Ministries & Departments

of

New Initiatives

New Schemes

New Policies

Year EndReview

Special Edition Prelims 2017 for

For Civil Services Examination

INDEX

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YEAR END REVIEW OF THE SOCIAL SECTOR

1. Ministry of Women and Child Development

2. Ministry of Minority Affairs

3. Ministry of Human Resource Development

4. Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment

YEAR END REVIEW OF HEALTH SECTOR

1. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

2. Ministry of AYUSH

YEAR END REVIEW IN CULTURE AND TOURISM

1. Ministry of Culture

2. Ministry of Tourism

YEAR END REVIEW IN FINANCIAL SEGMENT

1. Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance

2. Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance

3. Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion, Ministry of Commerce & Industry

YEAR END REVIEW OF TRANSPORT SECTOR

1. Ministry of Shipping

2. Ministry of Road Transport & Highways

3. Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas

4. Ministry of Power

YEAR END REVIEW IN FOOD SECTOR

1. Ministry of Agriculture

2. Ministry of Food Processing Industries

3. Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution

4. Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers

YEAR END REVIEW IN SCIENCE SECTOR

1. Ministry of Science & Technology

2. Department of Atomic Energy

3. Ministry of Defence

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This covers the Year End Review of the following Ministries

1. Ministry of Women and Child Development

2. Ministry of Minority Affairs

3. Ministry of Human Resource Development

4. Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment

Ministry of Women and Child Development

• As a nodal Ministry for the advancement of women and children, the Ministry formulates plans,policies and programmes; enacts/ amends legislation, guides and coordinates the efforts of bothgovernmental and non-governmental organisations working in the field of Women and ChildDevelopment. Besides, playing its nodal role, the Ministry implements certain innovative programmesfor women and children.

• Some of the key initiatives are:

1. Expansion of One Stop Centre Scheme:

• The Ministry has launched the Scheme for setting up One Stop Centres to facilitate access to anintegrated range of services including medical, legal, and psychological support to women affectedby violence to be funded through Nirbhaya Fund.

2. Expansion of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme:

• The scheme aims to address the issue of Child Sex Ratio (CSR) through a National level strategyfocusing on mass campaign for improving CSR and promote education in 100 gender criticaldistricts through multi-sectoral action.

• Objective:

a) Prevent Gender biased sex selective elements

b) Ensure survival and protection of girl child.

c) Ensure education of the girl child.

• Components:

a) Mass communication/ campaign on Beti-Bachav-Beti-Padhao

b) Multi sectoral interventions in 100 gender critical districts covering all States/ UTs low on CSR.

• State level initiatives include:

a) Digital Guddi Gudda Display Boards in offices and public places in Maharashtra,

b) Social assistance scheme titled Ladli Beti for new born girl child born by Jammu and Kashmir.

YEAR END REVIEW OF THESOCIAL SECTOR

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3. Operationalisation of Gender Champions Scheme:

• The initiative of Gender Champions is being implemented through educational institutions for sensitizingyoung students and for creating awareness on laws, legislations, legal rights and life skills education.

• The Gender Champion Guidelines developed by WCD Ministry are being operationalized incollaboration with the Ministry of Human Resource Development.

4. Mahila Police Volunteer Scheme:

• MPVs will act as a link between police and community and facilitate women in distress.

• The MPVs shall report the incidence of violence against women, domestic violence and dowry harassment.

• They shall be given an Identity Card to authorize their identity and engagement with public. Thecontribution of the MPVs will be rewarded annually.

• Haryana has become the first state to operationalise the Mahila Police Volunteer scheme.

5. Progress on 33% Reservation for women in police force:

• The WCD Ministry has been working along with the Ministry of Home Affairs to improve overallpolice responsiveness to gender sensitive cases and to bring visibility to more women and strengthengender sensitivity in police force.

• Reservation has been extended in 13 States/Union Territories of Bihar, Gujarat, Odisha, Nagaland,Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Chandigarh, Daman & Diu, Lakshadweep &Dadra Nagar Haveli, NCT of Delhi. The Process has been initiated in 9 more States/UTs (Assam,Chhattisgarh, Jammu & Kashmir, Mizoram, Punjab, Kerala, Haryana, Uttarakhand and West Bengal).

6. Panic Button on Mobile Phones:

• The Ministry of Women and Child Development had taken up the issue of installation of physicalpanic button on mobile phones.

• Under these rules, all new feature phones will have the facility of panic button configured to thenumeric key 5 or 9 and all smart phones will have the panic button configured to three times shortpressing of the On-off button from the new year onwards. Further, all new mobile phones will berequired to have the facility of identifying the location through satellite based GPS.

7. Village facilitation & Convergence Service:

• Village Facilitation & Convergence Service (VCFS) aims to link women in need with the schemes/programs being implemented by Central/State Government impacting the lives of women such asBBBP, Sabla, One Stop Centre, Jan Dhan Yojana, Swach Bharat, etc.

• The services under VCFS are provided by Village Coordinators at the Gram Panchayat level. VCFSScheme has been approved for 161 BBBP districts and 200 high burden districts across the country.

• This will help to educate women about government schemes and their benefits as well and enhancecommunity participation in implementation of schemes and programmes meant for women.

8. Launch of Mahila e-Haat:

• The Ministry of Women & Child Development launched Mahila e-Haat a unique direct onlinedigital marketing platform for women entrepreneurs/SHGs/NGOs in March 2016.

• It aims at financial inclusion and economic empowerment of women. Mahila e-Haat facilitatesdirect contact between the vendor and buyer.

• The unique features of Mahila E-haat not available on other e-commerce portals are: (a) Sharing ofcontact details of vendors (b) E-learning services (c) Pitara (Hamari Baat) conversations (d) Services.

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9. POSCO e-box:

• It is a simple and easy to use facility for children or any adult to register complaints of child sexualabuse or harassment. It is a direct online reporting mechanism where each complaint is handledwith sensitivity and anonymity to provide optimum protection to these children.

• POCSO e-Box has been awarded the Skoch Silver and Skoch Order-of Merit award.

10. Extension of Maternity Leave:

• The Ministry of Labour & Employment has carried out suitable amendments in the Act, which areas follows:

a) Enhancement of maternity leave under Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, from existing 12 weeks to 26weeks.

b) Extension of maternity benefit to adopting mothers and commissioning mothers.

c) Establishment of crèche facility within the office/factory premises.

11. Khoya-paya portal:

• The Ministry of Women and Child Development, with the assistance of Department of Electronicsand Information Technology (DeitY), has launched a web portal Khoya-Paya this year for reportingand searching missing children.

• The web portal 'Khoya-Paya' will have information of missing and sighted children.

12. National Nutrition Mission:

• A new Mission to tackle the problem of malnutrition is being launched by March 2016 so thatsupplementary nutrition can be provided in a targeted manner with real-time IT based monitoringat ground level.

• It will put in place a comprehensive set of measures and activities that will address pivotal andcomplex issues of malnutrition and focus on outcome monitoring, training and capacity building.

13. Comprehensive Regulation on Micro nutrient Fortification:

• Food Fortification has significant role in reducing Micronutrient deficiency related disorders.WCDMinistry led the initiative with the Ministry of Consumer Affairs & Public Distribution and Ministryof Health & Family Welfare in formulating Comprehensive Regulation on Micronutrient Fortificationinvolving all Stake holders.

• The 'Group of Secretaries on Education & Health regarding food fortification' has recommendedthe following:

(a) Double Fortification of Salt with Iodine & Iron.

(b) Fortification of Refined Oil and Milk with Vitamin-A & D.

(c) Fortification of Rice with Iron & Folic Acid.

15. National Children's Fund:

• National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development (NIPCCD), an autonomous bodyunder Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) has revised its guidelines to providescholarship to a child who is orphan or destitute and is residing in a Child Care Institution (CCI)and has done well in his/her school by securing at least 70% marks.

Ministry of Minority Affairs

• The Ministry of Minority Affairs was established in 2006.

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• It is the apex body for the central government's regulatory and developmental programmes for theminority religious communities in India, which include Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists,Zoroastrians (Parsis) and Jains notified as minority communities as notified by Government ofIndia in Gazette under Section 2 (c) of the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992.

• The Ministry is also involved with the linguistic minorities and of the office of the Commissionerfor Linguistic Minorities, representation of the Anglo-Indian community, protection and preservationof non-Muslim shrines in Pakistan and Muslim shrines in India in terms of the Pant-Mirza Agreementof 1955, in consultation with the Ministry of External Affairs.

• Achievements and Initiatives of the Ministry of minority affairs in the previous year are as follows:

1. Nai Manzil scheme:

• Objective: To address educational and livelihood needs of minority communities lagging behind interms of educational attainments.

• The 'Nai Manzil' scheme was launched, for the first time in Jammu and Kashmir.

2. Everlasting Flame International Programme:

• The Ministry of Minority Affairs organised the two months long cultural spectacle EverlastingFlame International Programme celebrating Multicultural Ethos of the Parsi-Zoroastrian Community.

3. Hunar Haat" (Skill Haat):

• "Hunar Haat" (Skill Haat) is an exhibition of handicrafts, embroidery etc. made by the artisans fromthe Minority Communities at the India International Trade Fair.

4. Haj Pilgrimaje:

• The work related to management of Haj pilgrimage, including administration of the Haj CommitteeAct, 2002 and rules made thereunder has been transferred from Ministry of External Affairs toMinistry of Minority Affairs. With the transfer of Haj related works from MEA, M/o MinorityAffairs will be the nodal Ministry for all matters related to Haj pilgrimage.

5. Progress Panchayats:

• The Minister of State(IC) Minority Affairs launched and held "Progress Panchayats", an informationcampaign at ground level.

• "Progress Panchayat" will prove to be an effective mission for informing people about welfaremeasures as there is no dearth of schemes and funds for development of Muslim and otherMinority communities.

6. Naya savera - Free coaching and allied scheme:

• The objective of the scheme is to enhance skills and knowledge of students and candidates fromminority communities to get employment in government sector/Public sector undertakings, jobs inprivate sector, and admission in reputed institutions in technical and professional courses at undergraduate and post-graduate levels.

7. NAI UDAAN

• The objective of the scheme is to provide financial support to the minority candidates clearingprelims conducted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Staff Selection Commission(SSC) and State Public Service Commission (SPSC) to adequately equip them to compete forappointment to civil services in the union and state governments and to increase the representationof the minority in the civil services by giving direct financial support to candidates clearing preliminaryexamination of Group A and B (Gazetted and Non-Gazetted posts of UPSC), SPSC, SSC, etc.

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8. Padho Pardesh

• The objective of the scheme is to award interest subsidy to meritorious students belonging toeconomically weaker sections of notified minority communities so as to provide them betteropportunities for higher education board and enhance their employability.

Ministry of Human Resource Development

• The Ministry of Human Resource Development is responsible for the development of humanresources in India.

• The Ministry is divided into two departments:

a) The Department of School Education and Literacy, which deals with primary, secondary and highersecondary education, adult education and literacy, and

b) The Department of Higher Education, which deals with university education, technical education,scholarship etc.

• Initiatives and Achievements of Ministry of Human Resource Development are:

1. Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA)

• Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan is implemented as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme in partnership with StateGovernments for universalizing elementary education across the country. Its overall goals includeuniversal access and retention, bridging of gender and social category gaps in education andenhancement of learning levels of children.

• SSA provides for a variety of interventions, including inter alia, opening of new schools, constructionof schools and additional classrooms, toilets and drinking water, provisioning for teachers, periodicteacher training and academic resource support, textbooks and support for learning achievement.These provisions are made in accordance with norms and standards and free entitlements as mandatedby the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009.

2. Shagun Portal - an Initiative to monitor the implementation of SSA:

• ShaGun a web portal (from the words Shaala and Gunvatta) is being developed by Ministry ofHRD. It has two components i.e. one is a Repository of best practices, photographs, videos, studies,newspaper articles etc. on elementary education, State /UT wise. These provide a platform for allstakeholders to learn from success stories of each other and a positive competitive spirit among allthe States and UTs.

• The online monitoring of the SSA implemented by States and UTs and will be accessed byGovernment Officers at all levels using their specific passwords.

3. Padhe Bharat Badhe Bharat:

• Launched to improve learning outcomes, the program focuses on language development to createinterest in reading and writing in comprehension & teaching mathematics in a way that developsliking and understanding during the early years of schooling, particularly in class I and II.

• The focus of the programme is on the development of System Level Component and School -Classroom Level Components.

4. The Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan (RAA):

• It is also under the SSA, was launched by Late Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

• This aims to motivate and engage children of the age group 6-18 years, in Science, Mathematicsand Technology by observation, experimentation, inference drawing and model building, throughboth inside and outside classroom activities.

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• Schools have been adopted for mentoring by Institutions of Higher Education like IIT's, IISER's andNIT's.

• In some States students have been taken for exposure visits to factories, research hubs; science andmathematics clubs are being formed at the school levels, students are participating in competitionsand exhibitions to showcase their innovations in Maths, Science and Technology.

5. Vidyanjali:

• This is sub-programme under SSA launched to enhance community and private sector involvementin Government run elementary schools across the country under the overall aegis of the SSA.

• The aim of the programme is to strengthen implementation of co-scholastic activities in governmentschools through services of volunteers. So far 3306 Volunteers registered for the programme creating10443 activities to be conducted in schools, 841 Volunteers have gone to schools and conducted activities.

Partnership between Schools" Programme: The Department has framed guidelines for "Partnershipbetween Schools" Programme, which aims to link schools located in rural areas with private, aided, orgovernment schools in urban or semi urban areas. All States and UTs have been requested to take necessaryaction in this direction and design the modalities of the programme within the broad guidelines issued bythe Department. The objectives of the initiative include (i) bring all students to one common platform, (ii)to share experiences and learn from each other, (iii) provide opportunities to the teaching fraternity to adoptbetter and more effective practices and (iv) to instill a spirit of sharing, caring and togetherness.

School Location Mapping: A website has been enabled which shows the location of all the schools ona map of India. The schools can be searched by name, location, UDISE code etc. The school report cardhas been integrated with the coordinates of the schools.

6. Teacher Education:

a) Prashikshak Teacher Education Portal: The objective of Prashikshak is to help District Institutefor Education and Training (DIETs) make informed decisions about their institutes, compare theperformance of their institute against other DIETs in the state/country as well as help aspiringteachers make informed decisions about which institute to join.

b) Enhanced use of E-Governance in Teacher Education by National Council for Teacher Education(NCTE) for better regulation of the sector.

c) Accreditation for Teacher Education Institutions (TEIs): by National Council for Teacher Educationfor better management and improved quality of teacher education.

d) Mapping of Teacher Education Institutions (TEIs) for providing comprehensive status of 18,000+recognised TEIs spread across the country in the public domain, a Geographical Information System(GIS) has been introduced online for mapping the TEIs.

7. Mid Day Meal

• Mid Day Meal is a centrally sponsored programme designed with a view to enhancing enrollment,retention and attendance and simultaneously improving nutritional levels among children.

• Mothers are encouraged to take turns to oversee the feeding of the children, thus ensuring qualityand regularity of the meal. For this, they need to devote only a couple of hours once or twice ina month. This simple intervention of 'mothers watch', gives them a voice and a role and greaterownership of the programme. For example: MITANIN in Chattisgarh.

8. Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA)

• It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme that envisages inter-alia provision of a secondary school withina reasonable distance of any habitation and to improve quality of education imparted at secondarylevel by making all secondary schools conform to prescribed norms, removing gender, socio-economicand disability barriers etc.

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• Some of the significant initiatives, under RMSA for improving quality of education are as below:

a) Shaala Siddhi:

• It aims to enable schools to evaluate their performance in a more focused and strategic manner andfacilitate them to make professional judgments for improvement.

b) Shaala Darpan:

• The objective of this project is to provide services based on School Management Systems toStudents, Parents and Communities.

• Under School Information Services, the following list of services will be enabled i.e., School ProfileManagement, Student Profile Management, Employee Information, Student Attendance, LeaveManagement, Report Cards, Curriculum Tracking Custom, SMS Alerts for Parents / Administratorson student & teacher attendance.

c) e- PATHSHALA:

• It is a single point repository of e-resources containing, NCERT textbooks and various otherlearning resources. It is a joint initiative of Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD),Govt. of India and National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) developedfor showcasing and disseminating all educational e-resources including textbooks, audio, video,periodicals, and a variety of other print and non-print materials.

d) Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan

• Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan was launched to focus on Science and Mathematics.

• Under this, training of 1.04 lakh Science and Mathematics teacher, Math and Science Kit, excursiontrip to science centers and Museum for students, special teaching on science and mathematics,science exhibition at district level, teaching of Vedic mathematics etc has been included underRashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA).

e) Seema Darshan

• It is an initiative to provide an opportunity for the children to experience the border environmentand to foster patriotism among the students.

• It was organised by Ministry of HRD in collaboration with Ministry of Defence and Ministry ofHome Affairs.

9. Swachh Vidyalaya initiative:

• The Swachh Vidyalaya initiative was a collaborative effort of all the Central Government whichprovided funding through Centrally sponsored schemes of Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan, RashtriyaMadhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan, Swachh Bharat Kosh, and the States and Union Territories inpartnership with 64 Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and 11 Private Corporat

• In order to emphasize upon clean and green environment in Kendriya Vidyalayas, 'SwachhtamVidyalaya' and 'Harit Vidyalaya' Awards have been instituted by Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathanfrom the session 2016-17 at regional level with running trophies and cash awards.

10. Global Initiative of Academic Networks (GIAN)

• GIAN is aimed at tapping the talent pool of scientists and entrepreneurs, internationally to encouragetheir engagement with the institutes of Higher Education in India so as to augment the country'sexisting academic resources, accelerate the pace of quality reform, and elevate India's scientific andtechnological capacity to global excellence.

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11. Impacting Research Innovation and Technology (IMPRINT)

• IMPRINT INDIA is a Pan-IIT and IISc joint initiative to develop a roadmap for research to solvemajor engineering and technology challenges in ten technology domains relevant to India.

12. National Academic Depository:

• The NAD would help in validating the authenticity of these awards and ensuring their safe storageand easy retrieval. Maintaining academic awards in a digital depository would provide benefit toeducational institutions, students and employers by enabling online access and retrieval; eliminatefraudulent practices such as forging of certificates and mark-sheets and facilitate validation.

• NAD shall maintain the authenticity, integrity and confidentiality of its database.

• It will also train and facilitate academic institutions/boards/ eligibility assessment bodies to efficientlylodge academic awards in the database.

13. SWAYAM:

• SWAYAM is an indigenous IT Platform for hosting the Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs)with a capacity to revolutionize the education system by providing best quality education coveringall the subjects and courses being taught in the high schools, colleges and universities in the Countryusing the IT system to the students even in the remotest corner of the Country.

14. BHUVAN-RUSA portal:

• The National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) hasdeveloped a mobile application for uploading geo-tagged photographs and associated details capturedby the educational institutions, on Bhuvan-RUSA portal as a part of implementation of RashtriyaUchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) funded works. This application for geo-tagging of institutionsunder RUSA is a location based service.

15. Vittiya Saksharta Abhiyan:

• The purpose of the `Vittiya Saksharta Abhiyan' is to actively engage the youth/ students of HigherEducation Institutions to encourage and motivate all payers and payees to use a digitally enabledcashless economic system for transfer of funds.

Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment

• The Ministry of Social Justice is responsible for welfare, social justice, and empowerment ofdisadvantaged and marginalised sections of society, including scheduled castes (SC), Other BackwardClasses (OBC), the disabled, the elderly, and the victims of drug abuse.

• Salient initiatives are:

1. Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPWD) Bill -2016:

• The Bill provides for penalties for offences committed against persons with disabilities and alsoviolation of the provisions of the new law.

• Special Courts will be designated in each district to handle cases concerning violation of rights ofPwDs.

• Reservation in vacancies in government establishments has been increased from 3% to 4% forcertain persons or class of persons with benchmark disability.

• Office of Chief Commissioner of Persons with Disabilities has been strengthened who will now beassisted by 2 Commissioners and an Advisory Committee comprising of not more than 11 membersdrawn from experts in various disabilities.

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• Every child with benchmark disability between the age group of 6 and 18 years shall have the rightto free education.

2. Sugamya Pustakalaya:

• It is an online platform that makes accessible content available to print-disabled people.

• The library houses publications across diverse subjects and languages and multiple accessible formats.

• It has been created by Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan),Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in collaboration with member organizations of DaisyForum of India and powered by TCS Access.

3. 'Vayoshreshtha Samman':

• Vayoshreshtha Samman is a Scheme of National Awards instituted by the Ministry of SocialJustice & Empowerment initially in 2005 and was upgraded to the status of National Awards in2013, for institutions involved in rendering distinguished service for the cause of elderly personsespecially indigent senior citizens and to eminent citizens in recognition of their service/achievements.Ministries of Social Justice & Empowerment, Health and Rural Development are running suchuseful schemes for the welfare of elderly persons.

4. New Rules notified to revamp Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities)Act:

• The amendments made stronger provisions for the protection of Scheduled Castes and ScheduledTribes from atrocities against them. Rules have now been framed to give effect to the amendedprovisions.

• These rules will speed up the process of dispensation of justice to victims of atrocities, are stronglysensitive in cases of offences against women, and liberalize and expedite access to relief for themembers of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes who have been victims of atrocities.

5. 'Inclusiveness and Accessibility Index':

• Government launches 'Inclusiveness and Accessibility Index' to mark the next chapter of its flagshipCampaign, the 'Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan'.

• The Index, prepared in collaboration with The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce andIndustry (FICCI) was launched.

• The 'Inclusiveness and Accessibility Index' helps the industries and corporate to participate in theAccessible India Campaign (AIC) by voluntarily evaluating their readiness for making the workplaceaccessible for Persons with Disabilities.

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This covers the Year End Review of the following Ministries

1. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

2. Ministry of AYUSH

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

The Ministry of Health and Family welfare is an Indian government ministry, holding a cabinet rankas a member of council of ministers. It is responsible for health related policies and issues in the country,including family planning. The Ministry regularly publishes the Indian Pharmacopoeia since 1955 throughIndian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) an autonomous body under the ministry for setting standardsfor drugs, pharmaceuticals and healthcare devices and technologies in India.

The ministry is composed of three departments namely Health & Family Welfare, Health Research,AIDS Control.

For the holistic development of citizens of the country in terms of health and family welfare, Ministryhas taken following initiatives in the past one year :

1. The Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA):

• The scheme aimed at reducing maternal and infant mortality rates through safe pregnancies and safedeliveries.

• The national programme will provide special free antenatal care to pregnant women in order todetect and prevent high risk pregnancies.

• The programme will provide fixed day assured, on the 9th of every month.

• Pregnant women can avail of a special antenatal check-up in their second or third trimesters atGovernment health facilities with support from private sector doctors to supplement the efforts ofthe Government sector.

• One of the aim is to identify and follow-up on high risk pregnancies in order to reduce MMR andIMR.

2. MAA-Mother's Absolute Affection:

• A nationwide programme launched in an attempt to bring undiluted focus on promotion ofbreastfeeding and provision of counselling services for supporting breastfeeding through healthsystems.

• The chief components of the MAA Programme are Community awareness generation, Strengtheninginter personal communication through ASHA, Skilled support for breastfeeding at delivery pointsin public health facilities, and monitoring and award/recognition.

3. Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight (IDCF):

• The Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight (IDCF) was observed from 11th to 23rd July acrossthe country.

YEAR END REVIEW OFHEALTH SECTOR

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• The importance of this activity is that ORS will be available in the household when needed at thetime of diarrhoea.

• Intensified community awareness campaigns on hygiene and promotion of ORS and Zinc therapywere conducted at the state, district and village levels.

4. National Deworming Day (NDD):

• The National Deworming Day is a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.

• It target children aged 1-19 year throughout the country at risk of parasitic worm infection, throughthe platform of schools and Anganwadi centres.

5. Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme:

• Under this scheme, support is being provided to all States for provision of free dialysis services forpoor.

• As per the guidelines, the private partner is envisaged to provide medical human resource, dialysismachines along other Schemes of Department of Health & Family Welfare with Reverse Osmosis(RO) water plant infrastructure, dialyzer and consumables, while the space, power, and water supplywithin District Hospitals would be provided by the State Government.

6. Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY):

• The scheme envisages creation of tertiary healthcare capacity in medical education, research andclinical care, in the underserved areas of the country.

• It aims at correcting regional imbalances in the availability of affordable/reliable tertiary healthcareservices and also augmenting facilities for quality medical education in the country.

7. Schemes for disease control:

a) Bedaquiline was launched as part of the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program (RNTCP).The drug is a new anti-TB drug for treatment of Multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (caused bybacteria).

This new class of drug is a diarylquinoline that specifically targets Mycobacterial ATP synthase, anenzyme essential for supply of energy to Mycobacterium tuberculosis and most other mycobacteria.

b) The National Framework for Malaria Elimination (NFME) has been launched by the Union HealthMinister, which outlines India's strategy for elimination of the disease by 2030 and will contributeto improved health and quality of life and alleviation of poverty. The NFME document clearlydefines goals, objectives, strategies, targets and timelines and will serve as a roadmap for advocatingand planning malaria elimination in the country in a phased manner.

The objectives of the NFME:

• Eliminate malaria from all low (Category 1) and moderate (Category 2) endemic states/UTs (26)by 2022;

• Reduce incidence of malaria to less than 1 case per 1000 population in all States/UTs and thedistricts and malaria elimination in 31 states/UTs by 2024;

• Interrupt indigenous transmission of malaria in all States/ UTs (Category 3) by 2027;

• Prevent re-establishment of local transmission of malaria in areas where it has been eliminated andto maintain malaria-free status of the country by 2030. The milestones and targets are set for 2016,2020, 2022, 2024, 2027 and 2030 by when the entire country has sustained zero indigenous casesand deaths due to malaria for 3 years and initiated the processes for certification of malariaelimination status to the country.

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• The main goals of the National Framework for Malaria Elimination in India are to:

1. Eliminate malaria (zero indigenous cases) throughout the entire country by 2030; and

2. Maintain malaria free status in areas where malaria transmission has been interrupted and preventre-introduction of malaria.

c) National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) is the programme for prevention &control of these vector borne diseases as an integral part of the National Rural Health Mission(NRHM) of India.

• The NVBDCP envisages a self-sustained and well informed, healthy India free from vector bornediseases with equitable access to quality health care services nearest to their residences.

• The Programme activities are directed in a way to meet with the Millennium Development Goalof halting and reversing the incidence of malaria and other vector borne diseases by the year 2015towards reduction of poverty.

• The programme aims to make the investments sustainable by developing robust systems andsupporting the local capacity.

• It is planned to ensure that the right diagnostics and treatment are available to all people - especiallythe poor and disadvantaged living in tribal and rural areas.

8. Family Planning

• Expanding basket of choices: Three new methods have been introduced in the National FamilyPlanning program:

a) Injectable Contraceptive DMPA (Antara) - a 3-monthly injection

b) Centchroman pill (Chhaya) - a non-hormonal once a week pill

c) Progesterone-only pills (POP) - for lactating mothers

• Improved Contraceptive Packaging: The packaging for Condoms, Oral contraceptive pills (OCP)and Emergency Contraceptive Pills (ECP) has now been redesigned and improved so as to increasethe demand for these commodities.

• New Family Planning Media Campaign: A 360 degree holistic Family Planning campaign with anew logo has been launched with Shri Amitabh Bachchan as the brand ambassador.

9. Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI)

• LASI is the largest study on older population in the country. The International Institute for PopulationSciences (IIPS), Mumbai in collaboration with Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) andUniversity of Southern California (USC), USA is undertaking the "The Longitudinal Ageing Studyin India" under the aegis of the Ministry of Union Health and Family Welfare. LASI is jointlyfunded by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the United States' National Instituteon Ageing, and the United Nations Population Fund-India.

• LASI will help in expanding the scope of health and social security policy and programmes forolder population.

10. New steps

• Rota virus vaccine: In order to prevent the morbidity and mortality in children due to rotavirus,Rotavirus vaccine was introduced in Universal Immunization Programme.

• Adult JE vaccine: Japanese Encephalitis vaccination was expanded in adult population of districtswith high disease burden of adult JE.

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• Awareness campaigns also have been conducted across the country for the people to participate andavail their benefits related to the health sector such as

a) Swasth Bharat Mobile application - "Swasth Bharat Mobile Application" to empower the citizensto find reliable and relevant health information. The application provides detailed informationregarding healthy lifestyle, disease conditions (A-Z), symptoms, treatment options, first aid andpublic health alerts

b) ANM Online application (ANMOL)- ANMOL is a tablet-based application that allows ANMs toenter and updated data for beneficiaries of their jurisdiction. This will ensure more prompt entryand updation of data as well as improve the data quality since the data will be entered "at source"by providers of health services themselves.

c) E-RaktKosh initiative- It is an integrated Blood Bank Management Information System that hasbeen conceptualized and developed after multiple consultations with all stakeholders. This web-based mechanism interconnects all the Blood Banks of the State into a single network.

d) India Fights Dengue- This App empowers the community members how to contribute towardsprevention of Dengue.

e) Kilkari, delivers free, weekly, time-appropriate 72 audio messages about pregnancy, child birth andchild care directly to families' mobile phones from the second trimester of pregnancy until the childis one year old. Kilkari has been launched in Jharkhand, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand andHigh Priority Districts (HPDs) of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan in the first phase.

f) Mobile Academy is a free audio training course designed to expand and refresh the knowledge baseof Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) and improve their communication skills. MobileAcademy offers ASHAs a training opportunity via their mobile phones which is both cost-effectiveand efficient. It reduces the need to travel - sometimes great distances - and provides them theflexibility they need to learn at their own pace and at times they find convenient.

g) M-Cessation aims at reaching out to those willing to quit tobacco use and support them towardssuccessful quitting through text messages sent via mobile phones. When offered along with traditionalservices, M-Cessation has been found to be cost-effective in comparison to traditional options forcessation support.

h) National Health Portal (NHP) was launched to provide healthcare related information to thecitizens of India and to serve as a single point of access for consolidated health information.

i) Online Registration System (ORS): Online Registration System (ORS) is a framework to linkvarious hospitals across the country for Aadhaar based online registration and appointment system,where counter based OPD registration and appointment system through Hospital ManagementInformation System (HMIS) has been digitalized.

j) National e-Health Authority (NeHA) will be an integrated health information system. It will helpavoid problems arising out of uncoordinated induction of IT systems in hospitals and public healthsystems. It will also enforce the laws and regulations relating to the privacy and security of patients'health information and records. There would be a provision of Electronic Health Records (EHR)of patients.

Ministry of AYUSH

• The Ministry of AYUSH was formed in 2014 by elevation of the Department of AYUSH (whichwas under ministry of health and family welfare).

• The Department of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy, abbreviatedas AYUSH, is a governmental body in India purposed with developing, education and research in

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ayurveda (Indian traditional medicine), yoga, naturopathy, unani, siddha, and homoeopathy, Sowa-rigpa (Traditional Tibetan medicine), and other Indigenous Medicine systems.

• The Ministry of AYUSH made a number of important strides in the year 2016 to strengthen andpopularise the alternative systems of medicine. It organised a series of programmes in the directionof providing affordable, reliable and easily accessible medical facilities to the masses.

• Schemes were introduced to boost research and MOUs were signed to enhance cooperation withother countries in the field of Homeopathy, Ayurveda and other traditional systems of medicine.

• The Ministry continued to make special efforts to promote these Systems.

1. Celebration of International Day of Yoga:

• Government of India continues to take global leadership in the observation of the InternationalDay of Yoga on 21st June every year, and uses the occasion to propagate this holistic approach tohealth and well-being across the national boundaries.

• A National Yoga Olympiad was also jointly organized by National Council of Educational Researchand Training (NCERT) under the Ministry of Human Resource Development and Ministry ofAYUSH.

2. Celebration of 1st National Ayurveda Day:

• The Ministry of AYUSH celebrated the First National Ayurveda Day on 28th October, 2016 byorganizing the daylong Seminar on Ayurveda & Diabetes.

• A Seminar on theme "Ayurveda for Prevention and Control of Diabetes" was organized during thecelebration of National Ayurveda Day.

3. National AYUSH Mission

• The Government of India has approved and notified National AYUSH Mission (NAM), whichenvisages better access to AYUSH Services; strengthening of AYUSH educational institutions,facilitate the enforcement of quality control of Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani & Homoeopathy(ASU &H) drugs and sustainable availability of ASU & H raw-materials in the States/UTs.

4. National Institutions:

• North Eastern Institute of Ayurveda & Homoeopathy- Shillong has been established with theobjective of the institute is to provide better medicinal/clinical facilities to the people of NorthEast Region and Sikkim.

• The All India Institute of Ayurveda established at New Delhi has been conceived as an ApexInstitute of Ayurveda for imparting education in the field of Ayurveda at M.D. and Ph.D level.

• North Eastern Institute of Folk Medicine (NEIFM), Pasighat-Arunachal Pradesh: It is the Centreof Excellence and Apex Research Centre for all aspect of Folk Medicine knowledge. The objectiveof the institute is to provide better medical/clinical facilities in Region.

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This covers the Year End Review of the following Ministries

1. Ministry of Culture

2. Ministry of Tourism

Ministry of Culture

• Ministry of Culture's mandate revolves around the functions like preservation and conservation ofAncient Cultural Heritage and promotion of Art and Culture both tangible and intangible in thecountry.

• In addition, the Ministry also harbours the responsibility of Gandhian heritage and commemorationof important historical events and centenaries of great personalities.

• The Ministry through its organizations is engaged in recognizing excellence in the field of art andculture by way of awards given by institutions like Sahitya Akademi and Sangeet Natak Akademi.

• The Ministry of Culture has a mission to preserve, promote and disseminate all forms of art andculture.

Activities, taken in the past on year are:

1. National Virtual Library of India:

• Under the aegis of the National Mission on Libraries, the National Virtual Library of India (NVLI)has been envisaged as the platform which would bring together all information generated in Indiaand about India and make such information accessible to the citizens through user friendly searchinterfaces.

• National Virtual Library of India(NVLI) will provide a platform for users from all sectors to seekinformation through well researched services implemented through user-friendly interfaces.

National Mission on Libraries

The National Mission on Libraries India, an initiative of the Ministry of Culture under the Governmentof India, works to modernise and digitally link nearly 9,000 libraries across India to provide readers accessto books and information.

2. Smart Smarac Mobile App for National Monuments Authority (NMA) permissions:

National Monuments Authority (NMA)'s Web Portal called "NOC Online Application and ProcessingSystem (NOAPS)"was launched. This is for those who intends to carry out construction on the propertieswhich fall within the limit of protected monument sites. The Portal has used the technology andexpertise of Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).

3. Satellite Mapping of ASI Monuments:

Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) withNational Remote Sensing Centre, Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) for preparation of satellitebased maps indicating prohibited and regulated areas clearly for the information of public and also tofacilitate procedure for grant of permissions for construction related activity within prohibited andregulated areas of centrally protected monuments.

YEAR END REVIEW IN CULTURE ANDTOURISM

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4. Project Mausam:

• This project aims to explore the multi-faceted Indian Ocean 'world' - collating archaeological andhistorical research in order to document the diversity of cultural, commercial and religious interactionsin the Indian Ocean - extending from East Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, the Indian Subcontinentand Sri Lanka to the Southeast Asian archipelago.

• It also aims to promote research on themes related to the study of Maritime Routes throughinternational scientific seminars and meetings and by adopting a multidisciplinary approach.

• It is an initiative of the Ministry of Culture to be implemented by the Archaeological Survey ofIndia (ASI) as the nodal agency with research support of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for theArts (IGNCA) and National Museum as associate bodies.

5. Swachh Bharat - Swachh Smarak:

• All ASI Protected Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites have been declared 'PolytheneFree Zones'. Work has been allocated to PSUs like water and power consultancy services limited(WAPCOS) and Telecommunications Consultants India Limited (TCIL).

• "Rani ki Vav (Gujarat)" a World Heritage Site has been declared as the cleanest iconic place in thecountry.

6. International Buddha Poornima Diwas:

• 'International Buddha Poornima Diwas 2016' was celebrated in New Delhi on 21st May 2016 tocommemorate the Thrice Blessed Day of Buddha's Birth, Sambodhiprapti (enlightenment of Buddha)and Mahaparinirvana (Death) falling on the auspicious full moon day of the month of Vaishakh.To mark this most auspicious occasion, various Buddhist bodies and organizations of India havecome together under the aegis of the Ministry of Culture to commemorate and celebrate the dayin a grand manner in New Delhi.

7. Digitisation of Records:

• Digitization of records and open access to archival resources has been taken up in a big way.National Archives of India has launched its online search portal "Abhilekh - Patal" on its 125thFoundation Day.

8. Gandhi Heritage:

Gandhi Heritage Sites Mission has taken up several projects. These include up gradation and modernizationof Gandhi Ashram Trust at Noakhali (Bangladesh); upgradation of the Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya,Barrackpore, Kolkata; curating exhibition of permanent nature at Pietermaritzburg Railway Station,South Africa and creation of data base relating to Gandhi Heritage Sites, etc.

9. World's Heritage:

"The Excavated Remains at Nalanda" has got inscribed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.Khangchendzonga National Park (KNP) in Sikkim and The Capitol Complex in Chandigarh were alsoannounced as World Heritage Sites during the 40th session of the WHC held at Istanbul in Turkey.

Yoga, India's one of the ancient practices has now been inscribed as an element in the UNESCO's listof Intangible Cultural Heritage of humanity during the 11th session of the Intergovernmental Committeefor the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. During thissession, India's proposal for inscribing Yoga as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity wasunanimously supported by all the 24 members of the Intergovernmental Committee.

Ministry of Tourism

• The Ministry of Tourism, is responsible for the formulation of national policies and programmesfor the tourism sector and for co-ordination of activities of various Central Government Agencies,

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State Governments/UTs and the Private Sector for the development and promotion of tourism inthe country.

• This Ministry is headed by the Union Minister of State for Tourism (Independent Charge). TheMinistry of Tourism has under its charge a Public Sector Undertaking, the India Tourism DevelopmentCorporation (ITDC) and the Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management (IITTM) and theNational Institute of Water Sports (NIWS), and the National Council for Hotel Management andCatering Technology (NCHMCT) and the Institutes of Hotel Management and the Indian CulinaryInstitute at Tirupati.

• The initiatives taken in last one year are:

1. Schemes for cleanliness of tourist places

The maintenance of cleanliness at tourist spots is primarily the responsibility of the StateGovernment/UT Administration/concerned agency responsible for maintenance of tourist spots.However, Ministry of Tourism has taken following initiatives under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan:

a) Swachh Bharat - Swachh Smarak:

• Taking a cue from Swachh Bharat, this is an initiative to see a cleaner India for protecting andpreserving the sanctity of monuments of national heritage.

• To aid this, Ministry of Tourism launched a special e-poster with Prime Minister's message requestingthe tourists and the people of the nation to wholeheartedly engage themselves in the cleanliness oftheir surroundings and help create a Swachh Bharat, Swachh Smarak.

b) Swachh Bharat - Swachh Pakwan (Hunar Zaika):

• The street food vendors constitute a significant percentage of the hospitality service providers andhave a pan India presence.

• This program is aimed at upgrading the skills and hygiene standards of Street Food Vendors, so thatthey become a distinctive aspect of the Indian tourism.

• The Ministry of Tourism has partnered with the National Association of Street Vendors of India(NASVI) for the specific purpose of orientation, skill testing and certification of the vendors.

c) 'Swachh Bharat - Swachh Paryatan':

• Ministry of Tourism has requested all States/UTs to assess the requirement of toilet facilities atall popular tourist sites, provide a list of existing non-functional toilets already constructed, framespecific project proposals for toilets to be considered for release of grant under CFA, identify anagency for construction and maintenance and follow the standardized model on the lines of Buildand Operate pattern for construction of wayside amenities.

d) Swatchh Smarak Swatchh Bharat' app:

• The application will allow visitors and tourists to click photographs of litter and garbage, if any, inthe vicinity of nearly 25 monuments covered by the Adarsh Smarak scheme and then post themon the app.

• The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has collaborated in the clean monument initiative andwill attend to the complaints.

2. National Tourism Policy, 2015

• Draft of the National Tourism Policy, 2015 has been prepared after rounds of consultations heldwith Stakeholders, State Governments and Union Territory Administrations and Experts and veteransin the field of Tourism.

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• The main highlights of the draft new Policy is:-

1. Focus of the Policy on employment generation and community participation in tourism development.

2. Stress on development of tourism in a sustainable and responsible manner.

3. An all-encompassing policy involving linkages with various Ministries, Departments, States/UnionTerritories and Stakeholders.

4. Setting up of "National Tourism Advisory Board" and "National Tourism Authority" proposed.

5. Setting up of a dedicated university for tourism & hospitality education.

6. Emphasis on technology enabled development in tourism.

3. SWADESH DARSHAN for integrated development of theme based circuits:

• Swadesh Darshan Scheme was launched for integrated development of tourist destinations/circuits.Thirteen Circuits have been identified for development under the scheme. The Circuits are: - North-East India Circuit, Buddhist Circuit, Himalayan Circuit, Coastal Circuit, Krishna Circuit, DesertCircuit, Tribal Circuit, Eco Circuit, Wildlife Circuit, Rural Circuit, Spiritual Circuit, RamayanaCircuit and Heritage Circuit.

4. NATIONAL MISSION ON PILGRIMAGE REJUVENATION AND SPIRITUALAUGMENTATION DRIVE (PRASAD):

• The scheme aims at integrated development of pilgrimage destinations to provide complete religiousand spiritual tourism experience.

• The objectives are:

a) Integrated development of pilgrimage destinations in a planned, prioritized and sustainable mannerto provide complete religious tourism experience.

b) Harness pilgrimage tourism for its direct and multiplier effects on employment generation andeconomic development.

c) Follow community-based development and pro-poor tourism concept in development of thepilgrimage destinations.

d) Leveraging public capital and expertise.

e) Enhancing the tourist attractiveness in a sustainable manner by developing world-class infrastructurein the religious destination.

f) Creating awareness among the local communities about the importance of tourism for them interms of increase in sources of income, improved living standards and overall development of thearea.

g) Promote local arts, culture, handicrafts, cuisine, etc., to generate livelihood in the identified places.

5. 5TH International Buddhist Conclave - 2016:

• Ministry of Tourism, in collaboration with the State Government of Uttar Pradesh and Biharorganized the 05th International Buddhist Conclave - 2016 in Delhi, Varanasi, Sarnath and Bodhgaya.The overall theme for the 05th International Buddhist Conclave was 'India, the Land of Buddha'.

6. Celebration of Bharat Parv:

• Ministry of Tourism organized a week-long "Bharat Parv" festival at Rajpath Lawns, India Gate,New Delhi as part of the Independence Day-2016. The event was held with free entry for generalpublic. The event showcased diverse culture, cuisines and handicrafts of the nation. The CulturalPerformances included choreographed Folk/Tribal Dances and Music arranged by the Ministry ofCulture through its Zonal Cultural Centres as well as performances by cultural troupes from thedifferent States of the country.

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This covers the Year End Review of the following Ministries and Departments

1. Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance

2. Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance

3. Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion, Ministry of Commerce & Industry

Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance

• The Department of Expenditure is the nodal Department for overseeing the public financialmanagement system in the Central Government and matters connected with State finances.

• The principal activities of the Department include:

a) Pre-sanction appraisal of major schemes/projects (both Plan and non-Plan expenditure),

b) Handling the bulk of the Central budgetary resources transferred to States,

c) Implementation of the recommendations of the Finance and Central Pay Commissions,

d) Overseeing the expenditure management in the Central Ministries/Departments through the interfacewith the Financial Advisors and the administration of the Financial Rules / Regulations / Ordersthrough monitoring of Audit comments/observations,

e) Preparation of Central Government Accounts, managing the financial aspects of personnelmanagement in the Central Government,

f) Assisting Central Ministries/Departments in controlling the costs and prices of public services,

g) Assisting organizational re-engineering through review of staffing patterns and O&M studies and

h) Reviewing systems and procedures to optimize outputs and outcomes of public expenditure.

• The Department is also coordinating matters concerning the Ministry of Finance including Parliament-related work of the Ministry.

• The Department has under its administrative control the National Institute of Financial Management(NIFM), Faridabad.

• The business allocated to the Department of Expenditure is carried out through its EstablishmentDivision, Plan Finance- I and II Divisions, Finance Commission Division, Staff Inspection Unit,Cost Accounts Branch, Controller General of Accounts and the Central Pension Accounting office.

Following are the major reform measures, policy initiatives and achievements:

A. Public Financial Management System (PFMS):

• What? It is a web-based online software application, developed and implemented by the o/o CGAwith technical support of NIC. It provides various stakeholders with a real time, reliable andmeaningful Management Information System and an effective Decision Support System (DSS), aspart of the Digital India initiative of GoI.

YEAR END REVIEW IN FINANCIAL SEGMENT

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• Objective: The primary objective of PFMS is to facilitate a sound Public Financial ManagementSystem for Government of India (GoI) by establishing an efficient fund flow system as well as aPayment cum Accounting network.

• Significance: The biggest strength of PFMS is its integration with the banking network in the country.As a result, PFMS has the unique capability to push online payments to almost any beneficiary/vendor having account in any bank across the country. At present, PFMS interface is completed withthe Core Banking System (CBS) of all Public Sector Banks (26), Regional Rural Banks (54), majorprivate sector banks (14), Reserve Bank of India, India post and Cooperative Banks (55).

B. New Initiatives/ Achievements under Internal Audit

• The Controller General of Accounts (CGA) has developed a risk based control framework in theform of Generic Internal Audit Manual to guide the internal audit engagements. The manual notonly explain the complexities associated with the internal audit functions but also facilitates theentire process by providing audit process, templates and guidelines.

About Controller General of Accounts

Controller General of Accounts (CGA), in the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, is thePrincipal Accounting Adviser to Government of India and is responsible for establishing and maintaininga technically sound Management Accounting System.

The Office of CGA prepares monthly and annual analysis of expenditure, revenues, borrowings and variousfiscal indicators for the Union Government.

• The line Ministries are being encouraged to plan the audit assignments by adopting the Risk BasedAuditing approach. Risk Based Audit in selected Ministries is being conducted on pilot basis.

IIA defines risk based internal auditing (RBIA) as a methodology that links internal auditing to anorganisation's overall risk management framework. RBIA allows internal audit to provide assurance to theboard that risk management processes are managing risks effectively, in relation to the risk appetite.

RBIA seeks at every stage to reinforce the responsibilities of management and the board for managing risk.

If the risk management framework is not very strong or does not exist, the organisation is not ready for RBIA.More importantly, it means that the organisation's system of internal control is poor. Internal auditors in suchan organisation should promote good risk management practice to improve the system of internal control.

• The organization is also focusing on the use of Computer Assisted Audit Tools for more transparencyand accountability such as e-RAS.

Electronic Risk Assessment Software (e-RAS), a diagnostic tool for internal audit has been developed incollaboration with NIC. This diagnostic tool [e RAS] is not only helpful to the audit in planning, samplingand conducting the audit efficiently but it is also helpful to the management / stakeholders to have a reviewof the functioning of their entities [PAOs only] in their offices instead of visiting these offices located atdifferent places in different state.

• A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed between Office of Controller General ofAccounts and Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA)-India. The MOU is made at New Delhi on the 14thday of September, 2016. The MoU is an expression of convergence between the Office of CGA andIIA-India to establish cooperative processes within their areas of competence on the following:

a) Sharing information and best practices, including those related to activities of internal auditors ofgovernment institutions and organization and their interaction;

b) Exchanging analytical materials in the field of improving the system of internal auditing, and otherpertinent information of mutual interest; for this purpose. The parties will establish the structure,format and procedures for data and information sharing;

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c) Exchanging initiatives with regard to the advancement of internal auditing in state institutions andorganizations;

d) Co-operating in the field of professional education and training with the aim to have qualifiedinternal auditors in civil ministries of Government of India;

e) Developing proposals on making improvements to internal audit activities in Government institutionsand organizations, including the process of encouraging internal auditors to attain recognizedprofessional qualifications;

f) Exchanging experience in the field of audit methodology, including application of the internationalstandards for the professional practices of Internal Auditing;

g) Co-operating within their areas of competence in other areas of mutual interest; and

h) Encouraging cross-country experiences through international exchanges.

C. Other Achievements of DOE:

Some major policy initiatives/achievements/highlights of the year relating to this Department are as under:

• Bhavishya Portal: - This Department along with the attached/subordinate offices have started theprocessing of pension cases though the Bhavishya Portal. Pensioners' Portal serves as a one stopinformation source for the pensioners of Government of India (especially central civil pensioners)across the country.

• Implementation of e-Office: This Department has started the implementation of e-Office, a MissionMode Project in a phased manner and is being implemented in the attached/subordinate offices aswell. This MMP aims at significantly improving the operational efficiency of the Government bytransitioning to a "Less Paper Office".

D. Fiscal Status of States:

• As recommended by Fourteenth Finance Commission (FFC) for its award period (2015-20), netborrowing ceilings of the States for the year 2016-17 at Rs. 4,29,353 crore have been fixed anchoringthe Fiscal Deficit target of 3% of respective States' Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP).

• The Central Government has simplified the consent mechanism for Open Market Borrowings(OMBs) under Article 293(3) of the Constitution for all States. The simplified procedure willensure that consent under Article 293(3) is issued only on three occasions during the year, one inthe month April for first nine months after fixation of borrowings ceilings, second in the month ofDecember for the first two months of the fourth quarter and last in the month of March after theassessment of actual borrowings by the States. Till now, the States were required to obtain quarterlyconsent from the Central Government for raising OMBs within their Net Borrowing Ceiling (NBC).

About Jeevan Pramaan

• Jeevan Pramaan is a biometric enabled digital service for pensioners. Pensioners of Central Government,State Government or any other Government organization can take benefit of this facility.

• Digital Life Certificate for Pensioners Scheme of the Government of India known as Jeevan Pramaanseeks to address this very problem by digitizing the whole process of securing the life certificate. It aimsto streamline the process of getting this certificate and making it hassle free and much easier for thepensioners. With this initiative the pensioners requirement to physically present himself/herself in frontof the disbursing agency or the certification authority will become a thing of the past benefiting thepensioners in a huge way and cutting down on unnecessary logistical hurdles.

Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance

• The mandate of the Department of Financial Services covers the functioning of Banks, FinancialInstitutions, Insurance Companies and the National Pension System.

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• The Department is headed by the Secretary, (Financial Services) who is assisted by an AdditionalSecretary, four Joint Secretaries and two Economic Advisers.

The major achievements of the Department during the Current Fiscal are as follows:

A. Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY)

• Why? To increase the banking penetration and promoting financial inclusion.

• Objectives of PMJDY

a) Universal access to banking facilities for all households across the country through a bank branchor a fixed point Business Correspondent (BC) within a reasonable distance.

b) To cover all households with atleast one Basic Bank Account with RuPay Debit card having inbuiltaccident insurance cover of Rs.1 lakh.

c) An overdraft facility upto Rs.5000/- after satisfactory operation in the account for 6 months.

d) A Life Cover of Rs.30,000/- to those beneficiaries who open their accounts for the first time from15.08.2014 to 31.01.2015.

e) Financial literacy programme which aims to take financial literacy upto village level.

f) The Mission also envisages expansion of Direct Benefit Transfer under various Government Schemesthrough bank accounts of the beneficiaries.

g) Providing micro -insurance to the people.

h) Unorganised sector Pension schemes through the Business Correspondents.

B. Jan Dhan to Jan Suraksha

• For creating a universal social security system for all Indians, government has launched three SocialSecurity Schemes in the Insurance and Pension sectors; namely the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha BimaYojna, the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and the Atal Pension Yojana on Pan India basis.

• Salient features of the two schemes related to Insurance are given below:

1. Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY)

• The PMJJBY is available to people in the age group of 18 to 50 years having a bank account who givetheir consent to join / enable auto-debit. Aadhar would be the primary KYC for the bank account.

• Risk coverage under this scheme is for Rs. 2 Lakh in case of death of the insured, due to any reason.

• The premium is Rs. 330 per annum which is to be auto-debited in one installment from thesubscriber's bank account as per the option given by him.

• The scheme is being offered by Life Insurance Corporation and all other life insurers who are willing tooffer the product on similar terms with necessary approvals and tie up with banks for this purpose.

2. Pradhan Mantri Suraksha BimaYojana (PMSBY)

• The Scheme is available to people in the age group 18 to 70 years with a bank account.

• Aadhar would be the primary KYC for the bank account.

• The risk coverage under the scheme is Rs. 2 lakh for accidental death and full disability and Rs.1 lakh for partial disability.

• The premium of Rs. 12 per annum is to be deducted from the account holder's bank accountthrough 'auto-debit' facility in one installment.

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• The scheme is being offered by Public Sector General Insurance Companies or any other GeneralInsurance Company who are willing to offer the product on similar terms with necessary approvalsand tie up with banks for this purpose.

3. Atal Pension Yojana (APY)

• APY is open to all bank account holders in the age group of 18 to 40 years and the contributionsdiffer, based on pension amount chosen.

• Subscribers would receive the guaranteed minimum monthly pension of Rs. 1000 or Rs. 2000 orRs. 3000 or Rs. 4000 or Rs. 5000 at the age of 60 years.

• Under APY, the monthly pension would be available to the subscriber, and after him to his spouseand after their death, the pension corpus, as accumulated at age 60 of the subscriber, would bereturned to the nominee of the subscriber.

• The minimum pension would be guaranteed by the Government, i.e., if the accumulated corpus basedon contributions earns a lower than estimated return on investment and is inadequate to provide theminimum guaranteed pension, the Central Government would fund such inadequacy. Alternatively, ifthe returns on investment are higher, the subscribers would get enhanced pensionary benefits.

• The Central Government would also co-contribute 50% of the total contribution or Rs. 1000 perannum, whichever is lower, for a period of 5 years for those eligible subscribers joining the schemebetween the period 1st June, 2015 and 31st March, 2016 and who are not members of anystatutory social security scheme and who are not income-tax payers.

Some recent revisions in APY

In the event of premature death of the subscriber, Government has decided to give an option to the spouseof the subscriber to continue contributing to APY account of the subscriber, for the remaining vesting period,till the original subscriber would have attained the age of 60. The earlier provision was to over lump sumamount to spouse on the premature death (death before 60 years of age) of the subscriber. The spouse ofthe subscriber shall be entitled to receive the same pension amount as that of the subscriber until the deathof the spouse. After the death of both the subscriber and the spouse, the nominee of the subscriber shallbe entitled to receive the pension wealth, as accumulated till age 60 of the subscriber.

C. Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY)

• The government has launched Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) to provide formal accessof financial facilities to Non-Corporate Small Business Sector (NCSBS).

a) Objective: To promote & ensure bank finance to unfunded segments of the economy.

b) Target Clients: Non-Corporate Small Business Segment (NCSB) comprising of proprietorship /partnership firms running as small manufacturing units, service sector units, shopkeepers, fruits /vegetable vendors, truck operators, food-service units, repair shops, machine operators, small industries,artisans, food processors and others, in rural and urban areas.

c) Eligibility: Any citizen, who is otherwise eligible to take loan and has a business plan for a smallbusiness enterprise, can avail MUDRA loan upto Rs.10 lakh. The borrower needs to approach thenearest bank branch and submit the loan application, in the prescribed format along with therequired supporting documents for availing of the loan.

d) Schemes under PMMY

Scheme Amount of Loan

Shishu Up to Rs. 50000/-

Kishore Above Rs. 50000/- and up to Rs. 5 Lakh

Tarun Above Rs. 5 lakh and up to Rs.10 lakh

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• 'Activities allied to Agriculture', e.g. pisciculture , beekeeping, poultry, livestock, rearing, grading,sorting, aggregation agro industries, diary, fishery, agriclinics and agribusiness centers, food & agro-processing, etc (excluding crop loans, land improvement such as canals, irrigation, wells ) andservices supporting these, which promote livelihood or are income generating, have been includedunder PMMY from April, 2016 onwards.

D. Stand-Up India Scheme

• The scheme envisages extending bank loans between Rs. 10 lakh to Rs. 1 crore for GreenfieldEnterprises set-up by SC, ST and Women entrepreneurs and extending effective handholding supportto them.

• Each bank branch is to extend loans to at least one SC/ST and one woman entrepreneur. Enterprisescovered under the scheme may be in manufacturing, services or the trading sector.

• The Scheme shall be implemented through 1.25 lakh bank branches of all Scheduled Commercial Banks.

• The loan shall be a composite loan to meet the requirement of fixed assets and working capital withrate of interest being the lowest applicable rate of the bank for that category as per rating.

E. Education Loan Scheme

• The Education Loan Scheme (ELS) formulated by Indian Banks' Association aims to providefinancial support from the banking system to deserving/ meritorious students for pursuing highereducation in India and abroad.

• The main emphasis is that every meritorious student though poor is provided with an opportunityto pursue education, with the financial support from the banking system, on affordable terms andconditions, and, that no deserving student is denied an opportunity to pursue higher education forwant of financial support.

Vidya Lakshmi Portal

Vidya Lakshmi Portal (VLP) was launched on August 15, 2015. The portal has been developed and is beingmaintained by NSDL e-Governance Infrastructure Limited. Students can view, apply and track the educationloan applications made to banks anytime, anywhere by accessing the portal.

Twenty seven PSBs, 6 Private Sector Banks and two co-operative Bank have integrated their system withthe Vidya Lakshmi Portal for submitting on-line loan applications and for providing loan processing statusto students. This initiative aims to bring on board all Banks providing Educational Loans. The portal covers64 educational loan schemes of different banks.

F. New Initiatives:

• The banks have provided the mobile banking services like Immediate Payment Service (IMPS) andproducts like Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) and Unified Payment Interface(UPI) etc. for facilitating transfer of funds for the customers and thereby facilitating moving towardscashless system.

• Bharat Bill Payment System has also been introduced to facilitate interoperable bill payments inthe country thus enabling greater adoption of electronic payments.

• In order to provide banking facilities in all unbanked rural areas, banks have deployed Bank Mitras.

• The Government has advised banks to deploy micro ATMs in rural areas in all Sub Service Areas(SSAs) across the country.

• With a view to improve the Governance of Public Sector Banks (PSBs), the Government haddecided to set-up an autonomous Banks Board Bureau (BBB). The Bureau will recommend forselection of heads of Public Sector Banks and Financial Institutions and help Banks in developingstrategies and capital raising plans. Now, the Government has announced the constitution of Banks

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Board Bureau which will have three ex-officio members and three expert members in addition toChairman. Except ex-officio members, all the Members and Chairman will be part time. The BBB,which has started functioning from April 01, 2016.

• To implement the reforms in Banking, Government has decided to separate the post of Chairman& Managing Director in Chairman (Non-executive) and Managing Director & CEO. Accordingly,the Government with the approval of Cabinet Committee of Appointments (ACC) has recentlyappointed five Non-Executive Chairmen in the Public Sector Banks, namely, Bank of Baroda, Bankof India, Canara Bank, Indian Bank and Vijaya Ban

G. The "Banning of Unregulated Deposit Schemes and Protection of Depositors' Interests Bill,2016" (Version 2.0)

• Government proposes to bring in a comprehensive Central legislation to deal with the menace ofillicit deposit taking schemes. The Government had earlier constituted an Inter-Ministerial Group(IMG) for identifying gaps in the existing regulatory framework for deposit-taking activities and tosuggest administrative/ legislative measures, including formulation of a new law, to cover all relevantaspects of 'deposit-taking'.

• The revised draft of 'Banning of Unregulated Deposit Schemes and Protection of Depositors'Interests Bill, 2016 seeks to provide for a comprehensive code to ban unregulated deposit schemesand protect the interests of depositors. The bill stipulates that any deposit taker who promotes andaccept deposits in an unregulated deposit scheme may be punishable with imprisonment for minimumterm of two years which may be extended to 10 years and with a fine which may extend to twicethe amount of aggregate funds collected from subscribers, members or participants in such schemesor arrangements.

• The bill also provides for the central government to authorise creation of an online database ofinformation on deposit taking activity in India.

Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion

• The Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion was established in 1995. The role and functionsof the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion primarily include:

a) Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion is responsible for formulation and implementation ofpromotional and developmental measures for growth of the industrial sector, keeping in view thenational priorities and socio-economic objectives.

b) Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion monitors the industrial growth and production, ingeneral, and selected industrial sectors, such as cement, paper and pulp, leather, tyre and rubber,light electrical industries, consumer goods, consumer durables, light machine tools, light industrialmachinery, light engineering industries etc., in particular.

c) The Department is also responsible for facilitating and increasing the FDI inflow in the country. TheDepartment is responsible for encouraging acquisition of technological capability in various sectorsof the industry through liberal foreign technology collaboration regime.

d) Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion is also responsible for Intellectual Property Rightsrelating to Patents, Designs, Trade Marks, Geographical Indication of Goods, Copyrights andSemiconductor Integrated Circuits Layout Design and oversees the initiative relating to their promotionand protection. These include the outlining of policy and its implementation through the Office ofthe Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks. It promotes awareness regardingprotection of the Intellectual Property Rights inherent in industrial property in conjunction with theWorld Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) and apex industry organisations apart from similarinitiatives involving regional industry associations. It also provides inputs on various issues relatingto the Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Properties (TRIPS) related to WorldTrade Organisation (WTO) in these fields.

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e) Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion is the nodal Department in Government of Indiafor coordinating and implementing programmes with United Nations Industrial DevelopmentOrganization (UNIDO) in India. UNIDO is a specialised agency of United Nations with a mandateto act as the central coordinating body for industrial activities within the United Nations system.

The major achievements of the Department during the Current Fiscal are as follows:

A. Foreign Direct Investment

• To further supplement domestic capital, technology and skills, for accelerated economic growth,DIPP announced FDI policy reforms. Such as:

a) The reforms inter-alia include FDI beyond 49% in Defence under approval route and 100% FDI fore-commerce in Food Products manufactured/ produced in India under approval route.

b) Foreign Investment in financial services activities regulated by financial sector regulators will be100% under the automatic route

c) In financial services, which are not regulated by any financial sector regulator or where only partof the financial service activity is regulated or where there is doubt regarding regulatory oversight,foreign investment upto 100% will be allowed under the government approval route

Data:

• The total FDI inflows received during the last financial year (2015-16) at US$ 55.6 billion, an increaseof 23% compared to the previous financial year (US$ 45.1 for 2014-15).

• Manufacturing constitute around 41.5% of the equity inflows while non-manufacturing around 58.5%(during April 2014 to Sept 2016).

B. Intellectual Property Rights Policy

• Government for the first time adopted a comprehensive National Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)policy to lay future roadmap for intellectual property.

• This aims to improve Indian intellectual property ecosystem, hopes to create an innovation movementin the country and aspires towards "Creative India; Innovative India" ^^jpukRed Hkkjr( vfHkuo Hkkjr**

• Objective of this policy is to increase IPR awareness; stimulate generation of IPRs; have strong andeffective IPR laws; modernize and strengthen service-oriented IPR administration; get value forIPRs through commercialization; strengthen enforcement and adjudicatory mechanisms for combatingIPR infringements; and to strengthen and expand human resources, institutions and capacities forteaching, training, research and skill building in IPRs.

• Subsequent to the approval of this policy, a Cell for Intellectual Property Rights Promotion andManagement (CIPAM) has been created as a professional body which will be working under theaegis of DIPP for addressing the 7 identified objectives of the Policy.

C. Industrial Infrastructure

a) National Industrial Corridor Development & Implementation Trust (NICDIT):

• Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor Project Implementation Trust Fund (DMIC-PITF Trust) is nowre-designated with an expanded mandate of integrated development of Industrial Corridors.

• This would be an Apex body under administrative control of DIPP for coordinated and unifieddevelopment of all industrial corridors in the country.

• It will channelize Govt. of India (GoI) funds as well as institutional funds for development ofcorridors. It will coordinate all central efforts for the development of Industrial Corridor projectsand will also monitor their implementation.

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b) Modified Industrial Infrastructure Upgradation Scheme (MIIUS):

• Under this Scheme, projects have been undertaken to upgrade infrastructure in existing IndustrialParks/ Estates/ Areas. Greenfield Projects can also be undertaken in backward areas and North EasternRegion (NER) with a Central Grant upto 50% of the project cost with a ceiling of Rs. 50.00 crore.

D. Investment Promotion under Start-up India:

• Establishment of Funds of Funds:

I. The Union Cabinet has approved the establishment of "Fund of Funds for Startups" (FFS) at SmallIndustries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) for contribution to various Alternative InvestmentFunds (AIF), registered with Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) which would extendfunding support to Startups.

II. The corpus of FFS is Rs.10,000 crore which shall be built up over the 14th and 15th FinanceCommission cycles subject to progress of the scheme and availability of funds. An amount ofRs.500 crore has already been provided to the corpus of FFS in 2015-16 and Rs.600 crore earmarkedin the 2016-17. The Fund is expected to generate employment for 18 lakh persons on full deployment.

• Atal Tinkering Lab:

I. To foster creativity and scientific temper in students, Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) will establish500 Atal Tinkering Laboratories in schools. It will provide one time establishment grant-in-aid ofRs. 10 lakh for establishing Atal Tinkering Laboratories (ATL) in schools (grade VI - XII) acrossIndia.

II. AIM will also provide financial support to academic and non-academic institutions (companies/technology parks/group of individuals) to establish new incubation centres across India. These willbe called Atal Incubation Centres (AIC). They will be established in subject specific areas such asmanufacturing, transport, energy, health, education, agriculture, water and sanitation, etc.

III. These incubation Centres will provide pre-incubation facilities, common infrastructure and servicessuch as technology development assistance, networking and mentoring, funding access, training anddevelopment, business support services (entrepreneurship development, marketing, finance andaccounting, research, legal, regulatory, etc.) to innovators and startup entrepreneurs for developingsolutions.

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This covers the Year End Review of the following Ministries

a) Ministry of Shipping

b) Ministry of Road Transport & Highways

c) Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas

d) Ministry of Power

Ministry of Shipping

• Maritime Transport is a critical infrastructure for social and economic development of a country.It represents the pace, structure and pattern of development of water transport in the country.

• The Ministry of Shipping encompasses within it the shipping and port sectors which includeshipbuilding and repair, major ports, national waterways and inland water transport.

• The Ministry has been entrusted with the responsibility to formulate policies and programmes onthese subjects and their implementation.

• The Ministry of Shipping has taken several steps during the year to build its base for realizing thefull potential of India's maritime sector. From weeding out and amending obsolete legislations tomodernizing existing infrastructure to building new ones, the Ministry has unleashed a whole rangeof initiatives aimed at the growth and development of the sector.

Data:

• 95 % of the country's trade by volume (68% in terms of value) is moved by sea.

• India has one of the largest merchant shipping fleet and ranked 17th among the developing countrieswith average age of the fleet being 18.03 years.

• Despite growth in tonnage, the percentage of cargo carried by Indian flag ships has reduced from 40.7%in 1987-88 to 7.45% of total EXIM trade in 2014-15.

• The highlights of the work done by the Ministry during the year are as follows:

1. Sagarmala Programme

• Objective: Port modernization & new port development, enhancing port connectivity to hinterland,port led Industrialization and coastal community development.

• Salient Features:

a) The programme aims to promote port-led development in the country by harnessing India's 7,500-km long coastline, 14,500-km of potentially navigable waterways and strategic location on keyinternational maritime trade routes.

b) Three Pillars:

I. Supporting and enabling Port-led Development

YEAR END REVIEW OFTRANSPORT SECTOR

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II. Port Infrastructure Enhancement, including modernization and setting up of new ports

III. Efficient Evacuation to and from hinterland.

IV. National Sagarmala Apex Committee (NSAC) will be created to provide overall policy guidance.It will be headed by shipping minister.

c) The vision of the Sagarmala Programme is to reduce logistics cost and time for the movement ofExport and Import(EXIM) and domestic cargo and development of port-proximate future industrialcapacities near the coast is a step in this direction.

• Techno Economic Feasibility Report (TEFR) is under preparation for development of underwaterviewing gallery and restaurant at Beyt Dwarka Island.

• Sagarmala Development Company (SDC): The Sagarmala Development Company (SDC) wasincorporated, after receiving Cabinet approval, for providing equity support to residual projectsunder Sagarmala.

• An Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) has also been constituted to develop a strategy andimplementation roadmap for the coastal shipping of coal and other commodities/product.

• Based on availability of land with the Major Ports, Ministry of Shipping is developing a SEZ atJNPT, Free Trade Warehousing Zone (FTWZ) at Ennore and has also identified Kandla andParadip for development of Smart Port Industrial Cities (SPICs).

• Port-led Industrialization: To promote port-led industrialization, 14 Coastal Economic Zones(CEZs) covering all the Maritime States and Union Territories have been proposed.

A CEZ is conceptualized as a spatial-economic region which could extend along 300-500 km of coastlineand around 200-300 km inland from the coastline. Each CEZ will be aligned to relevant major and non-major ports in the State and is envisaged to tap synergies with the planned industrial corridors.

• To provide skilling for port & port user community, Ministry is planning to conduct cutting-edgeskill training in ports & maritime sector and is evaluating the proposal for setting up Multi-SkillDevelopment Centers linked to Major Ports, in collaboration with Ministry of Skill Development& Entrepreneurship.

2. Major Port Authorities Bill, 2016:

• The new Major Ports Authority Bill, 2016 would help to impart faster and transparent decisionmaking benefiting the stakeholders and better project execution capability.

• The Bill is aimed at reorienting the governance model in central Ports to landlord port model in linewith the successful global practice.

• This will also help in bringing transparency in operations of Major Ports.

• This will empower the Major Ports to perform with greater efficiency on account of full autonomyin decision making and by modernizing the Institutional structure of Major Ports.

• Salient features:

a) Port Authority has now been given powers to fix tariff which will act as a reference tariff forpurposes of bidding for PPP projects. PPP operators will be free to fix tariff based on marketconditions. The Board of the Port Authority has been delegated the power to fix the scale of ratesfor other port services and assets including land.

b) An independent Review Board has been proposed to be created to look into disputes between ports

and PPP concessionaires, to review stressed PPP projects and suggest measures to review stressed

PPP projects and suggest measures to revive such projects and to look into complaints regarding

services rendered by the ports/private operators operating within the ports would be constituted.

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c) Empowers the Board to make its own Master Plan in respect of the area within the port limits andto construct within port limits Pipelines, Telephones, Communication towers, electricity supply ortransmission equipment.

d) Provisions of Corporate Social Responsibility & development of infrastructure by Port Authorityhave been introduced.

3. Merchant shipping Bill, 2016:

• The bill will replace Merchant shipping Act, 1958.

• It will promote ease of doing business to meet new challenges facing merchant shipping sector- toincrease tonnage under Indian flag and share of Indian seafarers, safeguard rights and privileges ofseafarers, to develop Indian coastal shipping and trade and to ensure compliance of India's obligationsunder International conventions and to replace old rebundant provisions with contemporaneousprovisions.

• Features of the bill:

a) To register all seagoing vessels, whether propelled or not including certain residuary category ofvessels not covered under any statute;

b) To allow substantially-owned vessels and vessels chartered on Bareboat Charter-cum-Demise (BBCD)contract by Indian entities to be registered as Indian flag vessels;

c) To recognize Indian controlled tonnage as a separate category; and dispense with the requirementfor issuing licences to Indian flag vessels for coastal operation, so as to facilitate augmentation ofIndian tonnage and promotion of coastal shipping;

d) To make provisions for security-related aspects, which will enable identification and ensure coastalsecurity and;

e) Repeal of Coastal Vessel Act, 1838.

4. The Admiralty (Jurisdiction and Settlement of Maritime Claims) Bill, 2016:

• Admiralty jurisdiction relates to powers of the High Courts in respect of claims associated withtransport by sea and navigable waterways.

• The Bill confers admiralty jurisdiction on High Courts located in coastal states of India and thisjurisdiction extends upto territorial waters.

• This legislative proposal will fulfil a long-standing demand of the maritime legal fraternity.

• The proposed Bill consolidates the existing laws relating to admiralty jurisdiction of courts, admiraltyproceedings on maritime claims, arrest of vessels and related issues and repeals five obsolete Britishstatues on admiralty jurisdiction in civil matters.

5. Green Energy Projects at Major Ports by 2017:

• The Ministry of Shipping is keen to promote the use of renewable sources of energy and is in theprocess of installing solar and wind based power systems at all the Major Ports across the country.

6. Shipbuilding:

• Global recession in the shipbuilding industry has affected the financial position of a number ofyards especially in the private sector.

• Due to market downturn post 2008 and the lack of government policy support, all shipyards otherthan the defense shipyards are facing challenging times with very few global shipbuilding orderscoming in.

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• The Indian shipbuilding industry has continued to concentrate on defense and offshore sectorvessels. The fleet expansion plans of Indian Navy and the vessels for the Indian Coast Guard arethe two prime segments which were targeted by the Indian shipyards.

• Government has taken following initiatives to strengthen shipbuilding industry in 2016:

a) Infrastructure status for shipyards- Government of India has notified inclusion of stand-aloneshipyards undertaking activities such as shipbuilding and ship-repair under the Harmonized List ofInfrastructure sectors. With this inclusion, shipyards will be able to avail flexible structuring of longterm project loans, long term funding from Infrastructure Funds at lower rates of interest and fora longer tenure equivalent to the economic life of their assets, relaxed ECB norms, issuance ofinfrastructure bonds for meeting working capital requirements.

b) Financial assistance and eligibility support for Indian shipyards.

c) Criteria for evaluating and awarding tenders from shipbuilding and ship repair work floated by Govt.Departments or agencies including Public Sector Undertakings.

d) Simplification of procedure for tax compliance.

7. Jal Marg Vikas Project:

• The Jal Marg Vikas Project envisages to achieve Least Available Depth (LAD) of 3.00 meters onthe National Waterway-1 to enable movement of vessels of 1500 - 2000 DWT ton capacity on the1620 km Allahabad- Haldia stretch of the National Waterway-1.

• The Project's objective is to provide an environment friendly, fuel efficient and cost-effectivealternative mode of transportation, especially for bulk goods, hazardous goods and over dimensionalcargo.

8. Launch of River Information Services

• River Information Services (RIS) are combination of modern tracking equipment related hardwareand software designed to optimize traffic and transport processes in inland navigation.

• This would facilitate:

a) Enhancement of inland navigation safety in ports and rivers.

b) Better use of the inland waterways

c) Environmental protection

• RIS enables achievement of safe and efficient inland water transport by avoiding the following risks:Ship- to - Ship collisions; Ship - Bridge collisions and Groundings.

Ministry of Road Transport and Highways

• Road transport is a critical infrastructure for economic development of the country. It influencesthe pace, structure and pattern of development. In India, roads are used to transport over 60% ofthe total goods and 85% of the passenger traffic. Hence, development of this sector is of paramountimportance for the India and accounts for a significant part in the budget.

• The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is the apex body for formulation and administrationof the rules, regulations and laws relating to road transport, and transport research, in order toincrease the mobility and efficiency of the road transport system in India.

• The major steps taken by the Ministry towards ensuring safety on roads are as follows:

1. National Road Safety Policy:

• The policy outlines various policy measures like promoting awareness, establishing road safetyinformation data base, encouraging safer road infrastructure, enforcement of safety laws etc. The

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Ministry has evolved a multi-pronged strategy to tackle the problem based on the 4 E's viz.Education, Engineering (both of roads and vehicles) Enforcement and Emergency Care. A NationalRoad Safety Council had also been constituted as the apex body to take policy decisions in thematter of road safety.

• As a signatory to Brasilia Declaration, India is committed to reducing the number of road accidentsand fatalities by 50 % by 2020.

The Brasilia Declaration is a call to rethink transport policies in order to favour more sustainable modes oftransport such as walking, cycling and using public transport. It highlights strategies to ensure the safetyof all road users, particularly by improving laws and enforcement; making roads safer through infrastructuralmodifications; ensuring that vehicles are equipped with life-saving technologies; and enhancing emergencytrauma care systems. The Brasilia Declaration encourages WHO and partners to facilitate the developmentof targets to reduce road traffic crashes and fatalities, and support the definition and use of indicators linkedto the SDG targets related to road safety.

2. Motor Vehicle (Amendment) Bill 2016:

• The Bill addresses road safety issues by providing for stiffer penalties, permitting electronicenforcement, improving fitness certification and licensing regime, statutory provisions for protectionof good Samaritans and recognition of IT enabled enforcement systems.

• The Bill also paves way for reforms in public transport which in turn will help in improving roadsafety.

• The Bill contains provisions for treatment of accident victims during golden hour which will helpin saving precious lives.

• Top priority has been accorded to correction of black spots on National Highways and adoptingregulatory measures for improving automobile safety.

• As Short-term measures rumble strips, reflective stickers at junctions, fixing signboard/ cautionaryboard, providing signage and speed restrictions are being used. As long-term measures constructionof vehicular under-pass, By-pass, flyover and 4-laning are being taken up.

• The Ministry has stressed upon States / UTs to set up State Road Safety Councils, formulate anaction plan for improving road safety, implement it in a concerted manner, fix a definite, time boundtarget for fatality reduction and identify and allocate adequate manpower, financial and otherresources for implementing the strategy to achieve the targets set.

3. Highway Advisory System (HAS):

• It is a free-to-air information distribution system that uses radio to make the travelling experienceon National Highways safer, faster and hassle-free.

• HAS control centre collects data, processes and analyzes it, generates alerts and sends it to bebroadcast by All India Radio.

• HAS was launched as a pilot project on Delhi-Jaipur highway.

4. Indian Bridge Management System (IBMS) - IBMS is being developed to create an inventory ofall bridges in the country and rate their structural condition so that timely repair and rehabilitationwork can be carried out based on the criticality of the structure.

5. Highways construction:

a) Bharatmala: This has been envisaged as an umbrella program that will subsume unfinished partsof National Highways Development Project and also focus on the new initiatives like developmentof Border and International connectivity roads, Coastal & port connectivity roads, National CorridorsEfficiency improvements, Economic corridors development and others.

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b) SetuBharatam program for building bridges for safe and seamless travel on National Highways.The aim is to make National Highways free of railway level crossings by 2019 by building RailwayOver Bridges/ Under Passes.

c) National Highways Interconnectivity Improvement Project - This is a project to ensure safe, fastand all weather movement of traffic on National Highways mostly located in backward regions.

d) Logistic Efficiency Enhancement Programme (LEEP) - aimed at enhancing the freight transportationin India through improving cost, time, tracking and transferability of consignments throughinfrastructure, procedural and Information Technology (IT) interventions. The parks are expected toserve four key functions: freight aggregation and distribution, multimodal freight movement, storageand warehousing, and value-added services such as custom clearances.

6. Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM)

• As per the model, 40% the Project Cost is to be provided by the Government as 'ConstructionSupport' to the private developer during the construction period and the balance 60% as annuitypayments over the operations period along with interest on outstanding amount.

• The payable interest rate is linked to market rates (Bank Rate +3.00%).

• There is separate provision for Operation & Management payments by the Government to theconcessionaire. The private party does not have to bear the traffic and inflation risks.

• The Model has been successful in reviving PPPs in the sector which is evident in the interest beingshown by the market for such projects.

7. Green initiatives:

a) Ethanol - Fuelled Bus- Notification was issued for mass emission standards for flexi-fuel ethanolE85 and ED95. This Notification will enable vehicle manufacturers to manufacture vehicles runningon bio-ethanol E85 and ED95. A bio-ethanol fuel bus is already under trial in Nagpur.

b) Bio- CNG and Bio- Diesel - Notification has been issued for norms for the use of Bio-CNG fortesting and exhaust emission for vehicles running on Bio-CNG. With this notification, the vehiclemanufacturers can manufacture, sell and get vehicles fuelled by Bio-CNG in the country

c) National Green Highways Project: The Policy aims to develop eco-friendly National Highwayswith the participation of community, farmers, NGOs and private sector. The policy will help toimprove aesthetics of the project corridors, reduce the impact of air pollution and reduce accidentsby cutting down glare from approaching vehicles. Under the Green Highways Project the governmenthas made it mandatory to set aside 1 per cent of the total project cost of any NH contract to aGreen Fund corpus that will be used for plantation purposes. The afforestation is expected to helpin sequestering approximately 12 lakh mt carbon annually.

d) 'Kisan Harit Rajmarg Yojana' is a pilot scheme to extend green belt beyond the existing 'Rightof Way' of highways by engaging farmers and providing alternative livelihood option to the nearbycommunities.

e) E-rickshaw policy of Government has helped in reducing pollution to a great extent. E- carts andE-rickshaws have been freed from permit requirements.

8. E- Initiatives:

a) E-tolling - In order to remove traffic bottle neck at toll plazas and ensure seamless movement ofvehicles and hassle-free collection of toll, the Government has implemented a nationwide ElectronicToll Collection based on passive Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) .

b) Project Monitoring and Information System (PMIS): An online state-of-the-art real time ProjectMonitoring and Information System (PMIS) has been developed to digitally monitor 2000+ projects

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executed by multiple agencies. The PMIS has detailed dashboards for every project and generatescustom reports required for project reviews.

c) INFRACON is the National Portal for Infrastructure Consultancy Firms and Key Personnel. Thisportal acts as a kind of bridge between consultancy firms working in the road engineering andconstruction sector and domain experts and key personnel who are deployed both for projectpreparation and supervision. The portal hosts the credentials of consultancy firms and key personneland has linkages to Aadhar and Digi-locker for data validation and purity.

d) INAM PRO has been developed as a web-based application for infrastructure and Material Providers.It is a kind of a web based market place that brings together the material providers and theprospective buyers on a common platform.

Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas

• The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MOP&NG) is responsible for the exploration,production, refining, distribution, marketing, import, export, and conservation of petroleum, naturalgas, petroleum products, and liquefied natural gas in India.

• A large number of important policies, activities, decisions and initiatives were undertaken by theMinistry of Petroleum & Natural Gas such as:

1. Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana

• Salient Features:

• The tagline for the scheme is Swachh Indhan, Behtar Jeevan.

• Under the scheme, Rs 8000 crore has been earmarked for providing five crore LPG connections toBPL households.

• The Scheme provides a financial support of Rs 1600 for each LPG connection to the BPL households.

• The identification of eligible BPL families will be made in consultation with the State Governmentsand the Union Territories.

• This Scheme would be implemented over three years, namely, the FY 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19.

• It will also provide employment for rural youth in the supply chain of cooking gas.

• The scheme seeks to empower women and protect their health by shifting them from traditionalcooking based on unclean cooking fuels or on fossil fuels to clean cooking gas.

2. PAHAL (DBT)

• Salient Features:

• Direct Benefit Transfer of LPG, 'Pratyaksha Hastantarit Labh'.

• Direct transfer of LPG subsidy into beneficiaries account for which account must be seeded withAADHAR.

3. Direct Benefit Transfer in PDS Kerosene Scheme (DBTK):

• Jharkhand has become first State in the country to implement DBTK and others have been requestedto join the Scheme.

• Under the Scheme, the Kerosene is being sold at non-subsidised price and subsidy, as admissible,is being transferred to consumers directly into his/her bank account.

• The States would be given cash incentive of 75% of subsidy savings during the first two years, 50%

in the third year and 25% in the fourth year.

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• The initiative of the Government is aimed at rationalizing subsidies based on approach to cutsubsidy leakages, but not subsidies themselves. The scheme will also stop diversion of Kerosene.

4. Indian Strategic Storage Programme for storage of crude oil by Indian Strategic PetroleumReserves Limited (ISPRL):

• Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas,through Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited (ISPRL),has constructed Strategic Crude Oil Reserves at three locations viz. Visakhapatnam, Mangalore, andPadur to enhance the energy security of the country.

• The reserves are being created by the Government so that the crude oil will address the oil needsof the country, in the event of a national calamity, disruption of supplies, unforeseen global eventleading to scarcity of supplies/abnormal spike in prices etc.

• Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited is a Special Purpose Vehicle, which is a wholly ownedsubsidiary of Oil Industry Development Board (OIDB).

• The crude oil storages are in underground rock caverns and are located on the east and west coastsso that they are readily accessible to the refining sector.

5. Hydrocarbon Exploration Licensing Policy (HELP):

• The salient features are:

a) Single License for exploration and production of conventional as well as non-conventional hydrocarbonresources;

b) Open Acreage Policy-option to select the exploration blocks without waiting for formal bid round;

c) Revenue Sharing Model - simple, easy to administer - no cost recovery - no micromanagement bythe Government - operational freedom to the operator; and

d) Pricing and Marketing Freedom - a major incentive for investment.

6. Hydrocarbon Vision 2030 for North East India:

• In tune with the Government of India's act east policy, the Ministry of Petroleum and natural Gashas prepared a hydrocarbon vision 2030 for the north east India.

• The Vision aims at doubling Oil & Gas production by 2030, making clean fuels accessible, fasttracking projects, generating employment opportunities and promoting cooperation with neighbouringcountries.

• The Vision rests on five pillars: People, Policy, Partnership, Projects and Production.

Other initiatives

APPS

• Grameen Vidyutikaran (GARV) app to help citizens track rural electrification under Deen Dayal UpadhyayaGram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY)

• VIDYUT PRAVAH app created to provide real time information of electricity price and availability

• Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All (UJALA) app to keep track of LED distribution under theDomestic Efficient Lighting Programme (DELP)

• URJA (Urban Jyoti Abhiyaan) MobileApp - the Consumer Dashboard of the URJA App, launched on16.06.16, provides for Urban Power Distribution Sector to enhance Consumer Connect, Project Monitoringof Urban Distribution Sector projects and providing information on the monthly performance on parameterslike Consumer complaints redressal, Release of New service connection, Average number of interruptionsfaced by consumer, Number of consumers making e-payments, Energy lost / power theft i.e. AT&C loss.

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• E-Tarang app is for monitoring the real time Status of Transmission System.

• E-Trans app is a platform for better price discovery in respect of Inter State Transmission projects to beawarded through tariff based competitive bidding (TBCB) process.

• The Coal Mitra Web Portal has been designed to bring about flexibility in Utilization of Domestic Coalby transferring the reserves to more cost efficient State/Centre owned or Private sector generating stations,leading to lower generation costs and ultimately lesser cost of electricity for the consumers.

Energy efficiency scheme:

• Standards & Labelling programme for appliances by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE)

• Perform Achieve and Trade (PAT) Scheme

• Energy Conservation Building Codes (ECBC)

• Unnati Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All (UJALA)

• Street Lighting National Programme (SLNP)

• Promotion of Energy Efficient Fans and Agriculture pump sets

Amendments in Tariff Policy

• The Union Cabinet approved proposal for amendments in the Tariff Policy. It will provide the motivationto harness the hydro as well as renewable capacity for energy security of the country.

• Main amendments are as under:

a) Promotion of Renewable Generation Obligation (RGO).

b) Compulsory procurement by Discoms from waste-to-energy plants.

c) Thermal Power Plants within 50kms of sewage treatment facilities to use treated sewage water.

d) Use of Smart meters in a phased manner to enable 'Time of Day' metering.

e) Inter-State and Intra-State transmission lines only through competitive bidding.

f) Expansion of capacity of IPPs (on regulated tariff) from 50% to 100% of existing capacity.

g) Compulsory purchase of power from micro grids at regulated tariff.

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This covers the Year End Review of the following Ministries:

1. Ministry of Agriculture

2. Ministry of Food Processing Industries

3. Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution

4. Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers

Ministry of Agriculture

• The Ministry of Agriculture, a branch of the Government of India, is the apex body for formulationand administration of the rules and regulations and laws related to agriculture in India. The 3 broadareas of scope for the Ministry are agriculture, food processing and co-operation.

• Achievements of Ministry of Agriculture has been given below:

1. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana:

• Under the new scheme, the farmers' premium has been kept at a maximum of 2 per cent forfoodgrains and oilseeds, and up to 5 per cent for horticulture and cotton crops.

• There is no upper limit on Government subsidy. Even if balance premium is 90%, it will be borneby the Government. Earlier, there was a provision of capping the premium rate which resulted inlow claims being paid to farmers. This capping was done to limit Government outgo on thepremium subsidy. This capping has now been removed and farmers will get claim against full suminsured without any reduction.

• Crop losses which are covered under the scheme include Yield Losses as well as post-harvest losses,where coverage will be available up to a maximum period of 14 days from harvesting for thosecrops.

• The use of technology will be encouraged to a great extent resulting in operational efficiency. Smartphones will be used to capture and upload data of crop cutting to reduce the delays in claimpayment to farmers. Remote sensing will be used to reduce the number of crop cutting experiments.

2. Soil Health Card Scheme:

• Soil Health cards are necessary to ensure that only requisite nutrients are applied in the soil in abalanced manner to enhance productivity of specific crops in a sustainable manner.

• Values on soil parameters such as pH, EC, N, P, K, S, Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu & B.

• Recommendation on appropriate dosage of fertilizer application based on test values and requirementof crop, use of organic manures and soil amendments to acidic/alkaline/sodic soils.

3. Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana:

• Aim of the project is to maximize the utilization of natural resources through eco-friendly cultivation.

• Organic farming is a method of farming system which primarily aimed at cultivating the land andraising crops in such a way, as to keep the soil alive and in good health by use of organic wastes

YEAR END REVIEW IN FOOD SECTOR

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(crop, animal and farm wastes, aquatic wastes) and other biological materials along with beneficialmicrobes (bio-fertilizers) to release nutrients to crops for increased sustainable production in an ecofriendly pollution free environment.

4. National Agriculture Market (e-Nam):

• e-NAM trading mechanism has been launched recently to integrate 585 regulated wholesale marketsor agriculture produce market committees (APMCs) under one electronic platform by 2018.

• It will allow farmers to sell their produce anywhere in the country and create a common marketfor selling of crops, network existing APMC and other market yards to create a unified nationalmarket and provide a single window service for all APMC related information and services.

5. Neem Coated Urea:

• Indigenous manufactures/producers of urea are allowed to produce Neem Coated Urea (NCU)upto maximum of their total production of subsidized urea and to restrict the extra MRP to becharged by the companies selling Neem Coated Urea to the extent of 5% of the existing MRP ofurea i.e. Rs. 5360/- per MT.

• Benefits:

a) Improvement in soil health;

b) Reduction in costs with respect to plant protection chemicals;

c) Reduction in pest and disease attack;

d) An increase in yield of paddy, sugarcane, maize, soybean and tur/red gram to an extent of 5.79%,17.5%, 7.14%, 7.4% and 16.88% respectively;

e) Diversion of highly subsidized urea towards non-agricultural purposes negligible among farmersafter the introduction of the mandatory policy of production and distribution of only Neem coatedurea.

6. Agroforestry:

• For the first time, Sub-Mission on Agroforestry has been initiated which will accelerate the programme"Medh Par Ped".

• Objectives are:

a) To encourage and expand tree plantation in complementary and integrated manner with crops andlivestock to improve productivity, employment opportunities, income generation and livelihoods ofrural households, especially the small farmers.

b) To ensure availability of quality planting material like seeds, seedlings, clones, hybrids, improvedvarieties, etc.

c) To popularise various Agroforestry practices/models suitable to different agro ecological regionsand land use conditions.

d) To create database, information and knowledge support in the area of agroforestry.

e) To provide extension and capacity building support to agroforestry sector.

Dairy Sector

1. Rashtriya Gokul Mission:

• With a view to conserve and develop indigenous bovine breeds, Rashtriya Gokul Mission, a newinitiative under National Programme for Bovine Breeding and Dairy Development has been launchedfor the first time in the country.

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2. Pashudhan Sanjivani:

• An Animal Wellness Program encompassing provision of Animal Health cards ('Nakul SwasthyaPatra') along with UID identification of animals in milk and a National Data Base.

• This will play crucial role in control of spread of animal diseases. This will also lead to increasein trade of livestock and livestock products.

3. Advanced Breeding Technology:

• Assisted Reproductive Technique to improve availability of disease free female bovines through ofsex sorted semen technology.

• Under the scheme 50 embryo transfer technology labs and In Vitro Fertilization labs care will beestablished. This will lead to exponential increase in milk production and productivity of animalsin an exponential manner.

4. E-pashudhan Haat Portal:

• For the first time in the country under National Mission on Bovine Productivity E Pashudhan Haatportal has been developed.

• This portal will play important role in connecting breeders and farmers of indigenous breeds.

• Through this portal farmers will be aware about breed wise information on indigenous breeds.Farmers/breeders can sale animals of indigenous breeds through this portal.

• Information on all forms of germplasm has been uploaded on the portal. Immediately farmers canobtain benefits of the portal.

National Bovine Genomic Center for Indigenous Breeds (NBGC-IB):

• In developed dairy countries genomic selection is used to increase milk production and productivity forattaining faster genetic gain.

• In order to increase milk production and productivity of indigenous cattle, a National Bovine GenomicCentre will be established in the country.

• By using genomic selection indigenous breeds can be made viable within few generations.

• This center will play crucial role in identification of disease free High genetic merit bulls.

Special incentives:

1. Four new ICAR Awards in two years: ICAR Administrative award, Haldhar Organic FarmerAward, Pandit Deendayal Antyodaya Krishi Puruskar and Pandit Deendayal Rashtriya Krishi VigyanProtsahan Puruskar have been initiated.

2. Pandit Deendayal Unnat Krishi Shiksha Yojana has been started in the year 2016 by way of 130training programmes on organic farming/natural farming and cow based economy in the country.

3. Rashtriya Krishi Shiksha Divas is being celebrated in remembrance of country's first AgricultureMinister Dr. Rajendra Prasad.

4. Attracting and Retaining Youth in Agriculture (ARYA): The ARYA project will attract andempower the Youth in Rural Areas to take up various Agri-enterprises in Agriculture, allied andservice sector for sustainable income and gainful employment. The project is running throughKVKs.

Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution

• The Ministry is divided into two departments, the Department of Food and Public Distribution andthe Department of Consumer Affairs.

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• The objectives of the Department of food and public distribution are to ensure the remunerativerates for the farmers and supply of food grains at reasonable prices to the consumers through thepublic distribution system.

About Public Distribution System

• The PDS is a national food security system that distributed subsidised food to India's poor. Majorcommodities distributed include wheat, rice, sugar, and kerosene.

• Surpluses of food from increased crop yields are managed by the Food Corporation of India, establishedby the Food Corporation Act 1964, implements national policy for farm price support, operations,procurement, storage, preservation, inter-state movement and distribution operations.

• The Department of Consumer affairs administers the policies for Consumer Cooperatives, MonitoringPrices, availability of essential commodities, Consumer Movement in the country and Controlling ofstatutory bodies like Bureau of Indian Standards(BIS) and Weights and Measures.

Following are the main highlights of the activities of the Department of Food & Public Distributionduring the year 2016:

1. National Food Security Act (NFSA):

• Rates of food grains for Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and Mid Day Meal (MDM)schemes were reduced to rates prescribed under NFSA, much lower than under erstwhile TargetedPublic Distribution System.

• Sustained efforts have resulted in significant reforms in TPDS making it more transparent and leakproof and better targeting of food subsidy. Improvement in main components for this purpose areas follows:

a) Fair price shops automated.

b) Digitisation of ration cards.

c) Aadhaar seeding of ration cards.

d) Online allocation of food grains.

e) Supply chain computerized.

f) Direct cash transfer in PDS.

2. Supporting the Farmer

• State-wise 5-year Action Plans have been drawn up by Food Corporation of India for Uttar Pradesh(with focus on Eastern U.P.), Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal & Assam. Procurement in Chhattisgarhand Odisha is already robust. Attempt is to increase procurement of rice from these States and toreach out to all farmers in various paddy growing districts of these States.

• Government Agencies, FCI in consultation with States has engaged private parties to expandprocurement operations in hitherto poorly covered clusters in Eastern U.P., Jharkhand and WestBengal.

• FCI has started procurement of pulses from farmers at market price under Price Stabilisation Fundoperation.

3. Improving Food grain Management:

• A High Level Expert Committee under the Chairmanship of Shanta Kumar, was constituted tomake recommendations on re-structuring of FCI. Based on the recommendations, several measureshave been initiated to improve the functioning of FCI and to bring in cost efficiency in its operations.

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• To bring all operations of FCI Go downs online and to check leakage and automate operations atthe depot level, "Depot Online" system has been launched in 31 Depots on pilot basis.

• FCI has developed a software for Online Procurement Management System (OPMS) which is beingused for procurement in the Kharif Market Season 2016-17.

• Indian Railways is providing wagons to FCI at priority B preference while same preference was notbeing provided to states food corporations in DCP states, which have taken up the role of FCI inIntra State movement of food grains under PDS.

• Adequate supply of food grains ensured during 2016-17 for States/UTs facing natural calamitiessuch as drought in Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh,Rajasthan, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh and flood in Bihar.

4. Centre of Excellence for PDS:

• The Government of India has signed a letter of intent with World Food Programme (WFP) toprepare a proposal for the establishment of the Centre of Excellence (CENEX).

• The CENEX would inter alia work as a inter-ministerial think tank to advice on challenges of foodsecurity before the nation, initiate and execute pilot projects for improvement of food and nutritionsecurity in India, advise on reforming public sector food security system, besides showcasing theprogress made by India in food security to other developing and middle income countries.

5. Policy Changes:

• Fortification of Staple Food: To address acute malnutrition in the population, a strategy of Fortificationin Food has been adopted. FSSAI has operationalized the standards for fortification of Wheat Flour,and Oil. Technology & cost for rice fortification are under review.

• Wheat-Rice Policy: Government of India has formulated a wheat-rice policy with an objective thatthe States, which annually procure more wheat or rice than their present annual entitlement/demand for wheat and rice respectively, will be allocated the preferred food grains as per theirrequirement in the normal NFSA allocation i.e. AAY and Priority category. The allocation in thetide over category will be at the discretion of the Department and subject to availability of foodgrains in the Central Pool and impact on food subsidy.

6. Consumer Grievances/Disputes:

• Department of Consumer Affairs has launched an Integrated Grievance Redress Mechanism(INGRAM) portal for bringing all stakeholders such as consumers, Central and State GovernmentAgencies, private companies, regulators on to a single platform for implementation in a phasedmanner.

Ministry of Food Processing Industries

• The Ministry of Food processing Industries is responsible for formulation and administration of therules and regulations and laws relating to food processing in India.

• The Ministry was set up with a view to develop a strong and vibrant food processing industry, tocreate increased employment in rural sector and enable farmers to reap the benefits of moderntechnology and to create a surplus for exports and stimulating demand for processed food.

• The strategic role and functions of the Ministry mainly are:

a) Policy support developmental & promotional, Technical & advisory, Regulatory.

b) It is concerned with the formulation & implementation of policies and plans for all the industriesunder its domain within the overall national priorities and objectives.

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c) Its main focus areas include development of infrastructure, technological up gradation, developmentof backward linkages, enforcement of quality standards and expanding domestic as well as exportmarkets for processed food products.

• The Ministry of Food Processing Industries is implementing a number of Central Sector Schemesfor promotion and development of food processing sector in the country.

• The major achievements of the Ministry during 2016 are as under:

1. Government has allowed 100% FDI for trading including through e-commerce, in respect of foodproducts manufactured or produced in India. 100% FDI is already permitted in manufacturing offood products through automatic route. This will provide impetus to the foreign investment in foodprocessing sector, benefit farmers immensely and will create vast employment opportunities.

2. Under the Scheme of Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure 20 projects havebeen operationalised in 2016. With their operationalisation, Ministry has created an additionalcapacity of 0.63 lakh metric tonnes of cold storage, 15 metric tonnes per hour of individual QuickFreezing (IQF), 10.65 lakh litres per day of Milk of processing/ storage and 99 reefer vans during2016.

3. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has simplified product approval:

a) Approved a large number of new Additives harmonized with the International Codex Standards.

b) Notified an amendment to the regulations as a result of which non-standardized food productscalled proprietary foods (except novel food and nutra-ceuticals) that use ingredients and additivesapproved in the regulations will no longer require product approval. This has provided considerablerelief to the industry.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has been established under Food Safety andStandards Act, 2006 which consolidates various acts & orders that have hitherto handled food related issuesin various Ministries and Departments. FSSAI has been created for laying down science based standards forarticles of food and to regulate their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import to ensure availabilityof safe and wholesome food for I human consumption.

4. The Ministry is also taking steps to implement a new scheme namely Scheme for Agro-Marineproduce Processing and Development of Agro-clusters (SAMPADA) for overall development offood processing sector, for providing enabling infrastructure, expanding processing and preservationcapacities, controlled temperature logistics and backward and forward linkages, with an allocationof Rs.6000 Crore for a period co-terminus with 14th Finance Commission.

Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers

• The Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals was under the Ministry of Industry untilDecember 1989, when it was brought under the Ministry of Petroleum and Chemicals. On June5, 1991, the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals was transferred to the Ministry ofChemicals and Fertilisers.

• Department of Fertilizers comes under the ambit of Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers which isheaded by a Cabinet Minister who is assisted by one Minister of State.

• The main objective of Department of Fertilizers is to ensure adequate and timely availability offertilizers at affordable prices for maximizing agricultural production in the country.

• The main functions of the Department of Fertilizers include planning, promotion and developmentof the Fertilizers Industry, Planning and monitoring of production, import and distribution offertilizers and management of financial assistance by way of subsidy/concession for indigenous andimported fertilizers.

• The department also administers 9 Public Sector Undertakings and one Multi-State Co-operativeSociety.

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• Following are the achievements of Department of Fertilizers, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizersduring the year:

1. New Urea Policy

• Based on the CCEA decision, the New Urea Policy-2015 (NUP-2015) has been notified byDepartment of Fertilizers, with the objectives of maximizing indigenous urea production; promotingenergy efficiency in urea production; and rationalizing subsidy burden on the government.

• Benefits:

a) Maximizing indigenous urea production and promoting energy efficiency in urea units to reduce thesubsidy burden on the Government.

b) Savings in energy shall reduce the carbon-footprint and would thus be more environment friendly.

c) It will enable the domestic urea sector having 30 urea producing units, to become more energyefficient, would rationalize the subsidy burden and incentivize urea units to maximize their productionat the same time.

d) The policy will ensure timely supply of urea to farmers at same Maximum Retail Price (MRP) withlesser financial burden on the exchequer. It will also reduce import dependency in the urea sector.

2. City Compost

• The Government of India approved a policy on promotion of City Compost.

• For co-marketing of City Compost, the tagging of Cities with fertilizer marketing companies forthe purpose of proper utilisation of city Compost produced in the cities has been completed as perthe list provided by M/o Urban Development.

• A joint Committee of Joint Secretaries of Department of Fertilizers, Ministry of UrbanDevelopment, and Department of Agriculture have been set up for coordination.

• State level steering Committee has been constituted for promotion of City Compost.

3. Formation of Indian Council for Fertilizer and Nutrient Research (ICFNR)

• Indian Council for Fertilizer and Nutrient Research (ICFNR), an Institution exclusively devoted topromotion of research in fertilizer sector under the Department of Fertilizers, has been set up. Theterms of reference of ICFNR are as under:-

a) To undertake/promote research in the area of fertilizer manufacturing technology, use of rawmaterial and innovation in fertilizer products through partnership ad collaboration with variousresearch institutions, fertilizer industry and other stakeholders.

b) To identify and promote eco-friendly micro nutrients and pesticide coated slow release fertilizersand also to ensure reduction of Carbon Footprint of fertilizer sector and energy efficient operation.

c) To undertake and promote research in bio fertilizer and organic fertilizers and its derivatives so asprotect and increase soil fertility.

d) To undertake and promote research in organic fertilizer and its derivatives with suitable coating orblending so as to protect and increase the soil fertility.

e) To promote dissemination of information on latest developments in Fertilizer sector and also tosupport new ideas and changes for effecting improvements in fertilizer industry.

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This covers the Year End Review of the following Ministries and Departments

1. Ministry of Science & Technology

2. Department of Atomic Energy

Ministry of Science and Technology

• The Ministry of Science and Technology is the Indian government ministry charged with formulationand administration of the rules and regulations and laws relating to science and technology in India.

• Major developments of the activities of Department of Science and Technology(DST), Ministryof Science & Technology during the Year 2016 are:

1. National Initiative for Developing & Harnessing Innovation (NIDHI):

• It is a programme to address the complete chain of innovation ecosystem right from scouting tomentoring to scaling up innovations. It has been launched by Department of Science and Technology.

• Objectives:

a) To take forward student innovations in IEDC / NewGen IEDC programme to commercializationstage.

b) To promote student startups.

c) To accelerate the journey of idea to prototype by providing initial funding assistance.

2. Overseas Doctoral Fellowship:

• This scheme aimed to impart research training of Ph.D. Scholars in Indian institutions for collaborativeresearch abroad was launched by Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB). Fellowshipwould be for a period upto 12 months.

3. Devasthal Optical Telescope:

• It is an Indo-Belgian venture.

• It is established by Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES), Nainital.

• The telescope is located at Devasthal, Nainital at a height of 2,500 metres.

• It is said that the site was chosen to get a clear view of the sky.

• The ARIES optical telescope's mirror is 3.6 metres (360 centimetres) in diameter.

• The high end technology incorporated in the telescope enables it to be operated with the help ofremote control from anywhere in the world.

• The telescope will be used in the study and exploration of planets, starts, magnetic field andastronomical debris.

• The scientists will also help in research of the structures of stars and magnetic field structures ofstars.

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4. Visiting Advanced Joint Research (VAJRA) Faculty Scheme:

• Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) has initiated a new scheme viz. Visiting AdvancedJoint Research (VAJRA) Faculty Scheme.

• The scheme envisages to associate distinguished international faculty as Adjunct/Visiting Facultyin Indian institutions for a period of 1-3 month in a year.

5. Surya Jyoti:

• Photovoltaic integrated Micro Solar Dome, is the simple innovative technology developed to meetthe lighting need for people who do not have access to reliable supply of electricity.

• The product has been included for subsidy under Off Grid and decentralized solar applicationscheme of Ministry of New and Renewable energy.

• The Ministry of Rural Development has informed to all States and Union Territories to explore thepossibility of adopting this innovative technology of Surya Jyoti for the houses constructed underPrime Minister Awas Yojana-Gramin.

6. Solar Energy Research Institute for India and the United States (SERIIUS):

• SERIIUS is jointly funded by the Government of India (through the Department of Science andTechnology) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) over a 5-year period starting October 1,2012, with funding of $25 million for 5 years in a 50%/50% split between the two countries.

• The Consortium is also supported by cost sharing from its members-more than 30 partners fromIndia and the US-with at least $25 million in matching funds.

• The lead institutions for SERIIUS are the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in India and the NationalRenewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in the USA.

7. Standing Committee for Promoting Women in Science:

• DST constituted 'Standing Committee for Promoting Women in Science' to address a lowrepresentation of women in Science & Technology (S&T) domain.

• To provide opportunities to women scientists and technologists for pursuing research in basic orapplied sciences, projects were recommended for support.

8. INSPIRE Awards scheme:

• In the context of Start-up India initiative of the Government, INSPIRE Awards scheme has beenrevamped to foster culture of innovation among school children of class VI to class X.

• The scheme has been rechristened as INSPIRE Awards-MANAK (Million Minds AugmentingNational Aspiration and Knowledge).

9. DST-MHRD Collaboration in Impacting Research Innovation and Technology (IMPRINT)Project:

• Department of Science & Technology (DST) have joined hands with Ministry of Human ResourceDevelopment (MHRD) to implement IMPRINT projects.

• IMPRINT projects will address major societal and developmental needs such as healthcare,information and communication technology, energy, sustainable habitat, nano technology, waterresources and river systems, advanced materials, security and defence, and environment and climate.

Science & Technology in the Service of Society

1. National Biotechnology Development Strategy 2015-20:

• The Strategy aims to establish India as a world-class bio-manufacturing hub. It intends to launch a

major mission, backed with significant investments, for the creation of new biotech products, create

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a strong infrastructure for R&D and commercialization, and empower India's human resourcesscientifically and technologically.

• The envisaged mission is:

a) Provide impetus to utilising the knowledge and tools to the advantage of Humanity

b) Launch a major well directed mission backed with significant investment for generation of newBiotech Products

c) Empower scientifically and technologically India's incomparable Human Resource

d) Create a strong Infrastructure for R&D and Commercialisation

e) Establish India as a world class Bio-manufacturing Hub

2. Regional Centre for Biotechnology Bill, 2016:

• The Bill seeks to establish a Regional Centre for Biotechnology, an institution of education, trainingand research, under the auspices of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization(UNESCO) in the National Capital Region and declare it to be an institution of national importance.

• The Regional Centre for Biotechnology will take up research and innovation and impart educationand training in the new areas of Biotechnology at the interface of multiple disciplines of sciencecreating a hub of technology expertise.

• It has been considered as a powerful enabling technology that can revolutionize agriculture, healthcare,industrial processing and environmental sustainability.

3. Stem Cell Research:

• Stem cell research was identified as one of the thrust areas for developing collaborative programmesbetween both the countries, India and Japan.

• The focus of the collaboration is on developing treatments for sickle cell anaemia, ?- thalassemiaand brain disorders and creating haplobank relevant to our population in collaboration with CiRA,Kyoto University, Japan.

4. Biotech-Krishi Innovation Science Application Network

• The scheme will be implemented in 15 agro-climatic zones of India in phased manner with theobjective:

a) Linking available science and technology to the farm by first understanding the problem of the localfarmer and provide solutions to those problems.

b) The working together, in close conjunction, of scientists and farmers is the only way to improvethe working conditions of small and marginal farmers.

c) This programme aims to work with small and marginal farmers especially the woman farmer forbetter agriculture productivity through scientific intervention and evolving best farming practices inthe Indian context.

5. Mission Innovation::

• India is a Partner country for the 'Mission Innovation' (MI) which is an effort of 23 participatingcountries towards accelerating global clean energy innovation. This was launched on 30th November,2015 during COP-21 in the presence of Hon'ble Prime Minister.

• The Department of Biotechnology is the nodal agency for India.

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• Seven Innovation Challenges are:

a) Smart Grids: To enable future smart grids that are powered by affordable, reliable, decentralisedrenewable electricity systems.

b) Off-Grid Access to Electricity: To develop systems that enable off grid households and communitiesto access affordable and reliable renewable electricity.

c) Carbon Capture: To enable near-zero CO2 emissions from power plants and carbon intensiveindustries.

d) Sustainable Biofuels: To develop ways to produce, at scale, widely affordable, advanced biofuels fortransportation and industrial applications.

e) Converting Sunlight to create storable solar fuels: To discover affordable ways to convert sunlightinto storable solar fuels.

f) Clean Energy Materials: To accelerate the exploration, discovery, and use of new high-performance,low-cost clean energy materials.

g) Affordable Heating and Cooling of Buildings: To make low-carbon heating and cooling affordablefor everyone.

Department of Atomic Energy

• The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) was set-up in 1954 under the direct charge of the PrimeMinister through a Presidential Order.

• The vision of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) is to empower India through technology,creation of more wealth and providing better quality of life to its citizen.

• This is to be achieved by making India energy independent, contributing to provision of sufficient,safe and nutritious food and better health care to our people through development and deploymentof nuclear and radiation technologies and their applications.

• DAE is engaged in the design, construction and operation of nuclear power/research reactors andthe supporting nuclear fuel cycle technologies covering exploration, mining and processing of nuclearminerals, production of heavy water, nuclear fuel fabrication, fuel reprocessing and nuclear wastemanagement.

• The Department is also developing better crop varieties, techniques for control/eradication ofinsects thus protecting the crops, radiation based post harvest technologies, radiation based techniquesfor diagnosis and therapy of disease particularly cancer, technologies for safe drinking water, betterenvironment and robust industry.

• Following are the main highlights of the activities of Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) duringthe year 2016:

1. Kudankulam Nuclear power project:

• Kudankulam is the highest capacity generating nuclear power plant in India. Beyond power generation,the project is also seen as a symbol of maintaining cordial relations between India and Russia.

• The reactors are pressurised water reactor of Russian design, model VVER-1000/V-412 referredalso as AES-92. Thermal capacity is 3,000 MW, gross electrical capacity is 1,000 MW with a netcapacity of 917 MW.

• Construction is by NPCIL and Atomstroyexport. When completed the plant will become thelargest nuclear power generation complex in India producing a cumulative 2 GW of electric power.

• Both units are water-cooled, water-moderated power reactors.

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2. India-Japan Agreement for Cooperation in Nuclear Energy:

• Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi and the Japanese Prime Minister Shri Shinzo Abe,signed the Agreement for Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy between the twocountries, which reflects a new level of mutual confidence and strategic partnership in the cause ofclean energy, economic development and a peaceful and secure world.

3. India becomes Associate Member of CERN, Geneva:

• India and European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) signed an agreement making Indiaan Associate Member State of CERN.

• Participation in CERN programmes is a success story of scientific collaborations and cooperationwhere researchers from large number of national Institutes and Universities from India work togetherin forming active collaborations in the pursuit of fundamental knowledge, achieving scientific andengineering breakthrough as well as training the next generation of scientists.

About CERN

• CERN began in the 1950s as the European Organization for Nuclear Research.

• Its business is fundamental physics -finding out what makes our Universe work, where it came from andwhere it is going.

• At CERN, some of the world's biggest and most complex machines are used to study nature's tiniestbuilding blocks, the fundamental particles.

• By colliding these minute particles of matter physicists unravel the basic laws of nature.

• The organization is the world's largest nuclear and particle physics laboratory, where scientists andengineers are probing the fundamental structure of the Universe using the most sophisticated scientificinstruments and advanced computing systems.

4. Cabinet grants 'in-principle' approval to the LIGO-India mega science proposal:

• The proposal, known as LIGO-India project (Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatoryin India) is piloted by Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Science and Technology(DST).

• LIGO-India will bring wide opportunities in cutting edge technology for Indian industries as theywill be engaged in the construction of 8 km-long beam tube at ultra- high vaccuum on a levelledterrain.It will be 3rd such laboratory in the world and first outside the United States. The existinglaboratories are located in Hanford, Washington and in Livingston, Louisiana.

5. Bhabhatron:

• India supplied indigenous teletherapy machine Bhabhatron, for cancer treatment to Bougando MedicalCentre in Tanzania.

6. DHRUVA:

• Reactor at Trombay, producing medical isotopes, operated at full power throughout the year andtouched its highest ever capacity factor since it's commissioning.

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About Ministry of Defence

Brief History: Ministry of Defence was established in the post Independence era in 1947. But its rolewas limited to supporting Armed forces. In the later years, it was given complete control over defenceforces. The Ministry of Defence is charged with co-ordinating and supervising all agencies and functionsof the government relating directly to national security and the Indian armed forces.

Structure: The Ministry of Defence consists of four Departments; Department of Defence, Departmentof Defence Production, Department of Defence Research & Development, and Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare. The Defence Secretary functions as head of the Department of Defence and isadditionally responsible for coordinating the activities of the four Departments in the Ministry.

Functions: The Defence Ministry is responsible for "obtaining policy directions of the Government onall defence and security related matters" and communicating these directions to "Services Headquarters,Inter-Services Organisations, Production Establishments and Research and Development Organisations".Scientific Adviser to Defence ministry plays a key role in formulation of R&D policies and promotingself-reliance in Indian Defence Industries.

Indian Army

1. One Rank One Pension Scheme(OROP):

The 'one rank, one pension' rule means that retired soldiers of the same rank and length of service willreceive the same pension, regardless of when they retire. Ex-servicemen drawing pensions will benefitfrom the OROP scheme, especially those who retired before 2006. Because at present, pensioners whoretired before 2006 draw less pension than their counterparts and even their juniors. The scheme willbenefit all three services - air force, navy and army.

2. Changes in Defence procurement procedure:

This scheme has a focus on achieving the 'Make in India' vision by according priority to 'Buy Indian- IDDM (Indian Designed, Developed and Manufactured) and 'Buy (Indian)' categories. It also focuseson enhancement and rationalization of indigenous content.

3. Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS):

The government is taking special measures to provide quality and affordable medical care to ex-servicemenand their dependents. As part of health care reforms, the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme(ECHS) has been completely digitized.

4. The Directorate Of Indian Army Veterans launched:

The Directorate will provide a wide range of veteran care and support services and will act as a singlepoint of contact for redressal of complaints of veterans, widows and their wards. The inauguration ofthe new Directorate coincided with the first ever celebration of Veterans Day.

5. Defence Communication Network:

The Defence Communication Network (DCN), a strategic, highly secure and scalable system, has a pan-India reach - from Ladakh to the North East to island territories, enabling the army, air force, navy and

YEAR END REVIEW IN DEFENCE SECTOR

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the Special Forces Command to share situational awareness for a faster decision-making process. It isbuilt by HCL.

Significance:

• It will help the armed forces and the Special Forces Command to share situational awareness for a fasterdecision-making process. Hence, it will help in improving the prompt response time due to the integratedtechnology.

• It will ensure network centricity across the three services, Integrated Defence Staff (IDS) and theStrategic Forces Command (SFC).

• It will help in bolstering the prowess of the defence forces during critical operations and rescue missions.

• It acts as a proof of strength of the Indian industry. Initially it was planned to import the system.

• With the indigenous development, it has reaffirmed the capability of the Indian industries and acts asa boost to the Make in India Programme.

6. Army Skill Training Centre:

The pilot project of the Army Skill Training Centre (ASTC) was inaugurated With the inauguration ofthe ASTC, the Indian Army now embarks on a new mission by bringing Army spouses and wards intothe folds of the skilling landscape. Army personnel and their spouses/wards who attend training atASTC will receive skill certificate from NSDC and will become eligible for employment/entrepreneurshipunder Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojna scheme.

Indian Navy

1. Maiden Sea trials of Kalvari - First Scorpene Class Submarine:

Under the Project 75 Scorpene programme six conventional submarines are being built in India withforeign collaboration. 'Kalvari', the first of the Scorpene class submarines, being built at the MazagonDock Shipbuilders Ltd Mumbai (MDL).

2. INS Tarmugli:

The Indian Navy commissioned the highly manoeuvrable Fast Attack Craft INS Tarmugli at a ceremonyat Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam. Based at Visakhapatnam under the Naval Officer-in-Charge (AndhraPradesh), the craft would be deployed for coastal patrol and surveillance operations along the EastCoast.

3. Mormugao - Second ship of Project 15B launched:

A significant milestone in the indigenous warship design and construction programme of India wasachieved with the launch of the Guided Missile Destroyer, Mormugao, the second ship of Project 15B,at Mazagaon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai.

Indian Air Force

1. Rafale Acquisition deal:

The Rafale deal with France was signed, under which France will provide 36 Rafale fighter jets to India.The twin-engine, multi-role aircraft will be capable of carrying out various combat missions like AirDefence, Ground Attack, Reconnaissance, Anti-ship strikes etc.

2. Tejas' Induction:

The Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) 'Tejas' was inducted into No. 45 Squadron of the Indian Air Force(IAF). It is the first fighter Squadron to be a part of the Southern Air Command of IAF headquarteredat Thiruvananthapuram.

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Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)

1. Agni - V Successfully Test-Fired:

Agni-V, the Long Range Surface-to-Surface Ballistic Missile was successfully flight tested by DRDOfrom Dr. Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha. The full range test-flight of the missile further boosted theindigenous missile capabilities and deterrence level of the country. All the Radars, tracking systems andRange Stations tracked and monitored the flight performance and all the Mission objectives weresuccessfully met. This was the 4th test of Agni-V missile and the second one from a Canister on a RoadMobile Launcher.

2. Medium Altitude Long Endurance UAV 'Rustom-II':

Rustom-II, a multi-mission Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) is being developed to carry out theintelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) roles for the three Armed Forces with an enduranceof 24 hours. DRDO also successfully carried out the maiden flight of Rustom-II from Aeronautical TestRange (ATR), Chitradurga.

3. Surface-to-Air Missile 'Akash' :

The medium range surface-to-air missile 'Akash' has been developed and inducted into IAF and IndianArmy. During the year, Akash Army version, user exercise was carried out. The total production ordersplaced by Services for eight squadrons of IAF and two regiments of Indian Army for Anti-MissileSystem. Indigenous development of the system has given impetus to the Defence industrial base in thecountry.

4. Anti-Tank Missile 'PROSPINA':

'Nag' is a third generation anti-tank missile (ATM) with 'Fire & Forget' and 'Top Attack' capabilities,which can be used in day and night. It is deployed on a specially modified Infantry Combat Vehicle(ICV) BMP-2 vehicle 'NAMICA'. During the year, guided flight tests of 'Nag' were carried out with theobjective of demonstrating range capabilities of IIR Seeker during worst time of the day in summerenvironment.

Besides, To strengthen bilateral ties, exercises such as 'Exercise shakti-2016 between India and France','Exercise MALABAR-2016 between India-Us-Japan', 'Exercise Iron Fist-2016' were held.

Military Exercises

S.No Military Exercises Nation

1. Exercise Shakti India-France

2. Exercise Surya Kiran India-Nepal

3. Exercise Garuda Shakti India-Indonesia

4. Exercise Force -18' 300 foreign participants and observers from ASEAN Plus countriesparticipated exercise on 'Humanitarian Mine Action and PeacekeepingOperations'

5. Exercise Maitree' India-Thailand

6. Exercise Yudh Abhyas' India-USA

7. PrabalDostyk India -Kazakhstan

8. Exercise Indra India-Russia

9. Hand-in-Hand India-China