July 2

Rajasthan CM calls on PM
The Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Smt. Vasundhara Raje, called on the Prime
Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today. It was a courtesy call
Singapore Foreign Minister calls on PM
Year-long series of events planned to mark 50 years of diplomatic
relations
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Minister for Law of the Republic of
Singapore, Mr. K. Shanmugam, called on the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi
today. He conveyed the message of the Prime Minister of Singapore, Mr. Lee
Hsien Loong, that the relations between the two countries, which are based on
mutual trust, should be made even stronger through a series of concrete steps.
During the meeting, it was planned that an year-long series of events be held to
mark the completion of fifty years of diplomatic relations between Singapore
and India. Both Prime Ministers are keen that the occasion should be celebrated
in a way that further expands the canvas of the relationship.
Mutual cooperation in the fields of skill development, development of smart
cities, water management, shipping, port management and coastal
development was discussed in depth.
Shri Narendra Modi said that his Government plans a major thrust in low-cost
and affordable housing, and sought Singapore`s assistance in construction
technology for this purpose.
Observing that Singapore is one of the top tourist destinations worldwide, the
Prime Minister suggested that Indian states should hold one-month long special
campaigns in Singapore to highlight their tourism potential, during celebrations
of the fifty years of relationship.
The meeting was attended by Smt. Sushma Swaraj, Minister for External Affairs,
Mr. Lim Thuan Kuan, High Commissioner of Singapore to India, and senior
officials from both sides.
Transfer on lease of 12.91 acres of defence land to Kendriya Vidyalaya
Sangathan at Air Force station Purnea

The Cabinet today approved the transfer on lease of 12.91 acres of defence land
to Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) at Air Force station Purnea.
The transfer of land would enable KVS to construct a new school building and
associated infrastructure. This would facilitate provision of adequate educational
facilities to the children of both defence personnel and civilians.
Inclusion of onion and potato under the purview of stock holding limits
under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the inclusion of onion
and potato under the purview of stock holding limits under the Essential
Commodities Act, 1955.
This will empower the State Governments to undertake de-hoarding operations
and to control the prices of onions and potatoes.
This decision is expected to help in the efforts being taken to tackle the problem
of rising prices and also improve the availability of these commodities to the
general public especially vulnerable sections.
The main objective of Control Orders is to enable State Governments to continue
to take effective de-hoarding operations under the Essential Commodities Act,
1955 by fixing stock limits/licensing requirements etc. in respect of these
commodities especially in view of rising prices. The Central Government has
already delegated powers by empowering State Governments to fix stock
holding limits etc., as per local conditions and to undertake de-hoarding
operations commensurate with the objective of the Central orders.
Background:
The Essential Commodities Act, 1955 was enacted to ensure the easy
availability of essential commodities to consumers and to protect them from
exploitation by unscrupulous traders. The Act provides for the regulation and
control of production, distribution and pricing of commodities, which are
declared as essential for maintaining or increasing supplies or for securing their
equitable distribution and availability at fair prices. Exercising powers under the
Act, various Ministries/ Departments of the Central Government and State
Governments/Union Territory administrations have issued Control Orders for
regulating production, distribution, price and other aspects in relation to the
commodities declared as essential.

Additional allocation of 50 lakh tonnes of rice for BPL and APL families
in States/UTs for the period July, 2014 to March, 2015

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved additional allocation

for 50 lakh tonnes of rice for distribution to Below Poverty Line (BPL) families at
BPL prices and Above Poverty Line (APL) price for the period July, 2014 to March,
2015 or till implementation of the National Food Security Act (NFSA) by the
respective State/UT whichever is earlier.
This will mitigate the problems of the people due to inflation in food prices,
particularly in those States/UTs where the NFSA has not been implemented so
far.
The allocation is approved in view of the persistent demand from States/Union
Territories for more foodgrains to meet their Targeted Public Distributed System
(TPDS) requirements.
12th Plan scheme for modernization and strengthening of intellectual property offices
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the continuation of
the Plan scheme to modernise and strength Intellectual Property (IP) offices
during the 12th Plan period. The overall project cost would be Rs.309.6 crore, of
which Rs.258 crore will be spent during 12th Plan and Rs.51.6 crore in the 13th
Plan.
The implementation of the scheme will strengthen the Office of the Controller
General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks (CGPDTM) and address the increase
in the number of fillings of IP applications. It will also address the growing
international commitments due to the operationalisation of the Madrid Protocol
and status of International Search Authority (ISA) / International Preliminary
Examining Authority (IPEA).
In the 12th Plan the focus would be on enhancement of human resources,
upgradation of IT and database, construction of buildings, improvement in
library facilities and sensitization and awareness creation on Intellectual
Property Right matters.
The main achievements in the 11th Plan period includes the construction of new
complex for IP archives and TM registry at Ahmedabad, construction of an
International Search Authority/International Preliminary Examining Authority

(ISA/IPEA) building at New Delhi, creation of state of the art Information and
Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure such as Data centre, high end
servers, digitization of IP records, comprehensive e-filing facility for Patents and
Trademarks, subscription to Paten and non Patent database, filling up of new
posts created under the plan training of personnel and conduct of awareness
programmes.
The growing importance of intellectual property in a globalized economic
environment has placed greater demand on the IP institutional structure, Indias
accession to the Madrid Protocol on 8th April, 2013 and its coming into effect
from 8th July, 2013 as also the operationalization of the Office of CGPDTM as
International Search Authority / International Preliminary Examining Authority
(ISA/IPEA) under the Patent Cooperation, Treaty from 15th October, 2013 will
further impact the workload of the Office of CGPDTM.

Agriculture Minister Inaugurates Eco-Friendly Sewage Water Treatment

Plant of IARI
Agriculture Minister Shri Radha Mohan Singh inaugurated eco-friendly sewage
water treatment plant in the Water Technology Centre of IARI here today.
Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Industries, Dr Sanjeev
Kumar Balyan, Director General ICAR, Shri S. Ayyappan and Director IARI, Dr H S
Gupta were also present.
The Water Technology Centre (WTC) of IARI, which is engaged primarily in
efficient use of water resources in agriculture, has developed an eco-friendly
sewage water treatment plant in the IARI Delhi premises. The facility is spread
over 1.42 hectares and is capable of treating 2.2 million liters of sewage per day
from the Krishi Kunj Colony, at a cost of approx. Rs 1.2 crore and with a potential
to irrigate 330 acres of IARI farmland. The eco-friendly sewage treatment plant
(e-STP) has 3-treatment cells (of 80 meter by 40 meter dimension each) and
ensures complete gravity flow of the wastewater from the sewage wells to the
treated water containing cell of the system.
The noteworthy feature of this facility is that the environmental stress is 33
times lesser than that of a conventional sewage treatment plant (STP) and
output i.e. treated water is associated with significantly lower turbidity, BOD,
Nitrate, Phosphate, Lead, Iron, Nickel and Sulphate.
Compared to the conventional wastewater treatment systems, the IARI`s
wastewater treatment technology requires just 1% energy; zero-chemical

application; zero-sludge generation; 50-65% reduced treatment cost and no

skilled manpower requirement. To top it all, it has an integrated business model
by utilizing system biomass harvested from wetland, which can be transformed
to particle board thereby making the complete model self-sustainable. It is,
therefore, aptly called "Cash from Trash" business model.

Chemicals & Fertilizers Minister Shri Ananath Kumar Inaugurated the

First Dr. S R Rao Memorial Foundation Lecture at the Nehru Memorial
Museum and Library, New Delhi Last Evening (on 01.07.20.14)

Minster for Chemicals & Fertilizers Shri Ananth Kumar has said that Dr.
Shikaripur Ranganatha Rao is a great gift for our Country. Delivering the first Dr,
S.R. Rao Memorial Foundation Lecture in New Delhi last evening, he said the
contribution of Dr. S.R. Rao in the field of archaeology is beyond any ones
imagination. He was at the forefront of Indian archaeology and a distinguished
researcher, and an ardent lover of arts, the minister said.
Excavations of the Indus Valley site of Lothal, reading of the Indus Script and his
discovery of Dwaraka were some of many outstanding achievements of Dr, S.R.
Rao. Renowned for deducing the death of worlds oldest civilisation and
discovering the mythical City of Dwaraka, Rao has been credited with having
excavated nearly 50 archaeological sites in Independent India.
Shri Ananth Kumar said that there would be only few personalities like Dr. Rao
who began his investigations into the challenging field of the Indus script and
language in 1967 and worked on it till 2012. His scientific excavations revealed
that the Indus script was evolutionary in nature. In fact, he was one of the
earliest scholars to state that the Indus Valley and the Rig Vedic Civilizations
were the same on linguistic and archaeological basis. His discovery of the
legendary city of Dwaraka built by Lord Krishna which had been submerged
underwater after long underwater excavations brought him instant international
recognition.
The minister also released the special cover on Dr. S.R. Rao and the book SinduSaraswathi Civilization.
Preliminery Report of 12556 Dn Gorakhdham Express Accident at
Chureb Station in U.P. on 25.5.2014

Shri Prabhat Kumar Bajpai, Commissioner of Railway Safety, Ministry of Civil

Aviation, North Eastern Circle, Lucknow held a statutory inquiry into the
derailment of 12556 Dn Gorakhdham Express at Chureb station on GondaGorakhpur Non-Electrified section of Lucknow Division of North Eastern Railway
on 25.05.2014 at about 1034 hrs. As a result of the accident, 29 passenger lost
their life, 16 passengers suffered grievous injury and 55 passengers sustained
simple injury.
According to the provisional findings of the Commissioner of Railway Safety,
appended with his preliminary report, accident occurred due to Failure of
Equipment Permanent Way. These findings are under the consideration of the
Government.
(This Press Release is based on Press Note made available by
Commissioner of Railway Safety, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government
of India, North Eastern Circle, Lucknow).

12th Plan scheme for modernization and strengthening of intellectual

property offices

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the continuation of

the Plan scheme to modernise and strength Intellectual Property (IP) offices
during the 12th Plan period. The overall project cost would be Rs.309.6 crore, of
which Rs.258 crore will be spent during 12th Plan and Rs.51.6 crore in the 13th
Plan.
The implementation of the scheme will strengthen the Office of the Controller
General of Patents, Designs and Trademarks (CGPDTM) and address the increase
in the number of fillings of IP applications. It will also address the growing
international commitments due to the operationalisation of the Madrid Protocol
and status of International Search Authority (ISA) / International Preliminary
Examining Authority (IPEA).
In the 12th Plan the focus would be on enhancement of human resources,
upgradation of IT and database, construction of buildings, improvement in
library facilities and sensitization and awareness creation on Intellectual
Property Right matters.

The main achievements in the 11th Plan period includes the construction of new
complex for IP archives and TM registry at Ahmedabad, construction of an
International Search Authority/International Preliminary Examining Authority
(ISA/IPEA) building at New Delhi, creation of state of the art Information and
Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure such as Data centre, high end
servers, digitization of IP records, comprehensive e-filing facility for Patents and
Trademarks, subscription to Paten and non Patent database, filling up of new
posts created under the plan training of personnel and conduct of awareness
programmes.
The growing importance of intellectual property in a globalized economic
environment has placed greater demand on the IP institutional structure, Indias
accession to the Madrid Protocol on 8th April, 2013 and its coming into effect
from 8th July, 2013 as also the operationalization of the Office of CGPDTM as
International Search Authority / International Preliminary Examining Authority
(ISA/IPEA) under the Patent Cooperation, Treaty from 15th October, 2013 will
further impact the workload of the Office of CGPDTM.

Streamlining the Procedure for Grant of Industrial Licenses

Increasing the initial validity period of Industrial License

In supersession of all earlier Press Notes, the period of validity of Industrial License
is being extended from two years to three years as a measure for ease of doing
business.
II

Extension in validity of Industrial License

The revised guidelines are as follows:

Guidelines for
Extension of validity of Industrial License
Note:-These guidelines are applicable for extension of validity of Industrial license in cases
where the license holder has not commenced production of the items within three years of issue
of license.
i)
The application for extension of license should be submitted to the concerned
Administrative Ministry, 60 days prior to the expiry of the three years period or otherwise
specified for commencement of commercial production. In case the application is not received
in time, justification for late application shall have to be submitted along with the application.

ii)
At the time of applying for grant of extension of validity of license the condition
and status of the firm should be same as mentioned in the Industrial License issued to the firm.
Thus any amendment, viz. change in the name of the company, increases/changes in license
capacity, alteration or change in the premises, part shifting etc. should have been endorsed in the
License.
iii)
Applicants request should be forwarded to Ministry of Home Affairs* and
concerned State Government and after seeking comments of these agencies, case should be
considered for Extension of validity. MHA may be consulted only if there is change in Board of
Directors/key personnel.
iv)
Applicant should meet following conditions at the time of applying of extension.
a.
Land should have been acquired, either under ownership or on lease for minimum
period of 30 years
b.
The construction on the projects should have commenced (a certificate from appropriate
local body viz. Municipal Corporation) may be provided in this regard.
c.
Orders for plant and machinery for the project should have been placed.
v)
Cases involving transfer, suspension or cancellation of license in the intervening period
shall not be considered for extension.
vi) Renewal of license would be allowed for a period of two years. Any Industrial
License, wherein commercial production has not started within a period of five years of issue of
license, will be treated as automatically lapsed.
vii) The applicants fulfilling the above guidelines may be granted extension of Industrial
License with the approval of concerned Joint Secretary of the Administrative Ministry without
referring the application to Licensing Committee.
[*Applicable in case of applicant for extension of validity of Industrial License in Defence
and Explosive sector.]

Imposition of Minimum Export Price on Onion Export

The Inter-Ministerial Committee in their meeting held on 30th June, 2014,
observed that the wholesale and retail prices of onion are going up in producing
and consuming mandies and despite MEP at USD 300 PMT there is no
appreciable decline in the exports of onion.
Keeping in view of rising retail and wholesale prices and delayed monsoon, the
Committee unanimously decided to fix the MEP at USD 500 per MT FOB which

translates to Rs.30.00 per kg. with a view to arrest domestic price rise and
augment domestic supply.
India Showcases Pharma Prowess in India Show in Japan
India is a Responsible Health Care Giver: Commerce Secretary
Shri Rajeev Kher, Commerce Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Industry,
today said that India is rebranding itself as not only the pharmacy to the world,
but also the "responsible health care giver" to the world.
At the 27th International Pharmaceutical R&D and Manufacturing
Expo/Conference in Tokyo today, Shri Kher added that Indian medicines are not
only affordable and of top quality meeting the regulatory requirement of the
toughest regulatory markets in US and EU, but now include all the arms of the
health care, generics, innovator drugs, medical equipments, vaccines, surgical
and non surgical interventions in state of art hospitals. He mentioned that India
is doing cutting edge work in biologics and biotechnology as well as
nanotechnology. He also said that in terms of drug discovery and R&D spend,
India figures amongst world`s top three countries.
In his keynote speech on The India Pharmaceutical IndustryHidden Potential
Power Shri Kher emphasized that there is a win - win possibility for both India
and Japan in pharma cooperation.
Mr Habil Khorakiwala, past president of FICCI and founder of Wockhardt
highlighted the critical cutting research and development work happening in
India. He mentioned that though India is already well-known on the strength of
its the generics, having captured nearly 10% of the world market, the Indian
large corporates are leading R&D spenders, with USD 5 billion being earmarked
for the year 2014-15.
Earlier Commerce Secretary Shri Kher inaugurated the India Pavilion where 120
leading pharma exhibitors are showcasing their products in one the biggest
pharma products show in the world have put up one of the finest India branded
marketing initiative ever in a foreign market. Federation of Indian Chambers of
Commerce and Industry has organized the event in association with Department
of Commerce, Government of India. The pharma event at the Toyko Big Sight is
going to continue till July 4, 2014.
Inclusion of onion and potato under the purview of stock holding limits
under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the inclusion of onion
and potato under the purview of stock holding limits under the Essential
Commodities Act, 1955.
This will empower the State Governments to undertake de-hoarding operations
and to control the prices of onions and potatoes.
This decision is expected to help in the efforts being taken to tackle the problem
of rising prices and also improve the availability of these commodities to the
general public especially vulnerable sections.
The main objective of Control Orders is to enable State Governments to continue
to take effective de-hoarding operations under the Essential Commodities Act,
1955 by fixing stock limits/licensing requirements etc. in respect of these
commodities especially in view of rising prices. The Central Government has
already delegated powers by empowering State Governments to fix stock
holding limits etc., as per local conditions and to undertake de-hoarding
operations commensurate with the objective of the Central orders.
Background:
The Essential Commodities Act, 1955 was enacted to ensure the easy
availability of essential commodities to consumers and to protect them from
exploitation by unscrupulous traders. The Act provides for the regulation and
control of production, distribution and pricing of commodities, which are
declared as essential for maintaining or increasing supplies or for securing their
equitable distribution and availability at fair prices. Exercising powers under the
Act, various Ministries/ Departments of the Central Government and State
Governments/Union Territory administrations have issued Control Orders for
regulating production, distribution, price and other aspects in relation to the
commodities declared as essential.
Additional allocation of 50 lakh tonnes of rice for BPL and APL families
in States/UTs for the period July, 2014 to March, 2015
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved additional allocation
for 50 lakh tonnes of rice for distribution to Below Poverty Line (BPL) families at
BPL prices and Above Poverty Line (APL) price for the period July, 2014 to March,
2015 or till implementation of the National Food Security Act (NFSA) by the
respective State/UT whichever is earlier.
This will mitigate the problems of the people due to inflation in food prices,
particularly in those States/UTs where the NFSA has not been implemented so

far.
The allocation is approved in view of the persistent demand from States/Union
Territories for more foodgrains to meet their Targeted Public Distributed System
(TPDS) requirements.
Transfer on lease of 12.91 acres of defence land to Kendriya Vidyalaya
Sangathan at Air Force station Purnea
The Cabinet today approved the transfer on lease of 12.91 acres of defence land
to Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) at Air Force station Purnea.
The transfer of land would enable KVS to construct a new school building and
associated infrastructure. This would facilitate provision of adequate educational
facilities to the children of both defence personnel and civilians.

Dr. Jitendra Singh Interacts with Ministry of Earth Sciences Officials

Says Panic over Monsoon Forecast Unwarranted
Addressing a meeting of union Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) here today at Prithvi Bhavan, Dr.
Jitendra Singh, union Minister of State in Prime Ministers Office (PMO), Personnel, Public
Grievances and Pensions, Science & Technology (Independent Charge), Earth Sciences (Independent
Charge), Atomic Energy and Space, clarified that panic in certain quarters over monsoon forecasts
was unwarranted and that in the data based forecast made by his department of Earth Sciences last
month ,it was unambiguously stated that Long Period Average (LPA) of Western monsoon was
overall countrywide expected to be about 93 % of the normal with near normal in North-east and
below normal in North-west.
The MInister further elaborated that the effect of monsoon on crops etc is a multi-factorial effect
determined not only by its quantitative aspect but also by its distribution and several other
factors.Therefore, there is no rationale in sounding alarmist on the issue,he added.
Dr Jitendra Singh said,the Monsoon prediction mechanism in the Earth Sciences department was
world-class and also went on to announce that India has similarly developed a world class Cyclone
Warning System (CWS). He referred to the Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre (ITEWC) which
has the capacity to provide world class operational services as Regional Tsunami Watch Provider
(RTWP) for whole of the Indian Ocean Region through the Indian National Centre for Ocean
Information Services located in Hyderabad.
He said, it is a matter of pride that India is now having a fool proof 24x7 operational cyclone
detection and movement mechanism for the assessment of intensity, track and landfall over the
coastal areas of the county. The credit for this goes to the consistent hard work and competitive spirit
of the Indian scientists, he added.

Dr. Jitendra Singh informed that his Ministry works in close collaboration with the Ministry of Home
Affairs to formulate Standard Operational Procedure (SOP) and emergency response plans for
disaster management.
Expressing satisfaction over effective implementation of Monsoon Mission Program, the minister
declared that the activities of geosciences and seismology will get a boost in near future with the
union government taking over the National Centre for Earth Science Studies, Tiruvananthapuram
from the Government of Kerala.
Also present on the occasion were Dr. Shailesh Nayak, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences; Shri
Anand Khati, Joint Secretary; Shri J.B. Mahapatra, Joint Secretary & Financial Adviser and other
senior scientists as well as officers
Printing Process for Union Budget 2014-15 Commenced with Halwa
Ceremony; more than 100 Officials Involved in Making the Union
Budget are Locked in From Today in Press till Union Budget is
Presented by the Finance Minister on 10th July, 2014

More than 100 officials involved in making the Union Budget are locked in from
today in the Budget Press in North Block and will remain there till the Finance
Ministers Budget Speech is over in Lok Sabha on 10th July, 2014. Halwa
Ceremony marking the commencement of printing process of Budget
documents for Union Budget 2014-15 was held here yesterday in the presence
of the Union Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley. To maintain the secrecy of the
Budget preparation process, there is a lock-in of the officials involved in
making the Budget. Budget Press in North Block houses all these officials in the
period leading up to the presentation of Union Budget in Parliament by the
Finance Minister. These officers will gain touch with their near and dear ones
only after the Union Budget is presented by the Finance Minister on 10th July,
2014.
The Finance Minister Shri Jaitley was accompanied by Ms Nirmala Sitharaman,
Minister for State for Finance, Dr Arvind Mayaram, Finance Secretary, Shri R.N
Wattal, Secretary (Expenditure), Shri Shaktikanta Das, Revenue Secretary, Shri
G.S Sandhu, Secretary, Department of Financial Services (DFS), Chairman,
CBDT, Chairperson, CBEC, Joint Secretary (Budget), DEA and other senior
officers of the Ministry of Finance among others.
The Annual Budget is prepared by the Budget Division of Department of
Economic Affairs (DEA) headed by the Joint Secretary (Budget) of the Ministry of
Finance. To start the process, the Budget Division issues an Annual Budget
circular every year. This Annual Budget Circular contains detailed instructions for
the Union Government Ministries/Departments relating to the form and content

of the Statement of Budget Estimates to be prepared.

As per the Constitution, the Union Budget is to be presented in the Parliament
on such a day as the President of India may direct. The Union Budget for the
current year (2014-15) would be presented on 10th July, 2014.
The first Union Budget of Independent India was presented by Shri R.K. Shanmukham Chetty on
November 26, 1949. The Union Budgets for the fiscal years 1959-61 to 1963-64, inclusive of the
Interim Budget for 1962-63, were presented by Shri Morarji Desai. Shri Vyas presented budgets that
included five Annual Budgets, an Interim Budget during his first stint and one Interim Budget and
three Final Budgets in his second tenure when he was both the Finance Minister and the Deputy
Prime Minister of India. After Shri Morarji Desais resignation, Smt. Indira Gandhi, the then Prime
Minister of India, took over the charge of the Ministry of Finance to become the only woman to hold
the post of the Finance Minister. Shri Pranab Mukherjee, the first Rajya Sabha member to hold the
Finance portfolio, presented the Annual Budgets for 1982-83, 198384 and 1984-85. Shri Rajiv
Gandhi, the then Prime Minister of India, presented the Budget for 1987-89 after Shri V P Singh,
then Finance Minister quit his Government. Shri N. D. Tiwary presented the Union Budget for 198889, Shri S B Chavan for 1989-90, while Shri Madhu Dandawate presented the Union budget for
1990-91. Due to political developments, early elections were held in May 1991 and Dr. Manmohan
Singh became the Finance Minister and presented the budget for 1991-92, 1992-93, 1993-94, 199495 and 1995-96. After Lok Sabha General Elections in 1996, a non-Congress Ministry assumed
office. The Final Budget for 1996-97 and 1997-98 were presented by Shri P. Chidambaram. After the
General Elections in March 1998 that led to formation of Government by the Bharatiya Janta Party
(BJP) led NDA, Shri Yashwant Sinha, the then Finance Minister in the Government, presented the
Interim and Final Budgets for 1998-99 and four Annual Budgets from 1999-2000 to 2002-2003. Due
to Lok Sabha General Elections in May 2004, an Interim Budget was presented by Shri Jaswant
Singh. After the elections, Congress led UPA formed the Government at the Centre and Shri P
Chidambaram became the Finance Minister who presented the Union Budgets for 2004-05 to 200809. He was succeeded by Shri Pranab Mukherjee who presented the Interim and Final Union Budget
for 2009-10 and also Union Budgets for 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13. Again Shri Chidambaram
took over the charge of the Ministry of Finance in August 2012 and presented the Union Budget
2013-14 and the Interim Budget 2014-15.
After the Lok Sabha General Elections in 2014, Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) led by Shri Shri
Narendra Modi formed the Government at the Centre in May 2014. Shri Arun Jaitley took over the
charge as the Finance and Defence Minister in the new Government. He would be presenting his
maiden Budget in Parliament on 10th July, 2014.
*****
Media Advisory
The Finance Minister will present the General Budget 2014-15 on 10th July, 2014
at 11.00 a.m. in Lok Sabha, while Economic Survey 2013-14 will be laid in
Parliament on 9th July, 2014. The copies of General Budget & Economic Survey
will be available with PIB and supplied to media persons at the designated
places in Parliament House as well as at National Media Centre. These

documents will be distributed against specific Authority Slips. The Authority

Slips for Economic Survey & General Budget can be collected by accredited
correspondents from Director (Press Facility), PIB, Room No. 107, National Media
Centre, New Delhi from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on 3rd & 4th July, 2014. Authority Slips
will be given against PIB accreditation cards only (one slip on one card).
Health Minister: Aggressive, pro-active monitoring on dengue, malaria
prevention advised
Dr Harsh Vardhan to states: Lets share notes on disease spread,
strategise
Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Health Minister, has urged all states to take up malaria and dengue
prevention on a war footing in the coming monsoon months.
At a meeting today to review the steps already taken in the National Capital Region (NCR), the
Union Health Minister said dengue and malaria strikes with sickening regularity every year resulting
in many deaths. Prevention of this tragedy is easy only if the prevention protocol is implemented
with commitment and monitored personally by the highest officials aggressively and pro-actively, he
stated, adding that accountability must be fixed at all levels.
Dr Harsh Vardhan said, Let us make a new beginning. Let us not be complacent if the number of
victims this year is less than last years. We must aim for zero incidence within two to three years.
Compared to 353 cases of malaria in 2013, Delhi has already reported 11 by June 30. Uttar Pradesh
had 48,346 and 6,473 respectively for 2013 and up to June-end this year. Dengue has already claimed
nine victims in Delhi, 89 in Rajasthan and 3 in Haryana. However, there have been no cases of death
from the diseases so far this year.
The Health Minister, who recently toured the United States where he had a four-hour-long meeting
with experts at the Centre for Disease Control, said he is convinced that 80 percent success rate is
assured if the well-known preventive steps are implemented.
Aware of the necessity of bringing the states on board to give effect to his plan to eradicate
preventable diseases, Dr Harsh Vardhan said he was keen to integrate into a strategy the success
stories of states like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka where the incidence of vector-borne diseases has
registered dramatic fall thanks to concentrated action and community involvement. He said he would
also send central health officials to all the states to take stock of the situation on the health front
through meetings with their counterparts.
There cannot be a one-size fits all policy. Each region is different and needs its unique solution. This
will be discussed in the CCH, he said.
The meeting was attended by Mr Narendra Singh, the Health Minister of Haryana, Mr Rajendra
Singh Rathore, the Health Minister of Rajasthan, Mr Najeeb Jung, the Lieutenant-Governor of Delhi,
the Mayors of North and East Delhi, and senior officials of the health ministry and state
governments.

Mr Jung, said at the meeting that preventive steps are already under implementation in the capital. It
has been decided to carry out a poster drive in schools, metro stations, bus stands and markets to
spread awareness on the symptoms of dengue. Wards have already been earmarked in hospitals for
the exclusive use of dengue patients, he stated.
Dr Deepak Upreti, Rajasthans principal secretary (Health) told the meeting that apart from allopathic
intervention, lessons should be taken from the Ayurveda where herbs and grasses prove highly
effective. Dr Harsh Vardhan said he acknowledged the supremacy of Ayurveda and assured that the
Department of Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy would be instructed to involve the
synergies already available.
Dr Harsh Vardhan inaugurates the First Aid Post at Shastri Bhawan
Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr. Harsh Vardhan along with the
Union Minister for Human Resources Development, Smt. Smriti Irani inaugurated
the First Aid Post at Shastri Bhawan, today.
In a bid to expand the network of health care of its beneficiaries, CGHS is
opening this post at the premises of Shastri Bhawan. This unit will provide first
aid service like B.P.Monitoring/Dressing and other referral services to about
15000 employees of various Ministries posted at Shastri Bhawan and other
nearby Government offices. CGHS is already running five such health posts in
Delhi. These are located at Central Secretariat, Parliament House, Vitthal Bhai
Patel House, Supreme Court and Nirman Bhawan premises. Many employees
avail basic emergency health services from these first aid posts regularly.
Home Minister Reviewed Policy Planning Division of MHA
The functioning of the Policy Planning Division in the Ministry of Home Affairs
was reviewed by the Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh here today.
The Home Minister was apprised of the security arrangements for VVIPs/VIPs.
Shri Rajnath Singh desired that these security arrangements may be reviewed
and suitably strengthened, wherever required. The Home Minister further
directed that the security audit of vital installations, wherever due, may be
carried out and additional forces deployed, if found necessary, so as to ensure
that adequate security arrangements are in place for such installations. Shri
Singh also desired that the budget provisions earmarked for making security
arrangements may be reviewed and suitably enhanced.
The Home Minister further desired that the avenues for strengthening bilateral
security relations with the neighbouring countries be explored. He desired that
efforts be made to ensure that Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) in criminal

matters are entered into with as many countries as possible, and specifically
with the neighboring countries. Shri Singh further mentioned that issues and
innovative ideas for the forthcoming SAARC Conference of Home Ministers be
identified so that the same can be deliberated and consensus is evolved during
the Conference.
The Minister of State for Home Affairs Shri Kiren Rijiju and the Union Home
Secretary Shri Anil Goswami were also present.
Union HRD Minister Smriti Zubin Irani meets Mr. K. Shanmugam,
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Law, Republic of Singapore
Strengthening People-to-People Contact Between India and Singapore
Mr. K. Shanmugam, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Law, Republic of
Singapore met the Union Human Resource Development Minister, Smt. Smriti
Zubin Irani, at New Delhi today. During the meeting, the Minister Mr.
Shanmugam mentioned about the close relations between Singapore and India
and the multifaceted partnership of the two countries in the field of economic
cooperation, defence & security issues and education & culture. He also
mentioned that both countries are celebrating 50 years of establishment of
diplomatic relations from August, 2014-2015 onwards for which year-long
activities are planned, highlighting our vibrant partnership.
HRM reciprocated the feelings of the visiting Minister and recalled the warm
relations and strong bonds that exist between the two countries. As part of the
celebrations of 50 years of establishment of diplomatic relations, she offered
Singapore to be the Guest of Honour Country during the next New Delhi World
Book Fair to be held from 14-22 February, 2015. The HRM also mentioned that
the National Book Trust of India is translating many books of Singapore,
including the book titled 50 Stories from My Life authored by the former
President of Singapore Shri S.R. Nathan.
Both the Ministers also discussed further strengthening of educational relations
and suggested a platform of officials which could regularly meet to charter a
way for collaboration, particularly in the field of Science Education, Research
and Skill Development. The HRD Minister also proposed an India Connect
Programme to enable students of Singapore to visit educational institutions in
India.
Shri Ashok Thakur, Secretary (Higher Education), Shri Rajarshi Bhattacharya,
Secretary (School Education & Literacy) and senior officials of the Ministry of
HRD were present on this occasion.

India Becomes the First Country to Ratify the Marrakesh Treaty

Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons
who are Blind, Visually Impaired, or Otherwise Print Disabled
India becomes the first country to ratify the Marrakesh Treaty to facilitate access
to published works for persons who are blind, visually impaired, or otherwise
print disabled on 30th June, 2014. So far, 79 WIPO (World Intellectual Property
Organisation) member states have signed this Treaty. The Marrakesh treaty will
come into force once twenty countries ratify this treaty.
Shri Dilip Sinha, the Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations,
handed over the the Instrument of Ratification to Mr Francis Gurry, Director
General, WIPO at a ceremony organized held during the 28th Session of SCCR
(Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights) in WIPO Headquarters.
The main goal of Marrakesh Treaty is to create a set of mandatory limitations
and exceptions for the benefit of the blind, visually impaired and otherwise print
disabled (VIPs). It addresses the book famine by requiring its contracting
parties to adopt national law provisions that permit the reproduction,
distribution and making available of published works in accessible formats such as Braille - to VIPs and to permit exchange of these works across borders
by organizations that serve those beneficiaries.
Once the Marrakesh Treaty comes into force, it will facilitate access to published
works for the millions of blind, visually impaired and otherwise print disabled
persons in India. It would go a long way in establishing equal rights and
opportunities for education and employment for them.
The Treaty will facilitate import of accessible format copies from the member
states by the Indian authorized entities such as educational institutions, libraries
and other such institutions working for the benefit of visually impaired persons.
This will also facilitate translation of imported accessible format copies and
export of accessible format copies in Indian languages. The Indian Copyright
(Amendment) Act, 2012 is in harmony with the Marrakesh Treaty.
MC/DS/RK/Marrakesh Treaty
(Release ID :106012)
Shri S.N. Tripathi given additional charge of Chairman Coir Board

On expiry of the tenure of the Chairman, Coir Board, a Statutory Body under the
Ministry of MSME, Shri S.N. Tripathi, IAS a senior Joint Secretary in the Ministry of
MSME has been given the additional charge of the post of Chairman, Coir Board
till further order. It has also been decided that before appointing a regular
Chairman, the Ministry will examine the difficulties and opportunities before the
Coir Industry.
Interaction of Shri Kalraj Mishra, Union Minister of MSME with Industry
Associations for Empowerment of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises
The Ministry of MSME has invited Industry Associations from different regions
and sectors to discuss the region specific as well as sector specific problems
with the Union Minister of MSME Shri Kalraj Mishra on 3rd July 2014.
The role of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises in the economic and social
development of India is well established. MSMEs have shown constant growth
rate of over 10% in recent years much ahead of the large-scale corporate sector.
This sector contributes 8 per cent of the countrys GDP, 45 per cent of the
manufactured output and 40 per cent of its exports. The MSMEs provide
employment to over 80 million persons through over 36 million enterprises
producing over six thousand products.
This will be the first meeting of the Minister with the Industry Associations after
taking over as the Minister of MSME. On this occasion major MSME Associations
across the country and across sectors will bring forward various issues of
general and local importance concerning the sectors.
Shri Narendra Singh Tomar to Visit States and Meet CMs to Reinvigorate the Mining Sector
Suggestions sought from States on Amendments to MMDR Act, 1957
The Union Minister of Steel, Mines and Labour & Employment, Shri Narendra
Singh Tomar has initiated steps to find expeditious and acceptable solutions to
the mining issues confronting the country. Shri Tomar, in a letter addressed to
the Chief Ministers of States, has solicited their views on amendments to the
Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act 1957 and relevant rules.
The MMDR Act 1957 provides the legislative framework which governs the
mining sector in the country. The Minister is scheduled to meet Chief Ministers of
some states this week and also visit other states in first half of this month.
During the visit, the Minister, along with his key officials, will meet Chief
Ministers, State Mining Ministers and other representatives from the state for
intensive deliberations. Chief Ministers of Goa and Rajasthan are likely to meet

the Minister on 3rd July 14. Shri Tomar is scheduled to visit Karnataka on 4th
July. A meeting is fixed with Chief Minister Karnataka on the same day.
Expressing concern over the negative public perception with regard to mining,
Shri Narendra Singh Tomar has urged Heads of States to come together to
evolve a transparent and efficient system of allocation of leases, along with a
robust regulatory framework that best serves Indias interests. The letter also
enunciates the need to safeguard environmental concerns, and clearly spells out
that intergeneration equity should not be compromised in the process of
easing the mining sector. Priorities laid out also include re-invigorating of mining
sector, improving investment scenario and reaping benefits of enhanced
technology and best practices.

Measures to ease burden on Domestic LPG/ PDS Kerosene Consumers

The Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) incur certain State Specific Costs (SSC) due to
levies such as Entry Tax, Octroi, input tax restrictions on VAT which become irrecoverable levy for
OMCs.
In order to ensure that revenue demands of certain Indian states dont become a burden for
consumers across the country, the Government had introduced the scheme of State Specific Costs on
24th July 2012 to recover such irrecoverable levies from the consumers of the state/municipal area
levying such taxes.
In accordance with the Scheme, the OMCs were carrying out quarterly revisions in the Retail Selling
Price (RSP) of the sensitive petroleum products including PDS Kerosene and Domestic LPG in
respect of 12 states where such State Specific Taxes were being incurred. The latest revision in these
States was due in July 2014.
These revisions would have entailed an increase in the RSP of Domestic LPG in certain states viz.
Kerala: Rs 4.50 per cylinder; Karnataka: Rs. 3.00 per cylinder; Madhya Pradesh: Rs. 5.50 per
cylinder and Uttar Pradesh: Rs. 1 per cylinder; along with reduction in some states viz. Assam: Rs.
9.50 per cylinder; Bihar: Rs. 1.50 per cylinder and Maharashtra: Rs. 3.00 per cylinder.
The SSC Scheme would have also meant a downward revision in RSP of PDS Kerosene ranging
from Rs. 0.11 per litre in Maharashtra to Rs. 1.32 per litre in Navi Mumbai and a small increase of 2
paisa and 8 paisa in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh respectively.
The Government has the interest of consumers utmost in its mind and has therefore decided to
insulate the consumers from the impact of any increase in the Retail Selling Price of Domestic LPG
and PDS Kerosene due to revision of SSC. It has therefore been decided that that the revision of
Retail Selling Price of Domestic LPG and PDS Kerosene to those consumers on account of
upward revision of SSC on Domestic LPG and PDS Kerosene would be deferred till the
discussions on the State Specific Cost Scheme are completed with the State Governments.

However, in the interest of consumers, the benefit of reduction in Domestic LPG and PDS
Kerosene RSP in the states, where applicable, would remain in force till the review of SSC
scheme is carried out by the Government.

Global crude oil price of Indian Basket decreased marginally to US$

109.55 per bbl on 01.07.2014
The international crude oil price of Indian Basket as computed/published
today by Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC) under the Ministry of
Petroleum and Natural Gas went down to US$ 109.55 per barrel (bbl) on
01.07.2014. This was lower than the price of US$ 109.75 per bbl on previous
publishing day of 30.06.2014.
In rupee terms, the price of Indian Basket decreased to Rs 6588.34 per bbl on
01.07.2014 as compared to Rs 6594.88 per bbl on 30.06.2014. Rupee closed
weaker at Rs 60.14 per US$ on 01.07.2014 as against Rs 60.09 per US$ on
30.06.2014.
The table below gives details in this regard:
Particulars

Unit

Price on July 01,

2014(Previous trading day
i.e. 30.06.2014)

Pricing Fortnight
for 01.07.2014
( June 12 to 26, 2014)

Crude Oil
($/bbl)
(Indian Basket)
(Rs/bbl
Exchange Rate

(Rs/$)

109.55
6588.34
60.14

(109.75)
(6594.88)
(60.09)

110.82
6652.52
60.03

YKB/Daily Crude oil price- 02.07.2014

CSIR Developed State-of-the-Art Marksmanship Training System
Approved for Induction into the Indian Army
A state-of-the-art target training system, DHVANI (Detection and Hit
Visualization using Acoustic N-wave Identification) developed by CSIR-National
Aerospace Laboratories (CSIR-NAL), Bengaluru, for perfecting marksmanship
skills by accurately determining the location of bullet impact and providing realtime feedback, has been validated and approved for induction into the Indian
Army. After rigorous field trials at Army ranges in Bengaluru, Secunderabad, and
Infantry School Mhow, DHVANI will now be formally handed over to the Indian

Army

in

Secunderabad

tomorrow

(on

03

July

2014).

The marksmanship training requires positive and negative reinforcement of

shooting techniques immediately after each shot is fired. However, the manual
system currently used by the Indian Army involves the marksman firing shots at
the target and subsequently walking up to the target (about 300 m) and
identifying whether the shots were a hit or a miss. This primitive type of
marksmanship training exhibits not only high turnaround times but is also
inconsistent, unreliable, inaccurate and subjective. Furthermore, the
marksmanship training systems available from advanced countries for sale are
mostly based on old technology of 1980s, which also have exorbitant cost of
ownership as they are not customized for the Indian environment and
necessitate expensive after-sales service due to the black-box approach of the
manufacturers.
This modern indigenous marksmanship training system, DHVANI is tailor made by CSIR-NAL to
meet the requirements of the Indian Army at a cost lower by 40 per cent of the cost of similar
systems available elsewhere in the world without compromising on the performance the whole
process i.e. firing a shot to displaying of results at the shooter end takes less than half a millisecond.
At the shooter end, a multi-functional interactive GUI on aMIL grade laptop displays the results.
Furthermore, a comprehensive database containing personnel details, shots fired and performance
statistics ensures comprehensive logging for later analysis. The system originally developed for use
by the Indian Army has potential application for use by the paramilitary forces and also in the sports
sector.
The entire development process beginning from the Indian Armys request to the development of the
prototype testing took only 10 months. Each prototype currently costs Rs. 9 lakh/firer lane, which is
significantly lower than the price tag of Rs. 15-18 lakh for each firer lane of older generation wired
systems in use with the Indian Army.
The system is based on the basic principles of gas dynamics and aero-acoustics. Essentially, a bullet
is a supersonic projectile, which generates a shock wave from its leading edge, continuously at every
point of its supersonic travel. At any instant along the bullet path, the shock wave envelope
propagates in an invisible-cone continuously outward at an angle related to its Mach number. The
pressure wave in air caused due to the passing of the bullet results in a pressure profile known asNwave because of its shape.
The hit location of the bullet is then determined accurately by using an array of sensors to record the
acoustic pressure rise due to the passing shock from the bullet. Using advanced algorithms developed
at CSIR-NAL, the recorded signal from the sensors are analyzed for detection of N-wave, and the
geometrical shape of the shock wave is then used to determine the coordinates of the bullet on the
target. These coordinates are then wirelessly transmitted to a display at the shooter end. The entire
process starting from firing a shot to the display of results at the shooter end takes less than half a
millisecond.
For further details, please contact:
Dr. ShyamChetty
Director, CSIR-NAL, Bengaluru

080-25270584; 080-25265579
e-mail: director@nal.res.in
******
M. Venkaiah Naidu calls for paradigm shift in urban planning
management
Urges states to be pro-active to ensure Housing for
Emphasizes transparency and accountability in urban planning
management
Two day Centre-States/UTs meet gets on Urban Governance
Housing for All gets underway

and
All
and
and

Union Minister of Urban Development, Housing & Poverty Alleviation and

Parliamentary Affairs Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu today called for a radical shift in
approaches to urban planning, development and management to effectively
meet the growing challenges of urbanization being driven by LPG (Liberalisation,
Privatisation and Globalisation). In his keynote address at the workshop of
Secretaries of Urban Development, Housing and Local Bodies of central and
state/UT governments here today, Shri Naidu underscored that people are keen
about delivery of quality and assured services for which they are willing to pay
and
this
needs
to
be
factored
in
urban
planning.
Shri Naidu suggested a preventive approach to address the issues of illegal
constructions and encroachments through strict enforcement of transparency
and accountability on the part of all concerned. To bridge the rural-urban divide,
he suggested efficient regional urban planning using appropriate technologies
like GIS. The Minister stressed the need for ensuring effective public
transportation in urban areas besides drinking water, solid waste management,
sanitation,
conservation
of
nature
and
energy.
Shri Venkaiah Naidu said the Narendra Modi led government is committed to
ensure housing for all by the year 2022, the 75th Year of the countrys
independence and to achieve this, Team India approach is required with the
states/union territories playing a pro-active role. He informed that all options are
being explored to meet the huge resource requirement in this regard and the
central government would put in place an enabling policy environment to realize
active participation of all stakeholders including banking and financial
institutions. He further said that poor sections of the society are the primary
focus of the central government and hence, the initiative of providing universal
housing. The Minister emphasized the need for large scale skill up-gradation
programme
for
empowering
the
youth
for
gainful
employment.
Smt Anita Agnihotri, Secretary, Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation and Urban
Development said all stakeholders should learn from the experience of
formulating and implementing various schemes like JNNURM and other
initiatives and suggested ways and means for effective implementation of new
initiatives being launched by the central government. She underscored the need

for enhanced flow of credit to economically weaker sections (EWS) and lowincome groups (LIG). She said housing shortage in urban areas is expected to
rise to 300 lakh units in 2022 from the present about 190 lakhs.
Shri Sudhir Krishna, former Secretary, Urban Development noted that there is a
direct correlation between urbanization and economic growth and per capita
income. He called for planned urbanization for reaping the benefits flowing from
it.
Administrative secretaries from central and state/UT governments dealing with
urban development, housing and urban local bodies have today held intensive
brainstorming sessions on various related issues including implementation
aspects. Ministers dealing with these subjects will deliberate on various issues
tomorrow to draw up a way forward on new initiatives including Housing for All
by 2022.

July 3
Press Communique
The President has accepted the resignation of Shri M.K. Narayanan, as
Governor of West Bengal and has appointed Dr. D.Y. Patil, Governor of Bihar, to
discharge the functions of the Governor of West Bengal, in addition to his own
duties, until regular arrangements for the office of the Governor of West Bengal
are made.

Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg calls on PM

The Chief Operating Officer of Facebook, Ms. Sheryl Sandberg, called on the Prime Minister, Shri
Narendra Modi, today. She said India is a very important country for Facebook, considering the high
number of active Facebook users in India.
The Prime Minister discussed with Ms. Sandberg, ways through which a platform such as Facebook
can be used for governance and better interaction between the people and governments. He also
talked about how Facebook can be used to bring more tourists to India. Shri Narendra Modi also
spoke to Ms. Sandberg on how Facebook can assist us in commemorating Mahatma Gandhis 150th
birth anniversary year with a special focus on cleanliness.
Later the Prime Minister shared the following post on his Facebook page:
"Had a very fruitful meeting with Sheryl Sandberg. She pointed out that India is a very important
country for Facebook, considering the high number of active Facebook users in India.

Being an avid user of social media myself, I talked about ways through which a platform such as
Facebook can be used for governance and better interaction between the people and governments. I
also talked about how Facebook can be used to bring more tourists to India.
We intend to commemorate Mahatma Gandhis 150th birth anniversary year with a special focus on
cleanliness and I spoke to Ms. Sandberg on how Facebook can assist us in this endeavour."
***
THREE NEW VACCINES INCLUDING INDIGENOUSLY DEVELOPED
ROTAVIRUS VACCINE TO BE PROVIDED TO ALL INDIAN CHILDREN
Fourth vaccine for adults to protect against Japanese Encephalitis to be
introduced in high-priority districts
PM: Government will now ensure that the benefits of vaccination reach
all sections of the society, regardless of social and economic status
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today announced the decision of the
Government of India to introduce four new vaccines as part of Indias Universal
Immunization Programme (UIP). Vaccines against rotavirus, rubella and polio
(injectable) will collectively expedite Indias progress on meeting the Millennium
Development Goal 4 targets to reduce child mortality by two-thirds by the year
2015 and meet global polio eradication targets. In addition, an adult vaccine
against Japanese encephalitis will be introduced in districts with high levels of
the disease.
Along with the recent introduction of the pentavalent vaccine, this decision
represents one of the most significant policy leaps in 30 years in public health,
preventing at least 1 lakh infant deaths, deaths of adults in working age group
and up to 10 lakhs hospitalizations each year. With these new vaccines, Indias
UIP will now provide free vaccines against 13 life threatening diseases, to 27
million children annually, the largest birth cohort in the world.
The Prime Minister said The introduction of four new lifesaving vaccines, will
play a key role in reducing the childhood and infant mortality and morbidity in
the country. Many of these vaccines are already available through private
practitioners to those who can afford them. The government will now ensure
that the benefits of vaccination reach all sections of the society, regardless of
social and economic status.
Diarrhea caused by rotavirus kills nearly 80 thousand children each year, results
in up to 10 lakh hospitalizations, pushing many Indian families below the
poverty line. It also imposes an economic burden of over 300 crore rupees each

year to the country. India has developed and licensed its first indigenous
rotavirus vaccine, developed under a public-private partnership by the Ministry
of Science and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. India will introduce this
vaccine in a phased manner.
Tackling another major public health concern, the Government of Indias
Universal Immunization Programme is set to introduce a vaccine against rubella
which causes severe congenital defects in newborns, like blindness, deafness
and heart defects. It is estimated that nearly 2 lakh babies are born with
congenital defects each year in the country.
The Universal Immunization Programme is also introducing an adult vaccine
against Japanese Encephalitis (JE) in 179 endemic districts in 9 states.
Reaffirming its commitment to the global goal of a polio free world, India is set
to introduce Injectable Polio Vaccine (IPV), together with 125 countries in a
globally synchronized manner. India has been certified polio free in March 2014,
and the introduction of IPV in addition to the oral polio vaccine (OPV) will provide
long lasting protection to the population against the virus.
Shri Narendra Modi, who has consistently placed an emphasis on health as part
of the nations development, said India is committed to tackle child mortality
and provide health for all through multiple initiatives taken up by the
government. Strengthening routine immunization is an essential investment in
Indias children and will ensure a healthy future of the country.
The recommendations to introduce new vaccines have been made after
numerous scientific studies and comprehensive deliberations by the National
Technical Advisory Group of India (NTAGI), the countrys apex scientific advisory
body on immunization.
Senator John McCain calls on PM, conveys US desire to revitalise
strategic partnership
US Senator John McCain called on Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today.
Senator McCain conveyed the high level of expectations in the United States
about a new momentum in India`s economic growth and all-round progress
under the new Government and wished Prime Minister all success in this
endeavour. He also conveyed the keen desire in the United States to work with
Prime Minister Modi to revitalise the India-U.S. Strategic Partnership.
Prime Minister conveyed his desire to further deepen and expand the strategic

partnership, based on our shared values and interests; sensitivity to each

other`s concerns; and, tangible progress across the full spectrum of bilateral
relations.
Prime Minister also observed that success of democratic countries and their
cooperation will advance peace, stability and prosperity in the world. Shri Modi
hoped for a forward looking, result-oriented visit to the United States in
September 2014 to take the relationship to a new level.
The situation in Iraq and Afghanistan was discussed. The Prime Minister
expressed concern over the increased threat of terrorism across the world, and
reiterated that the fight against terror should be a global priority for
humanitarian forces.
Agriculture Minister Calls for Rapid Development of Dairy Sector
Union Agriculture Minister, Shri Radha Mohan Singh has called for rapid
development of dairy sector to meet the future demand of the country. He said
that by 2020 demand of milk is going to touch more than 200 million tonne. The
Minister said this while inaugurating a new plant of dairy project in Haryana
today.
The Minister highlighted on the National Dairy Development Boards report
which shows that during the year 2021-22, the demand of milk will surpass the
earlier projection of 180 million tonne and it may go upto 210 million tonne. In
next 10 years an increase of 6 million tonne per year is required to meet the
growing demand.
Shri Singh said that in last 10 years, Indian dairy sector grew by more than 4.2
% annually in comparison to worlds 2.2%. The per capita availability of milk in
the country stands at 296 gram per day which is more than the worlds
average.
Civil Aviation Minister Denies Saying that Small Carriers may be
Blocked on Metro Routes
Civil Aviation Minister, Shri Ashok Gajapathi Raju Pusapati has denied that he
has ever said that small carriers would not be encouraged to fly on metro
routes. This is in response to a news item carried by the `Economic Times, Delhi
titled Government may block small carriers on metro routes on page 8 today.