With only about 2,000 Gangetic river dolphins left in India, down from tens of thousands just a few decades ago, the Bihar government is planning to set up Asia's first research centre to strengthen conservation efforts to save the endangered mammal.
An official in the chief minister's office said the Gangetic dolphin
research centre would be set up in Patna, where dozens of dolphins can
still be seen in the stretch of the river near the state capital.
The man behind the proposal is RK Sinha, an expert on Gangetic river
dolphins and chairperson of the working group for dolphin conservation
set up by the central government. He said the centre was suggested by
the Planning Commission and subsequently received "in principle" approval by the state government.
"A final decision in this regard is likely soon," said Sinha, popularly known as the dolphin man.
Gopal Sharma, a scientist with the Zoological Survey of India here, said the centre would carry out research activities on the dolphin and also conduct a census in rivers in Bihar.
The Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary, India's only dolphin
sanctuary, spread over 50 km along the Ganges, is located in Bihar's
Bhagalpur district.
The Gangetic river dolphin is India's
national aquatic animal but frequently falls prey to poachers. Their
carcasses are found regularly on river banks.
The mammals are
killed at an alarming rate with wildlife officials saying poachers kill
them for their flesh and oil, which is used as an ointment and
aphrodisiac.
Gangetic river dolphins fall under Schedule I of
the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act and have been declared an
endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Last year, the Bihar government decided to set up a task force for the conservation of endangered species.
The Gangetic river dolphin is one of the four freshwater dolphin
species in the world. The other three are found in the Yangtze river in
China, the Indus river in Pakistan and the Amazon river in South America.
The Gangetic river species - found in India, Bangladesh and Nepal - is
blind and finds its way and prey in the river waters through 'echoes'.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
India's first common bird monitoring system
India's first bird monitoring system for common birds was launched by Mumbai-based Nature Forever Society (NFS), an organisation working for the protection of common sparrows and other common fauna.
The system is based on a website, allowing users from across the country to participate in what NFS founder Mohammed Dilawar terms as a "Citizen-science venture".
"After creating a user ID on the system, the user will be able to provide data such as number and types of birds in his or her locality and from the individual contributions of users across the country, the system will be able to map our geographical distribution of birds," claimed Dilawar.
"We should have had bird monitoring systems in the country, at least 30 years back. In west, there are more than 100 years old bird monitoring programs," he added.
Claiming the launch of the online programme as an "ornithological landmark," Dilawar told IANS that "a lot of answers are going to come out from this system".
The programme has been designed by a technical team from Jaypee group. Currently the programme maps 18 common birds such as House Sparrow, Common Hoopoe, White-throated Kingfisher, Green Bee-eaters, Black Kite, House Crow and Rose-ringed Parakeet.
The system is based on a website, allowing users from across the country to participate in what NFS founder Mohammed Dilawar terms as a "Citizen-science venture".
"After creating a user ID on the system, the user will be able to provide data such as number and types of birds in his or her locality and from the individual contributions of users across the country, the system will be able to map our geographical distribution of birds," claimed Dilawar.
"We should have had bird monitoring systems in the country, at least 30 years back. In west, there are more than 100 years old bird monitoring programs," he added.
Claiming the launch of the online programme as an "ornithological landmark," Dilawar told IANS that "a lot of answers are going to come out from this system".
The programme has been designed by a technical team from Jaypee group. Currently the programme maps 18 common birds such as House Sparrow, Common Hoopoe, White-throated Kingfisher, Green Bee-eaters, Black Kite, House Crow and Rose-ringed Parakeet.
World it Forum - Conference to Focus on ICT for Sustainable Development
India is all set to host World Information Technology
Forum (WITFOR) 2012 tomorrow in Vigyan Bhawan,New Delhi . The fifth
edition of the coveted event is being organised by the International
Federation for Information Processing (IFIP), in partnership with the
Department of Electronics & Information Technology (DEITy), Ministry
of Communications & Information Technology, Government of India.
The Forum opens tomorrow with the inaugural address by Shri Kapil Sibal, Minister of Communications and IT & HRD, Government of India. Other key speakers at the inaugural function are Mr. Janis Karklins, Assistant Director General, Communication and Information Sector, UNESCO, Shri Sachin Pilot, Minister of State for Communications and IT, Government of India, Mr Leon Strous, President, IFIP and Shri J Satyanarayana, Secretary, Department of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India
WITFOR will focus, on use of ICT in agriculture, education, health and e-Governance, within the overall theme of ‘ICT for Sustainable Human Development’. Representatives from over 30 countries will share their knowledge, views and best practices in the use of IT for governance and delivery of key public services, brought together on a common platform that will allow them to showcase successful, working models of the use of ICT for development.
WITFOR was born out of the need for emerging economies and developed countries to collaborate and harness the potential for digital technologies for sustainable development. Since its inception in 2003, World IT Forums have been held four times–in Vietnam (2009), Ethiopia (2007), Botswana (2005) and Lithuania (2003). The activities of the Forum are broadly guided by the World Summit on the Information Society`s (WSIS) Plan of Action, in order to help achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The participation in WITFOR has risen from 600 to 1,500 in six years, bearing testimony to its robust content and the diversity of attendees. The WITFOR conferences help bring together a variety of stakeholders to discuss, debate and analyse ways in which ICT is powering the engine of growth and development in the emerging economies for policymakers and practitioners to share knowledge on ‘ICT for development’ with their international counterparts who are facing similar challenges in their countries.
With over 80 speakers from around the world, WITFOR 2012 aims to bring together a unique mix of policymakers and political leaders, social entrepreneurs, academic researchers, practitioners and executives, both from the private and public sector. Leaders from multilateral organisations like UNESCO, UNDP, the World Bank and from regional bodies like the West African Health Organisation will share their experiences in meeting the challenges of globalisation and sustainable development.
Other attendees include high-level dignitaries from the governments of Bangladesh, Canada, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Moldova, Paraguay, as well as senior members of academia and from across South Asia, Latin America, Europe and Africa. The Forum, aimed primarily at fostering an informed debate among policymakers, will also bring together senior bureaucrats and technologists from South Korea, Canada, Nigeria, Kenya, Malaysia, Estonia, Moldova and Secretaries to the Government of India – both from the Centre and the states.
WITFOR is an important international event that places the host country on an international platform to showcase its achievements. So far, India has hosted only regional ICT/e-Governance international events and partnering in WITFOR 2012 will give Indian Policy Makers as well as Industry and opportunity not only to learn from other countries but will also open avenues for further cooperation and business development especially for innovative products such as Aakash and value added services delivered on Mobile Platforms. Also, WITFOR 2012 will give Indian States an opportunity to showcase their premier e-Governance projects and give international delegates an opportunity to visit such projects across India
The Forum will discuss the role of IT interventions in bringing about greater transparency in governance, issues of privacy and security while dealing with public databases, financial inclusion and ways of leveraging wireless technologies. It will also debate challenges related to the training of health workers, capacity building, evidence-based decision making to improve health outcomes, the role of government in primary healthcare, and the role of ICT in creating digital content, bridging the skills gap and the digital divide, as well as improving productivity, food security, knowledge transfer in the agriculture sector.
As a country with enormous ICT capabilities and equally immense socio-economic development challenges, India attracts significant international attention for its efforts to exploit the developmental potential of ICT. At the same time, Indian policymakers and practitioners can learn from the experiences of other countries. WITFOR 2012 will provide a unique opportunity for sharing knowledge on mobilising ICT for development, among a diverse range of professionals engaging in this effort in many countries with a variety of development challenges. WITFOR 2012 will provide a valuable forum for understanding how the power of ICT can be harnessed for sustainable development.
With nearly 1200 registrations , delegates are drawn from the public and private sectors across India, as well as from Africa, Europe, Asia and Australia, including participants from Greece, Poland, Finland, Croatia, Paraguay, South Korea, Zimbabwe, Liberia, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana and South Africa. Indian delegates include senior government officials from various states, public enterprises, private sector and academia, from all across the country, as well as independent researchers, ICT enthusiasts, students, entrepreneurs and members of the academia and development practitioners.
WITFOR 2013 will be held in Paraguay.
The Forum opens tomorrow with the inaugural address by Shri Kapil Sibal, Minister of Communications and IT & HRD, Government of India. Other key speakers at the inaugural function are Mr. Janis Karklins, Assistant Director General, Communication and Information Sector, UNESCO, Shri Sachin Pilot, Minister of State for Communications and IT, Government of India, Mr Leon Strous, President, IFIP and Shri J Satyanarayana, Secretary, Department of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India
WITFOR will focus, on use of ICT in agriculture, education, health and e-Governance, within the overall theme of ‘ICT for Sustainable Human Development’. Representatives from over 30 countries will share their knowledge, views and best practices in the use of IT for governance and delivery of key public services, brought together on a common platform that will allow them to showcase successful, working models of the use of ICT for development.
WITFOR was born out of the need for emerging economies and developed countries to collaborate and harness the potential for digital technologies for sustainable development. Since its inception in 2003, World IT Forums have been held four times–in Vietnam (2009), Ethiopia (2007), Botswana (2005) and Lithuania (2003). The activities of the Forum are broadly guided by the World Summit on the Information Society`s (WSIS) Plan of Action, in order to help achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The participation in WITFOR has risen from 600 to 1,500 in six years, bearing testimony to its robust content and the diversity of attendees. The WITFOR conferences help bring together a variety of stakeholders to discuss, debate and analyse ways in which ICT is powering the engine of growth and development in the emerging economies for policymakers and practitioners to share knowledge on ‘ICT for development’ with their international counterparts who are facing similar challenges in their countries.
With over 80 speakers from around the world, WITFOR 2012 aims to bring together a unique mix of policymakers and political leaders, social entrepreneurs, academic researchers, practitioners and executives, both from the private and public sector. Leaders from multilateral organisations like UNESCO, UNDP, the World Bank and from regional bodies like the West African Health Organisation will share their experiences in meeting the challenges of globalisation and sustainable development.
Other attendees include high-level dignitaries from the governments of Bangladesh, Canada, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Moldova, Paraguay, as well as senior members of academia and from across South Asia, Latin America, Europe and Africa. The Forum, aimed primarily at fostering an informed debate among policymakers, will also bring together senior bureaucrats and technologists from South Korea, Canada, Nigeria, Kenya, Malaysia, Estonia, Moldova and Secretaries to the Government of India – both from the Centre and the states.
WITFOR is an important international event that places the host country on an international platform to showcase its achievements. So far, India has hosted only regional ICT/e-Governance international events and partnering in WITFOR 2012 will give Indian Policy Makers as well as Industry and opportunity not only to learn from other countries but will also open avenues for further cooperation and business development especially for innovative products such as Aakash and value added services delivered on Mobile Platforms. Also, WITFOR 2012 will give Indian States an opportunity to showcase their premier e-Governance projects and give international delegates an opportunity to visit such projects across India
The Forum will discuss the role of IT interventions in bringing about greater transparency in governance, issues of privacy and security while dealing with public databases, financial inclusion and ways of leveraging wireless technologies. It will also debate challenges related to the training of health workers, capacity building, evidence-based decision making to improve health outcomes, the role of government in primary healthcare, and the role of ICT in creating digital content, bridging the skills gap and the digital divide, as well as improving productivity, food security, knowledge transfer in the agriculture sector.
As a country with enormous ICT capabilities and equally immense socio-economic development challenges, India attracts significant international attention for its efforts to exploit the developmental potential of ICT. At the same time, Indian policymakers and practitioners can learn from the experiences of other countries. WITFOR 2012 will provide a unique opportunity for sharing knowledge on mobilising ICT for development, among a diverse range of professionals engaging in this effort in many countries with a variety of development challenges. WITFOR 2012 will provide a valuable forum for understanding how the power of ICT can be harnessed for sustainable development.
With nearly 1200 registrations , delegates are drawn from the public and private sectors across India, as well as from Africa, Europe, Asia and Australia, including participants from Greece, Poland, Finland, Croatia, Paraguay, South Korea, Zimbabwe, Liberia, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana and South Africa. Indian delegates include senior government officials from various states, public enterprises, private sector and academia, from all across the country, as well as independent researchers, ICT enthusiasts, students, entrepreneurs and members of the academia and development practitioners.
WITFOR 2013 will be held in Paraguay.
Centre to rate states on environment protection
With an increase in illegal mining, coastal abuse and rampant industrialization, the Centre now plans to rate every state based on their environmental performance.
In an endeavour to assess how successful each state has been in conserving the environment, the Union ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) has conceptualized an Environment Protection or Performance Index (EPI). Sources in the Maharashtra environment department said the concept of EPI is still taking shape and the guidelines will be ready by 2013. Conceptualized on the lines of the Human Development Index (HDI), EPI will rate states according to their management of coastal pollution, solid waste, sewerage, water and the rise in sea level.
"With population increasing by the day and the growth of industrialization in the state, we feel the need for EPI for Maharashtra. This will help us analyze the areas we need to improve upon. We will be able to gauge how much we are conserving the environment," said Sachin Ahire, minister of state for environment, The EPI will also help address health concerns as well as environmental concerns like pollution and conservation.
Ahire added that the EPI guidelines for Maharashtra will be dependent on director-general of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) Dr R K Pachauri's 2020 projections on climate change effects. "Based on Pachauri's projections, the guidelines for EPI will be prepared for the state. We are expecting the report in six months," said Ahire.
In an endeavour to assess how successful each state has been in conserving the environment, the Union ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) has conceptualized an Environment Protection or Performance Index (EPI). Sources in the Maharashtra environment department said the concept of EPI is still taking shape and the guidelines will be ready by 2013. Conceptualized on the lines of the Human Development Index (HDI), EPI will rate states according to their management of coastal pollution, solid waste, sewerage, water and the rise in sea level.
"With population increasing by the day and the growth of industrialization in the state, we feel the need for EPI for Maharashtra. This will help us analyze the areas we need to improve upon. We will be able to gauge how much we are conserving the environment," said Sachin Ahire, minister of state for environment, The EPI will also help address health concerns as well as environmental concerns like pollution and conservation.
Ahire added that the EPI guidelines for Maharashtra will be dependent on director-general of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) Dr R K Pachauri's 2020 projections on climate change effects. "Based on Pachauri's projections, the guidelines for EPI will be prepared for the state. We are expecting the report in six months," said Ahire.
Monday, April 16, 2012
DoT’s Power to impose Penalty on Operators for not completing Customer Verification upheld by TDSAT
The Department of Telcom's (DoT) power to impose penalty on operators
for not dully completing formalities of customer verification for
security purposes was upheld by tribunal Telecom Dispute Settlement
Appellate Tribunal's (TDSAT). While delivering its judgement a
two-member TDSAT bench stated that the matter related to the security of
the nation so far as conduct of telegraph is concerned, can be
implemented through conditions of licence.
TDSAT’s order followed a petition filed by the GSM lobby group COAI and various operators challenging the penalty imposed by the DoT. Operators had requested that the penalty regime introduced by DoT on 22 November 2006 be quashed as they felt that the penalty imposed by the DoT 's TERM Cell in various circles as illegal, arbitrary and suffering from procedural impropriety. Operators claimed that imposition of the Scheme of Financial Penalty for Violation of Terms and Conditions of the Licence Agreement for Subscriber Verification Failure Cases imposed by DoT was not countenanced under the terms of the licences.
TDSAT in response mentioned that the circular letters issued by the Respondent (DoT) for the aforementioned reason were not illegal or invalid. Also operators cannot be permitted to question the validity of those circular letters which have been issued three years prior to the date of filing of the petition being barred under law of Limitation as well in view of the doctrine of delay/latches on their part.
The TDSAT upheld TERM cell powers stating that DoT cannot be said to have acted illegally and without jurisdiction in delegating its power relating to making inspection, imposition of penalties and the determination thereof by authorities of the Term Cells and the Appellate Authority. The principle of Natural Justice was provided by DoT by providing enough safeguards to the operators to put their points on adverse findings.
TDSAT’s order followed a petition filed by the GSM lobby group COAI and various operators challenging the penalty imposed by the DoT. Operators had requested that the penalty regime introduced by DoT on 22 November 2006 be quashed as they felt that the penalty imposed by the DoT 's TERM Cell in various circles as illegal, arbitrary and suffering from procedural impropriety. Operators claimed that imposition of the Scheme of Financial Penalty for Violation of Terms and Conditions of the Licence Agreement for Subscriber Verification Failure Cases imposed by DoT was not countenanced under the terms of the licences.
TDSAT in response mentioned that the circular letters issued by the Respondent (DoT) for the aforementioned reason were not illegal or invalid. Also operators cannot be permitted to question the validity of those circular letters which have been issued three years prior to the date of filing of the petition being barred under law of Limitation as well in view of the doctrine of delay/latches on their part.
The TDSAT upheld TERM cell powers stating that DoT cannot be said to have acted illegally and without jurisdiction in delegating its power relating to making inspection, imposition of penalties and the determination thereof by authorities of the Term Cells and the Appellate Authority. The principle of Natural Justice was provided by DoT by providing enough safeguards to the operators to put their points on adverse findings.
Food Corporation of India (FCI) notified 10 Sites in States for Construction of Modern Silos/Mandis
The Food Corporation of India (FCI) in April 2012 notified 10 sites
in States for construction of modern silos to be declared as mandis. The
decision to construct silos/mandis reflected FCI’s objective to augment
capacity for storing food-grains for the public distribution system.
The mandis would be constructed to enable farmers to directly sell their
produce.
The FCI Board of Directors headed by Chairman Siraj Hussain on 13 April 2012 decided that the silos shall be either located within the local mandi or declared as mandis by the States. The silos are to be located alongside railway sidings.
With the coming in of fresh stocks of wheat in the mandis, storage has become a major concern with the Food Ministry. Government needs to urgently accelerate creation of additional storage space to prevent rotting of grains stored in the open as well as to keep enough stocks to fulfil its obligation under the proposed National Food Security Act to provide by law subsidised foodgrains to the poor.
The government appointed M/s Mott McDonald as consultants for conducting a feasibility study on creation of modern storage facilities. The consultant submitted the final report to the Planning Commission in November 2011. Based on their proposals the Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) for Food approved the creation of facilities for storing 20 lakh tonnes of foodgrains in 10 States under its Private Entrepreneur Guarantee Scheme (PEG) wherein the FCI will give guarantee for hiring the facility for 10 years.
State-level panels
The FCI Board of Directors also set up State-level committees on silos headed by the zonal chief with representation from the Ministries of Food, Agriculture, and Railways, and mandis and States on it. The committee is responsible for approving the locations for godowns in each of the 10 States — Bihar, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Assam, Kerala, and Gujarat.
The Board directed that locations with high procurement and off-take of wheat be preferred for creation of silos. The location of silos is to be considered on the basis of wheat procurement and off-take in a revenue district. Each silo is to have a capacity of either 25000 tonnes or 50000 tonnes depending upon the availability of space under the Private Entrepreneur Guarantee Scheme. Each State will have to provide the space for construction of godowns. Creation of 51.25 lakh tonnes capacity in Punjab and 38.8 lakh tonnes in Haryana was recommended.
In the wheat procuring-cum-consuming regions of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, silos have been sanctioned for additional capacity. Proposal for creation of 19.52 lakh tonnes in Madhya Pradesh and for 6.40 lakh tonnes in Bihar was also approved during the meeting of the FCI board on 13 April 2012.
The FCI Board decided that in the consuming regions of Maharashtra, West Bengal, Assam, Kerala and Gujarat the silos should have at least four-month storage capacity. The States which have not been able to sanction the capacity or start construction work for silos will have to let go and transfer their sanctioned capacity to another State. The States will have to provide land and invite tenders within three months following the approval of the location.
The FCI Board of Directors headed by Chairman Siraj Hussain on 13 April 2012 decided that the silos shall be either located within the local mandi or declared as mandis by the States. The silos are to be located alongside railway sidings.
With the coming in of fresh stocks of wheat in the mandis, storage has become a major concern with the Food Ministry. Government needs to urgently accelerate creation of additional storage space to prevent rotting of grains stored in the open as well as to keep enough stocks to fulfil its obligation under the proposed National Food Security Act to provide by law subsidised foodgrains to the poor.
The government appointed M/s Mott McDonald as consultants for conducting a feasibility study on creation of modern storage facilities. The consultant submitted the final report to the Planning Commission in November 2011. Based on their proposals the Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) for Food approved the creation of facilities for storing 20 lakh tonnes of foodgrains in 10 States under its Private Entrepreneur Guarantee Scheme (PEG) wherein the FCI will give guarantee for hiring the facility for 10 years.
State-level panels
The FCI Board of Directors also set up State-level committees on silos headed by the zonal chief with representation from the Ministries of Food, Agriculture, and Railways, and mandis and States on it. The committee is responsible for approving the locations for godowns in each of the 10 States — Bihar, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Assam, Kerala, and Gujarat.
The Board directed that locations with high procurement and off-take of wheat be preferred for creation of silos. The location of silos is to be considered on the basis of wheat procurement and off-take in a revenue district. Each silo is to have a capacity of either 25000 tonnes or 50000 tonnes depending upon the availability of space under the Private Entrepreneur Guarantee Scheme. Each State will have to provide the space for construction of godowns. Creation of 51.25 lakh tonnes capacity in Punjab and 38.8 lakh tonnes in Haryana was recommended.
In the wheat procuring-cum-consuming regions of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, silos have been sanctioned for additional capacity. Proposal for creation of 19.52 lakh tonnes in Madhya Pradesh and for 6.40 lakh tonnes in Bihar was also approved during the meeting of the FCI board on 13 April 2012.
The FCI Board decided that in the consuming regions of Maharashtra, West Bengal, Assam, Kerala and Gujarat the silos should have at least four-month storage capacity. The States which have not been able to sanction the capacity or start construction work for silos will have to let go and transfer their sanctioned capacity to another State. The States will have to provide land and invite tenders within three months following the approval of the location.
FDI Inflows into India’s Services Sector in India went up by 62% during April-January period 2011-12
Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows into the services sector in
India went up by 62% during April-January period 2011-12 on account of
unfavourable economic conditions of the western markets.
The financial and nonfinancial services sector attracted FDI worth $4.83 billion during the 10-month period of 2011-12 as compared to $2.98 billion in the April-January period of 2010-11. The trend reflected confidence in India's growth story. It was observed that though the economic growth in India itself declined in 2011-12 to 6.9%, the economy was among the best performing in the world.
Despite taxation and policy issues, the country enjoys the investor confidence as is evident from a 53 per cent increase in total FDI inflows to $26.19 billion during the 10-month period (April-January 2011-12). The sectors that attracted sizeable FDI inflows include drugs and pharmaceutical ($3.20 billion), construction ($2.23 billion), telecommunications ($1.99 billion) and power ($1.56 billion).
The highest FDI of $8.91 billion came from the Mauritius, followed by Singapore ($4.30 billion) and Japan ($2.75 million).
The financial and nonfinancial services sector attracted FDI worth $4.83 billion during the 10-month period of 2011-12 as compared to $2.98 billion in the April-January period of 2010-11. The trend reflected confidence in India's growth story. It was observed that though the economic growth in India itself declined in 2011-12 to 6.9%, the economy was among the best performing in the world.
Despite taxation and policy issues, the country enjoys the investor confidence as is evident from a 53 per cent increase in total FDI inflows to $26.19 billion during the 10-month period (April-January 2011-12). The sectors that attracted sizeable FDI inflows include drugs and pharmaceutical ($3.20 billion), construction ($2.23 billion), telecommunications ($1.99 billion) and power ($1.56 billion).
The highest FDI of $8.91 billion came from the Mauritius, followed by Singapore ($4.30 billion) and Japan ($2.75 million).
Saturday, April 14, 2012
President calls for more public-private partnership, priority to research in PSEs
The President, Ms Pratibha Devisingh Patil, said on April 13 that the
private and public need to work together more for the high demand from
infrastructure investment.
This is while higher priority must also be given to research and
innovation in public sector enterprises (PSEs) through in-house R&D
facilities, apart from sponsored research with universities and
industry, particularly when foreign collaboration is involved.
“The test is to be nationally creative, globally competitive and
efficient, ensure on-time deliverability and provide employment,” Ms
Patil said while presenting awards to top PSEs in the country for their
operational excellence in 2010-11. The presentation took place during
the Public Sector Day Celebrations organised jointly by Department of
Public Enterprises (DPE) and Standing Conference of Public Enterprises
(SCOPE).
“There should be a constant process of review and assessment, to ensure
that best practices of corporate governance for production and
management are followed, and innovative business practices are adopted.
Public Sectors must make these elements an essential part of the
functioning,” she added.
Also present in the occasion were the Minister for Heavy Industries
& Public Enterprises, Mr Praful Patel and the Secretary of DPE, Mr
O.P. Rawat.
Mr Patel said that investments by the 248 Central PSEs touched an all
time high of more than Rs 6.66 lakh crore, which was 15 per cent more
than the previous year. Turnover was more than Rs 14.73 lakh crore,
which was over 18 per cent. He called upon the PSEs to increasingly
compete internationally and said that the Ministry will help solve all
the issues they face in doing so.
The SCOPE Gold trophy went to ONGC for Environmental Excellence, Steel
Authority of India for Corporate Governance, NTPC and THDC for Corporate
Social Responsibility, Indian Oil Corporation and Bharat Electricals
for R&D, Technology Development, Bharat Heavy Electricals for Best
practices in Human Resource Management. Meanwhile, Power Finance Corp
got the award for best managed bank and financial institution and
National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corp for best managed
PSE setup.
International Operations of CPSEs
The Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) are increasingly into ‘International Trade’ in goods and services, which has a bearing on the Balance of Payments of the country. During the year 2010-11, as many as 140 CPSEs out of the 220 operating CPSEs either had foreign exchange earnings (FEE) or foreign exchange expenditure(FEE). As many as 39 CPSEs were net foreign exchange earners. Out of these 39 CPSEs, 10 CPSEs, namely, ONGC VideshLtd., Air India Ltd., National Aluminium Company Ltd., Airports Authority of India Ltd., Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd., Shipping corporation of India Ltd., Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Ltd., IRCON International Ltd., Cochin Shipyard Ltd. and RITES Ltd. earned net foreign exchange of more than Rs. 200 crore during 2010-11.
Foreign Exchange Earnings
15 CPSEs namely, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd., Mangalore Refinery & Petrochemicals Ltd., Bharat Petroleum Corpn. Ltd., Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd., Air India Ltd., ONGCVidesh Ltd., Hindustan Petroleum Corpn. Ltd., Oil & Natural Gas Corporation Ltd., Shipping Corporation of India Ltd., MMTC Ltd., National Aluminium Company Ltd., Ircon International Ltd., Airports Authority of India Ltd., PEC Ltd. and Air India Charters Ltd. had gross foreign exchange earnings of more than Rs. 1000 crore, during 2010-11. Out of these fifteen CPSEs namely, Air India, BHEL, ONGC Videsh, NALCO, SCIL, IRCON International Ltd. and Airport Authority of India Ltd. have been net foreign exchange earners. Hindustan PetroleumCorpn. Ltd. and PEC Ltd. have shown reduction in their foreign exchange earnings during 2010-11. The remaining CPSEs have had foreign exchange expenditure more than their foreign-exchange earnings. This is particularly so in the case of Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs).
Sources of Foreign Earnings
Export of goods and merchandise, income from Royalty & Consultancy Services and interest earnings are the major sources of foreign exchange earnings. Export of merchandise was the major source of foreign exchange earnings in both the years 2009-10 and 2010-11. Its share in total earnings, however, decreased from 89.08% of the total in 2009-10 to 88.40% of the total in 2010-11.
Foreign Exchange Expenditure
In terms of growth and change in foreign exchange expenditure during 2010-11 over 2009-10 there was a significant increase in foreign expenditure in the case of MMTC Ltd., Handicrafts & Handloom Exports Corporation of India Ltd., GAIL(India) Ltd. and Oil & Natural Gas Corporation Ltd. In the case of other CPSEs, like MSTC Ltd., ONGC VideshLtd., Shipping Corporation of India Ltd., Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd., Bharat Electronics Ltd. and Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers Ltd., on the other hand, there was a general reduction in the foreign exchange expenditure.
There was a big increase in foreign expenditure of Handicrafts & Handloom Exports Corporation of India Ltd. during 2010-11 due to increased trading in bullion. The Oil Marketing Companies (IOCL, BPCL, MRPL, CPCL, ONGC and GAIL) and others, namely, MMTC, SAIL, BHEL, RINL, SCI, BEL, HHEC, NTPC also incurred increase in gross foreign exchange expenditure during 2010-11. Import of ‘raw materials’ and ‘capital goods’ have been the major items of foreign exchange expenditure in both the years.
The share of ‘raw materials’/crude oil continued to claim the largest share (around 90%) of gross foreign exchange expenditures in both the years of 2009-10 and 2010-11. Exchange rate fluctuation and change in commodity prices have been also impacting the earnings and expenditures of CPSEs.
International Finance & Investment
Sources of Funds
International finance refers mainly to external commercial borrowings, supplier’s credit, funds raised through the equity market abroad. Shares of MTNL (ADR) are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and GAIL (GDR) and SAIL(GDR) are listed on the London Stock Exchange.
Foreign Investments by CPSEs
Investment comprise off-shore investment by CPSEs through establishment of Indian subsidiaries abroad joint ventures (JVs) and mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Several CPSEs have set up subsidiaries abroad for marketing their products, procuring raw materials and consolidating their international operations. ONGC Videsh, in particular, has been successful in acquiring oil and gas assets abroad. As on March 31, 2011, OVL has participation directly or through wholly owned subsidiaries/joint ventures in 33 exploration and production projects in 14 countries, comprising 9 producing assets, 4 assets under development and 19 exploration assets. During 2010-11, the company produced 9.45 MMTOE, which accounted for 10.5 per cent of India’s total domestic oil and gas production. The other CPSEs are following the lead given by OVL in international investments. SAIL, CIL, RINL, NMDC and NTPC have together formed a JV in International Coal Ventures Pvt. Ltd. for acquisition of coal assets abroad.
Mega and Major Projects under Implementation by CPSEs
- Central Sector Projects- In the central sector there were altogether 607 projects under implementation as on 31 March, 2011 of which 157 projects were Mega projects (each costing Rs. 1,000 crore and above), 450 Major projects (each costing between Rs. 100 crore and Rs. 1000 crore). The total estimated cost of these 607 projects works out to be Rs. 7,76,715.89 crore. The total expenditure incurred on 607 Mega and Major projects stands at Rs. 3,55,698.64 crore as on 31 March, 2011.
- CPSEs Projects - Out of these 607 projects in the central sector, 170 projects (costing Rs. 500 crores and above) belonged to Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs). Of these 170 projects, 113 were Mega projects and 57 were Major projects. The total estimated cost in respect of these 210 projects of CPSEs stood at Rs. 4,59,799crore, while the revised/anticipated cost is equal to Rs. 5,07,459 crore.
- Atomic Energy - There were 4 projects in atomic Energy sector under implementation as on 31 March, 2011. These projects belonged to the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited, Uranium Corporation of India Ltd. and Bhavini Limited and cost above Rs. 500 crore.
- Civil Aviation - There were 9 projects in the civil aviation sector under implementation, as on 31 March, 2011. Of these, 2 were in Mega category, 7 in Major category. All these projects belonged to Airport Authority of India Limited.
- Coal - There were 45 projects in the coal sector under implementation, as on 31 March, 2011. Of these, 7 were in Mega category, 38 in Major category. These projects belonged to Central Coal Fields Limited, South-Eastern Coal Fields Limited, Northern Coal Fields Limited, Singareni Colliers Company Limited and Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd.
- Fertilizers - There were 6 projects in the fertilisers sector under implementation as on 31 March, 2011. Of these, 3 were in Mega category, 3 in Major category. All these projects belonged to National Fertilisers Limited.
- Mines - There was only one Mega project in the mining sector as on 31 March, 2011. This belonged to National Aluminium Company Limited.
- Petroleum - There were 82 projects in the petroleum sector under implementation, as on 31 March, 2011. Of these, 40 were in Mega category and 42 in Major category. These projects belonged to Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, Bongaigaon Refinery & Petrochemicals Ltd., Gas Authority of India Limited, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited, Indian Oil Corporation Limited and Oil & Natural Gas Corporation Limited.
- Power - There were 87 projects in the power sector under implementation, as on 31 March, 2011. Of these, 44 were in Mega category and 43 in Major category. All these projects belonged to National Hydro-Electric Power Corporation, National Thermal Power Corporation, North East Electric Power Corporation, Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited, Power Grid Corporation of India Limited, and Tehri Hydro Development Corporation Limited.
- Shipping & Ports - There were 26 projects in the Shipping & Ports sector under implementation, as on 31 March, 2011. Of these, 7 were in Mega category and 19 in Major category. These belonged to Mumbai Port Trust and Shipping Corporation of India.
- Steel - There were 19 projects under implementation in the steel sector, as on 31 March, 2011. Of these, 6 were in Mega category and 13 in Major category. These projects belonged to National Mineral Development Corporation, Rastriya Ispat Nigam Limited and Steel Authority of India.
- Telecommunication - There were 41 projects under implementation in the telecommunication sector as on 31 March, 2011. Of these, 3 were in Mega category and 38 in Major category. These projects belonged to Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited.
- CPSEs Under Construction - There are some CPSEs which yet to go on regular production on a commercial scale as they are at construction stage. Many of these CPSEs are subsidiary companies set up by (Holding) CPSEs. Some of these subsidiary companies are ‘shell companies’ which have been set up tentatively to facilitate the establishment of Ultra Mega Power Projects (UMPP) or similar other Projects. The objective of ‘shell companies’ for UPMM is to develop large capacities of power generation in the different parts of the country. It brings in the potential investors in UMPP after obtaining the necessary clearances. The Power Finance Corporation Limited (PFCL) was selected as the Nodal Agency for the development of such power projects by the Central Electricity Authority. Many of the ‘shell companies’ are subsidiary companies of PFCL. As on 31 March, 2011, there were altogether 28 CPSEs ‘under construction’, as against 32 as on 31 March, 2010. While seven CPSEs ‘under construction’ existing in 2009-10 have been left out, three CPSEs have been added to this list during the financial year 2010-11.
Union Cabinet approved India’s National Communication to UNFCCC on Climate Change
The Union Cabinet of India on 12 April 2012 approved India`s Second
National Communication to the Secretariat of the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change towards fulfilment of the
reporting obligation under the Convention.
This report shall benefit state and national level policy makers in enhancing the understanding of the issues related to climate change and its impact and create general awareness of the stakeholders relating to Government of India`s proactive commitment towards addressing the challenges due to climate change.
The range of studies included in this report has been conducted broadly at the national level, with some specific case studies highlighting the enormous diversity of India and their regional imperatives. India is a Party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate (UNFCCC).
The Convention, in accordance with its Article 4.1 and 12.1, enjoins all Parties, both developed and developing country Parties, to furnish information, in the form of a National Communication (a national report), regarding implementation of the Convention.
This report shall benefit state and national level policy makers in enhancing the understanding of the issues related to climate change and its impact and create general awareness of the stakeholders relating to Government of India`s proactive commitment towards addressing the challenges due to climate change.
The range of studies included in this report has been conducted broadly at the national level, with some specific case studies highlighting the enormous diversity of India and their regional imperatives. India is a Party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate (UNFCCC).
The Convention, in accordance with its Article 4.1 and 12.1, enjoins all Parties, both developed and developing country Parties, to furnish information, in the form of a National Communication (a national report), regarding implementation of the Convention.
Supreme Court upheld the Constitutional Validity of the RTE Act, 2009
The Supreme Court of India on 12 April 2012 upheld the constitutional validity of the Right to Education Act, 2009,
which mandates 25 per cent free seats to the poor in government and
private unaided schools uniformly across the country. The apex court
clarified that its judgment will come into force from 12 April 2012.
However, the act will apply uniformly to government and unaided private
schools except unaided private minority schools.
A three-judge bench of Chief Justice S H Kapadia and justices K S Radhakrishnan and Swantanter Kumar gave the ruling.
The bench had reserved its verdict on 3August 2012 on a batch of petitions by private unaided institutions which had contended that the section 12 (1)(c) of RTE Act violates the rights of private educational institutions under Article 19(1) (g) which provided autonomy to private managements to run their institutions without governmental interference.
Right to Education Act (RTE) was passed by the Indian parliament on 4 August 2009.The act came into force on 1 April 2010. It has the provision of free and compulsory education for children between 6 and 14 in India under Article 21A of the Indian Constitution. India became one of 135 countries to make education a fundamental right of every child.
Section 12(1)(c) of the RTE act says that every recognized school imparting elementary education is obliged to admit underprivileged children even if it is not aiaded by the government to meet its expenses.
A three-judge bench of Chief Justice S H Kapadia and justices K S Radhakrishnan and Swantanter Kumar gave the ruling.
The bench had reserved its verdict on 3August 2012 on a batch of petitions by private unaided institutions which had contended that the section 12 (1)(c) of RTE Act violates the rights of private educational institutions under Article 19(1) (g) which provided autonomy to private managements to run their institutions without governmental interference.
Right to Education Act (RTE) was passed by the Indian parliament on 4 August 2009.The act came into force on 1 April 2010. It has the provision of free and compulsory education for children between 6 and 14 in India under Article 21A of the Indian Constitution. India became one of 135 countries to make education a fundamental right of every child.
Section 12(1)(c) of the RTE act says that every recognized school imparting elementary education is obliged to admit underprivileged children even if it is not aiaded by the government to meet its expenses.
Union Cabinet approved Extension of Funding for Swavalamban Scheme
The Union Cabinet on 12 April 2012 approved the extension of funding
support for implementing the Swavalamban Scheme under the New Pension
System (NPS) from three years to five years for all subscribers enrolled
during 2010-11, 2011-12 and 2012-13.
The exit norms of the scheme were also relaxed to enable subscribers under Swavalamban to exit at age 50 instead of 60, or a minimum tenure of 20 years, whichever is later.
The Cabinet decided to provide an additional funding support of Rs 2065 crore to the scheme till 2016-17. The cabinet’s decision will benefit 70 lakh workers in the unorganised sector.
The exit norms of the scheme were also relaxed to enable subscribers under Swavalamban to exit at age 50 instead of 60, or a minimum tenure of 20 years, whichever is later.
The Cabinet decided to provide an additional funding support of Rs 2065 crore to the scheme till 2016-17. The cabinet’s decision will benefit 70 lakh workers in the unorganised sector.
Cabinet approved Public Procurement Bill & Ad-valorem Regime for Calculating Royalty for Coal
The Union Cabinet on 12 April 2012 approved Public Procurement Bill,
2012 which aims at regulating public procurement of above Rs 50 lakh and
provides fair treatment to bidders. The move is aimed at bringing
transparency in State purchases.
Public Procurement Bill, 2012 aims at regulating public procurement by all ministries and departments of the Union government, Central public sector enterprises (CPSEs), autonomous and statutory bodies controlled by the Centre and other procuring entities. The Bill also proposes absence of price negotiations, except in circumstances that are prescribed, and for which reasons are to be recorded.
Ad-valorem Royalty on Coal
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on 12 April 2012 also approved an ad-valorem regime for calculating royalty for coal and lignite. Following the approval the coffers of coal-bearing states will get richer by over Rs 1000 crore. Currently the hybrid formula is in place for charging royalty on coal and lignite at the rate of 14 per cent and 6 per cent respectively.
Royalty rates on coal and lignite have not been revised since 2007. The ad-valorem regime will enable major coal producing states to earn revenue of about Rs 6980 crore in place of Rs 5950 crore being earned at present at existing rates. The new regime is to increase the combined earning by more than Rs 1050 crore.
The CCEA also approved the proposed joint venture between state-run Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) and Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd for setting up a 1980 MW thermal power plant at Ghatampur in Kanpur district in Uttar Pradesh. The proposed power project, which could entail investments of over Rs 10000 crore, by the JV company is to cater to the demand of Uttar Pradesh and northern region.
Public Procurement Bill, 2012 aims at regulating public procurement by all ministries and departments of the Union government, Central public sector enterprises (CPSEs), autonomous and statutory bodies controlled by the Centre and other procuring entities. The Bill also proposes absence of price negotiations, except in circumstances that are prescribed, and for which reasons are to be recorded.
Ad-valorem Royalty on Coal
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on 12 April 2012 also approved an ad-valorem regime for calculating royalty for coal and lignite. Following the approval the coffers of coal-bearing states will get richer by over Rs 1000 crore. Currently the hybrid formula is in place for charging royalty on coal and lignite at the rate of 14 per cent and 6 per cent respectively.
Royalty rates on coal and lignite have not been revised since 2007. The ad-valorem regime will enable major coal producing states to earn revenue of about Rs 6980 crore in place of Rs 5950 crore being earned at present at existing rates. The new regime is to increase the combined earning by more than Rs 1050 crore.
The CCEA also approved the proposed joint venture between state-run Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) and Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd for setting up a 1980 MW thermal power plant at Ghatampur in Kanpur district in Uttar Pradesh. The proposed power project, which could entail investments of over Rs 10000 crore, by the JV company is to cater to the demand of Uttar Pradesh and northern region.
National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation Bags Scope Meritorius Award for the Year 2010-11
National Backward Classes Finance and Development
Corporation (NBCFDC) a Government of India undertaking organisation
under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has achieved a
distinction of being the recipient of Standing Conference of Public
Enterprises (SCOPE) Meritorious Award for the year 2010-11 for the Best
Managed Public Sector Enterprise (PSE) under section-25 to NBCFDC.
President of India, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil awarded the
Commendation Certificate on the occasion of Public Sector Day here
today. Prior to this NBCFDC has also received MoU Award and was rated
one of the Top Ten PSE’s fourth time.
NBCFDC was setup in the year 1992 as a company Not for Profit to promote economic and developmental activities for the benefit of Backward Classes living below double the poverty line. NBCFDC has consistently given excellent results during the XIth Plan and cumulatively disbursed loan of Rs.2065.76 Crore to 1464270 beneficiaries in 27 States and Union Territories. The Corporation has received a budgetary support of Rs.672.35 Crore out of Authorized Share Capital of Rs.700Crore. Rs.1393.41 Crore over & above budgetary support has been recycled. Recovery of loan is about 89%.
The Corporation provides financial assistance by way of soft loans for self employment and income generating activities in various sectors like Agriculture and Allied activities, Small business/Artisan &Traditional Occupation, Transport Sector & Service Sector and Technical & Professional Trades/Courses in India and abroad have been financed at concessional rate of interest.
The Corporation is creating new opportunities in the area of providing self employment, education development, skill development training and marketing support to the target group comprising of artisans, farmers, fishermen and small businessmen. Top remote quality products made by artisans, corporation were exhibited during Shilpotsav, Dilli Haat, IITF, New Delhi and Suraj Kund Craft Mela etc.
The Corporation has also given emphasis on women empowerment and has designed special scheme for women “New Swarnima”under term loan and “Mahila Samriddhi Yojana” under Micro Finance scheme through SHGs.
NBCFDC was setup in the year 1992 as a company Not for Profit to promote economic and developmental activities for the benefit of Backward Classes living below double the poverty line. NBCFDC has consistently given excellent results during the XIth Plan and cumulatively disbursed loan of Rs.2065.76 Crore to 1464270 beneficiaries in 27 States and Union Territories. The Corporation has received a budgetary support of Rs.672.35 Crore out of Authorized Share Capital of Rs.700Crore. Rs.1393.41 Crore over & above budgetary support has been recycled. Recovery of loan is about 89%.
The Corporation provides financial assistance by way of soft loans for self employment and income generating activities in various sectors like Agriculture and Allied activities, Small business/Artisan &Traditional Occupation, Transport Sector & Service Sector and Technical & Professional Trades/Courses in India and abroad have been financed at concessional rate of interest.
The Corporation is creating new opportunities in the area of providing self employment, education development, skill development training and marketing support to the target group comprising of artisans, farmers, fishermen and small businessmen. Top remote quality products made by artisans, corporation were exhibited during Shilpotsav, Dilli Haat, IITF, New Delhi and Suraj Kund Craft Mela etc.
The Corporation has also given emphasis on women empowerment and has designed special scheme for women “New Swarnima”under term loan and “Mahila Samriddhi Yojana” under Micro Finance scheme through SHGs.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Constitution of a Committee on Corporate Governance
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs has constituted a
Committee under the Chairmanship of Shri. Adi Godrej for framing a
‘National Corporate Governance Policy’ to suggest a comprehensive policy
frame work to enable corporate governance of highest quality in all
classes of companies without impinging on their internal autonomy to
order their affairs in their best judgment.
The other Members of the Committee are as under:
Dr. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw,CMD, Biocon Ltd; Shri Sidharth Birla,, FICCI; DG, IICA; Shri M.K. Chauhan, Vice Chairman, Asian Centre for Corporate Governance & Sustainability; Shri R.S. Sharma, former MD, ONGC; Shri G. Ramaswamy, former President, ICAI; Shri Deosthali, L&T; Shri S. Balasubramaniyan, former Chairman, Company Law Board; Shri S.K. Rungta, ex-CMD, SAIL; Shri K.K. Mistry, CFO, L&T; Ms. Ziya Modi, Lawyer; Shri Sudhir Mittal, Additional Secretary in the M/o Corporate Affairs. In addition there will be nominees from the CII, Asshcham and the Institute of Cost Accountants of India as members. The President of ICSI as memer Secretary and Convener of the Committee.
The Committee is expected to make its recommendations within six months from the date of its first meeting after wide consultations with all stakeholders in the corporate sector, academics and members of the public.
The other Members of the Committee are as under:
Dr. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw,CMD, Biocon Ltd; Shri Sidharth Birla,, FICCI; DG, IICA; Shri M.K. Chauhan, Vice Chairman, Asian Centre for Corporate Governance & Sustainability; Shri R.S. Sharma, former MD, ONGC; Shri G. Ramaswamy, former President, ICAI; Shri Deosthali, L&T; Shri S. Balasubramaniyan, former Chairman, Company Law Board; Shri S.K. Rungta, ex-CMD, SAIL; Shri K.K. Mistry, CFO, L&T; Ms. Ziya Modi, Lawyer; Shri Sudhir Mittal, Additional Secretary in the M/o Corporate Affairs. In addition there will be nominees from the CII, Asshcham and the Institute of Cost Accountants of India as members. The President of ICSI as memer Secretary and Convener of the Committee.
The Committee is expected to make its recommendations within six months from the date of its first meeting after wide consultations with all stakeholders in the corporate sector, academics and members of the public.
Monday, April 9, 2012
World’s first women paramilitary pipe band marches on
The world’s first all-women paramilitary pipe band on April 9 marched to its maiden tune after it got its ceremonial colours under the CRPF at an event here.
Minister of State for Home Jitendra Singh presented the ceremonial ‘pipe mace’ to the band commander, called ‘Major of Pipes’, sub-inspector Darshana Kumari during the ‘Valour Day’ celebrations of the CRPF.
The 23-member band, after being commissioned into the force, presented a fine display of their music and accorded a traditional salute to the Minister before getting a word of praise from CRPF chief Vijay Kumar.
Dressed in Scottish-style tunics, the women have been picked up from various battalions of the CRPF and will now undergo rigorous training for few months by band experts before starting regular performances.
Out of the 23 band players, twelve play the pipes while five are on the drums while the rest play other musical instruments.
The women band will not only play martial and ceremonial tunes at traditional events, it would also be sent at foreign duty locations in future. CRPF Deputy Inspector-General Neetu Bhattacharya, who was instrumental in putting together the new band squad, said the band will add few more members in the coming days.
Indian to head world’s first trial with liver stem cells
An Indian-origin professor in the U.K. will head the world’s first trial using liver stem cells that could avoid transplant surgery.
Paediatric liver consultant Professor Anil Dhawan, who will head the trial at King’s College Hospital, has described the use of stem cells to treat liver disease as an “exciting breakthrough”.
Doctors have developed a pioneering treatment for liver disease that could save hundreds of lives a year and avoid the need for transplant surgery, it said.
Eighteen British children suffering from rare and life threatening liver conditions are to receive infusions of specially treated liver cells removed from the organs of dead donors, the paper said.
It said that doctors believe they will make vital stem cells — the building blocks of life — and repair the damaged organ.
“We have many very sick children and babies who need transplants. If we can cure them without a transplant that will be a fantastic development.
“We have tried using ordinary liver cells with limited success, but is the first time a treatment has been developed that gets the liver to regrow using stem cells,” Mr. Dhawan was quoted, as saying by the daily.
He added that if all goes well, the children, who are being treated with the cells, will show an improvement within a couple of months.
“We would expect those children to come off their medicines and therapy. It will mean the liver cells have done their job and corrected the defects that made them ill. “Then we will have to see how long the effect lasts and whether we have to top up these children with further infusions. I am optimistic the treatment will work,” he said.
Pottery and Iron age Megaliths belonging to the pre-Megalithic Period discovered in Tamil Nadu
Pottery and iron age megaliths dated to the pre-Megalithic/Iron Age period in T.N. — 1,800 BC-1,500 BC found at Mandapam village, near Aarpakkam intersection, about 14 km from Kancheepuram in April 2012.
The importance of the vast urn-burial site is that it belongs to a period earlier than the Megalithic Age or Iron Age in Tamil Nadu.
The site has been ravaged by quarrying for blue-metal.
Villager P. Mani, who discovered the site, reported it to V. Arasu, Head of the Department of Tamil, University of Madras, and S. Elango, lecturer in Tamil, Madras University.
The flat/conical bottomed urns were buried only one or two feet below the soil surface. While some had ritual pottery and terracotta plates inside, others were empty. There were disintegrated human bones in several urns. Also, there were no cairn circles on the surface of the graves to mark them. There were no graffiti marks on the urns either.
It was discovered that the cairn circles or the big stones, i.e., liths, were placed in a circle on the surface of the soil and urns were kept below them. The urns were found to have been kept inside cists, which are compartments made of granite slabs. Since big stones/liths mark the urn burials below, they are called Megalithic Age burials.
The Iron Age and the Megalithic Age are contemporaneous in south India. Archaeologists believed the Iron Age in south India extended from 1000 BCE to 300 BCE.
BSES Yamuna Power Limited (BYPL) won British Safety Award
BSES Yamuna Power limited (BPYL) won the prestigious 54th British International Safety Award. BYPL has been selected for this award given the steps taken by it for the safety of its over 11 lakh consumers and safety and health of its employees. The list of award winners was announced in London in the last week of March 2012. The award will be presented in May 2012. BPYL is the first Indian discom to be selected for this award.
BYPL distributes power to an area spread over 200 sq kms with a population density of 5953 per sq km. It’s 11.9lakh customers are spread over 14 districts across Central and East areas of Delhi including Chandni Chowk, Daryaganj, Shankar Road, Patel Nagar, G T Road,Paharganj, Karkardooma, Krishna Nagar, Mayur Vihar, Yamuna Vihar, Laxmi Nagar, Nand Nagri and Karawal Nagar.
India Water Week to be celebrated as Annual International Event
The Ministry of Water Resources since this year has endeavoured to celebrate India Water Week annually as an international event to focus on water issues. It would provide a global platform for water related issues that will bring policy makers, industry leaders, experts, professionals and practitioners together to address the challenges, showcase technologies, discover opportunities, recognizing the excellence of professionals/organizations and celebrate their achievements. As a part of the event, besides the technical and special sessions, there would also be an exhibition to focus on the various aspects of the main theme.
The first international event in the series of India Water Week on “Water, Energy and Food Security: Call for Solutions” will be organized during April 10-14, 2012 at New Delhi. Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh will inaugurate the event at Vigyan Bhawan. A book on award winning children’ paintings on Water Conservation will also be released by the Prime Minister besides presentation of National Water Award.
In all there shall be 15 parallel technical sessions during the three day event from 10th to 12th April, 2012 which will cover various issues/challenges faced in the water sector. On April 13th there shall be special sessions on Water Policy, water treatment as well as National Ground Water Congress. Technical visits are also proposed on 13th and 14th April to IRI and IIT at Roorkee and Central Soil Salinity Research Institute at Karnal and Hathnikund Barrage.
An exhibition ‘Water Expo 2012’ is also planned during the India Water Week as a technology show case to meet future challenges for the overall development of water, food and energy sector. A significant exposition of WARIS (Water Resources Information System) – a fully web based information system for India will also be showcased. There will be a number of exhibitors showcasing their capabilities in sophisticated technology areas like automated hydrological instrumentation, irrigation, project planning and execution, modern water efficient methods of irrigation etc. The Exhibition which is being held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi will be inaugurated by Minister of Water Resources and Parliamentary Affairs Shri Pawan Kumar Bansal, on 10th April, 2012.
The event is patronized by all concerned Ministries such as Ministry of Agriculture and Food Processing Industries, Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Ministry of Environment and Forest, Planning Commission and others. State Governments and their units handling major water resources projects are also participating in this event.
About 1000 participants including 43 from abroad are likely to participate in the event where about 200 experts including 30 invited speakers drawn from across the world will make presentations on various issues. High level delegations from Tanzania, Oman, Nepal and other countries are also participating. Two important publications, ‘Water Resources Development Scenario in India’ and ‘History of Irrigation Development and Management in India’ have been prepared for the occasion. The outcome of the event is expected to pave way for generating new implementation strategies for the ongoing programmes and also provide an insight into the approaches for framing future programmes.
The first international event in the series of India Water Week on “Water, Energy and Food Security: Call for Solutions” will be organized during April 10-14, 2012 at New Delhi. Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh will inaugurate the event at Vigyan Bhawan. A book on award winning children’ paintings on Water Conservation will also be released by the Prime Minister besides presentation of National Water Award.
In all there shall be 15 parallel technical sessions during the three day event from 10th to 12th April, 2012 which will cover various issues/challenges faced in the water sector. On April 13th there shall be special sessions on Water Policy, water treatment as well as National Ground Water Congress. Technical visits are also proposed on 13th and 14th April to IRI and IIT at Roorkee and Central Soil Salinity Research Institute at Karnal and Hathnikund Barrage.
An exhibition ‘Water Expo 2012’ is also planned during the India Water Week as a technology show case to meet future challenges for the overall development of water, food and energy sector. A significant exposition of WARIS (Water Resources Information System) – a fully web based information system for India will also be showcased. There will be a number of exhibitors showcasing their capabilities in sophisticated technology areas like automated hydrological instrumentation, irrigation, project planning and execution, modern water efficient methods of irrigation etc. The Exhibition which is being held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi will be inaugurated by Minister of Water Resources and Parliamentary Affairs Shri Pawan Kumar Bansal, on 10th April, 2012.
The event is patronized by all concerned Ministries such as Ministry of Agriculture and Food Processing Industries, Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Ministry of Environment and Forest, Planning Commission and others. State Governments and their units handling major water resources projects are also participating in this event.
About 1000 participants including 43 from abroad are likely to participate in the event where about 200 experts including 30 invited speakers drawn from across the world will make presentations on various issues. High level delegations from Tanzania, Oman, Nepal and other countries are also participating. Two important publications, ‘Water Resources Development Scenario in India’ and ‘History of Irrigation Development and Management in India’ have been prepared for the occasion. The outcome of the event is expected to pave way for generating new implementation strategies for the ongoing programmes and also provide an insight into the approaches for framing future programmes.
India commissions nuclear powered submarine 'INS Chakra'
India has inducted Russian- made nuclear powered submarine 'INS Chakra' into the Navy, joining an elite group of five nations possessing such sophisticated warships.
Defence Minister A K Antony formally commissioned the Akula II class Nerpa, rechristened INS Chakra, into the Navy at the Ship Building Complex in Visakhapatnam
With the country entering the select club consisting of theUS , Russia , the UK , France and China with nuclear submarines after a gap of two decades, Antony
He did not subscribe to the view that the induction of nuclear powered submarines will lead to any arms race in the region. He said the armed forces will be strengthened to meet any challenge.
"India Antony told reporters when asked aboutPakistan
"We have a vast land border. We have more than 7500 kms of coastline and more than two lakhs EEZs (Exclusive Economic Zone). We have to protect the sea lanes of our core area of interest," he said.
With INS Chakra and indigenously built INS Arihant expected to start operational patrols soon, India
To a question on China 's increasing military capability, Antony
With a maximum speed of 30 knots, the submarine can go upto a depth of 600 metres and has an endurance of 100 days with a crew of 73.
The vessel is armed with four 533mm torpedo tubes and four 650mm torpedo tubes. India
He also said the induction of INS Vikramaditya, earlier called 'Admiral Gorshkov', will take place sometimes early next year.
On future induction of platforms in the Indian Navy, he said four warships, including INS Vikramaditya, were expected to be delivered at the end of this year, besides 15 fast interception craft.
"In the next few years, the Navy will get more submarines," the Defence Minister said.
He refused to share details with the media about the cost of leasing INS Chakra from Russia
"There is a proposal. But we have not taken any decision...Cost is not necessary, but India can afford it,"Antony
On whether the process of procuring submarines from Russia
INS Chakra has been taken on lease from Russia
It was expected to be inducted a couple of years back, but after an on-board accident in 2008, in which several Russian sailors died, the delivery schedule was changed.
Indian Navy personnel have already been imparted training inRussia
A crew of over 70 people, including around 30 officers, is required to operate INS Chakra.
India, Qatar sign pact to boost coop in oil & gas sector
A pact to enhance cooperation in the key sector of oil and gas exploration is among the six agreements inked between India and Qatar , which has the world's third-largest natural gas reserves afterRussia and Iran
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani held comprehensive talks on a whole gamut of bilateral ties, including boosting trade as well as energy cooperation and welfare of Indian workers.
There are around 500,000 Indians in the Gulf country. After the talks, Petroleum Minister S Jaipal Reddy and Qatar
It envisages cooperation in the areas of upstream and downstream oil and gas activities.
It is expected to encourage and promote investment and cooperation between two ministries of oil and gas and through affiliated companies.
Other pacts are in the areas of educational exchanges, cultural contacts, promoting tourism and cooperation in legal affairs.
An MoU was also signed between the Reserve Bank of India
Monday, April 2, 2012
Ministry of Corporate Affairs announced setting up of Committee for Corporate Governance
Ministry of Corporate Affairs in March 2012 set up a committee under
the leadership of Adi Godrej, chairman Godrej Group to bring out a
formal policy document that will initiate enlisting of diverse elements
of corporate governance under a single national corporate governance
policy.
The committee that comprised members from industry chambers and corporate houses is to submit its report in six. The first meeting of the committee is scheduled to be held on 5 April 2012.
The members of the committee include Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, CMD of Biocon Ltd; former ONGC chairman RS Sharma; former ICAI chairman G Ramaswamy; CMD L&T Finance Holdings YM Deosthalee; S Balasubramanian, ex-chairman company law board; former SAIL chairman SK Roongta; Zia Mody of AZB and partners, and representatives from the institute of company secretaries and cost and works accountants.
The committee’s report is to synthesise the disparate elements in diverse guidelines and draw on innovative best international practices and practices of specific companies.
Also, the committee is entrusted with the responsibility to anticipate emerging demands on corporate governance in enterprises of various classes and scales of operations.
Currently, listed companies are expected to follow corporate governance norms under Clause 49 of the listing agreement of market regulator, SEBI.
The ministry has a voluntary guidelines for corporate governance released in 2009. However, the ministry had mentioned that in cases where corporates are unable to adopt the guidelines, they should inform their shareholders about the reasons for not adopting these guidelines either fully or partially.
The committee that comprised members from industry chambers and corporate houses is to submit its report in six. The first meeting of the committee is scheduled to be held on 5 April 2012.
The members of the committee include Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, CMD of Biocon Ltd; former ONGC chairman RS Sharma; former ICAI chairman G Ramaswamy; CMD L&T Finance Holdings YM Deosthalee; S Balasubramanian, ex-chairman company law board; former SAIL chairman SK Roongta; Zia Mody of AZB and partners, and representatives from the institute of company secretaries and cost and works accountants.
The committee’s report is to synthesise the disparate elements in diverse guidelines and draw on innovative best international practices and practices of specific companies.
Also, the committee is entrusted with the responsibility to anticipate emerging demands on corporate governance in enterprises of various classes and scales of operations.
Currently, listed companies are expected to follow corporate governance norms under Clause 49 of the listing agreement of market regulator, SEBI.
The ministry has a voluntary guidelines for corporate governance released in 2009. However, the ministry had mentioned that in cases where corporates are unable to adopt the guidelines, they should inform their shareholders about the reasons for not adopting these guidelines either fully or partially.
National Green Tribunal suspended the Environment Clearance Granted to Posco's Steel Project
The National Green Tribunal on 30 March 2012 suspended the environment
clearance granted to Posco's mega steel project in Orissa in January
2011. The tribunal comprising Justice C V Ramulu and Devendra Kumar
Agarwal held that the clearance given to Posco's mega steel project in
Jagatsinghpur district of Orissa will remain suspended till the
environment ministry reviews it afresh.
The tribunal pointed out that memorandum of understanding between the Orissa government and Posco states that the project is for production of 12 million tonnes of steel per annum (MTPA) but the environment impact assessment (EIA) report has been prepared only for 4 MTPA steel production in the first phase.
The tribunal’s order came following a petition filed by environment activist Prafulla Samantray seeking quashing of the environmental clearance granted to Posco on the ground that it was "contrary to the provisions of the EIA Notification 2006" and was "illegal and arbitrary".
Posco India Pvt Ltd was granted environmental clearance for its two projects, steel-cum-captive power plant project and captive minor port, in Jagatsinghpur district of Orissa in 2007.
The Ministry of Environment and Forest, after reviewing the same, issued environmental clearance with additional conditions on 31 January 2011 which prompted the petitioner to move the tribunal.
The tribunal pointed out that memorandum of understanding between the Orissa government and Posco states that the project is for production of 12 million tonnes of steel per annum (MTPA) but the environment impact assessment (EIA) report has been prepared only for 4 MTPA steel production in the first phase.
The tribunal’s order came following a petition filed by environment activist Prafulla Samantray seeking quashing of the environmental clearance granted to Posco on the ground that it was "contrary to the provisions of the EIA Notification 2006" and was "illegal and arbitrary".
Posco India Pvt Ltd was granted environmental clearance for its two projects, steel-cum-captive power plant project and captive minor port, in Jagatsinghpur district of Orissa in 2007.
The Ministry of Environment and Forest, after reviewing the same, issued environmental clearance with additional conditions on 31 January 2011 which prompted the petitioner to move the tribunal.
Vanya Mishra crowned Pantaloons Femina Miss India World 2012
Chandigarh girl Vanya Mishra crowned as the Pantaloons Femina Miss
India World 2012 in the grand finale of the 49th edition of the beauty
pageant on 30 March 2012 in Mumbai. The Miss India Earth title went to
24-year-old Prachi Mishra of Pune won the Miss India Earth title while
Chennai girl Rochelle Maria Rao was crowned as the Miss India
International. The 2012 winners selected among 20 finalists were
crowned by last year's winners Kanistha Dhankhar, Hasleen Kaur and
Ankita Shorey.
19-year-old Vanya will represent India at the Miss World 2012 Pageant. Prachi and Rochelle is to represent the country at Miss Earth 2012 Pageant and Miss International 2012 Pageant, respectively. Femina will not send the beauties to the Miss Universe pageant as it had decided in 2010 to abstain from the event.
The event was hosted by Ayushman Khurana and Manish Paul.
Nargis Fakri and Sonam Kapoor added glamour to the event judged by Sonam, producer Ekta Kapoor, film director Rohit Shetty, actor Sonali Bendre, cricketer Harbhajan Singh, designer Raghavendra Rathore, Managing Director of Bajaj FimServ Sanjiv Bajaj, singer Sonu Nigam and TV actor Sakshi Tanwar.
Singer-actor Ali Zafar engaged the audience with his first dance performance with former Miss Indias Manasvi Mamgai and Neha Hinge.
The grand evening was also graced by Julia Morley, Chairperson of the Miss World Organisation and reigning Miss World Ivian Lunasol Sarcos Colimenares.
19-year-old Vanya will represent India at the Miss World 2012 Pageant. Prachi and Rochelle is to represent the country at Miss Earth 2012 Pageant and Miss International 2012 Pageant, respectively. Femina will not send the beauties to the Miss Universe pageant as it had decided in 2010 to abstain from the event.
The event was hosted by Ayushman Khurana and Manish Paul.
Nargis Fakri and Sonam Kapoor added glamour to the event judged by Sonam, producer Ekta Kapoor, film director Rohit Shetty, actor Sonali Bendre, cricketer Harbhajan Singh, designer Raghavendra Rathore, Managing Director of Bajaj FimServ Sanjiv Bajaj, singer Sonu Nigam and TV actor Sakshi Tanwar.
Singer-actor Ali Zafar engaged the audience with his first dance performance with former Miss Indias Manasvi Mamgai and Neha Hinge.
The grand evening was also graced by Julia Morley, Chairperson of the Miss World Organisation and reigning Miss World Ivian Lunasol Sarcos Colimenares.
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