfied, they can approach higher courts, but a time limit of six months has also been fixed for adjudication of these cases in higher courts.
· Minister of Corporate Affairs has informed that as per the latest Global Competitiveness Report 2012-13, brought out by World Economic Forum, a Swiss non-profit foundation based in Geneva, India ranks 59th amongst 144 economies in the Global Competitiveness Index for 2012-13, as against 56th position out of 142 economies covered in 2011-12. However, India’s performance with a GCI score of 4.32 (on a scale of 1-7) in the year 2012-13 is an improvement over last year score of 4.30. Background: The Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) measures the competitive performance of the economies around the world for doing business. It is a composite index that combines three component indices covering 12 different parameters (termed ‘pillars’). The details of the three components along with the weights assigned to them and the pillars are presented in table below:
· The Supreme Court, while pulling up Sahara group for the delay in refunding the deposits to its investors, asked it to spell out on Tuesday whether it would be in a position to refund the entire amount of over Rs.24,000 crores with interest within a week. Earlier, the Sahara real estate companies have challenged the Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT) order rejecting their plea to direct its registrar accept a pay order of Rs.5,120 crore that it had to deposit to SEBI towards the payment of investors’ deposits by November 30.
· Congress humbled the opposition in the vote on allowing FDI in retail in Rajya Sabha by a convincing margin of 21 votes: a scoreline which was facilitated by desertions from the opposition ranks and support from all but one of the Independents. The show carried the trademark stamp of Congress’s fabled “management” skills. The floor management saw three of the five TDP members abstaining, along with two belonging to NDA: Shiv Sena’s R K Dhoot and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha’s Sanjeev Kumar. Congress also got Upendra Kushwaha, a JD(U) rebel who risks losing his membership under the Anti-Defection Act, to vote for the government.
· India and Japan signed an agreement to swap their local currencies either Japanese yen or Indian rupee against dollar for an amount up to $15 billion to address short-term liquidity problems. The arrangement to be effective from December 4, 2012 would be for a three-year period. Earlier, both countries had a similar arrangement for an amount of up to $3 billion for a period of 3 years between June 2008 and June 2011.
· Defence Minister informed that 54 missing defence personnel of 1965 and 1971 Wars (including one from Border Security Force) are believed to be in the custody in Pakistan. However, Pakistan does not acknowledge the presence of any such personnel in its custody. A delegation of 14 relatives of missing defence personnel also visited 10 Jails in Pakistan in June, 2007. The delegation, however, could not conclusively confirm the physical presence of any missing defence personnel. Further, following media reports stating that some Indian prisoners of 1971 War were lodged in Omani Jail, the Indian Embassy in Muscat (Oman) formally took up the issue with Omani Foreign Office seeking factual status and consular access and release of Indian POWs, if any, in Omani Jails. However, there has been no official / formal response from the Omani side.
· Union Water Resources Minister has informed that the MoU between India and China for supply of hydrological information in respect of River Sutlej (Langqen Zangbu) during flood season by China to India was signed in April, 2005 for five years and recently (Dec, 2010) it was updated to add 5 more years for the same. In another similar MoU, Provision of Hydrological Information of the Brahmaputra/Yaluzangbu River during Flood Season by China to India with a validity of five years was again signed with China on 05.06.08. As regards Bhutan, a Joint Group of Experts (JGE) on flood management was constituted between India and Bhutan to discuss and assess the probable causes/effects of the recurring floods and erosion in the southern foothills of Bhutan and adjoining plains in India, and recommend to both Governments appropriate and mutually acceptable remedial measures. Four meetings of JGE have been held so far and the last (4th) meeting was held at New Delhi in February, 2012. Thus, the Minister conveyed that there is no dispute on the rivers with these neighboring countries.
· Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas has stressed the need for more tie-ups between oil companies of India and Australia to meet Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) requirements of India. In view of Australia augmenting its LNG supply capacity and rising demand for natural gas & up-coming LNG import facilities in India, Petroleum Ministers of both the country felt that this area offers tremendous opportunity to forge mutually beneficial tie-ups. Oil & gas currently account for 22% and 9 % respectively of India’s energy mix. The share of gas is expected to reach 20 % by 2025.
· In the presence of the visiting Ukraine President Victor Yanukovich, India and Ukraine signed five agreements to enhance cooperation including in areas of defence, Nuclear, Science and Technology and also to remove barriers in trade and commerce. The two countries also agreed to raise bilateral cooperation to Comprehensive partnership level. The pacts also include a Memorandum of understanding between the Atomic Entry Regulatory Board of India and the Ukranian Nuclear regulator for cooperation in nuclear safety, construction design, operation and nuclear waste management.
· The Expatriate Indians have emerged as the largest contributor to the foreign exchange remittances from Qatar to their home country. The latest reports published by Qatar Central Bank reveals that remittances by foreign workers from Qatar was around 13 billion dollar with India and Philippines receiving around 72 percent. US was at the third position. Experts say that the increase in the volume of foreign remittances from Qatar to India is an reflection of increasing India’s involvement in the development of Qatar. Around 5 lakh strong expatriate Indian community is living in Qatar and contributing to its growth.
· Human Rights Day is being observed across the globe on 10th Dec, 2012. This year, the objective is to highlight rights of all people including women, minorities, persons with disabilities and the marginalised people as well as to make their voices heard in decision making processes. On this day in 1948, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
· Killer storm Bopha has returned to hit the Philippines for a second time, just days after it slammed into the south of the country and left almost 1,400 dead or missing. Bopha, now downgraded from a typhoon to a tropical storm, brought heavy rain and concerns of landslides and flash flooding with its return.