Friday, September 30, 2011
BSE to launch the much awaited Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Exchange.
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on September 28 granted permission to the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) to launch the much awaited Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Exchange.
“This is a great boost to BSE‘s efforts in offering multiple asset classes to Indian investors. We are doing our bit to contribute towards the governmental agenda of greater financial inclusion and allowing promising enterprises of the future to access retail capital,” said BSE Managing Director and CEO Madhu Kannan.
He said the BSE was committed to deliver the best products, services, and asset classes to all our stakeholders and look forward to the success of the SME segment. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have always complained of difficulty in accessing both debt and equity capital.
While the government has taken several measures to ease access to credit, giving them easier access to equity is the next step in that process. The new exchange will be a facilitator in raising funds for SMEs.
“This is a great boost to BSE‘s efforts in offering multiple asset classes to Indian investors. We are doing our bit to contribute towards the governmental agenda of greater financial inclusion and allowing promising enterprises of the future to access retail capital,” said BSE Managing Director and CEO Madhu Kannan.
He said the BSE was committed to deliver the best products, services, and asset classes to all our stakeholders and look forward to the success of the SME segment. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have always complained of difficulty in accessing both debt and equity capital.
While the government has taken several measures to ease access to credit, giving them easier access to equity is the next step in that process. The new exchange will be a facilitator in raising funds for SMEs.
In Uttar Pradesh, three new districts including
In Uttar Pradesh, three new districts including Prabuddha Nagar, Panchsheel Nagar and Bhim Nagar were set up on Wednesday in the western region of the state.
With these new districts, the total number of districts has gone up to 75 in the state. Chief Minister Mayawati announced on Wednesday the formation of new districts during her one-day visit to the western districts of the state.
The new district of Prabuddha Nagar has been carved out of Muzaffar Nagar district. Shamli and Kairana tehsils from Muzaffar Nagar are being included in the new district whose headquarter will be at Shamli.
New district Panchsheel Nagar has been set up carving out fromGhaziabad. Garh Mukteshwar, Hapur and newly set up Daulana tehsils ofGhaziabadwill be included in the new district and Hapur will be its’ headquarter.
Bhim Nagar will be the 75th district of the state. It has been carved out from Moradabadand Badaun districts. Chandausi and Sambhal tehsils of Moradabadand Gunnaur from Badaun are being included in new district. Sambhal has been announced as it’s headquarter
With these new districts, the total number of districts has gone up to 75 in the state. Chief Minister Mayawati announced on Wednesday the formation of new districts during her one-day visit to the western districts of the state.
The new district of Prabuddha Nagar has been carved out of Muzaffar Nagar district. Shamli and Kairana tehsils from Muzaffar Nagar are being included in the new district whose headquarter will be at Shamli.
New district Panchsheel Nagar has been set up carving out fromGhaziabad. Garh Mukteshwar, Hapur and newly set up Daulana tehsils ofGhaziabadwill be included in the new district and Hapur will be its’ headquarter.
Bhim Nagar will be the 75th district of the state. It has been carved out from Moradabadand Badaun districts. Chandausi and Sambhal tehsils of Moradabadand Gunnaur from Badaun are being included in new district. Sambhal has been announced as it’s headquarter
Thursday, September 29, 2011
29.09.2011 AIR Morning News
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
National Development Council
It is a body, which studies and approbes the Apprach Plan to the Five Year Plans and the Five Year Plan Documents. The NDC is not a constituional body. The Union Cabinet had set up NDC in 1952. It is headed by Prime Minister and has all Union Cabinet Ministers, Chief Ministers of all states, and members of Planning Commission as its members.
Functions:-
Functions:-
- To prescribe guidelines for the formation of the national plan.
- To consider the national plans formulated by the planning commission.
- To consider the important questions of socio-economic policy affecting the development of the nation.
- Implementation of Integrated Rural Development programmes.
- To review the progress of the fiver year plan mid-course and suggest measures for achieving the original targets.
Another change in the IAS exam!!!
Before you gear up for the IAS 2012, here is an important information for you – another change in the IAS exam (main examination) is likely to be introduced sooner than we expect. After the marathon meeting with experts, UPSC has almost designed a broader framework of GS Main exam that will replace the optional subjects. However, this is not a new information, as last year only, it was deliberated by the officials to replace optional subjects from main examination very soon. What is new is its timing. The expected decision is based on the Alagh Committee Report. The relevant portion of the Report goes like this- "The present testing of optional subjects is based on College/University curriculum. Re-examining the candidates in their own subjects appears to have a doubtful utility. The universities have already done the work and retesting, possibly even at a lower level that what candidates have completed earlier, appears to be unnecessary. What is important is the relevance of a subject to the job requirements of a Civil Servant, especially in the changing scenario." In this regard what is to be done? Large count of students ask - Should we go for PT first or do we need to devise an integrated preparation? Preliminary test (PT) is little bit unpredictable because of its vastness. CSAT confirms it. But understanding of the trend can be of some help in the changing scenario. For that you need to go through previous years' questions again-and-again and try to understand why UPSC asks questions of current development. The aim of prelims is to test candidates' range of information. Configuration of questions has been changed in the last few years. However, previous years' questions will give you clear idea about the formation of questions. You need to give up the traditional approach in order to accept fresh challenges. More time should be devoted to GS. General Studies is as vast as an ocean. It cannot be measured merely on the basis of topics or sections.
Anything that exists in the universe can be a part of General Studies, especially if that is in the news. Aspirants, those who are taking Civil Services Examination must be aware of this fact. Its Vastness often leads to directionless preparation. But understanding of the trend helps in carving proper focus.
To tame the dreaded demon of GS, candidates must, first of all, select important areas and then go for extensive study. Reason behind this argument is the vastness of the syllabus and changing configuration of questions. Even CSAT is nothing but an extension of General Studies. Don't try to read it in isolation. It always gives a shock. Result of this year PT exam is the latest example. (by Manoj K Jha)
Planning Commission of India
The Planning Commssion is the apex body resposible for the planning function in our country. It was constitued in March 1950 by a Resolution of Government of india and it works under the overall guidance of the National Development Council; Prime Minister as theex-officio Chairman; the committee has a nominated Deputy Chairman, who is given the rank of a full Cabinet Minister. The Planning Commission consults the Central Ministers and the State Governments while formulating Five Year Plans and Annual Plans and also oversees their implementation
FUNCTIONS:- The Following Functions have been alloted to the Planning Commssion as per the Government of India(Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961:
FUNCTIONS:- The Following Functions have been alloted to the Planning Commssion as per the Government of India(Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961:
- Assessment of the material, capital and human resources of the country, including technical personnel, and formulation of proposals for augmenting the resources as are found to be deficient.
- Formulation of Plan for the most effective and balanced utilization of the country's resources.
- Define stages in which the Plan should be carried out on a determination of priorities and allocation of resources for completion of each stage.
- To determine the nature of machiner necessary for the implementation of the Plan in all its respects.
- Identifying the factors, which are tending to retard economic development and determine the conditions, which in view of current social and political situation execution of the Plan.
- To indicate the factors which are hampering the economic development.
- Public co-operation in National Development.
IMPORTANT COMMITTEES
IMPORTANT COMMITTEE
• ABID HUSSAIN
COMMITTEE: Recommendations on Small scale industries
• ABHIJIT SEN
COMMITTEE : Long term food policy.
• ABHIJIT SEN
COMMITTEE: Reform in inflation index.
• ALAGH COMMITTEE:
Civil Service Examinations
• ARJUN SEN GUPTA
COMMISION : National Commission for enterprises in unorganized sector
• B.N.KIRPAL
COMMITTEE: 1st chairman National Forest Commission
• BALWANT RAI MEHTA
COMMITTEE: Recommendations on decentralization system
• BHANU PRATAP SINGH
COMMITTEE: Agriculture
• BHASKAR GOSE
COMMITTEE: By Union Culture Ministry to review and restructure its schemes,
recommended the decentralizing administration of cultural programs.
• BHURE LAL COMMITTEE
: Increase in motor vehicle tax
• BUTLER COMMITTEE:
Relation between Indian states & paramount power (the Queen of Britain)
• CHAKRAVARTI
COMMITTEE: Banking sector reforms
• CHELLIAH COMMITTEE:
Eradicating black money
• CHELLIAH
COMMITTEE:Tax reforms
• DAVE COMMITTEE :
Pension scheme for unorganized sector.
• DAVE COMMITTEE - to
recommend on mutual fund industry - submitted its report to SEBI(securities and
exchange board of India)
• DINESH GOSWAMI
COMMITTEE- electoral reforms
• E.M.S. NACHIAPPAN
COMMITTEE: Reforms in the higher judiciary
• FALI S. NARIMAN
COMMITTEE- Accountability and damages with regard to destruction of public
property
• G.V.RAMAKRISHNA COMMITTEE: Disinvestment in PSU shares
• HUNTER COMMISSION:
Jallianwalabagh massacre
• HURTOG NANAVATI-Shah
commission: Posy Godhra riots
• J.J. IRANI
COMMITTEE : Companies Bill 2008
• J.S. VERMA
COMMISSION : Assasination of Rajiv Gandhi (1991)
• JAMES LYNGDOH
COMMITTEE- Student politics and student-body elections in colleges.
• JANAKI RAM
COMMITTEE: Security scam
• JEEVAN REDDY
COMMITTEE : Comprehensive law on insurance.
• JUSTICE LIBERHAN
COMMISSSION - for probing events that led to Babari Masjid demolition in
Ayodhaya on December 6 1992, submitted its report on june 30,2009 to P.M.
Dr.Manmohan Singh.
• K.T. THOMAS
COMMITTEE- to look into ways of enhancing the effectives of the Prevention of
Damage to Public Property Act
• KELKAR COMMITTEE :
Direct-Indirect Taxes
• KELKAR COMMITTEE:
First committee on backward castes
• KOTHARI COMMISSION:
Educational reforms
• M.M.PUNCHI
COMMISSION - To review centre - state relations, setup in 2008 - M.M.Punchi is
former CJI.
• MALHOTRA COMMITTEE:
Insurance Reforms
• MALIMATH
COMMISSION: Criminal Justice
• MANDAL COMMISSION:
Reservation of seats for Backward castes
• MASHELKAR COMMITTEE
: Patent Law Report
• MASHELKAR
COMMITTEE: National Auto Fuel Policy
• N.N. VOHRA
COMMITTEE: Criminalization of politics
• NANAVATI MEHTA COMMITTEE : Godhra Train - a pre-planned
conspiracy by Muslims.
• NARASIMHAM
COMMITTEE: Banking sector reforms
• NARESH CHANDRA
COMMITTEE: Corporate governance
• OMKAR GOSWAMI
COMMITTEE: Industrial sickness
• P.C.HOTHA
COMMITTEE: Restructuring of civil services
• PAREKH COMMITTEE :
Infrastructure financing
• PERCY MISTRY
COMMITTEE: Making Mumbai an IFC (International Financial Centre)
• R.K.RAGHAVAN
COMMITTEE: Ragging in colleges
• RAGHURAM C. RAJAN
COMMITTEE- financial secptor reforms
• RAGHVAN COMMITTEE
-To prevent ragging in higher educational institutions - appointed by the
Supreme Court.
• RAJENDRA PACHAURI
COMMITTEE: Climate Change; appointed by Maharashtra government Pachauri was
chairman of Inter governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) since 2002.
• RAJINDAR SACHAR
COMMITTEE {2}: Report on the social, economic and educational status of the
Muslims of India
• RAJINDER SACHAR
COMMITTEE {1}: Companies and MRPT Act
• RAKESH MOHAN
COMMITTEE : On Financial Sector Assessment (CFSA) set up by the Government of
India and the Reserve Bank in 2006.
• RAM NANDAN PRASAD
COMMITTEE: Constitution of creamy layers among Backward Castes
• RAM PRADHAN
COMMITTEE: On 26/11 attach of terrorists; appointed by the Maharashtra
government.
• RANGANATH MISHRA
COMMISSION : for Religious and Linguistic minorities
• RANGARAJAN
COMMITTEE: Reforms in private sector
• RANGARAJAN
COMMITTEE: Statistics
S.D. TENDULKAR
COMMITTEE : Constituted to estimate poverty; said that, about 38% of the
country’s population is poor. This figure is 10% higher than the present
poverty estimate of 28.5%. The committee, based on new methodology, has taken
into consideration indicators for health, education, sanitation, nutrition and
income, as per the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) survey of
2004-05, to reach at new poverty estimation for India.
• SAM PITRODA
COMMITTEE: National Knowledge Commission
• SAMBASIVA RAO
COMMITTEE - to examine possibility of introducing compulsory rural service for
medicos - recommended one year mandatory rural service for medicos.
• SARKARIA COMMISSION:
Centre-State relations
• SATWANT REDDY
COMMITTEE- review of laws relating to registration of pharmaceutical drugs and
clinical trials
• SHAH COMMISSION -
reorganisation of States
• S.N. VERMA –
Restructuring
• SRIKRISHNA
COMMISSION: 1992 Bombay riots
• SWAMINATHAN
COMMITTEE: Population policy
• TARKUNDE COMMITTEE-
composition of the Election Commission and other electoral reforms
• THAKKAR COMMISSION:
Indira Gandhi assassination case
• U.C. BANERJEE
COMMISSION:- Enquiry into Godhra carnage (railways)
• U.K. SINHA :
16-member working group to recommend changes in the existing policies on FII
inflows and participatory notes (PNs)
• V K SHUNGLU
COMMISSION : To Study relief to Narmada displaced.
• WANCHOO COMMITTEE:
Tax enquiry
• YASH PAL COMMITTEE
- committee on Higher education.
• Y.B.
REDDY COMMITTEE – Review of income tax rebat28.09.2011 AIR Morning News
http://newsonair.nic.in/writereaddata/broadcast/English-Morning%20News-Bulletins-2357.mp3
Munificent monsoon
IT’S been a good monsoon this
year. Despite a tail-end splash
of excessive rainfall, with consequent
flooding in Assam, Orissa,
Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and
eastern Uttar Pradesh, and anxiety
in the early weeks of low rainfall,
by and large this year’s south-west
monsoon, which has now started to
retreat, has been benign and benevolent.
The country has recorded a
rainfall of four per cent above normal.
Thankfully, pre-monsoon apprehensions
caused by pessimistic
initial forecast by the Indian Meteorological
Department (IMD)
have been belied. The United Progressive
Alliance government has
been lucky with regard to the monsoon
— the rain gods have been happy
to smile on it for six years out of
eight over its two consecutive terms.
The performance of the monsoon
and the resultant optimistic farm
outlook should provide some comfort
to a nation that faces persistently
high inflation, though till now
it has not had a conclusive impact
on inflationary expectations.
Fortunately, the time and spatial
distribution of the rainfall, critical
to the impact the monsoon has
on agricultural production, have
been optimal. The acreage under
paddy has reportedly expanded by
over three million hectares, paving
the way for another bumper rice
harvest and the consequential
swelling of the government’s mounting
grain stocks. Moreover, the delayed
withdrawal of the monsoon,
beginning September 23, against
the normal date of September 1, augurs
well for the next rabi season.
The munificence of the monsoon
this year can also be seen in
the country’s 81 major reservoirs
whose water levels have gone up to
132 billion cubic metres, 18 per cent
above last year’s level and over
30 per cent in excess of the long period
average. This will help sustain
water flow in irrigation canals even
after the monsoon is over, thereby
ensuring a good rabi harvest.
Since 36 of these reservoirs service
hydel power units, there is good
news on the power production front
as well.
On the downside, the off-themark
forecast by IMD shows that
it is still unable to offer accurate
predictions about the monsoon. IMD
had forecast in April this year that
the total rainfall this monsoon would
be two per cent below normal. It
subsequently lowered the estimate,
well after the onset of the monsoon
in June, to five per cent below normal.
But, on the contrary, the actual
rainfall has turned out to be
above normal by around that much
margin. However, the monsoon is
not over yet. In eastern and southern
states monsoon showers are
continuing. Surprisingly, IMD has
not been able to evolve a reliable
monsoon prediction model ever
since the successful 16-parameter
statistical regression model was
discarded in 2002 because it was
no longer able to predict rainfall,
having done so for 12 successive
years since 1988. Heavy investment
towards expanding infrastructure
for weather data collection, including
installation of Doppler
radars and super-fast computing
equipment as well as augmentation
of satellite imagery inputs, has been
of little avail. In contrast, weather
offices in other countries routinely
release accurate forecasts.
Can IMD learn from them?
New draft rules issued for PPP projects
A government under cloud on
corruption charges today released
the draft of a national
Public-Private Partnership
(PPP) policy seeking to ensure
transparency. The ministry
of finance released the
draft for discussion, while
stating it would publish separate
mandatory disclosure
norms for projects and also
set up a dedicated dispute resolution
mechanism to address
issues related to bidding and
award of PPP projects.
The policy talks of risk allocation
between the public
and private entities, while taking
care of the controversial
land use issue. Wherever natural
resources are provided
for a specific use, alternative
exploitation of the land will be
prohibited and this would be
a non-negotiable position,
says the draft.
The draft says every PPP
project would be vetted at the
central government level,
even where no capital subsidy
is expected to obtain clearance
from the relevant authorities.
The oversight would
extend to the manner of selection
of the private entity,
procedures observed in releasing
payments from time
to time and review of quality
of service.
Though PPP Approval
Committee functions under
the finance secretary, its policy
making agenda was so far
being coordinated by the PPP
cell in the Planning Commission.
With the finalisation of
the policy, the latter might not
have much say in PPP norms.
Identification of risks has
been given importance. The
government would identify
different types and degrees of
risk during the project lifecycle
and configure appropriate
mitigation measures.
At the same time, the legitimate
concerns of stakeholders
would be kept in
mind. The draft said the risks
that the public sector was
more competent to bear in the
normal course of its business
“would be retained by the
public sector”. It also said the
public sector would not retain
the risk that the private sector
had better ability to bear.
The policy said it would
support the creation of nodal
agencies such as PPP Cells at
state or sector levels to look after
identifying and approving
projects, capacity building and
ensuring transparent tendering.
Such cells have been in
existence for some time.
A provision for competitive
dialogue has been kept to
deal with complex contracts
where an implementing
agency is unable to objectively
establish the parameters
needed to achieve project
objectives.
This would involve working
together of the implementation
agency with likely bidders
to explore all possible
technical, commercial and legal
options and arrive at the
optimal solution through an iterative
procedure.
The government has also
decided to put forward proper
guidelines for the officers. It
will publish a defined set of
PPP rules that will include
identification and procurement
processes, critical clauses
of a contract such as dispute
resolution and arbitration.
WHAT IS PPP?
Public Private Partnership
means an arrangement between
a government and a
statutory or government
owned entity on one side and
a private sector one on the other.
It is aimed at provision of
public assets or services
through private sector investment
and/or management for
a specified period of time.
Risks will be defined and
allocated between the private
sector and the public entity.
The private sector receives
performance-linked payments
that conform to specified performance
standards, measurable
by the public entity or its
representative.
Models where ownership
of the underlying asset remains
with the public entity
during the contract period
and the project is transferred
back to the public entity after
the termination contract
are the preferred forms of
PPP models.
How to Tame a Dominant China
The mighty West,led by the mighty US,is suddenly looking to China for help in rescuing debt-ridden Europe.But China has not just arrived as a global economic power.It is going to eclipse the US and become the dominant economic power in the world,according to a fascinating,highly-readable and often brilliant new book by Arvind Subramanian,Eclipse : Living in the Shadow of Chinas Economic Dominance.US economic dominance has long been eroding,but it has remained resilient to challengers notably Japan till 1990 and has huge inherent strengths.In todays troubled times,investors have flooded into the dollar: the US still looks a safe haven in stormy times.Hold on,says Subramanian.After making various statistical adjustments which remain controversial for the undervaluation of Chinas currency (renminbi or RMB),he calculates that Chinas GDP in 2010 was $14.8 trillion,ahead of the US $14.6 trillion.China remains far poorer in per-capita income.Both matter for economic dominance,but GDP matters more.In a book combining deep scholarship with wit,his key innovation is an Index of Economic Dominance based on three parameters: GDP,trade strength and external financial strength.These three helped Britain dominate the 19th century and the US the 20th century.Using IMF weights,his index shows China almost catching up with the US in 2010.Using reserve currency weights,China was just ahead at No.1 in 2010.By 2020,it will be so well ahead using either set of weights that it could be called dominant.By 2030,that should not be in doubt at all.How credible are the projections Subramanian says Chinas rise will be driven by demography and convergence the tendency of poorer,low-tech countries to catch up with rich,hi-tech ones provided they have reasonable policies and institutions.He assumes that Chinese GDP growth will slow dramatically to 6.9% while the US will grow at 2.5% conservative,plausible assumptions.Yet,as Subramanian admits,forecasting is a hazardous business.Past trends rarely predict future ones.Who would have thought a year ago that the US would lose its AAA rating and three European countries would be reduced to junk-bond status As Mohammed El-Erian said at a Peterson Institute book discussion,the unthinkable now happens constantly.China is not exempt from this rule.Like the Arab Spring,one day,we will have a Chinese Spring.Nobody knows when.But when it comes,all past projections could quickly look ridiculous.Martin Wolf of the Financial Times pooh-poohs the notion that the RMB will become a reserve currency by 2020.To achieve that status,China will have to open its capital account,allow private sector banks and financial institutions to become dominant,and develop bond markets so deep and liquid that they can determine interest rates.Wolf says this will not be acceptable to the Chinese leadership,which is paranoid about staying in control.Whether or not China becomes a dominant power,it certainly is rising fast.Economic clout translates into military clout.Subramanian sticks to economic dominance and does not consider the political and military consequences.Yet,these are of paramount interest to most readers.However,his analysis on how to control China in the economic side has clear lessons on how to control its political ambitions too.First,there are many positive aspects of Chinas rise.It has helped the world economy survive a terrible Western recession,reduced the global prices of goods especially low-end manufactures used by the poor lowered the cost of capital,and financed infrastructure and other investment across the world,including much-neglected Africa.The world needs these strengths even while guarding against the risks that will arise from dominance.
Subramanian says that the best way to bind China is through multilateral institutions and agreements.Chinas trade-GDP ratio (almost 50%) is far above the US ratio in the 20th century.China is a very big importer as well as exporter,especially of raw materials and food.This is very unlike the US,which was an exporter or self-sufficient in most commodities till World War II,and remains far less dependent on imports.China needs the rest of the world in ways that post-War US did not.The US chose not to rely on its own muscle and,instead,helped create multilateral institutions like the UN,World Bank,IMF and Gatt.This was essential to end economic anarchy and lack of international rules between the two World Wars.China is a keen student of economic history,and can be persuaded that multilateralism is better for a superpower : it produces world order,yet leaves lots of space for superpower bullying.Hopefully,the same strategy can be used by the rest of the world to channel China into multilateralism in the political and military arenas.Hopefully,Iraq and Afghanistan have taught China that foreign military adventures are disastrous for even economic superpowers,and spark huge political resentments at home.Toady,China claims virtually the entire South China Sea,disregarding the Law of the Sea and claims of other littoral states like Vietnam and the Philippines.China has not unambiguously accepted all international norms on sharing river waters,such as the Brahmaputras.We need a China that agrees to international rules set by multilateral institutions,in both political and economic matters.
Subramanian says that the best way to bind China is through multilateral institutions and agreements.Chinas trade-GDP ratio (almost 50%) is far above the US ratio in the 20th century.China is a very big importer as well as exporter,especially of raw materials and food.This is very unlike the US,which was an exporter or self-sufficient in most commodities till World War II,and remains far less dependent on imports.China needs the rest of the world in ways that post-War US did not.The US chose not to rely on its own muscle and,instead,helped create multilateral institutions like the UN,World Bank,IMF and Gatt.This was essential to end economic anarchy and lack of international rules between the two World Wars.China is a keen student of economic history,and can be persuaded that multilateralism is better for a superpower : it produces world order,yet leaves lots of space for superpower bullying.Hopefully,the same strategy can be used by the rest of the world to channel China into multilateralism in the political and military arenas.Hopefully,Iraq and Afghanistan have taught China that foreign military adventures are disastrous for even economic superpowers,and spark huge political resentments at home.Toady,China claims virtually the entire South China Sea,disregarding the Law of the Sea and claims of other littoral states like Vietnam and the Philippines.China has not unambiguously accepted all international norms on sharing river waters,such as the Brahmaputras.We need a China that agrees to international rules set by multilateral institutions,in both political and economic matters.
Plan Panel Wants Nandans UIDAI to be Monitored
The Planning Commission has raised questions about the administrative structure of the Nandan Nilekani-led Unique Identity Authority of India (UIDAI) and called for the appointment of an independent financial advisor to monitor its finances and transactions,days after the finance ministry rejected the authoritys.15,000 crore funding proposal.The UIDAIs present system represents a major departure from government procedures and removes all inbuilt checks and balances.We need a relook at the UIDAIs administrative structure, the commission wrote in a letter to the finance ministry in the third week of September.The commission has pointed out that though the UIDAI was set up as its attached office in January 2009 and derives its budget from the ministry of planning,it has never got to examine any of the authoritys financial proposals till date.It says the cabinet and expenditure proposals of the UIDAI need to normally be seen by its secretary and financial advisor.But neither the secretary nor the financial advisor is in the loop. In a subsequent letter to the finance ministry,the commission has asked for a full-time financial advisor to be placed in the UIDAI tasked with the responsibility of looking into its financial sanctions and clearances.It has objected to the decisionmaking structure in the UIDAI that delegates the powers of a financial advisor to a deputy director-general who is also responsible for the authoritys programmes and projects.Typically,financial advisors of government departments are not entrusted with any discretionary policy-making powers so that they can take a fair and independent view of financial proposals.
ONGC clears Cairn deal with a rider
Flagship explorer Oil and Natural Gas Corporation on Tuesday decided to allow NRI metals tycoon Anil Agarwals Vedanta Resources to acquire control of Cairn India,a subsidiary of Scottish explorer Cairn Energy Plc.The decision,however,came with the rider that Cairn will have to sign a legally-binding agreement with ONGC before the NOC (no-objection certificate ) is issued.
Cairn will have to commit on paper two things: The royalty paid on crude will be added to the costs of operating the Barmer fields before calculating profit;and it will pay Rs 2,500 per tonne cess on its share of the production.The issues of royalty and cess have been vexing the deal ever since it was announced over a year ago.Though ONGC holds 30% interest in the Barmer fields,it has been paying royalty on the entire production due to a historic policy anomaly.Cairn has been paying its share of cess under protest and had launched arbitration proceedings.
ONGC had threatened to block the deal by asserting it has the first right of refusal and hence Cairn Indias control cannot change hands without its consent.ONGC had said it would not allow the deal unless the two companies agreed to equitable sharing of levies.The government cleared the deal only after Vedanta and Cairn relented.
The ONGC board,however,on Tuesday felt there was a need to pin Cairn and Vedanta down with a legal document on the issue of equitable sharing of royalty and cess before their deal could be cleared.This was felt because Cairn has been insisting on ONGC giving NOC before Cairn India formally agrees to share royalty and cess.
This insistence has in recent times vitiated the relationship between the two companies.The legal document envisages Cairn giving in writing that it will pay Rs 2,500 per tonne cess on its share of production from the Rajasthan oilfields and also make royalty payments cost-recoverable.After such an undertaking,ONGC will agree to issue NOC.An executive said the NOC can be given in a weeks time.
Cairn will have to commit on paper two things: The royalty paid on crude will be added to the costs of operating the Barmer fields before calculating profit;and it will pay Rs 2,500 per tonne cess on its share of the production.The issues of royalty and cess have been vexing the deal ever since it was announced over a year ago.Though ONGC holds 30% interest in the Barmer fields,it has been paying royalty on the entire production due to a historic policy anomaly.Cairn has been paying its share of cess under protest and had launched arbitration proceedings.
ONGC had threatened to block the deal by asserting it has the first right of refusal and hence Cairn Indias control cannot change hands without its consent.ONGC had said it would not allow the deal unless the two companies agreed to equitable sharing of levies.The government cleared the deal only after Vedanta and Cairn relented.
The ONGC board,however,on Tuesday felt there was a need to pin Cairn and Vedanta down with a legal document on the issue of equitable sharing of royalty and cess before their deal could be cleared.This was felt because Cairn has been insisting on ONGC giving NOC before Cairn India formally agrees to share royalty and cess.
This insistence has in recent times vitiated the relationship between the two companies.The legal document envisages Cairn giving in writing that it will pay Rs 2,500 per tonne cess on its share of production from the Rajasthan oilfields and also make royalty payments cost-recoverable.After such an undertaking,ONGC will agree to issue NOC.An executive said the NOC can be given in a weeks time.
Drug prices shooting up sharply
Drug prices have shot up phenomenally in India over the past decade and a half.A Planning Commissions expert group says there was nearly 40% rise in all drug prices between 1996 and 2006,thanks to the nations price decontrol policies of the 1990s.
Citing a study conducted in 2008,the commissions high-level expert group (HLEG) on universal health coverage,headed by K Srinath Reddy,says during the same period the price of controlled drugs rose by 0.02%,while those in the Essential Drug List (EDL) increased by 15%.The price of drugs that were neither under price control,nor under the EDL grew by 137%.
The report says,Taking advantage of lax regulations on drug pricing,the pharmaceutical industry has been able to reap high margins through complex price setting activities. It has been observed that the price of a therapeutically similar drug could vary around 1,000% between the most expensive and the cheapest brands.The variation between the market and procurement price of similar drugs could range anywhere between 100% and 5,000%.The panel recommended price control on all formulations in the EDL.The report says,Direct price control should be applied to formulations rather than on basic drugs.This is likely reduce as well as prevent a substantial rise in drug prices.
It brings to light the widespread use of irrational drugs.India,the report says,has the dubious distinction of its pharmaceutical market being flooded with about 90,000 formulation packs and brands.Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) estimated that about 46 banned fixed dose combination drugs (FDCs) continue to be marketed irrespective of the ban.About 1,067 FDCs are freely marketed with the state drug controllers approval,but without the DCGIs concurrence.
Citing a study conducted in 2008,the commissions high-level expert group (HLEG) on universal health coverage,headed by K Srinath Reddy,says during the same period the price of controlled drugs rose by 0.02%,while those in the Essential Drug List (EDL) increased by 15%.The price of drugs that were neither under price control,nor under the EDL grew by 137%.
The report says,Taking advantage of lax regulations on drug pricing,the pharmaceutical industry has been able to reap high margins through complex price setting activities. It has been observed that the price of a therapeutically similar drug could vary around 1,000% between the most expensive and the cheapest brands.The variation between the market and procurement price of similar drugs could range anywhere between 100% and 5,000%.The panel recommended price control on all formulations in the EDL.The report says,Direct price control should be applied to formulations rather than on basic drugs.This is likely reduce as well as prevent a substantial rise in drug prices.
It brings to light the widespread use of irrational drugs.India,the report says,has the dubious distinction of its pharmaceutical market being flooded with about 90,000 formulation packs and brands.Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) estimated that about 46 banned fixed dose combination drugs (FDCs) continue to be marketed irrespective of the ban.About 1,067 FDCs are freely marketed with the state drug controllers approval,but without the DCGIs concurrence.
Shourya missile is successfully tested by India
India’s hypersonic missile, Shourya, was successfully test-fired from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur on the Orissa coast on Saturday. The missile rose on the dot at 2.30 p.m. from a canister strapped on to the ground, climbed to an altitude of 40 km and sped at 7.5 Mach, that is, 7.5 times the speed of sound. It covered its full range of 700 km in 500 seconds. The surface-to-surface missile performed a manoeuvre in the closing stages of its flight and hit the impact point in the Bay of Bengal with an accuracy of a few metres. A gas generator located at the bottom of the canister pushed the missile out of the canister, then its first stage ignited and fell off, and the second stage went into action. Shourya is the land-variant of India’s K-15 missile which is launched under the water and is being fitted into the Navy’s nuclear-powered submarine, Arihant. This is the third flight of Shourya, all of which have been successful and this flight paves the way for its production and induction into the Services. It was designed and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). It can carry both nuclear and conventional warheads. The missile can be used by both the Navy and the Army because it could perform various roles.
Waste on cards for bio-medical ensure new rules
To ensure safe and proper management of bio-medical waste, the Environment Ministry has proposed new rules under which all health institutions are required to obtain authorisation of medical waste treatment facility.
The Draft Bio-Medical Waste Management and Handling Rules 2011 put in the public domain by the ministry seeking suggestions will replace the Bio-Medical Waste Rules 1998.
According to Ministry, the new rules are comprehensive, strict and several new provisions are added in it, reports IANS.
Under the new rules, it has been stipulated that irrespective of the quantum of bio-medical waste generation, every occupier — hospital, nursing home, clinic, dispensary, veterinary institution, animal house, pathological laboratory and blood banks — shall apply for grant of authorisation.
The Draft Bio-Medical Waste Management and Handling Rules 2011 put in the public domain by the ministry seeking suggestions will replace the Bio-Medical Waste Rules 1998.
According to Ministry, the new rules are comprehensive, strict and several new provisions are added in it, reports IANS.
Under the new rules, it has been stipulated that irrespective of the quantum of bio-medical waste generation, every occupier — hospital, nursing home, clinic, dispensary, veterinary institution, animal house, pathological laboratory and blood banks — shall apply for grant of authorisation.
The indian government challenge for mega projects
The Indian Government is undertaking mega-projects to digitise information with the intention to deliver services to citizens in a more streamlined and effective manner.
e-Governance has become a buzzword and leverages the vast IT capital the country has created to benefit a larger population. Whether it is land records, defense records, tax records or health records, information housed within government institutions is growing manifold.
This is leading to an increased focus on two areas – creating an adequate IT infrastructure that can handle the rapid technological changes, and securing and managing growing volumes of information.
The second area has received significant attention recently. Stuxnet– the first computer worm to affect physical, real-world infrastructure, highlighted the growing complexity and sophistication of cyber attacks.
e-Governance has become a buzzword and leverages the vast IT capital the country has created to benefit a larger population. Whether it is land records, defense records, tax records or health records, information housed within government institutions is growing manifold.
This is leading to an increased focus on two areas – creating an adequate IT infrastructure that can handle the rapid technological changes, and securing and managing growing volumes of information.
The second area has received significant attention recently. Stuxnet– the first computer worm to affect physical, real-world infrastructure, highlighted the growing complexity and sophistication of cyber attacks.
RIL at the $4.205 per mmBtu approved price
The Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH) has termed as “economically unviable” the new natural gas finds in the eastern offshore KG-D6 block by Mukesh Ambani owned Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) at the $4.205 per mmBtu approved price.
RIL had in December 2009, submitted to DGH an optimised development plan for four satellite gas fields around the currently producing Dhirubhai-1 and 3 gas fields in the KG-DWN-98/3, or KG-D6, block. It proposed to invest $1.529 billion in producing up to 10 million standard cubic metres per day from the four discoveries in five years’ time.
In a note submitted to the Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry, the DGH has stated that considering the production profile, the cost estimates and project schedule as provided by operator (RIL), the project yields a negative net present value (NPV) of $239 million at the gas price of $4.2 per mmBtu.
RIL had in December 2009, submitted to DGH an optimised development plan for four satellite gas fields around the currently producing Dhirubhai-1 and 3 gas fields in the KG-DWN-98/3, or KG-D6, block. It proposed to invest $1.529 billion in producing up to 10 million standard cubic metres per day from the four discoveries in five years’ time.
In a note submitted to the Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry, the DGH has stated that considering the production profile, the cost estimates and project schedule as provided by operator (RIL), the project yields a negative net present value (NPV) of $239 million at the gas price of $4.2 per mmBtu.
CSIR Awards for Scientific and Industrial Research
At the CSIR Foundation Day celebration today, CSIR awards for different categories were given here today.
CSIR Young Scientist Awards, 2011 were instituted in 1987. CSIR Young Scientist Awards seek to promote in- house excellence in various fields of science and technology. CSIR scientist, below 35 years of age, as reckoned on 26 September (CSIR Fondation Day) of the preceding year, is eligible for the Award.
These awards are given annually in the fields of Biological Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Earth, Atmosphere, Ocean and Planetary Sciences and Engineering Sciences Physical Sciences (including instrumentation).
Each award consist of a citation, a cash prize of Rs. 50,000/- (Rupees fifty thousand only) and a plaque. CSIR Young Scientist Awardees are also entitled to a research grant of Rs. 5.0 Lakhs (Rupees five lakh only) per annum for a period of five years and an honorarium of Rs. 7,5000/- (Rupees seven thousand and five hundred only) per month till the age of 45 years.
CSIR Young Scientist Awards, 2011 were instituted in 1987. CSIR Young Scientist Awards seek to promote in- house excellence in various fields of science and technology. CSIR scientist, below 35 years of age, as reckoned on 26 September (CSIR Fondation Day) of the preceding year, is eligible for the Award.
These awards are given annually in the fields of Biological Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Earth, Atmosphere, Ocean and Planetary Sciences and Engineering Sciences Physical Sciences (including instrumentation).
Each award consist of a citation, a cash prize of Rs. 50,000/- (Rupees fifty thousand only) and a plaque. CSIR Young Scientist Awardees are also entitled to a research grant of Rs. 5.0 Lakhs (Rupees five lakh only) per annum for a period of five years and an honorarium of Rs. 7,5000/- (Rupees seven thousand and five hundred only) per month till the age of 45 years.
CERN A fundamental pillar of physics that nothing can go faster than the speed of light appears
A fundamental pillar of physics that nothing can go faster than the speed of light appears to be smashed by an oddball subatomic particle that has apparently made a giant end run around Albert Einstein’s theories.
Scientists at the world’s largest physics lab said Thursday they have clocked neutrinos travelling faster than light. That’s something that according to Einstein’s 1905 special theory of relativity the famous E=mc2 equation just doesn’t happen.
“The feeling that most people have is this can’t be right, this can’t be real,” said James Gillies, a spokesman for the European Organization for Nuclear Research, or CERN, outside the Swiss city of Geneva.
Mr. Gillies told The Associated Press that the readings have so astounded researchers that they are asking others to independently verify the measurements before claiming an actual discovery.
Scientists at the world’s largest physics lab said Thursday they have clocked neutrinos travelling faster than light. That’s something that according to Einstein’s 1905 special theory of relativity the famous E=mc2 equation just doesn’t happen.
“The feeling that most people have is this can’t be right, this can’t be real,” said James Gillies, a spokesman for the European Organization for Nuclear Research, or CERN, outside the Swiss city of Geneva.
Mr. Gillies told The Associated Press that the readings have so astounded researchers that they are asking others to independently verify the measurements before claiming an actual discovery.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
TRAI guidelines to regulate unsolicited commercial Calls and messages
To regulate unsolicited
commercial call and messages TRAI has notified "The Telecom Commercial
Communication Customer Preference Regulations, 2010" which came into force from
27th September, 2011.
Under this regulation Customers (landline and mobile) who do not want to receive commercial communications can dial or SMS to 1909 (toll free) and register in either of the two categories:
1) Fully Blocked Category- stoppage of all commercial Calls/SMS .For this one has to write "START 0" and send it to 1909
2) Partially Blocked Category- stoppage of all commercial Calls/SMS except SMS from one of the opted preferences. For this one has to send SMS 'START' with one or multiple options from the list of seven categories.
There are at present 7 preferences to choose from-
For the convenience of subscribers, the TRAI has made it
mandatory for all operators to set up a facility for registration of complaints
of customers regarding receipt of unsolicited commercial calls either through
voice calls or SMS, which will be toll free. The new regulations have provisions
of hefty penalty of up to Rs.2.50 lakh on erring telemarketing companies and
blacklisting of habitual offenders.
Under this regulation Customers (landline and mobile) who do not want to receive commercial communications can dial or SMS to 1909 (toll free) and register in either of the two categories:
1) Fully Blocked Category- stoppage of all commercial Calls/SMS .For this one has to write "START 0" and send it to 1909
2) Partially Blocked Category- stoppage of all commercial Calls/SMS except SMS from one of the opted preferences. For this one has to send SMS 'START' with one or multiple options from the list of seven categories.
There are at present 7 preferences to choose from-
1)Banking/Insurance/Financial Products/Credit Cards,
2) Real Estate,
3) Education,
4) Health,
5) Consumer goods and automobiles,
6) Communication/Broadcasting/Entertainment/IT,
7) Tourism.
For example: To receive messages relating to only Health products, then send SMS "START 4" to 1909. Similarly, for receiving messages relating to Real Estate and Education, send SMS "START 2,3" to 1909.
On successful registration an SMS confirming exercised options and a Unique Registration Number within 24 hrs. The registration will be effective within 7 days of placing the request with the service provider.
For example: To receive messages relating to only Health products, then send SMS "START 4" to 1909. Similarly, for receiving messages relating to Real Estate and Education, send SMS "START 2,3" to 1909.
On successful registration an SMS confirming exercised options and a Unique Registration Number within 24 hrs. The registration will be effective within 7 days of placing the request with the service provider.
Furthur all commercial calls will come from number starting with 140 and
only between 9am to 9pm. Also, in order to control the possibility of SMS
packages (those allow a very large number of SMS per day) to be used by the
telemarketers for sending large number of SMSs from a normal telephone number, a
limit of 100 SMS per day per SIM has been laid down under these regulations
except on blackout days.
National Manufacturing Competitiveness Council
The National Manufacturing Competitiveness Council (NMCC) has been set up by the
Government as an interdisciplinary body to provide a continuing forum for policy
dialogue to energise and sustain the growth of manufacturing industries in
India. The NMCC is expected to suggest various ways and means for enhancing the
competitiveness of manufacturing sector including identification of
manufacturing sectors which have potential for global competitiveness; current
strengths and constraints of identified sectors, and recommend National level
industry/sector specific policy imitatives as may be required for augmenting the
growth of manufacturing sector.
Wangari Maathai, Nobel Peace Prize laureate, dies at 71
Wangari Muta Maathai (1 April 1940 – 25 September 2011) was a Kenyan environmental and political activist. She was educated in the United States at Mount St. Scholastica and the University of Pittsburgh, as well as the University of Nairobi in Kenya. In the 1970s, Maathai founded the Green Belt Movement, an environmental non-governmental organization focused on the planting of trees, environmental conservation, and women's rights. In 1984, she was awarded the Right Livelihood Award, and in 2004, she became the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for “her contribution to sustainable development, democracy and peace.” Maathai was an elected member of Parliament and served as Assistant Minister for Environment and Natural Resources in the government of President Mwai Kibaki between January 2003 and November 2005.
http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/article2487668.ece
http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/article2487668.ece
Prithivi-II Test Fired
Within a span of two days, India demonstrated the reliability of another surface-to-surface missile, with the successful test-firing of Prithvi-II ballistic system to its full range of 350 km on Monday.
(Hypersonic missile Shourya was successfully test-fired from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur on the Orissa coast on Saturday.)
Prithvi-II, was launched at 9 a.m. from Launch Complex-III of the ITR, Balasore in Chandipur by personnel of the Strategic Force Command (SFC) as part of a regular training exercise. After a flight of 500 seconds, it closed in on the predefined target in the Bay of Bengal with a single-digit accuracy of less than 10 metres. The flight test met all the mission objectives and it was a text-book launch.
A battery of radars, electro-optical systems and telemetry stations located along the coast tracked the missile throughout its flight. A naval ship located near the target witnessed the splash down.
The missile was picked up randomly from the production lot and the launch was monitored by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) scientists.
Prithvi-II, first indigenously developed strategic missile by the DRDO, was inducted into the armed forces. It was flight-tested a number of times as part of regular user trials.
The single-stage, liquid-propelled missile is equipped with an advanced inertial navigation, control and guidance system and can carry a payload of 500-1,000 kg to a distance of 350 km.
Scientific Adviser to Defence Minister V. K. Saraswat congratulated scientists and other DRDO employees and the armed forces for the successful flight test, says a press release here.
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