Bhojpur Darpan

PM's Address at the tenth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas

2012-01-07T22:02:00.000-08:00

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, spoke at the tenth Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas in Jaipur today. Following is the text of the Prime Minister’s address:

“I am very happy to welcome you all in this beautiful and historic city of Jaipur for this year’s Pravasi Bharatiya Divas. Rajasthan represents Indian hospitality at its very best. It is renowned for its culture, heritage and legends of valour, honour and sacrifice. Today, symbols of modern Rajasthan sit side by side with monuments of breath-taking beauty. I am sure that your stay in this beautiful city will renew your pride in the richness of India’s civilization.

This year we are privileged to welcome one of the most distinguished Pravasi Bharatiyas as our Chief Guest. Madam Kamla Persad-Bissessar created history by becoming the first woman Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago. She distinguished herself in her earlier careers in education and law. Subsequently, she responded to the call of public service and proved what a person of talent, dedication and commitment can achieve anywhere in this world.

In welcoming Prime Minister Madam Kamla Persad Bissessar today we also seek to honour the large Indian diaspora in the Caribbean. We are proud of their achievements. Their journey, often in very difficult circumstances, to those far-away lands began many, many years ago, but their links with India remain strong and deep. Our shared passion for cricket is well known. Which Indian sports fan does not know the names of cricketing legends like Brian Lara or Sonny Ramadhin.

This year’s Pravasi Bharatiya Divas marks the tenth anniversary of the event which was first held in the year 2003. This decade has been marked by a visible accretion in the influence and impact of the global Indian across the world. We have witnessed a steady growth in their numbers, levels of prosperity and their skills.

The government and people of India recognize and greatly value the important role being played by Indian communities living abroad. We believe that the Indian diaspora has much more to contribute to the building of modern India. We propose to facilitate, encourage and promote this engagement. Over the past year we have taken a number of steps towards this end.

Pursuant to the law that was enacted to enable non-resident Indians to vote in our national elections, the Government has issued notifications for registration of overseas Indians under the Representation of People Act, 1950. This constitutes the first major step to enable Indians resident abroad to participate in our election processes.

In the last session of our Parliament we have introduced a Bill intended to merge and streamline the People of Indian Origin and Overseas Citizen of India schemes by amending the Citizenship Act. This will rectify some of the anomalies in the schemes and provide for an Overseas Indian Card which will be given to foreign spouses of such card holders as well. A large number of workers from Rajasthan are emigrating abroad. We have accordingly established an office of the Protector of Emigrants in Jaipur. I am told that the Government of Rajasthan proposes to build a Pravasi Bharatiya Bhawan in Jaipur. This Bhawan will house the offices of not only the Protector of Emigrants but also a Migrant Resource Centre to provide on-site help to overseas Indians and emigrating workers.

The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs is implementing the e-migrate project that will provide end-to-end computerized solutions for all processes in the emigration system. The system will link all key stakeholders on a common platform which will be used by workers, offices of the protector of emigrants, recruitment agencies, immigration officials, employers and the Indian missions abroad.

The scope of our Labour Mobility Partnership Agreements is being expanded to cover not only skilled workers but also students, academics and professionals. Such Human Resource Mobility Partnership agreements are being negotiated with The Netherlands, France, Australia and the European Union.

I am happy to inform you that the government has decided to introduce and sponsor a new Pension and Life Insurance Fund for overseas Indian workers. The scheme will encourage, enable and assist overseas workers to voluntarily save for their return and resettlement and old age. It will also provide a low-cost life insurance cover against natural death. This scheme fulfills a long pending demand of our workers abroad.

We are acutely conscious of the safety and security of Indians living abroad, particularly in regions characterized by instability.

There are over six million Indians living in the Gulf and West Asia. We need to be alert to the unfolding developments in this part of the world. We have conveyed to the countries of the region that we have a stake in the peace and stability of this region, and that we expect that they would appropriately look after the interests of Indian communities in their countries.

Following the upheaval in Libya last year, the Government undertook Operation Safe Homecoming to evacuate more than 16,000 people from the strife torn areas through special flights, passenger and naval vessels. Similar evacuations were carried out in Egypt and Yemen on a lower scale. We stand ready to extend such help elsewhere should the need arise.

Last year, the Government constituted an inter-Ministerial Committee under the Cabinet Secretary to make recommendations on issues relating to repatriation, relief and rehabilitation of Indian nationals affected by recent developments in West Asia. The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs has prepared an Action Plan to implement its recommendations.

The world is passing through a difficult phase. Many of you are experiencing first-hand the impact of the global economic slowdown. Employment opportunities have declined, there is greater protectionism and attitudes towards migration have also hardened. There is growing social intolerance even in more open societies.

Our country is also going through difficult times. Nonetheless, our economic fundamentals are strong and our constitutional processes are robust. We are up to the task of meeting these challenges we face as a nation. Despite an adverse international environment, the Indian economy is expected to grow by about 7% this financial year ending 31st March. However, we hope to bring back the rhythm of our growth processes to sustain an annual growth rate of 9-10% in the medium-term. Our domestic savings rate which currently stands at 33-35 percent of our GDP will greatly facilitate the realization of our growth objectives. Our efforts to battle inflation are producing results and there has been an improvement in the situation.

We have attempted sincerely to address the rising expectations of our people with regard to governance and delivery of public services. The Right to Information Act has proved to be a powerful instrument of bringing in transparency in governance. I am confident that some of the other legislations on these issues, which are now on the national agenda, will make a similar impact in the years ahead.

The theme for this year’s event is “Global Indian - Inclusive Growth.” Indian civilization and society have always been inclusive in character. It is only natural that our political and economic processes have also to be ‘inclusive’ in their orientation and in their outcome.

Over the past years, Indian democracy has deepened and gained in strength and vitality as more and more people from the disadvantaged sections of our society have secured their rightful place in our economic and political processes. We wish to unleash the vast human potential of the many millions, who for one reason or another, have been on the margins of our society in the past. Our government is committed to doing so by providing security of education, nutrition and health to every Indian so that he or she is empowered to live a life of dignity and well being. We are also committed to the pursuit of a development strategy which will protect our environment and the essential life-support systems of our planet.

We in India speak in different languages and follow different faiths. But Indian culture has a tradition of assimilating and accommodating diverse traditions, customs, beliefs and peoples. That is what makes Indian society, Indian civilization endure and flourish.

The ‘global Indian’ is a symbol of this diversity of our ancient land. Your individual prosperity and personal achievement are a symbol of what a diverse people like us can achieve.

Many of your forefathers were forcibly taken away from India as labourers; some migrated in distress. Yet, today, the People of Indian Origin are welcomed around the world for the values they represent – values of hard work, values of excellence and enterprise and respect for their communities, their families and their neighbours.

I welcome each one of you to India because I want each one of you to inspire our people with your creative example. May your path be blessed.”

Jeevan Raksha Padak Awards – 2011

2012-01-06T03:33:00.000-08:00

Jeevan Raksha Padak series of awards are given to a person for meritorious act of humane nature in saving the life of a person. The award is given in three categories, namely, Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak, Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak, and Jeevan Raksha Padak. Persons of either sex in all walks of life are eligible for these awards. The award can also be conferred posthumously.

The decoration of the award (medal, certificate signed by the Home Minister and demand draft for lump sum monetary allowance) is presented to the awardee in due course by the respective State Government to which the awardee belongs. The lump sum monetary allowance is given at the rate of Rs.75,000, Rs.45,000 and Rs.30,000 to the Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak, Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak and Jeevan Raksha Padak awardee respectively.

The President of India has approved the conferment of Jeevan Raksha Padak Awards – 2011 on the following persons :-

Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak (2)

1.	Shri C. Lalduhawma (Posthumous), Mizoram
2.	Shri Om Prakash, Uttar Pradesh

Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak (6)

1.	Shri Rajesh alias Bablu Kushwahava (Posthumous), Uttar Pradesh
2.	Shri Kapil Negi (Posthumous), Uttarakhand
3.	Shri Nawtinder Singh (Posthumous), Punjab
4.	Shri Bishnu Prasad Shrestha, Jharkhand
5.	Ms. Shruti Lodhi (Posthumous), Uttarakhand
6.	Ms. Chhampa Kanwar (Posthumous), Rajasthan

Jeevan Raksha Padak (35)

1.	Shri Raj Kumar Sonowal, Assam
2.	Shri Hemant Kumar Sahu, Chhattisgarh
3.	Shri Nohar Sinh, Chhattisgarh
4.	Shri Krishna Kumar, Chhattisgarh
5.	Smt. Sathi. K, Kerala
6.	Shri Afif Backer. A., Kerala
7.	Shri Kuthirummal Thamban, Kerala
8.	Shri Lalit Kishore Tiwari, Madhya Pradesh
9.	Dr. Gopal Prasad Khaddar, Madhya Pradesh
10.	Kumar Nikhil Sudhir Kabra, Maharashtra
11.	Shri Lalbiaklawma, Meghalaya
12.	Shri Martin Lalthamawia, Mizoram
13.	Shri Lalremmawia Sailo, Mizoram
14.	Ms. Lalpuihzuali, Mizoram
15.	Shri K. Lawmsanga, Mizoram
16.	Shri Krishna Chandra Behera, Odisha
17.	Shri Laxman, Uttarakhand
18.	Shri Sandeep Singh, Punjab
19.	Shri Makhan Singh, Uttar Pradesh
20.	Shri Sumit Sharma, Uttar Pradesh
21.	Shri Rahul Kurrey, Chhattisgarh
22.	Shri Md. Nurul Huda, Manipur
23.	Ms. Jismi P.M., Kerala
24.	Shri Raj Narayanan, Kerala
25.	Ms. Reeta, Uttarakhand
26.	Ms. Gomati Nag, Chhattisgarh
27.	Shri Vishnudas. K, Kerala
28.	Shri Bibek Sharma, Sikkim
29.	Ms. Dunaboyana Jahnawi, Andhra Pradesh
30.	Ms. Lalmawizuali, Mizoram
31.	Ms. Ipi Basar, Arunachal Pradesh
32.	Shri Shrawan Kumar, Rajasthan
33.	Shri Priyanshu Joshi, Uttarakhand
34.	Shri Mohammad Shawayz Siddiqui, Uttar Pradesh
35.	Shri Gurjeevan Singh, Punjab

The Pincode – The “Steering Wheel” of a Letter

2012-01-05T05:21:00.000-08:00

The small rectangular box, with six partitions, that appear on all postal articles in India is ignored by many and left unfilled by even more! However for the postal department, the small box represents nothing less than the “steering wheel” of a letter! The box is used to fill in the PIN code of the place to which the letter is being sent. What is the PIN code? How does it work?

What is a PIN code?

The PIN code is the abbreviation of Postal Index Number (PIN) code. This is a unique 6 digit code, allotted to all post offices that deliver mail in India. Since one code can relate only to one post office, the use of the code is the sure fast way of ensuring that the letter reaches the correct post office.

How does it work?

For the implementation of the PIN code system, the entire nation has been divided into eight PIN zones. The following table indicates the identification numbers and extent of each zone.

Number	Region	States Covered
1	Northern	Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir
2	Northern	Uttar Pradesh and Uttaranchal
3	Western	Rajasthan and Gujarat
4	Western	Chattisgarh ,Maharastra and Madhya Pradesh
5	Southern	Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka
6	Southern	Kerala and Tamil Nadu
7	Eastern	West Bengal, Orissa and North Eastern
8	Eastern	Bihar & Jharkand

As was indicated at the beginning, the PIN code is a six digit number. The first digit will indicate one of these zones. The second and third digits together indicate the district where in the delivery post office is situated. The next three digits will indicate the particular post office where the letter is to be delivered. In short, the first 3 digits together will indicate the sorting or revenue district where the letter is to be basically routed. The last 3 digits refer to the actual post office where the article is to be finally delivered.

For example, if one hails from Kozhikode, a city in Kerala, the PIN code for the post office in that area is 673 006. Here the first digit 6 indicates that the letter is headed for the sixth PIN zone – Tamil nadu, Pondicherry and Kerala. The digits seven and three (the second and third digits of the code) will show that the destination of the letter is more precisely situated in the Kozhikode (formerly Calicut) district of Kerala. The final three digits – 006 – will ensure that the letter gets routed to post office number 006 in Kozhikode – a small locality called Bilathikulam! A letter posted even in Alaska or Siberia – if it has sufficient postage stamps on it – will reach its destination if the PIN code is correctly indicated on the postal article!

Let us take another example. The PIN code for the Press Information Bureau in Madurai is 625 020. Here the first digit 6 again stands for the PIN zone – Tamil nadu, Pondicherry and Kerala. The next two digits – 25 – represent the District of Madurai, while the two final digits -20 - together represents the post office of Gandhi nagar, the delivery post office for PIB, Madurai!

Here it is also important to note that the number given to the Gandhi nagar post office in the city of Madurai in Tamil nadu is unique. No other post office in India will have this number. A check with the post PIN code directory will reveal that the delivery post offices in Mathura – the holy city in Uttar Pradesh (UP) – with which the temple city of Madurai is likely to be confused has a completely different PIN code – 281 001. Two stands for the PIN zone consisting of UP and Uttarkhand; 81 represents the district of Mathura while 001 stands fro Mathura Head Post office.

ZIP system in USA

ZIP codes are a system of postal code numbers used by the United States Postal Services (USPS) since 1963. The term ZIP is an acronym for Zone Improvement Plan. It was chosen in the belief that it will suggest that the postal articles will travel more efficiently, and therefore more quickly, when senders use the code in the address. The basic format consists of five digits. An extended ZIP+4 code, introduced in the 1980s, includes the five digits of the ZIP code and four more digits that determine a more precise location than the ZIP code alone.

The United Kingdom system

The postal code system used in the United Kingdom is known as postcode. The code uses both alphabets as well as numerals. They were introduced by the British Royal Mail system over a 15-year period from 11th October 1959 to 1974. A full postcode is known as a "postcode unit" and usually corresponds to a set of addresses or a single large delivery point.

Earlier, a system of postal districts was implemented in London and other large cities from 1857. In London this system was refined in 1917 to include numbered subdivisions, extending to the other cities in 1934. These earlier districts were later incorporated into the national postcode system.

Zonal System – a precursor

Attempts at streamlining the delivery system of postal articles in India have a considerably long history. One of the earliest attempts in this direction was taken in 1946 itself – the Delivery Zone Numbering System. Under this system, each delivery post office was allotted a distinctive number. It was first introduced for the major cities like Bombay, Culcutta, Delhi and Madras. The public were requested to note Zone Numbers after the name of city, where this system was adopted. In absence of such an indication, articles were liable to delay.

Postal Circles

The organization of postal circles was also an attempt to streamline the delivery system and prevent long delays.

When the Postal facilities were opened to public on 1st April 1774, there were 3 Postal Circles namely Bengal, Bombay and Madras. Bengal was catering whole of Eastern and Northern regions of British Empire. Madras was handling whole of Southern region and the rest was catered by Bombay.

After partition, Independent India had the following Postal Circles - Assam, Bengal, Bihar & Orissa, Bombay, Central, East Punjab, Madras and UP. Today, India has 20 Postal Circles - Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, J & K, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, North Eastern, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamilnadu, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and the Army Postal Service.

Maximum number of complaints regarding irregularities in MGNREGA from UP

2011-12-20T04:53:00.001-08:00

The Centre today informed that the maximum number of complaints regarding irregularities of all types in implementation of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) has come from the State of Uttar Pradesh. Out of a total 2574 complaints from different states as on 10.11.2011, Uttar Pradesh alone accounts for 999 complaints. The Minister of State for Rural Development Shri Pradeep Jain informed this in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha. National Level Monitors (NLMs) have been deputed in 71 cases pertaining to Uttar Pradesh and in 65 cases reports of NLMs have been received and sent to the State Governments for corrective action. NLMs have been deputed in 103 cases pertaining to other States and 101 reports have been received and forwarded to the concerned State Governments for action. Shri Jain said as the implementation of the Act is done by the State Governments in accordance with the Schemes formulated by them as per the provisions of the Act, all complaints received in the Ministry are forwarded to the concerned State Governments for taking appropriate action, including investigation, as per law. National Level Monitors (NLMs) are deputed by the Ministry in complaints of serious nature and their reports are analyzed and findings are forwarded to the concerned State Governments for taking corrective measures.

Financial Assistance for Creation of Post Harvest Processing Infrastrucutre

2011-12-20T04:52:00.000-08:00

Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MFPI) through its various schemes for financial assistance and other promotional measures, facilitates creation of post harvest processing infrastructure including processing facilities aimed at reducing wastages, enhancing value addition and increasing shelf life in the country.

Under the Scheme for Cold Chain, Value Addition and Preservation Infrastructure financial assistance in the form of grant-in-aid @ 50% of the total cost of plant and machinery and technical civil works in general areas, and @ 75% of the total cost of plant and machinery and technical civil works is provided by the Ministry in difficult areas subject to a maximum of Rs.10.00 crore. The initiatives are aimed at filling the gaps in the supply chain, strengthening of cold chain infrastructure, establishing value addition with infrastructural facilities like sorting, grading, packaging and processing for horticulture including organic produce, marine, dairy, poultry, etc. Other agencies of the Government like National Horticulture Board (NHB), Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) and State Government also provide assistance for cold storages under their respective schemes.

No Shortage of Quality Seeds

2011-12-20T04:50:00.001-08:00

No shortage of good quality seeds has been felt in the country. The details of availability of certified/quality seed against the requirement in the country for the last three years is as under:-

Quantity in Lakh Quintals

2009-10		2010-11		2011-12
R*	A*	R*	A*	R*	A*
249.12	279.72	290.76	321.36	330.41	353.62

R* Requirement A*Availability

The Government is already implementing a Central Sector Scheme titled “Development and Strengthening of Infrastructure Facilities for Production and Distribution of Quality Seeds”. Under this scheme there is a separate component “Establishment and Maintenance of Seed Bank” for meeting the requirement of seeds during natural calamities like flood, drought. and other unforeseen conditions and also to meet the shortage of seeds, if any, in the country. Seed Banks maintain seed stock of foundation and certified seeds of short and medium duration varieties which are locally suited to the area and are able to withstand stress of heat, submergence etc. The scheme is implemented through State Seeds Corporations, State Governments and two national seed producing Public Sector Undertakings namely National Seeds Corporation of India (NSC) and State Farms Corporation of India (SFCI). Government provides revolving fund to the implementing agencies for procurement of raw seeds and reimbursement of the expenditure incurred on the maintenance of seeds including transportation, grading & packing, insurance and seed losses during storage.

New Policy on Seed Development

2011-12-02T03:41:00.001-08:00

Ministry of Agriculture has revised the New Policy on Seed Development 1988 on 27.6.2011 to allow import of specified quantity of seeds of wheat and paddy initially for trial and evaluation purpose. Based on the results of trial for one crop season, the company may be allowed to import seeds of wheat and paddy for a period not exceeding two years subject to the conditions stipulated in the revised. Accordingly, the EXIM Committee on Seed in its meeting held on 27th October, 2011 had recommended for import of 100 kg. wheat seeds of 10 genotype from International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT), Mexico by the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation for trial and evaluation purpose.

The trial and evaluation of above imported seeds will be conducted by ICAR in their research stations or in the farms which are accredited by them.

During last three years, 72 new varieties of paddy and 25 new varieties of wheat have been notified under Seed Act 1966. There is no paucity of new indigenous varieties of seeds in these crops in the country.

Wheat Sown in over 171 Lakh Hectare and Pulses in 114.15 Lakh Hectare so far; Wheat Acreage up by 1.73 Lakh Hectare and Pulses up by 2.69 Lakh Hectare

2011-12-02T03:39:00.001-08:00

Sowing of rabi crops has picked up. According to information received from the Ministry of Agriculture, wheat has been shown in 171.2 lakh hectare against 169.47 lakh hectare last year on this date. Area coverage of wheat compared to last year is higher by 1.73 lakh hectare. Higher coverage has been reported from Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Haryana.

Rice transplanting is in progress in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Odisha. The area under is rice is 1.11 lakh hectare against 1.29 lakh hectare during the corresponding period of last year. The area coverage is lower than last year by 18,000 hectare.

Pulses have been sown in 114.15 lakh hectare as on today. It is 2.69 lakh hectare higher than last year’s acreage.

Total area under oilseeds cultivation is reported to be 70.8 lakh hectare against 70.39 lakh hectare last year. Higher area coverage has been reported from West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh , Tamil Nadu and Chhattisgarh.

The cropped areas as on today are as follows:

lakh ha

Crop	This year’s area [as on 2nd December]	Last year’s area [as on 2nd December]
Wheat	171.2	169.47
Rice	1.11	1.29
Coarse Cereals	44.83	48.15
Rapeseed & Mustard	56.60	58.13
Groundnut	2.66	2.73
Sunflower	2.62	3.44
Total Oilseeds	70.8	70.39
Total Pulses	114.15	111.46

ECI Plans to Engage With Citizens And Voters Through Social Media

2011-11-25T03:31:00.001-08:00

The Election Commission of India (ECI) organized a one day workshop on Social Media for Voters Participation for integrating citizens with the electoral process through the popular social media on the internet particularly the youth. It was held here yesterday at the newly created India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIDEM) at the initiative of the SVEEP (Systematic Voter Education and Electoral Participation) Division of the Commission. The workshop was inaugurated by the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Dr. S.Y. Quraishi. There were about 70 participants including senior officers of the Election Commission, Chief Electoral Officers of states, representatives of various organizations like Google, UNICEF, Universities, advertising agencies, IT organizations, media houses, NSS, Government Organizations, NGOs and other reputed institutions. This was the first time a workshop on these lines was organized by the Election Commission of India.

The workshop discussed modalities of Election Commission of India’s engagement with internet based social media like Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Blogs etc., which is to commence very soon.

The Chief Election Commissioner of India underlined that higher participation of voters and ethical voting are the key to strengthening electoral democracy. He underlined that Commission has developed and implemented a strong agenda on voter’s education and expenditure control and would like its proposed reforms on decriminalization of elections to become a reality at the earliest. He called upon voters to turnout in high numbers and select good candidates instead of castigating politicians. Dr. S.Y. Quraishi said voter education will address the citizen’s need in all three areas: information, motivation and facilitation.

Dr. S.Y. Quraishi commended the SVEEP division for ensuring consistent increase in voter’s turnout in the last general elections in seven states through scientific research and programme interventions. The CEC announced that the campaigns will be made even more vigorous to fill the gaps in registration in various age groups, reduce gender inequalities and maximize voter’s turnout. He highlighted the strength and spread of social media and observed that the Election Commission cannot overlook its outreach. The CEC concluded saying that measures like engagement with social media will contribute to India’s step up, from being the largest democracy to the greatest democracy.

The Election Commissioner, Sh. V.S Sampath in his valedictory remarks described social media as a new area for the Commission which is full of possibilities. He hoped that the goals and objectives of the Commission will be advanced through dissemination of information on social media.

Sh. Akshay Rout, Director General outlined the range of initiatives and activities taken up by the SVEEP Division since its inception and pointed to the challenges lying ahead in forms of electoral participation of citizens. The workshop in groups dealt with the themes of (i) Content Creation (ii) Monitoring and Feedback Mechanism (iii) Implementation Structure (iv) Integration with ECI website (v) Launch Strategy and came out with recommendations. It concluded that Election Commission of India should start engaging with all citizens and voters through the social media at the earliest in a well thought out and planned manner in order to achieve its objectives.

Role of Gram Sabha in Implementing FRA

2011-11-25T03:29:00.001-08:00

Asper the Forest Rights Act, 2006 (FRA), the Gram Sabhahas been assigned substantial role for implementation of the provisions of theAct.

Underthe Forest Rights Act, 2006, the Gram Sabha has beenassigned the following roles for implementing the provisions of the Act:

(i) To initiate the process for determiningthe nature and extent of individual or community forest rights or both that maybe given to the forest dwelling Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forestdwellers within the local limits of its jurisdiction under the Act by receivingclaims, consolidating and verifying them and preparing a map delineating thearea of each recommended claim in such manner as may be prescribed for exerciseof such rights and then pass a resolution to that effect and thereafter forwarda copy of the same to the Sub-Divisional Level Committee.

(ii) To recommend developmental projectsmanaged by the Government which involve felling of trees not exceedingseventy-five trees per hectare, and which require diversion of forest land,under Section 3 (2) of the Forest Rights Act, 2006.

(iii) To consider the resettlement oralternative packages prepared by the State Governments for providing a securelivelihood to the affected individual forest rights holders and communitieswhose forest rights recognized under the Act in the critical wildlife habitatsof National Parks and Sanctuaries are subsequently modified or resettled for the purposes of creating inviolate areasfor wildlife conservation for providing free informed consent to the proposedresettlement and to the alternative package

(iv) To protect the wild life, forest ,biodiversity, adjoining catchments areas, water sources, other ecologicalsensitive areas, preserve the habitat of forest dwelling Scheduled Tribes andother traditional forest dwellers from any form of destructive practicesaffecting their cultural and natural heritage etc. [Section 5];and

(v) To pass a resolution against any higherauthority by givinga notice of not less than sixty days to the State Level Monitoring Committeeand the State Level Monitoring Committee does not proceed against suchauthority for enabling the Court to take cognizance of any offence underSection 7 of the Act [Section 8].

Asper the information received from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, as on 31^stOctober, 2011, the claims for recognition of forest rights under the Act havebeen received by the Gram Sabhas in the followingStates:

1. Andhra Pradesh

2. Assam

3. Bihar

4. Chhattisgarh

5. Gujarat

6. Himachal Pradesh

7. Jharkhand

8. Karnataka

9. Kerala

10. Madhya Pradesh

11. Maharashtra

12. Orissa

13. Rajasthan

14. Tamil Nadu

15. Tripura

16. Uttar Pradesh

17. Uttarakhand

18. West Bengal

The Gram Sabhasin these States have also passed resolutions on such claims and forwarded thesame to the Sub-Divisional Level Committees for preparation of the record offorest rights.

Reservation for Women in Panchayats

2011-11-25T03:27:00.001-08:00

The States of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tripura and Uttarakhand have provided 50% reservation for women in Panchayats.

In order to enhance the reservation for women in Panchayats from existing one third to not less than one half, a Constitution Amendment Bill was introduced in Lok Sabha in November 2009. This Bill was referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development by Speaker. The Report of the Standing Committee was considered by the Government and keeping in view their recommendations, an Official Amendment has been formulated to the Original Amendment Bill, to make the reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes proportionate to their rural population.

The Constitution has provided for reservation of not less than one third seats and offices of Chairpersons of Panchayati Raj Institutions(PRIs) for women. As such, the Elected Women Representatives (EWRs) are not mere proxy for male relatives but statutorily empowered to hold seats and offices in PRIs. Though no survey has been got conducted in this regard by this Ministry, instructions have been issued to all States that it is the responsibility of the Panchayat Officers/Secretaries not to allow the relatives to attend Panchayat meetings by proxy. It has also been conveyed to them that Officers/Secretaries who allow relatives to attend instead of office bearers are also equally guilty of allowing such interference and the defaulting Officers/Secretaries should be proceeded against departmentally.

ID Entification of Seismic-Zones

2011-11-24T05:34:00.001-08:00

Bureau of Indian Standards [IS-1893 (Part-1): 2002] has grouped the country into four seismic zones viz. Zone-II, III, IV and V of these, Zone V is the most seismically active region, while zone II is the least. As per this zoning, the entire Delhi region falls in seismic zone IV and as per this classification, the Delhi region is classified as “Severe intensity zone” and is broadly considered to be associated with maximum earthquake effects, as per intensity VIII on Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) scale as detailed below:

“Damage slight in specially designed structures; considerable in ordinary but substantial buildings with partial collapse; very heavy in poorly built structures; panel walls thrown out of framed structures; falling of chimney, factory stacks, columns, monuments, and walls; heavy furniture overturned, sand and mud ejected in small amounts; changes in well water; and disturbs persons driving motor cars.”

Guidelines have also been published by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Building Materials & Technology Promotion Council (BMTPC), Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO) and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) for the design and construction of earthquake resistant structures to minimize the loss of life and damage to property caused by earthquakes. The Government has completed the 1st level seismic microzonation study of NCT of Delhi on 1:50000 scale. The seismic microzonation maps are useful in land use planning, formulation of site specific design and construction criteria for the buildings and structures, towards minimizing the damage to property and loss of life caused by earthquakes. The Government has implemented various programmes to educate and raise awareness amongst school children and general public on various aspects of earthquakes, their impacts and measures to mitigate losses.

Launch of Weather Satellite Mission

2011-11-24T05:30:00.001-08:00

The Government has recently launched a Megha-Tropiques weather satellite mission on 12th October 2011 for improved understanding of weather and climate processes through obtaining reliable statistics of the water and energy budget in the tropical atmosphere so as to describe the evolution of its systems (monsoons and cyclones) at appropriate time scales. Thus, this mission provides opportunity to critically study water cycle of the tropical atmosphere in the context of climate variability and change.

The Megha-Tropiques consists of three radiometric instruments allowing to observe simultaneously three interrelated components of the atmospheric engine - water vapour, condensed water (clouds and precipitations), and radiative fluxes that has a privilege sampling the atmosphere all through day and night with all-weather viewing capabilities. It will pass over India almost a dozen times every day, thus giving opportunity for an almost real- time assessment of the evolution of clouds. Multi-frequency Microwave Scanning Radiometer would complement other global research efforts of the Global Precipitation Measurement mission of National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The information so received will benefit India and other countries in the Indian ocean region.

The satellite mission will benefit India and other countries in tropical Indian Ocean region as the availability of above mentioned parameters will help the countries to study monitor and forewarn the evolution of weather systems.

NCC Team take on Meghalaya School in Subroto Cup Final

2011-11-24T05:29:00.001-08:00

The NCC, West Bengal team will take on Mynkhen Christian Higher Secondary School, Meghalaya in the finals of the All India Subroto Mukherjee Cup Football Tournament here tomorrow.

The NCC, West Bengal team scored a thrilling win over NCC, North Eastern Region team 2-0 in the first semi-final match played at the Dr Ambedkar Stadium yesterday.

In the other semi-final match the Meghalaya school team overcame Army Boys, Lucknow 1-0.

This year two NCC Teams, ie West Bengal and North East Region (comprising of all Seven N E States) participated in the tournament. NCC, West Bengal had defeated Nagaland 6 to 3 and NCC NER defeated Chandigarh 6 to 4 goals to reach the Semifinal.

The team from NCC, North Eastern Region displayed innate skills at Football, however, it was NCC, Bengal Team which finally clinched the game 2-0.

The Subroto Cup Football tournament was conceived by Air Marshall Subroto Mukherjee and was first conducted by Indian Air Force in 1960. The competitions begin as inter-school tournament at Sub Division, District and State level and the Schools winning the State Tournaments are invited to participate at the National Level in New Delhi. The NCC last lifted the trophy in 2007.

India Signs an Agreement with Eurasian Group (EAG) to Enhance Cooperation in Areas of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing

2011-11-24T05:27:00.001-08:00

India signed an Agreement with the Eurasian Group(EAG) today to inter-alia enhance cooperation in the areas of Money laundering and Terrorist Financing. The Cabinet had approved the agreement earlier this month. The agreement was signed by Dr. Thomas Mathew, Joint Secretary (Capital Markets) Division of the Department of Economic Affairs on behalf of India.

A six member Indian delegation led by Dr. Mathew, Joint Secretary (Capital Markets) is attending the 15th Plenary Meeting of the Eurasian Group (EAG) on Combating Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism, being held at Xiamen, China.

The Indian delegation’s effective participation and contribution in the Plenary meeting and Working Groups were appreciated by the Secretariat, member countries and observers. India also offered help to member nations in enhancing their technical skill in establishing better financial systems, capital market monitoring and surveillance through sophisticated IT tools. Help was also offered in drafting legislation, law enforcement techniques and strengthening of their respective FIUs.

The EAG is a Financial Action Task Force (FATF) styled regional body with 9 members including India, Russia and China and 29 observers of which 12 are countries and 17 are international organisations. India was accorded membership in the EAG in December 2010. There are 9 such regional bodies spread across the world. The EAG is soon emerging as an effective body engaged in combating money laundering and the financing of terrorism.

Electronic Surveillance to Secure Cities

2011-11-23T05:10:00.001-08:00

Electronic surveillance is being used as an important component in metropolis prone to unconventional terror warfare.

Delhi has taken up the process of electronic surveillance at 63 markets/public places, 27 border check posts and 6 District Courts as well as the High Court. They also plan to have City Surveillance System covering 9 intersections with 26 static cameras and 10 Pan-Tilt Zoom cameras. During the Commonwealth Games, 2010, a C4I solution was implemented in which a state-of-the art control room was established. States have taken up the process in important cities out of their own funds or through the Modernization of Police Forces grants given to them.

The Delhi Police has already implemented Phase-I of the Market Surveillance Project for the Phase-II of the Project they have projected a requirement of 1694 fixed cameras and 312 Pan-Tilt Zoom cameras.

Special Steps for Safety of Children

2011-11-23T05:09:00.001-08:00

Central Govt. has advised State Govt. & UT’s to ensure all steps for improving the safety conditions in schools/institutions, public transport used by students, children`s parks/play grounds, residential localities/roads etc. A detailed advisory was sent by the Central Government to all State Governments and UT Administrations wherein States/UTs to this effect. It has also been advised that the crime prone areas should be identified and a mechanism be put in place to monitor infractions in such areas for ensuring the safety and security of students, especially girls. For this purpose the States/UTs have been advised to take following steps.
i. Increase the number of beat constables;

ii. Increase the number of police help booths/kiosks, especially in remote and lonely stretches;

iii. Increase police patrolling, especially during nights;

iv. Posting police officers especially women, fully equipped with policing infrastructure in crime-prone areas in adequate number.
Ministry of Home Affairs has also sanctioned a comprehensive scheme ‘Strengthening law enforcement response in India against trafficking in persons through training and capacity building’ wherein it is proposed to establish 335 Anti Human Trafficking Units (AHTUs) throughout the country and impart training to 10,000 police officers through Training of Trainers (TOTs) in three years. Ministry of Home Affairs has released funds as first installment amounting to Rs. 8.72 crores to all the State Governments for establishment of 115 Anti Human Trafficking Units

As per the seventh schedule to the Constitution of India `Police` and ‘Public Order’ are State subjects and, as such, the primary responsibility of prevention, detection, registration, investigation and prosecution of crime, lies with the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations. However, Government of India is deeply concerned with the welfare of children and through various schemes and advisories to the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations, augments the efforts of the States /UTs.

National Telecom Policy

2011-11-23T05:07:00.001-08:00

The draft National Telecom Policy-2011 (NTP-2011) has been announced by Minister of Communications and Information Technology on 10th October 2011 and has been put in public domain for wider consultation.

The vision of draft National Telecom Policy-2011 states “to provide to the people of India a secure, reliable, affordable and high quality converged telecommunication services anytime, anywhere”. A copy of draft NTYP-2011 is available on the Department of Telecom website and it incorporates and outlines various objectives and strategies for bringing in transparency and furthering the interests of users/consumers.

Wide ranging consultations were held with various stake-holders including telecom industry for the formulation of draft NTP-2011. Four round-table conferences on National Broadband Plan, Licensing Framework and Spectrum Management, Issues related to Promotion of Manufacturing of Telecom Equipment in the country and with Consumer User Groups of Telecom and Consumer Forums were also held with the stakeholders. Views and suggestions so received have been taken into consideration by the committee constituted for the purpose while finalizing the draft NTP-2011. The suggestions from various stakeholders including telecom industry on draft NTP-2011 are being received. The last date for receiving suggestions/comments is 9th December 2011. The same will be analysed and taken into consideration by the government before finalizing NTP-2011.

There is a proposal in the draft NTP-2011 to review roaming charges with the ultimate objective of removing the roaming charge across the nation. One of the objectives of the draft NTP-2011 is to achieve ‘One Nation – Full Mobile Number Portability and work toward One Nation – Free Roaming’. After the receipt of feedback, and their due consideration, NTP-2011 would be approved by the competent authority. Implementation would commence thereafter.

Mobile Towers in the Country

2011-11-23T05:05:00.001-08:00

The number of Base Transmitting Stations (BTS) functioning through mobile towers in the country as on date are 6,80,465.

Mobiles towers and BTSs are being installed by the telecom service providers as per availability of users, spectrum and radio frequency planning. This is an ongoing process. As on 30.09.2011, there are 6,80,465 functioning BTS catering to the mobile subscribers. Telecom service providers, including BSNL and MTNL, are augmenting their mobile network progressively so as to enhance coverage, capacity and to further improve the quality of service.

There are no non-functional towers of BSNL and MTNL. Mobile towers are installed first, followed by installation and commissioning of equipments. Therefore, there may be a time gap between erection of tower and commissioning of the systems. However, there are no long pending complaints of non-functioning of mobile towers except day to day faults which are promptly cleared.

Setting up of Nuclear Power Plats

2011-11-23T05:04:00.001-08:00

The construction work of Kudankulam Unit 1 and Unit 2 is nearly complete. Unit 1 is expected to be commissioned during the current XI Five Year Plan, while Unit 2 is expected to be commissioned in the first year of the next XII Five Year Plan period. New projects of 2800MW capacity, comprising Kakrapar Atomic Power Project (KAPP), Units 3 and 4 (2 X 700 MW) and Rajasthan Atomic Power Project (RAPP), Units 7 and 8 (2 X 700MW) have been launched in the XI plan. Start of work on new nuclear power project and pre-project activities are planned in the XII Plan.

Nuclear Power Programme

2011-11-23T05:02:00.001-08:00

The generation of nuclear power in the XI Plan upto October 2011 is 96,019 MUs and it is expected to be 1,09,000 MUs. The target for generation of nuclear power was revised at the Mid Term Apprisal (MTA) stage.

The generation target for XI Plan was arrived at on the assumption of improved availability of domestic uranium and availability of of imported uranium for the reactors under IAEA safeguargs as per the separation plan. However, the indigenous uaranium sullpy remained constrained throughout the period. Fruition of international cooperation was delayed and imported uranium could be available only from the later half of 2009-10. This resulted in lower generation from units in operation.

Comprehensive Package for Handloom Weavers

2011-11-20T05:42:00.001-08:00

Government is actively seized with the concerned being faced by the handloom sector which employs 43 lakh weavers. In recent times, this sector has come under stress on account of high yarn prices and stiff competition from power loom and mill sector. Apart from this, access to credit is not easily forthcoming. The bulk of handloom industry weavers are from UP, West Bengal, Orissa, North East and Southern belt, large number of which belong to the minority community and women. A focused attention to this sector is, therefore an imperative from the stand point of our ‘inclusive growth’ agenda.

Loan waiver for handloom weavers

On assuming charge of the Ministry of Textiles, Shri Anand Sharma had taken a comprehensive review of this sector. In the Budget 2011-12, the Government had announced a loan waiver package of Rs. 3,000 crores, which was expected to benefit 15,000 handloom weavers cooperative societies and 3 lakh handloom weavers, who had been unable to repay their loan on account of economic difficulties. However, a large number of weavers of U.P. who operate on an individual basis and are not organised in the cooperative sector, were left out of its ambit.

A meeting of Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) was held yesterday and a decision of covering individual weavers also, a large number of whom are from UP, will be sent for consideration of the Cabinet.

Comprehensive package for weavers.

While the loan waiver package cover the needs of loan defaulters, but the large number of individual weavers who are facing stress economic conditions also needs support. A 6 fold strategy has been prepared as part of the Handloom Package.

a) Weavers’ Credit Card - will be issued to eligible individual weavers who will be able to access loans upto Rs. 2 lakhs and generally in the range of Rs. 35,000 to Rs. 50,000/- for a period of 3 years without any collateral security. The scheme has been finalized and the banks would be advised for its implementation.

b) Interest Subsidy – cost of credit has been unduly high and we have recommended interest subsidy of 3% to enable weavers to access loan at 7-8% interest for 3 years.

c) Margin Money – assistance of Rs. 4200/- to 5400/- per weaver has been proposed which will provide them leverage for borrowing loans.

d) Credit Guarantee - Loans extended by banks will be guaranteed by the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for medium and small enterprises to the extent of 85% of their outstandings.

e) Price subsidy of 10% is proposed for yarn supplied by the National Handloom Development Corporation and agencies proposed by the State Governments in order to overcome the problem of yarn supply.

f) Enhanced rate of freight reimbursement will be provided for cotton, jute and silk yarn between 2.5% to 10% for deliveries across the country. This will ensure that yarn is easily available at affordable prices to different handloom clusters across the country. Over the 12th Plan period, these measures will benefit 13 lakh handloom weavers and their societies, of which an estimated 2 lakhs weavers come from UP.

Meeting of Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies (Honlea)

2011-11-20T05:40:00.001-08:00

35th Meeting of Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies (Honlea), Asia and the Pacific to Assist in Combating Illicit Drug Production and Trafficking More Effectively and to Improve Coordination of their Action at the Sub Regional and Regional Levels

35th Meeting of Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies (HONLEA), Asia and Pacific Region would assist the Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies in the region in their efforts to combat illicit drug production and trafficking more effectively and to improve coordination of their action at the sub regional and regional levels. This Meeting will be held at Agra from 22-25th November, 2011. It will be inaugurated by the Finance Secretary Shri R.S.Gujral on 22nd Noember,200. About 100 participants from member countries of Asia Pacific Region, member or associate members of Economic and Social Commission of Asia and Pacific (ESCAP), UN member and the governmental organizations will be attending this event. This meeting is being hosted by Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN) Gwalior on behalf of Government of India in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

The meeting of HONLEA takes place annually in a country of the region, from among states which are members of the HONLEA Asia and Pacific, to enhance cooperation in drug law enforcement activities at the regional level. 35th Meeting of Heads of National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies (HONLEA), Asia and Pacific Region is a prestigious event which is going to be held in India. This is the second HONLEA meeting which is being hosted by India. The previous meeting was held at New Delhi in the year 1983.

The UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in the year 1974 established the HONLEA as subsidiary bodies of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs to further cooperation in drug law enforcement activities at the regional level, The regions covered include Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific and Africa. The meetings usually take place annually to identify salient policy and enforcement issues in their regions, establish working groups to analyze the issues, and then bring their reports and recommendations to the attention of the Commission.

Visit of the Prime Minister to Singapore

2011-11-20T05:38:00.001-08:00

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh accompanied by Smt. Gursharan Kaur paid an official visit to Singapore on 19-20 November, 2011. He paid a courtesy call on President of Singapore Dr. Tony Tan Keng Yam and also held talks with his counterpart, Prime Minister of Singapore Mr. Lee Hsien Loong. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Mrs. Lee Hsien Loong hosted a lunch in honour of Prime Minister and Smt. Gursharan Kaur and the accompanying delegation. During his stay in Singapore, Prime Minister also met with former Prime Ministers of Singapore Mr. Lee Kuan Yew and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong.

Prime Minister had wide ranging discussions with his counterpart covering international, regional and bilateral issues. The Prime Minister emphasised that Singapore is an important pillar of India's Look East Policy and the two countries shared a close understanding in regional and multilateral fora. Both leaders affirmed the strong bilateral ties between India and Singapore and agreed that there had been a remarkable deepening of bilateral relationship since the conclusion of the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement in 2005. They discussed ways to further strengthen cooperation in fields such as Trade, Investment, Skills Development, Education, Infrastructure and Township Development. They took note of the ongoing second CECA review and underlined the need for it to be purposeful and covering all aspects of trade, investment and services. Prior to the visit the Governments of India and Singapore signed a MoU on Cooperation in the Field of Personnel Management and Public Administration and an Executive Programme on Cooperation in the Fields of Arts, Heritage, Archives and Library. The Parliaments of India and Singapore have also agreed to establish respective Parliamentary Friendship Groups.

Both Prime Ministers took note of the strong intergovernmental links between India and Singapore and continued regular high level institutional exchanges such as the Foreign Office Consultations, Ministerial Meetings, the Defence Policy Dialogue and the Security Round Table. Prime Minister extended an invitation to the Prime Minister of Singapore to pay a bilateral visit to India and also said that we looked forward to Singapore's participation in the India-ASEAN Summit in India in December- 2012 to commemorate 20 years of our partnership with ASEAN and in the series of activities India is planning in the run up to the Summit.

During his stay in Singapore the Prime Minister and Emeritus Senior Minister Mr. Goh Chok Tong unveiled a Marker and Bust of Jawaharlal Nehru at the Asian Civilisation Museum Greens.

Cities having more than 20 lakh population to get metro rail

2011-11-17T21:41:00.000-08:00

The government has said that all cities having a population of more than 20 lakhs will soon have metro rail facility.Urban Development Minister Kamal Nath said that Detailed Project Reports, DPRs for the projects in Ludhiana, Pune, Ahmedabad and Lucknow have already been finalized.

He added that DPRs for Indore, Bhopal and Chandigarh are in the conclusive stage.The Minister informed that projects for the Kochi and line three of the Mumbai metro will be sent for cabinet approval within the next two weeks.

Nanotechnology for Defence Applications

2011-11-17T21:22:00.001-08:00

A two-day National Workshop on Nanotechnology for Defence Applications (NWNDA-2011) concluded here today. The event marked the Golden Jubilee of Solid State Physics Laboratory (SSPL), a premier institute of the Defence Research & Development Board (DRDO), working on development of solid state devices for defence needs.

A sustained and dedicated research over the past few years has led DRDO to development of products that are currently at different stages of maturity. To realize deliverable products, product engineering and technologies for up-scaling are essential components in the product development process, a collaborative and coherent approach is being worked out. This workshop is an important and crucial platform for realization of this objective.

The workshop was inaugurated by Dr. T. Ramasami, Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, who appreciated the work being carried out by DRDO in the field of Nanotechnology, particularly in the field of sensors and composites. He advocated selection of realizable application area and keeping the research activity focused on demands of defence forces. He further emphasized on roping in industry partners in all possible fields.

Dr. K. D. Nayak, Chief Controller R&D, DRDO, highlighted the extensive work being carried out by DRDO in the field of Nanotechnology and stressed the necessity of enabling technologies such as Nanotechnology for building better products for defence forces and nation, such as the recently launched Agni-IV, where several improvements were brought about by using these advanced composite materials.

Dr. R. Muralidharan, Director SSPL deliberated on the work being carried out at SSPL in the field of nanotechnology.

Ministry of Finance Increases the Current Limit of Foreign Institutional Investors’ (FIIS) Investments by US$ 5 Billion Each in Government Securities and Corporate Bonds Raising the Cap to US$ 15 Billion and to US$ 20 Billion Respectively

2011-11-17T21:21:00.000-08:00

Government of India has decided to increase the current limit of Foreign Institutional Investors’ (FIIs) investments in Government Securities by US$ 5 billion raising the cap to US$ 15 billion. The incremental limit of US$ 5 billion can be invested in securities without any residual maturity criterion. Besides it, the Government has also decided to increase the investment of FIIs’ investments in corporate bonds by US$ 5 billion raising the cap to US$20 billion. The incremental limit of US$ 5 billion can be invested in listed corporate bonds.

Thus the enhanced total limit for FII investment in G-Sec would be USD 15 billion (from the existing limit of USD 10 billion) and the enhanced total limit for FII investment in corporate bonds would be USD 20 billion (apart from the USD 25 billion for long term infra bonds).

Currently, FIIs can invest only up to USD 10 billion or Rs.43,650 crore in Government securities, USD 15 billion or Rs.74,416 Crore in Corporate bonds and USD 25 billion or Rs.112,095 Crore in corporate long term infra bonds.

The Government has been monitoring FIIs investments in the above mentioned debt instruments. As on October 31, 2011, against a ceiling of Rs.43, 650 Crore in Government Securities, FIIs have invested Rs. 41,253 Crore. Similarly, against a ceiling of Rs.74,416 Crore in corporate bonds, FIIs have invested Rs.68,289 Crore. In view of this, there is little space available for further FII investments in Government securities and Corporate bond markets. The policy has been reviewed in the context of India’s evolving macroeconomic situation, the need for enhancing capital flows and making available additional financial resources for India’s corporate sector.

The last enhancement in these investment limits for FII was done on September 23, 2010, The present enhancements would increase investments in debt securities and help in further development of the Government securities and the Corporate bond markets in the country.

SEBI is expected to issue circular giving effect to these changes in the next few days.

Statement by the Prime Minister at the Media Interaction after bilateral talks with President of Maldives

2011-11-12T23:05:00.001-08:00

The text of the Statement by the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh at the Media Interaction after bilateral talks with President of Maldives in Male:

“I have just concluded very fruitful and productive discussions with His Excellency President Nasheed.

I conveyed to the President my warm felicitations on holding an extremely successful SAARC Summit. I am confident that under President Nasheed’s chairmanship of SAARC, the pace of our activities will gather even greater momentum.

The President and I have reviewed our bilateral relations as well as regional and global issues of mutual interest. We have had a meeting of minds on all issues, including on the future direction of our partnership.

Bilateral cooperation between India and Maldives has been on a high growth trajectory in recent times. We have approached our partnership in a comprehensive, forward looking, pragmatic and mutually beneficial manner. We are working together on increasing connectivity and closer economic cooperation. These efforts are bearing fruit.

The President and I have signed a ‘Framework Agreement on Cooperation for Development’. This Agreement puts in place a template for cooperation in a very wide range of areas such as trade and investment, food security, fisheries development, tourism, transportation, information technology, new and renewable energy, communications, and connectivity.

The Agreement recognises the role which our two countries can play in the Indian Ocean region.

The Government of India has agreed to extend a 100 million US dollars Standby Credit Facility to the Government of Maldives to help stabilize its fiscal position. We have agreed to examine a comprehensive package to help develop the Maldivian economy, including in the areas of banking and financial infrastructure and capacity building.

At the request of the Government of Maldives, India will undertake extensive renovation of the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital in Male. The project to construct the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Studies in Male is in full swing. We expect to hand over the project in mid-2013 after completion. The Government of India has also agreed to construct the National Police Academy of Maldives on which work will commence shortly.

We have examined the possibility of commencing regular passenger-cum-cargo ferry services between Cochin and Male at the earliest.

Both countries recognise the importance of jointly cooperating to safeguard our mutual security interests. We are cooperating on issues relating to climate change, piracy, terrorism, drug trafficking and other threats to both our countries. The Memorandum of Understanding signed today on Combating Terrorism, Drug Trafficking, Disaster Management and Coastal Security will provide the framework for expanded cooperation.

India attaches the highest importance to its relations with Maldives. We seek a deeper and stronger partnership with each other. We are guided by the premise that a prosperous, democratic and peaceful Maldives is in the interest of the entire region.

I wish to reiterate our continued commitment to assist Maldives in all possible ways as it seeks to play its rightful role in the comity of nations.

I once again thank the government and people of Maldives for the warm hospitality that has been extended to me during my visit.”

Address by the Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh at the People's Majlis, Male

2011-11-12T23:04:00.000-08:00

“ I wish to thank you, Mr. Speaker, and Members of the People`s Majlis for giving me this unique honour of addressing this august House. I am humbled by this gesture of goodwill accorded to me, and to my country.

I bring to you the warm greetings and good wishes of the people of India.

I congratulate the people of Maldives on their Republic Day yesterday, and convey my belated greetings to each one of you on the auspicious occasion of Eid-ul-Azha.

This is my first visit to Maldives as the Prime Minister of India. I am overwhelmed by the breathtaking beauty and serenity of this nation of islands. You are a truly blessed people to be living in such harmony with Mother Nature. The tranquillity of your physical environs is matched only by your tolerance and devotion to the noble religion of Islam.

I am delighted to be here today in this pearl of the Indian Ocean.

Yesterday at Addu City, the leaders of South Asia concluded the first ever SAARC Summit in the Southern hemisphere. I wish to heartily congratulate His Excellency President Nasheed, the Government and people of Maldives for the outstanding manner in which the Summit was organised. The Summit has helped to further consolidate the process of regional integration in South Asia, a goal which unites both India and Maldives.

The Peoples Majlis is a living testimony to the strong faith the people of Maldives have shown in democracy. As a fellow democracy we take delight in your achievements.

In 2008, you adopted a new Constitution and then held Presidential elections in a free and fair manner. The foundations of democracy were further reinforced with the first multi-party Parliamentary elections in 2009 and subsequent elections for the City, Atoll and Island Councils.

You have undertaken the reforms necessary for the independent functioning of the judiciary and other vital organs of the State. The People`s Majlis has upheld the freedom of speech and expression of the people and the media which are the pillars of democracy.

India will be at your side in your transition to a fully functioning democracy. We will assist the Majlis by way of training, formulation of rules and regulations and any other assistance that you may desire.

The Speaker of the Lok Sabha is scheduled to visit Maldives at the invitation of the Hon’ble Speaker of the Majlis. The formation of India-Maldives Parliamentary Friendship Groups in the People`s Majlis and in the Indian Parliament augur well for the development of relations between our two Parliaments.

These are links which are natural between two close neighbours.

Well-known Maldivian historian and scholar, Naseema Mohamed, has recorded that, according to legend, the first people who settled in Maldives were a race called Dheyvis from Kalibangan on the banks of river Saraswati during the Indus Civilization.

Today, students from all across Maldives live and study in Thiruvananthapuram, Bengaluru and Mysore. They constitute the largest expatriate Maldivian community abroad. The recent establishment of an Indian Cultural Centre in Malé will further promote people-to-people contacts and facilitate the visits of Maldivian artists and scholars to India. We will be happy to facilitate more intensive exchanges between the Maldives National University and universities in India.

Earlier today I have discussed these and other bilateral initiatives with President Mohamed Nasheed. We have succeeded in defining new frontiers for our cooperation: cooperation that will have a tangible effect on the lives of common citizens of both our countries.

The President and I have signed a historic Framework Agreement on Cooperation for Development. This is a blueprint for cooperation in areas such as trade and investment, food security, fisheries development, tourism, transportation, information technology, new and renewable energy, communications and enhancing connectivity by air and sea.

I informed the President of our decision to extend a Standby Credit Facility of 100 million US dollars. This will help Maldives to meet its short term budgetary needs and enable it to import essential commodities.

We have extended a Line of Credit of 40 million US dollars for the construction of new houses. We look forward to the first houses coming up in the not too distant future.

Maldives has made impressive gains in education and in promoting the gender equality. Your social indicators are among the best in the region. We will collaborate with you to build upon these notable successes.

We are ready to work with the Government of Maldives to train youth in identified areas of skills development.

The Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital in Male has served as the main referral hospital for Maldives. We will undertake a major renovation of the Hospital as part of our aid programme.

The tourism and hospitality sectors are the largest revenue earners in Maldives. Indian companies are engaged in various infrastructure projects in Maldives which will further enhance your earning potential. We have decided to forge closer economic links through banking and financial institutions. We wish to cooperate in the modernisation of your fishing and food processing industry.

No enterprise between our two countries can be complete without planning for greater connectivity between us. Our officials are engaged in talks to work on a passenger cum cargo ferry service between Cochin and Male, and to look at the possibility of developing a port north of Male. We have encouraged our airlines to increase direct air links between destinations in India and Maldives.

I am aware of the threat which Maldives faces from rising sea levels. We understand your concerns because millions of Indians themselves live in vulnerable coastal areas of our peninsula. I wish to state in no uncertain terms that India will stand as one with Maldives in combating global warming. Maldives’ views must be heard with respect in global councils.

We will help Maldives to achieve its aim of becoming carbon neutral. We will help build your capacities through sharing of energy efficiency technologies and provide scholarships for students from Maldives in areas such as coastal zone adaptation and management.

We in India have made a number of commitments on climate change. One is to keep our per capita emission of greenhouse gases below the average for the industrialised countries. Secondly, we have committed to reduce the emissions intensity of our Gross Domestic Product by 20% between 2005 and 2020. We have launched eight national missions under our National Action Plan on Climate Change. The Green India plan seeks to regenerate six million hectares of degraded forest land.

India will be a constructive participant in the global climate change negotiations based on the principles of common but differentiated responsibility.

As I stand here I am conscious of the vastness of the ocean that surrounds us. This is our extended neighbourhood. We wish to work with the Maldives and other like minded countries to ensure peace and prosperity in the Indian Ocean region. In many ways, India and Maldives are natural partners in this enterprise.

The Indian Ocean is rich in resources. It provides sustenance and livelihood to many island states. Over 97 percent of India’s international trade by volume and 75 percent by value passes through the Indian Ocean. All the littoral states have a common interest in ensuring the safety and security of the sea lanes of communication.

Through the ages, seafarers, traders and merchants from India have ventured across the seas. Today vibrant Indian communities have settled in places such as Mauritius, Seychelles, the East Coast of Africa, the Gulf and East Asia. This movement of people has been accompanied by the exchange of cultural influences from which we have all benefited. We should build upon these and other commonalities and reinvigorate the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation.

India’s security, like that of Maldives, is closely linked to what happens in the Indian Ocean. The challenges we face are well known - extremism and religious fundamentalism, piracy, smuggling and drug trafficking to name a few. Maldives is additionally concerned about poaching in the coral reefs and illegal commercial fishing by foreign trawlers. We have together experienced the devastation caused by the tsunami in 2004.

Our two countries have agreed upon a multi-pronged approach to deal with these problems. To build capacity within Maldives, India will support the construction of a National Police Academy.

Bilaterally, we have entered into arrangements on Combating Terrorism, Drug Trafficking, Disaster Management and Coastal Security and Transfer of Sentenced Persons. These will strengthen the framework of cooperation on law enforcement and consular matters.

At a regional level, we should enhance our cooperation to increase maritime domain awareness and surveillance. We should have better exchange of information, more training programmes and work towards a cooperative security framework in the Indian Ocean region.

Ever since your independence in 1965, you have taken impressive strides in nation building. Today Maldives has earned the respect of the world for its achievements in the socio-economic sphere and for its leadership on issues such as climate change and protection of the environment. You have chosen the path of democracy, freedom and respect for human rights.

You have shown how even a small nation can stand up and be counted in the affairs of the world.

I am confident that the people of Maldives will continue to consolidate their achievements. As an abiding friend, India will always stand by you in these efforts. Our relations are time-tested and I wish to reaffirm that they shall remain so in the future.

I once again convey my sincere gratitude to the Hon`ble Speaker and to each one of you for granting me the honour of addressing you.

I thank President Mohamed Nasheed for his personal friendship and the people of Maldives for the warm hospitality extended to me and to the members of my delegation in Maldives. This has been an unforgettable journey for me which I shall always cherish.

On behalf of the people of India and on behalf of our Parliament I wish you all success in your noble efforts to build a prosperous, dynamic and safe country.

Long live India-Maldives friendship.”

Joint Statement issued on the occasion of the bilateral visit of the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh to Maldives

2011-11-12T23:02:00.001-08:00

1. The Prime Minister of the Republic of India, H.E. Dr. Manmohan Singh, paid a bilateral visit to Maldives on 11 & 12 November 2011 at the invitation of the President of the Republic of Maldives, H.E. Mr. Mohamed Nasheed. He was accompanied by Smt. Gursharan Kaur and an official delegation.

2. After a ceremonial welcome in Male, the Prime Minister of India met the President of Maldives, Mr. Mohamed Nasheed, on November 12, 2011. The Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Thasmeen Ali, subsequently called on the Prime Minister of India. The meetings were marked by warmth and cordiality.

3. The Prime Minister of India delivered an address to the People’s Majlis (Parliament) of the Republic of Maldives on November 12, 2011. The Speaker of the People’s Majlis, H.E. Mr. Abdulla Shahid, while welcoming the Prime Minister of India to the People’s Majlis, highlighted the fact that the Prime Minister of India would be the first foreign Head of State or Government to ever address the People’s Majlis in its 78 year history. The Prime Minister of India acknowledged the singular honour accorded to him by the People’s Majlis as a measure of the closest affinity and affection between the people of the two fraternal neighbouring countries.

4. Official talks between India and Maldives were held on November 12, 2011 in an extremely warm, cordial and friendly atmosphere reflective of the special relationship between the two countries. President Nasheed hosted an official luncheon in honour of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and the accompanying delegation.

5. The Prime Minister of India was assisted at the official talks by National Security Advisor Shri Shivshankar Menon, Foreign Secretary Shri Ranjan Mathai, High Commissioner of India to Maldives Shri Dnyaneshwar M. Mulay and other senior officials.

6. The President of Maldives was accompanied by Vice President Dr Mohamed Waheed, Special Envoy of the President Mr Ibrahim Hussein Zaki, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Ahmed Naseem, Minister of Home Affairs Mr Hassan Afeef, Minister of Finance and Treasury Mr Ahmed Inaz, Minister of Health and Family Ms Aminath Jameel, Minister of Trade and Economic Development Mr Mohamed Razee, Minister of Housing and Environment Mr Mohamed Aslam, Minister of Education Dr Aminath Jameel, Minister of Education Ms Shifa Mohamed, High Commissioner Designate to India Mr Ameen Faisal, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mr Mohamed Naseer and other senior officials.

7. The two leaders recalled the geographical contiguity and ethnic, historical and cultural ties between the two countries. They reiterated an abiding faith in and commitment to democracy, development and peaceful co-existence.

8. They shared the confidence that cooperation at the bilateral, sub-regional and regional levels will enable the two countries to realise their developmental aspirations, and contribute to peace, prosperity and security in the Indian Ocean Region and South Asia.

9. The Prime Minister of India congratulated the people of Maldives for their successful and peaceful transition to democracy. He, inter alia, reiterated the willingness of the Government of India to share its experiences in parliamentary democracy and extend full support to consolidate the gains attained through the democratic process in Maldives. The two sides agreed to promote more cooperation between the Parliaments of both countries. Both sides also agreed to promote and facilitate cooperation between their respective institutions.

10. The two sides signed the following documents during the visit:

(i) Framework Agreement on Cooperation for Development ; (ii) Memorandum of Understanding on Combating International Terrorism, Trans-national Crime, Illicit Drug Trafficking and Enhancing Bilateral Cooperation in Capacity Building, Disaster Management and Coastal Security; (iii) Agreement on Transfer of Sentenced Persons; (iv) Agreement on US$ 100 million Stand-by Credit Facility; (v) Memorandum of Understanding on renovation of the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital in Maldives; (vi) Programme of Cooperation in the field of Culture for the years 2012-2015.

11. The two leaders reaffirmed their unequivocal and uncompromising position against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. In furtherance of the shared recognition that the security interests of both the countries are interlinked in the region, they reiterated their assurance that each side would be sensitive to the concerns of the other on the issue and that their respective territories would not be allowed for any activity inimical to the other and by any quarter. It was agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation on issues of common concern, including piracy, terrorism, organized crime, drugs and human trafficking. It was also agreed to intensify cooperation in the areas of training and capacity building of police and security forces.

12. The two leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation to enhance maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region through coordinated patrolling and aerial surveillance, exchange of information, capacity building and the development of an effective legal framework against piracy.

13. Both the leaders reviewed the various efforts to promote bilateral trade and investment ties and the development of infrastructure in a manner that contributes to sustainable development in both countries. It was agreed to work towards closer economic cooperation in sectors such as food security, fisheries development, tourism, transportation, information technology, new and renewable energy and communications.

14. Both sides agreed to undertake measures to strengthen links in the banking and financial sectors, including by improving credit and insurance facilities and assistance in the establishment of development finance institutions. They also agreed to review institutional arrangements to meet the essential commodities requirements of Maldives.

15. The President of Maldives thanked the Prime Minister of India for the assistance extended by Government of India, including by way of the US$ 100 million Stand-by Credit Facility extended in 2008 and the full subscription to US$ 100 million Treasury bonds issued by the Maldives Monetary Authority in 2009. The two leaders welcomed the signing of the US$ 40 million Line of Credit for the construction of housing units that was signed in August 2011.

16. The two leaders expressed their confidence that the new US$ 100 million Stand-by Credit Facility extended by India would significantly enhance infrastructure and capacities in Maldives. The credit would finance a number of projects identified by Maldives and imports from India.

17. The Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh announced financial support to Maldives for several cooperation and developmental projects, including the setting up of the Maldives Police Academy and renovation of the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) established by Government of India in Male.

18. Both leaders emphasised the urgent need to improve connectivity between the two countries through the establishment of enabling infrastructure that would promote the exchange of goods and services, information, ideas, culture and people.

19. It was agreed to enhance connectivity by air and sea, in particular through shipping links and ferry services. In this context, the two leaders directed the concerned officials to expeditiously work towards starting a regular passenger-cum-cargo ferry service between Cochin (India) and Male (Maldives) and other destinations between Maldives and India. The Prime Minister of India announced that India would undertake a feasibility study on the development of the regional port in Kulduffushi (upper North Province Maldives) at the earliest. The two leaders also directed that direct flights between Mumbai/Delhi- Male sectors be operationalised at the earliest.

20. The two leaders welcomed the allocation of lands on reciprocal basis in Male and New Delhi for construction of the new Chancery buildings for the respective High Commissions in each other’s country.

21. Both leaders agreed that the two sides would harness the advantages of regional and sub-regional transport and connectivity, renewable energy, education, environment and sustainable development to mutual advantage.

22. The Prime Minister of India congratulated the President of Maldives for successfully hosting the XVII SAARC Summit in Addu City from November 10-11, 2011. Reiterating the importance of SAARC in promoting regional cooperation, the two leaders also agreed to work together to further strengthen SAARC, including by expanding areas of cooperation, in working closely with the Maldives to revitalize SAARC institutions, and as partners in achieving the full implementation of all existing SAARC projects and Agreements. In this regard, the President of Maldives appreciated the continued support of the Government of India to Maldives as Chair of SAARC and, in particular, for strengthening the SAARC Coastal Zone Management Center in Male.

23. Both leaders reiterated the importance of an effective multilateral system, centred on a strong United Nations, as a key factor in tackling global challenges. In this context, they also recognized the need to pursue reform of the main UN bodies, including the revitalization of the UN General Assembly and expansion of the UN Security Council. The President of Maldives reiterated his country`s support for India`s candidature for permanent membership of an expanded and reformed UN Security Council.

24. The two leaders underscored the need for strengthening and reform of multilateral financial institutions and enhancing the voice and participation of developing countries in international economic decision-making.

25. Both sides agreed that climate change was one of the most important global challenges. They reaffirmed the provisions and principles of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), including that of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities.Noting the substantial voluntary pledges of the developing countries towards mitigation, they stressed the importance of the developed countries agreeing to take on a second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol beyond 2012 at the forthcoming UNFCCC Conference of Parties in Durban end November 2011. It was agreed to develop and implement programmes for environmental protection and respond to the challenges of climate change through adaptation. Both Parties shall collaborate on projects of mutual interest to preserve common eco-systems, address vulnerability of the Small Island States to Climate Change and strengthen coastal research.

26. The Prime Minister of India thanked the President of Maldives for the warmth, cordiality and gracious hospitality extended to him and members of his delegation during their stay in Maldives.

27. Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh extended an invitation to President Mohamed Nasheed to pay a visit to India. The invitation was accepted and it was agreed that the dates of the visit would be finalised through diplomatic channels.

National Innovation Council’s Report to People 2011

2011-11-12T23:00:00.001-08:00

The National Innovation Council’s (NInC) First Report to the People 2011 is being released by the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on 15th November 2011. The Report will be released in the presence of Ministers from key Ministries collaborating with NInC. These include Finance Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee, Minister for Human resource Development Shri Kapil Sibal, Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Srhi Virbhandra Singh, and Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission Shri Montek Singh Ahluwalia.

The National Innovation Council was established in the wake of the Government of India declaring 2010-2020 as the Decade of Innovation. This declaration recognizes the potential of innovation to bridge unmet needs and access gaps in vital sectors such as agriculture, education, energy, health, skills, urban and rural development, and others; and to drive growth, competitiveness, employment, and opportunity for the country. India’s challenges in these areas are unique, and require innovative approaches and solutions. The Council has been tasked with formulating and implementing an Indian model of inclusive innovation that can deliver these, and with preparing a roadmap for innovation in the country.

The Report to the People captures the first year of NInC’s activity. It highlights key NInC initiatives across a wide range of areas: financing, productivity and competitiveness, education, connectivity, communication and advocacy, government frameworks, collaboration, and others. NInC looks forward to informing the Indian people about its first year’s progress.

Bihar govt. orders prosecution of 11 tainted officers

2011-11-11T23:47:00.000-08:00

The Bihar government has ordered the prosecution of 11 tainted officers in the state. It includes a former DM, two Block Development Officers ,two engineers and six other officials of different departments.
The officers allegedly involved in corrupt practices were mainly associated with the Indira Awaas Yojana,Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and Animal husbandry Department. Former DM and two BDOs of Araria had kept Rupees 70 crore meant for different schemes in the PACS account and earned interest on the same.

Statement by the Prime Minister

2011-11-11T23:44:00.000-08:00

The text of the Statement by the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh.

“I have just concluded very fruitful and productive discussions with His Excellency President Nasheed.

I conveyed to the President my warm felicitations on holding an extremely successful SAARC Summit. I am confident that under President Nasheed’s chairmanship of SAARC, the pace of our activities will gather even greater momentum.

The President and I have reviewed our bilateral relations as well as regional and global issues of mutual interest. We have had a meeting of minds on all issues, including on the future direction of our partnership.

Bilateral cooperation between India and Maldives has been on a high growth trajectory in recent times. We have approached our partnership in a comprehensive, forward looking, pragmatic and mutually beneficial manner. We are working together on increasing connectivity and closer economic cooperation. These efforts are bearing fruit.

The President and I have signed a ‘Framework Agreement on Cooperation for Development’. This Agreement puts in place a template for cooperation in a very wide range of areas such as trade and investment, food security, fisheries development, tourism, transportation, information technology, new and renewable energy, communications, and connectivity.

The Agreement recognises the role which our two countries can play in the Indian Ocean region.

The Government of India has agreed to extend a 100 million US dollars Standby Credit Facility to the Government of Maldives to help stabilize its fiscal position. We have agreed to examine a comprehensive package to help develop the Maldivian economy, including in the areas of banking and financial infrastructure and capacity building.

At the request of the Government of Maldives, India will undertake extensive renovation of the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital in Male. The project to construct the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Studies in Male is in full swing. We expect to hand over the project in mid-2013 after completion. The Government of India has also agreed to construct the National Police Academy of Maldives on which work will commence shortly.

We have examined the possibility of commencing regular passenger-cum-cargo ferry services between Cochin and Male at the earliest.

Both countries recognise the importance of jointly cooperating to safeguard our mutual security interests. We are cooperating on issues relating to climate change, piracy, terrorism, drug trafficking and other threats to both our countries. The Memorandum of Understanding signed today on Combating Terrorism, Drug Trafficking, Disaster Management and Coastal Security will provide the framework for expanded cooperation.

India attaches the highest importance to its relations with Maldives. We seek a deeper and stronger partnership with each other. We are guided by the premise that a prosperous, democratic and peaceful Maldives is in the interest of the entire region.

I wish to reiterate our continued commitment to assist Maldives in all possible ways as it seeks to play its rightful role in the comity of nations.

I once again thank the government and people of Maldives for the warm hospitality that has been extended to me during my visit.”

Special court convicts 31 in Sardarpura post-Godhra riots

2011-11-09T04:56:00.000-08:00

In Gujarat, a special court has convicted 31 people out of 73 accused in one of the nine Gujarat riots cases of 2002.The special fast-track court in Mehsana delivered the judgment today in Sardarpura riot case.

33 persons were killed when a violent mob burnt them alive in a locked house in a Sardarpura village in Vijapur block of Mehsana district on 1st March 2002 after the Godhra train carnage.The charges against those convicted included murder, attempt to murder, arson, rioting, criminal conspiracy among others.
The court has acquitted the other 42 accused in the case.

The quantum of sentence will be announced later. Sadarpura is one of nine Gujarat riots cases handed over to Special Investigation Team (SIT).The case is also the first post-Godhra train carnage in which convictions have taken place.

HAATHI CHALE BAZAR, KUTTE BHONKE HAZAAR

2011-11-06T00:00:00.000-07:00

HAATHI CHALE BAZAR, KUTTE BHONKE HAZAAR ----At present the situation in our country is entirely different ----Kutta Bhunke ek, Garzan kare hazaro hanthi-------------- I am unhappy to observe that members of Team Anna, Ramdeo Baba and his followers are giving unwarranted reaction / response on the barking of one Dog let loose willfully by ruling party to weaken movements launched by various forum and organization against their misdeeds, against corruption, against black money and against unprecedented price rise.

It is unfortunate that One Dog is barking all the time on all issues and against all right thinking people and diverting the mind of all media men and India loving citizen from burning national issues to totally irrelevant and non Issues. I condemn media men who try to focus the mind of views on non Issues and dilute the intensity of movement launched against black money, corruption, price rise etc.

I appeal to all who are supporters of fight against corruption and black money and those who are followers of Team Anna and Ramdeo or Guru Ravi Shankar should avoid responding on statement made by barking Dog. Rather I appeal to member of all these forums to shed their personal differences and personal ego and come together to fight against the corrupt system jointly. Please do not common against each other to become victim of ruling party which is bent upon ruling the country by adopting the policy of “Divide and Rule”

If ruling party can peep into past of Ramdeo Baba and member of Team Anna to puncture their movement , why not members of Team Anna and Ramdeo Baba spread all over the country discover the evil works and crime committed by important members of ruling party silently and expose them.

We should stop fighting in past and try to involve in healthy discussion on current issues. Everyone is Khira Chor, it does not mean that Hira chor should be exonerated from his guilt and doors of courts and that of police station should be closed for all.
“Chori upar Sina Chori” is possible by ruling party only because we are divided on various points like caste, community, region, religion and personal egos as mentioned above.
Ravan ka Badh karna hai to Ram aur Ram ki Sena ko chalaki se yudh karna hoga.

Self –Determination in Kashmir

2011-10-17T22:27:00.000-07:00

In any discussion on the subject of ‘Self-determination in Kashmir’, one thing should be very clear that ‘Kashmir’ does not mean only the ‘Kashmir Valley’ but the entire State of Jammu and Kashmir (J & K), the princely State under the rule of Maharaja on the eve of the independence of the country. This includes, along with the Indian part of J & K, the Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) as well as Northern Areas i.e. Gilgit and Baltistan.

Self-determination means “the right of a people to determine the way they shall be governed and whether they shall be self-governed or by another people.” The demand of self-determination in Kashmir is being consistently made by Pakistan and a small fringe of extremists/secessionists in the valley.

Pakistani/Tribal Invasion

With the independence of the country, political scenario changed. British paramountcy over the princely states lapsed. The princes became technically independent, but they were expected to join one of the two successor dominions of India and Pakistan. Maharaja Harisingh of Kashmir who had to take the decision vacillated. It seems he wanted to remain independent but was not sure if the people of the State would allow him to continue as the ruler. Mr. Jinnah, the Governor General of Pakistan, sensing the mind of the Maharaja, secretly assured him that if he opted for Pakistan, all his rights and privileges would be protected and Sheikh Abdullah’s democratic goals would be given no quarter. But on getting no favourable response, Pakistan first applied economic pressure by blocking the movement of all essential commodities to the Kashmir Valley which at that time had only one inlet through Rawalpindi-Srinagar route. However, when Maharaja remained indecisive, Pakistan brought about a full-fledged tribal invasion on the valley and Jammu on October 22, 1947. This left the Maharaja no choice but to seek India’s assistance to check the Pakistani/tribal onslaught. But India could not help without having a locus standii which the Maharaja provided by sending his Instrument of Accession to India on October 26, 1947. India accepted the J&K’s accession and informed the Maharaja on 27th October 1947.

It should be noted that the mechanism for a princely State to join one of the two dominions through an Instrument of Accession had not provided that the ruler of the State would take the wishes of the people of the State into account. So the Maharaja was fully entitled to accede to India. The Government of India said that, it is the Government’s desire that as soon as law and order has been restored in Kashmir and her soil has been cleared of the invaders, the question of the State’s accession should be settled by a reference to the people. It is thus very clear that India, of its own accord and out of its democratic values, introduced the question of plebiscite.

Also, as Pakistan, an independent nation, had come to occupy a large portion of Indian territory, India, as a responsible and law-abiding nation, took the question of Pakistani aggression to the UNO, requesting it to get the Indian territory vacated by the illegal occupants. Of course, India had to militarily stop the further advance of Pakistani invaders who planned to occupy the entire J & K. This naturally had created a war-like situation which ended after the UNO, in accordance with a UNSC resolution dated 13 July 1948, arranged a cease-fire on January 1, 1949.

This resolution had three parts. Part I was the Ceasefire Agreement. Part II was the Truce Agreement which stipulated the withdrawal of Pak troops and tribals from the entire State of J & K. In Part III, the Governments of India and Pakistan re-affirmed their wish that the future of the State shall be determined in accordance to the will of the people. India’s acceptance of this UNSC Resolution with the plebiscite clause was only a vindication of its desire to consult the people as expressed while accepting the J & K’s accession to India. However, plebiscite could not be held because Pakistan failed to honour its commitment to withdraw its forces and nationals from the State. This withdrawal was an essential pre-requisite for holding the plebiscite. The reason why Pakistan did not do so is obvious. Pakistan knew well that its invasion of the State was strongly resented by the people of the State and their mood was totally anti-Pakistan. Sheikh Abdullah who was the voice of the people of the Valley since 1931 had, towards the end of 1947, formed the emergency government in the State and had assisted the Indian army in throwing out Pakistani troops and raiders from the valley and the major parts of Jammu and Poonch. As it was a foregone conclusion that plebiscite would go in favour of India, Pakistan desisted from it.

Popular Democratic Elections

Despite the fact that plebiscite could not be held, India gave the people of the State ample opportunity to express their choice. This was provided by a popularly elected Constituent Assembly of the State and repeated quinquenial elections to the State Legislative Assembly. In February 1954, the Constituent Assembly of the State confirmed the legality of J & K’s accession to India. And after the 1957 elections to the State Assembly, the J & K Constitution became formally operative. The Constitution of Jammu & Kashmir declared , “The State of Jammu and Kashmir is and shall be an integral part of the Union of India”.

Eventually, the tallest political leader of J & K, Sheikh Abdullah signed the ‘Kashmir Accord’ with the then Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi, in February 1975. Two important provisions of this Accord are : (1) ‘The State of J & K is a Constituent of the Union of India, and J & K’s relations with the Union shall be governed by the Article 370 of the Constitution of India. (2) The Indian Parliament will have the power to make laws to prevent any questioning, disclaiming or disrupting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India or bringing about secession of any part of the Indian territory from the Union’.

Immediately after signing the ‘Kashmir Accord’, Sheikh Abdullah took over as the Chief Minister of J & K, which was the practical fulfilment of the Accord. In July 1975, Sheikh Abdullah did away with the Plebiscite Front too. In the June-July 1977 elections to the State Assembly, out of 76 seats, the National Conference, headed by Sheikh Abdullah, won 47 seats (40 in the Valley) and Congress 11. The capture of an overwhelming majority of the Assembly seats by the two parties to the ‘Kashmir Accord’ is a proof that ‘Kashmir Accord’, with all its implications, was ratified by an overwhelming majority of the State’s population.

As for a small fringe of extremists and separatists in the Valley, who echo the Pakistani calls for a plebiscite, they are merely to be told that if they genuinely wanted democracy to prevail they instead of boycotting the elections, should have participated in the democratic process. As they have never proved their representative character and democratic credentials, they cannot be taken into account.

As a contrast to this long history of bright democratic credentials and regular elections in India and the Indian part of Kashmir, there have been no democratic elections in PoK and Northern Areas, a reflection of the political scene of military-ruled Pakistan. The glaring contrast in the conditions between the two parts of Kashmir shows how the special interests of J & K have been reconciled with the collective interests of India, while on the other side of the LOC, PoK and Northern Areas have been treated as a colony.

International Support

It is to be noted that the Indian stand on the question of plebiscite in J & K is also supported by the international opinion. A recent draft European Parliament Report on Kashmir says that a plebiscite in the State is unnecessary and irrelevant and raps Pakistan for its undemocratic rule over PoK. The Report also makes the more important point that calls for a plebiscite to decide the final status of J & K are wholly out of step with the needs of the local people and are damaging to their interests.

It has to be stressed that no people can wait indefinitely for deciding their future destiny. So the people of the Indian side of J & K have, by open democratic means, already decided to live with India and the talk of plebiscite is meaningless for them.

Kapil Sibal and US Secretary of State Launch the Expanded US- India Higher Education Dialouge

2011-10-14T21:26:00.000-07:00

Recalling the considerable progress achieved in bilateral educational relations following the visits by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to the United States in 2009 and President Obama to India in 2010, Human Resource Development Minister Shri Sibal and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton today reaffirmed the strategic partnership between India and the United States for meaningful dialogue, cooperation, and engagement in the field of higher education, and launched a new phase in this partnership. The two leaders acknowledged the immense possibilities for further collaboration between the two countries given the inherent dynamism, emerging challenges, and numerous exciting opportunities available for sharing and growing together.

Expressing their commitment to that vision, Shri Sibal and Secretary Clinton launched the expanded U.S.-India Higher Education Dialogue as an annual bilateral event to map out strategies for partnership in the field of education between the two countries. The Dialogue should identify areas for mutually beneficial exchanges and provide a platform for intense and meaningful collaboration among academia, the private sector, and government on both sides. The plan is for the Dialogue to be held alternately in the United States and India.

Shri Sibal and Secretary Clinton emphasized that access to and the development of technology and skills are cross-cutting requirements to meet the challenges that their two countries face. They acknowledged the fruitful collaboration between India and the United States in the areas of education, research, and innovation and noted its contribution to the development of technologies, skills, and knowledge-based societies in both countries. Both leaders emphasized the need to enhance this collaboration.

The two leaders expressed satisfaction with the progress achieved in the Obama-Singh 21st Century Knowledge Initiative, launched in 2009, under which proposals have been invited by both sides by November 1, 2011, to be reviewed by a joint working group for academic awards in support of university partnerships. The two leaders reiterated their strong commitment to the Fulbright-Nehru Program and its contribution to leadership development and scholarly achievement. They also highlighted and encouraged the full array of collaborations directly between higher education communities, such as the Yale-India program, for academic leadership and faculty development. The two leaders underscored the need to enhance the scope of collaboration and identify new ways to encourage linkages and exchange programs.

The two leaders also expressed their support for the Indo-U.S. Science and Technology Forum, which provides fresh impetus to academic collaboration in the cutting-edge areas of scientific research and technology development.

The two leaders lauded the continuing efforts by both sides to explore new avenues for collaboration such as the Indo-U.S. Engineering Education Conclave, held in January 2011 in New Delhi, for strengthening higher educational institutions in the fields of engineering and technology and expressed the hope that more such opportunities for engagement would emerge in the future in other fields.

The two sides endorsed the resolve of the stakeholders from academia, government, and industry to take forward the following areas of consensus arrived at during the Summit:

1.A continued expanded U.S.-India Higher Education Dialogue with representatives from government, academia, and business that would interact on a periodic basis to inform and underpin the Dialogue.

2. Support for the following goals:

• Promoting strategic institutional partnerships for further strengthening and expansion of collaboration in the priority areas of higher education, including science and engineering, social sciences, and humanities, and addressing societal challenges in areas such as cyber security, energy, environment, health and agriculture;

• Encouraging expansion and deepened collaboration in research and development in the above areas between academic institutions of the two countries through existing initiatives;

• Fostering partnerships in the areas of vocational education and skills enhancement to meet the needs of today’s world;

• Exploration of models for ‘educational institutions for the 21st Century’ (such as ‘meta’ universities);

• Further strengthening programs for student and faculty enrichment and exchange, and development of leadership in academia at all levels;

• Welcoming the involvement of the private sector in the two countries to support and deepen collaboration with the higher education community, faculty exchanges, skills development, and institutional partnerships.

3.India announced its intention to set up an India-U.S. higher education platform as a means to pursue these goals.

4.Strengthening educator enrichment and exchange programs (with the Government of India indicating its intention to sponsor initially up to 1,500 faculty and junior scholars to leading universities and research institutes in the United States) to promote development of human resources while also enhancing broader interaction between the two countries.

ROAD SAFETY

2011-09-26T05:20:00.000-07:00

Road Safety is a multi-sectoral and multi-dimensional issue. It incorporates the development and management of road infrastructure, provision of safer vehicles, legislation and law enforcement, mobility planning, provision of health and hospital services, child safety, urban land use planning etc. In other words, its ambit spams engineering aspects of both, roads and vehicles on one hand and the provision of health and hospital services for trauma cases ( in post-crash scenario) on the other, Road safety is a shared, multi-sectoral, responsibility of the government and a range of civil society stakeholders. The success of road safety strategies in all countries depends upon a broad base of support and common action from all stakeholders.

At a plenary meeting of the United Nations General Assembly on 14th April, 2004, a resolution co-sponsored by India expressed grave concern about the large number of fatalities in road crashes. The World Health Organisation also declared the year 2004 as the Year of Road Safety and launched World Health Day in April 2004 with the slogan – “Road Safety is no accident”.

The World Report on Road Traffic Injury Prevention of the World Bank and World Health Organisation (WHO) in the year 2004 stated that road safety injuries are a major but neglected global public health problem requiring converted efforts for effective and sustainable prevention. Of all the systems that people have to deal with on a day-to-day basis, road transport is the most complex and the most unsafe mode of transportation. The tragedy behind the regularly occurring road crashes attracts less media attention than other, less frequent but more unusual types of tragedies. The report forecasts that without any increased effort and new initiatives, the total number of road traffic injuries and deaths worldwide would rise by 65 per cent between 2000-2020 whereas in low-income and middle income countries, deaths are expected to increase by as much as 80 per cent . The majority of such deaths are at present of “vulnerable and road users, pedestrians, pedal cyclists and motorcyclists”. In high income countries, deaths among car occupants continue to be predominant but risk per capita that vulnerable rod users face is high. The report also underscored the concern about the detrimental impact of an unsafe road transport system on public health and global development. Obviously, the level of road deaths and injuries is unacceptable and to a large extent avoidable.

According to WHO statistics ( year 2002) about 11.8 lakh people die every year in road accidents, the world over, of which 84.674 deaths are reported to take place in India. In 2004 the number of deaths had increased to 92618. The mortality rate in India is 8.7 per hundred thousand population as compared to 5.6 in UK. 5.4 in Sweden, 5.0 in The Netherlands and 6.7 in Japan. In terms of mortality per 10,000 vehicles, the rate in India is as high as 14 as compared to less than two in developed countries. The cost of road crashes has been assessed at one to two per cent of GDP in developed countries. A study by the Planning Commission in 2002 estimated the social cost of road accidents in India at Rs. 55,000 crore annually ( 2000 prices), which constitutes about 3 per cent of the GDP

With massive investment in roads and the exponential growth in the number of vehicles it has become necessary to have a system, which integrates all disciplines that influence road safety and which at the same time would have linkages with established institution that cater to the different aspects of road safety viz engineering, education, enforcement, medical and behavioural sciences.

Measures to Prepare Ganga Basin Management Plan

2011-09-23T00:35:00.001-07:00

A comprehensive River Basin Management Plan for Ganga is being prepared. This work has been entrusted to a consortium of seven IITs (Kanpur, Delhi , Madras, Bombay , Kharagpur, Guwahati and Roorkee) and a Momorandum of Agreement (MoA) has been signed on 6.7.2010 by MoEF & the IITs.

The Plan is with the objective of taking comprehensive measures for restoration of the wholesomeness of the Gnaga system and improvement of its ecological health, with due regard to the issue of competing water uses in the river basin. The necessity of adopting practices that require a paradigm shift on use of land, water and other natural resources in the Ganga Basin for various purposes would be examined. Alternative approaches using innovative concepts and state-of-the-art technologies/methods will be explored.

The Plan would take into consideration the requirements of water and energy in the Ganga Basin, to accommodate increased population, urbanization, industrialization and agriculture while ensuring that the fundamental aspects of the river system i.e., (i) river must have longitudinal and lateral connectivity , (ii) river must continuously flow (A viral Dhaara), (iii) river must have adequate space for its various functions, (iv) river must function as an ecological entity, and (v) river must not be seen as a carrier of waste loads (Nirmal Dhaara), are protected.

The Basin Management Plan will be rolling and dynamic in nature and will be the basis for NGRBA’s Action Programme. The Plan would identify projects to be undertaken, policy interventions required and non-project investments. It would include estimation of present and prospective pollution loads form domestic, industrial and non-point sources, measures for maintaining water quality by providing a road map for control and prevention of pollution into the river and its tributaries, measures necessary for maintaining minimum ecological flows, measures for augmentation of river flow, catchment area treatment and protection of floodplains, public participation and awareness, assessment of technical and financial resources required for a time bound action programme. A number of intermediate reports will also be prepared. These would include status reports and simulated future scenarios on various aspects of the Ganga Basin with atlases, databases, modeling tools , etc.

The consortium has submitted five initial reports under the GRBMP. These reports have been discussed with the Ministries / Departments concerned with the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) and their comments/suggestions have been communicated to the consortium. The IIT consortium will submit the final version of the five initial reports shortly after taking into account the views of all stakeholders and after consideration and endorsement of the Project Management Board and the Project Implementation and Coordination Committee of IIT consortium.

NDRF and ITBP Personnel Deployed for Rescue and Relief Work in Quake-Hit Sikkim

2011-09-19T00:02:00.001-07:00

An earthquake of following intensities has occurred in Sikkim :-

Sl.No.	Date	Time	Magnitude	Latitude & Longitude
1.	18.09.2011	1811 hrs	6.8	27.7°N 88.2° E
2.	18.09.2011	1821 hrs	6.1	27.5º N 87.5º E
3.	18.09.2011	1842 hrs	5.3	27.7º N 88.5° E

The States of Sikkim, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur and Mizoram were affected in this earthquake. As per information received from the affected States, Sikkim has reported 7 deaths and 64 injured, Bihar 2 deaths and West Bengal 5 deaths and 29 injured while one person was reported to be injured in Assam. The State Govt. is ascertaining the extent of damage.

5 Teams of NDRF consisting of 203 personnel along with necessary rescue equipment have been deployed Ex-Delhi and reached Bagdogra by 0308 hrs on 19.09.2011. They are still held at the Transit Camp Bagdogra due to landslides causing road blockage at various places on the highway. Another 5 teams of NDRF consisting of 200 personnel along with necessary rescue equipment have been deployed Ex-Kolkata, of which 100 personnel reached Bagdogra at 0455 hrs on 19.09.2011 while another 100 personnel will be landing shortly. 712 personnel of ITBP are already engaged in rescue and relief operation in Sikkim.

A medical team comprising of 20 Doctors (Surgeon –04, Orthopaedician - 07, Anaesthesian - 05, Neuro-Surgeon -02 and medicine -02 ) left Delhi for Sikkim and reached Bagdogra at 0430 hrs on 19.09.2011. They are held at Bagdogra due to landslides causing road blockage at various places on the highway. As per DG, Border Roads, clear estimate is not available. However, he has stated that there are 16 landslides in a stretch of 10 kms. Efforts are on to clear the roads. Access through an alternate road is also being explored.

MHA officials along with NDMA and NDRF personnel have been working round the clock since the time of occurrence of earthquake to mobilize and facilitate response teams. The situation is being closely monitored and every possible assistance is being extended to the State Government.

2011-09-15T01:19:00.000-07:00

The First Advance Estimates of production of major crops grown in the country in kharif season have been released today. The total foodgrains production is likely to be 123.88 million tonnes (MT) as compared to 120.20 MT in 2010-11 (fourth advance estimates). It represents an increase of about 3.68 MT over the last estimates.
Rice production in the country in the kharif season is likely to be 87.10 million tonnes as compared to 80.65 million tonnes in 2010-11 kharif.
Production of kharif pulses is expected to be 6.43 million tonnes as against 7.12 million tonnes last kharif.
Oilseeds production in the kharif season is likely to be 20.89 million tonnes as against 20.85 million tonnes last season.
Cotton production is estimated to be 36.10 million bales as against 33.43 million bales last season.
Sugarcane production is estimated to be 342.20 million tonnes as against 339.17 million tonnes in 2010-11.

Details of the estimates of crop production are as follows: -

Crop	2010-11 (4^th adv est)	2011-12 (1^st adv est)
Rice	80.65	87.10
Jowar	3.48	3.00
Maize	16.32	15.86
Coarse cereals	32.43	30.42
Cereals	113.08	117.52
Tur	2.89	2.90
Urad	1.40	1.17
Moong	1.52	1.20
Total pulses	7.12	6.43
Total foodgrains	120.20	123.88
Groundnut	5.66	5.62
Castorseed	1.34	1.69
Sesamum	0.88	0.73
Soybean	12.66	12.57
Total nine oilseeds	20.85	20.89
Sugarcane	339.17	342.20
Cotton	33.43 m.bales	36.10 m.bales
Jute & mesta	10.58 m.bales	11.22 m.bales

MP:SB:CP: first advance estimates (14.9.2010)

Foodgrain Production Reaches Record 241.6 Million Tonnes

2011-09-15T01:08:00.001-07:00

Agriculture Minister Shri Sharad Pawar today announced that, as per the latest crop estimates, the foodgrain production in 2010-11 reached a record level of 241.6 million tonnes. Among crops, record production was achieved in the case of wheat, pulses, oil seeds and cotton.

Elaborating the farm growth further, the Minister stated that during the quarter ending March 31 this year, farm output achieved an impressive growth rate of 7.5 per cent. On a yearly basis, Agriculture and Allied Sector grew at 6.6% in the last fiscal. The minister expressed the hope that the country would be able to achieve targeted 4% growth in agriculture.

Addressing senior officers from the centre and all the states who have gathered here to chalk out a strategy for the ensuing rabi cropping season, Shri Pawar said that “the monsoon this year has been very encouraging so far, with timely and widespread rain all over the country. Good rainfall is resulting in increased soil moisture which together with adequate water availability in reservoirs across the country is definitely going to provide necessary impetus for substantial expansion in area and enhancing production during ensuing Rabi season.”

Stressing the need for constantly improving farm productivity , the Minister informed that the production target of foodgrains for year 2011-12 has been fixed at 245 million tonnes. He also expressed the hope that, looking at the performance in the recent past, the target would be surpassed.

On the need to face the challenges before Indian agriculture with concerted efforts, the Minister said: “There will be more competitive demand on land and water, progressive fragmentation of land holdings, degrading natural resource base and emerging concerns of climate change. We also have to look for sustaining agricultural growth against the backdrop of limited availability of natural resources especially cultivable land. Thus, increase in agricultural production would have to emanate only by enhancement in farm productivity from existing cultivated area.

“Low productivity still remains a major concern for Indian agriculture. While our yields compare poorly to global average, we also have significant yield gap between the ‘optimal’ yield and actual field productivity. There is also large difference in crop yields across states and regions. Low farm productivity often results in cascading effect on the farmers both in terms of increasing cost of production and less farm remuneration.

“Enhancement of agricultural productivity can come from deploying location-specific high yielding crop varieties, balanced fertiliser doses, effective transfer of technology, increasing water use efficiency, timely supply of quality inputs, and capacity building through extensive agricultural extension. Towards this direction, this Ministry is implementing various developmental schemes to cater to the needs of farming community. Flagship schemes like Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), National Food Security Mission (NFSM), National Horticulture Mission (NHM) etc. have already been instrumental in enhancing farm productivity and increasing crop production.

“Seed is critical input for long-term sustained growth of agriculture. In India, more than four-fifths of farmers rely on farm-saved seeds, resulting in low production and seed replacement rate and Government is seized of this issue and addressing the same, through various programmes/schemes. The focus has to be on increasing the Seed Replacement Rate, introducing better high yielding varieties, strengthening of infrastructure facilities for production and distribution of quality seeds and taking up more and more villages under the Seed Villages Programme.

“We have also launched several new initiatives in recent years to realign our effort in this direction. While ‘Bringing green Revolution to the eastern region’ scheme aims at improving productivity of rice based cropping system in selected states, ‘Integrated development of 60,000 pulse villages in rainfed areas’ is focussing at attaining self sufficiency in production of pulses. Five more initiatives have been launched pursuant to Union Budget-2011-12 for enhancing availability of fodder, vegetables, nutria-cereals, oil palm and protein supplements.

“However, we have to be more vigilant in ensuring that advantages gained so far are sustained in future too. During this kharif season, although higher area coverage is being witnessed in Rice, Oilseeds and Cotton crops, there is a decreasing trend in both Pulses and Coarse Cereals. I would like to urge upon the States to take a note of this situation.

“Soil health is crucial for ensuring farm productivity. However, over the years marginal productivity of soil has been witnessing a declining trend. Thus, high priority needs to be accorded to soil health and nutrient management. While nutrient management primarily focus on bringing back soil fertility, ecological sustainability and overall cost effectiveness also needs equal attention. Adoption of multi-nutrient carriers that are soil and crops specific and customised on the basis of soil testing is emerging as a viable alternative to conventional approach. Besides, organic nutrient sources like farm yard manure, crop residue, vermi compost, bio fertilisers, green manure etc. can also play a key role in adopting eco-friendly agriculture.

“Minimum Support Prices (MSP) is an effective instrument for ensuring remunerative prices to farmers. Besides, to protect growers from distress sale in event of bumper crop of agricultural and horticultural commodities, which are generally perishable, Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) is also being implemented in some States. However, I am finding that in many States, MSP and MIS are not implemented to their optimal level. I would urge upon the States and Union Territories to take full benefit of MSP and MIS so that farmers are not deprived of remunerative prices.

“This Ministry has been emphasising on sustaining agricultural growth through mobilization of higher investment in agriculture, augmenting and bridging yield gaps, enhancing farm income, ensuring livelihoods and providing safety net to the farmers. However, one size fits all policy may not be of much help. Thus, I would again urge upon the States to launch special initiatives for boosting development of agriculture and allied sector taking into account their respective agro-climatic conditions. Finally, we have to ensure that agriculture emerges and remains as a remunerative profession on a sustainable basis to rural communities.”

The Agriculture Minister also reiterated the government’s resolve to bring down prices of food commodities. “We must, therefore, ensure that efforts to increase production and productivity is a continuum and not a one-time exercise. India as a nation cannot afford to rest till we have successfully bridged the productivity gap between us and the rest of the world,” the Minister said.

The minister also released the first advance estimates of crop production for 2011-12.

The two-day National Conference for Rabi Campaign 2011 will come out with a detailed crop and area specific strategy for the rabi season after deliberation among officials from all states and the Centre and experts from ICAR and various research institutions. Besides Agriculture Minister, MOS Shri Harish Rawat and Secretary (Agriculture and Cooperation), Shri P.K. Basu also addressed the Conference.

Allocation for Urban Poverty Alleviation Schemes

2011-09-14T03:55:00.000-07:00

In pursuance of the Government’s vision of creating a Slum-free India, a new scheme ‘Rajiv Awas Yojana’ (RAY) has been launched on 02.06.2011. The Phase I of Rajiv Awas Yojana is for a period of two years from the date of approval of the scheme with a budget of Rs. 5,000 crores. The Scheme is expected to cover about 250 cities, across the entire country by the end of 12th Plan (2017). The selection of the cities will be done in consultation with the Centre. The States would be required to include all the mission cities of JNNURM, preferably cities with more than 3 lakh population as per 2001 Census; and other smaller cities, with due consideration to the pace of growth of the city, of slums, predominance of minority population, and areas where property rights are assigned. The scheme will progress at the pace set by the States.

Under RAY, Fifty percent (50 %) of the cost of provision of basic civic and social infrastructure and amenities and of housing, including rental housing, and transit housing for in-situ redevelopment – in slums would be borne by the Centre, including operation & maintenance of assets created under this scheme. For the North Eastern and Special Category States the share of the Centre would be 90% including the cost of land acquisition, if required.

The Ministry has released assistance of Rs. 99.98 crores for undertaking preparatory activities in 157 cities across 34 states and union territories under the Slum Free City Planning Scheme, the preparatory phase of RAY.

Funds Under SJSRY

2011-09-14T03:18:00.000-07:00

The Statement showing Sate-wise budget allocation made under the Swarna Jayanti Shahari Rozgar Yojana (SJSRY) during each of the last three years and the current year is at Annexure-I.

Funds under SJSRY are released to states as a whole, without segregating into components, thereby giving flexibility to them in utilizing funds.

The Statement showing Sate-wise number of Mandays of work generated under Urban Wage Employment Programme (UWEP) component of SJSRY during each of the last three years and the current year is at Annexure-II.

STATE-WISE BUDGET ALLOCATION MADE UNDER THE SWARNA JAYANTI SHAHARI ROZGAR YOJANA (SJSRY) DURING EACH OF THE LAST THREE YEARS AND CURRENT YEAR


				(Rs in Lakhs)
S. No.	Name of the State/UTs	Allocation during 2008-2009	Allocation during 2009-2010	Allocation during 2010-2011	Allocation during 2011-2012
1	ANDHRA PRADESH	3115.78	3390.53	3790.43	4827.60
2	ARUNACHAL PRADESH	222.53	207.85	201.79	259.97
3	ASSAM	2956.48	2956.05	2869.96	3274.79
4	BIHAR	1855.09	1790.24	2001.40	3158.72
5	CHHATTISGARH	1122.37	1075.14	1201.95	1342.71
6	GOA	110.94	90.56	101.24	115.29
7	GUJARAT	1450.38	1501.44	1678.53	3843.37
8	HARYANA	547.14	585.34	654.37	1597.70
9	HIMACHAL Pd.	11.64	12.15	50.00	109.54
10	JAMMU & KASHMIR	160.24	120.93	135.21	293.30
11	JHARKHAND	727.93	728.91	814.88	1627.99
12	KARNATAKA	3648.54	3524.71	3940.45	4874.28
13	KERALA	953.22	948.13	1059.96	1376.53
14	MADHYA PRADESH	4722.97	4087.96	4570.13	5719.08
15	MAHARASHTRA	8998.10	8075.96	9028.52	10304.04
16	MANIPUR	445.06	461.88	448.43	799.30
17	MEGHALAYA	381.48	369.51	358.74	469.49
18	MIZORAM	349.70	369.51	358.74	358.74
19	NAGALAND	286.11	277.13	269.06	269.06
20	ORISSA	1664.03	1476.59	1650.75	2083.28
21	PUNJAB	241.04	358.93	401.27	2275.11
22	RAJASTHAN	2773.39	2623.52	2932.96	4187.60
23	SIKKIM	63.58	46.19	44.84	44.84
24	TAMIL NADU	4012.17	3817.38	4267.63	6346.09
25	TRIPURA	445.06	461.88	448.43	523.81
26	UTTRANCHAL	530.71	488.70	546.34	583.96
27	UTTAR PRADESH	6880.05	6462.43	7224.67	11119.01
28	WEST BENGAL	1824.27	1940.44	2169.31	5764.81
29	A & N ISLANDS	43.55	37.50	37.50	23.34
30	CHANDIGARH	58.06	78.52	78.52	147.13
31	D & N HAVELI	25.81	17.58	17.58	17.30
32	DAMAN & DIU	22.58	16.41	16.41	12.23
33	DELHI	92.20	93.34	200.00	350.00
34	PUDUCHERRY	7.80	6.66	50.00	150.00
	Total	50750.00	48500.00	53620.00	78250.00

NUMBER OF MANDAYS OF WORK GENERATED UNDER URBAN WAGE EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMME (UWEP) COMPONENT OF SWARNA JAYANTI SHAHARI ROZGAR YOJANA DURING EACH OF THE LAST THREE YEARS AND CURRENT YEAR

				(Figures in Lacs)
Sl. No.	States / UTs	2008-09	2009-10	2010-11	2011-12
1	Andhra Pradesh	8.23	0.00	1.73	0.00
2	Arunachal Pradesh	0.00	0.86	0.04	0.04
3	Assam	3.43	16.15	0.00	0.00
4	Bihar	0.00	0.00	0.00
5	Chhattisgarh	0.40	0.08	0.96	0.03
6	Goa	1.96	0.00	0.00
7	Gujarat	0.59	0.69	1.98
8	Haryana	0.42	0.67	0.33
9	Himachal Pradesh	0.00	0.00	0.00
10	Jammu & Kashmir	0.24	0.88	0.00
11	Jharkhand	0.00	0.00	0.30
12	Karnataka	4.70	2.70	3.10
13	Kerala	0.00	0.13	0.16	0.96
14	Madhya Pradesh	1.24	3.91	4.16	0.10
15	Maharashtra	5.57	5.40	5.37
16	Manipur	0.34	1.54	0.00
17	Meghalaya	0.00	0.19	0.68
18	Mizoram	1.05	0.00	0.28
19	Nagaland	0.19	0.38	0.99
20	Orissa	0.46	1.04	1.72
21	Punjab	0.00	0.01	0.11
22	Rajasthan	1.27	1.04	1.61
23	Sikkim	3.71	0.00	0.13	0.04
24	Tamil Nadu	8.23	8.20	14.45
25	Tripura	0.24	0.24	31.16
26	Uttrakhand	5.00	0.93	1.00
27	Uttar Pradesh	9.13	3.81	5.91
28	West Bengal	0.00	0.24	2.50	0.00
29	A & N Islands	0.01	0.00	0.00
30	Chandigarh	0.00	0.00	0.00
31	D & N Haveli	0.94	1.01	0.00
32	Daman & Diu	0.04	0.00	0.00
33	Delhi	0.00	0.00	0.00
34	Puducherry	0.05	0.05	0.13
	TOTAL	57.44	50.15	78.79	1.17
* For the year 2011-12, QPRs from only 8 States received for the quarter ending 30th June, 2011.

Sexual Harassment of Children

2011-09-04T00:20:00.001-07:00

The incidences of sexual harassment towards children are on rise in last three years. As per data maintained by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), crimes against children under different categories in the country are on the increase.

Revealing further information in Lok Sabha today the Minister of State (I/C) for Women & Child Development Smt. Krishna Tirath stated that on the recommendation made by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has included Children’s Rights enshrined in the United Nations Conventions on the Rights of the Child, 1989 in its Social Science Text Book for Class VIII. Through this initiative, children are made aware that they have a right to be protected from harm and abuse.

Rehabilitation of Sex Workers

2011-09-04T00:19:00.001-07:00

The Central Government is implementing ‘Ujjawala’, a comprehensive Scheme for prevention of trafficking and rescue, rehabilitation and reintegration of victims of trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation since 4th December, 2007. The Minister of State (I/C) for Women & Child Development Smt. Krishna Tirath stated in Lok Sabha today that the Scheme is envisaged for women and children who are vulnerable to trafficking and those who are victims of trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation. However, sex workers who are voluntarily in the trade and wish to be rehabilitated, can also avail of rehabilitation services provided under the Ujjawala Scheme.

The Minister informed the House that under the Scheme, 76 Protective and Rehabilitative Homes have been sanctioned, in the country, which can accommodate upto 3800 beneficiaries. These Rehabilitative Homes are given financial support for providing the inmates basic amenities such as food, clothing and shelter, medical care, legal aid, education in case the victims are children as well as for undertaking vocational training and income generation activities to provide the victims with alternate livelihood option.

Smt. Tirath said that a comprehensive study on ‘Girls and Women in Prostitution’, conducted in 2004, which was sponsored by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, had estimated that there were about 2.8 million prostitutes in the country of which 36% are children. The State/Union Territory wise data on number of girls/women in prostitution, as estimated by the Study, is given in Annex.

It is to be noted here that the Hon’ble Supreme Court vide its order dated 14.2.2011 had asked the State and Central Governments to prepare schemes for rehabilitation of sex workers in all cities in India by giving them technical/vocational training. Subsequently, vide order dated 19.7.2011, the Hon’ble Court has a Panel which will make suitable suggestions to the Court on different aspects including rehabilitation of sex workers who wish to leave sex work. The Court has asked the Panel to first take up the problems of sex workers in the 4 metropolitan cities i.e. Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai. The Panel has met three times to discuss the issues before it.

Country’s First-Ever Nuclear Gallery Opened

2011-08-26T22:42:00.000-07:00

India’s first-ever permanent exhibition on nuclear power , called ‘Hall of Nuclear Power’ has been dedicated to the nation at Nehru Science Centre in Worli, Mumbai on Saturday.

The exhibition, titled “Hall of Nuclear Power”, is spread over an area of 7500 sq. ft. and covers almost all the aspects of nuclear energy, which include extensive information about nuclear power generation, its basics, productions, fuel processing, transportation, safety, security, nuclear waste and its management. Also, it talks about the non-power application which includes nuclear medicines, food irradiation technology, etc. A major attraction in the gallery is the state-of-the-art virtual tour of a nuclear power plant in which visitors can learn about nuclear energy through touch-screen computer kiosks, video terminals, as well as interactive exhibits and informative panels.

While the informative panels and photographs provided relevant answers to queries most visitors had about nuclear power and power plants, the virtual tour of a nuclear plant was an instant hit. It is India’s first-ever permanent exhibition on nuclear power and a proud addition to the Nehru Science Centre in its silver jubilee year. The exhibit explains in simple terms the energy scenario in India and the important role nuclear energy is playing in the energy mix. Among various options like solar, wind, biomass, hydro, fossil fuel based and nuclear energy, the cheap, stable, long lasting, environment friendly and relatively safer option of nuclear energy has distinct advantages.

The exhibit on Dr. Homi Jahangir Bhabha, father of Indian Nuclear Programme, recalls how way back in 1959 he devised a three-stage nuclear programme that could sustain the long-term growing demand of energy in the country. Among several exhibits, the stall on safety and security measures at nuclear plants drew big crowds, underlining the curiosity among the people to know about plant safety and radiation.

The gallery has come in a nice way to educate people about various safeguards put in place as well as various applications of nuclear energy in a innovative and interesting way. This will help people to know and understand about the safety of Indian nuclear power plants. Particularly after Fukushima accident, peoples’ concern will be addressed to dispel the myths and misconceptions associated with nuclear energy.

The centre which was inaugurated by Late Shri Rajiv Gandhi is dedicating this Hall of Nuclear Power exhibition to the nation on his birth anniversary. The gallery has been set up at the cost of about Rs 1.70 crores by NPCIL jointly with National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), the apex organisation engaged in the popularisation of science through its 26 science centres spread all over the country. NPCIL is responsible for design, construction, operation and maintenance of nuclear power plants in India. The Nehru Science Centre at Worli, one of the largest science centers in Asia, is a constituent unit of NCSM.

Child adoption process being further simplified

2011-08-06T06:43:00.000-07:00

The Government is making all efforts to facilitate the child adoption process both on legal as well as social front. The Minister of Women and Child Development Smt. Krishna Tirath stated in Lok Sabha in reply to a question that to facilitate adoption and ensure transparency in the process, Government, in February, 2011 launched a web based management system, Child Adoption Resource Information and Guidance System (CARINGS) which provides information on children available for adoption and also details of prospective adoptive parents waiting to adopt. The Minister further stated that selected information would be available in the public domain. The system also provides facility for on-line registration and status tracking to Prospective Adoptive Parents. It also provides information to the parents on the number of adoptable children available in each agency.

999 Incidents of Naxal Violence this Year

2011-08-02T06:40:00.001-07:00

The Current year (up to 26^th July 2011) witnessed 999 incidents

Of naxal violence leading to 333 deaths (241 civilians and 92 security forces). The State-wise details of naxal violence is given below:

State	Incidents	Civilians	Security forces killed
Andhra Pradesh	15	03	00
Bihar	202	26	03
Jharkhand	281	71	17
Chhattisgarh	261	61	51
Madhya Pradesh	04	00	00
Maharashtra	61	29	06
Orissa	104	19	14
Uttar Pradesh	01	00	00
West Bengal	70	32	01
Total	999	241	92

Central Government under the Security Related Expenditure Scheme grants ex-gratia payment of Rs. 1 lakh to the family of civilian killed and Rs. 3 lakhs to the family of Security personnel killed due to naxal attacks. Besides this, States Governments have their own policy for payment of ex-gratia to the families of civilians and security personnel killed in naxal attacks. State wise and district wise details are not centrally maintained.

The Central Government has adopted an integrated two-pronged approach to deal with left Wing extremism. The first prong is development. The Integrated Action Plan with an outlay of Rs. 1500 crores in 2010-11 and Rs. 1800 crores in 2011-12 is an example of the many development plans that are being implemented in the affected districts. The second prong is maintenance of law and order, and State Governments have taken calibrated police action to apprehend extremists.

E-Distribution of Food Entitlements

2011-08-02T06:38:00.000-07:00

The Government has already initiated action to transfer food entitlements through an electronic system to beneficiaries under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) by taking up pilot schemes on Computerization of TPDS operations and Smart Card based delivery of essential commodities.

The pilot scheme on Computerization of TPDS operations envisages, among others, making real-time information available, ensure effectiveness of service delivery, and put in place a grievance redressal mechanism. This is intended to eliminate lifting of TPDS commodities by persons other than the genuine beneficiaries.

Cases Pending in High Courts and Supreme Court

2011-08-02T06:35:00.000-07:00

As per latest available information, 57,179 cases were pending in the Supreme Court of India as on 30.6.11. The number of cases pending in the High Courts were 42,17,903 as on 30.9.2010. Giving his information in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha, Shri Salman Khurshid, Minister of Law & Justice informed the House that in order to facilitate expeditious disposal of cases in courts, Government has taken a number of measures as mentioned below:

I. The Government has approved setting up of ‘National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms’. The major goals are:

· Increasing access by reducing delays and arrears in the system;

· Enhancing accountability through structural changes and by setting performance standards and capacities.

A Mission Mode approach to infrastructure development of subordinate judiciary is among the major initiatives under the National Mission for Justice Delivery which is approved by the Government. Inadequacy of infrastructure in subordinate courts has been one of the bottlenecks in the speedy delivery of justice. Keeping this in mind in the financial year 2011-12, the allocation for the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for infrastructure development has been increased fivefold from Rs. 100 Cr to Rs. 500 Cr. Funding pattern has also been increased from 50:50 to 75:25 for the states and to continue 90:10 for the NE states.

II. The Government has accepted the recommendations of the Thirteenth Finance Commission to provide a grant of Rs. 5000 crore to the States for improving the justice delivery system in the country over a five year period 2010-15. A grant of Rs. 1,000 crore has already been released to the States during the year 2010-11. With the help of these grants, the States can, inter-alia, set up morning / evening / shift / special magistrates’ courts, appoint court managers, establish ADR centres and provide training to mediators / conciliators, organise more Lok Adalats to reduce pendency. The grants also provide for training of judicial officers, strengthening of State Judicial Academies, training of public prosecutors and maintenance of heritage court buildings.

III. In order to computerise the justice delivery system Government is implementing e-Courts Project for the District and Subordinate Courts in the country and up gradation of ICT infrastructure in superior courts at an estimated cost of Rs. 935 crore. The target is to computerize 12,000 courts by 31st March, 2012 and 14,249 courts by 31st March, 2014. Court Management and case management can be done through National Arrears Grid created under the project.

IV. The Thirteenth Finance Commission while recommending a grant of Rs. 5000 crore made a condition for release of 2nd year instalment only after formulating State Litigation policy. State Litigation policy is to be formulated with the aim to transform government into an efficient and responsible litigant. If the cases involving government are reduced then the courts will have time to dispose of a large number of cases to achieve the target of reducing the pendency.

V. Enactment of the Gram Nyayalayas Act, 2008 which provides for establishment of Gram Nyayalayas to improve access to justice to marginalised. The current year allocation has been increased from Rs. 40 crore to Rs. 150 crore. So far 151 Gram Nyayalayas have been notified by the states.

VI. All the Chief Justices of High Courts have been requested to launch a campaign to reduce pendency of cases in court from July-December, 2011 and also for filling up vacancies of judges in the High Courts and Subordinate Courts during the same period. Vacancies and delays are inevitably correlated, hence a campaign mode approach for filling vacancies need to be launched. At least 50% of the vacancies could be filled up in respect of subordinate courts by December 2011.

Mission Mode Programme for Reduction of Pending Cases

2011-08-02T06:33:00.001-07:00

Government has requested all the Chief Justices of High Courts to launch a campaign to reduce pendency of cases in court from July-December, 2011 and also for filling up vacancies of judges in the High Courts and Subordinate Courts during the same period. Giving this information in written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Shri Salman Khurshid, Minister of Law & Justice informed the House that at least 50% of the vacancies could be filled up in respect of Subordinate Courts by December 2011. As regards pendency, maximum disposal of minor cases through morning/evening/shift courts, long pending cases has been requested.

Under Thirteenth Finance Commission, substantial grant of Rs. 5,000 crore has been approved for improvement in justice delivery. Rs. 1,000 crore has already been released. These grants provide for extended court hours, holding of Lok Adalats and creation of ADR centres. Besides, computerisation of courts at a cost of Rs. 935 crore is being done under Mission Mode Project. Also, to achieve the objectives set out in the Vision Document 2009 adopted in the conference of Chief Ministers and Chief Justices, setting up of a National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms has been approved whose prime objective is increasing access to justice by reducing delay. For infrastructure development of subordinate judiciary the allocation has been enhanced. Allocation of funds for Gram Nyayalayas during the current year has also been substantially enhanced.

Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS)- Enhancement of Annual Allocation.

2011-07-07T06:06:00.000-07:00

The Union Cabinet today approved the proposal to increase the annual allocation under MPLAD Scheme from Rs.2 crore to Rs. 5 crore to each Member of Parliament with effect from the Financial Year 2011-12.

The enhanced annual allocation involves a total annual expenditure of Rs.3950 crore i.e. an enhancement of Rs.2370 crore per annum from the earlier Rs. 1580 crore per annum.

The Cabinet also approved the following :

Annual administrative expenses of 2% of the annual outlay under MPLAD Scheme to be given to the Districts/States for proper implementation and monitoring of the Scheme. This would be met within the outlay of Rs.5 crore per MP per annum, and

An additional annual allocation of Rs. 5 crore to the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation towards monitoring through independent agency(ies) and for capacity building/training to State/District officials to be imparted by the Ministry.

The augmentation in the annual allocation of MPLAD Scheme will result in better fulfilment of the needs of the people and create more durable community assets based on locally felt needs.

The MPLAD Scheme was launched in 1993-94. The Scheme enables the Members of Parliament to recommend works for creation of durable community assets based on locally felt needs to be taken up in their constituencies in the area of national priorities namely drinking water, education, public health, sanitation, roads etc. The Scheme is governed by a set of guidelines, which have been last revised in November, 2005.

As on 31.03.2011, 13.87 lakh works have been recommended by the Members of Parliament, and 12.30 lakh works sanctioned by the District authorities and 11.24 lakhs works have been completed since the inception of the Scheme. As on 31.03.2011, Rs.22490.57 crore have been released since inception of the scheme and as reported from the dstricts, an expenditure of Rs.20,454.56 crore has been incurred. The percentage cumulative utilization over cumulative release is 90.95%.

Sejia pe balma rate rooth - Bhojpuri lok geet, Bhojpuri folk

2011-06-28T01:30:00.001-07:00

Kajari- Kaise khele jaiboo sawan men- Bhojpuri lok geet

2011-06-28T01:29:00.001-07:00

Hot Bhojpuri girl - song "Aao na odha di"

2011-06-28T01:21:00.001-07:00

India Seeks Global Action to Achieve Higher Agriculture Production

2011-06-24T06:34:00.000-07:00

India has sought global action to achieve higher agriculture production to meet global food grain requirement. In the meeting of G-20 Agriculture Ministers held on 22nd and 23rd June at Paris, Agriculture Minister Shri Sharad Pawar stressed the need for concerted global action to achieve higher agriculture production in order to meet the growing demand of food grains.

The meeting was convened by the French Presidency, the current chair of G-20 countries in response to the growing concern about the food price volatility, particularly in the context of very high food prices in recent times and an assessment that the prices were likely to remain high.

Shri Pawar while endorsing the ‘Action Plan on Food Price Volatility and Agriculture’ prepared by French Agriculture Ministry in consultation with the officials of the G-20 countries, said that adequate supply response to the growing demand of food grains was the most important measure to stabilize the food prices. He also welcomed the new initiative on ‘Agriculture Market Information System’ to be housed in FAO headquarters for developing early warning system. G-20 members agreed to share information on production, consumption, price, trade and stocks to build the information system.

It was also agreed by G-20 Agriculture Ministers to create a ‘Rapid Response Forum’ linked to the ‘Committee on Food Security’ in FAO. This forum would take note of the analytical reports produced by the Information System for needed follow up action. International Research Initiative for Wheat Development has been agreed. This initiative would be a coordination mechanism that would work closely with the National Research Bodies, CGIAR and private sector to give more focus to research for development of wheat crop in terms of collaboration among agencies for avoidance of duplication of efforts and supplementing the ongoing research work.

In addition, G-20 Ministers agreed to launch ‘The Global Agricultural Geo-Monitoring Initiative’ through an inter-governmental organization GEO (Group on Earth Observations) for better assessment of the crops. These measures have been suggested to be implemented from September this year. Apart from these initiatives, a number of other measures have also been suggested in the Action Plan which would be submitted for consideration of the leaders in the summit scheduled at Cannes in November this year.

On the sidelines of the G-20 meeting, Shri Pawar held bilateral meetings with the Agriculture Ministers of Canada and Australia to promote cooperation in Agriculture and Agro processing sectors.

India Post Introduces Retail Counter at Fabindia Store

2011-06-15T00:18:00.001-07:00

With the opening of first postal retail extension counter at Fabindia’s flagship store, India Post and Fabindia partner to benefit customers in a first of its kind Public- Private Partnership. The counter was jointly inaugurated here today by smt. Radhika Doraiswamy – Secretary (Post) to Government of India, Director General Department of Posts and the Chairman of the Postal Services Board and Mr. William Bissell - Managing Director, Fabindia Overseas Private Limited.

Delhi Postal Circle in collaboration with Fabindia Overseas Private Limited - India’s private retail platform for craft based products, opened its counter at Fabindia’s flagship store at 14, N Block Market, Greater Kailash-1, New Delhi.

As a part of the joint endeavour to enhance customer experience, India post will now offer customers hassle free postal retail service which would enable the customers to buy, pack and dispatch Fabindia products not only within India but also to international destinations. To help the customers in booking consignments, Delhi Postal Circle staff will be deployed at Fabindia store.

While this comes as an expansion of the existing postal retail service earlier introduced at the Jawahar Vyapar Bhawan (Cottage Emporium), New Delhi-1, where customers can avail Speed Post Services & Registered Parcel booking within the premises of the shopping complex, this is the first partnership with a private player.

With 140 stores across 58 cities in India and four international stores, Fabindia Overseas Private Limited is India’s largest retail platform for a wide range of products produced by artisans living largely in rural areas.

The POST OFFICE counter at the Fabindia outlet will offer the following domestic and international services from 1100 Hours till 1900 Hours (on all working days):

Flat Rate Parcel Service (Domestic) – Air Express Service, High Quality Boxes as a part of postage charges, One India One Rate

Flat Rate Parcel Service (International) – Any destination, anywhere in the world. Total composite Rates are applicable

EMS Speed Post Service (Domestic & International) – Fast, reliable, guaranteed Service

Sibal held Round Table Consultations with Stake Holders on Draft National ICT Policy-2011

2011-06-15T00:15:00.001-07:00

Kapil Sibal, the Union Minister of Communications and Information Technology held a Round Table Conference with the stakeholders to deliberate upon the draft National Communication Policy (ICT) Policy-2011. Opening the deliberations Shri Sibal said that the Department of Information Technology (DIT) seeks to achieve the objectives of equity and empowerment by using ICT to touch and transform lives of citizens. The endeavour is not only to promote the growth of IT Industry – but to use ICT for empowering citizens and ensuring transparency and accountability in governance through reliable and efficient delivery of public services. The key pillars through which the above objectives are sought to be attained include:

• e-Government: Providing e-infrastructure for delivery of e-services
• e-Innovation / R & D: Enabling creation of Innovation / R&D Infrastructure in emerging areas of ICT&E
• e-Learning: Providing support for development of e-Skills and Knowledge network
• e-Security: Securing India’s cyber space
• e-Inclusion: Promoting the use of ICT for more inclusive growth.

It is in this context, Shri Sibal underlined that the National e Governance Plan of the Government of India has been formulated to provide e-services to citizens belonging to all sections of the society at their doorsteps in a cost effective manner.

The most important challenge towards enabling a solution on such a large scale has been to provide access – access to broadband; access to technology; access to content.

In this regard, providing the necessary infrastructure has been critical to enable access to services, especially in remote areas. Considering the challenges of low literacy levels, low penetraion of broadband and low cost computing devices, the National e Governance Plan lays emphasis on access to web enabled services through common internet kiosks known as Common Service Centres (CSCs) on a Public Private Partnership Model. The CSC scheme is the largest internet kiosk initiative in the world. These centres are envisaged as the front-end delivery points for Government, private and social services and provide access to education, telemedicine, public services, remote banking and entertainment to hitherto unreached sections of society, the Minister mentioned.

Another challenge faced is the issue of Financial Inclusion. Large sections of our society, in the rural areas do no have access to Banks and to credit. This results in their inability to leverage financial instruments for their economic growth. In order to mitigate this challenge, the Working Group of Reserve Bank of India has allowed CSCs, amongst others, to work as Banking Correspondents on a pilot basis.

The views of the stakeholders towards formulation of the draft National ICT Policy were solicited in terms of two broad objectives viz. a “Connected and Unified Government” and “Empowerment of Citizens”. While the strategy on Connected and Unified Government includes mandating e Delivery of Public Services, development of Shared Platforms for, Public Services, Payment Gateway, Unique Identifiers for persons, property and business, GIS, Mobile enablement of services, and Standards and Interoperability, the Strategy of Empowerment of Citizens includes Bharat Nirman CSCs in every Panchayat, Every Panchayat to be connected on optical fibre, Collaborate and Promote creation of content in Local Languages – Education, Health, Agriculture, Skills etc., and Citizen Engagement and use of Social Media.

Concluding the deliberations the Minister Shri Sibal said that today’s consultations complete the process of getting the views of stakeholders towards formulation of a draft National ICT Policy-2011 which would certainly ensure that the benefits of IT reaches the common man and empowers him with knowledge and information, inclusive growth and empowerment. The round table Conference was among others attended by the Minister of State for Communications & IT, Shri Sachin Pilot, Secretary (DoT & DIT) & Chairman (Telecom Commission), Shri R. Chandrashekhar, representatives of IT and ITES industries, NASSCOM, ASSOCHAM, IT Departments of State Governments, Academia etc.

Basic Computer Literacy Course for Panchayat Functionaries

2011-06-15T00:10:00.001-07:00

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has initiated a process of taking up the training of PRI functionaries (officials and Elected Representatives) so that they are able to operate computers work on e-Panchayat Applications and access information therein.

Accordingly, the Ministry has approval contents of course viz. “Basic Computer Course” (BCC) and a scheme wherein PRI functionaries would be trained on BCC. The training will be imparted by DOEACC (a society under Department of Information Technology, Govt. of India) through its authorized centres.

For this purpose. The States/UTs have been asked to select trainees and Recommend institutes to be considered for authorization and also ask such institutes to apply for authorization in prescribed pro forma.

The course is designed for those PRI functionaries who do not have any experience of even basic computer operations. The total duration of course is 36 hours which can be covered at convenience of the trainee. However, it is advised that the course is completed at stretch, over 6 days.

After the completion of BCC course, the PRI functionaries sould be able to:

1. Prepare personnel/business letters;
2. Maintain small account using the computers;
3. View information on internet (the web);
4. Send e-mail etc.
5. Learn on his/her own, using the CBT material prepared by MoPR,
6. the use of e panchayat applications.

The training would be delivered through accredited or Authorised centres of DOEACC. The list of such centres is at www.panchayat .gov.in. DOEACC will also consider, authorizing/accrediting more centres on recommendation of respective State Govt. and upon receipt of application in proforma given at Annexure – II State Panchayati Raj departments should therefore, recommend suitable institutes, colleges, NGOs, BPOs etc in rural areas/block headquarters, that have the requisite infrastructure and faculty to impart the training. This would improve the outreach of the scheme so that training centres are located close to the workplace of functionaries.

The mechanism for implementing the scheme is as follows:-

a) States will identify the list trainees for which the following is suggested:

I. As the course is meant for those who do not have basic knowledge and firsthand experience of operating computers, functionaries who are conversant with basic operations on computers should not be included.
II. Candidates should be at least 8th standard pass.
III. Due consideration should be given for proper representation of women.
IV. Preference should be given to those functionaries who will have access to computer for practice, both during the post training.

b) Concurrently, states will identify and recommend additional centres to be authorized by DOEACC. Training will commence with the already accredited centres of DOEACC. Additional centres will be added when identified and authorized.
c) With the help of DOEACC Regional Offices, States will map identified trainees with existing and newly identified Training Institutes.
d) DOEACC will set up a monitoring portal in which all required information will be uploaded.
e) States will appropriate monitoring mechanism at State and District/ block level. They will also designate a nodal officer at State level who will coordinate and liaise witht eh Central Team. The e-panchayat consultants appointed in the states will be assigned specific role in monitoring.
f) Each authorized institute will be paid a total of Rs. 830/- per candidate on successful completion of the BCC training by the candidate. (Rs. 600/- as infrastructure usage charges and Rs. 230/- as manpower costs inclusive of tuition charges).
g) Trainees will be required to undertake an examination to be conducted by DOEACC at designated examination centres. Successful candidates will be granted certificates.
To begin with, it is proposed to train about 25,000 functionaries in the next six months. Based on the feedback of the scheme, a decision on covering all eligible functionaries will be taken.