Interest Subsidy Scheme for Housing the Urban Poor

The Interest Subsidy Scheme for Housing the Urban Poor (ISHUP) was launched w.e.f. 26/12/2008 with a view to enabling the access of urban poor to the long term institutional finance. The scheme was to be implemented in the 11th Five Year Plan as on pilot basis. The total plan outlay for the scheme was Rs.1,100 crores. The scheme seeks to provide interest subsidy to Economically Weaker Section (EWS) (income upto Rs. 5000/-) and Low Income Group (LIG) (income from Rs.  5,001 – Rs. 10,000/) beneficiaries on availing loans from the Banks /Housing Finance Companies (HFCs) to enhance affordability of these income segments. Under this scheme, an interest subsidy of 5 percent per annum will be given upfront on loans upto Rs. 1,00,000/- taken from Banks / Housing Finance Companies (HFCs) during 11th Five Year Plan. The loan repayment period would be 15-20 years.

Cumulatively, up to December, 2011 only 8,734 beneficiaries in Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Kerala have been covered under the scheme and a total NPV of interest subsidy of Rs. 7.57 crore has been released. This has been primarily due the lack of willingness on the part of banks to provide loans to EWS and Low Income segments. Since June 2011, ISHUP has been dovetailed with the Government`s flagship Mission of Rajiv Awas Yojana (RAY) for a Slum free India.

The scheme had certain assumptions at its onset, which proved unsuitable to make the scheme to gain its target. The Advisory Committee set up by the Ministry has contemplated constraints coming in the way of its implementation and suggested valuable suggestions. As the scheme is to be closed in 2012, the last year of the 11th Five Year Plan Period (2007-12), based on the suggestions made by the Advisory Committee, the Ministry is in the process of launching Interest Subsidy Scheme for Housing the Urban Poor (ISHUP) in its revised form to be implemented in the 12th Five Year Plan (2012-17).

The innovative Interest Subsidy Scheme for Housing the Urban Poor (ISHUP) is being redrafted into two parts as (i) Revised ISHUP Scheme and (ii) Rajiv Rin Yojana (RRY) to be implemented in the 12^th Plan period.

(i)         Revised ISHUP Scheme

(a)      A new scheme with this nomenclature is proposed to be introduced in order to extend the benefit of existing ISHUP (loan up to a maximum of Rs.1/Rs.1.6 lakhs to EWS and LIG beneficiaries with interest subsidy of 5% on Rs. 1.0 lakh given for a maximum period of 20 years) to the beneficiaries of IHSDP and BSUP under JNNURM and RAY.  The need to do so has been felt because of the stipulation of minimum beneficiary contribution of 10-12% being at times, extended beyond this limit where ULBs/State is unable to bear the extra costs. Some of the State Governments/Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) are constrained to pass on the increased costs of construction including infrastructure (beyond Central Subsidy) to beneficiaries, who, in turn, are forced to borrow from the open market at high rates. Also, the non-availability of credit could adversely affect the prospects of the having a house for beneficiaries of JNNURM and RAY.  The proposal is being mooted to allow an interest subsidy to these beneficiaries under BSUP/IHSDP/RAY over and above the capital subsidy as given in the case of Indira Awas Yojana (IAY) and Differential Rate of Interest (DRI) Schemes.  The financial implication of this scheme would be a net of Rs. 2,100 crores for a target of 5.7 lakh beneficiaries at the rate of Rs. 36,800 of interest subsidy (for 20 years) per beneficiary.

            The experience under JNNURM has demonstrated that a strategy of relying wholly on construction of new housing stock is neither feasible nor optimal. It has been estimated by the Expert Committee of the Ministry on Housing Shortage that a significant part of the total housing shortage of 26 Million [about 20 %] is caused by the congestion factor; and that the construction of additional rooms would be sufficient to address this need. Under RAY, given that the focus of the program is in-situ upgradation of slum dwellers, it is estimated that a substantive part of the demand for housing stock could be met through community and beneficiary led incremental housing. The availability of credit at affordable rates to the urban slum dwellers and urban poor for incremental housing would thus be a major step forward in addressing the housing shortage in the country within the most optimal time frame and costs. It is hence proposed that the current ISHUP subsidies at the rate of Rs 1 Lakh be made available to slum-dwellers for making additions to the living area and for conversion of katcha houses into pucca structures under the Revised ISHUP scheme.

(ii)        Rajiv Rin Yojana

            Based on the recommendations made by a committee set up by this Ministry, it is proposed that the existing scheme of ISHUP be revised with increase in the upper ceiling of the loan for current Rs.1 lakh with interest subsidy of 5% to Rs. 3.0 lakh for the Economically Weaker Section households and Rs. 5.0 lakh for the Lower Income Group beneficiaries.  Both these loans would be granted with 5% interest subsidy.  NPV subsidy under this scheme for a 20 year loan period would work out to be Rs.1,10,000 for EWS and Rs.1,84,000 for LIG. Keeping a target of reaching out to 2.37 lakh beneficiaries the financial implication under this new (being proposed) scheme called Rajiv Rin Yojana (RRY), would be Rs.2900 Crores. This would not only provide necessary credit to acquire the house but also give the necessary impetus to the housing sector.

      A sum of Rs. 5,000 crores is proposed to be drawn out of the ACA funds of Rs.50,000 crores sought under RAY during the 12^th plan period, as the scheme of ISHUP has been dovetailed into RAY presently. Therefore, the Revised ISHUP Scheme as well as Rajiv Rin Yojana (RRY) would be within the overall outlay sought under Rajiv Awas Yojana (RAY) for the 12^th Plan.

Key Recommendations of 44th Session of Indian Labour Conference

Union Labour & Employment Minister Shri Mallikarjun Kharge today detailed about the recommendations made during the 44^th  Indian Labour Conference concluded at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi. Addressing the media persons he said this Session of the Indian Labour Conference had elaborate discussions on three agenda items - (i) Minimum Wages (ii) Social Security and (iii) Employability and Employment.

 

The Conference was inaugurated by Hon’ble Prime Minister of India.   The Conference was attended by Labour Ministers from 14 State Governments. All the major 12 Central Trade Union Organisations and 6 major employers’ organisation participated in the Conference.  Besides, senior officials from 23 Central Ministries and all State Governments/UTs attended the Conference.  The International Labour Organisation Experts based at Delhi were also present. 

Shri Kharge referred the Prime Minister inaugural address in which he emphasized the great importance that the UPA Government attaches to the promotion of healthy industrial relations and well being of our workforce.  

Shri Kharge said   our huge unorganized sector poses great challenges in ensuring quality employment and extension social security coverage.  Minimum Wages are an important means of protecting the interest of the workers were not in the formal sector.  Our flagship health insurance scheme “Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana” has covered 2.5 crore Below Poverty Line families and this Scheme is being extended to cover other category of workers.

                                                                                  

According to the minister the Conference Committee on “Minimum Wages” recommended that the Minimum Wages Act should cover all employments and thus facilitate India’s ratification of ILO’s Convention No.131.  There was convergence of views towards making National Minimum Wages and make it applicable to any employment irrespective of the number of workers engaged.  Objective suggestions were made for linking minimum wages with NSSO Consumer Expenditure Survey and inflation.

Also the Conference Committee on “Social Security” had very focused discussion and came out with specific recommendations in the areas of raising the wage ceiling in the Employees Provident Fund, enhancement of pension under Employees Pension Scheme 95, portability of PF Account, reduction in the requirement of minimum continuous service, etc.   The Committee addressed the gender issues by recommending enhancement of maternity leave.  The MSME Sector and unorganized sector workers received special attention of the committee members.  Our Ministry’s RSBY Scheme has achieved a lot of success and various recommendations were received for bringing other category of workers under its coverage and adding other type of benefits in addition to the existing ones. 

Moreover, the Conference Committee on “Employability and Employment” recommendations laid stress on matching the large scale skilling targets with creating similar number of openings in the area of employment.  Labour intensive industries need to be promoted and protected.  The forthcoming National Employment Policy should be able to provide enabling framework for facilitating employment generation and decent work in the unorganized sector.  The Labour Market Information System should give real time information about skill requirements and skill availability. Other innovative suggestion were bringing the traditional skills under the certification system and involving MSMEs in skill development.  The road map for skilling 500 million persons by 2022 should be finalized in consultation with the tripartite partners. 

Shri Kharge said, this Session of the Conference carried forward the rich tradition of healthy social dialogue, spirit of accommodation and keeping interest of our workforce as the top most priority.   The tripartite partners have shown full concern to the important responsibility we have towards our country’s growth and safeguarding the basic interest of our workers.  We will be very closely following up with the implementation of policy solutions arrived at the Conference and the same will be reviewed in the meeting of the next Standing Labour Committee.

                The Recommendations of the Conference Committee on Employability and Employment are:

1.       Employment generation and Employability should be top agenda of the Govt.

2.       Though lot of focus  is  being laid on training of 500 million persons by 2022, there is a need to take appropriate measures for creation of employment opportunities to offer the matching employment.

3.       There is an urgent need to declare the National Employment  Policy in order to provide enabling framework for facilitating employment generation and decent working conditions for all.

4.       Investment in labour intensive industries should be promoted and incentivised.

5.       Labour Market Information System should be established to get skill requirement from the industry and available skills from the institutes. In this regard, employment exchanges may be modernized for providing virtual job market on real time basis.

6.       Skill mapping should be done at the local level  and inventory of skill assets should be created.

7.       ITIs should also focus on sectors beyond manufacturing and should concentrate on service sector. There is urgent need for quality assurance measures in training of ITIs and instructors.

8.       Emphasis should be laid on development of infrastructure including storage, processing and marketing in rural areas and agro-based industries.

9.       ITIs should focus more on popular trades keeping in view the requirement of the local industries.

10.    Institutional arrangements  for providing training in traditional skills should be encouraged and may  brought under certification system.

11.    Public awareness programme should be taken up, particularly in rural areas regarding the importance of skill development and certification of traditional skills.

12.    There should be functional and spatial integration of State and Central infrastructure and other available resources for optimal utilization of resources.

13.    MSMEs should be encouraged and supported to participate in the skill development efforts.

14.    Stipend of apprentices under the Apprentices Act should be enhanced.

15.    Existing and new Centres of Excellence/Clusters in traditional crafts should be strengthened and provided support in terms of marketing, credit, new technology, etc. to promote self-employment.

16.    Barriers should be removed from skilling and certification of illiterate and uneducated workers.

17.    Entrepreneurship and self-employment should be encouraged by providing necessary support.

18.    Existing employment in the unorganized sector should be safeguarded by assuring access to natural resources for those sectors dependent on them.  In order to increase their productivity, appropriate advanced tools and technology for traditional producers should be developed.

19.    Skill development should be promoted among the women and differently-abled persons.  To increase participation of women in skill development, special measures should be taken.

20.    Centres of Excellence should be established at the national and State levels  which  will produce world-class technicians.

21.    National level consultation with all the stakeholders should be held immediately to finalize the road-map for preparing skill development plan leading to skilled force of 500 million persons by 2022.

22.    Comprehensive steps should be taken to create environment for employment generation and protection.

23.    Trainers should be trained in large numbers to meet growing requirement.

                During the Conference a Committee was constituted to discuss Agenda Item No.(i) concerning Minimum Wages  and related issues. These issues, inter alia, include norms for fixation/revision of minimum rates of wages, Variable Dearness Allowance(VDA),  National Floor Level Minimum Wages etc. On the basis of detailed discussion, the following points emerged.

1.  There was consensus that the Government may fix minimum wages as per the norms/ criteria recommended by the 15^th ILC (1957) and the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court (Repttakos Co. Vs Workers’ Union) 1992.  The Government may take necessary steps accordingly.

2. There was a broad consensus that the Minimum Wages Act should cover all   employments and the existing restriction for its applicability on the scheduled employments only should be deleted. This will also help India ratify ILO Convention No.131.

3.  It was broadly agreed that there should be national minimum wages applicable to all employments throughout the country.

 4.There was broad agreement on the amendment proposals as listed out in Para 5(iv,  v & x).

    5.  In respect of 5 (iv), it was pointed out that the payment  to the apprentices should   be treated differently from the other categories.

    6.The Committee noted that at present there are 12 States/UTs who have not adopted  VDA. There was a broad consensus that all States/Uts should adopt VDA.

    7. It was also recommended that the payment of minimum wages should be done through Banks/Post Offices etc.

    8. As regards 5(vi), it was felt that the enforcing agencies should not be given the power of adjudication and, therefore, this proposal should be re-examined.

    9. The proposal of paying different minimum wages in respect of same employment    either in the Centre or in the State should be done away with.

  

          A Conference Committee was also constituted to discuss the agenda item No. (iii) i.e. “Social Security”.  On the basis of detailed discussions, the following points emerged :-

(i)                      There was a broad-based consensus that the wage ceiling for the application of EPF Act be increased from the present level of Rs.6,500/- to Rs.10,000/- or Rs.15,000/- as already applicable for the ESI Corporation.  Similarly, the ceiling for workers covered under EPF Act be reduced from 20 to 10.  However, Laghu Udyog Bharati was not agreeable to this reduction in ceiling of number of workers.

(ii)                    Minimum pension under the EPS 95 be increased to some floor level, which should not be less than Rs.1,000/-,  since a large number of workers receive pension which is less than that provided by the State Governments for elderly people which is normally in the range of Rs.400/- to Rs.1000/-. 

(iii)                  The PF Accounts be computerized urgently so that the workers are able to avail the facility of PF transfer and settlement immediately. Smart Cards like RSBY be issued to PF account holders.

(iv)                   Minimum ceiling of 5 years of continuous service be reduced in case of gratuity and gratuity be made transferable in case of change of job by the employee. 

(v)                     The maternity leave under the Maternity Benefit Act be increased from the present level of 12 weeks to 24 weeks.  This increased maternity benefits be made available only upto two children, while the lower limit  be continued for more than two children.

(vi)                   Accountability on the part of organizations implementing the social security schemes be fixed in order to ensure that the beneficiaries receive the deliverables in time.  Citizen Charters for these organizations be finalized early.

Saakshar Bharat Yatra to be flagged off by the President of India

A nationwide mobilization campaign is being organized by National Literacy Mission during February-March 2012 in collaboration with a Non-Government Organisation: Bharat Gyan Vigyan Samiti for promoting Saakshar Bharat Programme.  A country wide jatha will be organized covering 22 States, 180 districts, 1000 blocks, over 16,000 panchayats. 

            Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil,  the President of India will flag off the Saakshar Bharat Yatra from Rashtrapati Bhawan on 18^th February, 2012 at 11.30 a.m. in the presence of  Shri Kapil Sibal, Union Minister for Human Resource Development and  Dr. D. Purandeswari, Minister of State for Human Resource Development. 

            Objectives of the Saakshar Bharat Yatra:

·         To draw the attention of the entire country towards Saakshar Bharat Programme.

·         To carry out a nationwide campaign for mobilization of public opinion and enthusiasm towards the importance and need of Literacy and Life Long Education.

·         To conduct widespread Jan Vachan programmes for refocusing the public mind on issues connected with literacy and lifelong education.

·         To create a demand for a major rural reading and library movement, as the back bone for the lifelong education programmes in the country.

·         To facilitate formation of resource support groups at various levels for effective implementation of Saakshar Bharat programme.

Disaster Management Guidelines for Information and Communication System

National Disaster Management Guidelines for Information and Communication System (NDMICS) prepared by National Disaster Management authority (NDMA) were released in New Delhi today. Speaking at the occasion, Shri M. Shashidhar Reddy, Vice Chairman, NDMA stressed that the holistic approach for Disaster Management calls for a dedicated fail-proof communication system to ensure seamless flow of value-added information products on GIS platform not only in the response phase but also for prevention, preparedness, mitigation and recovery, besides capacity building programmes. Shri Reddy informed that to achieve this, it is contemplated to establish National Disaster Management Information System (NDMIS) at the central level (with a disaster recovery system at a safe location) that would be coupled to a dedicated and fail-safe National Disaster Communication Network (NDCN) with particular emphasis on last-mile connectivity.

NDCN will be network of networks by leveraging existing communication networks to provide connectivity to various Emergency Operation Centres at National, State and District levels. NDCN will provide assured multi services such as audio, video, data and knowledge based information to meet the requirement of various stakeholders for proactive and holistic management of disaster during all phases of disaster management. NDCN will establish separate satellite link network for providing fail-safe communication during disaster. Estimated cost involved in this project is Rs 943 Cr and is now being examined by MHA.

Shri Reddy also informed that NDMA is preparing guidelines for Reserve Bank of India for bank financing in infrastructure sector which would also include the Communication sector. This will ensure disaster resistant design criteria in all the infrastructure projects and will go long way in maintaining better communication connectivity.

Union Minister of State for Communication and Information Technology Shri Sachin Pilot released the National Guidelines on National Disaster Management Information and Communication System (NDMICS) prepared by NDMA.

In his address Shri Pilot commended the efforts of NDMA in bringing forward these guidelines. Shri Pilot emphasized the need for implementation of these guidelines and said that it must reach to the last connected people in the country in their local language. He further expressed that the whole process of disaster management should be all inclusive and comprehensive in nature. “India needs to be more prepared in tackling the outcomes of both natural and man-made disasters”, for this he appreciated the efforts of NDMA for holding mock drills and said that we need more and more mock drills for better preparedness and awareness. “Mock Drills should be a part of our routine”, he said.

Shri B Bhattacharjee, Member NDMA, under whose stewardship these guidelines have been prepared, made a detailed presentation explaining the salient features of the Guidelines.

The Disaster Management Act, 2005 mandates the NDMA for preparing the guidelines on various issues. NDMA has so far prepared 16 guidelines on various disaster specific subjects and cross cutting issues. Every Ministry and Departments of the Government of India and State Governments need to prepare their disaster management plans. NDMA has also funded the States to prepare State Disaster Management Plans. Based on the guidelines, released by the NDMA which have been prepared with a participatory approach including all the Stakeholders, the National and State Plans should be prepared expeditiously.

'The Artist', Meryl Streep win big at BAFTAS 2012

French black and white drama 'The Artist' won gold at the 65th British Film Academy Awards Sunday winning seven prizes including Best Picture, while Meryl Streep continued with her winning streak grabbing the best leading actress gong. 
 

The film's star Jean Dujardin took home the Best Leading Actor award, leaving behind the likes of Hollywood bigwigs like Brad Pitt (Moneyball), George Clooney (The Descendants) and Gary Oldman (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy).

 Director of 'The Artist' Michel Hazanavicius won prizes for directing and his original screenplay. 'The Artist' has already won three Golden Globes and has 10 Oscar nominations.

Streep was named best actress for her depiction of Margaret Thatcher, Britain's first female prime minister, in 'The Iron Lady', a role which has already won her a Golden Globe last month.

Others nominated in the best actress category were Berenice Bejo (The Artist), Michelle Williams (My Week with Marilyn), Tilda Swinton (We Need to Talk About Kevin) and Viola Davis (The Help).

                

Octavia Spencer was given the best supporting actress BAFTA for her turn as a fiery maid in Deep South drama 'The Help', leaving behind Carey Mulligan (Drive) and Judi Dench (My Week With Marilyn).

Christopher Plummer won the best supporting actor award for 'Beginners'. 'Rango' won the best animated film award, ahead of 'The Adventures of Tintin:

The Secret of the Unicorn' and 'Arthur Christmas', while 'Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy' took home the best adapted screenplay and Outstanding British Film trophies.

Procurement of Foodgrains For PDS

The Government of India extends Minimum Support Price (MSP) for wheat, paddy and coarse-grains to the farmers by declaring MSP for these crops in advance in order to give price signal to farmers before beginning of a crop season. The MSP of wheat and paddy has been constantly increased in the last few years to make it remunerative for farmers. Simultaneously, various measures have also been taken to enhance production and productivity of foodgrains. The procurement of foodgrains is open ended and government agencies purchase all the quantities offered by the farmers at MSP.

In order to meet enhanced requirement of foodgrains under the proposed National Food Security Act, there is a requirement of increasing production and procurement of foodgrains in non-traditional procurement areas of the country, particularly in the eastern States.

Implementation of the proposed Food Security Act would also mean raising the annual procurement level to about 65 million tonnes. Majority of this increase will have to come from the non-traditional procuring States.

Production and procurement in the major procuring States viz. Punjab, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh and western UP has already reached a saturation stage as most of the marketable surplus of foodgrains is being already procured in these States. To meet the additional requirement of foodgrains, procurement will have to be increased from the emerging procuring States. Of the newly emerging procurement States, Chhattisgarh has emerged as a large contributor of rice while Madhya Pradesh and Odisha are also giving large surplus of foodgrains to the Central Pool. Efforts are required to increase productivity / yield of rice and wheat in deficit States, especially in eastern States coupled with increase in the usage of fertilizers / irrigation facilities to improve marketable surplus.

A special scheme namely “Bringing Green Revolution to Eastern India” was launched by the Ministry of Agriculture to enhance rice production and productivity in eastern parts of the country. To enhance procurement, the non-traditional procuring states need to strengthen their procurement machinery by creating suitable institutional mechanism and by adopting the Decentralized Procurement (DCP) system and by leveraging Food Credit facilities offered by Reserve Bank of India and the consortium of Banks. These States also need to step up rice milling facilities to encourage procurement.

Two critical areas for increasing and stabilizing procurement would be development of State agencies capable of handling procurement operations and increasing milling capacity for rice particularly in Assam, Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal and Eastern UP. There is also a need for increased involvement of Co-operatives and Self-help groups for procurement operations.

Decentralized Procurement (DCP) system should be adopted by the State Governments in Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan. Proposals have already been given to these States to adopt to DCP system. These States need to respond earlier.

Availability of adequate storage capacity is a pre-requisite for enhancing procurement and improving PDS distribution. Apart from new storage capacities being created under PEG by the Central Government, States should also endeavour to create intermediate storage capacities for their own use by taking advantage of funding available under RIDF from NABARD and under Rural Godown Scheme. Under the Rural Godown Scheme, subsidy norms have recently been relaxed. State agencies / cooperatives should take advantage of this to build their own storage capacities.

Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) ACT

The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 seeks to recognize and vest the forest rights and occupation in forest land in forest dwelling Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers who have been residing in such forests for generations but whose rights could not be recorded. Section 3 of the Act specifies the forest rights of forest dwelling Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers that are to be recognized and vested under the Act. One of the forest rights specified in the said Section relates to the right of ownership, access to collect, use, and dispose of minor forest produce which has been traditionally collected within or outside village boundaries.

The Act, 2006 was notified for operation with effect from December, 2007. As per the provisions of the Act and the Rules framed thereunder, the responsibility for implementation of the Act lies with the State/UT Governments. The details of the claims filed, titles distributed, claims rejected and disposed off under the Act since operationalisation of the Act and upto till 31^st October, 2011.

As per the information collected from the State/UT Governments, till 31^st October, 2011, more than 31.49 lakh have been filed and more than 12.30 lakh titles have been distributed under the Act. More than 13 thousand titles were ready for distribution. Out of a total number of 28,08,494 claims disposed of under the Act till 31^st  October, 2011, 15,77,829 claims (56.18%) were rejected. The main causes of rejection of claims as revealed from the information received from the various States were (i) OTFDs not able to prove occupation for 75 years as on 13the December .2005, (ii) non-occupation of forest land as on 13.12.2005, (iii) claims being made on land other than forest land and (iv) multiple claims etc.

The claims for recognition of forest rights under the Act are adjudicated as per the procedure laid down in the Scheduled Tribes and other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Rules, 2008 notified on 1st January, 2008 for implementing the provisions of the Act. Rejection of claims is an outcome of a quasi judicial process. The law also provides for petitions to Sub Divisional Level and District Level Committees. However, in order to address various issues relating to implementation of the Act including the problem of rejection of claims, the Ministry has also taken the following measures:

(i) The State Governments were instructed to categorize all rejections, with their numbers, on a statistically acceptable sampling basis, at the level of Gram Sabha and Sub-Divisional Level Committees, in different categories, to find out the categories/reasons for their rejections, and to meet the expenses for this survey out of the grants under Article 275(1) proviso, as communicated to the States.

(ii) The State Governments have been advised to provide the Gram Sabhas with the assistance of facilitators in order to overcome the difficulties experienced by the claimants in accessing the requisite evidence in support of their claims, and also to facilitate claims, especially those of PTGs.

(iii) The State Governments have also been advised that the natural justice demands that the period allowed for filing petition shall count from the date of communication of the orders. Like-wise, the rejection of a claim by the District Level Committee should also be communicated for seeking redressal.

 (iv) A review meeting with the State Secretaries/ Commissioners of Tribal Welfare Development Departments was also held at New Delhi to ascertain the categories/causes of rejection of claims.

‘INSPIRE’ – Motivating Students to Study Science

Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) is a national programme implemented by the Ministry of Science & Technology for attraction of talent amongst the students to study Science and pursue career with research.

The programme has 3 components:-

·        Scheme for early attraction of talents for Science (SEATS), which has two sub-components – INSPIRE Award of Rs. 5000/- and Mentorship through global Science leaders at a science camp.

·        Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE) at the rate of Rs. 80,000 for continuing education at B.Sc and M.Sc levels.

·        Assured Opportunity for Research Career (AORC) for young researchers which also has two sub-components – INSPIRE Fellowship and INSPIRE Faculty.

While the first component of the Scheme - INSPIRE Award is being implemented centrally through the States/UTs, the other components of the Scheme are being implemented centrally by Department of Science & Technology (DST) through the concerned academic/research institutes and Universities etc.

The objective of INSPIRE Award Scheme is to motivate and catch the young students in the age group of 10-15 and facilitate them in experiencing the joy of innovating and thereby attracting them to pursue careers in Science.

Salient Features

Under the scheme, as approved for the 11^th Five Year Plan, two students are selected from each school of the country (from class 6^th to 10^th) during the Five Year Plan period for an INSPIRE Award of Rs. 5000 each for preparing a science project/model. INSPIRE Award Warrant is issued directly in the name of selected student and sent to him/her through state/school authorities.

All Awardees under the scheme are required to participate in the District Level Exhibition and Project Competition (DLEPC). Best 5 to 10 per cent entries from the districts are selected for participation in a State Level Exhibitions and Project Competition (SLEPC). Best 5 percent entries from the State/UT, subject to a minimum of 5, are selected to participate at the National Level Exhibition and Project Competition (NLEPC). At all levels the projects are evaluated by a Jury of experts. Participation/merit certificates are issued to the selected awardees of DLEPC, SLEPC and NLEPC, as well as, mentor/teachers who guided them for the preparation of the projects. The entire cost of organizing exhibitions at district, state and national level is borne by the Department of Science & Technology (DST).

Merit based selection of the students for INSPIRE awardees is done by Head Master/Head Mistress/Principal of each school, who is required to send nomination of best children having aptitude for science, with requisite details giving also the criteria adopted by the school for nomination and selection. District education authorities compile details of the schools in their jurisdiction in the prescribed format and send the proposal to DST through the State education authorities.

All schools in the country, whether Government or private, aided or unaided, run by Central Government or State Government of local bodies, and having classes 6 to 10 are eligible to participate in the scheme.

Proposals so received from the State authorities are processed in DST in accordance with the norms of the scheme and the list of the selected students is sent to the banker of DST for preparation of Award Warrants in the name of selected students. The Award Warrants so received from the bank are sent to State authorities for onward delivery to the selected awardees through district education authorities.

Present Status of Implementation

The scheme envisages selection of one million (10 lakh) students during the Five Year Plan period @ of 2 lakh awardees per year. There are about 4.5 to 5 lakh schools in the country which would have classes 6 to 10. The scheme was launched during December, 2009. However, implementation could start only in 2009-2010, and 1.26 lakh Awards were sanctioned during that year. In addition, 2.50 lakh Awards were sanctioned during 2010-2011, and as on date 5,36,598 Awards have been sanctioned and award money amounting to Rs. 268.30 crores sent to the selected students in the form of INSPIRE Award Warrants.

Since the inception of the scheme, more than 2 lakh Awardees have participated in DLEPSCs, about 15 thousand selected Awardees of DLEPCs have participated in SLEPCs, and recently about 700 awardees participated in the first ever NLEPC held at Delhi during August 14-16, 2011. All the 35 States/UTs are participating in the scheme.

Funds to meet the expenditure in connection with DLEPC, SLEPC are released to the State Nodal Officer through electronic fund transfer to their notified bank account. As on date, an amount of Rs. 74.52 crores have been released to the States /UTs to meet the expenditure in connection with DLEPC/SLEPC/NLEPC.

The scheme is likely to continue during the 12^th Five Year Plan (2012-2017) also, may be with an extended coverage, under which a proposal to sanction one Award per school per year is under consideration of the Government. If approved, this would mean 2 million (20 lakh) Awards to be sanctioned during the 5 year period @ of about 4 lakh Awards per year (assuming participation of about 80 to 90 per cent of the 4.5 to 5 lakh schools in the country)

Journey into History of Bank of the Bankers

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) did not become the ‘Bank of the Bankers’ in a day. It’s been a long and tough journey of evolution, consolidation, policy changes and reforms that shaped it to be an institution with a difference. Legislation to set up the RBI was first introduced in January 1927, and after seven years in March 1934, the enactment became an accomplished fact. It is one of the oldest central banks in the developing countries. Its formative years have been eventful. Its efforts to adapt central banking functions was neither deep-rooted nor widespread, the special responsibilities including those of exchange control to shoulder with the outbreak of World War II was a great responsibility thrust upon in the very first decade of its existence. Its transformation from a privately owned institution to a nationalized undertaking and its new role in the economy with the advent of independence was formidable.  Over the years when RBI embarked upon the path of its growth there are many anecdotes that are wrapped in the footprints of time.

Prior to the establishment of the RBI in 1935, the principal functions of a central bank were performed by the Government of India primarily, and to a smaller extent, by the Imperial Bank of India, since its establishment in 1921. The regulation of note issue, the management of foreign exchange and the custody of the nation are metallic and foreign exchange reserves were the responsibilities of the Government of India. The Imperial Bank acted as banker to Government and to a limited extent as a bankers’ bank, in addition to its primary functions as a commercial bank. By the time the Reserve Bank came to be established, organized banking in India had developed to an extent and an important element of this sector which comprised foreign banks were generally referred to as Exchange Banks.

In 1941, Karachi office was mainly a currency office having a small strength of about 75 staff members. At that time currency notes, which were mostly in the domination of Rs. 100 and Rs. 1000 were issued circle wise; they were a legal tender throughout undivided India. Names of circles of issue, viz; Mumbai, Kanpur, Calcutta, Madras, Karachi, Lahore; used to be printed on the notes. Each circle has to maintain member- wise record of notes issued and cancelled from time to time. If issued notes of Karachi circle were collected in Calcutta, they had to be brought to Karachi and brunt there after noting the cancelled numbers in the issue ledgers. The ledgers containing individual number of notes issued & cancelled. In any case any note having the same number as the one on the cancelled note was detected, an inquiry used to be conducted.

In 1946, when Rs. 1000 notes were demonetize some people exchanged their notes for Rs. 500 to Rs. 600 per piece, which were individually exchanged at the RBI counters- one or two pieces to the income-tax department. Banks and other corporate bodies had changed their higher denomination notes with smaller denomination. Thus, they could oblige their customers and acquaintances by exchange of notes in their names.   In those days, one-rupee silver coins used to be examined by cashiers for their genuineness by striking them on the wooden counter or wooden tables at a very fast speed. They could identify counterfeit coins just by listening to the sound of each coin. The RBI was truly musical those days.

In early 40’s, senior officials posts in RBI were filled up by the promotions from the existing staff and/or taking staff in deputation from the Imperial Bank of India. The final interview used to be held at central board of Directors at Calcutta.  After partition officers from Karachi were asked to report to Mumbai office in 1947. When it came to women staff, there were hardly any on the Bank’s rolls on that time. The few who joined being mainly telephone operators. The first lady to be taken up for a clerical work joined in early forties and the first to be recruited directly as an officer was Miss Dharma Venkatraman who joined in March 1949. Gradually the numbers increased. According to a data women formed less than 8 per cent of the total staff in January 1968; which is around 18 per cent.

Pages of history tell us that there were in fact very few Europeans recruits other than those who originally came from the Imperial Bank. This was mainly due to the efforts of Deputy Governor Nanavati who wanted the maximum opportunities to be given to the Indians. In the matter of staff he stood for Indianisation of as much as buying India made articles. In this connection, it is of interest to know that when the office raised objections to buying of India made clocks on the ground that they stopped working frequently. Shri Nanavati remarked that, “it did not matter even if all clocks in the bank come to a standstill.”

However, it is very interesting to learn that the Secretary of State for India favored a leisurely time-table, for several reasons for the enactment of RBI as an institution. First, apart from the time necessary to make the preliminary arrangements, some of the pre-conditions envisaged for the establishment of the Bank, such as, improvement of the budgetary position of the Government and the return of the normal export surplus, required to be fulfilled. These preconditions were time consuming and burdensome. Further, the Secretary of State was of the view that ‘ it would be unfair to hasten the opening of the Reserve Bank until he (the new Finance Member) has had an opportunity of acquainting himself personally with the situation on the spot and been able to form his own judgment on matters.  A suggestion put forth by the Government of India that the Bank should start without the function of currency regulation was rejected by the Secretary of State. In the end, a compromise emerged in that the Bank started functioning not as early as the Government of India had desired but not as late as the Secretary of State had envisaged.

One of the important agreements was ‘British Debt Pact with India’ which was signed on the 15^th August, 1947. The Government of UK & Government of India signed an interim agreement, to cover the period up to the end of 1947, relating to India’s sterling balances that time. After the meeting of officials from both sides reviewed on economic and financial problems between two countries and probable requirements of India was taken. In the meeting it was agreed that a sum of £ 35 million should be available from India’s existing balance for expenditure in any currency, to be arranged up to December 31^st, 1947. In addition, a working balance of £ 30 million will be at the disposal of Reserve Bank of India. In particular both the Governments also agreed that no restrictions will be placed by either Government on the remittances of savings belongings to persons of UK origin who are proceedings to UK to take up permanent residence or a voluntary repatriation of Investments in India by persons resident in UK. 

Today, RBI is an institution with a difference which works with the objective of ensuring monetary stability, monetary management, foreign exchange, reserves management, government debt management, financial regulation and supervision. It core duties also entails: currency management and operating the credit system to India’s advantage. In addition, since inception the bank has played an active developmental role, particularly for the agriculture and rural sectors. These are the snap shots from pages of history which I could snatch from the long and distinguished journey of the Bank of the Bankers.

15th National Conference on e-Governance

The 15th National Conference on e-Governance held at KIIT Auditorium, KIIT University Campus, Bhubaneswar, Odisha on 9th-10th February 2012 under the joint auspices of the Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances and Department of Information Technology, Government of India along with Department of Information Technology, Government of Odisha. At a time when many key technology and management strategies are transforming the way government gathers, shares and gleans knowledge from the explosion of information available to policy makers and practitioners, the 15th National Conference on e-Governance based on the theme " Towards Effective Electronic Service Delivery", provides a forum for intensive deliberations on critical issues by the e-Governance community of the country. It would explore how government departments will work collectively to simplify access to public information for accessible anywhere, anytime, and to everybody, ensure the accuracy and privacy of the information they share and analyze large data repositories to support actionable decision-making especially at the lowest level of governance in Gram Panchayats and Municipalities. Also understanding, measuring, reporting, most importantly improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the local governance and capacity required for successful and sustainable implementation would also be discussed.

International Conference on Power Plant Operation and Maintenance

Union Minister of State for Power K.C. Venugopal has said that India needs to seriously focus on improving the availability of domestic coal by developing more mines and has to find ways to improve fuel security. He was inaugurating the International Conference on Power Plant Operation and Maintenance (O & M) in New Delhi on February 13.  He said that with the present production plans indicated by coal companies, India may have to import as high as 213 Million tonnes of coal by the terminal year of 12h plan as against 35 Million tonnes required to be imported in the terminal year of 11th plan. Emphasising that the Merit Order Operation will be the rule of the game in the coming days, the Minister said that with the changing scenario, the days ahead will be for those who are able to operate the power stations more efficiently.

Venugopal pointed out that availability and pricing of coal are two crucial issues confronting the power sector today. He said in the domestic front, fuel supply agreements have not been signed between coal companies and generators for plants commissioned after March 2009. He expressed concern that while on one hand increase in production of coal in the country is not able to keep pace with the capacity addition in the 11th Plan, on the other hand there are issues related to pricing of imported coal. He said that realizing the importance of these issues, the Prime Minister has already set up a high level committee of secretaries to find solution for these issues. Expressing hope that these issues will be resolved shortly, the Minister added that initiatives have already been taken for execution of fuel supply agreements for plants commissioned beyond March 2009.

Venugopal asked the NTPC to work hard for early start of production of coal from its captive mines which will not only help in bridging the gap between requirement and availability but will also help in lowering the cost of power generation. He said that improving efficiency of thermal power stations by better O&M plays a significant role in addressing the environmental concerns and also reducing the generation cost. The Minister also touched upon the new challenges faced by the power industry in land acquisition and environment fronts.

The Conference being organized by the NTPC is being attended by delegates from various countries. The theme of the Conference is Powering the Nation – Challenges Ahead.

44th Session of Indian Labour Conference

The Ministry of Labour & Employment has a unique mechanism of tripartite consultation amongst social partners – Workers, Employers and Government, at various levels – sectoral as well as national – on issues relating to labour. The Indian Labour Conference – the apex tripartite consultative body at national level has been aptly described as the “Labour Parliament of India”, a confluence of creative forces and energies and the testing ground of tripartite consensus in decision making. The first such tripartite consultation at national level was held in 1942 as Tripartite National Labour Conference – subsequently renamed as Indian Labour Conference since 1944. So far, 43 Sessions of Indian Labour Conference have been held to discuss prominent labour related issues. The 44th Session of Indian Labour Conference being held on 14 – 15th February, 2012 under the chairmanship of Shri Mallikarjun Kharge, Union Minister of Labour & Employment. The Conference will deliberate upon very topical and critical issues viz., (i) Minimum Wages, (ii) Social Security and (iii) Employability and Employment. The conference will be inaugurated here tomorrow by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh.The conference will be attended by senior representatives of Workers and Employers Organisations and State Labour Ministers and Senior Officers from Central Ministries/Departments and State Governments. Central Ministers have also been invited to attend the Conference. Some fruitful results are likely to emerge from the brain-storming sessions on issues before the conference. This process will definitely strengthen the institutions of social dialogue already, in place and will result in better understanding of each others perspective and convergence of varied ideas and approaches amongst social partners.

Obama to felicitate Amartya Sen

 
India-born Nobel laureate Amartya Sen will be felicitated by US President Barack Obama for his efforts to increase the understanding of how to fight hunger and poverty.  
 

US President Barack Obama would felicitate Sen, 78, with the 2011 National Humanities Medal, along with others, the White House announced.

The White House said the award is being given to Sen for his insights into the causes of poverty, famine, and injustice.

"By applying philosophical thinking to questions of policy, he has changed how standards of living are measured and increased our understanding of how to fight hunger," the White House said as it announced the list of awardees.

The First Lady would also attend the awards ceremony for the 2011 National Medal of Arts and National Humanities Medal scheduled on February 13.

The 2011 National Medal of Arts would be awarded to Will Barnet, Rita Dove, Al Pacino, Emily Rauh Pulitzer, Martin Puryear, Mel Tillis, United Service Organization and Andre Watts.

The 2011 National Humanities Medal will be given to Kwame Anthony Appiah, John Ashbery, Robert Darnton, Andrew Delbanco, National History Day, Charles Rosen, Teofilo Ruiz, and Ramon Saldivar, besides Amartya Sen.

Amartya Sen won his Nobel Prize for economics in 1998 for his studies of the roots of poverty.

Zubin Mehta honoured with Israel's Presidential Medal

India-born music conductor Zubin Mehta has been honoured with Israel's first Presidential Awards of Distinction, the country's version of the French Legion of Honour or the Order of Canada.

The award is being bestowed upon those "who have made an outstanding contribution to the state of Israel or to humanity, through their talents, services, or in any other form," a statement from the Israeli Presidency said.

Mehta, 75, will be sharing the honours with the likes of former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, Judith Feld Carr, a Canadian-Jewish musician and human rights activist who helped smuggle thousands of Jews out of Syria, the Rashi Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, Chabad Rabbi Adin Even Yisrael and attorney Uri Slonim.

The Indian conductor, who is the music director of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO), will be awarded the honour "for his unique contribution to the world of Israeli music," the statement said.

India successfully test-fires interceptor missile

India successfully test-fired indigenously developed interceptor missile, capable of destroying any incoming hostile ballistic missile, from a test range off Odisha coast. 

"It was a fantastic launch. The trial, conducted from two launch sites of Integrated Test Range (ITR) for developing a fully fledged multi-layer Ballistic Missile Defence system, was fully successful," ITR Director S P Dash said.

The 'hostile' target ballistic missile, a modified surface-to-surface 'Prithvi', was first lifted from a mobile launcher around 1013hours from the launch complex-III of ITR at Chandipur-on-Sea, about 15 km from Balasore, Orissa.

After three minutes, the interceptor Advanced Air Defence (AAD) missile positioned at Wheeler Island, about 70 km from Chandipur, received signals from tracking radars installed along the coastline and travelled through the sky to destroy it, defense sources said.

The ITR director said the interceptor hit the 'target' missile at an altitude of about 15 km over the sea.

"Detailed results and the 'kill' effect of the interceptor are being ascertained by analysing data from multiple tracking sources," a Defence Research Development scientist said.

The interceptor is a 7.5-meter long single stage solid rocket propelled guided missile equipped with a navigation system, a hi-tech computer and an electro-mechanical activator, sources said.

National Data Sharing and Accessibility Policy (NDSAP) was approved by Union Cabinet

NDSAP- National Data Sharing and Accessibility Policy
National Data Sharing and Accessibility Policy (NDSAP) was approved by Union Cabinet of India on 9 February 2012 to facilitate access to central government owned shareable data and information.

The data can be shared in both human readable and machine readable formats through a network across the country. The NDSAP policy is designed to promote data sharing and enable access to central government owned data for national planning and development.

DRDO Conducts Successful Test of Interceptor Missile

DRDO  conducted a successful test launch of the interceptor missile. DRDO’s Air Defence Missile AAD-05 has successfully hit the ballistic missile and destroyed it at a height of 15 kms off the Coast of Orissa near the Wheelers Island. A modified Prithvi missile mimicking the ballistic missile was launched at 1010 hrs from ITR Chandipur. Radars located at different locations tracked the incoming ballistic missile. Interceptor missile was ready to take-off at Wheelers Island. Guidance computers continuously computed the trajectory of the ballistic missile and launched AAD-05 Interceptor Missile at a precisely calculated time. With the target trajectory continuously updated by the radar, the onboard guidance computer guided the AAD-05 Interceptor Missile towards the target missile. The onboard radio frequency seeker identified the target missile, guided the AAD-05 Interceptor Missile close to the target missile, hit the target missile directly and destroyed it. Warhead also exploded and destroyed the target missile into pieces.

Radar and Electro Optic Tracking Systems (EOTS) have tracked the missile and also recorded the fragments of target missile falling into the Bay of Bengal. It is one of the finest missions where the interceptor has hit the incoming ballistic missile directly and destroyed it at a 15 kms altitude. The mission was carried out in the final deliverable user configuration mode.

India is the fifth nation to have these ballistic missile defence capabilities in the world.

Scientific Advisor to Raksha Mantri Dr Vijay Kumar Saraswat reviewed the total configuration and mission and also witnessed the launch. Shri Avinash Chander Chief Controller R&D (Missiles) and Shri P Venugopalan, Director DRDL carried out the flight readiness review of both the Target Missile and Interceptor Missile. Shri DS Reddy, Programme Director Air Defence System alongwith his team have carried out all the preparations for the launch successfully. Shri SP Dash, Director ITR, Dr SK Chaudhuri, Director RCI and other top DRDO scientists were present during the mission. The mission was also witnessed by the senior officials of three armed forces.

The Defence Minister Shri Ak Antony has congratulated all the scientists for the successful demonstration of ballistic missile defence.

12th India-EU Summit was held in New Delhi

The 12th India-EU Summit was held in New Delhi on 10 February 2012. The Republic of India was represented by the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh. EU was represented by Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council, and Mr. José Manuel Durão Barroso, President of the European Commission. The leaders expressed satisfaction at the deepening comprehensive bilateral relations. India and EU, as long-standing strategic partners, are committed to working together with a balanced and result-oriented approach, bearing in mind each sides’ respective development priorities, based on common shared values, relating to democracy, rule of law, civil liberties, fundamental freedoms and respect for human rights.