Current Affairs Policies Jan To Oct2013

Current Affairs Policies
2013
Jan to Oct
OCTOBER
India to commission its first strategic oil storage by January 2014

October 2nd, 2013
In an effort to shield itself from supply disruptions, India is building strategic oil storage facility. The first such storage facility is expected to be commissioned in January 2014 at Vishakhapatnam. The facilities are being built by state owned firm India Strategic Petroleum Reserves Ltd (ISPRL). India is building underground storages at Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh and Mangalore and Padur in Karnataka to store about 5.33 million tonnes of crude oil. This is sufficient to meet nations oil requirement for 13-14 days. Visakhapatnam facility would have the capacity to store 1.33 million tonnes of crude oil in underground rock caverns. Huge underground cavities, almost ten storey tall and approximately 3.3 km long are being built.
Why India is building strategic oil storages?
India meets around 80% of its crude oil needs from imports. Dependence on oil import makes it vulnerable to supply disruptions as well as changes in the prices of crude oil which could have ramifications in India. To counter this, oil storages would serve as a stock to manage supply disturbances as well as to buy and store oil when prices are low and release them to refiners when there is a spike in global rates. With this facility, India will join countries like the US, Japan and China that have strategic reserves.
Government notifies GAAR

October 2nd, 2013
The Union government of India notified GAAR (General Anti Avoidance Rules). It is aimed at curbing tax avoidance by investors routing their funds through tax havens. GAAR will come into force from April 1, 2016. It will be applicable to entities availing tax benefit of at least Rs. 3 crore. It will scrutinize Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) that have claimed benefits under any Double Tax Avoidance Agreement (DTAA). GAAR will not cover investments made by a non-resident by way of overseas derivative instruments or P-Notes through FIIs and investments made before August 30, 2010.
Centre to fund Rubber Plantation in Maoist Affected States approved

October 1st, 2013
Union Government has approved a proposal of funding Rubber Plantation in over 50000 acres of land in Maoist-affected States under a special funded Central project.
Why Rubber Plantation project in Maoist-affected States?
The step has been taken to provide a sustainable source of income to people residing in Maoistaffected regions which will prevent youth from joining the naxal movement.
RBI eases trade credit rules to raise funds from overseas

October 1st, 2013
The Reserve Bank of India eased trade credit norms to raise funds from abroad. As per RBIs notification, all types of firms can avail trade credit facility now from overseas for import of capital goods. The relaxations in norms allow companies in all sectors to avail trade credit not exceeding $ 20 million up to a maximum period of 5 years for import of capital goods as classified by the Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).

Previously, only companies in the infrastructure sector were permitted to raise such trade credits.
However, Banks are not permitted to issue Letters of Credit/guarantees/Letter of Undertaking (LoU) /Letter of Comfort (LoC) in favor of overseas supplier, bank and financial institution for the extended period beyond 3 years.
RBI directs Banks to end zero interest EMI schemes

October 1st, 2013
In a major blow to the banks and merchant establishments, the Reserve Bank of India has instructed banks to stop offering zero interest EMI (Equated Monthly Installment) schemes for the purchase of consumer goods in a bid to discourage them from offering such schemes or products. RBI has asked banks to offer uniform interest rates and processing fee on EMI-based credit card schemes for retail products. The RBI also directed banks to terminate their relationships with merchant establishments which levied a fee on customers who make payments for goods and services through debit cards.
Why RBI has instructed banks against offering zero interest EMI schemes?
As per RBI, the very concept of zero per cent interest is non-existent and is only used by banks and others as a camouflage to lure and exploit gullible customers and it is passed on to the customer as processing fee by banks offering zero per cent EMI schemes on credit card outstanding for purchasing retail products. RBI wants banks to follow fair practice which, according to the central bank, demands the processing charge and RoI (Rate of Interest) charged be kept uniform, product and segment-wise, irrespective of the sourcing channel.
SEPTEMBER
CCEA approves Petroleum Ministrys proposal on shale gas exploration and exploitation
September 29th, 2013
The proposal of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on the policy on exploration and exploitation of shale gas and oil by National Oil Companies (NOCs) on acreages under the nomination regime has been approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs.
How the policy on exploration/exploitation of shale gas by NOCs would help?
The policy will facilitate NOCs to perform exploration and exploitation of unconventional hydro-carbon resources particularly shale gas and oil in their already awarded Petroleum Exploration License and Petroleum Mining Lease (PEL/PML) acreages under the nomination regime. The policy also stipulates the terms/conditions for guiding these activities.
Why the government is bringing a different policy for shale oil/gas?
The production requirements and profile for shale oil and gas is different from conventional gas and oil. Therefore, there was a need of the policy in order to achieve early development of these resources and to address issues evolving out of Exploration & Production activities in shale gas and oil.
CCEA approves auction methodology for Coal Block Auction

Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has given approval to the policy for auction by competitive bidding of the coal blocks which aims to ensure greater transparency and will pave the way for the government to auction explored blocks. The policy provides for: Auctioning the fully explored coal blocks providing for upfront and production-linked payments and benchmarking of coal sale prices. Expediting the auction by exploration of regionally explored blocks through up gradation of geological data to a reasonable level of certainty. Production linked payment on rupee per tonne basis, plus a basic upfront payment of 10% of the intrinsic value of the coal block.
Aadhaar card optional, not mandatory: Government

Informing the Supreme Court, the Centre stated that securing Aadhaar cards is optional and not mandatory.
What is voluntary/mandatory issue with the Aadhaar cards?
Three members of National Ganga River Basin Authority resign

Three expert members- Rajendra Singh, Ravi Chopra and Rashid Siddiqui resigned from the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) which was set up with the objective of protecting the Ganga from pollution and overuse. The members were disquieted over the fact that the National Ganga River Basin Authority has not met since April 2012, especially in the wake of continued government indifference on101st day of professorGD Agrawals fast for Ganga.
Key points about the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA)
Established: February 20, 2009 under Section 3(3) of the EnvironmentProtection Act, 1986, which also declared Ganges as the National River of India.

Authority: Financing, planning, implementing, monitoring and coordinating the Ganges River, functioning under the Ministry of Environment of India. authority
6
for
Mission: Protect the drainage basin which feeds water into the Ganges by protecting it from pollution or overuse. Ex-Officio Chairman: Prime Minister
Govt of India launches Jiyo Parsi scheme

With the aim to contain the dwindling population of Parsis in India, theJiyo Parsi scheme has been launched by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India.
What is Jiyo Parsi scheme?
Jiyo parsi scheme has the objective of reversing the declining trend of Parsi population by adopting scientific protocol and structured interventions, stabilize the Parsi population and increase the population of Parsis in India.
Key features of the Jiyo Parsi scheme:
100% financed by Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India. Medical interventions under Standard Medical protocols in select hospitals/clincs. Confidentiality of the patients to be given utmost importance.
Who will be the target group under Jiyo Parsi scheme?
The scheme is designed only for Parsi community. It will be available for Parsi married couples of child bearing age who seek assistance and adults/young men/women/adolescent boys/girls for diagnosis of diseases.
Union Government launches Seekho Aur Kamao (Learn and Earn) Progrmme
Union Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India launched Seekho Aur Kamao (Learn and While) Scheme for Skill Development of Minorities.
What are the key objectives of the scheme Learn and Earn?
The main objectives of this scheme are: Reduce the unemployment rate of minorities during 12th Plan period (2012-17). Conserve and update traditional skills of minorities and establish their linkages with the market. Improve employability of existing workers, school dropouts etc. and ensure their placement. Generate means of better livelihood for marginalized minorities and bring them in the mainstream. Facilitate minorities to avail opportunities in the growing market. Develop potential human resource for the nation.
What will be the areas of focus under Learn and Earn scheme?
The focus areas of this scheme are: Placement oriented training programme for modern trades. Skills Training Programme for Traditional Trades.

Training programme will also include soft skills training, basic Information and Technology (I.T) and English training. Project implementing agencies to ensure 75% employment and out of that 50% in organized sector. Mechanism for placement and post placement support. 100% assistance by Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India.
Who will be benefitted from Learn and Earn scheme?
The scheme will be implemented for the benefit of the 5 notified minority communities under National Commission for Minorities Act 1992(Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Parsis). However, in the States/UTs where some other minority communities notified by respective State/UT Governments exist, they may also be considered for the programme but they will not occupy more than 5% of the total seats.
Union Cabinet approves draft policy for early childhood care and education
Union Cabinet approved the draft policy of the National Early Childhood Care and Education (NECCE) which envisages for establishing guidelines for the standardisation of teaching and learning aids, trained manpower, sanitation and hygiene norms etc. in play schools and day care centres.
How would National Early Childhood Care and Education (NECCE) benefit?
The new National Early Childhood Care and Education (NECCE) policy will benefit children in playschools and crches as it provides for establishing a national council to establish guidelines for the standardisation of teaching and learning aids, trained manpower, sanitation and hygiene norms etc. in these institutions. It will lead to better regulation and monitoring the quality of care and education provided to children at play schools and crches across the country. The move is expected to directly benefit 158.7 million children who areunder the age of 6. The new policy provides for setting standards for the care givers and also set a curriculum framework. It also stipulates the minimum qualification required to be teachers at such centres, which will now have to be registered with the Government under this policy. The policy would be implemented through National and state ECCE Councils but the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development will have the authority to make necessary amendments in it.
CCEA nod to establish Information Technology Investment Region (ITIR) in Hyderabad

September 23rd, 2013
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has given nod to the set up of Information Technology Investment Region (ITIR) nearHyderabad, Andhra Pradesh.
Information Technology Investment Region (ITIR):
The project dedicated Information Technology and Electronic Hardware manufacturing will be spanned over 50000 acres and is projected to attract investment to the tune of Rs. 2.19 lakh crore over 25 years. It is expected to generate direct employment of 14.8 lakh and indirect employment of 55.9 lakh. The Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY) is the nodal Department of the Government of India to process proposals relating to setting up of ITIRs.
Govt gives nod to 10% hike in DA, to benefit 80 lakh employees, pensioners
September 22nd, 2013
The Union Cabinet has given approval to a 10% additional instalment of Dearness Allowance (DA) to Central Government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) to pensioners with effect from July 1, 2013. This will benefit around 50 lakh serving employees and 30 lakh retired employees. The latest increment will increase the effective rate of DA and DR to 90% and will cost government an additional Rs 7,253 crore in 2013-14 and Rs 10,879 crore 2014-15 onward.
About Dearness Allowance (DA) to Central Government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) :
DA and DR are revised twice a year, first in January 1 and second fromJuly 1. The revisions are based on the change in the Consumer Price index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW).
Government to aid textile start-ups via equity fund model

September 21st, 2013
Considering the huge export potential of some areas like textile, leather and toys, Government is planning to fund and provide workspace to start-ups in these sectors. The project will be tested in the textile sector where space will be provided to entrepreneurs at textile parks while funds will be given through the state-supported Textile Equity Fund. The Ministry of Textile is working with SIDBI to launch the first state-supported, dedicated Textile Equity Fund in the next three months, which will ensure easy availability of equity for start-ups as well as expansion for smaller enterprises. Government aims to replicate the success story of the IT sector which boomed on similar models. If successful, the model will be replicated in leather and toys industries. About 40 textile parks have already been established in the country, while another 20 were announced last year to boost the competitiveness of the sector. Textile has a share of about 14% to industrial production, 4% in the GDP and 17% in the export earnings. The sector is the second-largest employment provider after agriculture.
Apex court backs governments decision to charge deregulated diesel prices to bulk oil buyersC
The governments decision to charge market prices for diesel sold to bulk buyers such as defence, railways and transport corporations has been endorsed by the Supreme Court. The decision had been stayed by some courts after transport corporations challenged it. The apex court held that the decision by the government was right. As per the court, due to subsidy on oil, declining value of rupee and expanding Current Account Deficit (CAD) countrys economy is suffering. The court conceded to the governments rationale for increasing prices of petroleum prices in a phased manner over the years.
Governmet sanctions 158 Eklavya Model Residential Schools for ST students

Govt. of India has approved a total of 158 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs) for Tribal students out of grants under Article 275(1) of the Constitution of India in 23 states out of which 111 schools have become fully functional with all facilities. Gujarat has been sanctioned 22 schools which is the highest for any state followed by Madhya Pradesh(20) and Rajasthan (17). Chhattisgarh and Odisha have been sanctioned 16 schools each.

What are the objectives of Eklavya Model Residential Schools?
The objective of EMRS is to provide quality middle and high leveleducation to Scheduled Tribe (ST) students in remote areas, not only to enable them to avail of reservation in high and professional educational courses and as jobs in government and public and private sectors but also to have access to the best opportunities in education at par with the non ST population. This would be achieved by:
Govt. establishing INOIC : Indias sovereign wealth fund

The Government of India is establishing a company India Overseas Investment Corporation (INOIC) under the Ministry of Financesimilar to a sovereign wealth fund to impart financial power for securing access to overseas natural resources.
What is INOIC?
India Overseas Investment Corporation (INOIC) will be like Indias sovereign wealth fund which will function as a development finance institution with the specific mandate to provide equity and debt to Indian public sector enterprises (PSEs) for securing natural resources abroad.
How would INOIC function?
INOIC would like the governments holding arm and registered with RBI as a nonbanking financial institution with a paid-up capital of Rs 10 crore. The company will raise funds through rupee bonds of 15-20 years with sovereign guarantee. State-run entities, banks and financial institutions will subscribe to these papers using their surplus funds. It will not borrow from the RBI unlike IIFCL. The company will purchase or swap its rupee funds with foreign currency from the RBI at market-related rates. This will provide for a market-oriented mechanism and avoid management of temporary surplus forex funds. The formation of the company will follow amendments in guidelines so that state entities dont have to seek Public Investment Boards clearance if the quantum of overseas investment is within INOICs ambit. The company will act as a singlewindow clearing and financing framework that will be more expeditious than the current system involving multiple layers of approvals for foreign acquisitions. Basically, it means ready cash for an entity acquiring assets overseas. Note: Formation of INOIC will place India into a select club of economies such as US, Russia, China, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei,Qatar and UAE that have pushed overseas acquisitions and businessthrough such funds.
Government sets up mechanism to prevent wastage of foodgrain

The government has set up a detailed mechanism to ensure procurement of good quality foodgrain, its safe storage, transportation and distribution in order to prevent wastage of foodgrain.
Some key points in the mechanism to prevent wastage of foodgrain:
The procurement of foodgrain is to be according to the uniform specifications formulated by the government. Procured foodgrain are to be stored in scientific storage system. During storage, prescribed code of practices are to be followed to avoid any damage/wastage. There is a regular monitoring mechanism under which inspections at all levels are carried out to ensure safe preservations of foodgrain in Food Corporation of India (FCI) godowns. The FCI and the state governments are to ensure that all godowns are constructed as per specifications. In order to check moisture from seeping into foodgrain, adequate dunnage materials such as wooden crates, bamboo mats, polythene sheets are to be used.

Pest-control measures like providing fumigation covers, nylon ropes, nets and insecticides will be taken in all the godowns.
1 0
Slum Free India mission to be launched soon

The Union government has planned to start a Slum Free India mission with Rajiv Awas Yojana(RAY). The programme will be implemented on a mission mode during 2013-22.
What is Slum Free India mission?
The Slum Free India mission will be aimed at bringing all existing slums within the formal system and enabling them to avail the basic amenities that are available for the rest of the city. In the implementation phase, RAY will cover all towns, cities and urban agglomerations in the country.
How would the selection of slums be made?
The selection will be made by the states in consultation with the centre giving priority to district headquarters, cities of religious, heritage and tourist importance with due consideration to the criterion of speed of growth of the city, slums within the city and predominance of scheduled caste, scheduled tribe and minority population and other weaker and vulnerable section of the society.
What would be the government funding structure of Slum Free India mission?
The Union government would fund 50%, 75% and 80% of the project cost for towns, cities and urban agglomerations respectively with population of more than 5 lakh, less than 5 lakh for those in northeastern region.
Government to evolve new index to fix rural MGNREGA wages

The government is working on a new index based on the consumption pattern of rural landless labour to fix wages under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act.
Why the need for a new index for fixing MGNREGA wages?
Currently government uses Consumer Price Index for Agricultural Labourers (CPI-AL) with a base year of 1986-87 to calculate MGNREGA wages. The high MGNREGA wages have been often blamed for causing a hike in farm labour wages. It has been observed that the consumption pattern of the rural laborers have undergone a change and therefore the base year of 1986-87 has become outdated. While the weight assigned to food items in the CPI-AL is 69.15%, expenditure on food as a proportion of total household consumption spending fell from 64% in 1987 to 48.6% in 2011-12, as per the latest household consumption expenditure survey by NSSO. Hence, wages indexed on rural consumption pattern may lead to lesser inflation adjustment as the food component in the basket will decrease, which has been facing double-digit inflation for quite some time now.
What would be the effect of the use of new index for fixing MGNREGA wages?
The new index will incorporate latest rural consumption pattern. As the new consumption pattern shows decrease in the expenditure on food as a proportion of total household consumption, the new wages indexed on rural consumption pattern may lead to lesser inflation adjustment as the food component in the basket will fall, which has been witnessing double-digit inflation. It visible from the latest inflation data that food is more volatile in terms of inflation as compared with non-food inflation.

Quadricycle to hit countrys roads from Oct 2013
1 1
The government has issued a draft notification that intends to classify the quadricycle as a commercial vehicle under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules. It will facilitate introduction of quadricycle to Indian roads.
What is a Quadricycle?
Quadricycle is a four-wheeled vehicle that is bigger than an auto-rickshaw but smaller than a compact car and will be used for commercial purpose transporting passengers and goods on nonhighway stretches in cities and villages.
What does the draft notification on Quadricycle say?
As per the notification: The use of quadricycles for transporting passengers as well as goods on non-highways will be allowed. The vehicle must have a fully-enclosed body with a steering wheel, and that an empty quadricycle must not weigh more than 450 kg if used for transporting passengers and 550 kg if its is made for carrying cargo. A passenger quadricycle will have the maximum seating capacity for 3 passengers and a driver, while the goods variant will be allowed to carry only one passenger along with the driver. Materials such as rexin, cloth and plastic cannot be used to cover the sides or the top of a quadricycle. Maximum length of the passenger variant at 3 metre, effectively disqualifying all compact cars from being used as quadricycles. For a goods quadricycle, the maximum length has been set at 3.7 metre. The overall width of these vehicles must not exceed 1.5 metre. The vehicles will have to comply with the emission norms stipulated for auto rickshaws, which are less rigorous than norms such as Bharat Stage III and IV that are mandatory for passenger cars.
Why government supporting the idea of quadricycle?
As per the government, the policy on quadricycles will provide a natural upgrade to the old threewheeler auto rickshaws and will serve as a better form of transport with improved stability and modern features needed for intra-city transport.
Why there is opposition to the idea of quadricycle?
Many auto manufacturers in the country including Tata Motors, TVS Motors, Maruti Suzuki and Mahindra & Mahindra are against the idea, debating that quadricycles will take the Indian automotive industry back by many years. Currently, Bajaj Motors is the only automaker in Indiathat has developed a four-wheeled passenger carrier, the RE60, and plans to launch it by the end of this fiscal.
Civil servants to get medical treatment expenses incurred abroad

As per the new norms by Ministry of Personnel, a member of All IndiaServices Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and Indian Forest Service (IFoS) can also be airlifted outside the state in cases of a medical emergency. An attendant of the member of services will also be entitled for to and fro airfare.
Bill prohibiting Manual Scavenging passed in Lok Sabha

September 9th, 2013
1 2
The Lok Sabha passed the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Bill 2012. The Bill prohibits employment of manual scavengers, manual cleaning of sewers and septic tanks without protective equipment and construction of insanitary latrines. It also seeks to rehabilitate manual scavengers and provide for their alternative employment.
What are the key points in the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Bill 2012 ?
According to the Bill: The employment of manual scavengers, the manual cleaning of sewers and septic tanks without protective equipment, and the construction of insanitary latrines is prohibited. It provides for rehabilitation of manual scavengers and their alternative employment. Each local authority, cantonment board and railway authority is responsible for surveying insanitary latrines within its jurisdiction. They shall also construct a number of sanitary community latrines. Each occupier of insanitary latrines shall be responsible for converting or demolishing the latrine at his own cost. If he fails to do so, the local authority shall convert the latrine and recover the cost from him. The implementing authorities shall be District Magistrate and the local authority. Offences under the Bill shall be cognizable and non-bailable, and may be tried summarily.
Lok Sabha passes PFRDA Bill 2011

September 5th, 2013
The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority Bill (PFRDA), 2011 which aims to regulate the New Pension System (NPS)has been passed in the Lok Sabha with official amendments. The bill was introduced in the lower house in March 2011 to provide for a statutory regulatory body. Currently the PFRDA has a non-statutory status. The legislation seeks to empower PFRDA to regulate the New Pension System (NPS).
Some highlights of PFRDA Bill 2011:
It provides subscribers a wide choice to invest their funds for assured returns by opting for government bonds as well as in other funds depending on their capacity for risk. It allows for withdrawals from the individual pension account subject to the conditions, such as, purpose, frequency and limits, as may be specified by the regulations. It makes the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority a statutory authority. Presently, it has non-statutory status.
What is the main reason behind providing PFRDA a statutory status?
NPS which is compulsory for government employees (exceptdefence) has been launched for all citizens of the country including un-orgnised sector workers, on voluntary basis, with effect from May 1, 2009. Further, the Government has launched the co-contributory pension scheme titled Swavalamban Scheme in the Budget of 2010-11. Currently, the number of subscribers under NPS is 52.83 Lakh with a corpus of Rs. 34, 965 crore. In order to effectively invest and manage huge funds belonging to a large number of subscribers and to ensure the integrity of NPS, establishment of a statutory PFRDA with well defined powers, duties and responsibilities is considered absolutely necessary and would benefit all NPS subscribers.
Ministry of MSME sets up District-level Advisory Committee to monitor PMEGP

September 5th, 2013
The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) has established an Advisory Committee for each district of the country for monitoring the progress of Prime Ministers
1 3
Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) with active role of Members of Parliament from the district.
What is Prime Ministers Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP)?
Prime Ministers Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) is a credit linked subsidy programme launched by the Government of India by merging the two schemes namely Prime Ministers Rojgar Yojana (PMRY) and Rural Employment Generation Programme (REGP) for generation of employment opportunities through establishment of micro enterprises in rural as well as urban areas. PMEGP is a central sector scheme administered by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MoMSME). What are the objectives of PMEGP? Objectives of PMEGP are: 1. To generate employment opportunities in rural as well as urban areas of the country through setting up of new self employment ventures/projects/micro enterprises. 2. To bring together widely dispersed traditional artisans/ rural and urban unemployed youth and give them self employment opportunities to the extent possible, at their place. 3. To provide continuous and sustainable employment to a large segment of traditional and prospective artisans and rural and urban unemployed youth in the country, so as to help arrest migration of rural youth to urban areas. 4. To increase the wage earning capacity of artisans and contribute to increase in the growth rate of rural and urban employment.
What will be the constitution of the District Level Advisory Committee who will monitor PMEGP?
The District Level Advisory Committee will comprise around 30 members chaired by the Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) elected from the District having the largest part of the district under his/ her Parliamentary constituency. The Committee would provide overall guidance and suggestions for the implementation of the PMEGP programme. The committee would liaise and coordinate with Khadi and Village Industry Commission (KVIC) which is the nodal agency for the scheme, State Government and other agencies including Banks for effective mobilization of young entrepreneurs under PMEGP. It would also ensure that the scheme is implemented in line with its guidelines.
Union Cabinet gives nod to set up National Institute of Solar Energy

September 5th, 2013
The Union Cabinet approved the proposal for setting up of an autonomous National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) to function as apex national body for research and technology development and related activities in the area of solar energy technologies in the country. The institute is to be set up by converting the Solar Energy Centre (SEC), Gurgaon with a long term vision to develop it as a world class institute. The setting up of National Institute of Solar Energy is a part of Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) which will speed up the process to support induction of the latest technologies to ensure maximum cost benefit and lead to early commercialization. Solar power project developers will be motivated to use more efficient and optimized solar components.
September 4th, 2013

SJAM to honor Tedulkar with Century of Centuries award
1 4
Sports Journalists Association of Mumbai (SJAM) has selected famous batsman Sachin Tendulkar for a special Century of Centuries Award. The Little Master has been chose for the award for scoring 100 international hundreds.
Malala inaugurates new Birmingham Library
Famous brave schoolgirl and education activist Malala Yousufzai was the chief guest at the opening ceremony of the new Birmingham Library which will now be the largest in Europe. On this occasion she delivered a moving speech in which she called for peace and advocated free education for children around the world.
Current Affairs: Top Headlines for September 2, 2013

September 2nd, 2013
Hyderabad Hotshots clinch IBL
Hyderabad Hotshots defeated Awadhe Warriors in the final of the $1 million inaugural VodafoneIndian Badminton League (IBL) played in Mumbai. The event witnessed six teams namely Banga Beats, Hyderabad Hotshots, Delhi Smashers, Mumbai Masters, Pune Pistons and Awadhe Warriors competing against each other to reach the top spot.
To save forex India plans crude import from Iran
To tackle widening Current account Deficit (CAD) and continuous depreciation of rupee India plans to exercise the option of importing crude oil from Iran. The move would Indias save $8.5 billion in foreign exchange as pays Tehran in rupee unlike other oil exporting countries. India spent $144.29 billion for oil imports in the last fiscal.
Korea beat India to conquer Asia Cup
India lost to Korea in the final of Asia Cup hockey tournament. Korea won the match 4-3 which brought them fourth triumph in the competition. Final Positions of Teams: 1. Korea, 2. India, 3. Pakistan, 4.Malaysia, 5. Japan, 6. Oman, 7.Bangladesh, 8. Chinese Taipei. Player of the tournament: V.R. Raghunath (India)
Lungs of Indians functions 30% lower than Europeans: Study
It has been found in a study that Indians have 30% lower lung function as compared to Europeans. The study conducted the Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) measurement of 10,000 healthy, nonsmoking individuals in Jaipur, Pune, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Kashmir and found that lung function in Indians was 30% lower than Europeans. PEFR is the rate at which a person exhales and it is measured to assess lung function. This puts Indians at more risk from air pollution and smoking.
Food Security programme begins in Delhi
Food Security programme has been started in National capital Delhi. The programme which involves distribution of foodgrains under the highly subsidized prices has begun at four places in the national capital. Under the programme, identified beneficiaries will be entitled to food grains at Rs 3 per kg for rice, Rs 2 per kg for wheat and Rs 1 per kg for coarse cereals. Delhi government has so far identified 35 lakh beneficiaries and is likely to expand it further to 73 lakh people by January 2014.

Arab League calls for deterrent measures against Syria
1 5
The Arab League has exhorted the United Nations and the global community to take deterrent and necessary action against the Syrian government under Bashar al Assad for the use of chemical weapons while oppression of the rebellion there. However, Sunni Islams highest seat of learning, Cairo s Al Azhar has expressed opposition to any US military intervention on Syria, saying this would lead to an aggression against the Arab and Islamic nation.
Health Ministry launches health schemes in Assam
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched in Assam various new health scheme mainly focused on improving the maternal and infant mortality rates in the state. Among the scheme launched were Mother and Child Tracking System (MCTS), Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK), national Iron Plus initiative, National Health Missions Free Drug Service, tele -radiology service and hospital-tohospital 102 ambulance services.
Factory activity of India contracts for first time since March 2009
It is for the first time in the last 4 years that Indian factory activity has registered a shrink aggravating the concerns for the countrys deepening economic woes even as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) battles to defend the rupee currency. It came into notice from the Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) data that showed Indian economy grew at its slowest quarterly rate in the three months to June since the global financial crisis.
Land Acquisition Bill passed in Lok Sabha

September 1st, 2013
The Lok Sabha passed the long-awaited Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill which seeks to replace the archaic land acquisition law dating back to 1894. The government cleared the air on the reservations from some States against some provisions in the bill by informing that the Bill only ideates for fair compensation, rehabilitation and resettlement in the case of land acquisition and State Governments were free to improve upon it and enforce it as per their specific needs.
What are the key features of Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill 2012?
A key provision of the Land Bill is to get the consent of 80% of the landowners in case the land is acquired for private purposes and in case the land is acquired for public projects then at least consent of 70% of the landowners will be mandatory. The Bill also proposes that the farmers and the landowners should be compensated up to 4 times the market value of land in rural areas and two times the market value in urban areas.
Moodys thumbs down to Food Security Bill

September 1st, 2013
Rating agency Moodys has given a thumbs down to the Food Security Bill saying th e measure is credit negative as it would wane government finances and make an bad impact on the macroeconomic situation.
Why did Moodys weigh the Food Bill as credit negative?
The Food Security Bill which entitles 2/3rd of Indias population to food grain at subsidized prices, will soar government spending on food subsidies to about 1.2% of GDP per year from an estimated 0.8% currently, aggravating the governments weak finances. The i mplementation of the bill will cost the government about Rs.1.30 lakh crore at current cost.

What is Indias current rating according to Moodys?
1 6
Currently, according to Moodys Indias rating is Baa3 with a stable outlook. It shows medium grade with moderate credit risk.
1 7
AUG
Hysterectomies will be a part of health survey

August 27th, 2013
The government will collect information on Hysterectomies in the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) in the 4th round which is scheduled in January 2014.

What is Hysterectomy?
1 8
Hysterectomy is the complete or partial removal of the uterus and sometimes ovaries, cervix and fallopian tubes, usually performed by a gynecologist. Hysterectomy may be of two types: a) Total i.e. removing the body, fundus, and cervix of the uterus; often called complete. b) Partial i.e. removal of the uterine body while leaving the cervix intact; also called supracervical.
Why is Hysterectomy performed?
Hysterectomy is opted for if the uterus is causing health problems that cannot be treated by other means. Some reasons a woman may have a hysterectomy are to: Treat cancers such as uterine , endometrial, or ovarian cancers Remove uterine fibroids -common, benign (noncancerous) tumors that grow in the muscle of the uterus Treat chronic pelvic pain Treat heavy bleeding
Why hysterectomies is being included in the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) ?
The step has been taken keeping in view the demand from the health activists and medical practitioners following reports of rising cases of hysterectomies across the country. According to the activists deceitful doctors were performing hysterectomies on pre-menopausal and even women younger than 30 years for monetary gains. The data generated during the NFHS could be used for formulating guidelines to conduct surgeries for removing the uterus. Hysterectomy may have a significant impact on woma ns health. So the rising concern is not just about the high expenditure and medical ethics but also about the complications and troubles that follow. Presently there are no exact statistics to show the prevalence rate of these operations and it is believed that they are thesecond most common surgeries performed on women, second only to caesarean sections.
Government approves bill to change collegium system

August 27th, 2013
The government has decided to scrap the collegium system of appointing judges to the Supreme Court and High Courts. The Cabinet approved a bill which proposes replacing the collegium system with a Judicial Appointments Commission wherein the government will have a say in appointment of judges of the Supreme Court and the 24 high courts.The government seeks to set up a panel headed by the Chief Justice of India (CJI) to appoint and transfer senior judges.The other members of the proposed Commission would be two judges of the Supreme Court, the Law Minister, two eminent persons as members and Secretary (Justice) in the Law Ministry as Member Secretary.The leader of the Opposition will not be part of the proposed body as per the bill in its current form.
Delhi, AP, Haryana and Uttarakhand launch Food Security Scheme

August 23rd, 2013
1 9
The State Governments of Delhi, Arunachal Pradesh, Haryana andUttarakhand have launched the Centre sponsored Food Security Scheme. The food security scheme aims at ensuring the poor to get essential food commodities such as wheat and rice at affordable prices including Rice at 3 Rs/kg, Wheat at 2 Rs/kg and Coarse grain at 1 Rs/kg. States Delhi The food security scheme would come into force from September 1, 2013 and will initially cover 32.27 lakh people which is about 20 % of Delhis population. This population currently gets wheat, rice and sugar at subsidised rates through the Public Distribution System (PDS). The beneficiaries include people getting ration through PDS under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana, BPL, Jhuggi Ration Card (JRC) and Resettlement Colonies Ration Cards (RCRC) schemes. About 5.22 lakh beneficiary families are being given special cards. Eldest woman in every eligible household will be treated as the head of the family for entitlements. The scheme will include homeless people, daily wage-earners, rag-pickers as well as people living in resettlement colonies and slum clusters in the first phase of the implementation of the scheme. No income tax payers, vehicle and house owners will be included in the scheme in the first phase. Haryana During the first phase the scheme will cover Antoyoda Anna Yojana families and all BPL families. The scheme would be implemented from September 1, 2013 throughout the State after scrutiny of initial list of beneficiaries. The Antoyada families will get 35 kilogram wheat whereas BPL families will get 5 kg wheat per member of the family at nominal price of 2 Rs/kg. The wheat would be distributed through 9174 fair price shops already operational in the State. The scheme will benefit 126.49 Lakh people of the State. In rural areas 90 lakh 28 thousand people will be benefited whereas in urban areas the number of beneficiaries will be 36 lakh 21 thousand. Arunachal Pradesh The scheme will cover 66.3% of rural and 51.55% of urban population in the State. Uttarakhand Food security scheme covers 62% of population in the State. and their objectives under the scheme:
Ministry of Finance launches STAR scheme

August 20th, 2013
STAR: (Standard Training Assessment and Reward)
The Ministry of Finance launched the National Skill Certification and Monetary Reward Scheme that will be implemented on national level. The scheme will motivate the youth to acquire a vocational skill. The scheme is expected to benefit a million people in the first year of its implementation.
2 0
The scheme which is promoted by the name STAR (Standard Training Assessment and Reward) envisages for a monetary reward to financially help those who wish to acquire a new skill or upgrade their skills to a higher level. The scheme will also be helpful for implementation of the National Skilling Mission which aims to add 500 million skilled Indians by the year 2022. While 150 million are expected to be contributed by the private sector working under National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) , 350 million will be contributed by 18-odd ministries at the Centre. The scheme has been started with Rs 1000 crore budget to benefit at least 1 million people. Under this scheme each tested and certified trainee will get an average of Rs. 10,000 to cover training costs.
National Skill Development Corporation
National Skill Development Corporation, a body under the Ministry of Finance, is one of its kinds public private partnership initiative with 51% equity held by private sector and 49% by the Union Government. Established in 2010, NSDC is a professionally run not-for-profit company that includes 22 Sector Skill Councils and 87 training partners with over 2500 training centres present in 352 districts in the country.
FDI limit in Asset Reconstruction Companies hiked to 74% RBI

August 20th, 2013
As per the RBI, the limit on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Asset Reconstruction Companies (ARCs) has been increased to 74% from 49%, another measure to attract capital inflows to support a declining Rupee. The foreign investment limit of 74% in the company will include both FDI and Foreign Institutional Investment (FII) with a single portfolio investor not allowed to exceed 10% of paid-up capital in the ARC.
Government to tweak FDI policy for pharma to protect domestic units

August 20th, 2013
A high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has asked the Commerce and Industry Ministry to start inter-Ministerial consultations on the issue of changing the norms of FDI policy for pharma which, in its current form, is not serving its objectives and that it needs to be finetuned to ensure that cheap drugs are made available to the people at large.
Why there is a need being felt to bring changes in FDI policy for pharma sector?
As it is believed, the policy in its existing for is not serving the purpose it was designed for. For instance, if 100% FDI limit in the pharma sector is upheld, there are apprehensions, it will impact the domestic generic drug industry and it could lead to Indias dependence on imports for life-saving drugs. Further, there are concerns that MNCs have acquired brownfield projects of domestic companies but have spent very little on R&D in India. Over 96% of FDI between April 2012 and April 2013 has come into Brownfield projects. It has not led to significant addition to gross assets or jobs or increase in R&D expenditure. A parliamentary panel has recommended to impose a blanket ban on FDI in brownfield projects. Besides, there are concerns over the ability of Indian firms to take advantage of the situation of blockbuster drugs going off patent through 2015 could be impaired. As many as 67% of drugs worth $80 billion is expected to go off the patent regime between 2011 and 2013. Currently, around 28% of the market is controlled by MNCs. If another top three Indian companies are acquired by MNCs, their share would increase to 41% and on acquisition of the next rung of eight companies, their share will go over 55%.

What is a Brownfield Project ?
2 1
In a Brownfield project the structure would need to be demolished or renovated. Those facilities which are modified/upgraded are called Brownfield land projects (often the pre-existing site/facilities are contaminated/polluted.)
What is a Greenfield Project ?
A Greenfield is a project that lacks any constraints imposed by prior work. The analogy is to that of construction on greenfield land where there is no need to remodel or demolish an existing structure. Examples of greenfield projects are new factories, power plants, airports which are built from scratch on greenfield land. Both the Greenfield Project and Brownfield Project relate to property construction.
Union Cabinet gives nod to establish Tax Administration Reform Commission

August 20th, 2013
The Union Cabinet accepted the proposal for setting up of the Tax Administration Reform Commission (TARC) to remove uncertainty and establish a stable and non-adversarial tax administration.
What is the task before Tax Administration Reform Commission (TARC)?
The Commission will work on following areas of Tax reforms: To review the application of tax policies and tax laws in India in the context of global best practices and recommend measures to strengthen the capacity of the tax system in India that would reflect best global practices. To help in removing ambiguity in application of tax policy and tax laws thereby establishing a stable tax management and a non-adversarial tax administration. To provide an efficient tax administrative system that would improve the tax base as well as tax payer base.
Rajya Sabha passed National Waterway Bill for Assams Barak River
August 20th, 2013
The National Waterway (Lakhipur-Bhanga Stretch of the Barak River) Bill, 2013 has been passed by the Rajya Sabha. The Bill aims to develop the 121 km Barak river stretch in Assam as countrys sixth National Waterway that would particularly benefit Assam, Nagaland,Mizoram, Manipur, Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh by facilitating cargo movement there. Cost and Benefits: The project will need an investment of Rs 123 crore and an expenditure of Rs 3.6 crore per annum would be incurred for maintenance of navigation aids, terminals and dredging. The projects would be implemented in two phases in total span of 5 years by Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) set up under IWAI Act, 1985.The first phase of the project would be completed by 2016-17 followed by the second phase which is likely to be completed by 2018-19. The Bill provides for unified development of waterways for shipping, navigation and transportation of cargo to the northeastern region. The waterway has the potential to transport 12.45 lakh tonne of cargo like tea, coffee, iron, steel and coal per annum after its development by 2018-19. It will not only expand infrastructurethere but would benefit lakhs of people.

It will save a lot of time and resources wasted in transporting over-sized cargo to the North East.
2 2
SEBI to go in for a major revamp

August 20th, 2013
The market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)has decided to go in for a major refurbishment of its role, vision and organisational set up with a stronger workforce and greater IT resources in order to improve focus on mobilizing household savings into capital markets and to strengthen its supervisory functions. It has been asked to work for a re-organisation of its functional departments, increase its manpower, improve its IT strategy for organisational efficiency and strengthen its training and performance management system. SEBI has decided to declare illegal mobilisation of funds as a fraudulent and unfair trade practice in order to control the rising incidences of public getting defrauded by money pooling schemes. It has clarified that the existing list of activities coming under fraudulent and unfair trade practices can be further expanded whenever the need arises. All activities of money mobilization through unauthorized Collective Investment Schemes (CIS) would face stronger penalties prescribed under the revised SEBI (Prohibition of Fraudulent and Unfair Trade Practices relating to Securities Market) Regulations.
DBT scheme for LPG to be extended to 35 more districts

August 19th, 2013
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry has decided to extend LPG Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme to 35 more districts from September 1, 2013 after observing a good response from the districts already in the scheme thus taking the total coverage to 55 districts. The districts which will be covered include 12 in Kerala, 7 in Andhra Pradesh, 7 in Himachal Pradesh, 5 in Punjab, 2 in Madhya Pradesh and one each in Maharashtra and Goa The decision to include 35 more districts would add about 1.4 crore consumers to the 2.12 crore already being covered by the scheme where consumers get an advance of Rs. 435 in their bank accounts.
What is the purpose of the DBT scheme?
The government has launched DBT scheme with the aim of restricting leakages, preventing black marketing by sending subsidy directly into the beneficiarys bank account.
How does the DBT scheme for LPG benefit the consumer?
Consumers get their subsidy directly in their bank accounts. All Aadhaar linked domestic LPG consumers get an advance of Rs. 435 an LPG cylinder in their bank account as soon as they book the first subsidised unit before delivery. When the first subsidised cylinder is delivered to such consumers, the next subsidy will be credited to their bank account which can then be used for the purchase of the next subsidised cylinder at the market rate.

What is the current status of DBT?
2 3
Since its launch on June 1, 2013 about four million direct cash transfers have taken place to consumers bank accounts. So far Rs. 150.6 crore has been transferred to consumers in 20 districts of phase I.
Food Bill: some States gain and some lose in allocation of food grain
August 19th, 2013
Although the National Food Security Bill is still pending in the Parliament, the Centre has intimated to certain States that their food grain allocation would decline in spite of the mandatory 75% rural and 50% urban populations being covered under the proposed new law. As per the new privilege, 17 States and UTs will gain and 18 will stand to lose slightly. Amongst the 18 States which would lose food grain allocation are Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Delhi,Uttarakhand and some north-eastern States. The Central issue price under the Food Security Bill for rice will be Rs. 3 per kg, for wheat Rs 2 per kg and for coarse cereals Re. 1 per kg.
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting launches New Media Wing

August 18th, 2013
The Union Cabinet accepted the proposal for establishing a New Media Wing. The expenditure to set up and run the New Media Wing will cost Rs. 22.5 crore which was allocated during the 12th Five Year Plan (2012-17) and approved by the CCEA under Development Communication & Information Broadcasting plan scheme of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The proposal for its establishment was drawn on the basis of the experience of its pilot program on the social media platforms such as Youtube, Facebook and Twitter. The New Media Wing will address the communication and broadcasting requirements of the government on social media. The New Media Wing would be headed by a senior officer of Joint Secretary level and will work under his overall supervision, direction and guidance. The administrative and operational support will be provided by a Media Unit under the Ministry the Research Reference & Training Division which would be the New Media Wing.
Maharashtra is first State to pay salary through Aadhaar seeded bank accounts
August 15th, 2013
Maharashtra became the first state in the country to disburse salary of its staff through their Aadhaar linked bank accounts. The employees of the state governments Information Technology (IT) department got their July 2013 salaries through their Aadhaar linked bank accounts. Maharashtra State Government has decided to use the Aadhaar Payment Bridge (APB) system for all Mantralaya employees. This initiative would help in speedy transfer of salaries and also ensure the transfer to the actual beneficiary at a later stage. UID for faster Salary: Maharashtra State Government initiated a program UID for faster Salary for its employees in the state. The aim is to process salaries only for those employees, who are enrolled under Aadhaar program.
Indian government launched the beta version of the Data Portal India
August 12th, 2013

The Indian government has launched Data Portal India : http://data.gov.in/
2 4
It is a joint initiative between India and the US and the portal will be available on the official sites of the Indian- http://india.gov.in/ and the US governments- http://www.data.gov/.
What is Data Portal India?
It is a platform developed to provide single point access to datasets, documents, services, tools and applications published by various ministries/government departments for supporting the Open Data initiative of the National Data Sharing & Accessibility Policy (NSDAP). It is a product that is available in open source for global implementation i.e. on Open Government Platform (OGPL) and the entire product is available for download at the Open Source Code Sharing Platform GitHub.
How would Data Portal India be useful?
The portal will enhance transparency in government functioning and also open up avenues for additional usage of government data.
RGGVY programme to be continued for rural electrification: Government

August 12th, 2013
In order to continue providing electricity to all rural households the government has decided to carry on with the Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY). The continuation of RGGVY in the current Plan period has been approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA).
Recognized NABL labs to test mid day meals

August 11th, 2013
Recognized laboratories under the National Accreditation Board for Laboratories (NABL) will collect the samples to test the microbiological presence/absence of e-coli, chemical parameters such as moisture content, fats, proteins and calorific value of the mid day meals. The measure has come after the death of 23 children in a school in Chhapra in Bihar who died after consuming contaminated food served in the mid-day meal scheme.
How the mid day meals will be monitored?
Periodic reports and monitoring at the local level through the school monitoring committees as well as by the State government officials. An independent monitoring through 41 monitoring institutes such as IIT Chennai, Visva Bharati, and the XLRI has also been ensured by the Centre. The Joint Review Missions (JRM) visit States at regular intervals. Presently 7 JRMs have been conducted, and 13 more are planned. Surprise visits will be made from time to time.
What are the steps taken by the government to improve the quality of mid day meal?
HRD and Tourism Ministries are working together on imparting training for cooks through Hotel Management Institutes and the Food Craft Institutes. A 10-day full time course will be organized which will impart knowledge in terms of the caloric and nutritive values. The course will emphasize on the methods of cooking for retaining the nutritive value of cooking ingredients, issues of malnutrition and nutrition levels and the importance of regular washing of hands.

Rail Tariff Authority gets Cabinets approval
August 6th, 2013
2 5
Union Cabinet has given nod to the set up Rail Tariff Authority (RTA) in order to improve the financial situation of the Railways forthwith without any delay. The RTA has been mandated to completely eliminate the subsidy component and crosssubsidy of passenger fares from surplus generated from freight business completely within 10 years. To set up RTA, the Cabinet has directed the Law Ministry to initiate the process through an executive order. This will save time than going by the Parliament approval route which is a long drawn process that needs more than six months. By setting up the authority through an executive order, the government would obtain the first ruling from the authority for raising passenger fares. It would not only be speed up the process of decision-making, but rake in more revenue in the process.
CCEA nod to create Special National Investment Fund

August 6th, 2013
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved a mechanism to bring down the government shareholding in its six sick companies to the required 90% or less. As per CCEA decision, a Special National Investment Fund will be created to transfer shares of these companies HMT, Scooters India, Hindustan Photo Films Manufacturing Co, ITI, Andrew Yule & Co and Fertilizers & Chemicals (Travancore) Ltd.
What will Special National Investment Fund do?
The government has decided to sell the 90% of less of the equities it holds in the above mentioned six sick companies. As per the SEBIs minimum public holding norms, all government-owned units will have to have at least 10% of public holding. The number of shares required to make the six companies compliant with the minimum public share holding norm will be transferred to the Special National Investment Fund out of government share holding on an irrevocable basis, without any consideration (meaning, money changing hands). The fund will be managed by independent professional managers. It will sell the transferred shares within 5 years. The funds realized from the sale would be used for social sector schemes of the government.
CCEA approves dilution of safeguards for FDI in multi-brand retail

August 4th, 2013
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has given its nod for the dilution of certain safeguards including relaxing the 30% sourcing norm and doing away with the mandatory 50% condition for backend infrastructure investment which were approved by Parliament while allowing 49% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in multibrand retail announced in 2012. Though the changes were strongly opposed by theMinistry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) but they were ignored by the CCEA while approving the new norms seeking to attract much needed FDI investments by global retail chains in Multi-brand Retail Trade (MBRT).
Govt. approves draft amendments to keep parties outside the purview of RTI Act
August 3rd, 2013
Draft amendments to the Right To Information Act (RTI) have been approved by the Union Cabinet in order to nullify an order of the Central Information Commission (CIC) bringing the 6 national political parties under the ambit of the Act. There is a consensus among almost all major political parties to the proposed amendments as they feel that the CIC has exceeded its jurisdiction by passing such an order.

What was the order passed by CIC regarding RTI Act?
2 6
Responding to the petitions by several RTI activists, the CIC had ruled that the national parties have to share details with RTI petitioners on issues related to their funding and the criteria on which they have selected candidates for fighting elections.
Union Govt. launches National Teeka Express

August 3rd, 2013
The National Teeka Express was launched by Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. It has been launched to protect children from life-threatening childhood diseases.
What is the key motive behind National Teeka Express?
Under Routine Immunization Programme, ANMs collect vaccines from storage point (cold chain point) and transport them to session sites, i.e. either Sub-centre or Anganwari centre for carrying out vaccination. Govt of India provides support for distribution of vaccine from last storage point to outreach immunization session sites at Sub-centres/Anganwaris, known as Alternate Vaccine Delivery (AVD)under NRHM. However, gaps in the implementation of Alternate Vaccine Delivery in difficult areas with low access to healthcare services have been noticed. This gap may compromise the cold chain maintenance and possible loss of potency of vaccine. Improper storage could also lead to Adverse Events Following Immunization. This is the key reason behind of Teeka Express.
What programme is planned under National Teeka Express?
Govt. of India (GoI) has planned Teeka Express to be piloted in 69 high priority districts with difficult areas and low immunization coverage. For these districts, 1,850 vehicles are planned to be procured with GoI assistance. Designated vehicles under the brand name of National Teeka Express will help in: Distribution of the vaccines and complementary logistics from last cold chain point to immunization session sites. Ensure holding of sessions at the mobile vaccination centre. In order to reduce vaccine wastage and ensure better utilization of vaccines, including costly vaccines like Pentavalent vaccine Teeka Express will be used with reverse cold chain to bring back the open and un-used vaccines for use in subsequent sessions. Serve as a mobile healthcare delivery unit for the areas where there is no healthcare facility or health worker. Collect immunization related bio-medical waste for safe disposal at vaccine storage points. Collect the coverage and immunization performance reports of the session for compilation and preparation of report at PHC. The programme will be implemented in a Phased manner. In the first phase the 120 vehicles of Teeka Express are planned in 6 districts of 5 states namely Rajasthan Alwar; Uttar Pradesh Sharaswati; Haryana Mewat; Jammu and Kashmir Doda and Poonch and Madhya Pradesh Tikamgarh.
Bharat Mobile Scheme

August 3rd, 2013

Union govt to proceed with Bharat Mobile Scheme
2 7
The Union government is going ahead with Bharat Mobile Scheme to give mobile phones to 6 million families that live Below Poverty Line (BPL). The plan is being seen as similar to freebies like laptops and television sets distributed by several other regional.
What is the aim of Bharat Mobile Scheme?
As per the government, it is planning its Bharat Mobile Scheme with the aim to provide unconnected citizens access to benefits of welfare programmes. Besides communication, mobile is to act as a device identity of the members of a household for transfer of benefits of different government programmes. The phone number may act as the first level of authentication for the user and can be utilized to access information, including land records and details of payments made to a family. To get subsidies and other government benefits, people will still need the Aadhaar Unique Identification Number.
Who will be given the mobile phones under Bharat Mobile Scheme ?
As per DoT, every rural household that has at least one member who completed 100 days of work under the MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) in 2012 will be given a mobile phone.
How would the Bharat Mobile Scheme be implemented?
To carry out the scheme operators will be selected through competitive biddings or nominated staterun operators. The operators will be responsible for providing the devices, accessories, connectivity as well as warranty for 3 years. The mobile phones will have customized embedded opening screens displaying details of the scheme and the allocated number will act as a level of authentication to provide access to health records, land records and payment transfers. The scheme will be accomplished in 3 years and follow lists of eligible citizens prepared by state governments. Women will be given preference to receive the mobile phones.
Political views against Bharat Mobile Scheme:
Many a political analysts view this scheme as a political gimmick to woo the voters ahead of the general elections in 2014, much like the various states giving out laptops and such.
Similar Antecedents to Bharat Mobile Scheme
Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav distributing laptops and tablet computers to students who pass class 12 examinations. In Tamil Nadu, local political parties have been known to promise laptops, food grinders and television sets apart from subsidized food grain as part of their election mandates.
Status of Teledensity in India
As per Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) figures, India ended April with 867.02 million mobile connections. This included 345.85 million rural connections, a 40.59% rural teledensity.
2 8
2 9
JULY
ISRO mulls to modify transponder allocation norms- the guidelines of SatCom Policy
July 31st, 2013
Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is cogitating to modify the guidelines of SatCom Policy related to allocation and pricing of satellite transponders for public and non-government users. The guidelines are being revised after consulting ISROs stakeholder departments and the multi ministry ICC (Insat Coordination Committee) chaired by DoS Secretary. Typically the ICC allocates satellite transponders to user groups depending on their availability and urgency of use.
3 0
After the approval by the government ISRO will be able to allocate to different users by percentages and charge for capacity on its INSAT/GSAT satellites in a much more rational way than now. The SatCom Policy threw open the INSAT capacity to non-government users and allowed lease of capacity on foreign satellites where needed.
Who are the main domestic users of INSAT/GSATs transponders?
ISRO leases 95 of the 263 transponders used by domestic operators. The main users are: Doordarshan and All India Radio under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Private TV channels and commercial Direct-To-Home (DTH) operators Department of Telecommunications and BSNL for telephone services Over a lakh VSATs (Very Small Aperture Terminals) that enable Internet broadband services of large public and private organizations and drive ATMs and stock exchanges. India Meteorological Department and social sectors such as distance education, telemedicine and disaster management also ride their services on Insat/GSATs. The Ministry of Defence, the Armed Forces and its various agencies have also taken on new dimensions and are demanding bigger, serious and exclusive allocations.
New National Antibiotics Policy to handle increasing antibiotics resistance

July 31st, 2013
The Union Health Ministry is considering a new National Antibiotics Policy to handle increasing antibiotics resistance. The policy is on anvil at a time when India has failed to respond to the urgent need to regulate the sale and use of antibiotics, track the incidence of resistance or improve sanitation.
Key points on the proposed National Antibiotics Policy:
Intends to ban on the counter sale of antibiotics and to use high end antibiotics only in tertiary care centres. It will aim to prevent the further development of resistant strains. It ideates to establish a national antibiotic resistance surveillance system will be established with representation from all regions in the country, government and private hospitals.
E-surveillance to monitor various tiger habitats

July 31st, 2013
India plans to start electronic surveillance of some of the tiger habitats using high definition cameras as the tiger deaths each year are increasing mainly due to poaching and poisoning. With the E-surveillance the pilot study in the Kalagarh range of the Corbett National Park was quite satisfactory so the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has decided to expand Esurveillance to Assams Kaziranga Natonal Park, Madhya Pradeshs Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary and the Ramnagar division surrounding Corbett.
How will tiger E-surveillance help?
The surveillance involves putting into use high resolution thermal and infrared cameras mounted on towers to capture image of objects weighing more than 20 kg in a range of 3-5 km and generate alerts if the boundary is crossed. It will also keep an eye on unauthorized people entering into the tiger habitat areas and tigers straying into human habitat. It is a fool-proof anti-poaching system that gathers information, does processing, filtering and then sends alerts.

Ford becomes the first automaker to join India Greenhouse Gas Reporting (GHG) Program
July 30th, 2013
3 1
Detroit giant Ford has became the first automaker to join a voluntary greenhouse gas reporting program (a carbon reporting programme) newly established in India. The company already participates in similar programs in the United States, China, Canada, Mexico, Brazil and Argentina. Voluntary reporting provides overall transparency regarding the companys CO2 emissions and the company hold importance to reduce CO2 emissions at its global facilities, including two in Chennai, by 30% per vehicle by 2025. Fords role in this programme will be to assist in the establishment of credible and verifiable greenhouse gas inventories.
What is India Greenhouse Gas Program (India GHG Program):
It is the joint effort between the World Resources Institute(WRI), The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). A voluntary initiative to standardize measurement and management of GHG emissions in India.
Program Partners for India Greenhouse Gas Program (India GHG Program)
1. CII Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) 2. TERI The Energy and Resources Institute 3. WRI World Resources Institute
Founding Members for India Greenhouse Gas Program (India GHG Program)
1. Godrej & Boyce Mfg. Co. Ltd. 2. Hindustan Construction Co. Limited (HCC Limited) 3. ACC Cement 4. Ford Motor Company (Ford India) 5. Jet Airways (India) Limited 6. Mahindra Sanyo Steel 7. Tata Teleservices Limited 8. Bayer Group of Companies India 9. Akzo Nobel 10. Shree Cements 11. United Technologies 12. Tata Chemicals 13. National Thermal Power Company (NTPC) Limited 14. Infosys Technologies 15. Ambuja Cement 16. ITC Limited 17. Cummins India 18. Yes Bank 19. National Peroxide Limited 20. Forbes Marshall 21. JK Tyres 22. Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) 23. Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL)

Key Objectives of India Greenhouse Gas Reporting Programme :
3 2
To help companies in the country monitor their progress towards voluntary reduction goals consistently and credibly. Aimed at promoting profitable, sustainable, and competitivebusiness. Under this programme, companies will be provided with tools and technical assistance to build inventories, identify reduction opportunities, establish annual and long-term reduction goals, and track their progress based on the most widely used emissions accounting and reporting standard in the world, the GHG (Green House Gases) Protocol. The India GHG Program will also facilitate engagement of the business sector with policy makers, supporting progress and advancement towards national goals on carbon intensity and GHG emissions mitigation. The program will build a pool of trained and certified GHG practitioners and GHG measurement and management professionals.
What is : The Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol)?
The Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol) is a global collaboration led by WBCSD and WRI. It is the most widely used international accounting tool for government and business leaders to understand, quantify, and manage greenhouse gas emissions. GHG Protocol provides the foundation for sustainable climate strategies and more efficient, resilient and profitable organizations. GHG Protocol standards are the most widely used accounting tools to measure, manage and report on greenhouse gas emissions. It serves as the foundation for nearly every GHG standard and program in the world from the International Standards Organization to The Climate Registry as well as hundreds of GHG inventories prepared by individual companies. Offers developing countries an internationally accepted management tool to help their businesses to compete in the global marketplace and their governments to make informed decisions about climate change.
Who Uses The GHG Protocol?
Since the publication of the first edition of The Greenhouse Gas Protocol: A Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard (Corporate Standard) in 2001, more than 1,000 businesses and organizations worldwide have developed their GHG inventories using the GHG Protocol. o o o Some of the worlds largest companies are using the GHG Protocols Corporate Standard. The 2007 Corporate Climate Communications Report of the Fortune 500 companies by corporateregister.com reported 63 percent of companies use the GHG Protocol. GHG Protocol is considered the second most important climate program after Kyoto Protocol in the successful measurement and management of climate change.
RBI decreases realization period for exporters from 12 to 9 months

July 30th, 2013
Responding further to the increasing pressure on Current Account Deficit (CAD) due reduced exports and depreciation of rupee against dollar, the Reserve Bank of India has brought down the period of realization and repatriation for exporters of goods and software from 12 to 9 months with a view to increase foreign exchangeinflows.
3 3
The period of realization and repatriation to India of the full export value of goods or software exported by a unit situated in a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) as well as exports made to warehouses established outside India remains unaltered. Indias exports reduced by 4.6% for the 2nd consecutive month to USD 23.79 billion in June 2013 compared to year ago interval. The rupee has depreciated by over 12% against the dollar since the beginning of the fiscal. Central bank and capital markets regulator SEBI had to take unconventional measures to control the market.
Campaign Clean India adopts Taj Mahal

July 28th, 2013
The World Heritage Site, Taj Mahal has been adopted by ONGC as part of its corporate social responsibilities through the Campaign CleanIndia being run under Ministry of Tourism. Taj Mahal a world heritage site and is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It is the Crown Jewel among the tourist destinations in India and naturally is a priority destination under the Campaign Clean India programme.
Background of Campaign Clean India:
At the initiative of Ministry of Tourism, the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) has agreed to the initiative for permitting ONGC for adopting six monuments under Campaign Clean India. The six monuments/tourist destinations are: Taj Mahal at Agra, Ellora Caves in Maharashtra, Elephanta Caves in Maharashtra, Red Fort in Delhi, Golkonda Fort Hyderabad and Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu. ONGC is adopting these monuments as part of their corporate social responsibilities and it is the endeavor of Ministry of Tourism that Campaign Clean India is carried out for maximum number of monuments/tourist destinations so that tourists instill the feelings and spirit of cleanliness and respect for such monuments.
What is Campaign Clean India?
The Campaign Clean India is a programme being run by the Ministry of Tourism aimed at undertaking both sensitization and action at field level on bringing our tourism destinations and their surroundings to an acceptable level of cleanliness and hygiene. The Campaign will ensure that these levels are sustained through ownership and involvement of private and public sector stakeholders. The campaign will be part of Governments strategy of the 12 th five year plan for improving the quality of services and environs in and around tourist destinations across India.
Free Trade LPG (FTL) scheme gets Govts nod

July 28th, 2013
The Government has approved Free Trade LPG (FTL) Scheme for selling 5 kg LPG cylinders through Company Owned Retail Outlets (COCO)PSU Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs). The scheme will be launched on pilot basis in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Bangalore for selling 5 kg LPG cylinders with/without Domestic Pressure Regulator (DPR) at COCO retail outlets. The OMCs have COCO retail outlets which are accessible to all and are open for longer hours.
Why the government wants to introduce Free Trade LPG scheme? What is Free Trade LPG (FTL)?
The government sensed that a new category of consumers have emerged especially in big cities who are mobile and thus do not want a permanent LPG connection but still require LPG for their needs.
3 4
Such customers need flexibility for availing the LPG cylinders as per their convenience and their needs can also be fulfilled by smaller quantities of LPG. The LPG sold under the scheme will be called Free Trade LPG (FTL). At the time of first sale cost of equipment (DPR plus cylinder), cost of product at prevailing Non- domestic 5kg cylinders price and administrative charges will be payable. At the time of subsequent refill only the cost of product will be payable. The scheme is a step towards beginning of free trade of LPG and would make LPG available for wider use especially for those citizens who are always on the move due to their professional needs. What are the conditions for availing the facility of Free Trade LPG (FTL) Scheme? The prospective customer at the time of first sale would only be required to give a copy of Voter ICard, Driving license, Pan Card, Aadhaar Card, Bank Pass book, Employees ID, Passport, Student ID or any other such document that can act as a proof of identity. It would be customers responsibility to use the equipment as per the safety instructions. The company would not be responsible for any losses/damages arising in case of accident during transit or usage. OMCs will offer, on request, an insurance policy which will provide cover for loss of life and property in the event of an LPG accident occurring at the customers premises. In transit insurance cover will not be available. On the request of the customer, the COCO RO through the supplying distributor shall also provide the installation of equipment at customers premises and will also provide after sales services on chargeable basis.
FDI hike in 13 sectors, 100% in telecom as per Government

July 24th, 2013
FDI in multi-brand retail sector is allowed after the agreement from the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB). With the growing demands from the overseas retails the government decided to liberalise Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) limits in 13 sectors including telecom, insurance, retail and defence. The government also cleared the much awaited 100 % FDI in the telecom sector from the existing 74%. Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma stated that the foreign direct investment limit in insurance sector will be increased to 49% from the existing 26%. In multi-brand retail, up to 49% overseas investment would now be allowed through automatic route. There is no decision yet taken on Foreign Direct Investment in media. Key points in FDI stated by Anand Sharma Petroleum and Natural Gas the sectoral cap remains unchanged at 49% Power exchanges route changed to automatic; cap remains same as 49% In insurance sector FDI cap will be 49% through automatic route Asset reconstruction companies: FDI cap upto 49% through automatic route. From 49% to 100 % it will be through FIPB route In tea sector, condition of divestment to Indian partners deleted In single brand retail, FDI upto 49% it will be under automatic route; beyond 49% it will be through FIPB route No change of route in civil aviation sector for now In defence sector, 26% through FIPB route stays; for state-of-art technologies, FDI beyond this to be approved through CCS.
Uttar Pradesh Plan for 2013-14 finalized by Planning Commission

July 24th, 2013
3 5
The Planning Commission and the Uttar Pradesh govt together finalized Annual Plan for Uttar Pradesh of Rs 69200 crore for the financial year 2013-14. The Funding Process is bifurcated in 2 parts: The Plan funding from the Central Government to the State of Uttar Pradesh from all sources is expected to be over Rs.30000 crore during 2013-14. This includes central assistance to the State Plan of about Rs 11225 crore. An amount of about Rs 18000 crore is likely to flow from the Centre to U.P. through various Centrally Sponsored Schemes.
Performance of the Uttar Pradesh (UP) during 11th Five Year Plan:
In the financial year 2012-13, growth rate of Uttar Pradesh was better than the national growth. The national average growth was 5%, whereas, average growth rate of Uttar Pradesh was 5.4 % Industry and Service sector achieved the growth rate of 2.8and 7.6 % respectively. Growth rate in agriculture achieved by the state was 2.6 % The social indicators of Uttar Pradesh during the 11th Five Year Plan were positive. The state was successful in establishing the economic activity by focusing on the development of social and physicalinfrastructure. During the 12th Five Year Plan, the state needs to get rid of its dependency on the ground water for irrigation purposes. It needs to improve on the share of industry sector. The latest industrial policy is an initiative to get out of these impediments.
Uttar Pradesh 12th Five Year plan focus:
Development of economic infrastructure and more than 20% of the outlay would be used for this sector. Time bound implementation of national flagship programs and effective implementation of agriculture policy. Encourage private participation by creating an atmosphere conducive to investment. The infrastructure and industrial policy is being implemented to attract private investment and all district headquarters are being connected by 4 lane roads by the end of the plan while all 500 plus habitations will be connected with all-weather roads in two years. Optimum utilization of limited water resources while planning for five per cent growth in agriculture. Education & Health should be given priority while working out development strategy Construction of 300 bridges and 100 ROB in the State with the help of PPP mode for these projects so that they could avail the benefits under Viability Gap Funding Scheme.
Goods and Services Tax report finalized by PSC

July 24th, 2013
Goods and Services Tax (GST) report was finalized by the Parliamentary Standing Committee (PSC) on Finance which will be tabled in Lok Sabhain August 2013 session. The GST Bill introduced in Parliament in 2010 is being examined by the Standing Committee on Finance. The states and the Centre now jointly would finalize the draft and bring it back to Parliament.
What is the issue over GST?
The GST roll-out missed many deadlines due to differences between the states and the Centre over controversial issues of central sales tax, compensation to states and design of GST structure.

Committee (PSC) on Finance?
3 6
What are the suggestions about Goods and Services Tax (GST) from the panel of Parliamentary Standing
The panel has suggested that the government should look into the issue in case of higher resource mobilizing statesbearing revenue loss due to implementation of GST regime. It also suggested that the Centre should prepare a framework for the GST regime in which the revenue generating states should be adequately compensated.
About GST
Goods and Service Tax is a tax on goods and services, which will be levied at each point of sale or provision of service, in which at the time of sale of goods or providing the services the seller or service provider can claim the input credit of tax which he has paid while purchasing the goods or procuring the service. On most of the goods and services the rate of tax remains the same but as per the necessity of the nation some goods or services can be declared as exempted or Zero rated. The whole system is developed in such a way that it avoids the cascading effect and the final consumer bears the burden of all the tax. Generally, in such a system Exports are zero rated and all the taxes paid while purchasing and manufacturing the goods including the taxes paid on raw material and services are returned to the exporter to make the exports competitive. The sellers or service providers collect the tax from their customer, who may or may not be the ultimate customer, and before depositing the same to the exchequer, they deduct the tax they have already paid. This is simply very similar to VAT which is at present applicable in most of the states and can be termed as National level VAT on Goods and Services with only one difference that in this system not only goods but also services are involved and the rate of tax on goods and services are generally the same.
Key advantages of GST
It is proposed to bring in a common tax rule for goods and services by considering most indirect taxes. It will also help to increase the revenue collections.
India and ADB Sign an Agreement for Gujarat Solar Power Transmission System
July 24th, 2013
With the rapid growing electricity demand, and increasing reliance on imported sources of fossil fuel the Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed an agreement for a $100 million ADB loan (A LIBOR based loan from ADBs Ordinary Capital Resources which has a term of 25 years including 5 years of grace period ) to develop a transmission system that will distribute 500 megawatts of solar power from the Charanka Solar Park in Gujarat. ADB is committed to generating 3,000 MW of solar power by 2013 under its Asia Solar Energy Initiative. Key Objectives of the Project:

Using an inventive Public Private Partnership (PPP) model, the project will create job opportunities, improve social services and contribute to poverty reduction locally. It will also support power distribution companies in Gujarat and other Indian power utilities to meet part of their energy needs through solar energy. It will not only benefit Gujarat, but will also help develop the PPP solar park model under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission. An associated Technical Assistance (TA) funded by theDepartment for International Development of the United Kingdom and administered by ADB will provide professional training in energy-related skills and livelihood opportunities to local people. At least half of the participants will be women.
3 7
Note: The Indian Government is aiming to generate 20,000 MW of solar power by 2022 . It has launched the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) in 2010, which is expected to generate 1,000 MW by 2013 by expanding grid-connected solar power generation.
Supreme Court issues notice to Centre, States on disaster management

July 24th, 2013
After the devastating tragedy that struck upon Uttarakhand and which resulted in numerous deaths the Supreme Court issued notice to Uttarakhand and six other states for their alleged failure in implementing the Disaster Management Act in order to handle natural calamities. The court has sought response from the Centre, the states and the Union Territory of Andaman & Nicobar Islands on a PIL alleging that governments have failed to implement the Disaster Management Act that was passed in 2005. Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, West Bengal andGujarat are the six other states who have received this notice. The court held that it was extremely pathetic that even after 8 years of the act, the Centre and the various state governments had failed to implement its provisions and presently there is no uniform policy in the country for granting compensation to the victims of disaster.
Department of Food & Public Distribution Launches Electronic fund transfer

July 22nd, 2013
Department of Food & Public Distribution launched the Electronic Transfer of Funds. Objective: To ensure quick and direct transfer of funds to the beneficiaries. This protected mode of making the payments on-line, would be time saving and eliminate physical cheques and their manual processing. This in turn would help in bringing more efficiency in the financial working of the department. The Department of Food and Public Distribution has a key role in terms of the payment of subsidies mainly for Food and Sugar covering a significant amount of Budget outflow. Implementation & features of the Electronic Fund Transfer System: The Department of Food & Public Distribution and RBI have implemented the electronic payment system of the computerized accounting in joint venture with the National Informatics Centre. The STQC Directorate of IT department has certified the electronic payment system as fully secured.

This system will serve as the middleware between the COMPACT (the accounting application) for processing of bill and CoreBanking Solutions (CBS) for the bank as well as the RBI.
3 8
Janani Suraksha Yojna (JSY) Government to Provide Pre-natal Health Care Facilities to Pregnant Women
July 22nd, 2013
Under the Janani Suraksha Yojna (JSY) scheme, the government would provide free prenatal health care and ambulance facilities to pregnant women across the country. Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) A safe motherhood intervention under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM). Objective: Decrease the neo-natal and maternal deaths happening in the country by promoting institutional delivery of babies. 100% centrally sponsored scheme Integrates cash assistance with delivery and post-delivery care. Key Points under the scheme: The Pregnant women will be given free medical and ambulance facilities from conception to delivery and post natal care. Free treatment and transport facility would be provided during the entire pregnancy period. And the baby born would be given free treatment for 1 year. The women will also be able to avail free consultation from doctors at government hospitals for 45 days from delivery and infants will be given free treatment at the hospitals for one year. The adolescent children will be provided weekly supplements ofIron and Folic Acid to prevent anaemic diseases in the children.
Centre to launch Weekly Iron Folic Acid Supplementation Programme

July 22nd, 2013
With the substantial increase of adolescent anaemia, the Centre decided to launch the Weekly Iron Folic Acid Supplementation Programme among the age group of 10 to 19 years. Additional Secretary in the Ministry ofHealth and Family Welfare Anuradha Gupta pointed out that almost 50 % of nutritional deficiency related anaemia is Iron . Cause of Anaemia : It is a result of under-nutrition and reduced dietary intake of iron. The problem is not only among adolescents but also pregnant women, infants and young children. Effects of Anaemia: Anaemia in adolescents results in poor physical growth, reduced and minimal concentration in daily tasks thereby impacting work capacity and work output. The programme will be implemented across the country covering 13 crore adolescents. The Health Ministry has recommended to the States that IFA tablet is will be provided to adolescents one day in a week, preferably Monday.
Benefit for Coconut Sector as Tapping Unfermented Sap or Neera from Coconut approved by Kerala Government
July 21st, 2013
Tapping unfermented sap or Neera from the coconut was approved by the Government of Kerala all over the state. As a part of the pilot project Neera tapping will take place in each and every district all
3 9
over Kerala in units of 1500 coconut trees. The federations as well as the companies that are associated to Coconut Development Board will be permitted to produce Neera. Packaging of Neera will be totally free from the alcoholic content, this will be ensured via technological advances. For the purpose of production of neera, Abkari Laws will also be amended.
What is Neera or Pandaneer or Sweet Toddy?
Neera (padaneer in Tamil Nadu) also called sweet toddy is the non-alcoholic drink which would benefit coconut sector. Neera is refrigerated, stored and distributed by semi-government agencies. It contains many nutrients including potash. It is a delicious health drink and a rich source of sugars, minerals and vitamins. Palm sap begins fermenting instantly after collecting, because of natural yeasts in the pores of pot and air (ofttimes spurred by residual yeast left in the collecting container). In two hours, fermentation yields an aromatic wine of up to 4% alcohol content, gently intoxicating and sweet. The wine may be left to ferment longer, up to a day, to produce a stronger, more sour and acidic taste, which some individuals favour. Longer fermentation yields vinegar instead of stronger wine.
Plan scheme Development Communication and Information Dissemination approved for 12th five-year plan
July 21st, 2013
The plan scheme Development expenditure of Rs.630 Crore.
Communication and Information
Dissemination
with
an
Objective: To raise awareness among the schemes.
people of the benefits
in a variety of Government
The media units of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting will implement this scheme through different modes of i.e. Public Information Campaigns, people to people contact , outdoor publicity, press tours, electronic and print media, conducted tours, live art andculture shows, special outreach programmes etc.
President launches Kisaan Portal- aimed at reaching Information, Advisories, Services to 12 Crore Farmers
July 19th, 2013
President Pranab Mukherjee launched a Kisaan Portal for sending SMS through mobile phones to the farmers across the nation. This initiative will enable the farmers to take informed decision pertaining to different aspects of farming and weather forecasts. It has been set up to spread information, advisories and services through SMS to more than 12o million farmers across the country. To access the service, farmers will have to register themselves by calling Kisaan Call Centre on the toll free number 1800-180-1551 or through the web portal.
What are the key benefits of the SMS Advisories from Kisaan Portal?
The key advantages include: It will help farmers in taking informed decisions relating to different aspects of farming including crop production and marketing, animal husbandry, dairying and fisheries. The farmers can customize the SMS service to get advisories relevant to their specific requirements.

Weather forecast SMS and alerts will enable farmers in planning, farming operations effectively and taking the best suited action to deal with adverse weather conditions. Advisories on disease/pest outbreak will also assist the farmers to take quick actions to safeguard their crops and animals. Advisories on best practices, such as selection of better suited crop variety/ animal breed, will lead to better farm productivity and enhanced income to the farmers. Farmers will be informed about the market which will give the farmer better bargaining power which in turn help farmers in taking better decisions about sale of his produce. The SMS service will also include soil test results, selection of fertilizer and its dosage, and also information on various programmes so that farmers can make the best use of assistance and knowhow being made available by the Government.
4 0
Survey to study voter behavior in LS elections in Tamil Nadu

July 17th, 2013
The Election Commission of India will conduct KABP (Knowledge, Attitude, Behaviour and Practice of Voters) Baseline Survey in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in all the 39 Lok Sabha constituencies ofTamil Nadu. The survey which will be conducted by the State Elections Department will seek to determine what motivates electors to exercise their franchise and what deters them. It will In each constituency, one Assembly segment will be chosen through random sampling. One hundred and twenty five electors will be interviewed. Totally, 4,875 persons will be covered. The baseline survey is part of the national programme of the Election Commission and the findings of the proposed survey will be useful in designing and planning the Commissions campaign of information,education and communication (IEC) at the time of the polls, due for 2014. Baseline and endline surveys are part of the Commissions programme of Voters Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP), which is being given greater thrust after the 2009 Lok Sabha elections. One of the major reasons behind the launch of the programme was that at the all-India level, 30 crore electors did not cast votes in 2009.[However, in Tamil Nadu, the turnout was high with about 73%].
India establishes IPv6 Test Lab

July 6th, 2013
Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC) which is the technical arm of Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications & IT has set up an Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6) Lab which has been approved by the IPv6 Ready Logo Committee under IPv6 Forum , an International body. By doing this, India has entered the club of select group of nations which include Europe, USA, Japan, China and Taiwanhaving IPv6 Ready Logo test lab facilities. Other What will IPv6 test lab do? As the world has moved on from addressing scheme IPv4 to the new IPv6 scheme it was imperative to have such a lab to encourage service providers, content providers and the customer premises equipment vendors to move to IPv6 address implementation. Establishing a testinginfrastructure was also stipulated in the National Telecommunication Policy -2012. TEC will play an instrumental role in the Interoperability and testing of IPv6 products as a major piece of the India IPv6 Strategy roadmap announced by the India Government in building the New Internet infrastructure as interoperability creates genuine end-user confidence in new technologies.

Fact Box: National Cyber Security Policy (NSCP) 2013 Of India
July 5th, 2013
4 1
India launches National Cyber Security Policy 2013 to secure cyber space The government has announced a National Cyber Security Policy 2013 which aims to address the threats emanating from the cyber world. The Policy proposes to: Set up different bodies to tackle various levels of threats, along with a national nodal agency, to coordinate all matters related to cyber security. Create a National Critical Information InfrastructureProtection Centre (NCIIPC), which will act as a 247 centre to battle cyber security threats in strategic areas such as air control, nuclear and space. It will function under the National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO), a technical intelligence gathering agency controlled directly by the National Security Adviser in the Prime Ministers Office. The current agency, Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT), will deal with all public and private infrastructure.
Treaty inked in Marrakesh (Morocco) giving blind, visually impaired better access to books
July 5th, 2013
Treaty to help visually impaired get access to books signed in Marrakesh (Morocco) A significant treaty was signed in Marrakesh, Morocco, that will make access to books for the visually impaired, blind and print disabled easier. The negotiations were facilitated by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) for the Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons who are Blind, Visually Impaired, or otherwise Print Disabled.
Election Commission directs all State district collectors to set up district level panels to monitor paid news
July 3rd, 2013
In the wake of increasing incidence of paid news and upcoming RajasthanAssembly polls, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has directed all State district collectors to set up district-level Media Certification and Monitoring Committee. ECI has also recommended an amendment to the Representation of Peoples Act, 1951, to include paid news as a corrupt practice.
Railway launches SMS facility for ticket booking

July 2nd, 2013
Indian Railway has launched a new pilot service which makes it possible for the 80% of the population that owns mobile phones. The service doesnt even involves any use of Internet by the customer.
SEBI relaxes foreign investment norms; a new category Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) approved
June 27th, 2013
In a bid to attract a larger number of foreign investors to Indian capital markets, SEBI approved a slew of changes. Among the major changes are simplification of registration and compliance requirements for foreign investors.

As per new measures: A new category Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) has been approved; it blends various classes of investors such as FIIs, their Sub Accounts and Qualified Foreign Investors (QFIs) to set up a simplified and uniform set of entry norms for them. Recommendations of K M Chandrasekhar Committeeon Rationalisation of Investment Routes and Monitoring of Foreign Portfolio Investments. Any portfolio investments would be defined as investment by any single investor or investor group, which shall not exceed 10% of the equity of an Indian company. Investments beyond this threshold of 10% will be considered as FDI. With the aim to make the entry norms easier, SEBI has also approved eliminating the current practice of FIIs and their sub-accounts requiring a prior direct registration of the regulator to operate in Indian markets.
4 2
In addition, SEBI would adopt a risk-based KYC (Know Your Client) approach in dealing with the overseas investors. It includes FPIs to be divided into three categories which are: 1. Low-risk (for multi-lateral agencies, government and other sovereign entities): This category will have simplest KYC requirements, not required to submit personal identification documents. 2. Moderate risk (for banks, asset management companies, investment trusts, insurers, pension funds and university funds), not required to submit personal identification documents. 3. High-risk (all the FPIs not included in the first two categories): This category FPIs would not be allowed to issue Participatory Notes and will have most stringent KYC requirements Note: These measures have been introduced at a time when the rupee has depreciated considerably against the dollar reaching an all time low recently. Also, FIIs have been pulling out money from the Indian debt market, which has resulted in the hardening of yields on government bonds.
CCEA allows power producers to raise prices to match cost of imported coal
June 24th, 2013
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has permitted the power producing companies to increase electricity prices to match the increase in cost of imported coal, a step that will benefit 78,000 mw of existing and upcoming plants of producers such as Reliance Power, Tata Power, Adani Power and Lanco Infratech. As per experts this move would hike power tariff by up to 20 paise, but it would help the sector fully utilize idling capacity and repay loans to banks.
Cabinet approves IWMP as a flagship programme

June 23rd, 2013
In order to make Centrally-sponsored programmes condensed, the Cabinet has approved Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) as a flagship programme of the government. Why IWMP? Around 60% of cultivated area across India is rain-fed. Besides, these areas are also blighted by poverty, water scarcity, low productivity, malnutrition and prone to severe land degradation. The watershed development programme has been adopted as a tool to address problems of the rain-fed or degraded areas in the country. Key Points of IWMP:
4 3
Launched in 2009-10 by the integration of various area development programmes of the Department of Land Resources, including the Drought Prone Areas Programme (DPAP), the Desert Development Programme (DDP) and the Integrated Wastelands Development Programme (IWDP). The 12th Plan allocates the programme an additional Rs. 29,296 crore. Cost sharing ratio of Central Government : State Government = 90 : 10 9% of the project cost is earmarked for development of livelihoods for asset-less people 10% of the project cost is for productivity enhancement and development of micro-enterprises for small & marginal farmers. An average size of project under the IWMP is about 5,000 ha which is cluster of micro-watersheds. A portion of institution &capacity building (5% of the total project cost) has been provided to set up institutional mechanism at State, District, Project and Village levels and to build capacities of stakeholders. It also entails involvement of primary stakeholders in the form of grassroots community organisations. Expected Benefits of IWMP: The benefits include increase in availability of surface water & groundwater, changes in cropping pattern from one to two crops annually, increase in fodder availability and increase in milk yield, increase in agriculture What are Flagship Programmes? Flagship programmes derive their origin from the term flagship which is the main or most important ship of a countrys navy and is symbolic of the main thrust of the nations developmental policy. Major Flagship programmes of the Government of India are: Bharat Nirman: The objective of the Bharat Nirman Programme is to give top priority to rural infrastructure by setting time-bound goals under various schemes to develop rural housing, rural roads, irrigation, rural drinking water and rural electrification. The Programme imposes a responsibility on sub-national governments to create these facilities in a transparent and accountable manner. National Rural Health Mission: The main aim of NRHM is to provide accessible, affordable, accountable, effective, and reliable primary health care, especially to poor and vulnerable sections of the population. The programme sets standards for rural health care and provides financial resources from the Union Government to meet these standards. Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme: The Act was notified on 7 September 2005 and is aimed at providing livelihood security through employment for the rural poor. Sarva Siksha Abhigyan: This programme was started with the objective of providing elementary education for all children in the age group of 614 years by 2010. Mid-day meal Scheme: The MDM Scheme launched in 1995 aims to give a boost to universalization of primary education by increasing enrolment, retention, and attendance and simultaneously impacting upon nutritional status of students in primary classes. Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP)
India to get a loan of 255 million USD for National AIDS Control Project-IV
June 19th, 2013
India has inked a loan agreement of US$ 255 million with the World Bankfor the National AIDS Control Project (NACP-IV).

NACP-IV
4 4
Objective: To increase safe behaviors among high risk groups in order to contribute to Indias national goal of reversal of the HIV epidemic by 2017. Project Components: The Project has three components that include implementation at the national, State and district levels: (i) Scaling-up (ii) Behavior (iii) Institutional Strengthening.
June 18th, 2013
Targeted Change
Prevention Communications;
Interventions; and
Malnourishment in India higher than in sub-Saharan Africa

The Indian economic growth has done little to bring any significant change in the area of children nourishment and the country is still notorious to have higher rates of malnourished children than in sub-Saharan Africa. Malnutrition remains an enormously pervasive across the States. Although the official ICDS data compiled by the State government shows a significantly improved outlook by registering increase in the normal category of child nutrition from 48% in 2009-10 to 65% in 2012-13, an increase of 16.6% points over the four-year period, the same has not mirrored in the evaluation report on the ICDS, prepared by Program Evaluation Organisation of the Planning Commission (2011) which shows a great divergence b/w official statistics on nutritional status, registered beneficiaries and grass roots reality regarding core indicators. The study also revealed that official statistics on nutritional status of children generated departmentally do not represent grassroots reality. As per Report: There are great variations in inter-state comparison of child malnutrition. Only 18% of Bihars children come in the normal category, against the all -India average of 65%. Despite registering high growth, Bihar reports the highest proportion (26%) of severely undernourished children, the highest proportion (56%) of mild to moderately undernourished children and the lowest proportion (18 %) of children who fall in the normal category. Surprisingly, only 53% of Delhis children fall in the normal category a score that is third from the bottom. Andhra Pradesh, despite having a much higher per capita income, reports a higher proportion of mild to moderately undernourished children at 38% than Jharkhand (35%) andRajasthan (34%). Paradoxically, many high income States also report relatively high proportions of severely undernourished children. For example, the proportion of severely malnourished children in Haryana(5.2%) is much higher than inOdisha (3.7%). Around 47% of Delhis children are mild to moderately undernourished despite being one of the richest States in terms of per capita income.
DMRC to build monorail in Kozhikode and Thiruananthapuram

June 15th, 2013
The Cabinet has given its nod for the signing the general consultancy agreement with Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) for the Rs. 5,581-crore elevated mass rapid transit system in Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode. After the signing of this pact, the DMRC will be responsible for the design, preparation of the bid document, short-listing, and selection of contractors, supervision,

and quality certification in Kozhikode. What is monorail? A monorail is a rail-based transportation system based on a single rail, which acts as its sole support and its guideway. The term is also used variously to describe the beam of the system, or the vehicles traveling on such a beam or track. The beam in a monorail system is narrower than the vehicle. for the 22.2-km monorail in Thiruvananthapuram and
4 5
14.2-km
Project Monitoring Group to be set up to expedite infra projects

June 15th, 2013
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has directed for the creation of aProject Monitoring Group who will monitor the implementation and fast tracking of all the 215 infrastructure projects of Rs. 7 lakh crore funded by banks. The Group will be set up under the Cabinet Secretariat which will proactively pursue all large projects to ensure their timely commissioning. The Cabinet Secretariat has prepared an Online CCI Projects Tracking System portal for tracking projects of over Rs.1000 crore.
HRD to set up National Testing Agency (NTA)

June 15th, 2013
The Ministry of Human Resource & Development (HRD) will constitute a 7-member Task Force headed by Prof. Sanjay Dhande, Ex-Director, IIT. The team which will have representatives from CBSE, UGC, NCERT, AICTE and from the Ministry, will be tasked to prepare a blue print for creating a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for the setting up of National Testing Agency (NTA). The HRD Ministry will also provide financial assistance to needy meritorious students who have passed with minimum B1 grade under CBSE grading system of 10 th or 12th examination. The amount of grant provided to such students shall not exceed Rs. 20,000 for class 10 th and Rs. 40,000 for class 12th during any one financial year. What will NTA do? The NTA will formulate a uniform entrance examination for admission in different branches of higher education which will reduce the stress on students who have to go through multiple examinations.
Fact Box: National Cyber Coordination Centre (NCCC)

June 13th, 2013
India to establish NCCC for spying on cyber threats Indian government will establish its own multi-agency body National Cyber Coordination Centre (NCCC) that would carry out real -time assessment of cyber security threats and generate actionable reports/alerts for proactive actions by law enforcement agencies.
4 6
NCCC , to be set up at a cost of Rs 1000 crore, would be a multi-agency body under Department of Electronics and IT. It will function in sync with other government agencies. These agencies include: National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) Intelligence Bureau (IB) Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO) Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) DIARA (Defence Information Assurance and Research Agency) Army, Navy, Air Force Department of Telecommunications What will be its functions? It will be Indias first layer for cyber threat monitoring and all communication with government and private service providers would be through this body only. The NCCC would be in virtual contact with the control room of all Internet Service Providers to scan traffic within the country.
Railways to launch Mobile Payment Ticketing Facility

June 13th, 2013
Soon, passengers will be able to book their train tickets via mobile SMS as Indian Railways is to start Mobile Payment Ticketing Facility from July 1, 2013. The service will be available to all mobile subscribers.
Haryana notifies new Communication Infra policy

June 13th, 2013
The Haryana government has notified a new Communication Infra Policy which is aimed at encouraging use of latest technology advancements in the telecom and communication sector. New Communication Infra Policy It will encourage the use of latest technology advancements in the telecom sector such as Fibre to The Home (FTTH) and innovative business models such as the Open Access Network (OAN) where physical access to the network is separated from the delivery of services. It intends to bring uniformity in guidelines and parameters for laying telecom and communication infrastructure in the state. To ensure communication infrastructure providers stick to various safety standards or norms like radiation norms as envisaged by the Centre. To encourage setting up of telecom and communication infrastructure in non-congested areas.
Railways to introduce SMS-based OPCRS service for cleanliness related complaints

June 11th, 2013
As envisaged in the Rail Budget 2013-14, Indian Railways will launch an SMS-based service named On-site Passenger Complaint Redressal System (OPCRS) for quick response to passenger complaints regarding housekeeping service in coaches.
Rs 10 crore transferred through DBT of LPG

June 11th, 2013
4 7
The Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) of LPG which was launched in 18 districts of the country has successfully disbursed a subsidy of Rs 435 to each of 250,000 households within the first week of its launch. Under the scheme launched on June 1, LPG consumers get Rs 435 in their bank accounts when they book an LPG cylinder. They are then expected to use this cash subsidy to buy a LPG refill at market price which is roughly the double of Rs 410 per 14.2-kg subsidized rate in Delhi.
Government to start National Higher Education Campaign (Rashtriya Ucchatar Shiksha Abhiyan)
June 10th, 2013
The Union Government has decided to launch National HigherEducation Campaign (Rashtriya Ucchatar Shiksha Abhiyan), to focus on equity based development, improvement in teachinglearning quality and research. Under this programme, funds will be granted to public Universities and Colleges so that higher educational institutes do not depend heavily on the affiliation fees.
Government sets up SCE to evaluate international competitiveness of Indian financial sector

June 10th, 2013
The Union Government of India has set up a Standing Council of Experts (SCE) in the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, which will assess global competitiveness of Indian Financial Sector.
DIPP clarifies: MBRT doesnt allow trading through franchise route

June 8th, 2013
The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion has clarified the queries on FDI policy for MultiBrand Retail Trading (MBRT) from global retailers. The clarification is as follows: Foreign retailers entering Indias multi-brand segment will not be allowed to franchise their stores. Front-end stores set up by MBRT entity will have to be company-owned and company operated only. Mandatory 30% sourcing from small industries will be counted only for sales through the front-end stores. Foreign retailers will have to put 50% of their investments in back-end infrastructure specifically for the chain they are setting up and any amount spent in acquiring front-end retail stores would not be counted towards back-end infrastructure The front-end retail stores must also be set up as an additionality, and not through acquisition of existing stores. Investment in the equity of the existing infrastructure company will not be treated towards the fulfillment of the conditionality of 50% investment in back-end infrastructure. Investment towards back-end infrastructure can be made across all States irrespective of whether FDI in MBRT is allowed in that State or not. The sourcing condition pertains only to manufactured and processed products. Procurement of fresh produce is not covered by this condition. FDI in non-FDI approved States in back-end infrastructure will be counted for the compulsory 50% investment norm provided it is an additionality. Entire investment in back-end infrastructure has to be an additionality, and the foreign retail chain can invest only in greenfield (new) assets and it will not be possible to acquire supply/chain/backend assets or stakes from an existing entity. The MBRT entity is not envisaged to undertake wholesale activity, that is, B2B. The cash & carry trading cannot be considered to be providing back-end infrastructure to the multi-brand retail store.
National Skill Development Agency (NSDA) established by Government

June 8th, 2013
4 8
In order to Coordinate and Harmonize the Skill Development Efforts of the Government of India and the Private Sector to Achieve the Skilling Targets of the 12th Plan, the Government has set up the National Skill Development Agency (NSDA) by subsuming the Prime Ministers 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. Aim: To coordinate and harmonize the skill development efforts of the Government of India and the private sector to achieve the skilling targets of the 12th Plan and beyond. It will endeavor to bridge the social, regional, gender and economic divide by ensuring that the skilling needs of the disadvantaged and marginalized groups like SCs, STs, OBCs, minorities, women and differently-abled persons are addressed through the various skill development programmes. The NSDA will develop and monitor an overarching framework for skill development, anchor the National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) and facilitate the setting-up of professional certifying bodies in addition to the existing ones. It will be an autonomous body headed by a person of the rank and status of a Cabinet Minister supported by a Director General and other support staff. The existing Central Ministries and National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) will continue to implement schemes in their responsibility.
Fact Box: e-BRC (Bank Realization Certificate)

June 8th, 2013
MoU inked b/w DGFT and Government of Delhi to use e-BRC (Bank Realization Certificate) An MoU was signed b/w the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) and Commissioner (Trade and Taxes) and Government of NCT of Delhi for making use of electronic Bank Realization Certificate (e-BRC). With this, Delhi has become the second state to sign the MoU. The first state to sign this MoU was Maharashtra. What is e-BRC? e-BRC is electronic form of earlier physical Bank Realization Certificate. It was launched in 2012 by thethe Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) to reduce transaction cost to exporters, who will not be required to make any request to bank for issuance of bank export and realisation certificate (BRC). BRC is issued by a bank after realization of export proceeds in the country. It is an important document required for claiming benefits under various Foreign Trade Policy schemes. In addition, BRC data is used by VAT, Income Tax and Drawback departments.
Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP): UGC forms advisory committee on DUs new format
June 5th, 2013
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has set up an advisory committee, headed by S. K. Joshi, member UGC and former Director-General of CSIR, to monitor the progress of the implementation of the new Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP) being introduced by Delhi University. The panel will also offer corrective advice on the issue of curriculum.
Project Ananta: Planning Commission approves the project

June 4th, 2013
4 9
The Planning Commission has given its in principle approval to the Project Ananta which is a pilot project aimed at development of the drought-prone Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh. The Rs 8,000-crore project will take a holistic approach to achieve the target.
Defense Ministry promulgates new Defence Procurement Procedure

June 4th, 2013
With the aim to enhance transparency and probity in defence purchases and to give a boost to indigenous industries, the Ministry of Defense (MoD) has promulgated a new procedure- The Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) 2013. What are the key features of DPP 2013? The Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) 2013 aims to balance the competing requirements of expediting capital procurement, developing a robust indigenous defence sector and conforming to the highest standards of transparency, probity and public accountability, while laying a strong emphasis on promoting indigenisation and creating a level playing field for the Indian industry. The new procedure gives the first right of refusal to Indian vendors to promote indigenous industry. To give impetus to indigenization, higher preference explicitly to the Buy [Indian], Buy and Make [Indian] and Make categorisation, besides bringing further clarity in the definition of the Indigenous Content and simplifying the Buy and Make [Indian] proc ess. To expedite procurement procedure, the new policy has slashed the validity of Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) from two years to one year with a stipulation to freeze the Service Qualitative Requirements before the accord of the AoN.
Union Government approves National Oil Spill Contingency Plan

June 4th, 2013
In order to mitigate the impact of oil spills on the marine environment the Union Government has approved the National Oil Spill Contingency Plan (NOSDCP).
Fact Box: India Post 2012 Project

June 2nd, 2013
What is India Post 2012 project? India Post 2012 project is a multi -faceted IT automation programme which was cleared in year 2010 by Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs with a total outlay of 1877.2 crores. Vision of the Project: India Post 2012 aims at transforming Department of Posts into a Technology Enabled, Self Reliant Market Leader. This translates into 5 initiatives covering increased market share and revenues, new products and services, improved service delivery, motivated workforce and rural development. As part of 11th five year plan, this IT modernization project has been undertaken in two phases. In Phase-I, post offices up to double handed levels were supplied with IT hardware and in Phase-II, the program has been built on 3 cornerstones as follows: Infrastructure The project aims to establish Data Centre / disaster recovery centres to house all transactions and data, nationwide networking of all post offices including rural post offices, supply of computer hardware to non computerized post offices, mail offices and rural post offices with a vision to create a fully managed, secure and centrally governed IT infrastructure.
5 0
Software Solutions Creation of integrated, modular software solution covering Postal operations, Banking, Insurance, logistics, help desk and call centre. The IT project also envisages accrual based accounting and centralized payroll processing. The project will also bring in ecommerce solution enabling India Post to make all web and mobile based transactions. Change/Project Management The IT Project mandated changes in operational procedures and processes. The Department has done a detailed business process reengineering exercise and prepared the To Be document for future applications. Therefore, during the implementation of the project, there would be an immense requirement of employee participation and change management activities to ensure readiness of employees to adopt the solution. The IT Project will carry out this important activity by conducting workshops, training, re-skilling for enabling change and addressing concerns and issues of employees. It will also cater to communication and awareness at regular intervals to drive change. Project Benefits: Benefits for Customers: Better financial inclusion for the common man in the rural and semi-urban locations at par with the urban locations, through mobile remittances, mobile banking, mobile insurance etc. Effective and transparent delivery of social security and employment guarantee schemes
Increased consistency and reliability in mail, parcels and logistics delivery system in line with global standards Multiple channels of access to customers through post office counters, kiosks, internet, mobiles, ATMs etc. Better visibility of various articles in the mail stream and transparency in financial services such as banking, insurance etc. Improved customer satisfaction due to faster and more reliable services in postal, logistics, banking, insurance and retail operations Benefits for Department of Post (DoP): Significant enhancement in revenue & market shares as multitude of products will be improved and new products/ services will be launched (e.g. eGovernance, Rural ICT) Better decision making and operational planning due to availability of management information in a timely manner Potential reduction in the transaction cost and availability of manpower for redeployment in marketing and other revenue generating capabilities Increased productivity and accountability
Benefits for Employees: Employees will have an opportunity to learn, build and enhance new skills and expertise Reduction in manual work which will result in enhanced productivity levels
5 1
Opportunity to deliver enhanced IT enabled services to their customers leading to a significant reduction in customer complaints Improvement in employee engagement and empowerment Provide an opportunity to work in an innovation based culture
Opportunity to be part of a growing and vibrant organization
TCS gets Rs 1,100-cr contract from India Post

June 2nd, 2013
Tata Consultancy Services, Indias largest software exporter has bagged a six-year Rs 1,100-crore systems integration contract from India Post as part of the latters India Post 2012 programme to modernize its technology infrastructure.
GoM approves Coal Regulatory Authority Bill

June 1st, 2013
The Coal Regulatory Authority Bill which seeks to set up an independent regulatory authority for the coal sector to address contentious issues such as pricing, supply and quality has been approved by a Group of Ministers (GoM). The bill will now be forwarded to the Cabinet for further approval. Why this Bill? The bill has been proposed to address issues related to pricing, quality and supply of coal by setting up an independent regulatory authority. The regulator would be empowered to resolve disputes including those arising out of Fuel Supply Agreements (FSAs) related to price, quality, and supplies.
LPG subsidy directly in bank accounts from June 1 in 18 districts

May 31st, 2013
The government is ready to experiment the Direct Benefit Transfer programme in the form of LPG subsidy. 18 districts have been selected to test this scheme in which the government will transfer LPG subsidy directly into the Aadhaar linked banked accounts of the beneficiaries. From June 1, 2013 cooking gas consumers in these districts will get Rs 435 in their bank accounts when they book an LPG cylinder. Initially, the scheme was planned for 20 districts but the launch in Mysore in Karnataka and Mandi in Himachal Pradesh has been postponed by a month due to assembly and Parliamentary bypolls.
TRAI issues Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations, 2013

May 31st, 2013
With the objective to curb Unsolicited Commercial Communications (UCC), The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has releasedThe Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference (Twelfth Amendment) Regulations, 2013.
5 2
This amendment adds more measures to the existing Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations, 2010 which came into force in 2011. It addresses the operational issues as well as measures for tightening the regulatory framework. Focus: The Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference (Twelfth Amendment) Regulations, 2013 has been issued to tighten the control of regulatory framework, especially relating to commercial communication from subscribers indulging in telemarketing activities, intentionally disguising themselves without registering as telemarketer with TRAI. The subscribers indulge in the activities like these without making payment of promotional SMS charge or the other kind of charges or deposits which should be paid by the registered telemarketers. These subscribers also circumvent the procedures for telemarketing followed by registered telemarketers. The subscribers like these indulge in sending unsolicited commercial communications to the customers who are even registered in National Customer Preference Register (NCPR). What is NCPR? National Customer Preference Register (NCPR) is a regulation facility introduced by the TRAI in 2011 when it found that the National Do Not Call (NDNC, also called as do not disturb, DND) Registry failed to curb the problem of unsolicited commercial calls/messages. This facility provides choice to customers to either fully or partially block the commercial communication on the basis of their own preferences on receiving commercial communication for specific categories like real estate, education, finance, entertainment, health and tourism etc.
UIDAI launches online authentication services

May 30th, 2013
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has launched three new Aadhaar-enabled services and announced the establishment of around 300 permanent enrolment centres (Aadhaar kendras). The number of centres will be scaled up to 1,000 by September 2013. These services will enable Aadhaar holders to avail themselves of various services by using the Aadhaar identity platform. Various user agencies [public or private] will also use these services to identify a beneficiary/customer through a fast, secure, economical and paperless format What are the Three services? The three services use three different technologies for Identity Authentication. These are: 1. Iris Scan technology: Enables Aadhaar holders to identify himself / herself using their iris images. 2. One Time Pin (OTP) technology: To enable Aadhaar-based authentication of all those who had registered a mobile telephone number during enrolment, using their phone anytime, anywhere on a self -service mode. 3. e-KYC (Electronic-Know Your Customer) technology: To allow individuals to authorize service providers to receive an electronic copy of their proof of identity and address. It can be used by various agencies to verify a persons identity and address. Further, only demographic information (name, address, date of birth, gender and mobile number) that is collected during Aadhaar enrolment shall be shared, at the request of, and/or with the consent of the Aadhaar user, but will be provided only for few seconds to avoid any misuse.
Fact Box: Green Energy Corridor Project; Government plans to invest Rs 43,000 Crore in the project
May 28th, 2013

Rs 43,000-cr green energy corridor plan for renewable energy
5 3
The Government plans to launch a Rs 43,000-crore Green Energy Corridor project to facilitate the flow of renewable energy into the national grid. The project will be implemented with the assistance of Germany who has promised provide developmental and technical assistance of 1 billion for the project. The government has taken lessons from the massive power grid failure that hit the North, East and North-East regions of the country on July 30-31 in 2012 which called for attention to strengthen the electricity distribution network in the country. What is Green Energy Corridor Project? The Green Energy Corridor Project is an upcoming project which aims at synchronising electricity produced from renewable sources, such as solar and wind, with conventional power stations in the grid. The Project: Objective: Synchronising electricity produced from renewable sources, such as solar and wind, with conventional power stations in the grid. Cost: Rs 43,000-crore The whole project has been divided into two parts:
1. Inter State: To be developed by State utilities 2. Intra State: To be developed by Power Grid Corporation of India(PGCIL) Germany, who has expertise in making smart grids that integrate renewable energy into national grid will be assisting India in this project. Germany has promised provide developmental and technical assistance of 1 billion for the project What is the problem in integrating electricity generated from renewable energy to conventional power grids? The problem is Voltage Fluctuations. The conventional grids face difficulty in absorbing renewable electricity because of its varying voltage and supply. The planned transmission system would be made dynamic to handle the variations leading to an integrated grid across the nation. What is the current status of electricity generation in India? At present, India has 27,541.71 MW of installed renewable capacity excluding hydro power stations. The country has a total installed capacity is of 2,23,625.60 MW.
India-made goods to be duty-free at airports

May 27th, 2013
The Finance Ministry has notified that Duty-Free-Shops (DFSs) at airports in India will be allowed to sell goods manufactured in India without paying any duty. Objective: To promote Brand India.
5 4
Till now the DFSs located at arrival halls of international airports have been selling duty-free imported goods. Indigenous goods are also sold but not exempted from duty. How it will benefit? The move has been made to ensure parity with imported goods as well as in promoting Brand India. Now, a passenger arriving from abroad can buy either duty-free imported goods or duty-free indigenous goods within his overall permissible baggage allowance.
CCEA approves World Bank funded National AIDS control support project
May 25th, 2013
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved a proposal by the Department of AIDS Control, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare for the implementation of National AIDS Control Support Project (NACSP) under the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) for an amount of Rs. 2550 crore. NACP is financed by the Government ofIndia and the World Bank in equal proportion. Objective of the Project: Primary Objective: To increase safe behaviour among high risk groups in pursuance of the national goal of accelerated reversal of the HIV epidemic by 2017. Strengthening and scaling up of prevention interventions and related BCC strategies for sub-groups of population identified to be most-at-risk by the NACP. Planned expansion and consolidation of tailored interventions for other at-risk populations, including migrant workers and truckers which play a critical role in the transmission dynamics of HIV in the country. Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) will emphasize on demand generation for prevention services among high risk groups and vulnerable populations, including a specific focus on youth and will also make efforts towards reduction of stigma associated with HIV by focused IEC to change the prevailing attitudes and perceptions.
Fact Box: Janani Suraksha Yojana

May 23rd, 2013
Age eligibility norm to get financial aid under JSY relaxed The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has relaxed the eligibility criteria for the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), which provides financial assistance to mothers for institutional deliveries. As per new changes, Below Party Line (BPL) women can access JSY benefits irrespective of their age and number of children. What is JSY? Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) was launched in 2005 with an aim to enable women especially those from vulnerable sections to access institutional delivery. This was done to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality. Why these changes? It was found that a majority of women, who needed JSY benefits, remained out of the purview of the scheme because they had to prove they were 19 years of age and had no more than two children. Besides this, highest maternal mortality is reported among girls aged 14-15; the majority of these were out of the purview of the JSY as they were unable to produce proof of age or verify the number
5 5
of children they had. Thus it was felt that age criteria and the requirement to prove number of children must be done away with in order to bring these left out sections into this scheme. What were the existing norms? Till now, the scheme provided assistance for institutional delivery to all pregnant women who give birth in a government or private accredited health facility in Low Performing States (those with bad health indicators, such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar,Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand andAssam). Sub-section within Low Performing States: In Rural Areas: Rs 1400 to the woman who delivered in a government facility or accredited private facility Rs. 600 to Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) in rural areas. In the urban areas Rs.1,000 the woman who delivered in a government facility or accredited private facility Rs. 400 Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) In High Performing States (those with good health indices, such asKerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka), assistance for institutional delivery was available to women from BPL/SC/ST households, aged 19 or above and only up to two live births for delivery in a government or private accredited health facility. Sub-sections within High Performing States: In Rural Areas: Rs. 700 to the woman who delivered in a government facility or accredited private facility Rs. 600 to Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) In Urban Areas: Rs. 600 to the woman who delivered in a government facility or accredited private facility Rs. 400 to Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) Further, in all States/Union Territories, the scheme provided Rs. 500 to BPL women aged 19 or above and who deliver up to two live births who prefer to deliver at home. With the amendments, all women who deliver at home will be entitled to this amount, basically for nutrition. What are the changes? As per the changed norms: All women from BPL category, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in all States and Union Territories will be eligible for JSY benefits if they have given birth in a government or private accredited health facility. BPL women who prefer to deliver at home can also get JSY benefits. Below Party Line (BPL) women can access JSY benefits irrespective of their age and number of children.

What is the performance outlook of JSY?
5 6
As per the Government the scheme has resulted into an increase in institutional deliveries from 47% in 2007-08 to 72.9% in 2009 (Coverage Evaluation Survey) and, most recently, to approximately 79% as per Health Ministry data.
Year 2013 will be Water Conservation Year-2013

May 22nd, 2013
Government of India will observe Year 2013 Water Conservation Year as declared by the Union Cabinet. A number of mass awareness activities will be organized during Water Conservation Year 2013 with stress on sensitizing the masses on water related issues, encourage them to conserve and use it judiciously. Government will launch an effective and sustained mass awareness programme with the involvement of all stakeholders to achieve the objectives identified in the National Water Policy, 2012 and National Water Mission. Water Facts- India: India has more than 18% of the worlds population, but has only 4% of worlds renewable water resources with 2.4% of worlds land area. There is uneven distribution of rainfall across different regions of the country like from 10 cm rainfall in Rajasthan to 1000 cm in North Eastern Region. Frequent floods and droughts add to these challenges. With a growing population and rising needs of a fast developing nation as well as the given indicators of the impact of climate change, per capita availability of water is likely to go down from 1545 cubic metre per year in 2011 to 1341 cubic metre per year in 2025. Increasing water demand may result in more disputes among different user groups as drinking water need is going to rise by 44%, irrigation need by 10%, industry need by 81% respectively by 2025.
Income criterion for creamy layer increased to Rs. 6 Lakh

May 19th, 2013
The Union Cabinet has given nod to increasing the creamy layer income criterion from Rs. 4.5 lakh to Rs. 6 lakh per annum throughout the country. Creamy Layer is the term used to refer to socially advanced persons and sections of OBC which are barred from OBC reservation benefits.
New Drug Prices Control Order (DPCO) 2013 to slash prices of Essential Medicines by 80%
May 19th, 2013
With the new Drug Price Control Order (DPCO) 2013 coming into effect, the prices of 348 medicines, including life saving drugs will be cheaper soon by up to 50% to 80%. What is DPCO 2013? The Department of Pharmaceuticals has notified the DPCO 2013, with effect from May 15, 2013, replacing the 1995 DPCO. Unlike the previous Drug Prices Control Order 1995 which regulated prices of only 74 bulk drugs, the new order will give power to the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Policy (NPPP) 2012 to regulate prices of 348 essential drugs. The DPCO 2013, issued under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955,will lay the framework of the drug policy and mechanism of regulating prices. As per the NPPP:

All strengths and dosages specified in the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) 2011 will be under price control. 348 essential medicines will be brought under price control and which will lead to reduction in prices. Prices of medicines will now be capped by taking simple average of all brands which have more than 1% market share instead of input costs. National Pharmaceuticals Pricing Authority (NPPA) will be the implementation authority for the new policy and the new DPCO. Companies are debarred from using the WPI (Wholesale Price Index) to increase the prices of the essential medicines on their own each year. The companies will now have to seek approval from the NPPA whenever they want to increase the prices of the items covered under the DPCO. NPPP is expected to cover up to 30% of the total drugs sold inIndia.
5 7
Note: Indias domestic drug market valued at around $13 billion is the 4th -largest in the world by volume.
Government to set up Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC)

May 15th, 2013
The Central Government is at consensus to establish Financial Stability & Development Council (FSDC) to strengthen and institutionalize the mechanism for maintaining financial Stability and Development. What would be the role of FSDC? FSDC will perform following role: To engage in macro prudential supervision of the economy, including the functioning of large financial conglomerates and address inter-regulatory coordination issues. To focus on financial literacy and financial inclusion. To periodically look into issue relating to financial development. Who would be the head of the Council? The Council would have one Sub-Committee which would be headed by Governor, RBI. The Secretariat of the Council would be in theDepartment of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance.
WCD Ministry formed 4745 SHGs in UP and Bihar under PRIYADARSHINI scheme
May 15th, 2013
The Ministry Women and Child Development (WCD) has supported 4745 Self Help Groups (SHGs) under its project Priyadarshini. The pilot project is being administered by the Ministry in 13 blocks spread across 5 districts in Uttar Pradesh and 2 districts in Bihar. Also, 2534 SHGs have been savings linked-1243 in Bihar and 1291 in Uttar Pradesh. To promote the project Rs 15 crore has been sanctioned for the year 2012-13. About PRIYADARSHINI Scheme: A pilot project for Women Empowerment and Livelihood Programme in Mid- Gangetic Plains which is currently being implemented in UP and Bihar.

It will also empower the beneficiaries to address their political,legal, health problems issues through rigorous capacity building. Target to cover over 1,00,000 households and form 7,200 SHGs during the project period 2016-17. Target to establish total 48 Community Service Centres (CSCs) in entire project period. So far, NABARD has set up 3 fully operational CSCs per block which makes total 39 CSCs.
5 8
Union Government approves National Cyber Security Policy

May 13th, 2013
The Union Government of India approved a National Cyber Security Policy with the objective to create a secured computing atmosphere across the country. Key objectives of the Cyber Security Policy: Capacity-building to bolster the existing set-up and increase the focus on manpower training. Augmentation of the Indias indigenous capabilities in terms of developing the cyber security set -up. Provide a broad coverage by including home as well as small users, medium and large enterprises and government and non-government entities.
National Skill Development Agency (NSDA) gets approval of Union Cabinet

May 13th, 2013
The Union Cabinet has given its nod for the creation of an autonomous body called the National Skill Development Agency (NSDA) by subsuming the Prime Ministers 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. The NSDA will be located in the Ministry of Finance. What will be the role of NSDA? To coordinate and harmonize the skill development efforts of the Government and the private sector to achieve the skilling targets of the 12th Plan and beyond. To anchor and operationalize the National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) To be the nodal agency for Sector Skills Councils To strive to bridge the social, regional, gender and economic divides in skilling. To ensure that skilling quality and standards meet sector specific requirements benchmarked to international standards. Such an initiative will boost employability of youth in India.
Womens self-help groups to get cheaper loans (at 7%) under NRLM
May 12th, 2013
The Indian Government has approved the proposal of providing loans to Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) at a lower interest rate of 7% as compared to present rate ranging between 11.5 14% to eradicate poverty through women empowerment. The programme will be operated under NRLM (National Rural Livelihood Mission) to provide loans up to Rs.3 lakhs at subsidized interest rate by focusing on 150 backward districts, including 82 Integrated Action Plan districts, affected by Naxal menace. 25 lakh women SHGs are expected to be covered under the benefit of scheme. About Women Self Help Group (SHGs) A Women Self-Help Group (SHG) is a village-based financial intermediary comprising of 1020 local women, started by Non-Government Organisations for women empowerment. The objectives of women SHGs are:

Development of leadership abilities among poor people Increase in enrollment in schools Improvement in nutrition level Empowerment of women Promotion of small savings among members Additional benefit of cheaper loans Additional 3% interest rate will be reduced if women SHGs will repay the loan amount on due date and effective interest rate will be 4% from 7%. Who will bear the interest cost over and above 7%? The difference between market rate and subsidized rate will be borne by Rural Development Ministry and State government in proportion of 3:1 which amount to Rs.560 crore. NRLM A Poverty reduction programme based on employment generation by adoption of a multi-pronged strategy. Launched by UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi in June 2011 Objective: Creating efficient and effective institutional platforms of the rural poor, thus by enabling them to increase household income via sustainable livelihood enhancements and meliorated access to financial services.
5 9
Shiksha Setu cards A step towards effective education system by Haryana Govt.
May 9th, 2013
Haryana government has introduced Shiksha Setu cards - a report card to assess the performance of students to teachers and guardians/parents in Government schools. Aim of issuing card: Implementation of effective education system by: Providing individual attention to every student; Providing diaries to all teachers in government schools and document all classes to ensure classes will be conducting with full preparation. Implementation of section 134A of Right to Education Act by issuing notice to private schools: As per the said section, the recognized private schools shall reserve 25% seats for meritorious poor students. The school shall charge fee from these students at the rate as charged in Government.
Union Cabinets approves the launch of NUHM as a sub-mission under the National Health Mission (NHM)
May 3rd, 2013
The National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) will be launched as a new sub-mission under the extensive National Health Mission (NHM), as approved by the Union Cabinet. The Union Cabinet had already approved the continuation of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) and the other sub-mission under NHM till 2017. Focus of NUHM: Primary health care needs of the urban poor.

Key proposals approved under NUHM scheme: One One One One Urban Primary Health Centre (U-PHC) for every fifty to sixty thousand population. Urban Community Health Centre (U-CHC) for five to six U-PHCs in big cities. Auxiliary Nursing Midwives (ANM) for 10,000 population. Accredited Social Health Activist ASHA (community link worker) for 200 to 500 households.
6 0
Cost and Coverage Estimate Cost of NUHM for 5 years: Rs.22,507 Centre-State funding ration: 75:25 (except for North Eastern states and other special category states of Jammu and Kashmir,Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand for whom the funding pattern will be 90:10) To be implemented in 779 cities and towns with more than 50,000 population and will cover about 7.75 crore people.
Attempt to boost tourism with the development of Vizag-Bheemli beach corridor

May 2nd, 2013
Union tourism Ministry approved Rs.45 crore to AP Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) for the development of Visakhapatnam-Bheemunipatnam Beach Corridor Mega Circuit. It will cover the stretch of 26km which goes along the beach between two Ports in Andhra Pradesh.
NABARD opens first Farmers Club in Kargil

April 30th, 2013
Kargil got its first FarmersClub, as NABARD inaugurated Trespone Farmers Club at Trespone TSG Block in the district. What is Farmers Club (FCs) ? Farmers Clubs (FCs) are grassroot level informal forums of farmers. Such Clubs are organized by rural branches of banks with the support and financial assistance of NABARD for the mutual benefit of the banks concerned and the village farming community/rural people. With the enhancement of the programme, other agencies like NGO, VAs, KVKs, SAUs etc. are also now included as agencies included in the formation and promotions of FCs.
Indias over one-fourth land hit by desertification: Report

April 30th, 2013
As per a recent report by the Environment Ministry submitted to theUnited Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, more than one-fourth of Indias geographical area is undergoing the process of desertification despite ongoing efforts to tackle the problem.
Goa Govt launched Krishi Card for farmers

April 30th, 2013
Goa Govt launched a Krishi Card, a digital card which would be gateway for farmers to avail benefits like subsidies and loans given by the state government. An attempt to revive agriculture and allied sectors to make a vital support tool for the state economy.

Benefits of Card: Act as a database to retrieve complete details of farmer including biometric identification, land records, agricultural / dairy assets, crop details, demographics and subsidy transactions. Entitle farmers to an agricultural loan @ 1% depending on their land holdings. The loan will be available through financial institutions empanelled by the government to farmers up to Rs 30,000 per annum owning minimum one hectare land.
6 1
Annual Supplement (2013-14) to the Foreign Trade Policy 2009-14: Govt declares SEZ reforms to arouse investors interest
April 28th, 2013
Union Minister for Commerce, Industry and Textiles, Anand Sharma announced The Annual Supplement 2013-14 to Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2009-14, which has introduced the following package of measures to revive investors interest in SEZs: Reduction in the total size of land area required for development of SEZs to its half. For Multi-product SEZ from 1000 hectares to 500 hectares and for Sector-specific SEZ from existing 100 hectares to 50 hectares. No minimum land requirement for setting up IT / ITES SEZs Introduction of Graded Scale for Minimum Land Criteria which would permit a SEZ an additional sector for each contiguous 50 hectare parcel of land. Introduction of Sectoral broad-banding to encompass similar / related areas under the same sector. For issues relating to Vacancy of Land: While, the existing Govt. policy allows for parcels of land with pre-existing structures not in commercial use to be considered as vacant land for the purpose of notifying an SEZ, it has now been decided that additions to such pre-existing structures and activities being undertaken after notification would be eligible for duty benefits similar to any other activity in the SEZ. Inclusion of an Exit Policy in existing SEZ Framework:Decision to allow transfer of ownership of SEZ units, including sale. Several schemes and steps have been introduced and many existing schemes have been modified which include: Zero Duty Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) Scheme Widening of Interest Subvention Scheme Widening the Scope of Utilization of Duty Credit Scrip Market and Product Diversification Incremental Exports Incentivisation Scheme Facility to close cases of default in Export Obligation Served from India Scheme (SFIS) VKGUY Scheme : Visesh Krishi Gram Upaj Yojana (VKGUY) Exports Benefit Scheme. Status Holder Incentive Scheme (SHIS) Recredit of 4% SAD Duty Free Import Authorization Scheme (DFIA) Import of Cars Improvement in quality and timeliness of Foreign Trade Data Second Task Force on Transaction Cost in InternationalTrade Electronic Data Interchange Initiatives Ease of Documentation and procedural simplification Widening of items eligible for import for Handloom/Made ups and Sports Goods

5170 Bharat Nirman Rajeev Gandhi Seva Kendras become Operational in Rajasthan
April 27th, 2013
6 2
5170 Bharat Nirman Rajeev Gandhi Seva Kendras became operational across 9100 Village Panchayats of Rajasthan at an expense of Rs 1,000 crore. These Seva Kendras will facilitate: MG NREGA Payments Deposits of several utility bills
Ahmedabad becomes first city in South Asia to launch a heat wave preparation and warning system
April 27th, 2013
Ahmedabad became the First city in South Asia to create a comprehensive early warning system and plan to prepare for extreme heat events fuelled by climate change. Ahmedabads Heat Action Plan: Major contributors / collaborators in the Heat Action Plan: Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) Indian Institute of Public Health,Gandhinagar Public Health Foundation of India Natural Resources Defence Council Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Rollins School of Public Health of Emory University Georgia Institute of Technology Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN)
Fact Box: National Agricultural Innovation Project (NAIP)

April 26th, 2013
Govt. launched a 6-year aspirational agricultural research programme, the National Agricultural Innovation Project (NAIP). To fulfill the Govt of Indias objectives as expressed in Indias National Policy on Agriculture (NPA), the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has started National Agricultural Innovation Project (NAIP), which grants high priority to generation and transfer of agricultural technologies, and proposes innovations in the technology system. Objectives of NAIP: Overall Objective: To alleviate the accelerated and sustainable transformation of Indian agriculture in support of poverty easing and income generation via cooperative development and application of agricultural innovations by the public organizations in partnership with farmers groups, the private sector and other stakeholders. NAIP is planned for 6 years to allow time for piloting, learning and then scaling up wherever possible. Specific objectives/Components of NAIP: The NAIP will function through four components:
6 3
1. Component 1 - The ICAR as the Catalyzing Agent for the Management of Change in the Indian NARS: To build the critical capacity of the ICAR as a catalyzing agent for management of change of the Indian NARS. Component 1 strengthens the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) as the catalyzing agent for managing change in the Indian National Agricultural Research System (NARS) by focusing on: 1.1 Information, communication and dissemination system; 1.2 Business planning and development; 1.3 Learning and capacity building; 1.4 Policy and gender analysis and visioning; 1.5 Remodeling financial management and procurement systems; and 1.6 Project implementation. 2. Component 2 Research on Production to Consumption Systems (PCS): To promote production to consumption systems research in priority areas/themes to enhance productivity, nutrition, profitability, income and employment. Thus, Component 2 funds research on production-toconsumption systems. 3. Component 3 Research on Sustainable Rural Livelihood Security (SRLS): To improve livelihood security of rural people living in selected disadvantaged regions through innovation systems led by technology and encompassing the wider process of social and economic change covering all stakeholders. Thus, Component 3 funds research on sustainable rural livelihood security. 4. Component 4 Basic and Strategic Research in the Frontier Areas of Agricultural Sciences (BSR): To build capacity and undertake basic and strategic research in strategic areas to meet technology development challenges in the immediate and predictable future. Thus, Component 4 supports basic and strategic research in the frontier areas of agricultural science. Total Budget for the NAIP: The total budget of NAIP is USD 250 million = USD 200 mnWorld Bank) + USD 50 mn by GoI). World Bank will fund US $ 200 million as credit (mostly interest free and a part with negligible interest) and USD 50 million by the Government of India. The NAIP will be carried out in a decentralized mode. The basic introduction in governance in the system is that the enforcing consortia/ institutions will be helped by the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) to work with full freedom and accountability and without intervening controls of the project authority once they have entered into partnership and clear agreements with the ICAR.
Revised schemes of RAY, ISHUP (revamped as RRY) and AHP being figured out
April 26th, 2013
Mr. Ajay Maken, Union Minister of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation (HUPA) held the following updates on RAY and RRY Schemes inRajya Sabha: Rajiv Awas Yojana (RAY) scheme: The on-going housing scheme of Govt of India in the urban slum area was carried out under original phase during the XI Five Year Plan period. With the understanding benefitted during the original phase, refreshed scheme of RAY is being figured out for execution during XII Five Year Plan period. Interest Subsidy Scheme for Housing the Urban Poor (ISHUP) scheme: Under original phase during XI Five Year Plan period is being refreshed for launch as Rajiv Rinn Yojana (RRY) with raised credit limits and targets. Apart from reservation of 20-25% of developed land forEconomically Weaker Section (EWS) / Low Income Group (LIG)housing in every new public / private residential development projects, Ministry of HUPA via its two schemes namely Affordable Housing
6 4
in Partnership (AHP) and Rajiv Rinn Yojana (RRY) ideates promoting private builders to build houses for urban poor.
NULM Scheme to be launched in 12th Five Year Plan

April 26th, 2013
A National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM) has been proposed to be launched by The Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation in 12th Five Year Plan. The NULM will replace the existing Swarna Jayanti Shahari Rozgar Yojana (SJSRY). Objective: Focus on the primary issues concerning to urban poverty such as bestowing skill training, enabling entrepreneurship development, furnishing wage employment and self-employment opportunities to the urban poor.
Fact Box: The National Policy for Children, 2012

April 24th, 2013
The Union Cabinet gave its approval to the National Policy for Children, 2012. The National Policy for Children, 2012 Reaffirms the governments dedication to the recognition of the rights of all children in the country. Acknowledges every person below the age of 18 years as a child and that childhood is an integral part of life with a value of its own, and a long term, sustainable, multi-sectoral, integrated and inclusive approach is essential for the pleasant development and protection of children. Establishes the guiding principles that must be respected by national, state and local governments in their actions and initiatives affecting children. As childrens needs are multi-sectoral, interlinked and call for collective action, the policy directs at meaningful convergence and firm coordination across different sectors and levels of governance; active participation and partnerships with all stakeholders; establishing of a comprehensive and authentic knowledge base; supplying of enough resources; and sensitization and capacity development of all those who work for and with children. Key guiding principles of the National Policy for Children, 2012: Right of every child to life, survival, development, education, protection and participation Equal rights for all children without discrimination Best interest of the child as a principal concern in all actions and decisions affecting children Family environment is the most contributing for all-round growth of children. Key priority areas the National Policy for Children, 2012: The policy has identified the following as the undeniable rights of every child, and has also declared these as key priority areas: Survival Health Nutrition Education Development Protection Participation Operation and Supervision of the Policy

National Coordination and Action Group (NCAG) be established in order to supervise the performance of National Policy for Children. A National Plan of Action will be formulated to give effect to the policy. Alike plans and coordination and action groups will be established at the state and district levels. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights andState Commissions for Protection of Child Rights are to ascertain that the principles of the policy are valued in all sectors at all levels. There is a condition for reassessment of the policy every 5 years. The Ministry of Women and Child Development will be the nodal ministry for supervising and coordinating the effectuation of the policy and will lead the review process for the policy.
6 5
Fact Box: IBIN India Backbone Implementation Network and India@75

April 24th, 2013
Montek Singh Ahluwalia (The Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission) recently launched the India Backbone Implementation Network (IBIN). Objective: To improve execution of policies, programs, and projects, which the 12th Five Year Plan has set as the vital requisite for speeding up more inclusive and quicker growth. What are the major causes of delay in implementation of projects and schemes in India? A study of projects and schemes has brought out that the key reasons of chokepoints in execution are conflict amongst stakeholders, and poor coordination between agencies. These chokepoints are at many stages in the system, at the centre, in the states, in districts and cities too. Why the need for IBIN? These chokepoints discussed above cannot be eased top down by the Planning Commission. They call for cooperative action by stakeholders and agencies at several points. So, the need for IBIN. IBIN: India Backbone Implementation Network (IBIN). Modeled on the very successful Total Quality Movement (TQM) in Japan which in the 1960s and 70s metamorphosed the potentiality of Japanese organizations in the private and public sectors to deliver results. The TQM was furnished to teams within organizations, and to inter-organization teams, techniques and tools with which they could make fast improvements of procedures thus transforming Japan into the brand of excellence at internationallevel. IBIN will spread techniques and skills for collaboration, coordination, and improve planning via a network of agencies in India. The partners in IBIN already comprise institutions such as the Administrative Staff College of India, the Indian School ofBusiness, SEWA, WISCOMP, UNDP, GIZ, the World Bank, FISME, etc. The IBIN network will form around nodes. The function of a node will be to draw together suppliers of the skills and proficiencies and the agencies that need them, and to ceaselessly filter good practices and propagate them extensively. The Planning Commission has analyzed best practices for coordination and execution in other countries also, such as Korea, Malaysia, Brazil, and Germany. Planning Commission has brought in various innovations in the 12th Plan to better planning, communication, and execution. These

include the use of proficiencies of scenario planning for the first time, use of social media for communications with young, and the construct of IBIN. The Planning Commission partnered with India@75 to launch IBIN and incubating it in India@75. Partnership of Planning Commission and India@75 for IBIN: Planning Commission and India@75 have partnered together to launch IBIN. Objective of Partnership: To assist collaborative movements of change to achieve national goals in important sectors. India@75 will assist in expanding the IBIN network. India@75 is already occupied with flourishing skill development. Planning Commission has partnered with India@75 to set up a cell within India@75 which will be the first node of IBIN. What is India@75? India@75 is a 3-Dimensional development idea for India which was articulated by Prof C.K.Prahalad and then accepted by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) on May 8, 2008. Professor Coimbatore Krishnarao Prahalad (C.K. Prahalad,1941 2010), Distinguished University Professor of Corporate Strategy at the Stephen M. Ross School of Business in the University of Michigan was the inspirational force behind the India@75 initiative. On September 23, 2007, while celebrating the India@60 (commemorating the 60th year of Indias independence) programme at New York, USA, Prof. C.K.Prahalad articulated the idea of holistic three dimensional development of India to assume adequate economic strength, technological vitality andmoral leadership by 75 years of independence i.e. YEAR 2022. India@75 is a path breaking go-ahead that visualizes how India should be in her 75th year of independence and attempts to draw together all stakeholders including the industry, government, institutions, community groups and individuals to transform the vision into a reality.
6 6
Union Govt approves a project National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN) project
April 17th, 2013
Union Government approved a project for creation of NOFN (National Optical Fibre Network) that will help in connecting all the 2,50,000 Gram Panchayats (GPs) in India via Optical Fibre Cable (OFC). Contribution of Union Govt via Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) Contribution of Union Govts via furnishing of free Right of Way (RoW) for setting OFC. Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL) is the SPV (Special Purpose Vehicle) for the implementation of NOFN. A tripartite MoU for free Right of Way (RoW) among Central Government, State Government and BBNL. All the 16 States/UTs have given consent for free RoW. Total 1,40,727 GPs will get covered by Optical Fibre Network in these States and UTs.
S.No:
State Name
No. of Gram Panchayats
1. 2. 3.
ANDHRA PRADESH ARUNACHAL PRADESH CHHATTISSGARH
21,693 1,756 9,770

4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. DADRA AND NAGAR HAVELI DAMAN AND DIU JHARKHAND KARNATAKA KERALA MADHYA PRADESH MANIPUR MIZORAM PUDUCHERRY RAJASTHAN TRIPURA UTTAR PRADESH UTTARAKHAND Total 11 14 4,423 5,631 977 23,024 2,795 776 98 9,192 1,038 51,974 7,555 140,727
6 7
With the accessibility of NOFN at 2,50,000 Gram Panchayats a minimal bandwidth of 100 Mbps will be useable at each of GP and will contribute to development of broadband services. What will be the benefits to States? Empowerment of rural masses by giving them access to information, public services including those of education, healthand financial inclusion. Several applications for Panchayats for planning, management, monitoring and payments under various government schemes (e.g. MNREGA, PDS, Land Records, Birth/Death Certificates, Digital Literacy, etc.), e-Governance, education, health, employment, agriculture and commerce may be launched using this network Introduction of local employment, revenue generation and increase of GDP contributing to overall successfulness of the State
Fact Box: National Programme for Health Care of the Elderly

April 10th, 2013
National Programme for the Health Care of Elderly (NPHCE) NPHCE launched during 11th Plan period by The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare keeping in view the recommendations made in theNational Policy on Older Persons as well as the States obligation under the Maintenance & Welfare of Parents & Senior Citizens Act 2007. Objective: To address various health related problems of elderly people. To provide separate and specialized comprehensive healthcare to the senior citizens at various level of State healthcare delivery system including outreach services.

Some of the key components of the NPHCE during 11th Five Year Plan were:
6 8
Establishment of 30 bedded Department of Geriatric in 8 identified Regional Medical Institutions (Regional Geriatric Centres) in different parts of the country and to provide dedicated health care facilities in District Hospitals, CHCs, PHCs and Sub Centres in 100 identified districts of 21 States. Future plan for NPHCE: Programme being implemented in a phased manner. 100 districts have been selected initally from 21 States in 11th Five Year Plan. Proposal to cover more districts under the programme. Development of 12 additional Regional Geriatric Centres in selected Medical Colleges of India during the 12th Five Year Plan Establishment of National Institute of Aging at AIIMS, New Delhiand Madras Medical College, Chennai. Continuation of programme activities in the existing 100 districts and 8 Regional Geriatric Centres. Addition of 4 new Regional Geriatric Centres. Addition of more districts in a phased manner.
Army plans to have old age homes for ex-servicemen

April 10th, 2013
Army has planned to run homes for elderly ex-servicemen, who do not have anyone to look after them in their old age. As per this plan, old age homes would be opened in every Command. On an experimental basis, the first such old age home is being set near Chandigarh in Panchkula. This will not be a free service as it is not possible for Army to run such a facility for free. Thus, the exservicemen who wished to live in these old-age homes could use their pensions to pay for the services.
IRDA passes credit rating norm for choosing foreign reinsurers

April 5th, 2013
Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA). As per the IRDA (General Insurance Reinsurance) Regulations 2013, Foreign reinsurers who have a credit rating of at least BBB from Standard & Poors Corp. or an equivalent rating by any other internationalagency for the past five years, can reinsure Indian insurers. In the reinsurance framework, multiple insurance companies share the risk by purchasing insurance policies from other insurers in order to limit the total loss the original insurer would face in the case of a disaster.
West Bengal Govt to start monthly stipend for Old Writers & Litterateurs
March 29th, 2013
The West Bengal Government has planned to commence from next month a monthly stipend/pension for Old Writers and Litterateurs. In the first phase of this plan:

170 people will be awarded Rs 1,500 each. 100 theatre troops will be given an annual grant of Rs 3,500 each. 120 veteran Jatra Artists and 215 Folk Artists will be given Rs 7,000 each. The states 100 folk troops will also be given Rs 5,000 as a single time grant.
6 9
Arunachal Pradesh becomes the first state to introduce e-GPF facility

March 29th, 2013
Arunachal Pradesh became the first state to introduce e-GPF. The state Finance department of Arunachal Pradesh will facilitate online access to 34,000 General Provident Fund (GPF) accounts via its redesigned website www.arunachalfinance.in. Objective: Transparency and accountability of the government Now, citizens and government employees will not have to make rounds of the Finance office.
Infosys to assist India Post to build Rural Systems Integration (RSI) program
March 21st, 2013
Infosys has partnered with India Post to implement and manage a platform that will transform the latters rural operations. Infosys will facilitate India Posts Rural Systems Integration (RSI) program. This initiative is likely to penetrate the reach of postal services to the countrys rural popu lation, streamlining the distribution of social benefits. As a partner to the RSI programme, Infosys will develop a service delivery platform using its solutions such as mConnect, TruSync and Finacle. This will allow more than 130,000 rural post offices to offer online services. Besides, it will also connect and manage more than 130,000 handheld devices used by rural postal workers for distribution of social benefits under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act and process electronic money orders.
RBI to start fresh IESH

March 17th, 2013
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has launched the 31st Inflation Expectations Survey of Households (IESH) with January-March 2013as the current reference period. What is IESH? Inflation Expectations Survey of Households (IESH) are subjective assessments of around 5,000 households across 16 cities proposed to be covered in the Survey round and are based on households individual consumption baskets. The survey seeks qualitative responses from households on price changes (general prices as well as prices of specific product groups) in the next three months as well as in the next one year and quantitative responses on current, three-month ahead and one-year ahead inflation rates. The results will aid RBI as one of the important inputs for the formulation of the monetary policy.

RBI to introduce Rs 10 plastic notes in 5 cities
March 17th, 2013
7 0
Government and the RBI have decided to launch one billion pieces of Rs 10 bank notes made of plastic on a field trial basis in 5 cities viz. Kochi, Mysore, Jaipur, Bhubhaneswar and Shimla. Why this measure? Primary goal of introduction of polymer notes is to increase its life, it could also help in combating counterfeiting.
Central assistance of Rs. 41 Crore to protect Pashmina Goats

March 15th, 2013
The Union Government will provide a financial assistance of Rs 41.21 crore to protect Pashmina goat which produces world-famous fine luxury fibre. The government is concerned over the recent deaths of thousands of Pashmina goats in the Ladakh region. As per the assistance, there is plan which envisages a new Pashmina Wool Development Scheme with a special package and a financial allocation of Rs 41.21 crore.
SEBI Bill for appointing SAT head passed in Rajya Sabha

March 15th, 2013
Rajya Sabha cleared a Bill envisaging for broadening the criterion for appointment of Presiding Officer of the Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT). SAT is a statutory body that adjudicates on appeals against orders passed by SEBI. The SEBI (Amendment) Bill, 2013, seeks to include the criterion of appointing a retired High Court judge having held the position for 7 years for heading the Tribunal. The post of SAT chief has been vacant for over a year. The government has not been able to find a suitable judge who has dealt with commercial and capital market law. However, the SAT is not nonfunctional as the other 2 members of SAT are disposing of cases.
Now get EPF account balance through SMS

March 14th, 2013
Members of Employees Provident Fund (EPF) can avail their updated account balance through SMS by filling their PF number and mobile number. The updated Provident Fund (PF) accounts are available on www.epfindia.gov.in from August 2012 and the accounts are updated as and when the contribution is received.
Indias First All Women Post Office

March 12th, 2013
Union Minister of Communications & IT Sh. Kapil Sibal inaugurated Indias First All Women Employees Post Office at Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi. All the counters of this Post Office will be staffed by Women employees only. The working hours: 9.30 a.m. 5.30 p.m. This office is a Project Arrow Office What is Project Arrow ? Introduced in 2008 by department of Posts

Objective: To transform the existing India Post infrastructureacross the country by upgrading key postal operations such as mail delivery, remittance and banking services. Under the project, the exterior and interior of the post offices have undergone a transformation. Service delivery has been upgraded through information technology-enabled procedures.
7 1
Fact Box: FUA (Flexible Use of Airspace)

March 11th, 2013
Government approves Flexible Use of Airspace (FUA) The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) cleared Flexible Use of Airspace (FUA) by civil and military users. The issue was pending for last so many years.
Electronics Project Proposal System (e-PPS) launched by Ministry of Communication and IT

March 8th, 2013
The Ministry of Communications and IT has launched the `Electronics Project Proposal System (ePPS), developed by the Department of Electronics and Information Technology, through the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC). What is e-PPS? The Electronic Project Proposal System (e-PPS) is a web-based system that covers the complete life-cycle of funding of R&D projects, starting from online submission of project proposals for funds, to monitoring and management of funded projects. It supports the following processes: Online submission of project proposals Evaluation of proposals by experts Project recommendations Project Monitoring
Fact Box: Viability Gap Funding (VGF)

March 8th, 2013
Indias first transmission project viability-gap funding unveiled Indias first viability-gap funded, 99-km power transmission line project, in Haryana, was unveiled. The 400 KV double circuit Jharli-Kabulpur-Rohtak line was established by a joint venture of Kalpataru Power Transmission and Techno Electric and Engineering Company. The Rs 444-crore public-private-partnership project with the Haryana Government has received Rs 92 crore of viability gap funding from Government of India. What is Viability Gap Funding (VGF)? VGF is a governments initiative to assist private investors or entities to set up projects of high economic worth. It is usually seen that many projects, like a road connecting a rural area, generates high economic returns, but the financial returns may not be sufficient for a profit-seeking investor. Although such a project would yield huge economic benefits by linking these villages with the market economy, but because of low incomes it may not be possible to charge user fee. In such condition, the project would not attract private investment. In such cases, the government extends its
7 2
support to the investors by sharing a fraction of the cost, making the project viable. This method is known as viability gap funding. How does it work? Typically, VGF is provided in competitively bid projects. The central government meets up to 20% of capital cost of a project being implemented in Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode by a central ministry, state government, statutory entity or a local body. The state government, sponsoring ministry or the project authority can provide another 20% of the project cost to make the projects even more attractive for the investors. Potential investors bid for these projects on the basis of VGF needed. Those needing the least VGF assistance will be awarded the project. The Ministry of Finance administers the scheme. Eligible sectors: Projects in a number of sectors such as roads, ports, airports, railways, inland waterways, urban transport, power, water supply, other physicalinfrastructure in urban areas, infrastructure projects in special eco-nomic zones, tourism infrastructure projects are generally eligible for VGF. The government intends to add social sectors such as education and healthto the list. What are the benefits of VGF for the government? If the government builds all the infrastructure on its own then it would require huge expenses as well as time to create it on such a vast scale. But, with VGF, the limited resources of the government can be distributed more widely through private participation implementing more number of projects as well as saving money for other schemes and activities. Thus VGF works as a force multiplier, enabling government to invest its resources more effectively.
Financial inclusion plan main criteria for getting new bank licences: RBI
March 8th, 2013
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has said in its new banking license guidelines that the important criteria for processing the application would be the business model of the applicants and it should provide for financial inclusion.As per these guidelines, new banks are required to establish at least 25% of their branches in places with less than 10,000 population.As per the new norms, private corporates and public sector entities must have 10 years experience to be eligible to apply for new licence. The initial paid-up capital for new banks has been set at Rs 500 crore.
Budget Box: Countrywide coverage of Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme Aapka Paisa, Aapke Haath
Governments direct cash transfer programme- the Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme which began on January 1, 2013 which benefitted 11 lakh poor people will be rolled out throughout the country. Aapka Paisa, Aapke Haath Slogan for the Direct Cash Transfer scheme from Govt: Aapka Paisa, Aapke Haath (your money in your hands) Direct Cash Transfer to beneficiaries of various welfare schemes by Govt. Objective: To remove the middlemen from the system

To check leakages from the system Elimination of falsification and duplication with regard to subsidies Give power of choice to beneficiaries, especially BPL No delay in transfer of money to beneficiaries Beneficiaries can access it themselves or via bankingcorrespondents who are being set up in all the areas As per Finance Minister, P.Chidambaram, it costs the government Rs 3 to transfer 1 rupee to the pockets of beneficiaries. The rest goes on administrative expenses, waste and corruption. Cash transfers will do away with mediators of all sorts, thus reducing corruption and administrative burdens. At present, beneficiaries have to furnish various paperwork for availing benefit. CTS has the potential to merge all paperwork, thus reducing red tape and improving efficiency. Modus operandi of the scheme: Banks would be the distribution point for cash subsidy initially Subsidies would directly be electronically transferred to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries The electronic cash transfers will be based on Aadhaar platform Stages planned: By January 1, 2013, 51 districts with high Aadhar penetration will be covered. By December 2013, the entire nation will be covered What are the challenges before Govt?
7 3
Since, the government is basing the entire exercise on banks and using technology transfer to directly benefit the people using Aadhaar platform. But the issues are: Most BPL families dont have bank accounts Several villages dont even have bank branches At present, only about 10% of population has Aadhar cards Politically difficult to withdraw benefits from once-poor folk who become better off. Trump Card for Congress? NAREGA and waiving off farmers loans proved trump cards for Congress in the last election, this time the directly giving beneficiaries cash in their very own accounts may prove as Trump Card for Congress before next elections Union Finance Minister P.Chidambaram called this scheme as a game changer
Budget Box: Nirbhaya Fund to be created for women safety & empowerment
March 2nd, 2013
As proposed in the Budget 2013-14, government will set up Nirbhaya Fund of Rs 1 ,000 crore for safety and empowerment of women. Nirbhaya (fearless) was the pseudonym given to the victim of the inhumane Delhi-bus incident to hide her actual identity. The Ministry of Women and Child Development and other ministries concerned will work out details of the structure, scope and application of the fund.
7 4
Keeping in mind 2014 Elections, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav presents a people friendly budget
February 26th, 2013
Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav presented a Rs 23,913 crore deficit budget for the state for 2013-14 at Rs 2,21,201.19 crore.
The focus of the budget is mainly on poor, farmers, agriculture, rural development, Muslims, backward classes and infrastructuredevelopment. The budget has a 10% increase from the last year. No new tax has been imposed. Fiscal deficit has been estimated at Rs 23,913 crore (2.9% of the GDP) . As Uttar Pradesh is anticipated to play a dominant role in the formation of next government at the Centre, the ruling of UP Samajwadi Party is keen to broaden its support base and solidify at its home.
Fact Box: TOD ( Transit-Oriented Development )

February 24th, 2013
First phase of TOD pilot projects approved in Delhi Approval has been granted for the implementation of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) pilot projects along four metro corridors and another pilot project near Karkardooma in Delhi. It will be implemented by the UTTIPEC (Unified Traffic and Transportation Infrastructure(Planning and Engineering) Centre) which is working to develop a vision and strategy for the creation of a mass-rapid transport system in the Capital. The UTTIPEC, which is a division of the Delhi Development Authority, will conduct at least 25 workshops in the months ahead focusing on the metro corridors b/w Chattarpur to Arjangarh and Peeragarhi to Teekri Kalan.
Fact Box: Antyodaya Anna Yojana

February 16th, 2013
Haryana lifts VAT on wheat given by AAY Haryana has exempted from Value Added Tax for wheat being given to beneficiaries of Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) under the Public Distribution System (PDS). The move would benefit such beneficiaries to the tune of about Rs 1.50 crore in a year. The State has also got rid of the VAT on distribution of kerosene oil under the PDS. What is Antyodaya Anna Yojana? AAY was launched by the cetral government in December 2000. Under the scheme 1 crore of the poorest among the BPL families covered under the targeted public distribution system are identified. Twenty five kilograms (kg) of food grains were made available to each eligible family at a highly subsidized rate of Rs. 2 per kg for wheat and Rs.3 per kg for rice. This quantity has been enhanced from 25 to 35 kgs with effect from April, 2002. The scheme has been further expanded in June 2003 by adding another 50 lakh BPL families. Under the scheme, during 2002-03, against an allocation of 41.27 lakh tonnes of foodgrain, 35.39 lakh tonnes have been lifted by State Governments, and during 2003-04, 38.24 lakh tonnes of food-grain have been lifted against an allocation of 45.56 lakh tonnes.

MyIndia Initiative-A Digital Volunteer Programme launched by Ministry of I & B
February 16th, 2013
7 5
The Ministry of I&B (Information and Broadcasting) launched the MyIndia Initiative-A Digital Volunteer Programme. Objective: To disseminate the development messages across the Social Media platforms by registering citizens as volunteers in an effort to contribute positively towards nation building. The programme will have real time engagement through the Social Media tools. Twitter Conference rd The Ministry of I&B also held, for the first time, a Live Twitter Conference on the eve of 3 Community Radio Sammelan, on 8th February, 2013 with an aim to reach out to the people in the shortest possible time. The topic for the Twitter Conference was Community Radio: Road Travelled & way forward.
Fact Box: Rajiv Gandhi Equity Savings Scheme (RGESS)

February 13th, 2013
RGESS schemes to become more investor-friendly Finance Minister P. Chidambram Finance Minister P. Chidambaram has expressed the need revisit theRajiv Gandhi Equity Savings Scheme (RGESS) to make its provisions more retail investor-friendly. It was felt by the minister that the in current form the scheme is too complex for the small investor to understand and that complying would be difficult. He is expected to bring necessary changes to in the coming Budget.
Indian Railways to host IHHA Conference

February 7th, 2013
The 10th International Heavy Haul Association (IHHA) Conference will be hosted by the Indian Railways in New Delhi. The conference is held once in every 4 years. The last conference was organized in Shanghai China in 2009. The Conference provides a platform for railway researchers, practitioners, policy makers and industry leaders from across the globe to share their knowledge and experience and perhaps explore new possibilities in heavy haul railway operation. The central theme of the conference is Building Transport Capacity through Heavy Haul Operation. Heavy haul rail operation has evolved over the years as a technology to transport bulk commodities in large volumes and reduce the unit cost of transportation. Heavy haul envisages increased axle load of 24 tonnesand above. Train lengths have also enhanced up to 4 km. The trailing train loads vary from 10,000 tonnes to 50,000 tonnes.
PMO forms executive panel on implementing the 8 missions of the NAPCC

February 6th, 2013
A secretary level committee has been constituted by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to assist the PMs council on climate change in implementing the 8 missions of the National Action Plan of Climate Change (NAPCC). The absence of Inter-ministerial coordination has crippled the implementation of the missions resulting in the setting up of the executive panel on climate change to be headed by principal secretary to Prime Minister Pulok Chatterji.

What is the job of the panel?
7 6
The committee will regularly monitor the implementation of the eight missions, other climate change initiatives and advise the Prime Ministers council on modifications in the objectives, strategies and structure of the missions. The Prime Ministers council on climate change was formed in 2007, in order to co -ordinate national action for assessment, adaptation and mitigation of climate change.
Haryana launches DBT scheme

February 6th, 2013
Haryana launched the Direct Benefits Transfer (DBT) Scheme. In first phase, it has been launched for seven schemes in Ambala and Sonipat districts of the state. With the launch of this scheme in Ambala and Sonepat districts, an amount of Rs 323.33 lakh was sent as disbursal of the due amount to 3,338 beneficiaries. With this disbursal, Haryana become the leading state to have distributed 25% of the total central schemes beneficiaries of the country from January 1, 2013.
Union Cabinet gives nod to amendments to Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) Act, 1976
February 6th, 2013
The Union Cabinet approved the amendments proposed in the Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) Act, 1976 Objective: To enhance authorized and issued capital to strengthen their capital base. The term of the non official directors appointed by the Central Government is proposed to be fixed not exceeding 2 years. How these amendments will it help RRBs? These amendments are aimed at bringing financial stability in RRBs which will make then capable to play a larger role in financial inclusion and meet the credit requirements of rural areas and strengthen the Boards of RRBs. A brief account of RRBs Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) were set up under Regional Rural Banks Act, 1976 (the RRB Act) to build an alternative channel to the cooperative credit structure and to ensure sufficient institutional credit for the rural and agriculture sector. The ownership of RRBs is jointly with the Government of India, the concerned State government and sponsor banks, with the issued capital shared in the proportion of 50%, 15 % and 35%, respectively. As per provisions of the Regional Rural Banks Act, 1976 the authorized capital of each RRB is Rs. 5 crore and the issued capital is a maximum Rs. 1 crore.
Indias first ebiz government-to-business portal launched

January 31st, 2013
Promoting the National e-Governance Plan, the Govt the launch of an eBiz portal which will offer Government-to-Business (G2B) services for Indias investor and business communities. Developed by: Infosys in a PPP (Public-Private Partnership) mode. Objective:

The portal provides a single-window service to enable businesses and investors to save time and costs and improve the business environment. Government-to-Business (G2B) services for Indias investor and business communities. A 247 facility for information and services, and will also offer joined-up services where a single application submitted by a customer, for a number of permissions, clearances, approvals and registrations, will be routed automatically across multiple governmental agencies in a logical manner.
7 7
As a part of the 10-year programme, Infosys will roll-out services in a phased manner. In the first year, eBiz will launch 29 services in the five states including Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.
Delhi eliminates Leprosy

January 30th, 2013
Indias capital New Delhi has got rid of Leprosy as a public healthproblem, as the incidence rate of leprosy has declined from 4.5 cases per 10,000 of population in 2001 to 0.8 cases at present. As per WHO guidelines, when the number of leprosy patients gets reduced to below 1 case per 10,000 populations, the disease is considered to have been eliminated as a public health problem. Leprosy is a bacterial disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae which affects mainly the skin and nerves. It takes 2 to 5 years for the symptoms to be visible as the disease progresses slowly.
SKEWPY can address unemployment problem in J&K

January 28th, 2013
Minister for Labour and Employment, Planning and Development, Ajay Kumar Sadhotra has said that Sher-e-Kashmir Employment and Welfare Programme for Youth (SKEWPY) is a right initiative to address the unemployment problem in Jammu and Kashmir. What is SKEWPY? In J&K the problem of unemployment is at alarming levels and is a matter of serious concern for the Central as well as State govt. To tackle this problem the state announced policy on Employment to simultaneously and comprehensively address all issues relating to the problem of unemployment in the state. The policy was launched on the 5th December, 2009, the 105th birthday of the great visionary of the state,the Sher-e-Kashmir, Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah Sahib and hence named as ," The Sher-E-Kashmir Employment & Welfare Programme for the Youth" (SKEWPY).
DRDO begins AWACS programme

January 28th, 2013
Indias Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has just taken up development of the Rs 6,000 crore Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS). What is AWACS? AWACS is acronym of Airborne Warning and Control System. How is it different from indigenous Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C)? AWACS is a heavier and high endurance system, which can give you in terms of coverage about 360 degrees as against AEW&C which is about270 degree coverage.
7 8
Besides this, (compared to AEW&C) AWACS flies at a higher altitude and it can penetrate into the enemy territory not physically (but) by way of radars and EW (electronic warfare) systems to longer distances and it can be in sky for larger durations, besides giving better visibility.
India committed to implementing TAPI Project by 2017

January 26th, 2013
India has said that it is fully committed to implementing theTurkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) Project by August 2017. It was reiterated by President Pranab Mukherjee when he was interacting with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
BRICS to setup TWG to bolster cooperation in fighting diseases

January 20th, 2013
India and other BRICS nations have decided to set up Technical Working Group (TWG) to identify best practices and models along with potential areas of mutual benefit and collaboration to fight with diseases. In the Delhi Communique adopted in the BRICS meeting of HealthMinisters it was stressed on fighting communicable, non-communicable disease and mental disorders together. As per the action plan, the member nations will nominate their respective Nodal officers to jointly form a TWG. This TWG will exchange information regarding the prevailing systems and institutional mechanisms through meetings and other means.
Proceeds of NIF allowed to be used to fund bank recapitalization: CCEA

January 19th, 2013
In a move made to enhance disinvestment policy, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by PM Dr. Manmohan Singh has permitted the National Investment Fund (NIF) to buy shares of public sector enterprises, including banks and insurance companies. Now the fund will be use for subscribing to the shares being issued by the Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) including Public Sector Banks (PSBs) and Public Sector Insurance Companies, on rights basis so as to ensure that 51% ownership of the government is not compromised. National Investment Fund (NIF) NIF was established in 2005 to channelize the proceeds generated through the sale of minority shareholding of CPSEs. The Fund would be maintained outside the Consolidated Fund of India. For what purposes the fund is being used currently? Who manages the Fund?
Tamil Nadu best to implement NRHM

January 16th, 2013
As per an Evaluation Study of National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) done by the Institute of Economic Growth of the University of Delhi, Tamil Nadu stands at top for implementation outcomes of the NRHM and can be a benchmark for other States. The seven States surveyed are: Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissaand Jammu and Kashmir.
Indira Awaas Yojana gets more fund

January 14th, 2013
The Union Cabinet gave nod to the Ministry of Rural Developments proposal to increase the unit cost under Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY), considering the sharp rise in the cost of materials.
7 9
As per the approved cost, in plain areas, unit assistance under the scheme has been raised from Rs 45,000 to Rs 70,000 and from Rs 48,500 to Rs 75,000 in hilly and difficult areas. The increment of unit assistance for homestead site to rural below poverty line (BPL) households who have neither agricultural land nor a house site has been raised from Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000. About Indira Awaas Yojana: It is a flagship scheme of the Ministry of Rural Development and aims at addressing rural housing needs by providing funds for construction/upgradation of dwelling units of BPL families. Other decisions taken: National Institute of Design (NID) will be given the status of an Institution of National Importance. This status would allow NID, Ahmedabad to award degree to its students, which will fulfil the need to professionalise, standardise and internationally benchmark professional design education in India, so as to take full advantage of opportunities opening up in the design industry, both in domestic as well as ininternational markets.
CCTNS Project launched on pilot basis

January 8th, 2013
Crime & Criminal Tracking Network & Systems (CCTNS) Project which seeks to make use of technology in bringing greater transparency and accountability into government functioning was launched as a pilot project in New Delhi. All the States and Union Territories across the length and breadth of the country are in the process of implementing the CCTNS project. What is the objective behind the project? CCTNS Project will create a nation-wide environment for thereal-time sharing of crime and criminal information. A Mission Mode Project under the National e-Governance Plan of Government of India. Aims at creating a comprehensive and integrated system for enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of policing through adopting the principle of e-Governance. The Project also includes the creation of a nationwide networking infrastructure for evolution of IT-enabled-state-of-the-art tracking system around Investigation of crime and detection of criminals.
Haryana govt to implement new Kanyadan scheme

January 8th, 2013
The Haryana Government will implement a new initiative known as Kanyadan from April 1, 2013 under which an incentive of Rs 11,000 per girl will be given to each of the beneficiary brides during the mass marriage ceremony to be organized by Red Cross Societies or any registered NGO in the state. This is meant to promote the concept of mass marriages and curb the social evils like dowry system and would help families to reduce the marriage expenditure. Who are eligible? Beneficiary should be Haryana domicile and must be 18 years of age on the date of her marriage. The mass marriage should have least 11 marriages at a time, by Red Cross Societies or any registered NGO in the state. This incentive would be given irrespective of the caste, race, creed, religion or income of the beneficiaries but they would have to produce a certificate regarding proof of girls age such as birth certificate or that of matric.

PM launches new science policy
January 6th, 2013
8 0
PM Manmohan Singh inaugurated a new science policy, the Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (STI) 2013that lays greater emphasis on innovation, setting up research institutes and encouraging women scientists with an aspiration to place itself among the top five scientific powers in the world by 2020. The policy is a revision of the 2003 policy which sought to bring science and technology together and stressed on the need for greater investment into R&D to address national problems. Aim: To accelerate the pace of discovery, diffusion and delivery of science-led solutions for serving the aspirational goals of India for faster, sustainable and inclusive growth.

Current Affairs Policies Jan To Oct2013

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Current Affairs Policies Jan To Oct2013

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Current Affairs Policies