Vol-32 The Gist September 2015

Contents
GIST OF THE HINDU ........................................................................................ 2

THE OROP STRUGGLE ................................................... 3
THE MAKINGS OF A GAME-CHANGER ....................................... 4
THE TORTUOUS ROAD TO NAGA PEACE ...................................... 4
A LOOMING REFUGEE CRISIS .............................................. 6
LIVING ON THE CITYS SIDELINES .......................................... 7
TIME FOR AN INDIGENOUS ARMS INDUSTRY .................................. 9
GIVE THE IIMS THEIR FREEDOM ............................................ 11
BUILDING AFFORDABLE HOMES ........................................... 12
A QUESTION OF CREDENTIALS ............................................ 13
OLD DEBATE ON LEAD REKINDLED ......................................... 14
GOING THE E-PAYMENT WAY .............................................. 15
THE TALIBAN CHALLENGE ............................................... 16
LOOKING TO THE SUPREME COURT ......................................... 17
FOREIGN SERVICE MUST REMAIN ELITIST .................................... 18
A CARRIAGE OF INJUSTICE ............................................... 20
NEEDED, A NEW URBAN VISION ........................................... 21
THE PROMISE OF FREIGHT CORRIDORS ...................................... 22
NO REASON FOR IIMS TO BE ALARMED ...................................... 23
PICKING UP THE PIECES IN NEPAL .......................................... 25
CRIME AND COMPROMISE ................................................ 27
TRIBAL ALIENATION IN AN UNEQUAL INDIA .................................. 28
A QUESTION OF JUSTICE ................................................. 30
UFA COULD BE THE YUAN MOMENT ........................................ 31
RURAL REALITIES ...................................................... 32
PUTTING OUT THE WEST ASIAN FIRE ....................................... 33
A NEW BANK FOR A NEW ERA ............................................ 35
THE UFA TAKEAWAYS AND REASON FOR HOPE ................................. 36
MAKING PARTIES ACCOUNTABLE ........................................... 39
A WIN-WIN DEAL ...................................................... 40
GIST OF THE YOJANA ..................................................................................... 41
YOGA: RIGHT PATH TO HEALTH AND WELLNES ................................ 41
EMERGENCE AND GROWTH OF AYURVEDA ................................... 45
SCALING NEW HEIGHTS IN ENERGY SECTOR .................................. 49
FIRST-EVER BIOTECH PARK IN J&K .......................................... 52
UNANI MEDICINE: THE ART OF HEALTH AND HEALING .......................... 52
NATUROPATHY AND INDIAS HEALTH CARE CHALLENGES ........................ 56
GIST OF KURUKSHETRA .............................................................................. 5 8
AGRARIAN POLICIES AND PROGRAMMES A SOLUTION FOR
STRENGTHENING RURAL INDIA .......................................... 58
JAN DHAN YOJANA A MEGA GAME CHANGER ................................. 62
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2 VOL32 GIST OF THE YOJANA
PRADHAN MANTRI KAUSHAL VIKAS YOJANA ................................. 66
RURAL TOURISM DEVELOPMENT GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES ...................... 67
SAANSAD ADARSH GRAM YOJANA ......................................... 70
GIST OF THE PIB ............................................................................................. 7 2
HOUSING FOR ALL BY 2022 MISSION - NATIONAL MISSION FOR URBAN HOUSING .... 73
CLEAN GANGA MISSION WILL UTILIZE GEOSPATIAL AND
CROWD-SOURCING TECHNOLOGIES ........................................ 74
NO ROLE FOR CENTRAL GOVERNMENT IN SANCTIONING OF
PROJECTS UNDER NEW URBAN MISSIONS ................................... 75
PRIME MINISTER TO LAUNCH INTEGRATED POWER DEVELOPMENT SCHEME .......... 78
CENSUS DATA ON DISABLED POPULATION RELEASED ........................... 78
KEY INDICATORS OF SOCIAL CONSUMPTION IN INDIA ON EDUCATION .............. 79
DIGITAL INDIA WEEK ................................................... 82
NATIONAL SKILL DEVELOPMENT MISSION .................................... 84
NATIONAL POLICY FOR SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP 2015 ......... 85
NATIONAL FLOOR LEVEL MINIMUM WAGE ENHANCED FROM RS.137 TO RS.160 PER DAY . 86
CIVIL AVIATION MINISTER LAUNCHES GAGAN SYSTEM .......................... 86
LAUNCH OF SKILL INDIA CAMPAIGN ........................................ 86
GIST OF SCIENCE REPORTER ................................................................. 8 9
OUR SOIL OUR FUTURE .................................................. 89
TOWARDS EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ........................ 92
ASTRONOMY OPENS THE DOOR TO THE UNIVERSE OF REWARDING CAREERS .......... 94
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Gist of
GIST OF THE YOJANA VOL32 3
extending the scheme to non-military cadres
will nullify its very rationale. In order to pre-
The Hindu empt any legal issues in the future, the
government is working to call it military
pension, making it a provision that applies
only to the armed forces. Another issue relates
to allocating finances for the immediate
rollout phase and making the necessary
provision for enhancements in future. Wary
THE OROP STRUGGLE
of any bid by the government to redefine
Thousands of ex-servicemen converged OROP, veterans are demanding that it stick to
on the national capital over the past weekend the accepted definition.
to protest against the delay on the part of the
The scheme, once implemented, is
government in announcing a firm timeline for
expected to benefit two and a half million ex-
the implementation of the One Rank One
servicemen and women immediately. While
Pension (OROP) scheme. Others have gone on
the veterans anguish over the delay is
a relay-hunger strike across the country,
understandable, they should appreciate the
saying they would do so till their demand is
complexity of the process. Also, with OROP
met. In the run-up to the 2014 elections and being one of the BJPs top election promises,
after, the Bharatiya Janata Party held out commitment for its implementation had been
several assurances on OROP, raising reiterated at the highest level by Mr. Modi.
expectations among the community of The issue, pending for four decades, has seen
veterans. OROP is meant to bring parity more progress in the last one year than over
among retired military personnel based only the last few decades. So while keeping up
on rank and tenure and irrespective of the pressure on the government, it would be wise
date of retirement. As Prime Minister to give it room to work out the details. The
Narendra Modi accepted in his Mann Ki Baat government, on its part, should realise that
broadcast, the government had these veterans fought for this country while in
underestimated the complexity of the process. service, and it is indeed their legitimate right.
One of the major concerns of the government In addition, they represent a strong voter
as it works out the details relates to similar base, as the last Lok Sabha elections proved.
demands that could potentially come from the This is pertinent as protesting organisations
Central police and paramilitary forces. The have announced they would agitate in Bihar,
logic of OROP stems from the fact that unlike where Assembly elections are due this year.
in other government ser vices where the The government should come out with a clear
retirement age is 55, 58 or 60, in the military road map in the interests of the nation as well
ser vices a soldier retires around 35. So as its own. The existing mismatch between
4 VOL32 GIST OF THE HINDU
expectations and deliver y could prove an independent regulator. The committee has
problematic in more ways than one. acknowledged that restructuring would be a
THE MAKINGS OF A GAME-CHANGER humongous task, and quite cautiously used
the term liberalisation for the entry of
The final report of the Bibek Debroy
private players rather than privatisation or
Committee on restructuring the Indian
deregulation. The railway employee unions
Railways has suggested a process of gradual
are already up in arms over the references to
reforms, involving the introduction of
the private sector. This would be a difficult
commercial accounting practices and greater
equation to manage. The suggestion to set up
decentralisation of powers, allowing the entry
an independent regulator will equally pose a
of the private sector, and the setting up of an
challenge. This will essentially mean setting up
independent regulator. The committee has
a body outside of the powerful and centralised
indicated a five-year time frame to implement
Railway Board, which might resist such a
the measures. One of the most transformative
move. The setting up of an independent
suggestions made is allowing private sector
super-regulator has been spoken about in the
players to run trains. It has suggested
financial services space, but not much has
exposing railway production units to
happened on that front. However, all these
competition, and the creation of an
suggestions merit immediate consideration.
environment conducive to private investment
The Railways has suffered huge under-
by giving confidence to private players
investment in capacities and today its very
through transparent accounting processes.
viability is a question mark. Now the onus is
This has to be seen in the context of the failure
on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who
of the public-private partnership route so far
initiated the setting up of this Committee, and
in both the road and railway sectors. There
Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu, known for
have been different reports in the past that
his dynamic approach, to take the railway
have pointed to what ails the Indian Railways.
unions into confidence and implement the
For instance, in 2012 a committee headed by
measures. Both have declared the Railways is
Sam Pitroda, then Adviser to the Prime
not going to be privatised, but the unions do
Minister, submitted plans for the
not appear pleased. Winning their trust would
modernisation of the Railways at a cost of
be key to the implementation of the
Rs.5.6 lakh crore over a 10-year period. The
measures. That would determine if this will
Debroy Committee report stands out in
remain just another report or a game-
having identified definitive measures to effect
changer.
a transformation, and setting a timeline.
But it will be a challenging task, THE TORTUOUS ROAD TO NAGA PEACE
especially the recommendations relating to Since the leaders of the National
opening up to the private sector and setting up Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isaac-Muivah)

GIST OF THE HINDU VOL32 5

(NSCN), Thuingaleng Muivah and Issac Chisi Like Khaplangs faction, these other
Swu, signed the ceasefire with the H.D. Deve groups are splinters of the original
Gowda government in 1997 and started movements. Their factional rivals are already
negotiations, the peace talks have gone on and talking to India and New Delhi treats them as
on, with round after round of inconclusive principals. These rebel chieftains who are
negotiations. There were suggestions recently holed up in the remote jungles of Myanmars
that a final solution might be in sight and that Sagaing division are treated as marginals.
may have provoked those left out of the Khaplang was under pressure for the last few
process into striking back. But the secrecy years from New Delhi for providing shelter to
shrouding the Naga peace process only these other Northeast Indian rebel groups.
complicates it further and makes it difficult to Home Ministry mandarins insist that this was
speculate on when there will be an end to a breach of trust on the part of Khaplang. But
Indias longest running ethnic insurrection. in the 1990s, former Home Minister L.K.
The sheer duration of these negotiations does Advani had clearly said that Khaplang is a
Myanmarese national and that India cannot
point to the complexities involved in trying to
negotiate with him. Khaplang on the warpath
settle the Naga insurgency, but many critics of
again is partly dictated by his urge to end his
the Indian decision-making process have also
isolation in the jungles of Myanmar, if only to
suggested that New Delhi is trying to wear
remind New Delhi that he cannot be ignored
down the rebel leaders in a battle of attrition
a point he seeks to make by getting
since the limited tactical advantages of
together all those in the Northeast who still
keeping the Naga rebels off the battlefield
intend to fight India. His one-time comrades,
have been achieved by the ceasefire. Some Wangting and Thikhak, blame Paresh Barua,
have also said that the ceasefire and the an activist with ULFA, for manipulating
political dialogue have helped India further Khaplang into reneging on the ceasefire.
divide the Naga rebels, pointing to the talks Barua has steadfastly remained on a
with the Muivah faction and the refusal to talk separatist course even after the ULFA was
with the Khaplang faction despite a ceasefire decimated in Bangladesh after a crackdown
with his group. That, many would say, is what by the Sheikh Hasina government and by
finally provoked Khaplang, a warlord, to periodic desertions. So, though the ULFA of
renege on the ceasefire and form the rebel today is not much of a fighting force, its leader
coalition, the United National Liberation emerges as the glue for a rebel coalition in
Front of West South East Asia (UNLFWSEA), Myanmars jungles because of his track record
with motley rebel factions like the United of leading an armed struggle through
Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) unending adversity. The other factions which
(Independent), the National Democratic Front have joined up with Khaplang in UNLFWSEA
of Bodoland (NDFB) (Songjibit) and the KLA are also motley groups capable of occasional
(Jibon). hits here and there.
So, the real failure of Indian intelligence by an gung-ho media, joined by a battery of
was not in predicting the possible spot of the retired soldiers and security officials baying
ambush but in anticipating the emergence of for rebel blood.
a rebel coalition in the jungles of Myanmar.
The first step in that direction was taken by
A LOOMING REFUGEE CRISIS
Khaplang when he signed a truce with
Myanmars Thein Sein government, one of A new report by Amnesty International
the 14 rebel groups in Myanmar to strike a on the global refugee crisis should prove a
ceasefire deal with it. Having secured that wake-up call for the international community.
ceasefire, Khaplang has ensured that his bases The Global Refugee Crisis: A Conspiracy of
in Sagaing will be protected from the Neglect says the world is facing the worst
occasional raids by the Tatmadaw (Myanmar situation on this front since the Second World
Army). Even after the attacks on Indian forces War, with the number of people forcibly
by Khaplangs fighters in the last two months, displaced from their homes exceeding 50
the Myanmar government has not broken off million. Its not really a surprise given the
the truce with his faction. For the serial collapse of states in West Asia and
Myanmarese Army which has to battle half-a- Africa, and reports of persecution of
dozen powerful home-grown insurgencies at vulnerable communities in several countries.
any given point of time, tackling the Kachin or What is more appalling is the apathy of the
the Kokang guerrillas is a bigger priority, not worlds powerful leaders towards this
Khaplang. The Indian reply after the rebel humanitarian problem. The Amnesty report
violence has also been hasty and ill-conceived. rightly says that the international
The Indian Army was under pressure from communitys response to the refugee crisis
top decision makers to hit back immediately, has been a shameful failure. Syria is a case in
to make a political point of a strong India point. More than half of its population has
which will not tolerate terrorism. The Indian been displaced by a civil war, and some four
Army chief, General Dalbir Singh Suhag, was million people have fled the country. The
keen on striking back, but after careful burden is almost entirely on Syrias
planning. Under pressure, all that he could do neighbours such as Turkey, Lebanon and
was to plan two hits on rebel bases on the Jordan, while richer nations across the
border or slightly inside it. These locations Mediterranean have turned a blind eye to it.
were chosen not because they had a lot of The European Unions decision to limit rescue
rebel fighters but because these were rebel operations in the Mediterranean has led to a
bases and could be hit with smaller forces to dramatic rise this year in the number of
make a political point that India will go after people who have drowned during boat
its enemies. The raids have made much less of journeys. The U.S., a country proud of its
an actual impact than was initially suggested tradition of welcoming people from foreign


lands, has accepted fewer than 1,000 Syrian LIVING ON THE CITYS SIDELINES
refugees in the past four years. The schemes The Street Vendors (Protection of
of the United Nations High Commissioner for Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending)
Refugees (UNHCR) that is meant to address Act, 2014 came into force on May 1, 2014. It
the problem remain under-funded. was one of the last pieces of legislation passed
People f lee their homes to escape by the United Progressive Alliance-II
desperate situations. If Syrians and Libyans government. In its intent, it is similar to the
are fleeing deadly wars, those from Myanmar other pro-people laws passed in the UPA
and Eritrea are trying to escape long-standing years, such as the Right to Education, Right to
persecution. Resettling such vulnerable Information and the Food Security Acts. In the
people is a global humanitarian obligation. spirit of these progressive pieces of
But sadly, in the current world order this legislation, this law (henceforth the Street
responsibility is not evenly distributed. Vendors Act) seeks to bring in greater
Powerful nations, which often send bombers transparency and functional democracy in
to poorer countries to solve their domestic urban governance. But as is often the case in
problems, as the North Atlantic Treaty India, passing a law is one thing, and
Organisation did in Libya in 2011, are not as enforcing it is another. With this particular
forthcoming when they face refugee crises law, the biggest hurdle to implementation, it
and poverty. At present, almost 86 per cent of appears, is the implementers themselves.
all refugees are in the developing countries, Street vendors, or hawkers as theyre
which lack the infrastructure and resources to more widely known, have been around for as
tackle the challenge. A more coordinated long as civilisation. There has never been a city
approach is needed to address the problem. ancient or modern that did not have
Richer countries in the West and the Asia traders vending their wares informally in
Pacific should find more room for refugees public spaces. Indian cities are no exception,
from stricken lands, in order to share the as the tradition of natural markets or mandis
burden more equitably. And, agencies such as testifies. With the onset of colonial modernity,
the UNHCR that deal with millions of however, India acquired a set of municipal
refugees should be sufficiently funded to fulfil laws that overnight criminalised the vast
their missions. More important, there have to majority of street vendors. They instituted a
be more meaningful efforts, driven not system of licensing. But the licences issued
merely by geopolitical calculations but by were few and far between. Even the Supreme
moral, humanitarian conviction, to solve the Court, while pointing out that street vendors
worlds crises. That could be the first step have a fundamental right to their occupation
towards addressing the causes of the as per Article 19 (1) (g) of the Constitution,
problem. has acknowledged the exploitation of hawkers
by state authorities. In its landmark
judgement of September 9, 2013 in the publish the street vendors charter, and so on.
Maharashtra Ekta Hawkers Union vs. Additionally, in what ought to give major
Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai relief to the hawkers, Section 27 of the Act,
case, the apex court stated, street vendors titled Prevention of harassment of street
are a harassed lot and constantly victimised by vendors, states explicitly that this law must
the officials of the local authorities, the override any other law that has a bearing on
police, etc, who regularly target them for hawking rights, and that no street vendor shall
extra income and treat them with extreme be harassed under any other law for the time
contempt. The Streets Vendors Act, largely being in force.
drawn from the 2009 policy, was finally
The Street Vendors Act is not a model
passed in 2014.
law the State governments dont have to
The Street Vendors Act, 2014 is a truly
pass similar laws in order for it to come into
innovative solution to the problem of effect. It is a national law and it is already in
balancing the livelihood rights of hawkers and force. And yet, the harassment of hawkers by
the right to free movement of pedestrians and
the cops and local bodies continues. In Delhi,
traffic. The legislation lays down four it continues despite explicit orders issued by
fundamental provisions: one, there will be a
the Delhi government to both the police
survey of all existing hawkers; two, instead of commissioner and the heads of all the
licences, certificates of vending will be issued municipal bodies. The design of the Street
to all existing hawkers identified in the Vendors Act is such that it requires
survey; three, vending and non-vending zones municipalities to come up with schemes for
will be demarcated and all hawkers
the implementation of the law. Most
accommodated in the vending zones; and municipalities are yet to frame these schemes.
four, no hawker will be evicted from his/her
But those that have a draft scheme ready
spot unless and until the survey has been seem determined to dilute the Act back to
done and certificates of vending issued. The status quo.
centrepiece of the Act is the Town Vending
Committee (TVC), which will have Also, whereas the Act specifies that a
representation from street vendors, traffic survey of existing vendors should be carried
police, police, Resident Welfare Associations out, the schemes mandate issuing of public
(RWAs), market associations, and the advertisements about the survey. A more
planning authority, among others, and be fundamental problem with the schemes is that
headed by the municipal commissioner. It is many of the issues which, as per the Act, are to
the TVC which is mandated to organise the be decided by the TVC, are being usurped by
survey, decide on vending/non-vending zones, the municipality. For instance, it is the TVC
issue certificates, decide on vending fees that which is supposed to make recommendations
the hawkers should pay the municipality, on matters such as the vending fees, conduct


of the survey, issue of certificates, and charter hawkers. In its very name, this legislation
of self-regulation for vendors. The speaks of protection of livelihood of street
municipality is only supposed to ratify them vendors. The abiding irony is that the entities
the TVC, after all, is headed by the from whom protection is sought, are the ones
municipal commissioner. But in the NDMC mandated to provide the protection. The
scheme, the municipality becomes the key future of this law may ultimately be
decision-maker, and the TVC, a glorified determined by our civic imagination how
consultant. we envisage our cities, and our public spaces.
The street vendors enormous TIME FOR AN
contribution to the economy rarely gets INDIGENOUS ARMS INDUSTRY
acknowledged. On the one hand, they Union Defence Minister Manohar
subsidise the urban poor, who cannot afford Parrikar and U.S. Defence Secretary Ashton
to shop from malls or supermarkets for their Carter signed the 10-year Defence Trade and
necessities. On the other, they are a cheap Technology Initiative in early June, to extend
distribution network for small and micro- defence cooperation between the two
enterprises in the informal sector that make countries. The move has been hailed as path-
toys, clothes, utensils, and other household breaking, but in reality the agreements on
goods from moulded plastic at a low cost. joint technology development are far below
These small industries cannot afford to sell expectations. In fact, to expect any country to
their goods via conventional retail outlets. But share cutting-edge defence technology would
they employ a large number of workers. If we be gross naivety. As the Narendra Modi
take the number of people employed in these government enters its second year, its time to
micro-industries, and add them to the total map the challenges facing it in the defence
number of street vendors, it becomes clear sector. There is no choice for India but to go
that hawking sustains a great deal of Indian. Results will only flow if cogent policies
employment.
drive decision-making, even as field work
And in a countr y with a decade of continues. With 250 million people on either
jobless growth behind it, hawkers are asking side of the poverty line, the defence budget
for neither jobs nor handouts only to be has rarely crossed 2 per cent of the GDP, and
left alone. Only economic stupidity or epic it is doubtful if it ever will. To make optimal
callousness would want to keep destroying the use of the scarce money, the Ministry of
livelihoods of street vendors, who are, at the
Defences (MoD) task is cut out along two
end of the day, a valuable class of
avenues: operational and administrative.
entrepreneurs. Yet, the mindset of sections of
the middle class, not to mention the municipal Operationally, two basic issues require
bureaucracy and the police who have their immediate consideration. First, the Defence
own reasons, remains largely hostile to Procurement Procedure (DPP) has to be
urgently revamped, to address the manufacturing base that delivers on quality,
hollowness of the forces (as one Chief put it). timeliness and capacity. Indias acquisition
Second, the Defence Offsets Management hierarchy, however, has an Achilles heel in the
Wing (DOMW) must be strengthened absence of a structure that owns the
immediately. Even as the security environment acquisition process. Thus, targets,
has palpably deteriorated, the defence responsibility and accountability cannot be
acquisition process has failed to get India out fixed. The Department of Defence Production,
of the arms import trap. The Defence Director-General (Acquisition), and the MoD
Research and Development Organisations are amorphous behemoths; no responsibility
efforts have been embarrassingly poor. The can be pinned on any one of them.
reality is that India will continue to import for Any reform of the DPP has to start with
the next two decades. These frightfully the creation of an entity that owns the
expensive acquisitions need leveraging acquisition process. This entity should have
through the DPP and DOMW to ramp up officers of all departments inf luencing
Research and Development and defence indigenisation and must work under
manufacturing capabilities. one head, who will oversee the process of
Indias acquisition process must enable drafting policy and implementation. The
an indigenous defence manufacturing base careers of personnel in this organisation
that delivers on quality, timeliness of supply, should swim or sink with the progress of
and capacity. India has the third-largest defence indigenisation. Naysayers just need
armed force in the world. India is one of the to look at the Telecom Regulatory Authority
largest importers of conventional defence of India to understand that creating such an
equipment and spends about 40 per cent of entity is possible.
its defence budget on capital acquisitions. The immediate reform of the DOMW is
About 60 per cent of its defence requirements the second major requirement. With offsets
are met through imports. The allocation for still a norm, the nation has paid at least 10 to
defence in the last budge was approximately 15 per cent more in each contract as a cost of
Rs. 2.4 lakh crore. In 2015, the budgetary offsets. The 36 Rafales that are coming from
allocation for defence was Rs. 2.6 lakh crore, France have a $4 billion offset estimate, while
an increase of over 7 per cent. Our defence the total estimate in the next decade could
procurements need to address these reach $100 billion! To manage such massive
complexities, and if a confrontation drags on, amounts, there are only 10 people manning
the nation must have the strategic depth of a the DOMW today. The staff needs to be
continuous supply chain, which only an immediately expanded and must be given a
indigenous arms industry can ensure. So, fixed tenure of at least five years. In parallel,
Indias acquisition process must become the training in defence acquisition needs to be
enabler of an indigenous defence institutionalised through the upcoming


National Defence University. Pride in uniform UPA, under Minister Kapil Sibal, set the
is the mantra that gives the armed forces josh. process going. A committee that he appointed
Its time this lost sheen was restored to them. was accused of pursuing the objective of out-
In its second year in office, the government and-out privatisation of the IIMs. The
must work on the administrative aspects of Ministry of Human Resource Development
defence building. The nation expects the under Smriti Irani is now seeking to regulate
armed forces to deliver everywhere. Surely, them by means of the Indian Institutes of
the government can respond with correct pay, Management Bill, 2015, in the text of which
housing and one rank one pension policies? the word regulate recurs with regularity. The
GIVE THE IIMS THEIR FREEDOM Bill is now in the public realm for comments
and will of course pass through Parliament.
There is an irony here that is hard to There is reason to believe that the special
miss. The three oldest Indian Institutes of status enjoyed by the institutes is being sought
Management IIM Calcutta, IIM to be diluted by bringing in other business
Ahmedabad and IIM Bangalore were schools also within the ambit of the Bill. That
established many years before India is not to say the Bill is without any positive
embraced the market economy model. With aspects. It promises to meet a long-pending
recommendations that came from the demand to convert diplomas awarded by the
Planning Commission and working in a IIMs into degrees.
socialist framework, they have functioned
But the real question is whether
autonomously to evolve best management
government control would help make these
practices and, with some help from America,
today figure among Indias best-known global institutes centres of excellence. Public-funded
brands. Over the years they have benefited institutes in India figure nowhere in the top
from the autonomy granted to them, which 100 global ranking index. The Indian
has enabled them to work independently in Institutes of Technology have functioned
deciding what is best for them. In the true autonomously in deciding their own
sense of the term, the IIMs have essentially curriculum, yet evidently the government is
been market-oriented institutions. The seeking to interfere in their functioning. In
government that is now at the helm has an the case of the IIMs Bill, it is not clear to what
avowedly pro-market disposition too, and has extent the government intends to meddle with
in the recent past cut budgetary support for the academic structure. What is evident is that
many welfare measures. The real objective of major decisions can be taken only with prior
seeking to impose controls on the government approval. Also, determining the
management institutes of which there are fee structure, a contentious issue in the past,
13 today has therefore perplexed will be subject to governmental nod. The
observers. To be fair, the NDA government is government ought to tread carefully here. It
not to be blamed entirely. The Congress-led would be appropriate to take the IIMs along
while giving final shape to the Bill, which has problem. Under Indian law, registration of
the potential to alter their structure. sale of land is compulsory, but the registration
authority is not required to verify from the
BUILDING AFFORDABLE HOMES
seller either the history or ownership of the
For Indians, the most important form of land. This weakens buyer protection and acts
social security is to own a house. It is a proxy more as a fiscal instrument for the state
for their social standing and prestige. But instead of being a statutor y support of
housing is expensive: realty in New Delhi and certainty to title. Urban India recognises
Mumbai is generally priced out of reach and presumed ownership to land, a questionable
remains mostly unsold. In India, there is a claim which can be challenged. Floor Area
housing shortage, along with rising inventory Ratio/FSI ratios have led to horizontal
and mostly bankrupt developers. Land, expansion and need to be doubled to bring
especially with basic infrastructure in place, about a vertical expansion. Andhra Pradesh,
remains a limited commodity. There is now in particular, has removed the FAR concept,
significant social stress on the economy with creating adequate supply and stabilised prices.
rising urbanisation and an expanding middle A land pooling policy would aid in semi-urban
class, along with a housing shortage estimated areas, with beneficiaries being exempted from
at 62.5 million units. Over 65 million people tax on capital gains and stamp duties. If there
live in slums. The demand for houses is is successful implementation of the National
expected to increase to 88.8 million Land Records Management Programme
affordable units, according to the Pronab Sen (NLRMP) by 2018, it will make it easier for
Committee on Slum Statistics, within the next developers to focus on suitable land parcels
two to four years, with the deficit in urban with reduced litigation risks.
areas touching 18.9 million units. An Project launches and completion delays
estimated investment of $1.7 trillion is are becoming commonplace, alongwith
required to meet the housing shortage. bottlenecks in the supply of raw materials and
labour. Regulator y approvals remain a
Unfavourable land management policies
such as the Urban Land (Ceiling and complex process, with a minimum of 34 of
Regulation Act), 1976, remain prevalent in them to be followed by a developer to obtain
certain States, along with low Floor Space construction permits. This takes 18-36
Index (FSI) ceilings in different cities. As a months. Globally, many countries offer
result, small low-rise residences and streamlined online processes and incentives
commercial complexes are being developed on to facilitate affordable housing these can
each plot, leading to lower incomes for include tax deductions, density bonuses,
developers and, hence, higher prices to cover direct subsidies, land grants, land use changes,
land costs. The issue of titling and the lack of and so on. The use of fee waivers and fast-
property rights information add to the track methods are tools adopted by some


countries such as Malaysia to set regulatory and policy mechanisms to achieve
administrative requirements. Hong Kongs social and economic objectives. Careful
smart regulator programme merged eight nurturing through policy action could catalyse
procedures involving six different agencies Indias affordable housing boom.
and two private utilities into a one stop
A QUESTION OF CREDENTIALS
centre.
While the Bharatiya Janata Party
Granting infrastructure status to real
government has, on the one hand, been
estate, especially to affordable housing, will
striving to pursue a growth- and
open up additional financing avenues
development-oriented agenda with a firm
insurance firms, tax-free infrastructure bonds
emphasis on the economic and foreign policy
or up to 50 per cent funding through external
fronts, on the other hand the question has
commercial borrowing. A public-private
come up too often whether it is meanwhile
partnership mode with government backing,
systematically seeking to use the Ministries
as Rajasthan has done, will also secure
related to culture, information, education and
institutional lending at lower costs. Out of the
human resources to push itself away from
Rs.22,407 crore budgeted for the housing
values promoting excellence and expertise
sector, a separate allocation is required for
when it comes to certain key appointments.
affordable housing. Rationalisation of tax,
This is the only possible explanation for the
constituting 30-37 per cent of deal value, will
choice of those with uncertain credentials for
incentivise housing development. This can be
some important institutional appointments.
ushered in by reviewing its various
In the latest instance, the choice of Gajendra
constituents including stamp duty, service tax,
Chauhan for the post of chairman of the
value added tax, land conversion charges and
governing council of the Film and Television
external development charges. Unification of
Institute of India, and other members of the
stamp duty and other charges across all States
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh to be members
along with exemption on excise duty for pre-
of the FTII Society, has raised the hackles of
fabricated housing components is a medium-
students of the institute and members of the
term measure. Introducing the Benami
larger cinema fraternity. Mr. Chauhan is
Transactions (Prohibition) Bill, 2015 and the
better known for his portrayal of the character
Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets
of Yudhisthira in the popular television serial
(Imposition of Tax) Bill, 2015 (popularly
Mahabharata in the 1980s. His filmography
known as the black money bill) will curb the
includes a string of films of a certain kind, and
f low of black money into real estate,
there is little in his repertoire that qualifies
improving the overall affordability of the
him to chair a premier institution imparting
sector. Indias real estate sector needs large
quality cinematic training. It is clear that the
funding, transformative infrastructure
choice made by the Ministry of Information
development, along with supportive
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and Broadcasting is based on his leanings. He lead has accumulated in significant quantities
is a BJP member, and wears his affiliation on in human bodies and the environment. But
his sleeve. the major culprit in the spread of lead is the
Of course, the BJP is not alone when it anti-knock additive to the automobile fuel,
comes to injecting political bias into the tetraethyl lead (TEL). The history of how TEL
process of selecting persons for such posts, was unnecessarily thrust on humanity and the
but the present government seems rather biosphere makes a riveting story. TEL was
brazen compared to its predecessors in first synthesised in Germany in the mid-19th
ignoring qualifications or merit in making century, but never put to use, being highly
appointments. The Ministr y recently toxic. It was resurrected by the American
appointed a number of Sangh Parivar and BJP automobile, oil and chemical industry as an
affiliates to the Central Board of Film anti-knock agent in the early 1920s. By 1920,
Certification panel, seemingly with hardly a a U.S. Naval Committee had concluded that
thought for credentials, eminence or alcohol-gasoline blends withstand high
qualifications. The new chairperson of the compression without producing knock. But
CBFC, for example, is someone who had alcohol cannot be patented and cannot bring
directed run-of-the-mill films in the past. The large profits to companies. So, all discussion
Human Resource Development Ministry of its potential was deliberately suppressed,
recently appointed a historian with barely any and TEL pushed with vigour.
peer-reviewed work in the field, to the post of
This push met with much opposition
chairperson of the Indian Council of
because there were many deaths and serious
Historical Research, Y. Sudershan Rao. To
injuries in plants manufacturing TEL. As a
boot, he holds controversial views that
result, several U.S. states banned its use.
conflate mythological elements with history.
Many distinguished medical scientists
The BJPs victory in 2014 was predicated on
opposed it. In response, the U.S. Surgeon-
its promise of overhauling governance to
General convened a meeting in 1925 that, in
achieve economic growth and development. It
turn, appointed a committee. This committee
is impossible to imagine that the mandate was
reported that there was no existing evidence
for the fulfilment of any kind of self-serving
of the ill-effects of long-term exposure to lead
agenda or sharing of the spoils. The
in the atmosphere on human health, but also
government should not allow itself to veer
pointed out that this was because there had
away from the pursuit of excellence and put in
been no research on the topic, and such
peril the integrity of its institutions.
research needed to be initiated urgently.
OLD DEBATE ON LEAD REKINDLED Industry happily funded a pliant medical
The wordwide annual production of lead scientist, Robert Kehoe. For the next 40 years,
today amounts to 50 lakh tonnes; it is used in the Surgeon-General and Kehoe undertook
solder, paint and even food colouring. By now, forceful advocacy of TEL. Notably, toxic


effects of lead appear at just slightly higher research, community that had been mutely
blood levels of 0.5-0.8 ppm. Since Kehoe witnessing the unacknowledged ill-effects of
monopolised the research, it was impossible lead pollution was immediately convinced.
for the many doubters to produce counter- After sidelining his work and oil companies
evidence. cutting off his funding, the U.S. government
The logjam was broken in the 1960s was finally forced to ban TEL a full 20 years
when a brilliant young geochemist, Clair after the publication of his paper. But this
Patterson, entered the scene. Patterson was chemical, thrust upon the world only because
working on iron meteorites to determine the it is patentable, continues to bring in profits to
age of our earth, for which it was essential to its manufacturers from across the world,
determine the levels of lead in the meteorites including Indias neighbours, Afghanistan and
accurately. But this proved incredibly difficult, Myanmar, who still use it as an automobile
for Patterson discovered that the whole fuel additive. Indeed, as Larry Summers, then
environment was so polluted by lead that it a vice-president of the World Bank, and later
Secretary of Treasury under Bill Clinton, had
was well-nigh impossible to set up a lead-free
written in his notorious memo of 1991: The
laboratory. Patterson then systematically
measurements of the costs of health impairing
investigated levels of lead in rocks, rivers and
pollution depends on the foregone earnings
sea water, ocean sediments, the atmosphere
from increased morbidity and mortality. From
and the biosphere. He demonstrated that
this point of view, a given amount of health
over the last few centuries, the levels of lead
impairing pollution should be done in the
in the remains of marine organisms country with the lowest cost, which will be
incorporated in sediments had gone up a the country with the lowest wages. I think the
hundredfold. He took ice cores from the Arctic economic logic behind dumping a load of
and Antarctic and demonstrated a similar toxic waste in the lowest wage country is
increase. The obvious conclusion was that the impeccable and we should face up to that.
prevailing levels of lead in the human body Perhaps India, too, is acting today on this
were a result of pollution, and were not impeccable logic, to the evident detriment of
natural levels at all, as Kehoe had been its environment and the quality of life of its
claiming so far. Patterson provided clinching people.
evidence of this when human teeth and bones
GOING THE E-PAYMENT WAY
from ancient burials turned out to have just
one-thousandth the amount of lead as teeth The governments proposal
and bones of modern-day humans. to incentivise electronic transactions in
preference to cash dealings so as to curb black
Summarising his work, Patterson
money is one of the most complete attempts
published a ground-breaking paper in 1965
made till now to achieve that end although
that destroyed all of Kehoes unsustainable
it is not entirely a new idea. Earlier attempts,
claims. The scientific, especially the medical
such as the UPA governments Banking Cash transactions and the ease of audit they afford
Transaction Tax, sought to address the issue should make the governments job much
only at the bank level, ignoring the actual easier in terms of curbing illegal transactions.
users of cash the merchants and the public. India is a massively cash-dependent economy,
That tax, introduced in 2005 by then Finance with its cash-to-GDP ratio being around 13
Minister P. Chidambaram, stipulated a charge per cent as compared to a global average of
of 0.1 per cent on cash withdrawals above Rs. 2.5 to 8 per cent. Little wonder, then, that
10,000. However, it was messy: the somewhat some experts estimate the size of Indias black
arbitrar y move that was also poorly economy to be at least half the size of the
implemented, was repealed in 2009. This white economy. Commendably, this
governments new proposal takes a more government seems to be taking a systematic
holistic approach to the cash economy, and as view in working towards minimising cash-
such is more likely to work. In a draft proposal based transactions. At the heart of it, even the
now open for public comments, the Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana is aimed at
government suggests income tax benefits for providing direct, cashless subsidies to those
individuals who incur a certain proportion of who need them. There are still more steps that
their expenditure through electronic means, could be taken, such as encouraging major
while proposing a nominal handling charge on cash-users, traders with large public dealings
cash transactions above a specified level. The for example, to move on to electronic
removal of the additional charge often levied payment modes. But this proposal is
on electronic transactions should come with undoubtedly a good beginning.
this. As for merchants, the government THE TALIBAN CHALLENGE
proposes a tax rebate to those among them
who handle, say, 50 per cent of their Mondays attack on the Afghan
transactions electronically, and a small Parliament building demonstrated the
reduction in value added tax on the items Talibans unshaken capability to strike at even
involved. At the moment the system the most fortified of complexes in Kabul. This
discriminates against electronic transactions. fits into its strategy of staging high-profile
Banks and ser vice providers levy extra assaults aimed at gaining asymmetric
charges on them, while cash transactions are superiority in the Afghan war. In the past they
implicitly subsidised by banks, which do not had attacked the Presidential Palace, the U.S.
factor in the cost of teller services. Paper and Indian embassies and the Intercontinental
money comes with hidden overheads: the cost Hotel in Kabul. The Parliament attack
of printing and providing additional security coincided with a vote in the House to endorse
features, and the price of counterfeit money. a new Defence Minister. The Taliban have
Cash transactions and black money are been on the offensive since most of the
directly linked, since a cash trail is nearly foreign troops, some 14,000 of them from 40
impossible to track. As such, electronic countries at the peak of war, withdrew late


last year. The Talibans actions have often been on taking the social ground away from the
exposing the vulnerabilities of Afghanistans Taliban, at the same time bolstering its own
fledgling army. If the Taliban are allowed to security resources. The international
return to power, it would be catastrophic for community has an obligation to help this
the Afghan people, particularly for millions of strategy, both economically and
its women who were deprived of even basic diplomatically. It is worth noting that after the
human rights under its erstwhile regime. Soviets retreated from Afghanistan in 1989, it
Given the tribal politics and lawlessness in took just three years for the Mohammad
Afghanistans rural areas, and the Talibans Najibullah regime to fall, plunging the country
geopolitical relevance in the extremely into a deadly civil war from which the Taliban
complex South and Central Asian theatre, it rose to power. It is the responsibility of both
will prove difficult for any anti-Taliban Kabul and its backers abroad to make sure
strategy to gain immediate traction. If the history doesnt repeat here.
past 14 years of war in Afghanistan offers any LOOKING TO THE SUPREME COURT
definite lessons to the actors involved, it is The Special Leave Petition filed by the
that insurgency cannot be defeated only by Karnataka government in the Supreme Court
military means. One of the grave mistakes the against the acquittal of Tamil Nadu Chief
American-led troops committed was their Minister Jayalalithaa is not just the appeal of
excessive emphasis on a military solution, an aggrieved party on merits. It is also a
while reconstruction and creation of commentary on the quality of the High Court
infrastructure, and building of institutions, verdict in the disproportionate assets case.
were pushed to the back seat. Apart from the undoubted public interest in
President Ashraf Ghani, who took power the outcome of a case that will decide the
in September 2014, had promised to fix the fortunes of a prominent political leader, the
vital issues. But his performance has not been appeal has brought the focus on how exactly
impressive either. That Afghanistan, which courts deal with politically sensitive cases.
has been at war for years, does not have a The crux of the Karnataka governments
Defence Minister for the last nine months, contention is this: if the trial verdict of Special
itself speaks volumes about the state of its Judge John Michael DCunha was noted for its
political affairs. What Afghanistan needs is a elaborate evaluation of the evidence and the
multi-pronged strategy, supported by the reasoning behind his conclusions, the
international community, focussing on nation- appellate judge, Justice C.R. Kumaraswamys
building and security challenges as well as order overturning it is cryptic, lacking in
regional diplomacy. First, the government has reasoning and illogical. Especially requiring
to establish itself as a credible, service- a second look are the High Courts reliance on
delivering and security-providing institution the less-than-10-per-cent theory that allows
to gain the trust of its people. It should focus a public servant to hold unexplained assets up
to 10 per cent in excess of what she can this may have the effect of restoring Ms.
account for. The points of divergence between Jayalalithaas disqualification from being a
the trial court verdict and the High Courts legislator. The stage is set for the last round of
judgment are now well-known. The this 18-year-long legal battle. Ordinar y
divergence is of such magnitude that every citizens look to the Supreme Court for an
reasonable person would favour an authoritative pronouncement on this crucial
authoritative pronouncement from the matter of defining the dos and donts for
highest court on these aspects of the case. persons in high public office.
Karnataka has sought to focus on what many FOREIGN SERVICE
see as flaws in the High Court order, not least MUST REMAIN ELITIST
in importance being some glaring
Whether at the time of uncertainty over
mathematical errors.
foreign policy before the Lok Sabha elections,
It cannot be forgotten that when a public or after Prime Minister Narendra Modis
servant is charged with possessing assets reinvigoration of foreign policy, foreign
disproportionate to her known sources of service reforms have focussed on expansion,
income and which she is unable to explain lateral entry of officers and general dilution
satisfactorily, the court must strictly go by the of the services elitist character. But no
established quantum of wealth possessed, the attention is given to the fact that the Indian
expenditure incurred during a given period in Foreign Service (IFS) is already a shadow of its
office and the income known to have been former self, and does not appeal to civil
received in the same period. This basically service aspirants. Most of those who join the
requires flawless computation and, where IFS are those who did not qualify for the
precise figures are unavailable, an objective Indian Administrative Service (IAS). If IFS has
means to evaluate the value of the assets. Any to perform effectively, its elitism should be
failure in making a precise computation will preserved, its attractiveness enhanced, and it
naturally result in a miscarriage of justice. By should be brought to the centre of
using different means, the prosecution, the international relations as it was originally
defence and the two courts have so far arrived intended to be. Nobody disputes the academic
at different figures on income, expenditure Amitabh Mattoos argument that Indias
and the consequent quantum of foreign policy must be seen as a shared
disproportionate assets. This fact also partnership across departments within the
contributes to the need for a full re- government of India, and academia and think
examination. As for the political context, the tanks outside the traditional corridors of
appeal has been filed at a time when Ms. power
Jayalalithaa is contesting a by-election that
Foreign policy is framed by various
will send her back to the Legislative Assembly.
departments of the government, academia,
Karnataka has sought interim relief by way of
think tanks and the media. They should all
a stay of the High Court judgment; if granted,


have their own defined roles in drafting officers, who may have been recruited
foreign policy and must remain independent specifically for assignments abroad. They may
of each other. The MEA should not absorb not even have gained experience in the
them into a monolithic institution that has no concerned Ministries before being posted
diversity. Think tanks and the media should abroad. When there is such a practice, there
shape foreign policy from outside rather than should be no need to induct them into the
from within the government. Is the right foreign service itself. Moreover, Ministries
remedy to recruit media experts into the IFS such as Commerce, Finance, Industry,
in order to get their inputs on foreign policy? Environment, Science and Technology, Atomic
Would they fit into the bureaucratic milieu Energy, Space and the Cabinet Secretariat
with its hierarchical and political constraints? have officers who specialise in various
The usual lament is that the IFS is smaller international negotiations. The missions are
(900 officers) than Chinese (4,000) and merely asked to service these delegations;
American (20,000) diplomatic services. This even the heads of mission receive only a
number is insufficient to meet the courtesy call and a cursory report. These
requirements of our 120 missions and 49 officers function, in effect, as diplomats, and
consulates. It is a fact that India started off they should be added to the strength of the
with more missions than it could manage. It is IFS when functional requirements are taken
not easy or politically correct to close down into account. In other words, we have more
missions once they have begun; India, diplomats in action internationally than the
therefore, maintains them with a skeletal staff strength of the IFS indicates.
in marginal posts. Its larger missions are well- The MEA has already begun to recruit
endowed and it does not need to be envious of more officers every year, and that is the only
bigger missions maintained by the U.S. or way that such a specialised service should be
China. The right mix of need and affordability expanded. If necessary, there are retired
must determine the numbers. The officers with proven ability, to fill the gaps
information revolution should lead to a without claiming high positions and salaries.
reduction, rather than an increase, in the The suggestion here is not that reform of the
number of missions abroad. The size of the diplomatic service is unnecessary. First, it
service should not by itself detract from the should be made more attractive so that the
efficiency of diplomacy. best candidates are chosen. Like Jawaharlal
Those who argue for expansion and Nehru did, the aptitude and readiness of the
lateral entry seem unaware of the fact that in selected candidates should be ascertained
most of Indias important missions, the IFS is before they are chosen. It is patently wrong to
in a minority, as it is staffed by officers of take in officers who qualify without English
other Ministries. Many Ministries have proficiency. No amount of language training
preser ved positions in the name of after entry into the service would equip them
specialisation, but most of them are IAS for the rigours of the work abroad. The
recruitment of a large number of doctors and real talent cannot be attracted to the Videsh
engineers is by no means negative, Bhawan. Foreign services are elitist in most
particularly in the context of the growth of countries, and India should not fritter away its
technology. Some of Indias best diplomats strengths by diluting its specialised and
have come from the medical profession. professional character.
The present practice of posting on an ad A CARRIAGE OF INJUSTICE
hoc basis should cease. Officers should
The Justice J.S. Verma Committee
develop expertise in countries and regions.
report that came out in light of the Delhi rape
Multilateral postings should not be meant for
case in late 2012 took us a few steps ahead in
rotational blessings, but for those who have
the conversation on rape. It gave us the tools
the talent and experience. Instead of rotating
to locate the crime of rape in the context of
officers so that they retire comfortably, we
gender justice. However, the recent judgment
should give them other incentives to stay in
of the Madras High Court raises serious
tough assignments. Those in difficult places
concerns on how the crime of rape is
must be compensated financially. Postings, an
perceived by the judiciary. A single judge
art at present, should be made a science, with
Bench of the High Court has granted interim
a clear criteria. There should be no vagaries of
bail to a person convicted by the lower court
political influence or acceptability. The real
for rape of a minor, and has referred the case
shortage of officers is not in missions abroad,
to mediation. Mediation is a form of
but at the headquarters. Many heads of
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) where a
divisions cover whole continents with very
neutral mediator assists the parties concerned
little support. Temporar y deputation of
in arriving at a mutually agreeable settlement.
officers from various disciplines can
It is a mechanism that seeks to reduce the
strengthen the headquarters till we have a
burden on the courts. It also provides for an
sufficient number of IFS officers to return.
alternative where parties can have an active
The role and relevance of the policy planning
role in the final outcome as opposed to a
and historical divisions are often exaggerated.
decision handed down from the judiciary.
Policy planning cannot be done in a vacuum; it
Though mediation has been used with some
is the territorial divisions which can help
degree of success in civil and matrimonial
formulate policy.
disputes concerning adjudication between
Many youngsters who aspire to the IFS private parties, its applicability to criminal law
have begun to believe that it really does not is questionable.
call the shots in foreign policymaking, as
A civil dispute, or disputes with a
decision-making has passed on to the
predominantly civil flavour, are those cases
technical Ministries. They believe that the
where private rights of parties are in dispute.
MEA has been reduced to a post office. Unless
Contrary to civil disputes which affect
this impression is removed by concrete action,


individuals, criminal offences are looked at as adequate support for the victim during and
impacting society at large. Thus, a criminal after the prosecution so that she is able to
offence is considered to be not just against the overcome the trauma, than to urge her for a
rights of the victim, but also against society. settlement that is illegal and unethical.
This is because it is understood that the whole It is unlikely that the intention of the
of society has an interest in preventing crimes. court to refer the case for mediation was to
A direct result of this conception is that in a ensure that the survivor has a say in the
criminal case, the state, through appointed process. However, even if this were so,
public prosecutors, steps in to prosecute, sending the case for mediation is not the way
convict and punish the accused. The individual to go. Amendments to the Code of Criminal
victim does not have any major role in this Procedure and judgments of the higher
process. courts, including the judgment in Sathyavani
The single judge of the High Court Ponrani v Samuel Raj by the Madurai bench of
makes a passing reference to how women are the Madras High Court, have ensured that
soft targets of male lust. This statement survivors of rape have an opportunity to be
looks at rape as a crime driven primarily by heard, and have more participation in the
lust. Such an understanding obliterates the process, otherwise primarily between the
fact that rape is not merely a crime of passion state and the accused. Thus, judicial time and
but an expression of power and the same has energy should be concentrated in ensuring
been obser ved in the Justice Verma that there is active participation of the
Committee report. The offence of rape is survivor in dispensing criminal justice. This
committed to show power over someone, to can be done by ensuring that a special public
put them in their place and to ensure prosecutor is appointed if the case warrants
supremacy and control. Thus, it is clear that so; by allowing applications to assist the
there is a power imbalance between the prosecution; to ensure that the survivor is
accused and the victim. To ensure that represented through a counsel at all stages of
mediation happens on an equal footing in a the process and to ensure that there is witness
crime that is primarily to do with the protection. Instead of strengthening such
assertion of power is highly problematic. This measures, referring a case to mediation
leaves a lot of scope for implicit and explicit seems to be the wrong way out.
coercion towards the survivor. One of the NEEDED, A NEW URBAN VISION
implicit ways of coercion meted out in this Prime Minister Narendra Modi
case is that a big question mark looms large launched his flagship Smart Cities Mission
before the survivor and her childs future. proclaiming that governmental intervention
This implies that a survivor of rape has no in planning the cities would be minimal. He
future other than to settle the issue with the referred to a bottom-up approach, but did
convict. Efforts ought to be made to provide not emphasise who exactly would benefit
from the cities. The approach suggests that almost every Indian city faces sanitation issues
India is breaking away from its Anglo- due to the absence or inadequacy of drainage
European architectural tradition, promoted networks. The migration of people from rural
by Jawaharlal Nehru in the 1960s with the areas to the urban peripheries continues at a
projection of Chandigarh as a template for rapid pace, resulting in the mushrooming of
urban planners. Nehrus aim was to create slums and unauthorised colonies. According
mixed-income cities with easy access to to Census 2011, some 65 million people live
community infrastructure and to institutions in slums. The governments response to the
such as the judiciary, the legislature and the issue in terms of planning to build affordable
executive. But Mr. Modis urban-planning housing for them is short-sighted. Smart cities
approach contradicts that view and largely would simply institutionalise the disparity
resonates with American-style urbanism. The within the cities instead of filling the lacunae.
government is putting the spotlight on smart The last decade of urbanisation did change
cities and allowing the business community to the academic and policy consensus toward
lead the development. Let us take an example
urban centres, but ignored the fringes of these
in the U.S. to figure out who could benefit
centres where those from the poor and the
from the new urban plans in India. In New
lower-middle class who came in a large influx
York City, most of the commercial and
ended up. In Delhi, the government passed on
residential buildings from uptown to
powers to residents welfare associations,
downtown Manhattan are inhabited by the
which now decide on the choice of basic civic
rich who can afford the huge rents. They have
matters and they always give preference to
installed biometric security systems to keep
the unwanted people that is, the poor their own gated communities. Mr. Modi must
at bay. The city government has largely take a forward-looking stance when it comes
outsourced the public services to private to developing urban India. Otherwise, the
companies, which are replacing the labour glossy vision of building smart cities could end
force with mechanised technology. As a result, up triggering a process of social apartheid.
the job market has become saturated. The THE PROMISE OF FREIGHT CORRIDORS
unskilled workforce is caught up in a low-wage
The much-delayed project to build the
job cycle.
ambitious eastern and western dedicated
Before pushing India on to a similar freight corridors has received a boost with the
American path, Prime Minister Modi must Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs
step back and re-think whether his approving a revised cost estimate for it. At
government should invest in smart cities, or Rs.81,459 crore, the figure is more than
rather empower the existing urban centres by double the originally estimated Rs.28,181
means of policies that cater to poor and crore. The 1,839-km-long eastern corridor
middle class Indians. For instance, at present will connect Ludhiana in Punjab with Dankuni


in West Bengal. It will have two components, their own tale, and ref lect the massive
a double-track section and a single-track challenge facing policy-planners in pushing
segment, both electrified. It will cut across six through a project of this size and magnitude
States. The eastern corridor will cater to that has inter-State implications. From a slow
traffic streams including coal, finished steel, decision-making process to roadblocks to land
cement and fertilizer. The western corridor acquisition, there are problems aplenty in the
will cover nearly 1,500 km, connecting the way ahead for the project. No doubt, land
Jawaharlal Nehru Port near Mumbai with acquisition is turning out to be a touchy
Dadri, and passing through States such as political issue. Prevarication on the decision-
Haryana, R ajasthan, Gujarat and making front will hurt the viability of even
Maharashtra. A substantial portion of the soundly conceived projects. The Narendra
revised cost will be met by way of debt from Modi-led government would do well to
multilateral institutions such as the Japan ensure that the twin-corridor project goes
International Cooperation Agency and the through without any further delay. The key to
doing so will lie also in taking along the States
World Bank. The equity requirement of the
concerned.
Railways will be around Rs.23,796 crore.
Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of NO REASON FOR IIMS TO BE ALARMED
India Ltd., the special purpose vehicle set up The Indian Institutes of Management
by the Railways to implement the project, is Bill, placed for comments in the public
keen to complete it by 2017-18. Once the domain until recently, intends to bring the
twin-corridor system is in place, it will IIMs under an Act of Parliament. An IIM Act
transform the very profile of the Railways. A would enable the IIMs to confer degrees,
host of positive outcomes, such as reduction instead of diplomas and fellowships. The
in transportation costs and stepped-up leading IIMs are up in arms against the Bill.
commercial activity, benefiting a range of core One wonders what the fuss is all about. The
industries, could flow from it. This could in framework that the Bill intends for the IIMs is
turn have a multiplier effect on the economy. more liberal than the IITs Act. For instance,
Poor infrastructure has been a principal the Bill intends only a Coordination Forum
worry for Indian industry. More often than for the IIMs, unlike the IIT Council which has
not, this has affected its ability to be efficient powers of policy-making and oversight. The
providers of goods and services. End- IITs have a higher standing globally than the
consumers have been forced to pay for the IIMs. Admissions, curricula and faculty
collective inefficiency. The twin-corridor recruitment at the IITs have all remained free
project was conceived in 2005 and was from government interference. If the IIT Act
approved by the Congress-led United has not cramped the IITs, why should we
Progressive Alliance government in 2008. The believe that the proposed IIM Act would
huge cost overruns owing to the time lapse tell erode the autonomy of IIMs?
The expression operational autonomy, governed? What has been the track record of
as used by the IIMs, is rather misleading. Its the leading IIMs on matters of governance?
not just the freedom to implement policies, as Boards do not become effective because
the expression would seem to connote. It they are composed of wise men and women
includes the framing of policies, including who will offer sage counsel. They are effective
those related to matters of governance. The when they are held to account. In the
leading IIMs have long contended that all corporate world, three conditions must be
appointments and decisions related to the met for boards to be effective. There must be
institutes should be left to their boards of competition in the market, and large or
governors. They would like the chairperson, dominant investors who monitor
board members (other than the government
performance closely. The financial markets
nominees) and the director to be all selected
must be efficient. Even where these
by the board. Faculty compensation too
conditions are met in large measure, boards
should be set by the board. The government
are seen to be not effective enough.
should have no say on the fee structure.
Universities in the U.S. may not be subject to
Defining the powers and responsibilities of
the discipline of financial markets but they
the director should be left to the board. And
certainly face fierce competition. Theres very
so on. The governments role, these IIMs
believe, should be confined to setting broad little difference amongst the top 20
objectives and ensuring that these objectives universities or, for that matter, amongst the
are met. top B-schools. Rankings and research output
are closely monitored by the various
The IITs do not have these privileges.
stakeholders. Alumni are big donors and often
Nor were these privileges intended for the
sit on the boards of universities. As a result,
IIMs in the memorandum of association under
which they are governed. In 2004, V.K. boards are under pressure to deliver. Non-
Shunglu, a former Comptroller and Auditor performing presidents and deans are shown
General, submitted a report on the finances of the door. The IIMs lack serious competition.
the IIMs. In his report, he remarks caustically, The pecking order amongst the IIMs
IIM (Ahmedabad) continues to implicitly themselves has hardly changed over a very
assume authority it arguably does not possess long period.
and explicitly seeks autonomy and ownership The government has had to step in to fix
which does not emerge from the Articles of serious shortcomings in governance in the IIM
Association. Leaving aside the legal position, system. For decades, some of the IIMs had
how appropriate are the IIMs demands? The outsized boards with some 25 members. The
question is best answered by addressing three government had to persuade the IIMs to prune
issues. What are the conditions, in general, for their boards to a more compact number of
boards to be effective? How are public around 15 (and even this was construed as a
universities in the U.S. and elsewhere threat to autonomy!). IIMA has not thought it

http://iasexamportal.com/civilservices/test-series/online-ias-pre

necessary to change its statutory auditors for 7.3 magnitude on May 12, with its epicentre
50 years; the IIM Bill now has a sensible near Mt. Everest 3,000 landslides were also
provision for rotating the statutory auditor reported. The tragedy has claimed 9,000 lives
every four years. The IIMs have not had fixed with hundreds still missing, making it difficult
tenures for board members, something that to gauge the extent of damage in some of the
one would regard as a basic axiom of good remote areas. Yet, the Nepal Planning
governance; the IIM Bill limits the terms of Commission was able to present a credible
board members to a maximum of six years. In Post Disaster Needs Assessment document in
2012, the five-person committee constituted the run-up to the June 25 conference, by
by the IIMA board to select a director did not analysing the damage and estimating the
have a single academic on it; it was composed resources needed to get the economy back on
entirely of people from the corporate world. track.
The IIM Bill wisely mandates a desirable Fourteen out of Nepals 75 districts have
composition of the selection committee. been declared crisis hit with another
There has never been any threat to the neighbouring 17 categorised as partially
autonomy of the IIMs. Its the attempts of affected. The widespread destruction covers
successive governments to inject a modicum private and public buildings (nearly 5,00,000
of accountability that have been construed as buildings destroyed and 3,00,000 damaged),
threats to autonomy. There are provisions in heritage sites (Kathmandu valley has seven
the IIM Bill that, perhaps, require discussion UNESCO World Heritage sites), rural roads
for instance, the provision that states that and bridges, trekking routes which form the
all regulations made by the IIM boards backbone of the tourist industry, hydel plants
require the prior approval of the government. and agricultural land. The total damage is
However, the IIMs can hardly contest the estimated at $7 billion with nearly $5.4 billion
basic thrust of the Bill, namely, to put in place as the losses of the private sector and
transparent processes and clear norms for households; the balance $1.6 billion is public
accountability in the system. buildings and infrastructure. GDP growth
PICKING UP THE PIECES IN NEPAL estimate has been curtailed from 4.6 per cent
to 3 per cent for the current financial year.
On April 25, a devastating earthquake
While the loss to physical assets is estimated
measuring 7.8 (on the moment magnitude)
at $5 billion, the income loss is $2 billion,
struck Nepal. Its epicentre was Barpak, in the
accounting for a third of the annual GDP.
historic Gorkha district, about 76 kilometres
Rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts are
northwest of Kathmandu. Though an
further complicated by the fact that the worst
earthquake prone country, Nepal had not
affected 14 districts are also among the
suffered an earthquake of similar magnitude
relatively poorer districts where a large part of
for 80 years. Since then, there have been
the male population traditionally migrates for
more than 300 aftershocks including one of
employment.
The document pegs the total financial Nepal Reconstruction Authority.
needs at $6.7 billion, made up of the social Traditionally, the problem with a number of
sector ($4 billion), the productive sector ($1.1 Indian funded projects has been significant
billion), infrastructure ($750 million), with time delays and consequently, budget
governance, environment, gender and social overruns. The integrated check posts, terai
protection needs making up the balance. The roads, railway linkages and the Raxaul-
conference has been deemed a success with Amlekhgunj oil pipeline are prime examples
pledges of $4.4 billion made by the countries of such projects. While the Indian Embassy
and multilateral agencies represented in can ensure local follow up, what is needed is
Kathmandu. India took the lead with a pledge effective coordination at the Delhi end.
of $1 billion followed by China announcing There has been one positive
$483 million. The World Bank has indicated development in Nepali politics though in the
$200 million for housing reconstruction, $100 aftermath of the earthquake. The all round
million for budgetary support and another criticism of Nepals political leadership and its
$200 million to be redirected from other visible absence during the rescue and relief
projects. The Asian Development Bank has operations has forced at least the four major
committed $600 million, Japan $260 million, parties to reach an agreement on the vexed
the United States $130 million, the United issue of federalism which has held up
Kingdom $110 million, and the European progress on Constitution drafting for years.
Union $110 million. What is now needed is On June 8, the Nepali Congress, the
speedy planning and effective implementation Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist
on the ground. The Indian pledge is 40 per Leninist), Maoists and one Madhesi group led
cent grant and the balance in the form of soft by Bijay Gachchadar, together accounting for
loans. Further, it is in addition to the $1 well over two-thirds of the Constituent
billion assistance package announced last Assembly (CA) strength, announced a 16-
August during Prime Minister Narendra point agreement. The Maoists accepted a
Modis maiden visit to Nepal, bringing Indias parliamentary system with a ceremonial
total commitment to $2 billion, over the next presidency and it was agreed to have a federal
five year period. The focus will be on housing Nepal with eight provinces. The boundary
reconstruction including public buildings, delineation has been left to an expert
heritage restoration given our shared religious committee though guidelines of identity
and cultural history, rebuilding infrastructure based on ethnicity, language, culture and
like roads, bridges and power transmission viability based on economics, natural
systems, agriculture, education and health, resources and infrastructure potential have
and structures for long-term disaster been provided. The names of the provinces, an
mitigation. It is an ambitious programme and emotive issue, will be determined by the
will need to be managed carefully with the provincial assemblies. A bicameral legislature
various Indian agencies and the newly set up will consist of a lower house of 275 members


of whom 165 will be directly elected and the who casually overturn convictions or reduce
balance through proportional representation; the prison terms of those found guilty of rape,
the upper house will have a strength of 45, often by citing claims that a compromise has
five members from each of the eight provinces been arrived at. With this ruling, the Supreme
and another five to be nominated. This would Court makes it amply clear that offers of
create a far more manageable number than marriage or forms of financial compromise
the current CA which numbers 601. cannot be applied in a rape case. It also denies
This understanding has faced opposition the parents of a minor girl the right to arrive
from a number of Madhesi parties as also at a compromise with the rapist. By reiterating
from the hard line Maoist faction. Legal sharply that any thought of mediation in a
challenges have also been posed that need to rape case is completely sans legal
be overcome. Some opponents of the federal permissibility, the court has gone a long way
system perceive an Indian hand in the legal towards ensuring that the lower ranks of the
challenge on the rationale that the present judiciary have absolutely no reason to take
regime in India would like to see a Hindu recourse to such a subterfuge. The Supreme
rashtra restored in Nepal and would also be Court ruling was made in an appeal where the
more assertive in supporting the Madhesis. Madhya Pradesh High Court had converted a
Notwithstanding such conspiracy theories, the case of attempted rape on a seven-year-old
four party agreement is a step forward in girl into one of attempt to outrage the
Nepals political transition. The CA elected in modesty of a woman, and had reduced the
2008 was to conclude the Constitution sentence from five years to the period spent
drafting exercise in two years but finally by the convict in prison. A recent judgment
lapsed in 2012 without completing the task. A from the Madras High Court that had allowed
new CA elected in 2013 has been struggling a convicted rapist to be freed on bail to work
with the same issues. Meanwhile, no towards a mediated solution with the
government has lasted more than two years survivor had shocked civil society and
and all kinds of coalitions have been tried. attracted severe criticism. The Supreme Court
CRIME AND COMPROMISE
judgment is, thus, timely and essential.
It is a matter of considerable satisfaction A matter of graver concern, however, is

the fact that the Supreme Court is so often
that within days of the Madras High Court
being required to restate the basic principles
passing an indefensible order asking the
of justice. It was only in 2013 that it
perpetrator and the victim in a rape case to
categorically ruled that there can be no
opt for mediation, the Supreme Court has
compromise in a rape case. In several cases in
restated strongly that rape is an offence that
the past, the apex court has deprecated the
does not brook any compromise. The latest
tendency of some judicial officers to take into
ruling is a rebuke to appellate court judges account purported compromises and award
lenient sentences on that basis. Also, when it Suisse report gives an unequivocal answer:
comes to sentencing policy, it should be No. Even nearly three decades after economic
remembered that as part of the amendments reforms and high growth, inequality continues
to criminal law made in 2013, a proviso in to rise and wealth has become even more
Section 376 of IPC (punishment for rape) that concentrated at the top. The share of Indias
allowed judges to award lesser prison terms richest 10 per cent families has grown from 66
than what are set down, on special grounds, per cent in the year 2000 to 74 per cent today.
has been omitted. Judges are not allowed to Indias super-rich (top 1 per cent) who owned
consider offers of marriage, the passage of 37 per cent of Indias personal wealth in 2000,
time, or the state of a woman being happily have even more rapidly increased their share
married as factors justifying a soft approach to 49 per cent. This kind of regressive change
towards perpetrators of rape. That despite surely has a link with the crony capitalism of
the Supreme Courts repeated directions not the last three decades.
all lower courts see the irreparable harm
done to rape survivors by subjecting them to Official data on all indicators of
mediated solutions is disquieting. It is also an development reveal that Indias tribal people
indication of how deeply patriarchy is are the worst off in terms of income, health,
embedded in our judicial system. education, nutrition, infrastructure and
governance. They have also been
TRIBAL ALIENATION unfortunately at the receiving end of the
IN AN UNEQUAL INDIA
injustices of the development process itself.
One view of Indias inequality is that this Around 40 per cent of the 60 million people
is nothing to be worried about. This is the displaced following development projects in
normal progression of economic India are tribals, which is not a surprise given
development. A set of expanding industries that 90 per cent of our coal and more than 50
located in an urban area induces further per cent of most minerals and dam sites are
development of economic activity throughout mainly in tribal regions. Indeed, contrary to
its zone of influence. For some years, this what economic theory teaches, we find that
generates increasingly large differentials in many developed districts paradoxically
income and development, but after reaching a include pockets of intense backwardness.
maximum level, inequality begins to decline, Bakshi et al show that many districts include
in the manner of an inverted U, what the most backward and most developed
economists call the Kuznets Curve. In U.S subdistricts of India; 92 districts have
President John F. Kennedys memorable subdistricts that figure in the list of both the
phrase, a rising tide lifts all boats. Now, there top 20 per cent and bottom 20 per cent of
is no doubt that poverty has declined Indias subdistricts. To give a few examples,
significantly in recent times in India. But can developed districts like Thane, Vadodara,
we say the same about inequality? The Credit Ranchi, Visakhapatnam and Raipur have some


of the most backward subdistricts. In Korba generation and biodiversity conservation
and Raigarh districts of Chhattisgarh, Valsad possibilities also exist if we can imaginatively
of Gujarat, Pashchimi Singhbhum and Purbi utilise the vast unutilised potential of the
Singhbhum of Jharkhand, Kendujhar, Non-Timber Forest Products market, which is
Koraput and Mayurbhanj of Odisha, the most estimated to run into several thousands of
industrialised subdistricts are flanked by the crores, of which only a minuscule fraction
most underdeveloped subdistricts. And accrues to the tribal communities. Of course,
invariably these backward subdistricts are this requires careful attention being paid to
overwhelmingly tribal. Clearly, the tribal the rights of the tribal people, as enshrined in
people have not been included in or given the the Forest Rights Act and a complete
opportunity to benefit from development. restructuring of their relationship with the
What then are the elements of a vision of Forest Department, historically seen by the
development much more inclusive and tribal communities as standing in an
empowering of those left out? First, the adversarial relationship with them.
overall direction of growth needs to change. Much better state capacities in regions of
We cannot continue with a pattern of jobless high poverty are also an urgent requirement.
growth. It is clear that some models of growth For these regions suffer not just from
are inherently more inclusive than others, rampant market failure but also widespread
which is why our focus should be not just on government failure. A crucial reason why the
GDP growth itself, but on achieving a growth poor are unable to take advantage of the
process that is as inclusive as possible. For possibilities opened up by growth even within
example, faster growth for the Micro, Small their districts is the absence of requisite
and Medium Enterprises segment will health and education facilities. Globally, India
generate a much broader spread of spends among the lowest share of its national
employment and income earning income on public provision of health and
opportunities and is, therefore, more inclusive education. These are the sectors in most
than growth largely driven by extractive urgent need of government reform. We need
industries or the service sector. It is also clear to equip our most disadvantaged people with
that sustainability has to be at the core of our the skills demanded by a rapidly changing
development strategy. This is because the economy. Programmes meant for poverty
poorest regions of India are also the most eco- elimination such as the Mahatma Gandhi
fragile. If we truly want to build tribal National Rural Employment Guarantee Act do
incomes, we need to offer them a range of not work as they are meant to because the
sustainable livelihoods, including non- requisite human resources do not exist
pesticide managed agriculture, an imperative precisely where these programmes are most
also for the health of Indian consumers, as desperately required. There is nothing
well as for reducing the escalating financial automatic about a decline in inequality under
and ecological costs of farming. Huge income- capitalism. The Kuznets Curve remains a
mere fantasy if the right programmes and on, only 5,474 deaths were acknowledged,
policies are not in place. Inequality did decline while 6,809 claims were rejected and the rest
when the appropriate policy framework was were treated as cases of disability or injury.
adopted in Europe and America during the so- Independent accounts, however, have
called golden age of capitalism in the mid-20th maintained that there are medical
century. These were the decades that saw the professionals on record who certified 10,000
emergence of what economist, public official deaths soon after the gas leak. What contrasts
and diplomat John Kenneth Galbraith termed the BP settlement with the Bhopal case is the
counter vailing power . And it is the role of the state and its readiness to pursue
unravelling of this balancing power and a shift justice for citizens and remediation for the
towards free-market fundamentalism that led environment, with demonstrably errant
to the rise in inequality after 1980. commercial entities.
A QUESTION OF JUSTICE The egregious neglect in securing
compensation for the victims of Bhopal, who
The record settlement of $18.7 billion
continue to suffer, is evident from the fact that
that the oil company BP has arrived at in the
the original settlement of $470 million for
Deepwater Horizon environmental disaster
tens of thousands of people absolved the
case in the United States has naturally revived
Union Carbide Corporation of all future
the debate on the denial of justice to the
liabilities. The Centre, which adopted a
victims of a far bigger catastrophe the
paternalistic position on the issue and
Bhopal gas leak. As industrial accidents go, the
assumed responsibility for all victims, now
blowout in BPs well in the Gulf of Mexico in
says Rs.1,548 crore (about $258 million) has
2010 was staggering, killing 11 people and
been awarded as original compensation in
spectacularly devastating an already stressed
about half a million cases, a similar sum as pro
marine ecosystem with millions of barrels of
rata compensation, and ex-gratia payments of
oil. Five State governments and the federal
about $100 million for medical treatment. On
government of the U.S. have been vigorously
the ground, some victims say they have
pursuing penalties and compensation claims
received as little as Rs.35,000. Medical
with the company, resulting in the settlement.
facilities are grossly inadequate, and the
Yet, the impact of the oil spill pales in
Centre has brazenly neglected a festering
comparison with the magnitude of what
problem: the site of the leak with some 350
happened at the Union Carbide plant in
tonnes of chemical around has not been
Bhopal in 1984. The Narendra Modi
cleaned up. Under the U.S. settlement,
government blandly told Parliament recently
individual claims can still be pursued.
that the Office of the Welfare Commissioner
Regardless of whether it represents the best
had recorded 22,151 casualties in the gas leak
model to address industrial accidents often
under the death category, but after scrutiny of
caused by short-sighted cost-cutting steps to
documents, medical records, affidavits and so
boost profits the Deepwater Horizon


outcome has some pointers to advance the Moscow has grown following Western
cause of Bhopals long-suffering victims. Dow sanctions after the Ukraine affair.
Chemical, which assumed Union Carbide The NDB has an authorised opening
Corporation assets, reported rising earnings capital of U.S.$100 billion, with the founding
last year and cannot evade its liabilities. The members sharing the subscribed opening
Centre and the Supreme Court should ensure capital of $50 billion equally. The proposed
that justice is done for the hapless families of CRA has an opening capacity of $100 billion,
Bhopal. which will be based on currency swap among
UFA COULD BE THE YUAN MOMENT member countries. The CRA is primarily
intended as a buffer to overcome short-term
The idea of establishing a multi-currency
liquidity pressure and meet unexpected risks
financial order, which reduces the authority of
or balance of payment burdens. With the NDB
the U.S. dollar and euro in global transactions,
headquartered in Shanghai, the yuan will have
has been unfolding within BRICS for some
considerable influence on the banks daily
time. Taking this idea forward, the Ufa summit
transactions. Since the yuan is not a
in Russia, on 8 and 9 July, 2015, will create a
convertible currency, it is not in the IMFs
currency pool under the Contingent Reserve
special drawing rights or SDR basket, as are
Arrangement (CRA) and officially launch
the dollar, euro, yen and pound. To accelerate
BRICSs New Development Bank (NDB). The
the process of convertibility, China has
critical idea behind the NDB and CRA is to
become flexible in its domestic approach and
emerge from the shadow of Western financial
is giving emphasis to cross-border capital and
clout and have direct transactions in local
orderly financial dealings. The yuan has
currencies. This also allows emerging
considerably improved its standing as an
economies to search for other avenues for
international trading currency, reducing the
financial loans and aids beyond the old troika
influence of the U.S. dollar significantly in the
of International Monetar y Fund, Asian
last few years. Internationalising the yuan is
Development Bank, and the World Bank;
part of the foreign policy priorities under
besides generating a currency order that will
President Xi Jinpings leadership. Chinas
be friendly to the developing world. A
currency swap agreement with about 21
broader balance of power will hopefully
countries helps it push the yuans image
emerge amongst China, Russia and the U.S.
globally.
Although the new order will originate in
BRICS, the main gainer will be China, which BRICS can help the yuan emerge as this
will be the central driver and may finally see alternative in a few different ways. First,
the yuan (basic unit of the Renminbi/RMB) promoting the yuan for direct conversion
emerge stronger. This is because Beijing is the among emerging markets weakens the
biggest economy in the BRICS forum, and supremacy of the U.S. dollar. Second, BRICS
second, Chinas bilateral understanding with geographical spread can facilitate the
promotion of the yuan as an inter-continental China-Russian border areas. As Western
currency. Third, if China brings other BRICS sanctions have made it difficult for Russian
members on board, it can counter Western banks to operate with the U.S. dollar, and as
dominance of the IMF and other financial the yuan-ruble trade platform has
bodies. And finally, BRICS helps China in simultaneously become more stable and
countering Western allegations that the yuan established, it has paved the way for the yuan
is undervalued. In this context, the Ufa to gain a foothold as an alternative currency
summit assumes special significance. It comes for Russia. Beijing has permitted Russian
two months after President Xis visit to Russia commercial lenders and companies to invest
in May, where the two countries signed 32 in Chinese financial boards and organisations
bilateral agreements. Russia is hosting the with the first line of credit in yuan. Sberbank,
BRICS leadership summit for a second time. Russias biggest commercial lender, has
But, markedly, Moscow is simultaneously teamed up with Export Import Bank of China
hosting a BRICS/ Shanghai Cooperation with the first such credit product. The new
currency order that is likely to be born in Ufa,
Organisation (SCO) summit along with a
emerging from the China-Russia-U.S.
coordinated meeting of leaders with the
triangular complexity, is certain to be averse
Russian-backed Eurasian Economic Union
to American interests. Given, however, the
(EEU). Xi Jinpings visit had already focussed
existing supremacy of the U.S. dollar, any new
on greater economic cooperation between
order may not necessarily be a full alternative
Chinas Silk Road Economic Belt and EEU.
but just a beginning in that direction.
Meanwhile, talks of an SCO Development
Bank are reviving between China and Russia, RURAL REALITIES
and there may be an announcement New data for rural households revealed
regarding this as well in Ufa. As with the NDB, by the Socio Economic and Caste Census
direct conversion in local currencies could be (SECC) represent a grim reminder of the state
the medium here too, further strengthening of rural India. In over 90 per cent of
the yuan. households, the main earning member makes
Finally, there is the Asian Infrastructure less than Rs. 10,000 a month. Over half the
Investment Bank (AIIB) where China is the households are landless and a similar share of
largest shareholder with a 30.34 per cent them rely on casual manual labour for the
stake. India has 8.45 per cent and Russia 6.5 larger part of their income. Just 20 per cent of
per cent. To reduce transactions in the U.S. households own any kind of a motor vehicle.
dollar, China and Russia have been managing These numbers should come as a reality check
local currency transactions since 2000. for those who talk of Indias unbridled
Bilaterally, the two countries began avoiding growth, and arrival on the global stage as a
conversion of mutual payments into dollars superpower. The countryside remains unable
and euro, testing the initiative first in the to find jobs that can pull families out of


poverty. Agriculture remains at subsistence for the first time since 1931, for the relative
levels, with low mechanisation, limited socio-economic status of various caste groups
irrigation facilities and little access to credit. to be compared while framing policies of
Just over 3 per cent of rural households have affirmative action. This government stands
a family member who is a graduate, so skilled accused of suppressing vital new information
jobs are going to be hard to get. Female- on the status of malnutrition among children,
headed households, and Scheduled Caste and contained in a survey commissioned by the
Scheduled Tribe households are the worst off. previous government through UNICEF. It
The eastern and central States of should not make a habit of suppressing
Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha inconvenient data. The Indian public might
have the poorest indicators. Even in the hotly contest some of these numbers,
developed southern States of Kerala and particularly those relating to caste, but even
Tamil Nadu, family incomes are low and angry debates represent a democratic right
dependence on casual manual labour is high. that must not be curtailed.
Meanwhile, early results from the urban SECC PUTTING OUT THE WEST ASIAN FIRE
suggest that levels of deprivation, while lower Prime Minister Narendra Modis eight-
in cities, are still shockingly high. day visit to the five Central Asian States
What the government chooses to do with Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,
the data is as yet unclear. While Tajikistan and Turkmenistan is taking place
commissioning the SECC, the UPA at the most opportune juncture, for Mr. Modi
government had spoken of creating flexibility has indicated that he proposes to focus on the
to enable States to draw up their own radical Islamist threat to the region. Given the
combinations of indicators to create tailor- kind of extremist winds sweeping across the
made definitions of poverty. The Narendra region, the Muslim populations of these states
Modi government is yet to make its intentions face uncertain times. States such as Tajikistan
clear on the SECC, especially with regard to are especially vulnerable, as many from the
the thorny issue of where to draw the line. ranks of their security agencies are beginning
Instead of a fresh round of unseemly to join the Islamic State (IS). The threats that
wrangling over precisely where to set Indias these states face from radical Islamist
poverty line, the government would be well- elements are, indeed, real. At the same time,
advised to expand and universalise its social it is also significant that the leadership of
protection schemes, and leave some space for these Central Asian States should look to India
States to innovate. It would also be wise for to provide them with answers on how to
the government to release caste-wise insulate their Muslim populations from these
information on socio-economic indicators kinds of threats. Indias success, to date, in
collected by the SECC but not yet put in the insulating its own Muslim population from
public domain. Those numbers would allow, such radicalism has gained wide acceptance,
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even as the so-called counter radicalisation political and geo-strategic implications.
programmes followed in the West are proving Second, India is marginalised from a region
to be a failure. Pakistan already poses many from which it obtains 70 per cent of its oil
problems for India. The latest danger, this has economic implications. Third, the
however, is that it demonstrates an intrinsic region is home to around 7 million Indians,
inability to withstand the forces of radical and the regions Foreign Exchange
Islam. Coming on top of a pronounced state remittances add substantially to Indias
weakness to take appropriate decisions even Foreign Exchange Reserves. Also, less
where it confronts problems of a grave apparent, but possibly more critical, is that as
magnitude, Pakistan cannot be expected to act a country with one of the largest Muslim
as a buffer when it comes to checking an population in the world, India cannot be
irredentist challenge from West Asia. oblivious to the fact that it could be infected
Meanwhile, Pakistan continues to engage in by the same virus sweeping across West Asia,
perilous risk taking, and a Don Quixotic if radical extremist fires are not doused soon.
type tilt at imaginary windmills (India), As religious wars destroy Syria and Iraq,
instead of taking precautions not to be Libya gets increasingly drawn into the vortex
consumed by the ever-widening sectarian fire. of the IS, chaos takes place in Yemen, and epic
As Mr. Modi travels through Central struggles take place between Shiite Iran and
Asia, he also needs to think about what is Sunni Saudi Arabia, India must not remain on
taking place further to the West. West Asia is the sidelines, as it has been a factor in the
passing through one of the most turbulent politics and history of countries in West Asia
phases in its history, and it needs to figure far for a long time. With many states currently
more prominently in Indias foreign policy having to deal with a new uber-Wahhabi
priorities. Reflection would reveal that there model of Islam, and with the IS and the latest
is a grave challenge to India of a new and al-Qaeda offshoots seeking to redraw the
specific kind from this region. India is, contours of West Asia by replacing history
however, clearly out of the loop as far as with sectarian geography, India must act for
developments there are concerned. This is a its own security and stability. The
region with which India has always had the international community must conceive of
closest of relations. Today, however, India is new paradigms of thought and action, and
increasingly seen as a bystander, or worse, an India should play its appointed role in this
outsider. If Mr. Modi is serious in playing a endeavour. The persistent bombing by the
messianic role, then he should immediately U.S. and allied forces on IS hideouts has
take steps to try and resurrect our relations proved to be of little avail. The world may be
with West Asia. The current turmoil in West a better place with the killing of Al-Qaeda in
Asia impacts India in various ways. First, the the Arabian Peninsula leader Nasser-al-
post-Arab Spring fracturing of West Asian Wuhayshi, and militant Mokhtar Belmokhtar,
States into ethnic and sectarian fiefs has geo- but their replacements have already been


announced and the struggle goes on countries as well as elsewhere. Obviously, the
unchecked. The number of recruits to NDB should not become another World Bank
terrorist outfits has only increased. Not only which finances the same types of projects in
is the IS growing rapidly, but its success has the same countries, using the same tools and
also spawned many new al-Qaeda proxies who mindset. At the same time, its purpose should
flaunt different labels. Across West Asia, wars not simply be to symbolise emerging
are being fought not only between state countries desire to show off their financial
armies and non-state outfits like the IS, but and political power. The reason for its
increasingly between non-state militias, each creation must be very substantive. The NDB
backed by various countries such as Saudi should be based on entirely new objectives, to
Arabia, Turkey, and the Gulf states. Instability be carried out with new strategies. It would be
in West Asia adversely affects India. With the easy for the NDB to fall into the same track as
number of militant outfits growing rapidly the World Bank since it is in the same
and a steady increase in the number of business. But the NDB must resist this from
recruits to their ranks, all inspired by a belief
day one.
in reviving Islams pristine glory, India must
not live in the hope that Muslims in the I propose three core objectives for the
countr y will not fall a victim to such NDB which I feel are globally relevant. The
inducements. The West has failed to put out primary objectives of the NDB should be to
the religious fires burning in West Asia. India achieve three zeros by 2050: zero poverty,
previously had an image in West Asia, which zero unemployment, and zero net carbon
was unrivalled by any other power. An emissions. Every year the NDB could publish
attempt should be made to revive this spirit. a report on the BRICS progress against these
Mr. Modi must use all the levers available to objectives. The NDB could achieve these goals
nurture peace in West Asia using Indias using four basic strategies. The first strategy
moral strength, spiritual influence and its would be to unleash the creative power and
current position in the comity of world commitment of the new generation of youth.
nations. If the BRICS can mobilise the power of the
youth, it will become easier to achieve the
A NEW BANK FOR A NEW ERA goals. The second strategy would be to focus
At their annual summit in Russia this on technological innovations to solve human
week, BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, problems. Technology today is under the
South Africa) leaders will announce the command of money-makers and war-makers.
worlds newest multilateral development bank Socially committed drivers must take charge
the New Development Bank (NDB), which of technology. They are invisible today.
will have U.S.$100 billion as initial capital to Combining the power of the youth with that of
fund infrastructure and sustainable technology will create an unshakeable force.
development projects both in their own This brings us to the third strategy: building
social businesses to mobilise their creative promoting social businesses, it will attract the
power to solve long-standing and complex young, old, men, women, individuals and
social, economic, and environmental organisations, with social business ideas. It
problems. can encourage each conventional business to
Social business is a new variety of undertake social businesses alongside their
business which delinks itself from a profit main business activities The NDB could create
motive. This business is mission-driven, with country-level social business funds as joint
non-dividend companies being exclusively ventures with local partners. It could create
devoted to solving human problems. After the provincial-level social business funds in which
company makes profit, the investor recoups it holds a minor equity with majority equity
his or her investment money but does not coming from local investors. Ensuring
take any profit after that. Additional profits financial services and healthcare to the poor
made are ploughed back into the business to can be done through creating social
expand and improve it. Conventional businesses. While the NDB will undertake
businesses cannot solve social problems. many types of infrastructure projects, it
Other actors such as the state and private should give serious consideration to the
charities may be unsustainable and ownership and maintenance of the same. We
inefficient. Social businesses are sustainable, have now examples of major infrastructure
efficient, replicable, and transferable. This being owned by money-makers. In the old
type of business has been created and days, this was the exclusive preserve of
promoted around the world with great governments. Apart from government and
results. I believe that the social business commercial ownership, there is also
model should be the centrepiece of the NDBs ownership by social businesses. From the
institutional structure and policy package. It perspective of its users, ownership by social
is a model that can easily be replicated across businesses will be much more satisfying than
a number of contexts. other two alternatives.
Unemployment can be brought down to THE UFA TAKEAWAYS
zero through social business initiatives. AND REASON FOR HOPE
Unemployment is the product of a flawed and He meeting on Friday between Prime
theoretical interpretation of human beings. Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistan
Human beings are not job-seekers; they are counterpart Nawaz Sharif who met for
entrepreneurs by birth. Entrepreneurship is nearly an hour in Ufa in Russia on the
in the DNA of human beings. They are go- sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation
getters and problem solvers. Social businesses Organisation Summit to discuss an entire
can turn the unemployed into entrepreneurs. gamut of issues between the two countries
We are doing that in Bangladesh. NDB can has kicked off a new season of engagement
adopt this as its prime programme. Once the between India and Pakistan. There is now a
NDB creates a new window for financing and


clear road map of events in the next few 2004, he and Pakistan Prime Minister Mir
months to take the dialogue process forward. Zafarullah Khan Jamali were able to announce
Foreign Secretaries of India and Pakistan, S. a number of major agreements and the
Jaishankar and Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, held Islamabad declaration that restarted the
a joint press meet where they read out a joint composite bilateral dialogue. However,
statement on the outcome of the meeting and history has proven that it isnt delivering an
listed out five points. These are: a meeting in agreement or a declaration between the two
New Delhi between the two National Security countries that is the biggest challenge, but
Adviser (NSA) to discuss all issues linked to delivering on its promises after that, given that
terrorism; early meetings of the Directors the process can be firebombed by violence at
General of the Border Security Force and the the Line of Control (LoC), a terror attack , or
Pakistan Rangers followed by that of the even an outbreak of words. In that sense, it is
Directors General Militar y Operations important to look closer at each of the
(DGMO); the decision to release fishermen in promises made in the joint statement at Ufa
each others custody, along with their boats, to see how firmly they will hold in the face of
within a period of 15 days; a mechanism for those risks. To begin with, the NSAs meeting
facilitating religious tourism, and both sides to discuss all issues connected with
agreeing to discuss ways and means to terrorism is important, given that both Mr.
expedite the Mumbai case trial, including Ajit Doval of India and Mr. Sartaj Aziz have
additional information like providing voice the full confidence of their respective Prime
samples. The sixth point is that all actions Ministers, which is crucial to hammer out any
would lead up to Mr. Modis visit to Pakistan, peace deal, away from the limitations of
to attend the South Asian Association for bureaucracies, militaries and the constant
Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit in glare of the media. Second, even within their
Islamabad in 2016. As a result, the process establishments, both men are seen as hawks.
would most closely mirror Prime Minister Atal Therefore, if they do come to an agreement, it
Bihari Vajpayees reach-out to Pakistan on will take into account the most extreme views
April 18, 2003, when the National Democratic on either side.
Alliance government announced a hand of This is not the first time that such an
friendship to Pakistan after years of engagement has been proposed, however. In
bitterness over the Kargil war, the Parliament 2006, the Joint Terror Mechanism announced
attack and the Agra summit. The in Havana by Prime Minister Manmohan
announcement was followed by several Singh and Gen. Musharraf also envisaged a
rounds of official meetings, and then by the dialogue away from the Foreign Ministries
unilateral Ramzaan ceasefire announced by with NSAs and intelligence chiefs meetings.
Pakistan President Per vez Musharraf in But that came a cropper over inherent
November 2003, so that by the time Mr. distrust between both sides. Interestingly,
Vajpayee travelled to Pakistan in January part of the Havana declaration was Dr. Singhs
acceptance of an invitation to Pakistan, which Chidambaram travelled to Islamabad armed
never materialised. Mr. Doval is himself a with the Indian dossiers, Pakistan Interior
figure viewed with deep suspicion in Pakistan, Minister Rehman Mallik had declared that
not the least because of past statements he Pakistan would provide India all support in
has made on Balochistan and covert probing the 26/11 attacks. This was to include
operations, which are aired on Pakistani TV expediting the trial with day-to-day hearings
channels quite regularly. However, given his in a special court; giving India the voice-
years posted in Islamabad, and decades in the samples of terror element Zaki-ur-Rehman
intelligence bureau, he will bring in a unique Lakhvi, alleged to be the operational
perspective to the talks. mastermind in the 2008 Mumbai attacks, and
The meetings between militar y the other accused in Adiala jail, and of hunting
commanders at the LoC are already a part of down the masterminds of the attack
an ongoing process, and even before the including reinvestigating the case of Mumbai
Prime Ministers met in Ufa, one such meeting attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed. The promise
had been scheduled for September 2015 of voice samples was critical as they could be
between the DGs of the BSF and the Pakistani matched with telephone recordings that India
Rangers. There is an annual mechanism for already has produced, of Lashkar-e-Taiba
high-level talks between the Pakistani Rangers commanders in the so-called Karachi control
and BSF chiefs that last took place in March room coldbloodedly guiding gunman Ajmal
2015 at the Wagah-Attari border. DGMO Kasab and his colleagues to kill innocents at
(Army-to-Army) meetings have also taken the Taj hotel and Chabad House in Mumbai. If
place in the past, albeit more rarely as when any of those samples matched with the men
the DGMOs met in December 2013 as an accused, then that would clinch the 26/11
outcome of the Singh-Sharif meeting in New trial. However, in June 2011, Mr. Mallik
York it was after a period of 14 years. It announced that he couldnt hand over the
remains to be seen what structure the newly voice samples without the permission of the
announced DGMO talks will take. Finally, accused, who had appealed to the courts on
there is the very significant reference to the the issue. If I give the samples by any other
provision of voice samples and to expedite means by recording their voice and send it to
the Mumbai trial. Despite the Bharatiya India, that will be challenged in [a] Pakistani
Janata Partys claims that these have been court and there will be contempt of court on
given for the first time, both assurances the investigators and prosecutors, Mr. Mallik
were given by Pakistan in May 2010 after the had said in an interview at the time. Eventually
Thimphu SAARC summit meeting between the Ufa engagement proves the strength of
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Dr. the fundamentals of the India-Pakistan
Singh. A month later, when Home Minister P. relationship, that despite all that happens to
derail the relationship, the two have always


returned to the table, and that every Prime binding, even as it admitted it was unable to
Minister and President, across political act against the parties that had not replied to
parties in India and Pakistan, has tried to its notices and had ignored its order.
make a contribution to that process. Another Similarly, the Election Commission, which is a
fundamental, the need for one-upmanship, to party to the case before the Supreme Court,
decide who came away the victor from the has been unable to check financial
talks is always the cause for the unravelling of irregularities among political parties; it does
the process. In that respect it is a mistake for not have either the ability or the mandate to
some in the government to claim success at verify the claims of donations made to
the non-inclusion of a reference to Jammu political parties. Although parties have to
and Kashmir at Ufa; the 2009 Sharm el-Sheikh declare to the Election Commission all
document also made no reference to the donations in excess of Rs.20,000 they receive,
Kashmir dispute. they resort to under-reporting to evade this
clause. Most of the donations are shown as
MAKING PARTIES ACCOUNTABLE having come in smaller sums. Donations to
Political parties seek to represent the political parties are not always voluntary, and
people and to take decisions on their behalf. in any case the donors big businesses and
But in India they have so far resisted attempts corporate houses get favours in return
to be listed as public authorities under the when the parties they fund come to power.
Right to Information Act and thus be made Most of the donations are made illegally,
liable to publicly disclose financial assets. through off-the-books transactions, and the
With the Supreme Court now asking six parties repay their benefactors in terms of
national parties why they should not be policy concessions or amendments to rules.
brought under the RTI, India is a step closer to Business houses often strike deals with
making its political organisations accountable political parties, which result in acts of
in their financial transactions. In conducting corruption when they get into government.
their financial affairs in an opaque manner, Indeed, many business houses support more
some parties have been able to hide their than one party, extending donations both
sources of funding, and the extent of their legally and illegally as black money.
assets and financial holdings. When the Thus, requiring political parties to open
Central Information Commission tried to up their financial transactions, the donations
bring them under the ambit of the RTI, the they receive and the expenses they incur, to
previous United Progressive Alliance public scrutiny is imperative to bring down
government actually considered amending the levels of corruption and make them more
Act to nullify the order. Indeed, political accountable. What the CIC was unable to
parties have neither challenged the CICs achieve since the implementation of the RTI,
order nor complied with it. But in March this the Supreme Court should be able to do. As
year, the CIC reiterated its order as final and was argued in the petition before the court,
the right to information has been held to be a was why his administration should follow a
part of the freedom of speech and expression failed policy. Changes in the domestic
under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution. constituencies, such as the blunted opposition
That freedom cannot be undermined. of the Cuban American community towards
A WIN-WIN DEAL the two Castro brothers and the demand
from American capitalist sections, especially
The diplomatic breakthrough that has
big farming, for new markets, may also have
been made in U.S.-Cuba relations is a
prompted this change of course. The U.S.
vindication of President Barack Obamas
outreach comes at a crucial time for Cuba as
policy of engaging with nations with which
well. The Communist Party of Cuba knows the
Washington has hostile relations. It shows
country can no longer count on others for
that patience and creative diplomacy can work
economic support. The Soviet Union, its Cold
in solving even complex situations rooted
War-era benefactor, has become history.
deep in historical and ideological hostility. It
Hugo Chvez, the Venezuelan President who
took nearly two years of hidden negotiations,
started the sale of cheap oil to Cuba, is no
aided by the Vatican and Canada, before the
more, and the socialist regime in Caracas is
U.S. and Cuba formally announced their
battling its own challenges. To recover from
decision to restore diplomatic ties last
its economic troubles, Cuba has moved to
December. Now, President Barack Obama has
ease state controls over the economy and
formally revealed his administrations plan to
allow private capital greater play. Against this
open a U.S. embassy in Havana, nearly 54
backdrop, better cooperation with the U.S.
years after President Dwight Eisenhower
and the eventual removal of the blockade
broke off diplomatic relations. Successive U.S.
would prove boons for a changing Cuban
governments tried to overthrow and isolate
economy. However, the bigger question
the communist regime through various
relates to the impact of this rapprochement
means, such as a proxy war, attempts to
on Cubas domestic politics. While post-
assassinate leaders, and sanctions aimed at its
revolutionary Cuba has made tremendous
economy. But this approach failed miserably:
achievements in terms of ensuring the welfare
President Obama candidly admitted on
of its people, its record in respecting their
Wednesday the U.S. had been clinging to a
political freedom is relatively poor. The
policy that was not working. Since 1992, the
defenders of the regimes high-handedness
U.N. General Assembly has condemned the
have pointed to the military-political threats
U.S. embargo every year. In Latin America, it
from the U.S. as one of the primary reasons
is the U.S. that stands isolated, while the rise
for such policies. With the U.S. and Cuba
of new progressive forces to power has
deciding not to be imprisoned by their past, it
strengthened Cubas standing in the region. So
is also an opportunity to deepen democracy in
the question Mr. Obama faced vis--vis Cuba
the island-nation.

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Gist of
idols of mother Goddess are suggestive of
Tantra Yoga. Presence of yoga is available in
The Yojana folk traditions, Indus Saraswati valley
civilization, Vedic and Upanishadic heritage,
Buddhist and Jain traditions, Darsh anas,
epics of Mahabharat including Bhagavadgeeta
and Ramayana, theistic traditions of Shaivas,
Vaishnavas, and Tantric traditions. Though
YOGA: RIGHT PATH yoga was being practiced in the pre-Vedic
TO HEALTH AND WELLNES period, the great Sage Maharshi Patanjali
Yoga is a spiritual discipline based on an systematized and codified the then existing
extremely subtle science, which focuses on practices of Yoga, its meaning and its related
bringing harmony between mind and body. It knowledge through his Yoga Sutras. After
is an art and science of healthy living. The Patanjali, many Sages and Yoga Masters
holistic approach of Yoga is well established contributed greatly for the preservation and
and it brings harmony in all walks of life and development of the field through their well
thus, known for disease prevention, health documented practices and literature.
promotion and management of many lifestyle The widely practiced Yoga Sadhanas
-related disorders. The term Yoga is derived (Practices) are: Yama, Niyama, Asana,
from the Sanskrit root Yuj, meaning to join Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana
or to yoke or to unite. As per Yogic (Meditation), Samadhi /Samyama, Bandhas &
scriptures, the practice of Yoga leads to the Mudras, Shat-karmas, Yukta-ahara, Yukta
union of individual consciousness with that of karma, Mantra japa, etc.
the Universal Consciousness, indicating a Yamas are restraints and Niyamas are
perfect harmony between the mind and body, observances. These are considered to be pre-
man and nature. The aim of yoga is self- requisites for the Yoga Sadhanas (practices).
realization, to overcome all kinds of sufferings Asanas, capable of bringing about stability of
leading to the state of liberation (Moksha) or body and - mind , consists in adopting various
freedom(Kaivalya). Living with freedom in body (psycho-physical) patterns, giving ability
all walks oflife, health and harmony are the to maintain a body position (a stable
main objectives of yoga practice. awareness of ones structural existence) for a
The number of seals and fossil remains considerable length and period of time as
of Indus Saraswati Valley civilization with well. Asanas are widely practiced Yogic
yogic motives and figures performing Yoga practices for healthy living.
Sadhana suggest the presence of yoga in Pranayama consists of developing
ancient India. The phallic symbols, seals of awareness of ones breathing followed by
willful regulation of respiration as the Yuktahara (Right Food and other inputs)
functional or vital basis of ones existence. It advocates appropriate food and food habits
helps in developing awareness of ones mind for healthy living. However, practice of
and helps . to establish control over the mind. Dhyana (Meditation) helping in self-
In the initial stages, this is done by developing realization leading to transcendence is
awareness of the flow of in-breath and out- considered as the esssence of Yoga Sadhana.
breath (svasa-prasvasa) through nostrils, However, a judicious combination of practice
mouth and other body openings, its internal of asana, pranayama and dhyana daily, keep
and external pathways and destinations. individuals healthy and disease free.
Later, this phenomenan is modified, through Using Yogic principles and practices for
regulated, controlled and monitored healing is called Yoga Therapy. Use of Yoga
inhalation (svasa) leading to the awareness of practices for therapeutic purposes is a by-
the body space/s getting filled (puraka), the product of Yoga. Yogic Practices are mind
space/s remaning in a filled state (kumbhaka) centric and if we examine different references
and its getting emptied (rechaka) during of Yoga, e.g. Upanishads, Gita, Yoga Sutra,
regulated, controlled and monitored classical Hatha Yoga texts or any other yogic
exhalation (prasvasa). Pratyhara indicates texts, it is clear that Yoga is a discipline aimed
dissociation of ones consciousness for freedom of mind and its different
(withdrawal) from the sense organs which faculties. The Mind, which is an instrument of
help one .to remain connected with the perception, is used to transcend itself to give
external objects. Dharana indicates broad the perceiver clarity about its position.
based field of attetion (inside the body and Though, there is no reference of yogic tools
mind) which is usually understood as available directly dealing with illness in the
concentration. Dhyana (Meditation) is Yoga Sutra of Patanjali, the word Vyadhi
contemplation (focussed attention inside the which means illness is given as one of the
body and mind) and Samadhi - integration. antardya-s (obstacles) (Chapter 1 Sutra 30).
Bandhas and Mudras are practices There are of course, direct references
associated with pranayama. They are viewed available to show how Kriyas, Asanas,
as (the) higher Yogic practices mainly Pranayamas and Mudras can be used to cure
consisting on adopting certain body (psycho- illnesses in Hatha Yoga Texts such as Hatha-
physical) patterns along with (as well as) yoga pradipika, GherandaSamhita, Yoga
control over respiration. This further Yajnavalkya Samhita, Yoga Rahasya, etc. It is
facilitates control over mind and paves the over the years, Yogdcdrya-s have developed
way for higher yogic attainment. Shat-karmas the systems of Yoga for therapy purposes.
are de-toxification procedures, help to They are passed on to their disciple and
remove the toxins acumalated in the body and practiced as Traditions of Yoga Therapy.
are clinical in nature.


The Yoga Therapy: with diabetes and related chronic disorders.
Doctrines and Concepts
Yoga may also be useful in reducing
Doctrine of Chitta-vrittinirodha, medication requirements in patients with
Kriyayoga and Astanga as found in diabetes and could help prevent and manage
Patanjals Yoga Sutras. cardiovascular complications in this
Doctrine of Panch ako sh a (five population.
sheathslbodies) as found in Upanishads. How Yoga Works:
Doctrine of various kinds of Shuddhi The following are just a few of the
found in Patanjali Yoga Sutra and mechanisms through which Yoga works as an
Hathayoga. integrated mind-body medicine:
Doctrine of opening blocked channels of 1. Cleanses the accumulated toxins through
vayus and prana (nadishuddhi), opening various shuddikriyas and generates a
of lotuses and chakras, pranayamas, sense of relaxed lightness through Yogic
mudras and dristis as found in Hathayoga sukshmavyayama (simple micro
and Kundalini Yoga. movements for all joints and ligaments
Working with the mind on the lines of of body ).
Patanjali Yoga Sutra, Mantra Yoga and 2. Adoption of a Yogic lifestyle with proper
Hathayoga. nourishing diet, creates positive
Working on the lines of Karm a-Jn ana- antioxidant enhancement thus
Bhakti from Bhagawadgita. neutralizing free radicals while enabling
Certain aspects of Tantra Yoga also get a rejuvenative storehouse of nutrients
integrated in various Yoga practices. packed with life energy to work on
Yoga therapy is being practiced now as anabolic, reparative and healing
an alternative healthcare practice in many processes.
parts of the world. The number of Yoga 3. Improves control over autonomic
practitioners continues to rise tremendously. respirator y mechanisms through
Of the many benefits ascribed to Yoga breathing patterns that generate energy
practice, blood pressure control is among the
and enhance emotional stability. The
most studied. Yoga therapy has also been
mind and emotions are related to our
found to improve indices of risk in adults with
breathing pattern and rate and hence the
type 2 diabetes, including glucose tolerance
slowing down of the breathing process
and insulin sensitivity, lipid profiles,
influences autonomic functioning,
anthropometric characteristics and blood
metabolic processes as well as emotional
pressure. It also leads to a reduction in
responeses.
oxidative damage; improve coagulation
profiles and pulmonar y function, and 4. Integrates body movements with the
decreases sympathetic activation in adults breath creates psychosomatic harmony.
In Yoga, the physical body is related to understanding of health of the body being
annamayakosha (our anatomical dependent on the health and balance of the
existence) and the mind to mind.
manomayakosha (our psychological At present global healthcare is
existence). dominated by modern medicine. Cost of such
5. Relaxes the body-emotion-mind complex medicine is going beyond the reach of poor
through physical and mental techniques and middle class people. On the other hand,
that enhance our pain threshold and communities need safe, effective, affordable
coping ability in responding to external and accessible healthcare. The holistic wisdom
and internal stressors. This enhances the of Yoga and other ancient health systems offer
quality of life as seen in so many terminal the necessar y wisdom, experience and
cases where other therapies are not able capabilities that are crucial for such
to offer any solace. transformational change. The increasing use
6. Yoga works towards restoration of of alternative medicine not only in developing
normalcy in all systems of the human nations but also in industrialized and
body with special emphasis on the presumable advanced Western nations
psycho-neuro-immuno-endocrine axis. presents itself as something of an enigma. As
In addition to its preventive and a social phenomenon, Yoga is not well
restorative capabilities, Yoga also aims at understood as a therapy or indeed much
promoting positive health that will help researched in terms of modern medicine. It is
us to tide over health challenges that curious that its growth is occurring in
occur during our lifetime. countries where Western science and
Yoga and Ayurveda are inseparable scientific method generally has accepted as the
sisters. Both originate as part of a great major foundations for healthcare, and
evidence-based practice is the dominant
system of Vedic knowledge. Both Yoga and
paradigm. As medicine experiences an
Ayurveda are based upon the principles of
explosion in its knowledge base, genomic
trigunas (sattva, rajas and tam as) and the
medicine opens a whole new approach to
panchamahabuthas (earth, air, fire, water,
medical care.
space). Yoga and Ayurveda also encompass an
understanding of how the body works There seems to be an insatiable desire
(Dosha-Dhatu- Mala/humor-tissue-waste for ancient philosophies and approaches to
material theory) and the effect that food and medical care by the general public. One
medicines have on the body (Rasa- Veerya- reason for the popularity of complementary
Vipaka/taste-energy-post digestive effect and traditional medicine is the spiraling cost
concept). Yoga and Ayur veda are of modern allopathic medical care and
complimentary to each other and holistic in associated adverse effects. New technologies
nature. The two have a common have been developed at a record pace,


producing many medical, surgical and physicians and Dhanwantri Sampradaye- the
diagnostic innovations, most of which are school of surgeons dealing predominantly
unquestionable improvements but are also with medical and surgical aspects of the
very expensive that have placed them out of diseases respectively. At that time, tenets of
reach of a large segment of the population. clinical medicine being classified in eight
One consequence appears to be the creation specialties of Kayachikista (Medicine), Shalya
of a strong public desire for a wide range of (Surgery), Shalakya (Ophthalmology and
complementary modalities to prevent and ENT), Kaumar Bhritya (Pediatrics), Agad
treat the full gamut of human illness, Tantra (Toxicology), Bhoot Vidya
particularly non-communicable diseases. Yoga (Psychiatry), Rasayana (Gerentology) and
is proving to be the most desirable Vajikarana (Science of Virility and Healthy
complimentary and traditional system of progeny) led to name this health knowledge
health care in the present scenario. system as Ashtang Ayurveda.
EMERGENCE AND Different aspects of Ayurveda have
GROWTH OF AYURVEDA evolved and documented from time to time
Origin of Ayurveda as a system of that is why various Ayurvedic treatises have
holistic healthcare is known to have emanated specific objective and subject to emphasize
from the health and medical knowledge than the others. Like in Charak Samhita, there
imbibed in the Vedic literature. Dating back to is much emphasis on the philosophy of life,
about 5000 years, Ayurveda is believed to health and medicine and classical line of
have its roots in Atharva Veda and also treatment for different diseases. Sushruta
recounted as fifth Veda and science of life. Samhita emphasizes more on surgical aspects
Initially transmitted in oral form from one of diseases and systematic approach to the
generation to another, systematic diagnosis and surgical treatment of the
documentation of Ayurvedic concepts, basic diseases of eye, ear, throat, nose and
principles and clinical applications started dentistry. Kashyap Samhita deals mainly with
with two major compendia called as Charak child healthcare, Madhava Nidana with aetio-
Samhita and Sushrut Samhita that were pathological aspects and diagnosis of diseases,
written about 1000 years BC. Other Bhava Prakasha with formulations based
compendia of Ayurveda based by and large on treatment of diseases and description of food
Charak Samhita and Sushruta Samhita came items and last in the series Sharngadhara
up much later in the name of Ashtang Samhita is replete with various aspects of
Sangraha and Ashtang Hridyam. By the end of pharmaceutics and dosage forms.
the first millennium BC, Ayur veda got According to Ayurveda, human body is
established with two main schools of thought, like a mini universe made up of five physIcal
namely, Atreya Sampradaye - the school of elements- Prithvi (Earth), Jala (Water), Agni
(Fire), Vayu (Air) and Akash (Ether) and a balance Dosha, Dhatu and Mala by breaking
foremost subtle element called Chetana or the disease process and to restore pre-disease
Atma Tatva, which is responsible for state of health. This involves dual diagnostic
consciousness and indicator of life. There methodology of investigating the disease and
exists similarity and co-relation between the the individual to find out the strength of the
macrocosm (universe) and the microcosm disease process as well patients strength.
(human body) in terms of laws of nature. The Modes and modalities of treatment are
functional entities of the system derived from accordingly determined from the perspective
interaction of physical elements in definite of facilitating avoidance of predisposing and
proportions are named as Tridosha (three bio aggravating factors of disease; palliative care
humors), namely- Vata, Pitta and Kapha, with medicines, diet and behavior modulation;
which in the state of dynamic equilibrium, bio-purification by Panchakarma procedures
maintain health and in the state of imbalance, and observance of necessary precautions and
lead to causation of disease. Structural entities lifestyle interventions to achieve not only
control over the underlying indisposition but
forming the body matrix are termed as
also the healthy state. In this way, adopting
Dhatus, namely-Rasa (Plasma), Rakta (Blood
customized approach to an individual patient
cells), Mansa(Muscular tissue), Meda (Fatty
attributes to the holistic characteristic of
tissue), Asthi (Bony tissue), Majja (Bone
Ayurveda treatment.
Marrow) and Shukra (Reproductive
secretions). All metabolic and bio- In Ayurveda, all substances are believed
transformation functions in the body system to have therapeutic potential when used
are in the hands of Agni (Bio-fire) and Srotas judiciously and logically. Raw materials for
(Channels) and in the process excretory Ayurvedic medicines are basically sourced
wastes called Mala like stools, urine, sweat from the products of plant, animal and
etc are produced. Integrated balance of mineral origin, which are processed in various
Dosha, Dhatu and Mala and happiness of soul, ways to prepare different dosage forms.
mind and sense organs is attributable to health Ayurveda has always enjoyed the patronage of
and imbalance of these factors causes people and survived through adverse times
indisposition. during pre-independence era. In independent
India, Ayurveda represents as officially
Ayureda provides distinct approach recognized healthcare and medical knowledge
towards diagnosis and management of
system that is amply codified, adequately
diseases. In principle, the diagnosis in
organized and is an integral part of the
Ayur vedic terms means complete
healthcare network of the country. Supportive
understanding ofthe disease factors and
policies for Ayurveda and other AYUSH
process of manifestation of the disease in an
systems have been evolving and Ayurveda
individualized manner. Treatment is
sector grew and developed with specific
accordingly planned with the objective to /


strategies envisaged in the ational Health Ayurvedic institutions. With the amendment
Policy-1983, ational Population Policy-2000 of Indian Medicine Central Council Act in
and the implementation framework of 2003, no college or course of Ayurvedic study
National Rural Health Mission-2007. With the can be started in the country without prior
establishment of Department of AYUSH in permission of the Central Government.
1995 and declaration of ational Policy for Similarly, Central Government has the pcwer
Indian Systems of Medicine and to notify recognized Ayurvedic qualifications
Homoeopathy-2002, focused attention could in consultation with the Central Council of
be given for the inclusive growth and Indian Medicine.
development of Ayur veda and India has the unique distinction of
implementation of programs in accordance having a pluralistic health system comprising
with its own gen us and acumen. Favourable of allopathic system and Indian Systems of
policies and increasing budgetary support Medicine & Homoeopathy including
steered the implementation of focused Ayur veda. Prevailing socio-economic,
strategies and schemes during the Five Year epidemiologic and demographic transition of
Plans that have significantly impacted the the country and fast changing lifestyles of the
Ayur veda sector in improving its people coupled with high rate of population
infrastructure, functional capabilities, growth and limited resources have been
ser vices and use of contemporar y responsible to make the Indian healthcare
technologies. deliver y system more complex and
challenging in order to achieve the health
On the regulator y front, yur veda goals and effective management of dual
education and practice is under the control of burden of communicable and non-
Central Council of Indian. Medicine, which is communicable diseases. In this scenario,
a statutor y body constituted under the Ayur veda stands out prominently to
provisions of Indian Medicine Central Council supplement the efforts for deliver y of
Act, 1970. The Council is responsible to preventive and promotive health services and
prescribe, revise and enforce the standards of primary health care and, management of
Ayurvedic education, course curricula and chronic health problems. Over the years, the
infrastructural facilities of colleges. Today, the infra structural network of Ayur vedic
undergraduate and postgraduate education of functionaries has grown to 3,99,400
Ayurveda is properly structured. BAMS registered practitioners, 15153 dispensaries,
degree course of 51/2 year duration including 2838 public sector hospitals, 260 degree
one year of internship period and three year colleges with annual admission capacity of
postgraduate courses in 22 specialties are 13152 students, 100 .pestgraduate centres
conducted from recognized colleges. Ph.D with annual admission capacity about 2500
program and short to mid -term informal scholars and 7835 licensed manufacturing
courses of study are also conducted in the units. Access to Ayurvedic services has also
been augmented with the collocation of National Policy on Indian Systems of
AYUSH facilities in the Primar y Health Medicine & Homoeopathy was adopted in
Centres, Community Health Centres, District 2002. The Policy emphasized the need for a
Hospitals and other hospitals under the meaningful phased integration of Indian
mainstreaming of AYUSH, strategy of Systems of Medicine in the health delivery
National Rural Health Mission. system, and also outlined the need to secure
Reasearch and Development in complete integration of all plans for health
Ayur veda is mainly anchored under the and human development. Accordingly,
Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Ministry of AYUSH in the Central Government
Sciences, which has 30 field centres spread is mandated to address seven functional areas
across the country. Intramural activities of the to steer the development of AYUSH for
Council include clinical research, drug meeting healthcare needs of the people at
research, pharmacological research, survey & national and international level.
documentation of medicinal plants, Emerging global demand and
standardization and validation of safety and establishment of bilateral & multilateral
efficacy of Ayurvedic drugs & therapies. platforms for traditional medicine and
Council has accomplished validation of 26 Complementary & Alternative Medicine have
formulations for 17 disease con Jitions, inter alia provided Ayur veda the
documentation of 704 tribal folk claims and opportunities to develop initiatives of
local health traditions. Validation studies on international cooperation and promotion. To
35 drugs for 10 disease conditions are in achieve this objective, Ministry of AYUSH has
progress and a target of validating another 64 implemented a Central Sector Scheme to
drugs has been taken up. Ayurveda Research facilitate international exchange of experts
Council and investigators in other R&D and officials, provision of scholarships to
institutions are reported to have been granted foreign students for studying regular courses
patents for their innovative outcomes of in Indian institutions, participation of drug
commercial application. The Council has been industry in international exhibitions, trade
granted 17 patents and 14 patent applications fairs, road shows, etc and registration of
filed and technology transfer has been done
products for market authorization by foreign
for 10 products. Bioinstrumentation of
regulator y bodies. With the help of this
equipment used in admlnisterfng Ayurvedic
scheme, success has been achieved in
therapies is of significant interest to the
establishing AYUSH information Cells in
entrepreneurs, for which Ayur vedic
Indian Missions in Malaysia, Trinidad &
institutions have collaborated with premier
Tobago, Mexico, Indonesia, Mauritius, Cuba,
technology institutes. With such
developments in public and private sectors, Russia, Hungary etc. 115 foreign students
research environment in Ayurveda is growing have availed scholarships to study ASU&H
phenomenally. courses in India from the year 2005-06


onwards. Ayur veda academic chairs are 50,000 Mw of power still remains untapped.
established in the University of West Indies, Nuclear energy too has a huge potential but is
Trinidad & Tobago and University of fraught with some environmental concerns. It
Debrecen, Hungar y respectively. Similar is however slowly picking up and India now
proposals for setting up Ayurveda Chairs in generates around 6000 Mw of nuclear energy,
Slovenia and Indonesia are in pipeline. which is to be scaled up to 63,000 Mw by
Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) have 2032. With signing of Civilian Nuclear Pact
also been signed with Malaysia, Trinidad & with US in 2009, large size nuclear plant of
Tobago, Hungary, Bangladesh, Nepal, and over 1000 Mw are to be set up in the country.
Mauritius and with some other countries are But lately wind and solar power have caught
in pipeline for developing bilateral on with path breaking innovations particulary
cooperation in the field of Traditional in solar. While wind power generation has
Medicine including Ayurveda. Normative picked up in the country with around 25,000
engagement with WHO in the area of Mw of generation particularly in states like
Traditional Medicine has led to two Ayurveda Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra
publications brought out by WHO itself in Pradesh and Rajasthan, Solar power is likely to
2010. WHO Collaborating Centre designation bring about revolutionary change in the
of. the Institute of Postgraduate Teaching & coming years. While wind power has the
Research in Ayurveda, Jamnagar since April potential to generate 1.5 lakh Mw, Solar
2013 has opened vistas to work for power has potential of over 300,000 mw, of
development and global positioning of which only 3,800 MW has been tapped so far
Ayurveda. in the country. With costs coming down, solar
power is expected grow leaps and bounds in
SCALING NEW
HEIGHTS IN ENERGY SECTOR the coming years and the present government
has recently scaled up solar power generation
India has come a long way in the power
to a whopping one lakh Mw by 2022 from
sector. From a mere 1362 Mw of power
20,000 Mw targeted by the previous
generation at the time of independence in
government. Already silent revolution is
1947, India now has power generation
taking place in some states like Tamil Nadu,
capacity of over a 261,000 Mw. Though 60 per
Haryana, Delhi, Punjab, Gujarat, Rajasthan
cent of power comes from thermal power
and Andhra Pradesh with the launch of net
generation, basically coal and to a small extent
metering concept for rooftop solar power,
gas, there is renewed emphasis on pushing non
which reduces cost by at least 25 per cent as no
renewable energy. In case of Hydel power,
batteries would be required for storage.
seventy per cent of the 1,48,000 Mw of hydel
power potential remained untapped India is still a power deficit State despite
particularly in the North Eastern region where massive scaling up of power generation since
1990s. So a lot more needs to be done and Government has also come out with plans for
rightly the present government has taken 50 per cent increase in power generation
several initiatives over the last one year to capacity and provided Rs 1.1 lakh crore
push power generation in the country. Of the central government grant for bringing about
1.4 billion people of the world who have no 24 into 7 affordable power in rural and urban
access to electricity, India accounts for over India.
300 million. The International Energy Agency The Ministry of New and Renewable
estimates India will have to add between 600 energy (MNRE) plans to get the help of state-
OW to 1,200 GW of new power generation owned and private sector financial institutions
capacity before 2050. Entire Europe Union such as Power Finance Corp. Ltd (PFC), Rural
had total power generation capacity of 740 Electrification Corp. Ltd (REC), Indian
GW in 2005 and what India needs to add Renewable Energy Development Agency
would be much more. (IREDA), IFCI Ltd, SBI Capital Markets Ltd
Some 800 million Indians use traditional and. ICICI Bank Ltd to create a corpus of $25
fuels - fuel wood, agricultural waste and billion. The governments renewed focus on
biomass cakes-for cooking and general heating green energy comes in the backdrop of the US
needs. Traditional fuel is inefficient source of and China inking a climate change deal
energy, its burning releases high levels of wherein the US will reduce its emissions by
smoke. World Health Organisation claims that 26-28 per cent below its 2005 level by 2025
300,000 to 400,000 people in India die of and China will reach the peak of its harmful
indoor air pollution and carbon monoxide carbon dioxide emissions in around 2030.
poisoning every year because of biomass The new measures announced by the
burning and use of chullahs. government give top priority for domestic
The present government is rightly giving players and Rs. 100,000 crore worth of
a massive thrust to the energy sector to orders placed in power sector in the recent
ensure that India moves towards 24 into 7 months by NTPC, Coal India, Energy
power for all in the next four to five years This Efficiency Services, Power Grid Corporation
calls for tackling issues of power thefts, coal will boost local manufacturing giving boost to
linkages for thermal plants, transmission Make in India campaign. The governments
deficiencies, tapping renewable solar, wind strategy to focus on renewable energy also
and hydel power potential and so on through stems from the fact that India has an energy
massive investments. The major initiatives import bill of around $150 billion, which is
embarked upon have already resulted in 15.8 expected to reach $300 billion by 2030. India
per cent increase in thermal power imports 80 per cent of its crude oil and 18 per
generation, accounting for 60 per cent of cent of its natural gas requirements. As of
power generation in the country. April 2014, total thermal installed capacity


stood at 168.4 GW, while hydro and renewable government of the day to add on solar capacity
energy installed capacity totalled 40.5 GW of 10,000 Mw each year from fiscal 2017-18.
and 31.7 GW, respectively. Wind energy This would be sustainable level that could be
market of India is expected to attract about Rs scaled up to 15,000 mw annually after a few
20,000 crore (US$ 3.16 billion) of investments years.
next year, as companies across sectors plan to Skill development is one area which
add 3,000 MW of capacity powered by wind requires special emphasis particularly for
energy. setting up solar plants. Trained manpower
Around 293 global and domestic already exists for setting up thermal, hydel
companies have committed to generate 266 and wind power plant. For the massive scaling
GW of solar, wind, mini-hydel and bio-mass up of solar power generation, huge number of
based power in India over the next 5-10 years. manpower is required particularly smaller
The initiative would entail an investment of plants in remote areas and rooftop solar
about US$ 310-350 billion. The industry has power that is spreading rapidly. Government
attracted FDI worth US$ 9,548.82 million already has a plan for skill development,
during the period April 2000 to February which needed to be scaled up, providing
2015. The immediate goal of the government opportunity for local youth in various parts of
is to produce two trillion units (kilowatt the country.
hours) of energy by 2019. This will mean The cost of solar power, expected to
doubling the current production capacity in come down by 25-30 per cent by December
order to achieve provide 247 electricity for this year to Rs 4.50 per unit from Rs 6-7 per
residential, industrial, commercial and unit at present. We are looking at bringing in
agriculture use. innovative solutions, besides improving
The Indian Renewable Energy counter party risk and bring down the cost of
Development Agency (IREDA) is likely to raise solar and wind energy, he said adding the
tax free bounds worth Rs.2, 000 crores from government has also engaged global
markets to support the solar initiatives of the consultant Price Water House Cooper for
government in next few months in a bid to formulation of plan to scale up solar energy
lend soft loans to developers to accomplish further in the country.
the roof top mission of the government, The governments plan to step up
according to the Ministr y of New and renewable energy will bring about much
Renewable Energy. needed energy security to people of the
In the current fiscal, the government country. With India expected grow at 8-9 per
wauld be contented if solar projects of 2,000 cent in the next decade or two, there will be
to 3,000 mw are implemented, He further huge demand for power and the government
added that it would be an attempt of the is on right track to ensure that power sector
kept pace with the requirement in a power The work on the project will take place
deficit country with low per capita electricity in three phases. The first phase will cost
consumption. The government is also for the around Rs.23 crore and work is expected to
first time attempted a right mix of thermal, complete in about 3 to 4 years. Phase-II and
gas, hydel, nuclear, wind, solar and biogas phase-III will be carried out in quick
power generation. India still has a lot of succession in a subsequent manner. Besides
catching up to do with China, which generates providing employment and income
four times more power and has plans for generation for the youth, the park will also
massive scaling up of solar and hydel power. promote research based entrepreneurship
Solar power will also come in handy for and development of biotech industry. There
replacing diesel generation sets for backup will be a Biotech Information Centre as well as
power with the development of lightweight pilot scale units for micro propagation and
and cheaper lithium batteries for storage of medicinal plants extraction. In addition, there
solar power. There are more than 30,000 Mw will also be a training cell and a business
of Diesel generation sets in use resulting in support facility cell.
huge drain of foreign exchange reserved in
UNANI MEDICINE: THE
import of oil. ART OF HEALTH AND HEALING
FIRST-EVER BIOTECH PARK IN J&K Unani System of medicine is one of the
Recently, around ten acres of land has traditional systems of medicine with its
been acquired for constructing the first- ever genesis in Greece. Unani is basically synthesis
Biotechnology Park in the state of Jammu & of contemporar y systems of traditional
Kashmir. This land was acgu.ired by Science & medicine in Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Iran, China,
Technology Department at Gaati SIDCO India and other Far East countries. The
Phase-III Industrial Complex in Kathua. To be system is holistic in nature and offers
set up at a cost of about Rs.80 crores, It will preventive, promotive, curative and
be Centres second mega project to come up in rehabilitative health care.
Kathua district, on the lines of Keedian- Unani system started in 5th and 4th
Gandyal bridge sanctioned by Union Surface Centur y B.C under the patronage of
Transport Ministry. Hippocrates (Borate) in Greece (Unan). This
The aim of this project is to help system was then developed in Arab and
catalyze the development of the region by Persian lands. It was introduced by Arabs into
increasing revenues, generate employment Indian subcontinent about a millennium ago
opportunities, promote industrial culture and and here it found its permanent home to
agricultural productivity, that will contribute attain the zenith of scientific development.
towards the overall socio-economic growth of This system, over the centuries has
the state. assimilated so well in the Indian civilization


that today, Unani is recognized by the organs and immune system is a unique feature
Government of India as one of the Indian of Unani system of medicine. Unani system of
systems of medicine, and forms an integral Medicine offers an effective treatment for
part of our national healthcare delivery various diseases especially chronic disorders;
structure. The Government has been GIT disorders as Gastritis, Peptic ulcer,
providing increasing funds and support for its Ulcerative colitis etc; Respiratory disorders
multi-dimentional development. such as Bronchial Asthma, Chronic Bronchitis
As the name suggests, the Unani System etc; Musculoskeletal disorders such as
of Medicine owes its immediate origin to Arthritis ,Osteoporosis; eurological disorders
ancient Greece. Its fundamental framework is as Senile dementia, Parasis, Paralysis;
based on deep philosophical insights and Cardiovascular disorders such as
scientific principles. The most important Hypertension; Lifestyle and Metabolic
fundamental principles are; Natural! Basic disorders such as Obesity, Diabetes,
components (Umoor-e-Tabaiyah) which state Hyperlipidemia, Gout and Sexual disorders
that the human body is composed of seven such as erectile dysfunction, loss of libido,
natural and basic components called Umoor- premature ejaculation etc.
e-Tabaiyah which are mainly responsible for The education and practice in Unani
maintaining the health. These are Elements system of Medicine is monitored and
(Arkaan), Temperament (Mizaj), Humours regulated by the Central Council of Indian
(Akhlaat), Organs (Aaza), Spirit/vital forces Medicine (CCIM) established under Indian
(Arwaah), Faculty/energy (Quw a) and Medicine Council Act 1970. The five and a half
Functions/actions (Afaal). Hippocrates year Undergraduate Course in Unani
propounded the doctrine of humours and a Medicine leading to award of BUMS Degree is
distinguished feature of Unani medicine governed by Indian Medicine Central Council
conceived by him is that the human body (IMCC) Regulations 1995. Three year Post
consists of three types of materials: Solids Graduate Courses leading to award of MD
which are named as organs (A zaa), Liquids (Doctor of Medicine) /MS degree are governed
which are named as Humours (Akhlaat) and by IMCC Regulations 2007. At present, there
gaseous matter named as Arwaah (pneuma): are 42 recognized colleges in India providing
The strengths of Unani system of Education & Training in Unani System of
medicine are its holistic approach, Medicine at UG level, out of this 8 colleges
temperament based prescription and have PG course facility.
treatment and principles of six essential There are 50,475 registered Unani
factors of Life (Asbab-e-Sittah Zarooriyah) practitioners providing Health Care in remote
which are pivotal for an perseverance and areas across the country. There are 259 Unani
maintenance of health. The toning up of Hospitals with 3744 indoor bed facility. There
are 1483 Unani Dispensaries all over the The Council is engaged in collaborative
country. The National Policy on Indian studies with different scientific organizations
Medicine & Homeopath 2002 insures and medical colleges of repute in the country,
provision for AYUSH Health care facility including Council for Scientific and Industrial
including Unani System of Medicine in Research (CSIR), AIIMS, ICMR and other
primary health care network.11650 A YUSH prestigious institutions of the country. The
Doctors including Unani System of Medicine Government of India is developing
have been appointed on contract at primary & cooperation with foreign countries to
community health centres under the National promote traditional Indian systems of
Rural Health Mission (NRHM). Medicine including Unani Medicine globally.
Research & Development in Unani In this area, a landmark was made with the
Medicine is by and large in the hands of launching of an Indo-US Centre for Research
Central Council for Research in Unani in Indian Systems of Medicine (CRISM) at
Medicine (CCRUM). The Council has, over the University of Mississippi, USA in April 2009
past three and a half decades, emerged as the by, Ministry of AYUSH. The initiative of the
leading organization to bring out significant Department of A YUSH to set up CRISM is
scientific documents for reference and use in intended to meet increasing global concerns
this field. The CCRUM was established 1979 on the safety, efficacy and quality of Indian
to build up research base for Unani System. Systems of Medicine (ISM) products, and
The CCRUM has its headquarters in New promote high level research in these systems
Delhi with 23 centres functioning in different and their worldwide acceptance.
parts of the country. Standards for 298 single and 100
The Institution Network of Council compound drugs under the Technical
includes: Two Central Research Institute of Guidance of Unani Pharmacopeia Committee
Unani Medicine one each at Hyderabad and have been developed by the CCRUM.
Lucknow; Eight Regional Research Institute of Standardization of 277 single drugs of Unani
Unani Medicine with one each at Chennai, Medicine (in five volumes) with 385
Bhadrak, Patna, New Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta, Compound Drugs and Physico-chemical
Aligarh & Srinagar; One Literary Research standards of Unani formulations (in four
Institute of Unani Medicine is at New Delhi; volumes) has also been published. Unani
Drug Standardization Institute at Ghaziabad; Pharmacopeia of India (in six volumes of 298
two Regional Research centres of Unani monographs of single drug and in two
Medicine one each at Allahabad and Silchar; volumes of 100 monographs of compound
six Clinical Research Units one each at drugs have been completed.
Bhopal, Burhanpur, Meerut, Bangalore, Classical Unani litrature are abound
Kurnool and Edathala. with references about the use of medicinal


plants. Unmindful over-exploitation of this personality rather than taking a reductionist
important resource has led to extinction of approach towards disease. It is a great healing
several species. Availability of genuine raw art as well as a science whose theories,
drug material is ver y important for the philosophies of nature (Tabiat) and
efficacy of the formulation. Besides, there are temperament (Mizaj) and practices of
also some medicinal plants/drugs whose medicine are most appropriate for the
identification is controversial. Keeping this in maintenance of human health.
view, a herb garden at CRIUM, Hyderabad has India is a land of great ecological
been established for plantation of about diversity. Its healthcare system reflects this
hundred Unani medicinal plants of repute for diversity, both in its plural systems of health
demonstration purposes and field scale knowledge and practice. In India, Unani
cultivation of medicinal plants particularly system of medicine co-exists with
those used in clinical trials and kit medicines. conventional medicine and other A YUSH
In order to popularize medicinal plants, systems to form a unique model of medical
particularly those used in Unani Medicine, the conflation. Unani system of Medicine is a
CCRUM has embarked upon a vigorous comprehensive medical system that deals with
programme of cultivating about 100 species in various states of the body (health and
its nurseries at its centers at Aligarh, disease). Hippocrates, the father of medicine
Hyderabad, Chennai and Srinagar. Based on in conjunction with the founder of Unani
ethno-botanical survey in different forest medicine bought medicine out of superstition
zones of the country. There are 485 licensed and his teachings were well adopted in modem
Pharmacies manufacturing Unani Drugs, in system of medicine till the sixteenth century.
addition to Govt. of India enterprises Indian The Unani System of Medicine has a
Medicine Pharmaceutical Corporation long and impressive record in India. Today,
Limited (IMPCL). Manufacturing and sale of India is one of the leading countries in so far
Unani Drugs is regulated under Drug & as the practice of Unani medicine is
Cosmetic Act 1940 with mandator y concerned. It has the widest network of well
compliance of Good Manufacturing Practices developed educational institutions,
(GMP). Drug Standardization is undertaken by Comprehensive health care facilities, state-of-
competent institutions e.g. Pharmacopeial art research and quality drug manufacturing.
Laborator y for Indian Medicine (PUM), India has reached a stage where many
Pharmacopeia Commission of Indian countries are approaching for cooperation
Medicine (PCIM), Unani Pharmacopeia and support for Unani System of Medicine.
Committee (UPC) and CCRUM. Based on the above facts, it has been
Unani system of Medicine is holistic in established that India is a world leader in
nature and takes into account the whole Unani system of Medicine.
NATUROPATHY AND INDIAS HEALTH Naturopathy believes that all the
CARE CHALLENGES diseases are caused by accumulation of
Health infra structure is an important morbid matters / toxins in the body due to
indicator to understand the health-care ones faulty eating and living habits. It is based
delivery provisions and mechanisms in a on the principle that nature itself is a doctor -
country. Ensuring well coordinated, high make use of only natural elements to restore
quality healthcare also requires establishment the health of a patient by eliminating toxins.
of a supportive health system infrastructure.
Naturopathy can tackle illnesses that
As per Census 2011, In India, out of a cannot be wholly healed by allopathic
total population of 12101.9 lakhs (6237 lakhs treatment. The treatment focuses on the
males and 5864 lakhs females) the older patients entire body and not just a particular
population above 60 years is 7.4 per cent. part. A naturopath instructs the patients
This segment is the most vulnerable group about the significance of natural foods loaded
requiring attention where naturopathy, which with rich nutrition and to maintain a healthy
is easily accessible and affordable, can play a lifestyle/ living.
vital role. The National Health Profile 2013
Apart from natural food sources,
states that in the entire country there are
Naturopaths offer several therapeutic
19,817 Hospitals, of which 15,398 are in rural
modalities which have benefited millions of
area and 4,419 in urban area. In addition
people across the globe.
there are 1, 51,684 Sub Centers, 24,448
Primary Health Centers and 5,187 Some important naturopathic therapies
Community Health Centers in India. Nature are:-
Cure is a system of building the entire being in Hydrotherapy- Hydrotherapy is a well-
harmony with the constructive principle in known and ancient form of therapy. In
Nature on the physical, mental, moral and hydrotherapy different temperatures of
spiritual planes of being. Naturopathy, water, as in hot and cold baths, steam baths,
nature cure and Naturo theraphy are the compresses and fomentation, saunas, wraps,
names given to the system of treatment in and immersion baths to produce several types
which seven elements are used to restore of physiological effects depending upon
health of a patient. Treatment by seven temperature of water, duration and area of
elements is quite different from the other application for different disease conditions.
systems of medicine practiced at present. Mud-Therapy- Mud absorbs, dissolves
Those who regard nature cure only as a and eliminates the toxins and rejuvenates the
method of curing diseases are mistaken. In body, It is done with mud pack poultice and
reality nature cure is the right way of living. It mud bath and is useful in curing skin
is an art of attaining a long, healthy and conditions such as (Eczema, Psoriasis, boils,
blissful life.


pimples and patches) hypertension, diabetes, Naturopathic care is less expensive than
migraine, arthritis, constipation, gastritis, conventional medicine, resolving the costly
dyspepsia, anorexia, peptic & duodenal ulcers epidemic of chronic disease and making
and menstrual disorders etc. healthcare more available to those who
Massage Therapy- Massage is otherwise could not afford it. The adoption
generally employed for tonic, stimulant and and use of competent healthcare delivery
sedative effects. The therapy is useful in system can be an effective way to manage
improving blood circulation and relieving health care cost and improve the quality of
fatigue. It helps in opening up clogged pores care.
of the skin which is essential for letting The National Health Policy 2015, while
harmful toxins go from the body with sweat acknowledging achievements in health
Chromo Therapy- Sun rays have seven emphasizes the need to be mindful and to
colors- violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, confront the high degree of health inequity in
orange and red. These colors are employed health outcomes and access to healthcare
through irradiation on body or by services as evidenced by indicators
administering charged water and oil for disaggregated for vulnerable groups. These
treatments. The most commonly are urban rural inequities and there are
administered treatments in chromo therapy inequities across States. A number of districts,
are plantain leaf sun bath, thermolium sun many in tribal areas, perform poorly even in
bath and open air sun bath. The therapy is those states where overall averages are
useful for rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, improving. Marginalized communities and
osteoporosis, psoriasis, eczema, upper poorer economic quintiles of the population
respirator y problems, anemia, paralysis, continue to fare poorly. In view of the merits
hypertension and digestive disorders. of naturopathy as an alternative system of
Magneto Therapy- Magnets influence medicine the Govt. of India through the aegis
health. South and north poles of different of NITI AYOG may take up promoting this
powers and shapes are employed in treatment, healing system in a big way so as to reach even
by applying directly on different parts of the the people living in remotest of remote places
body or through charged up water or oil. in an organized manner through the State
Govts., Local Bodies, Panchayats, NGOs and
A nation could save huge amount in
other sectors. This may be on the lines of the
health care costs and provide better quality of
vision enshrined in the National Health Policy
care without compromising patient outcomes
cited above.
if alternative medicine is widely practiced.
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58
Gist of VOL32 GIST OF KURUKSHETRA
and the public at large. The main reasons for
this are: (1) more than half the total
Kurukshetra workforce in the country remains employed
in this sector and it is a source of livelihood
for a majority of the population; (2) the
performance of agriculture is much more
important than other sectors for inclusive
growth and for reducing poverty (Ravallion
AGRARIAN POLICIES AND PROGRAMMES and Datt 1996; Datt and Ravallion 1998;
A SOLUTION FOR STRENGTHENING RURAL Virmani 2008); (3) the performance of
INDIA agriculture determines the food and nutrition
Agriculture has been feeding entire security of the population of the country; (4)
worlds population. Agriculture has been at the growth of agriculture has a significant
the focal point of rural life for centuries. The bearing on food and overall inflation and
rural economy was almost exclusively macroeconomic stability; and (5) much of
determined by agricultural activities at the trade, commerce and industrial activities are
time of Indias independence. As the country linked to agriculture.
moved on an economic growth path in the The crisis in the Indian agricultural
post-independence era and the rural economy sector cropped up as a result of privatization,
diversified, the dominance of the agricultural liberalization and globalization during
sector in the overall economy has slowly nineties. The major impact of these changes
declined over the years. Yet, the socio- was on the small farmers, the major farming
economic structure of India can be observed community of the country. Farm saved seeds
from the fact that the majority of the were replaced by corporate seeds which
countrys population depend on agriculture needed fertilizers and pesticides. Agriculture
for their livelihood. According to census became a costly affair. The Indian small
2011, 68.9 percent (83.3 crore) population is farmers failed to adjust with these challenges.
still rural. The agriculture sector contributed Managing finance for the agricultural work
more than half the output of the Indian became a difficult task. Understanding the
economy when the country embarked on its problems that have cropped up in farming,
First Five-Year Plan in 1950-51. Over a period some small farmers gave up farming and
of seven decades, the share of agriculture has shifted to other occupations. The farmers
gradually declined to less than 15 percent. who failed to cope up with these changes were
Despite its shrinking share in national income driven to suicide in the depressed state.
and losing dominance in rural income, the The Government of India has set up the
performance of the agriculture sector remains National Commission on Farmers in February
a matter of central concern to policymakers

GIST OF KURUKSHETRA VOL32 59

2004 under the Chairmanship of well-known National Policy for Farmers (NPF):
agricultural scientist Dr. M. Swaminathan. The Policy announced in 2007 had provisions,
The Commission started its work with a including asset reforms in respect of land,
declaration: Serving Farmers and Saving water, livestock, fisheries, and bio-resources;
Farming. The National Commission for support services and inputs like application of
Farmers is formed with the objective to frontier technologies; agricultural bio-
prepare the road map for sustainable security systems; supply of good quality seeds
development of agriculture and optimizing its and disease-free planting material, improving
contribution to growth and development of soil fertility and health, and integrated pest
economy, particularly improving the income management systems; support services for
and standard of living of farmers. women like creches, child care centres,
The commission has the power to nutrition, health and training; timely,
recommend policies, programmes and adequate, and easy reach of institutional
measures for accelerated and diversified credit at reasonable interest rates, and
agricultural development, to alleviate rural farmer-friendly insurance instruments; use of
poverty and impart viability and Information and Communication Technology
attractiveness to farming as a remunerative (ICT) and setting up of farmers schools to
and rewarding profession. The Union and the revitalize agricultural extension; effective
State Governments formulate policies from implementation of MSP across the country,
time to time to articulate clear vision on few development of agricultural market
basic parameters of agricultural sector. To infrastructure, rural non-farm employment
achieve self sufficiency and food security in initiatives for farm households and integrated
the agriculture sector of the country, the approach for rural energy, etc.
national policy is devised under the Schemes during the 12th Five Year
chairmanship of Dr. M. S. Swaminathan, Plan: In order to maintain the targeted
Chairman, National Farmers Commission. growth rate of 4% in agriculture, during the
Agriculture in India is varied, diversified 12th Five Year Plan, to ensure focused
and prone to a variety of risks. Most farmers approach and to avoid overlap, all the
schemes of the Department has been
are small and marginal ones. In most areas,
restructured into five Missions viz. National
agriculture is rain fed, leading to a greater
Food Security Mission (NFSM), Mission for
degree of yield variability and risk. To prevent
Integrated Development of Horticulture
the risks and incidents of suicide among
(MIDH), National Mission on Oil Seeds and
farming community and to instill confidence
Oil Palm (NMOOP), National Mission for
in them, the Government of India has taken
Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) and National
various initiatives by announcing packages Mission on Agricultural Extension &
and insurances to the farming community: Technology (NMAET).
60 VOL32 GIST OF KURUKSHETRA
National Food Security Mission comprising seven states: Assam, Bihar,
(NFSM): The Mission (2007) is being Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Uttar
sustained during 12th Five Year Plan with new Pradesh and West Bengal. An amount of Rs.
target of additional production of 25 million 1000 crores was allocated for each during
tonnes of food grains comprising of 10 2012-13 to 2014-15. The programme is being
million tonnes rice, 8 million tonnes of wheat, implemented in 121 identified districts which
4 million tonnes of pulses and 3 million are not covered under National Food Security
tonnes of coarse cereals by the end of 12th Mission. Crop Diversification Programme in
Plan and promotion of commercial crops like original Green Revolution states is being
cotton, jute and sugarcane. implemented as a sub scheme of Rashtriya
Outcome of NFSM since inception: Krishi Vikas Yojana in Punjab, Haryana and
The focused and target oriented western part of Uttar Pradesh with financial
implementation of mission initiatives has allocation of Rs. 250 crore during 2014-15 to
resulted in bumper production of wheat, rice diversify cropping pattern from water
and pulses in the country. During 2012-13, consuming paddy to pulses, oilseeds, maize
the production of rice, wheat and pulses has and agro forestr y with the objective of
been achieved at the level of 105.24 million tackling the problems of declining soil fertility
tonnes, 93.51 million tonnes and 18.34 and depleting water table in these states.
million tonnes respectively. As per 4th National Mission for Sustainable
Advance Estimates during 2013-14, the Agriculture (NMSA) is one of the eight
production of wheat increased from 75.81 Missions outlined under National Action Plan
million tonnes in 2006-07 to 95.91 million on Climate Change (NAPCC). The Mission
tonnes, i.e. an increase of 20.00 million aims at promoting sustainable agriculture
tonnes. Similarly, the total production of rice through seventeen deliverables focusing on
increased from 93.36 million tonnes in 2006- ten key dimensions of Indian agriculture.
07 to 106.54 million tonnes in 2013-14, NMSA as a programmatic intervention made
implying an increase of nearly 13.18 million operational from 2014-15 aims at making
tonnes. The total production of pulses also agriculture more productive, sustainable,
increased from 14.20 million tonnes during remunerative and climate resilient by
2006-07 to 19.27 million tonnes during 2013- promoting location specific integrated/
14, showing an increase of 5 million tonnes. composite farming systems; soil and moisture
Bringing Green Revolution to conservation measures; comprehensive soil
Eastern India (BGREI): a sub scheme of health management; efficient water
Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana(RKVY) was management practices and mainstreaming
initiated in 2010-11 to address the rain fed technologies.
constraints limiting the productivity of rice The Kisan Call Centers (KCC) Scheme
based cropping systems in Eastern India was launched on 21st Januar y 2004 to


provide answer to farmers queries on country during the remaining three years
agriculture and allied sectors through toll free of 12th Five Year Plan (2014-15 to 2016-
telephone lines. A country wide common 17) has been approved with a total outlay
eleven digit number has been allocated for of ~ 568.54 crore. State-wise allocation
KCC. The replies to the queries of the farming has also been made for establishing 100
community are being given in 22 Indian mobile soil testing laboratories in 2014-
languages. KCCs operate from 14 locations in 15.
the country covering all the states and UTs. (b) Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana -
Calls are attended from 6.00 am to 10.00 pm The Scheme is being formulated with a
on all 7 days of a week. Since inception of the view to take irrigation water to each and
scheme till 31st December, 2014 over 186.00 every agricultural field in the country.
lakh calls have been registered in the KCCs.
(c) Price Stabilization fund for Cereals and
During the current year around 36.04 lakh
Vegetables - Government has established
calls have been received upto 31st December,
a Price Stabilisation Fund of Rs. 500 crore
2014. In order to make farmers aware of this
in order to reduce price volatility in
facility, audio and video spots on Kisan Call
perishable agricultural commodities
Centres have been broadcast/telecast through
(onions, potatoes & tomatoes etc.). With
All India Radio, Doordarshan and private
the setting up of this Price Stabilisation
television channels.
Fund, farmers will be ableto get fair price
National Crop Insurance Programme
for their produce while consumer would
(NCIP): To make the Crop Insurance Schemes
be able to purchase the same at
more farmer friendly, a restructured Central
affordable prices.
Sector Scheme in the name of National Crop
Insurance Programme (NCIP) was introduced (d) National Agri-tech Infrastructure: An
from 2013-14. The existing Modified National Agri-Tech infrastructure fund has been
Agricultural Insurance Scheme (MNAIS), proposed to create a common e-
Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme marketing platform for agri-
(WBCIS) and Coconut Palm Insurance Scheme commodities in the Agriculture Produce
(CPIS) were merged under this programme Marketing Committees (APMCs) of the
with various improvements and changes for State, as a first step towards creation of a
implementation throughout the country. national market.
Recent Initiatives! Policy decisions: In Kisan Credit Card: The scheme was
addition to the existing Missions/ Schemes, introduced in 1998-99 to ensure that all
following four new schemes have been eligible farmers are provided with hassle free
introduced in the year 2014-15: and timely credit for their agricultural
business. Kisan Credit Card Scheme for
(a) Soil Health Card Scheme-Issuance of Soil farmers is to enable the farmers to purchase
Health Cards to every farmer of the agricultural inputs such as seeds, fertilisers,
pesticides, etc. The Kisan Credit Card Scheme productivity and help India meet its growing
is in operation throughout the country and is demand for food. So it is most important
implemented by commercial banks, aspect that in order to improve agricultural
cooperative banks and Regional Rural Banks. productivity and farmers condition in India,
Upto March, 2014; Rs. 12 crore KCCs have solid and farmer friendly schemes have been
been issued and Rs. 10.35 crore KCCs are developed in the recent years.
active/operational.
JAN DHAN YOJANA
Thus the government is trying hard with A MEGA GAME CHANGER
holistic policies to help the farmers who are The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana
the most vulnerable group of the society. It (PMJDY), the biggest financial inclusion
cannot be denied that there are problems that initiative in the world, was announced by the
need to be addressed quickly and firmly to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 15th
explore the full potential of agriculture and August, 2014 from the ramparts of the Red
allied sectors. Features like dependence of a Fort and launched by him on 28th August, 2014
large number of farmers on rains and small across the country. While launching the
farm holdings, make it difficult to bring about Yojana, the Prime Minister described the
fast transformation of agriculture. The only occasion as a festival to celebrate the
way to tackle them is to adopt focused liberation of the poor from a vicious cycle of
strategies, and the government has already poverty. The Prime Minister referred to an
started with several concrete initiatives. ancient Sanskrit verse Sukhasya Moolam
These strategies have been rigorously Dharma, Dharmasya Moolma Artha, Arthasya
tested in the last few years and they have Moolam Rajyam - which puts the onus on the
succeeded in achieving a fast growth, better state to involve people in economic activity.
prices to farmers, adequate availability of This Government has accepted this
food grains, and reasonable stable food responsibility, the Prime Minister said. The
prices. Acceleration of growth in this sector Prime Minister has also sent email to an
will not only push overall GDP, but also estimated 7.251akh bank employees,
promote inclusive growth. Although the share exhorting them to help reach the target of 7.5
of agriculture has decreased in total GDP, it crore bank accounts, and bring freedom from
has made significant advances in agricultural financial untouchability.
production in the recent decades, including The World Bank in a report said by
the introduction of high-yield seed varieties, January 2015, 125 million bank accounts had
increased use of fertilisers and improved been opened under the Pradhan Mantri Jan
water management systems. Reforms to land Dhan Yojana launched in August, 2014, for
distribution, water management and food comprehensive financial inclusion with the
distribution systems will further enhance goal of opening a bank account for every


household in India. Gradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Business Correspondent (BC) within a
Yojana (PMJDY) on 20 January 2015 made it reasonable distance.
to Guinness Book of World Records. Indian (ii) To cover all households with at least one
Banks opened 11.50 crore accounts under the Basic Banking Accounts with RuPay Debit
Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana in a short card having inbuilt accident insurance
span of five months. The feat was commended cover of Rs. 1 lakh. Further an overdraft
by the Guinness Book of World Records. facility upto Rs. 5000 will also be
Out of the total account opened, 5.68 permitted to Adhaar enabled accounts
crore accounts belonged to male and 5.82 after satisfactory operation in the
crore account belonged to females. In account for 6 months.
percentage terms, 49.37% accounts belonged (iii) The Mission also envisages expansion of
to male while 50.63% accounts belonged to Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) under
females. Now, Government will transfer various Government Schemes through
annual subsidy of around 51,029 crore rupees bank accounts of the beneficiaries.
directly to bank accounts of 15.45 crore (iv) The issuance of Kisan Credit Card (KCC)
beneficiaries, plugging system leakages. as RuPay Kisan Card is also proposed to
The PMJDY, a national mission on be covered under the plan.
financial inclusion, has the objective of Phase - II from August 15, 2015 to
covering all households in the country with August 14, 2018 :
banking facilities and having a bank account (i) Providing micro-insurance to the people.
for each household. Financial literacy has (ii) Un-organised sector Pension schemes
been accorded priority under the PMJDY. A like Swavlamban through the Business
standardized financial literacy material has Correspondents.
also been prepared in vernacular languages to There are many benefits of Jan Dhan
create awareness about the Yojana. It is account for the Indians:
estimated to cover 7.5 crore households with
at least one account under this Yojana. 1. It is a zero balance savings account.
The Present Plan : Comprehensive 2. Account holder will receive a kit
Financial inclusion of the excluded sections containing cheque book, financial literacy
under six pillars is proposed to be achieved by and pass book.
August 15, 2018 in two phases Viz : However this would vary from bank to
bank and account usage.
Phase - 1, from August 15, 2014 to
August 14, 2015 envisages: 3. Every account holder will get RuPay Debit
card (which is Indias domestic debit card)
(i) Universal access to banking facilities for included in the welcome kit. RuPay card
all households across the countr y can also be used for eCommerce
through a bank branch or a fixed point transactions.
4. Person will also get Aadhar number on In order to achieve this plan, phase wise
the spot. and state wise targets for banks have
5. Family of account holder will get accident been set up for the period August 15,
insurance cover of Rs. 1,00,000. 2014 to August 14, 2015.
6. Life cover of Rs. 30,000 was declared as In order to achieve a demand side pull
an incentive for those opening the effect, it would be essential that there is
account by 26 January, 2015. This life branding and awareness of Business
cover would be provided by Indias Correspondent model for providing
largest insurance company - Life basic banking services, Banking Products
Insurance Corporation of India. available at BC outlets and RuPay Cards.
7. Overdraft (loan) facility of Rs. 5000 A media plan for the same is being
would be provided once account holder worked out in consultation with banks.
completes 6 months and has kept account A web-portal would be created for
active. reporting/ monitoring of progress.
8. Loan amount would be increased to Rs. Roles of various stakeholders like other
15,000 if repayment is done on-time by Departments of the Central Government,
the person, of course this would depend State Governments, RBI, NABRD, NPCI
on each bank. and others have been indicated.
9. Overdraft facility would benefit Department of Telecom has been
individuals who had been relying on requested to ensure that problems of
money lenders charging high interest poor and those with no connectivity are
rates. resolved.
Six Basic Pillars of PMJDY Financial inclusion is one of the top
1. Universal access to bankingfacilities. most priorities of an under developed
2. Providing Basic banking accounts. countr y. Exclusion of a large number of
people from any access to financial services
3. Financial Literacy and Credit Counselling
inhibits the growth of a country. Pradhan
(FLCC).
Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), is the
4. Credit Guarantee Fund.
biggest financial inclusion initiative in the
5. Micro Insurance. world. Against the original target of opening
6. Unorganized sector Pension schemes like bank accounts for 7.5 crore uncovered
Swavlamban. households in the country, by 26th January,
Action Plan for Implementing PMJDY 2015, banks have already opened 11.50 Crore
Keeping the stiff targets in mind, in the accounts as on, 17th January, 2015 after
first phase, the plan would focus on first conducting survey of 21.02 crore households
three pillars in the first year starting from in the country.
August 15, 2014.


Lack of access of financial services (leakages). The Government needs to
hinders the growth of the cou ntry. Previous incentivize the banks to take up measures
governments strived to address this challenge. under their financial literacy programmes to
The previous Government had also motivate people to keep their account active.
emphasized on financial inclusion but the A higher transaction commission under direct
focus was on villages rather than households. transfer can be another Incentive.
A financial inclusion scheme Going forward, we need to dump
Swabhiman was launched in 2011. But under account-centric approach. From day one, the
this scheme, out of 5.92 lakh villages in the focus was on increasing the numbers. Higher
country only 74,000 could be covered. The numbers helped in entering into Guinness
major change with PMJDY is that households World Records. But for meaningful change,
are being targeted instead of only villages as service should reach the masses efficiently
earlier. Moreover, the Swabhiman focused on and timely. Another challenge is making the
rural areas only, whereas the new scheme has PMJDY an effective tool for direct benefit
attached equal importance to urban areas as transfer and for this unique identification
well. Aadhar must be seeded with all accounts. So
The deposits so far look impressive but far nearly 30 per cent Aadhar has been seeded
that only one-third are active is cause for under PMJDY. The banks need to raise the
alarm. Most of the accounts opened are zero awareness of the customers for Aadhar
balance accounts. The official figure indicates seeding and to use various channels including
that 72 per cent of the newly-opened accounts SMS, internet banking, ATMs for seeding of
are dormant. As on January 27,2015 the total Aadhar. Moreover, nearly two crore new
number of accounts opened under the scheme account- holders have not yet received their
stood at 12.51 crore, out of these 8.25 crore RuPay cards. The process should be quick and
are zero balance accounts. Deposits in these time-bound.
accounts crossed Rs. 10,000 crore. Under Finally, the scheme will only be
PMJDY, to get all benefits such as overdraft successful, if efforts are made to spread
upto Rs. 5,000, life insurance coverage of Rs. financial literacy. Financial literacy would help
30,000, accidental issuance of Rs. 1,00,000, in keeping majority of accounts active. Banks
account holders need to keep their account must be asked to make efforts in coordination
active. Dormant account causes big worry with various agencies and existing financial
because if people are not motivated enough to literacy centres to spread awareness on
keep their account active, it would adversely PMJDY, use of RuPay cards, insurance,
impact the Governments plans to make direct overdraft etc.
benefit transfer universal to reduce the Maximum investment, maximum
subsidy burden by plugging the holes benefits during old age. It is exclusively meant
for those working in the unorganized sector This will be the flagship scheme for skill
and aged between 18 and 40 years and are training of youth to be implemented by the
not covered in any of the pension scheme of new Ministr y of Skill Development and
the Central or the State Government. Monthly Entrepreneurship, through the National Skill
pension will be based on the contribution i.e. Development Corporation (NSDC). The
from Rs. 42/- to Rs. 210/- per month for scheme will cover 24 lakh persons. Skill
entry at 18 years. People subscribing to this training would be done based on the National
policy will get a monthly pension ranging from Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) and
~ 1,000 to Rs. 5,000 on notional payment of industry led standards. Under the scheme, a
a premium with the amount varying for monetary reward is given to trainees on
different categories from the age of 60 years. assessment and certification by third party
People can apply for all the three assessment bodies. The average monetary
schemes but APY is reserved for the reward would be around Rs. 8000 per trainee.
unorganized sector. The premium will be Out of the total outlay of Rs1120 crore
deducted from the account holders savings to be spent on skill training of 14 lakh youth,
bank account through auto debit facility. The special emphasis has been given to
person would be eligible to join these schemes recognition of prior learning for which an
through one savings bank account only. Jan amount of Rs. 220 crore has been provided.
Dhan Yojana scheme implemented by public Awareness building and mobilization efforts
sector banks, whereby 100 million bank would be focused for attention, for which Rs.
accounts have been opened for those who 67 crore has been provided. Mobilization
were un-banked, is unequivocally a game- would be done through skill melas organized
changer. It provides an unprecedented at the local level with participation of the State
scaffolding and a spring board for meaningful Governments, Municipal Bodies, Pachayati Rai
financial inclusion and concomitantly, Institutions and community based
substantial financial deepening of our
organizations. The focus under the scheme is
economy. Indians, specially from the rural
also on mentorship support and placement
and semi-urban areas, the underprivileged
facilitation for which an outlay of Rs. 67 crore
and the poor have reasons to celebrate this
has been provided. An allocation of nso crores
financial inclusion.
has been made for training of youth from the
PRADHAN MANTRI North-East region.
KAUSHAL VIKAS YOJANA
The scheme would be implemented
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime through NSDC training partners. Currently
Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, on March 20, NSDC has 187 training partners that have over
201S gave approval to the Pradhan Mantri 2300 centres. In addition, Central/State
Kaushal Vikas Vojana (PMKVV) with an outlay Government affiliated training providers
of Rs. 1500 crore.


would also be used for training under the resides in its 7 million villages. Across the
scheme. All training providers will have to world the trends of industrialization and
undergo a due diligence before being eligible development have had an urban centric
for participating under this scheme. Focus approach. Alongside, the stresses of Urban
under the PMKVV would be on improved lifestyles have led to a counterurbanization
curricula, better pedagogy and better trained syndrome. This has led to growing interest in
instructors. Training would include soft skills, the rural areas. At the same time this trend of
personal grooming, behavioral change for urbanization has led to falling income levels,
cleanliness, good work ethics. Sector Skill lesser job opportunities in the total areas
Councils and the State Governments would leading to an urbanization syndrome in the
closely monitor skill training that will happen rural areas. Rural Tourism is one of the few
under PMKVY. activities which can provide a solution to these
Skill Development Management System problems. Besides, there are other factors
(SDMS) would be put in place to verify and which are shifting the trend towards rural
record details of all training centres acertain tourism like increasing levels of awareness,
quality of training locations and courses. growing interest in heritage and culture and
Biometric system and video recording of the improved accessibility, and environmental
training process would be put in place where consciousness.
feasible. All persons undergoing training Tourism as non-traditional rural
would be required to give feedback at the time development strategies provide ample
of assessment and this would become the key opportunities for entrepreneurship on the one
element of the evaluation framework to assess hand and on the other locally developed small
the effectiveness of the PMKVV scheme. A scale tourism can be less costly than other
robust grievance redressal system would be developmental strategies such as
put in place to address grievances relating to manufacturing. Rural areas are growing as the
implementation of the scheme. An online main tourist centers in the state of Himachal
citizen portal would be put in place to Pradesh because they have experienced a
disseminate information about the scheme. decline in traditional industries over the last
few decades. To diversify their economies,
RURAL TOURISM DEVELOPMENT
GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES rural economies have begun to adopt new
economic strategies that build on their natural
Tourism growth potential can be
and cultural resources.
harnessed as a strategy for Rural
Development. The development of a strong Tourism in general is growing at an
platform around the concept of Rural Tourism annual rate of 4 per cent, nature travel which
is definitely useful for a country like India, is also part of rural tourism is growing at a
where almost 70 per cent of the population rate of 10 per cent to 30 per cent. Studies on
the subject have concluded that there is entertainment to the entire family. Tourism is
evidence that in Europe rural tourism has a means for searching peaceful location. Peace
made important contributions to rural and tranquility are inbuilt in farm-based rural
incomes both at the level of the individual tourism as it is away from urban areas and
farmer and more widely in the local close to nature. Villages provide variety of
community. While not necessarily substituting recreation to urbanites through festivals and
for agricultural income, it has delivered handicrafts.
supplementary income and inter-sectoral Agri Tourism is the practice of attracting
linkages. visitors to an area used primarily for
Rural India has much to offer beyond agricultural purposes it could be described as
agriculture. It has a great potential for - Rural/Agricultural Environments + Farm
different segments of tourism like eco Commodities + Tourism Services = Agri-
tourism, adventure tourism, health tourism, tourism. Agri-tourism or agricultural tourism
farm tourism, nature tourism, cultural is one alternative for improving the incomes
tourism, religious tourism and the like. and potential economic viability of small
Farm based rural tourism is a non- farms and rural communities. India is an
seasonal tourism product and it must be agriculture country and most of its people live
promoted as such. Many attractions and in villages. These villages are generally cut off
activities have evolved as a result of the from the cities and have a different kind of life.
development of farm tourism. They are: Farm The villagers live a healthy, peaceful life.
visitor centres, Farm museums and farm Establishment of agri tourism units will
shops, self-guided farm trails, educational promote livelihood security through
visits and demonstrations, nature studies and improving the diversity and security of
workshops on interesting or emerging resources, skills and technologies that are
agriculture topics. Farm store: exhibition of available to agricultural communities.
farm equipments. Agro tourism is considered as the fastest
The urban population having roots in growing sector in the tourism industry. The
villages always has had the curiosity to learn concept has been successfully implemented in
about sources of food, plants, animals, raw states like Maharashtra, Kerala, Rajasthan,
materials like wood, handicrafts, languages, Jharkhand, Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh. It
culture, tradition, dresses and rural lifestyle. has become a new avenue for earning income
Farm-Tourism which revolves around for rural farmers. In Maharashtra, rural areas
farmers, villages and agriculture has the have formed an organization named
capacity to satisfy the curiosity of this Maharashtra State Agri and Rural Tourism
segment of population. Rural games, festivals, (MART). There are about 150 Agri tourism
food, dress and the nature provide varieties of centers in the state working without financial


assistance of the government schemes. In Pragpur. Recently. the Konaseema Rural
Kerala, the government has played a key role Tourism Project of Department of Tourism,
in boosting rural and health tourism. Government of Andhra Pradesh (with 5 house
Rajasthan is one of the preferred ventures to boats) has bagged best national tourism
attract the foreign visitors. In Himachal project award.
Pradesh, the state government is motivating The major challenges are need to
promoting the rural people to create required preserve the environment and natural
facilities in rural areas for tourism purpose. resources, the need for education, proper
There are some areas identified by the understanding for both tourists and local
government under Endogenous Tourism people, and the need to generate a democratic
Project across the country. There are 22 movement which helps people at all levels to
tourist spots. These include Pochampalli in participate in tourism development. They
Andhra Pradesh Hooka in Gujarat, Naggar in need to focus on occupation training,
Himachal Pradesh. Banavasi in Karnataka, handicraft promotion, and improvement of
Aranmula in Kerala, Pipli in Odisha, Lachen in both the landscape and the basic
Sikkim, Karaikudi in Tamil Nadu and infrastructure, to increase villagers quality of
Jageshwar and Mana in Uttarakhand. These life by creating a healthy environment. The
village destinations are marketed based on cooperative system in rural tourism can be an
rich traditions, crafts, accommodation, effective approach in bringing positive impact
cuisine, hygiene and other basic amenities etc. in rural areas. Local people can monitor and
their accessibility, environmental issues control the negative impacts of tourism on
(pollution, ecofragility etc.), safety, law and their own society, if they have an equal stake
order situation (for both local population as and authority in management and
well as tourists), etc. The villages for the development. Lack of Trained Manpower-
promotion of village tourism are identifted by People trained in hotel management would
the District Tourism Advisory Committees. not like to go to the rural areas so it will have
Some of the states have by their own to depend on rural people who are required
initiatives begun promoting rural tourism. For to be trained to cater to the needs of the
instance the forest department of the tourists. Legislation Problems: Tourism is a
Uttaranchal government has set up Centre for part of entertainment so all hotels, motels and
Ecotourism and Sustainable Livelihoods. This cottages having license are paying high taxes
centre aims at capacity building of local to the government: But in rural tourism as
communities and promotion of rural tourism. rural people will also be involved, there
The Indian National Trust for Art and should be a provision of tax holiday. Lack of
Cultural Heritage (INTACH) jointly with the Communication Skills- Language and
Government of Himachal Pradesh is education is the basic hindrance in
developing and preserving Heritage Village communication. The ability to communicate
effectively is very essential. Much of success
will depend on our ability to give warm SAANSAD ADARSH
welcome to tourists. Villagers will have to GRAM YOJANA
understand the tourist wants and needs. Lack The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra
of Proper Physical Infrastructures nearly half Modi launched the Saansad Adarsh Gram
0 the villages in the country do not have all Yojana on October 11, 2014 calling, it a
weather roads. Just getting to some of these scheme that would open the door for good
villages is very difficult task in northeast politics, and inviting all MPs to select a village
states, like Assam landscape is very beautiful, to develop on a demand- driven, rather than
but due to heavy rainfall it is inaccessible for a supply-driven model, with peoples
developing. tourism especially during rainy participation.
season. The Prime Minister said that
Language Hindrance- There are 16 development in villages was often supply-
recognized languages and 850 dialects in oriented. The Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana,
India. Although Hindi is an official language, would however have three distinct features -
but in many parts of India people do not it would be (a) demand driven (b) inspired by
understand it. Either the rural people have to society and (c) based on peoples participation.
upgrade themselves to communicate with the The Prime Minister said that while democracy
tourists or they will not get much benefit and politics were inseparable, damage was
from rural tourism. Along with this, villagers often caused by bad politics. This scheme
will have to understand Hindi to interact with would inspire a movement towards good
the Indian customers and English to politics, with MPs acting as facilitators and
communicate with the foreign customers. catalytic agents, the Prime Minister said.
Business Planning Skills-For any business, Addressing the gathering after releasing the
technical Knowledge arid skill is required to guidelines for the scheme, he said that from
organize and maintain it. With the help of independence till now, all Governments have
government or non-government organization, worked for rural development. These
business plan could be prepared but, the attempts should be progressively modified
with time, in tune with changes happening
villagers should participate in developing and
around the world. He said, though
implementing the project on rural tourism.
government schemes were working across the
Trained tourist Guide-The guide plays a very
country, in each state there were a few villages
important role in attracting tourists. The
that the state could be proud of. This shows
guide should have thorough knowledge about
that there was something extra that the
the place and he or she should able to
leadership and people in those villages had
generate interest in the mind of tourist to visit done, beyond government schemes. The
the site. Department of Tourism can select Prime Minister said that this something
and train the guide and then provide the extra is the spirit behind Saansad Adarsh
License. Gram Yojana.


He sought inspiration from Loknayak developed by the MPs and then by 2019, two
Jayaprakash Narain on his anniversary, saying more villages will be taken up. If states also
that peoples participation in development was encourage their legislators to take up the
essential in building an Adarsh Gram. He also scheme - five to six more villages could be
paid tribute to Nanaji Deshmukh, who had added in this timeframe. It is expected that
worked towards the concept of village self- even one village when developed would have
sufficiency a cascading effect on other villages in the
The Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana would Block. This scheme would help MPs point out
work through the leadership of the bottlenecks in such schemes, leading to an
Parliamentarians. By 2016, one village will be outcome -oriented approach.
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72
Gist of VOL32 GIST OF THE PIB
v. to allow multiple types of simplified
conformity assessment schemes
The PIB including Self Declaration Of Conformity
(SDOC) against any standard which will
give multiple simplified options to
manufacturers to adhere to standards
and get a certificate of conformity, thus
improving the ease of doing business;
vi. to enable the Central Government to
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime
appoint any authority, in addition to the
Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today gave its
Bureau of Indian Standards, to verify the
approval to introduce a new Bureau of Indian
conformity of products and services to a
Standards Bill, 2015. The new Bill will provide
standard and issue certificate of
legislative framework for following new
conformity;
provisions other than the provisions in the
vii. to enable the Government to implement
existing Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 1986
mandatory hallmarking of precious
which is proposed to be repealed:
metal articles;
The main objectives of the proposed viii. to strengthen penal provisions for better
legislation are:- and effective compliance and enable
i. to establish the Bureau of Indian compounding of offences for violations;
standards (BIS) as the National Standards ix. to provide recall, including product
Body of India; liability of products bearing the Standard
ii. The Bureau to perform its functions Mark, but not conforming to relevant
through a Governing Council, which will Indian Standards; and
consist of its President and other x. Repeal of the BIS Act, 1986.
members; Consequential amendments will be
iii. to include goods, services and systems, made subsequently in the rules and
besides articles and processes under the regulations to ensure implementation of the
standardization regime; new Bill. The proposed provisions in the new
iv. To enable the Government to bring under Bureau of Indian Standards Bill, 2015 will
the mandatory certification regime such empower the Central Government and the
article, process or ser vice which it Bureau of Indian Standards to promote a
considers necessary from the point of culture of quality of products and services
view of health, safety, environment, through mandatory/voluntary compliance
prevention of deceptive practices, with Indian standards through the process of
security etc; product certification and Certificate of
Conformity with a broad objective of

GIST OF THE PIB VOL32 73

consumers welfare. It is also expected to providing houses to slum dwellers. Under the
improve enforcement of Indian standards. Credit Linked Interest Subsidy component,
The proposed provisions will also promote interest subsidy of 6.5 percent on housing
harmonious development of the activities of loans availed upto a tenure of 15 years will be
standardization, marking and quality provided to EWS/LIG categories, wherein the
certification of goods and services, to provide subsidy pay-out on NPV basis would be about
for compulsory hallmarking of precious metal Rs.2.3 lakh per house for both the categories.
articles, widening the scope of conformity Central assistance at the rate of Rs.1.5 lakh
assessment, to enhance penalties, to make per house for EWS category will be provided
offences compoundable and to simplify under the Affordable Housing in Partnership
certain provisions in the Act. and Beneficiary-led individual house
HOUSING FOR ALL BY 2022 MISSION - construction or enhancement. State
NATIONAL MISSION FOR URBAN HOUSING Government or their para statals like Housing
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Boards can take up project of affordable
Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, gave its housing to avail the Central Government
approval for launch of Housing for All by grant.
2022 aimed for urban areas with following The scheme will be implemented as a
components/options to States/Union Centrally Sponsored Scheme except the credit
Territories and cities:- linked subsidy component, which will be
a) Slum rehabilitation of Slum Dwellers with implemented as a Central Sector Scheme. The
participation of private developers using Mission also prescribes certain mandatory
land as a resource; reforms for easing up the urban land market
for housing, to make adequate urban land
b) Promotion of affordable housing for
available for affordable housing. Houses
weaker section through credit linked
constructed under the mission would be
subsidy;
allotted in the name of the female head of the
c) Affordable housing in partnership with households or in the joint name of the male
Public & Private sectors and head of the household and his wife. The
d) Subsidy for beneficiary-led individual scheme will cover the entire urban area
house construction or enhancement. consisting of 4041 statutory towns with initial
Central grant of Rs. one lakh per house, focus on 500 Class I cities and it will be
on an average, will be available under the implemented in three phases as follows, viz.
slum rehabilitation programme. A State Phase-I (April 2015 - March 2017) to cover
Government would have f lexibility in 100 Cities to be selected from States/UTs as
deploying this slum rehabilitation grant to per their willingness; Phase - II (April 2017 -
any slum rehabilitation project taken for March 2019) to cover additional 200 Cities
development using land as a resource for and Phase-III (April 2019 - March 2022) to
74 VOL32 GIST OF THE PIB
cover all other remaining Cities. However, The Technology Sub-Mission will also
there will be flexibility in covering number of work on the following aspects: i) Design &
cities in various phases and inclusion of Planning ii) Innovative technologies &
additional cities may be considered by the materials iii) Green buildings using natural
Ministry of Housing & Urban Poverty resources and iv) Earthquake and other
Alleviation in case there is demand from disaster resistant technologies and designs. In
States and cities and have capacity to include the spirit of cooperative federalism, the
them in earlier phases. Credit linked subsidy Mission will provide flexibility to States for
component of the scheme would be choosing best options amongst four verticals
implemented across the countr y in all of the Mission to meet the demand of housing
statutory towns from the very beginning. in their states. The process of project
Dimension of the task at present is formulation and approval in accordance with
estimated at 2 crore. Exact number of houses, Mission Guidelines would be left to the States,
though, would depend on demand survey for so that projects can be formulated, approved
which all States/Cities will undertake detailed and implemented faster. The Mission will
demand assessment for assessing actual provide technical and financial support in
demand by integrating Aadhar number, Jan accordance to the Guidelines to the States to
Dhan Yojana account numbers or any such meet the challenge of urban housing. The
identification of intended beneficiaries. A Mission will also compile best practices in
Technology Sub-mission under the Mission terms of affordable housing policies of the
would be set up to facilitate adoption of
States/UTs designs and technologies adopted
modern, innovative and green technologies
by States and Cities with an objective to
and building material for faster and quality
spread best practices across States and cities
construction of houses. The Technology Sub-
and foster cross learning. The Mission will
Mission will also facilitate preparation and
also develop a virtual platform to obtain
adoption of layout designs and building plans
suggestions and inputs on house design,
suitable for various geo-climatic zones. It will
also assist States/Cities in deploying disaster materials, technologies and other elements of
resistant and environment friendly urban housing.
technologies. The Technology Sub-Mission CLEAN GANGA MISSION WILL UTILIZE
will coordinate with various regulatory and GEOSPATIAL AND CROWD-SOURCING
administrative bodies for mainstreaming and TECHNOLOGIES
up scaling deployment of modern construction To effectively plan and monitor the
technologies and material in place of Government of Indias flagship Clean Ganga
conventional construction. The Technology Mission, National Mission for Clean Ganga
Sub-Mission will also coordinate with other (NMCG), Ministry of Water Resources, River
agencies working in green and energy Development and Ganga Rejuvenation and
efficient technologies, climate change etc. National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC),


Indian Space Research Organizations signed a participation in monitoring / up-linking of
Memorandum of Understanding MoU. The field data, customizing Bhuvan geoportal for
objective of the MoU is to utilize the visualizing, query and analysis of datasets
geospatial and crowd-sourcing technologies related to Ganga basin and Co-ordinate and
for pollution monitoring in river Ganga. initiate necessar y linkages with other
Bhuvan Ganga Portal is an exclusive web agencies, with regard to geo-spatial database
portal deployed in ISRO Bhuvans geoportal and web-based applications for river water
with all geospatial layers related to river quality monitoring.
Ganga. It will be used as a tool to support
decision making and planning for the Clean NO ROLE FOR CENTRAL GOVERNMENT IN
SANCTIONING OF PROJECTS UNDER NEW
Ganga Mission. Bhuvan Mobile App is a user- URBAN MISSIONS
friendly android based application to enable
public to collect and report information on Based on the learnings of
various pollution sources that affects the implementation of Jawaharlal Nehru National
water quality of river Ganga. This mobile app Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) that
will provide a platform for crowd sourcing to ended up in sub-optimal physical and
monitor pollution in river Ganga and enable financial performance, the Central
decision makers to prioritize interventions. Government has radically overhauled the
The first version of the application is made Operational Guidelines for implementation of
available for download in the Bhuvan Ganga Smart Cities Mission, Atal Mission for
web portal (http://bhuvan.nrsc.gov.in/ganga). Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation
(AMRUT) and Housing for All Mission in
NMCG has identified the need of
Urban Areas. The Guidelines released by
utilizing the space and other cutting-edge
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi at the
technologies for effective planning and
launch of the three new urban missions allow
monitoring the activities taken up for Clean the States and Union Territories full liberty
Ganga Mission. NMCG and NRSC have found and flexibility in formulation, approval and
it mutually rewarding to partner for utilizing execution of projects under the three
space technology in the Clean Ganga Mission missions. The two urban ministries have
and have agreed to have a long term sought to ensure timely sanction and
partnership through this MoU. Both the execution and certainty of resources for
parties would work together in the areas of various projects and participation of citizens
applying geospatial technology in the various in identifying development needs under the
aspects of Clean Ganga initiative. The areas of new urban schemes. Central Government has
mutual interest as identified include, use of virtually withdrawn from the earlier practice
geospatial technology for water quality of appraising and sanctioning individual
monitoring, development of mobile projects, there by ending the scope for
application for enabling community subjectivity and discretion.
The major new provisions incorporated convergence with other central and state
in the Guidelines and common to all the three government schemes as appropriate for
urban missions include: resource maximization.
1. Objective criteria for selection of cities 7. PPP model shall be the main resource of
and allocation of funds: Potential Smart resource mobilization.
Cities and AMRUT cities are to be based 8. Involvement of Members of Parliament
on an objective and equitable criteria and State Assemblies in formulation and
giving equal weightage to urban monitoring of projects provided for.
population and number of statutory cities Mission-wise Guidelines seeking better
in each State/UT. Housing Mission to be execution of projects are as below:
implemented in all the 4,041 statutory AMRUT
cities/towns. For smart city 1. No projects without availability of land
development, each selected city will be and all necessary clearences shall be
provided central assistance of Rs.100 cr included in the Mission by States/UTs.
per year. Under AMRUT, allocation of 2. States shall transfer funds to urban local
funds will be as per urban population and bodies within 7 days of transfer by
number of cities/towns in each State/UT. central government and no diversion of
Under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana in funds to be made failing which penal
urban areas, it will be based on the interest would be charged besides taking
number of urban poor and slum dwellers. other adverse action by the centre.
2. States/UTs to appraise and approve 3. Action Plans should provide for O&M
individual projects unlike in the past costs for assets created for at least five
when urban ministries used to do so. years based on user charges.
3. To avoid delays and non-completion of 4. Instead of penalizing States/ULBs for
projects on account of lack of resources, non-implementation of reforms by
States/UTs will now be required to firmly linking fund release with progress on
indicate resource tie ups under state level reforms resulting in delays, the
action plans. Guidelines now provide for incentivizing
reforms by earmarking 10% of annual
4. To enhance urban governance, clear
allocation to be allocated to good
Action Plans for timely implementation
performers at the end of each year.
of identified reforms need to be
5. For water supply, sewerage, septage,
indicated.
storm water drains and urban transport,
5. Consultations with urban citizens made centres share to be in the range of 1/3 of
mandatory to ensure need based and project cost to 50%. States to mobilize
bottom up planning of projects. the balance with its own share being not
6. State level Action Plans to clearly indicate less than 20%.


6. A set of 11 Reforms to be implemented Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana(Urban)
in four years including :Promoting e- 1. Ownership of houses to be in the name
governance, Improving collection of of woman or jointly with husband
various taxes, fee and user charges, 2. Houses of 30 sq.mt carpet area to be built
Augmenting double entry accounting, for EWS categor y. In case of non-
Constitution and professionalization of availability States can relax with the
municipal cadre, Preparation of GIS consent of beneficiaries. States also can
based Master Plans, Devolution of funds enhance the area while meeting the
and functionaries to urban local bodies, additional expenditure.
Review of Building By-laws, Setting up 3. Central grant of Rs.one lakh on an
financial intermediaries for pooling and average per house to be provided by the
disbursement of resources, Credit Rating Central Government can be used by
of urban local bodies, Energy and Water States for any slum redevelopment
Audit and Achieving Swachh Bharat project in the state to make them viable.
Milestones. 4. Interest support @ 6.50% to be paid soon
Smart Cities Mission after sanction of loan to the beneficiary
1. Central assistance to be used only for so as to bring down EMI .
infrastructure projects which have larger 5. Beneficiaries can submit Self-certificate/
public benfit Affidavit as proof of income.
2. Minimum area norm for Retrofitting is 6. Under Affordable Housing in Partnership
500 acres; for Redevelopment-50 acres; with Private and Public Sector, 35% of
for Green Field projects-250 acres. This houses shall be for economically weaker
will be 50% for North-Eastern and sections and the minimum project size
Himalayan states. shall be above 250 houses.
3. Bench marks to be achieved include : 10%
7. Central Ministries/Agencies also to take
of energy needs to be met from
up Slum Redevelopment Projects on their
renewable sources, 80% of building
lands without charging for land and will
construction to be green and 35% of
be eligible for central grant.
housing in green field projects to be for
economically weaker sections. 8. Under In-situ Slum Redevelopment,
Private developers to be chosen through
4. Special Purpose Vehicles to be set up for
open tendering and it is developers
implementation of smart city plans with
responsibility to provide transit
50:50 equity of States and Urban Local
accommodation during construction
Bodies
period. Private developers to be given
5. An Inter-departmental Task Force to be
only that much of land required for
set up to coordinate all aspects of smart
commercial viability of project.
city development
All the three Missions would be underground cabling in the areas around the
implemented as Centrally Sponsored Schemes temples and ghats in the Varanasi city. The
except Affordable Housing with Credit Linked Scheme includes upgradation of the electrical
Subsidy component. Share of States/UTs vary assets at Sub centers, lines and distribution
from one to the other. Under AMRUT, share transformers, capacity enhancement and
of States shall not be less than 20% and under renewal of the old sub stations and
Smart Cities Mission, share of States/ULBs installation of roof-top solar panel in
shall match that of central assistance and the government buildings. IPDS will help in
rest to be mobilized by the States/UTs and reduction in AT&C losses; establishment of IT
ULBs. Under PMAY, it has been left to the enabled energy accounting / auditing system,
States/UTs who would be required to improvement in billed energy based on
mobilize the balance after centres share. metered consumption and improvement in
collection efficiency.
PRIME MINISTER TO LAUNCH
INTEGRATED POWER DEVELOPMENT CENSUS DATA ON
SCHEME DISABLED POPULATION RELEASED
The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi The Office of the Registrar General and
will be launching Integrated Power Census Commissioner, India has released data
Development Scheme (IPDS) at Varanasi. The on disabled population by type of disability,
IPDS is one of the flagship programmes of the type of households and sex 2011. The data
Ministry of Power and will be at the core gives the number of households having
attempt to ensure 24x7 power for all. The disabled persons by type of households
Scheme, announced in the Union Budget 2014- including normal, institutional and houseless
15, aims at strengthening of sub-transmission households. The disabled persons living in
network, Metering, IT application, Customer different type of households are further
Care Services, provisioning of solar panels cross-classified into eight different disabilities
and the completion of the ongoing works of i.e. seeing, hearing, speech, movement,
Restructured Accelerated Power Development mental retardation, mental illness, any other
and completion of the Reforms Programme and multiple disability for India/States/UTs.
(RAPDRP).
The data released shows 207.8 lakh
Government of India will provide households having disabled persons in the
budgetary support of Rs. 45,800 crore over country constituting 8.3 percent of the total
the entire implementation period of IPDS. households. Out of the total households
Out of the total amount Rs 1,067 crore has having disabled persons, about 99 percent
been sanctioned for Uttar Pradesh including households are normal households, 0.4
Rs 572 crore for Varanasi. The Project percent are institutional and 0.2 percent are
envisages converting area overhead lines into houseless households. Total households


having disabled persons show an increase of resources on the creation as well as running
20.5 lakhs, from 187.3 lakhs in 2001 to 207.8 of the educational infrastructure. However,
lakhs in 2011 (6.2 lakhs in rural and 14.3 lakhs for availing such facilities, individuals
in urban). Normal households increased by pursuing education also incur expenditure in
2,02,4495, institutional households by 8,370 the form of tuition fees, examination fees,
and houseless households by 13,560 during charges for stationery, books, etc. Though
the decade 2001-11. Disabled persons in information on the expenditure incurred by
normal households increased by 48,19,382, the governments is available in budget
institutional households by 65,895 and documents, the data on education expenditure
houseless households by 22,948 during the made by individuals have to be collected
said decade. through specialised household surveys. The
main objective of sur vey on Social
KEY INDICATORS OF SOCIAL
CONSUMPTION IN INDIA ON EDUCATION Consumption: Education was to assess the (a)
participation of persons aged 5-29 years in
In rural areas, literacy rate was seen as
pursuit of education, (b) extent of use of
71% compared to 86% in urban areas. Also
educational infrastructure, facilities and
among persons of age 7 years and above male
incentives provided by Government, (c)
literacy rate being substantially higher (83%)
private expenditure incurred by households
than female literacy rate (67%). Similarly it
on education, (d) the extent of educational
was found in the rural areas, nearly 4.5% of
wastage in terms of dropping-out and
males and 2.2% of females completed
discontinuance and its causes, and (e) IT
education level of graduation and above
literacy of persons aged 14 years and above.
while in the urban areas 17% of males and
13% of females completed this level of The survey covered entire country with
education. These were the details found from samples taken from 36,479 households in
survey on Social Consumption: Education rural areas and 29,447 households in urban
during National Sample Survey (NSS) 71st areas from 4,577 villages and 3,720 urban
Round, January to June 2014 conducted by blocks. Some key indicators on various aspects
the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), of social consumption on education in the
Ministr y of Statistics and Programme country as obtained from the survey during
Implementation. January-June 2014 are as follows:
Other details of the survey released by I. Literacy[1] rates
NSSO as the Key Indicators of Social Literacy rate among persons of age
Consumption in India: Education are as 7 years and above in India was 75%.
In rural areas, literacy rate was 71%
follows: compared to 86% in urban areas.
In most of the countries, government Differences in literacy rate among
spend a substantial amount of financial persons of age 7 years and above was
observed with male literacy rate in the urban areas than in the rural
being substantially higher (83%) areas.
than female literacy rate (67%). In the rural areas, nearly 4.5% of
Adult literacy (age 15 years and males and 2.2% of females
above) rate in India was around 71%. completed education level of
For adults also, literacy rate in rural graduation and above while in the
areas was lower than that in urban urban areas 17% of males and 13%
areas. In rural areas, adult literacy of females completed this level of
rate was 64% as compared to 84% in education.
urban areas. IV. Attendance and enrolment
II. Accessibility of nearest primary, upper In both rural and urban areas, a very
primary and secondary school small proportion of persons (nearly
No significant difference between 1 per cent) in the age group 5-29
rural and urban India existed in years, were currently enrolled but
terms of distance for physical access not attending educational
to primary schooling. In both rural institutions.
and urban areas, nearly 99% In rural areas 58.7% of males and
households reported availability of 53% of females in the 5-29 age-
primary school within 2 kms from group were currently attending
the house. educational institution. In urban
For accessing educational areas, the percentages being 57% for
institutions providing higher level of males and 54.6% for females.
learning, say upper primary or V. Attendance ratios
secondary, a lower proportion of Gross Attendance Ratio for level
households in rural areas compared primary was nearly 100% for both
to the households in urban areas males and females in rural and urban
reported existence of such facilities areas.
within 2 kms. Gross Attendance Ratio at level
Nearly 86% of rural households and primary to higher secondary was
96% of urban households reported 91% and 88% for rural males and
upper primary schools within a females respectively, marginally
distance of 2 kms from the house lower as compared to 93% for both
while nearly 60% of rural males and females in urban sector.
households and 91% of urban Net Attendance Ratio in India at
households reported secondary primary level was 84% for male and
schools at such a distance. 83% for female children in the age-
III. Completed level of education among group 6-10 years, the official age-
persons of age 5 years and above group for Classes I-V.
The proportion of persons having There was no major rural-urban or
completed higher level of education, male-female disparity at all-India
say, graduation and above, was more level till elementary level (primary


and upper primary) in the Net nearly 26% of the students were taking
Attendance Ratio. private coaching.
VI. Attendance by type of courses IX. Private expenditure on education
Among the male students pursuing Average expenditure ( ) per student
general education, 46% were incurred and/or to be incurred
pursuing humanities as compared to during the current academic session
54% of the female students, 35% of was nearly 6788 for general
the male students were pursuing education, 62841 for technical/
science compared to 28% female professional (except vocational) and
students and 20% of the male 27676 for vocational course
students were pursuing commerce At primary level, expenditure per
compared to 18% of the female student in urban areas was 10083,
students. more than four times than that in
Among the male students pursing rural areas ( 2811).
technical/professional education, Average expenditure on technical
46% were pursuing engineering education in private aided & unaided
compared to 29% of the female institutions varied between nearly
students and 4% of the male students 1.5-2.5 times of that in government
were pursuing medicine (including institutions.
nursing) compared to 14% of the Nearly 46% of the expenditure for
female students. general education and 73% of the
VII. Incentives received expenditure for technical education
Almost 94% students from rural was on course fee.
areas and 87% students from urban For students pursuing general
areas at primary level studying in courses, 15% was spent on private
government institutions were coaching as against 3% for students
receiving free education. pursuing technical/professional
At upper primar y level, 89% education (including vocational).
students in rural areas and 80% X. Access to computer and internet
students in urban areas, studying in Nearly 6% of rural households and
government institutions were 29% of urban household possessed
receiving free education. computer.
At secondary and higher secondary In India, among households with at
level, 58% students in rural areas and least one member of age 14 years
52% students in urban areas, and above, nearly 27% had internet
studying in government institutions, access in the survey year, 2014. The
received free education. proportions were 16% among rural
63% of students at primary level and households and 49% of urban
62% of students at upper primary households.
level received mid-day meal. Among persons of age 14-29 years,
VIII. Private coaching- At the all-India level, nearly 18% in rural areas and 49% in
urban areas were able to operate a Governance initiatives have been revamped to
computer. align them with the principles of Digital India.
A publication based on above cited Key The vision of Digital India programme
Indicators is also available on the website also aims at inclusive growth in areas of
(www.mospi.gov.in) of the Ministr y of electronic services, products, manufacturing
Statistics and Programme Implementation. and job opportunities etc. The vision of Digital
DIGITAL INDIA WEEK India is centred on three key areas -
Several initiatives have been taken for (i) Digital Infrastructure as a Utility to Every
introduction of Information Technology to Citizen
empower people. Some of the initiatives have (ii) Governance & Services on Demand and
resulted in development of products to (iii) Digital Empowerment of Citizens
extend various services in areas relating to With the above vision, the Digital India
health, education, labour and employment, programme aims to provide Broadband
commerce etc. The Prime Minister Shri Highways, Universal Access to Mobile
Narendra Modi would launch the Digital India Connectivity, Public Internet Access
Week this evening urging people to gain Programme, E-Governance: Reforming
knowledge and to empower themselves Government through Technology, eKranti -
through the Digital India Programme of his Electronic Delivery of Services, Information
Government. Digital India has been for All, Electronics Manufacturing: Target Net
envisioned as an ambitious umbrella Zero Imports, IT for Jobs and Early Harvest
programme to transform India into a digitally Programmes. Several projects/products have
empowered society and knowledge economy. already launched or ready to be launched as
It comprises of various initiatives under the indicated below:
single programme each targeted to prepare
Digital Locker System aims to minimize
India for becoming a knowledge economy and
for bringing good governance to citizens the usage of physical documents and
through synchronized and co-ordinated enable sharing of e-documents across
engagement of the entire Government. agencies. The sharing of the e-documents
will be done through registered
This programme has been envisaged and
repositories thereby ensuring the
coordinated by the Department of Electronics
authenticity of the documents online.
and Information Technology (DeitY) in
collaboration with various Central Ministries/ MyGov.in has been implemented as a
Departments and State Governments. The platform for citizen engagement in
Prime Minister as the Chairman of Monitoring governance, through a Discuss, Do
Committee on Digital India, activities under and Disseminate approach. The mobile
the Digital India initiative is being carefully App for MyGov would bring these
monitored. All the existing and ongoing e- features to users on a mobile phone.


Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) Mobile technology to manage all types of services
app would be used by people and like voice, data, multimedia/ video and
Government organizations for achieving other types of packet switched
the goals of Swachh Bharat Mission. communication services.
eSign framework would allow citizens to BSNL has undertaken large scale
digitally sign a document online using deployment of Wi-Fi hotspots
Aadhaar authentication. throughout the country. The user can
The Online Registration System (ORS) latch on the BSNL Wi-Fi network through
under the eHospital application has been their mobile devices.
introduced. This application provides To deliver citizen services electronically
important ser vices such as online and improve the way citizens and
registration, payment of fees and authorities transact with each other, it is
appointment, online diagnostic reports, imperative to have ubiquitous
enquiring availability of blood online etc. connectivity. The government also
National Scholarships Portal is a one stop realises this need as ref lected by
solution for end to end scholarship including broadband highways as one of
process right from submission of student the pillars of Digital India. While
application, verification, sanction and connectivity is one criterion, enabling and
disbursal to end beneficiary for all the providing technologies to facilitate
scholarships provided by the delivery of services to citizens forms the
Government of India. other.
DeitY has undertaken an initiative Policy initiatives have also been
namely Digitize India Platform (DIP) for undertaken by DeitY in the e- Governance
large scale digitization of records in the domain like e-Kranti Framework, Policy on
country that would facilitate efficient Adoption of Open Source Software for
delivery of services to the citizens. Government of India, Framework for
The Government of India has undertaken Adoption of Open Source Software in e-
an initiative namely Bharat Net, a high Governance Systems, Policy on Open
speed digital highway to connect all 2.5 Application Programming Interfaces (APIs)
lakh Gram Panchayats of country. This for Government of India, E-mail Policy of
would be the worlds largest rural Government of India, Policy on Use of IT
broadband connectivity project using Resources of Government of India, Policy on
optical fibre. Collaborative Application Development by
BSNL has introduced Next Generation Opening the Source Code of Government
Network (NGN), to replace 30 year old Applications, Application Development & Re-
exchanges, which is an IP based Engineering Guidelines for Cloud Ready
Applications
BPO Policy has been approved to create at the Centre and States for implementation of
BPO centres in different North Eastern skilling activities in the country. The Mission
states and also in smaller / mofussil towns will have a three-tiered, high powered
of other states. decision making structure. At its apex, the
Electronics Development Fund (EDF) Missions Governing Council, chaired by the
Policy aims to promote Innovation, R&D, Prime Minister, will provide overall guidance
and Product Development and to create and policy direction. The Steering Committee,
a resource pool of IP within the country chaired by Minister in Charge of Skill
to create a self-sustaining eco-system of Development, will review the Missions
Venture Funds. activities in line with the direction set by the
National Centre for Flexible Electronics Governing Council. The Mission Directorate,
(NCFlexE) is an initiative of Government with Secretary, Skill Development as Mission
of India to promote research and Director, will ensure implementation,
innovation in the emerging area of coordination and convergence of skilling
Flexible Electronics. activities across Central Ministries/
Centre of Excellence on Internet on Departments and State Governments. The
Things (IoT) is a joint initiative of Mission will also run select sub-missions in
Department of Electronics & Information high priority areas. Further, the National Skill
Technology (DeitY ), ERNET and Development Agency (NSDA), the National
NASSCOM. Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and
The estimated impact of Digital India by the Directorate of Training will function
2019 would be cross cutting, ranging from under the overall guidance of the Mission.
broadband connectivity in all Panchayats, Wi- The Ministry of Skill Development and
fi in schools and universities and Public Wi- Entrepreneurship (MSDE) provides a natural
Fihotspots. The programme will generate home for the Mission, organically linking all
huge number of IT, Telecom and Electronics three decision making levels and facilitating
jobs, both directly and indirectly. Success of linkages to all Central Ministries/
this programme will make India Digitally Departments and State Governments.
empowered and the leader in usage of IT in The majority of Indias vast population
delivery of services related to various is of working age. Urgent and effective action
domains such as health, education, to Skill India is needed to capture the
agriculture, banking, etc. demographic potential of Indias youth. Based
on data from the 68th Round of NSSO, it is
NATIONAL SKILL
DEVELOPMENT MISSION estimated that only 4.69 percent of Indias
total workforce has undergone formal skill
The National Skill Development Mission training, compared with 52 percent in the
will provide a strong institutional framework USA, 68 percent in the UK, 75 percent in


Germany, 80 percent in Japan and 96 percent approval for the Indias first integrated
in South Korea. Despite efforts to hasten and National Policy for Skill Development and
scale up skilling through the creation of the Entrepreneurship 2015. The Policy
National Skill Development Fund (NSDF) in acknowledges the need for an effective
2009, the launch of the NSDC in the same roadmap for promotion of entrepreneurship
year, and creation of the NSDA in 2013, as the key to a successful skills strategy. The
progress to date has been sporadic. India previous National Policy on Skill Development
continues to face a skilling challenge of vast was formulated by the Ministry of Labour and
proportions. Based on the Census 2011 and Employment in 2009 and provided for a
NSSO (68th Round) data, it is estimated that review after five years to align the policy
104 million fresh entrants to the workforce framework with emerging national and
will require skill training by 2022, and 298 international trends. The Vision of the Policy
million of the existing workforce will require is to create an ecosystem of empowerment
additional skill training over the same time by Skilling on a large Scale at Speed with high
period. Acknowledging the formidable scale of Standards and to promote a culture of
this challenge, the government has notified
innovation based entrepreneurship which can
the creation of the first dedicated Department
generate wealth and employment so as to
of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship on
ensure Sustainable livelihoods for all citizens
31st July, 2014, which became a full-fledged
in the country.
Ministry on 9th Nov, 2014, with NSDA, NSDC
and NSDF under its purview. Further, the To achieve this Vision, the Policy has
Training and Apprenticeship verticals, four thrust areas. It addresses key obstacles to
comprising of the entire network of Industrial skilling, including low aspirational value, lack
Training Institutes (ITIs) and Apprenticeship of integration with formal education, lack of
Training schemes, were transferred from the focus on outcomes, low quality of training
Ministr y of Labour and Employment to infrastructure and trainers, etc. Further, the
Ministr y of Skill Development and Policy seeks to align supply and demand for
Entrepreneurship (MSDE) on 16th April, skills by bridging existing skill gaps,
2015. These changes have paved the way for promoting industr y engagement,
a new skilling ecosystem, with closer operationalising a quality assurance
coordination across the public and private framework, leverage technology and
sectors. promoting greater opportunities for
apprenticeship training. Equity is also a focus
NATIONAL POLICY FOR SKILL
of the Policy, which targets skilling
DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
2015 opportunities for socially/geographically
marginalised and disadvantaged groups. Skill
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime
development and entrepreneurship
Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, gave its
programmes for women are a specific focus of
the Policy. In the entrepreneurship domain, the disparity in minimum wages across the
the Policy seeks to educate and equip potential country, National Floor Level Minimum Wage
entrepreneurs, both within and outside the (NFLMU) is fixed which also requires to be
formal education system. It also seeks to revised from time to time on the basis of rise
connect entrepreneurs to mentors, incubators in Consumer Price Index for Industrial
and credit markets, foster innovation and Workers (CPI-IW). The NFLMU was last
entrepreneurial culture, improve ease of revised from Rs. 115/- to Rs. 137/- per day
doing business and promote a focus on social with effect from 01.07.2013.
entrepreneurship. CIVIL AVIATION MINISTER
NATIONAL FLOOR LEVEL MINIMUM LAUNCHES GAGAN SYSTEM
WAGE ENHANCED FROM RS.137 TO RS.160 GAGAN is the first SBAS (Satellite Based
PER DAY
Augmentation System) in the world certified
National Floor Level Minimum Wage for Approach with Vertical Guidance
(NFLMU) has been revised upwards from operating in the Equatorial Ionospheric
existing Rs. 137/- to Rs. 160/-per day w.e.f. region and the third SBAS to have achieved
01.07.2015. In a letter written to all the Chief this feat, after WAAS of USA and EGNOS of
Ministers and LGs today, Shri Bandaru Europe. GAGAN was already certified for en
Dattatraya, the Minister of State(IC) for route operation since 30th December 2013.
Labour and Employment has urged to take GAGAN is a joint effort of Airport Authority
necessary steps for fixation/revision of the of India (AAI) and Indian Space Research
minimum rates of wages in respect of all Organization (ISRO). In the aviation field,
scheduled employments in State/UT not GAGAN will support more direct air routes,
below the NFLMW of Rs. 160/- per day w.e.f. reduce fuel consumption and improve safety.
01.07.2015. In addition, GAGAN provides benefits to
The Minister has also emphasized to agriculture, all modes of transportation and
ensure implementation of various provisions public ser vices such a defence ser vices,
of the Minimum Wages Act, 1948 so that the security agencies and disaster recover y
objective of ensuring Minimum Wages to management by aiding in search and rescue to
workers is fulfilled. While reviewing the locate the disaster zone accurately. Since 14th
movement of CPI-IW during April 2014 to Februar y 2014, GAGAN has been
March 2015 over the period April 2012 to continuously providing navigation signals
March 2013, it was observed that the average from GSAT-8 and GSAT-10 satellites launched
CPI-IW has risen from 215.17 to 250.83, he by ISRO, augmenting the performance of GPS
said. Accordingly, the NFLMW has been signals received over Indian Airspace.
revised upwards from existing Rs. 137/- to Rs. LAUNCH OF SKILL INDIA CAMPAIGN
160/-per day w.e.f. 01.07.2015. In order to
have a uniform wage structure and to reduce Prime Minister will formally launch the
National Skill Development Mission, unveil


the new National Policy for Skill Development State Governments, leading Industry Bodies,
and Entrepreneurship 2015, and roll out on and trainees. Partnerships with all these these
all-India basis the Ministrys flagship scheme, stakeholders is vital to ensure that Skill India,
Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikash Yojana - is a success. MSDE has initiated a range of
PMKVY the pilot phase of which has already cross-sectoral partnerships, across Ministries
begun. The National Mission will converge, and Departments to scale up skill training
coordinate, implement and monitor skilling efforts.
activities across India. It will also be a vehicle Till date Eight cross-sectoral,
to achieve the objectives of the National Policy overarching MoUs have been signed between
for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship MSDE and other key Ministries including
2015, which will provide policy direction and (Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment,
guidance to all stakeholders in the skill Ministr y of Health & Family Welfare,
development and entrepreneurship Ministr y of Defence, Ministr y of Steel,
ecosystem. Ministry of Mines, Department of Chemicals
and Petrochemicals, Department of Fertilisers
The Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas
and Department of Pharmaceuticals). In
Yojana (PMKVY), the Ministrys flagship,
addition to this, two tri-partite MoUs have
demand-driven, reward-based skill training
been signed between NSDC, NSDF and
scheme will incentivise skill training, by
National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC)
providing financial rewards to candidates who
as well as Power Grid Corporation of India
successfuly complete approved skill training
Ltd.
programmes. PMKVY will skill 24 lakh youth,
across India, over the next one year. For the These MoUs seek to:
first time, the skills of young people who lack Leverage existing government
formal certification, such as workers in Indias infrastructure to deliver skill training
vast unorganised sector, will be recognised programmes
through an initiative known as Recognition of Mobilize CSR funds of Public Sector
Prior Learning (RPL), who will have a chance Undertakings (PSUs) to support skilling
to be assessed and certified for the skills that Upgrade equipment of ITIs and NSDC/
they already possess. 10 lakh youth will be SSC affiliated training providers
certified under PMKVYs RPL category over
Promote and scale up apprenticeship
the next one year.
training in PSUs
The launch of the Skill India Campaign is
Incentivize hiring of NSQF certified
an important milestone towards achieving the
personnel
objective of skilling with Speed, Scale and
Standards accross the country. This event Promote adoption of ITIs by PSUs,
would bring together key stakeholders including provision of technical and
including Central Ministries/Departments, resource support
Introduce vocational courses in schools them feel that by skilling, re-skilling, and
run by Ministries/PSUs upskilling, they shall become an integral part
Establish Centres of Excellence for high of the growth story of India, besides carving
quality skill training out a career trajectory for themselves.
Align training programmes to NSQF and The majority of Indias vast population
mobilize workforce for Recognition of is of working age. Urgent and effective action
Prior Learning (RPL) to Skill India is critical to capture the
Scale up skill training programmes, for demographic potential of Indias youth, so
Persons with Disabilities that they can contribute productively to the
A Skill Loan initiative will be launched economy. Recognising the centrality of skills
at the event, where loans from Rs 5,000-1.5 to overall socio-economic development within
lakhs will be available to more than 34 lakh and across nation-states, the United Nations,
youth of India, who seek to attend skill at its General Assembly in November 2014,
development programmes, over the next five declared 15th July as World Youth Skills Day.
years. Financial constraints will no longer be The resolution, endorsed by all UN regional
a hindrance to accessing skill training groups, seeks to generate greater awareness
programmes. The entire idea of celebrating and stimulate discussion on the vital role of
World Youth Skills Day on a large scale is to skill training, in giving youth access to
underscore the significance of skilling, employment and sustainable livelihood
vocational education and entrepreneurship pathways.
amongst the youth of the country and make

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Gist of
GIST OF SCIENCE REPORTER VOL32 89
more than today. Accordingly, the food
production will have to grow by 60% to feed
Science this increased population, demanding
intensive agriculture.
Reporter The pressure on soils is bound to

increase and soils are not easy to fix once they
degrade: it can take up to one thousand years
to form one centimetre of topsoil. That same
OUR SOIL OUR FUTURE topsoil can be quickly washed away by
erosion. Soils are typically made up of about
Soils dont have a voice, and there are
one-third water, one-third minerals and one-
only a few people to speak out for them. They
third organic materials. But, if we take these
are our silent ally in food production ... /r
three elements separately and mix them
This was Jose Graziano da Silva, Director-
together, we wont get soil. Soil is much like a
General of the Food and Agriculture
living organism. It is a complex and dynamic
Organization (FAa) speaking on the occasion
system that forms habitat for an immense
of the launching ceremony of the
diversity of species, including human beings.
International Year of Soils 2015.
It is composed of living and non-living
The soils are in danger because of
expanding cities, deforestation, unsustainable components. The living component includes
from large creatures like earthworms, ants,
land use and management practices,
etc. to microscopic forms like bacteria, fungi,
pollution, overgrazing and climate change.
protozoa, and micro-arthropods. The
The current rate of soil degradation threatens
physical and chemical properties of the soil
the capacity to meet the needs of the future
are attributed to the non-living components
generations. The main goal of the
of the soil. This largely includes the geological
International Year of Soils is, therefore, to
part, the solid material, which we often call
raise awareness about the importance of
the soil.
healthy soils and to advocate for sustainable
soil management in order to protect this The na ture of the soil varies across
precious natural resource. different geological landscapes, their
formation in turn affected by different
But, it is so sad and alarming that one-
third of the soils all over the world have climatic, physical and chemical factors. Fertile
soil remains as the base for the economic
already been degraded. If the current trend
prosperity of a nation through food, fuel and
continues, the global amount of arable and
fabrics. Soil could even sustain civilizations. It
productive land per person in 2050 will be a
supplies nutrients for growth of plants which
quarter of what it was in 1960. The world will
include agricultural crops also.
have over 9 billion people in 2050, 2 billion
90 VOL32 GIST OF SCIENCE REPORTER
Soils act as reservoirs of carbon and erosion can be of two types: Geological and
harbour dead bodies of organisms like Accelerated.
animals, plants and microorganisms. Soils can Geologic erosion is a slow process,
influence the cycling of nutrients and energy typically occurring at a rate that is much
in the ecosystems. Soil also plays a major part slower than the rate of soil formation. This
in the Nitrogen and Sulphur cycles. In a forest rate would depend on protection offered by
land, the soil is always covered by leaf litter vegetation. The roots of plants can intertwine
composed of dead leaves, twigs and roots of with each other and hold the soil particles
plants. There is a detritus food-chain going on together. The vegetation over-ground such as
within the soil, where the dead organic matter grasses and certain other plants, which have
is decayed by certain micro-organisms in the even gained the name sand-binders, can
soil. During decomposition, the organic protect the soil from washing away while the
matter is transformed into inorganic material trees can reduce the wind speed so that the
such as compounds of nitrate, ammonium, loose soil is not flown away.
and phosphate which supply nutrients for
The opposite happens in the case of
plant growth.
accelerated soil erosion. Here the rate of soil
For soils, quality is of prime importance. loss is fas ter than the ra te of soil formation.
It means its ability to maintain biological When there is a violent influx of wind or
diversity and productivity. In the broader water, the individual particles of the soil
sense, it is the ability to sustain quality of become detached from the aggregates and are
water and air and providing conditions for washed away or blown away for great
plants, animals and human populations to distances. They are deposited somewhere else
live. Organic matter present in the soil als as dust or form new soils that are washed into
determines its quality. A higher content of soil streams, rivers, and oceans. The extent of
organic matter denotes its higher cation accelerated soil erosion depends on natural
exchange capacity, higher water-holding conditions like climate, slope, vegetation
capacity and higher infiltration capacity. When cover, soil and the nature of land exploitation
a soil naturally possesses better aeration and patterns.
increased soil particle aggregation, it can
Intensive agricultural practices also lead
lessen soil erosion due to reduced runoff of
to soil erosion, salinization, and even
nutrients and improved moisture infiltration
desertification leading to permanent loss of
and retention.
the land, suitable for agricultural production.
Erosion is an inevitable action which As per a recent estimate, about 25 billion
implies the removal of the surface of the earth metric tons of soil erodes each year from
by abrasive actions of wind, water, waves, or agricultural land which includes 17 tons per
glaciers. Based on the reason and factors, cultivated hectare and 4.5 tons per person.


The climatic condition of a region has a Only recently, soil-heatlh has been
major part to play. In the arid and semiarid slowly grabbing public attention, largely due
regions of the world (e.g., Northwest China, to the efforts of voluntary orgainsations and
parts of Asia, Australia, southern South environmental protection agencies. However,
America, and North America and North once polluted, it takes decades and billions of
Africa), wind erosion is a far more serious money to get the soil cleaned and brought
problem for agricultural lands. back to life.
Irrigation can also contribute to soil Pesticide residues in the soil belong to
erosion by inducing salinization, the increased Non-Pointsource-Pollutants which means,
concentration of salts in the topsoil. It they do not have any identifiable source.
happens in almost all irrigated lands of the Pesticides may come to the soil from the air,
world due to increased evaporation, invasion when sprayed onto the soil surface or mixed
of seawater and suseptibility of soils to salty into the soil.
groundwater. This gradually leads to soil Air polluting pesticide particles may
degradation and eventually decreases the settle down on the soil surface due to gravity
availability of productive land suitable for or by way of precipitation. Fertilizers,
food, fiber, and fuel production. household chemicals, detergents,
A continuous struggle is going on construction materials, dust, etc. can also
between those who are polluting the soil and reach the soil. Pollutants that are soluble in
those who are tr ying to remediate its water have the highest mobility. They are
aftermaths. Industrial revolution and readily carried by rainwater or flood water,
intensive agricultural practices have made cleaning the soil for a while, but eventually
pollution of the soil an incurable epidemic. affecting the groundwater. On the other hand,
People may have been aware of the effects of most heavy metals and other chemically
water-pollution, but nobody spoke about the stable substances do not directly dissolve in
effects of pollution on the soil. May be water. Some may chemically react with water
because it was not obvious as in the case of to form compounds that form sediments in
water and air pollution, but the consequences the soil.
were far more fearsome. There was not even Conservation of soil is the need of the
a single law relating to the regulation of soil- hour. Although chemical fertilizers replenish
pollution over the past hundred years and this the nutrient pool necessary for plant growth,
is true even in the highly civilized and they do not regenerate the organic matter
economically developed countries. All the present in the soil quantitatively or
heavily industrialised cities of the world have qualitatively. They also fail to maintain the
a very pathetic condition pertaining to the heterogeneity of the organic materials found
health of their soil environment. in the soil. Only the slower decomposition of
organic materials could replenish the fertility amendments or mulches. They can maintain
of the soil. the soils with higher organic content, making
Many people cannot differentiate them fit for long-term agricultural
between a forest land and agricultural land, production. Organic amendments can also
because, as per them, both provide greenery improve soil aggregation, soil aeration, water-
and all the benefits of vegetation. But, after holding capacity, and cation exchange capacity
harvest, the soil in the crop field is left bare of the soil.
and exposed to the effects of soil-erosion. So, Bioremediation of Pollutants:
whatever that is present as natural in the soil Chemicals present in the soil may be those
must be conserved for maximum sustainable that are purposefully applied to the soil such
usage. as pesticides and fertilizers or those that
Reduced Tillage: Tillage is an make an accidental entrance to the soil.
important factor that decreases soil quality. Microorganisms present in the soil may use
Reduced tillage practices could increase Soil the pollutant as a source of energy for their
Organic Matter and moisture content of the metabolism or would make it less harmful by
soil, and also improve the soil food web. changing its composition.
However, there is a great disadvantage in TOWARDS EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABLE
reduced tillage that it requires a greater use of DEVELOPMENT
herbicides due to the increased spread of The United Nations General Assembly in
weeds and soil pathogens. If this is not taken December 2002 dedicated a UN Decade to
into account, it may affect the crop yields due Education for Sustainable Development,
to the incereased prevalence of pathogens, 2005-2014, to focus attention on the key role
pests, diseases and weeds. education can play in fostering sustainable
Diversified Cropping: Also termed as development. One of the key thrusts of the
multiple cropping, growing of cover crops decade was to integrate understanding of
could ensure conservation of soil. Cover crops sustainable development into education
can reduce the leaching of soil nitrogen systems - at all levels and to reorient
through immobilizing them as nitrates within educational programmes, policies and
the plant biomass. They can compete with practices so that education plays its part in
weeds in establishing over a particular area building the capacities of all members of the
and could effectively reduce the effects of soil society to work together for a sustainable
erosion. future.
Organic Amendments: Green The need of the hour is Sustainable
manures, chicken and cow manure, pig slurry, Development and education plays a pivotal
grass cutting, garden composts, kitchen role in sustainable development. And how do
wastes, etc. are examples of organic we define sustainable development?


According to the World Commission on The unique partnership between the
Environment and Development (Brundtland MoEFCC, the state government agencies
Commission, 1987), Sustainable alongwith dedicated NGOs working in the
development is development that meets the field of Environmental Education has
needs of the present without compromising contributed to the success of the programme.
the ability of future generations to meet their Following are some of the activities that were
own needs. taken up under this programme:
The Ministry of Environment, Forest 1.Young in Green Action: This is a
and Climate Change (MoEFCC) of the compilation of inspiring stories from the
Government of India has undertaken several National Green Corps Programme. National
initiatives towards the goal of Education for Green Corps, popular known as NGC is a
Sustainable Development (ESD). ESD landmark initiative in the direction of
recognizes the fact that over the lifetime the sustainable future. NGC offers a unique
educational needs of people change. The opportunity for reorienting education from
Environment Education (EE) Division of the information education to wisdom education,
Ministry has, therefore, designed several which will take us near the goals of
modules as part of its Environment Education Sustainable Development. NGC promotes
Awareness I and Training Scheme actions that will lead to positive impacts. It
programmes. These initiatives were taken as attempts to take the handprint, a tool that
part of two programmes - National Green measures ESD actions, forward through green
Corps (NGC) and National Nature Camping actions by the student force.
Programme (NNCP). The impact that the programme has
It is a well established and recognised created is remarkable and showcases positive
fact that children can be catalysts in actions of the dedicated young green corps.
promoting a mass movement. This is also true The handprints left behind by the Eco-club
about the ensemble of environmental issues. students tell the successful journey of NGC in
Being future citizens, inculcation of these 10 years. There is at least one case from
environment friendly attitudes and each State and UT and where there were
behavioural patterns amongst them can make overwhelming responses in the states. Two
a significant difference to the long term cases studies have been presented. In many
efforts for protection of the environment. cases, the required information was extracted
Children are triggers for a chain reaction, from several respondents like Nodal agencies,
making a difference at the local and Resource agencies, Principals and Teachers, at
community level which in due course lead to times NGOs who guided some of the Eco-club
awareness at the village, city, state, country activities to present their case study in the
and global level. shape that it is.
In this compilation, several case studies This publication includes 100 case studies
on various themes have been prepared such as from North East Indian schools about their
Conserving Our Water Resources; Protecting hand print activities carried out under the
Biodiversity; Sourcing Energy; Greening The National Green Corps (NGC) and National
Land; Managing Waste; Tradition, Culture and Environment Awareness Campaign (NEAC)
Conservation; Propagating Health and programmes. This compilation is a collective
Sanitation; Towards Sustainable Agriculture; effort of MoEFCC and Centre for
Climate Concerns and Actions for diverse Environment Education (CEE) with support
issues. from the State Nodal Agencies (SNA) of NGC
2. Educating for Sustainable and Regional Resource Agencies (RRA) of
Development- A Resource Handbook for NEAC programmes in the North East.
National Green Corps: This publication is an National Nature Camping Programme
important contribution to the resources for This is an initiative of the Ministry which
the DESD India Programme, supported by the is aimed at creating greater awareness,
Indian National Commission for Cooperation understanding and empathy of children with
with UNESCO, Ministry of Human Resource and for the environment. Through this
Development (MHRD), GOL NGC network initiative it is hoped that every child who goes
includes the Master Trainers and Teachers through middle school (classes VI to VIII) will
who are key partners in the NGC get at least one opportunity for a 2-3 day
programmes successful implementation. camping experience during these years. The
Training of the Master Trainer and Eco-club nature experience to children and teachers
teachers is, therefore, an important ongoing
has huge potential to trigger sensitivity
component of NGC.
towards nature appreciation and
3. Journey from Grey to Green: This is conservation, leading to positive
a self-assessment manual for NGC Eco-clubs environmental actions at different levels.
which focuses on guiding and helping teachers
in assisting the Eco-club students to assess ASTRONOMY OPENS THE DOOR TO THE
outcome of activities undertaken by the Eco- UNIVERSE OF REWARDING CAREERS
clubs. The outcome can be seen at three Modem astronomy like every science is
levels: at the level of individual students, The a practical science. For thousands of years
assessment is to be carried out by the Eco-club people have gazed at the stars inventing
students. The role of the teachers will be to amazing myths to describe this wonderful
act as facilitator, assisting the Eco-club panorama and explain how and why it is there.
students to see how far they have gone on the It is only in recent times that we have been
journey from grey to green. able to sort out reality from the myths with
4. Green Stories : Stories from NGC- practical science.
NEAC Programmes in North East Schools:


Today practical science is winning world. They are based on this practical
another vital role; opening the door into science. With the growth of world transport
rewarding careers and jobs in the knowledge systems they have moved their manufacturing
economy. Innovation and creativity are the around the world with China, India and the
key skills for the knowledge economy and Far East now being the manufacturing centre
everyone is agreed that an understanding of of the world based on the low cost of labour
practical science is one of the best ways of and their poverty wages but even these are
developing the skills of innovation and under threat from increasing automation and
creativity that are required for the most robotisation. The knowledge economy is seen
rewarding jobs in the knowledge economy. as the future for well paid jobs and economic
Astronomy is the key to the door to growth.
knowledge economy jobs but there are What is the knowledge economy? Take
problems. There are few teachers in senior one of the new smart phones. It probably
secondary schools able to deliver practical costs about Rs. 22,000 Indian rupees. Of this
science and almost none in primary schools Rs. 2000 goes to the thousands of Chinese
with the necessary knowledge to deliver an workers who manufacture the phone and
understanding of practical science. about Rs. 20,000 goes to the knowledge
For thousands of years ever since economies of California and to the people
people looked up into the sky and talked to who designed its shape, functions, electronics
each other they had ideas about the sky and and software.
the stars. Every civilisation had their own The knowledge economy is where the
stories about the sky and many thought that world consumes more than the essentials of
events in the sky governed their lives on the food and shelter. The mass-produced items
earth and invented the stories and myths of will be made by robots but their invention and
astrology. design and the items that we treasure and that
The Vedanga Jyotisha about 3,500 years set us apart from our fellows - our clothes,
ago and the Pyramids of Egypt and our homes, furniture and furnishings, how we
Stonehenge in the UK reflect the ways people spend our spare time - will increasingly be
were using the stars probably to develop their based around creativity and innovation
calendars enabling them to predict the producing new products and services for the
changes of the seasons and the best times to vast universe of human interest and activity.
sow crops and harvest them. Their test was A practical science proof that the
that the stars, Sun and Moon were continuing planets did not go round the Sun was that
to move in a predictable way. Venus hardly changed its brightness and if it
Since the industrial revolution went around the Sun it would surely be much
manufacturing economies have ruled the brighter when it was near the Earth and
fainter when it was far away. Galileo with his background of stars: Ask the robotic telescope
telescope and his practical approach to to take a couple of star field images a few
science could see clear phases with Venus nights apart. Look for differences or stars that
which also explained the brightness. When have moved. They are not stars, they must be
Venus is near it is bigger but only a small part minor planets, dwarf planets, asteroids or
of it is illuminated, when it is far away it is comets. How many can you find?
smaller and fainter but the whole disc is The Dumbbell nebulae (Messier 27) is a
illuminated. The size and the phase tended to beautiful sight showing a star which was like
cancel each other out and kept the brightness our Sun, now near the end of its life. Our
of Venus nearly the same as it orbited the Sun. Moon is always wonderful to look at. Take a
The other more dramatic discovery number of images and watch it through the
involved Jupiter. After Venus, the Sun and the month. Where would you like to go on your
Moon it is the brightest object in the sky and holidays? The Earth is the best view from the
at the moment (spring 2015) it is prominent Moon: four times the size that the Moon
high in the sky in the early evening. Galileo appears to us on Earth and much brighter with
turned his telescope onto Jupiter just as you the cities visible in the dark part and having
can with the robotic telescope and was able to phases just like our Moon but unlike our
see the bright planet with its family of tiny Moon it doesnt appear to move; visible at the
moons just like the planets going around the same place in the sky all the time. Where on
Sun. The stars do not move but you can see the Moon would be the best place for a
the dwarf planet Ceres moving against the holiday resort?

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