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HeadsofElectionCommissionsofAfghanistan,Bangladesh,Bhutan,India,Maldives,Nepal,PakistanandSriLankahavesignedandadoptedinNewDelhiachartertopromotemutualcontactandlearningforenhancing

theircapabilitiestowardsconductingfreeandfairelections

o CharterestablishedaForumoftheHeadsofElectionManagementBodies(EMBs)oftheSAARCCountries.

o fostercooperationandshareelectoralexperiencesthroughapermanentForum IndoPaktrade

o IntegratedCheckPost(ICP)wasinauguratedatAttari/Waghaborder.AgatededicatedtothemovementoftruckshasbeenopenedinnewICP.

o GovernmentofPakistanissuedNotificationgivingthedetailofallthe137itemswhichcanbeimportedfromIndiathroughlandroute.

CoffeeBoardisimplementingvariousschemesforimprovementinproduction,productivityandqualityaswellasforpromotionofexportsand valueadditioninthecoffeesector.Theschemesare R&Dprogrammesfor

SustainableCoffeeProduction;DevelopmentSupportSchemeforCoffee; RainfallInsuranceScheme forRisk

Managementto Coffeegrowers;SupportforMechanizationofFarmOperations and ExportPromotionscheme.

SpecialTigerProtectionForce(STPF): Karnataka1ststatetodeploy;MoEFpersuadingtheStatestoraise,armanddeploy;Despite,100%centralassistancetofourStates(UttarPradesh,Uttarakhand,RajasthanandOrisa),

thedeploymentofSTPFhasnottakenplace

NATIONALAWARDSo BestActorawardgoestoGirishKulkarniforfilmDeool(Marathi)o BestActresstoVidyaBalanforthefilmTheDirtyPicture(Hindi)o BestDirectorto GurvinderSinghforPunjabi filmAnheGhoreyDaDaano KumararajaThiagarajanhaswontheIndiraGandhiAwardforBestDebutfilmofaDirector.o IconicBengaliactorSoumitraChatterjeewillreceivethetophonourinIndiacinema DadaSahebPhalke

Awardfortheyear2011.The77yearoldactormadehisdebutin1959inSatyajitRaysAPURSANSAR

andlateractedin14ofhisfilms.actedinmorethan400filmsincludingthefilmsofTapanSinha,Mrinas

Sen,AjoykarandTarunMajumdar

o BestFilm issharedby filmsDeool(Marathi) directedbyUmeshVinayakKulkarni andByari(Byarilanguage)directedbySuveeram

UNESCOKalingaPrizesetupbytheLateShriBijuPatnaikin1952 forthePopularizationofScience1stwinner1952LouisdeBroglieFrance;

NATIONALPETROCHEMICALPOLICY

aimstoincreaseinvestmentsinthesectorandcaptureasliceoftheresurgentAsiandemandinpolymersthroughadditionsincapacity/productionbyensuringavailabilityoffeedstockatinternationallycompetitive

prices,creatinginfrastructure,rationalisingtariffsandtaxes,andpromotingexports

introducenecessaryincentivestoboostprivateinvestmentwithpetroleum,chemicalandpetrochemicalinvestmentregions(PCPIR)asthecentresforinvestmentsandmakeIndiaanimportanthubforbothdomestic

andglobalmarkets

ConstitutionofPetrochemicalTechnologyUpgradationFund(PTUF) settingupofPlasticDevelopment council. clusterswouldbeprovidedwithcommoninfrastructurefacilitiestoaddresstheconstraintsofcommoneffluent

treatment,transportlinkages,powersupplyandwater.

GS Sample Notes Notes from pib.nic.in

(c) Divya Mittal , Not to be used for any commercial purpose 1

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i) SchemesofNationalAwardsforTechnologyInnovationsinPetrochemicalsanddownstreamPlasticProcessingIndustryTheaimistoincentivizemeritoriousinnovationsandinventionsinthefieldof

PetrochemicalsanddownstreamPlasticProcessingIndustry.

ii) SettingupofCentresofExcellenceItaimsatimprovingtheexistingpetrochemicaltechnologyandresearchinthecountry.

iii) SettingupofPlasticParkswithrequisitestateoftheartinfrastructureandenablingcommonfacilitiestoassistthesectortomoveupthevaluechainandcontributetotheeconomyeffectively.

GilgitManuscripts:amongthemostancientintheworldgoingbacktothe6thA.D.perhapstheonlycorpusofBuddhistManuscriptsdiscoveredinIndia;onBhojbark;discoveredin1931

o TheLotusSutraisoneofthemostimportantandinfluentialofthesutrasorscripturesofMahayanaBuddhism.Itrepresentsanunlimitedphilosophyofhappiness,aphilosophyofhappinessandpeace,a

sacredtexteternalinnatureandunendinginthecreationofvalue.

o Inthewakeofanurgentneedtoexpandthehorizonsofaccesstohistoricaldocuments,theFacsimileEditionoftheGilgitLotusSutraManuscriptshasbeenbroughtoutbytheNationalArchivesofIndia

ROSUB:unmannedsubmersible ROSUB6000wasdevelopedandtestedsuccessfullyinCentralIndianOceanBasininApril2010atfulloceandepthof5289meters.DevelopedincollaborationwithRussia

ONGCVideshLimited(OVL),incollaborationwithVietnamesecompanies,hasbeenengagedinexplorationactivityintheSouthChinaSeasince1988.ChinahasraiseditsconcernsonIndiashydrocarbonexplorationand

exploitationprojectsthere.GovernmenthasclearlyconveyedthatsuchactivitybyIndiancompaniesispurely

commercialinnatureandthatthedisputemustberesolvedpeacefullybythecountriesconcerned.

stepstoincreasethepaceofprogressinthefieldofscientificresearchanddevelopment:increaseinplanallocationsforScientificDepartments,settingupofnewinstitutionsforscienceeducationandresearch,creation

ofcentresofexcellenceandfacilitiesinemergingandfrontlineareasinacademicandnationalinstitutes,

inductionofnewandattractivefellowships,strengtheninginfrastructureforResearchandDevelopment(R&D),

encouragingpublicprivateR&Dpartnershipsetc.LaunchingofprogrammeslikeInnovationinSciencePursuitfor

InspiredResearch(INSPIRE),NanoMission,MegaFacilities,OpenSourceDrugDiscovery,NetworkProjects,

NationalBiotechnologyDevelopmentStrategyetc.

ScienceandEngineeringResearchBoard(SERB):estbasanautonomousbodythroughanActofParliament.ThecreationofSERB,apartfromsignificantlyenhancingthelevelofbasicresearchfunding,shallalsoimpartthe

necessaryautonomy,flexibilityandspeedinshapingtheresearchprogrammesanddeliveryoffundsto

researchers.

PanchayatYuvaKridaAurKhelAbhiyan(PYKKA)scheme,which wasintroducedin200809,playfieldsaredevelopedinvillageandblockpanchayatsacrossthecountryinaphasedmannerandcompetitionsare

conductedannuallyatblock,district,stateandnationallevel.51,759villagepanchayatsand1,538block

panchayatshavebeencoveredunderthePYKKAScheme

GovernmentisproposingtocreateafundonthelineofSovereignWealthFundcreatedinsomecountriesforOverseas

Coal

acquisition.

Though

CIL

has

surplus

resources

for

investing

outside,

it

is

important

to

have

financial

supportfromtheGovernmentforacquiringverylargeassetsabroadandbilateralunderstandingbetweenthe

twocountries.

ProtectionOfficersunderPWDVA,2005:UnderSection8(1)oftheProtectionofWomenfromDomesticViolenceAct(PWDVA),2005,StateGovernmentsarerequiredtoappointsuchnumbersofProtectionOfficersineach

districtastheymayconsidernecessary.Totalaround6300officershvbeenappointedwith3700ofthemin

Maharashtraalone.StateslikeBihar(21),UP(71),WB(20)havenotdonemuch

NCTC1. therearetwoseparateissues,onetheneedforNCTCorasimilarorganization.Theotheriswhatshouldbe

thepowersandfunctionsofsuchanorganization,shouldonebecreated.



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2. thirdaspectisabouttheroleofagencydesignedtodocounterterrorism thatmobilisesallelementsofnationalpower diplomatic,financial,investigative,judicial,police

3. Wefailedmainlybecauseoflackofcapacity;sometimeswefailedbecauseofalackoftimelydecision Eachcaseoffailurecontainswithinitthepotentialofanotherterroristattack.Therefore,wecannotaffordtofail.

TheadversarycanfailninetynineoutofhundredtimesbuttheState,theGovernments,cannotaffordtofail

evenonceoutofhundredtimes.

4. fourthpointisthemisgivingsaboutoperationsoftheNCTC.ItisnottheNCTCwhichisbeinggivencertainpowers,itistheoperationswingoftheNCTCwhichisbeinggivenpowersandonlyunderexceptional

circumstances.

5. finallytheotherpointofmisgiving:whyisitlocatedinIB GoMwhichmadeitsrecommendationsin2001,namedtheIBasIndiasnodalcounterterrorismagency.

TagoreAwardforpromotingvaluesofUniversalBrotherhood TagoreAwardforCulturalHarmonyo TheawardshallcarryanamountofRs.1Crore,aCitationinaScroll,aPlaqueaswellasanexquisite

traditionalhandicraft/handloomitem.

o Theawardisopentoallpersonsregardlessofnationality,race,language,cast,creedorsex.o PanditRaviShankartobethefirstrecipient culturalharmonyanduniversalvalues

NATIONALTIGERCONSERVATIONAUTHORITYo forstrengtheningtigerconservationby,interalia,ensuringnormativestandardsintigerreserve

management,preparationofreservespecifictigerconservationplan,layingdownannualauditreport

beforeParliament,constitutingStatelevelSteeringCommitteesundertheChairmanshipofChief

MinistersandestablishmentofTigerConservationFoundation.

o ChairmanMinisterforEnvironmentandForests.TheAuthoritywillhaveeightexpertsorprofessionalshavingqualificationsandexperienceinwildlifeconservationandwelfareofpeopleincludingtribals,apart

fromthreeMPs

o RegionalOfficessanctionedatNagpur,BengaluruandGuwahati. TIGERCONSERVATION

o Legalsteps:1. AmendmentoftheWildLife(Protection)Act,1972forprovidingenablingprovisionstowards

constitutingtheNationalTigerConservationAuthorityandtheTigerandOtherEndangered

SpeciesCrimeControlBureau.

2. Enhancementofpunishmentincasesofoffencerelatingtoatigerreserveoritscorearea.2. Administrativesteps:

1. Strengtheningofantipoachingactivities;providingfundingsupporttoTigerReserveStates2. ConstitutionoftheNationalTigerConservationAuthority3. ConstitutionofamultidisciplinaryTigerandOtherEndangeredSpeciesCrimeControlBureauto

effectivelycontrolillegaltradeinwildlife

4. inprincipleapprovalforcreationof5newtigerreservesandmoreproposalssought5. scientificmethodologyforestimatingtigerhasbeenevolvedandmainstreamed6. Anareaof33472.01sq.km.hasbeennotifiedby16TigerStates(outof17)ascoreorcritical

tigerhabitat

7. AsapartofactivemanagementtorebuildSariskaandPannaTigerReserveswheretigershavebecomelocallyextinct,reintroductionoftigers/tigresseshavebeendone.

3. Internationalcooperation1. MoUwithNepaloncontrollingtransboundaryillegaltradeinwildlifeandconservation,apart

fromaprotocolontigerconservationwithChina.



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2. GlobalTigerForumofTigerRangeCountrieshasbeencreatedforaddressinginternationalissuesrelatedtotigerconservation.

3. AtconferenceofPartiestoCITES,IndiaintroducedaresolutionwithdirectionstoPartieswithoperationsbreedingtigersonacommercialscale,forrestrictingsuchcaptivepopulationstoa

levelsupportiveonlytoconservingwildtigers. Theresolutionwasadoptedasadecisionwith

minoramendments.

4. AprotocolonconservationoftheRoyalBengalTigeroftheSundarbanssignedbetweenIndiaand

BangladeshinSeptember,2011.

5. IndiahasbeenparticipatingintheGlobalTigerInitiativeplatformsinceitslaunch.TheInternationalTigerForumheldinRussiaduringNovember,2010culminatedintheSt.Petersburg

Declaration.

6. AGlobalTigerRecoveryProgramme(GTRP)wasalsoadoptedbythetigerrangecountries,withthenationalprioritiesbeingspeltoutintheirrespectiveNationalTigerRecoveryProgrammes

(NTRP).

4. CreationofSpecialTigerProtectionForce(STPF): NTCAcompetentauthoritytoraising,arminganddeployingSTPFfor13tigerreserves;guidelinesoftheSTPF revisedfordeployingforestpersonnelin

placeofPoliceasanoptionII,withscopeforinvolvinglocalpeopleliketheVanGujjars.

5. RecentInitiatives1. ActioninitiatedforusingInformationTechnologytostrengthensurveillanceintigerreserves.2. LaunchingofPhaseIVtigerreservelevelmonitoring3. Specialcrackteamssenttotigerreservesaffectedbyleftwingextremismandlowpopulation

statusoftigeranditsprey.

4. Stepstakenformodernizingtheinfrastructureandfieldprotection,besideslaunchingMSTrIPESforeffectivefieldpatrollingandmonitoring.

5. StepstakenforinvolvementofNonGovernmentalExpertsintheongoingallIndiatigerestimation.

6. Initiativestakenforimprovingthefielddeliverythroughcapacitybuildingoffieldofficials,apartfromprovidingincentives.

E WASTE(MANAGEMENTANDHANDLING)RULES,2011havecomeintoeffectfrom1stMay2012.o conceptofExtendedProducerResponsibilityenshrined makesitamandatoryactivityforthe

manufacturersofelectronicandelectricalequipments.

o producersareresponsibleforcollectionofewastegeneratedfromtheendoflifeoftheirproductsbysettingupcollectioncentresortakebacksystemseitherindividuallyorcollectively

o Collectioncentres,dismantlersandRecyclersarerequiredtoobtainauthorizationandregistrationfromStatePCB.

WaterRegulatoryAuthority: 13thFCrecommendedsettingWRAineachStatetofixandregulatethewatertariffsystemandchargesforsurfaceandsubsurfacewaterusedfordomestic,agriculture,industrialand

otherpurposes.

RUSTOM1: IndigenouslydesignedanddevelopedUnmannedaerialvehicle(UAV),developedbyAeronauticalDevelopmentEstablishment(ADE),aDRDOlabatBangalore;Achievedmaxaltitudeof3.5kms;

o hasthepotentialmilitarymissionslikeReconnaissance&Surveillance,TargetAcquisition,TargetDesignation,CommunicationsRelay,BattleDamageAssessmentandSignalIntelligence.

o canattainamaximumaltitudeof22,000ftandenduranceof1215Hourswithanoperatingrangeof250Kmswhenfullydeveloped.

NRCP: presentlycovers40riversin190townsspreadover20States;pollutionabatementworkstakenupunderthePlanincludeinterceptionanddiversionofrawsewage,settingupofsewagetreatmentplants,



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creationoflowcostsanitationfacilities,settingupofelectric/improvedwoodcrematoriaandriverfront

development.

StepstocontrolCAD:o TherecentincreaseinCADisduetowideningoftradedeficitonaccountofhigherimportsofPOL

andgold&silver.

o TolowertheimpactofgoldimportsonCADunderbalanceofpayment,GovernmentintheUnionBudget201213hasproposedtoincreasebasiccustomdutyonstandardgoldbars;goldcoinsof

purityexceeding99.5percentandplatinumfrom2percentto4centandonnonstandardgoldfrom

5percentto10percent.

o RBIhastakencertainprudentialmeasuresinrespectofNBFCspredominantlyengagedinlendingagainstcollateralofgoldjewellery,torestricttheloansagainstgold

ChakmaandHajongIssue: GovernmentofIndiahasconstitutedaQuadripartiteCommitteeComprisingofGovernmentofIndia,GovernmentofArunachalPradesh,AllArunachalPradeshStudentsUnionandChakma

organisationstoresolvethedecadelongpendingissuerelatingtosettlementofChakmas&Hajongsincluding

thepossibilityofgrantofIndianCitizenshiptoeligibleChakmas/Hajongsandtorecommendmeasurestobe

takenbyCentralGovt./StateGovt.inthematter.

SalientfeaturesoftheNationalMissiononFoodProcessing(NMFP)are:i) torealizetheMinistrysnextleapforwardintermsofensuingrequisitegrowthimpetusandvalue

additiontothesector;

ii) decentralizedapproach;iii) greaterroleofState/UTs;iv) betteroutreachandv) effectivesupervisionandmonitoring.

DefinitionofanurbanareainCensusofIndia2011isasfollows:i) AllplaceswithaMunicipalCorporation,Municipality,CantonmentBoardornotifiedtownarea

committee,etc.

ii) Allotherplacesthatsatisfythefollowingcriteria: Aminimumpopulationof5000; Atleast75%ofmaleworkingpopulationshouldbeengagedinnonagriculturalpursuitsand Adensityofpopulationofatleast400persq.km.(1000persq.mile)

iii) TheStateGovernmentisresponsiblefornotifyinganareaasurban. DiscriminationagainstIndianSoftwareCompaniesbyUS

TheEmergencyBorderSecuritySupplementalAppropriationsAct,2010oftheUS,substantiallyincreasesthefeesforH1BandL1categoriesofvisasforapplicantsthatemploymorethan50employees

intheUnitedStatesorhavemorethan50percentoftheiremployeesadmittedonnonimmigrantvisas

(the50/50rule)whichisprimafaciediscriminatoryforIndiancompanies.

Department

of

Commerce

proposes

to

seek

consultations

with

the

USA

under

the

Dispute

Settlement

Understanding(DSU)ofWTO.

TheIndianfirmsincludingTCS,Infosys,WiproandMahindraSatyamwhofallinthe50/50ruleappearliabletopayhighervisafees.

Slumdevelopment HousingandSlumdevelopmentbeingStatesubjects,itisfortheStatestoprovidehousingandbasic

facilitieslikedrinkingwater,electricityandsanitationetcdependingupontheirprioritiesandavailability

offinancialresourcesetc

LaunchedJawaharlalNehruNationalUrbanRenewalMission(JNNURM)in2005toassistStates/UTsforundertakingprogrammesforprovisionofhousingandbasicservicestourbanpoor/slumdwellersunder



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BasicServicestotheUrbanPoor(BSUP)in65selectcitiesandIntegratedHousingandSlum

DevelopmentProgramme(IHSDP) inothercities/towns

newschemeRajivAwasYojana(RAY)launchedinJune2011.TheSchemeprovidesfinancialassistancetoStatesthatarewillingtoassignpropertyrightstoslumdwellersforprovisionofdecentshelterand

basiccivicandsocialservicesforslumredevelopment,andforcreationofaffordablehousingstock.

NationalFloorLevelMinimumWage(NFLMW)isanonstatutorymeasure,thereisaproposaltoamendtheMinimumWagesAct,1948,interalia,tomakeNFLMWstatutoryandtocoverallemploymentsunderthe

scheduleoftheAct.

KhandelwalCommitteeReport:CommitteeonHumanResourcesissuesofPublicSectorBanks(PSBs).TheCommitteemade105recommendationsonmattersrelatedtoManpowerandRecruitmentPlanning,Training,

CareerPlanning,PerformanceManagement,RewardManagement,SuccessionPlanningandLeadership

Development,Motivation,ProfessionalisationofHR,Wages,ServiceConditionsandWelfare,etc.As49

recommendationsrequiredfurtherdeliberations,theremaining56recommendationswereforwardedtoPSBs

withtherequestthatanHRPlanforeachBankbepreparedandgotapprovedbytherespectiveBoardof

Directors.TherepresentativesofWorkmenUnion/OfficerAssociationareontheBoardofDirectorsoftheBank

whereadecisiononvariousrecommendationsistaken

MungekarCommitteeReportonStandardsofAdministrationandGovernanceintheScheduledAreassubmittedbytheStandingCommitteeonInterSectoralIssuesrelatingtoTribalDevelopmentcontains

recommendationsonavarietyofissues.Theseincludeinteraliarevivinginstitutionsofselfgovernance,

effectivedeliverymechanism,creationofcriticalinfrastructure,TribalSubplan,implementationofthe

ScheduledTribesandtheOtherTraditionalForestDwellers(RecognitionofForestRights)Act,2006and

GovernorsReport.ThereportalsocontainsrecommendationsontheroleoftheMinistryofTribalAffairsand

StateTribalWelfareDepartments,NationalCommissionforScheduledTribesandSCs&STs(Preventionof

Atrocities)Act,1989.

RupaySystem:ItisanapprovecardpaymentnetworklikeMastercardandVISA.DevelopedbyNationalPaymentCorporationofIndia.AsafurthersteptowardsFinancialInclusion,theIssueofRUPAYaffiliatedcardsby

bankswillenablecashlesstransactionwheresuchcardsareusedatPointofSale(POS)andMicroATMs.

TransactionCostofExport:AccordingtotheestimatesoftheTaskForceonTransactionCostinExports,thetransactioncostisapproximately7to10%oftheexportvalue,whichincludesstructuralcostsi.e.inland

transportationandhandling,portsandterminalhandlingetc.TheTaskForcemade44recommendationsoutof

which23havebeenimplementedwhichreducedthetransactioncosttotheextentofRs.2100crorein

perpetuity.

TargetedPublicDistributionSystem(TPDS)

isoperatedunderthejointresponsibilityofCentralGovernmentandState/UnionTerritory(UT)Governments. TheCentralGovernmentisresponsibleforprocurement,allocationandtransportationoffoodgrainsuptothe

designateddepotsofFoodCorporationofIndia.

TheoperationalresponsibilitiesforliftinganddistributingtheallocatedfoodgrainswithintheStates/UTs,identificationofeligibleBelowPovertyLine(BPL)families,issuanceofrationcardstothemandsupervisionover

distributionofallocatedfoodgrainstoeligiblecardholdersthroughtheFairPriceShops(FPSs)areoftheState/UT

Governments.

ToimprovefunctioningofTPDS,GovernmenthasbeenregularlyrequestingState/UTGovernmentsforcontinuousreviewoflistsofBPLandAntyodayaAnnaYojana(AAY)families,ensuringtimelyavailabilityof

foodgrainsatFairPriceShops(FPSs),ensuringgreatertransparencyinfunctioningofTPDS,improvedmonitoring



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andvigilanceatvariouslevelsandintroductionofnewtechnologiessuchasComputerisationofTPDSoperations

atvariouslevels.

Measurestakenbyvariousstates:properidentificationofbeneficiaries,timelydistributionoffoodgrains,doorstepdeliveryoffoodgrains,enhancingviabilityofFairPriceShops(FPSs),enhancingstoragecapacities,useof

technologybasedinitiativesinTPDS,increasingpublicawareness,monitoringdistributionofPDScommodities

throughsocialaudit,etc.

INDIASOVEREIGN

RATING

IntheirApril2012report,S&PhadrevisedtheoutlookonthelongtermratingonIndiafromStabletonegative.Inits

report,S&Palsostatedthattheoutlookhasbeenrevisedtoreflectatleastaoneinthreelikelihoodofadowngrade

iftheexternalpositioncontinuestodeteriorate,growthprospectsdiminish,orprogressonfiscalreformsremains

slow.

Stepstaken

takinganumberofmeasureswithaviewtoreducingthecurrentaccountdeficit,improvinggrowthprospectsoftheeconomy,andreducingthefiscaldeficit.

stepstorestricttheexpenditureoncentralsubsidiestounder2%ofGDPin201213andtofurtherbringitdownto1.75%ofGDPinthenextthreeyears.

hasmadeadeterminedattempttocomebacktothepathoffiscalconsolidationbyreducingthebudgetedfiscaldeficitto5.1%ofGDPinBE201213from5.9%ofGDPinRE201112.

SEXDETERMINATIONCURBINGSTEPS

ThedrivetocurbsexdeterminationhasbeenintensifiedthrougheffectiveimplementationofthePC&PNDTActas

perdetailsmentionedbelow:

I. CentralSupervisoryBoard(CSB)underthePNDTActhasbeenreconstituted.Meetingsheldevery6monthsII. InspectionsbytheNationalInspectionandMonitoringCommitteehavebeenscaledup.NIMChasbeen

reconstitutedandapartfrominspectionsfurtherempoweredtooverseefollowupactionbyAppropriate

AuthoritiesagainstorganizationsfoundguiltyofviolationsundertheActduringinspections.

III. GovernmentofIndiahasnotifiedimportantamendmentsinrulesundertheAct,including:1. AmendmenttoRule11(2)ofthePC&PNDTRules,1996toprovideforconfiscationofunregistered

machinesandfurtherpunishmentundertheAct

2. Amendmenttoregulatetheuseofportableultrasoundequipmentandservicesofferedbymobilegeneticclinics.

IV. 17stateswiththemostskewedchildsexratiohavebeenidentifiedforconcertedattention.AmeetingofHealthSecretariesoftheseStateswasconvenedfollowedbyseveralreviewmeetings.

V. OperationalguidelinesforGrantinAidtoNGOshavebeenrevisedtoensuretargeteduseofresourcesforawarenessgenerationoftheAct.

VI. StateshavebeenaskedtotakeadvantageoffundingavailableunderNRHMforstrengtheninginfrastructureandaugmentationofhumanresourcesrequiredforeffectiveimplementationofthePC&PNDTAct.

Besidesabove,tobringaboutchangeinmindsetofgenderdiscriminationinsociety,supportisbeingprovidedfor

BehaviourChangeCommunicationcampaigninStatesPIPsunderNRHM.

ThetransitofVenusisaphenomenonwhentheVenuswillbeseenasablackspottravelingfromonelimbofthe

solardisctotheother.



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FromtheEarththisphenomenonisseenwhentheVenuspassesbetweentheSunandEarthandtheplanetgetsalignedwiththeSun.

Thisisanextremelyrareevent,occursinpairwithagapof8years,atintervalsof8,121,8,105and8years.TheVenusappearsasadotonthesolardiscbecauseitsangularsizeisverysmallcomparedtothatoftheSunas

seenfromtheEarth.

ThelasttransitofVenusoccurredonJune8,2004whentheentireeventwasvisiblefromallpartsofIndia.ThenextpairoftransitofVenuswilloccurafteracenturyonDec11,2117andDec8,2125.

TAPIGasPipeline

isenvisagedtobe1680Kminlength(144KminTurkmenistan,735KininAfghanistan&800KminPakistan) capacityof90MMSCMDofgas,with38MMSCMDeachforIndiaandPak;remaining14MMSCMDforAfghan ThePipelineisexpectedtobeoperationalin2018andsupplygasovera30yearsperiod. sourceofthegasistheSouthYoiotanOsmanfield,recentlyrenamedGalkynysh,whichhasbeencertifiedbya

reputedinternationalconsultanttobeholdingprovenrecoverablegasreservesof16trillioncubicmetres.

UnionCabinetapprovedtheproposaltopermitGAIL(India)LimitedtosigntheGasSale&PurchaseAgreement(GSPA)withTurrnenGas,Turkmenistan`snationaloilcompany

AfghanistanandPakistanhavecommittedtothesafetyandsecurityofthepipelinethroughtheInterGovernmentalAgreementandtheGasPurchaseFrameworkAgreement

FromDauletabadtoFazilkathruHeart,Kandahar,QuettaandMultanMOUsforWelfareofOverseasIndianWorkers

Problemsfaced:contractviolationsincludingchangingoftheemploymentterms;employerstakepassportsoftheworkersonthepretextofsafecustody cantleave

signedaLabourWelfareAgreementwithQatar;MemorandaofUnderstanding(MoU)onLabourwelfarewithUnitedArabEmirates(UAE)inDecember2006,withKuwaitinApril2007,withOmaninNovember2008andwith

BahraininJune2009.

UndertheseAgreementandMoUs,JointWorkingGroups(JWG)areconstituted.IssuesrelatingtothewelfareofIndianworkersincludingpassportcustodyaretakenupduringtheregularmeetingsoftheseJWGs.

PresidentialReferenceon2GLicensing

Q.1 Whethertheonlypermissiblemethodfordisposalofallnaturalresourcesacrossallsectorsandinallcircumstancesisbytheconductofauctions?

Q.2 WhetherabroadpropositionoflawthatonlytherouteofauctionscanberesortedtofordisposalofnaturalresourcesdoesnotruncontrarytoseveraljudgmentsoftheSupremeCourtincludingthoseofLarger

Benches?

Q.4

What

is

the

permissible

scope

for

interference

by

courts

with

policy

making

by

the

Government

includingmethodsfordisposalofnaturalresources?

Q.5 Whether,ifthecourtholds,withinthepermissiblescopeofjudicialreview,thatapolicyisflawed,isthecourtnotobligedtotakeintoaccountinvestmentsmadeunderthesaidpolicyincludinginvestmentsmade

byforeigninvestorsundermultilateral/bilateralagreements?

Q.6 Iftheanswerstotheaforesaidquestionsleadtoanaffirmationofthejudgmentdated02.02.2012thenquestionsmayarise,vizlicensesgivenafter1994;andwhethergovtshudwithdrawtheSpectrum allocated

toallexistinglicenseesortochargeforthesamewithretrospectiveeffectandifsoonwhatbasisandfrom

whatdate?



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LowerSubansiriHydroElectricProject:concernsexpressedbyGoAssamregardingstructuralsafetyofthedam,

PlanningCommissionhasappointedatwoMemberTechnicalExpertsCommitteetostudythetechnicalreportsof

theExpertGroup

OperatingRatiosofIndianRailways:ThereisnoidealoperatingratioforRailways.

LoweroperatingratiohelpsingeneratinghigherinternalresourcesformeetingrequirementofPlanfundsforsafety,amenities,modernizationofthesystemetc.ThebesteverOperatingRatiooftheIndianRailwayswas74.7

percentin196364.

Theyear201112islikelytoclosewithanoperatingratioof95percentandatargetof84.9percenthasbeenkeptfor201213.

Railways,inordertoimprovetheoperatingratio,arestrivingforaugmentingtrafficearningsandcontainingtheexpenditure.

Stepsbeingtakenformaximizingthetrafficearningsinteraliaincluderationalizationoffareandfreighttariff;effectivemarketingstrategiestocapturemoreandmoretraffic;creationofadditionalcapacityandoptimum

utilizationoftheexistingrailinfrastructure;improvedthroughputbystepstoincreaseproductivityandefficiency;

improvementofpassengerinterfaceetc.

Railways

are

making

efforts

to

contain

the

expenditure

through

diverse

means

including

strict

economy

and

austeritymeasures;improvedmanpowerplanning;betterassetutilizationandinventorymanagement;

optimizingthefuelconsumptionetc.

Indiantsunamiearlywarningcentre(ITEWC)

isequippedwithworldclasscomputational,communicationandtechnicalsupportfacilitiesandisconsideredasoneofthemostmoderntsunamiwarningcentresasondate.

TheinstrumentationoftheITEWCisbuiltinawaytodetecttsunamisoriginatingfrombothidentifiedtsunamigenicsourcesintheIndianOceanandtobecomeworldclassinrespectofthequalityofthewarning

servicewithminimalfalsealarmscenariogenerationpossibility.

HasbeengivenastatusofRegionalTsunamiServiceProvider(RTSP)byIntergovernmentalOceanographicCommissionoftheUnitedNationsEconomicSocialandCulturalOrganization(IOC/UNESCO)

Indiahasstartedprovidingthetsunamiwarningservicebulletinstothe26IndianOceanRimCountriesonanoperationalbasis.

BiotechnologyRegulatoryAuthorityofIndia(BRAI)Bill,2012,

theAuthoritywillbeanautonomousandstatutoryagencytoregulatetheresearch,transport,import,manufactureanduseoforganismsandproductsofmodernbiotechnology.

shallconsistofaChairperson,twowholetimeMembersandtwoparttimemembers,eachwithexpertiseinlifesciencesandbiotechnologyapplicationsinagriculture,healthcare,environmentandgeneralbiology. TheBillprovidesforsettingupofInter ministerialGoverningBoardtooverseetheperformanceoftheAuthority

andaNationalBiotechnologyAdvisoryCouncilofstakeholderstoprovidefeedbackonuseoforganismsand

productsofbiotechnologyinsociety.

TheBillalsoprovidesforanelaborateriskassessmentprocessinvolvingscientificpanelsofexpertsandrepresentativesofconcernedministriesincludingaspecialpublicreviewsystemforevaluationofapplications

beforefinalapprovals.



7/28/2019 PIB Notes

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MajorrecommendationsmadebytheShilabhadraBenerjeeCommitteeareregardingsettingupofaDirectorateof

Currency;eightstageprocessforacquisitionofsecurityfeaturesforIndiabanknotes;reviewofProcurement

ManualsofBRBNMPLandSPMCIL;andIndigenizationincludingR&Dsetupinthecountry.

DEMANDFORBODOLAND:

AMemorandumofSettlement(MoS)wassignedbetweentheCentralGovernment,GovernmentofAssamandthe

BodoLiberationTiger(BLT)on10.2.2003.

FollowingactionhasbeentakentoimplementtheMoS:

(i) SixthScheduletotheConstitutionofIndiawasamendedforcreationofBodolandTerritorialCouncil(BTC).(ii) GeneralElectiontotheCouncilwasheldin2005and2010(iii) ScheduledTribe(list)ofAssamhasbeenrevisedbyamendingtheConstitution(ScheduledTribes),Order

1950toprotecttheinterestofBodoTribe.

(iv) BodolanguagehasbeenincludedintotheEighthScheduleoftheConstitutionofIndia.(v) Article332(6)oftheConstitutionofIndiahasbeenamendedbyenactingConstitution(Ninetieth)

AmendmentAct,2003forensuringtheexistingrepresentationoftheScheduledTribesandnonScheduled

Tribes

in

the

Legislative

Assembly

of

the

State

of

Assam

from

BodolandTerritorial

Area

District

(BTAD).

(vi) TheMinistryofDevelopmentofNorthEasternRegion(DoNER)hassanctioned52projectsworthRs.585.24croreforcreationofsocioeconomicinfrastructuresincetheyear200405andRs.505.29crorehasbeen

releasedtotheStateGovernmentofAssamforBTC.Inadditiontoabove,Rs.67.37crorewerereleased

duringtheyears20032004to200809fordevelopmentofadministrativeinfrastructureintheBTAD.

(vii) CentralInstituteofTechnology(CIT)hasstartedfunctioningatKokrajharsince2006.(viii) 846exBLTcadreshavebeenrecruitedintheCentralPoliceForces(CPFs)andapprovalforappointmentof

400exBLTcadresasSpecialPoliceOfficer(SPOs)hasbeengiventoStateGovernment.

THEPROTECTIONOFCHILDRENFROMSEXUALOFFENCESACT,2012

PassedbyLoksabhainbudgetsession.WasearlierpassedbyRS Forthefirsttime,aspeciallawhasbeenpassedtoaddresstheissueofsexualoffencesagainstchildren. IPCdoesnotprovideforalltypesofsexualoffencesagainstchildrenand,moreimportantly,doesnotdistinguish

betweenadultandchildvictims.

definesachildasanypersonbelowtheageof18yearsandprovidesprotectiontoallchildrenundertheageof18yearsfromtheoffencesofsexualassault,sexualharassmentandpornography.Theseoffenceshavebeen

clearlydefinedforthefirsttimeinlaw.

Anoffenceistreatedasaggravatedwhencommittedbyapersoninapositionoftrustorauthorityofchildsuchasamemberofsecurityforces,policeofficer,publicservant,etc.

The

Act

provides

for

stringent

punishments,

which

have

been

graded

as

per

the

gravity

of

the

offence.

range

fromsimpletorigorousimprisonmentofvaryingperiods.

PenetrativeSexualAssault Notlessthansevenyearswhichmayextendtoimprisonmentforlife,andfine AggravatedPenetrativeSexualAssault Notlessthantenyearswhichmayextendtoimprisonmentforlife,and

fine

providesfortheestablishmentofSpecialCourtsfortrialofoffencesundertheAct,keepingthebestinterestofthechildasofparamountimportanceateverystageofthejudicialprocess.

TheActincorporateschildfriendlyproceduresforreporting,recordingofevidence,investigationandtrialofoffences



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TheattempttocommitanoffenceundertheActhasbeenmadeliableforpunishmentforuptohalfthepunishmentprescribedforthecommissionoftheoffence.

providesforpunishmentforabetmentoftheoffence,whichisthesameasforthecommissionoftheoffence.Thiswouldcovertraffickingofchildrenforsexualpurposes.

ForthemoreheinousoffencesofPenetrativeSexualAssault,AggravatedPenetrativeSexualAssault,SexualAssaultandAggravatedSexualAssault,theburdenofproofisshiftedontheaccused

ThemediahasbeenbarredfromdisclosingtheidentityofthechildwithoutthepermissionoftheSpecialCourt.Thepunishmentforbreachingthisprovisionbymediamaybefromsixmonthstooneyear.

Toprovideforreliefandrehabilitationofthechild,assoonasthecomplaintismadetotheSpecialJuvenilePoliceUnit(SJPU)orlocalpolice,thesewillmakeimmediatearrangementstogivethechild,careandprotectionsuchas

admittingthechildintoshelterhomeortothenearesthospitalwithintwentyfourhoursofthereport.

TheNationalCommissionfortheProtectionofChildRights(NCPCR)andStateCommissionsfortheProtectionofChildRights(SCPCRs)havebeenmadethedesignatedauthoritytomonitortheimplementationoftheAct.

IndiaAdoptsJointCommuniqueonHealth&MedicinewithotherBRICSMemberStates

CooperationamongBRICSMemberStateswillhelpaddresscommonchallengessuchasuniversalaccesstohealthservices

wouldhelpaccesstohealthtechnologiesandgenericmedicinesnotonlyamongBRICSMemberStatesbuttheworldatlarge.

OtherpointsinthecommuniqunotethatcooperationintheareaofdrugdiscoveryanddevelopmentespeciallyTBandmalariaandneglecteddiseaseswillfacilitateavailabilityofnewdrugstotreatthesediseasesmore

effectively;

therightoftheMemberStatestoprotectpublichealthand,inparticular,topromoteaccesstomedicinesforallasagreedintheDohaDeclarationof2001.

TofostertechnologycooperationamongBRICSMemberStates,theydecidedtoincludediseasesurveillance,bothforcommunicableandnoncommunicablediseases,amongthelistofareasforcooperation.T

SecondBRICSHealthMinistersmeetingwillbehostedbyIndiainNovember,2012.FinalGuidelinesonBaselIIICapitalRegulationsIssuedbyRBI

BaselIIICapitalRegulationswillbeimplementedfrom01.01.2013inaphasedmanner. Inordertoallowbankstoprepareandplanthemselvesandalsotominimizeanyunintendedconsequences

arisingoutofhighercapitalrequirements,bankshavebeengivenalongphaseinperiodduringwhichtheBasel

IIIguidelineswouldbeimplemented.

CapitalratiosanddeductionsfromCommonEquitywillbefullyphasedinandimplementedasonMarch31,2018.

InvestmentTrackingSystem

Inordertoaddresstheissueofmajorinvestmentprojectsbeingdelayedforavarietyofreasons,PMhasapprovedthesettingupofanInvestmentTrackingSystemtoensurespeedyimplementationofsuchprojects.

Delaysfaced onmultiplefrontssecurityclearances,envtclearances,otherclearances,landrelatedmatters,etc NationalManufacturingCompetitivenessCouncilshalltrackallPublicSectorprojectswithaninvestmentof`

1000croreandabove.

DepartmentofFinancialServicesshallmonitorprojectswithaninvestmentof`1000croreandaboveintheprivatesector.



7/28/2019 PIB Notes

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willsubmitquarterlyreportsonthetrackingbeingdonebythemandonidentifiedissuestothePMODharmadhikariCommitteeReport

recommended1stApril2007asthecutoffdateforthepurposeofimplementingnewpayscalesfortheemployeesofAirIndia

uniformpayscalesforallemployeesoferstwhileAIandIA.FortheexecutivecadrerecommendedpayscalesareaspertheDPEnormsandnonexecutivecadrepayscalesareaspertheindustrynorms.

ProductivityLinkedIncentive(PLI)initspresentformshallbeabolished.subsumedindeterminationofbasicpay recommendedprofitrelatedpayaspertheDPEguidelines,whichwillbelinkedtotheprofitearnedbythe

companyandachievementsofvarioustargets.

guidingprincipleofintersesenioritywouldbelengthofserviceinthatgradeintheerstwhileAIandIA hasrecognizedtheneedforcertainallowanceswhicharegiventocertainclassofemployeeslikepilots,cabin

crewandengineersaspertheindustrystandard.However,theyfalloutsidethescopeofDepartmentofPublic

Enterprises(DPE)guidelines.ThiswouldneedanapprovaloftheUnionCabinetbeforetheseareimplementedat

variancewithDPEguidelines.Thedetailsofsuchallowanceswouldonlybedisclosedaftertheapprovalofthe

Cabinet.

recommendedafairandcomprehensivepromotionpolicythroughtheconstitutionofDepartmentalPromotionCommittees(DPCs)

ThrustareasofNTP 2012

Increaseruralteledensityfromthecurrentlevelofaround39to70bytheyear2017and100bytheyear2020

RepositioningofMobilephone asaninstrumentofempowerment

Broadband`BroadbandForAllataminimumdownloadspeedof2Mbps

DomesticManufacturingMakingIndiaaglobalhub

ConvergenceofNetwork,ServicesandDevices

LiberalisationofSpectrum anyServiceinanyTechnology

SimplificationofLicensingregime UnifiedLicensing,delinkingofSpectrumfromLicense,Onlinerealtime

submissionandprocessing

ConsumerFocus AchieveOneNation FullMobileNumberPortabilityandworktowardsOneNation Free

Roaming

ResaleofServices

VoiceoverInternetProtocol

CloudComputing,NextGenerationNetworkincludingIPV6

KeyFeaturesofDraftNATIONALYOUTHPOLICY2012:

a. TheDraftNYP2012recognizesthatyouthisnotahomogenousgroupandtherearenumerousdifferentialsbasedontheirhabitat,environmentinwhichtheylive,socioeconomicstatusofthefamiliestheybelongtoand

theirownlifestyle.

b. Thetargetgroupsidentifiedare(i)StudentYouth(ii)MigrantYouth(iii)RuralYouth(iv)TribalYouth(v)YouthAtRisk(vi)Youthinviolentconflicts(vii)outofschool/dropouts(viii)groupswithsocial/moralstigma(ix)Youthin

InstitutionalCare.Youngwomen,Youthbelongingtosociallyandeconomicallydisadvantagedcommunities

/groups,anddifferentlyabledyouthformthethreeprioritygroupsamongthetargetagegroup.



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c. TheDraftNYP2012proposestochangethetargetagegroupfromtheexisting1335yearsto1630years.ThischangeisproposedmainlytorealignthedefinitionofYouthwiththeprevailinginternationaldefinitions.The

definitionofYouthasperUNis1524yearsandasperCommonwealth,itis15 29years.

d. Theconcernsoftargetgroupsandtheprioritygroupstherein,shallbeaddressedthroughasubsequentactionplanbasedonpolicy interventionsmentionedinthethrustareasofthispolicy.

e. DraftNYP2012planstodividebroadage bracketof1630yearsintothreegroups thefirstsubgroupwillbe1620yearscoveringmostlyyouthwhorequireeducationalfacilities.Thesecondsubgroupis2025yearswho

requireaccesstoemployableskills.Thethirdsubgroup2530whorequireaccesstoselfemployment

andenterprenuerialskills.

f. aimsatempoweringyouththroughskilldevelopmentforenhancingemployabilityandprovidingentrepreneurshipopportunitiesthroughconvergencewithotherMinistries/Departments.

g. ThethrustareasarepromotionofNationalvalues,socialharmony,nationalunity,empoweringyouththroughemployableskills,education,health,sportsandrecreation,genderjustice,participationincommunityservice,

environmentandlocalgovernance.

h. hasmonitorableindicatorsunderfivedomains.Accordingly,YouthDevelopmentIndexwillincludetheindicesviz.YouthHealthIndex,YouthEducationIndex,YouthWorkIndex,YouthAmenitiesIndex,Youth

ParticipationIndex.

i. advocatesestablishmentofstrongcoordinationmechanismattheCentreandStateLevels.j. proposesthatYouthPolicybereviewedaftereveryNationalCensus.BiotechnologyIgnitionGrant(Big)Scheme: supporttoentrepreneurswhohaveanexcitingideawhichmaybein

thenascentandplanningstage;stimulatecommercializationofresearchdiscoveriesbyprovidingveryearlystage

grantsforthedevelopmentandmaturationofthosediscoveriesintomarketableproductorintellectualproperty(IP),

inparticulartohelpbridgethegapbetweendiscoveryandinvention.

TomatoGenomeConsortium(TGC),agroupofover300scientistsfromfourteencountries,hassequencedthe

genomesofthedomesticatedtomatoanditswildancestor,Solanumpimpinellifolium.Thisachievementisexpected

to

lower

costs

and

speed

up

efforts

to

improve

the

worldwide

tomato

production,

making

it

better

equipped

to

combatthepests,pathogens,droughtanddiseasesthatnowplaguegrowers.

KabirPuraskar: forpromotionofCommunalHarmony;introducedin1990;3grades;givenfortheconspicuousacts

ofphysical/moralcouragedisplayedundercircumstancesofdangertothelifeoftherescuerinsavingthelivesand

propertiesofmember(s)ofanothercommunity,casteorethnicgroupduringcommunalriots,casteconflictsorethic

clashes;givenbytheMinistryofHomeAffairs

HighlightsofAnnualSupplement201213toForeignTradePolicy2009 14

2%InterestSubventionScheme:ContinuationandExpansion TechnologicalUpgradation/EPCGScheme: ZeroDutyEPCGSchemeextendedupto31stMarch2013;scopeofZeroDutyEPCGSchemehasbeenenlarged.; IntroductionofAnewPostExportEPCGScheme: Reducedtransactioncostcoupledwithcomparativelyreduced

EOwouldmakethis schemeattractive

IncentivesForPromotingInvestmentInLabourIntensiveSectors: StatusholdersareissuedStatusHoldersIncentiveScrip(SHIS)toimportCapitalGoodsforpromotinginvestmentinupgradationoftechnologyofsome

specifiedlabourintensivesectorslikeLeather,Textile&Jute,Handicrafts,Engineering,PlasticsandBasic

Chemicals. Itisnowdecidedthatupto10%ofthevalueofthesescripswillbeallowedtobeutilizedtoimport

componentsandsparesofcapitalgoodsimportedearlier.



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EncouragementForManufacturingSectorInDomesticMarket: Variousscrips issuedunderFPS,FMS,SHIS,SFISshallbepermittedtobeutilizedforpaymentofExciseDutyfordomesticprocurement.

Market &ProductDiversification: 7newmarketsarebeingaddedtoFocusMarketScheme(FMS);46newitemsarebeingaddedtoMarketLinkedFocusProductScheme(MLFPS);110newitemsarebeingaddedtotheFocus

ProductScheme(FPS)

INDIAJAPANDEFENCECOOPERATION

IndianNavyandtheJapaneseMaritimeSelfDefenceForcewillconducttheirfirsteverbilateralexerciseduringthevisitoffourIndianNavyshipstoJapan

TheengagementbetweentheNaviesofIndiaandJapanispartoftheoveralldefencecooperationbetweenbothcountries.DefenceexchangesbetweenIndiaandJapanpresentlycompriseannualDefenceMinisterlevel

meetings,DefencePolicydialogueatDefenceSecretarylevelandArmyandNavalStaffTalks.

PURA2.0(ProvisionofUrbanAmenitiesinRuralAreas)

fordevelopinginfrastructureinrapidlyurbanizingareasknownascensustownsinthenewversionofPURA PlanningCommissionhasagreedtoprovideRs1500Croreinthe12thFiveyearplan numberofCensusTownsinIndiahasincreasedfrom1,362in2001to3,894in2011,whilethenumberofvillages

andthestatutorytownshaveremainedthesame.

Censustownisdescribedasatownhavingmorethan5,000populationswithadensityof400peoplepersquarekilometerandwherethemalepopulationengagedinnonagriculturalactivitiesismorethan75%

Projectstotakeninapublicprivatepartnershipmodetobuildandimproveuponthephysicalinfrastructure. ExpressionofInterestfortheprivatepartieshasalreadybeennotifiedandtheprivatecompaniesinconsultation

withGramPanchayats,whichwillbethenodalagency,cantakeupprojectslikesanitation,watersupply,street

lighting,roadsandsolidandliquidwastemanagementonuserchargesbasisinthecensustowns.

PURA2.0,whichisdifferentfromPURA1.0,conceivedbytheformerPresidentDrA.P.J.AbdulKalamasthatoneprincipallyrelatedtoknowledgeconnectivity.

Termingthemas"Trishanku"areas,Rameshsaidtheyhavewitnessedrapidurbanisationduetopopulationinfluxandpositivechangesinareassuchasemploymentofpeopleinagriculture.

PURA

MoRDisimplementingthePURAschemeunderaPublicPrivatePartnership(PPP)frameworkbetweenGramPanchayat(s)andprivatesectorpartnerswithactivesupportofthestategovernments.

TheschemeenvisagestwinningofruralinfrastructuredevelopmentandmanagementwitheconomicregenerationactivitiesandisthefirstattemptatdeliveringabasketofinfrastructureandamenitiesthroughPPPin

theruralareas.

Itisanefforttoprovideadifferentframeworkfortheimplementationofruralinfrastructuredevelopmentschemesandharnessprivatesectorefficienciesinthemanagementofassetsanddeliveryofservices.

Objectives:provisionoflivelihoodopportunitiesandurbanamenitiesinruralareastobridgetheruralurbandivide.

Features:CorefundingshallbesourcedfromtheCentralSectorschemeofPURAandcomplementedbyadditionalsupportthroughconvergenceofdifferentCentralGovernmentschemes.Theprivatesectorshallalso

bringintotheprojectitsshareofinvestmentbesidesoperationalexpertise.Theschemewouldbeimplemented

andmanagedbytheprivatesectoronconsiderationsofeconomicviabilitybutdesignedinamannerwherebyit

isfullyalignedwiththeoverallobjectiveofruraldevelopment



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TheRegionalRuralBankswereestablishedin1975withtheobjectivetocreateanalternativechannelto`cooperative

creditstructure`withaviewtoensuresufficientinstitutionalcreditforruralandagriculturesector.

TheissuedcapitalofRRBsissharedbyCentralGovernment,theconcernedStateGovernmentandthesponsorbankintheproportionof50%,15%and35%,respectively.

InpursuanceoftherecommendationsofDr.Chakrabarty,DeputyGovernor,RBIonCRARofRRBs,Governmenthadinitiatedtheprocessofrecapitalizationof40financiallyweakRRBsin200910.

Therecapitalizationamounthastobesharedbystakeholdersinproportionoftheirshareholding.releaseofCentralGovtshareissubjecttoreleaseofStateGovernmentandsponsorbankshare.

Capitalizationhasbeencompletedin16RRBstilltheendofMarch,2012. Recently,UnionCabinetapprovedthereleaseof50%shareoftheCentralGovtforrecapitalizationofremaining

RRBtoimprovetheirCapitaltoRiskWeightsedAssetsRatio(CRAR)

ThefirstBilateralmaritimeexercisebetweenIndiaandJapan`JIMEX12`(JapanIndiaMaritimeExercise)will

commencetomorrow,09June,offTokyo.UnitsoftheJapaneseMaritimeSelfDefenceForce(JMSDF)participating

aretwodestroyers;onemaritimepatrolaircraftandahelicopter.IndianNavalunitsparticipatingareINSRana,INS

Shivalik,INSKarmukhandINSShakti.

HovercraftH187: IndianCoastGuardHovercraftH187,thefirstoftheseriesoftwelveAirCushionVehicles(ACVs)

wascommissionedrecently;displaces31tonnesandcanachieveamaximumspeedof45knots.TheACViscapable

ofundertakingmultifarioustaskssuchassurveillance,interdiction,searchandrescueandrenderingassistanceto

smallboats/craftindistressatsea.

IndianNavysPanIOROperationsDemonstrateReachofIndiasMaritimeDiplomacy

FourshipsoftheIndianNavysEasternFleetenteredShanghaitodayonafourdayportvisit.areonanoperationaldeploymenttotheSouthChinaSeaandNorthWestPacific.

Earlierinthedeployment,thefirstBilateralmaritimeexercisebetweenIndiaandJapan`JIMEX12`(JapanIndiaMaritime

Exercise)

was

conducted

INSSavitriisinPortVictoria,Seychelles.plannedtoparticipateintheNationalDaycelebrationsofSeychellesandthereafterbedeployedforabouttwomonthstoundertakesurveillanceofEEZofSeychellesandMauritius.

TheINcontinuestomaintainoneDornierinSeychellestoprovideaerialsurveillancefortheSeychelloisEEZ. OneDornierisactivelyflyingfromMaldivestomeetMaldivianrequirementsofEEZsurveillanceandantipiracy

patrols.TheINsupporttoMauritius,MaldivesandSeychellesisprovidedonrequestoftherespectivegovts.

INSTabarcontinuesitsdeploymentintheGulfofAdenonconvoyescortandantipiracypatrol. TheWesternFleetissettodeployfourshipsonanoverseasdeploymenttoHornofAfrica,RedSeaandthe

WesternMediterranean

Suchlongrangedeployments,coveringtheIORandbeyond,beartestimonytothebluewatercapabilitiesandoperationalreadinessoftheIndianNavy.

ManmohanatG20summit

Problemstobedealtwithbyvariousmembers:

Thereisconcernthatthefirewallavailablemaynotbeadequatetodealwithcontagion.TheresourcescurrentlyexpectedtobemobilizedbyEuropeandtheIMFarelessthanwasestimatedayearago,andthecrisisisactually

moreserious.

Partofthesolutionliesinprovidingliquiditytocopewithlossofmarketconfidence.Butliquiditydoesnothelpwhensolvencyisinquestion.Toaddressthisproblem,liquiditymustbeprovidedinparallelwitheffective



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adjustmentprogrammesthatensureanearlyreturntodebtsustainability.Theadjustmentprogrammeadopted

shouldleadtoanaccelerationofgrowth,sothatcountriescangrowoutofthedebttrap.

Thisbringsmetothecontentiousissueoftherelationshipbetweenausterityandgrowth.Itcanbearguedthatausteritynowwilllaythebasisforsustainedgrowthlater.Butthereisalsoanalternativeviewthatwithgrowth

impulsesasseriouslyweakenedastheyaretoday,synchronizedausterityacrossmanycountriesmaynotbethe

rightmedicine.

Financialmarketsnormallyfavourausterity,buteventheyarebeginningtorecognizethatausteritywithnogrowthwillnotproduceareturntoasustainabledebtposition.

Iamnotsuggestingthatfiscalprudenceisnotimportant.Iamonlysayingthatgiventhelargeadjustmentneeds,notallofitcanbefrontloadedeverywhere.Thisisespeciallyrelevantwithinacurrencyarea.Austerityinthe

debtriddenmembersoftheEurozonecanworkonlyifsurplusmembersarewillingtoexpandtooffset

contractionelsewhereinthecurrencyarea.

TheInternationalMonetaryFundhasacriticalsupportiveroletoplayinstabilizingtheEurozone.AllmembersmusthelptheFundtoplaythisrole.IamhappytoannouncethatIndiahasdecidedtocontribute$10billionto

theIMFsadditionalfirewallof$430billion.

CLEMENCY

Capitalpunishmentisanemotiveissueonwhichthereisanongoingdebatebetweenabolitionistsandretentionists.Assuch,thereisaneedtohaveaninformeddiscussionanddebateinthematter.Bethatasitmay,

solongdeathsentenceremainsapartofourstatutesandseekingofclemencybyacondemnedprisoneroron

hisbehalfisconstitutionallyordained,thePresidentisdutyboundtodischargethisobligation.

WhenthePresidentisexpectedtoworkaspartoftheconstitutionalscheme,theword,President,isanabbreviationfortheCentralGovernment.

theSupremeCourthasobservedincertainrecentcasesthatdelaysindisposalofmercypetitionsmaybeminimizedandthatthecondemnedprisonershaveaverypertinentrightininsistingthatadecisioninthematter

betakenwithinareasonabletime.Furthermore,asseveralmercypetitioncasesremainedundecidedforovera

decade,thematterwasalsodiscussedintheParliamentinFebruary2011andGovernmentmadeitsintentclear

toexpeditedecisionsonmercypetitions.

Itiscommonknowledgethatalldeathconvictsseekingmercyarethosewhohavecommittedghastlyandheinouscrimesoftherarestoftherarecategory.Nevertheless,theConstitutionconfersonthemtherightto

seekclemency.Whenclemencyisgranted,thecourtshaveheldthatitdoesnotwipeouttheoffenceordisaffirm

thejudicialverdict.Bytheexerciseofthepowerofpardon,thePresidentdoesnotamend,modifyorsubstitute

thejudicialdecisions.

...thereisanincreasingrealisationthatthedestinyofournationisentwinedwithourmaritimedestiny.

improvingresourceallocationtotheIndianNavyinIndiascarefullycontrolleddefencebudget, theglobalgazeisfocusingincreasinglyontheAsiaPacificregionwhichunderlinesthesignificanceoftheIndian

Oceaninglobalsecurityaffairs

Bytheyear2025,threeoftheworldsfourlargesteconomieswillbeinAsia.Theregionisalsorecognisedastheprimarylociofostensiblenonstatethreatsintheworld.Juxtaposedwiththeseentitiesarethreeofthe

worldsfourlargestArmies,andatleastfourdeclarednuclearweaponstates

addressingthe11thAsiaSecuritySummit(alsocalledtheShangriLadialogue)on02Jun12,DefenceMinister,MrAKAntonyhadsaid...givenIndiasgeographicallocation,extensivemaritimeinterests,dependenceonthe

seasfortradeandtheevolvingasymmetricthreatsintheformofmaritimeterrorism,piracyanddrugtrafficking,

maritimesecurityissueshavebecomeastrategicpriorityforus.HeaddedthatAsweseektosatisfythe



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growingdemandformineralresourcestomeetourgrowthanddevelopmentaspirations,wewillseektoincrease

ourinvestmentsintheexplorationofourmaritimedomain,

PolicyRelatingtoFIIInvestmentsinGovernmentSecuritiesandLongTermInfrastructureBondsRationalized;

GovernmentSecurities:

Modifiedpolicy:makeavailabletoFIIsatotallimitofUS$10billionsubjecttoresidualmaturityof3years Withtheabovechanges,thetotalFIIlimitwouldstandatUS$20billion. tobroadbasethenonresidentinvestorbaseforGovernmentSecurities,ithasalsobeendecidedtoallowlong

terminvestorslikeSWFs,MultilateralAgencies,EndowmentFunds,insurancefunds,pensionfundsandforeign

CentralBankstoberegisteredwithSEBItoalsoinvestinGovernmentsecuritieswithinthisenhancedlimitofUSD

20billion.

AnewschemeunderECB:

HLCECBhasdecidedtoaddanewschemeforExternalCommercialBorrowings. IndiancompaniescannowavailofECBsforrepaymentofRupeeloan(s)availedoffromthedomesticbanking

system

and/or

for

fresh

Rupee

capital

expenditure,

under

the

approval

route,

subject

to

satisfying

the

conditions

likebeingmanufacandinfracos;consistentfxearning;notindefaultlistofRBIetc..

TheoverallceilingforsuchECBsshallbeUSD10billion. ThemaximumpermissibleECBthatcanbeavailedofbyanindividualcompanywillbelimitedto50percentof

theaverageannualexportearningsrealisedduringthepastthreefinancialyears.

TheECBswillbeallowedtocompaniesbasedontheforeignexchangeearningsanditsabilitytoservicetheECB.RationalizationintheSchemeofFIIsinvestmentinLongtermInfrastructureBonds

Atpresent,FIIinvestmentsinlongterminfrabondshaveaceilingofUS$25billionwithsubcategoriesandvarious

lockinperiodsandresidualmaturities. Inanutshell,thelockinperiodhasbeenreducedto1yrforvarious

categoriessubjecttotheconditionthattheresidualmaturityatthetimeoffirstpurchaseisatleast15months.

IndiaEUBilateralInvestmentandTradeAgreement(BITA)negotiations

TheIndiansidesoughtcomfortandclarityonthemarketaccessbeingprovidedtoIndiainModes1and4andaskedforassurancethattheseareactuallyeffectiveontheground.Inmode1,Indiawouldneedtobedeclared

asdatasecureinordertoprovideaccess.

onMode4i.e.movementofnaturalpersonsforprovidingservices,IndiapushedforbetteraccessandremovalofsafeguardclausesthatmayhampertheactualrealisationofconcessionsofferedbyEU.Indiaalsopushedfor

moreaccessfordomesticindustryandIndianagriculturalproducts.

The

European

side

also

put

forward

its

concerns

with

regard

to

market

access

and

patent

issues.

Fourteen

rounds

ofnegotiationshavetakenplace,andthefifteenthroundstartedyesterday.

ThebilateraltradebetweenIndiaandEUintheyear2011wasUS$108.80billion.Imports54,Exports 54bJEEMETHODOLOGY

JEEADVANCEDexaminationwillbeheldafterJEEMAINwithasuitabletimegap.Onlythetop150,000candidates(includingallcategories)inJEEMAINwillbequalifiedtoappearintheJEEAdvancedexamination.

AdmissionstoIITswillbebasedonlyoncategorywiseAllIndiaRank(AIR)inJEEADVANCEDsubjecttoconditionthatsuchcandidatesareinthetop20percentileofsuccessfulcandidatesoftheirBoardsinapplicablecategories.



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JEEADVANCEDexaminationwillhaveanexclusiveJointAdmissionBoard(JAB)andJointImplementationCommittee(JIC)withthesamecompositionasatpresent.TheJABandJICwillalsocoordinatewiththeorganizing

bodyresponsibleforconductingJEEMAIN.

ICNP2

SecondMeetingoftheIntergovernmentalCommitteeforNagoyaProtocolonAccessandBenefitSharing(ICNP2)isbeingheldinNewDelhifrom26July,2012.

NagoyaProtocolonAccessandBenefitSharing(ABS) newinternatltreatyadoptedundertheauspicesofCBD CBD,oneofthetwoagreementsadoptedduringtheEarthSummitheldinRiodeJaneiroin1992,isthefirst

comprehensiveglobalagreementwhichaddressesallaspectsrelatingtobiodiversity.

TheConvention,whilereaffirmingsovereignrightsofnationsovertheirbiologicalresources,establishesthreemaingoals:(i)conservationofbiologicaldiversity,(ii)sustainableuseofitscomponentsand(iii)fairand

equitablesharingofbenefitsarisingoutoftheuseofgeneticresources.

Accessandbenefitsharing(ABS) AframeworkforimplementingthethirdobjectiveoftheCBD Alllivingorganisms:plants,animalsandmicrobes,carrygeneticmaterialthathaspotentialusesfordevelopinga

widerangeofproductsandservicesforhumanbenefits,suchasindevelopmentofmedicines,drugs,cosmetics,

enzymes,

agricultural

and

horticultural

products,

environmental

techniques

etc.

ABSreferstothewayinwhichgeneticresourcesmaybeaccessed,andthewayinwhichbenefitsthatresultfromtheirusearesharedbetweenthepeopleorcountriesusingtheresources(users)andthepeopleorcountriesthat

providethem(providers).

NagoyaProtocol signedby92countries,andasondateratifiedbyfivecountries.IndiasignedtheProtocolandisintheprocessofcompletinginterministerialconsultationsnecessaryforratifyingtheProtocol.TheProtocol

willenterintoforce90daysafterits50thratification.

TheICNP2willdiscussissuessuchas:capacitybuildingofdevelopingcountriesforimplementationoftheProtocol,awarenessraising,modalitiesofABSclearinghouse,proceduresandmechanismtopromote

compliancewiththeProtocol,agendaforthefirstCoPMoP,rulesofprocedureforCoPMoP,andglobal

multilateralbenefitsharingmechanism.

WHOIndiaCountryCooperationStrategy(CCS)

Tocontributemeaningfullytothenationalhealthpolicyandgovernmentshealthagenda,theCCShasidentified

threestrategicprioritiesandthekeyfocusareasundereachpriority:

1.SupportinganimprovedroleoftheGovernmentofIndiainglobalhealth

InternationalHealthRegulations:EnsuringtheimplementationofhealthRegulationsandsimilarcommitments Pharmaceuticals:Strengtheningthepharmasectorincludingdrugregulatorycapacityand,tradeandhealth Stewardship:ImprovingthestewardshipcapacityoftheentireIndianhealthsystem2.Promotingaccesstoandutilizationofaffordable,efficientlynetworkedandsustainablequalityservicesbythe

entirepopulation

FinancialProtection:Providinguniversalhealthservicecoveragesothateveryindividualwouldachievehealthgainfromahealthinterventionwhenneeded

Quality:Properlyaccreditingservicedeliveryinstitutions(primaryhealthcarefacilitiesandhospitals)todelivertheagreedservicepackage

3.HelpingtoconfrontthenewepidemiologicalrealityofIndia



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HealthofMothersandChildren:Scalingupreproductive,maternal,newborn,childandadolescenthealthservices

CombinedMorbidity:Addressingincreasedcombinationsofcommunicableandnoncommunicablediseases TransitioningServices:Gradual,phasedtransferstrategyofWHOservicestothenational,stateandlocal

authoritieswithouterosionofeffectivenessduringthetransitionperiod

NavalAirStation(NAS)Baaz

NavalAirStation(NAS)CampbellBayoverlookingthesixdegreeChannel,oneofthemostcrucialshippinglanesof

theworld,willsoonbecomeIndia'seyeovertheMalaccastraitandtheBayofBengal.Thenewairstationwillbe

rechristenedNASBaaz.About40% ofworld'stradeandmorethan50,000merchantshipssailthroughiteveryyear.

CoreIndustriesinIIP

8coreindustrieshaveacombinedweightof37.90percentintheIndexofIndustrialProduction(IIP). List:Coal,Crudeoil,NaturalGas,Petroleumrefining,Fertilizer,Steel,Cement,Electricity(highestwtg) DuringAprilJune201213,thecumulativegrowthrateoftheCoreindustrieswas3.6%asagainsttheirgrowthat

5.2%duringthecorrespondingperiodin201112.

AmendmenttoFDIpolicy:

AnonresidententitycaninvestinIndia,subjecttotheFDIPolicy.AcitizenofBangladeshoranentityincorporatedin

BangladeshcaninvestonlyundertheGovernmentroute.AcitizenofPakistanoranentityincorporatedinPakistan

caninvest,onlyundertheGovernmentroute,insectors/activitiesotherthandefence,spaceandatomicenergy."

Downstreaminvestment/smadebyabankingcompany,asdefinedinclause(c)ofSection5oftheBanking

RegulationAct,1949,incorporatedinIndia,whichisownedand/orcontrolledbynonresidents/anonresident

entity/nonresidententities,underCorporateDebtRestructuring(CDR),orotherloanrestructuringmechanism,orin

tradingbooks,orforacquisitionofsharesduetodefaultsinloans,shallnotcounttowardsindirectforeign

investment.However,their`strategicdownstream

investment`shallcounttowardsindirectforeigninvestment.For

thispurpose,`strategicdownstreaminvestments`wouldmeaninvestmentbythesebankingcompaniesintheir

subsidiaries,jointventuresandassociates.

PublicPrivatePartnershipApprovalCommittee(PPPAC)

ApprovalschemesforPPPsinthecentralsectorhasbeenstreamlinedthroughPPPAC. Thecommitteecomprisesof

o Secretary,Department ofEconomicAffairs(intheChair)o Secretary,PlanningCommissiono Secretary,DepartmentofExpenditure;o Secretary,DepartmentofLegalAffairs;ando SecretaryoftheDepartmentsponsoringaproject



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ThesponsoringMinistrywillidentifytheprojectstobetakenupthroughPPPsandundertakepreparationof

feasibilitystudies,projectagreementsetc.withtheassistanceoflegal,financialandtechnicalexpertsas

necessary.

FundingSteps:Toaddressthefinancingneedsoftheseprojects,variousstepshavebeentakenlikesettingupofIndiaInfrastructureFinanceCompanyandlaunchingofaSchemetomeetViabilityGapFunding(VGF)ofPPP

projects.SettingupofinfrastructurefundsarealsobeingencouragedandmultilateralagenciessuchasAsian

DevelopmentBankhavebeenpermittedtoraiseRupeebondsandcarryoutcurrencyswapstoprovidelongterm

debttoPPPprojects.

ViabilityGapFundingscheme: Theschemeaimsatsupportinginfrastructureprojectsthatareeconomicallyjustifiedbutfallshortoffinancialviability.Supportunderthisschemewouldbeavailableonlyforinfrastructure

projectswhereprivatesectorsponsorsareselectedthroughaprocessofcompetitivebidding.ThetotalViability

GapFundingunderthisschemewillnotexceedtwentypercentoftheTotalProjectCost;providedthatthe

Governmentorstatutoryentitythatownstheprojectmay,ifitsodecides,provideadditionalgrantsoutofits

budget,butnotexceedingafurthertwentypercentoftheTotalProjectCost.

IndiaInfrastructureProjectDevelopmentFund: TheprocurementcostsofPPPs,andparticularlythecostsoftransactionadvisors,aresignificantandoftenposeaburdenonthebudgetoftheSponsoringAuthority.IIPDFisa

mechanismthroughwhichSponsoringAuthoritywillbeabletosourcefundingtocoveraportionofthePPP

transactioncosts,therebyreducingtheimpactofcostsrelatedtoprocurementontheirbudgets.wouldassist

ordinarilyupto75%oftheprojectdevelopmentexpenses.Onsuccessfulcompletionofthebiddingprocess,the

projectdevelopmentexpenditurewouldberecoveredfromthesuccessfulbidder.

INDIASLTRADERELATIONS

bilateraltradebetweenIndiaandSriLankatradewasUSD4billionin201011.Target$10bby2015 SriLankaisIndiaslargesttradepartnerinSouthAsiawhileIndiaisSriLankaslargesttradepartnerglobally. ThetradebetweenthetwocountriesgrewrapidlyparticularlyaftertheIndiaSriLankaFTAcameintoforcein

March2000.Between20002008,thebilateraltrademultipliednearlyfivefold.



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TotalIndiancumulativeinvestmentsstandaroundUSD600million.Thekeysectorsincludetelecom,healthcare,realestate,IT,hospitalityandtourism.Ontheotherhand,theinvestmentsfromSriLankaintoIndiaarefocused

insectorssuchastextiles,foodprocessingandlogistics.

CEPAunderdiscussionbetweenthetwocountriescanbeasignificantcatalysttoeconomicengagement.Theproposedagreementcoversfourareas:tradeingoods;tradeinservices;economiccooperation(inareassuchas

fisheries,energy,pharmaceuticals,textiles,financial,infrastructureandtourism)andinvestmentissues.

IndiawillassistSriLankaintheestablishmentofEngineeringandAutomobilecomponentsSEZwhichwouldbelocatednearTrincomaleeandwillpromoteexportstotheproductionchainsinIndia.

willworktogethertowardstheestablishmentofaPharmaceuticalmanufacturinghubinSriLanka PotentialsectorsidentifiedbyCEOsforumforincreasingtradeandinvestmentareapparel,rubberproducts,

powerandenergy,tourism,education,skilldevelopment,portsandshipping

MinistryofPowerandNorthIndianStatesAgreeto12PointResolutiontoAvoidPowerGridCrisisinFuture

1. AdequatedefenseplansandprotectionsystemshallbeputinplacetoensureintegratedoperationoftheNational/RegionalGridsinadherencewiththeIndianElectricityGridCode(IEGC).Allthestatesshall

ascertainpreparednessofpowersystemdefenseplansandcooperateattheRegionallevelforcoordinating

their

Protection

systems.

2. Defenseplansofthestatesmustincludeislandingschemes,underfrequencyrelays,rateofchangeoffrequencyrelays,specialprotectionschemesandautomaticdemandmanagementschemes.Thedefense

plansshallalsoincluderestorationproceduresthatshallbeupdatedandreviewedregularly.

3. StateswillpreparetheirislandingschemesinconsultationwithPGCIL,CEAandNRPCwithinthenext3monthsandensuretheirimplementationwithinthenext6months.

4. Independentthirdpartyauditoftheprotectionsystemsshallbecarriedoutwithin1monthandtheRegionalPowerCommittees(RPCs)shallmonitorthesame.

5. AlltheutilitiesshallalsoadoptgoodoperationandmaintenancepracticesandrandomchecksoftheseshallbecarriedoutbyRPCs.

6. Statesshallprepareplansinlongterm,mediumtermandshorttermhorizonsforprocurementofpower,networkanddemandmanagementinaccordancewithIEGC,whichshallbereviewedbytheRPCs.

7. StatesshallcarryoutperiodicallyPowersystemstudiesforoperationplanningandTransferCapabilitydetermination.

8. StatesshalltakeallnecessarystepsforstrengtheningandupgradingtheStateLoadDespatchCentresandtrainingofsystemoperators.Thereshouldbemanpowercapacitybuildingbywayoftrainingand

certification

9. ThepersonnelmanningtheLDCcontrolroomsshouldbeequippedwithpropertoolstofacilitatethedischargeofthefunctions.

10. StatesrequestedthatGoImaydrawupaschemeforsupportingtheminstrengtheningtheirSLDCsandforcapacitybuilding.

11. POSOCOwouldevolveacontingencyloadsheddingprotocol,especiallywhennonfrequencyrelatedloadsheddingisrequired.

12. AllStatesresolvedtoadheretoIEGCandtakeallrequisitemeasuresforitseffectiveenforcement.ItwasagreedthatallinstructionsofNLDC/NRLDCwillbeimplementedimmediatelybySLDCswithoutwaitingfor

furtherinstructionsfromanyotherauthority.

Since2003,thePresidentofIndiahasbeenhostinganAtHomefunctionintheRashtrapatiBhawanonthe

anniversaryoftheQuitIndiaMovementonthe9thAugustofeveryyeartohonourfreedomfighters.



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QuitIndiaMovementwaslaunchedon9thAugust1942.On8thAugust1942,theAllIndiaCongressCommittee

(A.I.C.C)formallyadoptedinBombayaresolutioncallingontheBritishto`QuitIndia`.Thenextdaynationalleaders

includingGandhijiwerearrestedbytheBritish.Fromthatverydayi.e9thAugust,aspontaneouscivildisobedience

movementinresponsetoGandhi`scallforimmediateindependencespreadalloverthecountry.

UNCTADsWorldinvestmentReport,2012

OutoftotalFDIreceivedindevelopingeconomiesduring2011,Indiareceived4.6% 31.5b$agst24b$in2010 China124b$,Brazil 66b$,PanchayatSancharSewaYojana

PanchayatSancharSewaKendras(PSSKs)underthePanchayatSancharSewaYojanaschemeareopenedattheGramPanchayatHeadquarterswhicharewithoutPostOfficestoprovidebasicpostalfacilities

ThisschemeisbeingimplementedbytheGramPanchayatsthroughagentsappointedbythem ThePSSKagentshavebeenallowedtoworkasdirectagentofRuralPostalLifeInsurance(RPLI)businessfor

increasingthevolumeofbusinessandincomeofthePSSKs.

INDIA

and

ILO

TheILOinstrumentshaveprovidedguidelinesandusefulframeworkfortheevolutionoflegislativeandadministrativemeasuresfortheprotectionandadvancementoftheinterestoflabour.Ithasalwaysbeenthe

practiceinIndiathatweratifyaConventionwhenwearefullysatisfiedthatourlawsandpracticesarein

conformitywiththerelevantILOConvention.

ILOhassofaradopted189Conventionsand201Recommendations.Outof189ILOConventions,Indiahassofarratified43Conventionswhichincludes4(four)coreorfundamentalhumanrightsConventions.

wehaveratified4coreconventionsand3priority/governanceconventions.4coreonesare:ForcedLabourConvention;AbolitionofForcedLabourConvention;EqualRemunerationConvention;Discrimination

(EmploymentOccupation)Convention

EvenwhereforcertainreasonswherewemaynotbeinapositiontoratifyaConvention,wehavegenerallyvotedinfavouroftheConventionreservingitspositionasfarasitsfutureratificationisconcerned.

ManyoftheILOConventionsareoutdatedandneedtoberevisedasidentifiedbyCartierWorkingParty.Eventhecoreconventionshavefailedtoachieveuniversalratificationduetolackofflexibility.OurconcernisthatILO

shouldundertakeindepthanalysistoputinplaceastandardsstrategywhichencouragesstepslikeprogressive

ratificationofaConvention.

ThechoiceoftopicsforfuturestandardsettingshouldbewidenedaccordingtotherequirementsofallILOmemberstateshavingdiversesocioeconomicconditions.

Intheyearstocome,ILOmustmaintainitsleadershipinthesubjectsrelatedtolaboursinceithastheuniqueadvantage

of

tripartite

structure,

transparency

and

the

ability

to

obtain

inputs

from

real

economy

NUCLEARENERGYPOLICY

Indiaisnotrelookingintothepolicyrelatedtonuclearpowerbasedoninternationaldevelopment. PostFukushimaincident,therewereannouncementsinGermany,Japan,SwitzerlandandTaiwanregarding

gradualphaseoutofnuclearpower.Asperavailableinformation,thesecountrieshavenotshutdownalltheir

nuclearpowerreactors.Japanhasrecentlystartedtwonuclearpowerreactors,Ohi3&4.

Germanycontinuestooperate9/17nuclearpowerreactors.Ithasshutdownremaining8nuclearpowerreactorswhichhavecompletedtheireconomiclife.



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Switzerlandcontinuestooperateallthe5nuclearpowerreactors.Similarly,Taiwancontinuestooperateits6nuclearpowerreactors.

UndertheresumeddialogueprocessbetweenIndiaandPakistan,talksonSirCreekissuewereheldinNewDelhion

June1819,2012.BothsidesreiteratedtheirdesiretofindanamicablesolutionoftheSirCreekissuethrough

sustainedandresultorienteddialogue.

GuidelinesforBaselIIICapitalRequirementNorms

ThequantumofcapitalthatwouldberequiredbyIndianbanksduetoimplementationofBaselIIIcapitalstandardsdependsonnumerousfactorssuchasactualeconomicgrowthintherealsector,growthintheRisk

WeightedAssetsofthebanks,profitabilityofbanksandextentofretainedearning,levelofnonperforming

assets,growthincapitalmarkets,investorsriskappetiteandtheirconfidenceinthebankingsystemetc.

RBIhasinformedthatBaselIIIwillbeimplementedinIndiaoverasufficientlylongtransitionperiodtoavoidanyunintendedconsequencesongrowthandlendingactivitiesofbanks.

RashtriyaGramSwarajYojana

Rashtriya

Gram

Swaraj

Yojana

(RGSY),

implemented

in

districts

not

covered

by

the

Scheme

of

Backward

Regions

GrantsFund(BRGF),focusesprimarilyonprovidingfinancialassistancetotheStates/UTsforTraining&Capacity

Buildingofelectedrepresentatives(ERs)andfunctionariesofPanchayatssothattheycanperformthefunctions

devolveduponthemandtheschemesentrustedtothemeffectively.

assistanceisalsoprovidedforSatellitebasedtraininginfrastructureforDistanceLearningand, inrespectoftheHillStatesandStatesintheNorthEasternRegion,forcapitalexpenditureonestablishmentof

PanchayatResourceCenters/TrainingInstitutesatDivisional/Districtlevel.

InterlinkingofRivers

MinistryofWaterResources(MoWR)hadformulatedaNationalPerspectivePlan(NPP)forWaterResources

Development

asearlyas1980envisaginginterbasintransferofwaterfromsurplusbasinsto

deficitbasins/areaswhichcomprises twocomponents,namely,HimalayanRiversDevelopmentComponent

andPeninsularRiversDevelopmentComponent.

TheNationalWaterDevelopmentAgency(NWDA)wassetupundertheMinistryofIrrigationin1982forcarryingoutvarioustechnicalstudiestoestablishthefeasibilityoftheproposalsofNPPandtogiveconcrete

shapetoit.NWDAhasalreadyidentified14linksunderHimalayanComponentand16linksunderPeninsular

RiversComponent. Outofthese,FeasibilityReportsof14linksunderPeninsularComponentand2links

underHimalayanComponent(Indianportion)hasbeenprepared.

FRcompletedandDPRstartedin:o DamangangaPinjal linko ParTapiNarmadalinko KenBetwalink*

StepsInvolved: preparation of FRs of links,negotiationandconsensusamongconcernedStates,agreementwithneighbouringcountriesiflinkinvolvearealyinginothercountries,preparationofDPRsof

theprojectsandstructuresidentifiedforthelink,clearancefromappraisalagencieswhichincludeclearance

byMoEF,MinistryofTribalAffairs(MoTA),technoeconomicclearancebyTechnicalAdvisoryCommitteeof

MoWR,investmentclearancebyPlanningCommissionandfundingoftheproject

reportoninterlinkingofriverswassubmittedbyNationalCouncilofAppliedEconomicResearch(NCAER)in2008.MentionedvariousbenefitsofInterlinkingsuchasadditionalbenefitsofIrrigation&Power,increasein



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growthrateofagriculture,growthofdirect&indirectemployment,improvementinthequalityoflifeof

peopleinruralareasandmitigationoffloods&drought.

TherecommendationsalsoincludecertainactionpointslikesettingupNationalCommissionforBasinManagement,improvingcostrecoveryfromirrigationprojects&formationofWaterUsersAssociation.At

present,nointerlinkingprojectunderNationalPerspectivePlanisunderimplementation.

InitiativesTakenbytheGovernmentforUnearthingandCurbingBlackMoney

InitiativestakenbytheInvestigationDivisionofCBDTforunearthingblackmoney:

commissionedastudyonunaccountedincome/wealthbothinsideandoutsidethecountrybringingoutthenatureofactivitiesengenderingmoneylaunderinganditsramificationsonnationalsecurity.

DirectorateofCriminalInvestigation(DCI)hasbeencreatedasanattachedofficeoftheCBDTtotrackfinancialtransactionsrelatingtoillegal/criminalactivities.CreationofDCIisalsoinlinewithFATFrecommendationsto

exclusivelydealwithtaxcrimes,includingdirecttaxes.

CBDTiscoordinatingwiththeElectionCommission forcontrollingpoliticalexpenditureandverificationofaffidavitsfiledbycandidatesofpoliticalparties

constitutedaCommitteeundertheChairman,CBDTtoexaminethemeasurestostrengthentheexistinglegalandadministrativeframework

InformationreceivedunderDTAAInformationfromGermany&Francehasbeeninvestigated.TaxevasionofmorethanRs.600croredetectedandtaxesofRs.200crorehasalreadybeenrealized.

Search&Seizure,SurveysInthelastthreefinancialyears,theInvestigationwingoftheCBDThasdetectedundisclosedincomeofoverRs.32,000crore

BLACKMONEY::GovthasalsotakenthefollowingstepstodealwiththeproblemofBlackMoneyundera5

prongedstrategyinlast3years:

CreatinganappropriateLegislativeFramework:o In2009,wehad78DoubleTaxationAvoidanceAgreements(DTAAs)inforce.75oftheseDTAAsdidnot

havespecificprovisionsforexchangeofbankinginformationandinformationwithoutdomesticinterest.

RenegotiationoftheseDTAAswasstartedtobroadenthescopeofArticleconcerningExchangeof

Information.completedrenegotiationin29cases;finalisednegotiationof19newDTAAsand17newTax

InformationExchangeAgreements(TIEAs).TIEAsareconcludedwithcountrieswithwhichwedonot

wanttohaveDTAAsatthisstage.

o GovtofIndiahasalsosignedtheMultilateralConventiononMutualAdministrativeAssistanceinTaxMatters.TheseMultilateralConventionshavebeenratifiedwhichcontainprovisionsforautomatic

exchangeofinformation,exchangeofpastinformationandassistanceincollectionoftaxclaims

o Enactedlegislationincorporatingcountermeasureagainstnoncooperative jurisdictiono PMLAwasamendedon01.06.2009toincreaselistofscheduledoffenses.

Settingupinstitutionstodealwithillicitfunds:o 8moreIncomeTaxOverseasUnitsarebeingsetupo ComputerizedExchangeofInformationunit(EOIUnit)hasbeensetupo Directorateofcriminalinvestigationshasbeensetup

Developingsystemsforimplementation:o NewpolicyfordeploymentofmanpowertoDirectorateofTPandIntlTaxationisimplemented.o ManpowerofFT&TRDivisionisdoubled.o DirectorateofEnforcementisstrengthenedbycreatingadditionalposts.



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Impartingskillstothemanpowerforeffectiveaction:o Morethan100officerswereimpartedspecializedtrainingabroadinIntlTaxationandTransferPricing o HighlevelinternationalseminarontransferpricingwasheldinIndia

JoiningtheGlobalcrusadeagainstBlackMoney:o Issuesoftaxevasion,endofbankingsecrecy,pastbankinginformation,automaticExchangeof

InformationhavebeenraisedbyIndiainvariousG20meetings

o IndiaisplayingakeyroleinGlobalForumonTransferPricing(TP)andExchangeofInformationfortaxpurposeasViceChairmanofPeerReviewGroup.

o InJune2010Indiabecamethe34thmemberofFATF,responsibleforenforcementofantimoneylaundering(AML)andcombatingfinancingofterrorism(CFT)regime.

o InDecember2010itbecame9thmemberofEurasiagroup.IndiahasalsojointedTaskForceonfinancialintegrityandEconomicDevelopment.

o IndiaisactivelyparticipatinginpolicygroupsofOECDandUNonExchangeofInformation,InternationalTaxationandTransferPricingasobserverandmemberrespectively.

TheprocessofbringinganamendmenttotheWorksofDefenceAct,1903hasbeeninitiated.AmendmentstotheAct

willbecarriedoutfollowingthelaiddownprocedures. BytheprovisionsoftheWorksofDefenceAct1903,certain

restrictionsareplacedonlandownerstowardsenjoymentoftheland.This,however,isforthenationalinterestof

safeguardingthedefenceinstallations.Moreover,thelandownersareentitledtosuitablecompensationforthe

same.

TUFS(TechnologyUpgradationFundScheme)

Ministryoftextileslauncheditin1999;Tocontinuein12thfiveyearplan ModifiedTUFSallocationsdidnotprescribesectoralceilingsforspinning,powerloomandhandloomsectors. Theschemeisapplicabletoallthesectorsincludingpowerloomsmallscaleindustry. GovernmentunderRestructuredTUFSenhancedcapitalceilingtoRs.5crorefromRs.2croreandcapitalsubsidy

toRs.45lakhfromRs.15lakhforSmallScaleIndustrysectorinordertoattractadditionalinvestment.

NationalMissiononFoodProcessing(NMFP)isanewCentrallySponsoredSchemeforgivingofgreaterroleto

State/UTs;decentralizedadministration,betteroutreachandeffectivesupervisionandmonitoring.TheNMFPwould

alsoprovideflexibilitytoStates/UTsintheselectionofbeneficiaries,locationofprojectsetc.forthedevelopmentof

foodprocessingsector.

MillenniumDevelopmentGoals(MDGs)

are8internationaldevelopmentgoalssetbytheUnitedNationswhichmembercountries haveagreedtoachieveby

theyear2015.

1. eradicatingextremepovertyandhunger,2. achievinguniversalprimaryeducation,3. promotinggenderequalityandempoweringwomen4. reducingchildmortalityrates,5. improvingmaternalhealth,6. combatingHIV/AIDS,malaria,andotherdiseases,7. ensuringenvironmentalsustainability,and8. developingaglobalpartnershipfordevelopment.



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ThefollowingstepshavebeentakenbytheGovernmenttoachievetheMDGindicatorsinthehealthsectorinthe

country. Goals4,5,6relatetohealth;Indiaontargettoachievegoals;

requiresto reduceMMRfrom600in1990to150per100,000livebirthsin2015.currently212 goalofreducingU5MRtolessthan39per1000livebirthsby2015.U5MRwas59per1000livebirthsin2010. NRHM,waslunchedin2005withtheaimtoimprovetheavailabilityofandaccesstoqualityhealthcareincluding

MaternalandChildHealthservicesanddiseasecontrolprogrammesparticularlytoruralpopulationthroughout

thecountry,withaspecialfocuson18Stateswithweakpublichealthindicatorsandinfrastructure.

Forreducingchildmortality,thestepstakeninclude IntegratedManagementofNeonatal&childhoodillness,trainingofASHAs,Homebasednewborncare,NavajatShishu Suraksha Karyakram, settingupofsicknewborn

careunitsatdistricthospitals,promotingexclusivebreastfeedingandcomplementaryfeeding,strengthening

routineimmunisationprogramme,focussingonreductioninmorbidityandmortalityduetoAcuteRespiratory

Infections(ARI)andDiarrhoealDiseases,namebasedtrackingofpregnantwomenandchildren,etc.

For improvingmaternalhealth,thestepstakenincludepromotinginstitutionaldeliveries, strengtheningofinfrastructure,StrengtheningofEssentialandEmergencyObstetricCareservices,StrengtheningReferralSystems,

launchingofJananiShishuSurakshaKaryakaram,MaternalDeathReview,organisingvillagehealthandnutrition

days,engagementofASHAatcommunitylevel,introductionofintegratedmotherandchildhealthcard,etc.

ThestepstakentocontroldiseaseslikeHIV/AIDs,MalariaandTuberculosisincludeearlydiagnosisandtreatment,improvingmonitoringandevaluation,strengtheninghumanresources,involvementofNGOs,Private

sectorandcommunity,providingservicesneartothedoorstepofcommunity,etc.

INDUSTRY

Depreciationofrupeeislikelytoincreasecostofproductionofthoseindustrieswhichdependonimportedrawmaterials,capitalgoodsetc.;inflationarypressureislikelytoincreasemanufacturingcostandalsoreduce

domesticdemand;andtheslowdowninEuropeancountriescanhaveanadverseimpactonexports.

GovthasalreadytakenCBMsforimprovingtheindustrialclimateandmanufacturinginthecountry.

Government

had

approved

the

National

Manufacturing

Policy

(NMP)

in

October,

2011

with

the

objectives

of

enhancingtheshareofmanufacturinginGDPto25%by2022andcreatingadditional100millionjobs.

OneoftheinstrumentsintheNMPisthecreationofNationalInvestmentandManufacturingZones(NIMZ)asplannedintegratedindustrialtownships.9NIMZshavebeenannounced,eightofwhicharealongtheDelhi

MumbaiIndustrialCorridor(DMIC).

OthermeasuresincludethepromotionandfacilitationofindustrialinvestmentincludingpromotionofFDIthroughconsolidationofpressnotesintoasingledocument;developmentofindustryrelevantskills;regular

meetingswithindustryassociationsandstakeholderstofasttrackimplementationofindustrialprojects.

PerformanceofSEZs

Inadditionto7CentralGovernmentSEZsand12State/PrivateSectorSEZssetuppriortotheenactmentofSEZAct,2005,formalapprovalhasbeenaccordedto588proposalsoutofwhich386SEZspresentlystandnotified. A

totalof158SEZshavecommencedexport

FiscalconcessionsanddutybenefitsallowedtoSEZsareinbuiltintotheSEZAct,2005.RevenueisalsoearnedbytheGovtfrom DomesticTariffArea(DTA)clearanceoftheproductofsuchunits

NoexporttargetsaresetforSEZs. However,theSEZsareunderobligationtoachievepositiveNetForeignExchange(NFE)earningstobecalculatedcumulativelyforaperiodof5yearsfromthecommencementof

production,failingwhichtheunitsshallbeliableforpenalactionundertheprovisionsoftheForeignTrade

(DevelopmentandRegulation)Act,1992.



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TheDevelopmentCommissionerconductsannualmonitoringofallSEZUnitsandDeveloper ExportsfromSEZshaveincreasedtoRs.3,64,477.73crorein201112 Outofthetotalemploymentprovidedto9,20,243personsinSEZsasawhole7,85,539personsisincremental

employmentgeneratedafterFebruary,2006whentheSEZActhascomeintoforce. Thisisapartfrommillionsof

mandaysofemploymentgeneratedbythedevelopersforinfrastructureactivities.

AVATAR(AerobicVehicleforhypersonicAerospaceTransportation)

isaconceptualsinglestagereusablerocketplanewhichiscapableofhorizontallaunchandlandSSTOReusablelaunchvehiclebeingdevelopedbyDRDOalongwithISRO),whichcanbeusedforcheapermilitaryandcivilian

satellitelaunches.

Whenoperational,itisplannedtobecapableofdeliveringapayloadweighingupto1000kgtolowearthorbit. FeasibilitystudywasdoneBUTnoproposalformakingprototypeandflighttestingyetSCHEMESFORDIFFERENTLYABLED

UndertheSchemeof AssistanceforPreventionofAlcoholismandSubstance(Drugs)Abuse,financialassistanceisprovidedtothevoluntaryandothereligibleorganizationsforidentification,counseling,treatmentand

rehabilitationofalcohol/substance(drug)addicts.

UndertheDeendayalDisabledRehabilitationScheme(DDRS),financialassistanceisprovidedtoNonGovernmentOrganisationsforvariousprojectswhichincludeprojectslikeSpecialSchoolforDisabled,Vocational

TrainingCourses,HalfWayHomes,CommunitybasedRehabilitationCentres,earlyInterventionCentresand

rehabilitationofLeprosyCuredPersons(LCPs)etc.

UndertheSchemeofAssistancetoDisabledPersonsforpurchase/fittingofaidsandappliances(ADIP),financialassistanceisprovidedtoImplementingAgenciesforprocuringdurable,sophisticatedandscientifically

manufactured,modern,standardaidsandappliances.

SCHEMESFORSCs

1. PostMatricScholarshipfor ScheduledCaste2. PreMatricScholarshipforchildrenofthoseengagedinuncleanoccupations3. BabuJagjivanRamChhatrawasYojana GirlsHostels BoysHostels4. ImplementationofProtectionofCivilRightsAct,1955andScheduledCastesandScheduledTribes

(PreventionofAtrocities)Act,1989 TheSchemeintendstoeffectivelyimplementvariousprovisionsofthe

twoActs,byprovidingtoStates/UTs,CentralAssistanceforstrengtheningtheadministrative,enforcement

andjudicialmachinery,publicity,reliefandrehabilitationtoaffectedpersons.

5. PradhanMantriAdarshGramYojana TheSchemewaslaunchedinMarch,2010andaimsatintegrateddevelopmentofselected1000villageswithmorethan50%SCpopulationintoModelVillages. TheScheme

is

presently

being

implemented

in

Bihar,

Rajasthan,

Assam,

Tamil

Nadu

and

Himachal

Pradesh.

6. SpecialCentralAssistancetoScheduledCastesSubPlanWelfareSchemesforWomen

ThedetailsofmajorschemesunderimplementationbyMinistryofWomenandChildDevelopmentforthewelfareof

womenareasunder:

i. RAJIVGANDHINATIONALCRECHESCHEMEFORTHECHILDRENOFWORKINGMOTHERS(RGNCS)providesdaycarefacilitiestothechildrenintheagegroup06yearsfromfamilieswithmonthlyincomeoflessthan



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12000/.Inadditiontobeingasafespaceforthechildren,thecrchesprovideservicessuchas

supplementarynutrition,preschooled

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