ultimate one

The Undercover Issue 02 November 2014

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10th Nov 2014

President of Indias message on the eve of Republic day of Maldives

India and Maldives celebrate the 50th year of the establishment of our

diplomatic relations commencing November 2014,

Bharat Scouts and Guides is the largest youth organization in the country

functioning as a purely voluntary and non-political organization since 7th

November, 1950. All the different scouts and guides associations merged

together to form a unified organization called Bharat Scouts and Guides.

Departure Statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Ten-nation ASEAN community has the third largest population; it would be

the seventh largest economy in the world; and, the third fastest growing

economic unit this century. This dynamic region is our continental and

maritime neighbor, linked by centuries-old ties. ASEAN is at the core of our

Act East Policy.

G 20 Summit, which brings together countries that account for 85% of the

world`s economic output, is a key forum for countries to coordinate their

activities and pursue collective action to support global economic growth

and stability. We can accelerate the creation of next generation

infrastructure, which also includes digital infrastructure, and ensure access

to clean and affordable energy. A key issue for me would be to highlight

the importance of international cooperation against black money.

33 years after the last visit of Prime Minister. It will be my privilege to visit

Fiji soon after the return of democracy in September 2014. We also owe

them a debt of gratitude for hosting our scientists on the island in support

of our Mars Mission.

Jeevan Pramaan" an "Aadhar-based Digital Life Certificate" for

pensioners, in a move that could eventually benefit over a crore

pensioners.

The proposed digital certification will do away with the requirement of a

pensioner having to submit a physical Life Certificate in November each

year, in order to ensure continuity of pension being credited into his

account. The Department of Electronics and IT has developed a software

application which will enable the recording of the pensioner`s Aadhar

number and biometric details from his mobile device or computer, by

plugging in a biometric reading device. Key details of the pensioner,

including date, time, and biometric information will be uploaded to a


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central database on real-time basis, ultimately enabling the Pension

Disbursing Agency to access a Digital Life Certificate. This will conclusively

establish that the pensioner was alive at the time of authentication.

Software application system will be made available to pensioners and other

stakeholders on a large scale at no extra cost. It can be operated on a

personal computer or a smartphone, along with an inexpensive biometric

reading device. This facility will also be made available at Common Service

Centres being operated under the National e-Governance Plan, for the

benefit of pensioners residing in remote and inaccessible areas.

MoS (agriculture) orders Constitution of a three member Committee(Dr.

Gaya Prasad, ADG (AH), ICAR Chairman) to Investigate Quality of F.M.D.

Vaccines

Union Agriculture Minister, Shri Radha Mohan Singh has taken initiative which will have far-reaching implications for the entire veterinary professionals in the country by reconstitution of Veterinary Council of India which was long pending and by allowing government as well as private veterinary colleges, affiliated to various State Agricultural / Veterinary Universities to admit students for the academic year 2014-15 Following new innovative approaches were approved by VCI: (a) The Universities imparting undergraduate veterinary education were asked to give an undertaking signed by its Vice Chancellor and countersigned by Chief Secretary of the State to the effect that all the minimum standards prescribed by VCI will be fulfilled by March, 2015, failing which their recognition will be withdrawn. (b) As regards private colleges, they have been asked to give an undertaking signed by its Trustees and countersigned by the Vice Chancellor of the concerned University to which the college is affiliated to fulfil all minimum standards prescribed by VCI by March, 2015 along with a bank guarantee of Rs. 5 crores in the name of VCI, which would be forfeited in case of default. (c) The government veterinary colleges with sufficient manpower and infrastructure have been permitted to increase the intake capacity from 60 to 100. The above initiatives will prove to be a milestone in removing the shortage of veterinary professionals in the country and also give a moral boost to all the passed out veterinary graduates from these colleges, who were awaiting clearance of VCI and were not in a position to practice in spite of having valid degree. Draft Civil Aviation Policy Geared to Face New Global and Domestic Demands


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The Draft notes that airports are to be designed as integrated multi-modal hubs, so that they provide the best possible service levels as well as potential for growth. An integrated multi-modal hub should include rail, metro, bus and truck connectivity as well as accommodation and other services. While developing airports, it is equally essential to ensure that related sectors such as access to manufacture, business, tourism and pilgrim centres are developed. This needs to be done in association with other Central Government Departments as well as the State. The six metropolitan airports at Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore and Hyderabad would be developed as major international hubs and would in future be the main access points for international travel to and from India.In future a hub-and-spoke model would be followed, which would also facilitate the development of regional networks and air connectivity as a whole. Draft puts emphasis on rationalizing the cost of Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF). Due to high rates of taxes, the cost of ATF in India is 40 to 45% higher than the international costs. the six metro airports will be developed as regional cargo hubs, integrating multi-modal transport facilities, cold chains and other commodity specific requirements. The turnaround time for cargo will be upgraded to international standards. As institutional reforms, an Expert Committee will be constituted to develop a future roadmap for Air India. Airports Authority of India will be corporatized, followed by listing in the Stock Exchanges, in order to improve efficiency and transparency. Pawan Hans Ltd. will be listed in the Stock Exchanges with the same objective. Special package will be developed for the North-Eastern Region to improve air connectivity and provide linkages to remote locations. The Route Dispersal Guidelines will be reviewed with the objective of encouraging Indian carriers to enhance regional connectivity through deployment of small aircrafts and code sharing arrangements. The 5/20 guidelines will be reviewed with a view to encouraging the entry of new Indian carriers. For development of the civil aviation sector, provision of Air Navigation Services (ANS) of international standards is essential. The Airports Authority of India has taken several initiatives in this direction. These would be intensified with the objective of reducing flying time, elimination of crowding at airports, Helicopter Aviation is a segment that has considerable potential for growth in areas such as reducing congestion in the big cities, medical evacuation, relief operations, law and order, oil exploration etc. Heliports and helipads will be developed in locations with sufficient potential. India Signs Loan Agreements with World Bank for US$ 200 Million for Technology Centre System Programme (TCSP) Technology Centre System Programme (TCSP) is for setting-up 15 new Technology Centers (TCs) and to modernize/upgrade existing 18 TCs. Objective of the project is to enhance the productivity of MSMEs by improving their access to technology and business advisory services as well as skilled workers through systems of financially sustainable technology centers.


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Maulana Abul Kalam Azads 125th Birth Anniversary towering figure on the Indian political scene and a scholar rated high in the realms of Urdu Literature. He was a dogged freedom fighter and an un-failing upholder of secular and democratic values. contributions in shaping the Education System of the country as First Education Minister of Independent India. He gave lot of thrust to Adult literacy, Universal primary education -- free and compulsory for all children, girls education, diversification of secondary education and vocational training.

Successful Flight Testing of LR SAM Missile

The Long Range Surface to Air Missile (LRSAM) is successfully flight tested

against a flying target in a range in Israel, today. Israel Aerospace Industries

(IAI), Israel has carried out the test in the presence of DRDO scientists and

officials of the Indian Armed Forces. The LRSAM system is jointly developed by

DRDO and IAI Israel.

All the systems including the radar, communication launch systems and the

missile system have performed as expected and hit the target directly and

damaged. The system is developed for both Israel Defence Forces and Indian

Armed Forces.

11th Nov

President attends National Education Day Celebrations

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee attended the National

Education Day Celebrations organized by the Ministry of Human Resource

Development (November 11, 2014) at Vigyan Bhavan to mark the birth

anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.

National Education Day is celebrated to commemorate the birth

anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Indias first education minister.

Maulana Azad was a key architect of education in independent India. As

Minister of Education, he had a challenging task of conceiving an education

system to develop a national spirit, an element that was missing from the

colonial system. He introduced a system to inculcate a rational approach

and spirit of enquiry in the education curriculum. To create socio-religious

and cultural inter-linkages in India, he set up a number of institutions - Lalit

Kala Academi, Sangeet Natak Academi and Sahitya Academi.

On the occasion, the President also launched Know Your College Portal

and the website of Unnat Bharat Abhiyan. The programme also witnessed

the launch of two scholarship schemes Saksham and Pragati. The Skills


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Jivatram Bhagwandas

Kripalani

Jivatram Bhagwandas

Kripalani (11 November

1888 19 March 1982),

popularly known as

Kripalani, was an Indian

politician, noted

particularly for holding the

presidency of the Indian

National Congress during

the transfer of power in

1947. During the election

for the post of the future

Prime Minister of India held

by the Congress party, he

had the second highest

number of votes after

Sardar Patel. However, on

Gandhi's insistence, both

Patel and Kripalani backed

out to allow Jawahar Lal

Nehru to become the first

Prime Minister of India.

Kripalani was a Gandhian

Socialist, environmentalist,

mystic and independence

activist.

He grew close to Gandhi

and at one point, he was

one of Gandhi's most

ardent disciples. Kripalani

was a familiar figure to

generations of dissenters,

from the Non-Cooperation

Movements of the 1920s to

the Emergency of the

1970s.

Credit Framework developed by AICTE was released by the Union

Minister of Human Resource Development and its first copy was

presented to the President.

PM's meeting with Myanmar President U Thein Sein focused on

connectivity, cultural contacts and commercial ties

The Prime Minister the President of Myanmar, Mr. U Thein Sein. This

was the first meeting between the two leaders, and focus was on

connectivity, cultural contacts and commercial ties.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Thein Sein reviewed

the progress of major connectivity projects between the two

countries including the India Myanmar Thailand trilateral highway,

and Kaladan transport project. Both sides see the trilateral highway

as an opportunity for industrial cooperation, and sought to explore

the possibility of setting up industrial parks along the highway. The

Imphal-Mandalay bus service also came up for discussion.

Both sides reviewed cultural contacts and it was noted that students

from Myanmar shall also study at Nalanda University.

President Thein Sein said that as India grows and develops, Myanmar

would also benefit. The possibility of India investing in Special

Economic Zones in Myanmar was discussed. Investment in the oil

and gas sector in Myanmar, and India`s assistance in development

projects in the agriculture and skill development sectors also came

up for discussion.

Second Services Conclave to Ideate Newer Export Paradigms

Services Conclave 2014, the second edition of the on-going initiative

of the Union Ministry of Commerce & Industry and Confederation of

Indian Industry (CII) will be held on 12-13 November 2014 in New

Delhi. The two-day event will lay emphasis on widening Indias

basket of services exports, to cover sunrise areas like education,

health tourism, creative entertainment and many more segments

that hold export potential.

The focus of the Conclave will be three pronged. First, to explore newer

paradigms in services exports, which is presently dominated by the exports

of IT and IT Enabled services (ITES). Two, it will attempt to identify the

challenge areas in services exports and strategize a roadmap for its


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sustained and accelerated growth in short, medium and long term. Three,

the Conclave will lay down modalities for closing the gap between

merchandize and services exports to create more employment and

business opportunities in the sector.

Importantly, the other Conclave sponsors are Center for WTO Studies

(CWS), Federation of Indian Export Organization (FIEO) and Services Export

Promotion Council (SEPC).

The Conclave assumes importance against the backdrop of increasing share

of the services sector in the GDP, which stands at 57 per cent in 2013-14

and is increasing. Against this, the annual export of services is pegged at

$151.47 billion, while the export of merchandise stands at $312.5 billion.

For closing in this wide gap, innovative approaches and out of box solutions

are needed. While IT and ITeS will continue to be the dominant export

segment, quantum jump in the sector can be realized by augmenting

exports of animation, gaming, designing etc., where India has considerable

talent pool. Also, such ventures need minimum investment and can also be

individual centric enterprises, which will be cost effective.

Another related area is export of professional services. Creation of a highly

competitive talent pool, infusion of newer initiatives for skill development

and identifying and tracking niche destinations for export of professionals

are critical in this regard. Similarly, with about 8.9 million tourist arrivals by

2020, tourism will become not only a major foreign exchange earner but

also an employment provider. An important area in the tourism sector is

medical tourism, which is showing steady growth in the last few years.

Availability of state-of-the art medical technologies, internationally

acclaimed hospitals and infrastructure etc. can achieve the potential in

medical. These subjects will come for sharp focus at the Conclave

nformation Technology-driven initiatives would ensure transparent,

objective & expeditious decision making: Prakash Javadekar

GIS based Decision Support System to avoid undue delay in Clearances

for Developmental Projects

Minister launches GIS based Decision Support System for Forest

Clearances

Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change has said that merit-

based and information technology-driven initiatives would facilitate

transparent, objective and balanced policy decisions that would not only

expedite processes but also help in striking a fine balance between


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environment protection and development. Shri Javadekar stated this while

launching the first version of Geographical Information System (GIS) based

Decision Support System for Forest Clearance here today. This step was the

latest in a series of key initiatives undertaken by the Ministry to fast-track

efficient, expedite and transparent decision making pertaining to

effective forest management, environment protection and biodiversity

conservation.

In order to facilitate the needs of the critical sectors necessary

amendments had been carried out to balance environment protection,

development, logistical needs and requirements. Such projects would be

balanced with compensatory afforestation programmes. In order to

decentralize the process of granting of Forest Clearances, the Ministry had

constituted Empowered Committees at regional levels and delegated

decision-making powers to these Committees for issuing Forest

Clearances to Linear Projects like Railway Lines, Transmission Lines,

Highways, and Pipelines. In a similar vein, development processes had

been expedited in Left Wing Extremism affected areas.

Information on Eco Sensitive Zones would be made available through the

newly launched web based Decision Support System in its second phase.

Hydrological layer, Net Present Value of Forest, Time Series of Forest

Cover Map, Important Wildlife habitats outside Protected Area network,

Recorded forest area boundaries would also be incorporated into the

system.

The first version of the Decision Support System developed by the Forest

Survey of India would provide qualitative, quantitative and

administrative attributes of forests to facilitate efficient management

and implementation of Forests Conservation Act. Designed with features

like Search Layer Tool, Draw and Measure Tool, Identify Tool and Print

Tool, the GIS based Decision Support System would help the government

classify forests of the country into various classes and categories based on

the ecological significance of each category. Availability of the database

would also significantly improve accessibility of information and

predictability of forest clearance applications. The new system contained

information on geo-referenced layers of Forest Cover, Forest Types,

Biological Richness, Landscape Integrity, Protected Areas, Tiger Reserves,

and Tiger Corridors.


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National Education Day Celebration

The country celebrated the National Education Day on 11th November,

2014, which was the birth anniversary of Indias great freedom movement

leader Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.

To mark the celebration of National Education Day, the following new

initiatives were started by the Ministry of HRD-

Saksham which is a college level scholarship for differently abled,

needy and meritorious children.

Pragati which is a scholarship for girl students who are pursuing

technical education at college level.

Skill Credit Framework document which provides a Skill Assessment

Matrix for Vocational Advancement of Youth (SAMAVAY). SAMAVAY

allows multiple pathways between Vocational education - skills,

education and job markets. This will facilitate India to harness the

potential of young India.

Know your College Portal which is an application developed for helping

a prospective student make a valued judgment of the college he / she

wishes to join by providing him / her the necessary information about the

college.

Unnat Bharat Abhiyan to involve higher educational institutions to

work with the people of rural India in identifying development challenges

and evolving appropriate solutions for accelerating sustainable growth.

First Meeting of Consultative Committee attached to Ministry of

Information &Broadcasting held to discuss the issue of Digitisation of

Cable TV Network, Phase III and IV

The importance of the digitisation programme is providing better quality of

service, wider choice of content and its important role in bringing about

transparency within the subscriber base. As a process it had also brought

about a change in the Broadcasting landscape as well as enabled

broadband penetration within the country.

Members of the Committee emphasised that quality of domestically

manufactured Set Top Boxes (STBs) must be ensured. The issue of


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digitization plan of Doordarshan terrestrial network and the steps being

taken to implement the process was also deliberated upon. It was also

mentioned that the Ministry needed to take proactive steps to ensure

timely registration of MSO applications so as to ensure the large presence

of MSOs to implement the digitization programme during Phase III and

Phase IV.

Ministry emphasised to integrate the domestic STB manufacturers with

the Make in India programme. Specific reference was made to the

initiative of the Ministry in resolving the long pending issue of C Form to

create a level playing field for domestic STB manufacturers. Members

were also informed that interactions were being held with the STB

fraternity to ensure that they utilized their capacity to fulfil the demand

for STBs during Phase III and Phase IV.

A Curtain Raiser on 4th Geoscience Advisory Council Meeting of the

Ministry of Mines

Minister of Mines & Steel will chair the 4th Geoscience Advisory Council

(GAC) meeting of the Ministry of Mines in New Delhi.

The Geoscience Advisory Council functions under the Chairmanship of the

Union Minister for Mines and Secretary, Ministry of Mines as Vice

Chairman.

GEOSCIENCE ADVISORY COUNCIL- PLATFORM

Geoscience Advisory Council provides a platform to the Administrators,

Earth Scientists, and Academicians to deliberate and suggest the gap areas

in our present system of pursuing Geoscience and the direction which

organizations, individually and collectively, should pursue to meet the

future challenges.

The GAC has already held three meetings till date.

Consultative Committee on Minority Affairs Discusses Seekho aur

Kamao and other Skill Development Initiatives

The skill development scheme for minorities viz. Seekho aur Kamao

which provides for ensured placement based skill training was discussed at

length in the meeting. Further, the skill Development component under

Multi- Sectoral Development Programme which envisages that at least 10%

of the allocation given to the State would be earmarked for activities

related to skill training to minority youth was also discussed.


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The Committee was also informed about the upcoming scheme

Upgrading the Skills and Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts for

Development (USTTAD) and launching of Maulana Azad National

Academy for Skills (MANAS).

Pilot Training Programs by Manas Launched: Two MoU Signed One With

Health Sector Council, Other With Security Sector Council Income

Eligibility Criterion for Trainees Raised from Rs.1.03 Lacs to Rs.6.00 Lacs

:Dr.Najma Heptulla

The first Skill Development Training programs of Maulana Azad National

Academy for Skills (MANAS) was launched on pilot basis here today on

the 125th birth anniversary celebrations of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. In

this regard two Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs) were signed by

MANAS .One with the representatives of Health Sector Council for

launching training programs on Bed Side Attendant and Home Health Care

Attendant through Skill Tree Consultant Pvt Ltd for 200 girls & boys and the

other with Security Sector Council launching security services training

program for 100 persons being organised through T.S. Skill and Tech Pvt.

Ltd. The Ministers distributed the Enrolment Cards to some of the trainees

selected for the three training programs under the Health and Security

sectors. These training programs will ensure 100% employment of trainees.

The outcome of the first training programs will guide the Ministry in

expanding network of MANAS and help it to acquire an All India footprint.

To increase coverage of program under MANAS, Ministry has recently

increased income eligibility criterion for trainees from Rs.1.03 lacs to

Rs.6.00 lacs (annual) to facilitate providing training and concessional credit.

This change of base is likely to benefit 12 to 13 crore people. The Ministry

of Minority Affairs is going to nominate MANAS as its Project Implementing

Agency.

SAARC Motor Vehicle Agreement will be a Path-breaking Endeavour

The proposed SAARC Motor Vehicle Agreement has wider scope for

movement of all types of vehicles across SAARC member States and will be

a path breaking endeavour. The agreement for passenger and cargo

vehicles movement in SAARC countries is expected to be signed during the

forthcoming visit of Prime Minister to Kathmandu. India is doing its bit to

support the development of infrastructure in Nepal particularly for

connectivity and people-to-people contact.

This agreement would facilitate Nepal-India bus services on reciprocal basis

and a seamless movement of people from the two countries. It would


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promote tourism and people-to-people interaction. The following three

routes, have been identified for the bus service in the first instance:

Kathmandu Bhairahawa Sunauli Gorakhpur Lucknow New Delhi:

Kathmandu Bhairahawa Sunauli Azamgarh Varanasi New Delhi;

Pokhara Bharahawa Sunauli Gorakhpur Lucknow New Delhi

In addition to the regular bus service along the three routes, the Motor

Vehicle Agreement also provides for movement of private vehicles and

non-regular passenger vehicles across the border. Such private and non-

regular passenger vehicles would be entitled to use all established entry

and exit points in the agreed upon framework envisaged under the Draft

Agreement. Efforts would also be made to prevail upon any leading Indian

transporter to simultaneously commence a regular bus service on the same

day, from Delhi to Kathmandu.

MGNREGA will be strengthened to empower the rural poor-Birender

Singh

The Union Minister for Rural Development said that there is a need to

strengthen MGNREGA as the rural job scheme has led to empowerment of

poor people in the villages. He said, valuable suggestions have come

regarding reforming the rural job scheme and all necessary steps will be

taken to strike a right balance between creation of jobs and building

durable assets through MGNREGA. The Minister said, if the need arises

some new works will also be added to the scheme.

On the issue of impending changes in the Land Acquisition Act efforts will

be made to bring about a consensus on the issue. He further added that

the Government is not against industrialization but the interests of the

farmers should not be compromised at any cost. He also clarified that he is

not in favour of acquisition of multi-crop lands.

Referring to the Swachh Bharat Mission, the Minister said building toilets

in the rural areas will be taken on war footing and a massive awareness

campaign will be launched for behavioural change as far as sanitation and

cleanliness are concerned. Shri Birender Singh also underlined that the

problem of drinking water mainly in the arsenic and fluoride affected

regions will be addressed on a priority basis.

Uma Bharti calls for Fast Track mode for Inter-Linking of Rivers

Consultative Committee meeting of Ministry of Water Resources Held


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Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga

Rejuvenation Sushri Uma Bharti has called for fast track measures to

achieve the goal of inter-linking of rivers (ILR) in the country. As per the

National Perspective Plan of ILR, it would give additional benefits of 35

million hect. of irrigation (25 million hect. of irrigation from surface waters

and 10 million hect. by increased use of ground waters) raising the ultimate

irrigation potential from 140 million hect. to 175 million hect. and

generation of 34000 MW of power, apart from the benefits of flood

control, navigation, water supply, fisheries, salinity and pollution control

etc.

National Water Development Agency (NWDA) has identified 30 links, 16

under Peninsular Component and 14 under Himalayan Component for

preparation of Feasibility Reports. Out of this, feasibility reports of 14 links

of peninsular component and two links (Indian portion) of Himalayan

component have been prepared.

Members of Parliament who attended the meeting said that Government

should take this programme in the mission mode and it should be

completed in time bound manner. Some other suggestions like Krishna-

Godavari link, Ganga-Gomti link, Sharda-Yamuna link, Pindari-Kosi link,

construction of rubber dams during ILR, linking of Falgu river in Bihar were

also made by the members.

A strong system of incentives and advocacy will drive the Beti Bachao Beti

Padhao (BBBP) scheme of the Government says Smt Maneka Gandhi

Regional consultations for the BBBP scheme to be completed within this

month.

The Union Minister of the Women and Child Development , Smt Maneka

Sanjay Gandhi has said that the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao(BBBP) scheme of

the Government will be based on a strong system of incentives and media

advocacy to bring about an all-round change in attitudes. She was

speaking after officially releasing the documentary film After My Garden

Grows, directed by the famous Oscar winning Director Miss Megan

Mylan in New Delhi today. The film is based in West Bengal and highlights

the role of Sabla programme and Aanganwadis to empower the Indian

girl child.


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The Minister said that the regional consultations with district collectors for

BBBP have already begun with the first round having taken place recently

in Chandigarh for 27 districts of North Indian states.

100 districts with low Child Sex Ratio have been identified for

implementing the scheme. The Minister said that states like West Bengal

and Punjab have developed good models for saving and empowering the

girl child. Successful models developed by other states will also be studied

for adoption by states which need to improve their child sex ratio.

The documentary film After My Garden Grows, tells the story of Monika

Barman, a rural Indian teenager growing a small rooftop garden over her

home, that is providing food to feed her family, and sowing the seeds of

her own independence. Barman manages to delay marriage and return to

school through the innovative girls gardening program.

12th Nov

Shri Pranab Mukherjee at the 20th Justice Sunanda Bhandare Memorial

Lecture on Women as agents of change

Women have become Ministers, Governors, Ambassadors and Judges but

their representation is not enough for them to play the role of change

agents in an effective way. In the World Economic Forums Global Gender

Gap Index for 2014, India has been ranked a lowly 114th, below Brazil,

Russia and China, and even Cuba, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Remarks by the PM at the 12th India-ASEAN Summit, Nay Pyi Taw,

Myanmar

For peace and stability in South China Sea, everyone should follow

international norms and law. This includes the 1982 United Nations

Convention on the Law of the Sea. We also hope that you will be able to

successfully implement the Guidelines to the 2002 Declaration on Conduct

and that the Code of Conduct on South China Sea can be concluded soon

on the basis of consensus. I also suggest that we conduct a review of our

free trade agreement on goods to improve it further and make it beneficial

to all. also urge that the FTA on Service and Investment be brought into force at the earliest. Many of you have spoken about the Regional

Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. It can be a springboard

for economic integration and prosperity in the region. However, we should

aim for a balanced Agreement, which is beneficial to all; and, is truly

comprehensive. more than physical connectivity, we need Information

Highways or i-ways. My experience is that even where road connectivity is


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poor, we can create vast economic opportunities and employment through

i-ways. We should think ambitiously of what we can do in Renewal Energy

and Energy efficiency. Let us think of a major ASEAN India Solar Project for

research, manufacturing and deployment. We should move quickly

towards mutual Recognition of Degrees. Tourism has not grown the way it

should.

Under Sawachh Bharat Mission, Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is

developing mandatory standards for garbage disposal and supply of

potable water.

Index of Industrial Production (IIP) with base 2004-05 released by the

Central Statistics Office of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme

Implementation. IIP is compiled using data received from 16 source

agencies viz. Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP); Indian

Bureau of Mines; Central Electricity Authority; Joint Plant Committee;

Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas; Office of Textile Commissioner;

Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals; Directorate of Sugar;

Department of Fertilizers; Directorate of Vanaspati, Vegetable Oils & Fats;

Tea Board; Office of Jute Commissioner; Office of Coal Controller; Railway

Board; Office of Salt Commissioner and Coffee Board.

STATEMENT I: INDEX OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION - SECTORAL

(Base : 2004-05=100)

Mining Manufacturing Electricity General

(141.57) (755.27) (103.16) (1000.00)

13th Nov 2014

India & UK Agrees to Scale-up Bilateral Research and Innovation

Relationship to a Greater Level .A Significant New Initiative to be Known

as the Newton-Bhabha Fund Announced.

4th UK-India Science and Innovation Council (SIC). UK-India Education and

Research Initiative (UKIERI)has been successful in building new scientific

partnerships through joint research projects and networking. it was

decided that a new be known as the Newton-Bhabha Fund will be taken to

further the relations.. Newton-Bhabha Fund (50 million over 5 years from

the UK and matched efforts from India) is an important programme, with a

strong interdisciplinary dimension that will further strategise the science,

research and innovation cooperation between the UK and India.

Left Wing Extremism discussed in the consultative committee meeting


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Union Home Minister said that the Centre has adopted a four-pronged

strategy with the LWE affected states to tackle the Maoist threat

comprising of security related interventions, development, securing rights

and entitlements to the largely tribal hit population and public perception

management.

On the development front, the Integrated Action Plan (IAP) being

implemented in 88 LWE affected districts since 2010 has been subsumed

into the Additional Central Assistance to LWE Affected Districts

programme. Sharing the concerns of the members regarding issues of

CAPF, Shri Rajnath Singh informed that a historic decision has been taken

recently by him to enhance the financial powers of the Directors General of

CAPFs for procurement.

Statement on WTO made by Commerce & Industry Minister

Commitment to Multilateralism

India is a strong supporter of the multilateral trading system and is

committed to strengthening it and ensuring that the WTO remains

a key pillar of the global economic edifice.

The principles of non-discrimination, predictability, transparency

and, most importantly, the commitment to development

underlying the multilateral trading system are too valuable to lose.

Plurilateral trading arrangements, among a few, cannot substitute

the multilateral system.

Reasons for Indias Stand

The Doha Development Agenda which was agreed in the year 2001

is the very first round dedicated to development. The agenda is a

fine balance between market access and development issues.

We supported the Bali Package but when subsequent

developments belied that hope, India had no option but to seek a

course correction. India, therefore, took the stand that till there

was an assurance of our concerns being addressed, it would be

difficult to join the consensus on the Protocol of Amendment for

the Trade Facilitation Agreement.

WTO Rules and Food Security


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The relationship between international trade and food security has

been the subject of debate; so also, the role of WTO rules in

enabling and promoting food security.

While the relevant WTO rules recognize food security concerns,

their primary focus is to liberalise agricultural trade rather than to

ensure food security. However, the fact is that some of these rules

are proving to be a hindrance to food security efforts.

We believe that the rules of the WTO should support the food

security efforts of countries rather than policies having to tiptoe

around WTO rules, as the former UN Special Rapporteur on the

Right to Food said.

Commitment to the Trade Facilitation Agreement

India has repeatedly reiterated its commitment to the Trade

Facilitation Agreement.

We recognise its value for trade and for that very reason we agreed

to it in the larger interest of global trade.

However, for developing countries the benefits may not be

commensurate with the associated costs. Implementation of the

rest of the Bali Decisions will give some comfort to the developing

countries and LDCs, even though most of the non-binding decisions

do not hold out the promise of substantial gains for these

countries. We will continue to work for the implementation of the

Bali Package and the DDA.

Call to WTO Membership to Take this Forward

We are extremely happy that India and the US have successfully

resolved their differences relating to the issue of public

stockholding for food security purposes in the WTO in a manner

that addresses our concerns.

This will end the impasse at the WTO and also open the way for

implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement.

We are confident that the membership will take the matter

forward in the WTO in a constructive spirit. This would be an

important contribution by the WTO reflecting its commitment to

development.


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We urge the WTO membership to take this forward in the General

Council on behalf of the Ministerial Conference and pave the way

to spurring the WTO to more such successes.

India China Joint Training-Exercise Hand-in-Hand 2014 to Commence from

16 November 2014 at Pune

In continuation of the series of Joint Exercises between India and China,

the Exercise Hand-in-Hand 2014 is all set to commence shortly at Aundh

Camp, Pune on 16 Nov 14. This will be the fourth joint training exercise by

the Indian Army with Peoples Liberation Army of China. While the second

edition of the exercise was held at Belgaum in 2008, it has been conducted

twice in China in 2007 & 2013.

The aim of the joint training is to share the drills and practices learnt

while tackling insurgency and terrorism, thereby promoting healthy

military to military relations between the two Armies and developing

joint strategies of conducting operations in a counter terrorism

environment. Forming part of the different levels of the military to military

engagement across the entire spectrum of operations, this exercise will

enrich the two contingents in further honing basic military skills.

Union Home Minister Appeals LWE Rebels to Lay Down Arms and Join the

Mainstream

The Union Home Minister today appealed the Left Wing Extremists (LWE)

to lay down arms and join the mainstream. Addressing the CRPF Diamond

Jubilee Parade in Gurgaon, Shri Rajnath Singh said that Naxals and Maoists,

operating in certain parts of India, should abjure violence. In a democracy

like India, there was no place for violence and the Naxals should join the

mainstream.

Terming the CRPF as `Loktantra Ke Prahri`, Shri Rajnath Singh said that the

CRPF not only plays an active role in facing the challenges of internal

security but also provides security cover during General Elections. The

CRPF is one of the largest paramilitary forces in the world, he remarked.

India and the United Kingdom Agree to Further Strengthen the

Cooperation in Education


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The Sixth India-UK Education Forum Meeting took place in New Delhi. Both

the countries discussed the existing bilateral cooperation initiatives in

education and also agreed to further strengthen it by taking up several new

initiatives. Both sides also acknowledged the cooperation mechanism

through joint UK-India Education and Research Initiative (UKIERI).

Both sides also discussed the Chevening Scholarships for Indian students;

two-way student mobility; Generation UK-India programme which will

support up to 25,000 young people from the UK to come to India over the

next 5 years and initiatives supported by DFID. The UK delegation

confirmed that they will put in four times more resources for the

Chevening scholarships for Indian students and make it the largest

Chevening Programme in the World. The Indian delegation emphasized

that, along with students from UK, they would also like to welcome

teachers and faculty members under its new programme, Global Initiative

for Academics Network (GIAN), the response to which was extremely

positive from the Minister leading the UK delegation.

After taking over of the present Government, the issue of equivalence of

Indias 10+2 qualifications with A level qualification of UK was taken up

at very high levels. UK side has acted promptly on it and it was conveyed

today in the Forum meeting that most of the UK Institutions recognize the

10+2 qualifications for admission of Indian students into the higher

educational institutions in UK. The UK delegation also welcomed more

Indian students in the British Universities and also assured of addressing

the barriers in student mobility.

The Indian delegation appreciated the initiative of UK Government to

install the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Parliament Street, London and also

offered to co-sponsor the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Lecture.

It was also decided to constitute a Joint Working Group consisting of

officers from both sides to deliberate and work on modalities of future

collaborations in education. The JWG will meet frequently and the first

meeting will be held by December 2014.

A Joint Statement was also signed by both the Ministers highlighting the

educational cooperation between India and the United Kingdom and the

future areas of collaboration. The areas of leadership development;

research, innovation, technology and knowledge transfer; Skill

Development and Entrepreneurship; enhancing people to people links and

two-way mobility; quality improvement in education; use of ICT in

education; development of MOOCs and e-Library and launch of UKIERI-III in

2016 have been highlighted in the Joint Statement.


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14th Nov 2014

Corrosion Control And Management Vital for Ensuring Zero Defect , Zero

Effect Manufacturing Ananth Kumar

according to a recent report of the World Corrosion Organization, the

annual corrosion cost is approximately US $ 2.5 trillions or 3-4% of the

global GDP. In India alone, the loss on account of corrosion is estimated at

around $ 67 billion ( over Rs 4 lakh crores), the minister added. He said, in

the fertilizer industry too, corrosion is a major concern due to corrosive

nature of raw materials.

Index Numbers of Wholesale Price in India (Base: 2004-05=100)

PRIMARY ARTICLES (Weight 20.12%)

Food Articles, Non-Food Articles, Minerals

FUEL & POWER (Weight 14.91%)

MANUFACTURED PRODUCTS (Weight 64.97%)

Food Products, Beverages, Tobacco & Tobacco Products, Textiles, Wood &

Wood Products, Paper & Paper Products, Rubber & Plastic Products,

Chemicals & Chemical Products, Non-Metallic Mineral Products, Basic

Metals, Alloys & Metal Products, Machinery & Machine Tools

Nehru Portal launched, Commemoration coins released

sum of Rs. 20 crore has been releasedto the Nehru Memorial Museum and

Library (NMML) this year for launching a Nehru Portal on the lines of

Gandhi Heritage Portal, publication of selected works of Jawaharlal Nehru,

renovation and modernization of Nehru Museum and other activities of

such nature. commemorative coins of denominations of Rs. 5.00 andRs.

125 were also released to mark the occasion.

New Paryavaran Bhawan, A Green Building

New Paryavaran Bhawan is a Green Building with state of art modern amenities and comfort with Intelligent Building Management System which optimizes energy consumption. It holds the unique distinction of being a "net zero energy" building, with 100% on-site power generation. It provides for 40% savings in electricity and 55% savings in water with zero discharge. It is the first building in Govt. sector with highest green ratings - 5 star GRIHA rating, and Platinum LEED India rating. States of Kerala and Goa, Union Territories of Chandigarh, Puducherry and Lakshadweep and Three Districts of Gujarat Porbandar, Mehasana,


21

Gandhi Nagar, Declared as 100% Saturated in Terms of Coverage of all Households with at Least One Bank Account Home Minister Rajnath Singh emphasises on prison reforms, by using technology and improving infrastructure prisons should not be seen only as places of confinement, but also for reforming the prisoners. He said that the prisoners should be imparted appropriate skill training. phase 1 of modernization of prisons concluded in 2009 and phase 2 of the modernization scheme will be taken up from February 2015. Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi launches the nationwide Bal Swachhta Mission Bal Swachhta Mission is a part of the nationwide sanitation initiative of Swachh Bharat Mission nationwide Bal Swachhta Mission will have the following six themes:- 1. Clean Anganwadis 2. Clean Surroundings e.g. Playgrounds 3. Clean Self (Personal Hygiene/Child Health) 4. Clean Food 5. Clean Drinking Water 6. Clean Toilets During the Bal Swachhta Week from 14th to 19th November, one of the above themes would be covered at each Anganwadi Centre in the states. The Women and Child Development Departments of various states have been asked to implement the Bal Swachhta Mission with the help of Departments of School Education, Urban Development, Drinking Water and Sanitation, and Information and Publicity. The events will be organized at State, District, Block, and Gram Panchayat level. Modified DBTL launch on 15.11.14 in 54 districts and in the rest of the country by 1.1.15

Consumers who had joined the scheme earlier and had received cash subsidy in their bank accounts do not need to do anything further. To confirm this, they should check their CTC (cash transfer compliant) status on www.MyLPG.in.

The major changes in the modified scheme are designed to enhance consumer convenience and are as follows:

o Consumers who affirm that they do not have Aadhaar number, can receive cash directly in their bank account without producing Aadhaar. However, as and when they get Aadhaar they may have to shift to Aadhaar based cash transfer.

o Consumers who are not CTC will get a 3 month Grace Period during which they will receive the cylinders at subsidised rate. After the Grace Period, they will get an additional period of 3 month as Parking Period.


22

During the Parking Period they will have to buy cylinders at the market rate. If the consumer joins the scheme within the Parking Period, the subsidy as per entitlement and consumption during Parking Period will be transferred to his bank account.

o The permanent advance is paid in the bank account of consumers as soon as they make the first booking for a cylinder after joining the scheme, prior to the delivery. This advance ensures that LPG consumers have extra cash to pay for the first LPG cylinder at market price. The permanent advance shall be notified for the consumers now joining the scheme separately.

15th Nov 2014

PM's intervention at the informal meeting of BRICS leaders, and bilateral

engagements in Brisbane - November 15, 2014

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, said repatriation of unaccounted

money from abroad was a key priority for his Government. He was making

an intervention at the meeting of BRICS leaders ahead of the G20 summit

in Brisbane. He said unaccounted money abroad posed both economic and

security challenges.

The Prime Minister said this G20 meeting was happening in the shadow of

continued weak global economic growth. He said political turbulence in

many parts of the world, and the Ebola pandemic were also factors of

concern. Therefore, he said, there is need for a positive environment to

achieve economic goals, and G20 can support this effort. He said there is a

strong need to give a message to revive economic confidence and boost

growth and job creation.

The Prime Minister also stressed on the need for better international policy

coordination, and the need to reform global economic institutions. He

suggested the creation of a digital hub for sharing of information and best

practices for infrastructure.

PM's intervention on "reform experience and thrust forward" at the

Retreat for G20 leaders

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today made an intervention

during the Retreat for G20 leaders, on the subject "Reform Experience and

Thrust Forward." He was invited to speak on the subject and share his

vision of reform, based on his own experiences, by Mr. Tony Abbott, the

Prime Minister of Australia.


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In his intervention, the Prime Minister stressed that reforms cannot be

done by stealth, but have to be people-driven and people-centric. He said

reforms should take into account the issues being faced by people. He

emphasized that reforms cannot be superficial, but should take into

account the root causes of the issues involved. The Prime Minister said

there is bound to be resistance to reform, and therefore, it is essential to

insulate the reform process from politics. He stressed that reform should

be an institutionalized process.

The Prime Minister said reforms should lead to simplification of processes,

and should also involve improvements in governance processes.

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