Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh will inaugurate the First Session of National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in New Delhi at the Vigyan Bhawan on 13th May 2013. Union Home Minister Shri Sushilkumar Shinde will also be present on the occasion. The whole range of stakeholders from Government, Parliamentarians, Media, International Orgnaisations, NGOs, local community representatives, scientific and academic institutions and corporate businesses etc., will participate in this two day conference. The theme of the Conference is “Mainstreaming DRR in Development: From Risk to Resilience”. The Conference will help in sharing of experiences, views and ideas, present findings of research and action and explore opportunities for mutual cooperation in the field of Disaster Risk Reduction.
The First Session of the National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction will enable the decision makers, partners, experts and practitioners of DRR to come together to deliberate initiatives, share information, promote campaigns and provide useful suggestions relating to Disaster Risk Reduction.
Friday, May 10, 2013
Cabinet approved creation of the National Skill Development Agency (NSDA)
The Union Cabinet has approved for constituting an autonomous body called the National Skill Development Agency (NSDA) by subsuming the Prime Minister’s National Council on Skill Development (PMNCSD), the National Skill Development Coordination Board (NSDCB) and the Office of the Adviser to the PM on Skill Development. It will be located in the Ministry of Finance.
The new skill body will coordinate and harmonise the skill development efforts of the government and the private sector to achieve the targets of the 12th Plan and beyond. It will also anchor and operationalise the National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) and be the nodal agency for sector skills councils and endeavour to bridge the social, regional, gender and economic divides in skilling.
Further, it will also be empowered to raise extra budgetary resources. The central ministries and NSDC will continue to implement schemes in their remit, the statement said.
The NSDA is expected to provide the much-needed single point focus to ensure that skilling quality and standards meet sector-specific requirements benchmarked to international standards. The initiative will boost employability of youth in India.
The proposal to set up NSDA was first considered by the Cabinet in its meeting held in January this year and it was referred to a Group of Ministers (GoM) to review all aspects.
Initiatally, there were some objections from ministries such as HRD and Labour and Employment which argued that the new body would lead to duplication of efforts. However, the differences were sorted out subsequently.
The new skill body will coordinate and harmonise the skill development efforts of the government and the private sector to achieve the targets of the 12th Plan and beyond. It will also anchor and operationalise the National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) and be the nodal agency for sector skills councils and endeavour to bridge the social, regional, gender and economic divides in skilling.
Further, it will also be empowered to raise extra budgetary resources. The central ministries and NSDC will continue to implement schemes in their remit, the statement said.
The NSDA is expected to provide the much-needed single point focus to ensure that skilling quality and standards meet sector-specific requirements benchmarked to international standards. The initiative will boost employability of youth in India.
The proposal to set up NSDA was first considered by the Cabinet in its meeting held in January this year and it was referred to a Group of Ministers (GoM) to review all aspects.
Initiatally, there were some objections from ministries such as HRD and Labour and Employment which argued that the new body would lead to duplication of efforts. However, the differences were sorted out subsequently.
Government approves National Cyber Security Policy
According to the government report, around 1,692 security threat incidents were reported to the Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) from various national and international agencies, in last December.
Thus the government has approved the National Cyber Security Policy that aims to create a secure computing environment in the country and seeks to build adequate trust and confidence in electronic transactions along with the focus on manpower training.
The policy caters for the whole spectrum of ICT users and providers including small and home users, medium and large enterprises and government and non-government entities. It aims to create a cyber security framework that will address all related issues over a long period. The framework will lead to specific actions and programmes to enhance the security posture of country's cyber space.
Besides, cyber security intelligence forms an integral component to be able to anticipate attacks and quickly adopt counter measures.
Thus the government has approved the National Cyber Security Policy that aims to create a secure computing environment in the country and seeks to build adequate trust and confidence in electronic transactions along with the focus on manpower training.
The policy caters for the whole spectrum of ICT users and providers including small and home users, medium and large enterprises and government and non-government entities. It aims to create a cyber security framework that will address all related issues over a long period. The framework will lead to specific actions and programmes to enhance the security posture of country's cyber space.
Besides, cyber security intelligence forms an integral component to be able to anticipate attacks and quickly adopt counter measures.
Tribal Forest Dwellers Empowerment Scheme launched
The Government enacted a Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006. Under this act, the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional forest Dwellers have been given the right to hold the forest land for habitation or for self-cultivation or for carrying out any other traditional activity for their livelihood. Most of the Scheduled Tribes are poor and need financial support for productive utilization of land for their livelihood.
In order to provide concessional finance to the Forest Dwelling STs, the NSTFDC has formulated the new Tribal Forest Dwellers Empowerment Scheme. NSTFDC would generate awareness, provide training and assist in market linkage apart from providing financial assistance at concessional rate of interest of 6% p.a. to the beneficiaries. This assistance would be made available through 33 State Channelizing Agencies of NSTFDC and certain PSU Banks/ Regional Rural Banks having refinance agreements with NSTFDC.
The Radio Partnership MoU between NSTFDC and AIR will cover events organized by NSTFDC for socio economic empowerment of STs. The broadcast can be in 23 languages and 146dialects throughout the country. The coverage will be in the form of Radio Report with in-house/news reel programmes. As AIR is having foot print over the entire country and is covering more than 99% of population, this partnership will facilitate creation of larger awareness about programmes of NSTFDC throughout the country.
In order to provide concessional finance to the Forest Dwelling STs, the NSTFDC has formulated the new Tribal Forest Dwellers Empowerment Scheme. NSTFDC would generate awareness, provide training and assist in market linkage apart from providing financial assistance at concessional rate of interest of 6% p.a. to the beneficiaries. This assistance would be made available through 33 State Channelizing Agencies of NSTFDC and certain PSU Banks/ Regional Rural Banks having refinance agreements with NSTFDC.
The Radio Partnership MoU between NSTFDC and AIR will cover events organized by NSTFDC for socio economic empowerment of STs. The broadcast can be in 23 languages and 146dialects throughout the country. The coverage will be in the form of Radio Report with in-house/news reel programmes. As AIR is having foot print over the entire country and is covering more than 99% of population, this partnership will facilitate creation of larger awareness about programmes of NSTFDC throughout the country.
Minister for Women & Child Development Launched the World Bank Assisted ISSNIP
The Minister for Women & Child Development, Krishna Tirath on 9 May 2013 launched the World Bank assisted ICDS Systems Strengthening and Nutrition Improvement Project (ISSNIP). The aim of the programme is improvement of child development and nutritional outcomes for children in selected districts having higher proportional of child under nutrition.
The project is worth 2893 crore Rupees with 70 percent IDA share of2025 crore Rupees over the time duration of 7 years. The cost of phase 1 of the project is estimated to be around 682 crore Rupees. The project received an initial support of 106 million US dollar by World Bank, which is payable over the time of 25 years. This will be followed by the support for second phase of 344 million US dollar, which will be subject to assessment of phase 1.
First phase of this project will support the efforts of Union Government to strengthen policy measures and institutional capacity and will also finance innovative pilots and programmers in 162 high malnutrition-burden districts across eight States. Apart from this, the project will also support the urban and sub-urban pilots in NCR of Delhi and convergent nutrition action pilots in Odisha and Uttarakhand.
The Minister for Women & Child Development took various other measures for strengthening the programme management, planning and monitoring of ICDS with introduction of revised MIS, and the 5-tier monitoring and supervision committee with representation of People’s representatives to review the progress in ICDS at different levels.
The ISSNIP project will support the government’s efforts in building the necessary institutional capacity and systems needed to improve nutrition in the targeted groups of mothers and children.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the implementation of the International Development Association (IDA) assisted ICDS Systems Strengthening and Nutrition Improvement Project (ISSNIP) in October 2012.
The project is worth 2893 crore Rupees with 70 percent IDA share of2025 crore Rupees over the time duration of 7 years. The cost of phase 1 of the project is estimated to be around 682 crore Rupees. The project received an initial support of 106 million US dollar by World Bank, which is payable over the time of 25 years. This will be followed by the support for second phase of 344 million US dollar, which will be subject to assessment of phase 1.
First phase of this project will support the efforts of Union Government to strengthen policy measures and institutional capacity and will also finance innovative pilots and programmers in 162 high malnutrition-burden districts across eight States. Apart from this, the project will also support the urban and sub-urban pilots in NCR of Delhi and convergent nutrition action pilots in Odisha and Uttarakhand.
The Minister for Women & Child Development took various other measures for strengthening the programme management, planning and monitoring of ICDS with introduction of revised MIS, and the 5-tier monitoring and supervision committee with representation of People’s representatives to review the progress in ICDS at different levels.
The ISSNIP project will support the government’s efforts in building the necessary institutional capacity and systems needed to improve nutrition in the targeted groups of mothers and children.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the implementation of the International Development Association (IDA) assisted ICDS Systems Strengthening and Nutrition Improvement Project (ISSNIP) in October 2012.
Features of ICDS Systems Strengthening and Nutrition Improvement Project (ISSNIP):
• ISSNIP is designed to supplement and provide value addition on the existing ICDS programme, through systems strengthening for better service delivery, as well as to allow the selected States and Districts to experiment, innovate and conduct pilots of potentially more effective approaches for ICDS in order to achieve early childhood education and nutrition outcomes.
• The additional support through the project is catalytic and is an important dimension of MWCD’s overall efforts to strengthen and restructure the ICDS programme.
• Four major components under the project are: (i) Institutional and systems strengthening in ICDS (ii) Community mobilization and behaviour change communication (iii) piloting multi-sectoral nutrition actions, and (iv) Project Management, Technical Assistance and Monitoring & Evaluation.
• ISSNIP is designed to supplement and provide value addition on the existing ICDS programme, through systems strengthening for better service delivery, as well as to allow the selected States and Districts to experiment, innovate and conduct pilots of potentially more effective approaches for ICDS in order to achieve early childhood education and nutrition outcomes.
• The additional support through the project is catalytic and is an important dimension of MWCD’s overall efforts to strengthen and restructure the ICDS programme.
• Four major components under the project are: (i) Institutional and systems strengthening in ICDS (ii) Community mobilization and behaviour change communication (iii) piloting multi-sectoral nutrition actions, and (iv) Project Management, Technical Assistance and Monitoring & Evaluation.
Union Government of India Approved Policy Development of Aviation Hubs in India
The Union Government of India on 9 May 2013 approved the policy development of aviation hubs in India. Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari announced that the Inter-Ministerial Committee will be developed that will work out on different models for this policy.
The formation of the hubs would require establishment of various facilities such as foreign exchange, immigration, provisions for visa-on-arrival as well as customs. For this various ministries will be involved and therefore the Inter-Ministerial Committee will be developed. This committee would facilitate establishment of various aviation hubs in different major cities. The approval of the policy is termed as the major initiative for infrastructural development.
The aviation hub is basically an airport that is used as intermediate point for transferring air travellers from original destination to final destination of their journey. This is also technically called hub-and-spoke operation.
The policy will focus on not just development of the global hubs in India, but also establishment of domestic regional hubs which will cater to growing air traffic from the non-metro destinations in areas such as Northeast.
The Union Cabinet, along with the approval of policy development of aviation hubs, also approved constitution of autonomous body called the National Skill Development Agency (NSDA) by including the National Skill Development Coordination Board (NSDCB), Office of the Adviser to the PM on Skill Development as well as Prime Minister's National Council on Skill Development (PMNCSD). The National Skill Development Agency (NSDA) will come under the Ministry of Finance.
The role of NSDA is coordination as well as harmonization of Government’s skill development efforts as well as private sector for achieving skilling targets of 12th five-year plan. NSDA will also play the role of anchoring and operationalising National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) as well as the nodal agency for Sector Skills Councils.
The formation of the hubs would require establishment of various facilities such as foreign exchange, immigration, provisions for visa-on-arrival as well as customs. For this various ministries will be involved and therefore the Inter-Ministerial Committee will be developed. This committee would facilitate establishment of various aviation hubs in different major cities. The approval of the policy is termed as the major initiative for infrastructural development.
The aviation hub is basically an airport that is used as intermediate point for transferring air travellers from original destination to final destination of their journey. This is also technically called hub-and-spoke operation.
The policy will focus on not just development of the global hubs in India, but also establishment of domestic regional hubs which will cater to growing air traffic from the non-metro destinations in areas such as Northeast.
The Union Cabinet, along with the approval of policy development of aviation hubs, also approved constitution of autonomous body called the National Skill Development Agency (NSDA) by including the National Skill Development Coordination Board (NSDCB), Office of the Adviser to the PM on Skill Development as well as Prime Minister's National Council on Skill Development (PMNCSD). The National Skill Development Agency (NSDA) will come under the Ministry of Finance.
The role of NSDA is coordination as well as harmonization of Government’s skill development efforts as well as private sector for achieving skilling targets of 12th five-year plan. NSDA will also play the role of anchoring and operationalising National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) as well as the nodal agency for Sector Skills Councils.
Amendments in the Parliament (Prevention of Disqualification) Act, 1959 Approved
The Union Cabinet of India on 9 May 2013 gave its approval to Amendments in the Parliament (Prevention of Disqualification) Act, 1959 by introducing a Bill in the Parliament named Parliament (Prevention of Disqualification) Amendment Bill, 2013.
The Section 3 of the Parliament (Prevention of Disqualification) Act, 1959, has been amended time to time. It lists certain offices of profit under the Government of India or the Government of any State, which do not disqualify the holders thereof for being chosen as, or for being, a Member of Parliament. The Chairperson of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes is exempted from such disqualification under Sub-clause (ii) of clause (ba) of section 3 of the Parliament (Prevention of Disqualification) Act, 1959.
By the 89th Amendment Act of 2003 of the Constitution of India, the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Tribes was bifurcated into two independent Commissions namely the National Commission for the Scheduled Castes and the National Commission for the Scheduled Tribes. With the 89th amendment Act Article 338 of the Constitution was amended and a new article, namely, Article 338A was inserted in the Constitution.
The Section 3 of the Parliament (Prevention of Disqualification) Act, 1959, has been amended time to time. It lists certain offices of profit under the Government of India or the Government of any State, which do not disqualify the holders thereof for being chosen as, or for being, a Member of Parliament. The Chairperson of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes is exempted from such disqualification under Sub-clause (ii) of clause (ba) of section 3 of the Parliament (Prevention of Disqualification) Act, 1959.
By the 89th Amendment Act of 2003 of the Constitution of India, the National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Tribes was bifurcated into two independent Commissions namely the National Commission for the Scheduled Castes and the National Commission for the Scheduled Tribes. With the 89th amendment Act Article 338 of the Constitution was amended and a new article, namely, Article 338A was inserted in the Constitution.
State Of The World's Mothers Report 2013 released
Save the Children released its 14th annual State of the World's Mothers (SOTWM) report: 'Surviving the First Day.' The report focuses on the staggering number of newborn deaths that occur in a baby's earliest days -- and the opportunity to reduce this universal tragedy. It includes data on women's health, children's health and economic wellbeing for 176 countries.
Key highlights of the Report
The first day of life is the most dangerous day for mothers and babies. Save the Children’s first-ever Birth Day Risk Index compares first-day death rates for 186 countries and finds that in most countries, children are at greatest risk on the day they are born. Babies in Somalia have the highest risk of dying on their birth day. First-day death rates are almost as high in Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mali, and Sierra Leone. Mothers in these four countries are also at high risk on this day. Mothers in Somalia and Sierra Leone face the second and third highest lifetime risk of maternal death in the world, respectively.
The first day is also a day of unequaled opportunity to save lives and set the stage for a healthy future. Most newborn and maternal deaths could be prevented by ensuring that mothers and newborns have access to low-cost, lifesaving interventions through improved and expanded health care systems. Ensuring access to well-trained and equipped health care workers during childbirth is part of the solution.
According to the United Nations, four products could greatly assist health workers in saving many newborn lives. The products are:
a) steroid injections for women in preterm labor (to reduce deaths due to premature babies’ breathing problems);
b) resuscitation devices (to save babies who do not breathe at birth);
c) hlorhexidine cord cleansing (to prevent umbilical cord infections); and
d) injectable antibiotics (to treat newborn sepsis and pneumonia).
Other low-cost interventions such as kangaroo mother care and early and exclusive breastfeeding would save many more babies. Such interventions, as part of strengthened health care systems, not only can dramatically reduce maternal and newborn deaths, but also can prevent a lifetime of negative health consequences such as long-term disabilities, intellectual impairment and increased vulnerability to illness.
Poor health is not only costly for individuals and their families, it can also impede a nation’s efforts toward economic growth.
Mothers and babies in sub-Saharan Africa face the greatest risks. Maternal, child and newborn death rates have declined across the developing world since 1990, but progress has been slowest in sub-Saharan Africa. The bottom 10 countries on the Mothers’ Index are all in sub-Saharan Africa. Many of these same countries also have very high rates of first-day death, and sub-Saharan Africa also occupies the 10 worst spots on the Birth Day Risk Index. Seven countries – Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mali, Sierra Leone and Somalia – score in the bottom 10 on both indices. While mothers and babies struggle for survival in much of sub-Saharan Africa, a number of countries have demonstrated that progress is possible despite great challenges.
On the Mother's Index -- the global ranking system for maternal and infant health -- Finland, Sweden and Norway top the list, while Sierra Leone, Somalia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo bring up the rear. The United States fell from number 25 to number 30 in 2013 and is also the country in which more than half of all first-day deaths in the industrialized world occur.
India and South Asia
Further over three lakh newborns in India die within 24 hours of their birth every year – the highest number in the world. With a total of 3,09,000 babies hardly surviving a day, India tops the list for such deaths. The country accounts for 29 per cent of all such deaths — ahead even of Nigeria, Pakistan and China.
Quoting Sample Registration Survey (SRS 2011) figures, the report says Madhya Pradesh has the highest burden of early newborn deaths (0-7 days) at 32, followed closely by Uttar Pradesh and Odisha (30). Other States with high burden are Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand and Jammu & Kashmir. Kerala is the leader in reducing neonatal mortality by a wide margin, while Tamil Nadu, Delhi and Maharashtra too have improved the national rate.
The report also claims that 4,20,000 babies across South Asia die on their first day – almost one every minute. According to the report, of the one million babies who die each year on the day they are born, almost 40 per cent are in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Chronic malnourishment which leads to mental or physical impairment or ‘stunting’ is particularly severe in the region.
Bangladesh has reduced newborn mortality by 49 per cent since 1990. Community health workers reaching mothers and babies at home, and training birth attendants and medical staff in resuscitation devices to help babies breathe are factors in this progress. Nepal has reduced mortality by 47 per cent since 1990.
In South Asia, there are striking differences among countries in the case of maternal risk to life. In Afghanistan, a mother has a one in 32 risk of maternal death, in India it is 1 in 170, and in Nepal one in 190. The top five countries in the South Asian mothers’ ranking are: Maldives, Sri Lanka and Bhutan. The bottoms five are (in descending order) Pakistan, India and Afghanistan.
Nigeria has 89,700 deaths in this category, followed by Pakistan (59,800), China (50,600), Congo (48,400), Ethiopia (28,800), Bangladesh (28,100), Indonesia (23,400), Afghanistan (18,000) and Tanzania (17,000).
Key highlights of the Report
The first day of life is the most dangerous day for mothers and babies. Save the Children’s first-ever Birth Day Risk Index compares first-day death rates for 186 countries and finds that in most countries, children are at greatest risk on the day they are born. Babies in Somalia have the highest risk of dying on their birth day. First-day death rates are almost as high in Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mali, and Sierra Leone. Mothers in these four countries are also at high risk on this day. Mothers in Somalia and Sierra Leone face the second and third highest lifetime risk of maternal death in the world, respectively.
The first day is also a day of unequaled opportunity to save lives and set the stage for a healthy future. Most newborn and maternal deaths could be prevented by ensuring that mothers and newborns have access to low-cost, lifesaving interventions through improved and expanded health care systems. Ensuring access to well-trained and equipped health care workers during childbirth is part of the solution.
According to the United Nations, four products could greatly assist health workers in saving many newborn lives. The products are:
a) steroid injections for women in preterm labor (to reduce deaths due to premature babies’ breathing problems);
b) resuscitation devices (to save babies who do not breathe at birth);
c) hlorhexidine cord cleansing (to prevent umbilical cord infections); and
d) injectable antibiotics (to treat newborn sepsis and pneumonia).
Other low-cost interventions such as kangaroo mother care and early and exclusive breastfeeding would save many more babies. Such interventions, as part of strengthened health care systems, not only can dramatically reduce maternal and newborn deaths, but also can prevent a lifetime of negative health consequences such as long-term disabilities, intellectual impairment and increased vulnerability to illness.
Poor health is not only costly for individuals and their families, it can also impede a nation’s efforts toward economic growth.
Mothers and babies in sub-Saharan Africa face the greatest risks. Maternal, child and newborn death rates have declined across the developing world since 1990, but progress has been slowest in sub-Saharan Africa. The bottom 10 countries on the Mothers’ Index are all in sub-Saharan Africa. Many of these same countries also have very high rates of first-day death, and sub-Saharan Africa also occupies the 10 worst spots on the Birth Day Risk Index. Seven countries – Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mali, Sierra Leone and Somalia – score in the bottom 10 on both indices. While mothers and babies struggle for survival in much of sub-Saharan Africa, a number of countries have demonstrated that progress is possible despite great challenges.
On the Mother's Index -- the global ranking system for maternal and infant health -- Finland, Sweden and Norway top the list, while Sierra Leone, Somalia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo bring up the rear. The United States fell from number 25 to number 30 in 2013 and is also the country in which more than half of all first-day deaths in the industrialized world occur.
India and South Asia
Further over three lakh newborns in India die within 24 hours of their birth every year – the highest number in the world. With a total of 3,09,000 babies hardly surviving a day, India tops the list for such deaths. The country accounts for 29 per cent of all such deaths — ahead even of Nigeria, Pakistan and China.
Quoting Sample Registration Survey (SRS 2011) figures, the report says Madhya Pradesh has the highest burden of early newborn deaths (0-7 days) at 32, followed closely by Uttar Pradesh and Odisha (30). Other States with high burden are Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand and Jammu & Kashmir. Kerala is the leader in reducing neonatal mortality by a wide margin, while Tamil Nadu, Delhi and Maharashtra too have improved the national rate.
The report also claims that 4,20,000 babies across South Asia die on their first day – almost one every minute. According to the report, of the one million babies who die each year on the day they are born, almost 40 per cent are in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Chronic malnourishment which leads to mental or physical impairment or ‘stunting’ is particularly severe in the region.
Bangladesh has reduced newborn mortality by 49 per cent since 1990. Community health workers reaching mothers and babies at home, and training birth attendants and medical staff in resuscitation devices to help babies breathe are factors in this progress. Nepal has reduced mortality by 47 per cent since 1990.
In South Asia, there are striking differences among countries in the case of maternal risk to life. In Afghanistan, a mother has a one in 32 risk of maternal death, in India it is 1 in 170, and in Nepal one in 190. The top five countries in the South Asian mothers’ ranking are: Maldives, Sri Lanka and Bhutan. The bottoms five are (in descending order) Pakistan, India and Afghanistan.
Nigeria has 89,700 deaths in this category, followed by Pakistan (59,800), China (50,600), Congo (48,400), Ethiopia (28,800), Bangladesh (28,100), Indonesia (23,400), Afghanistan (18,000) and Tanzania (17,000).
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Committee to Devise A PPP Policy with CIL Setup
The Union Government has envisaged that one of the ways forward to reduce the dependence on imports is to devise a Public Private Partnership (PPP) policy framework with CIL as one of the partners in order to increase the production of coal for supply to power producers and other consumers. Accordingly the Ministry of Coal has set up a Committee to devise a PPP Policy framework with CIL as one of the partners in order to increase production of coal, This information was given by the Minister of State for Coal, Shri Pratik PrakashBapu Patil in a written reply in Rajya Sabha here today.
The Minister said that besides this, the Government has taken following measures to further step up domestic production which includes:
· Emphasis on modernization and technology development and coal quality improvement.
· Emphasis on infrastructure development.
· Periodical review of development of coal blocks.
· Development of some of the coal blocks assigned to CIL through engaging Mine Development & Operator (MDO).
· Periodical review of on going projects.
· Constant persuasion with Ministry of Railways for expeditious implementation of critical rail lines & improved supply of rakes.
· Regular persuasion with the State Governments on the pending issues and law & order problems.
· Regular interaction with line Ministries and State Governments for clearing Environment and Forest clearances for new projects.
Scheme for Menstrual Hygiene
In the first phase, the Scheme for Promotion of Menstrual Hygiene has been started as a pilot in 152 districts across 20 States in 2010. Supply of sanitary napkins in 107 districts in 17 States has started in a centralised supply mode, wherein sanitary napkins have been supplied by Government of India under NRHM’s brand-name, ‘Freedays’. These States are: Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Jharkhand, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Supply of sanitary napkins in the remaining 45 districts was envisaged through Self Help Groups (SHG), wherein SHGs were to manufacture the sanitary napkins. SHG supply has not yet taken off in the ear-marked 45 districts. ‘Freedays’ are being sold to adolescents girls at the rate of Rs. 6 per pack of six napkins by Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs).
A total amount of Rs. 70.65 crore had been ear-marked for supply of a total amount of 9.32 crore packs of sanitary napkins during the 11th Five Year Plan to the 17 States implementing the Scheme through centralized procurement. There was no separate State - wise fund allocation for the Scheme for Promotion of Menstrual Hygiene during the 11th Five Year Plan.
The Government of India has initiated an assessment of impact of the Scheme for Promotion of Menstrual Hygiene. The assessment is not complete and accordingly, results of the assessment are awaited.
IEC materials – audio, video and reading materials for adolescent girls, and job-aids for ASHAs for communicating with adolescent girls have been developed for generating adequate knowledge and information about menstrual hygiene and being used by the Centre and States. In addition, States are also planning re-orientation of ASHA workers for improving access to adolescent girls. States have proposed (in Programme Implementation Plans for 2013-14) use of mass media, print media and other means for increasing awareness on menstrual hygiene.
Mission Steering Group of NRHM has recently approved for continuation of the Scheme for Promotion of Menstrual Hygiene in 107 existing districts without any interruption and to prioritise the scheme for expansion in all districts and make appropriate provisions in the annual PIP.
A total amount of Rs. 70.65 crore had been ear-marked for supply of a total amount of 9.32 crore packs of sanitary napkins during the 11th Five Year Plan to the 17 States implementing the Scheme through centralized procurement. There was no separate State - wise fund allocation for the Scheme for Promotion of Menstrual Hygiene during the 11th Five Year Plan.
The Government of India has initiated an assessment of impact of the Scheme for Promotion of Menstrual Hygiene. The assessment is not complete and accordingly, results of the assessment are awaited.
IEC materials – audio, video and reading materials for adolescent girls, and job-aids for ASHAs for communicating with adolescent girls have been developed for generating adequate knowledge and information about menstrual hygiene and being used by the Centre and States. In addition, States are also planning re-orientation of ASHA workers for improving access to adolescent girls. States have proposed (in Programme Implementation Plans for 2013-14) use of mass media, print media and other means for increasing awareness on menstrual hygiene.
Mission Steering Group of NRHM has recently approved for continuation of the Scheme for Promotion of Menstrual Hygiene in 107 existing districts without any interruption and to prioritise the scheme for expansion in all districts and make appropriate provisions in the annual PIP.
Financial Stability and Development Councul (FSDC)
The Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) has been constituted vide GOI notification dated 30th December, 2010. The Council is chaired by the Union Finance Minister and its members are Governor, Reserve Bank of India; Finance Secretary and/or Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs; Secretary, Department of Financial Services; Chief Economic Adviser, Ministry of Finance; Chairman, Securities and Exchange Board of India; Chairman, Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority and Chairman, Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority.
The Council deals, inter-alia, with issues relating to financial stability, financial sector development, inter–regulatory coordination, financial literacy, financial inclusion and macro prudential supervision of the economy including the functioning of large financial conglomerates. No funds are separately allocated to the Council for undertaking its activities.
The Council and its Sub-Committee (chaired by Governor, Reserve Bank of India) deliberate on agenda items proposed by any of the members of the Council which broadly include matters relating to financial stability, inter-regulatory coordination, and financial sector development. The Council/Sub-committee deliberates on these issues and suggests taking appropriate steps, as required.
The Council deals, inter-alia, with issues relating to financial stability, financial sector development, inter–regulatory coordination, financial literacy, financial inclusion and macro prudential supervision of the economy including the functioning of large financial conglomerates. No funds are separately allocated to the Council for undertaking its activities.
The Council and its Sub-Committee (chaired by Governor, Reserve Bank of India) deliberate on agenda items proposed by any of the members of the Council which broadly include matters relating to financial stability, inter-regulatory coordination, and financial sector development. The Council/Sub-committee deliberates on these issues and suggests taking appropriate steps, as required.
4745 Self Help Groups formed in UP and Bihar under ‘PRIYADARSHINI’ scheme of WCD Ministry
The Ministry Women and Child Development has promoted 4745 Self Help Groups (SHGs) under its project ‘Priyadarshini’. The pilot project namely Women Empowerment and Livelihood Programme in Mid- Gangetic Plains- ‘Priyadarshini’- is being administered by the Ministry in 13 blocks spread across 5 districts in Uttar Pradesh and 2 districts in Bihar. Of the 4745 SHGs formed under the project, 2396 SHGs have been promoted in Bihar and 2349 in UP. Also, 2534 SHGs have been savings linked-1243 in Bihar and 1291 in Uttar Pradesh. Rs.15 Crore has been sanctioned for the year 2012-13, of which Rs 2.50 Crore has been expended up to October 31st, 2012.
Though the focus of the project ‘Priyadarshini’ is on livelihood enhancement, the beneficiaries will be empowered to address their political, legal, health problems issues through rigorous capacity building. Over 1,00,000 households are to be covered under the project and 7,200 SHGs will be formed during the project period ending 2016-17. Against the target of total 48 Community Service Centres (CSCs) in entire project period, NABARD has so far established 3 fully operational CSCs per block which makes total 39 CSCs under the project.
Though the focus of the project ‘Priyadarshini’ is on livelihood enhancement, the beneficiaries will be empowered to address their political, legal, health problems issues through rigorous capacity building. Over 1,00,000 households are to be covered under the project and 7,200 SHGs will be formed during the project period ending 2016-17. Against the target of total 48 Community Service Centres (CSCs) in entire project period, NABARD has so far established 3 fully operational CSCs per block which makes total 39 CSCs under the project.
Committee on Business Climate
A Committee under the Chairmanship of Sh. M. Damodaran has been constituted on 23.08.2012 by this Ministry to extensively examine different areas of root functioning such as financial reforms, governance reforms, liberalized policy framework, process reforms etc, and to suggest a roadmap for improving climate in India. The Committee is likely to submit its report shortly. Giving this information in written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today Shri Sachin Pilot, Minister of Corporate Affairs, said that the Companies Bill, 2012 incorporates certain important provisions with regard to following matters to facilitate ease of doing business in India:
i) Faster incorporation/registration of companies through fully electronic MCA-21 Registry provided;
ii) Companies allowed maintaining records and hold meetings through e-governance mode;
iii) Companies empowered to function in a manner which is ‘self-regulated with disclosures/transparency’ rather than ‘Government/regulatory approval based regime’;
iv) Concepts of ‘One Person Company’ and ‘Small Company’ recognized to allow new entrepreneurs to take advantage of corporate form of business;
v) Faster mergers and acquisitions including short form of merger and cross border mergers allowed;
vi) Time bound approvals through National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT); and vii) Summary liquidation process for a class of companies provided.
i) Faster incorporation/registration of companies through fully electronic MCA-21 Registry provided;
ii) Companies allowed maintaining records and hold meetings through e-governance mode;
iii) Companies empowered to function in a manner which is ‘self-regulated with disclosures/transparency’ rather than ‘Government/regulatory approval based regime’;
iv) Concepts of ‘One Person Company’ and ‘Small Company’ recognized to allow new entrepreneurs to take advantage of corporate form of business;
v) Faster mergers and acquisitions including short form of merger and cross border mergers allowed;
vi) Time bound approvals through National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT); and vii) Summary liquidation process for a class of companies provided.
Srinivasan Venkatakrishnan Appointed as the New CEO of Anglogold Ashanti
Srinivasan Venkatakrishnan, also known as Venkat was on 9 May 2013 appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of South Africa’s AngloGold Ashanti. Venkat has remained with the Johannesburg headquartered AngloGold Ashanti for nine years. At present, he is the finance head of the company. Venkat replaced Mark Cutifani who quit in April 2013.
Venkat was the Chief Financial Officer at Ashanti Goldfields. Later, Ashanti Goldfields merged with the AngloGold Limited in May 2004, which eventually created AngloGold Ashanti. With the merger of these two companies, Venkat became the CFO of the combined company.
He held Associate Chartered Accountant degree from Universidad Pontificia Comillas de Madrid. The company announced that he will continue to hold the position of CFO at AngloGold Ashanti, till notified further.
AngloGold Ashanti is the gold mining company at international level. It has 20 operations on four continents. The company produced 3.944 million ounces of gold in 2012. In gold income, it generated 6.35 billion US dollar.
Venkat was the Chief Financial Officer at Ashanti Goldfields. Later, Ashanti Goldfields merged with the AngloGold Limited in May 2004, which eventually created AngloGold Ashanti. With the merger of these two companies, Venkat became the CFO of the combined company.
He held Associate Chartered Accountant degree from Universidad Pontificia Comillas de Madrid. The company announced that he will continue to hold the position of CFO at AngloGold Ashanti, till notified further.
AngloGold Ashanti is the gold mining company at international level. It has 20 operations on four continents. The company produced 3.944 million ounces of gold in 2012. In gold income, it generated 6.35 billion US dollar.
Brazil's Roberto Azevedo appointed Head of World Trade Organization
Roberto Azevedo from Brazil on 8 May 2013 was named as the head of the World Trade Organisation. His appointment to the office came up at the time when the organization is struggling to identify ways to revive the talks on freeing global commerce and to help poorer nations in development. He will take charge of his office from Pascal Lamy of France in the Geneva-based Body in September 2013.
Azevedo is the first Latin American to be appointed as the head of the WTO since it was created in 1995. The process of electing the WTO Head took a period of about six months. A total of nine people were competing for the post.
After being into the office, his journey will start with the 9th ministerial in Bali, Indonesia from 3 to 6 December 2013.
About Roberto Azevedo
• Since 2008, the 55 years old, Roberto Azevedo has been serving WTO as the Permanent Representative of Brazil to WTO and other International Economic Organisation in Geneva
• He was the Deputy Chief of Staff for Economic Affairs to the Foreign Minister from 1995 to 96
• He was the head of Dispute Settlement Unit from 2001 to 2005
• Director of the Department of Economic Affairs from 2005 to 2006
• Vice Minister for Economic and Technological Affairs from 2006 to 2008
About WTO
WTO was established with the signing of the Marrakesh Agreement/ Marrakesh Declaration at Marrakesh, Morrocco in 1994. WTO came up as a replacement of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). GATT was overseeing the rules of commerce since 1948. GATT covered trade in goods, whereas WTO deals with trade of inventions, designs and services too.
Azevedo is the first Latin American to be appointed as the head of the WTO since it was created in 1995. The process of electing the WTO Head took a period of about six months. A total of nine people were competing for the post.
After being into the office, his journey will start with the 9th ministerial in Bali, Indonesia from 3 to 6 December 2013.
About Roberto Azevedo
• Since 2008, the 55 years old, Roberto Azevedo has been serving WTO as the Permanent Representative of Brazil to WTO and other International Economic Organisation in Geneva
• He was the Deputy Chief of Staff for Economic Affairs to the Foreign Minister from 1995 to 96
• He was the head of Dispute Settlement Unit from 2001 to 2005
• Director of the Department of Economic Affairs from 2005 to 2006
• Vice Minister for Economic and Technological Affairs from 2006 to 2008
About WTO
WTO was established with the signing of the Marrakesh Agreement/ Marrakesh Declaration at Marrakesh, Morrocco in 1994. WTO came up as a replacement of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). GATT was overseeing the rules of commerce since 1948. GATT covered trade in goods, whereas WTO deals with trade of inventions, designs and services too.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)