Civil Services Mentor November 2012

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A huge campaign to spread the
message of rural sanitation named
Nirmal Bharat Yatra, will start on
October 3, focusing on making the
country free of open defecation. The
announcement was made by actress
Vidya Balan, the brand ambassador
of the rural development ministrys
campaign for improving sanitation,
and Union minister Jairam Ramesh.
The yatra begun on October 3 from
the Gandhi Ashram located in
Sevagram in Wardha (Maharashtra)
and will end in Bettiah (Bihar) on
November 17, informed the minister.
Beginning from Wardha, the yatra will
go through Indore, Kota, Gwalior,
Gorakhpur and Bettiah, covering over
200 km in 56 days. The programme
will cost Rs 12 crore. The Nirmal
Bharat Yatra to make the country
open-defecation-free and to ensure
proper sanitation in rural India began
from Sevagram in Wardha district of
Maharashtra in presence of the Union
Rural Development Minister Jairam
Ramesh.
Conceptualised by Quicksand
Design Studio and WASH United, the
yatra a carnival-like convoy of 40
brightly painted trucks and a 500-
strong crew set off on October 2
from Wardha in Maharashtra. It will
pass through five States, covering
2,000 km in 51 days. After travelling
to Indore in Madhya Pradesh, Kota in
Rajasthan, Gwalior in MP, Gorakhpur
in Uttar Pradesh, it will end on
November 19 at Bettiah in Bihar,
where Mahatma Gandhi began his
first Satyagraha. The awareness-cum-
entertainment programme includes
games, films, and live dance and
magic performances, says Neeraj
Bhatnagar of Quicksand Design
Studio. An interesting feature is the
Tippy-Tap, described as a soap lab
for hand-washing. An Indian Idol
kind of hand-washing dance along
with hand-washing carrom boards will
make it fun for participating
schoolchildren, he adds. The Yatra
will travel almost 2,000 km through
villages from Maharashtra to Bihar and
will end in Bettiah town in the West
Champaran of Bihar on November 19.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr.
Ramesh termed the open defecation
as the blot on Indian society and said,
Every Indian should be ashamed
that more than 60 per cent of women
in India have to defecate in open.
Even after so many years, we cannot
say proudly that every woman in India
has a toilet available for her. This
Nirmal Bharat Yatra is connected with
the dignity of Indian women. We are
ranked third in the world in terms of
economic growth, but even today we
have the problem of malnutrition and
one of the main reasons for it is
uncleanliness and open defecation.
If we want to give dignity and security
to the women of this country and to
protect the future of our children,
then we will have make India an open
defecation-free country he added.
Reffering to Hivre Bajar village
in Maharashtra which was among the
first open defecation-free villages,
Mr.Ramesh said: We want to make
every village in India like Hivre Bajar
and we can do it. Sikkim has become
the first completely open defecation-
free State in India. Kerala, Himachal
Pradesh and Haryana will also follow
the suit very soon. In Maharashtra
every third village is open defecation-
free and the State government has
promised to make 4,000 more villages
open defecation-free villages this
year said the Minister. He also
announced that Rs.10, 000 will be
given for the construction of a toilet
from this year and Gram Panchayats
will be given financial assistance from
Rs. 7 lakh to 20 lakh rupees for liquid
and solid waste management.
Money is not the problem. This
problem is of intent. The Nirmal Bharat
programme is not a governments
program but peoples programme
said Mr. Ramesh. India is a
cleanliness deficit, Godliness surplus
country, said Minister of Rural
Development Jairam Ramesh,
referring to Mahatma Gandhis words
Cleanliness is next to Godliness.
However, the Governments drive to
make India an open defecation free
nation within a decade has received
support from Bollywood actress
Vidya Balan, who has joined the
Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan as the
Sanitation Ambassador. Ramesh
Studies conducted by World Health
Organisation and UNICEF have
found that with 626 million people
defecating in the open, India has
largest population without access to
toilets.
After all, 626 million people in
this fast-modernising country still
defecate in the open, exposing
themselves to disease, snakebite and
other dangers outdoors. The most
vulnerable are the elderly, women
and girls, who not only have to wait
till dark to go to the fields but also
face the threat of sexual assault.
Whats more, the despicable practice
of manual scavenging persists even
today. Even as the Government
intensifies its Total Sanitation
Campaign, launched in 1999, to end
open defecation by 2020, innovative
ideas are pouring in. One such idea
is to reinvent toilet talk in India, with
actor Vidya Balan as a brand
ambassador for the Nirmal Bharat
Abhiyan. At the launch of the Nirmal
Bharat Yatra in Delhi recently, Vidya
said, We are so far removed from the
reality in rural India. We feel if
something doesnt affect our lives,
why should we do something about
it. But I strongly felt I should be
associated with this issue.
The actor features in three ad
spots filmed for the Total Sanitation
Campaign. One of them shows a
village bride, covered under a waist-
length veil, fussed over by the women
at her marital home. Amid the giggles,
she whispers to her educated friend
(played by Vidya) that she wants to
relieve herself. Vidya unabashedly
asks the mother-in-law where the
toilet is. To her shock, she is told that
there is none! You want the bride to
be veiled all the time, but have no
problems about her relieving herself
in the open? says Vidya. The ad spot
ends with a call for a change in
mindset to ensure that every house
has a toilet. When the Minister
suggested that someone like Shyam
Benegal should make a film similar to
Manthan (on the Gujarat milk
cooperative movement) on the issue
of sanitation, Vidya said she was open
to acting in any such film. Around
60 per cent of all open defecation in
the world is taking place in India
Approximately 400,000-500,000
children below five years die due to
diarrhoea annually in India, Ramesh
said, painting a grim picture.
Most importantly, the yatra is
taking special care to broach a topic
that is taboo in most Indian
households menstrual hygiene,
which is closely related to availability
of toilets and water.
In India, over 300 million
women and girls use unsanitary
material such as old rags, husks, dried
leaves and grass, ash, sand or
newspaper during menstruation.
Such unhygienic material exposes
them to health hazards such as urinary
tract infections, says Archana Patkar
of the Water Supply and Sanitation
Collaborative Council.
Speaking to the press on the
occasion, Jairam Ramesh said, We
are godliness surplus, but cleanliness
deficit country. We have to change
this and the Yatra tries to make
sanitation a national obsession.
Exuding confidence that India
would become open defecation free
in next 10 years, he also declared that
Kerala would become open
defecation free by the end of this
year, while Himachal will achieve the
target by April 2013. Haryana and
Tamil Nadu will follow next. The Yatra,
which would resemble a carnival, will
have a crew of 500 people traveling
in 40 buses who would engage the
locals through various activities and
performances.
The aim would be to make
people aware about the benefits of
using a toilet, washing hands after
using the toilet and menstrual
hygiene management.
Around 60 percent of all open
defecation in the world takes place
in India and nearly five lakh kids under
the age of five die every year because
of diarrhea. To address the adverse
affects caused due to open
defecation by promoting toilets, the
government of India launched a
program called Total Sanitation
Campaign in year 1999.
After only partial success of the
programme till recently, it has now
been launched afresh as Nirmal
Bharat Abhiyan with increased
central governments assistance for
construction of toilets.
Aman Srivastava Aman Srivastava Aman Srivastava Aman Srivastava Aman Srivastava
Oustees of the Omkareshwar
Dam project called off their jal
satyagraha after the Madhya Pradesh
government accepted all their
demands and constituted a
ministerial committee to look into
their grievances. On the 17th day of
the protest, Chief Minister Shivraj
Singh Chauhan announced that the
government had agreed to the key
demands of the agitators reducing
the water level of the dam to 189
metres and providing land for land
compensation to all those who had
lost their land. Compliance with the
order given by the Grievances
Redressal Authority about giving land
for land to farmers surrendering 50
per cent [of their financial]
compensation will be ensured within
90 days, Mr. Chauhan said, after
holding a direct dialogue with the
affected farmers of Ghoghalgaon,
Kewla Buzurg, Aikhand and
Kamankhera at his residence. A high-
level committee will hear problems
of the dam-affected people, he said.
On September 10 the Madhya
Pradesh Government partially
accepted the demands of the Jal
Satyagraha in Khandwa district.
Accordingly the water-level of
Onkareshwar dam was almost
immediately reduced to the legal limit
so that the illegal and premature
submergence of several villages was
undone. The government has
promised that land in place of land
will be provided to the displaced
people. However till the time of
writing on September 11, the
JalSatyagraha in Harda district
(Indirasagar or Narmadasagar dam
oustees) was still continuing.
Even in Khandwa (Onkareshwar
dam) the government has also
stipulated a condition that a
significant part of the cash
compensation will have to be
returned by any family before it can
receive land. This condition ignores
how much damage and distress
people have suffered due to the
illegal and premature submergence
of their land as well as the delay in
providing land to them for such a long
time. Initially why did the government
insist on providing only cash ignoring
court orders? How much loss was
caused to people by this illegal action
of government? Keeping in view the
enormous distress already suffered by
the people, the government should
waive the condition of first returning
a signifi-cant part of the cash
compensation received earlier by
several families before they can get
their land. Already the government
has faced widespread criticism for its
insensitivity in ignoring the legal
demands of people facing
displacement. Now the government
can at least partially make up for this
by showing a lot of generosity.
Secondly, beyond the
immediate issue faced by the oustees
of Onkareshwar and Narmada-sagar
projects who were involved in the Jal
Satyagraha, the much wider issues of
all people affected adversely by the
various dams on the Narmada river
and its tributaries should be taken up.
There is a lot of evidence, such as
that gathered recently by the Jan
Satyagraha Sanvad Yatras or the
various presentations made by the
Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA),
that the lives of lakhs of people have
been adversely affected by dam
projects like Sardar Sarovar, Bargi,
Tawa and Narmagasagar
(Indirasagar).
We have agreed to bring down
the water level of dam to 189 metres
and to compensate the farmers land.
It will, however, affect irrigation in
20,000 hectares of land and
generation of 120 megawatts
electricity, said Chauhan. The
Supreme Court had given the go
ahead to increase the water level to
196.5 metres, but we have reduced
it for the time bring, he added. The
Madhya Pradesh government has also
formed a three-member ministerial
panel to look into the matter. Congress
general secretary Digvijay Singh
earlier today lashed out at the Shivraj
Singh Chouhan-led BJP government
in the state over not been able to
finalize the rehabilitation and provide
relief to the villagers.
I think the state government is
responsible to solve this issue. And
there are two three things involved.
Number one at what level the
rehabilitation and resettlement has
taken place. Number two if the
rehabilitation, resettlement has not
taken place at a level where the water
is at just now, I think the government
should immediately finalize the
rehabilitation and provide relief to
the land oustees, Singh told
mediapersons in New Delhi.
Number three is the issue: what is
the full reservoir level, if the full
reservoir level has been reached then
they should try to reduce the levels
by opening the gates and they will
be generating power through that,
he said. So, it is a very complex issue,
but the foremost is the misery which
these villages have been subjected
to and this should be settled as soon
as possible, he added. The Jal
Satyagraha, under the aegis of
Narmada Bachao Andolan, was
launched to demand proper
rehabilitation and reduction in the
water level of dam at Indira Sagar
Project on river Narmada.
Most discussion takes place only
on directly displaced people, but
actually several categories of people
are adversely affected. For example,
the Report of the Independent
Review (also known as the Morse
Committee Report), prepared in the
context of the Sardar Sarovar Project,
had identified several categories of
people who are likely to adversely
affected:
1. People living in the
submergence zone numbering
about a hundred thousand. 2.
People whose land will be fully
or partially claimed by the
extensive canal network,
numbering about 140
thousand.
3. People who will be isolated in
tapu (island like settlements)
after the submergence.
4. Certain sections of people living
in upstream areas, specially
those likely to be affected by
backwater floods.
5. People of Kevadia Colony.
6. Certain sections of people living
in downstream areas such as
those dependent on fisheries.
7. At least some people even in
the beneficiary areas, specially
those whose land may have to
bear the impact of
waterlogging.
8. Indirectly affected people such
as those living in sanctuary area
or in the areas that will have the
resettled people in future.
Among these various sections of
people, the official rehabilitation
programme is concerned almost
entirely with the first category, and
here too, a large number of people
may be left out as the rights of the so-
called encroachers (that is, those
peasants, specially tribals, whose
rights to the land cultivated by them
are not properly defined) are not
recorded. Even for those who get
recognised as project evictees, the
overall record on the whole is quite
dismal so that even in the case of the
majority of them there is likely to be a
deterioration in living and working
conditions.
With that assurance, the 51
oustees standing in waist to neck-
deep water for the last 16 days broke
their jal satyagraha amid an
atmosphere of victory. The Chief
Minister said sincere efforts would be
made to find a solution to the
problems of the affected farmers. The
high-level committee would
comprise Commerce and Industries
Minister Kailash Vijaywargiya, SC-ST
Welfare Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah,
Minister of State for Narmada Valley
Development K.L. Agrawal, Principal
Secretary, Narmada Valley
Development, Rajneesh Vaish and
the Indore Divisional Commissioner.
The oustees thanked the media and
supporters from across the country
and abroad who had helped their
cause. The protesters endured a lot
during these 17 days and suffered a
lot of damage to their bodies by
standing constantly under water.
However, their displaced brethren
from the Indira Sagar project
continued their jal satyagraha (in
Khardana and Badhkhalia villages)
against the States decision to raise
the water level beyond 260 metres,
which, they claim, is in contravention
of Supreme Court orders.
Thus the overall conclusion is
that a very small part of the affected
people get recognised for the
purpose of rehabilitation or even
compensation, and even regarding
those who are recognised many of
them generally do not have access to
satisfactory rehabilitation. This has
been a main concern of the NBA and
this has been fully supported in RIR.
There is now a clear need for a close
look at the plight in which all
categories of people adversely
affected by the various Narmada
dams find themselves today, so that
their genuine demands can be taken
up in a more organised way.
Md. Israr Md. Israr Md. Israr Md. Israr Md. Israr
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Henry Ford, the genius inventor
once famous said, Dont find fault,
find a remedy. This adage
reverberates ever so relevantly in
todays Indian retail sector scenario
like never before. India, over the latter
half of the previous decade, has been
one of the most sought after
destinations for investors across the
globe. The retail sector in particular
has been one of the sectors where
there has been a constant buzz and
excitement surrounding government
policy shaping the sector. Though the
voices have been growing louder for
Multi-Brand FDI to be permitted for
retail, there is still a long way to go
before all the pieces of the jigsaw are
put together. For the moment though,
the Indian government aims to take
up this case gradually as suggested
by the 2010-11 Economic Survey
report which states Permitting FDI
(foreign direct investment) in retail
in a phased manner beginning with
metros and incentivizing the existing
retail shops to modernize could help
address the concerns of farmers and
consumers. FDI in retail may also help
bring in technical know-how to set
up efficient supply chains which
could act as models of
development.
There are a multitude of reasons
being floated around to prevent the
liberalisation of the FDI norms for
Indian retail:
Primary among these is the
concern regarding the kirana
stores as well other locally
operated Mom and Pop stores
being adversely affected by the
entry of global retail giants such
as Walmart, Carrefour and
Tesco. As these brands would
come with advanced
capabilities of scale and
infrastructure in addition to
having deep pockets, it is
argued that this would result in
the loss of jobs for lakhs of
people absorbed in the
unorganised sector.
There has also been a debate
over the kind of employment
that would be generated as it is
assumed that semi-skilled
people would not be absorbed
into the system. As majority of
the workforce in India falls in
this category, doubts have been
parlayed about the value that
would be generated by
opening up the sector.
Fears have also been raised over
the lowering of prices of
products owing to better
operational efficiencies of the
organised players that would
affect the profit margins of the
unorganised players.
Instability surrounding the
political arena with a number of
scams of varying magnitudes
doing the rounds has also led to
a sense of uncertainty among
foreign investors.
The Indian retail sector has
predominantly comprised of
unorganised players in the form of
locally owned, Mom and Pop stores
or the kirana stores as they are known
in common parlance, single owner
general stores, paanshops,
convenience stores, hand cart and
pavement vendors, etc. On the other
hand, organised retailing involves
trading activities undertaken by
licensed retailers, that is, those who
are registered for sales tax, income
tax, etc. basically involving the
corporate-backed hypermarkets and
retail chains, and also the privately
owned large retail businesses.
However, the tremendous
growth prospect of the sector
coupled with successfully
established models of organised retail
in other Asian markets such as China
has paved the way for the
establishment of organised retail in
India as well. In addition to this, a
number of home-grown corporate
giants such as Future Group and
Aditya Birla retail have furthered the
cause of organised retail by setting
up exclusive outlets across India.
Nevertheless, there is still a long way
to go before Foreign Direct
Investment (FDI) in Indian Retail can
be realised in its entirety.
The Indian retail is a robust pillar
of the economy with a 13%
contribution to the GDP and employs
6% of the nations workforce.
According to India Brand Equity
Foundation (IBEF), the Indian retail
is valued at about US$ 450 billion,
expected to grow by 10.2% in 2011-
12. Of this, organised retail onlyforms
6.5% of the pie. Hence, there is
enormous scope for expansion
through infrastructure and investment
support. Furthermore, while
unorganised retail has been pegged
at a rate of 6% annually, organised
retail has been booming at a
stupendous growth rate of 35%. In
fact, it is expected to reach 16-18%
of the total market within the next five
years.
A recent A.T.Kearney annual
Global Retail Development Index
(GRDI) confirmed India as the most
attractive market for retail investment
for a third consecutive year. Despite
this, the entry for global retail giants
in the form of FDIs has remained more
or less restricted and the government
has maintained a tight leash over the
FDI policy in retail, primarily owing
to perceived threat posed by
organised retailers on the small scale
kiranashop owners.
At present, Indias FDI policy in
retail provides for the following
guidelines, as issued by the
Department of Industrial Policy and
Promotion (DIPP):
FDI up to 100% is allowed for
cash and carry wholesale trading
and export trading under the
automatic route.
FDI up to 51% with prior
Government approval (FIPB
route) for retail trade of Single
Brand products, permitted from
2006 onwards.
FDI is not permitted for multi-
brand retail in India.
The term Single Brand has not
been specifically defined by the
government anywhere although the
press note 3 released by DIPP in 2006
provides a few guidelines:
1. Only single brand products
would be sold (i.e., retail of
goods of multi-brand even if
produced by the same
manufacturer would not be
allowed)
2. Products should be sold under
the same brand internationally
3. Single-brand product retail
would only cover products
which are branded during
manufacturing
4. Any addition to product
categories to be sold under
single-brand would require
fresh approval from the
government.
Despite these guidelines, there
has been plenty of ambiguity
regarding the classification of single
brands in case of sub-brands and co-
branded products and
consequently, whether or not these
would come under the ambit of the
FDI norm of 51% FDI for Single
brands.
The major provisions for FDI
investment include that the minimum
investment will have to be $100
million. Retail stores will only be
allowed in cities with more than one
million people. Also it will be
mandatory for retailers to source a
minimum 30 per cent of the value of
manufactured goods, barring food
products, from small and medium
enterprises. Investment up to 50 per
cent will have to be in storage and
back-end infrastructure. India being
a signatory to World Trade
Organisations General Agreement on
Trade in Services, which include
wholesale and retailing services, had
to open up the retail trade sector to
foreign investment. There were initial
reservations towards opening up of
retail sector arising from fear of job
losses, procurement from
international market, competition and
loss of entrepreneurial opportunities.
FDI in cash and carry or wholesale
trade, was allowed way back in 1997
during the United Front Government.
Foreign investment of up to 51 per
cent in single brand retailing came to
India in January 2006.
The Union government further
asserted that 30 per cent sourcing
under FDI in multi-brand retail has
been made mandatory from Indian
MSEs only. The government
highlighted that the 30 per cent
obligation before the global players
is limited to India. The governments
explanation came amidst protests
from the opposition and the micro
and small enterprises (MSEs).
According to governments previous
stand, the overseas players have to
do 30 per cent of their sourcing from
http://www.civilservicesmentor.com 10 10 10 10 10 http://upscportal.com
MSEs which, however, can be done
from anywhere in the world and is
not India-specific. The only
condition placed was that these
MSEs must not have more than $1
million [Rs.5 crore] investment in plant
and machinery.
In 2004, The High Court of Delhi
defined the term retail as a sale for
final consumption in contrast to a sale
for further sale or processing (i.e.
wholesale), A sale to the ultimate
consumer. Thus, retailing can be said
to be the interface between the
producer and the individual
consumer buying for personal
consumption. This excludes direct
interface between the manufacturer
and institutional buyers such as the
government and other bulk
customers Retailing is the last link that
connects the individual consumer
with the manufacturing and
distribution chain. A retailer is
involved in the act of selling goods to
the individual consumer at a margin
of profit.
Many Industry experts though,
feel that the reservations against the
introduction of Multi-Brand retail are
mostly misplaced. The successful
deployment of 100%FDI in China is a
case in point. Partial FDI in retail was
introduced in 1992 in China.
Subsequently, in December 2004,
the Chinese retail market was fully
opened up to utilise the enormous
manpower and wide customer base
available that has led to a rapid
growth of the sector. Today, its retail
sector is the second largest (in value)
in the world with global retailers such
as Walmart, 7-Eleven and Carrefour
comprising 10% of the total
merchandise.
Multi-brand retail, if allowed, is
expected to transform the retail
landscape in a significant way:
Firstly, the organised players
would bring in the much
needed investment that would
spur the further growth of the
sector. This would be
particularly important for
sustenance of some of the
domestic retailers that dont
have the resources to ride out
the storm during an economic
slump such as the case with
Vishal, Subhikshaand Koutons,
which couldnt arrange for
funds to sustain their growth.
The technical know-how,
global best practices, quality
standards and cost
competitiveness brought forth
through FDI would augur well
for the domestic players to
garner the necessary support to
sustain their growth.
Indian has also been crippled
by rising inflation rates that have
refused to come within
accepted levels. A key reason
for this has been attributed to
the vastly avoidable supply
chain costs in the Indian food
and grocery sales which has
been estimated to be a
whopping US$ 24 Bn. The
infrastructure support
extended to improve the
backend processes of the
supply chain would enable to
eliminate such wastages and
enhance the operational
efficiency.
FDI in multi-brand retail would
in no way endanger the jobs of
people employed in the
unorganised retail sector. On
the contrary, it would lead to
the creation of millions of jobs
as massive infrastructure
capabilities would be needed
to cater to the changing lifestyle
needs of the urban Indian who
is keen on allocating the
disposable income towards
organised retailing in addition
to the local kirana stores.
Thesestores would be able to
retain their importance owing
to their unique characteristics of
convenience, proximity and
skills in retaining customers.
Also, these would be more
prominent in the Tier-II and
Tier-III cities where the
organised supermarkets would
find it harder to establish
themselves.
The numerous intermediaries
would be restricted and
therefore, the farmers would get
to enjoy a bigger share of the
pie.
FDI in multi-brand retail is
therefore a necessary step that needs
to be taken to propel further growth
in the sector. This would not only
prove to be fruitful for the economy
as a whole but will also integrate the
Indian retail sector with the global
retail market.It is not a question of
how it will be done but when.
The retail industry is mainly
divided into:- 1) Organised and 2)
Unorganised Retailing Organised
retailing refers to trading activities
undertaken by licensed retailers, that
is, those who are registered for sales
tax, income tax, etc. These include
the corporate-backed hypermarkets
and retail chains, and also the
privately owned large retail
businesses. Unorganised retailing, on
the other hand, refers to the
traditional formats of low-cost
retailing, for example, the local kirana
shops, owner manned general stores,
paan/beedi shops, convenience
stores, hand cart and pavement
vendors, etc. The Indian retail sector
is highly fragmented with 97 per cent
of its business being run by the
unorganized retailers. The organized
retail however is at a very nascent
stage. The sector is the largest source
of employment after agriculture, and
has deep penetration into rural India
generating more than 10 per cent of
Indias GDP.
For those brands which adopt
the franchising route as a matter of
policy, the current FDI Policy will not
make any difference. They would
have preferred that the Government
liberalize rules for maximizing their
royalty and franchise fees. They must
still rely on innovative structuring of
franchise arrangements to maximize
their returns. Consumer durable
majors such as LG and Samsung,
which have exclusive franchisee
owned stores, are unlikely to shift
from the preferred route right away.
For those companies which choose
to adopt the route of 51%
partnership, they must tie up with a
local partner. The key is finding a
partner which is reliable and who can
also teach a trick or two about the
domestic market and the Indian
consumer.
Positive aspects
FDI can be a powerful catalyst
to spur competition in the retail
industry, due to the current scenario
of low competition and poor
productivity. The policy of single-
brand retail was adopted to allow
Indian consumers access to foreign
brands. Since Indians spend a lot of
money shopping abroad, this policy
enables them to spend the same
money on the same goods in India.
FDI in single-brand retailing was
permitted in 2006, up to 51 per cent
of ownership. Between then and May
2010, a total of 94 proposals have
been received. Of these, 57 proposals
have been approved. An FDI inflow
of US$196.46 million under the
category of single brand retailing was
received between April 2006 and
September 2010, comprising 0.16
per cent of the total FDI inflows
during the period. Retail stocks rose
by as much as 5%. Shares of Pantaloon
Retail (India) Ltd ended 4.84% up at
Rs 441 on the Bombay Stock
Exchange. Shares of Shoppers Stop
Ltd rose 2.02% and Trent Ltd, 3.19%.
The exchanges key index rose
173.04 points, or 0.99%, to 17,614.48.
But this is very less as compared to
what it would have been had FDI up
to 100% been allowed in India for
single brand. The policy of allowing
100% FDI in single brand retail can
benefit both the foreign retailer and
the Indian partner foreign players
get local market knowledge, while
Indian companies can access global
best management practices, designs
and technological knowhow. By
partially opening this sector, the
government was able to reduce the
pressure from its trading partners in
bilateral/ multilateral negotiations and
could demonstrate Indias intentions
in liberalising this sector in a phased
manner.
FDI in retail is not a simple
exercise to be covered in a single
article but an in-depth study will take
quite sometime and its impact cannot
be visualized easily. If Reliance and
Big Bazaar have come to stay, so will
the FDI in retail, in due course. FDI in
retail will be subject to a lot of
discussions and scrutiny. To
generalize and compare how other
countries have fared and still let kirana
(small shops in road corners) survive
or bring about better returns to farmer
is a futile exercise. The conditions in
India are different. We need to
clearly spell out some basic pre-
conditions that have to be complied
within a specified time-frame, failing
which, the licensee will have to pack
up and go home.
(a) At least 30% of the indigenous
farm produce will have to be
retailed
(b) Each FDI-R licensee be given
the choice of seven to 10
locations where it can
commence its actual retail
operations
(c) These operating centres will
have to be supported by actual
infrastructural development of
warehouses, cold storage and
transportation logistics in
identified sources of supply at
the produce points
(d) The next set of new cities will
be after successful
performance, a minimum of 18-
24 months later, with the same
conditions relating to
infrastructure development or
by expansion of existing ones
(e) The activities of the FDI-R
licensee will be subject to a
close check and follow-up by a
regulator who will maintain a
watchdog committee for
keeping a track of purchase
pricing to retail selling; of the
actual commitments in terms of
fulfilling employment growth
and how these actually are
benefiting the country in terms
of taxes earned
(f) These FDI-R licensees should
not become the single largest
selling point for marketing
products of other countries
when identical or similar
products of indigenous makes
are readily available.
These measures would be the
first of many that one can think of as a
start.
Permitting foreign investment in
food-based retailing is likely to ensure
adequate flow of capital into the
country & its productive use, in a
manner likely to promote the welfare
of all sections of society, particularly
farmers and consumers. It would also
help bring about improvements in
farmer income & agricultural growth
and assist in lowering consumer
prices inflation. Apart from this, by
allowing FDI in retail trade, India will
significantly flourish in terms of quality
standards and consumer
expectations, since the inflow of FDI
in retail sector is bound to pull up the
quality standards and cost-
competitiveness of Indian producers
in all the segments. It is therefore
obvious that we should not only
permit but encourage FDI in retail
trade. Lastly, it is to be noted that the
Indian Council of Research in
International Economic Relations
(ICRIER), a premier economic think
tank of the country, which was
appointed to look into the impact of
BIG capital in the retail sector, has
projected the worth of Indian retail
sector to reach $496 billion by 2011-
12 and ICRIER has also come to
conclusion that investment of big
money (large corporates and FDI) in
the retail sector would in the long run
not harm interests of small, traditional,
retailers. In light of the above, it can
be safely concluded that allowing
healthy FDI in the retail sector would
not only lead to a substantial surge in
the countrys GDP and overall
economic development, but would
inter alia also help in integrating the
Indian retail market with that of the
global retail market in addition to
providing not just employment but a
better paying employment, which
the unorganized sector (kirana and
other small time retailing shops) have
undoubtedly failed to provide to the
masses employed in them.
Concerns
It is feared that, it would lead to
unfair competition and ultimately
result in large-scale exit of domestic
retailers, especially the small family
managed outlets, leading to large
scale displacement of persons
employed in the retail sector. Further,
as the manufacturing sector has not
been growing fast enough, the
persons displaced from the retail
sector would not be absorbed there.
Another concern is that the Indian
retail sector, particularly organized
retail, is still under-developed and in
a nascent stage and that, therefore, it
is important that the domestic retail
sector is allowed to grow and
consolidate first, before opening this
sector to foreign investors.
Antagonists of FDI in retail sector
oppose the same on various grounds,
like, that the entry of large global
retailers such as Wal-Mart would kill
local shops and millions of jobs, since
the unorganized retail sector
employs an enormous percentage of
Indian population after the
agriculture sector; secondly that the
global retailers would conspire and
exercise monopolistic power to raise
prices and monopolistic (big buying)
power to reduce the prices received
by the suppliers; thirdly, it would lead
to asymmetrical growth in cities,
causing discontent and social tension
elsewhere. Hence, both the
consumers and the suppliers would
lose, while the profit margins of such
retail chains would go up.
Argument that only foreign
players can create the supply chain
for farm produce is bogus.
International retail players have no
role in building roads or generating
power. They are only required to
create storage facilities and cold
chains. This could be done by
governments in India. Move will lead
to large-scale job losses. International
experience shows supermarkets
invariably displace small retailers.
Small retail has virtually been wiped
out in developed countries like the
US and in Europe. South East Asian
countries had to impose stringent
zoning and licensing regulations to
restrict growth of supermarkets after
small retailers were getting displaced.
Fragmented markets give larger
options to consumers. Consolidated
markets make the consumer captive.
Allowing foreign players with deep
pockets leads to consolidation.
International retail does not create
additional markets, it merely
displaces existing markets. India has
the highest shopping density in the
world with 11 shops per 1,000
people. It has 1.2 crore shops
employing over 4 crore people; 95%
of these are small shops run by self-
employed people. Global retail giants
will resort to predatory pricing to
create monopoly/oligopoly. This can
result in essentials, including food
supplies, being controlled by foreign
organizations. Jobs in the
manufacturing sector will be lost
because structured international
retail makes purchases internationally
and not from domestic sources. This
has been the experience of most
countries which have allowed FDI in
retail. Comparison between India and
China is misplaced. China is
predominantly a manufacturing
economy. Its the largest supplier to
Wal-Mart and other international
majors. It obviously cannot say no to
these chains opening stores in China
when it is a global supplier to them.
India in contrast will lose both
manufacturing and services jobs.
Conclusion
Conclusively we can say that
FDI in retail has the both positive as
well as negative aspects of it, but what
we should consider before jumping
on any conclusion that fears of small
shopkeepers getting displaced are
vastly exaggerated. When domestic
majors were allowed to invest in retail,
both supermarket chains and
neighbourhood pop-and-mom stores
coexisted. India Inc hailed the
governments decision to implement
FDI in multi brand retail and voiced
that it will give a strong message to
investors that the government means
business and stands firm on its
initiatives. This decision is a right step
and will go a long way in capital
infusion and is expected to
strengthen the farmers community.
If anything, the entry of retail big boys
is likely to hot up competition, giving
consumers a better deal, both in
prices and choices. Mega retail chains
need to keep price points low and
attractive - thats the USP of their
business. This is done by smart
procurement and inventory
management: Good practices from
which Indian retail can also learn. The
argument that farmers will suffer once
global retail has developed a virtual
monopoly is also weak. To begin with,
its very unlikely that global retail will
ever become monopolies. Stores like
Wal-Mart or Tesco are by definition
few, on the outskirts of cities (to keep
real estate costs low), and cant
intrude into the territory of local
kiranas. So, they cannot eat up their
share of pie. Secondly, it cant be
anyones case that farmers are getting
a good deal right now. The fact is that
farmers barely subsist while
middlemen take the cream. Lets not
get dreamy about this unequal
relationship.
Sandeep Dogra Sandeep Dogra Sandeep Dogra Sandeep Dogra Sandeep Dogra
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National Issues National Issues
National Issues National Issues National Issues
Rashtriya Aarogya Nidhi
Scheme
The State Health Ministry of
Arunachal Pradesh launched
Rashtriya Aarogya Nidhi scheme in
Itanagar. The scheme which is under
the Union Ministry of Health and
Family Welfare, provides financial
assistance upto 1.5 lakh rupees to BPL
patients suffering from life
threatening diseases in the form of a
one time grant.
In the event of the treatment
cost exceeding 1.5 lakh rupees, the
patients can avail the assistance from
the Central Rashtriya Aarogya Nidhi
scheme. The Central governments
contribution to the scheme for
Arunachal Pradesh, will be two crore
rupees.
Nirmal Bharat Yatra
Ministry of rural development
on3 October 2012 started a
campaign named Nirmal Bharat Yatra
which focuses on making the country
free from open defecation. The yatra
will begin from Wardha District of
Maharashtra from 3 october 2012 and
will go through Indore, Kota, Gwalior,
and Gorakhpur and end up in Bettiah
district of Bihar on November 17,
covering about 2000 km of distance.
The Indian Bollywood actress Vidya
Balan is the brand ambassador of the
campaign. The campaign is being
promoted by several NGOs and
private companies and it is going to
be completed at a cost of over Rs 12
crore and is going to target over 9
crore people to spread awareness
about sanitation. The well known
NGOs that are participating in the
programme are Bill and Melinda
Gates Foundation and Water Supply
and Sanitation Collaborative
Council. According to the Studies
conducted by World Health
Organisation and UNICEF it was
found that with 626 million people
defecating in the open, India has
largest population without access to
toilets. The Yatra is about demand
generation and sensitization about
the sanitation issues as open
defecation is a blot on our society.
The single biggest cause of
malnutrition in India is poor sanitation
and hygiene. Therefore with the most
important medical and behavioral
message is going to be conveyed.
Sikkim has already achieved the ODF
(Open Defecation Free) status and
the States like Kerala, Himachal
Pradesh, Haryana and Maharashtra
are on way to achieve the sanitation
goals in coming one to two years.
Government to provide
Basic Infrastructure in
School
The Supreme Court of India on
3 October 2012 directed the Union
government of India and state
governments to provide basic
infrastructure, including drinking
water and toilets, in all schools within
six months. A bench headed by
justice K S Radhakrishnan fixed the
time limit and directed the
governments to take steps to provide
the basic facilities in schools across
the country.
The Supreme Court bench
noted that all its previous directions
pertaining to providing infrastructure
should be implemented within the
time-frame fixed by it. On 18
October 2011, the apex court had
directed all states and union
territories to build toilets, particularly
for girls, in all government schools. The
court passed the order on a PIL
seeking its direction to the Centre and
state governments to provide basic
facilities of drinking water and toilets
in schools.
Chief Justice of India S.H.
Kapadia retired
The Chief Justice of India
Sarosh Homi Kapadia, retired on 28
September 2012 from the post after
serving the Supreme Court for two
and a half years. Justice Kapadia, who
turned up to be 65 years in age sworn
in as the thirty-eighth CJI and served
the Supreme Court from 12 May 2010
and retired, on 28 September 2012.
While holding the office as a judge
for a period of 22 years, Justice
Kapadia never took a leave. After his
retirement, Justice Altamas Kabir took
over the job as the Chief Justice of
India from 29 September 2012. The
Chief Justice of India sworn-in to the
post by the name of God by the
president of India. His appointment
to the position is mentioned in article
124 of the Indian Constitution. The
chief Justice of India also acts as the
acting President of the nation in case
the office of the President falls vacant
due to any reason like his death,
resignation or removal via
impeachment and the Vice-President
is not available to take on the charge
of the acting president.
Gag Order on Media
Reporting of Troop
Movement lifted
The Supreme Court of India
lifted the gag order on media
reporting of troop movement
ordered by the Allahabad High Court.
The SC pronounced the order while
hearing the petition filed through PCI
Chairman and former Apex Court
judge Markandeya Katjus office
which submitted that the HC order
was in violation of the fundamental
right under Article 19(1) (a) of the
Constitution, granted to the media
and every citizen of the country. On
April 10, the High Court bench of
justices Uma Nath Singh and Virendra
Kumar Dixit had directed various
Central and state government
authorities to ensure that there is no
reporting / release of any news item
by the print or electronic media,
namely the movement of troops. The
directions were given to the Union
Home secretary, the Information and
Broadcasting secretary and the
principal secretary (Home) of the
Uttar Pradesh government. The High
Court order had come on a PIL filed
by a social activist relating to a report
in The Indian Express on April 4,
2012. The report pertained to
purported movements of some Army
troops towards New Delhi.
There are alternative ways
for allocation of Natural
Resources
The Supreme Court in its verdict
for routing of the allocation of Natural
Resources, directed that the Auction
being a preferable method for
allotment of the natural resources
cant be turned up to be a
constitutional limitation or
requirement. The Supreme Court
passed the statement in relation to
the 2 G Presidential Reference in form
of its advisory opinion. The Supreme
Court bench of five judges
comprising Chief Justice S.H. Kapadia
and Justices D.K. Jain, Dipak Misra,
J.S. Khehar and Ranjan Gogoi in its
statement declared that auctioning
is one of the several methods that can
be used in distribution of natural
resources. The bench also stated that
it is the government, who is
responsible to decide the ways of
distribution with concerns of
common good.
Assembly Election Date
Announced for Gujrat and
Himachal Pradesh
Election commission of India on
3 October 2012 announced the
election dates in New Delhi to the
assemblies of Gujrat and Himachal
Pradesh. The date for Himachal
Pradesh election is 4 November 2012
and for Gujarat it is 13 December and
17 December 2012. The major
competition in both States is
between the ruling BJP and the
Opposition Congress and the results
for both the states will be announced
on December 20. From this election
period Model Code of Conduct has
come into operation and Election
Commission is going to enforce it
strictly and will monitor all activities
related to elections in these states. In
Gujrat 37.8 million voters would be
eligible to pick a 182-seat house and
for Himachal Pradesh 4.5 million
voters for 68-member assembly. The
Gujarat election is going to have an
immense impact on the political
future of Chief Minister Narendra
Modi as he is counted among the
prime ministerial candidate and also
for the Bharatiya Janata Party with the
next Lok Sabha election due in 2014.
The election is going to be the most
important state elections since Uttar
Pradesh, Indias most populous state,
voted in February-March this year,
along with Goa, Punjab, Uttarakhand
and Manipur.
Passive Euthanasia
Supported by the Law Panel
The Law Commission which
advice government on legal issues
made a recommendation to the
government to initiate measures to
enact a comprehensive law on
passive euthanasia, subject to certain
safeguards. According to the
Commission, Passive Euthanasia is not
objectionable
from a legal
and constitu-
tional point of
view.
It was in April
2011 that the
UPA govern-
ment had
asked the law
commission to
study the
feasibility of
framing a law for euthanasia after the
legalization of Passive Euthanasia in
Aruna Shanbaug case after the
Supreme Court verdict. The verdict
was just law of the land till it will
enacted by Parliament. In its report
o n passive euthanasia the l aw
commission recommended that a
competent adult patient, who can
take an informed decision, has the
right to insist that there should be no
invasive medical treatment by way of
artificial life sustaining measures. It
was also suggested by the
commission that if patients cannot
take a decision on their own, then the
decision of the doctors or relatives to
withhold or withdraw the medical
treatment will not be final. Also, the
same rule will apply to a minor above
16 years of age who has expressed
his or her wish not to have such
treatment provided the consent has
been given by the major spouse and
one of the parents of such patient.
Whereas, Active euthanasia still
remain a crime under Section
302(murder) or 304 (culpable
homicide not amounting to murder)
of the IPC, along with the physician
assisted suicide under section 306
IPC (abetment of suicide)
What is Euthanasia?
Euthanasia is the practice of
intentionally ending a life in order to
relieve pain and suffering.
Passive euthanasia Passive euthanasia Passive euthanasia Passive euthanasia Passive euthanasia entai l s
the withholding of common
treatments, such as antibiotics,
necessary for the continuance of life.
Acti ve euthanasi a Acti ve euthanasi a Acti ve euthanasi a Acti ve euthanasi a Acti ve euthanasi a entails
the use of lethal substances or forces,
such as administering a lethal
injection, to kill and is the most
controversial means.
New measures announced
for the welfare of overseas
Indians
Vayalar Ravi, Minister of
Overseas Indian Affairs inaugurated
the 7th Heads of Indian Missions
(HoMs) conference on 17
September 2012. He announced
revised Indian Community Welfare
Fund (ICWF) scheme, which
includes:
(a) Assistance towards boarding
expenses per head by HOMs is
enhanced from 15 to 30 days.
(b) Payment of penalties in respect
of Indian nationals for illegal
stay in the host country where
prima facie the worker is not at
fault.
(c) Payment of small fines/penalties
for the release of Indian
nationals in jail/detention
centre.
(d) Providing support to local
Overseas Indian Associations to
establish Overseas Indian
Community Centres in countries
that have populations of
Overseas Indians exceeding
1,00,000.
(e) Providing support to start and
run Overseas Indian
Community-based student
welfare centres in Countries that
have more than 20,000 Indian
students presence.
The Minister also mentioned
that Government has given the voting
rights to NRIs. The Government is also
getting the PIO and OCI Card
Scheme merged into one
Scheme. The conference was
attended by Gulf Cooperation
Council (GCC) countries as well as
Jordan, Yemen, Malaysia, Maldives,
Angola, Thailand, Nigeria, Iraq and
Libya. The conference is organized
by the Minister of Overseas Indian
Affairs every year to discuss the issues
related to protection and welfare of
Overseas Indian workers. There are
approximately 7.5 million semi-skilled
and unskilled overseas Indian
workers in the GCC countries and
Malaysia on temporary employment/
contract visas, predominantly in the
construction, healthcare and
household services sectors. The
Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs
(MOIA) is the nodal Ministry for
protection and welfare of Overseas
Indian workers.
Altamas Kabir sworn-in as
39th Chief Justice of India
Justice Altamas Kabir was
sworn-in as the new chief justice of
India by President Pranab Mukherjee.
He took over the office from Justice
Sarosh Homi Kapadia, who retired
after serving the Supreme Court for
two and a half year. 64 year old
Altamas Kabir will be in the office for
a period of nine months, from 29
September 2012 to 18 July 2013. His
oath ceremony was conducted at the
ceremony held at Ashoka Hall of
Rastrapati Bhawan.
At the swearing ceremony some
of the dignitaries present were Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh, Vice
President Hamid Ansari, working
Chairperson of NDA L.K. Advani, UPA
chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Samajwadi
Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, RJD
leader Lalu Yadav along with several
Union Ministers.
AboutJusticeAltamas
Kabir
Justice Altamas Kabir was
appointed as the Judge of Supreme
Court on 9 September 2005 and is
known for some of the landmark
judgments related to election laws
and human rights. He pursued his MA
in LL.B from University of Calcutta and
started his career as a practitioner in
civil and criminal cases in the year
1973 at District court of Calcutta.
Altamas Kabir was first time
appointed as a permanent judge in
the Calcutta high Court on 6 August
1990 and has served the Chief Justice
of Jharkhand High Court.
Supreme Court of India
The Supreme Court is the
highest court of appeal as
established by Part V, Chapter IV of
the Indian Constitution and Article
124 to 147 states about the
composition of Supreme Court of
India. Supreme Court of India
consists of one Chief Justice and 31
judges. The bench that comprises 2
or 3 judges is termed as a Division
Bench and the one that bench that
consists of five or more judges is
termed to be a Constitutional Bench.
Tenure and qualification of
Judges in Supreme Court
President appoints the judges
of the Supreme Court and the
retirement age of these judges is 65.
For being a judge or chief justice of a
Supreme Court one must fulfill the
following qualifications:
1. He must be an Indian Citizen
2. Should have served the High
Court as its Judge for at least 5
years
3. He should have served the high
court as its advocate for a period
of 10 years
In case their occurs a vacancy
in the CJI office due to any reason,
the president appoints the acting
Chief Justice as the Chief Justice of
India from amongst the judges of the
Supreme Court. The salaries and other
allowances of the Judges in India are
charged from the Consolidated Fund
of India. At present the salary
structure is:
1. Chief Justice of Supreme Court-
Rs 1 Lakh
2. Other Judges of SC: Rs 90,000
Removal of Judges
The Judge can be removed
from India on certain ground that
includes incapacity to hold the office
or proven misbehavior. They can be
removed only after the resolution of
both the houses of Indian Parliament
that is supported by the majority of
two-third of the members voting and
present. The two judges against
whom the proceeding was initiated:
1. V Ramaswami in 1993 was the
first judge against whom the
proceedings were initiated
2. Soumitra Sen in 2011 was the
second judge against whom
these proceedings were
initiated.
Land belonging to SCs or
Tribes cannot be bought by
Non-Dalits
ruled that the land belonging to
scheduled castes or tribes cannot be
bought by non-dalits, including
companies as such transactions are
unconstitutional. A bench of justices
KS Radhakrishnan and Dipak Misra
gave the verdict on an appeal by the
Rajasthan government against the
state High Courts order holding such
a sale to be valid in law. The Rajasthan
High Court had passed its order on
an appeal by a private firm against
the refusal by the state authorities to
recognise or grant mutation to the
purchase of a plot by the company
from a person belonging to
scheduled caste.
Demands of Ex-servicemen
for One Rank One Pension
approved
The Union Cabinet of India,
under the Chairmanship of Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh approved
the long awaited demand for One
Rank One Pension (OROP) and other
benefits of ex-servicemen.
The cabinet also gave a nod for
enhancement of pension for family
and dual family pension. The
approved demand will cost the
government about Rs 2300 crore per
year. The cabinet also approved
family pension grants for mentally or
physically challenged children of
personnel from armed forces.
Issue
The ex-servicemen association
and defence forces demanded
payment of uniform pension to the
defence personnel retiring at same
rank with same length of service
period irrespective of their date of
retirement. The OROP also
demanded passing of future
enhancements to the past
pensioners. The cabinet approved
following things on the issue of one
rank one pension:
To bridge the gap created
between the pension of the
JCO/OR retirees as per the pre
1 January 2006 and post 1
January 2006 after determining
the pensions of the pre 1
January retirees.
The gap will be bridged on the
basis of estimated maximum for
ranks and groups among the
three categories of services
following the case of the post
retirees. The weightage for
qualifying into the service for
Naik, Sepoy and Havaldar ranks
would be increased by two
years in case of both pre and
post retirees.
For the pre- 1 January 2006,
commissioned officer
pensioners the pensions will be
decided after referring to the
minimum of the fitment table for
the ranks in place of the
minimum of the pay band. In
relation to the family pension,
the cabinet in its decision
stated that the pensions of the
pre- 1 January 2006 retirees like
Honorary Commissioned
Officers, Commissioned
Officers, JCOs/Ors will be
decided following the fitment
table instead of the minimum
pay-band.
For establishment of links with
the family in cases, where death
of the JCOs/ORs have occurred
after the retirement than the
dependants of the pensioner
will be entitled for 60 percent
of the determined pension
incases the normal family
pensions can be calculated to
be 30 percent of the last pay
drawn by the pensioner. In
cases, where the pension is
decided on the basis of ranks,
length of service and group of
employment, the normal family
pensions after the death of
JCOs/ORs will be 60 percent of
the determined pension on
notional basis.
Dual family pension
The cabinet also made its stand
clear that in cases, the dual family
pension will be allowed in both
present and future scenario, where
the pensioners drew or is drawing or
will draw the pension for both the
civil employment as well as for the
military service. In cases of the family
pension for mentally/physically
challenged children, the family
pension scheme will continue even
after the marriage for those who are
drawing or drew or may draw the
pensions.
Panel report
The approval of the Union
Cabinet came on the OROP after the
six member committee formed by the
Prime Minister submitted its report.
Ajit Seth was the head of this
committee.
Interest Rates on
rescheduled Crop Loans
reduced
Government reduced interest
rates on rescheduled crop loans from
12 to 7 per cent in drought-affected
areas for this fiscal. It also increased
the number of guaranteed work days
under the MGNREGA to 150 days
from 100 days.Four Indian states
namely Karnataka, Gujarat,
Maharashtra and Rajasthan have
declared drought in more than 390
taluks. During agrarian crisis, crop
loans get converted into term loans
for a longer period of three years but
at a higher interest rate of 12 per cent.
The Empowered Group of Ministers
also approved 846 crore rupees to
Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat and
Haryana under the National Rural
Drinking Water Programme, and
relaxed some norms.
Prohibition of Child
Marriage Act 2006
The Government of India
enacted the Prohibition of Child
Marriage Act (PCMA) 2006, which
will have under its ambit all the States
and Union Territories of India except
the State of Jammu & Kashmir. The
Act also applies to all citizens of India
without and beyond India. Under the
PCMA 2006, every child marriage is
voidable at the option of the
contracting party who was a child at
the time of the marriage, within two
years of the child attaining majority.
PCMA 2006 replaced Child Marriage
Restraint Act (CMRA) of 1929. PCMA
was notified in the Gazette of India
on 11 January, 2007 and has been
enforced 1 November, 2007.
Farmers moved to Supreme
Court Challenging the
Release of Water
Farmers of Karnataka moved to
the Supreme Court on 25 September
2012 challenging the direction given
to the state by the Union Prime
Minister, Manmohan Singh who is the
head of Cauvery River Authority
(CRA) to release 9000 cusecs of
water to Tamil Nadu from September
20- October 15. The reason was
drastically failure of monsoon in the
last year which has affected the
agriculture of Karnataka severely. The
farmers had given a writ petition
mentioning that due to failure of
monsoon to the extent of 40 percent,
drought had severely affected almost
half of the agricultural activities in the
Cauvery basin of Karnataka. The
Petitioner mentioned that the
demand of Tamil Nadu seeking water
from Karnataka was uncalled for
because Farmers in Tamil Nadu is
going to get enough water during the
North-East monsoon beginning in
October and ending in December.
They had also mentioned that the
crops can be grown with the help of
rain received during the North-East
monsoon. As also the storage in
Mettur Dam was 45 tmcft, Tamil Nadu
farmers are not in need of water as it
is going to be sufficient for them till
November.
Media can be restrained
from pressing trials during
proceedings
Supreme Court refused to frame
any guideline for pressing up of the
court proceedings of the sub-judicial
matters, on 11 September 2012. It just
put forward a constitutional provision
for postponement of the
publications of the report or court
hearing if the involved parties want
so. The bench of five judges, headed
by Chief Justice S H Kapadia
declared its stand on the issue. The
bench also said that the decision
about the publication of the
proceedings and its postponement
will be decided by the court on case
to case basis. The other four members
of the bench were justices S S Nijjar,
D K Jain, Ranjana Prakash Desai and J
S Khehar. This bench of Supreme
Court also cleared that use of the
constitutional principle is a
preventive measure not a prohibition
and this will help in ensuring fair trail
and maintain a good balance for
freedom of speech.
Supreme Courts Notice to
Tamil Nadu on 69% quota
in the state
In a petition filed against 69 per
cent quota in educational and
employment institutions of Tamil
Nadu by ten meritorious students,
Supreme Court of India issued a
notice on 10 September 2012 as the
granted quota exceeds the limits
decided by the judgement issued by
Mandal Commission. After hearing
from the senior council Rakesh
Diwedi, the notice was issued by the
bench of Justices K.S. Radhakrishnan
and Dipak Misra seeking clarification
and response from the state for
directing the ways to provide
admission to the petitioners in the
running session of the Medical
Colleges, by increasing the number
of seats as it has been doing for past
sixteen years. The petitioners, Ms.
Gayathri and nine others scored a high
marks that ranges in between 198.50/
200 to 198/200, but they were barred
from being admitted in any of the
medical institutions of the state
because of the 69 percent quota
provision. As per the petitioners, the
Supreme Court directed the
backward class commission in 2010
to measure the justifiability of the 69
percent quota with the objective
criteria report. The body filed a report
to the state government on 8 July
2011, without any objective criteria
just by confirming the 69 percent
reservation on basis of Amba Shankar
Commission Report made in 1985,
without taking any objective criteria
related to the terms of Nagaraja case
that does not permits the power to
exceed the restriction beyond 50
percent reservation.
Karnataka agreed to
release 10,000 cusecs of
water to Tamil Nadu
Karnataka showcased a gesture
of goodwill on 10 September 2012
in front of the Supreme Court of India
and agreed to release 10,000 cusecs
of water to Tamil Nadu from the
Cauvery River, till 20 September
2012. As a response to this act of
Karnataka, the bench of Justices D.K.
Jain and Madan Lokur didnt pass any
verdict for the plea of directing the
state to release 2 tmcft (thousand
million cubic foot of water). Supreme
Court expressed its hope that a fine
and friendly solution will be brought
forward by the Cauvery River
Authority that is headed by the Prime
Minister. The bench also stated that
in case Karnatakas plea is kept
pending than the bench will have to
come forward for making a decision
on the issue.
Cauvery River Water
Dispute
The dispute is related to the
sharing of water of Cauvery River in
between the two states Karnataka
and Tamil Nadu and the place of
origin to this dispute goes back to the
two controversial agreements signed
in 1892 and 1924 between the two
states, and that two at the time when
the two were the parts of the Princely
State of Mysore and erstwhile Madras
Presidency.
Naresh Chandra Committee
Naresh Chandra Committee, a
14-member task force on national
security, submitted its report to the
government. The committee was set
up by the Union government on 21
June 2012 to suggest ways to revamp
of defence management in the
country. Naresh Chandra, a former
bureaucrat, headed the committee
which members included former
military officers, intelligence chiefs,
diplomats and strategic analysts. Air
Chief Marshal (retired) S.
Krishnaswamy, General (retired) VR
Raghavan, the former Department of
Atomic Energy chief Anil Kakodkar,
Admiral (retired) Arun Prakash, the
former R&AW head KC Verma, the
former Union Home Secretary V.K.
Duggal, G Parthasarathy, former
diplomat, and senior journalist Manoj
Joshi were the other members in the
committee. The main objective
behind the constitution of the
committee was to contemporarise
the Kargil Review Committee s
recommendations, which was tabled
in the Parliament on 23 February
2000. Besides, the task force was also
asked to examine the state of
countrys border management and
restructuring system.
Election Commission
prohibited use of animals in
Election Campaigns
The Election commission on 27
September 2012 directed the
Political Parties and candidates not
to use birds and animals in the
campaigns. The commission also
directed that in case the use of animal
is unavoidable then the party or
candidate will have to ensure that no
harm is caused to the animal including
violation of any law as well as cruelty
towards the creature. To justify the
decision the commission pointed
towards Article 51(g) of the Indian
Constitution that states compassion
for all living creature as well as
Prevention of Cruelty of Animals Act,
1960. The commission also pointed
towards the Wildlife Protection Act
1972 that prohibits overloading and
torturing of the animals. The Election
Commission has also sent letters to the
political parties as well as the Chief
Electoral Officers of every state and
union territories. The decision was
made following the representations
received by the election commission
by some organization and individual
stating the cruelty that animals
suffered during the election
campaign of the political parties.
Government to re-fix the
Pay Scale of Army Officers
directed the Union Government of
India to re-fix the pay scale of army
officers affected by the Fourth Pay
Commission. It would now entail a
payout of 1600 crore rupees to the
exchequer.
The Supreme Court also
directed the government to pay
interest at the rate of 6 per cent from
1January 2006, to all the officers,
whether or not they have filed any
petition before any of the High Courts
or Benches of Armed Forces Tribunal.
The bench directed that all pending
petitions before any of the High
Courts or Benches of Armed Forces
Tribunal, by similarly-placed officers,
will be governed by this order. A
three-judge bench of justices- R M
Lodha, T S Thakur and Anil R Dave,
passed the order while dismissing an
application filed by the Centre for
recall and modification of 8 March
2010 order.
National Policy for Children
2012
The Ministry of Women and
Child Development drafted t he
National Policy for Children 2012.
The revised draft policy
reaffirms the governments
commitment towards children and
addresses new challenges, seeking
to realize the full potential of
childrens rights throughout the
country. It defines a child as a
person below eighteen years of age,
and acknowledges the inalienable
and inherent rights of the child and
aims to realize the full range of child
rights for all children in the country.
The draft has stated that every child
has a right to be safeguarded against
hunger, deprivation and malnutrition.
According to the draft policy, the
state is bound to secure the rights and
entitlement of children in difficult
circumstances such as migration,
displacement, disasters and
communal violence. The first National
Policy on Children was formulated in
1974. The first policy of 1974
described children as a supremely
important asset and made the state
responsible for providing equal
opportunities for growth and
development of all children. The
policy primarily focused on health
and education of the children.
DA hiked for Union
Government Employees
The Union government on 24
September 2012, hiked Dearness
Allowance (DA) by 7%, benefiting
its 80 lakh employees and pensioners
and costing the exchequer an
additional Rs7,408 crore annually.
With the dearness allowance the
pension proposals for personnel of
armed forces is also allowed now. The
hike in the DA from 65% to 72% will
cost the exchequer Rs4939 crore for
the remaining part of the current
financial year. The annual burden on
account of the DA increase is
estimated at Rs7408 crore. It is going
to benefit about 50 lakh employees
and 30 lakh pensioners of the central
government. The decision was made
by the government to compensate its
employees and pensioners for
general price rise. The increase in DA
is in accordance with the accepted
formula which is based on the
recommendations of the 6th Central
Pay Commission. The government
had increased DA in March this year
from 58% to 65%, which was
effective from January 1, 2012.The
government periodically hikes the
DA, which is linked to consumer
price index for industrial workers.
Dearness allowance (DA) is
calculated as a percentage of an
Indian persons basic salary and was
introduced to alleviate against the
impact of inflation upon low income
earners. Both pensioners and their
families are granted DA and this
continues following reemployment
with the Central or State Government,
a Government undertaking, an
autonomous body or a local body.
Union cabinet approved
interest subsidy for farmer
loans
The Union Cabinet on 6
September 2012 gave its approval to
continue interest subsidy to Public
Sector Banks (PSBs), Regional Rural
Banks (RRBs), Cooperatives Banks
and NABARD enabling them to
provide short-term crop loans of up
to Rs 3 lakhs to farmers at 7% p.a.
during the year 2012-13. It was also
decided to provide additional
interest subsidy of 3% p.a. to those
farmers who repay loans within one
year of disbursement in the current
fiscal year. The Cabinet allowed the
release of 10901 crore Rupees as
interest subvention for 2012-13.
Interest subsidy is allowed for small
and marginal farmers having Kisan
Credit Cards for loan. The Cabinet
approved the release of 442 crore
rupees as interest subsidy to small
and marginal farmers having Kisan
Credit Cards against negotiable
warehouse receipts, for post-harvest.
Centre has subsidized short-term
crop loans to farmers since 2006-07
to ensure the availability of crop loans
to farmers of upto Rs.3 lakh at 7% p.a.
Banks have been consistently
meeting the target set for agriculture
credit flow in the past years. For the
year 2012-13, the target for
agricultural credit flow has been
raised to Rs 575000 crore from Rs
475000 crore in the year 2011-12.
Environment clearance of
99 Mines in Goa suspended
The environment clearance of
99 Mines of Goa was suspended with
respect to the report presented by
the Justice M B Shah Commission on
12 September 2012. Report claims
that the organizations involved in the
mining work taunted with the forest
laws and environment norms &
guidelines. This report also suggests
the involvement of state directorate
of mines, the union ministry for
environment and forests (MoEF),
Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM), the
state forest department and the Goa
State Pollution Control Board
(GSPCB) in this act of illegal mining.
Jayanti Natarajan, the Minister of State
for Environment and Forests cleared
his stand over the issue that officials,
whose involvement is found in the
case, will be dealt accordingly
following the procedures made by
the law. As per the issued report, the
complete scam worth approx 35,000
rupees. The report also present data
that proves the involvement of Indian
Authorities and the State
Government in supply of unchecked
and unregulated iron ore to China
under their protected scanner to
make more money.
Jal Satyagraha came to an
end
The most outstanding
demonstrations of its own kind in
Khandawa district of Madhya Pradesh
named Jal Satyagraha continued for
17 days at Omkareshwar Dam Project
came to an end on 10 September
2012. Across 1000 acres of
cultivatable land has been
submerged into water with at least
60 odd villages that will not be visible
in the map of India any more. The
Satygrahis demanded land for the
land compensation following the
ruling of Supreme Court. The oustees
in the satyagraha remained standing
in the neck deep water with
demands like lowering down the
level of water stored in the dam to
189 meters and to provide land for
land compensation, ended the battle
on the victory note. A high level
committee has been constituted to
hear the grievances of the dam
effected people. The constituted
committee will comprise of Minister
of State for Narmada Valley
Development K.L. Agrawal, SC-ST
Welfare Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah,
Commerce and Industries Minister
Kailash Vijaywargiya, Principal
Secretary, Narmada Valley
Development Rajneesh Vaish and the
Indore Divisional Commissioner.
JalSatyagraha
Jal Satyagraha is a type of
Satyagraha in which 51 farmers from
Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh
stood in the neck dip water of
Omkareshwar Dam for 17 days
continuously asking for their
rehabilitation. In this unique way of
demonstration by the agitators of
Khandwa region of Madhya Pradesh
against the state government
demanding for their rehabilitation
after their lands and homes were
flooded off by the Omkareshwar Dam
water. The Satyagrahis demanded for
the compensation as per the ruling
of the Supreme Court. The agitators
termed as Jal Satyagrahis made a
decision to stand in neck deep water
of the dam, all wet and damp.
Omkareshwar Dam Project
Omkareshwar Dam Project is a
520 MW project constructed by the
Narmada Hydroelectric
Development Corporation in joint
venture with Madhya Pradesh
Government and NHPC is among the
biggest dam on Narmada River. The
Omkareshwar project area, lies in
between the banks of the two
important rivers of India, Narmada
and Kaveri (its a tributary to
Narmada). It was conceived as an
irrigation and power dam to be built
in the state of Madhya Pradesh in the
year 1965. The project is one of the
fasted completed hydroelectric
projects of the country in between
2004 and 2006. The project has
benefitted about 529 villages with
irrigation facilities and has helped in
raising the yield to .725 million tons
of grains along with .835 million ton
of other crops in the region.
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New Nuclear Safety Agency
launched in Japan
Japan launched a new Nuclear
Safety Agency on 18 September
2012. The formation of this five-
member Nuclear Regulation
Authority was done after the country
was hit by Tsunami in the year 2011
resulting in major breakdown and
leakage of the Nuclear Power Plants
in the tsunami-stricken-area of
Fukushima Dai-Ichi Plant. Headed by
the nuclear Physicist, Shunichi
Tanaka, this agency is responsible for
reviewing of the nuclear policies of
the country. Before the incident,
Japan relied on nuclear power for at
least one-third of its energy
requirements but now its planning
to increase it to a level of 50 percent
of its total energy requirements. The
framed policies framed aims to phase
out the issues related to nuclear
power of the country for next three
decades.
US uplifted terrorist
designation from Nepali
Maoists
The title of terrorists assigned
to Communist Party of Nepal
(Maoists) by United States has been
uplifted on 6 September 2012.
Maoist part was Specially Designated
with the title of Terrorist Entity under
Executive Order 13224. US also
withdrew its status as terrorist
organisation from the Terrorist
Exclusion List (TEL) under the
Immigration and Nationality Act. This
decision came in favor of the party
after six years long wait, since the
time it signed peace treaty to make
its entry to open politics. US declared
its decision on the day, when final
phase of rehabilitation and
integration process of former Maoists
combatants started. The state
International Issues International Issues
International Issues International Issues International Issues
department stated that the party is
no longer involved in the activities
that threaten the security of U.S.
foreign policy and its nationals and
now they are directly involved in
governance of the Nation.
China included Liaoning as
its first Aircraft Carrier
China on 25 September 2012
launched its first aircraft carrier giving
a push to its fast expanding navys
blue-water capability beyond its
territorial waters. The aircraft carrier
is a former Soviet ship with a capacity
of 60000 tonne that is brought from
Ukraine and later renovated in China.
The carrier is capable of
accommodating 33 fixed wing
aircraft. It is named as Liaoning, after
a Chinese province liberated from
Japanese occupation in 1945. The
aircraft carrier came amid high end
dispute between China and Japan on
East China Sea islands, called Senkaku
in Japan and Diaoyu in China. The
aircraft carrier, which is formerly
known as the Soviet ship Varyag,
underwent about seven years of
refitting efforts to install engines,
weapons, as well as a year-long sea
trial. With this advancement China has
become the tenth country in the
world and the last among the five
permanent members of the UN
Security Council to have an aircraft
carrier in active service.
WhatisAircraftcarrier?
An aircraft carrier is a warship
which is a designed with a mission of
positioning and recovering aircraft,
acting as a seagoing airbase. It allows
a naval force to project air power
worldwide without having to depend
on local bases for staging aircraft
operations. It is extremely expensive
to built and important to protect.
Among the ten nations that possess
an aircraft carrier, six have only one.
Twenty-one aircraft carriers are
currently active throughout the world
with the U.S. Navy operating 11.
India topped the chart of
under five deaths in 2011
In the Child Mortality Estimates
Report 2012 publ i shed on 12
September 2012, by United Nations
Childrens Fund (UNICEF), India was
placed at the top position in the chart
of 10 countries that topped on the
chart. The other countries with their
names on the chart are Nigeria, the
Democratic Republic of Congo,
China, Pakistan, Indonesia, Ethiopia,
Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
As per the report, Nigeria, the
Democratic Republic of Congo,
China, Pakistan along with India are
the countries with more than fifty
percent of the total deaths. The
countries with worlds lowest
mortality rate are Singapore, the
Nordic Countries, Japan and some of
the European Countries. But the
good news of the report is the
decrease in the number of the under
five mortality to 6.9 million from that
if the 12 million in 1990. This fall
measures to 51 per thousand in 2011
from that of 87 per thousand in 1990.
The identified cause for the
mortality is:
14 percent due to pre-term birth
complications
18 percent due to Pneumonia
11 percent due to Diarrhea
9 percent due to Intrapartum
related complications
7 percent of the total deaths
happen
The report also cleared that
approx 40 percent of the total deaths
were reported within 28 days
(neonatal period) of birth which
counts to be three million deaths in
total.
Dispute between China and
Japan over the Diayo
Islands
Japan on 11 September 2012,
announced that it has purchased the
three uninhabited islands in the Diayo
Islands from its owner family based
in Tokyo. Amidst, the growing
tensions in relation to the disputed
East China Sea, China issued a warning
to Japan on that it will take care of its
interests by taking necessary steps in
relation to the three islands
purchased by Japan in the Diaoyo
Islands. Two Marine Surveillance
Ships were sent on patrol by China to
the inhabited islands for enforcement
of Chinese control that heightened
the possibilities of confrontation with
Japanese coastguards.
WhatistheDisputeall
about?
Senkaku or Diaoyu Islands are
the uninhabited group of Islands in
the East China Sea controlled by
Japan since 1895. These Islands lie
in between the mainland of China,
West of Okinawa Island, Northeastern
Taiwan and north of the South-
western end of Ryukyu Islands. As per
a study conducted by the experts in
the year 1968, it was discovered that
these islands may have oil reserves.
After Japans surrender in the World
War II, the control of the Islands went
in the hands of USA and controlled
by them from 1945 to 1971. US
returned these islands to Japan after
the Okinawa Reversion Treaty inked
in between US and Japan in 1972.
Whereas after the reversal treaty,
Peoples Republic of China (PRC) and
the Republic of China, Taiwan (ROC)
claims the discovery of the islands
and their control over these from 14th
Century. Amidst the complexity, ROC
and PRC consider these Islands as the
part of Taiwan as part of Yilan
Countries, Toucheng Township.
Japan does not consider Taiwan as a
sovereign state and hence does not
regard the claims of Taiwan over the
group of Islands.
Pakistan test fired cruise
missile, Babur
Pakistan successfully test fired
nucl ear- capabl e Babur crui se
missile on 17 September 2012 with a
range of 700 km (435 miles). It is a
low flying, terrain-hugging missile that
can be used against targets at land
and sea with pin-point accuracy. The
missile was launched from a multi-
tube missile launch vehicle that
extensively enhances the targeting
and deployment options of the
Babur system. The missile is designed
to avoid radar detection and
penetrate enemy air
defenses. Pakistan has already
conducted the tests of a wide range
of nuclear-capable missiles this year.
Serial production of the Babur was
started in October 2005.
The missile was named after the
first Mughal Emperor Zahir ud-Din
Babur is also known by Hatf VII. It is
the first land attack cruise missile to
be developed by Pakistan.
US Diplomat to Libya killed
in Benghazi Attack
United state ambassador to
Libya, Chris Stevens with three other
embassy staff were killed on 9
September 2012 after some
fundamentalist mobs fumed and
protesting over a film mocking
Prophet Mohammed, attacked
Consulate building in Benghazi city
of Libya. The said event happened
on the day which is also marked as
the 11th anniversary of 9/11. The US
ambassador to Libya, Chris Stevens
was the man who had helped Libyan
opposition to overthrow the Gaddafi
regime.
The protest came after 14
minute trailer of the film posted on
You Tube. The film named as
Innocence of Muslims, was directed
and produced by an Israeli-
American real estate developer. It
depicts the Prophet in poor light. In
response to the incident, US
President Barack Obama ordered
increased security for US diplomatic
posts across the world and in his
White House appearance he
declared that the U.S. would work
with the Libyan government to bring
to justice those who killed
Ambassador Chris Stevens. Chris
Stevens is the second U.S.
ambassador who had been killed
during an outstation posting since the
death of Adolph Dubs in 1979 during
his tenure in Afghanistan.
Najeeb A Majeed became the
new Chief Minister of Sri
Lankas, Eastern Province
United Peoples Freedom
Alliances former minister and
provincial councillor Najeeb A
Majeed became the new Chief
Minister of the Eastern Province of Sri
Lanka, on 18 September 2012. The
party won 12 seats with 2 additional
seats from the 37-member province
and was supported by the Sri Lanka
Muslim Congress (SLMC). At national
level, SLMC is a part of UPFA and it
contested the elections separately to
garner share in votes.
Russia formally became a
Member of the WTO
Russia formally became a
member of the World Trade
Organisation(WTO) after 18 years of
negotiations. Russia agreed to reduce
import tariffs on goods, including food
and cars and to relax controls on
overseas companies entering its
financial and telecom sectors. Russia
will be the 156th member of the WTO.
WTO requires that any country that
seeks to benefit from it must apply
the same trade rules to all member
countries. Russia negotiated for
membership for 18 years, beginning
when the WTO was called the
General Agreement on Tariffs and
Trade.
China signed 16 new
Agreements with Sri Lanka
China on 16 September 2012
signed 16 major agreements with Sri
Lanka in Colombo on a range of issues,
from visa exemption and marine
development to economic and
technology cooperation. China also
promised to expand investment and
increase imports from Sri Lanka. China
and Sri Lanka agreed that holders of
diplomatic and service passports of
the other nation will be exempt from
visa requirements.
China-Sri Lanka bilateral trade
volume reached 3.14 billion dollars
in 2011. After the civil war, Sri Lanka
needs to rebuild its infrastructure,
which offers great opportunities for
China, while China also seeks to
increase overseas investment.
Resolution to protect the
Online Human Rights of
Global Citizens
United Nations Human Rights
Council (UNHRC), the Geneva based
human rights wing of UN, adopted a
first ever resolution to protect the
online human rights of global citizens.
The resolution adopted by
consensus, stated that citizens of the
world are as much entitled to the
human rights online as they are offline.
The resolution noted that there can
be no double standard with regard
to peoples right of fundamental
freedom and since internet makes a
major part of present worlds
communication process, all
governments must endeavour to
protect the online rights of its citizens.
The landmark resolution was
sponsored by Sweden and co-
sponsored by over 80 countries, that
includes United States, Brazil, Turkey,
Nigeria, and Tunisia.
Pakistani-origin women
appointed as Norwegian
Cultural Minister
Hadia Tajik, a 29 year old women
of Pakistani origin was appointed as
Norwegian Cultural Minister on 24
September 2012.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jens
Stoltenberg appointed her to this
post during the cabinet reshuffle
activity. She is the youngest minister
and first Muslim in the Norwegian
Political history.
Hadia Tajik
The 29 year old has degrees in
Journalism and Law and has been
Norway Labour Parties career
politician. She had also served to
Minister of Justice, Knut Storberget
between 2008 and 2009 as an
advisor. In the year 2009, she was
elected as an MP from Oslo for
Norwegian Labour Party.
India and China
India and China agreed to boost
defence ties. The agreement was
made during the visit of Chinese
Defense Minister Gen Liang Guanglie
to India and his meet with his Indian
Counterpart AK Antony. Last time the
defence minister of China visited
India in the year 2004. The two
nations have agreed on improving the
friendly, strategic and co-operative
partnership and exchange of young
officers and high level visits. An inter-
collegiate exchange that includes
non-traditional security fields is also
a part of the agreement. During the
joint Naval Practice in Shanghai, the
two nations agreed on increasing the
process of military exchange that
includes maritime operations and
navy. Last joint exercise that took
place between the two nations was
at Kunming in the year 2007 and at
Belgaum in the year 2008. The third
joint exercise scheduled for 2010 was
cancelled because China disagreed
to provide VISA to Lieutenant
General BS Jaiswal of the Northern
Command and since then India
cancelled all collateral ties related to
defence activities with China.
Sixth MekongGanga
Cooperation meeting held in
New Delhi
MekongGanga sixth
Cooperation meeting was held in
New Delhi on 3-4 September
2012.Senior officials meeting was
held on September 3 whereas the
Foreign Ministers meet was held on
September 4 2012. The Mekong-
Ganga Cooperation (MGC) was
established on November 10, 2000
in Vientiane, Lao Peoples Democratic
Republic with a purpose of
cooperation amongst India and the
five Mekong region countries -
Cambodia, Lao Peoples Democratic
Republic, Myanmar, Vietnam and
Thailand. It was basically established
to emphasize on four areas of
cooperation, which are tourism,
culture, education, and
transportation linkage, in order to
build strong foundation for future
trade and investment cooperation
among the region. This is the first time
that the Mekong Ganga Cooperation
meeting was hosted by India. India
had earlier chaired the 5th MGC
Ministerial Meeting on the sidelines
of the ASEAN-India Meetings. Five
Mekong Ganga Cooperation
ministerial meetings has held so far,
In Vientiane, Lao Peoples Democratic
Rebuplic on November 10, 2000; In
Hanoi, Vietnam on July 28, 2001; In
India & the World India & the World
India & the World India & the World India & the World
Phnom Penh, Cambodia June 20,
2003; In Cebu, Philippines on January
12, 2007 and in Manila, Philippines
on August 1, 2007.
India, China discussed
Border security and
Bilateral Defence ties
For expanding defence
cooperation, India and China on
September 4 2012, agreed to resume
joint military exercises that were
postponed since 2010 due the denial
of visa to the then Northern Army
Commander Lt Gen BS Jaswal by
China in 2010, resulting to which New
Delhi had suspended all bilateral
defence exchanges with Beijing.
Chinese Defence Minister General
Liang Guanglie and his delegation,
including high-ranking members of
the defence and military
establishment met Indian Defence
Minister A. K. Antony on 4 September
2012 to discuss measures to help
avoid flares along the border
between the nuclear-armed Asian
giants. Both the two sides reached
on an agreement on a wide range of
issues relating to defence and military.
This is the first visit after eight years
by a Chinese defence minister to
India. The last time a Chinese defence
minister visited India was in 2004. A
growing competition between the
two emerging powers was
highlighted as they are pushing up
for influence and resources across
Asia. Both the two sides went ahead
on a wide range of issues relating to
defence and military.
The result of the meeting
happened so that the both sides
agreed to strengthen border security
cooperation between the troops in
order to maintain peace in the border
areas. The Chinese delegation has
also invited Antony to visit China,
which he accepted and he will be
visiting China next year.
India and Austria
A memorandum of
understanding (MoU) was signed on
1 October 2012 between Indian and
Austria to strengthen the long-term
bilateral cooperation and relationship
on rail and road infrastructure. The
MoU was signed in between C.P.
Joshi- the Minister of Railways and
Road Transport of India and Highways
and the Doris Burse-the Federal
Minister of Transport, Innovation and
Technology of Austria during her visit
to India. The identified areas of
cooperation as declared by C.P. Joshi
are tunnelling technology
enhancement, training and skill up
gradation like locomotive drivers
psychological qualification test, track
monitoring as well as maintenance.
The memorandum also includes
provisions of mechanised track laying,
traction and rolling stock and telecom
and signalling.
As per the provisions of the
MoU, there has been an agreement
on establishing and encouraging
relationship for communication and
cooperation that is effective and
continue for a long term. The
understanding also includes
exchange of information related to
infrastructural development for roads,
their management, administration,
road safety and different areas of
mutual interests that includes
intelligent Transport Systems related
to road transport technologies.
C.P. Joshi also declared that the
Indian Railways foresee safety
enhancement plans, modernization
and massive capacity augmentation
in the coming decade. There are
Austrian companies involved in road
and rail development projects across
India and few of them are Starbag
has been involved in major projects
in Delhi and have in hand a Delhi
Metro Rail Project that worth Euro 83
million.
The company also have a
contract of Euro with its Indian
counterpart Afcons for making of the
Rohtang Pass Tunnel. In making of the
bridge in between Jammu and
Kashmir also an Austrian company is
engaged.
Ministry of Railways, India and
Federal Ministry for Transport
Innovation & Technology of Republic
of Austria signed a MoU in relation to
Technologies Specific Cooperation
in Railways related projects in
October 2011.
IndiaandAustriatiedup
fordevelopmentofSmart
CitiesinIndia
India and Austria on 2 October
2012 tied up to develop smart cities
that would include fine planning of
the city including the transport
system and services of internet. The
decision came up after the meeting
of Union Minister for Urban
Development Kamal Nath with
Austrian Federal Minister for
Transport, Innovation & Technology
Doris Bures. The plans of developing
the new cities will be implemented
under the second phase of
Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban
Renewal Mission (JNNURM II). As per
the plans initially two model smart
cities will be developed in every state
of the country that will include the
mid-sized cities with a minimum
population of half a million to one
million.
EveryStatetohavetwo
smart-cities
Austrian Institute of Technology
will assist the country in planning and
development of the smart cities that
will include things that it needs to
cover, broadband facilities to its
maintenance to carbon levels. As per
the plans of the Central Government
under JNNURM II every state will have
two model towns initially.
70citieswithoveramillion
populationgrapharein
plan
Plans are on the paper to
convert at least 70 cities with million
plus population in India into smart
cities. Austria that has been into
different types of trade-relations for
a long time with India will be offering
the potential technical support.
Organizationsinvolved
inprojectimplementation
Austrian Institute of Technology
and the National Institute of Urban
Affairs that is a research, information
and training wing under the Urban
Development Ministry, would be the
partners in the project.
India and Belgium
India on 1 August 2012 signed
an agreement with Belgium for the
modernisation of the Indian Railways
and make some of the major railway
stations in the country of global
standard. Under the agreement the
two countries would share design
and current practices in railway
infrastructure and deputation of
experts in areas of mutual interest.
The countries will also explore the
new avenues of co-operation in the
Railway sector.
Belgian state run companies
such as Euro Station and Euro
Immostar have vast experience in
developing stations. The companies
have extensive expertise in
transforming historical railway stations
into the modern international
terminals. Numerous Belgium or
Belgium-based companies are
already operating in India and have
been involved in activities such as
fastening and coating of rails to
delivery of parts for train construction
and software for safety and network
management.
India and Nepal
Indian Embassy in Kathmandu
and Nepalese authorities signed an
MoU on 19 September 2012 for
granting the amount to Shri Mahendra
Higher Secondary School in Achham
district under Indian-Nepal
Economic Cooperation Programme.
The proposed building will provide
better educational opportunity to
over 1300 students, about half of
whom are girls. Besides, India has
gifted two ambulances to health care
facilities in the district.
FirstIndia-CELACTroika
ForeignMinistersMeeting
The first meeting of the India-
CELAC Troika Foreign Ministers was
held on 7 August 2012 in New Delhi.
The Indian delegation was led by the
External Affairs Minister of India, Shri
S.M Krishna, whilst the CELAC Troika
was led by the Minister of Foreign
Affairs of Chile Mr. Alfredo Moreno
Charme, the pro-tempore President
of CELAC. Apart from both the
nations, the Foreign Minister of
Venezuela Mr. Nicolas Maduro and
the Vice Foreign Minister of Cuba, Mr.
Rogelio Sierra participated in the
meeting as members of the Troika.
Objectiveofthemeet
To discuss the regional and
multilateral issues of mutual
interest, to strengthen the
multifaceted bilateral
cooperation between India and
CELAC.
To co ordinate responses to
regional issues and address
international challenges
including the UN reform, the
international financial crisis,
climate change and
international terrorism.
To enhance the exchange of
visits at all levels including at the
Summit level leading towards a
Strategic Partnership between
India and CELAC.
To expand relations between
India and countries in the Latin
America and the Caribbean
region and make it possible for
them to work together bearing
in mind each sides respective
development priorities based
on the common shared values
of democracy, freedom,
equality and justice.
CollectiveDiscussions
The two nations expressed
satisfaction over the growth of
commercial, economic and
investment relations between
India and CELAC, that has
crossed US$ 25 billion in 2012.
The nations agreed to set up an
Energy Forum to discuss energy
security issues.
Both the countries agreed to
work towards providing value
addition in the exchange of
commodities through direct
trading and by setting up of
manufacturing units.
Both sides agreed to work
towards providing for food
security for their people
Both the countries agreed to
initiate various projects related
to tele-education, e-
governance and tele-medicine
that would cover the entire Latin
America and Caribbean region.
The Foreign Ministers of India
and the CELAC Troika ended the First
Meeting of the India-CELAC Troika
Foreign Ministerial Dialogue at a good
note after the commencement of
CELAC in December 2011. The pro-
Tempore President and Troika
Foreign Ministers of CELAC will
present this Joint Statement in next
meeting of the Foreign Ministers of
the Community that will be held in
September 2012 in New York.
India Malaysia
India is going to expand bilateral
trade with Malaysia to $15 billion by
2013 from $13 billion in 2011-12 as
per the discussion in India- Malaysia
CEO Forum. It was informed by Union
Minister of Commerce, Industry and
Textiles, Anand Shrama that Indias
bilateral trade with Malaysia stood at
nearly $13 billion in 2011-12
registering a growth of 34% over the
previous year. In his visit to Malaysia
in July 2010 and February 2011
Anand Sharma analysed that it was
required an investment from
Khazanah Nasional Berhad
(Government of Malaysias strategic
investment fund) into Indian
infrastructure sector through a
collaborative venture with IDFC.
The Union minister, Anand
Sharma has identified priority sectors
of engagement including Roads &
highways, Railways, Airports, IT
&ITES, Biotechnology, Tourism,
Health Services and JV projects in
third countries. Subsequently, the
two countries have entered into a
Comprehensive Economic
Cooperation Agreement which was
signed in February 2011. The signing
of this Agreement has provided
considerable momentum to trade and
investment on both sides.
India and Tajikistan
India and Tajikistan signed six
agreements in the field of sports,
health, culture, education, labour,
textiles and energy. India and the
central Asian country of Tajikistan
agreed to advance their ties to a
strategic partnership in order to
impart greater strength to the
relationship through all-round co-
operation and engagement. The
President of the Republic of
Tajikistan, Mr. Emomali Rahmon, was
on a State Visit to India from 1 to 4
September 2012 at the invitation of
the President of the Republic of
India. This was the fifth visit to India
by President Mr. Emomali Rahmon.
The visiting dignitary also attended a
business meeting organized jointly by
ASSOCHAM, CII and FICCI. Both
the countries identified information
technology, bio-technology, mining,
tourism, pharmaceuticals among
other sectors as high potential area.
After the agreements it was decided
that India will increase training slots
for Tajikistan from 100 to 150 under
India Technology and Eco Training
Programme.
India & Palestine
Indian Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh announced a
support of $10 Million to Palestine
during a meet with Palestines
National Authority President
Mahmoud Abbas on 11 September
2012. Palestinian president was here
in Indian on a three day visit from 10
to 12 September 2012. Mr. Singh also
promised his Palestinian counterpart
about Indias backing for their full and
equal membership of the U.N. the
one that is threatened by US for
veto. During the meet, both the
sides inked three different
agreements comprising information
and communication technology,
education and vocational training.
The agreements were inked in
presence of the Indian external
Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna and the
member of executive committee of
Palestinian Liberation Organization
(PLO) Dr. Saeb M.S. Erakat. A MoU
(Memorandum of Understanding)
has been signed up to set up two
schools at two districts of Palestine
namely Abu Dees and Asera Al
Shamalyeh, which will be named on
the name of Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru,
Indias first Prime Minister. Cost
estimated for the construction of the
two schools is US$ 1.8 million and will
help about eight hundred students
of these districts to fetch quality
education. The schools at Abu Dees
and Asera Al Shamalyeh will be
constructed in an area of 1700 and
1900 square meter with 10 and 12
classes respectively. In the second
agreement, India will set a state-of-
the-art information and
communication technology center in
Palestine to create IT experts and
generate opportunities of
employment.
To make the center of Palestine
self reliable, some of the IT
professionals from Palestine will be
trained here in India to a higher
level. As per the third agreement,
India will participate in providing
vocational training to the women and
youth of Palestine. The training will
include technical and machinery
know-how to. Prime Minister Mr.
Singh stated that he supported the
Palestinian cause to achieve
independent, sovereign and united
state of Palestine and East Jerusalem
as a capital to the state.
US, India and Afghanistan
held its First Trilateral
Discussion
US, India and Afghanistan held
its first ever trilateral meeting on 25
September 2012. The major point of
discussion was on the situation in
Afghanistan along with the issue of
terrorism. The discussion marks the
strengthening of Afghanistan relation
with India and US who are totally
behind the vision of a secure,
peaceful, democratic and
prosperous Afghanistan living in
peace, security, friendship and
cooperation with its region and the
wider world.
The meeting was held at the
Afghan Mission in New York and was
attended by Joint Secretary (Pakistan/
Afghanistan/Iran) Y K Sinha and Joint
Secretary (America) Jawed Ashraf
from the Indian side, Afghan Deputy
Foreign Minister Jawed Ludin, US
Special Representative for
Afghanistan and Pakistan
Ambassador Marc Grossman and
Assistant Secretary for South and
Central Asian Affairs Robert
Blake. The discussions also mark the
beginning of a series of consultations
among the three governments, who
share common interests across South
and Central Asia and who have
pledged to work together on
common challenges and
opportunities including combating
terrorism and violent extremism,
reviewing cultural exchanges and
increasing regional trade, investment
and economic integration.
India & Egypt
India and Egypt on 18
September 2012 signed a
Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) in New Delhi to establish an
institutional framework for their
ongoing cooperation in the field of
election management and
administration. The MOU was
signed by the Chief Election
Commissioner of India, V.S. Sampath
and the Secretary General of the
Supreme Presidential Election
Committee of Egypt, Justice Hatem
Bagato. The major aims of
Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) are:
(a) Promotion of exchanges of
knowledge and experience in
the field of organizational and
technical development, with a
view to strengthening the
administration of electoral
processes.
(b) Exchange of information,
material, expertise and
technical knowhow relating to
electoral processes and
systems; training of personnel
and development of human
resources.
(c) Organizational development
and capacity building. MoU
was made so that it can
facilitate sharing of best
practices, skills and experiences
between the two institutions for
mutual benefit.
MoU is an extremely suitable
mechanism for strengthening and
carrying forward mutual
collaboration in electoral
management and administration.
Election Commission of India has so
far signed thirteen MOUs with
Election Management Bodies and
international organizations across the
world. India and Egypt are already
collaborating in the areas of
Electronic Voting, Voters Education
and Election Tracking Technology.
India and Mozambique
India and Mozambique signed
an agreement on Bilateral Security
Cooperation on 14 July 2012. The
Minister of State for Home Affairs,
India Shri Mullappally Ramachandran
signed the Agreement with Jose
Mandra, Minister of Interior, Govt of
Mozambique at Maputo,
Mozambique. The objective of the
agreement was to discuss
cooperation and both the countries
decided to develop the relationship
further in various fields for mutual
benefit. Amongst the key highlights
of the meet was that, Mullappally
Ramachandran was on a three day
visit to Mozambique. There is an
estimation of almost twenty five
thousand people of Indian origin
living in Mozambique for generations.
The relations between both the
countries have remained warm and
friendly. India was amongst the first
countries to extend recognition to
Mozambique after the later achieved
independence in the year 1975.
India and Mozambique have mutually
rendered and benefited in the fields
of industry, trade, mineral resources
and culture.
India and Burundi
President of the Republic of
Burundi visited India from 17 to 19
September 2012. During this visit,
India and Burundi signed three
agreements-(i) Exchange
Programme for Cooperation in the
field of Education, (ii) Memorandum
of Understanding on Cooperation in
the field of Rural Development and
(iii) Memorandum of Understanding
on Cooperation in the field of Health
and Medicine. Besides, India also
announced a Line of Credit of 42.38
million US dollars for Farm
Mechanisation and Integrated Food
Processing Complex in Burundi.
India and Burundi issued a joint
statement on that occasion. The major
highlights of the joint statement are
as following:
India and Burundi agreed to
further enhance the bilateral
cooperation in view of the
considerable untapped
potential.
Burundi thanked India for
approval of a concessional line
of credit of 80 million US dollars
for the Kabu 16 Hydro-electric
project.
Both nations agreed to continue
strengthening cooperation in
the areas of economy, trade and
investment, finance, human
resource development, culture,
etc. while striving to expand
cooperation into other potential
areas such as agriculture, food
processing, ICT, science &
technology, health, mining etc.
Burundi conveyed its support
for Indias candidature for
Permanent Membership in an
expanded United Nations
Security Council.
India, Myanmar and
Thailand decided to
implement Trilateral
Connectivity Project by
2016
India, Myanmar and Thailand on
10 September 2012 reviewed the
eagerly awaited trilateral connectivity
project and decided to make all
efforts to implement this by 2016.
This was done at the meeting of the
India-Myanmar-Thailand Joint Task
Force, which met in New Delhi.
It was also agreed during the
meeting that steps be initiated to
address issues related to
harmonisation of customs and
immigration procedures at border
check-posts to enable seamless
movement of goods and people to
realise the full potential of the
trilateral highway.
India and Pakistan
External Affairs of India, SM
Krishna visited Pakistan from 7 to 9
September 2012 to review progress
in the Dialogue process. During his
visit, India and Pakistan issued a joint
statement. The highlights of the
statement are as following
Cross-LoC travel would be
expanded on both sides of LoC
to include visits for tourism and
religious pilgrimage.
Tourist and Pilgrimage sites will
be designated on both sides of
the LoC and information will be
available with the designated
authorities.
Both sides will extend necessary
assistance to valid entry permit
holders to cross the LoC in
emergency situation on
crossing as well as non-crossing
days. This will be facilitated by
designated authorities.
Improvement of roads and
bridges for Cross-LoC trade will
be facilitated.
Transportation links on
operational crossing points will
be upgraded.
Both sides agreed to facilitate
the exchange of business
delegations.
Besides, List of 21 products of
permissible items for Cross-LoC
trade will be respected by both
sides. It was agreed that the
JWG (Joint Working Group) on
Cross-LoC CBMs will meet on a
bi-annual basis to review
existing arrangements and
suggest additional CBMs and
measures for Cross-LoC travel
and trade.
India and Pakistan reviewed the
status of bilateral relations and
expressed satisfaction on the
holding of meetings on the
issues of Counter-Terrorism
(including progress on Mumbai
trial) and Narcotics Control;
Humantarian issues; Commercial
& Economic cooperation;
Wullar Barrage / Tulbul
Navigation Project; Sir Creek;
Siachen; Peace & Security
including CBMs; Jammu &
Kashmir; and promotion of
Friendly Exchanges.
Both nations held substantive
discussions on the whole range
of issues within the framework
of the Dialogue process and
expressed satisfaction over the
progress achieved since their
last review meeting in July 2011.
India and Pakistan reaffirmed
the importance of carrying
forward the dialogue process
with a view to resolving
peacefully all outstanding issues
through constructive and result
oriented engagement, and to
establish friendly, cooperative
and good neighborly relations
between Pakistan and India.
The nations agreed that
terrorism poses a continuing
threat to peace and security.
They reaffirmed the strong
commitment of the two
countries to fight terrorism in an
effective and comprehensive
manner so as to eliminate the
scourge in all its forms and
manifestations.
Both nations attached
importance to promoting Peace
and Security, including
Confidence Building Measures,
between the two countries and
agreed to convene separate
meetings of the Expert Groups
on Nuclear and Conventional
CBMs, in New Delhi in the
second half of December 2012.
The nations held discussions on
the issue of Jammu and Kashmir
and agreed to the need for
continued discussions, in a
purposeful and forward-looking
manner, with a view to finding a
peaceful solution.
The Ministers reviewed the
existing Cross-LoC CBMs and
acknowledged that the
ceasefire was holding since
2003. They also reviewed the
implementation of the decisions
taken regarding travel and trade
across the Line of Control (LoC)
in their last meeting in July 2011.
The Islamabad Womens
Chamber of Commerce and
Industry and the PHDCCI
signed MoU
The Islamabad Womens
Chamber of Commerce and Industry
and the PHDCCI on 12 September
2012 signed an MoU. The objective
of the MoU is to develop policies in
trade, investment and tourism
between Pakistan and India and
expand the existing business base
and increase understanding. The
two chambers agreed to establish
and develop commercial links
between the business communities
of both countries and their members.
According to the MoU, both trade
bodies will endeavour to improve
cooperation, assist trade missions,
exchange information and find
methods for promoting trade. The
two chambers will also organise
seminars, exhibitions, trade fairs and
other promotional activities. Both
industry chambers have agreed on a
work plan, which will cover
information-sharing, networking,
exploring opportunities, problem
solving and reaching international
markets. The IWCCI is the first
womens chamber from Pakistan that
has signed a MoU with a foreign
chamber.
India & Turkmenistan
India has assured Turkmenistan
of all cooperation in Information and
Communication technology (ICT) for
the mutual benefit of both the
countries. It was decided in the
inaugural session of TurkmenTEL TurkmenTEL TurkmenTEL TurkmenTEL TurkmenTEL
2012 2012 2012 2012 2012 at the Turkmenistan capital
Ashgabat on 17 September 2012 by
the Minister for Communications & IT
and HRD, Kapil Sibal. Recalling the
historical ties between India and
Turkmenistan, it was emphasized that
the need for regional cooperation to
uplift the social and economic status
of the people in the region is
uttermost important. Kapil Sibal
shared the success story of Indian
Telecom Sector and gave an
overview of the spectrum of policy
initiatives in Indias National Telecom
Policy 2012.
India could extend cooperation
to Turkmenistan in the fields of e-
health, e-education and e-
governance services. Turkmenistan
can be connected to Indian
Universities through National
Knowledge Network and students
sitting in Turkmenistan can directly
be part of academic sessions in
various disciplines in India.
Turkmenistan Minister and his
delegation was invited to participate
in India Telecom 2012 in Delhi, from
13 to 15 December 2012, as the event
could be an excellent platform for
further strengthening mutual
cooperation and for promoting ICT
and its eco system in the region.
India and Saudi Arabia
The Joint Committee on
defence cooperation from Saudi
Arabia and India met for creation of
defence ties. Decisions for this
establishment of joint committees
was decided during the visit of Indian
defence minister A.K. Antony to
Saudi Arabia and his meet with the
Crown Prince and defence minister
of Saudi Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al
Saud in February 2012. The 11
member team from Saudi Arabia was
headed by the Chief of the Armed
Forces Operations of Saudi Arabia
Maj Gen Suleiman Saleh Al-Khalifa.
The Indian side was headed by the
Joint Secretary, Ministry of Defence.
Both the sides met for formulation of
the program that can enhance the
areas of cooperation between the
defence establishments of two
nations.
This upswing in the relationship
between India and Saudi Arabia has
been in existence ever since the visit
of King Abdullah to New Delhi in the
year 2006. The two nations inked
several agreements on certain factors
like narcotics, energy, money
laundering, counterterrorism and
extradition in the 2010.
India & Niue
Minister of State for External
Affairs of India E Ahamed and Prime
Minister of Niue H. E. Toke Talagi
signed a Joint Communiqu on the
establishment of Diplomatic Relations
between India and Niue, at Cook
Islands, on 30 August 2012. Niue is a
Pacific island country, which is a
member of regional bodies such as
the Pacific Island Forum and the
Pacific Community and also of
UNESCO, WTO and FAO. It is an
island of 1400 inhabitants, which is
also known as the worlds first Wi-Fi
nation, in which free wireless
Internet access is provided
throughout the country. Niue is also
known as the Rock of Polynesia, and
is situated 2400 km northeast of New
Zealand in a triangle between Tonga
to the southwest, the Samoas to the
northwest and the Cook Islands to the
southeast. Since 2002, India has
intensified its cooperative relations
with all countries in pacific island
region.
FDI in multi-brand retail
and Aviation passed
The Union Cabinet cleared the
proposal of foreign direct investment
(FDI) for 51 percent in the multi-
brand retail chains and 49 percent in
Aviation power exchanges industry.
Passing of the proposal have
cleared the floor for welcoming the
multi-brand retail chains like Wall mart
and Tesco and Carrefour in the
country for setting up of their shops
and retail outlets. Similarly, the 49
percent of FDI allowed in aviation and
Power exchanges will bring in funds
for the domestic carriers on a verge
of death and will help in
enhancement of power availability
and distribution management,
respectively.
Conditions put forward for Conditions put forward for Conditions put forward for Conditions put forward for Conditions put forward for
investors in the proposal for the investors in the proposal for the investors in the proposal for the investors in the proposal for the investors in the proposal for the
multi-brand retails multi-brand retails multi-brand retails multi-brand retails multi-brand retails
1. The proposal makes a clear
stand that investors looking
ahead for investments will have
to take the permission in form
of approvals from the Foreign
Investment Promotion Board
2. Investment of minimum $100
million is a must for any foreign
investor planning to invest in
India, out of which 50% of the
investment should be made in
creation of back-end
infrastructure. Back-end
investment means investments
that is made in quality control,
warehouse creation, cold
storage, design improvement,
manufacturing, processing and
packaging
3. The investors will have to get
30% of the production of their
total products by the small-scale
industries
4. The proposal also clears that the
agricultural produce like pulses,
flowers, fruits, vegetables,
poultry item, fishery, meat and
others can be unbranded
5. Investors can invest in the 51
cities with a minimum
population of 10 lakh people as
per the census presented in the
year 2011
For making investment in For making investment in For making investment in For making investment in For making investment in
the aviation sector, the the aviation sector, the the aviation sector, the the aviation sector, the the aviation sector, the
proposals have proposals have proposals have proposals have proposals have
1. This will help in making equity
invasion for the aviation
companies seeking financial
support at the time when
maximum of the domestic
airlines are passing through a
phase of losses.
2. Investors who are not functional
in airline business can own
equity of 49 percent directly or
indirectly in the Indian Aviation
Companies.
FDI in Power Exchanges FDI in Power Exchanges FDI in Power Exchanges FDI in Power Exchanges FDI in Power Exchanges
will be guided via will be guided via will be guided via will be guided via will be guided via
1. 49 percent of FDI in power
trading exchanges will be taken
care of as per the regulation laid
Economy Economy
Economy Economy Economy
down by SEBI and Central
Electricity Regulatory
Commission (Power Market)
Regulations) 2010
2. The commerce minister stated
that Foreign Institutional
Investors cannot exceed a limit
of 26 percent investment and
the paid-up capital will be
restricted to 23 percent
3. FII can be permitted under
automatic routes whereas; the
FDI will be scrutinized under
the route approved by the
government
4. The generation of electricity,
power transmission and
distribution along with trading
will be done in accordance to
the provisions of the Electricity
Act 2003
5. The current policy allows FDI
up to 100 percent in power
sector (atomic energy is an
exception)
What does it mean for What does it mean for What does it mean for What does it mean for What does it mean for
different economic sections of different economic sections of different economic sections of different economic sections of different economic sections of
I ndi a I ndi a I ndi a I ndi a I ndi a
1. Economy: Economy: Economy: Economy: Economy: Help in reversal of
the economic slowdown,
attract the investment of billions
of dollars from foreign market
and spin jobs to a greater extent
2. Ki rana Stores: Ki rana Stores: Ki rana Stores: Ki rana Stores: Ki rana Stores: Will lower
down the selling price, because
they will purchase the supplies
from deep down retailers
3. Retailers: Retailers: Retailers: Retailers: Retailers: Can sell their equity
up to 51% to the global leaders
4. Farmers: Farmers: Farmers: Farmers: Farmers: They can sell their
produce directly at higher
prices and the presence of
middle man will end
5. States: States: States: States: States: Decision to allow the
retail giants or prohibit lies in the
hands of states
6. Common Man: Common Man: Common Man: Common Man: Common Man: A chance to
gain big discount with many
options to shop
7. UPA government: UPA government: UPA government: UPA government: UPA government: Got a
chance to wash away the
blames of policy paralysis
Union Government Cleared
Increase of FDI in Insurance
The Union Government on 4
October 2012 approved the
Companies Bill, 2011 and Pension
Fund Regulatory and Development
Authority (PFRDA) Bill, moving with
its proposal to hike the foreign
investment in the insurance sector to
49 percent from the present 26
percent with also opening up the
pension sector for FDI. The decision
was taken by Union Cabinet headed
by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
The benefit of this amendment will
go to the private sector insurance
companies which require huge
amount of capital and that capital will
be facilitated with increase in FDI to
49 per cent. With this, the state-run
insurance companies will remain in
the public sector. The government
also gave green signal to foreign
investment in pension funds and said
the FDI limit could go up 49 per cent
in line with cap in the insurance
sector. Also with opening up the
pension sector, PFRDA bill gives
statutory powers to the interim
regulator, constituted through an
executive order in 2003. However, it
is not easy for the union government
to pass this legislation in the
parliament because the
Opposition Bhartiya Janta Party
(BJP) opposed the hike in FDI limit
in insurance and insisted for the bill
to be brought again in Parliament
Standing Committee.
Foreign Investment cap
hiked to 74 percent for
Broadcasting Services
The Government of India on 20
September 2012 hiked the foreign
investment cap for the broadcasting
service providers to 74 percent. The
registered hike in foreign investment
cap is for service providers of Direct
to Home (DTH), modernized cable
network and mobile television. This
move of the government will allow
the global players in acquiring major
stakes in the broadcasting
companies. Before his decision was
passed, the eligibility of DTH and
multi-system cable operators to make
foreign investment was limited to 49
percent only. In its decision last
week, the Cabinet Committee on
Economic Affairs cleared its stand on
the companies of broadcast content
that the TV news Channels and FM
radio channels can have a foreign
investment cap of 26 percent. This
decision was made to make sure that
majority of control remains back in the
hands of Indian Partner.
Trial to make Maharaja
Express affordable for
domestic tourists
In a hunt to pull the interests of
domestic tourists by making Maharaja
Express affordable, IRCTC (Indian
Railway Catering and Tourism
Corporation) announced a cut in the
journey along with discounted offers
for twin travellers. Indian Railway
Catering and Tourism Corporation
have declared four trips in the festive
season for the runnining financial year.
The IRCTC had shortened the
distance of travel and duration of two
trips along with a discounted offer of
50 percent discount to the second
companion.
The trips of eight days and
seven nights have been shortened to
be of four days and three nights. The
two trips scheduled for the year
includes the one during Dussehra
and the other during Diwali,
commencing on 20 October 2012
and 27 October 2012. The trip
named to be Indian Panorma will
move on the route mentioned Delhi-
Jaipur-Ranthamobore-Agra-Gwalior-
Or chha- Khaj ur aho- Var anasi -
Lucknow-Delhi). The offered
package includes meals along with
sight-seeing, 24-hour valet service,
paramedics on-board and entrance
fees to the sights. Beer, liquor and
house wines will be served as
complementary.
The other route of travel will
cover Delhi-Agra-Ranthambore-
Jaipur-Bikaner-Jodhpur-Udaipur-
Balasinor-Mumbai and is named to
be and Indian Splendour. The
package with deluxe cabin start at a
$ 5560 per person and the one
travelling with a companion will be
charged $8340 instead of $11120.
Packages with shortened distances
and duration are named as Gems of
India and Treasures of India and will
commence from Delhi and travel
through Agra, Ranthambore and
Jaipur and terminate back at Delhi
and have been priced at $ 3850 for
one in deluxe cabin and with the
discounted offer of 50 percent it will
cost $7160 for two persons.
EGoM cut down the loan
interest rate to 7 percent in
the drought affected areas
The EGoM (Empowered Group
of Ministers) declared to slash down
the interest rate from 10 to 12 percent
to 7 percent in the entire 350 drought
hit Talukas of the four states namely,
Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and
Karnataka. They also came up with a
declaration of providing additional 50
days of work guarantee to that of 100
days under MGNREGS (Mahatma
Gandhi National Rural Employment
Guarantee Scheme) to the registered
households. The decision will be
applicable for a period of one year
from the day of announcement. The
decisions made in the meet, are
subject to be practiced in the
drought affected areas only. There is
a total of 8 percent deficiency in the
monsoon to that of the 20 percent
recorded in the first four months of
the season. The EGoM is headed by
Food Minister K V Thomas, Agriculture
Minister Sharad Pawar, Home Minister
Sushil kumar Shinde and Urban
Development Minister Kamal Nath. In
the current financial year government
has provided Rs 33,000 crore budget
for MGNREGS to make sure that
everyone gets a justifiable
employment opportunity of 100
days. EGoM during its last meet in
June 2012, declared a relief budget
of 2000 crore for the drought hit areas
along with the subsidy on diesel.
GAAR Report submitted by
the Shome Committee
The GAAR report was
submitted to the finance minister of
India by the Shome Committee
constituted by the Central Board of
Direct Taxes, after the approval of
Prime Minister of India. The
committee in its report has tried to
create a balance in between the
investors being invited to the country
and protection of the tax base from
tax avoidance and evasion, using
aggressive tax planning.
The major findings of the
GAARs committee to create a
balance in between the investors and
chances of tax avoidance and evasion
includes:
1. Tax Evasion, Tax Mitigation and
Tax Avoidance
2. Overcharging Principle
Applicability of GAAR
3. Monetary Threshold
4. Arms Length Test
5. Test to Misuse or Abuse the
Provisions of Act
6. Factors for determination of
Commercial Substance
7. Grandfathering of existing
Investments
8. GAAR will not override the
CBDT circular 789 of 2000 with
respect to the tax-treaty in
between India and Mauritius
9. GAAR will not be applicable at
places where so ever anti-
avoidance provisions are in
existence in the treaty of tax
and any type of anti-avoidance
rule exists in the Act
10. Impermissible Avoidance
arrangements
11. Tax abolition in cases of gains
that rises out by the transfer of
listed securities
12. Foreign Institutional Investors
13. Corresponding adjustments
14. Implementation of the Onus on
the revenue authority
15. Tax Withholding
16. Definition of the term
Connected Person
17. Constitution of approval panel
18. Time limit for GAAR provisions
19. AAR to pass ruling within 6
months
20. Prescription of Statutory forms
21. Implementation issue
22. Reporting requirements
The committee in its findings
has stated that the GAAR guidelines
should be introduced in the country
at the time of economic stability.
Hence, it has recommended the
postponement of its implementation
by 3 years. Committees recommen-
dation also states about the
implementation of the findings with
complete spirit and has laid emphasis
on transition period of the taxpayers
and preparedness of the
administrators. To provide clarity on
GAARs applicability provisions in
different situations 27 illustrations
were made and are mentioned under
different conditions like:
1. Tax Mitigation- GAAR cant be
invoked
2. Tax Avoidance- SAAR is
applicable hence GAAR is not
invoked
3. Court Approved
Amalgamations or demergers
4. Tax Avoidance- GAAR invoked
5. Tax Evasion can directly be
dealt of law without invoking
the GAAR
Following the Finance Act
2012, the introduction of the General
Anti-Avoidance Rules (GAAR) was
done into the Income Tax Act, 1961.
The committee briefly analysed the
provisions of GAAR as per the inputs
available from stakeholders and
following the recommendations
made the amendments in the Act
were made for finalization of the
guidelines for the Income Tax Rules,
1962.
Shomes Committee
The expert committee on
GAAR (General Anti-Avoidance
Rules) was constituted under the
Chairmanship of Dr. Parthasarsthi
Shome with members, namely Shri N.
Rangachary (Former Chairman of
IRDA and CBDT), Dr. Ajay Shah (Prof.
NIPFP) and Shri Sunil Gupta (Joint
Secretary-Tax Policy and Legislation,
Department of Revenue) for
undertaking the consultations of
stakeholders and finalization of
guidelines for GAAR. The main
objective of the committee was to get
feedbacks from the stakeholders and
prepare new guidelines or to amend
the previous guidelines after
examining the things finely.The
committee was constituted by the
Central Board of Direct Taxes after
being approved by the Prime Minister
of India.
The committee formed The committee formed The committee formed The committee formed The committee formed
referred to following terms: referred to following terms: referred to following terms: referred to following terms: referred to following terms:
To receive feedback from both
public and stakeholders on the
Guideline of GAAR mentioned
on the website of Government
of India.
To rework on the guidelines
following the feedback
received and examining the
same and then publish the same
in form of second draft
To find out and finalise,
guidelines along with an road-
map for implementation of
GAAR and submit it to the
government
Analysis of the GAAR
provisions
The provisions for the GAAR are
mention in Chapter X-A (Section 95
to 102) of the Act. Presented
provisions allow the authority of tax,
despite of containing anything in the
Act with clear declaration on the
arrangements made for assesses
(estimated value, nature or extent of
amount of the fine) that has entered
into the impermissible avoidance
arrangement to face the
consequences with regard to the tax
liability determined by the
arrangement.
Indian external debts are
within manageable limits
The Department of Economic
Affairs (DEA) published its annual
publication- Indias external debt: a
status report 2011-12. As per the
published report, Indias external
debt in the end of March 2012 was
$345.8 billion, which is 13% high than
the previous years debt or $ 39.9
billion from where India stood at the
end of March 2011. The publication
points out about the upward
movement of the stress that is put on
the current account deficit (CAD) of
the nation because of the risks thrown
on it, from the external sectors that
comprises Fall in the reserve cover
for imports and external debt,
depreciation in the exchange rate of
rupee, rise in the level of external
debts and the increased share of the
short term commercial borrowing in
the complete external debt
quantum. The finance ministry
cleared on 10 September 2012 that
there can be a rise in the global
economic risks that may rise with a
weakened recovery and a slow
growth scopes that may lead into high
debts and seek growth finances even
in the advanced economies. This
clearance was based on Indian
Vulnerability Index indicators, which
has been experiencing the euro zone
debt crisis and the global slowdown.
A detailed analysis of Indias
position in external debt at the end
of March, 2012 has been presented
in the status report. It is also based on
the data released by the Reserve Bank
of India on 29 June 2012. The report
not only presents the analysis of
external debts trend and
composition on the country but it also
presents a comparative picture of this
debt in reference to other developing
nations of the world with respect to
the fluid global economic situations.
The best part of the report produced
is that instead of all the facts
presented and developments Indias
debt is within manageable limits and
can be indicated by the debt service
ratio to 6 percent and external debt-
to-GDP ratio of 20 percent in 2011-
2012. Thus India continues to be
within the less vulnerable countries
when it comes to external debt
indicators compared to that of the
indebted countries. The Global
Development Finance, 2012 from
World Bank, India stood at the fifth
position for absolute debt stocks
when compared with the 20 other
developing debtor countries. But
when taken care of the ration of
external debt to that of the gross
national income, India was at the fifth
position from the lowest side.
Indian Sovereign Rating is
Stable-Moody
The rating agency, Moodys
Investors Services on 26 September
2012 in its Outlook for India
expected stability due to the newly
announced reforms (FDI & hike in
petrol rates). It believed that these
reforms will help India in pairing up
of the fiscal deficits. Indian sovereign
credit rating outlook was kept by the
agency at Baa3 for the medium
term. Sovereign Risk Group at
Moodys, vice-president, Atsi Sheth
said that the nations target may
exceed the fiscal deficit due to the
reforms being practiced. He also
predicted that the gross fiscal deficit
of India can overshoot the estimated
target of 5.1 percent of the GDP
proposed for the fiscal year 2012-13
that will end in March. Whereas, the
outlook to India by the rating
agencies Fitch and Standard & Poors
was negative, where the two
agencies showed concerns towards
the pace of reforms going on in India
along with the economic downfall.
Service Tax on high-end
class travel, freight and
auxiliary service rail fares
The new Railway Minister C.P.
Joshi and the Finance Minister P.
Chidambaram in their meeting held
on 26 September 2012 came up with
the decision to regulate service taxes
on high-end passenger classes like
AC along with freight and auxiliary
services provided by the railways. The
taxation will be in effect from 1
October 2012. Implementation of the
taxes will help the exchequer in
generating estimated revenue of Rs
3100 Crore annually.
Percentage increase in the Percentage increase in the Percentage increase in the Percentage increase in the Percentage increase in the
fair chart for different segments fair chart for different segments fair chart for different segments fair chart for different segments fair chart for different segments
is as follows: is as follows: is as follows: is as follows: is as follows:
First Class - 7 percent
Air-conditioned - 3.708
percent
Freight charges - 3.708 per cent
Auxiliary services at stations
12.36 percent
The fair for high-end passengers
have been increased by 30
percent
Busy route surcharge during
busy season of maximum 10 percent
varying from commodity to
commodity on freight will also come
on effect from 1 October 2012. This
step will help in winning an additional
sum of Rs 826 crore in upcoming six
months for the railways.
Shimla Municipal
Corporation introduced
Green Tax
Shimla Municipal Corporation
introduced Green Tax on Shimla
entry of vehicles not registered in
Himachal Pradesh. The Corporation
Commissioner M.P. Sood stated that
the vehicles crossing the entry points
of the town will have to pay the
imposed tax. The tax will be imposed
on automobiles on both commercial
and non-commercial category. By
imposing the tax, the corporation will
increase its revenue by Rs 6 crore per
year. The taxes will be charged on
the four entry points of the city
namely, Totu, Tara Devi, Dhalli and
Mahali.
Tax imposed as per the
category of vehicles:
1. Two wheelers- Rs 100 per entry
2. Car- Rs 200 per entry
3. Utility Vehicles- Rs300 per entry
4. Bus/truck- Rs 500 per entry
CVC instructed CBI to
expand the scope of
investigation on Coalgate
The Central Vigilance
Commission on 24 September 2012
instructed the Central Bureau of
Investigation to expand its
investigation scope on Coal Block
Allocation to private firms in between
1993 to 2004. The decision was made
after CVC received a letter from the
Coal Minister, Shriprakash Jaiswal
seeking a probe from CBI on
allocations made, since 1993.
Widening of the scope of
investigation will bring into scanner
the allocation done to private
companies during the reign of P.V.
Narasimha Rao led congress
government after 1993, including
United Front Government from 1996
to 1998 and BJP-led NDA
government from 1996 to 1998.
Report of Comptroller and Auditor
General of India (CAG) - Vinod Rai
on coal block allocations tabled in the
parliament states-
1. Due to arbitrary allotment of the
coal blocks the Indian
exchequer suffered a loss of Rs
1.86 lakh crore equivalents to $
37 billion
2. Up to 31 March 2011 total 194
coal blocks were allotted to
different private and
government parties with an
aggregate quantity of 44,440
million tonnes of coal
3. The beneficiary of these
allotments as per CAG report
were 25 major companies of
India including Essar Power,
Jindal Steel and Power,
Hindalco and Tata Power
4. To bring out transparency in the
process, the CAG suggested
competitive bidding as a better
solution
Finance Ministry demanded
the Bank details of Coal
Mining Firms
In wake of the raging Coal Gate
Scam, the Finance Ministry on 18
September 2012 asked for
information related to bank loans of
the mining companies. The ministry
also asked details of companies not
directly engaged in mining but
collaterally engaged to coal blocks
allocated from the public sector
banks. The ministry also demanded
details related to sanctioned and out-
standing fund and non-funds of the
companies along with their status of
asset classification. The move of the
ministry is a result of irregularities
found in allocation of the coal-blocks
to the 58 power and iron and steel
companies, whose bank guarantees
have been invoked by the Ministry of
Coal followed by the
recommendation made by the inter-
ministerial group on coal or the de-
allocation of the coal-blocks that is
under process. The need for all these
details by the finance ministry is in
the wake of the report submitted by
the CAG (Comptroller and Auditor
General) of India related to non-
transparent allocation of coal blocks,
which lead to an estimated
exchequer loss of Rs 1.86 lakh crore.
RBIs data related to
sectoral deployment of
credit states
1. Bank exposure to power sector
is Rs 344980 Crore
2. Bank exposure to iron and steel
is Rs 36320 Crore
3. Bank exposure to cement and
cement products is 36320 Crore
4. Bank exposure to mining and
quarrying is Rs 36600 Crore
Power producers in India
consume almost 70 percent of the
total production of coal in the
country.
Government cleared Rs 808
crore FDI proposal by
Cloverdell
Mauritius based, Cloverdell
Investments Ltd. got a clearance for
their foreign direct investment
proposal of investing Rs 808 crore on
6 September. The Mauritius based
companys case was taken into
consideration by the Foreign
Investment Promotion Board (FIPB)
in the meeting conducted on 27 July
2012, but the approval came after
getting clarifications on certain
issues. Clearance for making the
investment in form of FDI to
Cloverdell raised the total number of
cleared FDI application to 11 with
an expected investment of Rs
2,067.98 crore. Cloverdells
investment will be directed to
introduce the foreign equity directly
into the operating Non Banking
Finance Company (NBFC) like the
companies engaged in commodity
broking, stock broking, housing
finance and depository participant
service.
Chidambaram pitched for
Prime Minister led National
Investment Board
Finance Minister P.
Chidambaram on 15 September 2012
pitched for institutionalization of a
National Investment Board under the
leadership of Prime Minister. The
formation of the board will help in
speeding the approval of the
proposals, for the mega projects and
their implementation. Formation of
the board will help the country in
achieving the targeted growth for the
twelfth five year of 8.2 percent.
At the meeting of the full
planning commission under the
chairmanship of Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh, the finance
minister expressed his concern on the
delayed implementation of the mega
projects and stressed on the fact that
the decision made by the National
Investment Board (NIB) to be taken
as the final decision. Chidambaram
also insisted interference by any other
authority on the approvals and
decisions made by the NIB will be
entertained. He also added to his
statement that NIBs role will be
limited to the projects with
investments of Rs 1000 crore or more.
NBFC-MFI norms modified
All registered non-banking
financial companies (NBFCs)
intending to convert themselves into
non-banking financial company-
micro finance institutions (NBFC-
MFIs) must seek registration with
immediate effect, and, in any case,
not later than October 31, the
Reserve Bank of India said in a
notification on Friday. The NBFCs
have to maintain net-owned funds
(NOF) at Rs..3 crore by March 31,
2013, and at Rs.5 crore by March 31,
2014, failing which they must ensure
that lending to the micro finance
sector, that is, individuals, SHGs or
JLGs, which qualify for loans from
MFIs, would be restricted to 10 per
cent of the total assets, the RBI said
in a notification. The RBI made some
modifications in the directions issued
on December 2, 2011, to NBFC-MFIs.
In order to provide encouragement
to NBFCs operating in the north-
eastern region, the minimum NOF is
to be maintained at Rs.1 crore by
March 31, 2012, and at Rs.2 crore by
March 31, 2014.
However, all new companies
desiring NBFC-MFI registration will
need a minimum NOF of Rs.5 crore
except those in the north-eastern
region Rs.2 crore.
To allow operational flexibility,
the RBI has asked these NBFCs to
ensure that the average interest rate
on loans during a financial year does
not exceed the average borrowing
cost during that financial year plus the
margin, within the prescribed cap.
Moreover, while the rate of interest
on individual loans may exceed 26
per cent, the maximum variance
permitted for individual loans
between the minimum and the
maximum interest rate cannot
exceed 4 per cent.
The average interest paid on
borrowings and charged by the MFI
are to be calculated on the average
monthly balances of outstanding
borrowings and the loan portfolio,
respectively.
It has also been decided that
the cap on margins as defined by the
Malegam Committee may not exceed
10 per cent for large MFIs (loans
portfolios exceeding Rs.100 crore)
and 12 per cent for others. This
measure will ensure that in a low cost
environment, the ultimate borrower
will benefit, while in a rising interest
rate environment, the lending NBFC-
MFIs will have sufficient leeway to
operate on viable lines. The figures
may be certified annually by statutory
auditors and also disclosed in the
balance Sheet, the RBI said in the
notification.
CCEA approved 1.90 crore
lakh package on debt
restructuring for the SEBs
The Cabinet Committee on
Economic Affairs (CCEA) on 24
September 2012 approved a 1.90
lakh crore package on debt
restructuring for the state-electricity
boards. The taken step will allow the
state- distribution companies
(DISCOMS) to facilitate their
turnaround. The committee met
under the leadership of Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh and gave
its nod to the package forcing the red
marked distribution companies to
start the fresh round of tariff increase.
The note of the cabinet states that all
this has been done to maintain a
balance in between the average cost
of supply to that of the average of the
revenue released. To avail the
package the discoms and the state
government will have to keep revising
the tariffs on a regular basis.
RBI for open policy on
pricing of liabilities
The Reserve Bank of India
(RBI), on Tuesday, asked banks to
have a board-approved transparent
policy on pricing of liabilities and
they should also ensure that variation
between retail and bulk in
interest rates on single term deposits
of Rs.15 lakh and above and other
term deposits is minimal. Banks are
offering significantly different rates
on deposits with very little difference
in maturities. This suggests
inadequate liquidity management
system and inadequate pricing
methodologies, the RBI said in a
notification.
There are wide variations in
banks retail and bulk deposits rates,
making it unfair to retail depositors,
the RBI had said in its last annual
policy statement. The Reserve Bank
of India had permitted banks, in
1998, to offer, at their discretion,
differential rates of interest on single
term deposits of Rs.15 lakh and
above, subject to the condition that
the schedule of interest rates payable
on deposits, including deposits on
which differential interest was paid,
was disclosed in advance and not
subject to negotiation between the
depositor and the bank. Earlier, the
RBI had also stipulated that banks
should not discriminate in the matter
of interest rate paid on deposits,
except in respect of fixed deposit
schemes specifically meant for
resident Indian senior citizens and
single term deposits of Rs.15 lakh and
above.
IRCTC introduced Interbank
Mobile Payment System
The Indian Railway Catering and
Tourism Corporation Limited
introduced the Interbank Mobile
Payment System (IMPS) for making
the payment of the bookings via
mobile phones. On use of IMPS
system, the user will be charged with
Rs 5 for transactions of up to Rs 5000
and Rs 10 for transactions more than
that.
The facility of booking via IMPS
will be available to those with their
phone number registered in the
respective bank accounts as the M-
Pin and the MMID (Mobile money
identifier) will be required for
furnishing the details required. This
facility will ensure smooth and
functioning of the booking criteria via
SMSs.
Modified allotment system
The Securities and Exchange
Board of India (SEBI), in a move to
increase the participation of retail
investors, modified the share
allotment system, irrespective of his
application size. It ensures every retail
applicant gets allotted a minimum
bid lot, subject to availability of
shares in aggregate. The system will
satisfy more number of smaller
applicants in the oversubscribed
issues. The minimum application size
for all investors is also being increased
to Rs.10,000 -15,000, as against the
existing Rs.5,000-7,000.
To encourage professionals and
technically qualified entrepreneurs
who are unable to meet the requisite
20 per cent contribution by
themselves as promoters they will be
allowed to meet the same with the
contribution of SEBI-registered
Alternative Investment Funds such as
SME Funds, Infrastructure Funds, PE
funds and VCFs, subject to a cap of
10 per cent. SEBI also said that it
would permit additional routes,
including rights and bonus issue, to
facilitate companies to reach
minimum public shareholding
requirements. To allow more
flexibility to the issuers, changes up
to 20 per cent in the amount
proposed to be raised as given in the
objects of the issue at the red-herring
prospectus (RHP) stage, as against
the existing 10 per cent, will not
necessitate re-filing with SEBI. To
facilitate qualified institutional
placements (QIPs) even in a falling
market, issuers will be allowed to
offer a maximum discount of 5 per
cent to the price calculated as per
the SEBI regulations.
NSE became the Worlds
Largest Bourse in Equity
Segment
As per the latest global ranking
compiled and published by the
World Federation of Exchanges
(WFE) in August 2012, the National
Stock Exchange of India (NSE)
become the worlds largest bourse
in terms of the number of trades in
equity segment for the first six months
of 2012. A total of 735474 trades took
place in the equity segment of NSE
in the January-June period of 2012,
making it the worlds largest
exchange on this parameter. NSE
was followed by NYSE Euronext and
Nasdaq OMX at the second and the
third positions.
Industry experts attributed the
recent position of NSE acquired by
the bourse to growing investor base,
use of latest technology and new
products. NSEs platform is
connected to two lakh trading
terminals in more than 2000 towns
and cities across the country. NSE is
the second largest exchange globally
after Korea Exchange for index
options. Eurex was the third largest
exchange worldwide in terms of total
number of index options traded
during the first six months of 2012.
BSE recorded a total of 187824
trades during this period in its equity
segment. The total number of listed
companies is much larger in case of
the BSE, the exchange however lags
behind NSE significantly in terms of
volume and value of trades. The latest
data published by WFE indicated that
investors from tier-three cities
contributed more than 45 per cent
of total cash market retail turnover in
the financial year 2011- 12. The tier-
three cities account for more than half
of the total retail investor base on NSE
platform.
CRR slashed to inject Rs
17000 crore
Reserve Bank of India on 18
September 2012 injected a liquidity
of around Rs 17000 crore by slashing
down t he Cash Reserve Ratio
(CRR) by 25 basis points to 4.50
percent from 4.75 percent. The
indicative policy rates were remained
at its original level. The repo rate,
state-term policy rate and reverse
repo rate remained unchanged with
8 and 7 percent respectively. The RBI
stated following its mid-term review
of the monetary policy that with
increased risks of growth and
inflation. In the situation, where there
is a persistent inflammatory pressure
of fiscal and current deficits
constraints, there exists a need of a
stronger policy targeting growth risks.
The monetary policies are of great use
in reviving the growth rate as per the
expectations of the market.
The Cash Reserve Ratio
(CRR) will come into effect from 22
September 2012. So far in 2012, RBI
has slashed the CRR by 150 basis
points. Cash Reserve Ratio, basically
is a portion of deposits that the banks
are supposed to keep with the
central bank (RBI), these deposits
doesnt earn any interest the
depositing bank. Repo Rate is a rate
at which the central bank offer funds
to the borrowing banks, whereas the
reverse repo rate is the rate of parking
the funds available by the banks with
the central bank.
The Wholesale Price Index
(WPI) have been moving around 7.5
percent across the financial year,
without much changes and so is the
condition of Consumer Price Index
(CPI) that has been rotating around
10 percent in spite of price hike in
food items.
Wholesale Price Index (WPI)
means the price fixed as a
representative for a wholesale grain.
In India, WPI is used for monitoring
inflation. Consumer Price Index (CPI)
is a statistical estimate that helps in
measurement of price change of
services and consumer goods
purchased by the households.
Dhanush Successfully Test
Fired
India on 5 October 2012
successfully test fired nuclear
capable Dhanush Missile, the naval
version of short-range ballistic missile,
Prithvi from a warship off Odisha
coast. Dhanush, The indigenously
developed naval version of the Prithvi
short-range ballistic missile has a
strike range of up to 350 km and can
carry 500 kg of conventional or
nuclear warhead. The test was
conducted by the strategic force
command (SFC) of the Indian Navy.
The trial was a complete success.
Dhanush missile is a single stage
missile and was developed by the
DRDO and is about 8.53 metre in
length and 0.9 metre in diameter
which uses liquid propellant. The
Dhanush missile is going to be used
as an anti-ship weapon as well as for
destroying land targets depending
on the range.
How much better is organic
food?
Patient after patient asked is
eating organic food, which costs
more, really better for me? Unsure,
Stanford University doctors dug
through reams of research to find out
and concluded theres little
evidence that going organic is much
healthier, citing only a few differences
involving pesticides and antibiotics.
Eating organic fruits and
vegetables can lower exposure to
pesticides, including for children but
the amount measured from
conventionally grown produce was
within safety limits, the researchers
reported Monday. Nor did the
organic foods prove more nutritious.
There are many reasons why
someone might choose organic foods
over conventional foods, from
environmental concerns to taste
preferences, Bravata stressed. But
when it comes to individual health,
there isnt much difference.
Specialists long have said that organic
or not, the chances of bacterial
contamination of food are the same,
and Mondays analysis agreed. But
when bacteria did lurk in chicken or
pork, germs in the non-organic meats
had a 33 percent higher risk of being
resistant to multiple antibiotics, the
researchers reported Monday in the
journal Annals of Internal Medicine.
That finding comes amid debate over
feeding animals antibiotics, not
because theyre sick but to fatten
them up. Farmers say its necessary
Science and Technology Science and Technology
Science and Technology Science and Technology Science and Technology
to meet demand for cheap meat.
Public health advocates say its one
contributor to the nations growing
problem with increasingly hard-to-
treat germs. Caroline Smith DeWaal,
food safety director at the Center for
Science in the Public Interest,
counted 24 outbreaks linked to
multidrug-resistant germs in food
between 2000 and 2010. The
government has begun steps to curb
the nonmedical use of antibiotics on
the farm.
Evidence of waist-deep
flowing stream on the
Planet
Scientists announced that the
Mars Curiosity Rover has discovered
stream bed gravel, which hints
towards the presence of waist-deep
water on the surface of Mars in the
past. The co-investigator of Curiosity
Science, William Dietrich from
University of California, Berkeley
stated that for the first time water
transported gravel was seen on Mars.
Rebecca Williams a scientist at
Curiosity Rover stated that the shape
of these gravels proves that they have
been transported by some means but
its size proves that it cant be
transported by the wind or some
other medium of erosion.
The findings of the scientists
following the proofs provided by the
cameras of the curiosity rover indicate
that once upon a time the dry planet
Mars was once wet with the presence
of water that followed their for
millions or thousands of years.
Scientists at NASA concluded that
rovers central goal was to identify a
potentially habitable site on Mars and
till now it succeeded in achieving it.
Some proofs related to presence of
flowing water near by the landing site
of rover, the Gale Crater were
determined by the presence of
pebbles and gravels in the area.
Bordeaux mixture to
control coconut infestations
Farmers can make their own
mixture and use it as and when
required for controlling infestation in
coconut. Given below are some
simple steps for making the mixture.
Dissolve one kg of powdered copper
sulphate in 50 litres of water in a mud
pot or plastic bucket. Dissolve one
kg of lime in 50 litres of water (lime
solution). Pour the copper sulphate
solution into the lime solution slowly
and slowly stir. To detect presence
of more copper dip a new steel knife
into this solution.
Brown coat
If a brownish coat appears on
the knife then add more lime
solution. Keep repeating the
procedure till the brown coat no
longer forms on the knife. Presence
of free copper is injurious to plants,
hence to test for the excess copper
if any, After preparing the solution it
is advisable for farmers to use it
immediately as it loses its efficacy
with lapse of time. However, if mixture
is to be preserved for the next days
add 50 to 100 g sugar or jaggery into
the 100 litre solution. Drenching of
diseased coconut palms with one per
cent borax solution thrice a year is
effective in reducing the intensity of
Thanjavur wilt disease. Drench the
pits with one per cent bordeaux
mixture before planting coconut
seedlings. Bordeaux paste consists of
the same ingredients as those of
bordeaux mixture but it is in the form
of a paste. It is generally made by
dissolving 100 gms of copper
sulphate and 100 gms of quick lime
each in 500 ml of water separately.
Remove infested tissue
Removal of affected tissues on
the coconut stem with a chisel and
smearing with warm coal tar or
bordeaux paste over the chiselled
portion controls stem bleeding. If the
disease is detected when the central
shoot withers, application of 10 per
cent bordeaux paste after thorough
cleaning and removal of infected
plant parts can reduce further spread.
The treated portion has to be
covered with a plastic sheet to
prevent washing of the paste during
rains. Spraying one per cent mixture
twice a year reduces leaf rot
infestation. Spray must be in fine mist
form otherwise it will coalesce and
trickle down without sticking
properly on the nut surface.
Signal to Tectonic
disintegration
The simultaneous earthquakes
seen in past few years in the Indian
Ocean may be a cause of breaking
up of the Tectonic Plate for the
formation of a new plate boundary
within the earth surface. Keith Koper,
from University of Utah Seismograph
Station, states that the earthquakes
with magnitude-8 in two hour in April
2012 created at least four faults within
the earths Indo Australian plate. The
geological stress that split the Indo-
Australian plates were caused due to
the massive quakes with magnitude-
8.6 and 8.2 within 2 hours on 11 April
2012 and its after effects were felt in
form of small and big shocks for
continuous six days. These earth
quakes are being considered as the
latest step towards the formation of
the new boundary plates. Its
suspected by the seismologists that
the process of disintegration of the
Indo-Australian plates has been in
process since 1980s. As per Matthias
Delescluse, a geophysicist at the
Ecole Normale Superieure in Paris the
earthquakes witnessed on 11 April
2012 was one of its kinds and was
the most spectacular example of the
change process.
He considers it to be one of the
clearest examples of the formation of
plate boundaries. The available
theories that speak about plate-
tectonics hints that the internal
deformation of the Indo-Australian
plate started at least 10 million years
ago.
The theories elaborate that the
northward movement of the plates
nearby India that was crunched
against the Eurasian Plate thrusted
Himalayas above by slowing down
India. The science fraternity suspects
that the Australian portion, which was
forged before by the twisting
tensions is responsible for the split
being caused in the plates in the
Indian Ocean.
As per the findings of
Delescluse and his team, they inferred
the presence of seismic stress zones
using modeling changes of stress
shortly before the earthquakes
happened in the year 2012. Their
findings signal that the 2012
earthquakes were triggered during
the earthquakes of the year 2004 with
magnitude-9.1 that caused the
tsunami in Indian Ocean and the one
felt in the year 2005.
Brain does not allow math,
memory to mix
There is a limit to multi-tasking
after all. The brain is not wired to
allow you to balance your
chequebook while introspecting, say
researchers who have practically
wire-tapped a hard-to-reach region
of the brain. The research showed
that groups of nerve cells in a
structure called the posterior medial
cortex, or PMC, are strongly activated
during a recall task such as trying to
remember whether you had coffee
yesterday. However, these groups of
nerve cells are also just as strongly
suppressed when youre engaged in
solving a math problem. The PMC,
situated roughly where the brains
two hemispheres meet, is of great
interest to neuroscientists because of
its central role in introspective
activities, the journal Proceedings of
the National Academy of
Sciences reports. This brain region
is famously well-connected with
many other regions that are important
for higher cognitive functions, said
Josef Parvizi, associate professor of
neurology and neurological sciences
at the Stanford University Medical
Centre.
Parvizi and his Stanford
colleagues found a way to directly
and sensitively record the output
from this ordinarily anatomically
inaccessible site in human subjects.
By doing so, they learned that
particular clusters of nerve cells in the
PMC that are most active when you
are recalling details of your own past
are strongly suppressed when you
are performing mathematical
calculations.
Indias first multi-lateral
Social Science research
collaboration
India has managed to enter into
its first multi-lateral Social Science
research collaboration with four
European Nations by the approval of
projects for networking and social
science research cooperation in
between the researchers of these
nations. The French Agence
Nationale de la Recherche (ANR),
the Deutsche Forschungsge-
meinschaft (DFG, German Research
Foundation), the UK Economic and
Social Research Council (ESRC) and
the Netherlands Organisation for
Scientific Research (NWO) are the
four bodies with which India has
been successful in created tie-
ups. The social scientists will get
national funds for creating
collaborations with European
Partners via a scheme. This is help in
eradication of bureaucratic
restrictions and obstacles. Its
expected to economise and
rationalize the efforts of Europe
towards production of high impact
and quality research on social science
that can address to the challenges
forwarded by the global arena in
terms of growth, economy,
development, climate change, well
being and health. As per the scheme
the proposal can be made on any
hemisphere of social science that can
be of a help in understanding the
social and individual behavior of a
person and influence the policies
beyond the boundaries. The
targeted six proposals that have been
awarded with the funds after being
mapped in the month of May 2011,
will deal in the aspects of wellbeing,
ageing, bullying, mapping the cultural
authority of science, globally
accessible medicine, climate
governance and pupil-safety.
Indian Navy Successfully
Test Fired BrahMos Missile
The Indian Navy on 7 October
2012 successfully test-fired the 290-
km range BrahMos supersonic cruise
missile which is capable of carrying a
conventional warhead of 300 kg,
from a warship off the Goa coast.
The cruise missile was test-fired
from guided missile frigate INS Teg
the Indian Navys latest induction from
Russia off the coast of Goa. The INS
Teg, which has been built at the
Yantar shipyard in Russia, had fired
the missile successfully during pre-
induction trials in Russiain 2011.
About Brahmos Missile About Brahmos Missile About Brahmos Missile About Brahmos Missile About Brahmos Missile
BrahMos is a stealth supersonic
cruise missile that can be launched
from submarines, ships, aircraft or
land. It is a joint venture between
Republic of Indias Defence
Research and Development
Organisation (DRDO) and Russian
Federations NPO Mashinostroeyenia
who have together formed BrahMos
Aerospace Private Limited. It is the
worlds fastest cruise missile in
operation.
The missile travels at speeds of
Mach 2.8 to 3.0. and have the
capability of attacking surface targets
by flying as low as 10 metres in
altitude.
Judicious feeding to
increase milk production
Dairy farming has provided
income and employment generating
opportunities to millions of rural
families.
Large scale implementation of
scientific programmes helped in
improving the productivity of milch
animals with the available feed
resources in an environmentally
sustainable manner.
Better milk yield Better milk yield Better milk yield Better milk yield Better milk yield
To obtain a good level of milk
production from a milch animal,
feeding of balanced ration is must.
Many farmers in North India in order
to enhance milk production and
calving of their dairy livestock are
feeding their homemade unscientific
self made formulations made of
cotton seed, wheat daliya and oil
cakes, and wheat bran / rice polish. It
lacks both macro and micro nutrients
and not only affects milk yield but also
reproductive efficiency. For better
production and maximising profit
potential, animals should be fed
concentrate mixture made from 20-
25 parts of oilcakes, 25-35 parts
millets /cereals and 10-25 parts cereal
by products such as brans/ polish,
and 5-20 parts dal chuni.
This should be fortified with 2
per cent mineral mixture and one per
cent common salt. To economise the
cost of milk production feed the
animal 10 per cent fodder along with
green grass and concentrate mixture.
One kg concentrate mixture should
be fed to heifers/cows during 2-3
months before calving and also feed
one kg additional mixture animals in
milking. Feed additional energy rich
concentrate mixture up to 35 per
cent during winter and 35 per cent
protein rich during summers. The
quality and quantity of water is very
important for maximising production
of milk because milk constitutes
about 83-87 per cent of water.
Some hints Some hints Some hints Some hints Some hints
Other salient points that should
be kept in mind are: Do not change
the feeding / watering regimen /
management plan abruptly. Quality
and optimal quantity of water to dairy
animals is necessary to ensure
efficiency of production. Always
maintain regular feeding schedule of
animals.
Commissioning of the
Kundakulam Plant can be
stopped
The Supreme Court directed to
the center that if the safety measures
are not found satisfactory than
it would not hesitate from stopping
the commissioning of the
Kudankulam project in spite of the
huge investments made on its
installation. The bench of Justices K.
S. Radhakrishnan and Deepak Misra
stated that safety of the people
residing around the plant is a serious
concern and in case any of the safety
measures have not been followed
during the execution of the plant.
Earlier the central Government
formed a special task force that
recommended 17 measures in
relation to the safety concerns of the
power plant but they have not been
taken care of nor fully implemented.
The installation of the plant also
suffered several changes ever since
1989, when the environment
clearance was offered to the plant.
Concerns and Issues
The petition submitted by G
Sundarrajan declares that the
environment clearances made during
the 1989 Environment Impact
Assessment was not done because
the site for installation was not
decided by then. Government even
failed to conduct the public hearing,
which is a mandatory thing to be done
under law. The critical changes done
in the plant are as follows:
1. The previous plan was to store
the spent fuel in Russia, but now
it will be stored within the plant
2. The water for being used in the
nuclear plant was to be taken
from the local dam, but now the
decisions have been made to
take the fuel from the sea
3. Then the Ministry of
Environment and Forests stated
that the sea temperature will
suffer a change of 5 degrees but
now it has been raised to 7
degrees
Affidavit submitted by The
NPCIL
The Nuclear Power Corporation
of India Ltd submitted an affidavit to
the Madras High Court on 18 August
2012 and 22 August 2012 in relation
to the safety measures followed by
the plant and its abilities to withstand
the natural events like earthquake,
cyclones and all. The same affidavit
was submitted to the Supreme Court
on 26 September 2012. The
provided affidavit states:
1. The plant has been designed to
be safe at times with the
washing away of the safety units
which may be caused due to
floods, Fukushima incident of
washing away has been cited
for an example.
2. The nuclear plant is a generation
3+ power plant and is designed
taking care of the ultra-modern
safety measures like auto-
prevention against the general
causes of failure of the safety
system and is reliable and
complies to the standards of
redundancy available at
present
3. The power plant can survive
against the natural events such
as tsunami, earthquakes of high
reactor scale, shock waves, fire,
cyclones and others. The main
building of the plant is also safe
against the air-craft impact.
Security arrangements against
the terrorists attack and
sabotages have also been
implemented.
4. The structural design can
prevent the release of the
radioactive material in the
public even in cases of physical
attacks
5. The affidavit also cleared that
the 17 recommendations of the
AERB (Atomic Energy
Regulatory Board) will be taken
care at times to come. This
affidavit also made clear that 7
out of 17 recommendations
were compiled but the power
plant was safe even without the
use of the 17 recommendations
made by AERB.
E-cigarettes can damage
your lungs
Electronic cigarettes used by
smokers trying to quit the lethal habit
of smoking can actually cause lung
damage, a new study has claimed.
Scientists warn that the devices can
trigger changes to the lungs, despite
the fact that they are being marketed
as a potentially safer alternative to
normal cigarettes.
The study also added new
evidence to the debate over the
safety of alternative nicotine-delivery
products. Electronic cigarettes are
devices that deliver nicotine through
a vapour, rather than smoke. There is
no combustion involved but the
nicotine in the device is still derived
from tobacco.
Debat e Debat e Debat e Debat e Debat e
There has been much debate
over the safety and efficiency of the
products, but little scientific
evidence to support either claim.
Researchers from the University of
Athens in Greece aimed to
investigate the short-term effects of
using e-cigarettes on different
people, including people without any
known health problems and smokers
with and without existing lung
conditions. The study included 8
people who had never smoked and
24 smokers, 11 with normal lung
function and 13 people with either
chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD) or asthma. Each
person used an electronic cigarette
for 10 minutes. The researchers then
measured their airway resistance
using a number of tests, including a
spirometry test.
The results The results The results The results The results
The results showed that for all
people, the e-cigarette caused an
immediate increase in airway
resistance, lasting for 10 minutes. In
healthy subjects (never smokers)
there was a statistically significant
increase in airway resistance from a
mean average of 182 to 206 per cent.
In smokers with normal spirometry
(measuring of breath) there was a
statistically significant increase from
a mean average of 176 to 220 per
cent. In COPD and asthma patients
the use of one e-cigarette seemed to
have no immediate effect to airway
resistance. We do not yet know
whether unapproved nicotine
delivery products, such as e-
cigarettes, are safer than normal
cigarettes, despite marketing claims
that they are less harmful. This
research helps us to understand how
these products could be potentially
harmful, Professor Christina Gratziou,
one of the authors and Chair of the
ERS Tobacco Control Committee,
said. We found an immediate rise in
airway resistance in our group of
participants, which suggests e-
cigarettes can cause immediate harm
after smoking the device. More
research is needed to understand
whether this harm also has lasting
effects in the long-term, Gratziou
said. The result was presented at the
European Respiratory Societys
Annual Congress in Vienna.
Greening of nylon
Working on a cancer cure,
researchers have discovered a
molecule which would facilitate
greening of nylon production. In
our lab, we study genetic changes
that cause healthy tissues to go bad
and grow into tumours, says Zachary
J. Reitman, research associate at Duke
University Medical Centre, who led
the study. The goal of this research
isto design better treatments.As it
turns out, a bit of information we
learned in that process paves the way
for a better method to produce
nylon, adds Reitman, the
j our nal Nature Chemical
Biology reports. Nylon is a ubiquitous
material. A key component for its
production is adipic acid, which is
one of the most widely used
chemicals in the world, according to
a Duke statement. Currently, adipic
acid is produced from fossil fuel, and
the pollution released from the
refinement process contributes
significantly to global warming. One
of the most promising approaches for
eco-friendly adipic acid production
uses a series of enzymes as an
assembly line to convert cheap sugars
into adipic acid. However, one critical
enzyme in the series, called a 2-
hydroxyadipate dehydrogenase, has
never been produced, leaving a
missing link in the assembly line. In
2008 and 2009, researchers,
including Hai Yan, Duke professor of
pathology, identified a genetic
mutation in brain tumours that alters
the function of an enzyme known as
an isocitrate dehydrogenase, the
missing link. They used it to create
the green adipic acid, through a
series of steps.
Sunita Williams became the
second woman in history to
take command of ISS
Sunita Williams, the astronaut of
Indian American origin, took over the
command of International Space
Station. As per the reports released
by NASA, in the traditional ceremony
of change-of-command, Expedition
33 Sunita Williams took over the
command from Expedition 32
Commander Gennady Padalka in the
Destiny Laboratory.
Before this, Sunita Williams
booked a record for total cumulative
spacewalk time of 44 hours and 2
minutes by a woman astronaut with
her sixth walk in the space for
repairing a faulty unit of power
distribution. In the spacewalk of 6
hours and 28 minutes, she used a wire
brush made using a spare cable and
a toothbrush for repairing the unit.
Sunita Williams is accompanied with
Japans Akihiko Hoshide and Russias
Yury Malenchenko on the
International Space Station.
CBI Probe into attacks on
Rhinos from Poachers
Government of Assam ordered
a CBI probe into the recent incidents
of Rhino Poaching. The large
mammals were poached for their
horns recently in Karbi Anglong hills
who escaped from the protected
area of the flood affected Kaziranga
National Park.
The Chief Minister of Assam,
Tarun Gogoi ordered a probe from
CBI into the matter and announced a
cash reward of Rs 5 lakh to the one
providing information about the
poachers. The government
suspecting the involvement of
militant groups in the activity of
poaching made a decision to deploy
army in the Karbi Anglong Hills lying
adjacent to the National Park. Few of
the other measures taken by the
government include elevation of the
post of the Director of the National
Park to Chief Conservator of Forest
(CCF) from the previous one of
Conservator. As the new Director of
the park, an IFS officer N.K. Vasu has
been appointed. Jayanthi Natarajan
the Union Minister of State for
Environment and Forests has also
ordered a probe by the Wild Life
Crime Control Bureau to investigate
into the matter and present its report
within a weeks time.
The team formed includes: The team formed includes: The team formed includes: The team formed includes: The team formed includes:
1. The team comprises C. Behra,
Regional Deputy Director of
Eastern Region and Kolkata
2. A.K. Jha, Assistant Director
(Intelligence), BHO, Delhi
3. L. Kuruvilla, Assistant Director,
Southern Region, Chennai
4. K.K. Sarma, Wildlife Inspector,
Northern Region, Delhi
Radical focus later camera
to hit market soon
A radical camera that lets users
adjust the focus after taking pictures
will be available in October at shops
in Australia, Canada, Singapore, Hong
Kong and the United States. The Lytro
is the creation of Ren Ng, who started
work on the digital camera while
studying for a doctorate in computer
science at Stanford University in
California. The telescope-shaped
camera uses what is known as light
field technology to allow the focal
point of a digital image to be changed
after the picture is taken, a feature
that Lytro calls shoot now, focus
later. Clicking on a Lytro picture
displayed on a computer screen
allows a viewer to shift the focus from
a subject in the foreground, for
example, to a subject in the
background. The Lytro can do this
because it uses powerful sensors to
capture significantly more light than
a conventional camera. Lytro
executive chairman Ngdescribes the
images as living pictures because
of the ability to manipulate them.
When Lytro pictures are shared online,
the light field engine travels with
each image so anyone can change
focal points as desired.
Alzheimers Treatment
discovered
Australian scientists along with
US experts claimed that they are a
step closer to create a treatment for
Alzheimer patients following a study
finding a link to abnormalities inside
brain cells. In a joint study,
researchers at Queensland Brain
Institute and Harvard medical School
team found that when a toxic protein
builds up, it starves brain cells of
energy, causing them to die.
According to ABC online report, in
the study of over three years,
scientists tried to unveil the mystery
surrounding Alzheimers disease and
a section of the brain cell called the
mitochondria, the part responsible for
metabolising energy, was analysed.
This is the first study to directly link
toxic levels of Tau, a protein in the
brain that is related to dementia, to
abnormalities in the mitochondria,
which starves them of energy and
destroys brain cells. Researchers
claimed that the latest development
was a promising step towards
developing an effective treatment for
sufferers.
Myths may wipe out rhinos
It is the new delicacy of choice
among Vietnams high-rollers. When
the young, fashionable and rich
gather to party, they increasingly
spice up their drink with a special
ingredient: rhino horn powder. These
status-conscious hedonists include
men who believe it can enhance their
sexual performance. They apparently
care little that their obsession could
drive a glorious animal to extinction.
Between 1990 and 2005, poachers
in South Africa killed an average of
14 rhinos a year. Since then the
number has soared. In 2010, 333
rhinos were poached. In 2011, it was
448. So far this year, 339 rhinos have
been killed, putting 2012 on course
to be the deadliest since records
began. Losing 500 a year, when it
used to be 12 or 14 a year, is a crisis,
said Tom Milliken, east and southern
Africa director of the wildlife trade
monitoring network Traffic. Rhino
horn is fetching the highest prices Ive
ever seen in my career. A Traffic
report, published last month, blames
a deadly combination of institutional
lapses, corrupt wildlife industry
professionals and Asian crime
syndicates. It identifies four main
consumer groups fuelling the
demand.
Belief in rhino horns
detoxification properties, especially
following excessive intake of alcohol,
rich food and the good life, has given
rise to an affluent group of habitual
users, who routinely mix rhino horn
powder with water or alcohol as a
general health and hangover-curing
tonic, the report said. The notion that
Asian traditional medicine used rhino
horn as an aphrodisiac was a myth of
the western media, Milliken said, but
now, rather incredibly, it had been
embraced by Vietnamese men. The
myth has come full circle. A second
group believe another myth: that
rhino horn is a miracle cure for cancer.
Milliken said: Weve had stories of
rhino horn touts who go into cancer
wards. By monitoring online chat-
rooms, Milliken and his team were
able to identify a third group: middle-
class and wealthy young mothers
who keep rhino horn as a home
preparation for high fever. Finally,
there are those using it for expensive
gifts to curry favour with elites or as
an informal currency for luxury
products.
South Africa has stepped up
anti-poaching measures in Kruger
national park and other game
reserves, making 192 arrests this year.
The Vietnamese government,
however, is accused of not taking the
crisis seriously, despite pressure from
the Convention on International
Trade in Endangered Species
(Cites). Vietnam is the only country
in the world where rhino horn
grinding bowls are mass produced.
South Africa has an estimated 18,000
white rhinos and 1,195 black rhinos.
Milliken warns that if the country loses
more than 500 a year, the population
will start shrinking by about 2018.
Atlas named Aquifer System
of India
Minister of water resources and
parliamentary affairs Pawan Kumar
Bansal on 28 September 2012 in New
Delhi had released Atlas for six states
namely- Kerala, Tamil Nadu,
Karnataka, Chattisgarh, Himachal
Pradesh and Meghalaya. The atlas
comprises data on various aspect of
ground water since its inception that
was compiled and integrated by the
Central Ground Water Board. The
atlas was named as Aquifer System of
India. The atlas provides a country
wide overview and summary of the
most important information available
for each principal and major aquifer
systems and depicts aquifer wise
ground water scenario. It also deals
with major issues and challenges
which need immediate attention for
sustainable management of ground
water resources. In this process, a
baseline data on GIS platform was
created for initiating National Aquifer
Mapping Programme and
demarcating priority areas for aquifer
wise management of ground water
resources on scientific and
sustainable basis. Attempt was also
made to represent the correlations of
various thematic layers such as
climate, topographic settings on the
occurrence, movement, and
chemical quality of ground water in
map forms. The Atlas is going to be of
immense use for Regional and
National ground water resources
planning by the policy makers and
anyone who needs to understand
ground water scenario in the country.
Great Indian Bustard and
Lesser Florican got
Shonkaliya region to breed
The endangered birds, Great
Indian Bustard and Lesser
Florican have got a dedicated land
for breeding in the Shonkaliya Region
of Ajmer District, Rajasthan. The
villagers of Ajmer District have agreed
to conserve 30 hectares of land for
the breeding activity of these
endangered birds. Population of the
Great Indian Bustard (the state bird
of Rajasthan) is reportedly not
sizeable with six males, present in the
area. The Great Indian Bustard needs
to lure at least three to four females in
number for making of the family. Nests
of the Great Indian Bustard have been
noticed in the crop fields of the area.
The Lesser Floricans are available in a
large number as compared to the
Great Indian Bustards in the region.
Nest of lesser Floricans have also seen
around the crop lands of the area.
Floricans make a visit to this north-
western region of the country during
their breeding season of advancing
monsoons. This move of conservation
of the Lesser Floricans and the Great
Indian Bustard is an initiative to use
MNREGA, the job guarantee scheme
of the central government as a
conservative tool. At the time of Manju
Rajpal, the former collector of Ajmer
district, the villagers of Shonkaliya
agreed to earmark a dedicated zone
in 30 hectare of land for breeding of
the birds from their total of 100
hectares. From 1st May to 30th
September entry of cattle as well as
people will be restricted in the
protected land.
Afternoon rain more likely
over drier soils
In a study that overturns
conventional thinking about the
effect of soil wetness on rainfall, it has
been found that afternoon rain is more
likely over drier soils. The study, by
Mr. Christopher M. Taylor, a
meteorologist working for the UK
Centre for Ecology and Hydrology,
Oxon, U.K., and others, published in
a recent issue of the journal Nature ,
spanned various areas in six
continents. Focusing on the
development of precipitation events
during the afternoon, when sensitivity
of convection to land conditions is
expected to be maximised, a
statistical analysis was done to
evaluate the unexpectedness of
rainfall occurring over the various
regions across the globe. This
unexpectedness was quantified
wherever studied and expressed as
a percentile value. The percentile is
the likelihood whether soil wetness
affects rainfall one way or another.
A low percentile value (say 10
per cent or less) of the means that
rain is being observed more
frequently over dry soil than one
would expect if there were no soil
effect. Conversely a high value (over
90 per cent) means that rain is more
frequent over wet soil than one would
expect with no soil effect. Explaining
the rationale behind this analysis, Mr.
Taylor, in an email to this
correspondent, noted: we have
analysed our satellite images to pick
out rain events which develop during
the afternoon. We then looked at the
soil moisture in that region on the
morning before it rained, and
compared the soil wetness in the
place where it rained with a nearby
(50-100km) place where it didnt
rain. If soil wetness had no impact
on rain then there would be a 50 per
cent chance that in the place where
it rained, the soil was wetter than
where it didnt rain. There would be
equal probability of whether it would
rain or not. So some statistical analysis
on the data was done to work out
how likely it was that rain would be
observed over drier soil. The study
found many parts of the world had
low percentiles (less than 10 per cent
and often less than 1 per cent) and
almost none with high percentiles
(greater than 90 per cent).
Such clusters of low percentiles
were found in semi-arid regions, most
notably North Africa, but also in
eastern Australia, Central Asia and
Southern Africa. Heat is as critical as
moisture for rain clouds to build up
during the afternoon. On sunny days
the land heats the air, creating
thermals which reach several
kilometres up into the atmosphere. If
the soil is dry, the thermals are
stronger, and our new research shows
that this makes rain more likely, notes
Mr. Taylor. These findings are in
contrast to climate models which
tend to indicate a positive feedback.
A positive feedback means that if the
soil is wet to start off with, it will get
wetter because there will be more
rain there. Conversely, and
importantly in the context of drought
prediction, once the soil gets dry, a
positive feedback would favour
continued lack of rain, prolonging a
drought.
Two Proteins that can
Protect against Diabetes
Researchers discovered that
two proteins that work together to kill
self-reactive immune cells can
protect against diseases such as
type1 diabetes and rheumatoid
arthritis. Researchers from the Walter
and Eliza Hall Institute in Australia
discovered that absence of proteins
called Puma and Bim can result in to
self-reactive immune cells
accumulating and attacking many
different body organs, causing illness.
The proteins are called BH3-only.
They make the self-reactive cells die
by a process called apoptosis.
Defects in apoptosis proteins were
linked to many human diseases,
including cancer and
neurodegenerative disorders and
autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune
diseases, such as type 1 diabetes,
rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory
bowel disease and multiple sclerosis,
develop when immune cells launch
an attack on the bodys own cells,
destroying important body organs or
structures.
Glaucoma is in the genes,
says study
Scientists have isolated three
new genes linked to Primary Angle
Closure Glaucoma (PACG), a leading
cause of blindness, which affects 15
million people worldwide, 80 per
cent of whom live in Asia. A team of
scientists carried out a genome-wide
association study (GWAS) of 1,854
PACG cases and 9,608 controls (who
did not suffer from PACG) of over five
sample collections in Asia.
They performed validation
experiments in another 1,917 PACG
cases and 8,943 controls collected
from a sample from around the world.
This is the first to study PACG genetics
using a genome-wide perspective,
the journal Nature Genetics reports.
This finding confirms the long-
standing suspicion of Aung Tin,
principal project investigator, who is
professor of ophthalmology at NUS.
Tin has worked on PACG for over 10
years and believes, from clinical
observations, that the disease is
strongly hereditary, according to a
statement of the Agency for Science,
Technology and Research, Singapore.
This provides further evidence that
genetic factors play a role in
development of PACG.
The results may lead to new
insights into disease understanding
and open the possibility of novel
treatments in the future as well as the
potential of early identification of
people at risk of the disease, said
Tin.
This research was carried out by
scientists from the Singapore Eye
Research Institute (SERI), with
Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS),
National University of Singapore
(NUS), National University Hospitals
Department of Ophthalmology and
Tan Tock Seng Hospital.
Robot that works alongside
humans
A humanoid robot with
common sense, designed to work
safely alongside its human co-workers
on factory production lines, has been
unveiled in the US. Baxter, the robot
is priced at USD 22,000 and will go
on sale in October. It could apply
common sense, adapt to its
environment and be trained in less
than 30 minutes to complete specific
tasks, by workers without robotic
expertise, its makers say. Currently
factory robots tend to work separately
to humans, often in cages, the BBC
News reported.
Rodney Brooks, Rethink
Robotics founder and former director
of the MIT Computer and Science
and Artificial Intelligence Lab, said
that he hoped Baxter represented a
new concept in manufacturing.
Past successes
Roboticists have been
successful in designing robots
capable of superhuman speed and
precision, Brooks said. Whats
proven more difficult is inventing
robots that can act as we do in
other words, that are able to
inherently understand and adapt to
their environment, he said.
According to the International
Federation of Robotics there are now
1.1 million working robots in the
world. In car manufacture, about 80
per cent of the production is
completed by machines. To teach
Baxter a new job, a human guides its
arms to simulate the desired task, and
presses a button to program in the
pattern, the report said. The robot
responds with a confused
expression, if it does not understand,
it added.
ZSN and IUCN released
data of species fearing
extinction
The Zoological Society of
London and International Union for
Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
released a list of 100 different species
to be first in line for extinction from
48 different countries during the
World Conservation Congress held in
Republic of Korea on 11 September
2012. Tarzans Chameleon, The
Spoon-Billed Sandpiper, The Pygmy
Three-Toed Sloth, The Saola, The
Brightly Coloured Willow Blister,
Loughshare Tortoise-Angonoka, Rio
Pescado Stubfoot Toad and Northern
Muriqui- Wooly Spider Monkey are
some of the most important species
fearing extinction. Some of these
threatened species from India and
South-East Asia are the Great Indian
Bustard along with the White-bellied
Heron, the Peacock Tarantula as well
as the Spoon-billed Sandpiper of
India. The report also includes the
name of the Sumatran and Javan
Rhinos, which are considered to be
the extinct species by now. The
species that have been counted in
the Red List of IUCN is White-bellied
Heron, also known as the Imperial
Heron. Estimations state that its
number may be in between 70 to 400.
As per Bird life International, the
White-bellied Bustard is mainly found
in the eastern foothills of Great
Himalayas mainly in the north-east
India, Bhutan, hills of North
Bangladesh, North, West and Central
Myanmar. These can be seen in small
and big rivers adjacent to the
subtropical broadleaf forests.
The experts from Species
Survival Commission (SSC) have
suggested the development of hydel
power projects as the identified
reason for this increase in downfall in
the number of different species. The
commission suggested that to bring
these species back from the verge of
extinction adverse use of river based
habitats must be eliminated and
captive rearing and release program
should be brought into practice.
Peacock Tarantula with its habitat in
the reserve forests of Nandyal and
Giddalur in Andhra Pradesh is facing
a challenge of survival because of the
degradation in the habitat caused
due to the cutting of timber and
firewood. Great Indian Bustard,
numbered to be in between 50 to
249 is also facing a challenge because
of the agricultural developments. To
protect the species it was
recommended to create a
community reserve along with few
protected areas nearby Indira
Gandhi Nahar Project. The number
of Indian Spoon-billed Sandpiper
has dropped down to be in between
240 to 400. The rhinos with an
identified number of 250 across the
world are facing the biggest threat as
these are hunted for their horns.
Agni-IV successfully test-
fired its Indigenously built
India on 19 September 2012
test fired its nuclear-capable surface-
to-surface Agni-IV missile from
Wheeler Island, off the Odisha Coast.
Fitted with composite rocket motor
technology, the missile was test fired
from the road mobile launcher. The
full range of the missile is 4000
kilometer. The launch was declared
to be successful after the missile
succeeded in hitting the pre-
decided target after taking a flight of
20 minute at an altitude of about 800
kilometer in the atmosphere at a
roasting temperature of about
3000C. The support of Micro
Navigation System (MINGS) along
with the Ring Laser Gyro based Inertial
Navigation System (RINS) ensured the
two digit perfection in making the
missile reach its target.
The 20 meter long, 1.5 meter
broad and 17 ton in weight, is
capable of carrying about 1000
kilogram of explosives along with it.
Light in weight, this missile is fitted
with two stage solid propulsion with
a payload for re-entry into the heat
shield. One of its kinds, Agni-IV
Missile Indias first indigenously
developed ballistic missile is
embedded with 5th Generation on
Board Computer state-of-the-art
Avionics and a finely distributed
architecture, which allows correction
and guidance during in-flight
disturbances.
This missile is a proof of Indias
quantum jump for in relation to Missile
Technology. The long range ballistic
missile was designed and developed
by the DRDO (Defence Research and
Development Organization). This
entire operation of the launch was
guided to by the Project Director,
Smt. Tessy Thomas, along with a team
of scientists. Wheeler Island and
Chandipur are the two missile
launching and testing stations of
India. Both long range and short
range ballistic missiles are test-fired
from the two stations.
Wheeler Island
Strategically located at a
distance of 150 kilometer from the
capital city of Odisha that is
Bhubaneshwar, the Island maintains
the missile launching facility for India.
The nearest port to the Island of
about 390 acres and 70 kilometer
south of Chandipur in the Bay of
Bengal is Dharama.
Chandipur Beach
The beach is about 194
kilometers from the capital
Bhubaneshwar and is one of the
major Indian Ballistic Missile Defence
Program test range for India in the city
of Balasore.
Super-spreading, key in
dengue transmission
Super-spreading, where one
infected person passes on a disease
to lots of others, could be an important
factor driving dengue transmission in
places where the mosquito Aedes
aegypti carries the virus, according
to research published recently . The
World Health Organisation has
termed dengue as the most
important mosquito-borne viral
disease in the world. Incidence of
the disease has jumped 30-fold in the
last five decades. Aedes aegypti ,
the mosquito that is principally
responsible for spreading the virus
that causes dengue, has proved
adept at making use of human
habitation. The female mosquito
feeds on human blood and
subsequently lays her eggs inside
containers holding water that are
found in and around homes. The eggs
hatch into larvae, which grow and turn
into pupae, finally maturing into
adults. Studies have found that most
of the mosquitoes in each locality
typically come from just a few
containers and houses, termed
super-producers.
In the course of their research,
which has been published in the
journal PLOS Neglected Tropical
Diseases , Harish Padmanabha of
Yale School of Public Health in the
U.S. and his colleagues modelled
how dengue would spread, given
such an aggregation of mosquitoes
and variations in the density of
people in a place. The simulation was
based on the distribution of mosquito
pupae and humans in houses in two
residential neighbourhoods of
Armenia, a city in Colombia in South
America where the disease is rife.
Since mosquitoes were
concentrated in only a couple of
homes in each locality, an infected
individual in those houses or in their
immediate vicinity was likely to get
bitten and pass on the virus to a large
number of mosquitoes. Those
mosquitoes, in turn, would go on to
bite other people, thus spreading the
disease. The study indicated that
dengue transmission depends
heavily on events where an infected
person infects many mosquitoes, Dr.
Padmanabha told this correspondent.
Such people were the super-
spreaders. In contrast, most people
with the virus would not infect many
mosquitoes. Moreover, human
density amplified the effect of A.
aegypti super-producti on on
dengue risk, the paper noted.
Increased human density led to more
possibilities for disease spread
through both human-to-mosquito and
mosquito-to-human transmission.
Also, greater human density in
a particular area would increase the
frequency of dengue-infected
visitors. We found that even small
variations in human density can have
a very big effect, Dr. Padamanabha
said. A mosquito where you have low
human density has much less capacity
to transmit [the disease] than in an
area where there is high human
density. Targeting control measures
in areas of high human density could
reduce the epidemic potential by
decreasing the abundance of
mosquitoes in areas were dengue was
most likely to be introduced, the
paper pointed out.
100 elite forces assigned
the task of saving Rhinos
from Poachers
The Assam Government has
deployed a 100-member team of
Elite Forest Protection Force at the
Kaziranga National Park on 2 October
2012. The decision came in concern
to the recent killings of the one
horned Rhinos in the flood-affected
areas of Karbi Anglong Hills, the area
outside the protected region of the
Park. The park is also a UNESCO
Heritage Site. The forest department
of the state dispatched a team of
armed forces to the park for offering
protection to the one-horned animal
against the Poachers. As per the
available data the park has lost 39
Rhinos within 10 months bringing
down the population to a total of
2,251. Out of these 28 died after
being drowned in the floods of the
state and the remaining 11 felt a pray
to the poachers. In a hunt to stop the
poachers from being successful, the
forest guards till date have been
successful in arresting 14 poachers
and killed 3 of them.
A Gene Therapy which can
restore the Sense of Smell
Scientists of the University of
Michigan developed a gene therapy
which they claimed could restore the
sense of smell in human beings who
lost the ability to sniff odours from
birth. The scientists used gene
therapy to regrow cilia, cell structures
that are important for olfactory
function. These results could result
in to one of the first therapeutic
options for treating people with
congenital anosmia. They also set the
stage for therapeutic approaches to
treating diseases which involve cilia
dysfunction in other organ systems.
Many of these diseases can be
dangerous if left untreated.
Olfactory dysfunction can be a
symptom of a class of genetic
disorders, known as ciliopathies. It
includes diseases as diverse as
polycystic kidney disease and retinitis
pigmentosaan inherited,
degenerative eye disease- that
causes severe vision impairment and
blindness.
Prithvi II Missile Sucessfully
Test Fired
India on 4 October 2012
successfully test fired its indigenously
developed, nuclear-capable ballistic
missile Prithvi-II from a test range in
Odisha. The missile was test fired by
the Strategic Forces Command (SFC)
from the Integrated Test Range at
Chandipur, Odisha.
All the radars and electro-
optical systems along the coast have
monitored the missile throughout its
flight path. The Defence Research
and Development Organisation
(DRDO) have developed Prithvi-II for
the Indian Air Force for deep
interdiction and the missile can be
armed with a nuclear warhead
weighing 500 kg. In this flight, it
carried conventional explosives.
Prithvi-II is a user-friendly missile
which has a completely guided
trajectory.
The SFC had earlier launched it
on August 25, 2012 and the flight was
successful. The Indian Army is already
armed with the single-stage Prithvi-
II, which uses liquid propellants.
From July 2012 onwards the
Strategic Forces Command had
launched a series of strategic missiles
including Agni-I, Agni-II and Agni-
III. It is one of the five missiles that
were developed under the countrys
Integrated Guided Missile
Development Programme.
Fat in obese persons boosts
prostate cancer
New research, published in the
journal BMC Medicine , finds that
the fat surrounding the prostate of
overweight or obese men with
prostate cancer provides a
favourable environment to promote
cancer growth.
Glimpse into evolution of
flowering plants
For the first time, scientists have
proved that a class of genes causes
mutation in some flowering plants
rendering their flowers sterile,
offering a glimpse further back into
the evolutionary development of
flowers.
Tigers do night shift to
coexist with people
A new study in the Proceedings of
the National Academy of
Sciences involving the use of
camera traps indicates that tigers
in Chitwan National Park, Nepal
are walking the same paths as
people, albeit at different times.
Polar-orbiting weather
satellite is aloft
The 2nd Metop satellite (Europes
second polar-orbiting weather
satellite) was launched on
September 17 fromthe Baikonur
cosmodrome, in Kazakhstan, atop
a Russian Soyuz launcher.
Hubble sees an actively
star-forming galaxy
A new image portrays a beautiful
view of the galaxy NGC 7090, as
seen by the NASA/ESA Hubble
Space Telescope. The galaxy is
viewed edge-on meaning we
cannot see the young hot stars as
the spiral arms are not visible.
Eye proteins have germ-
killing power
Small fragments of keratin protein
in the eye can help keep pathogens
at bay, finds a University of
California, Berkeley study. The
finding could lead to new,
inexpensive antimicrobial drugs.
Massive filament erupts on
sun
A long filament of solar material
that had been hovering in the suns
atmosphere, the corona, erupted
out into space.
Waste silicon finds use in
lithium-ion batteries
Researchers at Rice University and
the Universit catholique de
Louvain, Belgium, have developed
a way to make flexible components
for rechargeable lithium-ion (LI)
batteries fromdiscarded silicon.
Metabolic syndrome link to
impaired brain
A new study in Pediatrics reveals
that metabolic syndrome (MetS) is
associated with cognitive and
brain impairments in adolescents
and needs to be taken into
account when considering early
treatment of childhood obesity.
Primate study adds to
evidence of BPA harm
A Washington State University
researcher has found new evidence
that the plastic additive BPA can
disrupt womens reproductive
systems, causing miscarriages and
birth defects.
New gene for better bug-
resistant plants
Acyl sugars, not found in
cultivated tomatoes, play a key
role in allowing wild tomatoes to
fend off bugs. New research at
Michigan State University
identifies the first gene that helps
produce acyl sugars.
Adequate sleep cuts
appetite, excess fat
Adequate sleep is an important
part of a weight loss plan and
should be added to the
recommended mix of diet and
exercise, states CMAJ ( Canadian
Medical Association J ournal ).
Less sleep means more appetite.
Human brains outpace
chimp brains in womb
Humans superior brain size in
comparison to chimpanzees traces
back to the womb says a study
in Current Biology , the first to
track and compare brain growth in
chimpanzee and human fetuses.
Light shed on Suns
explosive ejections
In a paper in Nature Physics , an
international team of scientists,
explains the mysterious physical
mechanisms underlying the origin
of Suns coronary mass ejections
based on state-of-the-art computer
simulations.
Exercise does body and
mind good
Exercise is not just good for
physical health research shows
that daily physical activity can also
boost our mental health.
Pulmonary edema from
marathon running
A new study has found evidence
that marathon running could
trigger pulmonary edema, where
fluid builds up in the lungs and
causes breathlessness, cough and
even heart attacks or respiratory
failure in serious cases.
Benign malaria, human
evolution
The malaria species rampant in the
Asia-Pacific region has been a
significant driver of evolution of
the human genome, a new study
has shown.
Biodiversity increases as
earth warms: study
A new study, by scientists fromthe
Universities of York, Glasgow and
Leeds, of fossil and geological
records going back 540 million
years, suggests that biodiversity
increases as the planet warms.
Zebra Finch sheds light on
brain circuits
Scientists at Duke University have
found that regions of the brain
involved in planning and
controlling complex vocal
sequences may also be necessary
for memorizing sounds that serve
as models for vocal imitation.
Global warmings effect on
tropical rainfall
With every 1 degree Celsius rise in
temperature, tropical regions will
see 10 per cent heavier rainfall
extremes, with possible impacts for
flooding in populous regions, a
study published inNature
Geoscience finds.
How ants cut the load of
decision-making
A study in Current Biology says
that ants use a strategy to handle
information overload.
Temnothorax rugatulus ants, place
the burden of making complex
decisions on the entire colony, not
on an individual ant.
West Indies won the ICC
Twenty20 World Cup
West Indies on 7 October 2012
won the finals of ICC World Twenty20
Championship after defeating the Sri
Lankan team by 36 runs at R.
Premadasa Stadium. West Indies
batting first in the match scored 137
runs for six wickets down. In response
to the target, the Lankan team finished
off at a score of 101 runs allowing
West Indies to win the tournament.
The West Indies team won a world
cup title after 33 years. Before this
the team won the 1979 ODI World
Cup after defeating the English team
in the final. In fact, West Indies also
won the 1st edition of World Cup in
1975 after defeating Australia in the
final match. The Indian team was out
of the Twenty20 World Cup
tournament in the super-eight
matches after it failed to stop the
South African team at the score of
the 121 in its last match.
Dhoni named as the captain
for IIC ODI team of the year
Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the
captain of Indian Cricket team has
been named as the Captain of ICCs
ODI team of the year. Virat Kohli and
Gautam Gambhir are two more
players from Indian squad to be
selected in the ICCs ODI team for
the year. Dhoni has been nominated
to be a member of the team for fifth
consecutive year in a row. The
complete team of twelve members
selected for the ICCs One Day
International team of the year
includes three Indians and two
members from each of the team
Australia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and
England along with one nominated
South African player as a whole. The
team was selected by the a panel
headed by the former West Indian
CRICKET
Sports
Captain Clive Lloyd that included
other members like Carl Hooper
(Former Skipper-West Indies),
Marvan Atapattu (Former Captain Sri
Lanka), Tom Moody (former
Australian all-rounder) and Clare
OConnor (Former Captain of
Englands women team). Name of the
squad for the ICC ODI team was
announced by David Richardson, the
ICC Chief Executive at an event
organized before LG ICC Awards
ceremony. Name of the players for
the team are MS Dhoni (Ind,
wicketkeeper/Captain), Shahid
Afridi (Pak), Gautam Gambhir (Ind),
Kumar Sangakkara (SL), Alastair Cook
(Eng), Virat Kohli (Ind), Morne Morkel
(SA), Michael Clarke (Aus), Lasith
Malinga (SL), Saeed Ajmal (Pak),
Steven Finn (Eng). The twelfth man
of the team will be Shane Watson
(Aus).
Anuraag Thakur became a
member of ACC
Anuraag Thakur a BJP MP from
Hamirpur and Joint Secretary of
Board of Control for Cricket (BCCI)
on 16 September 2012 was
appointed as a member of Asian
Cricket Councils (ACCs) executive
board.
Thakur has served the National
Cricket Academy as its vice-chairman
and a member with National Junior
Selection Committee. ACC is a 25
member committee with its head
quarters in Kuala Lumpur. The
committee is engaged in
development and promotion of the
cricketers in Asian region.
Sandeep Patil appointed
Chief Selector
Former Cricketer and all-
rounder, Sandeep Patil was
appointed as the Chairman of the five
member senior selection committee
of BCCI on 27 September 2012. The
other four members of the committee
include Saba Karim, Roger Binny,
Vikram Rathour and Rajinder Singh
Hans.
The four members of the
previous panel that was headed by
K. Srikkanth departed from the office
after completion of their four years
tenure. Mohinder Amarnath, the
selector from North Zone departed
from his office after serving the
selection panel for one year of his
tenure.
About Sandeep Patil About Sandeep Patil About Sandeep Patil About Sandeep Patil About Sandeep Patil
1. Has served the Kenyan national
team as a coach that managed
to reach the semi-finals of the
world cup in 2003
2. The former Indian Cricketer was
a middle order hard-hitting
batsman and a medium-pace
bowler
3. He served Mumbai Champs in
Indian Cricket League as its
coach
4. Currently serving the National
Cricket Academy as its director
Womens Singles US Open
2012
Serena Williams of USA won her
fourth Womens Singles US Open title
in New York on 9 September 2012.
In the final match played a short while
ago, fourth seeded Serena showed
incredible resolve as she beat the top
seeded Victoria Azarenka of Belarus,
2-6, 6-2, 7-5 in two hours and 18
minutes. Besides the fourth US Open
title, this was Serenas 15th Grand
Slam singles crown. Meanwhile, the
Italian duo of Sara Errani and Roberta
Vinci won the Womens Doubles
trophy. In the title clash, the second
TENNIS
seeded Italian duo defeated the
Czech pair of Andrea Hlavackova and
Lucie Hradecka, 6-4, 6-2 to win the
title.
WTA Title at Korean Open
Danish Caroline Wozniacki, the
former world number one player won
the Korean Open WTA Title on 23
September 2012. She defeated, the
third seeded Estonian Kaia Kanepi in
the finals by 6-1, 6-0. The 22 years
Old Danish national was placed at
number 1 position at the start of the
year but at present she ranks at 11th
Position. She won her last title at
Haven, in August 2011. With this win,
she managed to increase the count
of the WTA titles in her account to 19
the fourth highest among other
players bagged the 19th WTA title in
her account after Serena Williams
(45), Venus Williams (43) and Maria
Sharapova (27).
ISSF World Cup
Ronjan Sodhi, the double trap
shooter won Silver medal at the ISSF
World Cup in Maribor, Slovania.
In 2011 and 2010 World Cup
finals, he managed to secure Gold by
Nichoils with 28-24, 25-26, 26-25, 28-
27 during the semi-finals and Miki
Kanie of Japan in the last eight stages
25-23, 26-26, 29-24, 27-24.
SAF Football Championship
2012
Indian Women registered a
thumping win over Nepal in the final
of SAF Football Championship in
Colombo.
India defeated Nepal by 3-1.
India had defeated Bhutan and Sri
SHOOTING/ARCHERY
his name. The former world number
one secured the Silver by scoring 191
points. Joshua Richmond of America
won the Gold medal and Bronze was
bagged by Fehaid Aldeehani of
Kuwait during the event.
Recurve World Cup
Deepika Kumari won Silver at
Recurve World Cup on 23 September
2012 in Tokyo. In the finals of the
tournament, she lost against the
Korean double Olympic gold
medalist, Ki Bo-Bae. To be in the
finals, Deepika defeated American,
FOOTBALL
end of 120 minutes of play.
Gouramangi Singh (19th minute) and
Sunil Chhetri (77th) scored for India
in the regulation time, while Makkon
Thierry (29th) and Kingue Mpondo
(54th) found the net for Cameroon.
In the tiebreaker, Robin Singh,
skipper Chhetri, Denzil Franco and
Mehtab Hosain struck to ensure that
India managed a clean slate. Taking
the final shot, Makkon hit the post to
leave Cameroon shattered. Ashu C
Tambe, Ousmalia, Bebey Kingue Paul
and Mpondo scored for the visitors
in the shootout.
Lanka in the league stage and
thrashed Afghanistan 11-0 in the
semis to romp into the final.
Nehru Cup Football
Tournament
India won Nehru Cup football
tournament on 2 September 2012
after beating Cameroon 5-4 via
penalty shoot-out. In the final played
at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in
New Delhi, India vanquished
Cameroon 5-4 via penalty shootout
and retained the Nehru Cup football.
The match went into tie-breaker after
the two teams were locked 2-2 at the
HOCKEY
Full-time President of
Hockey India
Hockey India on 17 September
2012 appointed Mariamma Koshy of
Hockey Kerala as its new full-time
President. The decision was made
during the 15th meet of Board
Executives and was taken following
the guidelines prescribed under rule
4(f) of Hockey India Rules and
Regulations.
Koshy (63 years in age) has
been a vice-president of Hockey
India as well as an Interim-President
of the National Body. Gayatri Shetty,
the treasurer of Hockey Karnataka
was named as the new Vice-
President of Hockey India after the
post was vacated, due to Koshys
elevation. Appointment of Gayatri
also was done following the
guidelines and regulations under rule
4 (f).
Wave Group as the owner of
Delhi Franchise of Hockey
India
Hockey India on 17 September
2012 announced Wave Group as the
owner of the Delhi Franchise of
Hockey India League (HIL). Chairman
of Hockey India League and
Secretary General of Hockey India
Narinder Kumar Batra on 17
September stated that Wave Groups
entry is a signal of hockeys good
Asian tour title
Indian golfer Gaganjeet Bhullar
wrapped up a four-shot victory at the
Yeangder tournament players
Championship in Chinese Taipei on
17 September 2012.
The event was scheduled at the
Linkou International Golf Club which
was a $500,000 event. With winning
the title Bhullar fetched prize money
of $79,250. His previous Asian Tour
titles were the Indonesia President
Invitational in 2009 and the Asian Tour
International in 2010. To get down to
this position Bhullar had to fend off
the challenges of American Jason
Knutzon and 14-time Asian Tour
winner Thaworn Wiratchant of
Thailand. Bhullar earlier used to play
as an amateur player.He was Indias
number one amateur in 2004 and
2006 and was part of the Indian team
that won the silver medal at the 2006
Asian Games. He finished in a tie for
seventh in the individual competition.
Bhullar turned professional in 2006.
future in India. Other Franchise owners of different team include Jaypee Group for Punjab, Sahara India for Lucknow
and Patel-Uniexcel for Ranchi.
GOLF
VARIOUS
Mary com became the brand
ambassador of SPL
Indian boxer and London
Olympic bronze medalist M C Mary
Kom on 24 September 2012 named
as the brand ambassador of super
fight league. The Super Fight League
is promoted by IPL team Rajasthan
Royals co-owner Raj Kundra and
Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt.
The role of Mary kom is to
mentor the female fighters and to act
as an inspiration for male fighters. She
is also the part of the selection
process. The Super Fight League is
Indias first professionally organized
mixed martial arts which will feature
on Television. Mary kom was awarded
with Arjun award in 2003 and Padma
Shree in 2006 respectively. She is also
the ambassador International boxing
association for women.
Saina Nehwal signed up a
40-crore deal
Indias badminton player Saina
Nehwal on 19 September 2012
signed up a 40-crore deal with Rhiti
Sports Management company, which
made her the countrys highest paid
sportsperson outside cricket. Saina
had a three-year contract with
Deccan Chargers, which expired in
September 2012. Rhiti Sports will
now manage Sainas endorsements
and brand associations, corporate
profile, patents and digital rights,
images and all other commercial rights
exclusively.
World Deaf Championship
Indias Virender Singh won the
bronze medal in the Mens 84 kgs free
style category in the third World Deaf
Championship at Sofia, the capital of
Bulgaria. The Indian team ended up
at the seventh place in the
championship overall.
President of Indian Boxing
Federation
Abhishek Matoria, a BJP MLA
from Rajasthan was elected as the
President of Indian Boxing
Federation on 23 September 2012.
Abhay Singh Chautala, the outgoing
President was elected to be the
Chairman of the Federation. Chautala
has served the president as its
President for three terms. In the
Annual General Meeting of the
federation, Khoibi Salam from
Manipur and Rajesh Bhandari, were
elected as the treasurer and secretary-
general respectively. Brigadier P. K.
Muralidharan Raja was elected as the
senior Vice-President of the
Federation.
52nd National Open
Athletics Championships
Railways lifted the overall
Trophy in the 52nd National Open
Athletics Championships on 13
September 2012. The sporting event
took place in Chennai. Railways
finished at the top with a total of 327
points. Services athletes finished
runners-up with 138 points. Oil and
Natural Gas Corporation clinched the
third position with 114 points. The
Services athletes claimed the mens
team trophy by logging 138 points
while Railways were runners-up with
119 points. Railways also lifted the
womens team trophy by
accumulating 208 points while
ONGC were second.
Mascot of 2014 FIFA World
Cup, Brazil
A Smiling Armadillo is declared
to be the official mascot for the 2014
FIFA World Cup in Brazil on 12
September 2012. The reports state
that FIFA has registered the patent
for this rare animal with the European
Patent Office as a symbol to this
extreme sporting event. Officials
declared that internet poll will help
in deciding the name of this mascot.
Brazuca the name of the ball for the
world cup 2014 to was finalized by
the opinion poll on internet. The
armadillo in Brazil is known by the
name of tatu-bola and is known for
its abilities of rolling itself in form of a
ball to with a leathery shell as a symbol
of self defence. In the previous FIFA
World Cup the mascots were:
FIFA 2010 World Cup in South
Africa- Zakumi the green-haired
leopard
FIFA 2006 World Cup in
Germany- Goleo named lion
Taking the Armadillo as an
official mascot for the mega event
was backed by a NGO named
Caatinga Association engaged in
protection of the biodiversity of North
Eastern Brazil.
Award & Prizes Award & Prizes
Award & Prizes Award & Prizes Award & Prizes
CSIR Fellowship program
Council of Scientific and
Industrial Research (CSIR) on its 70th
Foundation Day celebration greeted
the scientists aged above 70 years
with research fellowships. The
fellowship will offer a sum of Rs 20
lakh per year for continuous 5 years
to scientists who will guide students
and publish research papers. A
scientist who has won the Shanti
Swarup Bhatnagar Award is eligible
for the fellowship program. Samir
Brahmachari the Director-General of
CSIR said that advantage of the
services of scientists, who remain
active even after the age of 70 years,
should be taken. At present there are
about 10 scientists who are eligible
for the fellowship program. On the
70th Anniversary of CSIR Dr.
Brahmachari also announced the
names of scientists who have won
Swarup Bhatnagar Award 2012. The
name includes:
1. Suman Kumar Dhar of the
Jawaharlal Nehru University
(Biological Sciences)
2. Shantanu Chowdhury of the
CSIR-Institute of Genomics and
Integrative Biology
3. Ravi Shankar Narayanan of the
Indian Institute of Science
4. Govindasamy Mugesh of the
Indian Institute of Science
5. Gangadhar J. Sanjayan of the
CSIR-National Chemical
Laboratory (Chemical Sciences)
6. Sandip Basu of the Bhabha
Atomic Research Centre
(Medical Sciences)
7. Shanti Pavan of the IIT, Madras
(Engineering Sciences)
8. Siva Ramachandran Athreya of
the Indian Statistical Institute
(Mathematical Sciences)
9. Arindam Ghosh of the Indian
Institute of Science
10. Debashish Goswami of the
Indian Statistical Institute
(Mathematical Sciences)
11. Krishendu Sengupta of the
Indian Association for the
Cultivation of Science (Physical
Sciences)
FICCI Healthcare Excellence
Award 2012
FICCI Healthcare Excellence
Award-2012 went to the Jaipur
based Fortis Escorts hospital for its
operational excellence in the
category of private hospital with
multi-specialty hundred beds. The
Federation of Indian Chambers of
Commerce and Industry has
instituted this award for felicitation
of the individuals and institutions for
their contribution in increasing the
efficiency of health care by imparting
innovative steps. The laid norms were
specified by the Quality Council of
India. Parameter on which the
judgment was made includes
efficiency in staff excellence,
functioning and patient track record
management. As per the director of
Fortis Escorts Hospital, Prateem
Tamboli, the hospital is the first
hospital in the state of Rajasthan to
receive this award. The chief guest
to this award function was the
President of India Pranab Mukherjee.
Norman Borlaug Award
Aditi Mukherjee, a Delhi based
scientist, won the prestigious Norman
Borlaug Award in Field Research and
Application. Mukherjee was picked
for the award for her work in
transforming access to water for
thousands of farmers in West Bengal.
The award will be formally presented
to Mukherji on 17 October 2012 in
Des Moines, Iowa, US. Mukherji, 37,
is a senior researcher at the Delhi
office of the International Water
Management Institute (IWMI). As
alumnus of Presidency College
(Kolkata), JNU (Delhi), she
completed her PhD at the University
of Cambridge. The international
award is conferred by the World
Food Prize Foundation, which was
started by Norman Borlogue, the
father of Green Revolution in India.
The award carries 10000 dollar cash
prize. The Borlaug Award is restricted
to scientists under 40.
Lal Bahadur Shastri Award
President Pranab Mukherjee on
1 October 2012 conferred the
prestigious Lal Bahadur Shastri
National Award 2012 to ISRO
scientist Tessy Thomas at an award
function in Rashtrapati Bhawan. The
award was given on the eve of Birth
anniversary of Former Prime Minister
Lal Bahadur Shashtri. Tessy Thomas
48 years old is the Key Scientist for
Agni-V in Defence Research and
Development Organisation
Hyderabad.
She is the first woman scientist
to head a missile project in India.
Tessy Thomas was an associate
Project director (mission) for Agni-I,
II and III systems. She was associated
with the Agni Programme since their
developmental stages. She has
designed the guidance scheme for
long-range missile systems, which is
used in all Agni missiles. Presently, she
is the Project Director of Agni -IV,
which is a major project with state of
the art technologies. The Agni-IV was
successfully flight tested on 15th
November, 2011.
What is Lal Bahadur
Shastri National Award?
The Lal Bahadur Shastri National
Award, instituted by the Lal Bahadur
Shastri Institute of Management
(LBSIM) is given each year each year
to an Indian, residing either in India
or abroad, who is an exceptionally
outstanding and distinguished
business leader, management
practitioner, public administrator,
educator or institution builder for his/
her sustained individual contributions
and achievements of high
professional order and excellence.
The honour carries a cash award of
Rupees Five Lakh plus a Citation and
a Plaque. The Awardees name is
inscribed on the Roll of Honour of
LBSIM and he/she is designated as
Lal Bahadur Shastri Fellow. The
Award is presented by the President
of India on October 1 each year
which is the eve of the birth
anniversary of Lal Bahadur Shastri.
The Award process begins in January
each year with the nomination of a
twelve member Jury by the Chairman
of LBSIM, who is the ex-officio
convenor of the Jury.
Saraswati Samman
AA Manavalan was awarded
with the prestigious Saraswati
Samman for his work, Irama Kathaiyum
Iramayakalyum. This is a comparative
study of epic Ramayana in 48
different languages. M Veerappa
Moily, the Corporate Affairs and
Power Minister presented him with a
cheque of Rs 7.5 lakh, a memento and
a citation plaque at a function
organized by K K Birla Foundation.
The characters, plot and individual
insertions of the book deals with the
changes that happened in the due
course of migration. This book has
tried to come up with the effect of
Ramayana over the South East Asia,
its language and culture. This book is
a comparative study of Ramayana
written in different languages over a
certain period of time and some of
the languages include Pali, Tibetan,
Prakirt, Tamil, Japanese, Old
Javanese, Assamese, Thai, Telugu,
Malayalam, Bengali, Marathi, Kannada,
Sanskrit, Odisi, Hindi, Malay, Persian,
Maranao, Burmese, Laotian and
Kashmiri.
Saraswati Samman Saraswati Samman Saraswati Samman Saraswati Samman Saraswati Samman
The samman/award was
instituted in the year 1991 by KK Birla
Foundation and is a prestigious award
in the field of literature.
Golden Lion Venice Top
Prize
The Golden Lion Prize for best
movie was given to the South Korean
Movie, Pieta directed by Kim Ki-duk
at the 69th Venice Film Festival on 8
September 2012.
The Master by Paul Thomas
Anderson walked off with two major
awards namely, Special Jury Award
and Best Actor for Joaquin Phoenix.
Pieta is the brutal story about a debt
collector with a habit of crippling
those, who were unable to pay his
debt. The brutality stops at a certain
point of time, when he meets a
woman who claims to be his mother.
Business Excellence Award
Managing Director of Kunnath
Pharmaceuticals and the producer of
world famous Musli Power X-tra won
Switzerland Business Excellence
Award 2012 on 8 September 2012
at Zurich, Switzerland. He got
shortlisted for the award because of
his visionary leadership skill, hard
working nature and dedication. The
award has helped Kunnath
Pharmaceutical to become a name of
rapport across the nation.
US Congress Highest
Honour
The Nobel Laureate Aung San
Suu Kyi received, the US Congress
highest Civilian Honour at a ceremony
organized in the Capitol Rotunda on
19 September 2012, before her meet
with the US president Barack Obama.
Before her, the recipient of this award
includes George Washington, Pope
John Paul II and Dalai Lama-the
Tibetan Buddhist Leader. During her
15 year long house arrest against the
military rule in Myanmar, she received
the Congressional Gold Medal in
2008.
Other awards received by Other awards received by Other awards received by Other awards received by Other awards received by
Suu Kyi before the US Congress Suu Kyi before the US Congress Suu Kyi before the US Congress Suu Kyi before the US Congress Suu Kyi before the US Congress
highest Civilian medal are: highest Civilian medal are: highest Civilian medal are: highest Civilian medal are: highest Civilian medal are:
1. Sakharov Prize for Freedom of
Thought in the year 1990
2. Rafto Prize in the year 1990
3. Nobel Peace Prize in the year
1991
4. The government of India
awarded her with Jawaharlal
Nehru Award for International
Understanding in the year 1992
5. The government of Venezuela
awarded her with International
Simn Bolvar Prize
6. The Government of Canada in
2007 awarded her with
Honorary citizenship, she was
among the only four people by
then to receive the award
7. She won Wallenberg Medal in
2011
Shiksha Ratna Award by
Petroleum University
The University of Petroleum and
Energy Studies on 5 September
2012, on the occasion of teachers
day felicitated Dr. AN Purohit with
siksha ratna award. Dr. Purohit is a
former vice-chancellor of HNB
Garhwal University. He was born in
1940 in Kimni village of chamoli
district, Uttrakhand and did his
schooling from Nanital and had his
doctorate from Punjab University. Dr
Purohit has widely worked in the
Himalayan belt, particularly in
Uttarakhand, on specific subject of
plant physiology, ecophysiology of
trees and the environment. He was
awarded Padmashree in 1997 by the
President.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Waheeda Rehman, the veteran
actress of Bollywood has been
nominated to receive the Lifetime
Achievement Award. The award will
be presented to the actress during
the forthcoming 14th Mumbai Film
Festival going to start from 18
October 2012 and end on 25
October 2012. C.I.D. (1956), Pyasa
(1957), Solva Saal (1958), Kaagaz Ke
Phool (1959), Baat Ek Raat Ki (1962),
and Sahib Biwi Aur Ghulam (1962),
Kohra (1964), Guide (1965), Teesri
Kasam (1966), Mujhe Jeene Do
(1966), Neel Kamal (1968) and
Khamoshi (1969) are some important
films by her name.
The committee chaired by
Filmmaker, Shyam Benegal in
presence of Ramesh Sippy, Sudhir
Mishra, MAMI trustee and Amit
Khanna, chairman, Reliance
Entertainment stated that they have
made their decision to award
Waheeda Rehman with life time
achievement award for her
contributions to Indian Cinema.
About 14th Mumbai Film
Festival
Mumbai Academy of Moving
Image (MAMI) under the
Chairmanship of famous Indian
Filmmaker, Shyam Benegal is
organizing the mega event that will
last for eight days. The festival is an
initiative of Reliance Entertainment
and will be organized at INOX
theatre in south Mumbai and National
Centre of Performing Arts (NCPA).
During the festival 200 movies
including 9 silent ones will be
showcased.
Buy onli ne at: htt p: //www.upscportal .com/ci vil services/books
English Language
Comprehension Skills
In The News In The News
In The News In The News In The News
Justice Altamas Kabir
Justice Altamas Kabir has been
appointed as the new Chief Justice
of India on 13 September 2012.
He will take oath as 39th Chief
Justice of India and assume his office
on 29 September 2012 as a
Successor of Chief Justice S.H.
Kapadia. S.H. Kapadia will relinquish
from his office on 28 September
2012. Altamas Kabir at present is the
senior-most Judge of the Supreme
Court.
About Justice Altamas Kabir About Justice Altamas Kabir About Justice Altamas Kabir About Justice Altamas Kabir About Justice Altamas Kabir
Justice Altamas Kabir (64) is an
M.A. LL.B from University of Calcutta.
He started his career in the year 1973
as a practitioner in Criminal and Civil
cases from District Court and Kolkata
High Court. On 6 August 1990, he
was appointed as the permanent
Jude in High Court of Calcutta. He
also was appointed as the Chief
Justice of Jharkhand High Court on 1
March 2005. On 9 September 2005,
he was appointed to be a judge in
Supreme Court of
India. Computerisation of High Court,
Civil Court and other Courts of
Calcutta happened under the
guidance of Justice Kabir. On 14
January 2010, he was appointed as
the executive Chairman of National
Legal Services Authority.
Kaushik Basu
On 5 September 2012, The
World Bank appointed Kaushik Basu,
as its chief economist and senior vice
president. Basu, an Indian national
and a Cornell University professor
most recently served as chief
economic adviser of the Indias
Union Ministry of Finance. He has to
take over as the chief economist at
the World Bank on October 1.
Kaushik Basu, 60, holds a doctorate
from the London School of
Economics and has also founded the
Centre for Development Economics
at the Delhi School of Economics in
1992 is also a founding member of
the Madras School of Economics. He
had his wide contributions in the
field span development economics,
welfare economics, industrial
organisation and public economics
He has earlier served as chairman of
Cornells economics department and
was a director of its Center for
Analytic Economics. He was
awarded with one of the countrys
APPOINTED
highest civilian awards, the Padma
Bhushan in May 2008. In his two-and-
a-half-year stay in the Union finance
ministry, Basu gave some constructive
thoughts on food coupons and
innovative ways to tackle corruption
among other advices.
C.P. Joshi
C.P. Joshi, the Union Road
Transport and Highways Minister on
24 September 2012 took an
additional charge of the Railway
Ministry after the exit of Mukul Roy.
With this responsibility in the hands
of C.P. joshi, the railway ministry has
landed down in the hands of
Congress after 17 years. The last
railway minister from congress was
C.K. Jaffer Sharief (1991-95). Joshi is
a congress MP from Bhilwara in
Rajasthan. His primary and secondary
education was completed from his
place of birth in Nathdwara,
Rajasthan. He graduated from M.B.
College Udaipur with a B.A. degree
in Law. He completed his masters
degree in Physics and holds a Ph.D in
Psychology. Mukul Roy, leader of
Trinamool Congress and a member of
Rajya Sabha resigned from the
position on 21 September 2012 after
his party withdrew support from the
government. Mukul Roy replaced
Dinesh Trivedi as railway minister on
14 March 2012.
Process of allocating the
ministry/appointment of a
minister:
Under article 75 (1) - Prime
Minister of India is selected by the
President and the ministers are
appointed by the president on
advice of the Prime Minister. The
portfolio allocation to different
ministers is also done by him.
Some of the railway ministers of
the Indian Union before Mukul Roy:
1. Dinesh Trivedi- 12 July 2011- 14
March 2012
2. Mamata Banerjee- 20092011,
she resigned from the ministry
on 19 May 2011
3. Laloo Prasad Yadav- 20042009
4. Nitish Kumar- 20012004
The Prime Minister of India,
Manmohan Singh managed the
railway portfolio for a period of about
two months after Mamata Banerjee
resigned from the position.
Hassan Sheikh Mohamud
Hassan Sheikh Mohamud won
the presidential elections of Somalia
on 10 September 2012.
He won the election by gaining
190 votes to 79 in the second round
of competition. Alliances were
formed between the Prime Minister
Abdiweli Ali and Hassan Sheikh.
Short description about Short description about Short description about Short description about Short description about
Hassan Sheikh Mohamud Hassan Sheikh Mohamud Hassan Sheikh Mohamud Hassan Sheikh Mohamud Hassan Sheikh Mohamud
1. He was born in Jalalaqsi on the
Shebelle River of central
Somalia in the year 1955
2. He completed his education in
India and United States
3. Worked in the United Nations
development program and
World Bank as well as a
university lecturer
4. In the year 2008, he worked
with Somalia Civil Society
5. In 2009 history of mediation in
Somalia is a book written by him
was published
6. 2011, founded the peace
development party as its
chairman
His election as a President is
welcomed by many of the nations of
the world and there are expectations
that Somalia will soon see a new dawn.
Gaurav Shumsher Rana
India Current Affairs 2012.
Gaurav Shumsher Rana an India-
educated lieutenant general took
over the position of Nepals Army
Chief, on 6 September 2012. He has
served Nepals army for 39 years ever
since his recruitment in 1970. Ranas
appointment is a result of cabinet
decision following a proposal made
by the ex-army chief Gen Chhatra
Man Singh Gurung to the President
Ram Baran Yadav, as a successor to
him.
Rana, who did his graduation in
military affairs from a Himachal
Pradesh based, The Lawrence School
at Sanawar also completed his
Officers Cadet Course Royal Military
Academy, Sandhurst, UK. Rana is a
son of a former Major General Aditya
Shumsher Rana of Nepal Army and a
great-grand son of the Prime Minister
Chandra Shumsher Rana, who ruled
the nation in between 1901-1930.
Ramesh Abhishek
An IAS Officer of 1982 Batch
Bihar Cadre, Ramesh Abhishek was
appointed to be the Chairman of
Forward Markets Commission (FMC).
His pay-scale and rank has been
elevated to that of the additional
secretary and FMC Chief
respectively.
Forward Markets
Commission (FMC)
With its headquarters at Mumbai,
Forward Markets Commission (FMC)
is a regulatory authority established
under the Forward Contracts
(Regulation) Act 1952. The body is
responsible for taking care of forward
and future markets of India and is a
part of Ministry of Consumer Affairs,
Food and Public Distribution.
Onno Ruhl
World Bank appointed Onno
Ruhl a Dutch National to be the
country director for India on 10
September 2012. He will replace
the retiring N Roberto Zagha in
October 2012. His appointment at
this post will help the bank to
formulate and implement
developmental programs and steps
in the nation.
About Onno Ruhl About Onno Ruhl About Onno Ruhl About Onno Ruhl About Onno Ruhl
1. Onno Ruhl holds a post graduate
degree (MSc) in Economics
from University of Amsterdam
2. He joined World Bank in the
year 1993 and due to his
potential leadership skills and
strong experience in finance
and operations; he held several
positions in Asia and Africa.
3. He has served World Bank as its
director for Nigeria and a
country manager for
Democratic Republic of the
Congo (DRC)
4. Prior to his joining to World Bank
in 1993, Ruhl served the Foreign
Affairs Ministry of Netherlands
5. He has served the Multilateral
Investment Guarantee Agency
(MIGA) as an Alternate
Executive Director on the
Board
Tilak Kumar
K.N. Tilak Kumar was appointed
as the president of The Indian
Newspaper Society for the year 2012-
2013 on 13 September 2012 during
the 73rd annual meet of the
Newspaper Society. Tilak Kumar is the
Editor of Deccan Herald and the
Joint Managing Director of the
Printers (Mysore). He is a successor
of Ashish Bagga from India Today.
The secretary general of the society
released the names of other newly
elected office bearers of the society.
Some of the prominent names are
Ravindra Kumar (The Statesman) is
appointed as the Deputy President,
Kiran B Vadodaria (Sambhaav Metro)
is the new Vice President and Sanjay
Gupta (Dainik Jagran, Varanasi) has
been appointed as the Honorary
Treasurer of the Society.
New elected members of the
executive committee are V K Chopra
(Dainik Asam), P V Chandran
(Grihalakshmi), Mahendra Mohan
Gupta (Dainik Jagran), L Adimoolam
(Health & The Antiseptic), Jagjit
Singh Dardi (Charhdikala Daily),
Samahit Bal (Pragativadi),Ravindra
Dhariwal (Navbharat Times), K Balaji
(The Hindu Weekly), Pradeep Gupta
(Dataquest), Dr B S Adityan (Varantari
Rani), Pawan Agarwal (Dainik
Bhaskar, Bhopal), Rishi Darda
(Lokmat, Ahmednagar) and Vijay
Darda (Lokmat) and others.
Indian Newspaper Society has
1000 dailies, weeklies, bi-weeklies,
monthlies and fortnightlies on board,
which are published in eighteen
different languages of India. It plays
a major role in fostering a mutual
cooperation in the newspaper
industry.
Jaideep Sarkar
Jaideep Sarkar on 27
September 2012 was appointed as
the new Indian Ambassador to Israel.
The IITian and diplomat, is a private
secretary to Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh and a joint secretary
of external affairs ministry, has
replaced Navtej Sarna, the former
ministry spokesperson.
Rajiv Mehta
Rajiv Mehta is appointed as a
Director General of Narcotics Control
Bureau (NCB) on 18 September
2012. His appointment will be on
deputation basis for a period of five
years from the date of assumption of
charge of the post or till the date of
his superannuation or until further
orders. Rajiv Mehta is an IPS from
1981 batch of Assam-Meghalaya
cadre who is currently serving as the
Additional Deputy General (Law and
Order) in Meghalaya.
He was an alumnus of St.
Columbas and St. Stephens College
of Delhi. He had also taught for two
years at Lawrence School, Sanawar,
before joining the Indian Police
Service and had also given his service
in the Indo-Tibetan Border Police
(ITBP) as an IG, as well as an advisor
to the Indian mission in the European
Economic Community in Brussels. He
took over this service from OPS Malik,
a 1975-batch IPS officer of the UP
cadre, who was appointed to the post
in December 2008 and he is going to
serve the agency till 2016. The NCB
is a leading law enforcement and
intelligence agency under the
Ministry of Home Affairs, responsible
for countering drug trafficking and
illegal substances abuse. The
Director General of NCB is usually an
officer of the Indian Police Service
or the Indian Revenue Service. NCB
is the most vital agency for
coordination between various central
and state government departments
to counter the menace of illegal drugs
and contraband.
Aishwarya Rai
The United Nations Programme
on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has
appointed Bollywood actress
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan as its
International Goodwill Ambassador.
Her job will be now is to raise global
awareness on protecting children
from HIV infection and to increase
access to antiretroviral treatment.
The appointment came a day
before the start of the annual debate
at the UN General Assembly.
Aishwarya has been involved in
humanitarian issues for many years
and will now have a special focus on
HIV/AIDS. The main focus now is to
advocate for the global plan towards
the elimination of new HIV infections
among children and keeping their
mothers alive. This plan was launched
at the UN in June 2011 and focuses
on 22 countries including India,
which account for more than 90 per
cent of all new HIV infections among
children.
Nirmal Verma
Nirmal Verma, the former navy
chief on 27 September 2012 was
appointed as Indias high
commissioner to Canada. His
appointment to the post happened
on the recommendation of the PMO
to the president, who cleared his
name for the vacancy.
Admiral Verma, will soon leave
for Ottawa to join the office because
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen
Harpers visit is scheduled to India in
the near future.
R Lakshmipathy
R Lakshmipathy, the publisher
of Tamil daily Dinamalar, was elected
as the Chairman of the Board of
Directors of Press Trust of India (PTI)
on 24 September 2012 after the
companys Annual General Meeting
(AGM). Lakshmipathy, has served as
PTI Chairman twice earlier and is also
a member of press council. He is
succeeding M P Veerendrakumar,
Chairman and Managing Director of
Mathrubhoomi group of newspapers.
Alomg with him K N Shanth Kumar of
Deccan Herald was also elected as
the Vice Chairman of the Board. K N
Shanth Kumar is a director of The
Printers (Mysore) Private Limited,
publishers of Deccan Herald,
Prajavani, Sudha and Mayura.
He earlier was the president of the
Audit Bureau of Circulations which
verifies circulation data published by
newspapers and periodicals.
Press Trust of India (PTI) is
Indias premier and largest news
agency, which employs more than
400 journalists and 500 stringers to
cover almost every district and small
town in India. On an average it puts
out more than 2,000 stories and 200
photographs a day which caters the
needs of the diverse subscribers,
including the mainstream media, the
specialised presses, research groups,
companies and Government and
non-governmental organisations.
DEATH
Former Sarsanghchalak of
RSS KS Sudarshan died at
Nagpur
KS Sudarshan, the former RSS
Sarsanghchalak died on 15
September 2012. He suffered a heart
attack at the Nagpur headquarters of
RSS. He was in Nagpur for release of
a book written by Gopal Vyas a Rajya
Sabha MP from Chhattisgarh that was
held on 14 September 2012.
Life of KS Sudarshan Life of KS Sudarshan Life of KS Sudarshan Life of KS Sudarshan Life of KS Sudarshan
1. He led the Rashtriya
Swayamsevak Sangh, a Hindu
nationalist organization as its fifth
Sarsanghachalak from 2000 to
2009.
2. He did his bachelor in
Engineering in Telecommuni-
cations (honours) from Sagar
University
3. He became a Pracharak of RSS
at the age of 23 in the year 1954
4. In 1979, he became the chief
of the RSS think-tank (Bouddhik
Cell)
5. In the year 2005, his comment
asking Atal Behari Vajpayee and
L.K. Advani to step-down and
allow a young face to be take
the leadership of the country on
behalf of BJP, created a rift in
between party and Sangh
Parivaar
Brajesh Mishra
The first National Security
Advisor of India, Brajesh Mishra died
on 28 September 2012 at New Delhi
after suffering from a heart ailment.
Mishra (84) played a pivotal role in
making of the foreign policies during
the NDA regime of Atal Bihari
Vajpayee and was a trouble shooter
to him.
Brajesh Mishra Brajesh Mishra Brajesh Mishra Brajesh Mishra Brajesh Mishra
Son of the former congress Chief
Minister of Madhya Pradesh, late
Dwarka Prasad Mishra and one of the
titans among the Indian diplomats,
had several credentials in his account
like:
1. He was Indian permanent
representative to Geneva
2. Had been Indian ambassador to
Indonesia
3. From June 1979 to April 1981,
he was Indian permanent
representative to United
Nations, where he continued till
June 1987 on deputation
4. He was a member of Bhartiya
Janata Party from April 1991 to
March 1998
5. Was the principal secretary to
former Prime Minister, Atal
Bihari Vajpayee from November
1998 to 23 May 2004
It was under his series of
guidance related to foreign policies
and the security exercises that
motivated the NDA government to
practice Pokharan-2. His strategic
planning to involve US on the
strategic dialogue involved
Vajpayees bus journey to Pakistan.
Verghese Kurien
The man responsible for
bringing white revolution in India and
founder of worlds largest dairy
company Amul, Verghese Kurien
(90) took his last breath in a hospital
at Nadiad, on 9 September 2012. The
body of Kurien was cremated in the
ultramodern crematorium at Kailash
Bhumi in the milk capital of India-
Anand, Gujarat in presence of his
admirers and staff members of milk
cooperatives.
Gujarat Co-operative Milk
Marketing Federation (GCMMF) was
founded under the chairmanship of
the visionary. He was appointed to
be the founder Chairman of National
Dairy Development Board in the year
1965 by the then Prime Minister, Lal
Bahadur Shastri. He played a major
role in different organizations like, he
chaired the Vikshit Bharat Foundation
and been a Chairman for Board of
Governors of Institute of Rural
Management, Anand.

Kurien, who was born in Kerela
on 26 November 1921, in a Syrian
Christian family was a mechanical
engineer by education with dairy
engineering as his minor subject. He
was sent to Anand by the first home
minister of Indian Union, Sardar
Vallabh Bhai Patel to look after the
existing problems of farmers in 1949
and since then Anand turned up to
be the home for the Milkman of India.
He along with his team is known as
the pioneer, who invented the
process of transforming buffalos milk
into condensed milk as well as
powder instead of the cows milk. He
was a co-writer of the film Manthan-
based on white revolution, directed
by Shyam Benegal in 1976.
His vision and leadership
together helped the then milk deficit
country India to be the largest milk
producing country of the world.
Indias contribution to the total milk
production of the world is about 17%.
Because of his contributions to the
nation, Verghese Kurien won awards
namely Magsaysay Award, the world
food prize and Indias second highest
civilian award, Padma Vibhushan.
Now, Kurien is survived by his
grandson, Siddharth, daughter
Nirmala Kurien and his wife.
Surendranatha Thilakan
Surendranatha Thilakan, the
Malayalam film actor and winner of
National Award died due to multiple
organ failure, at the age of 77 on 24
September 2012 at
Thiruvananthapuram.
He also was an acknowledged
theater artist. In the year 2009, he was
awarded with Padma Shri (the fourth
highest civilian award in India) for his
contributions to the (film) form of art.
He made his debut in the industry in
the year 1972 with Periyar, followed
by Gandharvakshetram and many
more in a row. His first movie as a lead
character was as Kallu Varkey- he
played role of a drunkard in Kolangal
in 1981. For his role in Yavanika, he
got his first state award in 1981
followed by two more state awards
in the year 1994 and 1998,
Santhanagopalam and Gamanam
respectively.
Some of his notable works
include Randam Bhavam, Sphadikam,
Namukku Parkkan Munthiri
Thoppukal, Moonnam Pakkam,
Panchagni, Dhwani,
Sanmanassullavarkku Samadhanam,
Mookkilla Rajyathu, Kaattu Kuthira
and Yavanika.
Ranganath Misra
Ranganath Misra, the former
chief justice of India died. He died
at the age of 86 and is survived by his
wife Sumitra Misra. Ranganath Misra
was appointed to be the 21st Chief
Justice of India from 25 September
1990 to 24 November 1991 during
the reign of former Prime Minister
Chandra Shekhar and former
President of India, R. Venkataraman.
Life of Ranganath Misra
Ranganath Misra completed his
education from Cuttack, Orissa and
Allahabad University. He turned up
to be an advocate in high court of
Orissa in the year 1950 and was
appointed to be the judge of the
same court on 18 September 1969
and turned up to be the acting Chief
Justice of the same court on 6
November 1980 and a chief justice
from 16 January 1981. He served
NHRC (National Human Rights
Commission) as its first chairman.
He chaired the famous
Ranganath Misra Commission that was
constituted by his name on 29
October 2004 by the Government of
India to deal and look after the issues
related to Linguistic and Religious
minorities in India. The report was
submitted by the commission on 21
May 2007 and important findings like,
1. To reserve 8.4 percent of the
Other Backward Classes (OBC)
quota of the 27 percent of the
minorities
2. Scheduled caste reservation for
Dalit converts
3. 15 percent seats for minorities
in educational institutions and
government services
Ranganath Misra was the head
of the judicial commission that was
appointed for the probe in the anti-
Sikh riots of New Delhi after the
former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi
was assassinated.
Professor Banwarilal
Sharma
Professor Banwarilal Sharma,
the mathematician and a Gandhian
activist died on 26 September 2012
at Chandigarh. He served Allahabad
University as former HOD of
Mathematics department. Prof.
Banwarilal Sharma also served
International Council of
Mathematicians in developing
countries for 6 years in between 1986
to 1992, as its chairman. He was
trained under Prof Henri Cartan to
obtain DSc degree at University of
Paris.
Banwari Lal Sharma was a
convenor of the movement named
Azadi Bachao Andolan that was led
as peoples movement in different
part of the nation against nuclear
energy. The main aim of the andolan
was to seek control of environment
and its resources in the hands of local
people. He also was a member of the
movement in Orissa against Posco
Steel as well as the spread of the
multinational soft-drinks in the nation.
He was one of the founding members
of National Alliance of Peoples
Movement as well as Swaraj
Vidyapeeth at Allahabad. The
Vidyapeeth worked with a focus of
Jagrit Samaj promoting a new
pedagogy.
Dinesh Thakur
Actor-director Dinesh Thakur,
primarily remembered for his
cigarette smoking serious looks in the
films of 1970s died on 20 September
2012. Thakur (65) died due to his
prolonged illness is now survived by
his actor wife Prita Mathur. Some of
his critically as well as commercially
appreciated films include
Rajanigandha, Mere Apne and Ghar.
His film Rajanigandha directed by
Basu Chatterjee in 1974 won Filmfare
Best Movie Award and the Filmfare
Critics Award for Best Movie.
Screenplay of Ghar (1978) that
fetched him FilmFare Best Story
Award was written by him.
He also played a role in the serial
named Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu
Thi. Dinesh Thakur was the founder-
director of the Mumbai based theater
group- ANK Productions. Some of his
recognized works include Hai Mera
Dil, Jaat Hi Poocho Sadhu KI,
Khamosh Adalat Jaari Hai, Kamala, Jis
Lahore Nahi Dekhya and Rang
Bajrang.
Muzaffar Razmi
The famous Urdu poet
Muzzaffar Razmi died on 19
September 2012 in Kairana in Shamli
district. Razmi (76) suffered a brief
illness and is now survived by his two
daughters and three sons. Razmi
wrote three books of Urdu Poetry. His
book, Lahmon ki Khattah released in
the year 2004 was uncovered by
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
A.M. Govindarasu
A.M. Govindarasu (A.M. Gopu),
the veteran communist leader and
the Freedom Fighter passed away on
13 September 2012 at Chennai. The
83 year old, who survived six bullet
shots by the police in 1950, is
survived by his daughter. Following
his wish of not being cremated, his
family members donated his body to
the Rajiv Gandhi Government
Hospital.
Life of A.M. Govindarasu
alias A.M. Gopu
He became a part of the
freedom movement, when he was in
class ninth in the year 1942.
Supported by three more classmates,
he came on the streets at
Tiruvidaimarudur shouting slogans
against British government, where he
was arrested and sent to Juvenile jail
for 16 days. He was expelled from
his college, Maharaja College at
Pudukottai after making protests
against the Diwan of Travancore, Sir
C.P. Ramaswami Iyer. Gopu was
brought to Chennai by CPI leader K.
Balathandayutham to be a member
of the partys body Janashakti.
Some of his daring actions were
1. He waylayed the trolley that
carried the salary of railway
employees of French
Government in Puducherry
2. At Karaikal-Kumbakonam route
he along with three of his friends
threw country bombs at a
security officer and took away
Rs. 37,000 and a gun carried
him. French Government
announced a prize amount of
Rs 5000 on him and his friends
3. He escaped life term by French
government for killing 2 people
and robbing the train but
Jawaharlal Nehru and Rajajis
intervention saved him at that
point of time
4. After Communist movement
saw a split, he remained with
the party. He served the parties
trade union AITUC as its general
secretary
Ajit Pawar
Maharashtra Deputy Chief
Minister Ajit Pawar resigned on 25
September 2012 after the alleged
ACCUSED/RESIGNED/CONTROVERSY
corruption charges on him in
awarding irrigation projects when he
was states water resource minister.
It was alleged that there were
discrepancy committed in granting
administrative approvals to projects
involving several crore of rupees
during his tenure as an Irrigation
Minister between 1999 and 2009.
Alleagation claim that Ajit Pawar had
approved 38 projects worth Rs
20,000 crore in 2009 without
clearance of governing council of
Vidarbha Irrigation Development
Corporation (VIDC). It was also
alleged that tenders were approved
at higher rates but Pawar has
absolutely overthrown the charges.
Ajit Pawar has also held Finance and
Energy portfolios in the Prithviraj
Chavan government before his
resignation. With the resignation of
Ajit Pawar all NCP Ministers in the
Congress-led government submitted
their resignations to the partys State
Unit Chief Madhukar Pichad. Ajit
Pawar had demanded a white paper
on the irrigation projects and an
investigation into all the allegations.
Ajit Pawar is also going to be the leader
of NCP legislature party as long as he
enjoyed the support of the legislators.
Rajiv Kumar
Rajiv Kumar, secretary-general
of the Federation of Indian Chambers
of Commerce and Industry on 18
September 2012 left the industry
association because he wanted to
return to academics.
He will, however, stay up to
December, till Ficci chooses his
successor. Rajiv Kumar is an
economist and had joined Ficci in
October 2010 as a director general
and subsequently became its
secretary general in May
2011. Before joining Ficci, he was
Director and Chief Executive of the
Indian Council for Research on
International Economic Relations,
which is one of Indias independent
economic policy think tanks. He has
committed to play as advisory role to
Ficci in the future on select initiatives.
Assem Trivedi
The cartoonist Aseem Trivedi
was released from the Arthur Road
Jail. Aseem Trivedi, who was arrested
on the charges of sedition and
insulting the national symbol and
emblem, was released from jail after
Bombay High Court granted him bail
on the personal bond of Rs 5000. This
supporter of Anna Hazares Anti
Corruption campaign was arrested for
depiction of wolves in place of lions
and providing a quote Bhrastameva
Jayate as a replacement of Satyameva
Jayate on the National Emblem.
Aseem Trivedi the cartoonist is
renowned for portraying politics in
India and appreciated for his
campaign Cartoons against
Corruption.
He is the winner of Courage in
Editorial Cartooning Award for 2012
that is conducted by Cartoonists
Rights Network International. The
cartoonist has been a founding
member of a body named movement
against internet censorship in India,
Save Your Voice.
HONOUR
Shadman Chowk
Bhagat Singh Chowk, Is the new
name of Shadman Chowk located in
the Eastern City of Lahore (Pakistan).
The Shadman Chowk in the eastern
city of Lahore (Pakistan) on 29
September 2012 was renamed
as Bhagat Singh Chowk on the
105th birth anniversary of the
revolutionary freedom fighter and
martyr, Bhagat Singh. This came up
in result of the demand from the
peace activists for renaming the
Chowk by the name of Bhagat Singh.
Noorul Amin Mengal, the District
Coordination Officer directed the
City District Government to rename
Shadman Chowk as Bhagat Singh
Chowk.
It was Shadman Chowk
roundabout, where Bhagat Singh
along with his two companions
Sukhdev Singh and Rajguru were
hanged on 23 March 1931 in the
then Lahore Jail for their alleged
involvement in the Lahore Conspiracy
Case. Till 1947, the Chowk was named
after the name of Bhagat Singh, later
it was renamed to be Shadman
Chowk.
Forbes released the Annual
Ranking List of 400 richest
Americans
Forbes on 19 September 2012
released the list of 400 richest
Americans. Bill Gates with his total net
worth of $ 66 billion managed to
remain at the top position for 19th
year in a row. Warren Buffet of
Berkshire Hathaway with net asset of
$ 46 billion was at second position in
the list. Larry Ellison of Oracle
remained at third position with net
asset of $ 41 billion. Some of the
known names in the list include:
1. Jeff Bezos, at No. 11, with
estimated net worth of $23.2
billion
2. Steve Ballmer at 19th position
with net asset of $15.9 billion
3. Paul Allen grabbed 20th
position with net asset of $15
billion
4. Mark Zuckerberg of facebook,
slipped from his previous years
11th position to 36th position
with net asset of $17.5 billion
Joseph Anton
Joseph Anton the 633 page
book depicts a memoir of Salman
Rushdie during his 10 years long run
to protect himself from the Fatwa
issued by his name was released on
18 September 2012. Salman
Rushdies new book reveals his life,
at the time when he was issued an
Iranian fatwa that ordered his death
for the publication of The Satanic
Verses in 1988. In the book, Salman
Rushdie has characterized himself as
Joseph Anton and the name is the
combination of the first names of his
favourite writers Joseph Conrad and
Anton Chekhov.
Muslim in Indian cities
Vice president of India Hamid
Ansari released the book Muslim in
Indian cities on 10 September 2012.
The book is edited by Laurent Gayer
and Christopher Jafferlot. On the
occasion of book release, Vice-
President denoted Indian muslim
as sui genericthat means unique in
characteristics. The book speaks
about Muslim life in India. Numbering
more than 150 million, Muslims
constitute the largest minority in India,
yet they suffer the most politically and
socioeconomically. The books
argue that the quality of Muslim life
may lag behind that of Hindus
nationally, local and inclusive cultures
had resilient in the south and the east.
Within Indias cities, however, the
challenges Muslims face can be
harder to read. As per the book, In
the Hindi belt and in the north,
Muslims have known less peace,
especially in the riot-prone areas of
Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Jaipur, and
Aligarh, and in the capitals of former
Muslim statesDelhi, Hyderabad,
Bhopal, and Lucknow. These cities
are rife with Muslim ghettos and
slums. However, self-segregation has
also played a part in forming Muslim
enclaves, such as in Delhi and Aligarh,
where traditional elites and a new
Muslim middle class have regrouped
for physical and cultural protection.
Combining firsthand testimony
with sound critical analysis, the book
follows urban Muslim life in eleven
Indian cities, providing uncommon
insight into a little-known but highly
consequential subject. The book is
published by Harper Collins
publisher, India. Laurent Gayer is a
research fellow at the Centre National
de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS),
currently posted at the Centre de
Sciences Humaines (CSH) in New
Delhi. He is also research associate at
the Centre dEtudes de lInde et de
lAsie du Sud in Paris. Christophe
Jaffrelot is research director at CNRS
and teaches South Asian politics and
history at Sciences Po (Paris), as well
as at Kings College, London.
Jeet Thayil
Jeet Thayil, 53 years has been
shortlisted for 50,000 the Man
Booker Prize for the year 2012 on 11
September 2012. The Kerela born
novelist and poet was chosen for the
prize for his debut novel Narcopolis.
Before this in the year 2008, Arvind
Adiga won the booker prize for his
debut novel The White Tiger.
Narcopolis the story that begins with
Bombay is a masterpiece of a cyclone
of drugs, violence, sex, loves, lives
and deaths. Even the title suggests
the theme of the story that is related
to drugs.
The story seems to be based on
the experiences of Jeet Thayil and
has been compared to the William
Burroughs Junky and Thomas de
Quinceys confessions of an English
Opium Eater by the Guardian. After
winning the award Jeet will be the
member of a selected group of
Indian and Indian Born Booker
winners like Arundhati Roy, Salman
Rushdie, Kiran Desai and Arvind
Adiga.
In this race of Booker Awards,
Jeet Thayil will have to survive a tough
competition from Will Self and Harry
Mantel, the previous winners of the
awards. Creator of the Wolf Hall the
book that won booker in 2009, Harry
Mantel has been shortlisted for Bring
up the Bodies, which a sequel to the
Wolf Hall. Umbrella helped Mr. Self
in being shortlisted for the
award. Will Self, Harry Mantel, Tan
Twan Eng, Deborah Levyand Alison
Moore are the other shortlisted
candidates for the awards.
BOOKS
5. James Jannard secured 150th
position with his net asset of $2.8
billion
6. Craig McCaw was placed at
number 311 in the list with his
net asset of $1.5 billion
7. Bruce Nordstrom remained at.
360th position with net asset
of $1.2 billion
VARIOUS
Hassan Sheikh Mohamud
After two days of his being
appointed in the office, the Somalian
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud
survived an assassination attempted
by the Shebab a group Islamic rebels
from Al-Qaeda, on 13 September
2012. At the time when the two bomb
blasts happened the president was
meeting the Kenyas Foreign Minister
in Mogadishu hotel. In this attack by
the multiple suicide bombers the
president remained unharmed. The
report presented by Ali Houmed,
spokesman for the African Union
Mission in Somalia (Amisom) claimed
three deaths that include two Somali
Troops and a Ugandan soldier.
QS World University
Rankings
Massachusetts Institute of
Technology (MIT) topping the list of
best universities issued by the QS
World University Rankings for 2011-
2012 for the first time that there is a
massive rise in the tech-based
universities of the world. Cambridge
University that had managed to be at
second position in the list has seen a
slight depression from its first slot,
whereas Harvard University was
ranked to be at third position in the
list. University College, London
(UCL), Oxford and Imperial are the
ranked to be at fourth and fifth
position. Four universities from
United Kingdom have taken the slot
among six best universities of the
world. In the announced rankings,
none of the Indian universities have
been successful in managing a rank
even in the top hundred. The
published results are based on the
QS Academic reputation survey in
which 46,000 academics from across
the world were engaged in
identifying the leading universities of
their respective field.
M V Amsterdam Bridge was
on fire
M V Amsterdam a merchant
vessel carrying hazardous and
inflammable materials was on fire at a
distance of four nautical miles from
the Prongs Reef Lighthouse in south
Mumbai on 9 September 2012. To
control the fire ICGS Samudra Prahari,
ICGS Subhadra Kumari Chouhan,
ICGS Sankalp and ICGS Sangram
were sent on duty. Out of 112
containers on the vessel, 24
containers were carrying 45 tonnes
of dangerous cargo that included
turpentine petrol and inflammable
gas. Any short of oil spill was not
witnessed. The crew members of the
54,405 vessel were removed safely,
without causing any damage.
Farida Malik
Student of Kazakhstans Turan
University Farida Malik a girl of Indian
Kazakh origin won the title of Miss
Almaty 2012, on 14 September 2012.
Farida, whose father is an Indian and
mother a Kazakh, received the
beauty pageant of Miss Kazakhstan.
Executive Director of Miss
Kazakhstan beauty pageant Sovet
Seitov, stated that Farida is a girl with
outstanding appearance and the jury
along with her liked her dance and
moves.
Saksham to Educate
Adolescent Boys
The Union Ministry of Women
and Child Development on 18
September 2012 decided to launch
a scheme cal l ed Saksham to
empower adolescent boys by
educating them on gender sensitivity
and moral behaviour. Saksham aims
to target young boys in the age group
10-18 years for their holistic
development by giving lessons in
gender sensitivity and inculcating in
them respect for women.
The Union government has
already allocated ten lakh rupees for
preparatory work for the scheme
which is expected to be rolled out
from the next financial year 2012-13.
Defence Minister, A.K.
Antony opened an Army
Hospital in Male
On his three day visit from 15
September 2012 to 17 September
2012 to Maldives the Defence
Minister of India, A.K. Antony opened
Maldives National Defence Force
(MNDF) hospital, SENAHIYA at
Male on 16 September 2012. The
hospital that was developed with
Indian assistance is an example of a
shining collaboration and
cooperation model in between the
two countries.
India has also provided the
hospital with 25 bed state-of-the-art
medical equipment and a team of
highly qualified medical experts. This
team will be functional as a unit that
will take care of fine functioning and
smooth running of the hospital. The
defence minister of India also
participated in the foundation stone
laying ceremony of the Maldivian
National Defence Forces training
academy.
The Defence Minister of
Maldives Mohamed Nazim thanked
India for its assistance in the collateral
development of the nation and
hoped for strengthening of the bond
between the two countries under
every circumstance. He also declared
that Maldives will stand by the side
of India for assurance of the maritime
security in the sensitive regions of the
Indian Ocean.
Smita Shah
Smita Shah a close supporter of
US President Barack Obama became
the first person from Indian-
American origin to serve as a
parliamentarian for Democratic
National Convention on 6 September
2012. As per the publically available
documents, Smita has been an
applauded donor to the campaign of
the Democratic Party and Obama.
She is the Vice-Chair at Chicago Plan
Commission. Smita heads Spaan
Tech, a unit that was described by
The Chicago Tribune to be politically
connected with an information and
management technology firm having
four contracts of several million dollars
potentially, in the year 2011. Being a
professional engineer with license,
she founded Spaan Tech in the year
1998 and since then has been a great
participant in the success story of the
company. The Chicago born is
serving as a Chairman with Delhi
Chicago Sister Cities Committee. To
promote the exchange of values in
relation to culture, social and
economy in between the two nations,
she guided the Chicagos Mayor
Richard M Daley trade mission to
India.
Bill Gates
Microsoft Co-Founder, Bill
Gates remained at the top position in
the list of 400 richest Americans
released by Forbes Annual Ranking
on 19 September 2012. Gates,
succeeded in winning the top
position for 19th time in a row with
his net worth of $ 66 billion.
Bill Gates at present is the
chairman of Microsoft and co-chair
for Bill and Melinda Gates
Foundation.
Senkaku Islands
The uninhabited group of
Islands Senkaku or Diaoyu turned up
to be the cause for mounting tensions
in between China and Japan. Japan
on 11 September 2012 announced
that they have purchased three
islands of this group of islands from
its identified Tokyo based Kurihara
family (owner of the island) at $25b
million. In response to this
declaration, china sent two Marine
Surveillance Ships for patrol and
resettling Chinese claim on the
islands. Chinese foreign ministry also
warned Japan that necessary steps
will be taken to protect Chinese
interests to the issue. Following the
study conducted by experts in 1968,
the Island group that has been under
the control of Japan, since 1895 holds
oil reserves under the sea. China
claims that the islands were
discovered and controlled by them
ever since fourteenth century and
considers it to be a part of Taiwan
(Republic of China).
Mamta Banerjee
The Bloomberg Markets
magazine had included West Bengal
Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee in the
list of 50 most influential people in
the finance category. The other
leading personalities included in that
category were Business Tycoon
Warren Buffet, Founder of Facebook
Mark Zuckerberg and Hyundais
chairman Chung Mong Koo. Mamta
Banerjee is included in the policy-
makers section and is sharing space
with US federal chairman Ben S
Bernanke, European Central Banks
President Mario Draghi and Burmese
opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
The selection was decided on
the ability of leader to move markets
and shape ideas and policies and his
or her influence in affecting the
price of a security or the structure of
a deal. Two other people of Indian
origin who were included in the list
were Anshu Jain, Co- CEO of
Deutsche Bank and Preet Bharara, US
Attorney for the southern District of
New York. Mamta banerjee was
placed in 21st position. Earlier in
April, she was also ranked among 100
most influential personalities of the
world by the Time magazine.
Emomali Rahmon
The President of Tajikistan,
Emomali Rahmon visited India from 1
to 4 September 2012.This was the
fifth visit to India by President
Emomali Rahmon. During this visit,
India and Tajikistan signed six
agreements in the field of sports,
health, culture, education, labour,
textiles and energy.
It was also decided that India
would increase training slots for
Tajikistan from 100 to 150 under India
Technology and Eco Training
Programme. In the course of his visit,
President of Tajikistan also addressed
a business meeting jointly organised
by ASSOCHAM, CII and FICCI.
Fuego Volcano
Guatemala is a country located
in Central America. Guatemala, in the
second week of September 2012
evacuated tens of thousands of
people after the Fuego volcano
started spewing ash and lava.
Powerful eruptions were catapulting
burning rocks as high as 1000 meters
above the crater and lava was flowing
down its slopes. The eruption of the
Fuego, 50 kilometers south-west of
Guatemala City, is the biggest since 1999.
Plastic Omnium Planned to
build its Third Factory in
Russia
Plastic Omnium, the French
Auto Part supplier on 18 September
2012 declared their plan to build a
factory in Russia. The decided
location of the factory is St.
Petersburg and this will be third
factory for the French company in
Russia. This decision came following
the growing demands of the
products of Plastic Omnium in
Russian Market. Inergy that was
launched as a 51 percent joint
venture of Plastic Omnium with fuel
systems manufacturers, DSK will build
the factory. Inergy, which has
recently won the contracts of
General Motors, Ford and Nissan
manufactures fuel system for Renault
Dacia and supplies to AutoVaz.
World Economic Forum
ranking
India slipped down with 3 ranks
to 59th position from its previous year
ranking in the Global Competitiveness
Report 2012-2013 released on 5
September 2012 by the World
Economic Forum. The identified
reason for this downfall is Indias
disappointing performance in
satisfying competitiveness for the
basic factors. Previously, India was
far ahead to the nations like South
Africa and Brazil has trailed down by
10 ranks and is 30 ranks behind the
China. As per the details released by
the forum, India still is strong in term
of competitiveness on many other
sections of comparison. Switzerland
managed to be on top of the list for
consecutive four years followed by
Singapore that ranked second and
Finland was placed at third position.
Among the members of BRICS
Nations, Russia was placed at 67th
Position, South Africa got 52nd
position and Brazil remained to be
the 48th Nation.
http://www.civilservicesmentor.com 8 6 8 6 8 6 8 6 8 6 http://upscportal.com
China is again at a fork in the road China is again at a fork in the road China is again at a fork in the road China is again at a fork in the road China is again at a fork in the road
The media focus on the dismissed leader of Chongqing,
Bo Xilai, and his convicted wife Gu Kailai has been so extensive
that adequate attention has not been paid to the political
transition due to take place shortly at the 18th Congress of
the Communist Party of China.
Unfulfilled goal Unfulfilled goal Unfulfilled goal Unfulfilled goal Unfulfilled goal
During the decade since CPC General Secretary, President
Hu Jintao, and Premier Wen Jiabao came to power in 2002,
China achieved many high points. Yet some of the major
initiatives for which the Hu-Wen leadership would be
remembered did not achieve their desired results. China
confidently coped with the global economic crisis in 2008,
and in 2010 it became the second largest economy in the
world. Chinas per capita income rose from $1000 in 2002 to
over 2500 now. Many events such as the Beijing Olympics
and astronauts in space missions were major achievements.
But the distinction of this leadership was its attempt to reorient
the strategy of fast economic growth to address the problems
of social inequality, regional disparity, environmental pollution
and increasing corruption under a programme of balanced,
multi-dimensional development which Hu Jintao called
scientific outlook on development. This came after Jiang
Zemins call for building a well-off society by 2020.
Unfortunately, the market forces released by the 30 years of
economic reforms were so strong and the Partys method of
using an authoritarian state apparatus was so effective in
getting both the support of people at home and rising status
in the world that the goal of this leadership largely remained
unfulfilled.
One of the most important achievements of the Hu-
Wen leadership was the smooth process of transition it has
ensured. Political succession had seen tumultuous times
before. After the Tiananmen Demonstrations in 1989, when
Deng Xiaoping appointed Jiang Zemin as the leader, several
principles were put into action. One was to choose relatively
younger leaders, limit their five-year terms to two, make them
retire at 70 and put them in position on the line of succession
five years earlier. Thus Xi Jinping and Li Keqiang who are the
likely successors to Hu Jintao and Wen Jiabao, were put in
the Standing Committee of the Party Politbureau at the 17th
Party Congress in 2007, and made Vice-President and Vice-
Premier respectively in early 2008.
The Hu-Wen leaderships record on building democracy
is a matter of much debate. On the one hand, the leaders can
be credited for maintaining a fairly stable polity that saw a
prospering economy. This was in the face of labour strikes,
ethnic riots and some 180,000 mass incidents in 2010, most
of which were peasant protests over transfer of land for
commercial purposes. On the other hand, they have firmly
ruled out adoption of western style multi-party democracy.
In fact, during the last two years, some intellectuals had a
discussion on an alternative model called Confucian
democracy that puts in power wise, benevolent, pro-people
rulers.
Small steps forward Small steps forward Small steps forward Small steps forward Small steps forward
The election of the 2,270 delegates to the Congress
including 23 per cent women and 11 per cent minorities saw
some small steps forward. The choice was widened and more
youths were nominated. However, no woman or ethnic leader
seems to be an obvious choice for the Standing Committee,
with the possible exception of Liu Yandong, the only woman
member in the outgoing Politburo. Fujian leader Sun Chunlan
is a rising star.
After coming to power, the Hu-Wen leadership revived
the old Maoist slogan of serve the people, called the anti-
corruption campaign a matter of life and death for the party
and pledged to promote human rights. In fact, the Charter of
2008 signed initially by 350 intellectuals was a landmark
document pleading for that. But the repression of human
rights activists and ethnic demonstrators in Xinjiang and Tibet
continued.
At the same time, the regime launched a large number
of programmes for the minority regions. The Western Region
Development Strategy was continued from the Jiang Zemin
period with more allocations. One of the flagship
programmes of the Hu-Wen regime was the Building a New
Socialist Countryside launched in 2006. The widening rural-
urban gap urban per capita income was over three times
the rural and massive migration to cities with nearly three
hundred million floating population in the cities had created
a major crisis. The new initiative aimed at investing more in
rural infrastructure, agricultural technology and, above all, in
health and education. But after the first flush of enthusiasm,
its significance seems to have waned and only routine
references are made in the annual reports and plan documents.
The Hu-Wen decade saw the rise of China as a world
power poised to overtake the U.S. economy by 2040. As a
growing big power, Chinas moves in the South China Sea, the
vigorous acquisition of natural resources and markets in Africa
and Latin America and its challenging of the U.S. position on
many issues in the U.N. represent one trend. This was in tune
with the massive display of nationalism by millions in the
cyberspace. Deng Xiaopings advice that China should lie low
in the world and bide for time may have run its course.
At a different level, China actively associated itself with
many multilateral initiatives and worked together with the
developing countries, including India, on issues of world trade
and climate change. It has enthusiastically participated in the
emergence of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South
Africa) as a new force for building a just and equitable world
order. Thus the Hu-Wen leadership has constantly swung
between two opposite tendencies one pushing it to act as
a big power with an eye on competing with the U.S. in every
sphere, and the other working to end big power domination.
In popular imagination, China is caught between the visions
of G-2 and G-77. No doubt, as in other parts of the world, in
China too there are people who acknowledge that humanity
has entered a new historical phase in which hegemony in any
form is challenged everywhere.
These contradictory pulls have been reflected in China-
India relations during the past decade. There were new
milestones created with the establishment of the strategic
and cooperative partnership between India and China and
agreement on the political parameters guiding the process of
settlement of the boundary question during Premier Wen
Jiabaos visit to India in 2005. The trade volume has increased
steadily, reaching $74 billion in 2011, and exchanges in all
possible spheres expanded vastly along with exchange visits
by top leaders. At the same time, India seems to have receded
in Chinas strategic priorities in recent years. It is seen more in
the context of the Chinese response to the new strategic line
of the U.S. in forging its Asian pivot rather than a partner in
its own rights.
Grandpa Wen Grandpa Wen Grandpa Wen Grandpa Wen Grandpa Wen
As for the human face of the regime, the image of
Premier Wen Jiabao standing on the rubble of school buildings
during the Wenchuan earthquake in 2008 or at the site of the
High Speed Train accident in 2011 in Wenzhou will always be
etched in the Chinese mind. While Hu Jintao, the ideologue,
exhibited a stiff personality, smiling rarely, the charming
Premier was fondly called Grandpa Wen by children. The two
together successfully led China in a momentous decade and
are all set to pass on the mantle to the Xi-Li leadership which
has already been groomed to succeed them.
The composition of the next Standing Committee will
be watched with great interest keeping two questions in mind.
One is whether the Xi-Li leadership will reflect the Hu-Wen tilt
towards equity and sustainability by deliberately scaling down
the growth rate from 10 to 7.5 per cent in the XII Plan. Or
would they rather give up such pretensions and resume the
Jiang era focus on rapid growth? The other is the foreign
policy line of the Jiang regime during 1989-2002 which was
seen as being soft on the U.S. for obtaining western capital,
technology and access to its market. The Hu-Wen regime was
seen readjusting that policy, building up linkages with African
and Latin American countries and playing tough with the U.S.
on many issues such as on Syria.
Courtesy-The Hindu Courtesy-The Hindu Courtesy-The Hindu Courtesy-The Hindu Courtesy-The Hindu
Stepping up pace on the long road to Stepping up pace on the long road to Stepping up pace on the long road to Stepping up pace on the long road to Stepping up pace on the long road to
TB control TB control TB control TB control TB control
MOVING FORWARD: MOVING FORWARD: MOVING FORWARD: MOVING FORWARD: MOVING FORWARD: A clearer picture of the nature
and extent of the disease burden will not only help government
agencies to plan and execute plans for TB control but also
provide invaluable information for medical scientists.
PHOTO: G. KRISHNASWAMY
Tuberculosis (TB) has remained a major infectious
disease in developing and poor countries despite all efforts
from health agencies to manage and control it. In fact, even
an easy and effective way to diagnose the disease has
remained a challenge. Emergence of drug resistant strains
has made its management more complex.
The steps The steps The steps The steps The steps
It makes the situation in countries like India, with the
highest TB burden in the world, even more serious, requiring
urgent attention and novel methods of intervention. It is within
this context that two major policy initiatives to make TB a
notifiable disease and to ban serological tests taken by
the combined efforts of several government agencies are
noteworthy, timely and laudable.
Making TB a notifiable disease simply means that all TB
cases diagnosed nationally and treated in the public or private
sector will have to be notified through an information
technology-based network dedicated for this purpose. This
is an important development because for the first time, India
will have a serious and structured process to find out the
actual disease burden. This has multiple implications. Not
only will this allow doctors and researchers to map the disease
spread more accurately but it will also help in identifying
areas of high disease burden, the nature of disease and
susceptible age groups. This information will be most useful
to the TB control programme as it will allow them to focus
and/or reorient their efforts for maximum effect, especially
for patients in the private sector. Moreover, it will allow
patients easy access to appropriate and free TB therapy,
ensure compliance and complete cure. A clearer knowledge
of the nature and extent of the disease burden will also help
State and Central government agencies to plan and execute
both short- and long-term strategies for TB control. This will
also provide invaluable information for medical scientists
involved in the development of new diagnostics, drugs and
vaccines against TB.
The second policy decision to ban serological diagnostic
tests for TB is no less significant. Serological or blood tests
are based on the successful detection of certain molecules
(antigens) from the pathogen, or detection of the bodys
immune response to the pathogen (antibody response mostly).
These are routinely used for diagnosis of diseases like HIV/
AIDS, malaria and hepatitis. In principle and in practice, when
effective, these tests are economical, easy to use and quick
in diagnosis of a disease condition.
Serological testing Serological testing Serological testing Serological testing Serological testing
However, it has not been possible to develop an
accurate serological test for TB so far. The main reason for
this is that in disease endemic countries like India, where
most of the population has been exposed to TB, these
serological tests are completely ineffective. Although healthy,
with no symptoms of pulmonary disease, most of us are
likely to test positive for TB and in inexperienced hands will
perhaps be started on TB treatment. The dependence on such
unreliable tests can only do harm, especially serious, in case
of TB, because many will end up undergoing TB therapy
without any need for it. Several scientific studies have clearly
shown that serological tests for TB are not only of no value
but also add to the gravity of the problem by resulting in
multi-drug resistant (MDR) TB. The World Health Organisation
has already advised all TB control programmes against the
use of any of these. Thus, the ban by law in India has come not
a day too soon. However, it should be emphasised that the
ban is only on the serological tests that are used currently for
TB and not for serological tests per se. If in future, a reliable
and accurate serological test is developed, it will certainly be
allowed to be used once its efficacy is proved.
Detecting genetic material Detecting genetic material Detecting genetic material Detecting genetic material Detecting genetic material
The obvious query in any thinking persons mind would
be: does this ban on serological tests in any way hamper
doctors from diagnosing and treating those suffering from TB
and requiring urgent attention? The short answer is a definite
no because these tests are of no value. Moreover, highly
efficient tests based on detecting genetic material from the
TB bug are now available and in use in many TB endemic
countries. These tests are highly reliable, quick and, more
significantly, also address the problem of detection of most
forms of drug-resistant TB. The challenge seems to be the
price of the technology.
There is hope that in the future, home-grown and locally
manufactured technologies will be discovered and made
available for public use.
These two landmark decisions indicate the positive
energy that gets generated when various agencies manage to
work in harmonious synchronisation. It is difficult to imagine
that such vital decisions could have taken place without care,
consultation and the coordinated efforts of all stakeholders
in the public sphere involved in the control of TB, along with
government agencies like the office of the Drugs Controller
General of India, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (Revised
National Tuberculosis Control Programme), Ministry of
Communications & Information Technology and Indian
Council of Medical Research. All these and several others
involved in advocacy to control the disease need to be
congratulated. These efforts also reflect the seriousness with
which government and health providers in the country have
decided to approach one of the most serious health problems
in the country. There is hope and every reason to believe that
with the combined efforts of public and private health
providers, TB and MDR-TB can be effectively managed.
Dont undermine the auditor Dont undermine the auditor Dont undermine the auditor Dont undermine the auditor Dont undermine the auditor
When the draft provisions relating to the Comptroller
and Auditor General were under consideration in the
Constituent Assembly, Dr. B.R Ambedkar, Chairman of the
Drafting Committee, said: I am of the opinion that this
dignitary or officer is probably the most important officer in
the Constitution of India. He is the one man who is going to
see that the expenses voted by Parliament are not exceeded,
or varied from what has been laid down by Parliament in the
Appropriation Act. If this functionary is to carry out the duties
and his duties, I submit, are far more important than the
duties even of the Judiciary he should have been certainly
as independent as the Judiciary. But, comparing the Articles
about the Supreme Court and those relating to the Auditor-
General, I cannot help saying that we have not given him the
same independence which we have given to the Judiciary,
although I personally feel that he ought to have far greater
independence than the Judiciary itself (May 30, 1949)
Without fear or favour Without fear or favour Without fear or favour Without fear or favour Without fear or favour
While laying the foundation stone of the CAG office
building in New Delhi in July 1954, President Rajendra Prasad
said: At the present moment when the Government is
incurring a huge expenditure on so many welfare projects
it is essential that every rupee that we spend is properly
accounted for. This important task I am afraid, a task not
always very pleasant devolves upon the Comptroller and
Auditor General and his office. In accordance with the powers
vested in him, he has to carry on these functions without fear
or favour in the larger interests of the nation.
At a similar function in Madras in June 1954, Vice
President Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan stated: Ours is a poor
country, its resources are limited and we cannot afford to
risk any kind of waste and the Audit and Accounts Department
will have to look upon their functions as the functions of the
greatest public utility ... In conclusion, he asserted: If I have
one advice to give and if I am presumptuous enough to give
any advice to the officers of the audit and accounts, it is this:
Do not shrink from the truth for fear of offending men in high
places.
At the time President Prasad spoke about huge
expenditure of government projects, the combined
budgetary transactions of the Centre and the States were
Rs.1,354 crore (1954-55). In 2010-2011, the total had zoomed
to Rs.22, 92,510 crore according to the Economic Survey
2011-12 .
When there was some criticism of the CAGs reports in
December 1952, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru chastised
the Member: He [the CAG] is not responsible to the
Government and it is open for him to criticise the Government
in reports. For him to be criticised on the floor of the House
would tend to undermine the special position that has been
granted to him to discharge his duties without fear or favour.
Against the audits findings on deficiencies in defence
preparedness on May 31, 1962, during the debate on Demands
for Grants, Defence Minister Krishna Menon flared up:
Criticism offered by Audit to Parliament must be limited to
financial question based on accounts. It is not the function of
Auditor General to range over the field of administration and
offer suggestion as to how the Government could be better
conducted. Immediately there were points of order and
Speaker Sardar Hukam Singh pacified both sides. On June 18,
the matter was again raised and the Speaker accepted the
suggestion of the Finance Minister to seek elucidation from
the Public Accounts Committee on the role of the CAG on the
points raised.
In the 1950s and 1960s, with Prime Minister Jawaharlal
Nehru as its leader, the Congress had more than 70 per cent
strength in both Houses, which naturally gave the ruling party
a sufficient majority in all Committees, including the PAC. In
1962, the PAC chairman was Mahavir Tyagi, a senior Congress
leader, bold and free in his views.
The PAC made an extensive study of the objectives and
practices in the United Kingdom, and of explanations and
documents offered by CAG A.K. Roy. Then, Tyagi submitted
the PAC report with the following recommendations: The
Committee is definitely of the view that it is the function of
the CAG to satisfy himself not only that every expenditure
has been incurred as per prescribed rules, regulations and
laws, but also that it has been incurred with faithfulness,
wisdom and economy. If, in the course of the audit, the CAG
becomes aware of facts which appear to him to indicate an
improper expenditure or waste of money, it is his duty to call
the attention of Parliament to them through his Audit Reports.
At the present time when there is heavy taxation and heavy
expenditure, the Committee hopes that the CAG will pay
even greater attention than in the past to this aspect of his
duties and that the government will give him every facility to
perform them.
Four months later, in October 1962, the Chinese
aggression on India proved the validity of the points raised in
the Audit Report. The debacle forced Krishna Menon to resign.
Now scam after scam comes to be reported about the
bewildering loss of public funds, counted in lakhs of crores.
But at every revelation, the Manmohan Singh government,
noted for its zero administrative capacity, maintains there is
zero loss.
Can we expect the President and the Vice-President to
follow in the footsteps of Rajendra Prasad and Sarvepalli
Radhakrishnan, and ask the CAG to carry on his functions
without fear or favour or advise the Audit officers not to
shrink from truth for fear of offending men in high places?
On August 27, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
submitted to both Houses his report refuting many points
raised in the CAG Report on the allocation of coal blocks. I
am not going to analyse the contents of the report.
Horrifying Horrifying Horrifying Horrifying Horrifying
I am horrified at the remarks he made to the media
before going to the Lok Sabha with his report. His message to
the media in Parliament House on August 27 was released by
the Prime Ministers Office. The fourth paragraph of the news
release said: I wish to assure the country that we have a very
strong and credible case, the observations of the CAG are
disputable, and they will be challenged when the matter comes
before the Parliaments Public Accounts Committee.
I am not concerned here with the Prime Minsters
affirmations about the strong case of the government or the
disputable observations of the CAG. What I am strongly against
is this sentence in his statement: they [observations of the
CAG] will be challenged when the matter comes before the
Parliaments Public Accounts Committee.
How can the Prime Minister say now that the
observations of the CAG will be challenged when the matter
comes before the PAC?
The PAC is set up by Parliament and its proceedings
cannot be passed on to others until its report is submitted to
Parliament. The Prime minister, however high his position,
should not take the PAC for granted. He cannot issue a whip
now that the observations of the CAG are to be challenged.
He may as well abolish the entire Committee system.
When Hitler came to power in Germany, he proscribed
all political parties excepting the Nazi Party; then he amended
the law to end all forms of accountability through audit of
finance. It is to be hoped that Manmohan Singh and his
ministers are not trying to adopt this method to avoid
struggling with the cumbersome parliamentary system of a
functioning democracy.
Wounded psyche, shattered trust Wounded psyche, shattered trust Wounded psyche, shattered trust Wounded psyche, shattered trust Wounded psyche, shattered trust
The ethnic violence in lower Assam has abated, but the
fault lines exposed by the clashes remain. The divide resulted
in a humanitarian crisis of massive proportions, rendering
lakhs of people homeless. It also drove a wedge between
Muslims and Bodos, who had lived side by side in the region
for decades.
The rioting and the massive displacement that followed,
shattered the trust between the two groups. The collective
psyche remains wounded.
The most pertinent question at the moment is perhaps
whether the two groups would be able to bridge the divide
and start life afresh by returning to their homes from refugee
camps spread across districts including Kokrajhar, Chirang,
Bongaigaon and Dhubri. Nearly six weeks after the violence
set off the movement of people, there are no ready answers.
Had it not been for bandhs called by organisations such
as the Bajrang Dal on August 27 and the All Assam Minority
Students Union the following day, that sparked fresh violence,
the situation in the refugee camps may well have been
different. Many of the camp inmates were contemplating a
gradual and guarded return back home, when in the last week
of August renewed tensions and another wave of panic swept
through them. Owing to the fresh spell of violence, even many
of those who had returned to their villages or taken shelter in
adjoining villages were forced to flee for a second time.
Beyond holding out assurances and promises, the
administration has been unable to instil confidence among
those in the camps and persuade them to return. The fear of
a recrudescence of violence haunts most of those in the
camps. Appeals from leaders from both sides trying to reach
out to them and encourage them to go back home have
mostly fallen on deaf ears.
Land, the issue Land, the issue Land, the issue Land, the issue Land, the issue
They continue to feel vulnerable and sceptical even as
Bodo and Muslim leaders visit the camps and urge them to
put the scorched memories behind them. They are invariably
assured that things are returning to normal in their villages,
that peace is back and that all illegal weapons have been
seized.
But doubts remain in the tormented minds. Those whose
houses were razed to the ground are the most reluctant to
leave the camps simply because they have no homes to go
back to. The others, whose homes were spared, remain a
wary lot, eager to get back but not as yet sure whether it
would be safe to do so.
The overwhelming concern expressed by a delegation
of MLAs and MPs, its members handpicked by Chief Minister
Tarun Gogoi, that visited the camps was that the longer the
victims stay in camps, the more difficult it would be for them
to return. For there is always the likelihood of encroachers
usurping their homes and their fields that lie abandoned. Land
is indeed a key issue involved here.
Camps, after all, cannot be a permanent residence.
The Assam governments intent in adopting an approach
that is empathic rather than overly dependent on force, has
the backing even of the Opposition parties. But till now,
although many have returned home (till September 3,
according to official estimates 2.42 lakh people have returned
home from camps), the governments initiatives have not
fully yielded the desired results.
Gripped by fear, some of those in the camps say they
would never return to their villages. Instead, their hope is that
the government would arrange for their rehabilitation in areas
where there is a strong and reassuring presence of people of
their own community.
With every passing day, the anger in the camps against
the administration for having failed to protect them and their
homes seemed to give way to despair and gloom. Resigned
to their fate, some say life would never be the same again.
There is a sense of loss that pervades their questions. Why
should we fill forms? What happens to those among us
whose identity documents were destroyed in the fire when
our houses were attacked, or just left behind? Will my land
or house be allocated to someone else if I do not return? The
apprehensions reflect their vulnerabilities. Their anxieties are
writ on their furrowed brows. There is a pattern in the location
of the camps. They are separated by distance but share the
same fate. While most of the camps for Bodos are in Kokrajhar
district where there is a high concentration of people of the
community, a majority of Muslims are in camps in the adjoining
Dhubri district where the minority population is predominant.
But even in the midst of such adversity, there has grown
a fraternal solidarity among the camp inmates a bonding
that comes with shared suffering. They may be in cramped
confines but each finds refuge in the other there is no fear
of another attack from the other side. There is also the odd
moment of celebration when a child is born or a couple
united in marriage. Suddenly despondency gives way to hope.
But before long the fears are back again.
The toll that Assams ethnic clashes have taken has
indeed been heavy. But as in every act of violence there is
also the silent victim whose story goes largely unheard. Just
as the children in the refugee camps do not know whether
they can go back to their schools in the villages, the students
of schools that have been converted into camps have no idea
when classes would resume.
The Pariwars comeuppance The Pariwars comeuppance The Pariwars comeuppance The Pariwars comeuppance The Pariwars comeuppance
The Supreme Courts landmark judgment in the case
relating to two companies of the Sahara pariwar, or family
as the group chooses to call itself strengthens the hands of
financial sector regulators besides having important
ramifications for corporate and securities law. At the core of
the dispute are hybrid instruments called Optionally Fully
Convertible Debentures which the two companies floated
without seeking regulatory approval or having any intention
to list them on the stock exchange. With their financial position
and other material facts hidden behind a deliberately devised
opaque structure, the Sahara group had the audacity to
challenge the Securities and Exchange Board of India which,
as far back as November 2010, had asked them to stop raising
funds through OFCDs. The principle that mobilisation of public
money above a very small amount invariably requires
regulatory clearance is so well established and rooted in
common sense that Sahara had no case whatsoever. Yet it
kept appealing its case, losing at every stage but probably
gaining time. The Supreme Court has finally put paid to any
lingering hope the group might have had. In fact, it is the
appeal against the order of the Securities Appellate Tribunal
that has led to the Supreme Court judgment, which will be
equally remembered for its stringent criticism of the
appellants.
This is not the first time regulators have had a problem
with the group. In 2008, the Reserve Bank of India ordered its
residuary non-banking finance company, the Sahara Financial
Corporation, to phase out its deposit collections. Sahara
claimed to have complied ahead of schedule but things could
be considerably more difficult this time. The two companies
have been asked to quickly refund some Rs. 24,400 crore
which they claim to have collected from 2.21 crore depositors.
Failure to comply will invite penal action. Tough days lie
ahead for the group which has sought publicity as keenly as it
has attempted to avoid financial scrutiny. Its logo has adorned
the apparel of Indias cricketers for more than a decade.
Over the years Sahara, which started as a residuary non-
banking finance company, diversified into various unrelated
businesses a township near Pune, an airline (since sold
off), and a TV station, among others. More recently it acquired
an IPL franchise and a stake in a Formula One team. True to
form, in all these as well as in its acquisition of two landmark
hotels in New York and London, no financial details have
been made available. The Supreme Court order will force the
group to shed its secrecy. On that score alone it should be
welcomed by all.
Aid from India, coming to a country Aid from India, coming to a country Aid from India, coming to a country Aid from India, coming to a country Aid from India, coming to a country
near you near you near you near you near you
For reasons quite inexplicable, an important initiative
of the government of India has gone completely unreported
in the media. A new body for governing Indias outgoing
development assistance, called the Development Partnership
Administration (DPA), has been set up under the Economic
Relations Division of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
The set-up seems to be just short of an aid agency, which
most of the members of the development community were
expecting for quite long. DPA is expected to help in the
consolidation of outgoing aid and streamline all
administrative matters related to this process. It will also
help in assessing the effectiveness of credit lines that India is
extending to its partners, which has grown in the last few
years.
In the past few years, emerging economies, in particular
China and India, have been in the limelight for their enhanced
involvement in development partnership projects. Some
commentators have been critical of Chinas involvement in
Africa that the government released a white paper on Chinas
aid policy underlining its objectives, historical context and
its accomplishments. Brazil publishes an annual report on the
aid related activities. South Africa has recently
operationalised an office for formulation and dissemination
of details on such partnerships.
Now that an agency is in place, India needs to articulate
its development cooperation agenda in a cogent manner.
With enhanced quantums, particularly since 2003, India has
strong grounds to release, if not a white paper, at least an
official policy statement, to bring to the table the unique
Indian model of development compact. The facets for
engagement include trade and investment, technology transfer,
finance through credit lines and capacity building though a
flagship programme, viz. the Indian Technical and Economic
Cooperation (ITEC) programme. Western aid is often criticised
for conflicting policies, for instance, giving aid for improving
on the one hand, and providing huge subsidies to their own
farmers on the other, which actually perpetuates aid-
dependence. India has worked to create technical capacities,
and provided production support. In 2008, the Prime Minister,
during the India-Africa Forum Summit, announced the DFTP
(duty free tariff preference) scheme for 49 least developed
Countries (33 in Africa, 15 in Asia and one in the Americas).
Our preliminary research indicates that India provides
somewhere close to $3 billion, some of which is in cash but a
large part of it in kind.
Actually the idea of an Indian aid agency has been around
for quite sometime now. It was first mooted in the Budget
speech of 2003 when then Finance Minister Jaswant Singh
announced an agency in his budget speech. He had called it
India Development Assistance (IDA). This was the time when
India was shining and the government had driven away quite
a few bilateral donors. Subsequently a minimum limit of $25
million was fixed for the government to accept any bilateral
assistance. The rest of it was allowed to go to specified civil
society organisations and other agencies.
Nothing much happened on this proposal until 2007
when Mr. P. Chidambaram announced the governments
intention to establish the India International Development
Cooperation Agency (IIDCA) to provide unified
administration of the countrys outgoing development
assistance. It was stated that one guiding principle for the
new agency would be that Indias assistance be directed
especially at developing countries that are in greater need of
external aid.
Traditionally, marginal Traditionally, marginal Traditionally, marginal Traditionally, marginal Traditionally, marginal
Traditionally, Indian development assistance
programme has at best been a marginal component in the
overall foreign policy framework. However, apart from rising
quantums and leveraging of various other related instruments,
India is now bringing to the table its experience in supporting
successful small-scale programmes, which have created a
niche for themselves. The Small Development Project (SDP)
programme was launched to ensure economic deliverables,
particularly in the areas of education, health and infrastructure.
The SDPs generally cost less than Rs.3.12 crore with the
focus on areas like infrastructure development and capacity
building in the areas of education, health and community
development. The idea is that the projects should meet local
needs and managed by local communities and institutions,
saving project implementation costs. The most important
feature is the local ownership of the programme. The first
such programme was launched in 2003 in Nepal. Since then,
India has been trying this model in Sri Lanka and Afghanistan.
For a U.N.-led initiative For a U.N.-led initiative For a U.N.-led initiative For a U.N.-led initiative For a U.N.-led initiative
At the recent 4th High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness
held at Busan, South Korea, India, along with other emerging
economies, agreed to the setting-up of a global mechanism
to improve the effectiveness of global aid flows. The
Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development
(OECD) and its Development Assistance Committee (DAC)
were keen to set up a new entity called Global Partnership for
managing the global aid architecture. Several rounds of
discussions on this proposal have revealed wide differences
in perception between Indian and DAC members on aid and
development cooperation. There is, therefore, no reason why
India should support a DAC platform. In fact, India should
develop strategies to support a U.N.-led initiative. The
Development Cooperation Forum of Economic and Social
Council (ECOSOC) and United Nations Conference on Trade
and Development (UNCTAD) are two obvious candidates in
this regard. At the same time, India should engage bilaterally
with DAC to benefit from the expertise on project impact
analysis and other practices to improve quality of delivery
and introduce mechanisms for better assessment of Indian
projects. Again, lessons may be learnt from the China-DAC
study group for necessary course corrections.
Simultaneously, India should explore possibilities for
trilateral cooperation with DAC and other partners from the
South. It is also likely unavoidable that the emerging donors
will coordinate more closely with DAC donors under a trilateral
rubric in the future. The key challenges and gains to be made
here will be in sharing complementary professional skills in
the design and delivery of aid programming, as well as in the
management of aid projects in areas of project finance and
technology transfer. This could bring significant expenditure
gains in returns on development.
A Bill that asks too much of the poor A Bill that asks too much of the poor A Bill that asks too much of the poor A Bill that asks too much of the poor A Bill that asks too much of the poor
In earlier writings, we have drawn attention to the quiet
revival of the public distribution system (PDS) in many States
during the last few years. Market prices of PDS commodities
mainly rice and wheat have sharply increased, giving
people a much greater stake in the system. In response to
this, or for other reasons, many States have initiated bold
PDS reforms. The combination of increased public pressure
and greater political commitment to the PDS has led to
significant results, including more regular distribution and
reduced leakages.
Inclusive PDS Inclusive PDS Inclusive PDS Inclusive PDS Inclusive PDS
Many States have also moved towards a more inclusive
PDS. Restricting the PDS to below poverty line (BPL)
households has proved very problematic: there is no reliable
way of identifying BPL households, exclusion errors are
massive, and targeting is also very divisive. There is, therefore,
growing pressure for a different approach, where the PDS
covers a large majority of the population. Tamil Nadu has
gone all the way to a universal PDS: every household there is
entitled to 20 kg of rice every month, that too free of cost.
Other States that have made significant moves towards a
universal or near-universal PDS (at least in rural areas) include
Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala,
Orissa, and Rajasthan. This approach has helped to not only
avoid exclusion errors but also ensure that the PDS works: a
more inclusive PDS is under much greater pressure to function.
In some States such as Orissa and Rajasthan, these
changes are very recent. In others, notably Chhattisgarh and,
of course, Tamil Nadu, they were initiated several years ago.
The National Sample Survey (NSS) data for 2009-10 provide a
useful opportunity to look for early signs of the results.
One interesting development is a major increase in PDS
purchases: between 2004-5 (the previous thick round of the
NSS) and 2009-10, household purchases of wheat and rice
from the PDS increased by 50 per cent in quantity terms. The
proportion of households purchasing at least some rice or
wheat from the PDS increased from 27 per cent in 2004-5 to
45 per cent in 2009-10. This quantitative expansion is one
important aspect of the recent revival of the PDS in large
parts of India.
Further, in value terms, PDS entitlements are now quite
substantial in many States. The implicit income subsidy from
the PDS can be calculated as the difference between PDS
price and market price, multiplied by quantity purchased,
and summed over wheat and rice. There are different ways of
estimating this, since there is more than one way of identifying
the relevant market price. Using the median market price,
State-wise, as a benchmark, the average implicit subsidy (for
rural households that purchased at least some grain from the
PDS) was around Rs 250 per month in 2009-10. Over the year,
this is equivalent to the earnings of a whole months work
under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment
Guarantee Act without having to work. In absolute terms,
it is not much, but for people who are constantly struggling to
make ends meet, it does help. The implicit subsidy would be
larger, of course, if the PDS worked well across the country.
Impact on poverty Impact on poverty Impact on poverty Impact on poverty Impact on poverty
Based on these implicit subsidy calculations, it is
possible to estimate the impact of PDS on rural poverty by
adding the implicit subsidy to the explicit NSS estimate of
Monthly Per Capita Expenditure (MPCE) for each sample
household. To illustrate, consider the following exercise.
Suppose we define the Tendulkar poverty gap as the sum,
over all rural households below the national Tendulkar poverty
line, of the difference between that line and a households
actual MPCE. How far does the PDS reduce the Tendulkar
poverty gap? In other words, how much smaller is the poverty
gap (in rural areas) when the implicit PDS subsidy is added to
the standard components of MPCE?
Using NSS data for 2009-10, it turns out that the PDS
(more precisely, the foodgrain component of the PDS) reduces
the Tendulkar poverty gap by around 18 per cent at the
national level. This is a moderate achievement, but what is
more interesting than the national average is the contrast
between States. In Tamil Nadu, the PDS reduces the Tendulkar
poverty gap by more than 50 per cent. Other States where the
PDS has a large impact on rural poverty include Chhattisgarh
and Andhra Pradesh (about 40 per cent), and also Himachal
Pradesh and Kerala (around 35 per cent). By contrast, the
poverty impact is below 15 per cent in Bihar, Jharkhand,
Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and West
Bengal. As it happens, all the States in the high-impact list
have a relatively inclusive PDS, whereas all those in the low-
impact list were still clinging to BPL targeting at that time
(Rajasthan did expand the coverage of the PDS after 2009-10,
with impressive results). In short, a more inclusive approach
seems to give better results not only in terms of the general
functioning of the PDS, but also in terms of its impact on
poverty.
These figures are illustrative, since (as mentioned earlier)
there are various ways of going about these calculations. All
of them, however, point to the same basic conclusion: the
PDS is now having a substantial impact on rural poverty in
States where it is broad-based.
So far, we have looked at PDS as an implicit income
transfer. Aside from transfer benefits, the PDS is likely to
have important stabilisation benefits, insofar as it brings
some security in peoples lives. It is a little bit like having an
additional source of income, and a stable one too; this can
be very important for those who depend on a single and
meagre source of income (such as casual labour) for their
survival. The PDS may also have a positive impact on food
consumption patterns (e.g. by enabling households to spend
more on nutritious food items), although this is somewhat
speculative. More likely, the PDS will start having a significant
impact on nutrition when commodities other than rice and
wheat (e.g. pulses, oil, and millets), with a higher nutrition
value, are included in it. This has already happened in some
States such as Tamil Nadu (where a wide range of food
commodities are included in the PDS), Andhra Pradesh and
Himachal Pradesh. The provision of nutritious foods that are
badly lacking in the diets of poor households is an important
future possibility for the PDS.
Food Security Bill Food Security Bill Food Security Bill Food Security Bill Food Security Bill
These findings have an important bearing on the National
Food Security Bill. The Bill is a great opportunity to complete
the transition towards a functional and inclusive PDS across
the country, and put an end to food insecurity. In its present
form, however, the Bill is likely to undermine instead of
facilitating this transition. This is because it seeks to impose a
rigid targeting formula, based on a complicated division of
the population into three groups (priority, general and
excluded), without any clarity on how each group is to be
identified. Given the failure of numerous expert committees
and advisory groups to come up with any reliable targeting
method, the idea of a universal PDS (at least in rural areas)
looks more sensible than ever.
Various proposals have also been made for an
intermediate approach, whereby all households would have
common minimum entitlements except possibly those who
meet reasonable and well-specified exclusion criteria.
However, the government is turning these proposals into a
reductionist version of the Bill, which would amount to little
more than a reshuffling of existing PDS allocations, without
any justiciable entitlements being created for anyone. Further,
under the abominable formula proposed by the Food Ministry,
whereby roughly speaking 33 per cent of the population
would be excluded from PDS across the board (in every State,
in rural as well as urban areas), the reshuffling would favour
the richer States at the expense of the poorer States. Punjab
and Haryana would be the biggest gainers, while Orissa stays
in place this makes no sense, and defeats the purpose of
the Bill.
These and other flaws of the Bill (including a gradual
trimming of many entitlements) derive partly from misplaced
fears about the foodgrain requirements. Meanwhile,
procurement has crossed 70 million tonnes per year,
distribution is not keeping up, and excess stocks are growing.
Never in history has so much undernutrition co-existed with
so much hoarding of food. The government is desperately
trying to export the surplus stocks, or simply allowing them
to pile up unprotected. Reviving and revamping the Food
Security Bill sounds like a better idea.
Myanmar Parliament passes foreign Myanmar Parliament passes foreign Myanmar Parliament passes foreign Myanmar Parliament passes foreign Myanmar Parliament passes foreign
investment law investment law investment law investment law investment law
GREEN SIGNAL: GREEN SIGNAL: GREEN SIGNAL: GREEN SIGNAL: GREEN SIGNAL: Earlier this year, western nations
eased economic sanctions slapped on the former military
regime, lifting another barrier to foreign investment. The
picture shows Myanmar lawmakers arriving at the Lower
House. PHOTO: AP
Myanmars Parliament adopted a much anticipated
foreign direct investment law on Friday that is crucial to the
governments ambitious plans for economic expansion in
one of Asias poorest countries.
The law drops several provisions in the original draft
that had raised fears it could deter investors. The law was
seen as one of Parliaments most urgent tasks and was passed
on the last day of its current session.
Stake holding Stake holding Stake holding Stake holding Stake holding
One proposal dropped from the law would have
required a $5 million minimum initial investment outlay. The
final version also allows foreign parties to hold a 50 per cent
stake in joint ventures rather than limiting them to a proposed
49 per cent.
Elected President Thein Sein launched economic and
political reforms when he took office last year after almost
five decades of military rule, foreign sanctions and restrictive
laws that kept the economy stagnant. Myanmar has an
inefficient agricultural sector and small industrial base, and
most of its export earnings come from extractive industries,
especially natural gas.
Western nations earlier this year eased economic
sanctions instituted against the former military regime, lifting
another barrier to foreign investment. Reforms to the financial
system, especially the jettisoning of an onerous dual exchange
rate system, were also made to encourage investors. Another
progressive aspect of the new law allows foreign investors to
lease land for an initial period of 50 years with an option to
renew, compared to 35 years under old rules.
Why terrorists arent scared of Why terrorists arent scared of Why terrorists arent scared of Why terrorists arent scared of Why terrorists arent scared of
sanctions sanctions sanctions sanctions sanctions
I cant believe were being pushed around by those
two-bit p****s, shouted President Bill Clinton one day in
1993, after the slaughter of his troops in Somalia by a
Mogadishu militia.
Last week, the United States government finally declared
the Taliban-linked networks of Afghan warlord Jalaluddin
Haqqani terrorists a designation that carries with it
sanctions forbidding its citizens from providing any form of
material support to the organisations. The sanctions, imposed
in the face of warnings that they could jeopardise relations
with Pakistan, a long standing patron of the Haqqanis, are the
latest in a series of similar measures. Earlier in August, eight
alleged 26/11 perpetrators in Pakistan were named by the
U.S. Treasury Department in a sanctions order it said was
designed to undermine the Lashkar-e-Taibas leadership and
support networks.
Meaningless Meaningless Meaningless Meaningless Meaningless
For all the sound and fury surrounding the sanctions,
though, terrorists they are designed to intimidate seem just
as unimpressed as the Somali militias Mr. Clinton railed against.
The Lashkar chief, Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, for one, flatly
told the pro-Islamist newspaper Ummat these latest U.S.
actions are meaningless.
The fact is this: the terrorist groups the U.S. and the
United Nations have targeted through sanctions might be
two bit p****s but theyve also proven to be remarkably
artful dodgers.
In 1999, soon after a string of terrorist attacks against
U.S. diplomatic missions in East Africa, the U.N. passed a
resolution calling on all member states to freeze the assets
of, prevent the entry into or transit through their territories
by, and prevent the direct or indirect supply, sale and transfer
of arms and military equipment to any individual or entity
associated with the al Qaeda and the Taliban.
Yet, 13 years on, even the U.N.s internal sanctions
monitors have come to believe the sanctions are achieving
little. The travel ban hasnt tied down the leadership of groups
like the Haqqanis; their financial empires have expanded;
and the international arms embargo has done little to diminish
their lethal capacities. The reason isnt hard to find: the
number of times that member-states have applied any of the
three sanctions measures against individuals listed under the
sanctions regime, one research report submitted to the
sanctions committee states, is very low.
Behind this dismal state lies a stark fact about the post-
1998 counter-terrorism regime: neither counter-insurgency
nor sanctions will yield results unless there is a global will to
enforce international norms, and underwrite the birth of state
structures which can enforce them.
Early this year, the United Nations Security Council
received grim testimony from the eight-member monitoring
team charged with the oversight of sanctions against the
Taliban. Pointing to ground realities in Afghanistan, a
monitoring team document notes that an assets freeze, a
travel ban and an arms embargo are not easily applied in a
country where borders with six countries totalling over 5,000
kilometres are criss-crossed by hundreds of un-policed roads
and tracks and where the tradition of gun ownership is deeply
embedded. In addition, it noted, the Talibans finances rarely
touched the banking system, making interdiction impossible.
From testimony obtained from captured Taliban
commanders, and independent estimates, the monitors
estimate that the Taliban raised around $400 million in revenue
from March 2011-March 2012. The International Security
Assistance Force, ISAF, estimates that about $150 million of
that went on directly financing operations; the rest remained
with the Taliban leadership to run the organisation.
A tide of cash A tide of cash A tide of cash A tide of cash A tide of cash
The cash has nurtured region-wide threats. The U.N.s
internal reports concede that the al Qaeda linked groups like
the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, or IMU, have extended
their reach to the north, posing threats to the countrys central
Asian neighbours. The IMU-linked Islamic Jihad Union, which
has drawn recruits from Germany, Turkey, Tajikistan and
Uzbekistan, continues to operate. Pakistan-based groups like
the Tehreek-e-Taliban have become increasingly powerful.
Heroin, Afghanistans most valuable crop, is a key
contributor to the Talibans income. In 2009, the United
Nations Office on Drugs and Crime estimated that the
organisation earns about $150 million a year from the opium
trade, mainly by raising protection money from key
syndicates, like Haji Fattah Ishaqzais Helmand-based cartel.
Elsewhere, in areas it controls, the Taliban imposes a 10 per
centushrtax on the poppy harvest, and another 2.5 per cent
zakat on traders earnings. The narcotics trade in Afghanistan
is valued at over $3.5 billion a year meaning the Taliban
could expand its income, should its control over production
centres expand in coming years.
High payoffs High payoffs High payoffs High payoffs High payoffs
Even more important, though, is Afghanistans strangest
harvest: international aid. Hard figures are, for obvious
reasons, impossible to establish, but contractors in
Afghanistan often say they have to make payoffs of between
10 and 20 per cent to ensure work can go ahead. In Farah,
local officials have claimed that the payoffs are as high as 40
per cent. Perhaps the most lucrative pickings come from
convoys carrying supplies from ports in Pakistan. ISAFs
Afghan Threat Finance Cell, an internal watchdog, estimated
that the Taliban had siphoned off $360 million from a $2.16
billion contract for trucking supplies to U.S. troops in
Afghanistan.
Independent research has borne out the U.N.s findings.
In a recent report, analyst Gretchen Peters provided an
exhaustive survey of the extortion-related earnings of the
Taliban-affiliated networks of warlord Jalaluddin Haqqani.
When USAID contracted the American firm Louis Berger
Group in 2007 to build a highway between Gardez and Khost,
she noted, the contracting firm paid a staggering $1 million
annually to a local strongman suspected of having links to the
Haqqani network. The 64-mile highway, which has yet to be
completed, has cost about $121 million so far, with the final
price tag expected to reach $176 million or $2.8 million
per mile.
Kabul-based businessman Khalil Zadran is alleged by
the U.S. Commerce Department to have sunk the networks
earnings into a welter of front businesses businesses the
sanctions have done nothing to shut down. Neither have they
prevented Mr. Zadran from travelling regularly, the U.S.
alleges, to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan
and China. The source of the protection isnt opaque:
successive studies have suggested the Haqqanis continue to
enjoy a close relationship with the Inter-Services Intelligence
Directorate, which views them as allies in its own struggle
against jihadists opposed to the Pakistan army.
Elsewhere, the story is much the same. In the Sahel, the
al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, or AQIM, has cashed in on
the chaos in Libya, and significantly expanded its arsenal. The
Algerian authorities say that, between July 2011 and February
2012, they have seized hundreds of small arms and more than
a tonne of explosives destined for AQIMs chief, Mokhtar
Belmokhtar. In February 2012, Algeria seized anti-aircraft
missiles destined for AQIM; one is reported to have been
fired on a military helicopter in that country. The AQIM is
reported to have been training fighters in Nigerias Boko
Haram. Niger and Chad have also seized anti-aircraft missiles,
along with over 200 anti-tank missiles and 640 kilograms of
military-grade explosives.
Yemen, long awash with small arms, presents an even
more depressing example. The al Qaeda in the Arabian
Peninsula, the organisations regional affiliate, has even
succeeded in seizing tanks and heavy weapons in the course
of fighting with the countrys military.
Even where states have laws to contain arms flows, the
U.N. sanctions committee was told by its monitors in a report
submitted earlier this year, terrorists have little trouble
acquiring material for a violent attack where weapons and
the ingredients for home-made explosives are readily
available.
Lessons and challenge Lessons and challenge Lessons and challenge Lessons and challenge Lessons and challenge
There are simple lessons in this story for the international
community and a major challenge. In many of the states
where the jihadist movement is resurgent, there simply is no
state structure capable of containing the challenge. Though
the U.S. and other governments have pumped in cash to fund
local counter-insurgency efforts, there has been little long-
term commitment to state-building. For states like Pakistan,
there are good reasons not to cooperate with international
counter-terrorism effort. Faced with challenges from jihadists
seeking to overthrow the state, after all, it makes sense to
seek tactical alliances with groups like the Lashkar-e-Taiba or
the Haqqanis.
For those who think the effort isnt worth it, the case of
the p****s Mr. Clinton railed against is illustrative: even though
Muhammad Farah Aidid died in 1996 and his militia
disintegrated, anarchic Somalia became a base for the al-
Shabaab jihadist movement. It has taken African Union
intervention to free the capital, Mogadishu and Kenyan
naval ships are still launching missile strikes against their
strongholds in the port of Kisimayo. Kenya itself has seen
terror strikes. Elsewhere in the country, pirates have
established bases threatening international shipping.
Dont compromise open justice Dont compromise open justice Dont compromise open justice Dont compromise open justice Dont compromise open justice
We live in a legal environment where the rule of sub
judice is regarded as an anachronism, emanating from a time
when all trials were decided by jurors susceptible to influence
by what was published in the press. By and large, the law of
sub judice, which regulates the dissemination of matter under
the consideration of the court, is a dead letter. In such a
context, the Supreme Courts judgment justifying a temporary
ban on the publication of court proceedings in certain cases
is likely to have a chilling effect on the freedom of the press
and the very idea of an open trial. Mercifully, the Court refused
to lay down broad guidelines for reporting ongoing cases.
But though its order looks like a restatement of
theMirajkar case in which a nine-member Bench ruled that
the right to open justice is not absolute, the Court has likely
upset the difficult constitutional balance between freedom
of expression and the administration of justice that the
landmark 1966 judgment established. Indeed, by emphasising
the right of an aggrieved person to seek postponement of
media coverage of an ongoing case by approaching the
appropriate writ court, there is a danger that gag orders may
become commonplace. At a minimum, the door has been
opened to hundreds and thousands of additional writs a
burden our legal system is unprepared to handle filed by
accused persons with means.
The five-judge Bench cited precedents in many
jurisdictions to maintain there is power in the courts to
postpone the reporting of judicial proceedings in the
administration of justice. Even in the U.S., where the First
Amendment trumps any restriction placed on rights to free
speech, the courts have evolved neutralising devices to
prevent the corruption of the administration of justice. But
set aside the judicial reasoning and consider its possible
impact. Powerful defendants in high-profile cases will try
their best to obtain postponement orders despite the very
strict criteria laid down by the Supreme Court. Moreover, gag
orders issued in contravention of the doctrines of necessity
and proportionality may take a long time to vacate, thus
robbing the public of its right to know. The public scrutiny of
courts is critical in ensuring that judges do justice; a lack of
awareness of what goes on in a courtroom can only undermine
public confidence in the judicial system. The
same Mirajkar judgment also said restraint on publication
and closed door trials could apply only in exceptional cases.
In all other cases, a court can launch contempt proceedings if
a news report attempts to subvert the course of justice. When
there is no evidence to show this system of checks and
balances has failed, why try and move away from it?
Emerge by conserving energy Emerge by conserving energy Emerge by conserving energy Emerge by conserving energy Emerge by conserving energy
For the western countries, commercially driven profit
is the ultimate measure of development. Indeed, this is the
cause of corruption in all major professions and fields of
activity today. If this test is applied, then Indias cultural genius
could seem to suffer in value terms. The Gandhian concept of
development rejected the idea that it should aim primarily at
the creation of material wealth, or the satisfaction of
insatiable, endlessly multiplied needs. Insofar as we have
made the modern materialistic craze our goal, Gandhiji wrote,
so far are we going downhill in the path of progress.
Even as levels of poverty and starvation continue to
rise aggressively, our festivals are largely focused on pleasures
and profits. Every religion breeds ceremonies and festivals.
These extravaganzas expend resources on a lavish scale. If
this trend continues, every wedding and religious function
will come to be counted as anti-national acts.
Resource conservation Resource conservation Resource conservation Resource conservation Resource conservation
Even in the British days we had the Defence of India
Act, imposing comprehensive restrictions on the number of
guests at ceremonies. The provision was meant to save energy
and other resources. Why not do it now, when the population
is growing? There is no place to dump garbage, and disease
and dirt are a menace to public health. During Muslim, Christian
and Hindu festivals there is exaggeration, and explosions that
often burst into calamity. Too many gods are pathological;
there is a case to enact legal therapeutics.
I plead for the appointment of an Energy Conservation
Commission and suitable legislation to facilitate its tasks.
God must save, not slaughter man. An inquiry into issues of
resource conservation is a necessary measure for every State.
It should not be based on competitive rivalry but be part of a
patriotic drive to stave off an economic crisis. This should be
a rational step to save the nation from bankruptcy. For
constitutional reasons, the Commission should have Central
government participation. The Defence of India Act may
provide some guidelines.
Parliament must discuss it as a preliminary measure.
The weaker sections of society, especially the tribal people,
must be involved in this national project.
A self-disciplined economic statute framed by a national
legislature is a desideratum. Perhaps this should be a
discussion point at events such as the Emerging Kerala Summit
in Kochi starting today.
While on the subject of the Kerala event, taking a liberal
view I feel that the State Planning Board, which is the expert
body concerned with matters of development, has not been
given an opportunity to investigate the pros and cons of
specific projects envisaged as a part of the exercise, and that
the government may be rushing through certain half-baked
plans and projects. It is better to go slow and be correct than
rush forward and commit blunders. People should not suffer
on account of the States haste. Courtesy-The Hindu Courtesy-The Hindu Courtesy-The Hindu Courtesy-The Hindu Courtesy-The Hindu
The real questions from Kudankulam The real questions from Kudankulam The real questions from Kudankulam The real questions from Kudankulam The real questions from Kudankulam
I work at an institution funded by the Department of
Atomic Energy (which, however, does no nuclear research:
the DAE funds a wide variety of institutions and areas in
science). About a year ago, I had an e-mail from a journalist
who wondered why scientists (including colleagues at my
institution), who were so outspoken in their opposition to
nuclear weapons, were silent about nuclear power. I suggested
that perhaps most scientists are not opposed to civilian nuclear
power. Indias scientific academies may prefer to be silent
on most issues of importance, but individual Indian scientists
are an outspoken lot they have contributed to the public
debate on a variety of issues, ranging from nuclear weapons
in the late 1990s to genetically modified crops more recently.
If there were a genuine debate to be had on the safety or
desirability of nuclear power, I would expect Indian scientists
to actively participate in it.
Concrete, not abstract Concrete, not abstract Concrete, not abstract Concrete, not abstract Concrete, not abstract
And in fact there is a genuine debate to be had, but it is
not an abstract debate about the safety or desirability of
nuclear power. It is a concrete debate about the mechanisms
for ensuring safety and transparency. Unfortunately, in all the
noise about Kudankulam, this issue has received
comparatively little attention in the media.
Since the Fukushima earthquake, worries about nuclear
power have been widespread around the world. One person
whose mind was changed was the environmental activist
George Monbiot: writing in the British newspaper The
Guardian on March 21, 2011, he declared: As a result of the
disaster at Fukushima, I am no longer nuclear-neutral. I now
support the technology. His reason was that despite the
magnitude of the disaster, the age of the plant, and the
inadequate safety features, which led to a meltdown, nobody,
as far as we know, had yet received a lethal dose of radiation.
This convinced him that well-maintained plants built to
modern safety standards pose little threat to the public.
Meanwhile, we are facing unprecedented demands for energy,
and global warming, driven by accelerating use of fossil fuels
and resulting in rising sea levels and extreme weather, presents
the biggest environmental threat to the world especially,
one should note, to poor coastal fishing communities such as
the one at Kudankulam.
A little before Monbiots article, Randall Munroe, creator
of the XKCD web comic, published a comparison of various
forms of ionising radiation, measured in microsieverts, drawn
from public sources (see http://xkcd.com/radiation). This
widely circulated chart (also cited by Monbiot) suggested
that the annual radiation exposure from living within 50 miles
of a nuclear power plant is about the same as that from
eating a single banana (each being 0.1 microsieverts); the
extra dose that Tokyo residents received following Fukushima
(about 40 microsieverts) was about a tenth of the yearly dose
from natural radioactive potassium in the body (about 390
microsieverts); and the maximum external dose from the
Three Mile Island accident (about 1,000 microsieverts) is about
a quarter of the normal yearly background dose (4,000
microsieverts, of which about 85 per cent is from natural
sources and most of the rest from medical scans).
This is not to minimise the effects of disasters when
they do occur. The radiation dose from spending one hour in
Chernobyl, in 2010, is much more than the normal yearly
background dose, and more than the maximum monthly
dose permitted for radiation workers in the United States.
We need to prevent a Chernobyl-type disaster from ever
happening again, anywhere in the world. To quote Monbiot
again: Im not proposing complacency here. I am proposing
perspective.
When an activist asked me last year whether I would
feel safe living near a nuclear plant, I responded that I would
consider living in Kalpakkam or Kudankulam much safer and
healthier than living in Chennai (or any other Indian metro).
She was taken aback, but responded that, nevertheless, the
villagers do not feel that way, and we city people should not
speak for the villagers.
Unfortunately, this has been the quality of the public
debate on Kudankulam so far (and on other contentious
nuclear projects like Jaitapur). Perceptions on safety matter
more than facts. This is not totally a bad thing: public worry
over nuclear power, especially since Chernobyl, has probably
contributed to its extraordinary safety just as the perceived
dangers of air travel have made it by far the safest form of
travel.
India, and Tamil Nadu in particular, faces a severe
shortfall of energy. The environmental and societal damage
from hydroelectric power is now well-known. Power plants
running on fossil fuels, especially coal (the dominant fuel in
India), cause incalculably more damage including in ionising
radiation than nuclear power. Wind power is promising
but, when implemented on a large scale, has its own
environmental concerns, particularly to migratory birds. Solar
panels are expensive, inefficient, and depend on rare earth
elements, the mining of which, again, causes environmental
damage. Monbiots decision to support nuclear energy is not
surprising. What is surprising is the reluctance of other
environmentalists to do the same.
To support civilian nuclear power with safeguards, in
the abstract, is not the same as to support a particular power
project. There may be valid safety or environmental concerns
about a particular power project. There may be concerns
about resettlement and rehabilitation of displaced people.
The DAE needs to work out how to address these concerns in
order to prevent similar problems with upcoming power
projects. But it cannot do that on its own. We need
independent oversight.
Civilian and military use Civilian and military use Civilian and military use Civilian and military use Civilian and military use
Unfortunately, for most of its history in India, civilian
nuclear power has been deeply intertwined with the nuclear
weapons project. As a result, the atomic energy establishment
and the government have opposed any kind of external
scrutiny of their projects. That has been changing in recent
years. In 2005, India undertook, in an agreement with the U.S.,
to separate its civilian and military nuclear facilities and to
place the former under International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA) safeguards. The safeguards agreement was signed with
the IAEA in 2009. However, these safeguards are mainly
concerned with proliferation of nuclear materials, not with
the safety of the plant itself.
The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) is the main
organisation concerned with nuclear safety in India. The AERB
was severely criticised by the Comptroller and Auditor
General in August this year on numerous grounds, including
not preparing a nuclear safety policy despite having had a
mandate to do so since 1983; failing to prepare 27 of 168
safety documents; not having a detailed inventory of all
radiation sources; and failure to adopt international practices.
Currently a bill is pending to replace the AERB with a Nuclear
Safety Regulatory Authority (NSRA). In December 5, 2011, in
an article in DNA(Mumbai), former AERB chairman A.
Gopalakrishnan argued forcefully for an independent
regulatory mechanism along the lines of the Nuclear Safety
Authority (ASN) in France, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
(NRC) in the U.S., and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission
(CNSC). All these organisations, though appointed by the
government, are independent, free of political and corporate
influence, transparent, and communicate regularly with the
public. Dr. Gopalakrishnan fears that the NSRA, as proposed,
will be subject to government pressure and manipulation.
No trust No trust No trust No trust No trust
Intertwined with distrust of the DAE is a larger distrust
of the Indian government. Given our inability to maintain the
railways, highways, postal department, and other necessary
infrastructure in good working order, why should our
government be trusted to maintain nuclear plants? It is a
good question and deserves a good answer. The DAE may be
an excellent organisation, but it must be seen to be excellent,
and only openness and external scrutiny will provide that.
The NSRA bill deserves much greater media attention and
debate than it has received so far.
Unfortunately, this much-needed debate does not
appear to be occurring: the activists, with their maximalist
demand for stopping all nuclear power projects, not only
discredit themselves, but let the government off the hook.
The Indian public is aware of the power crisis and is not
inclined to oppose nuclear power. The largest political parties
in Tamil Nadu, too, have proven reluctant to back the anti-
nuclear protests. The media have largely failed to ask the
right questions. As a result, there is no pressure on the
government, or on the DAE, to ensure transparency or to
institute a genuinely independent regulatory body along the
lines of proven international examples.
Meanwhile, the protesting locals at Kudankulam, who
have now reportedly been persuaded to enter the sea in a
jal satyagraha , seem to be victims only of unfounded
scaremongering. All sympathies to them; but my sympathies,
at least, dont extend to the educated purveyors of motivated
misinformation who, in a world of real and imminent global
threats, are asking the villagers to act against their own best
interests.
Pulling Assam back from the abyss Pulling Assam back from the abyss Pulling Assam back from the abyss Pulling Assam back from the abyss Pulling Assam back from the abyss
TASK AHEAD: TASK AHEAD: TASK AHEAD: TASK AHEAD: TASK AHEAD: Instead of merely curbing hate speech,
the Central and State governments need to firmly handle acts
of hatred and racial discrimination. PHOTO: RITU RAJ
KONWAR
The riots and violence in Assam have moved away from
the headlines of the metro media. But the State and indeed
other parts of the North-east as seen in a recent explosive
confrontation in Nagaland over as minor an issue as an alleged
theft appears to be living on a knife-edge. It seems to be
an unending cycle in a challenging humanscape. The news of
the region, for all these reasons, has acquired an international
resonance.
Angry rhetoric and mobilisation of groups along ethnic,
community and linguistic lines have not helped; indeed an
already complex situation seems to be in a state of drift with
neither the Central or State governments able to assert a
sense of decisiveness or win back the confidence of all groups.
As in the past across the country, in such situations, the
worst sufferers in the recent riots and violence have been the
poor and vulnerable, especially women and children. Rural
schools have been converted into relief camps while giving
temporary succour to a large number of people who have
fled fear and bloodshed, such a situation also blights the lives
of those children who study at these schools.
The situation in the Bodo Territorial Administered
Districts remains tense. Lakhs are homeless and fearful of
returning. Trauma is writ large on their faces.
In addition, hate speech and abuse of new media has
created a situation where tens of thousands fled their places
of work and residence, in places like Bangalore and Pune, and
returned to the North-eastern region (NER).
Thankfully, that flow has begun to be reversed. However,
instead of merely curbing hate speech, governments need to
firmly handle acts of hatred and racial discrimination.
As has been seen, the issue of illegal migration from
Bangladesh remains an explosive and unresolved issue 27
years after the signing of the Assam Accord. This surely
represents as much a failure of all sides in this process as of
the Centre and State governments.
The signatories have met at a discussion on the current
situation at Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) on September 3, 2012,
convened by the Centre for NE Studies at JMI and issuing this
statement after further discussions.
It is our view that the Centre and State governments
must assert in no uncertain terms that those migrants who
have illegally slipped across the Indo-Bangladesh border to
any part of the country since March 25, 1971 the agreed
cut-off date will be tackled under due process or even
through a system of special courts to speed up the process.
This is a problem facing all of India. This primarily represents
a labour flow from Bangladesh, and needs to be raised with
Dhaka.
Tragically, however, passions are whipped up by the
use of unverified figures on either side, leading to greater
anger, suspicions and fear.
There are no easy solutions to this situation in Assam
although some of them are known, have been in the realm of
discussion and policy framing.
First of all, the Assam governments decision to update
the 1952 National Register of Citizens (NRC) is welcome
but there are disturbing reports, which say that in all least 10
districts the records are incomplete or unavailable. This has
to be fixed by looking at the available data in the Registrar-
Generals Office in New Delhi.
To complete such a process is in the interests of all
groups, including the student unions at the forefront of
agitations and counter-agitations.
In addition, we strongly believe that:
People in relief camps must be assisted to return home,
in conditions of dignity and safety
Border patrolling needs to be more robust especially in
the riverine areas
Tackle the sense of impunity and immunity that armed
groups have enjoyed
A deadline must be set for the handing in of illegal
weapons and these must be registered and decommissioned
(i.e. destroyed)
Economic cooperation on joint projects on the
Bangladesh side of the border could help reduce the flow
and make remaining at home more attractive.
Work permits, as have been discussed extensively,
could be issued to people to come and work in India for
short periods but only after the NRC process is completed
and ID cards issued to all Indian citizens of the North-east
All sides must abide by the Constitution and the law
The word Bangladeshi must be used to define those
who have came post-1971 (the creation of Bangladesh) and
should not be used casually to refer to people who are Bengali-
speaking or of Bengali origin, whatever their religious
persuasion, who have settled in Assam before 1971
Intimidation and hate speech must be shunned and any
group or groups involved in hate acts and incitement to
violence must bear the full force of the law
State governments need to appoint task forces manned
by respected scholars and researchers as well as senior
officials to review and verify land records and the ownership
of land so that the rights of all who are protected by law
remain inalienable. Till date, this has been observed more in
the breach: a large number of political conflicts in the region
are rooted in disputes over land, territory and natural
resources. Yet, in this complex situation, the rights of any one
group cannot be protected at the expense of the rights of
others.
Land and natural resources are finite; matters are not
helped by ratcheting up the political rhetoric.
In closing, we call on all political and other groups at
this time to reduce the rhetoric, to help Assam and the region
and other parts of the country as we have seen pull
back from an abyss. The violence of past decades is
unacceptable. Today, all sides have the capacity to inflict
harm on others. It is time to spread goodwill and end ill will.
Otherwise, as we have seen, all of Assam and the NER as well
as in a larger sense, India, will suffer irreparable harm.
An opportunity, not a crisis An opportunity, not a crisis An opportunity, not a crisis An opportunity, not a crisis An opportunity, not a crisis
The Congress leadership should be grateful to Mamata
Banerjee for so starkly reminding one and all that this huge
country cannot be governed with tentativeness and timidity.
Both the Prime Minister and the Congress president should be
thankful to the West Bengal Chief Minister for giving them yet
another opportunity to demonstrate to the nation that they
have the requisite clear-headed understanding of what it
would take to work our way out of the current economic
woes. Ms Banerjee indeed has done a favour to the Congress
leadership by challenging it to behave like a ruling party at
the Centre.
Ms Banerjees timing is perfect. For the first time, the
demands of sensible governance and the political compulsions
of winning the next Lok Sabha elections have converged. The
voluble middle classes and the vast lower-middle classes
need to be reassured that our leaders are capable of producing
the basic minimum governing equilibrium. The country is
desperately in need of an assurance that at least there are a
few leaders who, when pushed to the wall, can commandeer
a muscular approach to governance. Electoral rewards will
accrue to those who show sincerity and stamina in pulling us
back from the brink of economic catastrophe and political
chaos.
Show guts Show guts Show guts Show guts Show guts
Notwithstanding the seemingly destabilising
consequences of Ms Banerjees tantrums, the Congress
leadership has no option but to display guts and determination
to seize the occasion. It has an opportunity to redefine the
coalition dharma in a federal polity. If governance in this
continental country is to be carried out with a modicum of
purposefulness, it is incumbent upon political parties in a
coalition to agree to a protocol of mutual restraint. Ms
Banerjees Trinamool Congress has been elected to govern in
West Bengal; it has no and cannot be given veto over
economic, political and foreign policy decisions at the Centre.
Ms Banerjees pre-emptory claim to a veto is the basic
issue, not the merit or demerit of this or that administrative
decision or policy. The polity needs clarity on a coalition
precept: whether a political party with just 19 Lok Sabha
members should be allowed to ride roughshod over another
party with more than 200 members. If Ms Banerjees maximalist
approach is conceded, the Congress will be guilty of
sabotaging its century-old claims to be the natural party of
governance. And, if the Congress leadership chooses to cave
in to Ms Banerjees tantrums, it can rest assured that it will be
severely punished by the voters. Nor, for that matter, can the
Congress jump from Ms Banerjees frying pan into Ms
Mayawatis fire, just in the hope of living another day to lose
another battle. As and when the Congress managers cobble
together a new working majority, they will do well to insist on
certain plain talking about coalition dharma.
Indeed, it is possible to argue that the current and
potential allies or supporting parties will themselves welcome
firm and clear reiteration of the rules of the game. After all, it
was the Congress eagerness to propitiate the lady all these
months that emboldened the hotheads in the Trinamool
crowd.
In this moment of crisis, it should be sobering to
remember that during the last Lok Sabha election the Congress
had crossed the magic figure of 200 seats, a feat that had
eluded any political party since 1991. Yet the historic
advantage was squandered away in internal confusion and
distractions, producing a massive disjointedness in the
governments functioning and policies, which in turn invited
trouble and challenge from different quarters and institutions.
Those in the judiciary and other constitutional institutions
smelled the spilt blood within the UPA and felt doubly
empowered to muddy the political waters. The result was the
so-called policy paralysis. The countrys best interests
demanded that decision-making break out of this paralysis;
and, it was natural that any attempt to break out would be
resisted by vested interests and political rivals and would
produce some kind of convulsion.
Not unexpected Not unexpected Not unexpected Not unexpected Not unexpected
The Mamata convulsion is not unexpected. As it is, the
departure of Pranab Mukherjee from the core of the decision-
making was already having its impact. Before the presidential
poll, the UPA leadership gave all indications of being a tired
team, caught in its own inter-personal insecurities and
prejudices, mesmerised by its own inertia, and hopelessly
reconciled to a sub-optimal performance. Post the
presidential election, a reconfigured balance in the decision-
making process is clearly discernible. The Congress presidents
own activism has helped produce a definite clear-
headedness.
This clear-headedness should be carried forward in a
purposeful manner, and reflected in the forthcoming Cabinet
reshuffle and AICC reorganisation. There can be no difference
of attitudes and approach between the government and the
Congress party. Both sink or swim together. For too long, a
false impression has been allowed to be created that there
are two sets of calculus, one preferred at Race Course Road
and another at Akbar Road. It is time for one and all to realise
that there is no miracle voice or face that would replenish the
Congresss political and electoral fortunes; salvation lies in
collective team work, not in selective loyalties.
By default, the onus still remains on the Congress to
produce a working order at the Centre for the simple
reason that the principal Opposition, the Bharatiya Janata
Party, has failed to market itself as a sober and serious
candidate to whom this countrys fate can be entrusted. Its
boorish behaviour in Parliament has not enthused the middle
classes, which have an abiding interest in firm and fair
governance.
On its part, if the Congress hopes to win back the
affection and respect of the middle classes and other critical
constituencies at home and abroad, it must undertake a major
political re-sculpting. Prime Ministerial authority needs to be
seen to have been restored. Those Ministers the likes of
Sriprakash Jaiswal and Beni Prasad Verma who have been
openly derisive of Dr. Manmohan Singh should be shown the
door. The message should go out that no Minister can belittle
the Prime Minister in the name of Sonia Gandhi or Rahul
Gandhi. If the Congresss Cabinet colleagues themselves cannot
show sufficient respect to the office of the Prime Minister, it
would be unreasonable to expect allies or the Opposition to
be deferential to the prime ministerial office.
As a necessary corollary, the ministerial licence needs
to be revoked. It is clear that the policy of ministerial latitude
and total absence of prime ministerial oversight have
combined to produce deleterious consequences, including
unacceptable ethical aberrations. Allies have been allowed
to run their ministries as autonomous kingdoms. This
arrangement was bound to generate a dysfunctional order,
which has culminated in Mamatagate.
If the Congress leadership can produce an internal
coherence, it will be easy for it and its government to defang
the Mamata Banerjee-induced challenge. The country needs
to know that while there will always be imperfections and
impurities in the economic growth process, the Congress
government, headed by Manmohan Singh, alone has the clarity
of its moral integrity and social purpose to cure the system of
the Jayaswals, the Kodas, the Mallyas and the Balwas. The
country needs to be told that crooks will go to jail, be they
indicted in the 2G business or coal blocks allocations. Prudent
economic decisions, wise political impulses and ethical
sensitivities, mixed judiciously, can help defeat the populist
demagogue. The Indian states best interests have never been
served by appeasement at home or abroad.
Cross-border lessons in saving lives Cross-border lessons in saving lives Cross-border lessons in saving lives Cross-border lessons in saving lives Cross-border lessons in saving lives
Since January 13, 2011, India has not recorded a single
case of polio an achievement the World Health Organisation
officially acknowledged, stating that India had stopped
indigenous transmission of wild poliovirus. Indias success
should serve as a beacon of hope for some nations still
struggling to control polio. As one of three nations (Afghanistan
and Nigeria being the other two) recording indigenous
transmission of wild poliovirus, Pakistan could imbibe
invaluable lessons from its neighbour about eradicating polio.
This is especially important because Pakistan had experienced
the worlds largest nationwide outbreak of polio in 2011 with
198 reported cases.
As of June 8, 2012, Pakistan had reported 21 cases of
wild poliovirus, compared to 52 cases during the same period
in 2011. The saving grace transmission has been curtailed
to known transmission zones. In regions where the virus is
rampant, there are two main reasons, each a cause for
concern. Firstly, insurgency and security-related dangers mean
Pakistans national polio programme cannot consistently reach
children in certain areas of FATA. Secondly, sub-optimal
management of the programme at the sub-district level in KP,
Sindh and Balochistan have seen inconsistent polio campaigns,
with many children being missed during immunisation drives.
Adopting best practices Adopting best practices Adopting best practices Adopting best practices Adopting best practices
Against this disconcerting backdrop, Rotary
International has undertaken vigorous efforts in promoting
the Polio Eradication Campaign in Pakistan, just as it did in
India. Along with its partners, Unicef and WHO, Rotarys
PolioPlus Committee in Pakistan has been overseeing
eradication efforts. Toward this end, Pakistan has emulated
India by roping in celebrity ambassadors to advance the cause
of polio eradication. Accordingly, Pakistans erstwhile cricket
captain Shahid Afridi is part of the Polio Eradication
Campaign.
Pakistan has also adopted best-practice modules from
India such as the identification of high-risk blocks, roping
in religious leaders from different sects in door-to-door
campaigns, conducting health camps to augment abysmal
healthcare services, and producing social mobilisation
materials for Information, Education and Communication on
Polio. During NIDs (National Immunisation Days) and SNIDs
(Sub-National Immunisation Days), Rotary Clubs in Pakistan
work alongside government health workers during
immunisation drives and also collaborate with multinational
companies to boost awareness levels.
In the Sindh region, Rotary clubs join hands with local
community-based organisations (CBOs) who facilitate in
accessing communities at the grassroots level, to create
awareness and facilitate in surveillance and monitoring during
and after campaigns. With multiple misconceptions
bedevilling polio vaccine drives across many regions of
Pakistan, Rotary has been reaching out to Ulema conventions
and religious scholars to dispel misplaced notions.
All-out efforts required All-out efforts required All-out efforts required All-out efforts required All-out efforts required
Efforts are also underway to ensure participation at
polio booths in Attari and Wagah on the border, where India
has instituted preventive measures to guard against polio
import. Its essential to convince various stakeholders in
Pakistan about the importance of polio eradication. With
widespread poverty and security concerns in many regions,
immunisation against polio is not a pressing concern for
Pakistanis and understandably so. But if polio is to be
successfully stamped off the earth, special attention should
be paid to Pakistan because it could likely be the last polio
reservoir worldwide that may hamper not just the hopes of
Pakistans vulnerable children but the global polio eradication
goal.
Rotary Clubs in Pakistan have been more proactive and
persist with polio camps, walks and workshops that drive
awareness and eradication efforts; distributing polio social
mobilisation materials in schools and communities; local
Rotary members volunteer time to take up training by the
WHO representative to improve monitoring and surveillance;
Polio Awareness Guidelines, PolioPlus newsletters and updates
are also disseminated regularly, for Rotary members to better
understand polio eradication efforts .
Pakistan PolioPlus Committee has installed billboards
in high-risk districts for national campaigns, with some
billboards being permanent. As per the governments request,
an additional 45,000 vaccine carriers have been made to ensure
quality of activities dont suffer.
Cross-border cooperation Cross-border cooperation Cross-border cooperation Cross-border cooperation Cross-border cooperation
Appreciating the importance of polio eradication,
Pakistani authorities are firmly committed to implementing
eradication efforts to ensure polio spikes within its borders
are curbed. To facilitate the success of its anti-polio initiatives,
Pakistan has sought Indias support in this drive. In end-May,
a team of eight delegates from Pakistan comprising federal
and provincial government representatives, led by Begum
Shahnaz Wazir Ali, the Prime Ministers special assistant for
the social sector and National Polio Focal Point, and Dr. Azra
Pechuho, member of the PMs National Polio Task Force and
MLA from Sindh province, left for India.
Apart from the exchange of delegations between the
two nations, Pakistans serious intent is also evident from the
fact that Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari is personally
involved in the campaign against polio.
Theres little doubt that it will take concerted, sustained
efforts on the part of all stakeholders public and private
entities, partnerships and the public for polio to be finally
eradicated from Pakistan. But failure to do so will leave open
the perennial threat of wild poliovirus making a surreptitious
comeback in other geographies too; that is something
Pakistan, and the world, can ill afford at this crucial juncture.
Beauty lies in the domain of the Beauty lies in the domain of the Beauty lies in the domain of the Beauty lies in the domain of the Beauty lies in the domain of the
highest bidder highest bidder highest bidder highest bidder highest bidder
LOral has applied for the top level domain (TLD)
.beauty to the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and
Numbers (Icann), the global authority dealing with domain
names on the Internet. TLDs are what we see on the right side
of the dot in domain names for example, .com and .net. If
LOral gets .beauty, which seems very likely, it will be able
to reserve this top level domain name just for its own use.
Unlike .com, .org, .net etc, which are public TLDs, .beauty will
be a private TLD. What this means is that, for instance, Raji
Curls, a beauty salon, will not be able to ask for
www.rajicurls.beauty, as one could have in the case of .com.
LOral will have the exclusive use of .beauty, as its private
property. If LOral were to seek a trademark for beauty, it
will be flatly refused. The word is too generic for anyone to
be given monopoly rights over it. It is therefore surprising
that LOral should be able to get global monopoly rights on
.beauty, just because it is willing to pay $1,85,000, the
application fees for new TLDs, to Icann.
How LOral will leverage this privileged association
with a key symbolic term of our culture will be an interesting
exercise to follow. But the goldmine is there for anyone to
see. It can certainly begin by propagating the term .beauty
in all its communications and expressions. With time,
demonstrating the long association, it could also seek
trademark rights on .beauty, and so will go on the saga of
how LOral became beauty, and beauty, LOral! Incidentally,
LOral is also seeking private ownership of .makeup, .skin,
.hair and .salon.
The case of Amazon The case of Amazon The case of Amazon The case of Amazon The case of Amazon
The problem becomes even more pernicious when the
whole business of a company is digital. Amazon, for instance,
has applied for .book as a private exclusive TLD. Soon, book,
or at least the digital book which is what .book would
signify will be what is offered by Amazon . One would
think that this is too large an unfair advantage to hand over to
Amazon which already engages in monopoly practices in the
area of digital books, through the locked-in Kindle model.
(Well, it can name Kindle .book now!) If this is getting
a bit disconcerting, what about .cloud being the name
of the online computing system that Google runs, since
Google would most likely soon have the exclusive use of
.cloud? Cloud computing is expected to be an industry that
will be based on unprecedented vertical and horizontal
integrations. In such a scenario, awarding exclusive use of
cloud to one company only makes the problem worse.
Private rights on public words Private rights on public words Private rights on public words Private rights on public words Private rights on public words
Words as parts of language are our common heritage. It
is obvious that language, and its specific uses, have to be
zealously protected, as public domain, that is equally
accessible to all. Words used in some forms however are
unique identifiers, which cannot be shared. Trademarks and
domain names are two examples of such unique identifiers.
Trademark authorities are very strict about not allowing
generic names as trademarks. Authorities registering names
of companies, organisations, etc are similarly very cautious
and exacting, in terms of seeking very good reasons for
claiming anything that may appear to interfere with common
ownership of names, words, phrases and language. Icann,
however, seems to have thrown all caution to the winds. It is
not only .beauty, .book and .cloud that are being taken, and
privatised. A host of other generic words like, .love, .school,
.kid. .music. .apps. .home, .buy, .mail, .eat. .movie, .car,
.author, .joy, .green etc are also up for sale. Those words that
attract more than one suitor will be auctioned.
Owners of most existing TLDs, like .com and .org, are
obliged to make second level domain names (like thehindu
in www.thehindu.com) available to the public in the open
market. It is also useful that, till now, TLDs have largely been
confined to three letters, which arrangement greatly limits
the semantic possibilities that can be associated with TLDs. It
is not evident what public interest is served by giving a go-by
to these two very sensible provisions of the earlier TLD policy
in this round of allocations, allowing private (as against public)
TLDs that employ full generic words. In fact, Esther Dyson,
the founding chairman of Icann, has said that there was no
reason at all to establish new TLDs.
Icann must understand that it is a governance system
with the responsibility of protecting and promoting public
interest. It is not a private company offering products and
services with an aim to maximise profit. For this reason, it
may have to be more prudent than innovative. Icann is taking
important decisions on behalf of people of the whole world.
Giving off generic words as private TLDs is a zero sum game.
What it gives to a private party for exclusive use is denied to
everyone else to that extent. Icann is providing a few
companies highly privileged association with some very
important symbolic terms, thus compromising the common
ownership of these elements of our cultural heritage.
Titles on monopoly empires Titles on monopoly empires Titles on monopoly empires Titles on monopoly empires Titles on monopoly empires
It is an unfortunate fact of the emerging digital ecology
that a few companies have begun to monopolise complete
segments of our civilisational system one company claims
to be organising the worlds knowledge for us, another
positions itself as the space for social networking, a third
one is the global distributed instant media, one company
has always sought to be the digital office suite, another is
emerging as the music store.... and so on. This is a rather
disturbing trend.
Instead of providing counter-measures to the emergent
threat of monopolisation in the digital realm, Icann is
accentuating it further through the new TLD programme. It is
allowing mega corporates, interested in representing whole
segments of our civilisational system, exclusive use of
corresponding generic words like .book, .music, .media,
.school, .beauty, .cloud, etc. Such benevolence on Icanns
part greatly helps cement the business plans of these
corporates, who can employ their proprietorship over these
words to redesign and shape the associated cultural
phenomenon in the image of their own narrow interests, and
then extract perpetual rents. No business model could be
more remunerative. Over time, demonstrating long standing
exclusive usage, these corporates may also seek trademark
rights on these generic words, or at least the words with a dot
before them. To take just one example, Google already owns
close to 90 per cent of the search market. It now wants Icann
to give it the official stamp for its monopoly position through
an exclusive ownership of .search. Marketing manager for
British domain-name registrar Names.co.uk, Stephen Ewart,
calls this as a silent privatisation of the Web. Once you own
these spaces, you can write your own terms and conditions,
he says, adding how big brands can decide who can be there
and decide what can be put in that space.
It is difficult to comprehend how such a hugely
problematic plan of allowing private TLDs employing generic
names has managed to get through the numerous committees
associated with Icann. Apart from the problem of corporate
monopolies discussed here, there are other kinds of serious
issues involved with applications that have been made for
TLDs like .church and .islam. While Icann has an open window
for public comments on the new TLD applications till
September 26, any objection must pertain to specific TLD
applications and not to the general policy itself. Hopefully, it
will still be possible to save beauty from Loreal, and the
book from Amazon.
Heat is on for thermal power too Heat is on for thermal power too Heat is on for thermal power too Heat is on for thermal power too Heat is on for thermal power too
While villagers in a part of coastal Tamil Nadu are
protesting against a nuclear power plant, in neighbouring
Andhra Pradesh a more conventional method of energy
production has been the trigger for widespread protests.
Three dozen or more thermal power stations are coming
up at several places along the Andhra coast. In north coastal
Andhra, fishermen and farmers have repeatedly clashed with
the authorities, leading to police firing and deaths. The thermal
stations, they fear, will deprive them of livelihood and cause
serious health disorders in the long run.
Faced with a severe shortage of power, the Andhra
Pradesh government has been inviting investments in thermal
power generation at breakneck speed. In Nellore district
alone, as many as 20 plants with a cumulative capacity of
24,500 MW have been proposed within a radius of five km of
Krishnapatnam.
In 2010, E.A.S. Sarma, a former Union Power Secretary,
wrote to the Union Minister of State for Environment (then
Jairam Ramesh), urging him to stop what he described as
environmental vandalism. Mr. Sarma warned that the
projects would lead to diversion of over 17,000 acres of
ecologically sensitive land and lands falling under the CRZ
jurisdiction. The thermal plants, he said, would burn 3.17 lakh
tonnes of coal, dump 1.33 lakh tonnes of toxic ash daily and
release 2,100 tonnes of sulphur into the environment.
The plants would require 64 lakh cubic metres of water
that would, in turn, spew out sewage, effluents, including
mercury, arsenic and even radioactive isotopes into ground
water as well as the sea, affecting the regions marine ecology.
The Ministry of Environment and Forests has unwittingly (or
knowingly) presided over the unimaginable environmental
disaster due to the combined effect of all these projects, he
said.
Frequent confrontations Frequent confrontations Frequent confrontations Frequent confrontations Frequent confrontations
Krishnapatnam is an area where the threat is imminent.
Srikakulam district has already turned into a cauldron. Five
fishermen and farmers have been killed in police firing in
Sompeta and Kakarapalli since 2010. A nuclear power plant
at Kovvada in the Ransathalam block of the district has added
fuel to the farmers ire leading to frequent confrontations
with police.
The protests have been so intense that the Centre
suspended the environmental clearance to the 2,640-MW
thermal plant promoted by Nagarjuna Construction Company
(NCC) at Sompeta on a site which, environmentalists say, is
wetland but wrongly shown as barren by the district officials.
NCC says farmers had accepted the handsome
rehabilitation package it offered and backtracked later.
Having invested a substantial amount of money, it could not
back off but was willing to address the farmers concerns in
consultation with the Centre. The Paryavarana Parirakshana
Samithi (environment protection committee) headed by Y.
Krishna Murthy, will have none of it. We still have strong
grounds to approach the court to stay any attempts to
construct the project.
Dr. Krishna Murthy says Beela, a large low-lying swamp
with a unique habitat, would suffer irreparable damage if the
thermal plant comes up. It is a registered water body, abutting
the sea and lies close to the Eastern Ghats. Around it live 1.5
lakh people, mainly farmers and fisherfolk. Beela is the lifeline
for two-crop paddy farming; three lift irrigation projects are
operating in its purview.
Aside from the environmental, there are concerns, also
pointed out by Mr. Sarma and others, that the State grid has
no capacity to absorb the base load generated by these
projects by any stretch of imagination. There are simply no
transmission and distribution lines to evacuate power to other
States.
Financial implications Financial implications Financial implications Financial implications Financial implications
Once operational, these projects will have financial
implications on the State-owned plants that supply cheaper
power. The latter would be forced to back down and the end
result would be an enormous rise in power tariffs, he says.
The Vizag Zonal Council of the Confederation of Indian
Industry denounces the obstructionist tactics. How do they
expect new industries to be established if they oppose thermal
and nuclear power stations that will ease the power crisis.
Technology has advanced so much that air pollution in thermal
plants and ash disposal are effectively taken care of, says
K.V. Bhaskar, a former chairman of the council.
Energy department officials do not deny the
environmental implications of the highly polluting coal-fired
projects, but defend the approvals on the ground that there is
no escape from using coal until an alternative, environment-
friendly fuel is found. The concerns are genuine and
environmental issues cannot be wished away. But a price has
to be paid. Are we not impounding water and halting the
pristine flow of a river when we a build a dam for hydro
power? Instead of obstructing power projects, the focus
should be on ensuring that power plant promoters make
emissions manageable and tolerable, says Andhra Pradesh
Energy Secretary Mrityunjay Sahoo.
Industries Secretary K. Pradeep Chandra cites viability
to justify location of projects near the coastline,
notwithstanding its fragile ecosystem. A majority of the plants
will use imported coal. It will be unviable for the industry to
transport imported coal if the plants are located far away
from sea-ports, he says.
The energy crisis in AP is acute as the demand-supply
shortfall is nearly 25 per cent. At the national level too, over
a third of Indias rural population does not have access to
power. In April this year, the total installed capacity crossed
the two lakh megawatt mark but there is still a yawning 10-
per-cent base load energy deficit.
Principal among the Planning Commissions measures
to tide over the crisis is the addition of 63,000 MW capacity
through coal-based plants alone in the 12th Plan. But as the
protests in Andhra Pradesh show, before the solution to the
energy crisis become worse than the problem, a balance
needs to be struck between meeting energy needs and the
need to protect peoples livelihoods and the environment.
Facing an inconvenient truth Facing an inconvenient truth Facing an inconvenient truth Facing an inconvenient truth Facing an inconvenient truth
Sometimes, turning full circle takes no time. Eighteen
months after NATO forces bombed Qadhafis Libya citing
their responsibility to protect the citizens of Benghazi, U.S.
drones hovered over the city looking at possible strike options
in the wake of the tragic killing of Ambassador Chris Stevens
and three Americans at the consulate on September 11.
The drones and warships that U.S. officials said were
headed to the Libyan coast to give the U.S. Navy flexibility
prompted former Libyan rebel commander Abdel Hakim
Belhadj to warn in an online comment on the Guardian that
U.S. intervention will only inflame the situation. Drones are
not only provocative and illegal in international law, he wrote,
but have also led to the killing of many innocent civilians in
other countries [and] had a serious impact on how the U.S.
is perceived in the region. Libyas sovereignty must be
respected, in spite of what has happened. Ironic words, given
that it was the same drones and missiles that were credited
with crushing Qadhafis troops.
Dangerous ally Dangerous ally Dangerous ally Dangerous ally Dangerous ally
In Libya, irony comes in many layers. Belhadj himself
has a disturbing past that NATO forces chose to ignore as
they gave air-support to his forces to liberate Tripoli. In the
1980s, Belhadj and a group of Islamist Libyan guerrillas fought
alongside the mujahideen in Afghanistan. Through the 1990s,
as leader of the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group, Belhadj fought
Qadhafis forces, plotting twice to assassinate him. When it
got too hot in Libya, he moved to Sudan, working with al-
Qaeda as a guest of Osama bin Laden and then returned to
Afghanistan in 1998. He spent the next few years in Jalalabad,
directing funds and arms for al-Qaeda training camps before
he was arrested by the CIA and MI-6 in 2002. Belhadj was
then, according to a lawsuit he filed against the British
government, tortured brutally before being bundled on to a
plane along with his pregnant wife and handed over to
Qadhafi. Eventually, as part of Saif al-Islam Gaddafis de-
radicalisation programme, Belhadj and other associates were
freed in 2010. Within a year, he had become the commander
of the Transitional National Council (TNC) rebel force.
That the U.S. cooperated with Belhadj and others like
him to oust Qadhafi speaks volumes either of its broad-
mindedness or its naivet. Even as the British, French and U.S.
intelligence services armed the rebels, they turned a blind
eye to the troubling ideological differences they had with the
forces fighting Qadhafi from links with al-Qaeda in the
Maghrib, to avowals of the harsh Sharia law they planned to
implement in Libya, to the human rights violations by TNC
units. Of equal concern should have been the domination of
different parts of post-Qadhafi Libya by lawless militias
answerable to none.
Instead, NATO leaders proclaimed themselves satisfied
that the ends in Libya had been met, a brutal dictator was
finished, and that was that. Until a year later, when heavily
armed men launched a deadly assault on the U.S. Consulate
in Benghazi.
Despi te concerns Despi te concerns Despi te concerns Despi te concerns Despi te concerns
At a time when many in the U.S. are asking whose
responsibility it is to disarm this heavily weaponised society,
NATO countries have embarked on a similar path of arming
rebels in Syria, with a view to pushing President Bashar al-
Assad out. France is providing direct aid to rebel authorities
in five so-called liberated zones, while CNN and NBC report
that President Barack Obama has authorised greater support
to the rebels. Concern is also growing about the extent of
Syrian rebel links to al-Qaeda and other international terror
groups. A recent monograph, Jihad in Syria , published by
the Washington-based Institute for the study of War, lists
more than a dozen terror attacks carried out by the local
Jabhat Al Nusra group in 2012, including car bombings, suicide
bombings and IED attacks. The Free Syrian Army claimed
responsibility for the July 18 bombing at the national security
building in Damascus that killed three of Mr. Assads closest
advisors, including his brother-in-law Assef Shawkat an
attack that suggests deep levels of training from international
terror organisations. And in the past few weeks, the calls by
the U.S., U.K. and France for Mr. Assad to quit have been
uncomfortably matched by messages from al-Qaeda chief
Ayman al-Zawahri.
It is possible to understand the Wests anguish as the
death toll in Syria crosses 20,000 and daily images appear of
innocents bearing the brunt of the Assad regimes brutal
attempts to quell the rebellion.
But while the U.S. administration sees parallels to Bosnia
and Rwanda where the international community intervened
too late and allowed massacres to take place it is possible
also to understand the hesitation of others in authorising
intervention. Given the parallels with Afghanistan and now
Libya, it may even be possible to understand Indias nebulous
stand on Syria at the U.N., where it has balanced two Yes
votes against the Assad regime with two No votes and two
abstentions.
U.S., U.K. and France must see these parallels even if it
is too late to avert a full-blown civil war in Syria. In Libya, the
failure to recognise blowback lulled the U.S. Consulate into a
false sense of security. Security agencies have admitted to
being underprepared despite warnings about the prevalence
of Islamist terror groups in Benghazi.
At that time, the inconvenient truth about those groups
was brushed aside, or white-washed in dispatches. It would
be equally hazardous now to accept the reports that those
Islamist militias have simply been swept out of Benghazi,
and that others have agreed to lay down their arms overnight.
Often the most dangerous thing about ones rhetoric is
believing it oneself.
Money does grow on trees, Prime Money does grow on trees, Prime Money does grow on trees, Prime Money does grow on trees, Prime Money does grow on trees, Prime
Minister Minister Minister Minister Minister
There is no way we can take lightly the Prime Ministers
recent address to the nation. It was, unarguably, an exceptional
step for him to take, renowned as he is neither for his loquacity,
nor for his oratorial skills. Why then did he mount his Rocinante
of 91 vintage and futilely lance opponents of his policies by
alleging that they were spreading canards? Also, which
Sancho Panza on his staff persuaded him to use this insulting
noun? But for this, his otherwise rather nondescript address
would have been best left to its inevitable fate of oblivion.
Not, however, now.
Telephone call Telephone call Telephone call Telephone call Telephone call
First: this rather admonitory money does not grow on
trees. Just a day after this astonishing, also so unneeded,
reprimand, I received a telephone call from a retired soldier
colleague, who had served with me as my tank driver, sharing
with me for many years my tank lean-to shelter at night. I save
his name lest he be nagged by the otherwise inefficient
Intelligence Bureau. Sahib, he said in his thick Shekhawati
dialect and accent, please educate the PM that money does
actually grow on trees and plants; we get all our fruits,
vegetables and animal feed and also firewood from a tree.
So tell him to think of the farmers, not of the foreigners, who
over two centuries back came as a company and took away
our land. Not one biswa [a measure of land] was left to us.
I promised him I would do so, but advised him not to disturb
his retired life over such depressing thoughts, for just as our
dhabas defeated a rather cocky Colonel from Kentucky, US
of A, India will defeat this, too. And not one word of this
anecdote is made up.
Therefore, next to the fabled merits of multiple retail
shops of (in)famous names.
Please reflect first on the merits of Indias unorganised
and widely dispersed retail trade, explained with admirable
clarity and succinctness by S. Gurumurthy (Reform at
Nations Cost, New Indian Express , September 20) : The
unorganised retail trade in India represents the traditional,
community-centric, low-cost employment intense retailing
that includes, but is not limited to, kirana shops, owner-run-
general stores, paan-beedi shops, convenience stores, and
hand-cart and pavement vending. In this model a whole family
works in one shop and a whole community is engaged in the
trade in a defined area. Most advocates of corporate and
retail firms ignore [this] critical contribution of the [existing
system] to the Indian economy and society (emphasis
added). This multi-layer retailing is the most decentralised
economic activity in India after agriculture. Second, it
constitutes almost 98 percent of the total trade with an
estimated 12 million outlets. In contrast, organised trade
accounts for just 2 percent. Third, it is the largest employment
provider after agriculture, employing an estimated 40 million
people. In contrast, the worlds largest retail chain, Wal-
Mart, employs just about five lakhs. Fourth, being self-
employed with their families, this activity comprises 120
million people.
It is retailing that continuously generates huge
community-based entrepreneurship. And then it contributes
over 14 percent of Indias GDP, while all [the] companies in
the BSE 500 Index, put together is some 4 percent. Also that
the unorganised retail segment has been growing at an
average rate of over 8 percent a year for the last eight years
(1999-00 to 2006-07). second only to construction Let
us consider seriously that if [this] social capital link to retail
trade is unsettled, the entire distant and remote supply chain
will suffer over a period, disturbing the social equilibrium
and the organic social links that have evolved over
centuries.
There is then a further canard spread by our dear PM
and his ilk, suggesting that concerns like Walmart, and others
of that variety, overflow with the milk of human kindness and
act only out of empathy and compassion for Indias farmers
and poor. Gurumurthy very effectively comes to our
assistance here, too, the evidence, even in the U.S. being to
the contrary: Walmart entered in Austin neighbourhood of
Chicago in 2006. And by 2008, some 82 of the 306 small shops
had closed down. Further, the Economic Development
Quarterly study found the closure rate around Walmart
location at 35-60 per cent. Such studies in the U.S. reject the
UPAs assertion that FDI in retail does not hurt small shops.
On job creation, a January 2010 report titled Walmarts
Economic Footprint, prepared for the New York City Public
Advocate, says that Walmart kills three local jobs for every
two it creates. Jayati Ghosh, an eminent Indian economist
cited by Karan Thapar, asserts that one Walmart store in
India will displace 1400 small retail stores costing 5000 jobs.
This, too, is dismissed by the government as meaningless.
Misplaced view Misplaced view Misplaced view Misplaced view Misplaced view
As for Walmart offering better prices, please recognise
it does not buy or pay for goods over the counter. It purchases
the nations next harvest in futures market and fixes farm
prices. It also imports cheap goods and destroys local
production like it has done in the U.S. And an outstanding
example of this is provided by President George W. Bush,
who gratuitously observed that [rice] prices had gone up
because newly prosperous Indians had begun eating more.
In truth, as detailed by USA Today(April 23, 2008) and CNN
(April 24, 2008) the California Rice Commission and USA
Rice Federation denied there was a shortage of rice,
explaining that it was because Sams Club (Walmarts
wholesale division) was holding huge stocks, and pushing
up the prices.
Two UPA government reports of the Planning
Commission Working Group on Agriculture for the XI Plan
(2007-2012), and the 19th report of the Standing Committee
of Parliament on Food (2006-2007), to Parliament
themselves nail the lie that Walmart will link farm-gate to its
gate and make Indian farmers rich.
There is then that absurd assumption that this variety of
capital inflow is the answer to our present trade and current
account deficits. First, this is neither true nor tenable. Secondly,
whose misgovernance/absence of governance has brought
about this situation? Please do not place all blame on the
global situation when you do not hesitate to pat your back
about crossing the 2008 fiscal obstacle course. The trade
account deficit of about US$150 billion and the current
account deficit exceeding 3 per cent of GDP is very alarming
and may lead to a balance of payments crisis of much graver
nature than the 1990 position. It is this continuous pressure
on the trade account and the sudden withdrawal of funds by
FIIs from the stock market that has weakened the Indian
Rupee, (Rs. 16 in 1991 to as low as Rs.50 per U.S. dollar)
during the UPA-2s Rule, resulting in a devaluation of more
than 300 per cent. (Thus becoming) one of the major causes
of imported inflation in the country during the past two
decades. Should our domestic savings, contributing almost
90 per cent of investments in the country, go down, which
without fiscal and monetary incentives could well happen,
and should the Investment to GDP ratio fall below 30 per
cent, then surely we will revert to a sub-Hindu rate of growth.
That is why prime ministerial favours to foreign investors and
step-motherly treatment to our dear desi s is so difficult to
grasp.
Finally, a brief word about the totally wrong
phraseology, to which all have by now succumbed. The
measures recently undertaken are not in any sense reforms,
and I am very glad our distinguished Deputy Chairman of the
Planning Commission has candidly and correctly said so.
These, at best, are administrative measures which the
government has now, with much fanfare, announced.
Misplaced again, for the first reform needed, the very first is
reform of government, and reforming governance is vital so
that corruption is minimised and efficiency in administration
maximised. I am doing what I promised my soldier colleague
I would do. Are the knights of El ingenioso hidalgo
listening? Courtesy-The Hindu Courtesy-The Hindu Courtesy-The Hindu Courtesy-The Hindu Courtesy-The Hindu
Think rationally about learning Hindi Think rationally about learning Hindi Think rationally about learning Hindi Think rationally about learning Hindi Think rationally about learning Hindi
and it will make sense and it will make sense and it will make sense and it will make sense and it will make sense
I have seen some of the criticism in The Hindu to my
article Required, two tongues (Op-Ed, September 20, 2012).
I am a totally democratic person, and do not mind criticism
at all. However, I would like to give my response:
(1) I have said that I am totally opposed to the imposition
of Hindi in Tamil Nadu, or anywhere else for that matter.
In the function at Anna University in Chennai, where I
spoke recently, I advised Tamilians to learn Hindi. After
my speech an elderly gentleman got up and said
that Tamiliansshould not be compelled to learn Hindi,
and English was good enough to be the link language in
India. I replied that I was totally against any
compulsion. If my suggestion that Tamilians should
learn Hindi made sense to Tamilians, they should
accept it, but if it did not make sense to them, they
should reject it. Where is the compulsion? It is not fair
to distort what I said.
(2) Tamil cannot be compared to Hindi, not because Hindi
is superior to Tamil (I hold all languages in equal
respect) but because it is much more widespread.
Tamil is only spoken in Tamil Nadu, which has a
population of 72 million. But Hindi is spoken not only
in the Hindi belt, but in most non-Hindi states as a
second language. In the Hindi belt there are 200 million
people in Uttar Pradesh, 82 million in Bihar, 75 million
in Madhya Pradesh, 69 million in Rajasthan, 27 million
in Jharkhand, 26 million in Chhattisgarh, 26 million in
Haryana, and seven million in Himachal Pradesh. Taking
into account Hindi speakers in the non-Hindi belt in
India (Punjab, West Bengal, Kashmir, Orissa, Assam and
other North Eastern States,Telangana, etc), the number
of Hindi speakers would be about 15 times that of
Tamil speakers. Apart from that, Pakistanis (who
number about 200 million) also speak Hindi, though
they call it Urdu. How then can Tamil be compared
with Hindi? Tamil is only a regional language, while
Hindi is a national language. This is not because Hindi
is superior to Tamil, but due to certain historical and
social reasons.
(3) English is the link language only for the elite in India,
and not for the common man. Anyone coming from
Tamil Nadu to other parts of India will realise this.
Without knowing Hindi he will experience great
difficulty (in fact one of the Tamilian judges in the
Supreme Court told me very recently that he had made
a great mistake in not learning Hindi since he was finding
it difficult in Delhi, but now he has started learning
Hindi ). Only about five per cent of Indians know English
(though I myself have appealed to people to learn
English, since much of the knowledge of the world is in
English, and I have strongly criticised those who say
Angrezi Hatao (abolish English). In fact Hindi is
already the link language for Indians, even for many
South Indians, as I had explained in my article.
(4) When I was Chief Justice of the Madras High Court, I
once went to a shop in Madurai. To my surprise I heard
the Tamilian shopkeeper speaking to someone on the
telephone in Hindi. Since I had picked up some Tamil I
said to him, Romba nalla Hindi pesreenga. Eppadi ?
(You are speaking such good Hindi. How is that?) He
replied, Arasiyalle Hindi vendaamnu solvaanga,
aanaa engal i kkubusi ness pananum. Adnaal
kathukitten . (Politicians say that we do not want Hindi,
but we have to do business. So I have learnt Hindi). I
think this shopkeeper had more sense than those who
oppose Hindi.
(5) I dislike both Hindi haters as well as those who wish to
impose Hindi on Tamil Nadu and other States. The issue
should be considered rationally, instead of
emotionally. No one can dispute that Tamil is a great
language, with great literary works like Tirukkural,
Silapathiharam, Manimekhalai, Kambar Ramayanam ,
and in more recent times, the great poems of the
nationalist poet Subramania Bharathi and many others.
I fully support the demand that lawyers in the Madras
High Court should be allowed to argue in Tamil (except
before judges who have come on a transfer from other
States), though judgments should be in English so that
people from other States can read them. When in the
Supreme Court, I would sometimes speak a few
sentences in Tamil when a Tamilian lawyer appeared
before me. I think I was the first Judge in the history of
the Supreme Court to speak in Tamil in court.
I would appeal to Tamilians to once again consider my
suggestion that they should learn Hindi. If my suggestion does
not make sense, please reject it.
Plain speaking to Colombo Plain speaking to Colombo Plain speaking to Colombo Plain speaking to Colombo Plain speaking to Colombo
President Mahinda Rajapaksas visit to New Delhi last
week has helped clear some of the air on India-Sri Lanka
relations. Since Indias vote for a resolution pulling up Sri
Lanka at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva
in March this year, Colombo has nursed a sense of betrayal.
Competitive politics in Tamil Nadu, which has seen leaders of
the Dravidian parties aggressively stake out positions against
the Sri Lankan government, has only added to the island
nations insecurities vis--vis India. A stopover by President
Rajapaksa in New Delhi en route to Sanchi in Madhya Pradesh
he had been invited to participate in the foundation
ceremonies of an international Buddhist university provided
the right opportunity for the two countries to reassert the
essentials of their relationship. In the past two decades, the
two sides have successfully built friendly ties, which have
expanded to include robust economic links. Globally, India is
Sri Lankas largest trade partner, and in South Asia, Sri Lanka
is Indias largest trade partner. Aside from all this, tourist,
religious, sporting and educational contacts have thrived.
India played a critical diplomatic role in the Sri Lankan
militarys defeat of the LTTE. It is no secret that New Delhi
feels let down by the Rajapaksa government, which allowed
Sinhala triumphalism to dictate political discourse on the
Tamil question after its victory on the battlefield instead of
moving to settle the issue. Reducing the reality of New Delhis
interest in this to Tamil Nadu politics is to miss the point
that India is committed to a peaceful and united Sri Lanka,
for which a just resolution of the Tamil question is vital. Nor
does the China card or Pakistan card alter the importance
of this for India.
Aside from reiterating shared security interests, Indias
message to President Rajapaksa on the urgency of finalising a
roadmap towards a political resolution of Tamil aspirations
comes not a moment too soon. Talks between the government
and the Tamil National Alliance, the political grouping that is
an electorally proven representative of the Tamils, have so
far gone nowhere. The TNA is sceptical of joining a
parliamentary select committee; the labours of previous
committees to find a solution to the Tamil question have
been unceremoniously shelved. With such a track record, the
Sri Lankan government has the greater responsibility in taking
steps that will convince Tamils of its sincerity. The holding of
elections in the Northern Province is the essential first step.
An early announcement of a date for the election would make
the path to reconciliation in Sri Lanka that much easier.
Controller General Controller General Controller General Controller General Controller General
Competitive politics within the legislature is threatening
to undermine the space and legitimacy of executive authorities
to implement social and economic policies in the country.
The Congress-led UPA may have been weakened to a point
where any observation by the CAG becomes a millstone
around its neck, even if the CAG is seen as excessive in the
way he interprets the alleged lapses by the government. The
danger is that any newly elected government at the Centre
will start with a disadvantage it must constantly bear in
mind the CAGs new methodology of judging the role of the
government in economic development. After all, maximising
revenue from resource allocation need not, and indeed cannot,
be the end objective of all government policies. This aspect
of governance needs to be remembered even as the BJP
publicly declares the sheer futility of the CAG report on coal
being taken to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), which
is headed by an opposition leader. By doing so, the opposition
is inadvertently investing the CAG with a moral righteousness
that tends to show other institutions, like the PAC or even
Parliament, in a poorer light. This may not be healthy in the
long run.
There is a larger politics at play that will come back to
haunt any coalition government that is voted into power in
2014. If one carefully examines the prime ministers reply to
the CAGs observations on various aspects of the coal
allocation policy, it becomes clear that this is only the
beginning of a long drawn out tussle between the statutory
auditor and governments at the Centre and the states.
The prime minister has politely indicated that the CAG
has no business advising the Centre and the states on the
pace of implementing new legislation that affects the powers
enjoyed by the states in our current constitutional framework.
It is evident that the states would be loath to give up their
discretionary power to recommend private parties for coal
allocation. The chief ministers of all states with coal and
lignite reserves had opposed auction as a method of
allocating coal blocks. The manner of future coal allocations
will have to be resolved politically. There is no other way of
doing it in coalition politics. The CAGs homilies in this regard
have really little meaning.
For instance, there is another highly contentious bill in
Parliament that is taking a long time to fructify, simply because
it has an impact on the power of the states to allocate land
for private purposes. The new land acquisition bill seeks to
lay down norms for the acquisition of land for public and
private purposes. Since land is a state subject, the state
governments want freedom to decide on the details of how
the market price should be determined when agriculture or
urban land is earmarked for public or private sector projects.
In the past decade or so, several lakh hectares of agricultural
and urban land must have been allotted by chief ministers for
industrial use. Following its current morally stringent line of
inquiry, the CAG might wish to calculate the difference
between the price at which land was doled out by the states
over a period of time and the current market price, which
may be several times the value of the original allotment. One
cant say how many zeroes the loss figures in land allocation
would have.
Logically, the CAG, which also has the mandate to audit
state governments, can ask for a review of all such land
allotments by the states. It may even appear morally and
ethically right to do so. But would it be practically feasible to
undo all such contracts, going back a decade? This is the
question that needs to be thought through properly. It is true
that governments rarely come up with optimal policy
decisions. Such decisions emerge from political economy
contexts that may not necessarily pass the strictest of moral
and ethical tests. Even if excessive and scathing in their
observations on the way the political economy works,
constitutional bodies like the CAG or the Supreme Court play
an undeniably important role in bringing about lasting
corrections in various institutions of governance. However,
this must be seen as a gradual, even if somewhat painful,
process of change. Importantly, this process should avoid
major ruptures in the system of contracts and commitments
that the state apparatus enters into with the domestic and
global business community. There must be some continuity
in the evolution of both capitalism and the institutions that
regulate it. Institutions like the higher judiciary and the CAG
must actually ensure that sharp corrections take place even
as this continuity is not disturbed. In some ways, this has also
happened in recent years. It is evident that big business today
is far more wary of the consequences of tweaking the system
than it was five to seven years ago.
However, if constitutional bodies like the Supreme Court
and the CAG start prescribing policy on a routine basis then
the continuity and balance in governance structures are
seriously affected. Of course, you could theoretically take
the view, like Team Anna does, that the continuity provided
by the constitutional framework must be shaken and
disrupted. One is not sure whether that sentiment is shared
by many.
In this regard, the chief justice of the Supreme Court,
S.H. Kapadia, brought some fresh perspective to what is seen
by some as the judiciary encroaching on the governments
domain. While broadly concluding that various constitutional
bodies must stay within their remit, Justice Kapadia said the
judiciary must not venture to answer questions that it cannot.
He implied that the questions to be addressed by the executive
or the legislature must be left to them. Otherwise there would
be chaos to contend with. Kapadias warning is quite timely
and the CAG may want to heed the chief justices nuanced
formulation.
Kapadia explained the tension between the higher
judiciary and the executive as flowing from two distinctive
moralities. One morality flows from established principles of
jurisprudence. The other one, practiced by the executive, is a
utilitarian morality. Of course, this utilitarian morality flows
from the nature of the political economy, which itself is a
complex interplay of many factors. In a sense, it wont always
adhere to the CAGs moral standards either. But then that is a
reality one has to live with until our utilitarian polity is
permeated by greater moral content over time.
Courtesy-Indian Express Courtesy-Indian Express Courtesy-Indian Express Courtesy-Indian Express Courtesy-Indian Express
Growth pangs Growth pangs Growth pangs Growth pangs Growth pangs
Reserve Bank of India Governor D. Subbarao has laid
out the governments difficult predicament. India is
committed to the Basel III framework for bank capital
regulation, he says. The framework requires adding Rs 5,00,000
crore to the capital of the Indian banks by March 2018. Of
this, Rs 1,00,000 crore has to be government cash, to be put in
the safe of the public sector banks, if the present level of its
shareholding in the banks continues. This would require the
finance ministry to sequester Rs 20,000 crore each year
towards these banks. Since these are part of the Tier-I capital
of the banks, the government cannot get away by issuing
bonds with or without a lock-in period as an alternative to
coughing up the cash.
The alternatives, then, are clear. Either UPA 2 creates
more havoc with the fisc by borrowing even more from the
market each year to keep the banks liquid or it accepts the
inevitable and agrees to reduce its shareholding below the
threshold of 51 per cent in these banks. The decision is difficult
and not only for this government even Yashwant Sinha,
having announced the measure as finance minister in the NDA
government, could not implement it. The alternative is to
starve the economy by refusing to let the banks grow. As the
governor pointed out, India is trying not only to grow, it is
also trying to make the process a more manufacturing-driven
one. Since each one per cent rise in manufacturing-led GDP
growth demands more bank credit than a service-led one,
the demand on the banks can only rise. It is impossible to
believe that any government can afford to ignore these
challenges. Four years after Lehman in September 2008,
governments could point to the advantages for risk capital of
a majority holding in banks, but that cannot be at the cost of
the economys growth.
Since June, when the RBI announced it had adopted the
Basel III norms for the Indian banking sector in line with global
trends, Subbarao has articulated his concerns at various fora.
On Tuesday, he presented his most detailed analysis yet of
the available options. As RBI governor, he can only go this
far. An alternative to the government safeguarding its majority
holding in public sector banks, is to provide additional
shareholding rights to the government even when its stake in
the banks slips below the majority limits. These alternatives
must be assessed and decided upon soon and that means
some tough decisions ahead.
Fuelling a manageable price rise Fuelling a manageable price rise Fuelling a manageable price rise Fuelling a manageable price rise Fuelling a manageable price rise
While the Centre had indicated that it was ready to bite
the bullet and increase prices of petroleum products mainly
diesel a few months ago, the combination of the slowdown
in the economy, the drought and the political battles that the
United Progressive Alliance was fighting on several fronts
rendered the move unlikely. With the monsoon session of
Parliament nearly over, however, it seems about to happen.
A little over a fortnight ago, the Prime Minister virtually
ruled out the deregulation of diesel prices, in line with petrol.
This was due to the failure of the monsoon and the demand
by major grain growing States, Punjab and Haryana, for a 50
per cent subsidy on diesel for running pumps to irrigate their
parched crops.
Tremendous pressure Tremendous pressure Tremendous pressure Tremendous pressure Tremendous pressure
The pressure on the national exchequer to keep the
diesel price down has been tremendous. In 2010-11, the fiscal
subsidy on diesel, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and kerosene
the three most highly subsidised fuels, accounting for two-
thirds of petroleum product consumption amounted to Rs
2,904 crore. To this, one has to add the under-recoveries of
the government-owned oil marketing companies, which is
the difference between the cost of these fuels and their selling
price, in the absence of deregulation. In the same period, this
amounted to Rs 17,156 crore, twice as much as the previous
year. The total burden for 2010-11 thus amounted to Rs 20,060
crore.
However, there are other prices to be paid for this policy
drift, quite apart from the dieselisation of the country.
Owners of Mercedes Benz cars and gas-guzzling SUVs
purchase highly subsidised diesel; this fuel is dirty, generating
severe air pollution, not least carcinogens, from the exhaust.
There is also the potential repercussion on direct and indirect
tax revenues. The government budgeted for a 14 per cent
growth in direct revenues this fiscal and 26 per cent in indirect
revenue. Between April and June this year, they have grown
by only 6.8 per cent and 14 per cent respectively. On April 25,
Standard & Poor downgraded Indias rating to negative. If
India does not ensure that the fiscal deficit remains within the
budgeted 5.1 per cent of GDP, S&P will lower it to junk
status, which will make foreign financial institutions think
three times before entering the Indian equity market.
There has been political resistance from the Opposition
and the Left parties (and, in all probability, several Congress
leaders surreptitiously too) to raising diesel prices on the
ground that it will affect theaam aadmi . However, a new
study by the National Institute of Public Finance & Policy,
under the aegis of the Geneva-based NGO, Global Subsidies
Initiative (GSI), has shown, to the contrary, that raising diesel
prices will not have any crippling impact.
The study shows that a 10 per cent increase in diesel
prices employing the economic caveat, ceteris paribus :
assuming other prices and demand for commodities remain
unchanged will only cause the general price level to rise by
0.47 per cent. If prices of diesel were raised by 25 per cent,
public transport costs would rise by 8 per cent, road freight
transport by 10, railway transport by 3 and industry by 0.25
per cent. For energy and environment reasons, it is desirable
to switch over from road to rail for long hauls of goods. For
agriculture, assuming machine input comprises only the diesel
costs of fuel and lubricants, omitting interest on the capital
cost of farm machines and wages for manual labour, a 25 per
cent hike in diesel prices would only raise the cost of
cultivating wheat and sugarcane respectively by 2.75 and
0.75 per cent. When it comes to the second petroleum product,
LPG, reducing subsidies is more complex. As of May this
year, a Delhi consumer paid an average of Rs 399 a cylinder,
while the fiscal subsidy was Rs 23 a cylinder and marketing
companies under-recovery Rs 480 per cylinder, adding up to
a total of Rs 503 per cylinder, a subsidy of a little over Rs 100.
LPG is generally used by the better-off in urban and peri-
urban areas, many of whom can bear an increase in price.
Around half the countrys total population never buys any
form of commercial energy, not even wood, which is the
most used fuel, and thus a LPG price hike does not affect the
masses.
To make the LPG price hike more palatable, the Energy
& Resources Institute (TERI) has recommended measures in a
paper for the GSI sub-titled Cash transfers for PDS kerosene
and domestic LPG. It recommends a calibrated decontrol
of LPG prices. In 2010, a committee chaired by Dr Kirit Parikh,
then in the Planning Commission, recommended gradual
increases of prices of gas cylinders, to cushion the blow on
consumers. Instead, TERI suggests capping the number of
subsidised cylinders in each household to eight per year as an
interim measure. Roughly, that would work out to two-thirds
of a family of fours consumption and might be a less
acceptable step than increasing the price.
Poor persons fuel Poor persons fuel Poor persons fuel Poor persons fuel Poor persons fuel
The most problematic fuel is kerosene, the poor
persons lighting and cooking fuel. If diesel prices are raised
without following suit for kerosene, many users of diesel
auto-rickshaw drivers being a typical example will
substitute it with kerosene, causing severe pollution.
The National Commission for Applied Economic
Research has found that 18 per cent of PDS kerosene was
diverted to non-household use, both to the open market and
to those who do not own ration cards. Bihar, Chandigarh,
Delhi, Jharkhand, Orissa and Punjab register over 50 per cent
of such diversion. TERI suggests that the price of kerosene
can be raised by a rupee a month for a year.
The poor can be protected by direct cash transfers, as
has been successfully experimented with in Alwar and Mysore.
The Unique Identification (UID) and National Population
Register (NPR) systems may in theory deliver this. If the total
amount of savings on kerosene subsidies is given to a poor
family, it will work out to an average of Rs 3,131 a year, or Rs
261 a month. If the kerosene subsidy is just halved, the payout
would be Rs 131 a month. Between precept and practice,
however, there is a yawning gap. When it comes to food
rations, which are even more essential than fuel, there is
officially estimated to be a 15-20 per cent leakage. For cash
transfers, it can be safely predicted that the leakage would
be higher.
In July, in the Special Bulletin on Food Justice in
India published by the Institute of Development Studies in
Sussex, U.K., Biraj Swain and M. Kumaran of Oxfam Indias
Food Justice campaign identified three kinds of exclusion
from both the PDS and the Integrated Child Development
Services, which are entirely applicable to cash transfers for
kerosene. The first is official exclusion, where the state
deploys inadequate resources. Secondly, there are flaws in
the implementation of the scheme, with poor monitoring and
evaluation and what is euphemistically called local elite
control, as happens with MGNREGA. The Institute of Dalit
Studies in Delhi has been working on the exclusion of lower
castes from food security and has identified no fewer than 98
forms of discrimination, which reinforce one another,
compelling the Prime Minister to term it a national disgrace.
Lastly, the policy itself can be flawed, particularly if the
beneficiaries are categorised too narrowly.
Cash transfers for energy, therefore, are highly
problematic in a country where energy poverty may not be
directly correlated to income poverty, especially in certain
tribal regions, where biomass is available in relative
abundance. Last year, the Rural Development Ministry
conducted a Socio-Economic and Caste Census, which laid
down objective criteria for excluding households with certain
assets, such as motorised vehicles, fridges, landline phones
and even irrigated land, from receiving benefits. Such a
yardstick could be applied, at least on a pilot basis, in certain
districts, to cash transfers for kerosene. Together with raising
diesel and LPG prices, this will save the country crores and
could help to end distortions in the economy and society.
Bailing out euro Bailing out euro Bailing out euro Bailing out euro Bailing out euro
The strongest rally in two months by the Indian stock
markets on Friday is part of the cheerful reaction in Asian
markets to the European Central Banks announcement of an
unlimited buyout of bonds of struggling European economies.
The rupee too moved up against the US dollar, mirroring the
upbeat expectations in Asia about the impact on trade with
Europe. The hope, all around, is that this plan will work.
It needs to. Without naming Germany, ECB President
Mario Draghi said it had opposed writing cheques for the
unlimited bailout the only one among member nations to
have done so. Draghi, of course, is banking on the expectation
that the Outright Monetary Transactions programme, as it is
called, will calm the bond markets and stop traders betting
against the Spanish bonds. At present, Madrid has to pay a
very high interest rate on the bonds it issues, which makes it
impossible for Spain to float more papers and difficult to get
finance to restart the economy. The ECB backstop potentially
reduces the rates. But the extent to which it can do so will
remain a question for the bond markets. That and Draghis
affirmation that there will be conditions for the backstop
could be a problem for all the PIIGS economies. They have
argued that there can be no more cutbacks on government
expenditure for social support. The ECB conditions could
make matters worse, especially as an internal forecast by the
bank of the GDP growth rate for the continent has again slipped
back to minus 0.4 per cent.
At this juncture, if the Indian government were to push
through a decision to raise domestic diesel prices, it will
provide the direction the markets need. Else, they will have
to wait for cues from the index of industrial production due
on Wednesday. Yet, as the ECB cobbles a semblance of fiscal
union and accords to itself the role of the lender of last resort
for a fractious Europe, the prospects certainly seem better
than they have at any time this year. Allied with the US decision
not to kick off another quantitative loosening any time soon,
reiterated this week by Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke,
Thursdays outcome makes this weekend possibly one of the
best that the global financial order has seen for some time.
Monday will be a time for reckoning again, but for now, there
is a sense of disaster averted.
Public and private Public and private Public and private Public and private Public and private
The inter-ministerial group will soon de-allocate coal
blocks from among the 58 identified in the CAG report.
Together with the backlog from 2007, the period when no
meetings of the screening committee have been held, these
blocks will be put up for auction by the coal ministry. Already,
however, there are noises within the government arguing for
keeping the public sector companies out of the auction. The
reasoning is as follows: since the coal mines assigned to public
sector companies like Coal India and its subsidiaries, or say,
NTPC, are public reserves, there is no reason to ask the
companies to bid for the blocks.
This is a flawed argument. To succeed, and for the state
to realise the best value from the mines, the auction process
must ensure the largest possible participation. In the auction
for telecom spectrum, the two public sector companies,
BSNL and MTNL, did not have to bid, they had to match the
discovered price as a valuation for their spectrum and pay
the government accordingly. For coal, however, a similar
process will not be possible as Coal India is not only far larger
than every other entity in the sector, but it is also the price
setter by virtue of its nationalisation. Its absence is likely to
cripple the price discovery, unlike in telecom, which has robust
private sector participation. Those who further argue that a
price paid by CIL or NTPC in the auction to the government
just transfers assets make an elementary mistake. These
companies are corporate entities too, with a responsibility
towards their shareholders. They will punish exorbitant bids,
driving down the capacity of these companies to make
investments in the future. Had it been otherwise, CIL scrips
would have done better in the markets when private sector
entities in the infrastructure space were battered this year.
But it too has lost Rs 13,430 crore of its market cap since
September 11, 2011.
An auction involving all players will also put to rest the
pernicious argument that a block mined by CIL is ipso facto
better than any venture by the private sector. Taken to its
logical conclusion, this line of argument means the CIL must
outbid for every mine, making a further mockery of its market
cap. Instead, wherever public sector entities drop out of the
auction for a block, it will be clear that there are others who
have a demonstrably better plan to exploit the mines. The
fruitless debate over whether the 58 blocks, or those leased
in the future, would be better served by staying on as public
sector units, will be over.
Mirrors and images Mirrors and images Mirrors and images Mirrors and images Mirrors and images
It was entirely a coincidence that the government
announced major economic reforms even as the annual
gathering of the heads of diplomatic missions was going on
in the capital last week. If the government had cared to ask
them, Indias hundred-odd ambassadors would have
underlined how rapidly Delhis political credibility has been
eroded in the last two years. The Manmohan Singh government
did not need Time magazine or The Washington Post to inform
it of the severe external costs of the prolonged policy paralysis
in Delhi. Its the job of the envoys abroad to provide a clinical
assessment of the host governments, their strengths and
weaknesses. They are also among the first to sense the shifting
external perceptions of a nation.
It needed genius to wreck the extraordinary
international optimism about Indias prospects into one of
profound pessimism and the UPA government seemed to
have found a way. Three years ago, when Manmohan Singh
returned to power with a bigger mandate, world leaders were
tripping over each other in Delhis power corridors, seeking
new partnerships with India. Many of them have checked out
since. High external expectations from India were replaced
by an older set of perceptions of India as a dysfunctional
mass incapable of acting in its own interests. The enthusiasm
for Indias soft power ebbed, paving the way for the return
of the more traditional lament of India as a soft state.
Unlike in the past, when India was an insular economy,
its governments no longer have the luxury of being self-
absorbed. With nearly 40 per cent of Indias gross domestic
product now linked to the world in the form of imports and
exports, Delhis internal performance and external engagement
are dynamically interlinked. A failure on the domestic front
has international costs, which in turn make it more difficult
for India to extricate itself from an unfavourable condition. If
the objective of diplomacy is to facilitate Indias rapid growth,
its effectiveness depends upon the purposefulness of the
government at home. In the last two years, Delhi has lost
much on both counts. Although the economic reforms
announced last week might have come late, Delhi could
arguably recover some of its international reputation and
leverage the external environment for internal benefit, if it
can demonstrate the requisite political will, policy conviction
and administrative resolve in the coming days.
Gift of a crisis Gift of a crisis Gift of a crisis Gift of a crisis Gift of a crisis
Even as the Trinamool Congress dramatically withdrew
its support to the UPA, other parties have also been making a
show of their own unhappiness with this government. Nearly
all the major non-Congress parties will register their protest
in todays bandh. But they have no common charter, and
each of them is visibly making their own calculations. It is a
collection of several small movements, not a unified resistance
that threatens the UPA. The BJP has demanded a special
session of Parliament to discuss FDI in retail and test the
governments strength. This was shot down by its own ally,
the JD(U), and Nitish Kumar has indicated his willingness,
presumably in the next election, to team up with anyone who
offers Bihar special status. Even the Congresss ally DMK has
joined the protest, and the Samajwadi Party, without denying
its tacit support to the UPA, has planned coordinated
agitations against the slew of reforms it has announced. This
is essentially a scatter of political reactions, each party making
its own individual statement, with nothing uniting them, apart
from a desire to signal distance from the Congress.
Now that the government has changed the subject and
made the first modest moves towards a growth-oriented
economic environment, it must persevere. Its decisions to
raise diesel prices, cap the cooking gas subsidy and bring in
FDI in retail and aviation are not lightbulb ideas. They are not
even likely to result in tangible gains soon. However, they are
a crucial statement of intent. It must abide by these decisions
at all cost, and follow up with more substantial financial
reforms to revive investor confidence. It can afford to do so,
given that its political opposition, for all the noise, is incoherent
and unlikely to unseat it.
This is also the perfect opportunity for the Congress to
make a rational argument for its economic strategy. Unlike
the nuclear deal standoff in its last term, which was too
abstract to mobilise opinion either way, this is clearly a matter
with wide resonance. The government simply needs to make
the better argument. The TMC has pitched its decision as a
stand for the common people whose interests are being
grievously shortchanged by FDI in retail, for instance. The
UPA must aggressively counter such myths, and explain the
consolidation and efficiency gains of the decision, how it will
profit consumers, farmers and small businesses as well as
upgrade infrastructure and supply chains. It must not allow
the poor to be used as a rhetorical device. It should point out
the ways in which welfare is inextricably linked with economic
revival.
Who needs a guardian? Who needs a guardian? Who needs a guardian? Who needs a guardian? Who needs a guardian?
The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill 2012, the
latest version of which has been made public by the ministry
of social justice and empowerment, is another step by the
Indian government to bring domestic legislation in line with
standards prescribed by the United Nations Convention on
the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). One of the
key issues dealt with under the UNCRPD and which the bill
tries to tackle is legal capacity, an issue that sharply divides
the disabled community. While some argue that all persons
should be given legal capacity, regardless of disability -
which is the UNCRPD position others argue that some
persons with disabilities should never be allowed to exercise
independent legal capacity as they are incapable of
understanding the consequences of their actions.
Legal capacity is one of the fundamentals of law and
legal process. All persons above the age of consent are
deemed to exercise legal capacity to do many things vote,
get married, enter into contracts, drive, be tried for crimes,
have consensual sexual intercourse. Once a person has crossed
this age threshold, she is automatically deemed to have legal
capacity and theres no further proof needed to demonstrate
her ability to do any of these or other acts, or face the
consequences of the same.
Two legislations deal with the issue of appointment of
guardians for persons with disabilities the Mental Health
Act, 1987 (for persons with mental illness), and the National
Trust Act, 1999 (for the welfare of persons with autism,
cerebral palsy, mental retardation and multiple disabilities).
These laws assume that some persons with disabilities cannot
exercise legal capacity on a permanent basis and therefore
call for guardians in order to facilitate the exercise of legal
capacity in relation to contractual obligations. Once a
guardian is appointed, he or she can make all relevant
decisions on behalf of the person with disability without
having any obligation to consult the disabled person. These
provisions that permit the appointment of guardians have
long been used in practice, including by unscrupulous relatives,
to deprive countless persons with disabilities of their rights.
The UNCRPD requires that Indian law be modified to
recognise the legal capacity of all persons with disabilities
and the concept of guardianship is abolished. The UNCRPD
also mandates that India must take appropriate measures to
provide access for persons with disabilities to the support
they may require in exercising their legal capacity. However,
neither the Mental Health Act nor the National Trust Act
recognises the concept of full legal capacity nor mandates
the provision of support for decision-making. The Rights of
Persons with Disabilities Bill seeks to supersede the Mental
Health Act and the National Trust Act and mandates two
important changes from the existing regime. First, the bill
recognises the concept of full legal capacity and states that
any law or regulation that has the effect of depriving any
person with disability of legal capacity shall not be legally
enforceable. Secondly, it introduces the concept of limited
guardianship, under which the guardian is required to act in
close consultation with the person with disability to arrive at
legally binding decisions. In a sense, therefore, the new bill is
attempting to carve out a middle path between the present
regime and the UNCRPD requirements.
The formulation under the bill is confusing and fraught
with danger. On one hand, it recognises full legal capacity
while on the other it states that all decisions must be made
jointly between the person with disability and the limited
guardian. It appears that unless the limited guardian also
agrees with a decision, no decision can be made by the person
with disability. This surely is not recognising full legal capacity.
The bill also does not put in place the necessary safeguards
to prevent abuse by the person providing support since there
is no requirement that the arrangement be subject to regular
review by a competent, independent and impartial authority
or judicial body, as mandated by the UNCRPD.
Perhaps the correct formulation of a solution on the
question of legal capacity can come by tweaking the relevant
provision in the Indian Contract Act, 1872. Under this act, a
contract is void if a party to the contract is, at the time when
she enters the contract, incapable of understanding it and of
forming a rational judgment about its effect on her interests.
This bar is not in any way related to persons with disabilities,
since it applies even to a sane man, who is delirious from
fever, or who is very drunk. Yes, some people with disabilities
may require some support to make decisions, and provided
this support is given, albeit with the proper checks and
balances as prescribed by the UNCRPD, is there really a
requirement for a guardian, limited or not?
Magna Carta etc Magna Carta etc Magna Carta etc Magna Carta etc Magna Carta etc
UK Prime Minister David Cameron, who is away in Brazil
to inaugurate a machinery plant, is probably thanking his
stars for being born a Briton. Because if he were not, and had
to face an immigration test on his return to Heathrow, he
would run the risk of flunking and being deported. Like he
flunked the test in British history on David Lettermans show
before he left for Brazil. His education at Oxford did not even
permit him to hazard a guess as to what Magna Carta means
in English.
Letterman is noted for embarrassing prominent guests,
so Camerons failure was more or less expected. But it is
embarrassing because last year, in a speech on immigration
the current obsession of the western hemisphere he had
announced plans to revise citizenship tests and make the
knowledge of British history and culture a key determinant. It
had sounded like a backlash against the triumph of
multiculturalism in Britain, where knowing about the Magna
Carta could be less important than knowing what gives chicken
tikka masala that vile pink tinge.
British culture today is contested turf. Consider the realm
of food alone, where the traditional battered cod is fighting a
rearguard action against doner kebab. The British, who once
thought of everything but beef as vegetarian, now treat Asian
visitors to Scotland to veg haggis. At the same time, Marmite
remains central to the breakfast table, along with Gentlemans
Relish, a uniquely British substance. Cheese baps continue to
flourish, shoulder to shoulder with Sainsburys samosas. In
this varied culture, expecting the British PM to bone up on
British history alone is like expecting him to live on a strict
diet of full English breakfasts and boiled beef dinners.
Not the best medicine Not the best medicine Not the best medicine Not the best medicine Not the best medicine
The net result of government intervention in the drug
market will carry forward the same backward-looking subsidy
system in food, fertiliser and oil that it is finding so difficult to
shake off. Thursdays decision by the group of ministers to
bring 348 more drugs into the National List of Essential
Medicines could create another subsidy monster that can
block the national health delivery system the government is
planning to roll out. The plan for price control in medicines is,
in principle, simple. Any formulation that includes even one
of the 348 drugs will be subject to a price cap that will be the
weighted average price of drugs, with the trigger being that
the formulation should have at least one per cent share of the
market. The rationale for the health ministry ringing in this
restriction primarily draws upon the anticipated cost of the
national health mission. A Planning Commission steering group
estimate has put the cost at Rs 6,000 crore when run through
government hospitals. If the plan is extended to provide the
same support through all public or private pharmacies, the
cost for medicines can be 0.5 per cent of the GDP, or Rs
40,000 crore.
The scale of this system will stretch the capacity of the
National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority. This is not
surprising. In developing countries, there is greater demand
for the government to support weaker sections, but its
capacity to deliver the goods is hamstrung by the same
weakness in the socio-economic architecture that keeps the
economy at lower levels of efficiency. While there is a
considerable body of literature advocating the need for
governments to intervene in the healthcare system, trying to
do so through caps on prices can only worsen the problem.
The drug regime can follow the same Aadhar-based
solution that should ideally replace the present subsidy for
food, oil and fertilisers. The states and the Centre can send
their cash support to the affected individuals far more easily
through a countrywide identification system. The government
could then bring in systemic changes in the generic drugs
market to ensure that access to health becomes a universal
reality.
Humour is by no means exempt from Humour is by no means exempt from Humour is by no means exempt from Humour is by no means exempt from Humour is by no means exempt from
prejudice prejudice prejudice prejudice prejudice
When NCERTs Class XI Political Science
textbook, Indian Constitution at Work , came to the attention
of some Dalit activists, they objected to the manner in which
the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constitution,
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, had been depicted riding a snail
representing the Constitution, with Prime Minister Jawaharlal
Nehru wielding a whip behind him and an entire crowd smiling
and watching the spectacle. Six weeks later, the issue was
raised in Parliament and a chorus of MPs cutting across party
lines sought the withdrawal of the cartoon, and some even of
the NCERT textbooks. Many sections of the public had not
been privy to the contents of the textbooks in the past six
years. It is only now that these textbooks are being debated.
We, the undersigned, are dismayed by the two polarised
sets of reactions that have emerged. Firstly, many members
who were part of the textbook advisory committee for the
senior secondary level, including Chairman of the committee
Prof. Hari Vasudevan, and Chief Advisors Suhas Palshikar and
Yogendra Yadav, have since protested against the demand
for reconsidering the use of this insensitive cartoon.
Subsequently, many members who have been part of various
textbook development committees have argued that the
textbooks should remain unchanged; and have been silent
about the violence of the cartoons. This is a rather untenable
position. We find it insulting when some intellectuals suggest
that people protesting the cartoon fail to understand the
productive power of laughter or that theres a fear of
cartoons. The textbooks, however good they are and even if
they mark a radical departure from past efforts, cannot be
above criticism, discussion and improvement. This logic, in
fact, goes against the stated aim of these textbooks: to engage
sceptically and critically with what one reads. Indeed, each
of the new NCERT textbooks solicits feedback, criticism and
suggestions. The textbook writers may have tried their best
to overcome their caste bias, but none of us is exempt from
the baggage of caste, gender or other interests. As the feminist
movement has so clearly shown, humour is by no means
exempt from prejudice. Cartoons and jokes can be vicious
about minorities. Hate speech often masquerades as humour.
Jokes and cartoons need to be subjected to critical scrutiny.
Secondly, we do share the fear that in the name of
handling the contentious cartoon on Dr. Ambedkar, the UPA
government might attempt to remove many cartoons and
other visual/textual material from the textbooks. Crucially,
these textbooks feature several posters from the womens
movement, the Dalit movement and the environmental
movement. Also to be commended is the inclusion of a wide
range of literary texts by Dalit writers. However, the textbook
writers must realise that they have not done a favour to Dalits
by such inclusion, which was long overdue. Theres a lot that
is good about these textbooks a result of the pressures
that the womens movement, the Dalit movement,
environmental and farmers movements, anti-SEZ
mobilisations exerted that may be lost if the final say about
what may or may not appear in a textbook is to be with the
state.
These textbooks have been drafted collectively by a
wide range of social scientists, including some academicians
who happen to be Dalit, and in consultation with activists,
NGO representatives and educationists working at the field
level. However, it is not as if these textbooks are completely
error-proof. Besides the offensive cartoon, the text in the
Class XI textbook does not ever properly introduce Dr.
Ambedkar. The text does not inform the students that a
Drafting Committee chaired by Dr. Ambedkar drafted the
Constitution. In the absence of a proper discussion of Dr.
Ambedkars role in the Constituent Assembly, the violence of
the cartoon is all the more palpable. We urge the Thorat
Committee to make the necessary changes in the text as well.
We wish to express dismay over the adamantine attitude
of some of our academic friends who seem to treat the
cartoon as sacrosanct. The implication that dalit intellectuals
have unwittingly played into the strategies of politicians is
indefensible to say the least. The lack of understanding
expressed by the intellectual classes towards the Dalit
viewpoint has been saddening. The Dalit question has always
been historically deflected and postponed in this manner.
When Dr. Ambedkar and the early Dalit movements raised
the question of caste, the nationalist movement said the anti-
colonial struggle was more important; when the issue of caste
was raised in the feminist or Left movements, it was
considered divisive; when Adivasis raised the question of
representation in the leadership of dam evictees movements,
the stopping of the dam was made paramount.
We wish to bring to your attention that many Dalit
activists and scholars, including some young Dalit students in
the University of Pune, not only condemned the act of
vandalism at the office of Prof. Palshikar, but even guarded
his office from further attacks. This went unreported in the
media.
We are also deeply saddened that because of this one
aberrant act, the otherwise democratic and rational
engagement with this issue that Dalits and some non-Dalit
intellectuals opposed to the cartoon have engaged in
through news media, blogs, Facebook, and the Internet
has been portrayed as emotional and infantile. The Dalit
movement has been one of the most democratic movements
in this country. And for Dalits a whip is a vulgar reminder of
everything feudal and casteist about this society. As the
dalitbahujan feminist blog Savari says: The whip is inseparable
from violence against slaves, dalits, women, animals and
children. Almost all histories of protest against injustice, be it
feminism, anti-slavery, anti-caste or anti-apartheid
movements have protested and continue to protest the
symbolic violence in imagery that uses instruments of violence
such as the whip, noose or chains. That the advocates of
critical pedagogy do not see this as such is regrettable.
It is time we realised that there is a permeable boundary
between the symbolic violence of such a cartoon and the
tolerance of such cartoons by academics on the one hand,
and atrocities like Bathani Tola, Melavalavu, Chunduru or
Khairlanji on the other. Quite often the iconicity of Dr.
Ambedkar has been used by Dalits to assert their democratic
rights. And the struggle against the cartoon is indeed a
democratic struggle even if the mainstream and alternative
media have portrayed it as otherwise.
At this stage, we petition the Thorat Committee set up
to examine the textbooks to reconsider the Ambedkar cartoon
(and possibly other such insensitive material). While we
demand that the NCERT take into account the wide range of
criticisms and feedback the textbooks have elicited, we also
urge Kapil Sibal, the Union HRD Minister, to desist from seeking
any major overhaul of the basic NCF framework of the
textbooks.
We also think this is the occasion to seek fair
representation of Dalits and other social minorities in NCERTs
various committees, as well as in the Senates and Syndicates
of Central and State Universities; and to introspect on why
Dalits and Adivasis, despite constitutional provisions for 22.5
per cent reservation, occupy less than three per cent of faculty
positions .
To know is to protect To know is to protect To know is to protect To know is to protect To know is to protect
On May 23, the Ministry of Environment and Forests
(MoEF) posted the report of the Western Ghats Ecology Expert
Panel (WGEEP) on its website honouring a landmark judgment
of the Central Information Commission triggered by an activist
seeking access to the material. In this judgment, the CIC noted
that the Ministry argues that the release of the report,
containing the methodology for demarcation of ecologically
sensitive areas (ESA), to the public without adequate
consultations at governmental level to refine the boundaries
may lead to an influx of public proposals for declaration of
eco-sensitive zones. The Ministry contended that this would
impact economic progress and interests. The CIC noted that
implementation of ESA proposals, before or after the
finalisation of the WGEEP report, is an executive decision.
Mere apprehension of proposals being put forth by citizens
committed to environmental protection cannot be said to
prejudicially affect the scientific and economic interests of
the country. Given this background, we are being naturally
asked to explain the whole issue of ESAs. While the Report
discusses this in detail, we attempt to provide here a brief
explanation. While doing so, we wish to emphasise that
WGEEP has not come up with a set of rigid prescriptions, but
seeks to provide a basis for informed discussion involving
the various levels of governance including the gram sabhas/
ward sabhas.
WGEEP mandate WGEEP mandate WGEEP mandate WGEEP mandate WGEEP mandate
The MoEF constituted WGEEP in March 2010 with a
mandate to demarcate areas within the Western Ghats Region
which need to be notified as ecologically sensitive, and make
recommendations for conservation, protection and
rejuvenation of the Western Ghats following consultations
involving people and State governments. It was also required
to recommend the modalities for the establishment of the
Western Ghats Ecology Authority (WGEA) under the
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (EPA).
Ecologically sensitive areas Ecologically sensitive areas Ecologically sensitive areas Ecologically sensitive areas Ecologically sensitive areas
The concept of ecologically sensitive areas is very much
an Indian invention, rooted in attempts by civil society to use
the EPA to promote sustainable development alongside
protection of the natural heritage. The term Ecologically
Fragile Area was first used in 1991 for Dahanu Taluka in
Maharashtra, followed by the declaration of other ESAs like
Mahabaleshwar-Panchgani and Matheran. These are all
initiatives of civil society organisations or are a consequence
of a resolution of the Indian Board for Wildlife in 2002 to
protect areas up to 10 kilometres from the boundaries of
wildlife sanctuaries and national parks.
Initially, there were no guidelines available on what areas
may be considered ecologically sensitive, nor on working
out an appropriate management regime. These issues were
addressed in 2000 by the Pronab Sen Committee. The Sen
Committees foremost criterion for identification of ESA is
endemism. Western Ghats harbours well over two thousand
endemic species of flowering plants, fish, frogs, birds and
mammals amongst the better known groups of organisms,
and thousands more amongst less studied groups. Amongst
themselves these span the entire Western Ghats and all
conceivable habitats, including highly disturbed ones. The
Western Ghats region also qualifies as an ESA under several
other Sen Committee criteria.
A layered approach A layered approach A layered approach A layered approach A layered approach
WGEEP fully endorsed the conclusion that the entire
Western Ghats tract should be considered ecologically
sensitive. However, the tremendous heterogeneity of
environmental, social and economic conditions in the region
led WGEEP to follow a layered approach: firstly, to recognise
three levels of ecological sensitivity over the region,
designated as ESZ1, ESZ2 and ESZ3; secondly, to suggest
that the final delimitation of the zones as well as formulation
of locality specific management regimes be undertaken by
involving local bodies. This requires going beyond the Sen
Committees qualitative criteria and assigning quantitative
sensitivity scores to specific localities. In its 2000 report, the
Sen Committee had called for systematically mapping and
recording base-line ecological data for the country, as also
to design and operationalise a comprehensive ecological
monitoring programme and network through a participative
approach. Unfortunately, neither had happened. There had,
however, been one development of significance, that of
district-wise Zoning Atlases for Siting of Industries (ZASI) by
Central and State Pollution Control Boards. However, MoEF
has not released this exercise; as a result, WGEEP had to start
from scratch.
Manifold challenges Manifold challenges Manifold challenges Manifold challenges Manifold challenges
WGEEP thus needed to address manifold challenges;
formulate the non-standard concept of ESAs, solicit
suggestions from civil society and gram sabhas on constituting
ESAs, develop a database on ecological parameters for the
Western Ghats region, assign Ecological Sensitivity scores
and delineate zones of different levels of Ecological Sensitivity
over the region, suggest management strategies and, finally,
suggest mechanisms for building upon what was necessarily
a preliminary exercise. WGEEP attempted this in a fully
transparent, participatory mode, at the same time observing
due scientific discipline.
Ecological Sensitivity being a non-standard concept,
WGEEP began by organising a web-based discussion, and
publishing a paper in Current Science . The following working
definition was arrived at: ESAs as those areas that are
ecologically and economically important, but vulnerable even
to mild disturbances and hence demand careful management.
Since sensitivity scores had to be arrived at within a year over
this extensive tract, our focus was on accessing pertinent
computerised databases. Fortunately, several were available:
the Western Ghats boundary, boundaries of States, districts,
talukas, Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission (SRTM) 90 m
resolution data, Protected Areas, forest types of India, percent
forest, unique evergreen elements, forest with low edge,
Enhanced Vegetation Index of MODIS, riverine forests derived
through drainage and forest cover, data on endemic plants,
vertebrates, and dragonflies-damselflies, Red list Mammals,
Important Bird Areas, and Elephant Corridors.
Such exercises, like the globally accepted Important
Bird Areas, naturally involve subjective elements, but we
sought to put it on an objective scientific basis by explicitly
stating the methodology and making public the nature and
quality of the information used, along with its limitations.
Amongst the major lacunae in our information base was of
habitat continuity, and weakness of information on streams,
rivers, wetlands, and ground water and leaving out issues of
significance for the coast and coastal plains, such as mangrove
forests and khajan lands.
Using the most readily quantifiable of the data, we have
assigned gridwise scores. Thus, the highest maximum altitude
within any grid for a State is assigned the maximal score, and
all other grids are ranked relative to this score. An average of
scores for all other quantifiable parameters is then calculated
to assign a sensitivity score to each grid. The scores are
calculated separately for each state since there is a marked
north-south gradient in terms of ecological variables from
river Tapi to Kanyakumari. Grids with scores at the level of
Protected Areas and above within the same State were
assigned to ESZ1 category. This threshold is appropriate since
the government has accepted since 2002 that areas adjoining
Protected Areas need to be constituted as ESZs. About 25
per cent of grids with scores at the lower end were assigned
to ESZ3 category to cater to development needs, and the
balance to ESZ2. This implied a decision to treat up to 60 per
cent of grids as belonging to PAs and ESZ1, and about 75 per
cent of the grids as belonging to PAs, ESZ1 or ESZ2.
Given that the national goal is to maintain 66 per cent of
area under forest cover in all hill tracts and that the Western
Ghats is a region of special significance, we considered it
appropriate to aim at 75 per cent being treated as areas of
high or highest significance.
Next steps Next steps Next steps Next steps Next steps
The data base, methodology and conclusions of WGEEP
relating to ESZs need to be widely exposed to scientific, as
well as public scrutiny. All this material should be made
available in all regional languages as well, communicated to
every local body and feedback obtained from people at
grass roots. Such an exercise is not a pipe-dream; it was
successfully accomplished for Goa Regional Plan 2021. The
feedback should then be compiled, assimilated and
appropriate decisions arrived at to ensure that the rich natural
heritage of the Western Ghats is protected and utilised in a
sustainable fashion, while equitably sharing in the benefits
that flow.
Ability more than a seven-letter word Ability more than a seven-letter word Ability more than a seven-letter word Ability more than a seven-letter word Ability more than a seven-letter word
A loud round of applause for Aamir Khan for bringing
together diverse views on disability in his Satyamev Jayate
programme. Sprinkled with satire and humour, the TV show
was a comment about the wider world from the viewpoint of
disabled individuals with exceptional achievements. That said,
it is important to evaluate what was, and more importantly,
what was not articulated in the programme about disability
in the Indian context.
Let us begin with the term differently-abled.
Differently-abled is increasingly being accepted as an
umbrella-term to denote a disabled population whose bodily
capacities are said to differ from an average norm. The
disabled themselves embrace such a label because it caters
to a view that they possess abilities which are not quite the
same as the rest, but nonetheless similar in potential and
scope. It is claimed that the differently-abled deploy
different abilities to muster their sensory and cognitive
faculties to achieve things which others appear to do with
ease. In this connection, there is also an unstated view that
the label differently-abled does not suit people with
intellectual disabilities because they lack the cognitive
capacity to muster inner abilities. Given such a bias, the
electronic media finds it hard to offer them equal space on
the stage.
I certainly do not mean to take a dig at those role models
who did appear on the stage. In fact, their contributions are
significant. In so many ways, they convey the reality that
disability activism relies on humour to capture nuances of
social discrimination. The visually impaired interviewees for
example, rightly criticised the popular view that blindness is
intrinsically linked to karma and sin; asexuality; isolation;
mendicancy; and for that matter, a talent for music. Where
they, and others too falter is in thinking that they can demolish
such a linkage by a mere labelling tactic. I may be flattered by
the remark that inspite of your you are able to achieve so
much. For a moment, I may feel tempted to give myself a
pat on the back for being a differently-abled achiever. This
is so self-defeating because many a million so-called
differently-abled citizens do badly because a certain kind
of ability-enhancing training is unavailable to them. Clearly,
we need a terminology that does not bank on the idea that
the disabled are those who possess a set of abilities that are
uniquely available to them, and nobody else. One of the
participants, much to the amusement of the host, said it all
when he said: Tendulkar is differently-abled than Dravid,
and Manmohan Singh is differently-abled than the other two!
Body and disability Body and disability Body and disability Body and disability Body and disability
It also appears to me that our idea of bodily defect is
not merely derived from experiences of disability. The notion
is very much attached to the idea of appearance. How do I
know this? I know this because I had the luxury to learn from
little Nisha, who has a rare skin-thickening condition. On
Satyamev Jayate, her parents narrated an interesting
anecdote. Once Nisha and her mother were in a shop. The
mother gets the shock of her life when a woman suddenly
spits on Nishas face, calling her an ugly creature. What Nisha
said to her mom to console her is telling. She explained that
the problem of ugliness was not with her, but with the woman
who committed the assault. Yes, I agree wholeheartedly.
In fact, the woman, and those who are in her position,
inherit ideas of ugliness, bodily defect, and the like from a
consumer culture like ours which promotes beautification as
a primary occupation. Shameless though it may sound, there
are a wealth of cosmetic industries that spread the idea that
a fair complexion is an absolute requirement. Even worse,
they spread such an ideal through a host of symbolic narratives
that trap everybody into believing that they need an
appearance-lift after all. The phrase black heart and white
skin for example, does not do the rounds as an innocent
kolaveri idiom which one can use and discard by will. Instead,
such symbolic idioms shape our internal images, the very
impressions of our fellow beings that we carry on in our
heads.
When confronted by someone who seemingly appears
different, such dormant symbols launch themselves readily
into a viral action. For example, the internal image of an ugly
creature may provoke someone to spit on, verbally abuse,
and even annihilate those who look different from a standard
norm. I am afraid this is bound to increase since men, women,
and those with all kind of orientations and abilities, are
increasingly lining themselves up at the devils anvil, where an
absolute appearance ideal is manufactured.
Four points Four points Four points Four points Four points
So what do we do now? More precisely, what kind of
disability politics do we need? First, we need a nuanced
understanding of the idea of ability. Rather than treat it as an
innate faculty, ability (differently or otherwise), should be
seen as a sort of a cultural investment. Reading Braille, Assistive
Technology usage, musical appreciation, orientation and
mobility, and others, which disabled people appear to do
with the aid of a mysterious inner ability, are in fact learnt
over a period of time. These skill sets appear natural and not
cultivated as such since they are acquired from institutions
that are tucked away from public view. All the same, the
disabled may display a certain clumsiness in the performance
of abilities of every day life such as eating, speaking, body
language modulation, sporting, making love, and caring. Such
clumsiness is symptom of a long-term institutional isolation,
and not ability difference. Insights like these may lead us to a
policy thinking that one needs to invest a certain amount,
culturally and financially, to cultivate abilities that are
amenable to all.
Second, disability activism should work against
aggressive individualism. Such an ideal treats disability only
as a market category. For example, while appreciating a
disabled sky-diver as we did during the programme, we can
identify deficits in cultural and institutional infrastructures of
the sport. They may actually deter many other disabled people
from pursuing sky-diving. To look for only role models such
as a disabled sky-diver is tantamount to celebrity culture,
and not disability activism. In fighting a market-oriented
individual lifestyle, disability activism may promote a society
that deems mutual care as a valued good. Third, a disability
rights movement should remain critical of the medical
establishment. It should also endeavour to reform medical
education. A socially responsible medical education can in
fact complement disability activism. And fourth, disability
activism should be a socially transformative enterprise. The
attitudes that undermine people with disability are also the
same as those that contribute to gender stereotypes. People
who fight for gender justice for example, vouch for the fact
that structural alterations do not transpire in isolation. When
it comes to structural transformation, disability is particularly
in an advantageous position since it is not tied to a specific
identity such as a race or a caste. After all, only three per cent
are born with a disability, the rest drift into it during the
course of their lives.
Manmohans sermon at Los Cabos Manmohans sermon at Los Cabos Manmohans sermon at Los Cabos Manmohans sermon at Los Cabos Manmohans sermon at Los Cabos
Indian Prime Ministers are probably more used to being
lectured to on economic policy than sermonising themselves.
It was therefore a surprise to see Dr. Manmohan Singh deliver
some home truths to a gathering of Heads of State
representing 80 per cent of global GDP at the G-20 summit in
Los Cabos on Monday.
To boot, he donned the role of a global philanthropist,
pledging $10 billion to the International Monetary Fund (IMF)
firewall for the eurozone.
The wheel has indeed turned full circle for a nation that
merrily sought assistance from the Bretton Woods twins till
as recently as the 1990s. But more on that later.
The speech delivered by Dr Singh must have stunned
the audience, especially leaders from the eurozone, as he
bluntly told the gathering that Europe was getting it all wrong
in its approach to solving the crisis. He also left the gathering
in no doubt about his displeasure on the impact of the crisis
on the developing countries due to disruption in capital flows.
The Prime Minister was probably reflecting the
collective views of the developing countries in general and
the BRICS grouping in particular when he said: An expansion
of investment in infrastructure in developing countries is only
possible if they can get access to long-term capital to finance
such investment. This is difficult at a time when capital flows
are disrupted.
His comment that liquidity must be provided along with
an effective adjustment programme is also a reflection of
the general discontent in the rest of the world with the way
eurozone leaders are attacking the sovereign debt crisis.
Promising and providing massive funds without a structural
adjustment of the economies in the crisis-afflicted countries
is not going to solve the problem. Most if not all of the bailout
money has been used to rescue banks in the troubled
countries.
Dr. Singh also dived into the debate over austerity in
the eurozone and the impact that it was having on recovery.
Germany has held out strongly in favour of stringent austerity
measures in the bailed out countries and those measures are
now actually hindering the recovery process. Calling the
relationship between austerity and growth contentious, Dr.
Singh pointed out that synchronised austerity across many
countries is not the right medicine when the growth impulse
is weak.
$10 billion contribution $10 billion contribution $10 billion contribution $10 billion contribution $10 billion contribution
Germany and its stubborn Chancellor Angela Merkel,
therefore, got a piece of sane economic advice from the
economist Prime Minister: Austerity in the debt-ridden
members of the eurozone can work only if surplus members
are willing to expand to offset contraction elsewhere in the
currency area. Germany, the strongest economy in the
eurozone, has to loosen up and even be prepared to face an
elevated level of inflation if the crisis-ridden countries are to
turnaround. That seems to have been Dr. Singhs thrust.
Lest his advice be seen as gratuitous, the Prime Minister
backed it up with a hefty $10 billion commitment to the $430
billion IMF eurozone fund. This is part of the overall $75
billion including $43 billion from China that the BRICS
nations have committed to the fund. But it already has raised
eyebrows in the country.
Why should India, a developing economy enmeshed in
its own economic problems, cough up such a huge sum to the
rich Europeans, is the question many are asking. The question
is understandable but to agree with it would be taking a
narrow view.
First, this is a commitment only and it is not as if hard
cash is about to flow out of India into the IMFs coffers. The
commitment will be called upon only if the fund is required
to be used. The IMF fund is in itself a comfort scheme for the
eurozone aimed at calming the market.
Second, this assistance is part of the overall BRICS
portfolio and India has to play its role with the others in the
group. Third, this is not philanthropy but enlightened assistance
because the eurozone is Indias largest trading partner and
the country can ill afford a collapse there. Already the crisis
has manifested itself in lower trade volumes with exports
slowing down.
India needs a return of stability in the eurozone for its
own benefit. It could be argued that $10 billion will hardly
make a difference in the overall scheme of things but the
answer is that India can only do what is possible within its
capacity. The idea is to help a trading partner in distress, no
more, no less.
Fourth, though the sum appears big, it is hardly so for a
trillion-dollar economy growing at 6.5 per cent. Yes, there are
economic problems that India faces and they are serious but
to use that as an argument to question the assistance would
amount to belittling the role that the country plays in the
global scheme of things.
Finally, it must also be remembered that the IMF lends
only what it gets from its members. India has used IMF
assistance in the past. Now when it is in a position where it
can be of help, it needs to play its part. $10 billion is a small
sum to pay for being a responsible member of the global
club. And dont forget, it is also a signal of Indias economic
strength to all those naysayers, not the least of whom are the
ratings agencies.
Chinas star trek, steadily paced Chinas star trek, steadily paced Chinas star trek, steadily paced Chinas star trek, steadily paced Chinas star trek, steadily paced
China has taken another major step forward in its human
spaceflight programme when Shenzhou-9, a capsule carrying
three crew, one of them the countrys first space woman,
docked with an orbiting laboratory, Tiangong-1, recently.
The Asian giant becomes the third nation that can send
humans to rendezvous, dock with and then move into another
orbiting spacecraft. This capability is essential for achieving
its goal of establishing a full-fledged space station, which will
be permanently manned, by early next decade.
Chinas first woman astronaut, Liu Yang, a 33-year-old
Air Force pilot, made her voyage on the 49th anniversary of
the Soviet Unions Valentina Tereshkova becoming the first
woman to go to space. In that intervening period, there have
been over 50 women in space, including Indian-born Kalpana
Chawla who lost her life when space shuttle Columbia
disintegrated during re-entry in 2003.
Plan 863 Plan 863 Plan 863 Plan 863 Plan 863
China launched its first satellite, the 173-kg Dong Fang
Hong 1, in April 1970. A few months later, the countrys top
leadership gave the go-ahead for a project to send humans
into space. But that effort soon fizzled out, given the daunting
technological complexity involved and the cost of mastering
it.
However, the idea was resurrected in 1986 when the
Chinese government embarked on Plan 863 so that the
country could rapidly close the gap with advanced nations in
chosen areas of science and technology. Aerospace was one
such field that was selected.
The following year, experts on a committee, which was
set up to develop a detailed plan for the space sector, decided
that a manned effort should have the construction of a space
station as its long-term goal. The goal of constructing a space
station, as opposed to going to the moon or some other
long-term objective, was set very early in Chinese
deliberations, according to Gregory Kulacki, a China expert
with the Union of Concerned Scientists, a U.S.-based non-
profit science advocacy group.
Manned spaceflight Manned spaceflight Manned spaceflight Manned spaceflight Manned spaceflight
Drawing on Chinese-language histories of the space
programme, he, along with Jeffrey G. Lewis of the Monterey
Institute of International Studies in California, had published
a paper in 2009 titled A Place for Ones Mat: Chinas Space
Program 1956-2003. He has recently written another article,
Why China is Building a Space Station.
Having a space station as the ultimate objective was
never a point of contention among those who wanted the
country to send humans into space, observed Dr. Kulacki in
the latter piece. The countrys leaders felt compelled to build
a space station because their space experts believed that the
U.S., the Soviet Union, Europe and Japan were investing
heavily in technologies for that purpose. They also thought
that South Korea and India, might join as partners or develop
space stations of their own.
From the beginning, and throughout the development
of the Chinese human spaceflight programme, the goal was
never to catch up or surpass other nations but to avoid falling
too far behind, he remarked.
But there were vigorous internal debates on whether to
have a manned space programme at all. Issues of whether the
country had the necessary financial, human and technological
resources for such an ambitious effort came up. A minister
for aeronautics and astronautics voiced concern that a
manned programme would hinder the development of
ballistic missiles and application satellites that were needed.
The debate finally ended only in September 1992 when
the Standing Committee of the Politburo approved the human
spaceflight programme with the space station as its ultimate
objective.
Interestingly, according to Dr. Kulacki, there were also
arguments about the space transportation system that should
take astronauts to space and back. A group at the Chinese
Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT) wanted to
see a reusable space shuttle being developed. They took the
view that sending humans in a space capsule would only
disgrace the nation. However, the development of a
powerful variant of the Long March rocket so that foreign
satellites could be launched on commercial terms settled the
matter in favour of a capsule.
From 2003 From 2003 From 2003 From 2003 From 2003
China demonstrated its capability for manned
spaceflight when Shenzhou-5 took Yang Liwei aloft in 2003.
Two years later, two astronauts circled the earth for nearly
five days in Shenzhou-6. Then, in 2008, three men went on a
three-day mission aboard Shenzhou-7, with one of them
coming out of the capsule to carry out a space walk.
The experimental space laboratory, Tiangong-1, was
put into orbit in September last year. In preparation for the
present mission, an uncrewed Shenzhou-8 spacecraft was
sent in November to dock automatically with the orbiting
lab. The Shenzhou-9, with its three astronauts, docked with
the Tiangong-1 on June 18. Soon afterwards, video images of
the astronauts entering and floating about in the lab were
beamed back to earth.
The 8.5-tonne space lab was quite modest, observed
analyst Marcia S. Smith, founder and editor of the website,
SpacePolicyOnline.com. It was only about half the mass of
the worlds first space station, the Soviet Unions Salyut-1.
Skylab, Americas first space station that was launched in the
1970s, had weighed about 77 tonnes. Nevertheless, occupying
a space station will be a significant achievement for China,
she pointed out, writing before the astronauts left Earth.
The Shenzhou-9 is expected to remain in space for 13
days, according to a report from the Xinhua news agency.
During this time, it will undock and attempt a second docking
under manual control (the first had been done using automatic
systems).
The Tiangong-1 has a life of two years. Another set of
crew will be sent to the lab on the Shenzhou-10 either later
this year or in 2013. The Tiangong-1 will be followed by a
larger Tiangong-2 and, subsequently, by Tiangong-3. While
Tiangong-1 is intended to support a crew for only about two
weeks at a time, later space labs will allow longer duration
stay onboard.
Assembly of a permanently manned space station, made
up of multiple modules and weighing about 60 tonnes, will be
taken up only after these missions are successfully completed.
It will be another decade before China completes its
space station, with difficult and dangerous work remaining
to be done, observed Dr. Kulacki. The leadership of Chinas
space programme does not appear to be in a hurry and is not
rushing to beat the United States to the moon or anywhere
else.
A difficult journey, some difficult A difficult journey, some difficult A difficult journey, some difficult A difficult journey, some difficult A difficult journey, some difficult
decisions decisions decisions decisions decisions
My visit to Gujarat My visit to Gujarat My visit to Gujarat My visit to Gujarat My visit to Gujarat
One of the pillars of development that I have thought a
lot about is that we have to create a nation where poverty has
been totally eradicated and illiteracy removed. Alongside,
we need to evolve a society where crimes against women
and children are absent and none in the society feels alienated.
These thoughts were prominent in my mind during my visit to
Gujarat in August 2002, which I took up as my first major task
immediately after becoming President. The State had been
hit by riots a few months earlier, and their impact had left
thousands of lives in disarray. It was an important and sensitive
task, because it took place under unique circumstances, in a
politically charged atmosphere. I decided that my mission
was not to look at what had happened, not to look at what
was happening, but to focus on what should be done. What
had happened was already a point of discussion by the
judiciary and the Parliament and continues to be discussed
even now. As no President had ever visited an area under
such circumstances, many questioned the necessity of my
visit to the state at this juncture. At the ministry and
bureaucratic level, it was suggested that I should not venture
into Gujarat at that point of time. One of the main reasons
was political. However, I made up my mind that I would go
and preparations were in full swing at Rashtrapati Bhavan for
my first visit as President.
The Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, asked me only
one question, Do you consider going to Gujarat at this time
essential? I told the PM, I consider it an important duty so
that I can be of some use to remove the pain, and also
accelerate the relief activities, and bring about a unity of
minds, which is my mission, as I stressed in my address during
the swearing-in ceremony.
I visited twelve areas three relief camps and nine
riot-hit locations where the losses had been high... I remember
one scene, when I visited a relief camp. A six-year-old boy
came up to me, held both my hands and said, Rashtrapati ji ,
I want my mother and father. I was speechless. There itself, I
held a quick meeting with the District Collector. The Chief
Minister also assured me that the boys education and welfare
would be taken care of by the government.
All through my visit only one thought occupied my
mind Should not development be our only agenda? Any
citizen following any faith has the fundamental right to live
happily. No one has the right to endanger the unity of minds,
because unity of minds is the lifeline of our country, and
makes our country truly unique. After all what is justice, what
is democracy? Every citizen in the country has a right to live
with dignity; every citizen has a right to aspire for distinction.
To access the large number of opportunities, through just and
fair means, in order to attain that dignity and distinction is
what democracy is all about. That is what our Constitution is
all about. And that is what makes life wholesome and worth
living in a true and vibrant democracy, the essence of which
is tolerance for peoples belief systems and lifestyles
The increasing intolerance for the views of others and
increasing contempt for the way of life or religion of others,
or the expression of these differences through lawless violence
against people cannot be justified in any context. All of us
have to work hard and do everything to protect the rights of
every individual
Returning the Office of Profit Bill Returning the Office of Profit Bill Returning the Office of Profit Bill Returning the Office of Profit Bill Returning the Office of Profit Bill
Broadly, the Parliament (Prevention of Disqualification)
Act 1959, stipulates that certain offices of profit under the
government shall not disqualify the holders thereof for being
chosen as, or for being, Members of Parliament. During mid
2006, I received a number of complaints from MPs about
certain fellow members holding office of profit. I had to deal
with these complaints. I sent these to the Chief Election
Commissioner to study and conduct an inquiry wherever
considered essential Meanwhile I received the Office of
Profit Bill from the Parliament for approval.
I studied the Bill and found that it had many anomalies.
In the proposed Office of Profit Bill, I did not find a systematic
approach towards deciding the question of what constituted
an office of profit. Instead exemption was given to only the
existing offices which were occupied by MPs. I also discussed
the anomalies and my concerns with three former Chief
Justices of the Supreme Court. I prepared a letter in
consultation with my team and the three CJIs
The Office of Profit Bill was not sent by the Cabinet for
my approval but by Parliament. Hence, I returned the Bill to
the Secretary-General of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha for
reconsideration by both the Houses of Parliament. This was
the first time in the history of Parliament or Rashtrapati Bhavan
that a President returned a Bill for reconsideration.
The Bill was reconsidered and sent back for my
approval. The Prime Minister met me and he was surprised,
as I normally send the approved Bill the next day. Why were
weeks rolling by with no action taken, he wondered. I said
some action is needed from Parliament and I have not heard
anything about it. The Prime Minister said the Parliament has
already decided on the constitution of a Joint Parliamentary
Committee (JPC) for going into all aspects of the Office of
Profit Bill as per my suggestions.
I was on tour to the North-East and received a
message that the formation of a JPC on the Office of Profit
Bill had been approved by Parliament. Once I got the
confirmation about the action by Parliament, I immediately
signed the Office of Profit Bill. After a few months, Parliament
approved the JPC report which was not complete and did
not address the problem which I had suggested. Parliament
has to deal with such issues with care, otherwise it would be
construed that the highest body of the nation is promoting
wrong practices which may set a national trend in different
echelons of the government
Recently, we saw two fasting movements against
corruption and many more may get inspired. I was asking
myself, why are such movements taking place in our
democratic country. This is basically due to the dilution of
standards by Parliament itself
On the death penalty On the death penalty On the death penalty On the death penalty On the death penalty
One of the more difficult tasks for me as President was
to decide on the issue of confirming capital punishment
awarded by the courts after exhausting all processes of
appeals. As a substantial number of cases have been pending
in Rashtrapati Bhavan for many years, it is one inherited task
that no President would feel happy about. I thought I should
get all these cases examined from a normal citizens point of
view in terms of the crime, intensity of the crime and the
social and financial status of the individuals who were
convicted and awarded capital punishment. This study
revealed to my surprise that almost all the cases which were
pending had a social and economic bias. This gave me an
impression that we were punishing the person who was least
involved in the enmity and who did not have a direct motive
for committing the crime. Of course there was one case where
I found that the lift operator had in fact committed the crime
of raping and killing the girl without doubt. In that case I
affirmed the sentence
We are all the creations of God. I am not sure a human
system or a human being is competent to take away a life
based on artificial and created evidence.
On Sonia Gandhi as Prime Minister On Sonia Gandhi as Prime Minister On Sonia Gandhi as Prime Minister On Sonia Gandhi as Prime Minister On Sonia Gandhi as Prime Minister
One of the responsibilities of the President is to appoint
the Prime Minister after every general election or whenever
an occasion arises for change of the incumbent. On these
occasions the President has to satisfy himself there is a party
or a coalition which has the required number of members to
form a stable government. The process of selection becomes
more complex when there is more than one contender laying
claim to government in view of none of the parties having a
clear majority in the House. In this context, the 2004 election
was an interesting event. The elections were over, the results
had been announced and none of the parties had the strength
to form the government on their own.
The Congress party had the largest number of members
elected. In spite of that, three days had passed and no party
or coalition came forward to form the government. It was a
cause of concern for me and I asked my secretaries and
rushed a letter to the leader of the largest party in this case
the Congress to come forward and stake the claim for
forming the government.
I was told that Sonia Gandhi was meeting me at 12.15 in
the afternoon of 18 May. She came in time but instead of
coming alone she came with Dr. Manmohan Singh and had a
discussion with me. She said that she had the requisite numbers
but she did not bring the letter of support signed by party
functionaries. She would come with the letters of support on
the 19th, she said. I asked her why do you postpone. We can
even finish it this afternoon. She went away. Later I received
a message that she would meet me in the evening, at 8.15
p.m.
While this communication was in progress, I had a
number of emails and letters coming from individuals,
organisations and parties that I should not allow Mrs Sonia
Gandhi to become the Prime Minister of our country. I had
passed on these mails and letters to various agencies in the
government for their information without making any remarks.
During this time there were many political leaders who came
to meet me to request me not to succumb to any pressure
and appoint Mrs Gandhi as the Prime Minister, a request that
would not have been constitutionally tenable. If she had made
any claim for herself I would have had no option but to
appoint her.
At the allotted time, 8.15 p.m., Mrs Gandhi came to
Rashtrapati Bhavan along with Dr. Manmohan Singh. In this
meeting after exchanging pleasantries, she showed me the
letters of support from various parties. Thereupon, I said that
is welcome. The Rashtrapati Bhavan is ready for the swearing-
in ceremony at the time of your choice. That is when she told
me that she would like to nominate Dr. Manmohan Singh,
who was the architect of economic reforms in 1991 and a
trusted lieutenant of the Congress party with an impeccable
image, as the Prime Minister. This was definitely a surprise to
me and the Rashtrapati Bhavan Secretariat had to rework the
letter appointing Dr. Manmohan Singh as the Prime Minister
and inviting him to form the government at the earliest.
Finally, the swearing-in took place on 22 May with Dr.
Manmohan Singh and sixty-seven Ministers in the splendid
Ashoka Hall.
I breathed a sigh of relief that this important task had
finally been done. However, I did puzzle over why no party
had staked a claim for three days.
Ideas can also belong to the
people who conceived them like
physical property. These ideas result
in popular names for products, books
and articles, films, music, processes
for manufacturing products and
products themselves. There is a
tension between the original
conceiver of thee idea who wants to
earn the maximum incentives for his
invention and the desire of the public
to have that invention at the lowest
possible price at the earliest time.
Society feels it neces-sary to provide
incentives to the inventors because
without such incentives there is not
sufficient idealism around for
inventions to arise in all fields. A
steady flow of inventions is essential
for progress and a better quality of
life for human beings. At the same
time, poor countries have difficulty
in paying incentives, which become
such more expensive for more recent
inventions. There is, therefore, a
country for inventions to be copied
and made available to the public at
low prices. In fact, many of the most
important ideas for example, the
mathematics that underlies the
modern computer or the theories
behind atomic energy or lasers are
not protected by intellectual
property. Academics spend
considerable energy freely
disseminating their research findings.
I am pleased when someone uses my
ideas on asymmetric information
though I do appreciate them giving
me some credit. The growth of the
open source movement on the
Internet shows that not just the most
basic ideas, but even products of
enormous immediate commercial
value can be produced without
intellectual property protection.
Without intellectual property
protection, incentives to engage in
certain types of creative endeavors
would be weakened. But there are
high costs associated with intellectual
property. Ideas are the most
important input into research, and if
intellectual property slows down the
ability to use others ideas, then
scientific and technological progress
will suffer. By contrast, an intellectual
property regime rewards innovators
by creating a temporary monopoly
power, allowing them to charge far
higher prices than they could if there
were competition. In the process,
ideas are disseminated and used less
than they would be otherwise. The
economic rationale for intellectual
property is that faster innovation
offsets the enormous costs of such
inefficiencies. But it has become
increasingly clear that excessively
strong or badly formulated
intellectual property rights may
actually impede innovation and not
just by increasing the price of
research. Monopolists may have
much less incentive to innovate than
they would if they had to compete.
Modern research has shown that the
great economist Joseph Schumpeter
was wrong in thinking that
competition in innovation leads to a
succession of firms. In fact, a
monopolist, once established, may
be hard to dislodge, as Microsoft has
so amply demonstrated.
Indeed, once established, a
monopoly can use its market power
to squelch competitors, as Microsoft
so amply demonstrated in the case
of the Netscape Web browser. Such
abuses of market power discourage
innovation. Moreover, so-called
patent thickets the fear that some
advance will tread on preexisting
patents, of which the innovator may
not even be aware may also
discourage innovation. After the
pioneering work of the Wright
brothers and the Curtis brothers,
overlapping patent claims thwarted
the development of the airplane, until
the United States government finally
forced a patent pool as World War I
loomed. Today, many in the
computer industry worry that such a
patent thicket may impede software
development. The creation of any
product requires many ideas, and
sorting out their relative contribution
to the outcome let alone which
ones are really new can be nearly
impossible.
Laws relating to copyright,
trademarks and patents are intended
to moderate this tension and to
prevent copying without reward to
the inventor. They provide protection
to the inventor for a given period of
time and also enable propagation so
that a larger section of the public is
able to derive benefit from the
invention. Ultimately, after a period
of time, the invention becomes
available to everybody without
having to pay further incentives to the
inventor. The controversy between
India and the U.S.A. which Ms. Carla
Hills has symbolized relates of the
Indian laws about intellectual
property, the protection afforded to
the inventors, and the ways in which
these laws are administered and
enforced.
India is not a country with much
invention. This is evidenced by the
far fewer number of patents filed in
India, as against the number in many
other countries, especially Japan and
the U.S.A. Yet we also want our
people to enjoy the benefits of many
of the inventions of other countries.
This has led to a considerable amount
of copying through legal moans, such
as collaboration and licensing, and
illegal means. Almost any film in the
world is available on a copied video
tape in India. Most recorded music is
available on pirated audio tapes.
There are many printers who copy
bestselling books. Sometimes new
books are written and published in
the names of bestselling authors, in
which the authors had no hand! Many
products manufactured abroad are
copied and some-times have been
sold under the trade mark name of
the original product. In the eyes of
the USA and many other countries,
this copying without the permission
of the inventor amounts to theft of
intellectual property. The Indian
copiers and Indian customers enjoy
the benefits of these inventions
without any reward ac-cruing to the
original inventor.
The laws in India, relating to
copyright and trade marks are very
strong in protecting the original
owner of the trade mark and the
copyright. It is in the enforcement
that there is weakness. The Indian
administration, police and judi-ciary
are overburdened with having to
enforce a large number of laws. They
do not regard copying as a serious
crime unlike the many other crimes
they have to deal with. -To the
slowness of the Indian legal system is
added the problem of easy
corruption-the copier has so much to
gain that he can offer a substantial
sum to the law enforcer who
sometimes succumbs to the
temptation. Yet there are many
companies that have themselves
established strong surveillance and
taken thee copiers to court. Their
vigilance has to a large extent
protected them from this kind of
theft. Prominent among these
companies are the multi-nationals.
Those that are not able to protect
themselves, suffer because others
Copy their inventions without any
benefit to the owner.
The major controversy relates to
the patenting of products for
processes. The inventor can patent a
final product or the route to make it.
There could be other routes. In India
at present it is legal to search for
discover make and market, the
product through a different route.
Out law does not provide for
patenting of certain products. The
USA and other have argued that we
must allow product patents and for a
longer period than we even allow
today for process patents. We are not
for product patents because they
prevent us root undertaking out own
research and development to
develop alternatives routes to reacts
the same product. After all, imitative
inventions were the secret of the
Japans success for a long time until
recently. Many other countries
including Italy, Spain. Greece has
amended their laws only in the last
few years to permit product patents.
A poor country must have a long
enough period in which it can
Imitate the inventions and products
of other countries and invent new
pro-cesses to make them. This period
of imitation is a prelude to original
invention. Thus, breathing time is
essential and India must have it
before India can allow product
patents.
The problem arises only for
drugs, chemicals and agricultural
products. Agricultural products in
India are in the public domain.
Research is largely conducted in
governmental laboratories. The
propagation of new, seeds and
methods quickly at low cost to the
user has resulted in the substantial
growth that has taken place in Indian
agricultural production. Under no
circumstances can India permit
product patents for agricultural
products and specially for seeds, nice
that will hit at the very base for the
growth of agricultural production in
India.
Some research in the USA
shows that the original patented drug
continues for many years after the
expiry of the patent to dominate the
market through its trade mark name.
Since Indian trade mark laws are
strong, the patent owner in effect has
a product patent through his trade
mark. If we allow product patents for
drugs and chemicals only and for the
same period as we now do process
patents, the owner of the patent will
be able through his trade mark to
enjoy dominance even after the
expiry of the patent. At the same time,
it is essential that all such patents be
filed in India and that there is a
procedure to compel the owner to
license the patent for Indian use.
India can, in the case of drugs
and chemicals permit product
patents for a limited period. Our
registration procedures could be
speeded up from the present five
years or so between application and
granting of patent. If that cannot be
done the patent period can be
accounted from the date of
registration and not front the date of
application. In this way the patent
owner can enjoy the benefit of the
patent for the full period, which he is
not able to do at present because of
the long interval between filing and
granting of patent.
The controversy over IPR was
avoidable. Unfortunately, it became
politicized and issues of national
sovereignty cause up for debate. It
can be nobodys case that India
wants to progress merely by copying
and without payment Nor can
anybody in the world argue that India
should not enjoy similar benefits as
other countries that are note rich but
which were able to imitate and
progress.
Last October, the General
Assembly of the World Intellectual
Property Organization (WIPO)
decided to consider what a
development-oriented intellectual
property regime might look like. The
move was little noticed, but, in some
ways, it was as important as the World
Trade Organizations decision that
the current round of trade
negotiations be devoted to
development. Both decisions
acknowledge that the current rules
of the international economic game
reflect the interests of the advanced
industrial countries especially of
their big corporations more than the
interests of the developing world.
Society has always recognized
that other values may trump
intellectual property. The need to
prevent excessive monopoly power
has led anti-trust authorities to require
compulsory licensing (as the US
government did with the telephone
company AT&T). When America
faced an anthrax threat in the wake
of the September 11, 2001, terrorist
attacks, officials issued a compulsory
license for Cipro, the best-known
antidote.
Unfortunately, the trade
negotiators who framed the
intellectual-property agreement of
the Uruguay trade round of the early
1990s (TRIPs) were either unaware
of all of this, or more likely,
uninterested. I served on the Clinton
administrations Council of Economic
Advisors at the time, and it was clear
that there was more interest in
pleasing the pharmaceutical and
entertainment industries than in
ensuring an intellectual-property
regime that was good for science, let
alone for developing countries.
I suspect that most of those who
signed the agreement did not fully
understand what they were doing. If
they had, would they have willingly
condemned thousands of AIDS
sufferers to death because they might
no longer be able to get affordable
generic drugs? Had the question
been posed in this way to parliaments
around the world, I believe that TRIPs
would have been soundly rejected.
Intellectual property is
important, but the appropriate
intellectual-property regime for a
developing country is different from
that for an advanced industrial
country. The TRIPs scheme failed to
recognize this. In fact, intellectual
property should never have been
included in a trade agreement in the
first place, at least partly because its
regulation is demonstrably beyond
the competency of trade negotiators.
Besides, an international
organization already exists to protect
intellectual property. Hopefully, in
WIPOs reconsideration of
intellectual property regimes, the
voices of the developing world will
be heard more clearly than it was in
the WTO negotiations; hopefully,
WIPO will succeed in outlining what
a pro-developing intellectual
property regime implies; and
hopefully, WTO will listen: the aim of
trade liberalization is to boost
development, not hinder it.
Every State has Dispute in
sharing water resources with its
Neighbouring state. Then and there
problems arising between Peoples of
two states. They are not allowing
neighboring state Vehicles to enter
into their state. Some parts of India
are flooded with Rain, they dont
have place to live till the flooded rain
water gets drained, in some other
parts people are longing to get water
for irrigation and their basic needs.
We can stop all these if we nationalize
all water resources in India. But this is
still under consideration from
Government side, but no steps have
been taken to implement this. Putting
water on the Concurrent List is not
necessarily an act of centralization,
though it could lead to such a
development. That danger is real and
needs to be avoided.
The Union Ministry of Water
Resources has for long been arguing
for a shift of water to the Concurrent
List without any serious expectation
of its happening, but has now begun
to pursue the idea more actively. The
Ashok Chawla committee, which was
primarily concerned with the
question of rationalizing the
allocation of natural resources with a
view to reducing the scope for
corruption, was reported by the
media to have recommended inter
alia the shifting of water to the
Concurrent List. There seems to be
no such specific recommendation in
the draft of the Committees report
that one has seen, but the possibility
is referred to in the text and there is
an Annexe on the subject. These
developments have revived the old
debate.
However the problems in
implementing this I think are,
At present Water Resources in
India are under the control of
respective state government, to
nationalize all water resources
all state governments must
accept it.
Detailed well planned
architecture has to be prepared
to connect all rivers without any
city gets affected.
Lakhs and lakhs of Acres of Land
will be needed to connect all
rivers; this must be taken care
by the respective state
government.
Nationalization of water
resources has both merits and
demerits. Though it is a sensitive issue
to be handled, considerations from
different state governments are to be
looked before doing any
proceedings in this aspect. As
different water resources cater
different kinds of needs, it is to be
clearly understood what type of
resources are to be nationalized.
Merits are: Merits are: Merits are: Merits are: Merits are:
Nationalization can improve
gross usage of water resources
there by decreasing wastage
It creates employment to several
people directly or indirectly
Future scope of utility of these
can be estimated and
implemented
Demerits are: Demerits are: Demerits are: Demerits are: Demerits are:
Political issues may concern the
implementation of
developmental activities
Corruption may go high
Inefficient monitoring leads to
increased wastes of water
resources
Should water be moved to
Concurrent List?
Let us first be clear about the
present constitutional position in
relation to water. The general
impression is that in India water is a
State subject, but the position is not
quite so simple. The primary entry in
the Constitution relating to water is
indeed Entry 17 in the State List, but
it is explicitly made subject to the
provisions of Entry 56 in the Union
List which enables the Union to deal
with inter-State rivers if Parliament
legislates for the purpose. This means
that if Parliament considers it
expedient in the public interest that
the regulation and development of
an inter-State river, say the Ganga or
Yamuna or Narmada, should be
under the control of the Union, it
can enact a law to that effect, and
that law will give the Union legislative
(and therefore executive) powers
over that river. That enabling
provision has not been used by
Parliament. No law has been passed
bringing any river under the control
of the Union. Under Entry 56,
Parliament did enact the River Boards
Act 1956 providing for the
establishment of River Boards for
inter-State rivers, but no such board
has been established under the Act.
That Act is virtually a dead letter. The
reasons are political, i.e., strong
resistance by State governments to
any enhancement of the role of the
Central government.
Is the present constitutional
division of legislative power relating
to water between the Union and the
States satisfactory? The Centre does
not think so. None of the Commissions
that has gone into the subject so far
has recommended a change, largely
because it seemed unrealistic. (The
Sarkaria Commission thought that a
change was unnecessary.)
First, a move to put water into
the Concurrent List at this stage will
be generally regarded as a retrograde
step that runs counter to the general
trend towards decentralisation and
enhanced federalism, and it will face
serious political difficulty because
there will be stout opposition from
the States. Secondly, an entry in the
Concurrent List will mean that both
the Centre and the States can
legislate on water, but the Centre can
already do so in respect of inter-State
rivers under Entry 56 but has not used
that power. It seemed sensible to use
that enabling provision, and also re-
activate the River Boards Act, rather
than pursue the difficult idea of a
constitutional amendment to bring
water on to the Concurrent List.
It will be seen that the above
arguments against pursuing the idea
of moving water to the Concurrent
List are practical ones: the political
difficulty of doing so, and the fact that
the Centre can do certain things even
without such a shift. That does not
amount to a statement that there is
no case for the shift. Let us ignore
political and practical
considerations, and ask: if the
Constitution were being drafted for
the first time now, where would one
put water? The obvious and
incontrovertible answer is: in the
Concurrent List. There are several
reasons for saying so.
First, it appears that to the
Constitution-makers water meant
essentially river waters and irrigation.
This is quite evident from the wording
of the entries. In that context, it might
have appeared appropriate to assign
the primary role to the States, and
provide a specific role for the Centre
in relation to inter-State rivers.
However, even from that limited
perspective, a primary rather than a
secondary or exceptional role for the
Centre might well have been
warranted: most of our important
rivers are in fact inter-State, and inter-
State (or inter-provincial) river water
disputes were an old and vexed
problem even at the time of drafting
the Constitution.
Secondly, that limited
perspective is in fact inadequate.
Water as a subject is larger than rivers;
ponds and lakes, springs,
groundwater aquifers, glaciers, soil
and atmospheric moisture, wetlands,
and so on, are all forms of water and
constitute a hydrological unity; and
there is more to water than irrigation.
If the environmental, ecological,
social/human, and rights concerns
relating to water had been as sharply
present to the makers of the
Constitution as they are to us, it seems
very probable that the entries in the
Constitution would have been
different. (Incidentally, there are
serious concerns now relating to
groundwater rapid depletion of
aquifers in many parts of the country,
the emergence of arsenic and
fluoride in many States, etc. and it
is interesting that there is no explicit
reference to groundwater or aquifers
in the Constitution.)
Thirdly, the Constitution-makers
could not have anticipated the sense
of water scarcity and crisis that now
looms large. It is clear that while
action will be called for at the State
and local levels, the perception of a
crisis casts a great responsibility on
the Centre: national initiatives will
definitely be called for.
Fourthly, a new factor not
foreseen even a few decades ago is
climate change and its impact on
water resources. This is a subject
which is still under study and
research, but it is clear that
coordinated action will be called for
not only at the national level but also
at the regional and international
levels. The Central government has
necessarily to play a lead role in this
regard.
The theoretical case for water
being in the Concurrent List is thus
unassailable. Of all the subjects that
are or ought to be in the Concurrent
List, water ranks higher than any other.
The practical and political difficulties
of shifting it there remain, but these
would need to be overcome.
However, if those difficulties
prove insuperable, then we have to
settle for the second best course (a
modest one) of greater use by the
Centre of the legislative powers
relating to inter-State rivers provided
for in Entry 56 in the Union List, and
re-activation of the dormant River
Boards Act 1956. It would further
have to be supplemented by
recourse to the wide-ranging
provisions of the Environment
(Protection) Act 1986 (EPA). It is of
course possible for Parliament to
legislate on a State subject if a certain
number of State assemblies pass
resolutions to that effect: that was the
route followed in the case of the
Water (Control and Prevention of
Pollution) Act 1974.
At present, the EPA is being
extensively used by the Centre for
water-related action. For instance,
the Central Groundwater Authority
was set up in 1998 by a notification
under the EPA. More recently, when
it was considered necessary to set up
a National Ganga River Basin Authority
this was done under the EPA, instead
of following the right but difficult
course of enacting legislation under
Entry 56.
Finally, putting water into the
Concurrent List is not necessarily an
act of centralization, though it could
lead to such a development. That
danger is real and needs to be
avoided. Legislation and executive
action must continue to be
undertaken at the appropriate level
(Central, State or local) in each case.
The subsidiarity principle, i.e., the
principle that decisions must be
taken at the lowest appropriate level,
will continue to be valid.
Interstate River Water
Disputes of central
government
In India, during the British rule,
the interstate river water disputes
were settled by the central
government because the irrigation
projects were virtually under the
control of the Central Govern ment.
The Republic of India upon
adopting a Consti tution made
irrigation a state subject. Accordingly
state governments, at present virtually
exercise full control on planning,
development, regulation,
dis-tribution and control of water
flowing through their territories.
Under Article 262 of the Constitution
the Parliament is empowered to
provide for the adjudi cation or
control of the water of any interstate
river. Under the Voter Dispute Act,
1956 a tribunal con-sisting of three
sitting judges of the Supreme Court
or High Court has to be constituted
by the central government for the
settlement of an interstate water
dispute when a request is received
from a state government.
According to the Interstate
Water Dispute Act, 1968 the Central
Government has also been given the
responsibility of regulation and de
velopment of interstate rivers and
river valleys to the extent to which
such regulation and development
under the control of the Union is
declared by the Parliament by law to
be expedient in the public interest.
The Parliament has also enacted
the River Board Act, 1956 which
authorizes the central gov ernment
to constitute river boards in
consultation with the state
governments for regulation and
devel-opment of interstate rivers. The
Government of India formed rules on
June 30, 1959, to settle inter state
water disputes.
Among the important interstate
water disputes mention may be made
of the Kaveri Water dispute between
Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu; the
Krishna water dispute between
Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra
Pradesh; the Tungbhadra river water
dispute between Andhra Pradesh
and Karnataka; the Parambikulam,
Aliyar and Bhivani river water dispute
between Tamil Nadu and Kerala; the
Godavari river water dispute
between Maharashtra, Andhra
Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka
and Orissa; the Narmada river water
dispute between Gujarat, Madhya
Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan;
the Mahi river water dispute between
Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya
Pradesh; the Ravi and Beas river water
dispute between Punjab, Haryana,
Rajasthan, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir;
the Yamuna river water dispute
between Uttar Pradesh, Haryana,
Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan,
Madhya Pradesh and Delhi; the
Karmanasa river water dispute
between Uttar Pradesh and Bihar;
and the Barak river water dispute
between Assam and Manipur.
Many of these interstate water
disputes have been settled on the
basis of equitable apportionment
which is the universally accepted
principle (Sukhwal, 1987, pp. 56-
76). But still there are some interstate
water disputes whose final solution,
acceptable to all parties, has not yet
been worked out. The Kaveri river
water dispute belongs to same
categories which besides
embittering the relations between
Tamil Nadu and Karnataka have even
threatened the stabil-ity of the Central
Government.
In a developing country like
India, the interstate river water
dispute must be resolved quickly so
that water resources could be utilized
and harnessed properly for
economic development. One of the
measures could be to declare all the
major rivers as national property and
national schemes under the central
assistance should he launched for the
development of their total command
area with partial involvement of the
concerned states. Separate
corporations on the line of the
Damodar Valley Corpo ration may be
useful in this direction. Thus I feel that
Water resources should be
nationalized. If the Government
nationalizes them, the government
thinks of the need of the water in
each state. Government supplies the
water to each and every state as the
demand of the water. Some stages
have huge amount of water in there
reservoirs and some dont have a
single drop. Water is essential for
everyone. If government takes the
responsibilities then all the land
comes under cultivation and it will
increases the productivity of the land
and there by decrease the importing
of goods from other countries and
increase the number quality and
quantity of the goods exported to the
other countries by which it will
increase the Indian economy. We are
still a developing country we should
use each and every path to make
India a completely developed
country.
By making the rivers
nationalized the land becomes fertile
and can be used for cultivation there
are by the Indian labors can get some
work, some food, and even Indian
goods quality can also be increased.
Pankaj Kumar Pankaj Kumar Pankaj Kumar Pankaj Kumar Pankaj Kumar
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