India and Denmark signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Labour Mobility Partnership at Copenhagen, Denmark today. The MOU was signed by Shri. Vayalar Ravi, Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs and Ms. Birther Ronn Hornbech, Danish Minister of Refugee, Immigration and Integration Affairs.
This is the first MOU on Labour Mobility Partnership with any European Nation. It will facilitate promotion of orderly migration of workers from India to meet the growing demand for skilled and trained workers in the Danish economy and prevent illegal/irregular migration.
The salient features of the MOU are:
(i) Cooperation between the two countries concerning the following branches of labour and employment for qualified workers within their national objectives and the relevant laws:
(a) Labour market expansion,
(b) Employment facilitation,
(c) Organized entry and orderly migration and
(d) Exchange of information and cooperation in introducing best practices for mutual benefit.
(ii) Equal treatment of workers with the nationals of the receiving state.
(iii) Undertaking mutually beneficial studies for recruitment and identifying emerging sectors in Danish economy that require qualified workers.
(iv) Promoting direct contact between the employers in Denmark and the state. managed or private recruiting agencies in India, without intermediaries to facilitate regular and orderly recruitment of workers.
(v) Protection and welfare of all categories of workers under the labour laws and other relevant laws of the host country.
The MOU also provides for constitution of a Joint Working Group of both the countries, with following mandate:
i. Study employment opportunities and suggest means for enhancing cooperation between states.
ii. To interpret the provisions of the memorandum of understanding and oversee its implementation.
iii. Create guidance material on rights and duties of employers and workers to minimize labour disputes and create information material about the existing system for dispute settlement
iv. Suggest amendments to the MOU for better achievements of its objectives.
v. Recommend measures to prevent misuse of visit visas by unscrupulous employers and recruiting agencies.
vi. Recommend initiatives to address any issues that might arise in the context of the MOU.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
India Releases Guidelines for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem
“G-SHE” HIGHLIGHTS THE PIVOTAL ROLE BEING PLAYED BY WOMEN IN PRESERVING THE HIMALAYAN ECO-SYSTEM
The Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India and the G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment & Development (GBPIHED), today released a new report titled, “Governance for Sustaining Himalayan Ecosystem: Guidelines and Best Practices (G-SHE)”. The Report, released by Shri Jairam Ramesh, Minister of State for Environment & Forests, Government of India, puts together key guidelines related to the governance and management of the Himalayan ecosystem, along with relevant case studies. “G-SHE” is an appropriate acronym, given the pivotal role played by women in managing the Himalayan ecosystem on a day-to-day basis.
The Report will form a key input into the formulation of India’s National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem, under India’s National Action Plan for Climate Change. India is putting together this Mission recognising the importance of the Himalayan region as a unique repository of biodiversity, and considering its sensitivity to climatic and anthropogenic changes. This Mission aims to scientifically study the impact of climate change on the Indian Himalaya, and puts in place adaptation measures to meet the growing challenge. The Mission will bring together the efforts of climatologists, glaciologists, other experts as well as local stakeholders. The details of the Mission are under preparation and are likely to be finalized in the next few months.
The guidelines in the Report cover a wide variety of issues – including urbanization, tourism, water security, energy, forest management and infrastructure – all of which are highly pertinent as the Himalaya faces new and increased pressures. While substantial literature on the subject of sustainable management of the Himalaya already exists, this is often dispersed across institutions and publications. This Report attempts to collate key learnings from this literature at one place, embodied in a set of guidelines and best practices for various aspects of the governance and management of the Himalayan ecosystem.
This Report is meant to be a working document, to provide the basis on which new approaches and practices can be adopted. The Report has been put in the public domain, including on the website of the Ministry, and comments and inputs are being sought from State governments, domestic and international institutions, civil society, local communities and other stakeholders.
The Indian Himalayan Region (IHR), which occupies a strategic position along the entire northern boundary of the country and administratively covers 10 states in their entirety (i.e., Jammu & Kashmir; Himachal Pradesh; Uttarakhand; Sikkim; Arunachal Pradesh; Nagaland; Manipur; Mizoram; Tripura; Meghalaya) and two states partially (i.e., the hill districts of Assam and West Bengal), has wide ranging ecological and socio-economic significance. Besides innumerable goods, IHR generates a plethora of services not only for Himalayan inhabitants but also influences the lives of people living well beyond its boundaries.
Among other services, the region, with its large area under permanent snow cover and glaciers, forms a unique water reservoir that feeds several important perennial rivers. With its vast green cover, IHR also acts as a giant carbon ‘sink’. IHR also forms a considerably large part of identified Himalayan Biodiversity global hotspot. The region, however, is facing environmental problems on account of various factors including the stress caused by anthropogenic activities. Even geologically, the Himalayan ecosystem falls under the most vulnerable category. Therefore the environmental issues being faced by the IHR are of critical importance.
Gram Nyayalaya Act 2008 to come into effect from October 2,2009
The Central Government has decided that the provisions of the Gram Nyayalayas Act shall come into force in the areas to which this Act extends on October 2, 2009 i.e. the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The Gram Nyayalayas Act, 2008 has been enacted to provide for the establishment of the Gram Nyayalayas at the grass roots level for the purpose of providing access to justice to the citizens at their door steps.
The salient features of the Gram Nyayalayas Act are as follows:—
(i) Gram Nyayalayas are aimed at providing inexpensive justice to people in rural areas at their doorsteps;
(ii) the Gram Nyayalaya shall be court of Judicial Magistrate of the first class and its presiding officer (Nyayadhikari) shall be appointed by the State Government in consultation with the High Court;
(iii) the Gram Nyayalaya shall be established for every Panchayat at intermediate level or a group of contiguous Panchayats at intermediate level in a district or where there is no Panchayat at intermediate level in any State, for a group of contiguous Panchayats;
(iv) the Nyayadhikaris who will preside over these Gram Nyayalayas are strictly judicial officers and will be drawing the same salary, deriving the same powers as First Class Magistrates working under High Courts;
(v) the Gram Nyayalaya shall be a mobile court and shall exercise the powers of both Criminal and Civil Courts;
(vi) the seat of the Gram Nyayalaya will be located at the headquarters of the intermediate Panchayat, they will go to villages, work there and dispose of the cases;
(vii) the Gram Nyayalaya shall try criminal cases, civil suits, claims or disputes which are specified in the First Schedule and the Second Schedule to the Act;
(viii) the Central as well as the State Governments have been given power to amend the First Schedule and the Second Schedule of the Act, as per their respective legislative competence;
(ix) the Gram Nyayalaya shall follow summary procedure in criminal trial;
(x) the Gram Nyayalaya shall exercise the powers of a Civil Court with certain modifications and shall follow the special procedure as provided in the Act;
(xi) the Gram Nyayalaya shall try to settle the disputes as far as possible by bringing about conciliation between the parties and for this purpose, it shall make use of the conciliators to be appointed for this purpose;
(xii) the judgment and order passed by the Gram Nyayalaya shall be deemed to be a decree and to avoid delay in its execution, the Gram Nyayalaya shall follow summary procedure for its execution;
(xiii) the Gram Nyayalaya shall not be bound by the rules of evidence provided in the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 but shall be guided by the principles of natural justice and subject to any rule made by the High Court;
(xiv) appeal in criminal cases shall lie to the Court of Session, which shall be heard and disposed of within a period of six months from the date of filing of such appeal;
(xv) appeal in civil cases shall lie to the District Court, which shall be heard and disposed of within a period of six months from the date of filing of the appeal;
(xvi) a person accused of an offence may file an application for plea bargaining.
The Central Government has decided to meet the non-recurring expenditure on the establishment of these Gram Nyayalayas subject to a ceiling of Rs. 18.00 lakhs out of which Rs. 10.00 lakhs is for construction of the court, Rs. 5.00 lakhs for vehicle and Rs. 3.00 lakhs for office equipment. Government has also estimated that the Gram Nyayalayas upon establishment would incur a recurring expenditure of Rs. 6.4 lakhs per annum on salaries etc. and proposes to share such recurring expenditure with the State Government for the first three years within this ceiling.
More than 5000 Gram Nyayalayas are expected to be set up under the Act for which the Central Government would provide about Rs.1400 crores by way of assistance to the concerned States/Union Territories.
The Government is working out a roadmap for judicial reforms. The setting up of Gram Nyayalayas will be an important measure to reduce arrears. There are as many as 2.6 crores of arrears and the Gram Nyayalayas are likely to reduce around 50 % of the pendency of cases in subordinate courts and also to take care of the new litigations which will be disposed within six months. This measure will usher in great revolution in disposal of cases and also to take justice to the doorsteps of the common man.
The salient features of the Gram Nyayalayas Act are as follows:—
(i) Gram Nyayalayas are aimed at providing inexpensive justice to people in rural areas at their doorsteps;
(ii) the Gram Nyayalaya shall be court of Judicial Magistrate of the first class and its presiding officer (Nyayadhikari) shall be appointed by the State Government in consultation with the High Court;
(iii) the Gram Nyayalaya shall be established for every Panchayat at intermediate level or a group of contiguous Panchayats at intermediate level in a district or where there is no Panchayat at intermediate level in any State, for a group of contiguous Panchayats;
(iv) the Nyayadhikaris who will preside over these Gram Nyayalayas are strictly judicial officers and will be drawing the same salary, deriving the same powers as First Class Magistrates working under High Courts;
(v) the Gram Nyayalaya shall be a mobile court and shall exercise the powers of both Criminal and Civil Courts;
(vi) the seat of the Gram Nyayalaya will be located at the headquarters of the intermediate Panchayat, they will go to villages, work there and dispose of the cases;
(vii) the Gram Nyayalaya shall try criminal cases, civil suits, claims or disputes which are specified in the First Schedule and the Second Schedule to the Act;
(viii) the Central as well as the State Governments have been given power to amend the First Schedule and the Second Schedule of the Act, as per their respective legislative competence;
(ix) the Gram Nyayalaya shall follow summary procedure in criminal trial;
(x) the Gram Nyayalaya shall exercise the powers of a Civil Court with certain modifications and shall follow the special procedure as provided in the Act;
(xi) the Gram Nyayalaya shall try to settle the disputes as far as possible by bringing about conciliation between the parties and for this purpose, it shall make use of the conciliators to be appointed for this purpose;
(xii) the judgment and order passed by the Gram Nyayalaya shall be deemed to be a decree and to avoid delay in its execution, the Gram Nyayalaya shall follow summary procedure for its execution;
(xiii) the Gram Nyayalaya shall not be bound by the rules of evidence provided in the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 but shall be guided by the principles of natural justice and subject to any rule made by the High Court;
(xiv) appeal in criminal cases shall lie to the Court of Session, which shall be heard and disposed of within a period of six months from the date of filing of such appeal;
(xv) appeal in civil cases shall lie to the District Court, which shall be heard and disposed of within a period of six months from the date of filing of the appeal;
(xvi) a person accused of an offence may file an application for plea bargaining.
The Central Government has decided to meet the non-recurring expenditure on the establishment of these Gram Nyayalayas subject to a ceiling of Rs. 18.00 lakhs out of which Rs. 10.00 lakhs is for construction of the court, Rs. 5.00 lakhs for vehicle and Rs. 3.00 lakhs for office equipment. Government has also estimated that the Gram Nyayalayas upon establishment would incur a recurring expenditure of Rs. 6.4 lakhs per annum on salaries etc. and proposes to share such recurring expenditure with the State Government for the first three years within this ceiling.
More than 5000 Gram Nyayalayas are expected to be set up under the Act for which the Central Government would provide about Rs.1400 crores by way of assistance to the concerned States/Union Territories.
The Government is working out a roadmap for judicial reforms. The setting up of Gram Nyayalayas will be an important measure to reduce arrears. There are as many as 2.6 crores of arrears and the Gram Nyayalayas are likely to reduce around 50 % of the pendency of cases in subordinate courts and also to take care of the new litigations which will be disposed within six months. This measure will usher in great revolution in disposal of cases and also to take justice to the doorsteps of the common man.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Govt plans to set up 4 spy schools
The government is all set to establish four specialised institutes to train personnel of state police forces in intelligence gathering so that they can deal with emerging terror and Naxal challenges.
According to the plan, the institutes will be set up in Bhopal, Thiruvananthapuram, Lucknow and one in the north-eastern region.The government is all set to establish four specialised institutes to train personnel of state police forces in intelligence gathering so that they can deal with emerging terror and Naxal challenges.
According to the plan, the four institutes would be set up in Bhopal, Thiruvananthapuram, Lucknow, and one in North-eastern region, which will help special branch personnel to sharpen their skills of collecting, analysing and disseminating intelligence inputs.
Each of these centres will impart training to policemen -- in the rank of Constable to additional superintendent of police -- of neighbouring states, apart from its own.
"The institutes will impart training to policemen on how to mingle with common people, make friendship, develop confidence to share information and analysing and disseminating the same for real-time use," a home ministry official said.
The personnel will be helped to improve their concept about internal security, political knowledge, and how to change wrong perception of people related different ideology like Naxalism.
All the centres will have state-of-the-art facilities and faculty members will be drawn mainly from Intelligence Bureau and Research and Analysis Wing.
According to the plan, the institutes will be set up in Bhopal, Thiruvananthapuram, Lucknow and one in the north-eastern region.The government is all set to establish four specialised institutes to train personnel of state police forces in intelligence gathering so that they can deal with emerging terror and Naxal challenges.
According to the plan, the four institutes would be set up in Bhopal, Thiruvananthapuram, Lucknow, and one in North-eastern region, which will help special branch personnel to sharpen their skills of collecting, analysing and disseminating intelligence inputs.
Each of these centres will impart training to policemen -- in the rank of Constable to additional superintendent of police -- of neighbouring states, apart from its own.
"The institutes will impart training to policemen on how to mingle with common people, make friendship, develop confidence to share information and analysing and disseminating the same for real-time use," a home ministry official said.
The personnel will be helped to improve their concept about internal security, political knowledge, and how to change wrong perception of people related different ideology like Naxalism.
All the centres will have state-of-the-art facilities and faculty members will be drawn mainly from Intelligence Bureau and Research and Analysis Wing.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Committee watch
Indian commissions
Balwant Rai Mehta Committee
The Government of India appointed a committee in January 1957 to examine the working of the Community Development Programme(1952) and the National Extension Service(1953) and to suggest measures for their better working. The Chairman of this committee was Balwantrai G Mehta. The committee submitted its report in November 1957 and recommended the establishment of the scheme of 'democratic decentralisation' which finally came to be known as Panchayati Raj.
The specific recommendations of the committee are:
1. Establishment of a 3-tier Panchayati Raj system-Gram Panchayat at the village level, Panchayat Samiti at the block level, and Zila Parishad at the district level. These tiers should be organically linked through a device of indirect elections.
Ashok Mehta Committee
In December 1977, the Janata Government appointed a committee on Panchayati Raj.
The main recommendations of the committee are:
1. The 3-tier system of Panchayati Raj should be replaced by the 2-tier system: Zilla Parishad at the district level, and below it,the Mandal Panchayat consisting of a group of villages covering a population of 15000 to 20000.
Shah Nawaz Committee
The Shah Nawaz Committee was an enquiry committee established in 1956 to investigate the controversies surrounding the supposed death of Indian war time leader Subhas Chandra Bose in August 1945. The Committee included Shah Nawaz Khan and also included A C Moitra and Suresh Chandra Bose. The committee was appointed in December 1955 and began its work in April the next year. It submitted its report in July 1956. However, the committee was notable in two of the members, Moitra and Bose, submitting was has since come to be called the "Dissident Report" that differed from the official report of the committee submitted by Khan to the Indian Government.
Khosla Commission
The Khosla Commission was a one-man commission headed by Justice GD Khosla that was established in India in July 1970 to re-investigate the circumstances surrounding the supposed death of Indian war-time leader Subhas Chandra Bose. The commission sat for four years and submitted the G D Khosla Report, which reached the same conclusions as those reached by the Shah Nawaz Committee in 1956. However, the conclusions of these two reports have since been criticised as incorrect and questionable.
Mukherjee Commission
The Mukherjee Commission refers to the one-man board of Mr. Justice Manoj Mukherjee , a retired judge of the Supreme Court of India which was instituted in 1999 to enquire into the controversy surrounding the reported death of Subhas Chandra Bose in 1945.
Central Vigilance Commission
Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) is an apex Indian governmental body created in 1964 to address governmental corruption.
It was set up by the Government of India in February, 1964 on the recommendations of the Committee on Prevention of Corruption, headed by Shri K. Santhanam, to advise and guide Central Government agencies in the field of vigilance. Nittoor Srinivasa Rau, was selected as the first Chief Vigilance Commissioner of India.
Finance Commission of India
The Constitution of India provides for the establishment of a Finance Commission for the purpose of allocation of certain resources of revenue between the Union and the State Governments.The Finance Commission is established under Article 280 of the Constitution of India by the President.
Chairman: Vijay Kelkar 2010-2015
Indian Geophysical Union
The Indian Geophysical Union is the government of India's scientific body responsible for all activities related with Earth Science System such as such as seismology, magnetism, meteorology, geodesy, volcanology, oceanography, hydrology and tectonophysics and to encourage the study of and research in geophysical problems and to provide media for publication of the results. It is situated near another Geophysical Centre INCOIS Hyderabad.
Investment commission of India
The Investment commission of India is a three-member commission set up in the Ministry of Finance in December 2004 by the Government of India. Mr. Ratan Tata is Chairman and Mr. Deepak Parekh and Dr. Ashok Ganguly are members.
National Knowledge Commission
On 13th June, 2005 , the Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh, constituted the National Knowledge Commission, as a think-tank charged with considering possible policy that might sharpen India's comparative advantage in the knowledge-intensive service sectors.
In particular, the Commission was to advise the Prime Minister's Office on policy related to education, research institutes and reforms needed to make India competitive in the knowledge economy. The Commission was to recommend reform of the education sector, research labs, and intellectual property legislation; as well as consider whether the Government could itself upgrade its use of the latest techniques to make its workings more transparent.
The NKC website was launched in February 2006.
The National Knowledge Commission (NKC) consists of the following seven members.
Sam Pitroda, Chairman,
Ashok Ganguly, corporate leader
Nandan Nilekani, Infosys,
Dr. Deepak Nayyar, former Vice-chancellor, University of Delhi
Dr. Jayati Ghosh, economist at Jawaharlal Nehru University
Dr. Sujatha Ramadorai, TIFR Dr. P Balaram, Indian Institute of Science, Banglore
Balwant Rai Mehta Committee
The Government of India appointed a committee in January 1957 to examine the working of the Community Development Programme(1952) and the National Extension Service(1953) and to suggest measures for their better working. The Chairman of this committee was Balwantrai G Mehta. The committee submitted its report in November 1957 and recommended the establishment of the scheme of 'democratic decentralisation' which finally came to be known as Panchayati Raj.
The specific recommendations of the committee are:
1. Establishment of a 3-tier Panchayati Raj system-Gram Panchayat at the village level, Panchayat Samiti at the block level, and Zila Parishad at the district level. These tiers should be organically linked through a device of indirect elections.
Ashok Mehta Committee
In December 1977, the Janata Government appointed a committee on Panchayati Raj.
The main recommendations of the committee are:
1. The 3-tier system of Panchayati Raj should be replaced by the 2-tier system: Zilla Parishad at the district level, and below it,the Mandal Panchayat consisting of a group of villages covering a population of 15000 to 20000.
Shah Nawaz Committee
The Shah Nawaz Committee was an enquiry committee established in 1956 to investigate the controversies surrounding the supposed death of Indian war time leader Subhas Chandra Bose in August 1945. The Committee included Shah Nawaz Khan and also included A C Moitra and Suresh Chandra Bose. The committee was appointed in December 1955 and began its work in April the next year. It submitted its report in July 1956. However, the committee was notable in two of the members, Moitra and Bose, submitting was has since come to be called the "Dissident Report" that differed from the official report of the committee submitted by Khan to the Indian Government.
Khosla Commission
The Khosla Commission was a one-man commission headed by Justice GD Khosla that was established in India in July 1970 to re-investigate the circumstances surrounding the supposed death of Indian war-time leader Subhas Chandra Bose. The commission sat for four years and submitted the G D Khosla Report, which reached the same conclusions as those reached by the Shah Nawaz Committee in 1956. However, the conclusions of these two reports have since been criticised as incorrect and questionable.
Mukherjee Commission
The Mukherjee Commission refers to the one-man board of Mr. Justice Manoj Mukherjee , a retired judge of the Supreme Court of India which was instituted in 1999 to enquire into the controversy surrounding the reported death of Subhas Chandra Bose in 1945.
Central Vigilance Commission
Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) is an apex Indian governmental body created in 1964 to address governmental corruption.
It was set up by the Government of India in February, 1964 on the recommendations of the Committee on Prevention of Corruption, headed by Shri K. Santhanam, to advise and guide Central Government agencies in the field of vigilance. Nittoor Srinivasa Rau, was selected as the first Chief Vigilance Commissioner of India.
Finance Commission of India
The Constitution of India provides for the establishment of a Finance Commission for the purpose of allocation of certain resources of revenue between the Union and the State Governments.The Finance Commission is established under Article 280 of the Constitution of India by the President.
Chairman: Vijay Kelkar 2010-2015
Indian Geophysical Union
The Indian Geophysical Union is the government of India's scientific body responsible for all activities related with Earth Science System such as such as seismology, magnetism, meteorology, geodesy, volcanology, oceanography, hydrology and tectonophysics and to encourage the study of and research in geophysical problems and to provide media for publication of the results. It is situated near another Geophysical Centre INCOIS Hyderabad.
Investment commission of India
The Investment commission of India is a three-member commission set up in the Ministry of Finance in December 2004 by the Government of India. Mr. Ratan Tata is Chairman and Mr. Deepak Parekh and Dr. Ashok Ganguly are members.
National Knowledge Commission
On 13th June, 2005 , the Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh, constituted the National Knowledge Commission, as a think-tank charged with considering possible policy that might sharpen India's comparative advantage in the knowledge-intensive service sectors.
In particular, the Commission was to advise the Prime Minister's Office on policy related to education, research institutes and reforms needed to make India competitive in the knowledge economy. The Commission was to recommend reform of the education sector, research labs, and intellectual property legislation; as well as consider whether the Government could itself upgrade its use of the latest techniques to make its workings more transparent.
The NKC website was launched in February 2006.
The National Knowledge Commission (NKC) consists of the following seven members.
Sam Pitroda, Chairman,
Ashok Ganguly, corporate leader
Nandan Nilekani, Infosys,
Dr. Deepak Nayyar, former Vice-chancellor, University of Delhi
Dr. Jayati Ghosh, economist at Jawaharlal Nehru University
Dr. Sujatha Ramadorai, TIFR Dr. P Balaram, Indian Institute of Science, Banglore
Chronology of Ancient Indian History
3000 – 2600 BC – Harappa Civilisation
1200 – 500 BC – Vedic Era
550 BC – Birth of Mahavira
563 – 483 BC – Sidhartha Gautama, the Buddha
327 BC – The Conquests of Alexander The Great
325 BC – Alexander The Great, still goes on
322 BC – Rise of the Mauryas, Chandragupta
298 BC – Bindusara Coronated
272 BC – Ashoka’s Reign
180 BC – Fall of the Mauryas & Rise of the Sungas
30 BC – Rise of the Satvahana Dynasty
50 AD – The Kushans and Kanishkas
320 AD – Chandragupta I establishes the Gupta dynasty
360 AD – Samudragupta conquers the North
380 AD – Chandragupta II comes to power
415 AD – Accession of Kumara Gupta I
467 AD – Skanda Gupta assumes power
892 AD – Rise of the Eastern Chalukyas
985 AD – The Chola Dynasty
Some Appointments this year
» Farah Pandit of Kashmiri-origin was appointed special representative of the Obama administration to reach out to the Muslim world. She was appointed by Secretary of State to interact with Muslims across the globe. She was a senior adviser to the assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs. She also served on the National Security Council and with USAID on assistance projects for Iraq, Afghanistan and Palestine. Born in 1968, Farah belongs to a business family of Kashmir. Her father, Muhammad Anwar Pandit, is originally from Sopore. Her mother, a doctor is from Srinagar city. In early 70s Farah's parents shifted to United States and stayed in Boston, where her father continued his business.
» Darrell Dexter took charge of Nova Scotia's 27th premier and the first New Democrat to lead a government in Atlantic Canada in downtown Halifax on June 19,2009. He succeeded Rodney Joseph MacDonald of Progressive Conservative Party.
Air Chief Marshal Pradeep Vasant Naik took charge as the 19th chief of the India Air Force from Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major, who demitted office on May 31. An alumnus of Sainik School, Satara, and the National Defence Academy, Khadakvasla, Air Chief Marshal Naik saw action in the 1971 India-Pakistan war. He was decorated with the Param Vishist Seva Medal and the Vishist Seva Medal.
» Amal Allana was appointed as chairperson of the National School of Drama (NSD) for a second term on June 15,2009. Allana, an alumnus of the NSD, is the daughter of Ibrahim Alkazi, the founder of the NSD. She joined NSD in 2005 as the chairperson. She has directed several plays, including “Aadhe Adhure”, “The Exception and the Rule”, “Khamosh, Adalat Jari Hai”, “Ashadh Ka Ek Din”, “Mahabhoj”, “King Lear”, “Himmat Mai” and “Begum Barve”. She was awarded many honours, including awards from the Delhi Natya Sangh (1994), Sahitya Kala Parishad (1996), Czech TV for the tele-play “Wapsi” (1983) and Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for direction (1998).
» He was elected Chairman of the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) for 2009-10 at the association’s managing committee meeting held in Mumbai on June 1. Punjab National Bank Chairman and Managing Director K. C. Chakrabarty succeeded T. S. Narayanasami who was superannuated Chairman and Managing Director of Bank of India on May 31,2009.
» Distinguished journalist and political commentator Harish Khare was appointed as the media adviser to the Prime Minister on June 20,2009. He replaced Deepak Sandhu, who was shifted to the Central Information Commission as its member. Harish Khare will hold the rank of a secretary to the government of India. Prior to this appointment, Khare, was the Chief of Bureau and senior associate editor at The Hindu. He also worked as the resident editor of the Times of India, Ahmedabad. Ramesh Pokhariyal Nishank took oath as the fifth chief minister of Uttarakhand along with three ministers on June 28. Replacing B C Khanduri as the chief minister, Nishank was Health Minister in his cabinet. A sitting legislator from Thalisen constituency, Ramesh Pokhariyal Nishank is a strong leader from Garhwal and is known to be close to the RSS.
» Senior advocate Gopal Subramaniam was appointed solicitor general on June 15, the second most important law officer of the country after the attorney general. From the petrol pump scam case to the inquiry commission into Graham Staines murder, he had ample opportunity to render valuable assistance to the Supreme Court as amicus curiae. At the same time, he represented the Centre in high-voltage cases like Bihar assembly dissolution, defreezing of London bank accounts of Bofors case accused Ottavio Quattrocchi and the cash-for-query scam. 51-year-old Subramaniam was additional solicitor general during 2004-09.
» Uttarakhand chief minister Maj Gen BC Khanduri finally succumbed to mounting pressures and tendered his resignation on June 25,2009. Rebels were active against him after the Bharatiya Janata Party's rout in the Lok Sabha elections from the state. The BJP
"» Farah Pandit of Kashmiri-origin was appointed special representative of the
Obama administration to reach out to the Muslim world. She was appointed by
Secretary of State to interact with Muslims across the globe. She was a senior
adviser to the assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs.
She also served on the National Security Council and with USAID on assistance
projects for Iraq, Afghanistan and Palestine. Born in 1968, Farah belongs to a
business family of Kashmir. Her father, Muhammad Anwar Pandit, is originally
from Sopore. Her mother, a doctor is from Srinagar city. In early 70s Farah's
parents shifted to United States and stayed in Boston, where her father
continued his business.
» Darrell Dexter took charge of Nova Scotia's 27th premier and the first New
Democrat to lead a government in Atlantic Canada in downtown Halifax on June
19,2009. He succeeded Rodney Joseph MacDonald of Progressive Conservative Party.
Air Chief Marshal Pradeep Vasant Naik took charge as the 19th chief of the India
Air Force from Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major, who demitted office on May 31.
An alumnus of Sainik School, Satara, and the National Defence Academy,
Khadakvasla, Air Chief Marshal Naik saw action in the 1971 India-Pakistan war.
He was decorated with the Param Vishist Seva Medal and the Vishist Seva Medal.
» Amal Allana was appointed as chairperson of the National School of Drama (NSD)
for a second term on June 15,2009. Allana, an alumnus of the NSD, is the
daughter of Ibrahim Alkazi, the founder of the NSD. She joined NSD in 2005 as
the chairperson. She has directed several plays, including “Aadhe Adhure”, “The
Exception and the Rule”, “Khamosh, Adalat Jari Hai”, “Ashadh Ka Ek Din”,
“Mahabhoj”, “King Lear”, “Himmat Mai” and “Begum Barve”. She was awarded many
honours, including awards from the Delhi Natya Sangh (1994), Sahitya Kala
Parishad (1996), Czech TV for the tele-play “Wapsi” (1983) and Sangeet Natak
Akademi Award for direction (1998).
» He was elected Chairman of the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) for 2009-10 at
the association’s managing committee meeting held in Mumbai on June 1. Punjab
National Bank Chairman and Managing Director K. C. Chakrabarty succeeded T. S.
Narayanasami who was superannuated Chairman and Managing Director of Bank of
India on May 31,2009.
» Distinguished journalist and political commentator Harish Khare was appointed
as the media adviser to the Prime Minister on June 20,2009. He replaced Deepak
Sandhu, who was shifted to the Central Information Commission as its member.
Harish Khare will hold the rank of a secretary to the government of India. Prior
to this appointment, Khare, was the Chief of Bureau and senior associate editor
at The Hindu. He also worked as the resident editor of the Times of India,
Ahmedabad. Ramesh Pokhariyal Nishank took oath as the fifth chief minister of
Uttarakhand along with three ministers on June 28. Replacing B C Khanduri as the
chief minister, Nishank was Health Minister in his cabinet. A sitting legislator
from Thalisen constituency, Ramesh Pokhariyal Nishank is a strong leader from
Garhwal and is known to be close to the RSS.
» Senior advocate Gopal Subramaniam was appointed solicitor general on June 15,
the second most important law officer of the country after the attorney general.
From the petrol pump scam case to the inquiry commission into Graham Staines
murder, he had ample opportunity to render valuable assistance to the Supreme
Court as amicus curiae. At the same time, he represented the Centre in
high-voltage cases like Bihar assembly dissolution, defreezing of London bank
accounts of Bofors case accused Ottavio Quattrocchi and the cash-for-query scam.
51-year-old Subramaniam was additional solicitor general during 2004-09.
» Uttarakhand chief minister Maj Gen BC Khanduri finally succumbed to mounting
pressures and tendered his resignation on June 25,2009. Rebels were active
against him after the Bharatiya Janata Party's rout in the Lok Sabha elections
from the state. The BJP lost all the five Lok Sabha seats in the state in the
May 2009 polls, including the three it had won in 2004.
» The chairman of Prasar Bharati Board, Arun Bhatnagar relinquished his job
citing differences with Prasar Bharati CEO B S Lalli. A retired IAS officer,
Bhatnagar was appointed as the chairman of Prasar Bharati on 2008. Some members
of the Broad have levelled various allegations of impropriety and financial
irregularities against B S Lalli and the matter has reached the Delhi High Court
through a PIL.
» Vice-Admiral Nirmal Kumar Verma was appointed country’s next Chief of Naval
Staff. He will take charge from Admiral Sureesh Mehta, who retires from service
on August 31. Born on November 14, 1950, Vice-Admiral Verma, currently Flag
Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-in-C), Eastern Naval Command, has, during his
long and distinguished 39 years of service, commanded aircraft carrier INS
Viraat.
» Senior advocate and former Solicitor General Goolam E Vahanvati was appointed
the new Attorney General of India for a period of three years. He became the
first Muslim to hold the post of Attorney General of India. G E Vahanvati
succeeded Milon Banerjee, who had held the Attorney General’s post in the last
government. He and all other law officers had put in their papers on May 29,2009
to make way for a fresh team.
» Timothy J Roemer was nominated as the next US Ambassador to India. A former US
lawmaker and a member of the 9/11 Commission, Roemer is currently head of a
Washington-based think tank. He is considered close to President Barack Obama
and was among the first few Democrat leaders to support Obama in his run for US
Presidency.
» Chairman, Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), C B Bhave was elected
chairman of the Asia- Pacific Regional Committee of the International
Organisation of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) at the 34th Annual Conference of
IOSCO being held at Tel Aviv, Israel. IOSCO is recognised as the international
standard setter for securities markets. The Organisation’s wide membership
regulates more than 90% of the world’s securities markets and IOSCO is the
world`s most important international cooperative forum for securities regulatory
agencies."
- (Study Material) Sports : CSE (Mains) Exam 2009 | UPSCPORTAL - UPSC, IAS, IFS, PCS, Civil Services India Community Portal. UPSC Syllabus, Exam, Toppers, Results, Books, Chat (view on Google Sidewiki)
How to read newspaper
1) News Paper : The Hindu or Indian Express prefer The Hindu.
2) Give one hour to the news paper readings
3) make a diary or note book and have brief of that day
what to study :
-------------------
4) National Events : Awards (Khela Ratna etc.), Business & Economic (RBI
Policy, Budget & its impact analysis in editorial), Sports (Common wealth,
Olympic), Cultural, Government Plan, like Bharat Nirman, NREGA, Petroleum
etc.
5) International Events : Foreign tour of any indian authority or India
tour of any foreign minister. Point out the discussion held with like
Defense, Education, Cultural, Trade & Business (import/export), Sports
Actually news paper describes the entire event from the past and present,
this emphasis the whole situation rather than a note. You may also cut
the details topic and may file.
Read Pratiyogita Darpan of the next month. You will find almost 60% of current events are noticed by you, then see what you have missed. Spontaneously you will get the right approach, how to read news pap
"1) News Paper : The Hindu or Indian Express prefer The Hindu.
2) Give one hour to the news paper readings
3) make a diary or note book and have brief of that day
what to study :
-------------------
4) National Events : Awards (Khela Ratna etc.), Business & Economic (RBI
Policy, Budget & its impact analysis in editorial), Sports (Common wealth,
Olympic), Cultural, Government Plan, like Bharat Nirman, NREGA, Petroleum
etc.
5) International Events : Foreign tour of any indian authority or India
tour of any foreign minister. Point out the discussion held with like
Defense, Education, Cultural, Trade & Business (import/export), Sports
Actually news paper describes the entire event from the past and present,
this emphasis the whole situation rather than a note. You may also cut
the details topic and may file.
Read Pratiyogita Darpan of the next month. You will find almost 60% of current events are noticed by you, then see what you have missed. Spontaneously you will get the right approach, how to read news pap"
- How to read the Newspapers | UPSCPORTAL - UPSC, IAS, IFS, PCS, Civil Services India Community Portal. UPSC Syllabus, Exam, Toppers, Results, Books, Chat (view on Google Sidewiki)
guide to G-20 communique
PATH TO ECONOMIC RECOVERY
G-20 has assumed the ultimate responsibility and power to manage world economy. From hereon, the G-8 will not exist and subsume into G-20. IMF will play key role with over $500 billion additional funds to spur growth. World GDP growth target set at three per cent for 2010.
The newly created International Markets Stability Board will take charge of overseeing the financial and equity markets worldwide.
TEACHING MARKET PARTICIPANTS A LESSON
Over the counter (OTC) derivative instruments used by banks and financial institutions to offer credit on housing assets already pledged will come under hammer.
By 2011, all countries will have to come under Basel-II convention and reduce the capital risks taken by their banks to avoid "boom and bust" in the respective markets.
This will mean US markets cannot be above Basel-II.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel's plan to regulate markets has been adopted by G-20 setting aside resistance from Obama appointed banks chief executives.
Hence, bankers' pay and bonuses will be linked to value created for their firms on long term basis. This will have to come into being by 2010.
TAX HAVENS: DEADLINES FOR OPENING UP
Global Forum on Transparency & Exchange Information has come into being. It will deal with money laundering, corruption money, terrorist financing and prudential standards.
Tax havens especially in Europe have been set a March 2010 deadline to open up.
SHAREHOLDING IN WORLD BANK TO CHANGE
As per G-20 decision, shareholding of emerging countries like India will go up by three per cent. This is in addition to 1.46 per cent already agreed upon. This may happen by June 2010.
ENERGY MARKETS
Over the counter (OTC) products in oil will come under regulation to stop volatility in crude prices that swayed between $ 25 -- 145 per barrel in one year. This is obviously intended at mollifying oil producers like Saudi Arabia. Transparency in oil products pricing by OPEC will be brought about through Intern-ational Energy Agency (IEA) by 2020 with a proviso that developed countries will cut their greenhouse gases emission by 10 per cent.
M e m b e r- c o u n t r i e s including India have undertaken to phaseout oil subsidies. It is linked to availability of funds and technology to intr-oduce clean-fuel technologies.
CLIMATE CHANGE ISSUES G-20
finance ministers and central bank governors will come up funding options by November 4-5 when they meet in Scotland.UNFCC negotiations on climate change set to be completed by the year end.
DEVELOPMENT ISSUES
A dedicated Trust Fund would be set up to ensure food security.
Four billion people without access to education, no access to capital funds and technology targeted.
WAY FORWARD G-20
Presidents and PM will now meet in June 2010 in Canada. It will be followed with another conclave in November 2010 in South Korea.
Beginning 2011, the heads of state will meet once a year. France to host the G-20 heads in 2011.
G-20 has assumed the ultimate responsibility and power to manage world economy. From hereon, the G-8 will not exist and subsume into G-20. IMF will play key role with over $500 billion additional funds to spur growth. World GDP growth target set at three per cent for 2010.
The newly created International Markets Stability Board will take charge of overseeing the financial and equity markets worldwide.
TEACHING MARKET PARTICIPANTS A LESSON
Over the counter (OTC) derivative instruments used by banks and financial institutions to offer credit on housing assets already pledged will come under hammer.
By 2011, all countries will have to come under Basel-II convention and reduce the capital risks taken by their banks to avoid "boom and bust" in the respective markets.
This will mean US markets cannot be above Basel-II.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel's plan to regulate markets has been adopted by G-20 setting aside resistance from Obama appointed banks chief executives.
Hence, bankers' pay and bonuses will be linked to value created for their firms on long term basis. This will have to come into being by 2010.
TAX HAVENS: DEADLINES FOR OPENING UP
Global Forum on Transparency & Exchange Information has come into being. It will deal with money laundering, corruption money, terrorist financing and prudential standards.
Tax havens especially in Europe have been set a March 2010 deadline to open up.
SHAREHOLDING IN WORLD BANK TO CHANGE
As per G-20 decision, shareholding of emerging countries like India will go up by three per cent. This is in addition to 1.46 per cent already agreed upon. This may happen by June 2010.
ENERGY MARKETS
Over the counter (OTC) products in oil will come under regulation to stop volatility in crude prices that swayed between $ 25 -- 145 per barrel in one year. This is obviously intended at mollifying oil producers like Saudi Arabia. Transparency in oil products pricing by OPEC will be brought about through Intern-ational Energy Agency (IEA) by 2020 with a proviso that developed countries will cut their greenhouse gases emission by 10 per cent.
M e m b e r- c o u n t r i e s including India have undertaken to phaseout oil subsidies. It is linked to availability of funds and technology to intr-oduce clean-fuel technologies.
CLIMATE CHANGE ISSUES G-20
finance ministers and central bank governors will come up funding options by November 4-5 when they meet in Scotland.UNFCC negotiations on climate change set to be completed by the year end.
DEVELOPMENT ISSUES
A dedicated Trust Fund would be set up to ensure food security.
Four billion people without access to education, no access to capital funds and technology targeted.
WAY FORWARD G-20
Presidents and PM will now meet in June 2010 in Canada. It will be followed with another conclave in November 2010 in South Korea.
Beginning 2011, the heads of state will meet once a year. France to host the G-20 heads in 2011.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
IAF Inducts Rapid Action Mobile Medical Hospital
An ultra-modern fully air-conditioned, ‘Rapid Action Mobile Medical Hospital’ was inducted into Indian Air Force by the Vice Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal PK Barbora, at the IAF’s Hindon airbase near Ghaziabad, today. Air Marshal P Madhusoodanan, Director General Medical Services (Air) who conceptualized the need for such a setup was also present during the induction ceremony.
The mobile medical Hospital, the first-of-its-kind in the country is field/disaster area deployable 25-bedded hospital with a full complement of Operation theatre, oxygen generating system and other sub-systems that would aid the military and civilians in both disaster areas and operational grounds. The system is air/road transportable and will serve as a key force multiplier to the expert disaster medical management teams on ground who have till now been working under serious constraints of facility. More such units will be inducted and positioned in each command zone after evaluation so that the entire geographic spread of the country is duly covered, informed DGMS (Air
The mobile medical Hospital, the first-of-its-kind in the country is field/disaster area deployable 25-bedded hospital with a full complement of Operation theatre, oxygen generating system and other sub-systems that would aid the military and civilians in both disaster areas and operational grounds. The system is air/road transportable and will serve as a key force multiplier to the expert disaster medical management teams on ground who have till now been working under serious constraints of facility. More such units will be inducted and positioned in each command zone after evaluation so that the entire geographic spread of the country is duly covered, informed DGMS (Air
Pharma exports up by 29% in 2008-09
Shri Anand Sharma, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, while addressing the Indo-Africa Pharma Business Meet in Hyderabad today, has stated that the exports of drugs, pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals for the year 2008-09 stood at Rs.39,538 crore (around US $ 9.35 billion), registering a growth of about 29% over the last year. “In recent times the Indian pharmaceutical sector has emerged as one of the major contributors to Indian exports with export earnings rising from a negligible amount in early 1990s to Rs.29,139.57 crore (US $ 7.24 bn) by 2007-08. The exports of Drugs, pharmaceuticals & fine chemicals of India have grown at a compounded annual growth rate of 17.8% during the five-year period 2003-04 to 2007-08”, the Minister added. Shri Sharma also distributed the awards to the leading exporters of the pharma sector. Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Shri K. Rosaiah, was also present as the Guest of Honour at this function.
The Minister also announced the Government of India’s decision to establish National institute of Design in Hyderabad as a mark of respect to the departed Chief Minister Shri Y.S. Rajshekhar Reddy. Speaking on the occasion, Shri Sharma stated that in generic medicines sector i.e., tablets and capsules, injectables and infusion, oral solutions, ointments and creams, Indian companies have established their lead in most of the markets including Africa. He further added that the growing export of India in African countries has started causing concern in multinational companies who have started a campaign as Indian generic medicines being counterfeit and substandard.
Target of 80 lakh tonne additional foodgrains fixed for Rabi 2009
The two day National Conference on Agriculture for Rabi Campaign-2009 concluded here today with the resolve to produce an additional 80 lakh tonne foodgrains and 12 lakh tonne oilseeds during the ensuing Rabi season. It was agreed that the strategy for enhancing rabi production would include bridging the gap between potential and present productivity levels through integrated nutrients management, zero tillage, use of improved varieties and treated seeds etc. State Governments would be required to take special steps to ensure timely planting, advanced planning for input management, efficient management of canal water, campaign for seed treatment, strengthening farmers’ field schools etc. A special action plan for higher coverage of area under boro/summer rice to compensate for the loss of area under kharif rice needs to be worked out by States. There is need to ensure convergence among various programmes of different Ministries.
The Conference recognized that sufficient quantity of seed for rabi 2009-10 is available to meet the requirement of major crops in different States. However, there is some shortfall in the availability of seeds of lentil and linseed. Not only the quantity but also the quality of seeds in terms of its genetic/physical purity, physiological condition and seed health needs to be maintained. It was felt that in a number of States, the Seed Replacement Rate (SRR) is considerably low and there is a need to significantly improve the SRR to achieve higher productivity levels in different crops. New varieties of wheat such as PBW17 and PBW550 have been developed which can replace the old variety PBW343, which is currently grown in large areas in northern States. These varieties have better yield potential and are heat resistant.
An efforts was made to take stock of the status of kharif production and prospects for rabi. The September rainfall has improved the kharif prospects but it was too early to assess its full impact. This was discussed with State Agricultural Commissioners and Secretaries in the Rabi Conference. Officers from Department of Agriculture & Cooperation are also visiting States to get a feel of ground level situation and validate the estimated losses so that a more realistic estimate is brought out. It is expected that the 1st Advance Estimate shall be finalized by 15th of October.
During the ensuing rabi season, the States conveyed that an additional area of 12-15 lakh hectares shall be covered under boro and rabi rice in the States of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Orissa, West Bengal, Assam, Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh which is expected to result in additional production of 3.5 to 4.0 million tones. Under Pulses additional area of 15 lakh hectares in the States of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh would be covered resulting in additional production of around 1.0 million tonne. Under oilseeds, additional area of 10.0 lakh hectares in the States of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu is likely to give additional of production of around 1.2 million tonne. Efforts would also be made to increase the area of wheat by about 5.0 lakh hectares in the States of Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh but the major focus in case of wheat would be to enhance the productivity. It is expected that with these efforts the country will have about 2.0 million tones more wheat in the current season. The area under maize, rabi sorgum and other coarse cereals is also likely to increase by about 10.0 lakh hectare in the States of Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Gujarat resulting in additional production of about 1.5 million tonnes. Thus a target of about 8.0 million tonnes additional foodgrains and about 1.2 million tonnes of oilseeds has been finalized for the current rabi season keeping in view the shortfall in the kharif season.
General Recommendations
Crops
I Wheat
(i) Early district level Rabi Planning with emphasis on increase in area & productivity.
(ii) Ensuring timely and adequate availability of certified/quality seeds of location specific high yielding varieties in wheat growing areas.
(iii) Ensuring timely sowing of wheat. Sowing of wheat should be completed by November end.
(iv) Popularization of cultivation of HYVs of durum wheat in the States of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Rajasthan and Punjab.
(v) Encouraging the balanced use of fertilizers as per soil tests with increased use of organic manures, bio-fertilizers and micro-nutrients.
(vi) Propagation of use of soil ameliorants like gypsum in the soil with high pH and lime in soil with low pH.
(vii) Promoting the use of water saving devices/techniques.
(viii) Promotion of zero till seed drills, seed-cum-fertilizer drills, strip drill, raised bed planter, rotavators, diesel-pump sets, etc.
(ix) Promoting integrated weed management for the control of Phalaris minor involving cultural and mechanical measures together with the need based use of herbicides; and
(x) adoption of integrated disease management especially for karnal bunt, loose smut and rusts; etc.
The States of Punjab & Haryana should phase out older varieties like PBW-343 and PBW-502 with varieties like DBW-17 and PBW-550 possessing high yield potential.
II Rabi / Summer Rice
(i) Increase Rabi Summer / Boro rice area to compensate loss of production in Kharif.
(ii) Raise nurseries in the middle of December near lift irrigation points and other water sources.
(iii) The available ground & surface water may be utilized more efficiently for Rabi/Summer rice production;
(iv) Timely supply of certified seeds of early duration and recently released high yielding varieties may be ensured; and,
(v) Timely and balanced use of fertilizers along with organic manures and micro-nutrients in deficient areas may be advocated particularly in the states of Assam, Bihar, Orissa etc.
(vi) Timely planting is important for higher productivity.
(vii) Promote improved varieties / more minikits : Have a special seed plan for boro rice.
(viii) Increase area of boro / summer rice in West Bengal, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Chattisgarh, Orissa, Puducherry and Karnataka.
III Rabi Jowar
(i) Encouraging the cultivation of new hybrids and high yielding cultivars of jowar.
(ii) Encouraging inter-cropping to minimize risks and realize additional production.
(iii) Emphasizing pest management through IPM with need based use of pesticides; etc.
(iv) Increase area under rabi maize in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
(v) Increase area under Rabi jowar in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
(vi) Improve productivity by promotion of hybrids, higher doses of fertilizers.
(vii) Protection from shoot borer by appropriate use of pesticide and timely planting.
IV Rabi / Summer Oilseeds
(i) Encourage seed treatment with fungicides.
(ii) Increase use of sulphur @ 25 / 30 kg /ha to increase productivity.
(iii) Ensure timely sowing.
(iv) Target higher area under Rabi /Summer Groundnut in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Rajasthan to compensate for loss of production in the kharif season.
V Rabi Pulses
(i) Area under Rabi pulses needs to be increased specially in rice fallows in Jharkhand, Chhatisgarh, Bihar, Orissa and West Bengal.
(ii) The Rabi pulses area can be increased in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, U.P., Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh as deficient rains have left large areas unsown.
(iii) There is urgent need to promote short duration varieties in place of long duration varieties.
(iv) Seed treatment with fungicides and rhizobium culture is extremely important for better crop and higher productivity.
General
(i) Protective life saving irrigation may be augmented by additional diesel pump sets along with boring, repair of irrigation channels & State tube wells and extending diesel subsidy. Micro-irrigation systems need to be popularised.
(ii) Additional power made available should be utilised only for agricultural purposes.
(iii) Adopt short duration alternate / catch crops in unsown areas in affected states.
(iv) Application of bio-fertilizers(rhizobium culture), green manure, vermi compost and NADEP compost may increase productivity to the tune of 20-30%.
(v) No seed should be sown without fungicide treatment.
(vi) Services offered by agriculture universities and services of subject matter specialists at KVKs/KGKs and Kisan Call Centers should be fully utilised for conveying advisories to farmers.
(vii) Arrangements for immediate short term crop loan for the farmers may be initiated.
(viii) Seed Treatment – No sowing without seed treatment should be ensured.
(ix) Application of sulphur @ 25 to 30 kg / ha will increase productivity.
(x) Foliar spray of 2% urea must be done.
National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities and its Initiatives
The National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities has been launched with the major objectives to prepare National Register and set up state level database on built heritage, sites and antiquities, promote awareness and sensitize people about such heritage, extend facility for capacity building and help in synergizing between various organizations on heritage issues. The Mission has completed two years on March 19, 2009 with Archaeological Survey of India as its nodal agency.
Initiatives
• With a view to create to the National Register on built heritage and sites, National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities is compiling relevant information as available from secondary sources. So far more than 32,000 villages containing information on unprotected built heritage and sites have been compiled in the template developed by the Mission.
• The Mission has taken up the work of digitization of records of registered antiquities through Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts that would form finally the database of antiquities.
• The documentation of antiquities as part of National Register in a prescribed template developed by the Mission is in progress. Presently the antiquities that are lodged in various site museums and sculpture sheds of Archaeological Survey of India have been taken up for documentation.
• Indian Archaeology- A Review, an Archaeological Survey of India publication that contains invaluable information on built heritage, sites and antiquities have been digitized by the Mission and placed in public domain through the official website of Archaeological Survey of India. Besides, various antiquarian legislations of different states are being uploaded on ASI website to make them available to the public.
• The Mission is developing softwares through NIC on the various templates that have been prepared by the Mission for creating database on built heritage and sites as compiled from secondary sources, centrally protected monuments, web-based village level database.
To implement the various activities of the Mission on state level, Implementation Committees have been formed (so far about 20) under the chairmanship of the respective State Secretary (Culture).
Initiatives
• With a view to create to the National Register on built heritage and sites, National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities is compiling relevant information as available from secondary sources. So far more than 32,000 villages containing information on unprotected built heritage and sites have been compiled in the template developed by the Mission.
• The Mission has taken up the work of digitization of records of registered antiquities through Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts that would form finally the database of antiquities.
• The documentation of antiquities as part of National Register in a prescribed template developed by the Mission is in progress. Presently the antiquities that are lodged in various site museums and sculpture sheds of Archaeological Survey of India have been taken up for documentation.
• Indian Archaeology- A Review, an Archaeological Survey of India publication that contains invaluable information on built heritage, sites and antiquities have been digitized by the Mission and placed in public domain through the official website of Archaeological Survey of India. Besides, various antiquarian legislations of different states are being uploaded on ASI website to make them available to the public.
• The Mission is developing softwares through NIC on the various templates that have been prepared by the Mission for creating database on built heritage and sites as compiled from secondary sources, centrally protected monuments, web-based village level database.
To implement the various activities of the Mission on state level, Implementation Committees have been formed (so far about 20) under the chairmanship of the respective State Secretary (Culture).
Ms. K. Sujatha Rao to be Secretary Health & Family Welfare
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Ms. K. Sujatha Rao, IAS (AP : 74), presently Secretary, Department of AIDS Control, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare as Secretary, Department of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare vice Shri Naresh Dayal, IAS (UP : 72), who is retiring on 30th September, 2009.
Habitable moons 'could to be spotted by 2014
British astronomers have claimed that thousands of moons capable of supporting life, like those shown in the popular Star Wars' flicks, could be scattered all over our galaxy, and are likely to be spotted by 2014.
A team at University College London hopes to track the habitable moons within the next five years, using a telescope launched by US space agency Nasa earlier this year to hunt out other planets.
According to lead astronomer Dr David Kipping, there are more than 12,500 stars within sight of Nasa's Kepler Space Telescope that have the potential for moons orbiting in areas of space where conditions could be favourable to life.
In fact, they have devised a new method for detecting moons in other solar systems -- known as exomoons.
A team at University College London hopes to track the habitable moons within the next five years, using a telescope launched by US space agency Nasa earlier this year to hunt out other planets.
According to lead astronomer Dr David Kipping, there are more than 12,500 stars within sight of Nasa's Kepler Space Telescope that have the potential for moons orbiting in areas of space where conditions could be favourable to life.
In fact, they have devised a new method for detecting moons in other solar systems -- known as exomoons.
Full Text of PM’s Remarks at the G-20 Meeting at Pittsburgh: Plenary Session
Following is the text of the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh’s remarks at the Plenary Session of G-20 Meeting at Pittsburgh:
"Mr. President, let me begin by thanking you for the excellent arrangements made for this Summit and for your warm hospitality.
We have discussed the complex challenges posed by the need to revive the global economy. I would like to focus on what this implies for the developing countries.
We all know that these countries were in no way responsible for the crisis, but in many ways, they are the hardest hit. In the seven years before the crisis, the GDP of the developing countries grew at an average of 6.5 per cent per year. In 2009 it will grow by only 1.5 per cent, implying a fall in real per capita income.
Of course, experience varies across countries. Countries in Asia have generally fared much better. Countries in sub-Saharan Africa and in many other regions have been very badly hit.
India too has been affected but, in common with other Asian countries, we have weathered the crisis relatively well given the circumstances. After growing at 9 per cent per year for four years our economy slowed down to 6.7 per cent in 2008-09. In 2009, despite a drought, which will affect agricultural production, we expect to grow by around 6.3 per cent in 2009-10 and then recover to 7 to 7.5 percent growth next year. This relatively strong performance is partly due to the strong stimulus measures introduced in the second half of 2008-09, which have been continued in the current financial year.
However, the fact that some of us have fared relatively well does not mean that the crisis has not affected the developing world significantly. The fact that the growth of developing countries as a group will fall to 1.5 per cent indicates the extent of the impact.
An estimated 90 million people in the developing world are likely to be pushed below the poverty line. Lower revenues will also lead to lower levels of expenditure on rural infrastructure, health and education. This will not only hurt future growth, but also delay achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. Social and political tensions could increase, undermining the national consensus in support of much needed structural reforms and adjustment.
The prospects of convergence, which seemed bright before the crisis, have receded. We must take steps to counter these developments and restore the momentum of growth in the developing world.
First, the problem must be tackled at its root by ensuring the quickest possible return to normalcy in the global economy. This requires a commitment that we will not undertake any premature withdrawal of stimulus. We must certainly plan for an orderly “exit” when the time is right, but that time is not now. The global economy may be bottoming out, but it is not expected to reach 3% growth until the end of 2010.
The depressed state of the global economy translates into a considerable loss of export demand for the developing countries. Exports of non-oil developing countries are expected to decline by about $900 billion in 2009, compared to the previous year. They will remain well below the trajectory earlier projected for several years. This is bound to reduce production, incomes and employment in the developing countries.
The measures taken by the G-20 to increase the flow of assistance will help, and they certainly represent an important achievement in international cooperation. However, the scale of the transfers we have planned will only help the developing countries to manage their balance of payments at depressed levels of economic activity. They cannot counter the effect of the loss of exports.
To resuscitate growth in the developing countries, we have to replace lost export demand by expanding other components of domestic demand. The best option is to expand investment. An obvious area where additional investment is needed in developing countries is infrastructure, including energy, transport and other infrastructure for public services. These investments can be made ahead of requirements and therefore are an ideal form of countercyclical activity.
The World Bank and the other regional development banks can play a major role by financing such investment. They should expand lending for infrastructure development to emerging market countries which have relied on capital markets in more normal times, but will need support in the medium run, till capital markets recover. The poorer, low-income countries had very little access to capital markets. For them, financing on suitable terms may have to be made available for an even longer period.
A strategy of expanding investment demand in developing countries to replace lost export demand will not only help growth in developing countries, it will also contribute to a broader global revival. This is because the import content of investment is typically higher than of exports, which means a significant percentage of the initial increase in demand will spill over into the global economy.
The World Bank has announced that the volume of IBRD lending would be increased to $100 billion over the next three years. This is commendable. However, if the capital base of the IBRD is not expanded, they will have to compress lending at the end of the three year period to less than the pre-crisis level. This is surely not acceptable.
There is, therefore, an overwhelming case for doubling the capital of the IBRD. Similar increases in capital are needed for the other regional development banks also.
I realize there may be hesitation in committing additional public resources for recapitalization. However, we must keep in mind that what is needed for these institutions is small compared to the massive scale of public money used to stabilize the private financial system in industrialized countries. Some additional effort is surely justified to help the developing countries to cope with the spillover effects of a crisis for which they were not responsible.
Finally, Mr. President, a word on trade. The collapse in export markets makes it all the more important that the market access of developing countries is not constrained by protectionism. I recognize that when growth is low, and unemployment is high, it is inevitable that protectionist pressures will arise. It will be a test of the collective political leadership of this Group, whether we are able to resist these pressures in our countries. I am happy to note that the Delhi Ministerial succeeded in reviving momentum for the Doha Round negotiations. I venture to suggest that this is an area where the industrial countries can give a lead to achieve a successful outcome.
We have done a great deal on finance and what remains is easily doable. We need to address the difficult tasks on the trade front which are now more important for the medium term."
"Mr. President, let me begin by thanking you for the excellent arrangements made for this Summit and for your warm hospitality.
We have discussed the complex challenges posed by the need to revive the global economy. I would like to focus on what this implies for the developing countries.
We all know that these countries were in no way responsible for the crisis, but in many ways, they are the hardest hit. In the seven years before the crisis, the GDP of the developing countries grew at an average of 6.5 per cent per year. In 2009 it will grow by only 1.5 per cent, implying a fall in real per capita income.
Of course, experience varies across countries. Countries in Asia have generally fared much better. Countries in sub-Saharan Africa and in many other regions have been very badly hit.
India too has been affected but, in common with other Asian countries, we have weathered the crisis relatively well given the circumstances. After growing at 9 per cent per year for four years our economy slowed down to 6.7 per cent in 2008-09. In 2009, despite a drought, which will affect agricultural production, we expect to grow by around 6.3 per cent in 2009-10 and then recover to 7 to 7.5 percent growth next year. This relatively strong performance is partly due to the strong stimulus measures introduced in the second half of 2008-09, which have been continued in the current financial year.
However, the fact that some of us have fared relatively well does not mean that the crisis has not affected the developing world significantly. The fact that the growth of developing countries as a group will fall to 1.5 per cent indicates the extent of the impact.
An estimated 90 million people in the developing world are likely to be pushed below the poverty line. Lower revenues will also lead to lower levels of expenditure on rural infrastructure, health and education. This will not only hurt future growth, but also delay achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. Social and political tensions could increase, undermining the national consensus in support of much needed structural reforms and adjustment.
The prospects of convergence, which seemed bright before the crisis, have receded. We must take steps to counter these developments and restore the momentum of growth in the developing world.
First, the problem must be tackled at its root by ensuring the quickest possible return to normalcy in the global economy. This requires a commitment that we will not undertake any premature withdrawal of stimulus. We must certainly plan for an orderly “exit” when the time is right, but that time is not now. The global economy may be bottoming out, but it is not expected to reach 3% growth until the end of 2010.
The depressed state of the global economy translates into a considerable loss of export demand for the developing countries. Exports of non-oil developing countries are expected to decline by about $900 billion in 2009, compared to the previous year. They will remain well below the trajectory earlier projected for several years. This is bound to reduce production, incomes and employment in the developing countries.
The measures taken by the G-20 to increase the flow of assistance will help, and they certainly represent an important achievement in international cooperation. However, the scale of the transfers we have planned will only help the developing countries to manage their balance of payments at depressed levels of economic activity. They cannot counter the effect of the loss of exports.
To resuscitate growth in the developing countries, we have to replace lost export demand by expanding other components of domestic demand. The best option is to expand investment. An obvious area where additional investment is needed in developing countries is infrastructure, including energy, transport and other infrastructure for public services. These investments can be made ahead of requirements and therefore are an ideal form of countercyclical activity.
The World Bank and the other regional development banks can play a major role by financing such investment. They should expand lending for infrastructure development to emerging market countries which have relied on capital markets in more normal times, but will need support in the medium run, till capital markets recover. The poorer, low-income countries had very little access to capital markets. For them, financing on suitable terms may have to be made available for an even longer period.
A strategy of expanding investment demand in developing countries to replace lost export demand will not only help growth in developing countries, it will also contribute to a broader global revival. This is because the import content of investment is typically higher than of exports, which means a significant percentage of the initial increase in demand will spill over into the global economy.
The World Bank has announced that the volume of IBRD lending would be increased to $100 billion over the next three years. This is commendable. However, if the capital base of the IBRD is not expanded, they will have to compress lending at the end of the three year period to less than the pre-crisis level. This is surely not acceptable.
There is, therefore, an overwhelming case for doubling the capital of the IBRD. Similar increases in capital are needed for the other regional development banks also.
I realize there may be hesitation in committing additional public resources for recapitalization. However, we must keep in mind that what is needed for these institutions is small compared to the massive scale of public money used to stabilize the private financial system in industrialized countries. Some additional effort is surely justified to help the developing countries to cope with the spillover effects of a crisis for which they were not responsible.
Finally, Mr. President, a word on trade. The collapse in export markets makes it all the more important that the market access of developing countries is not constrained by protectionism. I recognize that when growth is low, and unemployment is high, it is inevitable that protectionist pressures will arise. It will be a test of the collective political leadership of this Group, whether we are able to resist these pressures in our countries. I am happy to note that the Delhi Ministerial succeeded in reviving momentum for the Doha Round negotiations. I venture to suggest that this is an area where the industrial countries can give a lead to achieve a successful outcome.
We have done a great deal on finance and what remains is easily doable. We need to address the difficult tasks on the trade front which are now more important for the medium term."
Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Awards 2009 announced
Eleven scientist were selected for 2009 Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for science and technology on the occasion of CSIR Foundation Day celebration here today at Vigyan Bhawan. Their names discipline-wise are as under:
Biological Sciences
1. Dr Amitabh Joshi, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Banglore.
2. Dr Bhaskar Saha, National Centre for Cell Science, Pune.
Chemical Sciences
1. Dr Charusita chakravarty, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi New Delhi
2. Dr Narayanaswamy Jayaraman, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore
Earth, Atmosphere, Ocean & Planetary Sciences
1. Dr S K Satheesh, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore
Engineering Sciences
1. Dr Giridhar Madras, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore
2. Dr Jayant Ramaswamy Haritsa, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore
Mathematical Sciences
1. Dr Venapally Suresh, University of Hyderabad Hyderabad
Medical Sciences
1. Dr Santosh Gajanan Honavar, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad
Physical Sciences
1. Dr Rajesh Gopakumar, Harish-Chandra research Institute, Allahabad
2. Dr Abhishek Dhar, Raman Research Institute, Bangalore
The Bhatnagar Prizes are given to scientists below 45 years of age, for their outstanding scientific contributions made primarily in India