A Bill called the Registration and Regulation of Political Parties (2011) has been drafted by a committee chaired by Justice M.N. Venkatachaliah, former Chief Justice of India. The bil l includes a democratic process forselecting party office-bearers as well as those given the ticket. It t alks of limits on donations by individuals and corporations, suggests penalties for non-compliance and addresses the vexed question of how to deal with support groups that spend money that remains unaccounted for in the candidates‘ election expenses.Mostcritically endangeredturtle species::International attention has now fallen on White-bellied herons, Gangetic dolphins and river terrapins of the country. The Batagur baska terrapins is found only in parts ofIndia(West Bengal and Orissa), Bangladesh ,Myanmar,Thailand. The White-bellied Heron is found in the wetlands of tropical and subtropical forests in the foothills of the eastern Himalayas ofIndiaandMyanmar. It is also spotted in Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan's sub tropical areas and was once found in Nepal. The majorthreats the heron faces are poaching Arctic ice expands every year in the cold season and shrinks between March and September. Heftier animals have a smaller surface area-to-volume ratio, which helps reduce heat loss —a pattern known as Bergmann‘s RuleGeothermal electricity iselectricity generated fromgeothermal energy . Technologies in use include dry steam power plants, flash steam power plants and binary cycle pow er plants. Geothermal electricity g eneration is currently used in 24 countrie s [1] , whilegeothermal heating is in use in 70 countries.Estimates of the electricity generating potential of geothermal energy vary from 35 t o 2,000 GW. [2] Current worldwide installed capacity is 10,715megawatts (MW), with the largest capacity in the United States (3,086 MW), [3] Philippines ,andIndonesia .Geothermal power is considered to be sustainable because the heat extraction is small compared with the Earth's heat content. [4] Theemission intensity of existing geothermal electric plants is on a verage 122 kg of CO 2 per megawatt-hour (MW·h) of electricity, about one-eighth of a conventional coal-fired plan To deal with the problem of malnourishment in the Hyderabad Karnataka region, and ensure that people get protein-rich food, the Departm ent of Horticulture has com e up with a plan to promote kitchen g ardens and community horticultural parks. The Prevention of Money Laundering (Amendment) Bill, 2011, piloted by Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, sought to include activities such as cheating, concealment, acquisition and use of proceeds of crime as criminal activities for money laundering. Standing Committee: standing committees can be broadly classified in following categories: It is a permanent and regular c ommittee which is constituted from ti me to time according to the provisions of an Act of Parliament or Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business Committees to Enquire Committees to scrutinise and control Committees relating to day-to-day business of the House House Keeping Committees Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill, 2011, (UAPA) : Bill sought to amend Section 15, which requires the ―terrorist act‖ to include economic security, and compensation for the damage to the monetary stability of India by way of production or smuggling or circulation of high-quality counterfeit Indian papercurrency, coin or any such material. He said the existing provisions do not include wit hin their scope an act done with an intention to threaten or present a likely threat to the economic security of India and counterfeiting ofIndian paper currency. The Bill also proposes to enhance from two years to five years, the period for which an association involved in terrorist activities, including terror financing, will be declared unlawful. The ―terrorist act‖ will also include demanding any bomb, dynamite or some other e xplosive substance or inflammable substance orfirearms or lethal weapons or poisonous or noxious or chemicals or any biological, radiological nuclear material or device with the i ntention of aiding, abetting or committing terrorism. Mr. Shinde said that amendment sought to enlarge the scope of Section 17, relating to punishment for raising funds for a terrorist act, and include within its ambit raising of funds both from legitimate or illegitimate sources, by a terrorist organisation or by a terrorist gang or by an individual terrorist.
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7/29/2019 A Bill Called the Registration and Regulation of Political Parties
A Bill called the Registration and Regulation of Political Parties (2011) has been drafted by a committee
chaired by Justice M.N. Venkatachaliah, former Chief Justice of India. The bill includes a democratic process for
selecting party office-bearers as well as those given the ticket. It talks of limits on donations by individuals and
corporations, suggests penalties for non-compliance and addresses the vexed question of how to deal with support
groups that spend money that remains unaccounted for in the candidates‘ election expenses.
Most critically endangered turtle species ::International attention has now fallen on White-bellied herons,
Gangetic dolphins and river terrapins of the country. The Batagur baska terrapins is found only in partsof India (West Bengal and Orissa), Bangladesh, Myanmar , Thailand. The White-bellied Heron is found in the
wetlands of tropical and subtropical forests in the foothills of the eastern Himalayas of India andMyanmar . It is
also spotted in Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan's sub tropical areas and was once found in Nepal. The major
threats the heron faces are poaching
Arctic ice expands every year in the cold season and shrinks between March and September. Heftier animals have
a smaller surface area-to-volume ratio, which helps reduce heat loss — a pattern known as Bergmann‘s Rule
Geothermal electricity is electricity generated from geothermal energy. Technologies in use include dry steam
power plants, flash steam power plants and binary cycle power plants. Geothermal electricity generation is
currently used in 24 countries[1], whilegeothermal heating is in use in 70 countries.Estimates of the electricitygenerating potential of geothermal energy vary from 35 to 2,000 GW.[2] Current worldwide installed capacity is
10,715 megawatts (MW), with the largest capacity in the United States (3,086 MW),[3] Philippines,
and Indonesia.Geothermal power is considered to be sustainable because the heat extraction is small compared
with the Earth's heat content.[4] Theemission intensity of existing geothermal electric plants is on average 122 kg
of CO2 per megawatt-hour (MW·h) of electricity, about one-eighth of a conventional coal-fired plan
To deal with the problem of malnourishment in the Hyderabad Karnataka region, and ensure that people get
protein-rich food, the Department of Horticulture has come up with a plan to promote kitchen gardens and
community horticultural parks.
The Prevention of Money Laundering (Amendment) Bill, 2011, piloted by Finance Minister P. Chidambaram,sought to include activities such as cheating, concealment, acquisition and use of proceeds of crime as criminal
activities for money laundering.Standing Committee: standing committees can be broadly classified in following
categories: It is a permanent and regular committee which is constituted from time to time according to the
provisions of an Act of Parliament or Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business
Committees to Enquire
Committees to scrutinise and control
Committees relating to day-to-day business of the House
House Keeping Committees
Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill, 2011, (UAPA): Bill sought to amend Section 15, which
requires the ―terrorist act‖ to include economic security, and compensation for the damage to the monetary
stability of India by way of production or smuggling or circulation of high-quality counterfeit Indian paper
currency, coin or any such material. He said the existing provisions do not include within their scope an act done
with an intention to threaten or present a likely threat to the economic security of India and counterfeiting of
Indian paper currency. The Bill also proposes to enhance from two years to five years, the period for which an
association involved in terrorist activities, including terror financing, will be declared unlawful.The ―terrorist act‖
will also include demanding any bomb, dynamite or some other explosive substance or inflammable substance or
firearms or lethal weapons or poisonous or noxious or chemicals or any biological, radiological nuclear material
or device with the intention of aiding, abetting or committing terrorism. Mr. Shinde said that amendment soughtto enlarge the scope of Section 17, relating to punishment for raising funds for a terrorist act, and include within
its ambit raising of funds both from legitimate or illegitimate sources, by a terrorist organisation or by a terrorist
Palestine as an observer state: The Palestinians can now participate in General Assembly debates, and in
future, haul Israel before the International Criminal Court on possible charges of war crimes.
The Department of Fisheries has launched distribution of Marine Fishers Identity Card to fishermen in this
district. The biometric identify cards will help the fishermen prove their identity when they were fishing, and also
to receive benefits of government sponsored schemes. The Centre has launched the issuance of biometric identity
cards to coastal fishermen to establish a National Marine Fishers Database (NMFD) and to step up security and
surveillance in coastal areas in the aftermath of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack.
International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3
Section 66A: Referring to the guidelines, He said cases to be registered under the provision had to be decided by
senior police officers in the rank of Director-General of Police for cases pertaining to rural areas, and in the rank
of Inspector-General of Police for metros. ―This can‘t be done by the head of police stations
Quick implementation of direct cash transfer scheme: One of the two key pillars of the scheme is the Aadhaar programme, whose unique identification systems will be used to authenticate beneficiaries of the cash transfer,and Ministry teams will meet weekly to complete the necessary digitisation. The other key pillar is the bankinginfrastructure needed to implement direct cash transfers. On this, the PMO wrote to the Department of Financial
Services, whose Secretary heads the Financial Inclusion Committee. A meeting will be immediately held tooversee the smooth opening of bank accounts by the beneficiaries, the linking of these accounts with Aadhaar numbers and facilitating the post office network and business correspondents who will dispense the cash at thegrass-roots level.
Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Bill (UAPA), 2011:::The Home Minister said the Bill sought to
amend Section 15, which requires the Terrorist Act to include economic security, and compensation for the
damage to the monetary stability of India by way of production or smuggling or circulation of high-quality
counterfeit Indian paper currency, coin or any such material. He said that the existing provisions do not include
within their scope an act done with an intention to threaten or present a likely threat to the economic security of
India and counterfeiting of Indian paper currency. The Bill also proposes to enhance from two years to five years,
the period for which an association involved in terrorist activities, including terror financing, will be declared
unlawful. The Terrorist Act will also include demanding any bomb, dynamite or some other explosive substances
or inflammable substances or firearms or lethal weapons or poisonous or noxious or chemicals or any biological,
radiological nuclear material or device with the intention of aiding, abetting or committing terrorism. He said the
amendment sought to enlarge the scope of Section 17, relating to punishment for raising funds for a terrorist act,
and include within its ambit raising of funds both from legitimate or illegitimate sources, by a terrorist
organisation or by a terrorist gang or by an individual terrorist. He said new Sections 22A, 22B and 22C will be
included to cover offences by companies, societies or trusts, and provide proper punishment. He said that
proposed amendments to the UAPA, 1967, aimed at bringing more clarity to the existing legal regime, and
consequently will remove deficiencies identified in the implementation of the provisions by the Central and State
Intelligence and investigating agencies. The discussion, initiated by Bharatiya Janata Party‘s Arjun Ram
Meghwal, remained inconclusive.
BSE launches carbon-based thematic index: The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), on Friday, launched BSECarbonex, the first carbon-based thematic index in the country, which takes a strategic view of organisationalcommitment to climate change mitigation. This index has been launched with the aim of creating a benchmark,and increasing awareness about the risks posed by climate change
Seeking to narrow the current account deficit (CAD), the Finance Ministry, on Friday, increased FII limits ingovernment securities and corporate bonds by $5 billion each, taking the total investment limit in domestic debtto $75 billion
The new National Pharmaceutical Pricing policy (NPPP), which is proposed to be implemented in the near future, could change the structure and dynamics of the Indian pharmaceutical industry. This is because the new policy proposes to move to a mechanism wherein the ceiling price for the 348 drugs covered under the NationalList of Essential Medicines (NLEM) 2011 will be based on the simple average price (SAP) vis-à-vis the weighted
7/29/2019 A Bill Called the Registration and Regulation of Political Parties
average price (WAP) proposed earlier. This would be applicable for all brands with a market share of more than 1 per cent. At present, 74 drugs and formulations are under price control, and their price fixation is on a cost-plusformula. profitability of pharmaceutical companies could be impacted ―at an average of around 27 per cent or
more than one-fourth.
The Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) measures the competitive performance of the economies around theworld for doing business. It is a composite index that combines three component indices covering 12 different
parameters (termed ‗pillars‘). The details of the three components along with the weights assigned to them andthe pillars are presented in table below:
Sea Piracy :Various steps have been taken viz., providing for elaborate anti-piracy measures, naval escort by
Indian naval ships in the Gulf of Aden, enhanced vigil by the Indian Navy in the Indian EEZ, active participationof India in the meetings on the issue in International fora and issuance of guidelines for allowing deployment of Armed Security Guards in Indian flag Merchant Ships. Government has also deployed one Indian naval warshipin the Gulf of Aden for anti-piracy patrol since October 2008 and more than 2254 merchant ships have beenescorted.
Compehensive Skill Development Policy: ―National Skill Development Mission‖ encompasses the efforts of
several line Ministries of Central Government, State Governments and the activities in the private sector guided by National Policy on Skill Development and supported by the following three institutions: (i)The PrimeMinister‘s National Council on Skill Development under the chairmanship of Hon‘ble Prime Minister, to reviewthe spectrum of skill development efforts for policy direction; (ii) ―National Skill DevelopmentCoordination Board‖ under the chairmanship of Hon‘ble Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission to enumerate
strategies to implement the decisions of PM‘s council; and (iii) ―National Skill Development Corporation‖(NSDC), a non-profit company under the Companies Act, 1956, of which 49% of equity base is contributed bythe Central Government while 51% by the private sector.
Scheme for Assistance to Training Institutions : The central sector ―Assistance to Training Institutions‖ (ATI)Scheme is implemented on all India basis by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME),through its three National level Entrepreneurship Development Institutes (EDIs) viz., National Institute of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises (Ni-MSME), Hyderabad, National Institute of Entrepreneurship & Small BusinessDevelopment (NIESBUD), Noida, Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE), Guwahati and also through NationalSmall Industries Corporation (NSIC) (a Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of MSME), Central ToolRooms (under Office of the Development Commissioner, M/o MSME) and their Franchisees/Partner Institutions.
Integrated Pest Management Programme – IPM for Training Farmers about Pest Control
TechniquesFarmers are being educated under IPM through Farmers Field schools on IPM skills and pest controltechniques to be adopted by them in their crop fields, thereby making them self reliant in decision making.Besides Farmers Field Schools, farmers are being educated through 2 days short duration programmes. Nonformal education through participatory approach is also being adopted for educating the farmers.
Following works/ activities are being carried out under the Integrated Pest Management programme-
- Popularization of IPM approach among farming community.- Conducting regular pest surveillance and monitoring to assess pest/ disease situation.- Rearing biological control agents for their use and conservation of naturally occurring bio-agents.
- Promotion of Bio-pesticides and neem based pesticides as alternatives to chemical pesticides.- Play a catalytic role in spread of innovative IPM skills to extension workers, land farmers in variousStates/UTs.- Human Resource Development in IPM by imparting training to master trainers, extension workers and farmersthrough Farmers Field Schools(FFSs).- Organization of Farmers Field Schools (FFS) through KVKs/SAUs/ ICAR institutes to develop the sufficienthuman resource.- Under the HRD programme, organization of short duration courses of two days and five days for pesticidesdealers/ NGOs/ graduates/post-graduates/ entrepreneurs and progressive farmers.- Organisation of Season Long Training programmes (SLTP) on major agricultural/ horticultural crops for extension workers of States Government.
Measure to Check Misleading AdvertisementThere are a number of legislations that have provisions to dealwith misleading claims and advertisements made by companies regarding their products which include, interalia,
(i) The Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare & Family Welfare)(ii) The Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1955 Ministry of Health and FamilyWelfare & Family Welfare)(iii) Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare & Family Welfare)(iv) The Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade andCommerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003 (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare & FamilyWelfare)(v) Consumer Protection Act, 1986 (Administered by Department of Consumer Affairs) Over and above, the
Advertisements aired on private satellite TV channels are regulated under the Advertising Code prescribed inrules framed under Cable Television Network (Regulation) Acts 1955. The Misleading Advertisements in printmedia, which are violative of Norms of Journalistic Conducts, are being adjudicated by the Press Council of Indiaunder Section 14 of Press Council Act 1978. The Food Safety and Standards Authority also provides for penalaction against misleading advertisement pertaining to food products. This was stated by the Minister of State (IC)for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution Prof. K.V.Thomas in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
He said that the Standards of Weights and Measures (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 1977 has been repealed bythe Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011 w.e.f. 1st April, 2011. These Rules lay downspecifications and standards for products sold in packaged condition.
Promotion of Folk Culture The Minister of Culture Smt. Chandresh Kumari Katoch has said that a number of steps are being taken by the Government on an ongoing basis to promote folk culture, folk art and artists in thecountry including in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. These activities are carried out through differentinstitutions, including autonomous organizations of the Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Textiles and Ministry of Tribal Affairs. Some of the activities being undertaken/supported by various organizations in the country are asfollows:
7/29/2019 A Bill Called the Registration and Regulation of Political Parties
(i) The Anthropological Survey of India undertakes research studies amongst tribal people and is engaged incollection of different art forms and specimens/artifacts for dissemination through its museums and exhibitions.
(ii) Seven Zonal Cultural Centres undertake various activities for the preservation, promotion and disseminationof the folk/traditional arts of the respective zones.
(iii) Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts carries out programmes for popularization of culture of India, of which preservation and promotion of languages, folk dances, art and culture of tribes living in different parts of the country is an important and integral part.
(iv) Lalit Kala Akademi is regularly organizing camps/workshops/ seminars/exhibitions/film shows/ lectures allover the country where the folk, tribal and traditional artists are invited in the programmes for preserving thecreative and performing arts and culture of the people of all regions.
(v) Sangeet Natak Akademi revives and preserves folk music, folk dance and folk drama in different regions of the country and encourages the development of community music, martial music and other types of music.
(vi) Sahitya Akademi organizes various programmes from time to time to promote literature, traditional arts and
culture of the country.
(vii) National School of Drama promotes traditional and regional culture including folk arts through the mediumof theatre in various regions of country.
(viii) The Ministry of Textiles has also taken various steps across the country to revive and protect the traditionalarts and culture including folk arts of various States under their Craft Demonstration Programme.
(ix) In addition, to preserve, showcase and promote various facets of tribal life relating to their culture, traditionsand customs, grants are also provided for organizing tribal festivals at the regional level and at the NationalLevel.
In a written reply in the Lok Sabha today Smt. Katoch said, Ministry of Culture provides financial assistance for establishment and modernization / upgradation of regional and local museums, including such museums thatintend to promote indigenous, traditional and folk art forms etc.
She said, Ministry of Tribal Affairs under its Centrally Sponsored Schemes of Research and Training providesCentral Assistance on a matching basis (50:50) with State Government to various Tribal Research Institutes(TRIs) across the country, for activities including setting up of tribal museums for exhibiting tribal artifacts and preservation of tribal culture.
Cultural Programmes The Minister of Culture Smt. Chandresh Kumari Katoch has said that Ministry of
Culture has set up seven Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs) with the objective of promotion and preservation of
traditional folk arts of various States/regions. They organize cultural events all over the country at the national,zonal and local levels. Schemes being implemented by the Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs)
I. National Cultural Exchange Programme: With a view to present art forms of one region toanother and expose the diverse cultural heritage of each region to the rest of the country, the folk artistes are sent on exchange basis to participate in the programmes organized by the seven ZonalCultural Centres.
II. Guru Shishya Parampara Scheme: The Scheme was introduced in 2003-04 to promotedevelopment of new talents in the field of music and dance, folk and tribal art forms, under theguidance of Gurus.
III. Young Talented Artistes Scheme: The Scheme was introduced in 2004-05 to recognizeand encourage young talents in the folk art forms of different regions of the country.
7/29/2019 A Bill Called the Registration and Regulation of Political Parties
IV. Documentation of Vanishing Art Forms: Under the Scheme, documentation of variousfolk and tribal art forms is undertaken, especially of those which are seen to be vanishing.
V. Theater Rejuvenation Scheme: Under this Scheme the ZCCs organize theatre shows andworkshops and provide a common platform for the traditional and the contemporary theatre.
VI. Shilpagram Activities: ZCCs have set up Shilpagrams at Chandigarh, Khajuraho,
Udaipur, Guwahati, Allahabad and Shantiniketan to encourage various forms of folk arts and craftsfrom rural India. These Shilpagrams are attracting a large number of domestic as well as foreignvisitors. Through these Shilpagrams, a number of artistes and artisans are benefited and people aremade aware of our rich cultural heritage.
VII. Loktarang – National Folk Dance Festival and OCTAVE - Festival of the NorthEast: All the ZCCs participate in these National-level festivals organized every year in New Delhiand/or other places. A large number of folk artistes from all corners of the country perform duringthese festivals to showcase the diverse folk arts of our country.
Introduction of Drugs Without Clinical Trial The Department Related Parliamentary Standing Committee onHealth & Family Welfare in its 59th Report on the Functioning of the Central Drugs Standard Control
Organisation (CDSCO) has raised various issues pertaining to the functioning of the organisation, includingalleged approval of drugs without clinical trials. New drugs are approved by the CDSCO based on non-clinical data, clinical data of safety and efficacy of drug,regulatory status in other countries etc. as per the Guidelines and requirements specified in Rule 122A, 122B,122D and Schedule-Y of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945. However, as per Rule 122 A (2) and Rule 122 B(3), the requirement of clinical trial may not be necessary if the drug is of such a nature that the LicensingAuthority may, in public interest, decide to grant permission to import / manufacture the new drug on the basis of data available from other countries. Further, as per clause 1 (3) of Schedule Y, for drugs indicated in lifethreatening / serious diseases or diseases of special relevance to the Indian health scenario, clinical datarequirements may be abbreviated, deferred or omitted, as deemed appropriate by the Licensing Authority. For grant of permission to import / manufacture of the Fixed Dose Combinations (FDC), the requirements are prescribed under Appendix-VI of Schedule-Y. As per these requirements, clinical trial on Indian patients is
required in certain category of FDCs
Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 contains enabling provisions for regulating and ensuring quality, safety andefficacy of drugs. The Act, therefore, contains inherent enabling powers for regulating the clinical trials.Accordingly, under the inherent plenary powers vested in the Act, necessary rules, procedures and guidelineshave been framed under the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945. Regulatory provisions for clinical trials in thecountry are prescribed under Rule-122DA, 122DAA, 122E and Schedule-Y to the Drug and Cosmetics Rules,1945. The said Rules also provide specific Application Form and relevant documents required for seeking permission to conduct clinical trials in India. Schedule Y also mandates the clinical trial to be conducted as per Good Clinical Practices (GCP) Guidelines issued by Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).Clinical trials can be initiated only after the approval of CDSCO and respective Ethics Committee. In all trials, a
freely given informed written consent is required to be obtained from the persons participating in thestudy trial. The Serious Adverse Events (SAEs) of deaths may occur during clinical trials due to variousreasons. These deaths could be due to life-threatening diseases like cancer, cardio-vascular conditions likecongestive heart failure / stroke and other serious diseases. They could also be due to the side-effects of the drugsor their administration to critically or terminally ill patients. Such deaths are investigated to arrive at the causalrelationship, if any. As per available data, the number of Serious Adverse Events of deaths in clinical trialsreported during 2011 were 438. But SAEs of death due to clinical trials were 16.
The following concrete steps have been taken to strengthen the approval procedures, monitoring mechanismfor clinical trials as well to ensure that safety, rights and well-being of clinical trial subjects are protected:
(1) 12 New Drug Advisory Committees (NDAC) consisting of leading experts from the government medicalcolleges, institutes from all over the country have been constituted to advise CDSCO in matters related to
approval of clinical trials and new drugs.
(2) Applications of Investigational New Drugs (IND) ; i.e, New Drug Substances which have never earlier beenused in human beings, are evaluated by the IND committee, chaired by the Director General, Indian Council of Medical Research.
7/29/2019 A Bill Called the Registration and Regulation of Political Parties
(3) Registration of clinical trial in ICMR registry at www.ctri.in has been made mandatory since 15.6.2009.
(4) Every approval / permission for conducting clinical trials now includes a condition that in case of studyrelated injury or death, applicant will provide complete medical care as well as compensation for the injury or death and statement to this effect would be incorporated in the informed consent form.
(5) Guidelines for conducting inspection of Clinical Trial sites and sponsor /Clinical Research Organizations
(CROs) have been prepared and posted on CDSCO website.(6) Draft rules have been notified to provide for the following:
(i) Medical treatment and financial compensation to the trial subjects in case of trial related injury or death;(ii) Procedure for payment of financial compensation;(iii) Enhancement of responsibilities of EthicsCommittee (EC), Sponsor & Investigator to ensure that financial compensation as well as medical care is provided to the trial subjects who suffer trial related injury or deaths and such information is provided to theDrugs Controller General (India) [DCG(I)]. (iv) Amendment of the format for obtaining informed consent of trialsubjects to include the details of address, occupation, annual income of the subject so as to have informationregarding socio-economic status of the trial subjects.
(7) Draft rules have been notified to incorporate Rules to have authority for clinical trials inspections by CDSCOand to take administrative actions like restriction on investigators/ sponsors / CROs from conducting futureclinical trials in case of non-compliance.
(8) Draft rules have been notified to incorporate Rules and Schedule Y-1 specifying requirements and guidelinesfor registration of Ethics Committee.
UN Goals on Infant Mortality The report ―Infant and Child Mortality in India‖- Levels, Trends andDeterminants published by NIMS-ICMR and UNICEF. Under National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), higher resources are being provided to the states and districts with week health indicators. Further, the followinginterventions are implemented to reduce Infant and Child mortality rates and to achieve MDG goals in the
country:
1) Promotion of Institutional Delivery through JananiSurakshaYojana (JSY)andJananiShishuSurakshaKaryakram (JSSK): Promoting Institutional delivery to ensure skilled birth attendanceiskey to reducing both maternal and neo-natal mortality. JSY incentivizes pregnant women to opt for institutionaldelivery and provides for cash assistance. JSSK entitles all pregnant women to absolutely free and zero expensedelivery including caesarean section operation in Government health facilities and provides for free to and frotransport, food, drugs and diagnostics. Similar entitlements have also been put in place for sick neonates.
2) Strengthening Facility based newborn care: Newborn care corners (NBCC) are being set up at allhealth facilities where deliveries take place to provide essential newborn care at birth to all new born babies;
Special New Born Care Units (SNCUs) at District Hospitals and New Born Stabilization Units (NBSUs) at FRUsare being set up for the care of sick newborn. As on date 399 SNCUs, 1542 NBSUs and 11508 NBCCs arefunctional across the country.
3) Home Based Newborn Care (HBNC): Home based newborn care through ASHA has recently beeninitiated to improve new born care practices at the community level and for early detection and referral of sick new born babies. The schedule of home visits by ASHA consists of at least 6 visits in case of institutionaldeliveries, on days 3, 7, 14, 21, 28 & 42nd days and one additional visit within 24 hours of delivery in case of home deliveries. Additional visits will be made for babies who are pre-term, low birth weight or ill.
4) Capacity building of health care providers: Various trainings are being conducted under National RuralHealth Mission (NRHM) to build and upgrade the skills of doctors, nurses and ANM for early diagnosis and casemanagement of common ailments of children and care of newborn at time of birth. These trainings includeIntegrated Management of Neo-natal and Childhood Illness(IMINCI)
and NavjaatShishuSurakshtaKaryakaram(NSSK). A total of 5.5 lakh health care workers have been trained inIMNCI in 471districts and 88,428 health workers trained in NSSK so far.
5) Management of Malnutrition: Emphasis is being laid on reduction of malnutrition which is an importantunderlying cause of child mortality. 594 Nutritional Rehabilitation Centres have been established for managementof Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM). Iron and Folic Acid is also provided to children for prevention of anaemia.
7/29/2019 A Bill Called the Registration and Regulation of Political Parties
Recently, weekly Iron and Folic Acid is proposed to be initiated for adolescent population. As breastfeedingreduces infant mortality, exclusive breastfeeding for first six months and appropriate infant and young childfeeding practices are being promoted in convergence with Ministry of Woman and Child Development.
6) Village Health and Nutrition Days (VHNDs) are also being organized for imparting nutritionalcounseling to mothers and to improve child care practices.
7) Universal Immunization Program (UIP): Vaccination against seven diseases is provided to all childrenunder UIP. Government of India supports the vaccine program by supply of vaccines and syringes, cold chainequipments and provision of operational costs. UIP targets to immunize 2.7 crore infants against seven vaccine
preventable diseases every year. 21 states with more than 80% coverage have incorporated second dose of Measles in their immunization program. Pentavalent vaccine has been introduced in two states of Kerala andTamil Nadu and proposed to be scaled up in six more states. Year 2012-13 has been declared as ‗Year of intensification of Routine Immunization‘. 8)Mother and Child Tracking System: A name based Mother and Child Tracking System has been put in placewhich is web based to enable tracking of all pregnant women and newborns so as to monitor and ensure thatcomplete services are provided to them. States are encouraged to send SMS alerts to beneficiaries reminding themof the dates on which services are due and generate beneficiary-wise due list of services with due dates for ANMson a weekly basis.
Measures for Reducing MMR and IMR: Survey data on Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) is available from the
Report of Registrar General of India Sample Registration System (RGI-SRS) at three year intervals and is not
provided every year. As per the latest MMEIG (Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group-WHO,UNICEF,UNFPA, World Bank) report titled ―Trends in Maternal Mortality: 1990 to 2010‖ India is ranked126 out of 180 countries when countries are arranged in ascending order of MMR. As per theReport published byUNICEF, India (2012) titled ―Committing to Child Survival; A Promise Renewed‖ India ranks 45 out of 195countries in the world in descending order of Infant Mortality Rate.
Under the National Rural Health Mission, the key steps being taken by the Government of India to reduceMMR & IMR in the country are:
· Promotion of institutional deliveries through JananiSurakshaYojana (JSY).· Capacity building of health care providers in basic and comprehensive obstetric care, Integrated Management of Neo-natal and Childhood Illness (IMINCI) and NavjaatShishuSurakshtaKaryakaram (NSSK) etc.
· Operationalisation of sub-centers, Primary Health Centers, Community Health Centers and District Hospitals for providing 24x7 basic and comprehensive obstetric care & child care services.· Strengthening of Facility based newborn care by setting up Newborn care corners (NBCC) in all health facilitieswhere deliveries take place to provide essential newborn care at birth; and Special New Born Care Units (SNCUs)at District Hospitals and New Born Stabilization Units (NBSUs) at First Referral Units for the care of sick newborn.
· Name Based web enabled tracking of pregnant women & children has been introduced to ensureantenatal, intranatal and postnatal care to pregnant women and care to newborns, infants and children.Mother and Child Protection Card in collaboration with the Ministry of Women and Child Development tomonitor service delivery for mothers and children.· Iron and Folic Acid supplementation to pregnant & lactating women and children for prevention and treatment
of anaemia.· Weekly Iron and Folic Acid supplementation to adolescent girls.· Engagement of 8.71 lakhs Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) to generate demand and facilitateaccessing of health care services by the community.
·Home Based Newborn Care (HBNC) through ASHA has been initiated to improve new born care practices at thecommunity level and for early detection and referral of sick new born babies.·Village Health and Nutrition Days in rural areas as an outreach activity, for provision of maternal and childhealth services.· JananiShishuSurakshaKaryakaram (JSSK) has been launched on 1st June, 2011, to eliminate any out of pocketexpense for pregnant women delivering in public health institutions and sick newborns accessing public healthinstitutions for treatment till 30 days after birth.
·Management of Malnutrition particularly Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) by establishing NutritionalRehabilitation Centres (NRCs). As breastfeeding reduces infant mortality, exclusive breastfeeding for first sixmonths and appropriate infant and young child feeding practices are being promoted in convergence withMinistry of Woman and Child Development.
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·Universal Immunization Program (UIP) against seven diseases for all children. Government of India supports thevaccine program by supply of vaccines and syringes, cold chain equipments and provision of operational costs.
PradhanMantriSwasthyaSurakshaYojana (PMSSY) to improve the tertiary health care delivery system by
inter alia establishing new AIIMS like Institutions and Up-gradation of existing Government Medical
Colleges across the country
Parvati Hydro Power Project : Parbati-III Hydro-electric Project, 4 units of 130 MW each = 520 MW,
Himachal Pradesh is in the last phase and reservoir filling has started from 7th November, 2012
Schedule H is a class of prescription drugs in India appearing as an appendix to the Drugs andCosmetics rules introduced in 1945. It is revised from time based on the advice of the Drugs Technical Advisory
Board, part of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization [1]
in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Promoting Technology for Disabled Persons
An Online Braille Library, established by the National Institute for Visually Handicapped, (NIVH) Dehradun
An online catalogue of Braille books has also been hosted by NIVH which enables visually impaired persons
to ascertain the location and availability of a desired Braille book, without going to Braille Libraries and
Braille Presses.
he National Institute for Mentally Handicapped, Secunderabad, has developed certain technology based
teaching modules for training of persons with mental retardation. Technological methods like
electroencephalography (EEG) and electromyography (EMG) are used for assessment of disability. EEG bio-feedback is used for stimulation of electrical impulses in the brain of children with mental retardation, and
softwares are used for speech therapy.
The National Institute for the Orthopaedically Handicapped, Kolkata, has developed proto-types of myo-
electric hand, multi-use wheelchair, low-cost pediatric below-knee prosthesis, and functional electric
stimulation devices for persons with foot-drop.
The Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India, functioning under this Ministry, also works on
developing technological aids and appliances at a relatively low cost.
The Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) is running a TV channel called “Navshikhar” through whichprogrammes on disability-related topics are telecast for the benefit of teachers/special educators,
professionals, parents of children with disabilities, and other stakeholders
Technological methods like electroencephalography (EEG) and electromyography (EMG) are used for
assessment of disability. EEG bio-feedback is used for stimulation of electrical impulses in the brain of
children with mental retardation, and softwares are used for speech therapy.
Free Education to Sportspersons : Free Education for Sports Medal Winners/Participants of
National/International Events’ in August, 2012. aims and objectives of this scheme are to provide financial
assistance to the medal winners/elite sportspersons studying in Universities/colleges leading to all the full
time regular courses including Post Graduate Diploma and other professional courses and to motivate thesportspersons to achieve higher levels of performance by assisting them financially in relation to education
and sports development. The scheme is applicable to sportspersons who are medal winners in National
games or participants in recognized international sporting events.
Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) is a new international treaty adopted under the
auspices of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Nagoya, Japan in October, 2010, after six years
of intense negotiations. As a megadiverse country rich in biodiversity and associated traditional knowledge,
and with a rapidly advancing biotechnology industry, India has contributed effectively in ABS negotiations.
The objective of the Nagoya Protocol is the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization
of genetic resources, including by appropriate access to genetic resources and by appropriate transfer of
relevant technologies. The Nagoya Protocol provides a transparent legal framework on how researchersand companies can obtain access to genetic resources, and how benefits arising from the use of such
material or knowledge will be shared. There have been several instances of misappropriation of genetic
resources and associated traditional knowledge from the country, despite having taken necessary action at
the national level. Once the Nagoya Protocol enters into force, the user country measures enshrined in it
would oblige all Parties to provide that users of genetic resources within their jurisdiction respect the
domestic regulatory framework of Parties from where genetic resources have been accessed, thereby
addressing the concerns of misappropriation.
The Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) was launched on 3rd December, 2005
with the objective of reforms driven and fast track development of cities across the country, with focus on
bringing about efficiency in urban infrastructure, service delivery mechanisms, community participationand accountability of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and Parastatal agencies towards citizens. It has two
components, namely, the Urban Infrastructure and Governance (UIG) and the Urban Infrastructure
Development Scheme for Small and Medium Towns (UIDSSMT).
Water Dispute Tribunal
Vansadhara Andhra Pradesh & Orissa
Ravi & Beas Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan
Cauvery Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Pudducherry
Krishna Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra
Mahadayi (Mandovi) Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra
Narmada Water Disputes Tribunal Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra
to increase liquidity, it reduced CRR (from 6% to 4.25%) and SLR (from 25% to 23%). With
moderation in inflation, repo rate was also reduced by 50 basis points in April 2012 to bring
it to 8.00 per cent.
Measures that can be taken by the Government to tackle corruption:
(i)State funding of elections;
(ii) Fast tracking of all cases of public servants accused of corruption.
(iii) Ensuring full transparency in public procurement and contracts, including enunciation of publicprocurement standards and a public procurement policy;
(iv) Relinquishing discretionary powers enjoyed by Ministries at the Centre;
(v) Introduction of an open and competitive system of exploiting natural resources;
(vi) Amendment to Article 311 of the Constitution to provide for summary proceedings in cases of grave
misdemeanor or blatant corruption by public servants; and
(vii) Consideration of relevance/need for section 6(A) of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946
Vatsalya Melaat Dilli Haat: Vatsalya Mela inaugurated to mark the birth anniversary of Pandit Nehru,14th November, which is also celebrated as Children‘s Day. Its closing ceremony on 19th November whichmarks the birth anniversary of the first woman Prime Minister of the country, Smt. Indira Gandhi shall be
celebrated as ‗ShaktiDiwas.Vatsalya Mela is celebrated every year since the last six years to sensitise the people and spread awareness
and information about the various schemes of the Ministry taken up for the development of women andchildren. At the Mela various stalls have been set up to explain in detail the various facets of the schemes of the WCD Ministry and how the benefits can be availed. Halls providing information on the ICDS, SABLA,IGMSY, and the activities of various organizations associated with it such as CARA, NIPCCD, NCW,
NCPCR, CSWB, NMEW, RMK etc have been set up at the Mela. Various NGOs and organizations such asUN Women, UNDP, UNESCO and Nehru Yuva Kendra have come together with this initiative of the M/oWCD to spread awareness about the issues related to empowerment of women and growth and developmentof the children, the Minister informed.
pilot projects of the National Mission for Empowerment of Women in Kamrup andPali districtswhich help to converge schemes of various other ministers towards empowerment of women, have
been successful to create ‗ Ahimsa Messengers‘ which will help women fight against such societalevils as dowry, female foeticide, child marriage, domestic violence, etc.
Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act 2012 in recognition of the needs of the society tofight the growing crime against children in the domestic and other settings. The rules have beennotified from today with which the Act comes into force, she said. She also noted that the Protectionof Women from Harassment at Workplace Bill has been passed by the Lok Sabhaand will beintroduced in the Rajya Sabha in the next session. Amendments are also being brought to theJuvenile Justice Act which will make it more strong, she stated.
Reconstitution of Inter-State Council; The Inter-State Council has been reconstituted under thechairmanship of Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister. The Council will have Chief Minister of all States,Chief Ministers of Union Territories having a Legislative Assembly and Administration of Union Territoriesnot having Legislative Assembly and six Union Ministers
NGOS in Literacy Mission To achieve the goal of Adult Education, the National Literacy MissionAuthority (NLMA) is implementing two schemes, namely, the Saakshar Bharat Mission, the new variant of the National Literacy Mission, and the Support to Voluntary Agencies for Adult Education and SkillDevelopment Scheme. The Saakshar Bharat Mission aims to provide adults (in the age group of 15 andabove) opportunities for functional literacy, basic education, skill development and continuing education.The main objective of the Scheme of Support to Voluntary Agencies for Adult Education and Skill
Development is to secure extensive as well as intensive involvement of the voluntary sector in the endeavour of the Government to promote functional literacy, skill development and continuing education among adults.Data on literacy is collected decennially and not annually. The Scheme of Support to Voluntary Agencies for Adult Education and Skill Development encompasses three components, namely, State Resource Centres,Jan Shikshan Sansthans and Assistance to Voluntary Agencies. No financial assistance has been provided in
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this period under the component of Assistance to Voluntary Agencies. The State Resource Centres (SRCs)have the mandate to provide academic and technical resource support to the Adult Education Programmes indifferent States. They have also been assigned the additional task of providing support to the State LiteracyMission Authorities in the implementation of the Saakshar Bharat programme in selected areas in each State,termed as ‗Islands of Success‘. As per the various activities entailed in their Annual Action Plans for the
Islands of Success, that are approved by the NLMA, including, inter alia, supporting and facilitating thecompletion of preparatory activities like the formation of Committees, the opening of subsidiary bank accounts, conducting a survey, the uploading of survey data on the Saakshar Bharat portal, capacity buildingetc, the SRCs have achieved the desired outcomes. The Jan Shikshan Sansthans provide vocational trainingto non-literate, neo-literate as well as school dropouts by identifying such skills as would have a market inthe region of their establishment. The performance of the Jan Shikshan Sansthans and the State ResourceCentres, vis-a-vis their respective approved Annual Action Plans, are monitored by the NLMA through
progress reports, monthly and quarterly review meetings for the SRCs, half yearly review meetings for theJSSs, evaluation, performance audit, workshops, action plan meetings and personal visits of officers.Appropriate action is taken by the NLMA against those SRCs and JSSs that do not perform the mandatedresponsibilities satisfactorily, including, inter alia, stoppage of grants and cancellation in case of persistentviolations by them.
Promotion of Research: The National Curriculum Framework – 2005 brought out by the National Council
of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) focuses on inquiry based constructivist pedagogy. Thisdocument empowers teachers to create situations, where children may enquire, discover, investigate,research and construct their knowledge.The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) advocates pedagogical practices which allow children torespond to a situation in a non-traditional way encouraging their spirit of experimentation. The Schools arealso expected to assign multidisciplinary projects to groups of students to be done during school hours to
promote the spirit of enquiry and investigation.The University Grant Commission (UGC) is implementing the following schemes to promote research in thehigher educational institutions: - (i) Universities with Potential for Excellence (UPE) (ii) Centre withPotential for Excellence in Particular Area (CPEPA) (iii) College with Potential for Excellence (CPE) (iv)Major Research Projects/Minor Research Project (MRP) (v) Special Assistance Programme (SAP) (vi) Basic
Scientific Research (BSR) and (vii) Research Fellowships.
Standard of Education in Schools : The reasons for the decline in the quality of education and thedeficiency in the learning standard of a large number of students in government schools may beattributed to inadequate infrastructure facilities in the schools, an adverse pupil teacher ratio, the
presence of a large number of untrained teachers in the system, the curriculum, syllabus and textbooksnot being in sync with the principles of National Curriculum Framework (NCF) - 2005 and the
provisions of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act 2009, an excessivesubject load on children, the absence of child-friendly and child-centered classroom processes, and the
prevalence of traditional methods of memory based assessment systems. To improve the standard of education, the RTE Act, 2009 prescribes the timeframe for various activities mandated in the Act. This
includes:::::: Establishment of neighborhood schools, Playground, fencing, boundary walls, Provision of teachers as per prescribed Pupil-Teacher Ratio (PTR), Training of untrained teacher, Qualityinterventions and other provisions
Provision of school infrastructure)All weather school buildings
One-classroom-one-teacher
Head Teacher-cum-Office room
Toilets, drinking water
Barrier free access
The Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA), a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, has been under implementation since 2009-10 with the vision to make secondary education of good quality available,accessible and affordable to all children up to class 10. The scheme envisages providing a secondaryschool within 5 Kms. of a habitation and improving the quality of education in Government schools by
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strengthening their infrastructure. Besides providing infrastructure in the schools, other quality relatedinterventions such as the in-service training of teachers every year, a leadershipdevelopment programme for heads of the schools, maths kit, science kit, bridge courses, special teachingfor learning enhancement, e-learning etc. are being provided under the RMSA
Rehabilitation of Slum Dwellers:: The Minister further stated slum improvement and upgradation andurban poverty alleviation fall under the domain of State Governments. Under Twelfth Schedule of the
Constitution of India brought in by the Constitution (Seventy-Fourth Amendment) Act, 1992, slumimprovement/upgradation and urban poverty alleviation are envisages as function of Municipalities.However, the Government of India launched Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission(JNNURM) on 3rd December, 2005 to assist States/UTs in taking up housing and infrastructural facilities for the urban poor/slum dwellers in 65 select cities in the country under the Basic Services to the Urban Poor (BSUP) Programme. For other Cities/Towns, the Integrated Housing and Slum Development Programme(IHSDP) was launched. A new scheme ‗Rajiv Awas Yojana‘ (RAY) aimed at ushering in a Slum-Free Indiahas been launched on 02-06-2011. The scheme envisages providing Central support to States that are willingto assign property rights to slum dwellers for provision of decent shelter and basic civic and social servicesfor slum redevelopment, undertake reservation of land/Floor Area Ratio (FAR)/dwelling units for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS)/Low Income Groups (LIG), earmark 25 per cent of municipal budgetfor basic services to the urban poor/slum-dwellers and bring in legislative amendments and policy changes toredress land and affordable housing shortages for the urban poor.
Special Welfare and Rehabilitation Scheme for Mentally Retarded ::The primary responsibility for programmes for the welfare of persons with disabilities, including persons with physical and mentaldisabilities, lies with the State Government as per entry No.9 in the ―State List‖. However, the Ministryof Social Justice and Empowerment, Department of Disability Affairs supplements the efforts of theSates in the rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities. Under the Central Sector Deendayal DisabledRehabilitation Scheme (DDRS), financial assistance is provided to Non-Governmental organisations for
providing various services to persons with mental retardation like special schools, vocational trainingcentres, project for cerebral palsied children, pre-school and early intervention centres etc… National
Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation & MultipleDisabilities, a statutory body under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is implementingschemes for education, training and rehabilitation of persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, MentalRetardation and Multiple Disabilities under National Trust Act, 1999. These are (i) Gyan Prabha – ascholarship scheme for education and vocational training (ii) Sahyogi – a scheme for training anddeployment of caregivers (iii) Aspiration – an early intervention/school readiness training programme(iv) Samarth – a scheme for short term and long term stay facility for persons with developmentaldisability & (v) Gharaunda – a scheme providing life long residential facility for adults withdevelopmental disabilities.
Status of 'National Game' to any sports : following Schemes are being implemented by the Ministry of
Youth Affairs & Sports for development and promotion of sports in the country:
(i) Panchayat Yuva Krida aur Khel Abhiyan (PYKKA)(ii) Urban Sports Infrastructure Scheme (USIS)(iii) Scheme of Assistance to National Sports Federations (NSFs)(iv) Talent Search & Training(v) National Sports Development Fund(vi) Special Awards to Winners in International Sports Events and their Coaches(vii) Awards Schemes viz Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, Dhyan chand Awards for lifetime achievementin sports and games, Arjuna Awards, Dronacharya Awards and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy(viii) Scheme of Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons
(ix) National Welfare Fund for Sportspersons(x) Scheme of Sports & Games for Persons with Disabilities
following Schemes are being implemented by Sports Authority of India, an autonomous organization under the administrative control of this Ministry, for talent identification and promotion of excellence in sports:
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(i) National Sports Talent Contest (NSTC) Scheme(ii) Army Boys Sports Companies (ABSC)Scheme(iii) SAI Training Centres (STC) Scheme(iv) Special Area Games (SAG) Scheme(v) Centres of Excellence (CoE) Scheme(vi) Come & Play Scheme
Government has not given status of National Game to any sports discipline. The Ministry does not proposeto accord status of National Game to any sports discipline
‘Come and Play’ Scheme by SAI ‗Come and Play‘ Scheme was launched with the objectives of utilizationof sports infrastructure, providing scientific training to sports enthusiasts and developing sports culture in thecommunity. The Salient features of the scheme include the following:-
(i) Training to sports enthusiasts between age group 8-17 years at nominal rates.
(ii) Age specific competitions ie., 8-10, 10-12 and 12-17 years, conducted as per the calendar declared inadvance twice a year on specified dates.
(iii) The first three position holders in the relevant age groups in these competitions would be allowed to participate in the competitions organized for selection of trainees for admission to the Boarding Scheme inSAI Training Centres/Special Area Games Centres
Scheme provides sports facilities and training at the existing SAI Centers, there is no requirement/need for appointing Coaches under this scheme anywhere in India including Himachal Pradesh. No amount has been
provided for appointment of coaches under this Scheme. The ‗Come & Play‘ Scheme trainees are beingcoached by SAI coaches posted at respective Centres
Evaluation of Flood Sector Schemes: The Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) had conducted
Performance Evaluation of the Flood Control Schemes of Ministry of Water Resource1. Central Sector Schemes(i) Establishment and modernization of flood forecasting network in India including inflow forecast.(ii) Strengthening and modernization of Flood Forecasting and Hydrological Observation Network inBrahmaputra and Barak Basin.(iii) Investigation of Teesta Hydel Project, Ranjit Hydro Electric Project II and IV and Manas Teesta Link.(iv) Capital Section of Flood Control Projects2. Centrally Sponsored Schemes(i) Critical Anti-Erosion works in Ganga Basin States.3. State Sector Schemes(i) Improvement of drainage in critical areas in the country.
(ii) Anti-erosion works in coastal and other than Ganga basin States.(iii) Flood Control in Brahmaputra and Barak Valley.
Promotion of Education among Tribal Girls : With a view to improve the socio-economic status of tribal population, including tribal women and girls, through promotion of education a number of schemes have been formulated by Government for:-
(i) Construction of Hostels for ST Girls and Boys.(ii) Establishment of Ashram School in Tribal Sub-Plan Areas.(iii) Post-Matric Scholarship for ST students(iv) Upgradation of Merit of ST students
(v) Strengthening Education among Scheduled Tribes (ST) Girls in Low Literacy Districts(vi) Grants-in-aid to Voluntary Organisations (under which residential, non-residential schools Hostels run
by NGOs for ST students are supported.)(vii) Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship for STs(viii) National Overseas Scholarship for STs
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(ix) Top Class Education for ST students;(x) Pre-Matric Scholarship for ST studentsWhereas the Scheme of ―Strengthening Education among Scheduled Tribes (ST) Girls in Low Literacy
Districts‖ is exclusively for ST girls students other schemes are aimed at benefiting both Scheduled Tribe
boys and girls. Grants under Article 275(1) of the Constitution of India are also released for setting up―Eklavaya Model Residential Schools‖ (EMRS) for providing quality education to ST students (both girlsand boys) from class VI to XII.
Kishan Vision Project of Railways: To encourage creation of facilities of setting up cold storage andtemperature controlled perishable cargo centres through Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode, logistic
based Public Sector Units i.e. Container Corporation of India Limited (CONCOR), Central WarehousingCorporation (CWC), Central Railside Warehouse Company Limited (CRWC) were asked to provideInfrastructure at six locations on Indian Railways under a pilot project, the Kisan Vision Project.
Transmission of Power : The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Power Shri Jyotiraditya Scindiainformed Lok Sabha today that the Central Transmission Utility (CTU) and the State Transmission Utility(STU) are responsible for inter-state and intra-state transmission of electricity, respectively. Further,
National Load Dispatch Centre (NLDC) is the apex body to ensure integrated operation of the national power system and monitoring of grid operation. State Load Dispatch Centre (SLDC) is responsible for monitoring of real time operation of the State Grid which includes intra-state transmission system also.
Central Power Research Institute (CPRI) has established testing facilities for testing transformers up to 160MVA capacity of 220 kV rating and 120 MVA for 400 kV rating in High Power Laboratory at Bangalore.The respective Indian manufacturer of transformer/reactor has adequate testing facility suitable to the voltageclass of equipment they manufacture.
100%F D I Permitted in Power Sector : The Government of India has promoted the National High Power Test Laboratory Pvt. Ltd. (NHPTL), a Joint Venture project and also sanctioned an amount of Rs.24.00Crores as equity share of CPRI in the Joint Venture project. This will enable test facilities for transformersupto 500 MVA capacity of 765 kV rating. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) up to 100% is permitted in the
power sector, under the automatic route, for:i) Generation and transmission of electric energy produced in hydro electric, coal/lignite based thermal, oil
based thermal and gas based thermal power plants;ii) Non-Conventional Energy Generation and Distribution;iii) Distribution of elective energy to households, industrial, commercial and other users; andiv) Power Trading.
Whistleblowers Bill : The Bill provides for adequate safeguards against victimization of the person makingdisclosure on any allegation of corruption or willful misuse of power or willful misuse of discretion againstany public servant. It is also provided that if the Competent Authority is of the opinion that either thecomplainant or public servant or the witnesses, etc. need protection, the Competent Authority shall issue
appropriate directions to the concerned Government authorities (including police) which shall take necessarysteps, through its agencies, to protect such complainant or public servant or persons concerned.
Constitutional Status for CBI and CVC : There is no proposal with the Government to give constitutionalstatus to the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The CVCis a statutory body and derives its powers from the Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003. The CBIderives its power from the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946. Both organizations have adequatefunctional autonomy.
Devolution of Funds and Functions to Panchayats : As per Article 243G of the Constitution, States are to
endow Panchayats with powers and authority as may be necessary to enable them to function as
institutions of self-government and to plan and implement schemes for economic development and social justice, including those in relation to matters listed in the Eleventh Schedule. Within the constitutional
framework, ‘Panchayats’ is a State subject and States Legislatures pass legislations suitable in their context.
The present status of devolution of Funds, Functions and Functionaries (3Fs) to the Panchayats by various
States/UTs . As per Article 243ZD District Planning Committee (DPC) is to consolidate the plans prepared by
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the Panchayats and the Municipalities in the district and to prepare a draft development plan for the
district as a whole. One of the mandatory conditions for release of the development grant under the
Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF) is that the district plans prepared by local bodies need to be
consolidated and approved by the District Planning Committee.
Panchayat Elections: Holding of elections to the Panchayats is the responsibility of the State Governmentsand the State Election Commissions. The Constitution mandates that where the Part IX of the Constitution
applies, Panchayat elections be conducted every five years, under the overall superintendence, direction andcontrol of the State Election Commission. The Constitution also empowers the State Legislations to makelaws regarding elections. Panchayat elections are held in the States where Part IX of the Constitution appliesas mandated by the Constitution.
Provision of Training of Elected Panchayatrepresentatives: Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) provides
assistance to States for training of Elected Representatives (ERs) and functionaries of Panchayats under the
schemes of Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF), Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Yojana (RGSY)
and Panchayat Mahila Evam Yuva Shakti Abhiyan(PMEYSA).
E-Governance in Panchayat : E-Governance in Panchayats is sought to be achieved through the e-
Panchayat Mission Mode Project (MMP) under the National e-Governance Plan (NeGP) under which 11Core Common Software applications are planned. Lack of adequate power supply in Panchayats has affectedthe pace of adoption of these applications in the Panchayats. States have been advised to prefer laptop withextra batteries and desktops with UPS having 6-8 hours backup option in case of Gram Panchayats which arenot electrified. There is no provision under e-Panchayat MMP for providing broadband connectivity toGram Panchayats in the country. However, the Government has approved the Scheme for creation of
National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN) for providing broadband connectivity to Gram Panchayats. Under NOFN, three pilot projects have been sanctioned to cover Gram Panchayats. States facing power supply problems in Gram Panchayats have been advised to provide solar PV Power Packs.
Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas The Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs) are sanctioned in
Educationally Backward Blocks (EBBs) with rural female literacy below the national average as per Census2001, provided such residential schools are set up only in those EBBs which do not have a residential schoolat upper primary level for girls under any other scheme of the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment or the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. As on 30-09-2012, 9.18% of the girls enrolled in KGBVs are from theminority community. Socio-economic reasons and reluctance of the community to send girls to residentialschools are the main reasons for low enrolment amongst educationally backward minorities. In order to
promote elementary education amongst girls interalia, opening of schools in the neighbourhood to makeaccess easier for girls, appointment of additional teachers including women teachers, free textbooks, freeuniforms, separate toilets for girls, mid-day meal programme to improve nutrition levels, early childhoodcare and education centres in/near schools in convergence with ICDS programme, gender sensitization of teachers, gender-sensitive teaching-learning materials and intensive community mobilization efforts to
promote girls education, are being undertaken by the Government.
Meta Universities: The main purpose of the Meta University is to share learning resources with differentUniversities by using the latest technologies available in order to enable the students to benefit from thelearning resources available in different institutions. The University Grants Commission (UGC) as the apexregulatory body for universities, has decided to come out with detailed guidelines on Meta Universities.
Foreign Capital Investment in Education Sector up to 100 percent in automatic route is already permitted.Legislation for prescribing a framework for the entry and operations of foreign educational institutions inIndia has been introduced in Parliament.
Concept for Innovation Universities: The Central Government has formulated the ‗Universities for Research and Innovation Bill‘. The Bill aims to provide for the establishment and incorporation of Universities for Research and Innovation
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CCE in Schools The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has taken the following steps for the promotion of Continuous Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) in its affiliated schools-• Conducting training workshops for Master Trainers• Training of Principals and teachers • Conducting Monitoring and Mentoring Programmes for effective implementation of CCE in schools • Conducting Parents‘ Interaction Programme to clear doubts of parents and school management on CCE.
Introduction of Plastic Currency: The primary objective of introduction of polymer/plastic notes is toincrease its life and not to combat counterfeiting. The polymer banknotes are made from a non-fibrous andnon-porous polymer. The Indian Banknote paper is made from long fibres obtained from cotton comber andlinter. There is thus no direct relation between paper based currency and cutting of trees.The RBI has informed that the Energy and Resources Institute was commissioned by them to estimate theenvironmental impacts and carbon footprints of plastic currency vis-a-viz paper currency. Their study hasfound that polymer notes would be more environment friendly than paper based currency.
Loans at Lesser Rate of Interest to Poor and Weaker Sections As per extant guidelines of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Priority Sector Lending (PSL), all Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs) including
Nationalised Banks are required to earmark 10% of Adjusted Net Bank Credit (ANBC) or Credit Equivalentamount of Off-Balance Sheet Exposure, whichever is higher, for Weaker Sections. Loans at concessionalrate of interest are provided, inter-alia, under different schemes i) The Interest Subvention Scheme is beingimplemented by the Government of India since 2006-07 to make short term crop loans upto Rs. 3 lakhs for a
period of one year available to farmers at the interest rate of 7% per annum. The Government of India hassince 2009-10 been providing additional interest subvention to prompt payee farmers, i.e, those who repaytheir loans in time. ii) Under Differential Rate of Interest (DRI) Scheme, the banks provide loans to poor
borrowers at concessional rate of interest of 4% per annum. iii) Full interest subsidy is made available for educational loans disbursed by scheduled banks on or after 1st April, 2009, during the period of moratoriumfor the students belonging to economically weaker sections, under ‗Interest Subsidy‘ scheme of Ministry of
Human Resource Development
Government has taken a number of steps with a view to enhancing the growth prospects of the economy
and improving investor sentiments. These include measures for liberalization of FDI regime, liberalisationof ECB regime, announcement of five-year fiscal consolidation path, improvement in targeting of subsidiesand improvement in the functioning of capital markets etc
Market Research and Analysis unit of Serious Fraud Investigation Office Serious Fraud InvestigationOffice (SFIO) which is a multi-disciplinary investigating agency under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs,has set up the Market Research and Analysis Unit for capacity building, co-ordination with other investigating agencies and for market surveillance.
