Saturday, March 31, 2012

Lok Sabha passes Judicial accountability Bill

  • The Lok Sabha has approved the Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill, 2010, which provides for a mechanism for investigation against judges.
  • The approval came on Thursday amid din created by some Opposition members on a variety of issues.
  • The Bill, introduced in December 2010, was brought to the Lok Sabha with fresh amendments in December, 2011. This includes restraining judges from making “unwarranted comments” against the conduct of any constitutional authority.
  • According to the revised Bill, any judge who makes oral comments against other constitutional authorities and individuals would render himself/herself liable for “judicial misconduct.” 
  • Law Minister Salman Khurshid said the Bill seeks to set up a mechanism to enquire into complaints against judges of the Supreme Court or High Courts. It was aimed at striking a “balance” between maximising judicial independence and laying down accountability at the same time for members of the higher judiciary.
  • The Bill seeks to repeal the Judges Inquiry Act, 1968, but retains some of its key features like power to Parliament to impeach a judge of the Supreme Court or a High Court, the Minister said.

Saturday, March 24, 2012

NRHM to be National Health Mission soon

  • The government proposes to convert the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) into a National Health Mission to provide health care to the urban poor also, in the course of the 12th Plan.
  • Universal access to free generic essential medicines in public health institutions in a phased and time-bound manner will be ensured

Friday, March 23, 2012

India votes for resolution against Sri Lanka

  • India voted for a United States-sponsored resolution at the United Nations' top human rights body censuring Sri Lanka for its alleged rights violations during the war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.
  • India initially showed reluctance to vote on a nation-specific resolution but changed its stand after political parties in Tamil Nadu exerted pressure on the United Progressive Alliance government to go with the resolution. The DMK, in particular, threatened to pull out its Ministers from the UPA government on the issue. 
  • With 24 votes for, 15 against and 8 abstentions, the 47-member United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) adopted the resolution, which noted with concern that an internal inquiry report in Sri Lanka did not adequately address “serious allegations” of violations of international law. 
  • The resolution asked Colombo to present expeditiously a comprehensive action plan detailing the steps to implement the recommendations of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) and to address the alleged violations of international law. 
  • Informed sources said India decided to vote after persuading the sponsor to make two changes in the draft so that it became “non-intrusive” and contributed to a political reconciliation process in the island nation. 
  • India did not participate in the debate, but voted with countries like Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and Uruguay. 
  • Many of India's neighbours, including China, Bangladesh and the Maldives; Russia, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia were among the countries that voted against the resolution, which asked Colombo to implement the LLRC's constructive recommendations.

Highlights of Union Budget 2012-13

Following are some of the key highlights of the Union Budget 2012-13, presented by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee in the Parliament on Friday:

* Tax burden for individuals to come down: Income tax exemption limit raised from Rs. 1,80,000 to Rs. 2,00,000; 10 per cent tax for 2-5 lakh income; 20 per cent for 5-10 lakh and 30 per cent beyond Rs. 10 lakh; Savings bank account interest up to Rs. 10,000 exempted from tax.
* Many services and goods to cost more: No change in corporate tax rate, but standard rate of excise duty, as also service tax rates, raised from 10 per cent to 12 per cent; No change in peak customs duty of 10 per cent on non-agri goods.
* Large cars, imported bicycles, cigarettes, bidis and some imported jewellery to cost more; branded silver jewellery may get cheaper.
* Boost for capital markets: Securities Transaction Tax on cash delivery reduced by 25 per cent to 0.1 per cent; A new Rajiv Gandhi Equity Saving Scheme to allow income tax deduction to retail investors in stocks.
* Economy expected to gain ground: GDP growth rate pegged at 7.6 per cent in 2012-13; Subsidy Expenditure to be checked and higher tax revenues targeted; Rs. 30,000 crore to be raised from disinvestment.
* Capital boost to financial and infrastructure sectors: Rs. 15,888 crore to be provided for capitalisation of public sector banks and financial institutions; Infrastructure investment of Rs. 50 lakh crore in 12th period, with half from private sector; Tax free bonds of Rs. 60,000 crore to be allowed for financial infrastructure projects.
* Fight against black money: White paper on black money in current session of Parliament; Introduction of compulsory reporting requirement for assets held abroad; tax collection at source on high-value cash purchase of bullion, jewellery, immovable property and trading in coal, lignite and iron ore.
* Greater scrutiny of closely-held companies for funds; Taxation of unexplained money, credits, investments, expenses at highest rate of 30 per cent irrespective of income slab.
* Tax reforms: Direct Taxes Code (DTC) at earliest; GST network to be operational by August 2012; Central Excise and Service Tax being harmonized. A General Anti-Avoidance Rule (GAAR) to be introduced to counter aggressive tax avoidance.
* Attracting foreign funds: Efforts on to allow FDI in multi-brand retail and permitting foreign airlines invest in domestic players; External borrowings to the extent of USD one billion for aviation companies; Qualified Foreign Investors to get access to corporate bond market.
* Tax relief for stressed sectors: Sectors like agriculture, infrastructure, mining, railways, roads, civil aviation, manufacturing, health and nutrition, and environment to get duty relief; Turnover limit for compulsory tax audit for SMEs raised from Rs 60 lakh to Rs 1 crore.
* Farming for growth: Target for agricultural credit raised to Rs 5,75,000 crore; Interest subvention for short-term crop loans to farmers at 7 per cent interest continues; additional 3 per cent for prompt paying farmers.

Financial Highlights of Budget 2012-12:

* Direct proposals to give in net revenue loss of Rs. 4,500 crore and net gain of Rs. 45,940 crore from indirect taxes, resulting into a net gain of Rs. 41,440 crore.
* Fiscal deficit targeted at 5.1 per cent of GDP in 2012-13, down from 5.9 per cent in 2011-12; Central Government debt at 45.5 per cent of GDP.
 * Total expenditure budgeted at Rs. 14,90,925 crore; plan expenditure at Rs. 5,21,025 crore, 18 per cent higher than 2011-12 budget; non-plan expenditure at Rs. 9,69,900 crore.
* Gross Tax Receipts estimated at Rs. 10,77,612 crore, 15.6 per cent higher than original budget estimates and 19.5 per cent over the revised estimates for 2011-12.
* Net tax to the Centre in 2012-13 estimated at Rs. 7,71,071 crore; Non-Tax Revenue Receipts estimated at Rs. 1,64,614 crore and Non-debt Capital Receipts at Rs. 41,650 crore.
* Total expenditure for 2012-13 budgeted at Rs. 14,90,925 crore, including Rs. 5,21,025 crore of Plan Expenditure and Rs. 9,69,900 crore as Non-Plan Expenditure.
* Defence services get Rs. 1,93,407 crore; any further requirement to be met.

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Govt. to roll out Fertilizer Management System

  • Accepting the report of the Nandan Nilekani-headed Task Force, the UPA Government announced a roll-out of nationwide mobile-based Fertilizer Management System (mFMS) providing a roadmap for putting in place a gradual direct transfer of subsidy regime for farmers.
  • The mFMS, to be launched this year, is designed to provide end-to-end information on the movement of fertilizers and subsidies, from the manufacturer to the retail level.
  • The Nandan Nilekani Task Force had been set up by the Government on IT strategy for direct transfer of subsidy.
  • The Finance Minister said that in to reduce import dependence on urea, the government is finalising the pricing and investment policies for the key nitrogenous fertiliser. ``It is expected that with the implementation of the investment policy, country will become self sufficient in manufacturing urea in the next five years. In case of the P&K fertiliser, use of SSP will be encouraged through greater extension work. This fertiliser is manufactured entirely in the domestic sector. Enhanced production would bring down our dependence on imports in the P&K sector,’’ Mr. Mukherjee added

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Union Budget 2012-13 Highlights

· Budget identifies five objectives relating to growth recovery, private investment, supply bottlenecks, malnutrition and governance matters
· GDP growth to be 7.6 per cent (+ 0.25 percent) during 2012-13
· Amendment to the FRBM Act proposed as part of Finance Bill. New concepts of “Effective Revenue Deficit” and “Medium Term Expenditure Framework” introduced
· Central subsidies to be kept under 2 per cent of GDP; to be further brought down to 1.75 per cent of GDP over the next 3 years.
· Proposed: Mobile based fertilizer management system; LPG transparency portal; scaling up and rolling out of Aadhar enabled payment for government schemes in at least 50 districts.
· Rs. 30,000 crore to be raised through disinvestment
· Efforts to reach broadbased consensus on FDI in multi-brand retail
· Rajiv Gandhi Equity Saving Scheme: to allow income tax deduction to retail investors on investing in equities
· Rs. 15,888 crore to be provided for capitalization of public sector banks and financial institutions
· A central “Know Your Customer” depository to be developed
· Swabhimaan: remaining habitations to be covered; to be extended to more habitations; ultra small branches to be set up in Swabhimaan habitations
· Investment in 12th Plan in infrastructure to go uptoRs. 50,00,000 crore; half of this is expected from private sector
· Tax Free Bonds of Rs. 60,000 crore to be allowed for financial infrastructure projects
· Allocation of Road Transport and Highways Ministry enhanced by 14 per cent to Rs. 25,360 crore
· Financial package of Rs. 3,884 crore for waiver of loans to handloom weavers and their cooperative societies; mega handloom clusters in Andhra, Jharkhand; weaver service centres in Mizoram, Nagaland and Jharkhand ; powerloom mega cluster in Maharashtra; Rs. 500 crore pilot schemes for geo-textiles in North-Eastern region
· Rs. 5,000 crore India Opportunities Venture Fund to help small enterprises
· Allocation to agriculture enhanced; RKVY gets Rs. 9,217 crore; BGREI gets Rs. 1,000 crore; Rs.2242 crore project to improve dairy productivity; Rs. 500 crore for coastal aquaculture
· Various other agricultural activities merged into 5 missions
· Target for agricultural credit raised to Rs. 5,75,000 crore
· Interest subvention for short-term crop loans to farmers at 7 per cent interest continues; additional 3 per cent for prompt paying farmers
· Rs. 200 crore for awards to incentivise agricultural research
· Provisions under rural housing fund increased to Rs. 4,000 crore from Rs. 3,000 crore
· Interest subvention of 1 percent on housing loans uptoRs. 15 lakh extended for one more year
· AIBP allocation raised by 13 per cent to Rs. 14,242 crore
· National Mission on Food Processing to be started in cooperation with State Governments
· Scheduled Caste Sub Plan allocation increases by 18 per cent to Rs. 37,113 crore; Tribal Sub Plan by 17.6 per cent to Rs. 21,710 crore
· Multi-sectoralprogramme to address maternal and child malnutrition in 200 high burden districts
· 58 per cent rise in allocation to ICDS, at Rs. 15,850 crore
· Rural drinking water and sanitation gets 27 per cent rise in allocation to Rs. 14,000 crore; PMGSY gets 20 per cent rise to Rs. 24,000 crore
· Projects covering length of 8800 km to be awarded under NHDP against 7,300 km during 2011-12
· RTE-SSA gets Rs. 25,555 crore allocation, showing an increase of 21 per cent; 6000 schools to be set up at block level as model schools in the 12th Plan; Credit Guarantee Fund to be set up for better flow of credit to students
· National Urban Health Mission is being launched
· 34 per cent increase in allocation to National Rural Livelihood Mission, to Rs. 3915 crore
· Rs. 1000 crore allocated for National Skill Development Fund
· Bharat Livelihood Foundation to be established to support livelihood interventions particularly in tribal areas
· Widow pension and disability pension raised from Rs. 200 to Rs. 300 per month
· Grant on death of primary breadwinner of a BPL family in the age group 18-64 years doubled to Rs. 20,000
· Defence services get Rs. 193407 crore; any further requirement to be met
· 4000 residential quarters to be constructed for Central Armed Police Forces
· UID-Aadhar to get adequate funds for enrolment of 40 crore persons, in addition to the 20 crore persons already enrolled
· White Paper on Black Money to be laid in the current session of Parliament
· Tax proposals mark progress in the direction of movement towards DTC and GST
· Income tax exemption limit raised from Rs.1,80,000 to Rs.2,00,000; upper limit of 20 per cent tax slab raised from Rs.8 lakh to Rs.10 lakh
· Interest from savings bank accounts deductible upto Rs.10,000; deduction of upto Rs.5,000 for preventive health check-up
· Senior citizens without business income exempt from advance tax
· Investment linked deduction of capital expenditure enhanced for certain businesses; new sectors eligible for investment linked deduction
· Turnover limit for compulsory tax audit for SMEs raised from Rs.60 lakh to Rs.1 crore
· STT on cash delivery reduced by 25 per cent to 0.1%
· General Anti Avoidance Rule being introduced to counter aggressive tax avoidance
· A number of measures proposed to deter generation and use of unaccounted money
· All services to attract service tax except those in the negative list
· Central Excise and Service Tax being harmonized
· Standard rate of excise duty raised from 10 per cent to 12 per cent; service tax rates raised from 10 per cent to 12 per cent; no change in peak customs duty of 10 per cent on non-agricultural goods
· Relief in indirect taxes to sectors under stress; agriculture, infrastructure, mining, railways, roads, civil aviation, manufacturing, health and nutrition, and environment get duty relief
· Certain cigarettes and bidis attract higher excise duty; large cars attract higher customs duty
· Excise imposed on unbranded jewellery also; measures to minimize impact on small artisans and goldsmiths; branded silver jewellery exempted from excise duty
· Net gain of Rs.41,440 crore due to taxation proposals
· Total expenditure budgeted at Rs. 14,90,925 crore; plan expenditure at Rs. 5,21,025 crore – 18 per cent higher than 2011-12 budget; non plan expenditure at Rs. 9,69,900 crore
· Fiscal deficit targeted at 5.1 per cent of GDP, as against 5.9 per cent in revised estimates for 2011-12
· Central Government debt at 45.5 per cent of GDP as compared to Thirteenth Finance Commission target of 50.5 per cent
· Medium-term Expenditure Framework Statement to be introduced; will set forth 3-year rolling target for expenditure indicators

Highlights of Economic Survey 2011-12

Following are the highlights of Economic Survey 2011-12

  • Rate of growth estimated to be 6.9%. Outlook for growth and stability is promising with real GDP growth expected to pick up to 7.6% in 2012-13 and 8.6% in 2013-14.
  • Agriculture and Services sectors continue to perform well. 2.5 % growth in Agro sector forecast. 
  • Services sector grows by 9.4 %, its share in GDP goes up to 59%.
  • Industrial growth pegged at 4-5 percent, expected to improve as economic recovery resumes.
  • Inflation on WPI was high but showed clear slow down by the year-end; this is likely to spur investment activities leading to positive impact on growth. 
  • WPI food inflation dropped from 20.2% in February 2010 to 1.6% in January 2012; calibrated steps initiated to rein-in inflation on top priority.
  • India remains among the fastest growing economies of the world. Country’s sovereign credit rating rose by a substantial 2.98 percent in 2007-12.
  • Exports grew @ 40.5% in the first half of this fiscal and imports grew by 30.4%. Foreign trade performance to remain a key driver of growth. Forex reserves enhanced - covering nearly the entire external debt stock.
  • Central spending on social services goes up to 18.5% this fiscal from 13.4% in 2006-07.
  • MNREGA coverage increases to 5.49 crore households in 2010-11.
  • Sustainable development and climate change concerns on high priority.

Monday, March 12, 2012

With sea-level rising, a nation plans en masse move

WIPE OUT FEARS: Tarawa atoll, Kiribati, is seen in an aerial view.

  • Fearing that climate change could wipe out their entire Pacific archipelago, the leaders of Kiribati are considering an unusual backup plan — moving the populace to Fiji.
  • Kiribati President Anote Tong told The Associated Press on Friday that his Cabinet this week endorsed a plan to buy nearly 6,000 acres on Fiji's main island, Viti Levu. 
  • He said the fertile land, being sold by a church group for about $9.6 million, could provide an insurance policy for Kiribati's entire population of 103,000, though he hopes it will never be necessary for everyone to leave

Saturday, March 10, 2012

RBI cuts CRR by 75 basis points




  • The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday reduced the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) by 75 basis points from 5.5 per cent to 4.75 per cent with effect from March 10.
  • This reduction will inject around Rs.48,000 crore of primary liquidity into the banking system to ensure smooth flow of credit to productive sectors of the economy
  • CRR is the percentage of deposits that commercial banks must keep with the central bank.
  • The markets were expecting a reduction in CRR as the banking system was experiencing a liquidity tightness in the recent days. However, the reduction in CRR at this point surprised markets as the RBI was expected to provide its assessment of the macroeconomic situation in its fourth Mid-Quarter Review on March 15. Moreover, this cut was sharper than expected.
  • Earlier, in its third quarter review in January last, the RBI reduced the CRR by 50 basis points from 6 per cent injecting a liquidity of Rs.31,500 crore into the banking system to mitigate the tight liquidity conditions, which was the first move in the CRR since it was increased to 6 per cent in April 2010. 
  • The RBI's action now is apart of its continued efforts to provide liquidity through open market operations (OMOs), injecting primary liquidity of over Rs.1,245,00 crore this financial year so far, of which Rs.52,800 crore was injected after the CRR cut in the third quarter review.

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Review of the Economy 2011-12 Highlights

Full text of the Review of the Economy for 2011-12 by PM's Economic Advisory Council -http://eac.gov.in/reports/eco_rev1112.pdf

Dr. C. Rangarajan, Chairman, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister released the document ‘Review of the Economy 2011-12’ at a Press Conference in New Delhi today. Following are the highlights of the document:

Review of the Economy 2011-12

§ The rate of growth in 2011-12 is now estimated at 7.1%, which is marginally higher than the projection of 6.9% as per the Advance Estimates (AE). The Council projects a slightly higher growth for agriculture and construction than the Advance Estimates.

§ Investment activity has slowed down and as a result the Gross fixed Capital formation (GFCF) for 2011/12 has slipped to 29.3 per cent, a decline of almost 4 percentage points over the last four years.

§ Global economic and financial conditions likely to remain under pressure during the year.

§ Overall farm sector GDP growth for 2011/12 will average 3 per cent, riding high on record outputs for rice, wheat and strong trend growth in horticulture and animal husbandry.

§ Mining and quarrying sector likely to report negative growth for 2011/12 on account of weak coal output growth, restrictions imposed on iron ore production, decline in natural gas production and negative growth in crude oil output.

§ Electricity sector has performed well. It is expected to grow at 8.3 per cent during 2011/12.

§ Manufacturing and construction have been sluggish during the first three quarters of 2011/12. This may show improvement in the last quarter. The overall growth rate will be 3.9 per cent and 6.2 per cent respectively.

§ Strong growth in the services sector will continue with overall growth of 9.4 per cent for 2011/12.

§ For the year as a whole the Balance of Payment (BoP) position will be tight, this clearly indicates the need to keep the Current Account Deficit (CAD) within limits.
o CAD has weakened, averaging 3.6 per cent (annualized) of GDP in the first half of 2011/12.
o CAD for the 2011/12 is projected to be 3.6 per cent.

§ Headline inflation has shown decline since November 2011 and more strongly in January 2012. It is projected to be around 6.5 per cent at the end of March 2012. Policies-both monetary and other public policies seem to have had the desired effect.

§ Sustained high food prices particularly on account of fruit, milk, eggs, meat & fish began to get passed into the price behaviour of manufactured goods.

§ Year-on year inflation for manufactured goods rose from around 5 per cent in September 2010 to 8 per cent in September and October 2011.

§ Expansion of the fiscal deficit beyond its budgeted estimate of 4.6 per cent of GDP -an area of concern. Government must strive to contain and improve the efficacy of subsidies.


Prospects for 2012/13

§ Economy is likely to grow in the range of 7.5 to 8 per cent. Mining and manufacturing are expected to show substantial improvement in 2012/13 over the previous year.

§ Inflationary pressure will continue to ease through 2012/13 and will remain around 5-6 per cent for the year.

§ Vigil to be kept on food prices-focus on production as well as rolling out of adequate food logistics network.

§ Greater need to invest in the infrastructure for both capacity creation as well as operational performance in coal, power, roads and railways.

§ Need to make adjustments on sale of refined petroleum products to reduce the huge burden of subsidy.

§ In the year 2012/13 CAD is projected to be around 3.0 per cent of GDP.

§ Efforts be made to keep the CAD between 2.0 and 2.5 per cent of GDP over the medium term.

§ Capital inflows particularly in the form of equity must be encouraged along with improved domestic conditions for investment and growth.

§ Government must effectively lay out a road map to achieve fiscal consolidation.

§ Government borrowing programme must not affect the financing needs of the private sector.

§ For the overall macroeconomic stability, attention must be paid to prices, exchange rate and fiscal balances

Home Minister P. Chidambaram's note to Chief Ministers on the NCTC.

1. This note deals with the genesis, objectives, structure and powers of the proposed NCTC. A Group of Ministers (2001) that reviewed the internal security system in the aftermath of the Kargil conflict had recommended establishment of a Multi Agency Centre (MAC), a permanent Joint Task Force on Intelligence (JTFI) and an Inter State Intelligence Support System (INSIST). The recommendations were broadly accepted by the then Government. The Second Administrative Reforms Commission (8th Report, 2008) had recommended that the Multi Agency Centre should be converted into a National Centre for Counter Terrorism with personnel drawn from different intelligence and security agencies.

2. The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act was made in 1967. By amending Act 29 of 2004, section 2(e) was inserted enabling the Central Government to specify a “Designated Authority.” This came into force on 21.9.2004. Subsequently, by amending Act 35 of 2008 some more amendments were made to the parent Act, and section 43A to section 43F were inserted in the Act. These amendments came into force on 31.12.2008.

3. Reference has been made to section 43A. That section enables the Central government to empower any officer of the Designated Authority under certain circumstances. The circumstances are that the officer knows that a person has committed an offence under UA(P)A or knows of a design by a person to commit any offence under UA(P)A. In those circumstances alone, the officer would have the power to arrest and the power to search. However, section 43A has to be read along with section 43B and in particular sub-sections (2) and (3) of section 43B which read as follows: “(2) Every person arrested and article seized under section 43A shall be forwarded without unnecessary delay to the officer in charge of the nearest police station. (3) The authority or officer to whom any person or article is forwarded under sub-section (2) shall, with all convenient dispatch, take such measures as may be necessary in accordance with the provisions of the Code.”

4. When the Bill was introduced in December, 2008 to amend UA(P)A, it was passed by both Houses of Parliament. There was no demur or opposition to either section 43A or the other amendments.

5. Until now, there was no appropriate body which could be specified as the “Designated Authority” under section 2(e) or upon which powers could be conferred under section 43A. When the Cabinet Committee on Security approved the setting up of NCTC, it also decided that the Director, NCTC may be specified as the “Designated Authority” and the officers of the Operations division of the NCTC may be given the powers under section 43A.

6. NCTC's mandate is to draw up plans and coordinate action for counter terrorism. Its duties and functions are confined to counter terrorism. The Office Memorandum dated 3.2.2012 provides for a Standing Council consisting of the Director, NCTC, the three Joint Directors, NCTC and the Heads of the Anti-Terrorist Organisation or Force in each State. The Standing Council shall meet as often as necessary and may also meet through video conference. The Standing Council shall ensure that NCTC is the single and effective point of control and coordination of all counter terrorism measures (para 6.1).

7. As regards the power to seek information (para 3.5), that power is already available with the Multi Agency Centre and it is now proposed to subsume MAC in the NCTC. Hence, no new power is envisaged.

8. A body mandated to deal with counter terrorism must have, in certain circumstances, an operational capability. This is true of all counter terrorism bodies in the world. When engaged in counter terrorism operations, the officers must have the power to arrest and the power to search which are the bare minimum powers that would be necessary. Besides, the powers conferred under section 43A must be read with the duty under section 43B to produce the person or article without unnecessary delay before the nearest police station (which will be under the State government), and the SHO of the Police Station will take further action in accordance with the provisions of the CrPC.

9. It may be noted that the powers under section 2(e) and section 43A are available to both the Central government and the State governments.

10. A law to deal with terrorism such as UA(P)A is within the legislative competence of Parliament and similar laws (TADA and POTA) have been upheld by the Supreme Court. Both Act 29 of 2004 and Act 35 of 2008 that amended UA(P)A were passed by Parliament. There was no objection to either section 2(e) or section 43A. All that the Central government has done in the Office Memorandum dated 3.2.2012 is to notify the setting up of the NCTC; to specify its duties and functions; to outline its structure; and to confer minimum powers that are required for any counter terrorism body.

11. As regards the location of the NCTC, after considering different options, the Cabinet Committee on Security decided to place it within the Intelligence Bureau (IB). In this regard, government was guided by the recommendations of the Group of Ministers (2001) that IB shall be “the nodal intelligence agency for counter intelligence and counter terrorism within the country.”

INDIAN OCEAN NAVAL SYMPOSIUM

  • 'IONS' provides a regional forum through which the 'Chiefs-of-Navy' of all the littoral states of the IOR can periodically meet to constructively engage one another through the creation and promotion of regionally relevant mechanisms, events, and activities. (Within the context of 'IONS', the term 'Chief-of-Navy' is used in a generic sense. Consequently, for such countries as do not possess a formally established 'navy', the term is applicable to the 'head of the principal maritime agency').
  • The primary aim of 'IONS' is to sustain a regionally relevant, consultative forum within which the navies (and/or the principal maritime agencies responsible for maritime security) of the littoral States of the Indian Ocean Region, along with such other relevant maritime entities as may be agreed upon from time-to-time by the members, can discuss issues and concerns that bear upon maritime security, with a view to arriving at agreed courses of action on trans-national issues, based upon a common understanding of the regional maritime security environment.

Objectives

  1. To promote a shared understanding of issues and concerns relevant to the Indian Ocean Region, which bear upon maritime security.
  2. To strengthen the capability of all nation-states of the Indian Ocean Region to address present and anticipated challenges to maritime security and stability.
  3. To establish and promote a variety of trans-national, maritime, consultative and cooperative mechanisms, designed to address and mitigate maritime security-concerns of the Indian Ocean Region.
  4. To develop interoperability in terms of doctrines, strategies, procedures, organisational and logistic systems, and, operational processes, so as to promote the provision of speedy, responsive, and effective Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster-Relief (HADR) throughout the Indian Ocean Region

Tropical Legumes II

  • Tropical legumes are one of the major components of farming systems in smallholder agriculture of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and South Asia (SA). 
  • In spite of their importance, productivity of these crops has remained stagnant or even declined over the years, particularly in SSA, because of such constraints as drought, pest and disease problems, and unavailability and lack of access to quality seed of improved varieties.
  • Tropical Legumes-II is a joint initiative of three international agricultural research centres, viz. ICRISAT (chickpea, groundnut and pigeonpea), IITA (cowpea & soybean), and CIAT (common bean) that aims to increase productivity and production of legumes and the income of poor farmers in SSA and SA by 15 percent, with improved varieties occupying 30 percent of the total area planted by some 57 million poor farmers in the coming 10 years. It is expected that this will result in an additional value gain of more than US$ 300 million during that period. 
  • The project’s strategy is to fast track testing and adoption of existing varieties and advanced breeding lines for use by famers; generate new farmer- and market-preferred varieties and hybrids with desirable traits (high yields, tolerance to moisture stress, and resistance to pests and diseases); and establish decentralized, pro-poor seed production and delivery systems. 
  • All activities will be carried out in full partnership with NARS of nine countries, including Mali, Niger and Nigeria in western and central Africa; Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania in eastern and southern Africa; and India in South Asia. 
  • The project puts very high emphasis on capacity building for the NARS in terms of both human resources and infrastructure. Each NARS in the pilot countries would be enabled to have a fully functional national programme for each crop, with a total of 47 researchers (12 PhD and 35 MSc) trained within the next 3 years. 
  • The project management is with ICRISAT (on behalf CIAT and IITA), and the participating NARS partners, including private sector seed companies and NGOs.

President gives her assent to GTA Bill

  • The President gave her assent to the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) Bill for setting up a new hill council in Darjeeling hills of West Bengal. 
  • Giving this information in Kolkata, the State Chief Secretary Mr.Samar Ghosh said that the process of the formation of the GTA will start after issuance of Gazette notification from Raj Bhavan. Mr. Ghosh said that whatever was in the agreement of the GTA has finally been retained in the bill.
  •  He said that the election to the GTA will be completed within three months from the date of publication of Gazette notification.
  • Gorakhaland Territorial administration bill was passed in the West Bengal assembly in September last year. The tripartite agreement on GTA was signed on July last year in presence of HOme Minister P. Chidambaram, State Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Gorkha Jana Mukhti Morcha Chief Mr. Bimal Gurung.

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Putin wins presidential election marred by reports of violations

  • Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has won Russia's presidential election
  • Mr. Putin has got 62 per cent of the 85 per cent votes counted, the Central Election Commission said. Exit polls conducted by two leading pollsters gave Mr. Putin 58-59 per cent. Mr. Putin needed to win more than 50 per cent to avoid a runoff. 
  • The election was marred by reports of large-scale violations. Opposition activists and observers have reported thousands of violations that involved multiple voting, known here as “carousels” — voting without proper documents and non-admission of monitors to polling stations.
  • For Mr. Putin, 59, it will be his third term as President. He stepped down four years ago because of a Constitutional limit, promoting his protégé Dmitry Medvedev to succeed him. 
  • Mr. Putin has promised to appoint Mr. Medvedev as Prime Minister after the election.

What is Afro-Asian Rural Development Organization (AARDO)?

AARDO, formed in 1962, is an autonomous inter-governmental organisation comprising thirty members from Africa and Asia. AARDO is devoted to develop understanding among members for better appreciation of each others' problems and to explore, collectively, opportunities for coordination of efforts for promoting welfare and eradication of thirst, hunger, illiteracy, disease and poverty amongst rural people.

Saturday, March 3, 2012

N. Korea has agreed to n-moratorium: U.S.

  • United States officials on Wednesday confirmed that North Korea has agreed to halt nuclear tests and activities and implement a moratorium on nuclear and long-range missile development in exchange for a U.S. package of 240,000 metric tonnes of food aid.
  • The North Korean agreement would include suspension of uranium enrichment activities at Yongbyon and also permission for International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors to return “to verify and monitor the moratorium on uranium enrichment activities... and confirm the disablement of the 5-MW reactor and associated facilities”.

James Murdoch quits News International

  • The News of the World phone-hacking scandal on Wednesday claimed its biggest scalp yet when James Murdoch, Rupert Murdoch’s heir apparent, dramatically resigned as executive chairman of News International, publisher of The Times, The Sunday Times and The Sun, amid fresh allegations that he attempted to cover-up the scandal.
  • Last year, its chief executive Rebekah Brooks was forced to resign over her role in hushing up the affair. She was arrested and is on bail. 
  • Officially, the line was that Mr Murdoch (39), who joined News International five years ago, had quit to concentrate on his role as deputy chief operating officer of its parent company, the New York-based News Corporation, and play a bigger role in the company’s television business which includes Star TV and the Sky network.

Occupy London

  • Occupy London developed into a non-violent protest and demonstration against economic inequality. 
  • Its original remit however was to unite workers and unemployed alike in order to bring to the fore, the lack of affordability of housing in the United Kingdom, social injustice, corporate greed and the influence of companies and lobbyists on government taking place in London, United Kingdom, which started on 15 October 2011. 
  • Many of the original protestors became disillusioned by a lack of representation for views other than those of the unemployed and much of the movements original momentum and support was inevitably lost. 
  • Thwarted in their original aim to camp outside the London Stock Exchange, a camp was set up nearby next to St Paul's Cathedral.
  • The protests began in solidarity with the Occupy Wall Street protests in New York, United States.
  • The Occupy London protests are backed by the tax avoidance protest group UK Uncut

India needs ‘NonAlignment 2.0', new policy report says

  • Warning that the time for India to get its act together is now because of the favourable growth prospects, demographic profile and international environment it faces — all of which may subsequently change — a group of foreign policy experts released a report
  • NonAlignment 2.0: A foreign and strategic policy for India in the 21st century, which identifies the basic principles and drivers that would make the country a leading player on the world stage while preserving its strategic autonomy and value system.
  • As the report reiterated several times, the trends for India to extend its global role and influence are favourable but time is of essence. The basic structures suggested by the report must be quickly implemented because the “underlying factors that are propitious for our growth may not last long.” But the authors say India's big challenge will be to aim at not just being powerful but to set new standards for what the powerful must do, because in international relations, “idealism not backed by power can be self-defeating and power not backed by the power of ideas can be blind.” India's legitimacy in the world will come from its ability to stand for the highest human and universal values and at the global level, “India must remain true to its aspiration of creating a new and alternative universality.” 
  • In a situation where the world is no longer bifurcated between two dominant powers, nonalignment today will require managing complicated coalitions and opportunities in an environment that is not structurally settled, the report say. But former NSA Brajesh Mishra, who spoke at the launch, questioned the approach of the report, especially its view that India not take sides in the rivalry between China and the U.S. China's approach was that of the Middle Kingdom, it wants to be number one, and India's priority should be to build a closer partnership with Washington. 
  • The report deals with India's approach towards the ‘Asian theatre,' the international order, hardpower, internal security, non-conventional security issues like energy and nuclear options, the knowledge and information foundations of power as well as the state and democracy.
  • The report emphasises that for its strategic and foreign policy to be successful, India must sustain domestic economic growth, social inclusion and democracy. Its approach must be to secure the maximum space possible for its own economic growth in order for the country to become reasonably prosperous and equitable. Although India's competitors will put roadblocks in its path, “the foundations of India's success will depend on its developmental model.”

India, China move to maritime cooperation

  • India and China have decided to open a new chapter in bilateral cooperation by agreeing to undertake joint operations against pirates and sharing technological know how on seabed research.
  • The first proposal seeks to involve the Coast Guards, the navies and air forces in action against pirates. The modalities will be worked out by a joint group that will include the two Foreign Offices, besides the Ministries of Defence, Shipping and Oceanography.
  • The talks also touched an area of acute anxiety to the Chinese — the possibility of protesting Tibetans stealing the limelight during the month-end BRICS summit here at a time of heightened tensions in the Chinese province.
  • China had cancelled high-level border talks in November last after India declined to withdraw permission for an international Buddhist conference planned around the same time.
  • Second proposal — sharing technological know how on seabed research falling outside the domain of coastal countries — is aimed at dousing India's apprehensions after Beijing was permitted by the International Seabed Authority to explore in south-west Indian Ocean.
  • Highly placed sources put a great deal of stress on the proposal of joint operations against pirates, especially after China and India exchanged sharp statements over ONGC taking up exploration in the disputed South China Sea.

Agni V to be test-fired soon



  • It will have a range of 5,000 km and can carry a one-tonne nuclear war head
  • Agni V, the surface-to surface nuclear missile that is expected to give more teeth to India's deterrence programme, is likely to be test-fired for the first time in the last week of March or the first week of April from the Wheeler Island, off the coast of Odisha.
  • Countries across the world have been keenly watching India's progress in developing this missile, which will have a range of 5,000 km and is capable of carrying a one-tonne nuclear war head. Weighing 50 tonnes, the 17.2-metre-long missile, with a diameter of two metres, will have three stages, all fired by solid fuel.

Health to be allotted 2.5 p.c. of GDP by end of Plan

  • A high-level meeting at the Prime Minister's Office decided on Wednesday to increase the total government expenditure on the health sector to 2.5 per cent of the GDP by the end of the coming 12th Plan period, from the current level of around 1.4 per cent of the GDP.

Shenzhou 9

Shenzhou 9 is a planned manned flight of China's Shenzhou program that is scheduled for launch no earlier then June 2012. Shenzhou 9 will be the second spacecraft to dock with the Tiangong 1 space station, and the first manned docking. The aim of the mission will be to perform a docking with the Tiangong 1 (an unmanned space laboratory module). This mission will be followed by the manned Shenzhou 10 which is planned to be launched in 2012 as well.

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Agra Fort

  • India is home to 21 World Heritage sites and Agra Fort is one among them. 
  • This culturally and architecturally important monument was completed in 1573. Originally, it was a brick fort known as Badalgarh. 
  • When the Moghul ruler Akbar made Agra his capital, he had the ruined fort rebuilt in red sandstone brought from Rajasthan. 
  • It was here that the famous diamond Koh-i-noor was found amidst hidden treasure. 
  • It is believed that some 1,444,000 builders worked on it for eight years. Within its 2.5 km-long enclosure walls, it houses many palaces, two mosques, gardens and audience halls. Some 500 buildings inspired by Bengali and Gujarati architecture were built in the fort. These were later demolished by Shah Jahan who built his white marble palaces. Today, it stands imperially overlooking the majestic Taj Mahal.
Other heritage sites in India

http://fp.thesalmons.org/lynn/wh-india.html