www.xaam.inApril 2015

Home → Arsip Untuk April 2015

MGNREGS as insurance(hinduEditorial,NREGA )

21:08

With unseasonal rain laying waste vast areas under the rabi crop in north India earlier this year and the threat of a deficient monsoon looming, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme could act as a real salve for distressed farm workers and labourers. The World Bank’s brief statement on the scheme on Tuesday to this effect, as part of its latest India Development Update, concurs with recent empirical research that has revealed that the MGNREGS has acted as an effective substitute in the absence of crop and weather insurance to poor farm households in some States lately. The National Democratic Alliance government would do well to heed this timely suggestion from the World Bank, which has released a volume on the scheme based on research done in 2009 and 2010. The Bank goes on to say that the MGNREGS can be a better-targeted scheme than even a cash transfer programme. Yet, reports reveal that there is much unmet demand for labour provided under the MGNREGS over the past year, due to poor implementation by some State governments and a general apathy shown by the NDA regime since last year. This is evident in the reduced outlays for the scheme (as acknowledged by the Finance Minister, yet addressed only with a promise of additional budgetary support subject to the availability of revenues), and delays in transfer of monies to State governments which has led to tardy wage payments. All this has resulted in an unresponsive set of conditions that has not encouraged demand for labour provided under the scheme. The government’s effort to identify the poorer districts for higher allocations has only seemed to curtail demand in the other districts, which number much higher. The MGNREGS is a demand-driven scheme, but the fact that it requires adequate conditions for its effective implementation is self-evident.

The laxity in the implementation of the scheme over the past year has meant a reduction in the number of workdays as compared to previous years. There are certainly a number of improvements that are required to be made. These include better and more productive asset-creation through work done, improved administrative management, provision of information to and sensitisation of the public as the World Bank also points out, and checking leakages. But the fact that the MGNREGS has provided succour to India’s poorest sections in rural areas is something that has been acknowledged and acclaimed, as the World Bank statement also shows. Considering that the benefits of the scheme outweigh the drawbacks, it would be an act of poverty if the government does not utilise the MGNREGS to bring relief during a time of significant agrarian distress in a number of States.

Keywords: World Bank, NREGA

In defence, time for tough decisions(hindu, defence ,essay)

20:57

Opting to drastically downsize 17 Corps and buy Rafale fighters were two bold, but not necessarily good, moves. Now, it’s time for the Defence Minister to create a unified services chief.

Arun Jaitley and Manohar Parrikar, the government’s first and incumbent Defence Ministers, respectively, perhaps hoped that the pitiful record of their predecessor A.K. Antony, India’s longest continuously serving Defence Minister, would make their task easier. Instead, it’s been quite the opposite. Mr. Parrikar seems to have spent the last several months cleaning up what he insists is a fiscal and policy mess bequeathed to the government and overlooked by Mr. Jaitley, who was, for a brief period, wearing two hats as Finance and Defence Minister. But is Mr. Parrikar leaving the place tidier than he found it, or laying down an unhelpful legacy of his own? Three areas are worth looking at more closely: the slashing of the much advertised 17 Corps, the country’s first mountain strike force; the sudden re-jigging of a deal to purchase France’s Rafale fighter aircraft; and, most importantly, the vexed question of reforming India’s military command.

Two years ago, the previous Congress-led government announced the raising of 17 Corps, which, unlike 1, 2, and 21, would be directed at China rather than Pakistan, and therefore configured for mountain warfare. It would consist of two infantry divisions, three artillery brigades, three armoured brigades, and a host of supporting land and air units. Mountain units aren’t as mobile as those that fight in the plains, and so require plentiful airlift, particularly helicopters and light artillery. The 17 Corps would be large, with around 80,000 men, and expensive, costing well over $10 billion, $1.2 billion of which would have to be spent annually till the early 2020s. To put that in perspective, the Indian Army’s entire allocation for 2015-16 is $16 billion. As Mr. Parrikar asked, “Where is the money?”

Two out of three

Mr. Parrikar’s response has been to more than halve the size of 17 Corps to just 35,000 men, and to propose that the Army take a long, hard look at its current strike corps and other Pakistan-facing units. This will have mixed results. On the one hand, loudly raising new units on paper and then quietly slashing them sends a signal of weakness, even fecklessness, to your adversaries. Critics will accuse Mr. Parrikar of gutting India’s modest offensive capability against China even before it got off the ground. On the other hand, downsizing creates an opportunity to ensure that the pruned 17 Corps can now actually afford the equipment and supporting platforms it needs if it is to be combat-effective. It is better to have a smaller and more potent force than a large and flabby one.

Mr. Parrikar can turn this decision into an opportunity, but only if he focusses on explaining his intentions rather than on blaming previous governments.

The second choice, one in which Mr. Parrikar seems to have been largely uninvolved, is India’s decision this month to purchase 36 French Rafale fighters, multirole aircraft that can defend the skies and strike targets on the ground, in so-called “flyaway” condition. The catch is that India originally wanted to buy 126 aircraft, and was using the leverage of such a large order to negotiate a substantial transfer of technology to India. Although the idea goes back years, it dovetailed perfectly with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Make in India’ initiative. It now seems that India effectively blinked. Nothing is to be made in India and everything will be imported. In the last three years, Indian arms imports have grown 56 per cent. This government is close to failing its first serious test at addressing that trend.

The deal also places a huge question mark over where the remaining 90 aircraft, required to keep the Air Force at reasonable strength, will come from. Mr. Parrikar has suggested, almost off-hand, that India might buy another light, single-engine fighter to supplement the indigenous Tejas, as part of the process of replacing the ageing MiG-21. This could include the Swedish Gripen NG fighter jet, a cheaper but attractive aircraft that lost out to Rafale earlier. But this throws up fresh problems. First, it would increase the variety of aircraft in the Air Force inventory, something that has been an issue since the 1990s, which increases the burden on training and maintenance. Second, it’s a bit like comparing apples and oranges: the Gripen and Rafale have different strengths and weaknesses, so the optimal balance between them would depend entirely on the kind of Air Force India wants to develop. Without some public statement that clarifies India’s defence posture, it’s hard to judge whether Mr. Parrikar is following a carefully thought-out plan or, more likely, improvising. Mr. Parrikar has justified the deal by calling it “oxygen relief” for the Air Force, but short-term impulsive buys will generate problems down the line.

As the British politican Nigel Lawson once observed, “To govern is to choose. To appear to be unable to choose is to appear to be unable to govern”. The government’s decisions on both the mountain strike corps and Rafale are bold choices, even if it’s unclear whether they are good ones. But in a third area, the government has not chosen at all.

Wanted: unified services chief

It is widely accepted that India’s civil-military relations and higher defence management are unfit to meet the needs of a rising, ambitious power in the top tier of Asian military forces. Successive government-appointed committees stretching back decades, and innumerable experts have made it clear that India’s three services must be stitched together with a Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) or equivalent post, sitting above the three service chiefs, who would be capable of giving the government coherent advice on military matters and imposing unity of purpose on the Army, Air Force, and Navy. As the scholar Anit Mukherjee wrote this month, “Left to themselves, they have not even been able to agree on training their musicians together, let alone pooling resources for joint training and logistics”.

In mid-March, Mr. Parrikar candidly acknowledged that “integration of the three forces does not exist in the existing structure”, and promised that “in the next two to three months my Cabinet note with the recommendation for a CDS will go to the Cabinet Committee on Security for the final decision”. He added that “a CDS is a must”. This is extremely promising, but caution is in order. If the Minister is serious, he should draw on the wealth of studies and recommendations produced by past committees to set out his vision for defence reforms. Every past effort has foundered on political and bureaucratic opposition. If Mr. Parrikar does not wish to go down as yet another Minister who raised expectations and fell well short, this is the time to take his commitment seriously. If he gets this decision right, it will be remembered long after the Rafale is retired.

(Shashank Joshi is a Senior Research Fellow of the Royal United Services Institute in London, and a PhD candidate at Harvard University.)

Keywords: Mountain corps, rafale deal, Chief of Defence Staff, India defence strength

Forced into marriage by social pressures (TheHIndu gay rights,Section 377)

20:54

A gay man and a straight woman in a marriage are both victims of a society that reinforces heterosexual marriage as the norm.

Recently, a doctor in Delhi committed suicide when she found out that her husband was gay. Her suicide note indicates that she also faced mental harassment from her husband. In late 2014, a dentist in Bangalore, on finding out that her husband was having sexual relationships with other men, filed a case under Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code. Both these incidents highlight the issues surrounding homosexual men in marriages with straight women.

I am a lawyer who assists women in matrimonial and domestic violence cases in different forums. I have also been associated with campaigns for the rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) persons. Due to my work in these spheres, these incidents evoke mixed responses. On the one hand, I strongly feel for the woman, who is in a marriage devoid of sexual intimacy coupled with cruelty. On the other hand, however, I also empathise with the man who had to hide an aspect of his sexuality because most people not only look down on it, but also actively condemn it. It is tempting to look at the situation as a conflict between the rights of a woman inside a marriage and the rights of a gay man. However, such an evaluation could lead to a conclusion that grants greater victimhood to one party over another, which is simplistic and ignores the nuances and complexities of such a situation.

Women take the blame

In these cases, both man and woman were victims of a culture where people are expected to be married, bear children, acquire property, and contribute to the growth of the family lineage.

For the woman, being married to a homosexual man puts her under great emotional distress, more so in a culture where women are habitually blamed and are also conditioned to take on the blame. If there is no sexual intimacy , they blame themselves; if there are no children, they again blame themselves. All this results in very low self-esteem and acts as a trigger for emotional and mental health issues.

It is worsened if there is physical and mental cruelty inflicted by the husband or his family. While there are laws that protect women from such situations, it often takes a long time for women to recognise, acknowledge, and come to terms with the violence and cruelty before they can seek legal remedy. In most cases, by the time they seek legal recourse, much of the damage is already done in the form of mental and physical cruelty. Men, homosexual or otherwise, are also under great pressure to get married. It is rarely seen as connected to one’s sexuality or sexual orientation, but only as an institution that has social importance with little personal significance. For instance, when a homosexual man comes out, his parents are likely to insist that he get married and work out “arrangements” outside the marriage.

Men also face the threat of being disowned and disinherited by their families if they do not comply with their wishes. Another fear articulated by some gay men is that the law is against them, with the Supreme Court of India reaffirming the constitutionality of Section 377, which criminalises certain sexual acts.

However, the judgement of the apex court also states that the section only criminalises certain sexual acts and not particular people, identities or orientations. Thus, no one can be charged under Section 377 for being gay.

Tremendous progress was made after the 2009 judgement of the Delhi High Court that had held Section 377 in its current form as bad law. After this judgement, numerous support spaces, organisations, magazines and events for queer persons were established and continue to exist and function despite the Supreme Court’s 2013 judgement. All that was done after 2009 has not been undone; and homosexual persons, their families, and spouses should be encouraged to access these spaces.

Better law still needed

Having said that, the fear of persecution using Section 377 continues, and all efforts must be taken to amend the law suitably to exclude consenting adults. Thus, it may be argued that a gay man and a heterosexual woman in a marriage are both victims of a society that privileges heterosexuality and reinforces heterosexual marriage as the norm. However, it must be noted that a cisgendered, gay man has certain privileges that neither heterosexual nor lesbian women are likely to have. Despite being in a marriage, he is more likely to be economically independent and have enough physical independence as well to continue to have relationships outside of the marriage. On the other hand, a woman’s autonomy is severely compromised by marriage, and if she is in a bad marriage, it leaves her doubly disadvantaged. The odds are stacked further against lesbian women coerced into marriage with straight men.

In order to combat the problems that arise out of such relationships, it is necessary to first address and question marriage as it is perceived today. The contours of relationships within marriages or otherwise are set a priori outside of the lives, interests and habits of the individuals concerned. The ideals of how a marriage ought to be are prescribed by sociocultural norms dictated by heteronormativity and patriarchy, thus leaving no scope for individuals to set their own terms for the relationship. This situation is aggravated by the institution of arranged marriages, which provides little or no space for conversations between the man and woman. Gender roles are predetermined and the reasons for the marriage dictated beforehand. These set rules undoubtedly favour the man, thus putting him in a place of power and privilege within the marriage relationship, and adversely affecting the woman.

The issue of forced marriages of homosexual persons are akin to forced marriages of any kind. Thus, it becomes vital to relook at marriages per se and emphasise the ideals of transparency, communication and honesty from the start.

(Gowthaman Ranganathan is a lawyer with the Alternative Law Forum, Bengaluru.)

Keywords: LGBT, gay rights, AIIMS doctor suicide, Section 377

Japan and quake preparedness (disaster managemen,the hindu)

20:51

A robust disaster management programme which includes various aspects of mitigating after-effects, sensitisation of the public, warning systems, and architectural changes resulting in quake-resistant buildings has characterised Japan’s earthquake preparedness

Hiroaki Takahashi

The earthquake in Nepal has jolted the world. According to initial estimations by the United Nations, eight million people in 39 districts have been affected. Of them, over two million people live in 11 severely affected districts. Ninety per cent of the houses there have been “flattened”. Heritage buildings are now rubble, thousands are homeless, many have lost livestock, and have little food. On behalf of all Japanese citizens, I extend my heartfelt condolences and prayers to those who have lost their lives, their families and those affected. I hope international help is able to ensure rapid rehabilitation and reconstruction.

I recollect how Nepal and India were quick to support Japan when it faced a similar situation in 2011, during the To¯hoku tsunami where more than 20,000 people died.

Japan falls in a seismically active region and earthquakes are a part of life. Japanese seismologists and engineers are always working on solutions to mitigate the loss and damage caused by earthquakes. Most difficulties stem from the fact that the occurrence of major earthquakes spans intervals that are generally longer than the average lifespan of citizens. And memory is short. There is a saying here: “When danger passes, even god is forgotten.” For example, memories of the 2011 tsunami have long passed. Therefore, the question is: how long will you remember a disaster? And how do you pass on the lessons learnt? In this article, I would like to address this issue and look at what needs to be done, from the point of view of someone who lives in a seismic zone.

Earthquake forecasting

An earthquake is a sudden violent shaking of the ground, typically causing great destruction, as a result of volcanic action or movements deep within the earth’s crust. The Nepal quake resulted from a collision between the Indian crustal block and the Eurasian continent. Geophysicists know that the entire Indian subcontinent is being driven slowly but surely beneath Nepal at a speed of five centimetres a year. This generates a five-metre contraction over a century and results in silent stress build-up in the inner crustal rock. An earthquake occurs when stress accumulation reaches critical point. Over millions of years, the squeezing has crushed the Himalayas, raising mountains and triggering earthquakes on a regular basis. This will continue. This dynamic process will also induce stress accumulation in India. The Gujarat earthquake of 2001 was a result of this process. This shows that a quake is sure to occur in future.

Like Japan, Nepal is also located in one of the most seismic active zones. “An earthquake repeats itself”, which is a Japanese proverb, is apt here as well. Earthquake forecasting is a kind of historical science. If you can find documentation of a quake in ancient literature or legend, that place is bound to be earthquake prone. I pose this question next: do you know the earthquake history of your region? But let me not be an alarmist. The India Meteorological Department keeps track of all this. However, I suppose most people don’t know. It is perfectly natural that people do not worry about such things; it’s the same in Japan as well. As scientists, we try to create awareness about earthquake risk in the form of public lectures, mass media campaigns, science shows and governmental meetings. Therefore, “risk recognition” is the first step towards disaster mitigation.

In Nepal, researchers did track active earthquake history and issued warnings about a possible and destructive quake. For example, my colleague visited Nepal frequently to research strong ground shaking to help in disaster mitigation studies. Earthquake science still does not have a tool for imminent earthquake prediction. Therefore, being prepared for one is a crucial, and, often, the only step for disaster mitigation.

Disaster and public policy

In an earthquake, most of the damage is caused by collapsing buildings. In Nepal, most victims died this way. This is a major problem confronting architects. Recent architectural developments, however, allow for the construction of quake-resistant buildings, but such construction is more expensive than an ordinary building. Therefore, cost-effective solutions are also a challenge.

The Japanese believe and agree that anti-disaster investments are lifesavers. If the Indian government makes a public investment in this area, it should first come to some sort of social agreement in disaster mitigation. The role of the mass media is also important because it plays a key role in creating awareness about disaster preparedness. This must be emphasised. We must remember that it is people and commercial companies that are involved in construction and not the government. So, disaster mitigation cannot achieve optimal results unless there is understanding and cooperation. The media should also highlight the benefits of public and commercial investments.

Japanese anti-quake construction technology places a premium on high performance. Hence, what is suitable for Japanese conditions may not work elsewhere, in terms of applicability and cost. I suppose the export of such technology may not solve problems elsewhere. Therefore, the Government of India must develop an anti-disaster technology that suits Indian construction and conditions.

Risk evaluation and management

Disaster mitigation measures also require risk evaluation for rural and urban areas. In high-risk regions, there must be public investment. Policymakers in India must look at those parts of the country that have high quake potential. Records show that the western, coastal and northern regions are at high risk. Another important factor is “occurrence frequency and probability”. Shorter intervals between quakes indicate a high probability. At the same time, longer intervals also produce high probability. An evaluation of these factors will give one the basic information required. I would also like to add that earthquake research can’t operate on a commercial basis, so government funding is a must for scientific investigation.

The Japanese government operates the Headquarters for Earthquake Research Promotion based on Special Measure Law on Earthquake Disaster Prevention. Its director is a minister and its committees consist of government officers, governors, professors and researchers. The most important role of this special inter-ministry organisation is to publish probabilistic seismic hazard maps resulting from probability evaluation of earthquake occurrences. It also conducts unified national earthquake research — as geological surveys, earthquake monitoring and computer modelling. The results from all these projects produce the probability of earthquake occurrences. For instance, its research has shown that a strong shaking probability for the Tokyo Metropolitan area for next 30 years exceeds 80 per cent.

Earthquake risk is defined in the following way — multiplication of earthquake magnitude, probability and social fragility. Scientific data can only estimate magnitude and probability. This shows that if a place is “very fragile”, even a small earthquake can result in disaster. “High fragility” is the state of being unprepared by having non-quake-resistant construction. Mankind has no control over the magnitude and probability of a quake but architectural engineering can help reduce the fragility. Japanese quake-resistant house and building compliance is now about 80 per cent.

Response and supporting technology

In a quake, the survival time of someone who is buried is 72 hours. Therefore, rapid initial rescue is crucial. Who does the rescue then? The fire department? The police? The military? In a quake, one must be able to think of how to survive and escape. This is the experience in Japan. What if help is inadequate?

A real-time earthquake observation system should support the quick start of a rescue. In Japan, any seismic activity of more than ‘5+’ intensity automatically activates governmental response. There is surveillance by self-defence forces, a disaster countermeasure preparation office starts working, and a medical assistance team is on standby. For any smooth operation, there has to be a drill. So, disaster prevention agencies and governments frequently conduct all kinds of training and simulate situations. But even the best trained rescue operation requires lead time to access sites.

In Japan, a real-time Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) is in operation. If a quake is in the sea, the speed of an earthquake wave is about 8 km per second, which is slower than an electric signal. If the epicentre is away from one’s location, an electric signal reaches faster than the shake that gives the lead time before the quake arrives. An EEW alert is automatically triggered whenever any seismometer detects a seismic signal. There are alerts to the public through the media and the Internet. Trains, elevators and industrial machines are stopped automatically.

These examples show how earthquake monitoring data might help decrease the impact of a disaster. However, for the full impact of such a system, there needs to be a high ratio of anti-quake construction. How does one minimise the chances of being buried alive? The point is that government investment in anti-quake construction takes precedence over a modern alert system.

The annual disaster prevention drill in Japanese schools also plays an important role. Students are taught to hide below their desks in a quake. In their syllabus, they learn about natural disasters, disaster history, and hazard mapping.

Importance of legislation

Legislation also plays a most important role in disaster mitigation. The Japanese government has amended the Building Standard Law at regular intervals to reflect the advances in science and technology, and the lessons learnt from the last earthquake that occurred. The present version requires that new constructions should not be damaged in a medium earthquake and must not collapse in a large earthquake. These stringent measures have successfully reduced human toll in recent quakes. There is also a programme of tax incentives for anti-quake construction, that has enabled a higher ratio of anti-quake constructions in Japan. Therefore, economic incentives are also required to achieve actual law implementation.

With a proper legal system in place, new constructions will be better adapted for high seismic activity. We should try to develop a legal system, especially a Building Standard Law for earthquake disaster mitigation. Another countermeasure against quake disaster is a city planning policy and advance reconstruction policies. I believe these insights based on actual disaster experiences in Japan will go a long way to help save precious lives.

(Hiroaki Takahashi is Associate Professor of Seismology, Institute of Seismology and Volcanology, Hokkaido University, Japan.)

Keywords: Japan earthquake, earthquake preparedness, disaster managemen
t

Nadia first 'open defecation-free' district in India

20:49

UNICEF India representative David Mcloughlin congratulated the people of the district for achieving the goal.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday declared Nadia as the first Open Defecation Free (ODF) district in the country.

“I feel proud to declare Nadia to be the first ODF district in the country. I congratulate Nadia district for achieving this feat and convey my thanks to World Bank and the UNICEF,” Ms. Banerjee said while speaking at the programme here.

“We had started this on November 19, 2013 and within two years... yes we can... we have reached our goal. We are totally successful,” she said. “I feel proud that the first three districts to be ODF are from West Bengal. We have Nadia, Hooghly and Burdwan and the fourth one is Rajasthan’s Bikaner. So it’s 3:1 ratio... We have bowled out everybody,” the Chief Minister said.

Thanking UNICEF and the World Bank for helping the district achieve this feat, Ms. Banerjee declared April 30 as the “Nirmal Bangla Diwas” to be observed in the years to come.

“Today we take the oath to keep West Bengal clean and build a Nirmal Bangla. I ask everybody to take responsibility for that,” she said. The Chief Minister presented the Nadia district administration, a memento and a painting prepared by her, which was received by the DM.

UNICEF India representative David Mcloughlin congratulated the people of the district for achieving the goal and said, “It’s a commendable job done by you people. It shows that ODF is absolutely achievable. Your achievement will inspire others to make their places ODF.”

Keywords: Nadia district, open defecation free,

Indian government to introduce a Bill to unlock CAMPA funds(Polity, Current Affair, DownToEarth)

20:22

Photo: Forest Survey of India

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cleared a Bill on April 29 to unlock the compensatory forestation fund of Rs 38,000 crore, the use of which is currently being supervised by the Supreme Court. The Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAF) Bill, 2015, will be introduced in Parliament during the current session.

The proposed law seeks to provide an institutional mechanism, both at the Centre and in the states, to ensure “expeditious utilisation” of the amounts realised from diversion of forest land to non-forest purposes. As per law, the promoter of a project coming up on forest land needs to deposit an amount with the government for afforestation of non-forest land equal to the land diverted or of degraded forest land twice the area of land diverted. Besides, the project proponent also deposits a net present value of the forest in lieu of the non-tangible benefits lost with the loss of forests. Such amounts are currently kept in nationalised banks and are being managed by an ad-hoc Compensatory Afforestation Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA).

According to Supreme Court orders, only 10 per cent of the amount accrued with CAMPA is being released to the states for the fear of it being misused. States had been demanding the release of more funds from CAMPA. To address this demand, the government has come up with the new Bill. “These amounts would be brought within broader focus of both Parliament and State Legislatures and in greater public view, by transferring them to non-lapsable interest-bearing funds, to be created under public accounts of the Union of India and each state,” says a Cabinet press release.

The Bill intends to establish a National Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAF) and state-level CAF to credit amounts collected by state governments in lieu of forest land diverted for non-forest purposes. CAF authorities will be created at the Centre and state level to control and manage these funds. As per the Bill, a monitoring group will also be established to assist the national authority in evaluation of activities undertaken from amounts released from the national CAF and state CAFs.

Killing a country’s ecology(the hindu , ecology,Essay,Biodiversity)

20:13

he Environment Minister insists on clearing all hydro projects, even when the government itself earlier agreed that the Himalayas must be avoided for development work.

A battle of epic proportions between the hydroelectric power companies and the people of Uttarakhand has now culminated with the struggle shifting to the office of the Prime Minister of India. It began with the extraordinary and far-sighted 2014 decision of the Supreme Court in the Alaknanda Hydro Power Company case, where the Court said it was concerned with the mushrooming of hydroelectric projects adversely affecting the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi river basins.

The cumulative impact of dams, tunnels, blasting, the construction of power houses, garbage creation, mining and deforestation on the eco system has not yet been studied. The June 2013 tragedy that affected the Char Dham area of Uttarakhand, where thousands of people were killed and there was massive damage to property, forced a rethinking on projects. It was now considered important to make a cumulative assessment of bumper-to-bumper projects, where the rivers of the Himalayas are diverted from their normal course and channelled into tunnels, released at a lower level, then re-channeled into another pipeline, which ultimately leaves the main course of the river without water. The mistake made in the earlier environmental assessments — treating each project as stand-alone without going into the cumulative effect of all of them — was questioned by the Supreme Court. The Court, therefore, ordered the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) to constitute an Expert Committee to study the cumulative effects of such projects on the environment, on the stability of the Himalayas, and their adverse effect on the Himalayan rivers.

Unreliable assessments

The Expert Committee’s report is possibly one of the best ever made on the fragile ecology of the Himalayas. It almost unanimously found that Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) clearances were unreliable, wrongly prepared, made on the basis of false information submitted by the Hydroelectric Projects (HEPs), and that the clearances, in some cases, were motivated. These clearances, therefore, could not be relied upon for the continuation of these projects.

The Committee concluded that EIA reports should be done by an independent agency and not by the project proponent, and said that HEPs had an irreversible negative impact on the environment.

Five of the six projects now being examined afresh are in the para-glacial zone, rendering them extremely hazardous. As the glaciers recede due to construction activity, the land exposed becomes unstable, and an unusual cloudburst could again result in tragedy. The adverse impact on rivers and water quality and on forests, biodiversity and wild life are set out in detail.

The scathing report of the Wildlife Institute of India that pointed to the devastation that would be caused to wildlife in the Himalayas was also relied upon. One chapter deals with the proximity of HEPs to national parks and eco-sensitive areas and the impact on these areas. The report responds to the classic defence of project proponents that they would do compensatory afforestation by concluding that such afforestation was poorly done. The Committee concludes that the negative impacts of HEPs cannot be mitigated. The blasting of rocks, creation of garbage, and the receding of glaciers are a concomitant of all industrial activity in the Himalayas and, if the Himalayas and the Ganga are to be saved, there is no way forward but to scrap such projects.

Government support

To its credit, the Union of India initially supported the Expert Committee Report, pointing out that even prior to this report the B.K. Chaturvedi Inter-Ministerial Group, the Planning Commission, the G.B. Mukherjee Task Force Report, the CAG report, the Neeri report, and the Geological Survey of India (GSI) report had all recommended that hydroelectric projects be severely curtailed as they destroyed the environment. The Union of India pointed out that the Gangotri Valley and the Valley of Flowers were in eco-sensitive zones. It agreed that the seven main Indian rivers ought to be kept pristine, that the Himalayas are weak, the rivers drying up, and, in 2013, as against the state claim of 65 per cent forest cover, the actual cover was only 46 per cent.

The Union said that earlier environmental clearances had to be reviewed and a cumulative environmental impact approach adopted, with sensitive areas in the Himalayas avoided for development work. Referring to the GSI report, the Union of India said the entire Ganga basin was in Seismic Zones IV and V, which carries the highest degree of catastrophe possibility. A reference was also made to the Planning Commission recommendation that the projects be decommissioned.

However, despite the Union of India’s stand, the Minister for Environment and Forests, Prakash Javadekar, does not agree. He has made it his life mission to clear all projects, irrespective of their environmental impact. It is this attitude that has made India a country of toxic rivers, destroyed forests, declining groundwater resources, and the highest degrees of air pollution in the world. After the Union of India took a public stand that fully supported the findings and recommendations of the Expert Committee, Mr. Javadekar has set about clearing all projects. In typical bureaucratic style, a four-member Committee of Experts was appointed to make a report on a report. However, it did not play ball, pointing out that though environmental clearances were granted, the six projects studied would adversely impact aquatic and terrestrial biodiversity and the flow of the river.

They would impact the protected areas of the Nanda Devi National Park and Biosphere Reserve, the Valley of Flowers National Park (World Heritage Site), the Kedarnath Wild Life Sanctuary, and the Alaknanda III, Bhyundar and Dhauli Ganga biodiversity-rich sub-basins, which are the habitat of the rare and endangered Himalayan Brown Bear. The diversion of water through the construction of underground tunnels poses a serious risk to water life. The Committee of Experts unanimously noted that environmental clearances have to be reviewed and the six projects must not be taken up as they have the potential to cause a significant impact on the environment.

The future of the Himalayas and its rivers are at stake. Indeed, the future of India is in the balance. Within the government, well-meaning officials and Ms. Uma Bharti are fighting to clean up the Ganges, while Mr. Javedkar and his friends in industry battle to finish off what little is left of the Himalayas, its rivers and glaciers. The Prime Minister of India has to decide on which side he stands.

(Colin Gonsalves is a senior advocate in the Supreme Court and founder of the Human Rights Law Network.)

Keywords: Alaknanda Hydropower Company Limited, hydroelectric projects in India

Tracking two growth stories(The Hindu , IR,Economy ,Essay)

20:10

For India, achieving a sustained growth of 8 to 8.5 per cent over the next few decades requires pushing the reform agenda. If done, it can expect to grow faster than China and close the gap that has opened between the per capita GDP of the two countries

The long anticipated deceleration in the rate of the growth of China’s economy is under way. Even the normally conservative World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are confirming that its growth is slowing down and is likely to fall below seven per cent. Even those analysts who had forecast a deceleration in its growth were unsure about when exactly the slowdown would start.

In the 2000s, I had estimated that China’s growth would decelerate below eight per cent, around the middle of the decade beginning 2010. The global financial crisis of 2008 sharply raised the probability that the slowdown would occur within the following decade despite risky efforts by China to prop up growth.

In contrast, India was forecast to achieve its potential growth rate of about eight per cent, given its export-import neutral growth model. The surprise in India’s case was the sharp slowdown from 2011-12, largely attributed to complacency and domestic policy mistakes. However, despite these mistakes, India’s growth rate from 2002-03 to 2013-14 was among the 10 highest in the world (using the old data series). Though the correction of these mistakes may no longer be enough to restore growth to earlier levels, India can and must restore growth to the average rates achieved earlier. Again, this has been recognised by both the World Bank and the IMF. These two developments taken together, imply that India’s trend growth rate is poised to exceed that of China’s in the next few decades.

Closing the GDP gap

This will start the long, slow process of closing the GDP gap with China, which was 1.4 times India's real GDP (in absolutes) in 2013. There is a common tendency to confuse relative levels of GDP with growth rates, so it is important to understand that China’s real GDP measured at purchasing power parity in 2011 international dollars is now 2.4 times that of India.

The two economies were almost equal at the end of the 1980s (China was 1.1 times that of India in 1990). During this period, its growth averaged 9.9 per cent per annum, 3.4 per cent points faster than India’s 6.5 per cent average. Even if the growth gap was inverted (i.e. became -3.4 per cent), it would take double the time (i.e. 30 years) to close the GDP gap as it took to open it.

Growth slowdown

The basic theory and empirics of growth show that fast growing economies like Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Thailand, which grew fast when they were at low or middle income levels of per capita GDP, maintained growth at high levels for one to two decades and then slowed down as their per capita GDP approached that of the (lower end) high income economies. In the case of China, the surprise was that it maintained an average growth of 10 per cent for 30 years, despite reaching middle income levels of per capita GDP about a decade ago. Many analysts who had been proved wrong in the 1990s, in their predictions of a China growth slowdown, became much more cautious. Those of us who were willing to take a reputational risk have been proved right, as China’s economy slowed below eight per cent in 2012 and is now predicted to slow below seven per cent by the multilateral institutions.

The global financial crisis ensured that the growth of world trade would slow sharply below the very high growth seen in the previous decade, aided by a correction of the bubble-like growth seen prior to the crisis. This meant that China’s (net) export-investment model was no longer sustainable and would produce slower growth in the 2010s. To delay this slowdown, China pumped large amounts of debt into the economy, with the official debt-GDP ratio rising from 55.2 per cent in 2008 to 88.1 per cent in 2013, an average increase of 6.6 per cent points of GDP per annum. Analysts have estimated that the debt in the shadow banking system may have increased by an equivalent amount, rising to dangerously risky levels. Based on a historical experience of such debt bubbles, some analysts predict that this bubble is likely to burst and reduce China’s growth rate to the three to four per cent levels. Analysts, who have greater confidence in the ability of the Chinese Communist party to manage an economic crisis, nevertheless, predict a deceleration of the trend rate of growth to a range of five to seven per cent.

Comparing growth rates

Based on World Bank “World Development Indicators” data till 2013 (till which year the GDP base for 2004-05 was fully available), we can compare the growth rates of China and India. A plot of these rates shows that the growth rate difference has been narrowing since 1990, due to a gradual deceleration of China and a stronger acceleration of India. Underlying this narrowing growth difference are variables that are drivers of or correlated with GDP growth and productivity. These include foreign direct investment (FDI) and exports, which are indicators of competitiveness, and imports, which reflect openness. The difference between China and India’s FDI-GDP ratio has been on a declining trend, from about 3.5 per cent of GDP in 1990 to a little over two per cent of GDP in 2013, suggesting slow but steady progress in attracting technology and risk capital, with a milder decline in China’s attractiveness. The difference between China’s and India’s export-GDP ratio, which was eight per cent in 1990, averaged 18 per cent during 2005 to 2007 before narrowing rapidly to about one per cent in 2013, indicating that India’s exports have held up to the global decline in world trade much more effectively than China’s. The difference between China’s and India’s import-GDP, which fluctuated around an average of 7.1 per cent points between 1990 and 2007 declined dramatically to -5.2 per cent by 2011-13, indicating that the Indian economy is now significantly more open than China’s.

Forecasting Indian growth

Analysis and forecasting of Indian growth has been confounded by the appearance of a new GDP series (2011 base) which has made some fundamental changes in methodology and data sources. As this new series provides less than three years of growth data, it is impossible to estimate the underlying trend growth rate (using this series). After the mid-year 2014 Budget, I had said: “The measures taken in the budget will be sufficient to increase growth by about 1 per cent point over the last year’s 4.7% to 5.7%. Actualization of some of the measures indicated in the budget will however be necessary to raise growth to the 6.5 to 7% range in 2015-16.” Given that the average growth rate as per the new data is about one per cent point above that, using the new data, a projected growth rate of 7.5 per cent to eight per cent is quite conservative. This seems to be the reasoning underlying the World Bank’s and IMF’s projections for India’s growth in 2015 and 2016.

The Central Statistical Organisation (CSO) has projected a growth rate of 7.4 per cent for 2014-15 and a growth acceleration to eight per cent in 2015-16. which would not be wildly optimistic. However, as many observers have pointed out, high frequency data such as the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) for manufacturing, quarterly results for companies, and tax revenues from excise and corporate income tax do not appear consistent with these high growth levels. I had argued that the global financial crisis and the consequent global demand recession and excess capacity have affected not only the export-led Chinese economy, but also the globally connected and competitive corporate sector of India (http://goo.gl/r2sdYi). Thus, post the global financial crisis, the Globally Connected and Competitive (GCC) corporations will lag overall recovery, instead of leading it, as they did in 2002-03 to 2007-08. Thus, all indicators connected with these companies, such as IIP, corporate profits, corporate and excise tax revenue would also lag the GDP recovery.

Based on the theory and empirical evidence provided by high growth economies, some analysts had predicted, since the 2000s, a slowing down of the Chinese economy during the decade of the 2010s to a rate of growth below that of India (http://goo.gl/3iHrdH). By making the export-investment-led strategy of development unviable, the global financial crises made this highly likely if not inevitable. It was also assumed in the forecasts that the Indian government would continue to carry out the minimum reforms necessary to maintain India’s growth rate at an average of the previous decade. Because the Indian government was complacent and made policy mistakes between 2010 and 2012, the Indian economy faltered seriously. Some of the momentum has been restored after the corrections introduced in the last two years. However, a sustained growth of 8 to 8.5 per cent over the next few decades requires implementation of the reform agenda even though continuing sensitivity to shocks can derail growth given that the world environment is far from conducive to sustained high growth. If this is done, we should expect to see India growing faster than China and beginning to close the wide gap that has opened between the per capita GDP of the two countries.

(Arvind Virmani, a former Executive Director, IMF, is Mentor, Public Policy & Economics, to the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry.)

Keywords: International Monetary Fund, China growth deceleration, India economic growth

Glimpses of World History- Jawaharlal Nehru.

19:29

Download

PIB Compilation March 2015 Download

19:24

Download (PDF File)

Download (Word File)

International Financial Services Centre (IFSC)

An International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) is set up at Gandhinagar, Gujarat as a part of a Special Economic Zone (SEZ).

The key features of these regulations will be that any financial institution (or its branch) set up in the IFSC,-

a) shall be treated as a non-resident Indian located outside India,

b) shall conduct business in such foreign currency and with such entities, whether resident or non-resident, as the Regulatory Authority may determine, and

c) subject to certain provisions, nothing contained in any other regulations shall apply to a unit located in IFSC.

2. IRDA of India would be permitting insurers including foreign insurer or reinsurers to set up branch in IFSC. Similarly RBI would permit the setting up of IFSC Banking Units (IBUs) by banks. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) would allow setting up of exchanges and allow other activities for fund raising, merchant banking, brokerage, fund management, private equity, etc. Activities like currency derivatives, NIFTY futures, Depository Receipts, etc. would take place on the exchanges like any other IFSC.

3. RBI has also formulated a Draft Scheme for the setting up of IFSC Banking Units (IBUs) by banks, whose broad contours may be summarised as follows:

i. Setting up of IBUs: Eligible banks intending to set up IBUs, to begin with, only Indian banks (public and private, authorised to deal in forex) and foreign banks having a presence in India would be eligible to set up IBUs. Banks already having offshore presence would be preferred and each bank would be permitted to set up only one IBU in one IFSC.

ii. IBUs vis-à-vis foreign branches of banks: For most purposes, the IBU will be treated on par with a foreign branch of an Indian bank, like the application of prudential norms, the 90 days’ Income Recognition Asset Classification and Provisioning norms, adoption of liquidity and interest rate risk management policies.

iii. Role of the Parent Bank’s Board: The bank’s Board would set comprehensive overnight limits for each currency for IBUs, may set out appropriate credit risk management policy and exposure limits, and monitor overall risk management and ALM framework of the IBU.

iv. Capital Requirements: The parent bank would be required to provide a minimum of USD 20 million upfront as capital, and the IBU shall have to maintain minimum capital on an on-going basis as may be prescribed.

v. Liabilities and Advances: The IBU’s liabilities will be exempt both CRR and SLR. But liabilities only with original maturity period greater than one year are permissible, although short-term liabilities may be raised from banks subject to RBI prescribed limits.

vi. Permissibility of activities: Opening of current or savings accounts and issuance of bearer instruments is not allowed. Payment transactions can only be undertaken via bank transfers. IBUs can undertake transactions with non-resident entities other than retail customers/HNIs, and can deal with WOS/JVs of Indian companies abroad. They may undertake Factoring/Forfaiting of export receivables, but are prohibited from cash transactions.

vii. Ring Fencing: All transactions of IBUs shall be in currency other than INR, and IBUs would operate and maintain balance sheet only in foreign currency, except a Special Rupee Account to defray administrative and statutory expenses. Separate Nostro accounts will have to be maintained by IBUs with correspondent banks. IBUs will not be permitted to participate in domestic call, notice, term, forex, money and other onshore markets and domestic payment systems.

Banking Reforms

Performance of Public Sector Banks has remained sub-optimal so far. The Government is taking various steps to improve the situation both on governance side and otherwise. The focus of these reforms is to improve the quality of deliberations in bank boards, leading to better asset quality and further resulting in better market valuations.

What has been done

(i) Separation of the post of Chairman and Managing Director.

(ii) Enabling provision for the appointment as MD & CEO in five major banks, so that wider choice is available. Both Public Sector and Private Sector bankers can apply. Higher salary can be given in appropriate cases.

(iii) Revamping of present selection system which inter-alia includes structured three separate interviews, allotment of banks on merit-cum-preference basis.

(iv) Blue print for road map for reforms on the basis of deliberations carried out in GyanSangam, a two days top level retreat organised by the department.

(v) Allocation of capital purely on the basis of efficiency parameters so that banks start focusing on these.

(vi) Clear instructions from the department regarding no interference whatsoever in any matter whether related to HR issues or credit decisions or even otherwise.

Changes proposed in priority sector lending (psl)-regarding

The following changes are being proposed in the Priority Sector lending:-

· To enhance credit to Small and marginal farmers, a separate sub limit of upto 8% (for 1st year - 7% and 2nd year - 8%) is being introduced for the first time.

· Loans for agri-processing & agri-infrastructure would be included in PSL without any limit on the size of loans.

· Loans to Medium Enterprises being included in PSL.

· For the first time a separate sub limit of 7.5% of ANBC is being created for the Micro Enterprises.

· Loans upto Rs.5 crore for Social infrastructure, like schools and health care facilities, drinking water facilities, sanitation facilities etc. are being included under PSL, for towns of less than 1 lac population.

· Renewable Energy sector is being added to the PSL, upto Rs.10 crore loans.

· Introduction of Priority Sector Lending Certificate (PSLCs), which will provide a market-driven incentive for efficiency, will enable banks to sell their surplus lending and thus earning a premium for their efficiency/geographical spread.

· Progress to be monitored quarterly and not at the end of the year.

Steps Being Taken for Increasing Financing to Micro, Small And Medium Enterprises (Msmes)

Debt Financing:

1) Loans to Medium Enterprises are being brought under Priority Sector Lending.

2) A separate sub-limit of 7.5% in Priority Sector Lending is being created for the Micro Enterprises.

3) RBI has received 72 application for setting up Small Banks. As per license conditions, the small finance banks are required to extend 75% of Adjusted Net Bank Credit to Priority Sector and 50% of loan portfolio to be upto Rs. 25 lakhs. Therefore, once set up, the Small Finance Banks would augment supply of credit to small business units, micro and small industries etc. through high technology & low cost operations.

Equity Financing:

1) “Tax pass-through” status for equity funds has been rationalized for supporting the venture capital eco-system.

2) A Fund of Funds has been set up in SIDBI to act as a catalyst to attract Private Capital by way of providing equity, quasi equity and other risk capital for start up companies.

Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency (Mudra) Bank

According to the NSSO survey of 2013, there are 5.77 crore small business units, mostly individual proprietorships, which run small manufacturing, trading or services activities. Most of these ‘own account enterprises’ are owned by people belonging to Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe or Other Backward Classes. Only 4% of such units get institutional finance. Providing access to institutional finance to such micro/small business units would turn them into strong instrument of GDP growth and also employment.

Micro Finance is an economic development tool whose objective is to assist the poor to work their way out of poverty. It covers a range of services which include, in addition to the provision of credit, many other services such as savings, insurance, money transfers, counseling etc. The players in the Micro Finance sector can be qualified as falling into 3 main groups:- the SHG-Bank linkage model started by NABARD, the Non Banking Finance companies and the others including Trusts, Societies etc.

The government proposes to set up a Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency (MUDRA) Bank through a statutory enactment. This Bank would be responsible for regulating and refinancing all Micro-finance Institutions (MFI) which are in the business of lending to micro/small business entities engaged in manufacturing, trading and services activities. The Bank would partner with state level/regional level co-ordinators to provide finance to Last Mile Financer of small/micro business enterprises.

The MUDRA Bank would primarily be responsible for –

1) Laying down policy guidelines for micro/small enterprise financing business

2) Registration of MFI entities

3) Regulation of MFI entities

4) Accreditation /rating of MFI entities

5) Laying down responsible financing practices to ward off indebtedness and ensure proper client protection principles and methods of recovery

6) Development of standardised set of covenants governing last mile lending to micro/small enterprises

7) Promoting right technology solutions for the last mile

8) Formulating and running a Credit Guarantee scheme for providing guarantees to the loans which are being extended to micro enterprises

9) Creating a good architecture of Last Mile Credit Delivery to micro businesses under the scheme of Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana

Introduction of the Atal Pension Yojana

Note on Atal Pension Yojana

Benefit of APY: Fixed pension for the subscribers ranging between Rs. 1000 to Rs. 5000, if he joins and contributes between the age of 18 years and 40 years. The contribution levels would vary and would be low if subscriber joins early and increase if he joins late.

Eligibility for APY: Atal Pension Yojana (APY) is open to all bank account holders who are not members of any statutory social security scheme.

Age of joining and contribution period: The minimum age of joining APY is 18 years and maximum age is 40 years. Therefore, minimum period of contribution by the subscriber under APY would be 20 years or more.

Focus of APY: Mainly targeted at unorganised sector workers.

Enrolment and Subscriber Payment: All bank account holders under the eligible category may join APY with auto-debit facility to accounts, leading to reduction in contribution collection charges.

Enrolment agencies: All Points of Presence (Service Providers) and Aggregators under Swavalamban Scheme would enrol subscribers through architecture of National Pension System.

Operational Framework of APY: It is Government of India Scheme, which is administered by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority. The Institutional Architecture of NPS would be utilised to enrol subscribers under APY.

Funding of APY: Government would provide (i) fixed pension guarantee for the subscribers; (ii) would co-contribute 50% of the subscriber contribution or Rs. 1000 per annum, whichever is lower, to eligible subscribers; and (iii) would also reimburse the promotional and development activities including incentive to the contribution collection agencies to encourage people to join the APY.

Highlights of The Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana
(PMJJBY – SCHEME 2 - FOR LIFE INSURANCE COVER)

Eligibility: Available to people in the age group of 18 to 50 and having a bank account. People who join the scheme before completing 50 years can, however, continue to have the risk of life cover up to the age of 55 years subject to payment of premium.

Premium: Rs.330 per annum. It will be auto-debited in one instalment.

Payment Mode: The payment of premium will be directly auto-debited by the bank from the subscribers account.

Risk Coverage: Rs.2 Lakh in case of death for any reason.

Terms of Risk Coverage: A person has to opt for the scheme every year. He can also prefer to give a long-term option of continuing, in which case his account will be auto-debited every year by the bank.

Who will implement this Scheme?: The scheme will be offered by Life Insurance Corporation and all other life insurers who are willing to join the scheme and tie-up with banks for this purpose.

Government Contribution:

(i) Various other Ministries can co-contribute premium for various categories of their beneficiaries out of their budget or out of Public Welfare Fund created in this budget out of unclaimed money. This will be decided separately during the year.

(ii) Common Publicity Expenditure will be borne by Government.

Highlights of the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (Pmsby – Scheme 1 - for Accidental Death Insurance)

Eligibility: Available to people in age group 18 to 70 years with bank account.

Premium: Rs.12 per annum.

Payment Mode: The premium will be directly auto-debited by the bank from the subscribers account. This is the only mode available.

Risk Coverage: For accidental death and full disability - Rs.2 Lakh and for partial disability – Rs.1 Lakh.

Eligibility: Any person having a bank account and Aadhaar number linked to the bank account can give a simple form to the bank every year before 1^st of June in order to join the scheme. Name of nominee to be given in the form.

Terms of Risk Coverage: A person has to opt for the scheme every year. He can also prefer to give a long-term option of continuing in which case his account will be auto-debited every year by the bank.

Who will implement this Scheme?:The scheme will be offered by all Public Sector General Insurance Companies and all other insurers who are willing to join the scheme and tie-up with banks for this purpose.

Government Contribution:

(i) Various Ministries can co-contribute premium for various categories of their beneficiaries from their budget or from Public Welfare Fund created in this budget from unclaimed money. This will be decided separately during the year.

(ii) Common Publicity Expenditure will be borne by the Government.

Incentives for Girl Students

To encourage the participation of all girls at elementary level, the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) provides for the opening of schools in the neighborhood to make access easier for girls, the appointment of additional teachers including women teachers, free textbooks, free uniforms, separate toilets for girls, teachers’ sensitization programmes to promote girls participation, gender-sensitive teaching learning materials including textbooks and the scheme of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas as residential upper primary schools for girls belonging to SC/ST/Minority Communities, BPL families and girls in difficult circumstances.

Make in India Policy for MSME Sector

The Ministry is proposing to rise to the challenge through action plans directed at enhancement of the provision of collateral free credit through creation of state verticals for extending guarantees to the entrepreneurs of particular state with financial support from state governments, creation of similar verticals for women entrepreneurs and youth among SC/ ST and NE Regions. Augmentation of 18 existing Technology Centres (TCs) is to be supported by cluster network Mangers and a National Portal. Efforts are on to bridge the gap between Research Institutions and Industries through signing of MOUs with IISc and CSIR. Defence offset policy is being leveraged for creating ecosystem of defence manufacturing by MSMEs. A comprehensive skill mapping is also proposed as a first step towards alleviating the existing skill deficit.

Promotion of Traditional Industries

The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises has been implementing various schemes for the promotion of traditional artisans through Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) and Coir Board, which include:

(i) Workshed Scheme for Khadi Artisans for providing assistance for construction of worksheds for better work environment.

(ii) Khadi Reform and Development Programme (KRDP) which includes capacity building of 300 khadi institutions and improved marketing to revitalize the khadi sector with enhanced sustainability of khadi, increased incomes and employment for spinners and weavers, increased artisans’ welfare and achieve synergy with village industries.

(iii) Market Development Assistance (MDA) under which assistance is provided@ 20% of value of production khadi and polyvastra to be shared among artisans, producing institutions and selling institutions in the ratio 25:30:45.

(iv) Khadi Karigar Janashree Bima Yojana to provide insurance cover to khadi artisans

(v) Mahila Coir Yojana envisages distribution of motorised ratts for spinning coir yarn to women artisans after being trained.

(vi) Coir Udyami Yojana(CUY) to provide financial assistance for replacement of outdated ratts/looms and for construction of worksheds so as to increase productivity/production and earnings of workers.

(vii) Coir Worker’s Group Personal Accident Insurance Scheme to provide insurance cover to coir workers.

In addition, a specific cluster-based scheme named Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI) is being implemented by the Government in the Ministry of MSME for promotion of traditional industries, under which khadi, village industries and coir clusters have been taken up for development by providing them with improved equipments, common facilities centres, business development services, training, capacity building and design and marketing support, etc. 101 clusters (29 Khadi, 47 Village Industries and 25 Coir clusters) have been developed under this scheme.

Clean Energy Co-Operation Between India and US

India and USA have undertaken new initiatives to enhance clean energy cooperation as follows:

i. Launched “Innovative Finance Forum”.

ii. Established “PACESetter Funds” to support innovative clean energy access projects.

iii. Both the countries desire to expand current Partnership to Advance Clean Energy Development (PACE-D).

iv. Renewed commitment to expanding Partnership to Advance Clean Energy Research (PACE-R).

‘Go India’ Smart Card for Train Tickets

‘Go-India’ smart card scheme has been launched on pilot basis on two sectors i.e. New Delhi-Mumbai and New Delhi-Howrah. At present, the Go-India smart card enables passengers to pay for reserved and unreserved tickets. The smart card can be used at nominated Unreserved Ticketing System (UTS)/Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters and at Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs) on these two sectors for issuing tickets.

Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister stated that his Government is fully committed to the cause of empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs)and implementation of United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilitiesas well as the “Incheon Strategy”.

He said that we are presently focussing on enactment of a new comprehensive law to fulfil our international obligations following ratification of the UNCRPD; using technology to deliver low-cost home-based education through e-learning and providing Identity Cards to all Persons with Disabilities so that they can avail Government benefits.

The Minister said that his government is also committed to ensure easy access of PWDs to public facilities, public buildings and transport; develop income generation models to ensure their economic independence, and provide support to voluntary organizations working in this sector.

Some of the important goals of Incheon strategy are: Reduction of poverty, Enhancement of accessibility, education and employment, Special focus on children and women, Promotion of social protection and political participation, and Strengthening of international cooperation etc.

50 circuits have been identified across India for the development of tourism

The Ministry of Tourism has identified 50 circuits for development of tourism. These circuits/destinations cover major and relevant tourist places and attractions and have a judicious mix of culture, heritage, spiritualism and ecotourism to give tourists a holistic perspective of the country. Port Blair-Neil Havelock-Little Andaman (Andaman and Nicobar), Kashmir Circuit (Jammu and Kashmir), Desert circuit (Rajasthan), Nature Tourism Circuit (West Bengal), Braj-Agra Circuit (Uttar Pradesh), Gangtok (Sikkim) are the circuits identified circuits among others.

The Ministry has formulated a plan scheme SWADESH DARSHAN for integrated development of tourist circuits around specific themes. The five circuits indentified under this scheme are: Buddhist Circuit, Himalayan Circuit, Coastal Circuit, Krishna Circuit and North-East Circuit.

Election Commission

The Election Commission of India has launched “National Electoral Roll Purification and Authentication Programme” (NERPAP) throughout the country from today with the prime objective of bringing a totally error free and authenticated electoral roll.

During the programme, EPIC data of electors will be linked with Aadhar data of UIDAI for the purpose of authentication. NERPAP will focus on improving image quality of electors along with sorting issues like corrections of errors etc.

GIS System for Fisheries Sector

The components of the scheme for strengthening of database and geographical information system GIS for fisheries sector are as under:

(i). Sample Survey for Estimation of Inland Fishery Resources and their Potential

(ii). Census on Marine Fisheries

(iii). Catch Assessment Survey Inland and Marine Fisheries

(iv). Development of Geographical Information System

(v). Development of database of fishery cooperative of India,

(vi). Mapping of smaller water bodies and development of Geographical Information System based fishery management system,

(vii). Strengthening of Statistical Unit at Headquarter,

(viii) Evaluation Studies/ Professional services,

(ix). Monitoring Control and Surveillance (MCS).

Scheme Approved for Setting UP of Plastic Parks

End-to-End Computerisation of PDS as a Mission Mode Project

A scheme on End to end Computerisation of Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) Operations with a total approved cost of Rs.884.07 crore is being implemented throughout the country.

Strategy for Handling Genetically Transmitted Cancer Disease

Cancer can be diagnosed and treated at various levels in the government health care system. The data for medical infrastructure and the quantum of shortage of specialists for Cancer treatment is not centrally maintained. The number of teletherapy machine in the country is less than the norms of World Health Organisation (WHO) and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

The Government of India has approved a scheme for enhancing the Tertiary Care Cancer facilities in the country. Under this scheme, the Government of India will assist 20 State Cancer Institutes (SCI) and 50 Tertiary Care Cancer Centres (TCCC) in different parts of the country. Oncology in its various aspects has focus in case of new AIIMS and many upgraded institutions under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojna (PMSSY). Setting up of the National Cancer Institute at Jhajjar (Haryana) and 2nd campus of the Chittranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata has been approved.

The Government of India had launched a comprehensive National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke (NPCDCS) in 2010 with focus on 3 types of cancer namely breast, cervical and oral cancer

ISRO to carry out a test flight of Reusable Launch Vehicle – Technology Demonstrator (RLV-TD) by second quarter of 2015

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will carry out a test flight of Reusable Launch Vehicle – Technology Demonstrator (RLV-TD) by second quarter of 2015. Technology Demonstrator winged body vehicle weighing 1.5T will be lofted to a height of 70 km using solid booster, thus attaining 5 times the speed of sound. Thereafter it will descend by gliding and splashing down into the sea. This test flight would demonstrate the Hypersonic aerodynamics characteristics, Avionics system, Thermal protection system, Control system and Mission management.

Development Schemes in the Naxal Affected Districts

The Additional Central Assistance (ACA) for the LWE affected districts, being implemented by the NITI Aayog and the Road Requirement Plan (RRP-I), being implemented by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, are the two major developmental schemes, which focus specifically on the LWE affected districts.

The continuation of Integrated Action Plan (IAP) as ACA Scheme for the remaining years of 12th Five Year Plan was approved by the Government. Besides, two Skill Development related Schemes, namely, ‘ROSHNI’ and ‘Skill Development in 34 Districts affected by Left Wing Extremism’ are also being implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development and Ministry of Labour and Employment respectively.

ROSHNI is a special initiative under, Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (Formerly Ajeevika Skills), launched in June 2013 for training and placement of rural poor youth from 27 LWE affected districts in 09 States.

Main objectives of the Scheme “Skill Development in 34 Districts affected by Left Wing Extremism” under implementation from 2011-12 are to establish 01 ITI and 02 Skill Development Centres each in 34 LWE affected districts of 09 States.

India Development Foundation

India Development Foundation of Overseas Indians (IDF-OI) is a “not for profit Trust” established in 2008 by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs to serve as a credible institutional avenue to enable overseas Indians to engage in philanthropy to supplement India’s social development efforts.

Objectives of IDF-OI are to:

1. Lead overseas Indian philanthropy into India.

2. Provide a list of credible institutions, projects and programmes to NRIs/PIOs.

3. Function as a clearing house for all philanthropy related information on India.

4. Partner with and encourage credible philanthropic organizations in the sectors that best match need based philanthropy.

India-EU Skill Development Project

India-EU project is a technical assistance project for vocational training under which experts provided by the EU provide advice and guidance on implementation of National Skills Qualifications Framework, setting up Labour Market Information System and capacity building of the National Skills Development Authority, three State Skill Development Missions and six Sector Skills Councils.

Health Ministry to celebrate International Women’s Day as ‘Safe Motherhood Day’

In a major initiative towards ensuring better health for women of the country, a three-day special nationwide campaign is being launched by the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry from 8-10 March, 2015.

Education to Minorities

The Government has been implementing various minority education schemes especially for Muslims. A total of 15% of the outlay under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan is targeted for the Minority Concentration Districts (MCD)/Areas to achieve the goal of universalisation of elementary education, to meet infrastructure gaps for schools, classrooms, teachers and providing access by opening new schools. Other initiatives which also benefit minorities and Muslims include the Scheme for Providing Quality Education in Madarsas (SPQEM), the Scheme of Infrastructure Development in Minority Institutions (IDMI), the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Scheme (JNV), setting up of Girls Hostels, Model Schools under the Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA), the Mid-Day-Meal Scheme, Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS), establishment of the Model Degree Colleges, Women Hostels and Polytechnics in the Minority Concentration Districts. Setting up of Block Institutes of Teacher Education, Appointment of Language Teachers, providing modern education to Madarasas under National Institute of Open Schooling and the easing of norms for affiliation of Minority Educational Institutions, are some of the important initiatives undertaken by the Government.

Innovation is the key to progress and prosperity, says President

Speaking on the occasion the President said Innovation is the key to progress and prosperity. The process of innovation converts knowledge into social good and economic wealth. It encourages the engagement of talent with the society to improve the quality of life. India always has had a strong tradition of knowledge. Our knowledge system offer tremendous scope for research involving land-to-lab investigation and lab-to-land transfer of technology. It is important that the vast repository of indigenous knowledge is protected, documented and preserved in active collaboration with prominent practitioners of traditional knowledge.

The President said building viable linkages between formal and informal sectors also call for deepening the involvement of the leaders of technological, financial and educational sectors with the creativity of common people and young students.

PM launches first indigenously developed and manufactured vaccine against Rotavirus

Government to establish cross cultural linkages with 39 Indian Ocean Countries under Project Mausam

The Government has proposed to establish cross cultural linkages and to revive historic maritime cultural and economic ties under ‘Project Mausam’ with 39 Indian Ocean countries. The 39 countries include Bahrain, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Egypt, Iraq, Mauritius, Singapore, Thailand , Yemen, South Africa, Philippines, Pakistan among others.

Digital Gender Atlas for Girls’ Education in India Launched

The Ministry of Human Resource Development, Department of School Education and Literacy, presented the Digital Gender Atlas for Advancing Girls’ Education in India to the media in New Delhi today.

The tool, which has been developed with the support of UNICEF, will help identify low performing geographic pockets for girls, particularly from marginalised groups such as scheduled castes, schedule tribes and Muslim minorities, on specific gender related education indicators.

The Atlas provides comparative analysis of individual gender related indicators over three years and that enables a visual assessment of the change and an understanding of whether some intervention introduced in a geography at a particular point in time has worked or not. It is constructed on an open source platform with an inbuilt scope of updating data by authorized persons to retain its dynamic character.

Subsidy on Rooftop Solar Power Plants

National Gas Pipeline Authority

Presently, there is no proposal with PNGRB for setting up a National Gas Pipeline Authority.

The details of the Bhatinda-Jammu-Srinagar and Jagdishpur-Haldia pipeline projects along with the current status is enclosed at Annexure-II.

Ministry has approved a pipeline section (Ranchi-Talcher-Paradip) for implementation through PPP mode as pilot project and the remaining 2 pipeline sections viz., Barauni-Guwahati-Agartala and Haldia-Paradip/Srikakulam would be considered through PPP mode with VGF after successful completion of the pilot project.

Green Fuel Projects

The Minister of State (I/C) for Petroleum & Natural Gas Shri Dharmendra Pradhan informed the Lok Sabha in a written reply today that presently, Govt. is broadly following the under-mentioned order of priority in allocation of domestic gas:

(i) Existing Gas based Urea plants.

(ii) Existing Gas based LPG plants.

(iii) Existing grid connected and gas based power plants.

(iv) City Gas Distribution (CGD) network for domestic and transport sectors

(v) Other sectors including steel, refineries, petrochemicals, CGD for industrial and commercial customers etc.

However, in order to comply with the orders of Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of M.C. Mehta Vs UOI & Ors. in WP 13029/1985, April, 2002 directing to accord highest priority to transport sector in allocation of natural gas, it has been decided to meet the entire requirement of CGD entities for CNG (transport) and PNG (domestic) segments through domestic gas.

News schemes PRASAD and SWADESH DARSHAN launched by the government to promote Tourism

In pursuance of the budget announcement 2014-15, the Ministry of Tourism has launched two new plan schemes (i) “National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASAD)” and (ii) “SWADESH DARSHAN”. Both the schemes are to be implemented in mission mode. Developing world-class infrastructure in the respective destinations/circuits is one of the mission objectives of the schemes.

Under PRASAD, initially, twelve cities namely Amritsar, Ajmer, Amaravati, Dwaraka, Gaya, Kanchipuram, Kedarnath, Kamakhya, Mathura, Puri, Varanasi and Vellankani have been identified for development.

Cleaning of Ganga

National Ganga River Basin Authority has resolved that by the year 2020 no untreated municipal sewage or industrial effluent will be discharged into River Ganga.

Pollution abatement and cleaning of river Ganga is an ongoing and collaborative effort of the Central and State Governments. “Namami Gange”, an Integrated Ganga Conservation Mission has been set up under NGRBA for rejuvenation of river Ganga and its tributaries. Incorporating the existing projects under the NGRBA, the Ganga rejuvenation plan provides for ‘Short-term’ (3 years), ‘Medium-term’ (5 years) and ‘Long-term’ (10 years and more) action plan. The Ministry of Urban Development and Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation have also drawn action plans under ‘Swachh Bharat Mission’ (Urban and Rural) to address the sanitation issues, which will minimise the domestic/ municipal pollution load in the rivers of the country.

The Hon’ble Supreme Court of India has made certain observations in some of the recent

orders during the year 2014 and 2015 on:

1. Stage-wise developments for cleaning the river Ganga.

2. Status of Ganga River Basin Management Plan prepared with the help of Consortium of

seven IITs.

3. Follow up action taken in relation to Bhagirathi ecological sensitive zone notification.

4. Industrial pollution abatement.

Status on these have been submitted by the Government to the Hon’ble Supreme Court.

Total 42 Mega Food Parks have been Sanctioned by the Government

A total 42 Mega Food Parks (MFPs) have been sanctioned by the Government for setting-up in the country. Out of these, 21 Mega Food Parks have been accorded final approval and are at various stages of implementation, while 4 Mega Food Parks are progressing towards meeting the conditions for final approval.

The Scheme of Mega Food Parks is aimed at providing modern infrastructure facilities along the value chain from farm gate to the market with strong backward and forward linkages. It is expected to facilitate the efforts to increase the level of processing of agricultural and horticultural produce, with particular focus on perishables, in the country and thereby to check the wastage. The Scheme has a cluster based approach based on a hub and spokes model. It includes creation of infrastructure for primary processing and storage near the farm in the form of Primary Processing Centres (PPCs) and Collection Centres (CCs) and common facilities and enabling infrastructure at Central Processing Centre (CPC). The PPCs are meant for functioning as a link between the producers and processors for supply of raw material to the Central Processing Centres. CPC has need based core processing facilities and basic enabling infrastructure to be used by the food processing units setup at the CPC. The minimum area required for a CPC is 50 acres. The scheme is demand-driven and would facilitate food processing units to meet environmental, safety and social standards.

It has been experienced during implementation of the Scheme of Mega Food Parks that the major challenges being faced by the Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) in implementation of the Mega Food Park projects, include acquiring contiguous land of 50 acres or more in the name of SPV, obtaining term loan from the Banks, difficulties in obtaining various statutory clearances from the State Government Departments/Agencies, timely contribution of equity by the promoters, lack of cohesiveness amongst the promoters etc.

National Electric Mobility Mission Plan

Government of India launched the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) 2020 in 2013. It aims to achieve national fuel security by promoting hybrid and electric vehicles in the country. There is an ambitious target to achieve 6-7 million sales of hybrid and electric vehicles year on year from 2020 onwards. It is expected to save 9500 Million Liters of crude oil equivalent to Rs. 62000 Cr. savings. Government has launched the scheme namely Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles (FAME India) under NEMMP 2020 in the Union Budget for 2015-16 with an initial outlay of Rs. 75 Cr. The scheme will provide a major push for early adoption and market creation of both hybrid and electric technologies vehicles in the country. The thrust for the Government through this scheme will be to allow hybrid and electric vehicles to become the first choice for the purchasers so that these vehicles can replace the conventional vehicles and thus reduce liquid fuel consumption in the country from the automobile sector. It is envisaged that early market creation through demand incentive, in-house technology development and domestic production will help industry reach a self-sufficient economies of scale in the long run by around the year 2020.

Make In India’ Programme

Government of India has launched the ‘Make in India’ Programme to promote manufacturing in India and develop it as a hub for manufacturing, design and innovation Certain important steps taken to gear up manufacturing include

(i) creation of an investor facilitation cell

(ii) dissemination of information on twenty five priority sectors on ‘Make in India’s web-portal (http://www.makeinindia.com) along with details of FDI Policy, National Manufacturing Policy, Intellectual Property Rights, Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor and other National Industrial Corridors

(iii) issuance of Ordinance to make land acquisition easier for important projects

(iv) a number of items taken off the licensing requirement from Defence products’ list, etc. and

(v) Sector wise plan of action has been prepared with time lines of one year and three years.

Culture Minister inaugurates the curtain raiser of the year long celebrations of 125th Anniversary of National Archives of India

The Minister inaugurated i) A Logo for the 125^th Year Celebration of the National Archives of India; ii) an Online Search Portal entitledAbhilekh-PATAL, which puts the catalogue of over 2 million records in the public domain together with over 2000 digital images of records; iii) a Virtual Exhibition: Gandhi-Mandela that was displayed at Johannesburg as a part of the ‘Festival of India in South Africa’ and iv) 3 New publications of the department on the occasion.

National Archives of India was established on 11 March 1891 at Calcutta as the Imperial Record Department, and later shifted to New Delhi following the transfer of the capitalfrom Calcutta to Delhi in 1911. The present building of the National Archives of India was constructed in 1926, and the transfer of all records was completed in 1937. Today, it has one Regional Office at Bhopal and three Records Centres at Bhubaneswar, Jaipur and Puducherry.

This department is the custodian of the non-current records of the Government of India and is holding them in trust for the use of the records creators and the users at large. Archives are the priceless documentary heritage of any nation and as the premier archival institution in the country, and play a key role in guiding and shaping the development of archives both at the national as well as international level.

National Mission on Teachers and Teaching

The Government will set up 50 Centres of Excellence for Curriculum and Pedagogy with necessary emphasis on Maths and Science; under the newly launched Scheme Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya National Mission on Teachers and Teaching (PMMMNMTT). The Mission will provide an integrated platform for building synergies among all the existing initiatives, providing oversight to the existing activities and also carry out new activities aimed at gap filling so that a comprehensive vehicle for Teacher/Faculty related programmes and schemes is created.

The various components of PMMMNMTT, such as, setting up 30 Schools of Education, 50 Centres of Excellence for Curriculum and Pedagogy, two Inter University Centres, National Resource Centre, five Centres of Academic Leadership and Educational Management, Subject Based Networks and Workshops and Seminars, which will strengthen teachers, are, in fact aimed at improving the understanding of the students to grasp basic concepts and help them learn better.

Social Security Agreements

The Government has signed Social Security Agreements (SSAs) with Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Netherlands, Denmark, South Korea, Hungary, Finland, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Norway, Canada, Japan, Austria, Portugal, Australia and Quebec (Province of Canada) for the protection of Indian professionals working in these countries from making double contribution of social security in the home country as well as in the host country on the same income.

The salient features of these Agreements are:

(i) Exemption from social security contribution for the posted (detached) workers provided the worker is covered under the Indian social security system and continues to pay his contribution to the Indian system during the period of contract.

(ii) Exportability of benefits in case of relocation to India or any other country after having made social security contribution.

(iii) Totalization of the periods of contribution pertaining to both countries for the purpose of assessing eligibility for benefit/pension under the legislation of each country.

(iv) It also makes Indian companies more competitive since exemption from social security contribution in respect of their employees substantially reduces costs.

Welfare Schemes for Overseas Indians

The Ministry has information on number of Indian workers who emigrated abroad through Emigration Clearance to notified Emigration Clearance Required countries only. The detail particulars gender-wise, State-wise and country-wise during the last one year are given in Annexure I, II and III respectively.

The schemes for welfare of Indian workers/Non-Resident Indians are:

(i) Pravasi Kaushal Vikas Yojana

(ii) Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana (PBBY)

(iii) Mahatma Gandhi Pravasi Suraksha Yojana (MGPSY)

(iv) Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF)

(v) Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children

(vi) Scheme for Legal/ Financial Assistance to Indian Women Deserted by their NRI Husbands

Implementation of Tribal Sub Plan

Recently erstwhile Planning Commission got a holistic evaluation study conducted through a third party agency on the effectiveness of the TSP strategy in terms of delivery and goods services to the tribal population. The report of the Study was made public during May 2013. The Study, inter alia, reported underperformance of TSP funds in fetching tangible results and for that matter triggering development of tribals. Besides, the Ministry held several consultations with the stakeholders in the Central Governments as well as State Governments and outside experts / agencies to gauge the deficiencies confronting tribal development with the desired pace.

In nutshell, besides other things, the prominent reasons for underperformance of TSP funds have been identified as (i) Lack of unified planning, implementation and monitoring mechanism (ii) Lack of effective mechanism to gel central plan TSP funds and State Plan TSP Funds (iii) Scattered financial resources used in a scattered manner (iv) Lack of location specific perspective plan (v) Lack of gap analysis (vi) Weakening of institutions specifically meant for delivery of goods and services to tribal population i.e. Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) / Integrated Tribal Development Projects / Tribal Research Institutes (TRI) and other Micro Projects. (vii) Utilization of TSP funds was more ritualistic than outcome based initiative based on gap analysis in HDI. (viii) Inadequate and insufficient administrative and financial powers with the Tribal Welfare Departments in the States and Ministry of Tribal Affairs at Centre.

Union Minister of Chemicals & Fertilizers Shri Ananth Kumar launches ‘Pharma Jan Samadhan’ scheme

The Union Minister of Chemicals & Fertilizers Shri Ananth Kumar launched ‘Pharma Jan Samadhan’ scheme here today. It is a web enabled system for redressal of consumers’ grievances relating to pricing and availability of medicines, created by National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA).

The ‘Pharma Jan Samadhan’ scheme has put in place a speedy and effective complaint redressal system with respect to availability and pricing of medicines. It would serve as a robust e-governance tool for protection of consumers’ interests through effective implementation of the Drugs (Price Control) Order 2013. ‘Pharma Jan Samadhan’ will provide consumers and others with an on-line facility to redress their complaints relating to over-pricing of medicines, non-availability or shortage of medicines, sale of new medicines without prior price approval of NPPA, and refusal of supply for sale of any medicine without good and sufficient reason. NPPA will initiate action on any complaint within 48 hrs of its receipt.

Initiatives to Improve the Efficiency of Coal Based Power Plants

The Centre for Science and Technology in its report “Green Rating of Coal-Based Thermal Power Plants” has given suggestions for improving the efficiency of thermal power plants in India.

The Minister further stated that Government of India has already taken following initiatives to improve the efficiency of coal based power plants and to reduce the carbon footprint of the power sector:

(i) Out of about 87,000 MW thermal capacity under construction, about 48,000 MW is based on supercritical technology, which uses less coal.
(ii) Supercritical technology has been made mandatory for Ultra Mega Power Projects (UMPPs) being implemented.
(iii) In 13th Plan, all coal fired capacity addition shall be through supercritical units.
(iv) An Advanced Ultra Super Critical Technology R&D Project has been approved by Government at a cost of Rs.1500 Crore involving BHEL, NTPC and Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) to achieve higher efficiency, reduce carbon-dioxide emissions and coal consumption for coal based power plants.
(v) Renovation, Modernization and Life Extension of old thermal power generating units and retirement of old and inefficient thermal generation units, in phased manner, is being undertaken.

(vi) Doubling coal cess from Rs.100 per tonne to Rs.200 per tonne for funding projects under National Clean Energy Fund as announced in the Budget Speech of 2015-16.

(vii) Increasing the share of renewable energy in the overall power generation in the country.

(viii) Perform Achieve Trade (PAT) Scheme under National Mission on Enhanced Energy Efficiency is under implementation by Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE). In this Scheme, individual target for improving energy efficiency has been assigned to 144 number of thermal stations.

New Bill aims for Safe Transport System

The new Road Transport and Safety Bill 2015, in place of Motor Vehicle Act 1988, proposes to constitute a National Road Transport and Multimodal Co-ordination Authority and State Transport Authority with an objective and power to plan and develop integrated, safe and sustainable transport systems that contribute to an inclusive, prosperous and environmentally responsible India, the primary objective of State Transport Authority includes the following:-

(1) to ensure, in collaboration with National Transport Authority, other state transport bodies and public entities, urban local bodies and land holding agencies and the traffic police, that the public transport system is planned and operated as part of an integrated transport system which seeks to meet the needs of all transport system users within the state;

(2) to organize and regulate the public transport system in a manner which supports a multi-modal integrated transport system within the state by

(i) increasing the share of public transport trips within the state;

(ii) actively promoting public transport usage;

(iii) improving the environmental performance and minimizing the adverse environmental impacts of the public transport system;

(iv) contributing to social well-being by providing access to livelihood opportunities and supporting social interaction amongst members of the community;

(v) promoting economic prosperity through efficient and reliable movement of public transport users while also supporting the movement of livestock and freight; and

(vi) Collaborating with relevant bodies including the Central Government, the State Government, National Transport Authority, State Road Transport Corporations, public and private transport operators, urban local bodies, the National Authority, the State Safety Authority, State Police and other such bodies, in order to improve the efficiency of public transport for public transport users.

The Government of India has undertaken a project “Security for Women in public road transport in the country”. The objective of the scheme is to ensure safety of women and girl child in public transport by monitoring location of public road transport vehicles to provide immediate assistance in minimum response time to the victims in distress.

The proposed scheme under the “Nirbhaya Fund” envisages setting up of a unified system at the National Level (National Vehicle Security and Tracking System) and State level (City Command and Control Centre) for GPS tracking of the location of, emergency buttons in and video recording of incidents in public transport vehicles, in 32 cities of the country with a population of 1 million or more.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways proposed “Road Transport and Safety Bill, 2015”, in Chapter XI, provides for constitution of a Motor Vehicle Crash Fund. The following shall be credited to the fund:

i) A cess or tax or payment of a nature notified and approved by Central Government.

ii) Any grant or loan made to the fund by the Central Government.

iii) Any other source of income as may be prescribed by the Central Government.

Union Agriculture Minister underlines the importance of water security and organic farming at 4th Meeting of BRICS Ministers of Agriculture and Agrarian Development in Brasilia, Brazil today

Participating in 4th Meeting of BRICS Ministers of Agriculture and Agrarian Development in Brasilia, Brazil today, Union Agriculture Minister, Shri Radha Mohan Singh, said that the Government is committed to promote Organic Farming that improves soil health and leads to better quality crops. From the current financial year, ‘Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana’, a new scheme to develop organic clusters and make available chemical free inputs to farmers will be implemented. He also referred about the Gokul Mission, a dedicated intervention to improve cattle progeny so as to improve milk yields and farmers income.

Shri Singh said that the Government of India is committed to giving top priority to water security. In this context, he referred to the ‘Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana’ with the motto of water to every farm ‘Har Khet Ko Paani’. He mentioned that the ‘Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana’ aims at providing end-to-end solutions in irrigation supply chain, viz. water sources, distribution network and farm level applications.

Revamping of Jan Aushadhi Scheme

178 Jan Aushadhi Stores have been opened across the country since the inception of the scheme against which only 98 are functional as on date. The Scheme is being revisited to expand its reach across the country. Details are being worked out by Bureau of Pharma Public Sector Undertakings of India (BPPI) in consultation with Department of Pharmaceuticals.

The third party evaluation of Public Health Foundation of India noted five major reasons for under performance of the scheme:

(a) Over dependence on support from State Government;

(b) Poor Supply Chain Management;

(d) Health Policies of Central/State Governments-Free Supply of Drugs;

(e) Lack of awareness

Digital Life Certificate for Pensioners; More Than One Crore Pensioners May be Benefitted by the Scheme

Under the ‘Digital India Mission’, Government has launched ‘Jeevan Pramaan – an Aadhaar based Digital Life Certificate’ for pensioners on 10.11.2014. This facility provides an option to the pensioners to submit their life certificate digitally by authenticating biometrically using UIDAI Database. The pension disbursing agencies integrated with the Jeevan Pramaan Portal will get access to digital life certificate. The pensioners need not go to the pension disbursing agency in person.

Aadhaar numbers is used for bio-metric authentication of pensioners. All pensioners having Aadhaar number may avail this facility. More than one crore pensioners may be benefitted by the scheme.

Steps Taken Under NRHM to Reduce Neonatal Mortality Rates in the Country

The following interventions have been taken under NRHM to reduce neonatal mortality rates in the country:

1) Promotion of Institutional Delivery through Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) and Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK): Promoting Institutional delivery to ensure skilled birth attendance is key to reducing both maternal and neo-natal mortality. JSY incentivizes pregnant women to opt for institutional delivery and provides for cash assistance. JSSK entitles all pregnant women to absolutely free and zero expense delivery including caesarean section operation in Government health facilities and provides for free to and fro transport, food, drugs and diagnostics. Similar entitlements have also been put in place for sick neonates.

2) Strengthening Facility based newborn care: Newborn care corners (NBCC) are being set up at all health facilities where deliveries take place to provide essential newborn care at birth to all new born babies; Special New Born Care Units (SNCUs) at District Hospitals and New Born Stabilization Units (NBSUs) at FRUs are being set up for the care of small and sick newborn.

3) Home Based Newborn Care (HBNC): Home based newborn care through ASHA has been initiated to improve new born care practices at the community level and for early detection and referral of sick new born babies.

4) Ensuring single dose of Injection Vitamin K prophylaxis in all the births in all the public and private health facilities even at the sub centre by ANM.

5) Provision of Support in the annual state plans for up scaling of Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) in all health facilities.

6) Capacity building of health care providers: Various trainings are being conducted under National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) to build and upgrade the skills of doctors, nurses and ANM for early diagnosis and case management of common ailments of children and care of newborn at time of birth.

7) Management of Malnutrition: Emphasis is being laid on reduction of malnutrition which is an important underlying cause of child mortality. 891 Nutritional Rehabilitation Centres have been established for management of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM).Exclusive breastfeeding for first six months and appropriate infant and young child feeding practices are being promoted in convergence with Ministry of Woman and Child Development.

8) Village Health and Nutrition Days (VHNDs) are also being organized for imparting nutritional counselling to mothers and to improve child care practices.

MD, IMF meets PM (Prime Minister's Office)

The Prime Minister thanked Ms. Lagarde for her words. He stressed the importance of having a clear direction and focus. He said reforms are not restricted to legislation alone, and implementation and direction are equally important. He said that his focus, while promoting growth, is to create jobs, have inclusive growth, and focus on development of backward regions in Eastern and North-Eastern India. This region is rich in natural and human resources and we need to capitalize on this. The priority is on all fronts – agriculture, manufacturing and services.

India and Canada discuss possible joint-ventures of mutual interest (Ministry for Development of North-East Region)

The Canadian High Commissioner in India, Mr. Nadir Patel, referred to the Indian Space Research Organization’s (ISRO) reported plans to develop capability for heavy and high throughput satellites. In this context, Canadian scientists are eager to share their technical know-how with the Indian counterparts. Mars Orbiter Mission which had been 100% indigenously developed with 100% Indian infrastructure and human resource, lived up to Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi’s inspiring concept of “Make in India”

Coal Production (Ministry of Coal)

The Minister further stated that Coal India Limited (CIL) have been taken/contemplated several measures for enhancing domestic coal production which are as follows:-

• An exercise has been carried out to prepare a roadmap for achieving the production level of One Billion Tonne coal by the year 2019-20. So far, mine/projects have been identified to produce about 908 Mt.

• Up gradation and modernization of existing technology in phases. Mega opencast projects have been planned with higher size of equipment for excavation, transportation, drilling and other auxiliary operations of international standard.

• Deployment a Continuous miners (CMs) for mass production technology & Long Wall Mining where ever geo mining conditions permits.

• Periodical review at the Ministry level and by an inter ministerial committee set up under the Chairman, Railway Board with secretaries of Coal, Power, and Ministry of Environment & Forests (MoEF) as members to expedite the railway projects aimed at enhancing the evacuation capacities.

Sh. Goyal further stated that steps are also being taken to improve quality of coal:

i. Selective mining for elimination of bands wherever necessary /feasible.

ii. Appropriate positioning of overburden (OB) and coal benches to avoid contamination.

iii. Scrapping/cleaning of coal benches before blasting.

iv. Installation of metal detectors / magnetic separators over running conveyors before coal loading.

v. Crushing arrangement for supply of sized coal.

vi. All the major projects having high capacity coal handling plants to dispatch sized and uniform quality of coal to suit the requirement of the consumers.

vii. Shale picking, if any, at mine face, stocks, sidings and from the wagons.

viii. Beneficiation of non-coking coal in washeries have been planned on “Build Operate & Maintain” (BOM) basis in addition to the existing capacity of non-coking coal washeries.

Visit of Union Home Minister to Japan (Ministry of Home Affairs)

Shri Rajnath Singh, presenting the Country Statement on March 14, 2015, said that the Hyogo Framework for Action has provided a blue print for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) activities including promotion of culture of prevention, mitigation, preparedness and resilience at all levels. Since then, considerable progress has been made by investing resources and enhancing capacities in dealing with the disasters. recent events in India such as the landslides and floods of 2013 in the Himalayan State of Uttarakhand, cyclone ‘Phailin’ in Odisha in 2013, the floods and landslides in Jammu & Kashmir and cyclone ‘Hudhud’ in Andhra Pradesh in 2014 have once again brought into focus the need for multiplying our efforts towards DRR.

Shri Rajnath Singh chaired the Ministerial Round Table on `International Cooperation in support of post-2015 Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. The objective of the deliberations was on generating ideas to bring about better international cooperation in support of post-2015 Framework for DRR. The issues of strengthening of existing mechanisms, targets as specified in the framework, international cooperation and partnerships, for Least Developed and Developing Countries to build and strengthen their capacities were deliberated upon. The Union Home Minister urged all countries to reaffirm their commitment to pursue effective DRR through international cooperation and global partnership to build communities self-reliant in mitigating the impacts of disasters.

India-Japan (visited the town of Onagawa, where India’s NDRF team assisted the Japanese authorities in their search and rescue mission from 26th March to 7th April, 2011; opened the Exhibition of Indian Museum Kolkata on Indian Buddhist Art at the prestigious National Museum of Tokyo today, important holy sites of Buddhism, ‘Sarnath’ and ‘Kushinagar’ are located. It was in Sarnath that Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon after attaining enlightenment; and Kushinagar is the place where the Lord Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana. He remarked that two sculptures from Sarnath from the 5th Century AD, - that of a standing Buddha and another depicting scenes from his life, - have been included as part of this exhibition.)

India- Russia (enhancing the ongoing cooperation in dealing with emergency situations, natural disasters as well as encouraging greater institutional linkages between research and training institutes in the area of disaster management, possible use for space-based technologies for averting natural disasters and their management. )

Apprentice Protsahan Yojana (Ministry of Labour & Employment)

A new Scheme ‘Apprentice Protsahan Yojana’ has been started on 16.10.2014 to share 50% of prescribed stipend to the apprentices by Government of India for the first two years of training engaged by eligible establishments particularly in manufacturing sector and other establishments covered under the Apprentices Act, 1961; the MSMEs establishments are able to engage apprentices and it also enables them to get skilled manpower for their needs. This Scheme covers all categories of apprentices except the Graduate, Technician and Technician (Vocational) apprentices which are covered by scheme administered by Ministry of Human Resource Development.

Rising Unemployment: Steps by Government (Ministry of Labour & Employment)

Government has taken various steps for generating employment in the country like encouraging private sector of economy, fast tracking various projects involving substantial investment and increasing public expenditure on schemes like Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) run by Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) scheme run by Ministry of Rural Development and National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM) run by Ministry of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation. Government has also decided to strategically promote labour-intensive manufacturing and expand employment opportunities by promoting tourism and agro-based industries. The National Manufacturing Policy of the Government targets to create 10 crore jobs by the year 2022.

Approval of NMCP- National Manufacturing Competitiveness Programme (Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises)

The Ministry of MSME is implementing the National Manufacturing Competitiveness Programme (NMCP) with the aim to support the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to become competitive. The objective of NMCP is to develop global competitiveness among Indian MSMEs. This programme targets at enhancing the entire value chain of the MSME sector through the following components:

i) Lean Manufacturing Competitiveness Scheme for MSMEs,

ii) Design Clinics scheme for MSMEs,

iii) Marketing Assistance and Technology Up gradation Scheme for MSMEs,

iv) Bar code scheme for MSEs,

v) National Campaign for building awareness on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR),

vi) Technology and Quality Up gradation Support to MSMEs,

vii) Enabling Manufacturing Sector to be Competitive through Quality Management Standards (QMS) and Quality Technology Tools (QTT),

viii) Support for Entrepreneurial and Management development of SMEs through Incubators.

ix) Promotion of Information & Communication Tools (ICT) in MSME sector.

US Assistance for Renewable Energy Technologies (Ministry of New and Renewable Energy)

New initiatives to enhance clean energy cooperation as follows:
i. Set up “Innovative Finance Forum”.
ii Establish “PACESetter Fund” to support innovative clean energy access projects.
iii. Both the countries desired to expand current Partnership to Advance Clean Energy Development (PACE-D).
iv. Renewed commitment to expand Partnership to Advance Clean Energy Research (PACE-R).

Primitive Tribal Groups (Ministry of Tribal Affairs)

Seventy five communities have been identified as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) {earlier called as Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs). The 100% Central sector scheme aims at the socio-economic development of PVTGs in a holistic manner by adopting habitat development approach and intervening in all spheres of their social and economic life, so that the quality of life of PVTGs is improved and a visible impact is made. The funds under this scheme are made available to the States/UTs having PVTG population in accordance with the Conservation cum Development (CCD) plan approved by an Expert Committee in the Ministry of Tribal Affairs

Regulation of AYUSH Institutions

The National Policy on Indian Systems of Medicine & Homoeopathy - 2002, envisages integration of AYUSH with the Health Care Delivery System. Mainstreaming of AYUSH is one of the strategies in National Health Mission (NHM) as well which seeks to provide accessible, affordable and quality health care in order to improve the existing health care delivery system. Government of India has adopted a strategy of Co-location of AYUSH facilities at Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs) and District Hospitals (DHs), thus enabling choice to the patients for different systems of medicines under single window. The engagement of AYUSH Doctors / paramedics and their training is supported by the Department of Health & Family Welfare, while the support for AYUSH infrastructure, equipment / furniture and medicines are provided by Ministry of AYUSH under shared responsibilities.

Government of India has approved and notified National AYUSH Mission (NAM) on 29.09.2014 which envisages better access to AYUSH services, strengthening of AYUSH educational Institutions, facilities for the enforcement of quality control of Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani & Homoeopathy (ASU & H) drugs and sustainable availability of ASU & H raw – materials in the States / UTs during 12th Plan.

Under National AYUSH Mission provision has been kept to assist the State Governments/UTs for the promotion and development of AYUSH Institutions through upgradation of State/ UT Government Institutions and setting up of new Government Institutions.

Hybrid Rice (Ministry of Agriculture)

Promote cultivation of hybrid rice through various crop development programmes such as National Food Security Mission (NFSM), Bringing Green Revolution to Eastern India (BGREI) and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) in eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) and Directorate of Rice Research (DRR) have jointly developed bacterial blight resistant variety ‘Improved Samba Mahsuri’ which variety was notified and released for cultivation in 2008. The variety has so far spread to an area of 90,000 ha in the states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

Development of Agricultural Markets (Ministry of Agriculture)

Promotion of National Agricultural Market through Agri-Tech Infrastructure Fund (ATIF)” for Rs.200 crores to be implemented during 2014-15 to 2016-17. It is proposed to utilise the ATIF for migrating towards a National Market through implementation of an appropriate common e-market platform.

Implementation of Central Sector of Integrated Scheme for Agricultural Marketing (ISAM). Under the scheme, assistance is provided towards creation of market infrastructure including storage; Venture Capital Assistance is provided to projects that provide market linkages to farmers; assistance for capacity building of farmers and other stake holders; and support for strengthening Agmarknet portal which provides information on prices and arrivals of agri commodities in wholesale regulated markets, etc. The Government has also recently approved the Price Stabilisation Fund (PSF) Scheme for Procurement and Distribution of perishable agri-horticultural Commodities to control price volatility of these commodities

Rural Irrigation Scheme (Ministry of Agriculture)

Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) with the vision to ensure access to water to every agricultural farm for minimizing the impact of vagaries of monsoon.

Promotion of use of Bio-Fertilizers in the Country (Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers)

The Government proposes to produce manure and energy from the urban waste. The proposal is in primary stage and a draft discussion paper on ‘Promotion of City Compost’ has been circulated for inter-ministerial consultation. However, the Government has undertaken a number of steps for promotion of use of bio-fertilizers in the country. They are as under:

(1) Financial support for establishment of bio-fertilizers production unit as back ended subsidy @ 25% of total financial outlay up to a maximum of Rs. 40.00 lakh through NABARD is provided. Financial assistant of 50% of cost or Rs. 100/- per hectare, whichever is less, is provided to farmers for promotion of bio-fertilizers under Integrated Scheme for Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm and Maize (ISOPOM).

(2) To encourage the producers of organic fertilizers, the Government is providing financial assistance for setting up of production units of organic fertilizers under following schemes:-

(i) Under National Project on Organic Farming (NPOF), financial assistance is provided as credit linked back ended subsidy through NABARD for setting up of fruit/vegetable waste/agro-waste compost unit @33% of the total cost of project upto Rs. 60.00 lakh per unit.

(ii) Under National Horticulture Mission (NHM), financial assistance is provided for setting up vermi-compost production units @50% of the cost subject to a maximum of Rs. 30,000/- per beneficiary.

Measures to cheque the quality of foodgrains during storage (Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution)

The quality of foodgrains in storage is monitored by Food Corporation of India (FCI) at regular intervals by a system of check and super checks to ensure proper preservation of foodgrains in the storage. These are as follows:-

• Fortnightly inspection of stock on 100% basis by Technical Assistants at storage depot level.

• Monthly inspection by Manager (Quality Control) at storage depot level.

• Quarterly inspection by Assistant General Manager (Quality Control) at District level.

• Super checks by Regional, Zonal and FCI Headquarter squads.

Measures to Check Maternal Deaths (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare)

Under the National Health Mission (NHM), financial support is provided to the States/UTs for strengthening their healthcare delivery system including support for provision of free drugs to those who access public health facilities based on requirements reflected in their Programme Implementation Plans. Under the NHM-Free drug service Initiative and substantial funding is also provided to States/UTs with the conditionality.

An incentive of up to 5% additional funding over and above the normal allocation of the state under NRHM-RCH Flexipool is provided to State/UTs to introduce free medicine scheme.

In addition, Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram (JSSK) entitles all pregnant women delivering in public health institutions to absolutely free and no expense delivery including Caesarean section, which includes free drugs, etc. and similar entitlements for all sick infants accessing public health institutions for their treatment.

The key steps taken to accelerate the pace of reduction for Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) under the National Health Mission (NHM) are:

• Promotion of institutional deliveries through Janani Suraksha Yojana.

• Capacity building of health care providers in basic and comprehensive obstetric care.

• Operationalization of sub-centres, Primary Health Centres, Community Health Centres and District Hospitals for providing 24x7 basic and comprehensive obstetric care services.

• Name Based Web enabled Tracking of Pregnant Women to ensure antenatal, intranatal and postnatal care.

• Mother and Child Protection Card in collaboration with the Ministry of Women and Child Development to monitor service delivery for mothers and children.

• Antenatal, Intranatal and Postnatal care including Iron and Folic Acid supplementation to pregnant & lactating women for prevention and treatment of anaemia.

• Engagement of more than 8.9 lakhs Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) to generate demand and facilitate accessing of health care services by the community.

• Village Health and Nutrition Days in rural areas as an outreach activity, for provision of maternal and child health services.

• Health and nutrition education to promote dietary diversification, inclusion of iron and folate rich food as well as food items that promote iron absorption.

• Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram (JSSK) has been launched on 1st June, 2011, which entitles all pregnant women delivering in public health institutions to absolutely free and no expense delivery including Caesarean section. The initiative stipulates free drugs, diagnostics, blood and diet, besides free transport from home to institution, between facilities in case of a referral and drop back home. Similar entitlements have been put in place for all sick infants accessing public health institutions for treatment.

• To sharpen the focus on the low performing districts, 184 High Priority Districts (HPDs) have been prioritized for Reproductive Maternal Newborn Child Health+ Adolescent (RMNCH+A) interventions for achieving improved maternal and child health outcomes.

Meeting MDG Target on Infant Mortality (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare)

Under the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 4, target is to reduce Child Mortality by two-third between 1990 and 2015. In case of India, it translates into a goal of reducing Infant mortality rate from 88 per thousand live births in 1990 to 29 in 2015. As per Sample Registration System (SRS), 2013 reports published by Registrar General of India the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) of India is 40 per 1000 live births. It may reach 35 by 2015 if the current trend of annual decline of 5.6 per cent continues.

Under National Health Mission, the following interventions are being implemented to reduce infant mortality rate and maternal mortality ratio in the Country:

1. Promotion of institutional deliveries through Janani Suraksha Yojana.

2. Operationalization of sub-centres, Primary Health Centres, Community Health Centres and District Hospitals for providing 24x7 basic and comprehensive obstetric care services.

3. Name Based Web enabled Tracking of Pregnant Women to ensure antenatal, intranatal and postnatal care.

4. Mother and Child Protection Card in collaboration with the Ministry of Women and Child Development to monitor service delivery for mothers and children.

5. Antenatal, intranatal and postnatal care including Iron and Folic Acid supplementation to pregnant & lactating women for prevention and treatment of anaemia.

6. Engagement of more than 8.9 lakhs Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) to generate demand and facilitate accessing of health care services by the community.

7. Village Health and Nutrition Days in rural areas as an outreach activity, for provision of maternal and child health services.

8. Adolescent Reproductive Sexual Health Programme (ARSH) – Especially for adolescents to have better access to family planning, prevention of sexually transmitted Infections, Provision of counselling and peer education.

9. Health and nutrition education to promote dietary diversification, inclusion of iron and folate rich food as well as food items that promote iron absorption.

10. Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram (JSSK) entitles all pregnant women delivering in public health institutions to absolutely free and no expense delivery including Caesarean section. The initiative stipulates free drugs, diagnostics, blood and diet, besides free transport from home to institution, between facilities in case of a referral and drop back home. Similar entitlements have been put in place for all sick infants accessing public health institutions for treatment.

11. Universal Immunization Programme (UIP): Vaccination protects children against many life threatening diseases such as Tuberculosis, Diphtheria, Pertussis, Polio, Tetanus, Hepatitis B and Measles. Infants are thus immunized against seven vaccine preventable diseases every year. The Government of India supports the vaccine programme by supply of vaccines and syringes, cold chain equipment and provision of operational costs.

12. Strengthening Facility based newborn care: Newborn care corners (NBCC) are being set up at all health facilities where deliveries take place; Special New Born Care Units (SNCUs) and New Born Stabilization Units (NBSUs)

are also being set up at appropriate facilities for the care of sick newborn including preterm babies.

13. Home Based Newborn Care (HBNC): Home based newborn care through ASHA has been initiated to improve new born practices at the community level and early detection and referral of sick new born babies

14. Capacity building of health care providers: Various trainings are being conducted under National Health Mission (NHM) to build and upgrade the skills of health care providers in basic and comprehensive obstetric care of mother during pregnancy, delivery and essential newborn care.

15. Management of Malnutrition: Nutritional Rehabilitation Centres (NRCs) have been established for management of severe acute malnutrition in children.

16. India Newborn Action Plan (INAP) has been launched to reduce neonatal mortality and stillbirths.

17. Newer interventions to reduce newborn mortality- Vitamin K injection at birth, Antenatal corticosteroids for preterm labour, kangaroo mother care and injection gentamicin for possible serious bacillary infection.

18. Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight was observed in August 2014 focusing on ORS and Zinc distribution for management of diarrhoea and feeding practices.

19. Integrated Action Plan for Pneumonia and Diarrhoea (IAPPD) launched in four states with highest infant mortality (UP, MP, Bihar and Rajasthan).

The prominent causes of death among infants as per RGI-SRS (2001-03) are perinatal conditions (46%), respiratory infections (22%), diarrhoeal disease (10%), other infectious and parasitic diseases (8%), and congenital anomalies (3.1%). Besides this, Illiteracy, low socio-economic status, early age of marriage, high parity, women’s empowerment, poor sanitation, hygiene and nutrition, poor access to health facilities are also contributing factors of Infant and Child mortality.

Healthcare Programmes for Women and Children (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare)

The Government of India, under National Health Mission, has taken several steps in all the States and UTs with regard to health issues related to women and children.

Programmes/strategy being carried out by the Ministry in this regard is given below:

1. Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY)

The Government of India is implementing Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) which is a safe motherhood scheme throughout the country. The objective of the JSY is to reduce maternal and infant mortality by promoting institutional delivery among pregnant women by providing conditional cash assistance.

Important Features of JSY

Financial assistance under JSY is available to all pregnant women in those States that have low institutional delivery rates, namely, the states of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Assam, Rajasthan, Odisha, and Jammu and Kashmir are categorized as Low Performing States (LPS). However, in remaining States where the levels of institutional delivery are satisfactory, pregnant women from BPL/SC/ST households only are entitled for JSY benefit. These states are categorized as High Performing States (HPS) under JSY.

2. Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram (JSSK)

The programme has been launched on 1^st June, 2011, which entitles all pregnant women delivering in public health institutions to absolutely free and no expense delivery including Caesarean section. The initiative stipulates free drugs, diagnostics, blood and diet, besides free transport from home to institution, between facilities in case of a referral and drop back home. Similar entitlements have been put in place for all sick infants accessing public health institutions for treatment.

Key steps which contribute to improving health of women and children

· Capacity building of health care providers in basic and comprehensive obstetric care including essential newborn care, early diagnosis and case management of common ailments of children. These trainings are on Navjaat Shishu, Suraksha Karyakram (NSSK), Integrated Management of Neonatal and Childhood Illnesses (IMNCI), Facility Based Newborn Care (FBNC), Infant and Young Child Feeding practices (IYCF), etc.

· Operationalization of sub-centers, Primary Health Centres, Community Health Centres and District Hospitals for providing 24x7 basic and comprehensive obstetric care services.

· Emphasis on facility based newborn care at different levels to reduce child morbidity and mortality: Setting up of facilities for care of sick newborn such as Special New Born Care Units (SNCUs), Newborn Stabilization Units (NBSUs) and Newborn Care Corners (NBCCs) at different levels is a thrust area under NHM.

· Mother and Child Tracking System (MCTS): A name based Mother and Child Tracking System has been put in place which is web based to ensure registration and tracking of all pregnant women and new born babies so that provision of regular and complete services to them can be ensured.

· Mother and Child Protection Card in collaboration with the Ministry of Women and Child Development to monitor service delivery for mothers and children.

· Antenatal, Intranatal and Postnatal care including Iron and Folic Acid supplementation to pregnant & lactating women for prevention and treatment of anemia.

· India Newborn Action Plan (INAP) has been launched with an aim to reduce neonatal mortality and stillbirths.

· Newer interventions to reduce newborn mortality- Vitamin K injection at birth, Antenatal corticosteroids for preterm labour, kangaroo mother care and injection gentamicin to young infants in cases of suspected sepsis.

· Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight was observed in August 2014 focusing on ORS and Zinc distribution for management of diarrhoea and feeding practices.

· Integrated Action Plan for Pneumonia and Diarrhoea (IAPPD) launched in four states with highest infant mortality (UP, MP, Bihar and Rajasthan).

· Management of Malnutrition: Nutritional Rehabilitation Centres (NRCs) have been established for management of severe acute malnutrition in children.

· Appropriate Infant and Young Child Feeding practices are being promoted in convergence with Ministry of Woman and Child Development.

· Universal Immunization Programme (UIP): Vaccination protects children against many life threatening diseases such as Tuberculosis, Diphtheria, Pertussis, Polio, Tetanus, Hepatitis B and Measles. Infants are thus immunized against seven vaccine preventable diseases every year. The Government of India supports the vaccine programme by supply of vaccines and syringes, cold chain equipment and provision of operational costs.

· Engagement of more than 8.9 lakhs Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) to generate demand and facilitate accessing of health care services by the community.

· Home Based New Born Care (HBNC): Home based newborn care through ASHAs has been initiated to improve new born practices at the community level and early detection and referral of sick new born babies.

· Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) for health screening and early intervention services has been launched to provide comprehensive care to all the children in the age group of 0-18 years in the community. The purpose of these services is to improve the overall quality of life of children through early detection of birth defects, diseases, deficiencies, development delays including disability.

· Village Health and Nutrition Days in rural areas as an outreach activity, for provision of maternal and child health services.

· Health and nutrition education to promote dietary diversification, inclusion of iron and folate rich food as well as food items that promote iron absorption.

· Under National Iron Plus Initiative (NIPI), through life cycle approach, age and dose specific IFA supplementation programme is being implemented for the prevention of anaemia among the vulnerable age groups like under-5 children, children of 6 – 10 years of age group, adolescents, pregnant & lactating women and women in reproductive age along with treatment of anaemic children and pregnant mothers at health facilities.

India to host first Asian Ministerial Conference of post-2015 Framework (Ministry of Home Affairs)

India will host the first Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction of the post-2015 era. The Ministerial Conference is set to endorse a Regional Implementation Plan of the new post-2015 framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR). This will form a key element of the initial global effort to implement the new framework. Shri Rajnath Singh said the decision demonstrated India’s strong commitment and leadership in the area of Disaster Risk Reduction in the Asia region.

“One of the biggest challenges we are facing is promoting risk-sensitive development and reduction of impacts of disasters to protect the development gains”.

Operation Smile and Milap (Ministry of Home Affairs)

The Ghaziabad Police, Uttar Pradesh launched an operation named ‘Operation Smile’ in the month of September, 2014 to identify, track, locate, rescue and rehabilitate children who went missing and found to be subjected to abuse and exploitation. Till date 553 children from various parts of the country have been recovered and most of them have been handed over to their parents by the Ghaziabad Police. Thereafter, Government of Uttar Pradesh implemented a similar operation throughout the State.

Delhi Police have also launched a special drive `Operation Milap’ to reunite missing children with their parents through the Anti Human Trafficking Units (AHTU). In this special drive, all the Children Homes in Delhi are checked for matching the records of the children inmates with the available data of missing/kidnapped children. So far, 165 children staying in Children Homes, railway platforms, bus stands, roads, religious places etc of Delhi have been handed over to their families.

National Commission for Denotified Tribes (Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment)

The Government has constituted a National Commission for Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes(NCDNT) in January, 2015. The terms of reference of the Commission are as under:

i) To prepare a State-wise list of castes belonging to Denotified and Nomadic Tribes.

ii) To identify the castes belonging to Denotified and Nomadic Tribes in the Lists of Scheduled Castes Scheduled Tribes and Central List/State List of Other Backward Classes.

iii) To identify the castes belonging to Denotified and Nomadic Tribes which have not been included in the Lists of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Central List of Other Backward Classes and to pursue their case for inclusion in these lists depending on the modalities laid down for the purpose.

iv) To identify the places where DNTs are densely populated.

v) To evaluate the progress of the development of Denotified and Nomadic Tribes under the Union and the States.

vi) To suggest appropriate measures in respect of Denotified and Nomadic Tribes to be undertaken by the Central Government or the State Government.

vii) Any other related work as may be assigned by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.

The Commission will submit its report in a period of three years.

The Government of India has been seized of the educational and economic needs of the Denotified Nomadic and Semi-nomadic Tribes (DNTs) who are spread amongst Scheduled Castes, Scheduled-Tribes, Other Backward Classes and others. One of the basic principles of the Government is to provide for full equality of opportunity, particularly in education and employment of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes and marginalized sections. Those, who are covered under the lists of SC/ST&OBCs are getting the benefits provided to these groups. There are certain groups of DNTs who are not covered under the lists of SC/ST & OBCs and for them the Government has launched two schemes namely (i) Dr. Ambedkar Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme for Denotifed, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes (DNTs) and (ii) Nanaji Deshmukh Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Construction of Hostels for Denotified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes in the current financial year. Funds have been released to the States of Maharashtra & Karnataka under these Schemes.

WCD Ministry is fully dedicated to creating an enabling environment for empowerment of women and safety of children

Recognizing the need for urgent action, Government announced in the Budget Speech 2014-15, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) programme to empower the girl child and enable her education. Ministry has started work on establishment of One Stop Centres for women who are affected by violence and has already requested the States and Union Territories to provide land for establishing One Stop Centre in each State and Union Territory. It will soon be extended to one centre in each district. These centres will provide legal, medical, psycho-social and police assistance to women who have suffered violence and will be funded from the Nirbhaya Fund. They will also be connected by an All-India Women’s Helpline.

The Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) has brought several existing child protection programs, under one umbrella, with enhanced financial norms and also introduced several new features. To avoid kidnapping and for children in distress, Emergency Outreach Services are provided through CHILDLINE Service which is a 24-hour toll free emergency outreach telephone service (1098).

Major initiative in collaboration with Ministry of Railways to provide care and protection to children who come in contact with the railways. Assigned NGOs will work closely with Railway Station authorities for which a Standard Operating Procedure has been developed.

Government has approved strengthening and restructuring of ICDS Scheme which include Special focus on children under 3 years and pregnant and lactating mothers and Community based care of underweight children (SnehaShivir) in 200 high burden districts among others.

To tackle the problem of under nutrition a new invigorated National Nutrition Mission is being formulated. The Mission will involve a real time monitoring of under-nutritioned and mal-nutritioned children with extensive use of technology. The ministry is in the process of establishing state- of-the-art laboratories to monitor the quality of food and Take Home Rations being provided to women and children.

Reformed the STEP (Support to Training and Employment Programme for Women). Efforts are also being made to link women artisans directly to the market so that they are fairly compensated for their skills and for this purpose, women melas are being organized in different parts of the country. The Rashtriya Mahila Koshhas also been restructured so that it can be a strong instrument for skill development of women and provides a holistic solution to skill development as well as financial assistance for women to become micro entrepreneurs.

Appointment of Special Police Officers (SPOs) to function as a bridge between the women affected by violence and the police authorities. The Ministry has offered to work with the Ministry of Home Affairs and the State Governments to work on this innovative method where young girls are trained to function as honorary special police officers. New concept of Foster Care which will enable children to be placed with willing families instead of putting them in children homes and orphanages. The amendment to National Commission for Women Act, 1990 will be another instrument to strengthen the institutional infrastructure for providing safety and empowerment to the women in India.

National Youth Corps (Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports)

National Youth Corps (NYC) in the country during the year 2010, with the aim to create a space enabling young men and women in the age group of 18-25 years, to serve up to two years in nation-building activities, for which they are paid suitable honorarium. The objectives of the Scheme are as under:-

· To setup a group of disciplined and dedicated youth who have the inclination and spirit to engage in the task of nation building.

· To facilitate the realization of inclusive growth (both social and economic)

· To act as points for dissemination of information, basic knowledge in the community

· To act as group modulators and peer group educators

· To act as role models for the younger cohort especially towards enhancement of public ethics, probity and dignity of labour.

The main features of NYC Scheme are as follows:

i. The minimum qualification for enrolment as NYC volunteer is class-X passed.

ii. Volunteers are paid honorarium @ Rs. 2500/- per month.

iii. The selection of NYC volunteers is done by a Selection Committee, headed by District Collector/Deputy Commissioner of the concerned District.

iv. The volunteers are given 15 days training, in two spells and their services are utilised for various nation-building activities for maximum 2 years. In the last quarter of the 2^nd year, they are provided skill development training so that they can get some employment after their term with NYKS ends.

v. After 2 years, another set of NYC volunteers are recruited.

vi. The Scheme guidelines also stipulate that the NYC volunteers shall have no claim or right for any regular employment to any post under the deploying agency/department. In fact, the volunteers are required to give undertaking to the effect that their engagement will be purely on voluntary basis and they shall have no right/claim for employment in the deploying Agency/Department.

The Scheme is fully funded by the Government of India.

In a written reply in the Lok Sabha today Shri Sonowal said, normally 2 NYC volunteers are deployed per block of the country. The State/UT wise details of volunteers deployed and the amount allocated/spent under the Scheme during each of the last 3 years and current year are given in Annexure-I and Annexure-II respectively.

As per the Scheme guidelines, the volunteers engaged under the Scheme are to be deployed in the existing Schemes/programmes of the Ministry and Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) and collaborative programmes with other Ministries/Departments of the Government of India. This Ministry /NYKS have not been mandated with the cleaning of river Ganga, the Minister added

Projects under Radiation Technologies (Department of Atomic Energy)

The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) has developed and deployed technologies to use atomic energy in the areas of electricity generation, nuclear agriculture, food preservation, healthcare, isotope hydrology etc. Ionizing radiation has been used to induce mutations in plant breeding to develop new crop varieties having better yield, stress resistance and early maturity. Radioisotopes have been used for clinical diagnosis and therapeutic purposes. They are also used for treating cancer and sterilizing medical products. The gamma rays emanating from radioisotopes are also used to increase the shelf life of food products. In addition, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), a constituent unit of DAE has also developed several desalination and water purification technologies for application in rural areas. Using Isotope hydrology techniques employing radiotracer, studies are carried out for recharging the underwater resources and improving the ground water levels.

DAE collaborates with other countries on a mutually beneficial basis to participate in high technology areas like high power accelerators. In this connection, recently, an agreement has been signed between DAE and the US Department of Energy (DOE) to make in-kind contribution to a High Intensity Superconducting Proton Accelerator and using the experience and technology gained to build two similar accelerators within the country.

Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) (Department of Space)

The details of significant achievements of MOM include –

i. First interplanetary mission realized by India and first Indian spacecraft to incorporate full scale on-board autonomy to overcome the long distances and the communication gaps due to non-visibility periods.

ii. First Indian spacecraft to successfully survive Van Allen belt crossing 39 times.

iii. First mission to use Ship Borne Terminals to track the launch vehicle and satellite over Pacific Ocean by ISRO.

iv. First Indian spacecraft to escape the Sphere Of Influence of Earth and orbit Sun.

v. First Mars mission in the world to succeed Mars Orbit Insertion in first attempt.

vi. Most economical interplanetary mission in the world and paved way for cost-effective access to deep space. The launch vehicle, Spacecraft and Ground Segment have been realised with a budget of Rs 450 Cr.

Roadmap to Increase Share of Manufacturing in GDP (Ministry of Commerce & Industry)

The Government has launched ‘Make in India’ Programme aimed at developing, promoting and marketing India as a leading manufacturing and investment destination and as a hub for design and innovation. The programme seeks to radically improve the Ease of Doing Business, and boost up the manufacturing sector. Certain important steps taken to gear up manufacturing include (i) creation of an investor facilitation cell (ii) dissemination of information on twenty five priority sectors on ‘Make in India’s web-portal (http://www.Makeinindia.com) along with details of FDI Policy, National Manufacturing Policy, Intellectual Property Rights, Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor and other National Industrial Corridors (iii) issuance of ordinance to make land acquisition easier for important projects (iv) a number of items taken off the licensing requirement from Defence products’ list, etc.

An Investor Facilitation Cell has been created to provide assistance to investors and entrepreneurs. In addition, a Special Cell namely, ‘Japan Plus’ has been created to facilitate investments from Japan. A Country Focus Desk on Singapore is also functional under ‘Invest India’. Sustainable development is integral to the spirit of the policy and technological value addition in manufacturing has received special focus.

Department of Consumer Affairs launches portal for redressal of grievances against misleading advertisements

Launched two new initiatives of the Department of Consumer Affairs aimed at enhancing consumer awareness and strengthening support services to consumers in the country. These include a dedicated portal to register Grievances Against Misleading Advertisements (GAMA) and Grahak Suvidha Kendras – one stop consumer centers at Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Jaipur, Kolkata, Patna and Delhi.

Portal forGrievances Against Misleading Advertisements (GAMA)

The explosive growth of multi-media marketing and the virtual market has seriously challenged the concept of ‘Consumer Sovereignty’. Increasingly subliminal advertising and peer pressure are influencing consumer behavior. Consumers are today exposed to large number of misleading advertisements often making claims that are dubious or unverified. Till date there is no single platform or agency to serve as a central registry for complaints against misleading advertisements. The Department of Consumer Affairs has taken the initiative to establish a dedicated portal to enable consumers to register their Grievances Against Misleading Advertisements (GAMA). Any consumer in any part of the country can register on this site and can lodge a complaint against misleading advertisements. A well-defined protocol then ensures that the complaints are taken up with the relevant authorities in the state or the central government concerned and appropriate action taken. The portal also enables the consumer to be informed of the action taken. The portal will be linked to all state authorities concerned, select voluntary consumer organizations in the country and the sector regulators in the Government of India.

Grahak Suvidha Kendra

The Department of Consumer Affairs has already set up and is supporting the National Consumer Helpline where consumers can lodge telephonic complaints regarding their grievances. Similarly the Department has assisted 22 States to set up and run state help lines by which services are provided in regional language to aggrieved consumers. Building on the success of these initiatives the Department has now conceptualized and launched the Grahak Suvidha Kendra – a one stop center that will provide a host of services to consumers under one roof. Select Voluntary Consumer Organizations with funding support from Government will run the Kendras. The services envisaged include information dissemination, consumer awareness, mediation, grievance redress, assistance in filing complaints before the relevant consumer forum and counseling. The Kendras are being launched on a pilot basis in six locations: Ahmadabad, Bangalore, Jaipur, Kolkata, Patna and Delhi. Based on the performance of these pilot centers a decision to extend the scheme to other parts of the country will be explored.

Progress of new scheme PRASAD (Ministry of Culture)

Twelve cities namely Amritsar, Ajmer, Amaravati, Dwaraka, Gaya, Kanchipuram, Mathura, Puri, Varanasi, Vellankani, Kedarnath and Kamakhya have been identified for development under Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spirituality Augmentation Drive (PRASAD) by the Ministry of Tourism.

The National Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY) scheme aimed at preserving and revitalizing heritage cities in India, has been approved by the Ministry of Urban Development for the twelve cities under the scheme in the first phase, namely; Varanasi; Amritsar; Ajmer; Mathura; Gaya; Kanchipuram; Vellankani; Badami; Amaravati; Warangal; Puri and Dwarka

Speech by Sushma Swaraj for Prime Minister’s Visit to Seychelles, Mauritius and Sri Lanka (Ministry of External Affairs)

Seychelles

They had a bilateral meeting where issues of economic, infrastructure and maritime cooperation were discussed. The Prime Minister inaugurated the Coastal Surveillance Radar System set up with India’s collaboration. Our decision to gift a second Dornier aircraft, to provide gratis visa for a period of three months and to include Seychelles in the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) Scheme. Four agreements were signed: for development of infrastructure facilities at Assumption Island, renewal energy cooperation, cooperation in hydrography and sale of navigational charts. The two countries also decided to set up a Joint Working Group on Cooperation in Blue Economy.

Mauritius

He addressed a special session of the National Assembly of Mauritius. He jointly commissioned with Prime Minister Jugnauth the offshore patrol vessel Barracuda, which is the first custom built vessel exported by India. The Prime Minister unveiled a plaque with PM Jugnauth for the official commencement of construction of the building of the World Hindi Secretariat. Prime Minister also addressed a well attended civic reception. Prime Minister also visited Aapravasi Ghat and offered prayers at Ganga Talao.

Prime Minister announced a concessional line of credit of US$500 million for project to be identified by the Government of Mauritius. Five bilateral documents were signed: for development of sea and air transportation facilities at Agalega Island, cooperation in ocean economy, cooperation in traditional systems of medicine and homeopathy, cultural exchange programme for 2015-18, and importation of mangoes from India.

Sri Lanka

He conveyed India’s sincere support and good wishes for Sri Lanka’s new journey of peace, reconciliation and progress. India stands with Sri Lanka in its efforts to build a future that accommodates the aspirations of all sections of society, including the Sri Lankan Tamil community, for a life of equality, justice, peace and dignity in a united Sri Lanka. Prime Minister also declared that we believe that the early and full implementation of the 13th Amendment and going beyond it would contribute to this process.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Jaffna. Prime Minister unveiled the foundation stone of the Jaffna Cultural Centre to be built under a grant offered by India. He handed over certificates to the beneficiaries of the Indian Housing Project for internally displaced persons. At Talaimannar, he flagged off the inaugural train on the track to Madhu Road. Prime Minister also visited the ancient temple of Naguleswaram at Jaffna.

Fishermen’s associations of both countries must meet at the earliest to work out a mutually acceptable arrangement. Prime Minister underscored our common Buddhist heritage. He visited the Mahabodhi Society in Colombo, offered ‘Dana’ to monks and planted a sapling. Prime Minister also offered prayers along with President Sirisena at the venerated Sri Mahabodhi Tree at Anuradhapura.

Among the main outcomes of the Prime Minister’s talks in Sri Lanka were: a) inclusion of Sri Lanka in the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) Scheme from 14th April, coinciding with the occasion of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year; b) setting up of a Joint Task Force to develop the Trincomalee Upper Oil Tank Farm; c) announcement of a fresh line of credit for US$318 million for Sri Lanka’s railway sector; d) extension of currency swap facility of US$1.5 billion by Reserve Bank of India to Sri Lanka’s Central Bank; e) creating a Joint Task Force for cooperation in the Ocean Economy; f) direct flights between Delhi and Colombo by Air India to begin this summer; g) holding of a Festival of India in Sri Lanka; and h) cooperation in development of a Ramayana Trail in Sri Lanka and the Buddhist circuit in India.

Four agreements/ MOUs were signed during the visit: on customs cooperation; visa exemption for diplomatic and official passport holders; youth development; and construction of an auditorium in Ruhuna University in Matara, Sri Lanka.

Financial and Technical Assistance for Smart / Model Police Stations ( MoHA)

the concept of S.M.A.R.T Police was introduced wherein ‘S’ stands for Sensitive and Strict, ‘M’ for Modern with Mobility, ‘A’ for Alert and Accountable, ‘R’ for Reliable and Responsive and ‘T’ for Trained and Techno-savvy. The Government has decided to establish one model SMART Police Station in each State to start with. Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) has prepared a plan for building of such Police Station.

Citizenship to Children Born to a Surrogate Indian Mother (MoHA)

The following provisions have been made under these guidelines for the foreign nationals coming to India for commissioning surrogacy:

1. The appropriate VISA category for the foreign nationals coming to India for commissioning surrogacy will be “Medical VISA”.

2. It will also be necessary in such cases to ensure that the surrogate mother is not cheated. Therefore such a visa may only be granted if the following conditions are fulfilled:

(i) The foreign man and woman are duly married and the marriage should have sustained at least for two years.

(ii) A letter from the Embassy of the foreign country in India or the Foreign Ministry of the country should be enclosed with the Visa application stating clearly that (a) the country recognizes surrogacy and (b) the child/children to be born to the commissioning couple through the Indian surrogate mother will be permitted entry into their country as a biological child/children of the couple commissioning surrogacy.

(iii) The couple will furnish an undertaking that they would take care of the child/children born through surrogacy.

(iv) The treatment should be done only at one of the registered Assisted Reproduce Technology (ART) clinics recognized by ICMR. (The list of such clinics will be shared with MEA from time to time).

(v) The couple should produce a duly notarized agreement between the applicant couple and the prospective Indian surrogate mother.

3. If any of the above conditions are not fulfilled, the visa application shall be rejected.

4. Before the grant of visa, the foreign couple need to be told that before leaving India for their return journey, ‘exit’ permission from FRRO/FRO would be required. Before granting ‘exit’, the FRRO/FRO will see whether the foreign couple is carrying a certificate from the ART clinic concerned regarding the fact that the child/children have been duly taken custody of by the foreigner and that the liabilities towards the Indian surrogate mother have been fully discharged as per the agreement. A copy of the birth certificate(s) of the surrogate child/children will be retained by the FRRO/FRO along with photocopies of the passport and visa of the foreign parents.

Bringing Hotel and Private Security Workers under Social Security Scheme (MoL&E)

The Government enacted the “Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Act, 2008” with a view to provide social security to unorganized workers including those in hotel, private security and others. The Act provides for constitution of National Social Security Board at the central level to recommend social security schemes like life and disability cover, health and maternity benefits, old age protection and any other benefit as may be determined by the Government for unorganized workers.

The ‘unorganized worker’ has been defined under the Unorganized Workers Social Security Act, 2008 as a home-based worker, self-employed worker or a wage worker in the unorganized sector and includes a worker in the organized sector who is not covered by any of the Acts mentioned in Schedule-II of this Act. As such all unorganised workers including those in hotel, private security and others and covered as per the provisions of the Act are eligible to take benefits under the social security schemes/welfare schemes framed under the Act.

Scheme for Promotion of Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Agro Industry launched (Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises)

Set up a network of technology centres and to set up incubation centres to accelerate entrepreneurship and also to promote start-ups for innovation and entrepreneurship in agro-industry. The scheme emanates from the Finance Minister’s budget speech for 2014-15, whereby, he has suggested establishing Technology Centre Network to promote Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Agro Industry with a fund of Rs.200 crore. He had also suggested to put in place a programme to facilitate forward and backward linkages with multiple chain of manufacturing and service delivery and also to take up a nationwide “District level Incubation and Accelerator Programme” for incubation of new ideas and providing necessary support for accelerating entrepreneurship.

The first important program component of the scheme is to create a database of technologies available with various Government / private agencies and set up a Network of Technology Centres for handholding of prospective entrepreneurs of MSME sector.

The second component is to develop the required skilled Human Resources necessary for mentoring and handholding the incubatees in the Incubation centres. Under this component, special efforts would be made to identify, support and expand the role of competitive Indian MSMEs in a global economy.It is proposed to provide mentoring support to MSME’s through NSIC/ other Agencies of Ministry of MSME.

The third component is to set up Livelihood Business Incubators(LBI) under National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC), KVIC or Coir Board or any other Institution/agency of GOI/State Govt. to replicate the NSIC model of successful "Rapid Incubation Model". Rapid incubation model is a mix of "promotion of entrepreneurship and skill development" and involves setting up of live "demo projects". Private partner institutions and entities can also set up livelihood incubation centres under PPP mode with the aforesaid institutions, namely: NSIC, KVIC or Coir Board or any other Institution/agency of GOI/State Govt.

The fourth component is to set up Technology Business Incubators (TBI) at twin levels, i.e. supporting existing incubation centres operated currently under different Ministries and Departments of the Government of India or Institutions including National / Regional level institutions of GOI / State Governments to set up such centre dedicated to incubation and enterprise creation in the area of Agro based Industries and also new incubation centres to be set up by eligible private institutions including Industry Associations, along with the Academic Institutions, R&D laboratories, Universities, Government entities and Technology Parks. Region wise, Crop wise, Product wise, Process wise and Industry Vertical wise Incubation Centres will be promoted. The existing incubators under different Ministries would be required to provide built up covered space with electric power & water connections, any other forward/backward linkages and required manpower resources for both the centres to be created within the existing incubators and also for the new incubators.One-time grant of 50% of cost of Plant & Machinery other than the land and infrastructure or an amount up to INR 30 lakh whichever is less to be provided for the existing incubators to set up incubators in agro based industries, whereas, in case of new incubation centres to be set up, one-time grant of 50% of cost of Plant & Machinery other than the land and infrastructure or INR 100.00 lakh, whichever is less to be provided. The Accelerator workshop programme would also facilitate the process of entrepreneur creation and scaling up the existing talent pool. The total allocated budget under this head would be INR 61.50 Crore setting up 30 TBIs.

The last important component is to create a framework for Start-up Promotion through Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) by using innovative means of finance like Equity, Quasi-Equity, Angel fund, Venture capital fund, Impact funds, Challenge funds etc. to enable ideas/innovation with creativity and scalability to come to the fore and convert these into commercial enterprises with specific outcomes and within a specific time period. A fund of Funds will be created under SIDBI for the purpose and INR 60 Cr earmarked for the same.

National Skill Qualification Framework(Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship)

National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) is implemented through the National Skills Qualifications Committee (NSQC), which comprises of representatives from key central Ministries concerned with skill development, State representatives from three State Skill Development Missions (nominated by rotation every year), and sectoral representatives, depending on the sector in question – including the concerned administrative Ministry, regulatory bodies, training providers, Sector Skill Councils.

Millions of people in India acquire skills through non-formal channels. Without any formal certification of their skills, these people are constrained to market their skills in the limited geographies and communities that know of them by word of mouth. NSQF allows all such skills to be tested and certified. This process, known as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) will enable the millions of experientially skilled to be able to derive proposer economic and social benefits of their skills.

The Minister said, the National Skill Development Agency has launched pilots on Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) in four sectors- Agriculture, Domestic Work, Healthcare and Gems and Jewellery. A separate pilot for the construction sector by the DGET has been initiated as well.

New Tourism Policy 2015 to be launched (Ministry of Tourism)

A new work culture will be implemented in which a task will be identified and a person assigned for the task. The timeline will also be fixed and the implementation will be closely monitored. The idea of National Tourism Board which is proposed as a part of the new Tourism Policy to speed up and promote tourism in the country.

The stakeholders related to hotel industry and transport business demanded tax incentives from the government specially in the off season. They also emphasized upon the need to have a data base research and training for skill development in order to boost tourism.

New policy will contain a definite action plan with a clear-cut road map and timelines. On the issue of E-Ticketing Dr. Lalit Panwar, said that E-Ticketing was started on a pilot basis for Taj Mahal and Humayun Tomb and Government is in the process of E-Ticketing for top 25 monuments of India.

The stake holders welcomed the move by Ministry of Tourism to make the new National Tourism Policy, 2015 to be based on fixed timeframes. They said that the ‘S’s used in previous policy i.e., Swagat (welcome), Soochna (Information), Suvidha (Facilitation), Suraksha (Security), Sahyog (Cooperation), Samrachana (Infrastructure Development) and Safai (Cleanliness) are relevant even today.

Speakers suggested that different mobile applications for various sectors of tourism can be launched in order to disseminate information to the interested tourists. The setting up of ‘Digital Museum’ was also proposed in order to promote the rich and unique local cultures and their heritage. Demand for establishing a ‘Hospitality University’ was also raised.

Various other issues like soft adventures tourism, wildlife tourism, desert tourism and nature tourism were also discussed. The stakeholders also said that Yoga, Ayurveda and hospitality should be given due importance in the upcoming new tourism policy.

Scheme for Promotion of Tribal Culture and Art (Ministry of Tribal Affairs)

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs implements a Central Sector Scheme of ‘Grant-in-aid to Tribal Research Institutes’ under which financial assistance is extended to States/UT for Tribal Research Institutes set up by them for various activities which inter-alia include (i) Documentation of intangible heritage/ arts and crafts of the tribal communities,(ii) Developing database for STs and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups(PVTGs)including collection of documentation , translation and publication on the tribal heritage, festivals, oral and visual folklore, arts, local games, sports, songs, literature etc,(iii) development and printing of primers in tribal languages and local official language, publication of books/dictionaries of tribal languages and translating policy provisions in major tribal languages for dissemination of the same amongst tribal etc and (iv) Organization of tribal festival and exchange of visits by tribals

Special provision for welfare of youth in Himalayan and NE States (Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports)

the Village Panchayats/Gaon Sabhas as well as rural Youth and Sports clubs will be mobilized to facilitate development of the requisite infrastructure and for the identification of talent through an appropriate competition structure in the rural areas as also in the disadvantaged and remote parts of the country which appear to merit special consideration under various schemes including for the North East. Efforts will also be made for tapping such potential as swimming in coastal areas and Archery in tribal areas. Indigenous games will be promoted through schemes related to rural sports.

implementing the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan (RGKA) which provides for construction of a sports complex (comprising outdoor playfield and indoor sports hall) at each block of the country, both for outdoor and indoor sports disciplines, on land measuring about six - seven acres at a cost of Rs. 80 lakh each (Total Rs. 1.60 crore) and conducting annual sports competitions, including a special competition called the North East Games exclusively for the North East States.

Unique sports traditions have developed in the Himalayan region in the countries and the states that are a part of it. To promote these, the Government proposes to hold an annual event to promote these games in which countries such as Nepal and Bhutan will also be invited to participate in addition to the Indian states such as J&K, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim and the North Eastern States.

Remember “An old man once expressed his good will for your success” says President to artists, writers and innovators at the end of their in-residence programme in Rashtrapati Bhavan

The innovators, writers and artists who were the part of two week long In-Residence Programme are:

Shri Vikram Sampath –Writer from Karnataka

Dr. Gayatribala Panda –Writer from Orissa

Shri Rajesh Kargutkar –Artist from Maharashtra

Shri Haobam Sanaton Singh –Painter from Manipur

Ms. Priyanka Mathikshara (15 years) – Innovator from Tamil Nadu who invented Super Stocker 3C a Ultra Model Dustbin

Master Diptanshu Malviya – Innovator from Rajasthan who invented Wrapper Picker

Shri Mansukh Jagani – Innovator from Gujarat who invented Bullet Santi a Multipurpose Agriculture Machine

Shri Rai Singh Dahiya – Innovator from Rajasthan who invented Biomass Gasifier System

Shri Kamruddin Saifi – Innovator from Uttar Pradesh who invented Chaff cutter with clutch and brake system

Shri T.S. Anand – Innovator from Tamil Nadu who invented Prosthetic knee for uneven terrain

Shri Shantanu Pathak – Innovator from Maharashtra who invented Care Mother a Mobile Pregnancy Care Kit

Shri Vikas Karade – Innovator from Maharashtra who invented 3D model generation from 2D X-Ray images

Shri Mohanlal – Innovator from Kerala who invented a reversible Reduction Gear for Marine Diesel Engine and Z-drive propeller

Master Sarthak Shukla (14 years)– Innovator from Uttar Pradesh who invented a cylindrical shaped refrigerator with rotatory tray

The ‘In-Residence’ Programme for writers and artists and innovators was launched by the President of India on December 11, 2013 with a view to encouraging senior as well as young and upcoming talent by facilitating them stay close to nature in the picturesque and serene surroundings of Rashtrapati Bhavan.

India’s BVR Air-to-Air Missile ‘ASTRA’ (MoD)

The missile has been indigenously designed and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). In today’s test flight an ASTRA missile carrying telemetry equipment in place of the warhead was fired from a Sukhoi-30 aircraft against a Lakshya (Pilotless Target Aircraft) target. The target was successfully engaged and it was captured by Telemetry and Electro-optical tracking stations.

Seismicity & Earthquake Precursor’ Programme Initiated to Understand the Earthquake Generation Process (Ministry of Earth Science)

The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) has also initiated a major project on drilling a deep bore hole in the seismically active Koyna-Warna region in Maharashtra, to study in detail the ongoing earthquake generation processes in the region. The proposed scientific deep drilling investigations in the seismically active Koyna region will provide a unique opportunity and the much desired data sets to better understand the mechanisms of faulting, physics of reservoir triggered earthquakes and also contribute towards earthquake hazard assessment and develop models for earthquake forecast in future.

Government has taken several initiatives/ measures towards safety of people living in earthquake –prone zones. These include:

Guidelines have 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. These guidelines are in wide circulation amongst the public and the administrative authorities responsible for the design and construction of earthquake resistant structures in earthquake prone areas.

Loss of life and damage to property caused by earthquakes may be considerably reduced through proper planning and implementation of pre- and post- disaster preparedness and management strategies by respective State and Central Government agencies in a coordinated manner. As part of pre-disaster preparedness measure, Government of India has completed seismic microzonation studies of some of the major cities in the country such as, Jabalpur, Guwahati, Bangalore, Sikkim, Ahmedabad, Gandhidham-Kandla, Kolkata and Delhi.

Ministry of Earth sciences is also taking up microzonation of other megacities in a phased manner. These seismic microzonation maps are useful in land use planning and 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.

National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) under Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), other state Disaster Management Authorities, have also taken up various initiatives to educate and bring awareness amongst general public and school children on the general aspects of earthquakes, their impacts and measures to mitigate losses caused by them. A National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is also functional under the general superintendence, direction and control of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) for the purpose of specialized response to natural and man-made disasters.

Timely dissemination of information pertaining to occurrence of earthquakes to various concerned state and central government authorities helps in planning and implementing various post-disaster mitigation and management related issues. National Centre for Seismology (NCS)/ Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) is operating national seismological network to detect and locate earthquakes in the country and disseminate the information to all the concerned in least possible time.

Union Home Minister inaugurates International Counter-Terrorism Conference (MoHA)

The Union Home Minister said that the influence of Islamic State on the Indian youth is negligible as just a handful of Indian youth have joined the ISIS and some have also returned after being persuaded by their families. The Union Home Minister further said that the failure of ISIS to attract Indian Muslims is due to the complete integration of Indian Muslims into the national mainstream. Indian Muslims are patriots and are not swayed by fundamentalist ideologies. Moreover, India, as a country is proud of all its diversity, he added.

Shri Rajnath Singh said that we also need to be concerned over the increasing possibility and opportunity to use available technology & cyberspace in a destructive manner. The menace of terrorism is greatly amplified in today’s digital world, he added. Shri Rajnath Singh said that today a ‘lone wolf’ or a ‘DIY (Do It Yourself) Terrorist’ can go online and learn how to carry out an attack without ever leaving home. Shri Rajnath Singh said that India has been a victim of cross-border terrorism for the last several decades and terrorism knows no boundaries and doesn`t respect nations` sovereignties. They have become transnational in character and therefore International Cooperation is needed to build popular opinion and pressurise the countries that use terrorists as their strategic assets

Steps taken to protect SMEs (MoMSME)

The major schemes include Credit Guarantee Scheme, Credit Linked Capital Subsidy Scheme, Cluster Development Programme, National Manufacturing Competitiveness Programme, Marketing Assistance Scheme and Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme

Zero Effect, Zero Defect Model (MoMSME)

The benefit of local manufacturing in the MSME sector across the country. These Schemes include National Manufacturing Competitiveness Programme, Support for Entrepreneurial and Managerial Development of SMEs through Incubators, Cluster Development Programme, Credit Guarantee Scheme, Credit Linked Capital Subsidy Scheme and Marketing Assistance Scheme. These Schemes are aimed towards upgradation of technology, creation of infrastructure, making available collateral free credit, provision of capital subsidy and provision of marketing assistance which in turn lead to creation of high quality local manufacturing. Especially, the National Manufacturing Competitiveness Programme (NMCP) Scheme highlights the needs for enhancing the competitiveness of Indian manufacturing sector by reducing the manufacturing costs through better space utilization, scientific inventory management, improved process flows, reduced engineering time etc.

To achieve the targets of the recent "Zero Effect, Zero Defect Models", the Ministry has not only aligned its schemes like Lean Manufacturing Competitiveness Scheme, Quality Management Standards (QMS) and Quality Technology Tools (QTT), Technology and Quality Upgradation (TEQUP) Schemes in particular but also with Quality Council of India (QCI) has worked out a ‘ZED Certification’ model encompassing an array of quality parameters in manufacturing.

The Ministry of MSME is providing skill development training in rural and urban areas in the widest range of skill sets, from those required for the khadi and village industries to the skill sets required by the globally competitive industries such as auto-components, electronic items, pharma products etc. Efforts are now being directed for a more co-ordinated approach in the areas of skill development i.e. accredition of institutions, certification, curriculum development, industry linkage, training of trainers, trend spotting etc through various training outfits of the Ministry, such as National Level Training Institutions, Tool Rooms and Technology Development Institutions.

Comprehensive women entrepreneur development programme (MoMSME)

The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises has been implementing Trade Related Entrepreneurship Assistance and Development (TREAD) Scheme for Women. The scheme envisages economic empowerment exclusively of women through trade related training, information and counseling extension activities related to trades, products, services etc. Under the Scheme financial loans are provided by Nationalized Banks and grants by Government of India at the rate of 30% of the loan subject to maximum limit of Rs.30.00 lakh through NGOs for capacity building and for undertaking self-employment ventures by women in non-farm activities. Ministry of MSME also conducts Skill Development Training Programmes for women to upgrade their skills for self & wage employment and generate income. Under Mahila Coir Yojana , financial assistance is provided for motorized ratts for spinning coir yarn to women artisans after giving training. Under the Micro & Small Enterprises - Cluster Development Scheme (MSE-CDP) , there is special dispensation for women entrepreneurs in Soft and Hard Intervention ranging from additional 15% to 20% of Government of India grant.

Change in Training System Due to Terrorism and Naxalism (MoPersonnel)

The changes carried out in the training system imparted by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVP NPA), Hyderabad to Indian Police Service Officers Trainees are as follows:

(i) Introduction of a new subject “Internal Security” since 2011.

(ii) Revision and updation of the subject of “Field Craft and tactics”, and increasing its marks from 50 to 200 since 2011 thus emphasizing the importance of application of knowledge and skills to counter and threat of terrorism/naxalism.

(iii) Establishment of Special Tactics Wing in the Academy since 2009 which imparts specialized practical training to the Officer Trainees to prepare them for the challenges related to countering terrorism/naxalism;

(iv) Fine-tuning of the syllabus at micro level on annual basis as per the challenges arising in the field.

Energy Efficient Norms For Power Plants (MoPower)

The Government has identified 144 thermal power plants/stations for improving energy efficiency and thereby reducing fuel consumption under Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) Scheme of the Ministry of Power (MoP) being implemented by Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE). The Minister further stated that the steps taken/being taken by the Union Government to improve Demand Supply Management are as follows:-

1. Advanced planning of generation projects for 12th Five Year Plan in detail and perspective planning for 13th Plan.

2. Rigorous monitoring of under execution projects – All the under execution projects are monitored at the highest level to resolve the bottlenecks and to ensure that the projects are commissioned on time.

The following steps are being taken to design and operate the power plants as per energy efficiency norms across the country:-

1. Renovation & Modernisation (R&M) and Life Extension (LE) of existing old thermal power stations are taken up for improving plant performance. R&M and LE works of total capacity of 18776 MW have been completed.

2. Mapping studies of 85 thermal power generating units were carried out during 2007-09 in the country under Indo-German Energy Programme (IGEN). The mapping studies were carried out by using Ebsilon Professional Software to identify gaps in operating parameters vis-à-vis design parameters pertaining to overall energy efficiency of the plant. This has enabled power utilities to take remedial measures to enhance operational efficiency of their plants.

3. Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has notified Technical Standards for Construction of Electric Plants and Electric Lines Regulations – 2010 which lay down the requisite efficiency criteria to be complied by the stations coming up in the country.

4. Old & in-efficient thermal units are being retired in a phased manner. A total capacity of about 3000 MW has already been retired till date.

5. Supercritical technology is being adopted to enhance the efficiency of coal fired power generation and reduce the specific coal consumption in production of power.

An Equity Fund to Address to Accelerate the Growth of Entrepreneurs, in the field of Biotechnology Launched (MoS&T)

The Minister of State for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences Shri Y.S. Chowdary today announced launching of–“BIRAC AcE Fund”. The Equity Fund is aimed at addressing the pressing needs of accelerating the growth of entrepreneurs, in the field of Biotechnology. Government will be a partner in Equity Funding for Start Up’s. The Minster also mentioning several budgetary provisions that are aimed at encouraging self employment and start ups said that a help-desk is proposed to be set up in his ministry for people wanting to know of these schemes.

To make biotechnology one of the drivers of the ‘Make in India’ Programme. The theme for the foundation day is “Accelerating Innovations: India the Next Biotech Global Hub”.

Government Takes Measures to improve Business at Major Ports (MoShipping)

The Government has taken following steps to improve the business at Major Ports;

I. Construction of new berths and terminals to enhance port capacity to minimise pre-berthing detention time and reduce turnaround time of vessels calling on the Ports.

II. Modernising berths with state of the art loading/unloading equipment to improve operational efficiency.

III. Deepening of channels and berths so that ports can accommodate larger vessels.

IV. Improving rail/road connectivity of Ports for speedy evacuation of cargo.

V. Implementation of Enterprise Resource Programme (ERP) for internal automation and EDI-PCS for paperless interaction with stakeholders.

VI. Installation of VTMS for monitoring vessels traffic and navigation support.

VII. Simplification of processes to reduce transaction time at Ports.

Tariff Authority for Major Ports (TAMP) regulates all tariffs in respect of Major Port Trusts and the private operators located therein. Necessary modifications in the Tariff Guidelines are made from time to time to promote the development of the Major Ports, keeping in view the interest of the various stakeholders. In order to allow the competitive market forces to play a greater role in determination of tariff at Major Ports Trusts, the Government issued two new sets of Tariff Guidelines namely Guidelines for Determination of Tariff for Projects at Major Ports, 2013 and Guidelines for Port Charges, 2015. These Guidelines impart flexibility to the PPP operators as well as Major Ports owned terminals in determining their tariff.

Details of Welfare Schemes for the Aged Persons (MoSJ&E)

Schemes/ Provisions made by the Government to improve the condition of the aged persons

(1)Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is implementing a Central Sector Scheme of Integrated programme for Older Persons (IPOP) since 1992 with the objective of improving the quality of life of senior citizens by providing basic amenities like shelter, food, medical care and entertainment opportunities and by encouraging productive and active ageing. Under this Scheme, financial assistance (up to 95% in the case of States of Jammu and Kashmir, Sikkim and North-eastern states and 90% for rest of the country) is provided to Non-Governmental/Voluntary Organisations, Panchayati Raj Institutions etc. for maintenance of Old Age Homes, Respite Care Homes and Continuous Care Homes, Multi-service centres, mobile medicare units, Day care centres for Alzheimer’s disease /Dementia patients, physiotherapy clinics for older persons etc. The Programme is mainly implemented through Non-Governmental/Voluntary Organisations.

(2)Ministry of Rural Development

Old age pension is provided under the Indira Gandhi Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) which is a component of National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP), implemented by Ministry of Rural Development. Under IGNOAPS, central assistance of Rs. 200/- per month is provided to persons in the age group of 60-79 years and Rs. 500/- per month to persons of 80 years and above and belonging to below poverty line (BPL) household as per the criteria by Government of India. State/UTs have been requested to contribute at least the same amount under the scheme.

(3) Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Keeping in view the recommendations made in the National Policy on Older Persons, 1999 as well as the State’s obligations under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens, 2007, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had launched the National Programme for Health Care of the Elderly (NPHCE) during the 11^th Plan period to address various health related problems of elderly people. The basic aim of NPHCE is to provide dedicated health care facilities to the elderly people through State Public health delivery system at primary, secondary and tertiary levels, including outreach services.

Major components of this programme, launched in 2010-11, are:

· Community based Primary Healthcare approach;

· Strengthening of health services for senior citizens at District Hospitals/ CHC/ PHC/ Sub-Centres;

· Dedicated facilities at 100 District Hospitals with 10 bedded wards for the elderly;

· Strengthening of 8 Regional Medical Institutions to provide dedicated tertiary level Medical Care for the elderly, with 30 bedded wards and Introduction of PG courses in Geriatric Medicines in the these Institutions and In-Service training of health personnel at all level.

(4)Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue

A number of incentives have been provided under the Income Tax Act, 1961, to a senior citizen (ie., an individual, resident in India, who is of the age of 60 years or more at any time during the relevant previous year). Some such incentives are enumerated below:

· A Senior Citizen is liable to Income-Tax if his total income exceeds Rs.3 lakh as against the exemption limit of Rs.2.5 lakh applicable in the case of other individuals. An individual resident in India who is of the age of 80 years or more at any time during the relevant previous year is liable to income tax if his total income exceeds Rs.5 lakh.

· Any sum deposited in an account under the Senior Citizens Savings Scheme Rules, 2004 is eligible for deduction under section 80C of the Income-Tax Act subject to a limit of Rs.1.5 lakh.

· A deduction of Rs.20,000/- (Rs.15,000/- in other cases) is allowed under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act in respect of premium paid to effect or keep in force an insurance on the health of an individual being a Senior Citizen.

· A deduction of Rs.60,000/- (Rs.40,000/- in other cases) is allowed under Section 80DDB of the Income-Tax Act on amount of expenditure actually incurred for the treatment of specified diseases in case of a Senior Citizen.

· No deduction of tax at source is required to be made under Section 193, 194, 194A, 194EE or 194K of the Income Tax Act in case of Senior Citizen if he furnishes to the deductor a declaration to the effect that the tax on his estimated total income of the relevant previous will be nil.

· Under the Service Tax law, activities relating to advancement of education programmes or skill development relating to persons over the age of 65 years residing in a rural area by an entity registered under Section 12AA of the Income Tax Act, 1961 are exempt from Service Tax.

(5) Ministry of Railways

The following facilities have been extended by Ministry of Railways from time to time to senior citizens:

· As per rules, male Senior Citizens of minimum 60 years and lady Senior Citizens of minimum 58 years are granted concession in the basic fares of all classes of Mail/Express/Rajdhani/Shatabdi/Jan Shatbdi/Duronto group of trains. The element of concession is 40% for men and 50% for women.

No proof of age is required at the time of purchasing tickets. However, they are required to carry some documentary proof as prescribed showing their age or date of birth and have to produce it if demanded by on-board ticket checking staff. Senior Citizens can book reserve tickets across the reservation counters as well as through internet.

· In the computerised Passenger Reservation System (PRS), there is a provision to allot lower berths to Senior Citizens, Female passengers of 45 years and above automatically, even if no choice is given, subject to availability of accommodation at the time of booking.

· In all trains having reserved accommodation, a combined quota of two lower births per coach has been earmarked in sleeper, A/C 3 tier and A/C 2 tier classes for the Senior Citizens, Female passengers aged 45 years above and pregnant women when travelling alone.

· Accommodation is also earmarked for Senior Citizens during specified hours on suburban sections by Central and Western Railways.

· Instructions exist for provisions of wheel chairs at stations. This facility is provided, duly escorted by coolies on payment as per present practice. Moreover, Zonal Railways have also been advised to provide free of cost ‘Battery Operated Vehicles for Disabled and Old Aged passengers’ at Railway Stations.

· After departure of the train, if there are vacant lower berths available in the train and if any physically handicapped person booked on the authority of handicapped concession or a senior citizen, who has been allotted upper/middle berth, approaches for allotment of vacant lower berths, the on-board Ticket Checking Staff has been authorised to allot the vacant lower berth to them making necessary entries in the chart.

· Separate counters are earmarked at various Passengers Reservation System (PRS) centres for dealing with the reservation requisitions received from physically handicapped persons, senior citizens, ex-MPS, MLAs accredited journalists and freedom fighters, if the average demand per shift not less than 120 tickets. In case there is no justification for earmarking of an exclusive counter for any of these categories of persons including handicapped persons or senior citizens, one or two counters depending upon the total demand are earmarked for dealing with the reservation requests for all these categories of persons.

(6) Ministry of Civil Aviation:

In order to facilitate the passengers, particularly senior citizens, expectant mothers, passengers with disability, first time travellers etc. all the stakeholders have been instructed to ensure that the following requirements are complied:

· Airline /airport operator shall ensure provision of automated buggies free of charge for all senior citizens, in the terminal building to facilitate their access to boarding gates located beyond reasonable walking distance at all airports having annual aircraft movements of 50,000 or more. This facility may be extended to other needy passengers on demand basis free of charge.

· Airport operators shall provide small trolleys after security check for carriage of hand baggage (permitted as per regulation) up to the boarding gate.

· Airport operator shall adequately display information regarding availability of automated buggies and small trolleys in the terminal building at prominent locations including dos and don’ts regarding the same. This shall also be published on the website of the airport operator.

· Further, Air India offers 50% discount to senior citizens on the highest economy class Basic Fare. The discount is offered to those who have completed 63 years of age on the date of commencement of journey.

· Senior citizens can also avail multi-level fares offered by Air India on each sector for travel on domestic sectors, starting from a low level advance purchase fares which facilitate early selling to the highest one.

Schemes for development of Women & Children (MoW&C)

The Ministry of Women and Child Development is running mainly three major schemes for the development of women and children in the country i.e., Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme, ‘Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls (RGSEAG)–‘Sabla’, Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana (IGMSY).

The Ministry of Women and Child Development is administering ICDS which is a centrally sponsored scheme and is being implemented for holistic development of children below 6 years of age and pregnant women & lactating mothers, by providing a package of six services comprising (i) Supplementary nutrition (ii) Pre-school non-formal education (iii) Nutrition and health Education (iv) Immunization (v) Health check-up and (vi) Referral services through Anganwadi Centres at grassroots level.

The Sabla, is a Centrally-sponsored scheme which was introduced in the year 2010-11 on a pilot basis. It is being implemented presently in 205 districts from all the States/UTs. Sabla aims at all-round development of adolescent girls of 11-18 years by making them ‘self-reliant’. The scheme has two major components: Nutrition and Non Nutrition Component. While the nutrition component aims at improving the health & nutrition status of the adolescent girls the non-nutrition component addresses the developmental needs.

The Ministry of Women & Child Development is also implementing Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana (IGMSY), a Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT), 100% centrally sponsored scheme for pregnant and lactating (P & L) women in 53 selected districts across the country on pilot basis to improve their health & nutrition status by providing cash incentives upon fulfilment of certain health and nutrition conditions. The scheme addresses short term income support objective with long term objective of behavioral and attitudinal changes. It also attempts to partly compensate for wage loss to P&L women both prior to and after delivery of the child.

Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana

This will be the flagship scheme for skill training of youth to be implemented by the new Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship through the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). Skill training would be done based on the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) and industry led standards. Under the scheme, a monetary reward is given to trainees on assessment and certification by third party assessment bodies.

Awareness building and mobilization efforts would be focused for attention, for which Rs.67 crore has been provided. Mobilization would be done through skill melas organized at the local level with participation of the State Governments, Municipal Bodies, Pachayati Rai Institutions and community based organizations. The focus under the scheme is also on mentorship support and placement facilitation for which an outlay of Rs.67 crore has been provided. An allocation of Rs.150 crores has been made for training of youth from the North-East region.

Highlights of skill training would be that it would be done on the basis of demand assessed on the basis of recent skill gap studies conducted by the NSDC for the period 2013-17. For assessment of demand of Central Ministries/Departments/State Governments, industry and business would be consulted. A demand aggregator platform would be launched for the purpose very soon. The target for skilling would be aligned to demand from other flagship programmes launched in recent times such as Make in India, Digital India, National Solar Mission and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. Skill training under the new scheme will primarily be focused on a first time entrants to the labour market and primarily target Class 10 and Class 12 drop outs.
The scheme would be implemented through NSDC training partners. Currently NSDC has 187 training partners that have over 2300 centres. In addition, Central / State Government affiliated training providers would also be used for training under the scheme. All training providers will have to undergo a due diligence before being eligible for participating under this scheme. Focus under the PMKVY would be on improved curricula, better pedagogy and better trained instructors. Training would include soft skills, personal grooming, behavioral change for cleanliness, good work ethics. Sector Skill Councils and the State Governments would closely monitor skill training that will happen under PMKVY.

Skill Development Management System (SDMS) would be put in place to verify and record details of all training centres a certain quality of training locations and courses. Biometric system and video recording of the training process would be put in place where feasible. All persons undergoing training would be required to give feed back at the time of assessment and this would become the key element of the evaluation framework to assess the effectiveness of the PMKVY scheme. A robust grievance redressal system would be put in place to address grievances relating to implementation of the scheme. An online citizen portal would be put in place to disseminate information about the scheme.

Availability of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants/Herbs (MoAYUSH)

Certain medicinal plants are threatened and endangered causing their short supply, due to which the industry perceives difficulties in the procurement of medicinal plant materials like Guggul (Commiphora wightii), Katuki (Picrorrhiza Kurroa) , Kuth (Saussurea lappa), Jatamansi (Nardostachys Jatamansi) etc.

National Medicinal Plants Board under the Ministry of AYUSH for overall development of the medicinal plants sector including conservation, cultivation, processing and storage of medicinal and aromatic plants for promoting the availability of herbal raw materials. The National Medicinal Plants Board has implemented a Central Sector Scheme for supporting conservation, development and sustainable management of medicinal plants and a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National Mission on Medicinal Plants, which is now merged in the National AYUSH Mission notified on 29th September 2014. Through such schemes, grant-in-aid is provided to support for survey, inventorization, in-situ conservation and ex-situ conservation of medicinal plants, development of herbal gardens, linkage with Joint Forest Management Committees, research and development etc. Through National Mission on Medicinal Plants, Government has supported cultivation of medicinal plants with backward linkages for establishment of nurseries for supply of planting material etc. There is also provision for forward linkages for post-harvest management, marketing infrastructure, certification etc.
Major initiatives taken by the Government for improving the manufacturing of quality medicines and their trade and export include the following-

i. Publication of Ayurvedic, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathic (ASU&H) Pharmacopeias containing quality standards of 600 single drugs & 152 compound formulations of Ayurveda, 139 single drugs of Siddha, 298 single drugs and 100 compound formulations of Unani and 1016 Homoeopathic drugs respectively.

ii. Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) have been notified, which are legally mandatory for licensing of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homeopathic drugs.

iii. Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy has been established to address quality concerns and accelerate the work of development of quality standards of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathic medicines.

iv. WHO Certification System and voluntary certification of quality of Ayurvedic, Siddha and Unani medicines have been implemented by the Central Drug Standards Control Organization and Quality Council of India respectively.

v. Shelf life or date of expiry of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani AND Homoeopathic medicines has been notified under Drugs and Cosmetics Rules.

vi. 27 State Drug Testing Laboratories and 46 State Pharmacies have been provided financial assistance for strengthening of infrastructure and functional capacity and a component of Drugs Quality Control is provided in the National AYUSH Mission to support the state initiatives.

vii. 39 Drug Testing Laboratories are approved for testing of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathic drugs under the provisions of Drugs & Cosmetics Rules 1945.

viii. Provisions have been made in the International Cooperation scheme to support the manufacturers for promoting export by registration of AYUSH products in the foreign markets, development of drug dossiers and participation in international fairs & exhibitions.

Schemes for Poor Fishermen (MoAg)

The Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries implements a Central Sector Scheme on National Scheme of Welfare of Fishermen for both inland and marine sector. The scheme has four components namely (i) Development of Model Fishermen village, (ii) Group Accident Personal Insurance, (iii) Saving- cum-Relief and (iv) Training and Extension. The component on Saving-cum-Relief is implemented for benefit of fishermen who are engaged in active fishing, member of cooperative society/federation/welfare society, lives below poverty line, does not own mechanized fishing boat/beach landing craft and below 60 years of age.

The other schemes implemented by the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries to provide financial help and sustainable livelihood are as below;

(i) Centrally Sponsored Scheme on Development of Marine Fisheries, Infrastructure and Post Harvest Operations.

(ii) Centrally Sponsored Scheme on Development of Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture.

(iii) Central Sector Scheme on National Fisheries Development Board

Loss of Soil Nutrients Due to Excess use of Urea (MoAgriculture)

Government is recommending soil test based balanced and integrated nutrient management through conjuctive use of both inorganic and organic sources of plant nutrient to sustain soil health and its productivity. ‘Soil Health Card’ scheme is introduced to assist State Governments to issue soil health cards to all farmers in the country. Soil health card will provide information to farmers on nutrients status of their soil along with recommendation on appropriate dosage of nutrients to be applied for improving soil health and its fertility.

Under National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture there is a provision of financial assistance in Capital Investment Subsidy Scheme through NABARD for establishment of Bio Fertilizer/ Bio pesticides production units (200 TPA).

National Policy for Farmers (MoAgricutlure)

Government has already implemented the National Policy for Farmers (NPF), 2007, which aims to improve economic viability of farming and increase net income of farmers. Policy provisions in NPF-2007 include, inter-alia, asset reforms in respect of land, water, livestock, fisheries and bio-resources; supply of good quality seeds and disease-free planting material, issue of soil health passbooks to the farmers and integrated pest management system; region and crop specific implements and machinery; support services for women; timely, adequate and easy reach of institutional credit at reasonable interest rates and farmer-friendly insurance instruments; support services and inputs like application of frontier technologies; agricultural bio-security system; use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and setting up of farm schools to revitalize agricultural extension; coverage of farmers under a comprehensive national social security scheme; effective implementation of Minimum Support Price (MSP) across the country and establishing community foodgrain banks; development of agricultural market infrastructure and terminal markets for agriculture; curriculum reforms in agricultural universities; special categories of farming like organic farming and contract farming; rural non-farm employment initiative for farm households; and integrated approach for rural energy, etc

Government will soon come up with 10 pharma clusters (MoChemical & Fertilizer)

That these clusters will provide common facilities to the pharmaceutical industry, and help them hive off upto 25% of the cost, making them globally competitive. He said that the Government wants to ensure that four pillars of the industry - Quality, Affordability, Availability and Stability are in position. He said that the Government wants to provide health security for the poor people of the country, and this requires innovative strategies, like supply of generic medicines, building domestic capacity in bulk drugs, and making pharma sector competitive. Shri Ananth Kumar said that unified policy, regulation and administration mechanism is required for the pharmaceutical industry, and he has recommended to the Prime Minister to set up a separate department for the same. He said that on the issue of Bulk drugs production in the country, Katoch committee report has been received in the Ministry, and an action plan is being prepared for its implementation. Once its recommendations are put in place, it will make Indian industry viable and competitive.

These groups include the following:

1) Single window clearance mechanism

2) Inducing manufacturing clusters

3) Unified policy mechanism

4) Capacity building across functions

5) Developing a national innovation strategy

6) Creating innovation fund targeted towards specific therapy areas

7) Streamlining IP operations

8) Evidence-based price controls

9) Greater industry academia collaboration

10) Streamlining clinical trials

11) Ensuring quality compliance.

Parliament Passes the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Bill, 2015 (MoCoal)

The objecives and salient features of the Coal Mines( Special Provisions) Bill,2015 are as follows :

Objectives of the Bill :

• To provide for allocation of coal mines and vesting of the right, title and interest in and over the land and mine infrastructure to successful bidders and allottees with a view to ensure continuity in coal mining operations and production of coal.

• To take immediate action to auction or allot coal mines to minimise impact on core sectors such as steel, cement and power, which are vital for the development of the nation.

• To amend the Coal Mines (Nationalization) Act, 1973 and the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 thereby removing the restriction of end use from the eligibility to undertake coal mining except in the case of certain specified coal blocks.

Salient features of the Bill :

• 204 cancelled blocks have been defined as ‘Schedule-I coal mines’.

• 42 producing and ready to produce coal mine out of Schedule-I coal mines are defined as ‘Schedule-II coal mines’.

• Other 32 substantially developed coal blocks out of Schedule-I coal mines are defined as ‘Schedule-III coal mines’ meant for specified end-use(more mines can be added to Schedule-III).

• The Central Government has the power to classify mines identified from Schedule I coal mines as earmarked for a class of specified end-uses.

• Allocation shall be made through auction to a company or their JV.

• In case of Government Company or their JV, allotment may be made without auction.

• There shall be no end use restrictions on the eligibility to participate in the auction, other than for Schedule II & III coal mines.

• ‘Nominated Authority’ shall be appointed for conduct of auction/ allotment and vesting and transfer of all interests, rights and titles of these coal mines in the successful bidder or allottee. Nominated Authority to be assisted by experts and other officers.

• The proceeds of auction shall be received by the Nominated Authority and disbursed to respective States.

• Compensation only for land and immovable mining infrastructure shall be paid to the prior allottee after paying secured creditors.

• The quantum of compensation for the mine infrastructure in relation to Schedule I coal mines is determined as per the written down valuereflected in the statutorily audited balance sheet of the previous financial year.

• The quantum of compensation for the land in relation to Schedule I coal mines shall be as per the registered sale deeds together with twelve per cent. simple interest from the date of such purchase or acquisition, till the date of the execution of the vesting order or the allotment order, as the case may be.

• ‘Commissioner of Payments’ shall be appointed for disbursal of compensation.

• The Central Government may appoint Custodian(s) for operation and management of the coal mines till they are allocated through auction or allotment.

• Tribunal constituted under the Coal Bearing Areas (Acquisition and Development), Act, 1957 will adjudicate any dispute arising out of any action of the Central Government/ nominated authority or any dispute between the successful bidder or allottee and prior allottee arising out of any issue connected with the Act.

Growth in Manufacturing Sector (MoCommerce & Industry)

The Government is continuously taking measures including inter alia administrative and regulatory measures to accelerate the growth of manufacturing sector in the country. For the creation of conducive business environment, the Government is constantly simplifying and rationalizing the processes and procedures for boosting investor sentiment, simplifying the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy and correcting the inverted duty structure. Some of the recent initiatives towards this end include pruning the list of industries that can be considered as defence industries requiring industrial license, permissible extensions in the validity of industrial license up to seven years, treating partial commencement of production as commencement of production of all the items included in the license etc. The recent amendments in FDI policy include allowing FDI in Defence up to 49% and FDI in Railway infrastructure up to 100%, easing the norms for FDI in construction and exempting FDI in medical devices from sectoral restrictions of pharmaceuticals and raising permissible FDI in insurance from 26% to 49%.

Further, inter alia, the Government has launched the e-biz Mission Mode Project under the National e-Governance Plan, and 14 Central Services spanning a number of Ministries and Departments are now integrated in the e-Biz portal. Besides, the Government is implementing the Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) project. In addition, the Government has conceptualized Amritsar Kolkata Industrial Corridor, Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor, Bengaluru Mumbai Economic Corridor and the Vizag-Chennai Industrial Corridor (as the first phase of an East Coast Economic Corridor), and setting up a National Industrial Corridor Development Authority for coordinating and overseeing progress of the various industrial corridors.

The Government has launched a “Make in India” programme under which 25 thrust sectors have been identified. Information on these 25 thrust sectors has been put up on ‘Make in India’s web portal (http://www.makeinindia.com) along with details of FDI Policy, National Manufacturing Policy, Intellectual Property Rights and the envisaged National Industrial Corridors including the Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC). An Investor Facilitation Cell in `Invest India` has been created to assist, guide and handhold investors during the various phases of business life cycle under the Make in India initiative with provision of back end support up to the State level.

The Government has set up a separate Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship for providing the necessary thrust for skill development. There are over 20 Central Ministries/Departments involved in implementation of more than 70 schemes for various skill development/entrepreneurship programmes, and a number of these schemes are implemented through Public Private Partnership providing training and other infrastructural facilities. The recent amendments to the Apprenticeship Act 1961 also facilitate the private industry’s ability to take on apprentices.

Ministry of Textiles has taken steps to address the plight of the jute industry. Some of the important measures undertaken include compulsory packaging of certain essential commodities under the Jute Packaging Material (Compulsory use in packaging commodities) Act 1987, and the Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme for modernization/technology upgradation of textile industry which includes jute industry. Besides, the National Jute Board (NJB) runs various schemes for the promotion and development of various linkages of the Jute Value Chain.

Government to set up (MUDRA) Bank (Mo Finance)

The Union Finance Minister in the Union Budget 2015-16 has announced to set up MUDRA Bank through a statutory enactment. A sum of Rs. 20,000 crore would be allocated to the MUDRA Bank from the money available from shortfalls of Priority Sector Lending for creating a Refinance Fund to provide refinance to the Last Mile Financers. Another Rs. 3,000 crore would be provided to the MUDRA Bank from the budget to create a Credit Guarantee corpus for guaranteeing loans being provided to the micro enterprises.

MUDRA Bank will operate through regional level financing institutions who in turn will connect with last mile lenders such as MFIs, Small Banks, Primary Credit Cooperative Societies, Self Help Groups (SHGs), NBFC (other than MFI) and other lending institutions.

MUDRA Bank will refinance Micro-Finance Institutions through a Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY). In lending, priority will be given to SC/ST enterprises. These measures will greatly increase the confidence of young, educated or skilled workers who would not be able to aspire to become first generation entrepreneurs; existing small businesses, too will be able to expand their activities.

Since the MUDRA Bank will be set up through an enactment of law and it will take some time. To begin with, the same is being operationalised as a subsidiary of Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI).

Highlights of the Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets (Imposition of Tax) Bill, 2015

The salient features of the Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets (Imposition of Tax) Bill, 2015 are as under:-

Scope – The Act will apply to all persons resident in India. Provisions of the Act will apply to both undisclosed foreign income and assets (including financial interest in any entity).

Rate of tax – Undisclosed foreign income or assets shall be taxed at the flat rate of 30 percent. No exemption or deduction or set off of any carried forward losses which may be admissible under the existing Income-tax Act, 1961, shall be allowed.

Penalties – Violation of the provisions of the proposed new legislation will entail stringent penalties.

The penalty for non-disclosure of income or an asset located outside India will be equal to three times the amount of tax payable thereon, i.e., 90 percent of the undisclosed income or the value of the undisclosed asset. This is in addition to tax payable at 30%.

Failure to furnish return in respect of foreign income or assets shall attract a penalty of Rs.10 lakh. The same amount of penalty is prescribed for cases where although the assessee has filed a return of income, but he has not disclosed the foreign income and asset or has furnished inaccurate particulars of the same.

Prosecutions – The Bill proposes enhanced punishment for various types of violations.

The punishment for willful attempt to evade tax in relation to a foreign income or an asset located outside India will be rigorous imprisonment from three years to ten years. In addition, it will also entail a fine.

Failure to furnish a return in respect of foreign assets and bank accounts or income will be punishable with rigorous imprisonment for a term of six months to seven years. The same term of punishment is prescribed for cases where although the assessee has filed a return of income, but has not disclosed the foreign asset or has furnished inaccurate particulars of the same.

The above provisions will also apply to beneficial owners or beneficiaries of such illegal foreign assets.

Abetment or inducement of another person to make a false return or a false account or statement or declaration under the Act will be punishable with rigorous imprisonment from six months to seven years. This provision will also apply to banks and financial institutions aiding in concealment of foreign income or assets of resident Indians or falsification of documents.

Safeguards – The principles of natural justice and due process of law have been embedded in the Act by laying down the requirement of mandatory issue of notices to the person against whom proceedings are being initiated, grant of opportunity of being heard, necessity of taking the evidence produced by him into account, recording of reasons, passing of orders in writing, limitation of time for various actions of the tax authority, etc. Further, the right of appeal has been protected by providing for appeals to the Income-tax Appellate Tribunal, and to the jurisdictional High Court and the Supreme Court on substantial questions of law.

To protect persons holding foreign accounts with minor balances which may not have been reported out of oversight or ignorance, it has been provided that failure to report bank accounts with a maximum balance of upto Rs.5 lakh at any time during the year will not entail penalty or prosecution.

Other safeguards and internal control mechanisms will be prescribed in the Rules.

One time compliance opportunity – The Bill also provides a one time compliance opportunity for a limited period to persons who have any undisclosed foreign assets which have hitherto not been disclosed for the purposes of Income-tax. Such persons may file a declaration before the specified tax authority within a specified period, followed by payment of tax at the rate of 30 percent and an equal amount by way of penalty. Such persons will not be prosecuted under the stringent provisions of the new Act. It is to be noted that this is not an amnesty scheme as no immunity from penalty is being offered. It is merely an opportunity for persons to come clean and become compliant before the stringent provisions of the new Act come into force.

Amendment of PMLA – The Bill also proposes to amend Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 to include offence of tax evasion under the proposed legislation as a scheduled offence under PMLA.

Thus, in keeping with the commitment of the government for focussed action on black money front, an unprecedented and multi-pronged attack has been launched to root out the menace of black money. The Government is confident that this new law will act as a strong deterrent and curb the menace of black money stashed abroad by Indians.

Scheme for Incentive to Parents of Girl Child (MoHealth & Family)

Scheme: Prerna Strategy:

In order to help push up the age of marriage of girls and space the birth of children in the interest of health of young mothers and infants, Jansankhya Sthirata Kosh (National Population Stabilization Fund) - an autonomous body of the MoHFW, Govt. of India has launched PRERNA, a Responsible Parenthood Strategy in all districts of seven focus states namely Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Rajasthan.

The strategy recognizes and awards couples who have broken the stereotype of early marriage, early childbirth and repeated child birth and have helped change the mindsets of the community.

In order to become eligible for award under the scheme, the girl should have been married after 19 years of age and given birth to the first child after at least 2 years of marriage. The couple will get an award of Rs.10, 000/- if it is a Boy child or Rs.12, 000/- if it is a Girl child. If birth of the second child takes place after at least 3 years of the birth of first child and either parent voluntarily accept permanent method of family planning within one year of the birth of the second child, the couple will get an additional award of Rs.5,000/- (Boy child) / Rs.7,000/- (Girl child). The amount of award is given in the form of National Saving Certificate (NSC). The scheme is meant only for BPL families.

Important Conditions:

1. Couple must belong to BPL family

2. Age of lady should not exceed 30 years

3. The girl should have been married after 19 years

4. First child birth after at least 2 years of marriage

5. Second child birth after at least 3 years of the first child birth

6. Either parent voluntarily accepts permanent method of family planning within one year of the second child birth

If above four (S.N. 1-4) conditions are fulfilled then payment of award:

· Rs. 10,000/- if boy child

· Rs. 12,000/- if girl child

If all above six (S.N.1-6) conditions are fulfilled then payment of award:

· Rs. 15,000/- if both are boys

· Rs. 17,000/- if one boy & one girl child

· Rs. 19,000/- if both are girls

Certificates Required:

1. BPL certificate of the couple

2. Date of birth certificate of Mother (Schools/Board/Registrar of birth/death)

3. Marriage Certificate of the couple (Registrar of marriages/appropriate govt. officer/delegated authorities)

4. Birth Cert. of 1st child (Registrar / appropriate govt. officer registering births/death)

5. Birth Cert. of 2nd child, if any. (Registrar / appropriate govt. officer registering births/death)

6. Sterilization Certificate (NSV/LTT), if any, ( Govt. Hospital)

7. Character Cert. (Gram Panchayat)

Note: Photocopies of all relevant documents should be attested by a gazetted officer.

Antibiotic Policy (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare)

In order to strengthen the surveillance of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the country, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has set up a National Anti-Microbial Resistance Research and Surveillance Network (AMRRSN) to enable compilation of national data of AMR at different levels of Health Care.

The Drugs and Cosmetic Rule, 1945 were amended in 2013 to incorporate a new Schedule H1 under the said rules containing 46 drugs which include III and IV generation antibiotics, anti TB drugs and certain habit forming drugs for having strict control over the sale of these drugs. The Drugs falling under Schedule H1 are required to be sold in the country with the following conditions:-

1. The supply of a drug specified in Schedule H1 shall be recorded in a separate register at the time of the supply giving the name and address of the prescriber, the name of the patient, the name of the drug and the quantity supplied and such records shall be maintained for three years and be open for inspection.

2. The drug specified in Schedule H1 shall be labeled with the symbol Rx which shall be in red and conspicuously displayed on the left top corner of the label, and shall also be labeled with the following words in a box with a red border:

Schedule H1 Drug Warning:

-It is dangerous to take this preparation except in accordance with the medical advice.

-Not to be sold by retail without the prescription of a Registered Medical Practitioner.”

Further, the Government of India has formulated a National policy for containment of antimicrobial resistance in 2011. A National Programme for Containment of AMR has also been initiated in 12th Five Year Plan with the following objectives:-

§ To establish a laboratory based surveillance system by strengthening laboratories for AMR in the country and to generate quality data on antimicrobial resistance for pathogens of public health importance.

§ To generate awareness among healthcare providers and in the community regarding rational use of antibiotics.

§ To strengthen infection control guidelines and practices and promote rational use of antibiotics.

BRICS Nations Endorsed India´s Young Scientists Forum Initiative (MoS&T)

BRICS nations have endorsed India´s Young Scientists Forum Initiative and this will form part of the BRICS STI work plan for the period 2015 to 2018. India´s strong commitment to the strengthening of cooperation within BRICS in this key sphere of Science, Technology & Innovation (STI) which directly impacts the welfare and progress of all our peoples.

Proposed establishment of a BRICS Technology Foresight for Climate System to address scientific and innovative solutions for climate change and natural disaster management while identifying viable R&D initiatives for the future. The AIM (Atal Innovation Mission ) will be an Innovation Promotion Platform involving academics, entrepreneurs, and researchers and draw upon national and international experiences to foster a culture of innovation, R&D and scientific research in India. A strong and viable Science, Research and Innovation System for High Technology-led path for India (SRISHTI) is the goal of India’s new STI policy.

Commencement of National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC) (MoH&FW)

World Health Organization (WHO) Country office for India in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India and National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC), formally announced the commencement of National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC), as the WHO Collaborating Centre for Priority Medical Devices and Health Technology Policy. Prioritizing medical devices and health technology in the country is an important agenda item. It is critical to have the specifications in place for the medical devices and equipments that are already procured and used in the system. There is also need for dedicated medical devices testing laboratories to ensure the safety and efficacy of these devices.

The scope of its work includes: framing of technical specifications for technologies procured under National Health Mission; best practices for technology life cycle management and maintenance; secretariat for assessment and uptake of innovations into public health systems; health technology systems research such as proposing roadmap for establishing testing laboratories; supporting the Health Ministry on issues related to free essential diagnostics and other technology intensive services; domestic manufacturing capacity, quality and safety criteria for healthcare technologies; and conducting health technology assessments.

National Action Plan for Skill Training of Persons with Disabilities Launched (MoSJ&E)

The Minister of State (IC) for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Shri Rajiv Pratap Rudy stated that the Skill Development is of the highest priority of Prime Minister of India as only around 2% of the workforce in India is skilled. Under the overall guidance of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Skill Development has decided to constitute a separate “Sector Skill Council” for PWDs to scale up the initiative with Quality Standards as acceptable by industry. He also announced that the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has decided to contribute 100 crore to this initiative and support MSJE at every step. National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) will be the implementing agency for the National Action Plan. According to census 2011, there are 2.68 Crore Persons with Disability (PwDs) in India. About 1.34 crores persons with disabilities are in the employable age of 15 to 59 years.

The National Action Plan (NAP) seeks to provide a synergistic framework for people with disability, for improving vocational training and employment opportunities for them with the eventual goal of providing them with livelihoods and independence. The plan envisages use of Information Technology for content, training delivery and employer connect. The goals of empowering and capacitating PwDs will have substantial gains for the broader economy.

India Pavilion in Hannover Messe 2015 to incorporate core sectors of Make in India (MoC&I)

By adopting the theme of Make in India, the country is branding strongly in the forthcoming fair in Germany during April 2015. Some of the highlights of India’s participation in HM 2015 are:

‘Make in India’ the flagship programme of the Government to develop and market India to global investors has been decided as the theme for participation.

· Since India is the Partner Country, branding / publicity for projecting India’s participation as also highlighting the ‘Make in India’ is being done extensively at Hannover city / airport / fairground etc.

· About 300 Indian companies including public sector giants would be participating in the five – day fair, seeking technology collaborations, business tie-ups and showcasing India’s capabilities in global trade. India was a Partner Country at the Hannover Messe last in 2006.

· Indian Government is seizing the participation in the fair as an opportunity to increase its global presence in commodities & services, apart from utilizing the event for attracting investments into India as part of the ‘Make in India’

· Prime Minister would be utilizing this opportunity to reach out to the world about India’s initiatives in doing business and opening up of FDI regime etc.

· After the ‘Walk Through’ Chancellor and Prime Minister jointly would attend the inaugural session of Indo-German Business Summit which would be attended by hundreds of CEOs from both Germany and India. Make in India is the topic for discussion in IGBS.

· India is participating with more than 300 companies in the 10^th Sectoral Core Themes of HM 2015 (like energy, wind, industrial automation, industrial supply etc.)

· More than 100 top CEOs are participating and they would be interacting with the German CEOs as part of the IGBS, as also have one to one interaction for developing business opportunities.

· Apart from IGBS India is hosting 6 Seminars to highlight the new initiatives of the Government and seeking induction of German technology / investment on the following topics; the key officials of the concerned Ministries of GoI would be involved in these seminars:

o New sunrise in electronics and electricals

o Smart Cities – the Urban Challenge

o Renewable Energy

o Strategy for skilling India

o Heavy Engineering & Motion Drive and Automation

o Digital India

· 12 State Governments have confirmed participation and the State Pavilion, adjacent to India Pavilion, has been created to display the State profile. The States of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Gujarat, Rajasthan and U.P. are separately hosting investments seminars during the fair.

· To demonstrate India-Germany linkage in Yoga, Yoga display is being made on all the five days of the fair.

‘Mission Indradhanush’ (MoH&FW)

Creating awareness regarding the importance to fully immunize every child against all vaccine preventable diseases in the country. Mission Indradhanush depicting seven colours of the rainbow, aims to cover all those children by 2020 who are either unvaccinated or are partially vaccinated against seven vaccine preventable diseases which include diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, polio, tuberculosis, measles and hepatitis B.

Elaborating on the Mission Indradhanush which seeks to achieve this goal, the Health Minister informed that between 2009-2013 immunisation coverage has increased from 61% to 65%, indicating only 1% increase in coverage every year. To accelerate the process of immunization by covering 5% and more children every year, the Mission Mode has been adopted to achieve target of full coverage by 2020.

The Health Minister stated that the micro plans developed to make the Mission mode successful will draw on the lessons learned from the Polio eradication towards systems strengthening, vaccine cold chain management, regular surveillance and monitoring of the plans to reach each and every left out and uncovered child.

Highlighting the critical importance of a targeted and effective IEC campaign, Shri Nadda stated that studies have revealed that children are left uncovered by the routine immunisation programme either because the parents and guardians are unaware of the drive, or there is some element of apprehension or fear due to vaccination. Both these can be effectively addressed through an awareness campaign which underlines the critical importance of vaccination, and removes any apprehension harboured by the parent or the guardian. He appealed to them to participate in the Mission Indradhanush to ensure that no child is left uncovered during the rounds that will commence soon. Terming media as a powerful instrument that can bring about an everlasting change in the society through changing mindsets and generating awareness about various issues, the Health Minister stated that he looks at them to guide the Ministry at various stages in its endeavor to successfully implement the ambitious Mission.

Health Secretary Shri Bhanu Pratap Sharma underscored the challenges that face the effective implementation of the Mission given the scale of the country and the difficulties in reaching children living in rural and remote areas, riverine mining units, far flung and remote hamlets etc. He stated that the team of AHSAs and ANMs are committed in their endeavor to make the Mission a success. The Ministry has particularly paid attention to systems strengthening and capacity building of the frontline workers in this Mission Mode.

“Green” technology developed by CSIR for leather tanning (MoS&T)

A novel, biodegradable dispersing agent developed by CLRI, enables the chrome tanning of leather with just half the normal usage. This ensures the saving of water by 15 million litres per day in the Indian leather sector alone –and an estimated 200 million litres per day if this revolutionary technology is applied globally. He also announced that CLRI has succeeded in fostering an “enzymatic intervention” to complete in just 30 minutes the enabled fibre opening process which till now has taken up to 72 hours.

Government Welcomes Court Decision on 66A (MoC&IT)

The relevant paragraphs are verbatim quoted:

A. “This counter affidavit is being filed only for the purpose of assisting this Hon’ble Court and to satisfy this Hon’ble Court that the impugned Sections of the IT Act neither seeks to curtail nor the Central Government desires any interpretation which seeks to curtail any of the fundamental rights guaranteed to the citizens including the right under Article 19(1)(a) i.e. fundamental right to free speech and expression.

B. This counter affidavit seeks to point out the necessity and desirability of the provisions which are challenged in these petitions and to bring it on record that the usage of cyber space either by social media or otherwise is not even remotely intended to be curtailed either totally or partially at instance of Union of India.

C. Central Government encourages beneficial use of cyber space and the Act only seeks to regulate the use of cyberspace which would fall within any of and/ or all categories stipulated under Article 19(2) of the Constitution of India.

D. That the penal provisions of the Act can never be interpreted so as to take within its sweep political debate, any form of honest decent, decent humour, political satire etc. With a view to avoid possibility of any misconstruction of the expressions used in the penal provisions of the Act, the Central Government has prepared an advisory / guidelines to be strictly followed by law enforcement agencies which would ensure that the honest and legal use of cyber space does not result into any harassment to any citizen of the country.”

Thus in a layman’s language, the Government absolutely respects the right to freedom of speech and expression on social media and has no intention of curbing it. Only reasonable restrictions apply on social media, as they do in routine normal day to day life in the physical world under Article 19 (2) of the constitution of India. We will have to understand that we cannot set a different standard of Public Morality for Speech & Expression in Cyberspace from Speech in other mediums and in the Public Domain

ISCS Signs Framework Agreement with Forum of Federations (MoHA)

The Inter-State Council Secretariat (ISCS) under the Ministry of Home Affairs has signed an Agreement with the Forum of Federations (FoF) based at Ottawa, Canada here today for next three years. The Agreement provides for creating a mutually supportive international partnership with India for improving governance and enhancing democracy by promoting dialogue on the practices, principles and possibilities of federalism. The Forum of Federations is an international organization of federal countries. It is based in Canada and brings together government practitioners and academics to improve governance and enhance democracy by promoting dialogue and providing policy research on federalism and the challenges of multi-level governance. The Forum offers partner countries the opportunity to be part of a global network which provides a mechanism for insight into both internal and international governance debates. The Forum works in the international arena to improve the practice of federalism by addressing the needs of practitioners of federalism through three broad core functions i.e. serving as a clearing house for information and resources on the practice of federalism, offering and implementing policy and partnership programmes with the governments and encouraging future practitioners to develop an interest and expertise in federalism.

The Forum has, in the past, worked closely with India on several important issues pertaining to federal governance, fiscal federalism, public security, environmental governance and local government. India has been a Forum partner country since 2005 and has been represented on the Board of Directors by the Secretary, Inter-State Council Secretariat, Ministry of Home Affairs. Senior Officials from India have been involved in a wide range of key activities of the Forum, including capacity building, imparting training and rendering technical advice on federal issues.

Scheme to Promote Geotechnical Textiles in North East (MoTextiles)

The scheme has the following basic objectives:

a. To demonstrate use of geotechnical textiles as a modern cost-effective technology in the development of infrastructure in fragile geological conditions of NER;

b. To improve the durability, function and life of infrastructure in NER, while bringing down the life cycle cost of the projects;

c. To promote the use of geotechnical textile materials and create a market for these products in NER by inducing demand in infrastructure development;

d. To stimulate investment and development of technical textile industry in NER and rest of the country.

The ultimate objective is to introduce modern cost-effective technology pertaining to the application and usage of geotechnical textiles in the development of infrastructure of NE Region, which is likely to boost the region’s economy.

Geotechnical Textiles is a proven technology world over. Geotechnical Textiles provide the functional advantages of higher endurance and durability in roads and infrastructure projects. Countries such as USA, UK, Germany and other parts of Western Europe, have detailed construction codes for most of the geotechnical textile applications in roads and highways construction, with reference to material specifications and test standards.

The topography of the North Eastern region (NER) makes application of geotechnical textiles particularly suitable for the region in infrastructure projects relating to road construction, river bank erosion control and slope erosion control.

For example, the rain conditions and overflowing of Brahmaputra River during monsoons causes a significant damage to life, property and economy of North East. The problem of landslides causes blockages in roads which at times take weeks to be resolved. Geotechnical Textile technology has the potential to provide a durable and economic solution to address these problems in NER.

Special Purpose Vehicles (SPV) to implement Smart Cities Project (MoUD)

Efficient deployment of human and physical resources is one of the objectives of the scheme. the present deficit in physical, social, economic and institutional infrastructure will be bridged to make the cities more livable and drive the economic growth. He said that this infrastructure deficit will be bridged by retrofitting of identified areas of a city and redevelopment of areas which are not amenable to retrofitting to enable such areas conform to the norms of smart city. In addition, pan-city schemes like efficient public transport systems including ring roads, e-governance initiatives etc. will also be undertaken under brownfield development.

The objective of smart cities building is to enable such changes in a sustainable manner for long term results. Smart solutions will be applied to places and projects to enable efficient utilization of limited resources like land, water, power etc. “ICT solutions would play an important role in improving urban governance and enhancing the efficiency of resource use.

PM launches PRAGATI (PMO)

Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi launched today his ambitious multi-purpose and multi-modal platform PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance And Timely Implementation). PRAGATI is a unique integrating and interactive platform. The platform is aimed at addressing common man’s grievances, and simultaneously monitoring and reviewing important programmes and projects of the Government of India as well as projects flagged by State Governments.

During the first PRAGATI interaction today, the Prime Minister discussed issues relating to unseasonal rain and relief to farmers, public grievances, project implementation, Swachh Bharat and ‘ease of doing business.’

PM gave suitable directions for redressal of grievances and compliance on the projects and programmes and motivated all officers to work in coordinated manner for outcome; The PRAGATI platform uniquely bundles three latest technologies: Digital data management, video-conferencing and geo-spatial technology. It also offers a unique combination in the direction of cooperative federalism since it brings on one stage the Secretaries of Government of India and the Chief Secretaries of the States. With this, the Prime Minister is able to discuss the issues with the concerned Central and State officials with full information and latest visuals of the ground level situation. Such an effort has never been made in India. It is also an innovative project in e-governance and good governance.

Key features of the PRAGATI application are as follows:

• It is a three-tier system (PMO, Union Government Secretaries, and Chief Secretaries of the States);

• Prime Minister will hold a monthly programme where he will interact with the Government of India Secretaries, and Chief Secretaries through Video-conferencing enabled by data and geo-informatics visuals;

• The first such programme was launched on 25th March, 2015 (Wednesday) at 3.30 PM;

• Now onwards, it will be held once in every month on Fourth Wednesday at 3.30 PM-to be known as PRAGATI Day.

• Issues to be flagged before the PM are picked up from the available database regarding Public Grievances, on-going Programmes and pending Projects;

• The system will ride on, strengthen and re-engineer the data bases of the CPGRAMS for grievances, Project Monitoring Group (PMG) and the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. PRAGATI provides an interface and platform for all these three aspects.

• It will also take into consideration various correspondences to PM’s office by the common people or from high dignitaries of States and/or developers of public projects;

• The issues flagged are uploaded seven days prior to the PRAGATI day (i.e. on third Wednesday of every month).

• These issues can be viewed by the Union Government Secretaries and Chief Secretaries after entering into the application;

• User ID and Password for each of the Union Government Secretaries and Chief Secretaries have been created and made available;

• Union Government Secretaries and Chief Secretaries will be able to see the issues pertaining to their Department /State;

• Union Government Secretaries and Chief Secretaries have to put their comments and updates about the flagged issues within three days (i.e. by next Monday);

• One day - Tuesday is available to the PMO team to review the data entered by the Union Government Secretaries and Chief Secretaries;

• The design is such, that when PM reviews the issue he should have on his screen the issue as well as the latest updates and visuals regarding the same;

The system has been designed in-house by the PMO team with the help of National Informatics Center (NIC). As the name suggests, it is aimed at starting a culture of Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation. It is also a robust system for bringing e-transparency and e-accountability with real-time presence and exchange among the key stakeholders.

Enactment of a Central legislation for declaring identified inland waterways as National Waterways (Cabinet)

Approval for enactment of Central legislation for declaring 101 additional Inland Waterways as National Waterways (NW) for navigation. This will create a logistic supply chain with intermodal (Rail, Road and Waterways) connectivity. It would positively contribute to the GDP by opening up business opportunities in the area of dredging, barge construction, barge operation, barge repair facilities, terminal construction, terminal operation, storage facilities, providing modern aids to day and night navigation, tourist cruise, consultancy, training of manpower for manning barges, hydrographic survey, etc. Investment in all these business areas will create numerous opportunities for employment and economic development and reduce pressure from the already over-loaded, congested and costlier other surface modes of transport.

Detailed business development studies are being carried out under the Jal Marg Vikas Project for identifying all business opportunities and quantifying anticipated investments and employment opportunities. Inland Water Transport (IWT) is world over recognised as a fuel efficient, cost effective and an environment friendly mode of transport, especially for bulk goods, hazardous goods and over dimensional cargo.

(i) Cost savings :

· 1 HP moves 150 kg on road, 500 kg on rail and 4000 kg on water.

· 1 litre of fuel moves 24 t-km on road, 85 on rail and 105 on IWT.

· Cost of developing waterways is much lower than rail & road.

· Reduces transportation and transition losses.

(ii) Environment friendly:

· Least fuel consumption per tonne – km.

· CO₂ emission is 50 percent that of trucks.

· Negligible land requirement.

· Safe mode for hazardous and over dimensional cargo.

(iii) Supplementary mode:

· Reduces pressure on road and rail.

· Reduces congestion and accidents on road.

Formation of a Special Purpose Vehicle to provide efficient rail evacuation systems to Major Ports and thereby enhance their handling capacity and efficiency (Cabinet)

Formation of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to provide efficient rail evacuation systems to Major Ports and thereby enhance their handling capacity and efficiency.

The SPV would undertake the following Projects:-

1. Last mile connectivity to Major Ports;

2. Modernization of evacuation infrastructure in Ports;

3. To operate and manage internal Port Railway system;

4. To raise financial resources for funding Port related Railway Projects

The SPV would work in close co-ordination with the Indian Railways and leverage the existing participative model of the Indian Railways for enhancing last mile connectivity to Ports. The work of the SPV is expected to result in substantial reduction in dwell time of cargo at Ports and bring down the overall logistic cost for trade.

The SPV focusing on Port connectivity will fit into the ambitious Sagarmala Programme of the Government which aims at promoting port-led direct and indirect development and to provide infrastructure to evacuate goods from ports quickly and efficiently.

Sagarmala: Concept and implementation towards Blue Revolution (Cabinet)

The prime objective of the Sagarmala project is to promote port-led direct and indirect development and to provide infrastructure to transport goods to and from ports quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively. Therefore, the Sagarmala Project shall, inter alia, aim to develop access to new development regions with intermodal solutions and promotion of the optimum modal split, enhanced connectivity with main economic centres and beyond through expansion of rail, inland water, coastal and road services.

The Sagarmala initiative will address challenges by focusing on three pillars of development, namely (i) Supporting and enabling Port-led Development through appropriate policy and institutional interventions and providing for an institutional framework for ensuring inter-agency and ministries/departments/states’ collaboration for integrated development, (ii) Port Infrastructure Enhancement, including modernization and setting up of new ports, and (iii) Efficient Evacuation to and from hinterland.

The Sagarmala Project therefore intends to achieve the broad objectives of enhancing the capacity of major and non-major ports and modernizing them to make them efficient, thereby enabling them to become drivers of port-led economic development, optimizing the use of existing and future transport assets and developing new lines/linkages for transport (including roads, rail, inland waterways and coastal routes), setting up of logistics hubs, and establishment of industries and manufacturing centres to be served by ports in EXIM and domestic trade. In addition to strengthening port and evacuation infrastructure, it also aims at simplifying procedures used at ports for cargo movement and promotes usage of electronic channels for information exchange leading to quick, efficient, hassle-free and seamless cargo movement.

For a comprehensive and integrated planning for “Sagarmala”, a National Perspective Plan (NPP) for the entire coastline shall be prepared within six months which will identify potential geographical regions to be called Coastal Economic Zones (CEZs). While preparing the NPP, synergy and integration with planned Industrial Corridors, Dedicated Freight Corridors, National Highway Development Programme, Industrial Clusters and SEZs would be ensured. Detailed Master Plans will be prepared for identified Coastal Economic Zones leading to identification of projects and preparation of their detailed project reports.

In order to have effective mechanism at the state level for coordinating and facilitating Sagarmala related projects, the State Governments will be suggested to set up State Sagarmala Committee to be headed by Chief Minister/Minister in Charge of Ports with members from relevant Departments and agencies. The state level Committee will also take up matters on priority as decided in the NSAC. At the state level, the State Maritime Boards/State Port Departments shall service the State Sagarmala Committee and also be, inter alia, responsible for coordination and implementation of individual projects, including through SPVs (as may be necessary) and oversight. The development of each Coastal economic zone shall be done through individual projects and supporting activities that will be undertaken by the State Government, Central line Ministries and SPVs to be formed by the State Governments at the state level or by SDC and ports, as may be necessary.

Sagarmala Coordination and Steering Committee (SCSC) shall be constituted under the chairmanship of the Cabinet Secretary with Secretaries of the Ministries of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, Tourism, Defence, Home Affairs, Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Departments of Revenue, Expenditure, Industrial Policy and Promotion, Chairman, Railway Board and CEO, NITI Aayog as members. This Committee will provide coordination between various ministries, state governments and agencies connected with implementation and review the progress of implementation of the National Perspective Plan, Detailed Master Plans and projects. It will, inter alia, consider issues relating to funding of projects and their implementation. This Committee will also examine financing options available for the funding of projects, the possibility of public-private partnership in project financing/construction/ operation.

Improvement of operational efficiency of existing ports, which is an objective of the Sagarmala initiative, shall be done by undertaking business process re-engineering to simplify processes and procedures in addition to modernizing and upgrading the existing infrastructure and improved mechanisation. Increased use of information technology and automation to ensure paperless and seamless transactions will be an important area for intervention. Under the Sagarmala Project, the use of coastal shipping and IWT are proposed to be enhanced through a mix of infrastructure enhancement and policy initiatives.

The Sagarmala initiative would also strive to ensure sustainable development of the population living in the Coastal Economic Zone (CEZ). This would be done by synergising and coordinating with State Governments and line Ministries of Central Government through their existing schemes and programmes such as those related to community and rural development, tribal development and employment generation, fisheries, skill development, tourism promotion etc. In order to provide funding for such projects and activities that may be covered by departmental schemes a separate fund by the name ‘Community Development Fund’ would be created.

The Institutional Framework for implementing Sagarmala has to provide for a coordinating role for the Central Government. It should provide a platform for central, state governments and local authorities to work in tandem and coordination under the established principles of “cooperative federalism”, in order to achieve the objectives of the Sagarmala Project and ensure port-led development.

A National Sagarmala Apex Committee (NSAC) is envisaged for overall policy guidance and high level coordination, and to review various aspects of planning and implementation of the plan and projects. The NSAC shall be chaired by the Minister incharge of Shipping, with Cabinet Ministers from stakeholder Ministries and Chief Ministers/Ministers incharge of ports of maritime states as members. This committee, while providing policy direction and guidance for the initiative’s implementation, shall approve the overall National Perspective Plan (NPP) and review the progress of implementation of these plans.

At the Central level, Sagarmala Development Company (SDC) will be set up under the Companies Act, 1956 to assist the State level/zone level Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs), as well as SPVs to be set up by the ports, with equity support for implementation of projects to be undertaken by them. The SDC shall also get the Detailed Master Plans for individual zones prepared within a two year period. The business plan of the SDC shall be finalised within a period of six months. The SDC will provide a funding window and/or implement only those residual projects that cannot be funded by any other means/mode.

In order to kick start the implementation of projects it is proposed to take up identified projects covered in the concept of Sagarmala for implementation forthwith. These identified projects for implementation in the initial phase will be based on the available data and feasibility study reports and the preparedness, willingness and interest shown by the State Governments and Central Ministries to take up projects.

All efforts would be made to implement those projects through the private sector and through Public Private Participation (PPP) wherever feasible. Funds requirement for starting the implementation of projects in the initial phase of Sagarmala Project is projected at Rs. 692 crores for the FY 2015-16. Further requirement of funds will be finalized after completion of Detailed Master Plan for Coastal Economic Zones for future years. These funds will be used for implementation of projects by line ministries in accordance with approvals by the SCSC.

Background:

Presently, Indian ports handle more than 90 percent of India’s total EXIM trade volume. However, the current proportion of merchandize trade in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of India is only 42 percent, whereas for some developed countries and regions in the world such as Germany and European Union, it is 75 percent and 70 percent respectively. Therefore, there is a great scope to increase the share of merchandising trade in India’s GDP. With the Union Government’s “Make in India” initiative, the share of merchandise trade in India’s GDP is expected to increase and approach levels achieved in developed countries. India lags far behind in ports and logistics infrastructure. Against a share of 9 percent of railways and 6 percent of roads in the GDP the share of ports is only 1 percent. In addition high logistics costs make Indian exports uncompetitive. Therefore Sagarmala project has been envisioned to provide ports and the shipping the rightful place in the Indian economy and to enable port-led development.

Amongst Indian States, Gujarat has been a pioneer in adopting the strategy of port-led development, with significant results. While in the 1980’s the state grew at only 5.08 percent per year (National average was 5.47 percent), this accelerated to 8.15 percent per annum in the 1990’s (All India average 6.98 percent) and subsequently to more than 10 percent per annum, substantially benefitting from the port-led development model.

The growth of India’s maritime sector is constrained due to many developmental, procedural and policy related challenges namely, involvement of multiple agencies in development of infrastructure to promote industrialization, trade, tourism and transportation; presence of a dual institutional structure that has led to development of major and non-major ports as separate, unconnected entities; lack of requisite infrastructure for evacuation from major and non-major ports leading to sub-optimal transport modal mix; limited hinterland linkages that increases the cost of transportation and cargo movement; limited development of centres for manufacturing and urban and economic activities in the hinterland; low penetration of coastal and inland shipping in India, limited mechanization and procedural bottlenecks and lack of scale, deep draft and other facilities at various ports in India.

An illustrative list of the kind of development projects that could be undertaken in Sagarmala initiative are (i) Port-led industrialization (ii) Port based urbanization (iii) Port based and coastal tourism and recreational activities (iv) Short-sea shipping coastal shipping and Inland Waterways Transportation (v) Ship building, ship repair and ship recycling (vi) Logistics parks, warehousing, maritime zones/services (vii) Integration with hinterland hubs (viii) Offshore storage, drilling platforms (ix) Specialization of ports in certain economic activities such as energy, containers, chemicals, coal, agro products, etc. (x) Offshore Renewable Energy Projects with base ports for installations (xi) Modernizing the existing ports and development of new ports. This strategy incorporates both aspects of port-led development viz. port-led direct development and port-led indirect development.

Approach and Key Components of e-Kranti : National e-Governance Plan 2.0 (Cabinet)

This is a follow up to the key decisions taken in the first meeting of the Apex Committee on the Digital India programme held in November 2014. This programme has been envisaged by the Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY).

The objectives of `e-Kranti` are as follows:

i. To redefine NeGP with transformational and outcome oriented e-Governance initiatives.

ii. To enhance the portfolio of citizen centric services.

iii. To ensure optimum usage of core Information & Communication Technology (ICT).

iv. To promote rapid replication and integration of eGov applications.

v. To leverage emerging technologies.

vi. To make use of more agile implementation models.

The key principles of e-Kranti are as follows:

i. Transformation and not Translation.

ii. Integrated Services and not Individual Services.

iii. Government Process Reengineering (GPR) to be mandatory in every MMP.

iv. ICT Infrastructure on Demand.

v. Cloud by Default.

vi. Mobile First.

vii. Fast Tracking Approvals.

viii. Mandating Standards and Protocols.

ix. Language Localization.

x. National GIS (Geo-Spatial Information System).

xi. Security and Electronic Data Preservation.

e-Kranti is an important pillar of the Digital India programme. The Vision of e-Kranti is "Transforming e-Governance for Transforming Governance". The Mission of e-Kranti is to ensure a Government wide transformation by delivering all Government services electronically to citizens through integrated and interoperable systems via multiple modes, while ensuring efficiency, transparency and reliability of such services at affordable costs.

The approach and methodology of e-Kranti are fully aligned with the Digital India programme. The programme management structure approved for Digital India programme would be used for monitoring the implementation of e-Kranti and also for providing a forum to ascertain views of all stakeholders, overseeing implementation, resolving inter-Ministerial issues and ensuring speedy sanction of projects. Key components of the management structure would consist of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) for according approval to projects according to the financial provisions, a Monitoring Committee on Digital India headed by the Prime Minister, Digital India Advisory Group chaired by the Minister of Communications and IT, an Apex Committee chaired by the Cabinet Secretary and the Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) / Committee on Non Plan Expenditure (CNE). The Apex Committee headed by the Cabinet Secretary would undertake addition / deletion of Mission Mode Projects (MMPs) which are considered to be appropriate and resolve inter-Ministerial issues.

Central Ministries/ Departments and State Governments concerned would have the overall responsibility for implementation of the MMPs. Considering the need for overall aggregation and integration at the national level, it is felt appropriate to implement e-Kranti as a programme, with well defined roles and responsibilities of each agency involved. The thrust areas of the e-Kranti - electronic delivery of services under the Digital India programme are:-

Technology for Education (e-Education), Health (e-Healthcare), Farmers, Financial Inclusion, Planning, Justice, Security, Planning and Cyber Security.

e-Governance - Reforming Government through Technology, a pivotal pillar of the Digital India programme, would also be implemented under e-Kranti by undertaking and strengthening Government Process Re-engineering, electronic databases, complete workflow automation and IT based Public Grievance Redressal in all Government Departments.

“National Supercomputing Mission (NSM): (CCEA)

This is a visionary program to enable India to leapfrog to the league of world class computing power nations. The Mission would be implemented and steered jointly by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY) at an estimated cost of Rs.4500 crore over a period of seven years.

The Mission envisages empowering our national academic and R&D institutions spread over the country by installing a vast supercomputing grid comprising of more than 70 high-performance computing facilities. These supercomputers will also be networked on the National Supercomputing grid over the National Knowledge Network (NKN). The NKN is another programme of the government which connects academic institutions and R&D labs over a high speed network. Academic and R&D institutions as well as key user departments/ministries would participate by using these facilities and develop applications of national relevance. The Mission also includes development of highly professional High Performance Computing (HPC) aware human resource for meeting challenges of development of these applications.

The Mission implementation would bring supercomputing within the reach of the large Scientific & Technology community in the country; will provide significant qualitative and quantitative improvement in R&D and higher education in the disciplines of Science & Technology; and enable the country with a capacity of solving multi-disciplinary grand challenge problems. Currently, in the top Supercomputing machines in the world, a major share is taken from advanced countries such as the US, Japan, China and the European Union (EU). The mission envisages India to be in the select league of such nations. To provide continuity in maintaining a lead in supercomputing, the Mission also includes advanced R&D. This will create requisite expertise to build state-of-the-art next generation supercomputing. The Mission supports the government’s vision of “Digital India” and “Make in India” initiatives.

The Mission has been conceptualized and evolved keeping in view the ever increasing computing demand of the scientific and academic community in the country, international technology trends and roadmaps of leading countries in the area, strategic importance and emergence of supercomputing as a benchmark for Scientific & Technological advancements. Two key departments of the Government of India, DeitY and DST will be implementing the mission jointly through two leading organizations. These are the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore.

Approval to innovative mechanism for utilization of stranded gas based generation capacity (CCEA)

In order to revive these stranded gas based plants, the mechanism envisages importing Regasified Liquified Natural Gas (RLNG) for supply to these plants so that they can generate power. The mechanism also envisages sacrifices to be made collectively by all stakeholders, including the Central and State Governments by way of exemptions from certain applicable taxes and levies on the incremental RLNG being imported for the purpose. Besides, gas transporters and re-gasification terminals have agreed to reduce their transportation tariff, marketing margin and re-gasification charges on the incremental RLNG. Power developers would completely forego the return on their equity. The Government of India also proposes to provide support to Discoms from the Power System Development Fund (PSDF) through a transparent reverse e-bidding process. This will make the cost of power affordable.

With this arrangement, electricity generation in the country would be enhanced significantly by around 79 billion units, valued at about Rs 42,000 crore. The additional generation would help light up many unconnected households in the country, besides benefitting the public at large, including farmers and poorer sections of the society who have limited access to electricity. This initiative is another key step towards achieving this Government’s commitment of 24X7 power supply to all.

This decision will also help improve grid stability and safety, as gas based plants are ideal for being used as spinning reserve, and for meeting peaking power requirements, as they can be started and shut down at very short notice. Grid collapse of the kind that happened in July, 2012, will be avoided with this measure. Besides, it can support renewable balancing power requirements and enable grid integration of renewable energy. This gains importance especially in the context of India’s aspiration to rapidly scale up renewable generation. Gas based power is also environment friendly and much less polluting than coal based generation.

Reviving these gas based power plants will go a long way in making peak load shortages in the summer months a thing of the past. Many of the stranded gas based power projects are located in the Southern region which is power deficit. With their revival, power shortage in the Southern region will be minimized significantly.

It is felt that the revival of stranded gas based capacity would ameliorate stress on the banking sector. This will kickstart growth and have a multiplier effect on the economy. It would also restore investors’ confidence in the power sector. The mechanism will also result in optimal use of gas infrastructure like gas pipelines and re-gasification capacities in the country, which are currently underutilized.

Union Minister for Earth Sciences and Science & Technology Dr Harsh Vardhan Dedicates a Remote-Controlled Polar Vehicle to the Nation (Mo Earth Science)

An indigenously developed remote-controlled Polar vehicle which would reach where no human can dare to go. It will be deployed in the extremely harsh Polar Regions and will be remotely operated by our scientists at our base in Antarctica. The Minister said that the results of its findings will contribute vastly to mankind’s understanding of climate besides enhancing our capability to predict the Monsoon”. Its successful development by ESSO-NIOT signals the beginning of a process of both self-sufficiency and entry into the highly sophisticated field of Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) engineering which has hitherto been dominated by the western powers.

After years of work based in Dakshin Gangotri (Antarctica), Indian scientists have discerned a clear connection between the thermohaline circulation that originates in the North Atlantic and southern Arctic and the Monsoon. It is a major force that drives not only the oceanic circulation but also regulates the global climate.

The ESSO-NIOT team that participated in the 34th Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica (ISEA) successfully deployed PROVe in the Priadarshini Lake located on the Schirmacher Oasis in Antarctica which is the source of water for Maitri, India’s second base in the icy continent.”

He added that PROVe’s systems have been integrated with Conductivity, Temperature, Dissolved Oxygen sensors and Irradiance meter. PROVe was later deployed near ice shelf from the ship at the India Bay in Antarctica at a depth of 62 metres. Further explorations and data analysis are in progress.

The country, he said, is on track with the objective of developing reliable technology to solve the varied technology problems associated with harvesting living and non-living resources in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone which makes up about two-thirds of the land area of India.

Under the Ministry`s Monsoon Mission program, ESSO-NIOT is part of an Indo-US initiative involving the participation of several institutions. This group is studying the science behind the monsoonal events of Bay of Bengal using both Indian and US research ships using special equipment. The results are very promising from the point of view of enhancing insights into air-sea interactions.

Union Agriculture Minister emphasises that the Prime Minister attaches importance to revitalization of the Agriculture Sector through modernization of farming practices (MoA)

Prime Minister attaches importance to revitalization of the agriculture sector through modernization of farming practices thereby increasing crop productivity without compromising on quality. Shri Singh said that the measures announced by the Government like Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yogna to ensure more crop per drop are aimed at improving efficiency of farm activities and also increasing farm productivity.

Shri Singh said that while increased productivity is an essential component of a vibrant agricultural sector, improved post harvest handling and processing is essential to ensure value addition, reduction in wastage and transporting good quality products to markets. He said that it is in this context that agricultural cooperatives have a very important role to play and it is expected that NCDC to fully support them.

NCDC would continue to support and supplement Government efforts towards development of cooperatives in agriculture and allied sectors. The focus would be on consolidation of the existing infrastructure and units established by the cooperatives especially for value addition and processing of farmers’ produce, strengthening of forward and backward linkages for procurement and marketing. He spoke about strengthening of the existing monitoring systems and creating awareness about NCDC schemes / programmes by organizing workshops.

Coal Minister Launches Projects Monitoring Portal to Enhance Efficiency, Transparency & Improve Communication Between B2G, G2G & G2B (MoCoal)

e-CPMP (Online Coal Project Monitoring Portal) has been developed for tracking projects that entail an investment related to coal. IT automates the entire tracking of projects in the context of the bottlenecks. This system has been designed in such a way that it will enhance the efficiency, bring transparency, boost the investor confidence, revive the investment cycle, eliminate the human interaction, and improve the communication between industries to Government (B2G), Government to Government (G2G), or vice versa (G2B). It automates the entire tracking of issues resolution mechanism from submission to commission on time. This would include submission of a new project, editing/updating the projects, reviewing the projects, submission of details relating to bottlenecks and the decisions taken to remove the implementation bottlenecks in the stalled coal related projects. It also includes preparation of Agenda that can be generated online and circulated with auto mailer to all the Nodal officers. System also provides various Graphical Analysis and Reporting functionalities. The system also provides general issues module through which agencies, states and coal administrator can discuss other issues apart from projects.

PM at Urja Sangam 2015 (PMO)

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today appealed to well-to-do sections of Indian society to voluntarily give up LPG subsidy, so that the benefit of the same could be shared more widely with poorer sections of society. Delivering the inaugural address at the global energy summit – Urja Sangam-2015 – in New Delhi, the Prime Minister said about 2.8 lakh people from across the country had already given up LPG subsidy. He said this was an important contribution for the service of the poor.

The Prime Minister called for enhancing domestic production to reduce the energy import burden of the country by at least 10 percent, till 2022 – the occasion of the platinum jubilee of India`s independence.

The Prime Minister complimented ONGC Videsh Ltd, Engineers India Ltd, and Barauni Refinery, for their successful journey of five decades, and called upon India`s energy sector to plan for the next five decades with a global perspective. He said India, with one-sixth of the world`s population, should shoulder one-sixth of the world`s energy responsibility, hence contributing to global prosperity.

The Prime Minister highlighted various achievements of the Union Government, and reforms initiated in the energy sector over the last ten months. He said these reforms were motivated by the quest for greater energy security, which is both a necessity and responsibility. He said transfer of LPG subsidy directly into bank accounts through the world`s largest cash subsidy transfer programme in the world – PAHAL – had resulted in elimination of leakages, and curbing corruption. He also mentioned deregulation of diesel prices, ethanol blended petrol to help sugarcane farmers, promotion of bio-diesel, and extension of the gas grid in eastern India, as some of the other major initiatives of the Government. The Prime Minister said the Union Government aims to extend piped natural gas (PNG) to one crore houses over the next five years.

The Prime Minister called upon Indian energy companies to become multinational; work towards India-Middle East, India-Central Asia, and India-South Asia energy corridors; and establish gas positions in North America and Africa.

FM Stresses the need for use of more Accounted Money and Discourage of use of Unaccounted Money (MoF)

The Union Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley said that there is need to take steps to encourage people to use more and more accounted money and discourage the use of unaccounted currency. In this regard, the Finance Minister said that with the progress in the growth of economy, more and more people should be incentivized to use plastic money such as credit cards, Rupay cards and cheques or any other negotiable instrument. They should be discouraged to use hard currency or unaccounted money. As a result of financial inclusion, more and more households are now connected to banks and RuPay cards have been issued to people even to those below the poverty line. He said that there is now need to launch a campaign to create an awareness among them for using more and more RuPay cards which can be a game changer as far as India is concerned.

Government plans to launch - Ek Saal Desh Ke Naam (MoYouth affairs)

Discuss a new programme proposed to be introduced for “Youth Leadership Development – Ek Saal, Desh Ke Naam”. The group discussed the various issues like objectives of the programme, selection process for the fellows, course content, their training, etc. The group discussed as to how to nurture leadership talent among youth to meet societal challenges by way of comprehensive leadership training through exposure, experience, experimentation and enterprise and to equip them with the necessary skills, values and vision to increase the effectiveness of their work by giving them opportunity and atmosphere to develop their leadership talents by way of ‘Self Learning’ and to find more meaningful and joyful purpose for their life. The eminent persons discussed how to create a large group of young professionals having the desire and capability to understand and find answers to developmental issues. The members discussed ways to achieve the objectives by developing training and experience based learning process facilitating deeper search of these youth for leading a purposeful life. It is believed that such a pursuit of social problem solving will bring out the best among youth.

“Consultation Paper on Regulatory Framework for Over-the-top (OTT) Services (MoC&IT)

Telecom service providers (TSPs) offering fixed and mobile telephony are currently being overwhelmed by online content, known as over-the-top (OTT) applications and services. The term over-the-top (OTT) refers to applications and services which are accessible over the internet and ride on operators’ networks offering internet access services e.g. social networks, search engines, amateur video aggregation sites etc. OTT providers make use of the TSPs’ infrastructure to reach their customers and offer products/services that not only make money for them but also compete with the traditional services offered by TSPs. Leave aside TSPs, these apps also compete with brick and mortar rivals e.g. e-commerce sites, banking etc. Today, users can directly access these applications online from any place, at any time, using a variety of internet connected consumer devices.

The rising penetration of smartphones (because of declining price) and the up-gradation of access networks by the TSPs are among the important factors contributing to OTT growth. Digitalization of content has reduced conservation, reproduction and distribution costs, which, in turn, has promoted the explosive growth in the supply of online content. Paradoxically, the broadband networks provided by incumbent TSPs are used as a platform by the OTT players for the development of new businesses. The growth of traffic apart, the OTT applications have created an increasing demand for faster broadband speed, which translates into a need for huge investments in network up-gradation by the TSPs.

Worldwide there is an ongoing debate amongst Governments, industry and consumers regarding the regulation of OTT services and about net-neutrality. In this background, TRAI has today released a Consultation Paper on Regulatory Framework for Over-the-top (OTT) services. This Consultation Paper covers the views of the service providers and OTT providers, all related issues (including network neutrality), international experience with network neutrality and regulation of OTTs (communications and non-communications).

Some of the important issues discussed in the Consultation Paper are:

a. Policy and regulatory environment and need for regulation;

b. Current policy dispensation for OTT players vis-a-vis TSPs;

c. Security concerns of OTT players providing communication services;

d. Issues related to security, safety and privacy of the consumers;

e. Issues arising because of ‘net-neutrality’;

f. Network discrimination and traffic management practices;

g. Non-price based discrimination of services and ensuring transparency to consumers;

h. Pricing-related issues, including differential pricing for data access;

Geophysical Observatory at Shoal Bay in Port Blair (Mo Earth Science)

India can now boast of being one of the most scientifically advanced countries to tackle any situation effectively arising out of natural calamities and disasters. Inaugurating the Multi-Parametric Geophysical Observatory set up by the Indian Institute of Geomagnetism at Shoal Bay No. 8 in Port Balair on Andama & Nicobar Islands. India is much ahead in terms of Early Warning Systems and this is evident from the fact that about 28 nations depend and act upon the real time data provided by India, which, he said, is a matter of great pride for all of us.

A&N Islands is a place of pilgrimage where the freedom fighters have made supreme sacrifices in the cause of the motherland. “If there is a sacred place in the country it is Andamans where the National Memorial Cellular Jail is a testimony to the great suffering of the freedom fighters”.

Indian Institute of Geomagnetism (IIG) for setting up of the Geophysical Observatory here in the Islands, considering that these Islands lie in Seismic Zone 5 and that the setting up of such Laboratory is going to be immensely beneficial to the Islands. The Lt. Governor also lauded the efforts of the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Science (INCOIS), Hyderabad for their frequent updates and early warnings on natural disaster such as earthquake, cyclones etc.

The Lt. Governor also urged the Union Minister to help the Island Administration to set up a Desalination Plant at Mayabunder or Chowra on a pilot project basis in order to overcome water scarcity in these places. He also requested for setting up of Biotechnology Research Centre and said the Administration is ready to extend help, if needed, in this regard.

Signing and ratifying the Inter-Governmental Agreement on Dry Ports of International Importance

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today gave its approval for signing and ratifying of the Inter-Governmental Agreement on Dry Ports of International Importance for signature at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. This is a follow up of the Resolution of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) regarding development of dry ports within member countries of UNESCAP, including India.

This current agreement promotes international recognition of dry ports, facilitates investment in infrastructure, improves operational efficiency of inter modal transport services, establishes guiding principles for development and operation of dry ports and enhances the environmental sustainability of freight transport.

The agreement will help in connectivity and integration of the Asian highway network, the trans-Asian railways network and other modes by working towards development of dry ports.

There is need to promote and develop an international integrated intermodal transport and logistics system in Asia with its neighbouring regions. The agreement will facilitate and expand international goods transport as a consequence of growing international trade in the region.

The agreement will also lead to strengthening of connectivity and seamless international movement of goods, facilitate increased efficiency and reduce cost of transport and logistics as well as extend reach to inland areas and wider hinterlands.

Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Traditional Systems of Medicine and Homoeopathy between India and Mauritius

The MoU will enhance bilateral cooperation between the two countries in the areas of traditional medicine including medicinal plants. This will be of immense importance to both countries, considering their shared cultural heritage.

Both India and Mauritius share several cultural, historical, linguistic and literary similarities. Traditional medicine including medicinal plants are promising areas which need to be further explored and can prove to be mutually beneficial to the people of the two countries.

The financial resources necessary to conduct research, training courses, conferences/ meetings and deputations of experts will be met from the existing allocated budget and existing plan schemes of the Ministry of AYUSH.

Prime Minister to Inaugurate Two-Day Conference of Environment and Forest Ministers (MoE&F)

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, will inaugurate a two-day Conference of Environment and Forest Ministers of States and Union Territories on April 6 at Vigyan Bhawan. Interacting with mediapersons at Paryavaran Bhavan here today, the Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (Independent Charge), Shri Prakash Javadekar said that the Prime Minister will launch the National Air Quality Index (AQI) i.e. one number, one colour and one description to inform the public about air quality in a simple and an easily understandable form. The AQI would be available for 10 cities, on a real-time basis from that day. 46 cities, with a population of more than one million and 20 state capitals will be covered in the next couple of years. This will enhance public awareness and involvement in air quality improvement.

The programme of the Conference reflects the growing awareness of various issues concerning environment, forest and climate change. A combined session on “Waste to Wealth” on the first day will discuss rules regarding solid waste, e-waste, hazardous waste, plastic waste and bio-medical waste. A copy of the latest report on Tiger Census will be presented to the Prime Minister during the inaugural session of the Conference.

Another combined session on April 6 will focus on “Ease of doing Business and TSR report” covering forest and wildlife issues. At present, there are six laws under Environment and Forest, viz Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (EP Act); Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 (FC Act); Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (WLP Act); The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 (Water Act); The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 (Air Act); and The Indian Forests Act, 1927 (IF Act). All these Acts are being reviewed. The second combined session will have a detailed discussion on strengthening of environment and forest laws, rules & processes.

On April 7, there will be three break-out sessions on issues related to forest wildlife and GIM issues, pollution-related issues and issues related to bio-diversity and climate change, including eco-sensitive zones and Western Ghats. As air and water pollution directly impact the health of the people and need stringent action, there will be a separate four-hour deliberation on the issue during the Conference.

The two-day Conference will also provide the States an opportunity to share the best practices on various laws, rules and procedures related to environment. The Conference is important, as it is the first such conference being organized after the new Government assumed office under the leadership of the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi.

PM would also Launch Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana on the Occasion (MoF)

Dr. Hasmukh Adhia, Secretary, Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance reviewed here today the preparations made for launch of Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency (MUDRA) – a bank. MUDRA Bank would be launched by the Prime Minister on 8^th April, 2015 at Vigyan Bhavan in the national capital. Dr. Adhia said that the Prime Minister would also launch the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana on this occasion. The bank would be based on the theme of ‘Funding the unfunded’. Secretary (DFS) Dr Aadhia said that MUDRA bank would be responsible for regulating and refinancing all Micro-finance Institutions (MFI) which are in the business of lending to micro/small business entities engaged in manufacturing, trading and services activities among others. The MUDRA Bank would be set-up through a statutory enactment and would be partner with State level/Regional level co-ordinators to provide finance to Last Mile Financer of small/micro business enterprises.

The meeting was attended among others by Ms. Snehlata Srivastava, Additional Secretary, Department of Financial Services, Shri Kshatrapati Shivaji, CMD, SIDBI and other senior officers of the Ministry of Finance and SIDBI.

The MUDRA Bank would primarily be responsible for –

1) Laying down policy guidelines for micro/small enterprise financing business

2) Registration of MFI entities

3) Regulation of MFI entities

4) Accreditation /rating of MFI entities

5) Laying down responsible financing practices to ward off indebtedness and ensure proper client protection principles and methods of recovery

6) Development of standardized set of covenants governing last mile lending to micro/small enterprises

7) Promoting right technology solutions for the last mile

8) Formulating and running a Credit Guarantee scheme for providing guarantees to the loans which are being extended to micro enterprises

9) Creating a good architecture of Last Mile Credit Delivery to micro businesses under the scheme of Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana

A sum of Rs 20,000 crore would be allocated to the MUDRA Bank from the money available from shortfalls of Priority Sector Lending for creating a Refinance Fund to provide refinance to the Last Mile Financers. Another Rs 3,000 crore would be provided to the MUDRA Bank from the budget to create a Credit Guarantee corpus for guaranteeing loans being provided to the micro enterprises.

India Signs Loan Agreements with World Bank for US$ 500 Million for Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) for MSME Growth Innovation and Inclusive Finance Project (MoF)

The Loan Agreements for World Bank (IBRD) assistance of US$ 500 million to Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) for MSME Growth Innovation and Inclusive Finance Project was signed here today between Government of India and the World Bank. The Objective of the project is to improve access to finance of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) in manufacturing and service sectors from early to growth stage, including through innovative financial products. The project also aims to support growth and employment creation through unlocking opportunities for firm growth that the financing would provide.

Funded MSMEs will be the primary beneficiaries. MSMEs for the purpose of this project will be firms that are considered as MSMEs under the MSME Act. The project specifically benefits SIDBI by enhancing its financial and institutional capacity in the areas of early stage, service and manufacturing sector financing, and also supports other Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs).

The project will have three components which are: (i) Spurring Early Stage and Risk Capital Finance, (ii) Supporting service sector financing models and (iii) Supporting finance to manufacturing MSMEs.

It is a loan with an implementation period of 5 years. Small Industries Development Bank of India is the implementing agency.

Health and Family Welfare Ministry to Implement RSBY Scheme (MoL&E)

The Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojna (RSBY ) of the Labour and Employment Ministry will now be implemented by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The RSBY, the health insurance scheme for BPL(below poverty line) families was launched for the workers in the unorganized sector in the FY 2007-08 and it became fully operational from 1st April 2008. It provides for IT-enabled and smart –card-based cashless healthy insurance, including maternity benefit cover up to Rs. 30,000/- per annum on a family floater basis to BPL families (a unit of five) and 11 occupational groups in the unorganized sector. The ‘’Unorganized workers social Security Act, 2008” came into operation w.e.f 31st December 2008 and it encompassed ten social security schemes benefitting the unorganized workers including the RSBY.