Eminent singer Manna Dey has been conferred the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2007 for his outstanding contribution to cinema. The 90-year-old singer, with over 3,500 songs to his credit in a six-decade-long career, will receive the Swaran Kamal, a Rs 10 lakh cash prize and a shawl from President Pratibha Patil at the national film awards function on October 21. I&B ministry officials said Dey was chosen earlier this week by a four-member committee comprising sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan, filmmakers Yash Chopra and Vijaya Mulye and veteran Telugu actor A.
Nageshwara Rao.
The award was constituted in 1969, the centenary year of Dadasaheb Phalke, considered the father of Indian cinema, and is given for lifetime contribution to Indian cinema. Dey, born on May 1, 1919, who started his playback singing career with Tamanna in 1943, dominated the Hindi music industry from the 1950s to the 1970s with his distinctive voice. A recipient of both the Padma Shri and the Padma Bhushan, the best-known films to which he lent his voice include Awaara, Do Bigha Zamin, Mera Naam Joker, Bobby, Zanjeer, Padosan and Sholay.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tax on gifts in excess of Rs.50,000
NEW DELHI: Persons receiving gifts, in cash or kind, will have to pay tax, if the value exceeds Rs. 50,000, the Income Tax Department has said.
A notification issued by the Central Board of Direct Taxes, about three weeks ahead of Deepavali, said the norms would come into force on October 1. They would not apply to gifts received either by relatives or on the occasion of marriage. There would be no tax on gifts received by way of will, inheritance or in the event of death of the donor.
Those receiving gifts in excess of Rs.50,000 would have to show the value in the returns for 2010-11
A notification issued by the Central Board of Direct Taxes, about three weeks ahead of Deepavali, said the norms would come into force on October 1. They would not apply to gifts received either by relatives or on the occasion of marriage. There would be no tax on gifts received by way of will, inheritance or in the event of death of the donor.
Those receiving gifts in excess of Rs.50,000 would have to show the value in the returns for 2010-11
इलेक्ट्रिक कार बनाएगी जीएम
अमरीका की कार बनाने वाली कंपनी जनरल मोटर्स ने कहा है कि वह भारतीय बाज़ार के लिए छोटी और सस्ती इलेक्ट्रिक कार बनाएगी.
जनरल मोटर्स (जीएम) भारत की रेवा इलेक्ट्रिक कार कंपनी के साथ मिलकर ये ख़ास मॉडल तैयार करेगा. कंपनी ने उम्मीद जताई है कि इस नई कार का निर्माण अगले साल से शुरू हो जाएगा.
रेवा की इलेक्ट्रिक कारें ब्रिटेन में जी-विज़ ब्रांड के नाम से बिकती हैं. भारत में कंपनी के प्रमुख कार्ल स्लिम ने कहा कि उनकी कंपनी भारत सरकार के साथ मिलकर चार्जिंग स्टेशनों के नेटवर्क स्थापित करने के लिए काम करेगी.
फ़ोर्ड का कहना है कि कंपनी की भारत में 50 करोड़ डॉलर निवेश करने की योजना है और फ़िगो इसी के तहत लाँच की जाएगी.
दोनों कंपनियाँ भारत में छोटे कार के क्षेत्र में हाथ आज़मा रही हैं, जो नई गाड़ियों के बाज़ार का 70 प्रतिशत है.
जनरल मोटर्स (जीएम) भारत की रेवा इलेक्ट्रिक कार कंपनी के साथ मिलकर ये ख़ास मॉडल तैयार करेगा. कंपनी ने उम्मीद जताई है कि इस नई कार का निर्माण अगले साल से शुरू हो जाएगा.
रेवा की इलेक्ट्रिक कारें ब्रिटेन में जी-विज़ ब्रांड के नाम से बिकती हैं. भारत में कंपनी के प्रमुख कार्ल स्लिम ने कहा कि उनकी कंपनी भारत सरकार के साथ मिलकर चार्जिंग स्टेशनों के नेटवर्क स्थापित करने के लिए काम करेगी.
बाज़ार
रेवा इलेक्ट्रिक कार कंपनी का मुख्यालय बंगलौर में है. इस कंपनी ने भारत में पहली इलेक्ट्रिक कार वर्ष 2001 में बनाई थी. जनरल मोटर्स की ये घोषणा अमरीकी में उसकी प्रतिद्वंद्वी कार कंपनी फ़ोर्ड की उस घोषणा के एक दिन बाद ही आई है, जिसमें फ़ोर्ड ने कहा था कि कंपनी फ़ोर्ड फ़िगो के नाम से भारतीय बाज़ार के लिए नई कार बनाएगी.फ़ोर्ड का कहना है कि कंपनी की भारत में 50 करोड़ डॉलर निवेश करने की योजना है और फ़िगो इसी के तहत लाँच की जाएगी.
दोनों कंपनियाँ भारत में छोटे कार के क्षेत्र में हाथ आज़मा रही हैं, जो नई गाड़ियों के बाज़ार का 70 प्रतिशत है.
India's largest merger falls flat
Telecom giant Bharti Airtel on Wednesday (September 30) called off discussions with MTN for the $23-billion merger deal saying the South African government has rejected the proposed structure. This is the second time in just over a year when Sunil Mittal-led Bharti Airtel has been forced to abandon talks for amalgamation of the two organisations in a complex deal that also required Indian government's clearance for dual listing. “The structure needed an approval from the government of South Africa, which has expressed its inability to accept it in the current form,” Bharti said in a statement while applauding the support given to the proposed deal by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and others.
The broad structure being discussed by the two companies had taken into account the sensibilities and sensitivities of both firms and both their countries. “This transaction would have been the single largest FDI into South Africa and one of the largest outbound FDIs from India,” Bharti statement said, adding "... we hope the South African government will review its position in the future and allow both companies an opportunity to re-engage.” Senior management of Bharti, including Sunil Mittal, could not be reached immediately for comments as they are on a annual off-site, most likely in Pataya, Thailand.
The decision to call off the negotiations has come just a day after Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee's remarks that the government has a positive approach towards the deal. "Both Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and myself have said that we are taking a positive approach and outlook towards it," Mukherjee had said. Corporate Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid today said that the discussions between the two has not reached at a stage to get regulatory clearances as the two firms are still discussing the structure of the deal. As per the proposed structure, Bharti would have acquired 49% shareholding in MTN and in turn MTN and its shareholders would acquire about 36 per cent economic interest in Bharti. The South African government had demanded dual listing of MTN in order to protect the character of MTN as South African entity.
The broad structure being discussed by the two companies had taken into account the sensibilities and sensitivities of both firms and both their countries. “This transaction would have been the single largest FDI into South Africa and one of the largest outbound FDIs from India,” Bharti statement said, adding "... we hope the South African government will review its position in the future and allow both companies an opportunity to re-engage.” Senior management of Bharti, including Sunil Mittal, could not be reached immediately for comments as they are on a annual off-site, most likely in Pataya, Thailand.
The decision to call off the negotiations has come just a day after Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee's remarks that the government has a positive approach towards the deal. "Both Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and myself have said that we are taking a positive approach and outlook towards it," Mukherjee had said. Corporate Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid today said that the discussions between the two has not reached at a stage to get regulatory clearances as the two firms are still discussing the structure of the deal. As per the proposed structure, Bharti would have acquired 49% shareholding in MTN and in turn MTN and its shareholders would acquire about 36 per cent economic interest in Bharti. The South African government had demanded dual listing of MTN in order to protect the character of MTN as South African entity.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
India and Denmark sign MoU on Labour Mobility Partnership
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.
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.
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.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
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.
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.
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
Friday, September 25, 2009
Sign akin to Indus Valley found in Kerala
A rock engraving, similar to a sign of the Indus Valley Civilisation, has been found at Edakkal in Wayanad district of Kerala. A recent exploration at the Edakkal Caves revealed a picture of a man with a jar, a unique sign of the Indus civilisation.
Tangible evidence
Engraved supposedly with a stone-axe in linear style, the sign has proven itself to be a tangible evidence to link it to the Indus culture. It was the first time that an Indus sign is discovered in Kerala.
“But we do not claim that the Indus people reached Wayanad; nor do we argue that Edakkal was a continuity of the Indus civilisation,” said historian M.R. Raghava Varier, who identified the sign during the exploration in August.
He said, “What is striking in the Edakkal sign is the presence of an Indus motif, which has been rare and interesting.”
Man-with-the-jar has been a recurring motif of the Indus Valley signs. Though it uses the Indus motif, the Edakkal engraving has retained its unique style. With linear strokes, the engraver has tried to attain a two-dimensional human figure.
“The ‘jar’ is the same as in Indus ‘ligature.’ But the human figure is slightly different. This is where the influence of the Edakkal style predominates,” said Dr. Varier.
Unique
Though rock art sites are plenty in different continents, the rock engravings at the Edakkal Caves are unique in the world. The Indus Civilisation has been dated between 2,300 BC and 1,700 BC. The Edakkal culture, however, is yet to be identified with any particular time.
Historians say Edakkal represents quite a long period. The figures of ritualistic nature found at Edakkal represent different stages of human development, both historic and pre-historic. “But this one is definitely pre-historic,” Dr. Varier said.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
रमेश कुमार ने इतिहास रचा
भारत के रमेश कुमार ने विश्व कुश्ती चैंपियनशिप में कांस्य पदक जीत कर इतिहास रचा है.
ये पदक उन्होंने फ़्रीस्टाइल 74 किलोग्राम वर्ग में जीता है. प्रतियोगिता डेनमार्क में चल रही है.
उत्तर प्रदेश के रहने वाले रमेश कुमार ने 32 साल के अंतराल के बाद इस प्रतिष्ठित प्रतियोगिता में भारत को कोई पदक दिलवाया है.
रमेश ने मोलोदोवा के एलेक्ज़ांदर बुर्का को तकनीकी आधार पर हराया. हालांकि शुरुआत में रमेश का प्रदर्शन खराब रहा था और पहले चरण में वे 0-3 से पिछड़ रहे थे.
ये पदक उन्होंने फ़्रीस्टाइल 74 किलोग्राम वर्ग में जीता है. प्रतियोगिता डेनमार्क में चल रही है.
उत्तर प्रदेश के रहने वाले रमेश कुमार ने 32 साल के अंतराल के बाद इस प्रतिष्ठित प्रतियोगिता में भारत को कोई पदक दिलवाया है.
रमेश ने मोलोदोवा के एलेक्ज़ांदर बुर्का को तकनीकी आधार पर हराया. हालांकि शुरुआत में रमेश का प्रदर्शन खराब रहा था और पहले चरण में वे 0-3 से पिछड़ रहे थे.
Haier appoints new India head
Haier has appointed Eric Braganza as President of its India operations. He will oversee sales and marketing, manufacturing and all support functions. The present whole-time director and COO of Haier Appliances India, Pranay Dhabhai, has decided to move on to start a new venture
mjunction launches coal spot price index
KOLKATA: mjunction services (a joint venture of SAIL and Tata Steel) has launched India’s first coal spot price index. It is expected to serve as a barometer of the Indian coal market. There would be three specific industry indices — for steel, cement and power besides a composite index
13 Indian firms make it to the Forbes Asia list
KUALA LUMPUR: As many as 13 Indian companies, including Reliance Industries, Infosys Technologies and Tata Steel, have made it to the list of Forbes’ 50 best-listed companies in the Asia-Pacific region.
"Our list is a mix of giant, established companies — this year that list includes Australian miner BHP Billiton, Hong Kong conglomerate Noble Group and Indian oil and gas heavyweight Reliance Industries — and smaller outfits such as Agile property Holdings, Anhui Conch Cement and digital China Holdings,” Forbes Asia said in a statement.
In the Forbes list, there are four Indian entities — Reliance Industries, Bharti Airtel, Infosys Technologies and Tata Consultancy Services — among the top ten firms in terms of market value.
Reliance Industries and Tata Steel feature in the top ten league in terms of sales.
The Indian league has four newcomers this year.
They are: Adani Enterprises, Axis Bank, Jindal Steel & Power and Tata Consultancy Services.
Among the Indian firms returning to the list include Bharat Heavy Electricals, Larsen & Toubro and Reliance Industries.
China has again outdone the rest of Asia Pacific with the most number of firms (16) represented in the league.
“The mainland firms together with five from Taiwan and three from Hong Kong account for almost half of the entries, giving Greater China the biggest regional representation on the list,” Forbes said.
Taiwan moved up the ranking this year and is in the third place with five companies on the list, all of which are from the technology sector. Japan and Australia share the fourth place with four companies each on the list.
Selection criteria
The list included companies that have revenue and market capitalisation of at least $3 billion and a five-year record of operating profitability and return on equity.
The other criteria for being in the list include long-term profitability, sales and earnings growth, stock price appreciation, projects earnings, quality of management and entrepreneurial skills. — PTI
"Our list is a mix of giant, established companies — this year that list includes Australian miner BHP Billiton, Hong Kong conglomerate Noble Group and Indian oil and gas heavyweight Reliance Industries — and smaller outfits such as Agile property Holdings, Anhui Conch Cement and digital China Holdings,” Forbes Asia said in a statement.
In the Forbes list, there are four Indian entities — Reliance Industries, Bharti Airtel, Infosys Technologies and Tata Consultancy Services — among the top ten firms in terms of market value.
Reliance Industries and Tata Steel feature in the top ten league in terms of sales.
The Indian league has four newcomers this year.
They are: Adani Enterprises, Axis Bank, Jindal Steel & Power and Tata Consultancy Services.
Among the Indian firms returning to the list include Bharat Heavy Electricals, Larsen & Toubro and Reliance Industries.
China has again outdone the rest of Asia Pacific with the most number of firms (16) represented in the league.
“The mainland firms together with five from Taiwan and three from Hong Kong account for almost half of the entries, giving Greater China the biggest regional representation on the list,” Forbes said.
Taiwan moved up the ranking this year and is in the third place with five companies on the list, all of which are from the technology sector. Japan and Australia share the fourth place with four companies each on the list.
Selection criteria
The list included companies that have revenue and market capitalisation of at least $3 billion and a five-year record of operating profitability and return on equity.
The other criteria for being in the list include long-term profitability, sales and earnings growth, stock price appreciation, projects earnings, quality of management and entrepreneurial skills. — PTI
New INS chief
The chairman of the Hyderabad-based Deccan Chronicle, T. Venkattram Reddy, was elected president of the Indian Newspaper Society for 2009-10, at the 70th annual general meeting of the INS here on Thursday. He succeeds Hormusji N. Cama of the Bombay Samachar Weekly.
China regains FIBA-Asia title
BASKING IN GLORY: The Chinese team which took the honours at the FIBA-Asia basketball championship in Chennai on Thursday.
Chennai: In a classic combat that stretched the frontiers of ingenuity and improvisation, China regained the FIBA-Asia championship on Thursday.Before a huge gathering, which included a sizable number of Chinese and Korean spectators, the teams exemplified the technical excellence of what constitutes the art and science of basketball at the JN Stadium where China beat Korea by 91 points to 71.
भारत ने बनाया नया परमाणु संयंत्र
भारतीय परमाणु ऊर्जा आयोग के प्रमुख अनिल काकोदकर ने अंतरराष्ट्रीय परमाणु ऊर्जा संघ के सम्मेलन में घोषणा की है कि भारत ने एक नया परमाणु उर्जा संयंत्र बनाया है.
अनील काकोदकर ने कहा है कि भारत ने 300 मेगावाट की क्षमता वाला एडवांस हेवीवॉटर रिएक्टर बनाया है जो ईंधन के लिए कम दर्जे के साथ थोरियम का इस्तेमाल करता है.
दुनिया के ज़्यादातर परमाणु रिएक्टर ईंधन के लिए यूरेनियम या प्लूटोनियम का इस्तेमाल करते हैं जबकि भारत के नए रिएक्टर का मुख्य ईँधन थोरियम है.
थोरियम भारत में बड़ी मात्रा में उपलब्ध है जबकि यूरेनियम के लिए भारत कई दूसरे देशों पर निर्भर है.
ज़ाहिर सी बात है कि एडवांस हेवी वॉटर रिएक्टर के विकास से भारत को अपनी ऊर्जा ज़रूरतों को पूरा करने में तो मदद मिलेगी ही लेकिन वो यह तकनीक अन्य विकासशील देशों को भी बेच सकता है.
थोरियम आधारित संयंत्र
भारत पहले ही 220 मैगावाट की क्षमता वाला थोरियम ईंधन पर आधारित रिएक्टर बना चुका है.साइंस पत्रिका के भारत में पत्रकार और विज्ञान संबंधी मामलों के जानकार पल्लव बागला का कहना है, ''आने वाले दस वर्षों में भारत दुनिया के छोटे देशों को यह परमाणु संयत्र बेचने का इरादा रखता है.''
220 मेगावाट वाले रिएक्टरों के संबंध में कज़ाकस्तान और वियतनाम जैसे देशों को रूचि है लेकिन 300 मेगावाट वाले जिस रिएक्टर की घोषणा अनिल काकोडकर ने की है वो ज्यादा आधुनिक है और उसके निर्यात से पहले देखना होगा कि वो भारत में कितना सफल होता है.
पिछले साल भारत में अमरीका के साथ की गई परमाणु संधि को लेकर विवाद इस कदर बढ गया था कि यूपीए सरकार के बने रहने पर ही संकट छा गया था.
सवाल यह है कि जब भारत थोरियम पर आधारित परमाणु रिएक्टर विकसित कर चुका है तो फिर भारत को यूरेनियम पर आधारित रिएक्टर टेक्नोलॉजी पाने के लिए यह विवाद मोल लेने की क्या ज़रूरत थी.
के संथनम परमाणु ऊर्जा आयोग के प्रमुख अनिल काकोदकर की इस दलील से भी सहमत हैं कि एडवांस हेवी वॉटर रिएक्टर में इस्तेमाल किए गए यूरेनियम सामग्री से हथियार बनाना भी मुश्किल होगा. अगर यह सही साबित होता है तो परमाणु अप्रसार के लिए कोशिश कर रहे देशों की चिंताएं भी कम होंगी.
एड्स के ख़िलाफ़ अहम सफलता
वैज्ञानिकों का कहना है कि उन्होंने एक ऐसा टीका बना लिया है जो एड्स फैलानेवाले वायरस एचआईवी के ख़तरे को तीस प्रतिशत कम कर देगा.
थाईलैंड में अपनी इच्छा से आगे आए सोलह हज़ार लोगों पर इस टीके का परीक्षण किया गया है और इस पूरे कार्यक्रम के लिए पैसा अमरीकी सेना की तरफ़ से दिया गया.एड्स के क्षेत्र में काम करनेवाले कई जानकारों ने इसे एक ऐतिहासिक मील का पत्थर बताया है.
पूरी दुनिया में तीन करोड़ तीस लाख लोग एचआईवी से ग्रस्त हैं.
अबतक दवाओं से लोगों को कुछ राहत मिली है लेकिन पहली बार एक टीका बना है जो इसे रोक सके.
यहां तक पहुंचने में भी वैज्ञानिकों को सात साल लगे हैं.
वैसे तो इसकी शब्दावली काफ़ी जटिल है लेकिन आसान ज़ुबान में यही कहा जा सकता है कि ये टीका एचआईवी के संक्रमण के ख़तरे को कम करने में 31.2 प्रतिशत कारगर है.
थाईलैंड में हुए एक संवाददाता सम्मेलन में कहा गया कि ये टीका पूरी तरह कारगर तो नहीं है लेकिन सही दिशा में उठाया गया एक महत्वपूर्ण कदम है.
लैंसेट मेडिकल जरनल के संपादक डॉ रिचर्ड हर्टन कि इस टीके की खोज काफ़ी उत्साहजनक है और इससे कुछ शंकाओं के साथ ही सही लेकिन उम्मीद बढ़ती है.
इस टीके से दुनिया भर में चल रहे उन शोधों को भी मदद मिलेगी जहां कोशिशें चल रही हैं एक पूरी तरह से कारगर टीका बनाने की.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Year of India in Russia
Incredible India Events begin in Russia, as part of celebration of the “Year of India in Russia”
The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India in association with the Indian Mission in Russia and Experience India Society is organising Incredible India Events in Russia from September 22-27, 2009 as part of celebration of the “Year of India in Russia”. The primary objective of the Incredible India Events is to showcase the tourism potential of India and to place India as favoured destination for the Russians.
Tourist arrivals from Russia to India is showing a steady growth. In the year 2008, India received a total of 91,423 tourists from Russia as against 75543 in 2007.
The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India in association with the Indian Mission in Russia and Experience India Society is organising Incredible India Events in Russia from September 22-27, 2009 as part of celebration of the “Year of India in Russia”. The primary objective of the Incredible India Events is to showcase the tourism potential of India and to place India as favoured destination for the Russians.
Tourist arrivals from Russia to India is showing a steady growth. In the year 2008, India received a total of 91,423 tourists from Russia as against 75543 in 2007.
First meeting of the National Social Security Board held
The first meeting of the National Social Security Board constituted under the Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Act, 2008 was held here today under the Chairmanship of the Union Minister of Labour and Employment, Shri. Mallikarjun Kharge.
Welcoming the Members, the Minister said that the enactment of this legislation was a major step towards providing social security to the unorganised workers in the country. Stating that about 94% of our workforce is in the unorganised sector, Shri Kharge said that these workers are mostly poor and many of them migrate from one place to another in search of livelihood and therefore are generally deprived of social security.
He pointed out that the enactment of ‘the Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Act, 2008’ was only a beginning and it would be government’s endeavour to extend the benefits to certain segments of the unorganized workers who are above poverty line (APL) as well. He said that the States have already been advised to extend the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) to other construction workers. The possibility of extending the RSBY to NREGS beneficiaries is also being explored, the Minister added.
The members applauded the efforts made by the Government which included the implementation of Rashtriya Swashtya Bima Yojana (RSBY) under which more than 63 lakh smart cards had already been issued. The members also gave a number of valuable suggestions, including the one relating to setting up of an independent institutional mechanism for implementing welfare schemes.
Welcoming the Members, the Minister said that the enactment of this legislation was a major step towards providing social security to the unorganised workers in the country. Stating that about 94% of our workforce is in the unorganised sector, Shri Kharge said that these workers are mostly poor and many of them migrate from one place to another in search of livelihood and therefore are generally deprived of social security.
He pointed out that the enactment of ‘the Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Act, 2008’ was only a beginning and it would be government’s endeavour to extend the benefits to certain segments of the unorganized workers who are above poverty line (APL) as well. He said that the States have already been advised to extend the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) to other construction workers. The possibility of extending the RSBY to NREGS beneficiaries is also being explored, the Minister added.
The members applauded the efforts made by the Government which included the implementation of Rashtriya Swashtya Bima Yojana (RSBY) under which more than 63 lakh smart cards had already been issued. The members also gave a number of valuable suggestions, including the one relating to setting up of an independent institutional mechanism for implementing welfare schemes.
Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace & Sustainable Development as UNESCO
UNESCO’s Executive Board approves India’s proposal to set up Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace & Sustainable Development as UNESCO Category-I Institute
India is poised to become the first country in Asia to have an UNESCO Category – I Institute, which will be named Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development. The Executive Board of UNESCO has approved India’s proposal to set up a Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace & Sustainable Development as UNESCO Category I Institute. This approval was accorded by acclamation in the Joint Administrative and Finance Commission of the Executive Board at its 182nd Session which was held on 18th September, 2009.
This would be the first Category-I Institute of UNESCO to be established in the Asia Pacific region. At present, there are eleven UNESCO Category-I institutes and except 3 of them, all are located in developed countries and none is located in Asia.
The overall focus of the activities of the proposed Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace & Sustainable Development activities will be on fostering a culture of peace through education, promoting sustainable economic and social development and respect for human rights. The decision is being viewed as a historic one and reinforces India’s key role in UNESCO and its leadership position in building the defences of peace in the minds of men.
The proposal will be formally approved by the General Conference of UNESCO in its 35th Session, which is going to be held from 6 – 23 October, 2009 at its headquarters at Paris.
India is poised to become the first country in Asia to have an UNESCO Category – I Institute, which will be named Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development. The Executive Board of UNESCO has approved India’s proposal to set up a Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace & Sustainable Development as UNESCO Category I Institute. This approval was accorded by acclamation in the Joint Administrative and Finance Commission of the Executive Board at its 182nd Session which was held on 18th September, 2009.
This would be the first Category-I Institute of UNESCO to be established in the Asia Pacific region. At present, there are eleven UNESCO Category-I institutes and except 3 of them, all are located in developed countries and none is located in Asia.
The overall focus of the activities of the proposed Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace & Sustainable Development activities will be on fostering a culture of peace through education, promoting sustainable economic and social development and respect for human rights. The decision is being viewed as a historic one and reinforces India’s key role in UNESCO and its leadership position in building the defences of peace in the minds of men.
The proposal will be formally approved by the General Conference of UNESCO in its 35th Session, which is going to be held from 6 – 23 October, 2009 at its headquarters at Paris.
Ministry plans 5,000 rural courts
In an effort to reduce the growing pendency of cases in courts, the Union law and justice ministry has begun the process to set up 5,000 rural courts across the country. Official sources stated that the notification to set up gram nyayalayas will come into effect on October 2. The ambitious project seeks to set up courts at the panchayat level to dispense speedy justice.
With more than 3.11 crore cases pending across the country, government expects rural courts will help get justice delivered at the door steps of the common man.
Sources stated that nearly 2.71 crore of the 3.11 crore pending cases can be attributed to subordinate courts.The gram nyayayalas will be expected to deal with cases at a level below the subordinate courts but in the same capacity.
The Centre is expected to bear the cost of the courts to be set up at the district headquarters and in taluks. While soon after the notification, the state governments will initiate a process to set up rural courts. The plan to establish gram nyayayalas will be implemented in a phased manner. Sources stated that by the next fiscal year government plans to set up 200 such courts. With the number of these courts set to go up to 5,000 in the next three years.
With more than 3.11 crore cases pending across the country, government expects rural courts will help get justice delivered at the door steps of the common man.
Sources stated that nearly 2.71 crore of the 3.11 crore pending cases can be attributed to subordinate courts.The gram nyayayalas will be expected to deal with cases at a level below the subordinate courts but in the same capacity.
In stunning upset victory, woman to head UNESCO
Ms. Bokova was elected on Tuesday by the organisation’s 58-member Executive Board, winning 31 votes to defeat her rival, Egypt’s culture minister Farukh Hosni, who polled 27.
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