India Prepares CONTENTS Volume 1 Issue 8 June 2012 1. The unfolding RNI No.-DELENG/2011/39748 Rethinking Social Sector ...... 3 Owner, Printer and Publisher: 2. interview—Dr. Shantanu Atul Kumar Garg Meeting the Stars ...... 17 Editor: 3. NATIONAL BULLETIN Sonal Vats The abc of RTE ...... 19 National News...... 22 Senior Advisor : Neelam Nandan 4. INTERNATIONAL BULLETIN International News...... 30 Editorial Team : Dr Jayant Rai 5. BILATERAL BULLETIN Dr S.K. Gupta Indo-Bangladesh Relations...... 36 Pratibha Patil’s visit to African Continent ...... 37 Kuldeep Singh Bilateral News...... 39 Amit Shankar Raghunath Panigrahi 6. ECONOMY@ IP Surendra Pandey General Anti Avoidance Rules (GAAR) ...... 44 Fidel Castro Balancing Inflation and Growth in India: Need of the Hour.... 46 Sushant Singh Economy News...... 48 S.K. Jahiruddin 7. SCIENCE SPECTRUM 1 Designing and Graphics India’s Deterrence Comes a Full Circle: Agni-V...... 53 Ranvir Singh - 09818972982 RISAT -I ...... 54 Science News...... 56 Place of Publication: 8. HEALTH ISSUE A-3/6, 2nd floor, Mianwali Nagar Family Planning in India...... 63 Paschim Vihar, New Delhi-110087 Ph. no’s : 09810949873, 9. ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY 9899751545, 9873304730 Indian River Linking Project: Recent Judgment and Email: [email protected] its Implication ...... 65 Printing Press: 10. PERSPECTIVES M/S Rolleract Press Services Debating National Security of the NCTC?...... 68 C-163, Ground Floor, 11. INSPIRATIONS@IP Naraina Industrial Area The People’s President, Dr. Abdul Kalam ...... 71 Phase - I, New Delhi-110028 12. MOSAIC For Advertisement Re-Igniting The Past- Celebrating 150th Anniversary Enquiry, Contact of Tagore, Vivekanand and Malviya...... 73 Atul Garg : 09810949873 or 13. KNOW IT ALL ...... 76 Mail : [email protected] 14. QUESTIONS@ IP pt-2012 analysis and solutions ...... 85 HELP MAIL SERVICE [email protected] INDIA PREPARES Editor’s Note Dear Readers

The first stage of the civil services exam 2012 is over and now it is time to concentrate and plan for the second stage. The four months of June, July, August and September happen to be the most crucial months in civil services preparation. It is precisely one’s mains’ score that matters the most in the final list. So, hit the floor right away.

Many of the students, especially those who are not very sure of their PT stage performance are in a dilemma whether to start preparing for the next stage in June or wait for the results due in August. Honestly speaking, waiting for the results can be the biggest mistake. The syllabus for Mains stage is huge and cannot be covered in 2 months. This is for sure that those who waste June and July have very little chance of clearing the mains stage.

In fact, June is the month when there is no pressure on the candidates and they can really work on new things to improve the quality of their studies. One can experiment in June but not later. It is a time when students can work on their weak 2 points and rectify the mistakes they have done in the earlier attempts.

It has been observed that most of the successful candidates finish one of their subjects and atleast one paper of the GS before the announcement of the results. So it is advisable for the students that they start with one of their subjects in the first week of June itself. This way you will have ample time to revise the syllabus in September.

Another trend that is observed is that candidates leave their current affairs part for the last one month of preparation. This can actually prove to be disastrous. Current affairs are something which should always remain the part of your studies. In the last month, there are many more things to do, so try toto keep it simple and easy for then.

We’ll keep you updated with all the latest news and buzz to help you prepare best. Till then, keep reading and keep enjoying.

Best of luck Sonal Vats (Editor) INDIA PREPARES The Unfolding Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

The unfolding... RETHINKING SOCIAL SECTOR

G.S Mains examination forms the core of the Mains stage of Civil Services examination. Over the years, the general perception developing is that exam is becoming more and more unpredictable, extensive and quite exhaustive, with students being left baffled as to what to study and from where? A closer view, however presents a different reality. The examination is no doubt becoming ever extensive but the issues and questions asked are very much based on our everyday happenings. When earlier the focus was on observant knowledge, the focus now is on analytical understanding, a paradigm shift from “what is” to “why it is and how it is”. The examiner not only wants to know how much we know but also how much have we thought it through. There are four critical areas in G.S. Mains apart from the conventional bit about history, polity, geography, and statistics. These are Social Issues( which in major part includes various Government sponsored welfare schemes), Bilateral and Multilateral relations, India’s Foreign Policy and Science and Technology. India Prepares will be delving into each of these core areas in its coming four issues starting with Social sector analysis in this very copy. We would be providing you with in-depth analysis of all the major flagship programmes of the government, various revamped schemes, the proposed changes, renewed targets and achievements, so on and so forth. We would also look into the issue as to why the budgetary allocations to social sectors are growing but without any commensurate increase in welfare benefts to the masses.

The ethos of planning in India has into consideration. During the 60’s, guided by the market forces and liberal always been people centric. When India 70’s and 80’s, most of the focus was, policies. The emphasis is on autonomy became independent in 1947, Jawaharlal however, put on accelerating economic and effciency induced by competition. Nehru stressed the importance of the growth, savings and investments. This We cannot remain untouched by these task that lay ahead of ending poverty, was nothing unique to India, but was the trends. We have to draw lessons from the 3 ignorance, disease and inequality of dominating approach to development in development experience of other nations opportunity. As the 1st Five Year Plan most developing countries, as the belief during the last four decades.” (FYP) was launched, it however did not in the trickle-down effect to solve the Inspired by the publication of the spell out any specific planning strategy issue of poverty was strong. first Global HDR, it was at the same linking sectoral investment proposals The inadequacy of tackling poverty time recognised that these liberalisation to the objective of the plan. But in the through this strategy was recognised by efforts should be combined with a more 2nd FYP, the principles of ‘socialistic the Government of India: “The equity direct focus on human development: pattern of society’ underlay the planning objective was sought to be pursued “Human development will be the ultimate strategy and emphasised social gain. It through redistribution of assets. But, goal of the Eighth Plan. It is towards put stress on raising standards of living land reforms could not be implemented this that employment generation, by raising national income through a effectively. The problem of poverty could population control, literacy, education, rapid industrialisation process with focus not be tackled through growth, which health, drinking water and provision of on heavy industry. This was expected to itself was slow over a long period of adequate food and basic infrastructure generate employment opportunities and time.” are listed as the priorities.” reduce inequalities in society through trickling down to the poorer sections in During the 1990s, India introduced Beginning with the 8th FYP, the society. economic reforms, aiming at liberalising Five Year Plans continue to be firmly set the economy through various initiatives. within the human development paradigm. The plan also placed emphasis As stated in the 8th FYP (1992-1997): Addressing human development in India on comprehensive village planning, “The Eighth Plan is being launched at is of vital importance since a large taking the more vulnerable parts of the a time, which marks a turning point portion of the population is living below population, such as landless farmers in both international and domestic the poverty line, and income inequalities and artisans into account. It was, in economic environment. Centralised are rising by the day. This articulation addition, pointed out that national economies are disintegrating all over which was essential in 1990s in India planning should always be carried out in the world. On the other hand, economies as the country was opening up its a manner, which takes the programmes of several regions are integrating under economy, is extremely relevant today for of the national, State and district plans a common philosophy of growth, policy planners to continue focussing on INDIA PREPARES The Unfolding Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012 people who may be excluded from market For growth to be inclusive it must which 60.45 crore were women (49.40 oriented growth. create adequate livelihood opportunities per cent), 27.27 crore (22.62 per cent) Social sector of the economy and add to decent employment SCs, and 20.97 crore (17.13 per cent) STs. provides various social services, such commensurate with the expectations of At national level, the average wage paid as Education, scientifc research, urban a growing labour force. The Eleventh Five under the MGNREGA has increased from development, health & medical facilities, Year Plan (2007-12) aimed at generation ` 65 in FY 2006-7 to `120 in FY 2011-12 family welfare, housing, labour & of 58 million work opportunities. The (up to November 2011). This has led to employment, welfare of backward castes NSSO quinquennial survey has reported substantial increase in purchasing power and others. an increase in work opportunities to the leading to strengthening of the livelihood tune of 18 million under the current daily resource base of the rural poor in India. POVERTY AND UNEMPLOYMENT status (CDS) between 2004-5 and 2009- The MGNREGA has successfully raised the Whatever the defnition, poverty remains 10. bargaining power of agricultural labour, massive. While offcial fgures give The MGNREGA resulting in higher agricultural wages, credence to the claim that “economic improved economic outcomes, and This flagship programme of the growth necessarily leads to poverty reduction in distress migration. However, Government of India aims at enhancing reduction”, a careful look at them tells with better planning of project design livelihood security of households in a different story about the impact of and capacity building of the panchayati rural areas of the country by providing structural adjustment and liberalisation. raj institutions (PRIs), pitfalls in at least one hundred days of guaranteed After two decade of liberalisation, the implementation could be plugged to a wage employment in a fnancial year to promise of ‘economic growth with justice’ great extent and the assets so created every household whose adult members seems eternally postponed. There is could make a much larger contribution to volunteer to do unskilled manual work. increasing inequality between rich and increasing land productivity. It also mandates 1/3 participation for poor and urban and rural people. Dalits women. The primary objective of the While the overall performance of the and tribals are increasingly marginalised. scheme is to augment wage employment. MGNREGA has been good, there is scope Poverty in terms of total numbers has not This is to be done while also focusing for improvements like focused planning, decreased, employment opportunities on strengthening natural resource shifting to permanent asset and have decreased, and more people are management through works that address infrastructure building activities, skill being pushed into the informal sector causes of chronic poverty like drought, upgradation for enhanced employability, 4 without any legislative protection or deforestation, and soil erosion and thus reducing transaction costs, better safety nets. Human rights violations encourage sustainable development. The monitoring, avoiding peak seasons in against the tribal and Dalit communities MGNREGA was notifed in 200 districts agriculture, and extension to urban areas. have increased. in the frst phase with effect from 2 Swarnjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana Government commitments to the February 2006 and then extended to an The Swarnjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana right to justice, equality and liberty additional 130 districts in the fnancial (SGSY) is a self-employment programme enshrined in the Constitution are laudable year 2007-8. The remaining districts with with the objective of helping poor but not suffcient. They must be put into rural areas were brought under the Act rural families cross the poverty line practice. The State faces a major challenge with effect from 1 April 2008. by assisting them to take up income- in formulating and implementing public About 3.80 crore households have generating economic activities through policies that promote the accessibility, been provided employment under the a mix of bank credit and government affordability and availability (the three programme. During the same period, subsidy. The SGSY specially focuses on A’s) of basic social services to tens of 122.37 crore person days employment has vulnerable sections among the rural poor millions of citizens still living below the been generated across the country out of with SCs/STs to account for at least 50 poverty line.

New initiatives in MGNREGA- (a) To strengthen transparency and accountability in the implementation of the MGNREGA, the government has initiated a service delivery project for information and communications technology (ICT) and biometrics-related works of the MGNREGA on public-private partnership (PPP) basis. (b)Wage rate: In pursuance of the announcement in Budget 2009-10 to provide a real wage of Rs 100 per day as an entitlement under the MGNREGA, the Government of India had set up a committee for developing an index for fxing MGNREGA wage rates and their periodic revision. Its report is awaited. Till such time a satisfactory index is proposed by the committee and accepted by the government, the Government of India has taken a decision to index wage rates notifed under MGNREGA to the consumer price index for agricultural labour. Accordingly, the revised wage rates under sub-section (1) of Section (6) of the MGNREGA 2005 have been notifed on 14 January 2011. INDIA PREPARES The Unfolding Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

per cent and women 40 per cent of the functionaries, bankers, NGOs, and April 2009 to include the Urban Self swarozgaris. other key stakeholders; Employment Programme (USEP), Urban From its inception in April 1999 up (d) Subsidy to be available in the form Women Self-help Programme (UWSP), to September 2011, 42.05 lakh self-help of revolving fund and capital subsidy Skill Training for Employment Promotion groups (SHGs) have been formed under as an incentive for inculcating the amongst Urban Poor (STEP-UP), Urban the SGSY, of which 29.38 lakh SHGs habit of thrift and accumulation of Wage Employment Programme (UWEP), passed Grade I and 14.16 lakh passed their own funds towards meeting and Urban Community Development Grade II with women SHGs accounting their credit needs in the long run and Network (UCDN). for about 60 per cent of the total. During immediate consumption needs in the Aam Admi Bima Yojana (AABY): this period, a total of about 168.46 short run; Under this scheme launched on 2 October lakh swarojgaris have been assisted (e) To work towards universal fnancial 2007, insurance is provided against with bank credit and subsidy. Under the inclusion beyond basic banking natural as well as accidental and partial special project component of the SGSY, services to all poor households, /permanent disability of the head of a placement-linked skill development SHGs, and their federations on both the family of rural landless households programme has been taken up with the demand and supply sides of in the country. Under the scheme, the 148 projects sanctioned/approved so fnancial inclusion; head of the family or an earning member far. About 4 lakh youth have already is eligible for receiving the beneft of ` been trained / are under training and (f) In order to ensure affordable credit, the NRLM has a provision for subsidy 30,000 in case of natural death, 75,000 3 lakh placed so far. In each district of for accidental death, ` 75,000 for total the country, one Rural Self Employment on interest rates above 7 per cent per annum for all eligible SHGs who have permanent disability, and ` 37,500 for Training Institute (RSETI) has to be partial permanent disability. set up for basic and skill development availed of loans from mainstream training of rural below poverty line fnancial institutions, based on Janashree Bima Yojana (JBY): (BPL) youth to enable them to undertake prompt loan repayment; The JBY was launched on 10 August micro-enterprise and wage employment. (g) To look at stabilizing and enhancing 2000 to provide life insurance protection The SGSY has now been restructured existing livelihoods and subsequently to rural and urban persons living below as the National Rural Livelihoods Mission diversifying them; and marginally above the poverty line. 5 (NRLM). The NRLM aims at reducing (h) To develop backward and forward Persons between ages 18 and 59 years poverty by enabling poor households linkages and support business plans; and who are the members of the 45 identifed occupational groups are to access gainful self-employment and (i) to pursue skill upgradation and skilled wage employment opportunities. eligible for participation in this policy. placement projects through The scheme provides coverage of 30,000 This should result in appreciable partnership mode, with the National improvement in their livelihoods on in case of natural death, ` 75,000 in case Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) of death or total permanent disability a sustainable basis through building being one of the leading partners in strong and sustainable grassroots due to accident, and ` 37,500 in case of this effort and 15 per cent of the partial permanent disability. institutions. The salient features of the central allocation under the NRLM NRLM are: earmarked for this purpose; and Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY): (a) At least one member from each (j) 5 per cent of the central allocation identifed rural poor household, to be earmarked for innovations. The RSBY was launched on 01 October preferably a woman, to be brought 2007 to provide smart card-based Swarna Jayanti Shahari Rozgar Yojana under the SHG network in a time- cashless health insurance cover of bound manner, the ultimate target The Swarna Jayanti Shahari Rozgar ` 30,000 per family per annum on a being100 per cent coverage of BPL Yojana (SJSRY) was launched by the family floater basis to BPL families (a families; Government of India on 1 December unit of fve) in the unorganized sector. 1997 to provide gainful employment (b) Setting up of strong institutions of The scheme became operational from to the urban unemployed and the poor such as SHGs for reducing 01 April 2008. The premium is shared underemployed by encouraging the dependence on external agencies; on 75:25 basis by the centre and state setting up of self-employment ventures governments. In the case of the north- (c) a multi-pronged approach envisaged or provision of wage employment. This eastern states and Jammu and Kashmir, for continuous capacity building scheme subsumed the earlier three the premium is shared in a 90:10 ratio. of the targeted families, SHGs, urban poverty-alleviation programmes The scheme provides for portability of their federations, government and was also revamped with effect from smart cards by splitting the card value for migrant workers. INDIA PREPARES The Unfolding Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

The Unorganized Workers Social Secu- Programmes for achieving this include In order to give effect to the rity Act 2008: the following: policy initiatives mentioned in the The Act came into force from 16 May Bharat Nirman Eleventh Five Year Plan document, the guidelines for the Rural Water 2009 with the objective of providing This programme, launched in 2005- social security to unorganized workers. Supply Programme were revised in 6 for building infrastructure and 2009 and renamed the National The Unorganized Workers’ Social Security basic amenities in rural areas, has six Rules 2009 have also been framed. Rural Drinking Water Programme components, namely rural housing, (NRDWP). The Jalmani programme, Constitution of the National Social irrigation potential, drinking water, Security Board in 2009 was another a scheme to provide 100 per cent rural roads, electrifcation, and rural assistance to states for installing signifcant step. The Board recommended telephony. A goal has been set to that social security schemes, namely the stand-alone water purifcation provide connectivity to all villages with systems in schools in rural areas was RSBY providing health insurance, JBY a population of 1000 (500 in hilly or providing death and disability cover and launched in 2008-9. In pursuance of tribal areas) with all-weather roads. the same, ` 200 crore was released Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension New connectivity is proposed to a total Scheme (IGNOAPS) providing old age to states in 2008-9 and 2009-10 to of 63,940 habitations under Bharat cover 1 lakh schools. So far about pension be extended to building and Nirman. This will involve construction of other construction workers, MGNREGA 65,503 schools have been covered 189,897 km of rural roads. In addition, under this scheme. workers, Asha workers, Anganwadi Bharat Nirman envisages upgradation / workers and helpers, porters/coolies/ renewal of 194,130 km of existing rural Rural Sanitation—Total Sanitation gangmen, and casual and daily wagers. roads. Under the rural roads component Campaign (TSC): National Social Security Fund: of Bharat Nirman, 42,249 habitations The TSC is one of the flagship A National Social Security Fund for have been provided all-weather road programmes of the government. Unorganized Sector Workers with initial connectivity up to December 2011 The TSC follows a community-led allocation of ` 1000 crore has been set and projects for connecting 16,126 and people-centric approach, laying up. This Fund will support schemes for habitations are at different stages of emphasis on information, education, weavers, toddy tappers, rickshaw pullers, implementation. and communication (IEC) for demand 6 bidi workers, etc Indira Awaas Yojana( IAY): The generation for sanitation facilities. To IAY is one of the six components of motivate the community towards creating Bilateral Social Security Agree- sustainable sanitation facilities and ments: the Bharat Nirman programme. During 2010-11, as against the target of their usage, the incentive for Individual Bilateral social security agreements have 29.09 lakh houses, 27.15 lakh houses household latrines for BPL households been signed with Belgium, Switzerland, were constructed. Since the inception has been increased from `2200 (`2700 for the Netherlands, Denmark, and Norway of the scheme, 271 lakh houses have hilly and diffcult areas) to `3200 (`3700 to protect the interests of expatriate been completed till September 2011. for hilly and diffcult areas) with effect workers and companies on a reciprocal The unit assistance provided to rural from 1 June 2011. With the scaling up of basis. These agreements help workers BPL households for construction of a the TSC, combined with higher resource by providing exemption from social dwelling unit under the IAY has been allocation, programme implementation security contribution in case of posting, revised with effect from 1 April 2010 has improved substantially. totalization of contribution period, from ` 35,000 to ` 45,000 for plain areas A signifcant achievement has and exportability of pension in case of and from ` 38,500 to ` 48,500 for hilly/ also been the construction of 11.64 relocation to the home country or any diffcult areas lakh school toilet units and 3.94 lakh third country. Rural drinking water: Drinking Anganwadi toilets. This has led to INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELPOMENT water supply is one of the components substantial increase in rural sanitation coverage from 21.9 per cent in 2001 to The Government of India has been of Bharat Nirman. The present status about 85.95 per cent as of January 2012 according high priority over the years of provision of safe drinking water in as per the progress reported by states. to building rural infrastructure with rural areas as measured by habitations the objective of facilitating a higher where the population is fully covered, The TSC has now turned into an degree of rural-urban integration as per information reported by the inclusive programme, with participation and for achieving an even pattern of states is that about 72 per cent of of all sections of society. Provision growth and opportunities for the poor rural habitations are fully covered. The of earmarked funds has been made and disadvantaged sections of society. rest are either partially covered or have for SCs and STs for inclusive growth chemically contaminated drinking water of all sections of society. The active sources. participation of women and adolescent INDIA PREPARES The Unfolding Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

girls in the sanitation programme crore from the state governments who A new strategic framework for skill has been encouraged with special draw on it. development for early school leavers and components for them. The Nirmal Gram Affordable Housing in Partnership existing workers has been developed Puraskar (NGP) incentive scheme has (AHIP): since May 2007 in close consultation been launched to encourage PRIs to take with industry, state governments, and up sanitation promotion. The award is The government has launched the AHIP experts. for construction of one million houses given to those PRIs that attain a 100 per EDUCATION cent open defecation-free environment. for EWS/LIG/MIG with at least 25 per A total of 25,145 gram panchayats, 166 cent reserved for the EWS category. India is now graduating to an economy intermediate panchayats, and 10 district The scheme aims at partnership with middle- heavy population. To panchayats have received the award in between various agencies/ government/ reap the benefts of this demographic the last six years. Sikkim has become the parastatals/ urban local bodies/ dividend to the full, India has to provide frst state to receive the award. developers for realizing the goal of education to its population and that too affordable housing for all. quality education. Trends in education Jawahar Lal Nehru National Urban have been quite encouraging. The Renewal Mission (JNNURM): Interest Subsidy Scheme for Housing the Urban Poor (ISHUP): Government is building new primary and The JNNURM has two of its four The ISHUP seeks to supplement the upper primary schools. Female literacy components devoted to shelter and basic has also jumped up. service needs of the poor. These are: Basic efforts of the government through the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA)/Right to Services to the Urban Poor (BSUP) for 65 JNNURM to comprehensively address Education (RTE): select cities and Integrated Housing & the housing shortage. Cumulatively, Slum Development Programme (IHSDP) till December 2011, 8734 benefciaries Free education for all children between for other cities and towns. All states are in Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, the ages of 6 and 14 years has been covered under the BSUP and all states Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, made a fundamental right under the RTE and UTs except Lakshadweep under the Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala have Act 2009. It mandates that every child IHSDP. been covered under the scheme. has a right to elementary education of satisfactory and equitable quality in Rajiv Awas Yojana (RAY): Integrated Low Cost Sanitation Scheme (ILCS): a formal school which satisfes certain 7 RAY is to provide support for shelter essential norms and standards. and redevelopment and creation of The ILCS aims at conversion of Note: separate article is there on RTE affordable housing stock to states that individual dry latrines into pour flush act. are willing to assign property rights to latrines, thereby liberating manual slum dwellers. RAY is to be implemented scavengers from the age-old, obnoxious National Programme for Education of in two phases: Phase I, which will be practice of manually carrying night soil. Girls at Elementary Level (NPEGEL): The guidelines were revised with effect for two years from the date of approval This is a focused intervention for from 17 January 2008. The scheme is on of the scheme (2011-13) and Phase II reaching out to the hardest to reach an all-town coverage basis irrespective which will be for the remaining period girls. It provides additional support of the population criterion and is of the Twelfth Five Year Plan (2013-17 ). for enhancing girls’ education over limited to EWS households. The scheme and above the investments for girls’ The preparatory phase of RAY, called is funded on a sharing basis, i.e. central education under the SSA, including the Slum Free City Planning Scheme, has subsidy 75 per cent, state subsidy 15 per gender sensitization of teachers, been implemented. In order to address cent, and benefciary share 10 per cent. the credit enablement of economically development of gender sensitive weaker section (EWS) and lower SKILL DEVELOPMENT material, and provision of need-based income group (LIG) households, the In addition to constituting a three-tier incentives. The scheme is implemented government has agreed to establish a institutional structure on Coordinated in educationally backward blocks (EBB) Credit Risk Guarantee Fund under RAY. Action on Skill Development consisting where rural female literacy is low. The government has also approved the of (i) the Prime Minister’s National National Programme of Mid Day Meals establishment of a Credit Risk Guarantee Council on Skill Development(NCSD), (ii) in schools: Fund Trust for low income housing National Skill Development Coordination Under the National Programme of Mid Day (CGFT) to administer and oversee the Board (NSDCB), and (iii) National Skill Meals in schools, cooked midday meals operations of the scheme. The fund will Development Corporation (NSDC), the are provided to all children attending have an initial corpus of` 1000 crore NCSD appointed an adviser to the Prime Classes I-VIII in government, local body, from the central government and ` 200 Minister in the NCSD in January 2011. government-aided, and National Child Labour Project schools. EGCs/alternate INDIA PREPARES The Unfolding Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

and innovative education centres Inclusive Education for the Disabled grassroots level, have due say and role including madarsas/ maqtabs supported at Secondary Stage (IEDSS): in its planning and implementation. under the SSA across the country are The IEDSS scheme was launched in The decentralized model of the also covered under this programme. 2009-10 replacing the earlier Integrated Mission provides PRIs a pivotal role in At present the cooked midday meal Education for Disabled Children (IEDC) implementation of the programme at provides an energy content of 450 scheme. While inclusive education for district level. calories and protein content of 12 grams disabled children at elementary level Despite the efforts of the at primary stage and an energy content is being provided under the SSA, this government in providing primary and of 700 calories and protein content scheme provides 100 per cent central elementary education, there is a lot of 20 grams at upper primary stage. assistance for inclusive education of more to be done. The Annual Status of Adequate quantity of micro-nutrients disabled children studying in Classes Education Report (ASER) by Pratham, like iron, folic acid, and vitamin A are IX-XII in mainstream government, an NGO, in its seventh annual survey of also recommended for convergence with local body, and government-aided rural children since 2005 conducted in the NRHM. schools. The aim of the scheme is to 558 districts, 16,017 villages, 327,372 Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhi- facilitate continuation of education of households, and 633,465 children yan (RMSA): children with special needs up to higher highlights many positives as well as The RMSA was launched in March 2009 secondary level. The scheme provides for negatives. with the objective of enhancing access personal requirements of the children in Higher Education the form of assistive devices, helpers, to secondary education and improving Higher education is of vital importance transport, hostel, learning material, its quality. In addition to ensuring for the country, as it is a powerful and scholarship for the girl child up to access, the quality interventions include tool for building a knowledge-based ` 3000 per disabled child per annum. ensuring all secondary schools conform twenty-frst-century society. The Indian In addition, assistance is also provided to prescribed norms, removing gender, higher education system is one of the for salary of special teachers, capacity socio-economic and disability barriers, largest in the world. To prepare for the building of teachers, making schools providing universal access to secondary challenges of the twenty-frst century, barrier free, establishment of resource level education by 2017, i.e. by the the government has taken a number rooms, and awareness and orientation. 8 end of the Twelfth Five Year Plan, and of initiatives during the Eleventh Plan achieving universal retention by 2020. Vocational Education: period focusing on improvement of The central and state governments bear The revised centrally sponsored access along with equity and excellence, 75 per cent and 25 per cent of the Vocationalisation of Secondary Education adoption of state-specifc strategies, project expenditure respectively during scheme aims to address the weaknesses enhancement of the relevance of higher the Eleventh Five Year Plan. The funding of the earlier scheme to strengthen education through curriculum reforms, pattern is in the ratio of 90:10 for the vocational education in Classes XI-XII. vocationalization, networking, and north-eastern states. Saakshar Bharat (SB)/Adult Educa- use of information technology and Model Schools Scheme: tion: distance education along with reforms in governance in higher education. A scheme for setting up 6000 model The National Literacy Mission, recast as schools as benchmarks of excellence at Saakshar Bharat (SB) launched by the A large-scale expansion in university block level with one school per block Prime Minister on 8 September 2009, education has been initiated during the was launched in November 2008 with reflects the enhanced focus on female Eleventh Five Year Plan by setting up a view to providing quality education literacy. The literacy rate according to new educational institutions comprising to talented rural children. The scheme the 2001 census was 64.83 per cent, 30 central universities, 8 new Indian has two modes of implementation: (i) improving to 74.04 per cent in 2011. The Institutes of Technology (IITs), 8 new 3500 schools are to be set up in as many literacy rate improved sharply among Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), Educationally Backward Blocks(EBBs) females as compared to males. 10 new National Institutes of Technology through state/UT governments and (ii) (NITs), 20 new Indian Institutes of the remaining 2500 schools are to be set Literacy levels remain uneven information Technology (IIITs), 3 new up under PPP mode in blocks that are across states, districts, social groups, Indian Institutes of Science education not educationally backward. At present, and minorities. The government has and Research (IISERs), 2 new Schools of only the frst component is being taken positive measures to reduce the Planning and Architecture (SPAs), 374 implemented. The implementation of the disparities by focusing on backward model colleges, and 1000 polytechnics. areas and target groups. Since the PPP component will start from Twelfth The National Mission in Education Five Year Plan. Mission has been envisaged as a people’s programme, stakeholders, especially at through ICT (Content generation and INDIA PREPARES The Unfolding Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

ASER 2011 Positives Enrollment : In 2011, 96.7 per cent of all 6-14 year olds in rural India are enrolled in schools. This number has held steady since 2010. States that had a high proportion (over 10 per cent) of 11-14 year old girls out of school in 2006 have made signifcant progress. Substantial numbers of fve year old children are enrolled in schools. The All India fgure stands at 57.8 per cent for 2011. This proportion varies across states, ranging from 87.1 per cent in Nagaland to 18.8 per cent in Karnataka. Private school enrollment is rising in most states : Nationally, private school enrollment has risen year after year for the 6-14 age group, increasing from 18.7 per cent in 2006 to 25.6 per cent in 2011. These increases are visible in all states except Bihar. Better provision of girls’ toilets : The proportion of schools where there was no separate girls’ toilet has declined from 31.2 per cent in 2010 to 22.6 percent in 2011. Also, there has been a substantial improvement in the proportion of schools that have separate girls’ toilets that are useable. This fgure has risen nationally from 32.9 percent in 2010 to 43.8 per cent in 2011. More libraries in schools, and more children using them : The proportion of schools without libraries has declined from 37.5 per cent in 2010 to 28.6 per cent in 2011. Children were seen using the library in more schools as well - up from 37.9 percent in 2010 to 42.3 per cent in 2011. Schools get their grants, but not on time : The data suggest that schools tend to get their grants during the second half of the fscal year. Not much change in compliance on Pupil-teacher ratio and Classroom-teacher ratio : At the All India level, there has been a marginal improvement in the proportion of schools complying with RTE norms on pupil-teacher ratio, from 38.9 per cent in 2010 to 40.7 per cent in 2011. No major changes in buildings, playgrounds, boundary walls or drinking water : All India fgures for 2011 show no signifcant improvement in the proportion of schools with an offce cum store. This fgure remains at 74 per cent. 9 Similarly, for the country as a whole, about 62 per cent of visited schools had a playground, both in 2010 and in 2011. However, there has been an increase in the proportion of all schools that have a boundary wall, from 50.9 per cent in 2010 to 54.1 per cent in 2011. Nationally, the proportion of schools with no provision for drinking water remained almost the same at 17 per cent in 2010 and 16.6 per cent in 2011. The proportion of schools with a useable drinking water facility has remained steady at about 73 per cent. Kerala has the best record with 93.8 per cent schools that have a useable drinking water facility. Negatives Basic reading levels showing decline in many states : Nationally, reading levels are estimated to have declined in many states across North India. The All India fgure for the proportion of children in Std V able to read a Std 2 level text has dropped from 53.7 per cent in 2010 to 48.2 per cent in 2011. Such declines are not visible in the southern states. Arithmetic levels also show a decline across most states : Basic arithmetic levels estimated in ASER 2011 show a decline. Nationally, the proportion of Std III children able to solve a 2 digit subtraction problem with borrowing has dropped from 36.3 per cent in 2010 to 29.9 per cent in 2011. Among Std V children, the ability to do similar subtraction problems has dropped from 70.9 per cent in 2010 to 61.0 per cent in 2011. Children’s attendance has declined : At all India level, children’s attendance shows a decline from 73.4 per cent in 2007 to 70.9 per cent in 2011 in rural primary schools. More than half of all Std 2 and Std 4 classes sit together with another class : Nationally, for rural government primary schools, over half of all classes visited are multigrade. For example, at the all India level Std 2 children were sitting with one or more other classes in 58.3 per cent of Std 2 classes in primary schools. This fgure was 53 per cent for Std 4.

INDIA PREPARES The Unfolding Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

connectivity along with provision for facilities and manpower. with drug kits. So far over 8330 primary access devices for institutions and The government has launched a large health centres (PHCs), accounting learners are the major components of the number of programmes and schemes to for nearly 35 per cent of total PHCs, Mission. So far nearly 400 universities address major concerns and bridge the have been made functional as 24x7 have been provided 1 Gbps connectivity gaps in existing health infrastructure and services across the country. Further, 442 or have been confgured under the scheme provide accessible, affordable, equitable districts in the country are equipped and more than 14,000 colleges have also health care. These include the NRHM, with mobile medical units under the been provided VPN connectivity.), which National Programme for Health Care of NRHM. Under the NRHM, emphasis has aims at providing high speed broadband the Elderly (NPHCE), National Mental been laid on prevention and promotion connectivity to universities and colleges Health Programme, NPCDCS, Pradhan aspects of health care. At village level, and development of e-content in various Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana village health sanitation and nutrition disciplines, is under implementation. (PMSSY), upgradation/strengthening committees (VHSNCs) have been Open and distance learning is of state government medical colleges, constituted to create awareness about encouraged for increasing access to and development of paramedical services and disease prevention and take preventive making quality education available at the Programmes of AYUSH. The details of measures. any time, any place. major programmes are as follows: Some of the weaknesses identifed HEALTH National Rural Health Mission in the health delivery system in the public sector are poor upkeep and The National Health Policy of 2002 (NRHM) maintenance and high absenteeism and the priorities set in the successive The NRHM launched in 2005 aims to of manpower in rural areas. The NRHM Five year Plans provide the framework improve accessibility to quality health seeks to strengthen the public health for the implementation of policies care for the rural population, bridge gaps delivery system at all levels. and programmes for health care. The in health care, facilitate decentralized National Health Policy seeks to provide planning in the health sector and bring Reproductive and Child Health (RCH): prophylactic and curative health-care about inter-sectoral convergence. The The RCH Programme was launched in services and aims at achieving an NRHM provided an overarching umbrella 1997-8 as a separate entity up to the acceptable standard of good health to the existing health and family welfare year 2004-5 as a part of the Family 10 amongst the general population in the programmes including Reproductive Welfare Programme and was brought country by increasing access to the and Child Health (RCH-II) and various under the ambit of the NRHM during the decentralized public health system. programmes for control of diseases, Eleventh Plan. It has components such Access to the decentralized public health including tuberculosis, leprosy, vector- as pulse polio immunization and routine system is sought to be increased through borne diseases and blindness. The effort immunization for protection of children establishment of new infrastructure in is to integrate all vertical programmes. from life threatening conditions that defcient areas and upgrading of existing All the programmes have now been are preventable such as tuberculosis, infrastructure. brought under the District Health Society diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, Despite progress made on many at district level and State Health Society and measles. fronts, there are areas of concern as at state level. Accredited social health Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY): progress has been quite uneven across activists (ASHAs) are engaged in each The JSY was launched with focus on regions with large-scale inter-state village / large habitation in the ratio demand promotion for institutional variations and rural and remote areas of one per 1000 population. Further, deliveries in states and regions where continue to have defcit in health 7.41 lakh ASHAs have been provided these are low. It integrates cash

Income Contingent Loan ( ICL) An ICL is essentially a loan given to anyone who wants to invest in higher education and the repayment, which starts once the individual gets a job, is denominated in terms of a certain percentage of the income to be paid for a stipulated time period. Such loans are usually given directly to the educational institution and then recovered from the student once she gains employment. The distinguishing feature of an ICL is insurance against unfavourable outcomes, since the repayment amount is positively linked to income and could even be zero below a certain threshold income level. Australia was the frst country to institute a broadly based income-contingent charging system for higher education called Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS) in 1973. New Zealand, South Africa with its National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) introduced in 1991, the UK, Israel and the US also have similar schemes. All these schemes have the basic flavour of the ICL but other ingredients vary.

INDIA PREPARES The Unfolding Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

assistance with delivery and post- agreement between India, Nepal, and Prevention and Control of Cancer, delivery care. It targets lowering of MMR Bangladesh. Under the elimination Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases by ensuring that deliveries are conducted programme, the centre provides 100 and Stroke (NPCDCS): The NPCDCS was by skilled birth attendants. The issues of per cent operational cost to the states, launched during the Eleventh Five year governance, transparency, and grievance besides anti kala-azar medicines, drugs, plan. It envisages health promotion redressal mechanisms are now the thrust and insecticides. and health education advocacy, early areas for the JSY. Revised National Tuberculosis Control detection of persons with high levels Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram programme (RNTCP): of risk factors through opportunistic (JSSK): The RNTCP, a centrally sponsored ongoing screening and strengthening of health The JSSK is a new initiative launched on scheme, is an application in India of the systems at all levels to tackle Non 1 June 2011 to give free entitlements to WHO-recommended directly observed Communicable Disease (NCDs), and pregnant women and sick new borns for treatment short course popularly known improvement of quality of care. cashless delivery, C-Section, drugs and as DOTS. Under the programme, quality Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Surakha consumables, diagnostics, diet during diagnosis and treatment facilities Yojana (PMSSY): The PMSSY has stay in the health institutions, provision including a supply of anti-TB drugs are been launched with the objectives of of blood, exemption from user charges, provided free of cost to all TB patients. correcting regional imbalances in the transport from home to health referral, National Leprosy Eradication Pro- availability of affordable/reliable tertiary and drop back from Institutions to home. gramme (NLEP): health-care services and augmenting facilities for quality medical education In order to reach out to diffcult, The NLEP was started in 1983 with inaccessible, backward and underserved in the country. These are sought to be the objective of eradication of the achieved through establishing AIIMS- areas with poor health indicators, 264 disease. In 2005, the dreaded disease high focus districts in 21 states have like Institutions and upgrading existing after 22 years recorded a case load medical college institutions. been identifed based on concentration less than 1 per 10,000 population at of SC/ST population and presence of left national level. The recorded prevalence The PMSSY aims at (i) construction wing extremism for focused attention. further came down to 0.69 per 10,000 in of 6 AIIMS like institutions in the frst A Mother and Child Tracking System March 2011. phase at Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Jodhpur, has been introduced, which provides Patna, Raipur, and Rishikesh and in the 11 complete data of the mothers with their National Programme for Control of second phase in West Bengal and Uttar addresses, telephone numbers, etc. for Blindness (NPCB): Pradesh, ii) upgradation of 13 medical effective monitoring of ante-natal and The NPCB, launched in the year college institutions in the frst phase and post-natal check-up of mothers and 1976 as a 100 per cent centrally 6 in the second phase. The upgradation immunization services. sponsored scheme with the goal of programmes broadly envisages National Vector Borne Disease Control reducing the prevalence of blindness to improving health infrastructure through Programme: 0.3 per cent by 2020, showed reduction construction of super speciality blocks/ in the prevalence rate of blindness from trauma centres, etc. and procurement of This Programme is being implemented for 1.1 per cent (2001-2) to 1 per cent medical equipment for existing as well prevention and control of vector-borne (2006-7). as new facilities. Seven more medical diseases such as malaria, flariasis, kala- colleges are proposed to be upgraded, azar, Japanese encephalitis, dengue, and National Programme for Health Care of the Elderly (NPHCE): one each in Kerala, Karnataka and chikungunya. The government has taken Madhya Pradesh and two each in Bihar various steps for tackling of vector- The NPHCE aims to provide separate and and Uttar Pradesh in the third phase. borne diseases including dengue and specialized comprehensive health care chikungunya by the states. There are to senior citizens at various levels of the Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, 250 flaria endemic districts in 20 states state healthcare delivery system including Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH): /UTs in the country. outreach services. Some of the strategies Mainstreaming of AYUSH in national The National Health Policy (2002) include preventive and promotive care, health care delivery is an important aims at elimination of lymphatic management of illness, health manpower goal under the NRHM for which the flariasis in country by 2015. Kala-azar development for geriatric services, government has sanctioned ` 42.19 is endemic in four states, namely Bihar, medical rehabilitation, and therapeutic crore upto December 31, during the West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Uttar intervention and Information Education current fnancial year. A new component Pradesh. The disease has been targeted and Communication (IEC) activities. of upgradation of AYUSH dispensaries for elimination by 2015 as per a tripartite The National Programme for has been incorporated in the centrally sponsored scheme of Development of

INDIA PREPARES The Unfolding Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

AYUSH Hospitals and Dispensaries in their nutritional and health status and to or affected by discrimination and July 2010. Besides, a component of upgrading various skills like home skills, minority families, children infected and setting up of 50/10 bedded integrated life skills, and vocational skills. To start / or affected by HIV / AIDS, orphans, AYUSH hospitals for North Eastern and with, it is being implemented in 200 child drug abusers, children of substance other hilly states has been introduced in selected districts across the country abusers, child beggars, traffcked or 2011. on a pilot basis. The RGSEAG is being sexually exploited children, children WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT implemented through state governments of prisoners, and street and working / UT administrations with 100 per cent children. The government has started several fnancial assistance from the central All the states/UTs except Jammu schemes and initiated many new government for all inputs other than & Kashmir have signed memorandums policy initiatives for the welfare and nutrition provision for which 50 per cent of understanding (MOUs) for development of women and children central assistance is provided. AWCs are implementation of this scheme and the which also include initiatives for the focal points for delivery of services. states are at various stage of preparation economic and social empowerment of Nearly 100 lakh adolescent girls in 200 of their implementation plans and women and securing gender equality in districts are expected to be benefted per fnancial proposals various aspects of social, economic, and annum under the scheme. In these 200 political life. districts, the Kishori Shakti Yojana (KSY) Support to Training and Employment Programme for Women (STEP) Scheme Integrated Child Development Ser- and Nutrition Programme for Adolescent : vices (ICDS): Girls (NPAG) have been merged in the This scheme seeks to provide updated The scheme was launched in 1975 for RGSEAG. skills and new knowledge to poor women holistic development of children below The Rajiv Gandhi National Creche in 10 traditional sectors of agriculture, 6 years of age and proper nutritional Scheme for Children of Working Moth- animal husbandry, dairy, fsheries, and health education of pregnant and ers: handlooms, handicrafts, khadi and lactating mothers with 33 projects and This scheme provides for day-care village industries, sericulture, social 4,891 anganwadi centres (AWCs). It facilities to 0-6 year-old children of forestry, and wasteland development has now been universalized with the working mothers by opening crèches so as to enhance their productivity and government cumulatively approving 12 and development services, i.e. income generation. For expanding the 7,076 projects and 14 lakh AWCs including supplementary nutrition, health-care reach of the programme and further 20,000 anganwadis ‘on demand’. Apart inputs like immunization, polio drops, strengthening it, implementation of the from universalizing the ICDS scheme, basic health monitoring, and recreation. scheme was revised in November 2009. the government has taken various The combined monthly income of both The scheme aims at introduction of other initiatives such as revision in the parents should not exceed ` 12,000 locally appropriate sectors. The number fnancial norms of existing interventions for availing of the facilities. of benefciaries in each project may now including the Supplementary Nutrition Integrated Child Protection Scheme vary from 200 to 10,000 with the funding Programme (SNP), revision in nutritional (ICPS): ceiling at ` 16,000 per benefciary up to and feeding norms of supplementary a period of fve years. nutrition and introduction of new WHO This centrally sponsored scheme growth standards. In addition, the implemented through states was Rashtriya Mahila Kosh (RMK): government has also changed the cost launched in 2009-10 with the The RMK (National Credit Fund for sharing between the centre and states objective of providing a safe and Women) was created in 1993 with a from 2009-10 from 50:50 to 90:10 for secure environment for comprehensive corpus fund of ` 31crore. The initial all components including the SNP for development of children in the country corpus has now grown to over ` 180 the north-east and 50:50 for the SNP who are in need of care and protection crore including reserves and surplus and 90:10 for all other components for as well as children in conflict with the due to credit, investment and recovery all states. law. The ICPS provides preventive and management, and an additional statutory care and rehabilitation services Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empower- budgetary allocation of ` 69 crore. Since to any vulnerable child including, but ment of Adolescent Girls (RGSEAG): its creation, the RMK has established not limited to, children of potentially itself as a premier advocacy organization This scheme was launched on 19 November vulnerable families and families at risk, for the development of the micro-fnance 2010 with the objective of empowering children of socially excluded groups sector at national and international adolescent girls in the age group 11- like migrant families, families living levels to enhance the flow of micro 18 years by bringing improvement in in extreme poverty, families subjected credit in the unorganized sector for

INDIA PREPARES The Unfolding Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

poor women. It focuses on poor women counselling to enable them to become fnancial assistance to students pursuing and their empowerment through the self-reliant and get rehabilitated master’s-level courses and PhD/post- provision of credit for livelihood-related socially and economically through doctoral courses abroad. activities. The RMK provides microcredit education, skill upgradation, and The Scheme of Top Class Education in a quasi-informal manner, lending to personality development. The for SCs provides fnancial assistance for intermediate micro-credit organizations envisaged coverage of the proposed quality education to SC students up to (IMOs) across states. The RMK has taken scheme is all 641 districts of the degree/post-degree level. SC students a number of promotional measures country. who secure admission in notifed through micro-fnancing, thrift and SCS, STS, OBCS, AND OTHER institutions are awarded scholarships. credit, formation and stabilization of WEAKER SECTIONS’ DEVELOPMENT Under the revised Babu Jagjivan Ram SHGs, and also enterprise development Chhatrawas Yojna’ a centrally sponsored for poor women. A number of schemes to encourage SC scheme for hostels for SC boys and girls, Other Schemes students to continue their studies from assistance for the construction of girls school to higher education level as hostels has been raised from 50 per cent Some other schemes related to Women well as for the economic advancement and Child Development,are as follows: to 100 per cent. During 2011-12, the of needy SC families are under physical target is 4,750 seats for girls (i) Ujjawala launched on 4 December implementation. During 2011-12, the and 5,000 seats for boys. 2007 aims at prevention of physical target under the Scheme for traffcking with fve specifc Pre-Matric Scholarship for those students The SCA( Special Central Assistance) componentsprevention, rescue, whose parents are engaged in unclean to the TSP( Tribal Sub-plan) is a 100 rehabilitation, reintegration, and occupations was 8 lakh. per cent grant extended to states as repatriation of victims. additional funding to their TSPs for The Post-Matric scheme has been family-oriented income-generating (ii) Bal Bandhu Scheme for protection revised with effect from 1 July 2010 schemes, creation of incidental of children in areas of civil unrest so as to (i) raise the parental annual infrastructure, extending fnancial is being implemented through the income ceiling for eligibility from ` assistance to SHGs, community-based National Commission for Protection 1 lakh to ` 2 lakh, (ii) rationalize the activities, and development of forest of Child Rights (NCPCR) with the grouping of courses, and (iii) upwardly villages. 13 grant sanctioned from the Prime revise maintenance and other allowances Minister’s National Relief Fund. by 60 per cent. Under the Rajiv Gandhi The Scheme for Post- Matric Scholarship with 100 per cent fnancial (iii) Swadhar Greh Scheme: Two existing National Fellowship Scheme which aims at providing fnancial assistance to assistance to ST students whose family schemes, i.e. Swadhar and Short income is less than or equal to ` 2 lakh Stay Home, being implemented with SC students pursuing M Phil and PhD courses, the number of scholarships has per annum for pursuing post-matric- similar objectives and for the same level education including professional, target group have been merged into been increased from 1,333 to 2,000 with effect from 1 April 2010. graduate, and postgraduate courses in the ‘Swadhar Greh’ scheme in order recognized institutions, the Scheme for to reach out to those women who are The specifed subjects under Top Class Education for STs providing victims of unfortunate circumstances National Overseas Scholarships have fnancial assistance for quality education and are in need of institutional been revised for the selection year to 625 ST students per annum to pursue support for rehabilitation, so that 2010-11 and new subjects, namely studies at degree and post-degree levels they can lead their lives with dignity. medicine, pure sciences, engineering, in any of the 183 identifed institutes, Under the new scheme, women are agricultural sciences, and management the National Overseas Scholarship provided emotional support and have been specifed for providing Scheme with fnancial assistance to National Mission for Empowerment of Women (NMEW) The NMEW, an umbrella mission to strengthen inter-sectoral convergence and facilitate the process of coordination of all the women’s welfare and socio-economic development programmes across ministries and departments, was launched on 8 March 2010 to ensure economic and social empowerment of women. The NMEW is piloting the ‘convergence model’ across the country in 32 select districts with the aim of bridging the gap between demand and supply of women-related services by undertaking realistic estimates of the demand, creating greater awareness about women-based schemes and programmes of the government, augmenting the demand for various services/ schemes for women, and connecting them with the service providers. The model includes introduction of convergence-cum- facilitation centres for women at district, tehsil / block and village levels. The frst such pilot convergence project was launched in Pali district in Rajasthan on 16 September 2011 with the opening of 150 village-level centres. INDIA PREPARES The Unfolding Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

15 eligible ST students for pursuing promote physical, psychological, social, measures for senior citizens. States/ higher studies abroad in specifed felds educational, and economic rehabilitation UTs are required to implement the Act and the Scheme for Strengthening of and development of persons with by notifying the same in the offcial Education among ST Girls in low literacy disabilities to enhance their quality of gazette. districts are some other schemes for the life and enable them to lead their lives Are we doing enough? development of STs. with dignity. There are seven autonomous The key headline in the India Economic Some measures for economic National Institutes working in different Survey 2011-12 was that expenditure on empowerment of STs include extension felds of disabilities. These institutes are social services as a proportion of Gross of fnancial support through the engaged in human resource development Domestic Product (GDP) has increased National Scheduled Tribes Finance and in the feld of disability, providing from 5.57% in 2006-7 to 7.34% in 2010- Development Corporation (NSTFDC) rehabilitation services to persons with 11. The survey, presented in Parliament in the form of loans and micro- credit disabilities and undertaking research by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, at concessional rates of interest for and development in their respective said India had faced the global economic income- generating activities and in areas of specializations crisis without much impact on the social market development of tribal products Under the Scheme of Assistance to sector. This claim needs to be taken with and their retail marketing through its the Disabled for Purchase/Fitting of Aids a pinch of salt, as studies have revealed sales outlets by the Tribal Cooperative and Appliances (ADIP), approximately that food price rise has hit the poor – Marketing Development Federation of 2 lakh persons with disabilities are urban and rural – hard and has pushed India Limited (TRIFED). provided assistive devices every many further into hunger. Five communities-Muslims, year Under the Deen Dayal Disabled Importantly, the union government Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Parsis- Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS), ` expenditure on social services and notifed by the government as minority 31.27 crore had been sanctioned for rural development, both plan and non- communities constitute 18.42 per cent of release up to December 2011 against planned has consistently gone up total population as per the 2001 Census. an allocation of ` 120 crore during over the years and had increased from Over the Eleventh Five Year Plan, with an 2011-12 to voluntary organizations for 13.38% in 2006-7 to 18.47 percent in outlay of ` 7,000 crore, a three pronged running special schools for children with 2011-12. If that is the case then why is 14 strategy including (a) educational hearing, visual, and mental disability it that we are still ‘aiming’ at “inclusive empowerment, (b) area development, and vocational rehabilitation centers development”? India ranks 134 out of and (c) economic empowerment of for persons with disabilities and for world’s 187 countries in terms of human minority communities was adopted. manpower development in the feld of development. The so called success Educational empowerment was sought mental retardation and cerebral palsy. story- “standing strong against the through three scholarship schemes, Social Defence tide of global economic downturn”- is namely, Pre-matric, Post-matric, and Under the social defence sector, also slowly fzzing out. The budgetary Merit-cum-means based, with more than schemes/ programmes are implemented allocations to social sectors might be 1 crore scholarships given at a cost of ` for senior citizens and for victims of growing but without any commensurate 2,129.29 crore. substance (drug) abuse. Programmes increase in welfare benefts to the These schemes were supplemented for senior citizens aim at the welfare masses. by the activities of the Maulana Azad and maintenance especially of indigent The National Common Minimum Education Foundation (MAEF), the senior citizens. For victims of substance Programme (NCMP) of the last corpus of which was enhanced from abuse, drug demand reduction is United Progressive Alliance (UPA) ` 100 crore in 2005-6 to ` 700 crore. achieved through awareness campaigns regime reflected the government’s Besides the MSDP, the Prime Minister’s and treatment of addicts and their commitment to rapid and more inclusive New 15 Point Programme for Welfare of detoxifcation so that they may join growth through higher and targeted Minorities earmarks 15 per cent of the the mainstream. Under the Integrated investments aimed at the poorest of outlays and targets in most flagship Programme for Older Persons (IPOP), the poor. The NCMP outlined ambitious programmes of the government for areas grants-in-aid are given to NGOs for public expenditure targets on key social with substantial minority population. running old age homes (OAH), day care services – public spending on education centres (DCCs), and mobile medical units Persons with Disabilities and health at elevated levels of six and (MMUs) A number of schemes are being two-three percent of gross domestic implemented for the empowerment The Maintenance and Welfare of product (GDP) respectively. However, and rehabilitation of persons with Parents and Senior Citizens Act 2007 was there seems to be a gap between plans disabilities. These schemes aim to enacted in order to ensure need-based on paper and actual practice. Though maintenance for parents and welfare INDIA PREPARES The Unfolding Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

budgetary allocations to the social Development (15%) only, all other sector development by the government sector have been rising, outcomes are heads such as Housing (3%), Labour and in India. not encouraging. In the context of the Employment (4%) and Family Welfare Social sector development should objective of sustained inclusive growth, are comparatively neglected services, be the long term objective of fscal it is important to analyse various issues which are also very much important that operations, especially of Public relating to budgetary allocations for the enable social welfare maximization. Expenditure in the socialistic pattern of social sector and related implementation Even though, the heads namely society goal having country like India. modalities. Housing (25% CGR), Family Welfare (24% This we can identify by examining relative If we examine fnancing of social CGR) have shown considerable growth, importance of Revenue social sector sector development by the government those are recently attention paid social development expenditure and Capital in India as reflected in its spending sector development activities by the social sector development expenditure activities, we see that Government’s government. Labour and Employment in Total social sector development Total Expenditure has grown at the is a too much neglected item of social expenditure of the government. signifcant rate of 20% per annum in the post reforms period. But growth in Total Expenditure is not a suffcient indicator of performance of the government directed towards socio- economic development of the country. It is essential to take into consideration composition of Total Expenditure of the government divided into Revenue Expenditure and Capital Expenditure.( Expenditure which does not result in creation assets is Revenue Expenditure. And expenditure undertaken for creation of assets is Capital Expenditure.) The 15 average share of Revenue Expenditure in Total Expenditure of government is nearly 85% , which is excessive one. So far as long Term development of the economy through government efforts is concerned, Capital Expenditure should be given weightage than the revenue expenditure. Social sector of the economy provides various social services, such as Education, scientifc research, urban development, health & medical facilities, family welfare, housing, labour & employment, welfare of backward castes and others. The study of composition of social sector development expenditure of the government is interesting, which indicates the priorities and importance given by the government to provide different social services that directly influence social welfare of the society. The data results reveal that the government in India has given priorities and importance to a few social services namely Education (53%), Health & Medical Facilities (20%) and Urban INDIA PREPARES The Unfolding Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

indicators have fallen short of expectations, especially as far as the poor are concerned. India’s ranking in terms of health performance indicators continues to be unsatisfactory even in comparison to some of its poorer neighbours. A country like India, where the incidence of poverty is very high, needs to have extensive health safety nets. The health network has expanded rapidly but remains widely skewed. The irony is that medical tourism in India is becoming popular with patients coming from overseas, but our own citizens do not have proper access to basic healthcare services. Public expenditure on social services hardly benefts the needy because of leakages and wastage. Only well targeted expenditures coupled with sound implementation 16 can beneft the poor. Equity in healthcare and education is measured by Education empowers the poor and sanitation, and family welfare has attributes such as access and universality, to participate in the growth process. increased from `53,057.80 crore in effciency, quality and subsidy. Rising budgetary allocations have 2006-7 to ` 96,672.79 crore in 2010- Investments in these sectors without increased the number of schools but 11. In addition to increasing resource any progress in mentioned attributes the quality of education offered is still allocation for the health sector the would imply a lack of enhancement in sub-standard mainly because of supply government is also playing a critical benefts for the poor from such services. side constraints. The introduction of role in facilitating access to health care Budgetary allocations should be used to schemes, such as MDMS and SSA has delivery channels, public and private, enhance the values of these parameters. helped in increasing enrolment but drop- through subsidized health insurance The state has the responsibility of out rates before completion of primary schemes like the RSBY for providing ensuring proper healthcare. Thus, it not education are still high, and also the basic health care to poor and marginal only has an important role to play as an quality of education provided is not to workers. The RSBY has been extended to agency that fnances and facilitates but the par. There is a need to emphasise cover MGNREGA benefciaries and beedi as one that sets standards, regulates, quality over quantity, i.e. it is important workers. and ensures that contradictions within the overall system are minimised. to have good infrastructure, spacious Despite efforts by the government and hygienic surroundings and regularity to provide affordable access to the In India, besides there are various in attendance by teachers and students decentralized public health system, the non-fnancial constraints impeding even at the expense of numbers. expenditure of the government on public progress in all sectors. Removing such There has been an increase in health as a percentage of GDP is low. constraints entails improving the quality public health investment in the country. There has been some improvement in of governance. Experience all over the The combined revenue and capital the quality of healthcare over time, but world suggests that it is not so much the expenditure of the centre and states on wide inter-state, male-female and rural- size of the government budget but how medical and public health, water supply urban disparities in outcomes continue it is spent that determines the effcacy to persist. Achievements in health of the system. INDIA PREPARES

Interview Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

interview... Meeting The Stars - Interview with Dr. Shantanu Kumar Agrahari, Rank-78

Dr. Shantanu of what’s happening in the world, in the about the ongoing CBI investigation of Kumar Agrahari, country, in my state. NRHM scam in Uttar Pradesh. They also a Medical officer Q4. Which subjects did you chose asked about the problems being faced by from Uttar during the mains and why? What are present doctors in relation to provision Pradesh got the factors which one should look into of affordable health services and I 78th rank in while deciding for the subjects? answered confidently regarding scarcity Civil Services of essential drugs. Some questions were examination, Ans. Zoology and Anthropology. Having related with issues of generic drugs and 2011. This was done medicine, which is Advanced ongoing irregular drug trials. One of the Dr Kumar’s fourth attempt. This interview Biology, I wanted to go back to my member asked a factual question that is important to us as Dr. Shantanu was basics and study Zoology, which is Basic the community health centres caters how associated with India Prepares as the Biology. Also I was keenly interested in much population. The most interesting head of our Science and Tech section. Anthropology, so the two served as ideal question was related to my hobby which We wish him all the success in life and choices. was mentioned as interacting with senior hope for his continued assistance in any Q5. But you changed your optional citizen. They asked lot of questions form in the coming years. from Zoology to Pub ad in the last regarding it. The interview lasted for 45 Q1. How did you hear the good news? attempt. Reasons for it and Is it good minutes and the last question was “Mr. to change your subject? Shantanu , in the rural India, according Ans. One of my friend called me to give Ans. I wasn’t scoring marks in Zoology. to you who are the main sufferers of air me the news which came quite as a pollution- males or females? shock. To really believe it, I confirmed Neither did I see any improvement in my it myself after a while. It all looked like score. Initially, I believed it’s not good to Q9. How good are coaching institutes? 17 a dream then. change one’s subject but having realized How was your experience of these that I have exhausted all my efforts in coaching institutes? Q2. Why did you opt for civil services? Zoology, the change in optional was Ans. Coaching institutes are a guiding Medicine is considered a noble imminent. Thankfully it worked for me. profession. What prompted you to light but it all ultimately comes down move out of it? Q6. How did you prepare for the exam? to your individual effort. I believe that Ans. My focus was to complete the hard work and a thorough study of the Ans. Being a doctor, I was pretty syllabus is the key to success. You must satisfied with my work. However, over a syllabus and revise as many times as I could before the exam. Reference enjoy whatever you do. Attending mock period of time, I felt that more needs tests would help a lot to ascertain where to be done around me and this society. books were numerous; more than 50. I distributed my time among various we stand. Choosing the right centre Civil Services give one a bigger canvas to would have to be made cautiously. work upon. As a doctor, I could just look topics and made monthly, weekly and into the secondary causes of problems. daily plans. I would devote six to eight Q10. What are your views regarding It was more of a cure based approach, hours a day, but more than the number the changes that UPSC has made at Civil Services, on the other hand give of hours, it is the quality and consistency the preliminary stage? you an opportunity to work on primary of your studies that matter. I used to be Ans. As the name itself suggests, the level itself. Besides Civil services was very consistent with my reading. exam has now become an aptitude test. a more diverse and challenging option. Q7. How was the interview? Can you The emphasis is on testing the aptitude Q3. Four attempts sound taxing! How recall any questions from the board of the candidate for the demanding life did you prepare? How difficult it was members? Any interview tips for IAS in the civil service and on the ethical to maintain the tempo? aspirants. and moral dimensions of decision- Ans. It was Madam Mrs Alka Sirohi board. making. Also the new pattern has made Ans. It was difficult at times but not the playfield more even and level. really taxing. I enjoyed the process. You There were four other male members actually grow a lot in the process; the along with the chairwoman. Interview Q11. You have worked with INDIA reading is voracious. I look upon it as happened in a cordial atmosphere. Most PREPARES. How was your experience? a way of life and not much has changed of the questions were related to my Ans. Working with India Prepares was even today. I still read a lot, keep abreast present job of medical officer. They asked very much part of my Civil Services INDIA PREPARES Interview Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

preparation. Writing is an expression of Ans. A little bit of all. I prepared to the test, so the objective of the interview one’s personality. Also, it gives you an best of my ability board is just to bring out your personality opportunity to see things in a broader Q14. What were you strong points and not to judge your mental level. So perspective and to improve on one’s which enabled you to achieve this the atmosphere in the interview room is writing skills. Having an association success? friendly and supportive. Be confident, be with this magazine which has brought honest and be clever, all the interview a fresh perspective of analytical and Ans. In my case, I will say Patience boards will definitely help you to perform comprehensive study to civil services was the crucial factor. Besides there at your optimum level. was indeed an honour. is no substitute for hardwork and perseverance. Q17. Do you have any priority areas Q12. What was your strategy for where you would like to see you making optionals, GS and Essay? Q15. How did you prepare for the a difference in the administrative interview? Ans. There is no one model fits all kind services? of thing here. Everyone has to make his Ans. Just be yourself! The more artificial Ans. Rural health and education. These or her own strategy. For G.S and essay, you are, the more you will struggle. two areas require lot of honest efforts. it is not about how much one knows While preparing, ‘studying’ newspapers is the ultimate thing. I read The Hindu, Q18. Your message to future CSE but how informed you are which is the aspirants… key. Also there is no need of special which is by far the best newspaper when preparation for essay. Preparation for preparing for the Civil Services Exam. Ans. I would like to wish them all the general studies help in writing the essay While preparing, don’t merely ‘read’ the very best for the exam. It’s a way to go paper. Newspaper reading builds ideas newspaper, ‘study’ the newspaper, just forward with confidence and belief in which helps in essay. I chose subjects I like you would a textbook. Underline, yourself. It’s not too easy but neither was keenly interested in, and it helped make notes, analyse, draw some too hard. Right amount of effort would me to enjoy studies a bit more. conclusions, discuss. pay good results. Be honest to yourself, and back your potential to the fullest! Q13. How did you prepare for this Q16. What is your impression about the Interview Board? The only thing that can overcome Hard exam selective, intensive or extensive Luck is Hard Work!! studies? Ans. As interview is only a personality 18

INDIA PREPARES National Bulletin Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012 national Bulletin... The abc of RTE

“Morality cannot be legislated but and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 is quota should be taken from non-minority behavior can be regulated. Judicial constitutionally valid and shall apply to a students. If linguistic and religious decrees may not change the heart, but school established, owned or controlled minority educational institutions are they can restrain the heartless.” by the appropriate Government or a local directed to give representation to children belonging to the weaker sections The recent Supreme Court judgment in authority; an aided school including aided minority school(s) receiving in their own communities, it will enhance April 2012 on the educational rights of their rights and not violate them. children compels one to agree with these aid or grants to meet whole or part words of the great Martin Luther King of its expenses from the appropriate Many private schools had opposed Jr. The apex court by a majority of 2:1 Government or the local authority; a the move saying that since they did not upheld the constitutional validity of the school belonging to specified category; take any grants from the government, Right of Children to Free and Compulsory and an unaided non-minority school not they could not be legally bound to reserve Education Act, 2009, which provides for receiving any kind of aid or grants to the seats and also the per-child cost as free and compulsory education to children meet its expenses from the appropriate suggested by the government was very between the age of 6 and 14 years and Government or the local authority.” low. The government spends between mandates government/aided/and non- The CJI who wrote the judgment Rs.6,000 and Rs.18,000 a child annually said: “It will operate from today. In other on elementary education and this will words, this will apply from the academic form the broad basis for reimbursement year 2012-13. However, admissions given under the RTE, though the final amount by unaided minority schools prior to the will vary from State to State. pronouncement of this judgment shall The Right To Education Act not be reopened. “By judicial decisions, 19 The Right to Education Act (RTE) right to education has been read into describes the modalities of the provision right to life in Article 21. A child who is of free and compulsory education for denied right to access education is not children between 6 and 14 in India under only deprived of his right to live with A cartoon which appeared in The Hindu a year ago. Article 21A of the Indian Constitution. dignity, he is also deprived of his right minority unaided schools to reserve 25 India became one of 135 countries to to freedom of speech and expression per cent of the seats for these children. make education a fundamental right of enshrined in Article 19(1) (a). The 2009 every child when the act came into force The verdict reiterated the principle Act seeks to remove all those barriers on 1 April 2010. that the activity of imparting education including financial and psychological should remain charitable even by unaided barriers which a child belonging to the History institutions. It also held that unaided weaker section and disadvantaged group The present Act has its history in the schools should share the obligation to has to face while seeking admission.” drafting of the Indian constitution at provide free and compulsory education Though the above judgment is a the time of Independence but is more to children under Article 21A of the breakthrough for educational reforms in specifically to the 86th Constitutional Constitution, thus supplementing the India, yet it has been criticized for the Amendment act 2002 that included Article primary obligation of the state. blanket exclusion of minority unaided 21A in the Indian constitution making The Judgment schools from the Act. Even if minority Education a fundamental Right. This A Bench of Chief Justice S.H. Kapadia and unaided schools were excluded from amendment, however, specified the need Justice Swatanter Kumar while upholding quota provision, the other provisions of for a legislation to describe the mode the law, however, held that it would the Act, relating to standards, quality, of implementation of the same which not be applicable to unaided minority curricula and infrastructure, could be necessitated the drafting of a separate schools. Justice K.S. Radhakrishnan, made applicable to them. Moreover, the Education Bill. The rough draft of the bill gave a dissenting judgment. 25 per cent intake could be interpreted was composed in year 2005. It received in tune with the freedom of choice of much opposition due to its mandatory The majority judgment said: “We minorities. Properly construed, the Act provision to provide 25% reservation for hold that the Right of Children to Free does not mandate that the 25 per cent disadvantaged children in private schools. INDIA PREPARES National Bulletin Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

The sub-committee of the Central Advisory considering the quality of education, next five years. The task will primarily be Board of Education which prepared the infringing on the rights of private and led by the States, but only a few, notably draft Bill held this provision as a significant religious minority schools to administer in the South, have the capacity to take prerequisite for creating a democratic and their system, and for excluding children on the challenge. The others must use egalitarian society. Indian Law commission under six years of age. Many of the ideas the opportunity that presents itself to had initially proposed 50% reservation for are seen as continuing the policies improve facilities and raise standards. disadvantaged students in private schools. of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan of the last Government and municipal schools Passage decade, and the World Bank funded have a long history of neglect and lack District Primary Education Programme of investment in infrastructure, while The bill was approved by the cabinet DPEP of the ‘90s, both of which, while affluent private schools use the most on 2 July 2009 and was notified as law having set up a number of schools in modern educational tools and teaching on 3 Sept 2009 as The Children’s Right rural areas, have been criticized for methods. It is worth pointing out here to Free and Compulsory Education Act. being ineffective and corruption-ridden. that the RTE rules have provisions to The law came into effect in the whole Significance and Challenges help bridge this asymmetry, in the form of India except the state of Jammu and of perspective plans to be drawn up by Kashmir from 1 April 2010, the first time As it stands on the threshold of the individual schools. in the history of India when a law was Twelfth Plan, India has a historic Tragically, political parties, which brought into force by a speech by the opportunity to elevate education and see education as too distant an issue to Prime Minister healthcare as the strongest pillars of its produce electoral victories, have shown future development. Yearning for life- Status of Implementation little anxiety to improve the country’s building education is unprecedented standing. It is time to change this A report on the status of implementation today. Yet, as Amartya Sen pointed out sorry legacy. Going by Prime Minister of the Act was released by the Ministry last year, the system remains deeply Manmohan Singh’s affirmation, more of Human Resource Development on the unjust. Access to excellence is open funds will be devoted for the two key one year anniversary of the Act. The to those who can afford it, while the Twelfth Plan priorities, education and report admits that 8.1 million children less-affluent majority has been left health. The UPA has been augmenting in the age group six-14 remain out of behind without even full schooling. That the resource base for some years now, 20 school and there’s a shortage of 508,000 injustice is evident in the low figure of using a 3 per cent cess for education, teachers country-wide. The Supreme mean years of schooling for the national of which 2 per cent is earmarked for Court of India has also intervened to working age population: 5.12 years in elementary education. That effort has demand implementation of the Act in 2010, compared to China’s 8.17 years, raised significant funding, averaging the Northeast . It has also provided and Brazil’s 7.54 years. In a full decade Rs.11,000 crore a year since 2008 the legal basis for ensuring pay parity from 2000, India could not raise the and it deserves to be strengthened. between teachers in government and mean substantially from 4.2 years. government aided schools. The challenge is to spend the funds With continued economic growth, it in a manner that produces tangible, Criticism should not be difficult to allocate the measurable outcomes. The act has been criticized for being Rs. 4.50 lakh crore that the Planning hastily-drafted, not consulting many Commission thinks is needed for the The Right of Children to Free groups active in education, not implementation of the RTE Act over the and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (Amendment) Bill, 2010 The Bill amends the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009. It expands the definition of “child belonging to disadvantaged group” to include children with disability. “Child with disability” is defined as a child who is blind, leprosy cured, hearing impaired, locomotor disabled, and mentally ill. It also includes children suffering from autism, cerebral palsy, mental retardation and multiple disabilities. A child suffering from autism, cerebral palsy, mental retardation and multiple disabilities has the same right to pursue free and compulsory elementary education which children with disability have under the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995. The Act provides for establishing School Management Committees to prepare school development plan. Article 30 of the Constitution provides that all minorities, whether based on religion or language, shall have the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice. Thus, the Bill states that School Management Committees of minority institutions shall function only in an advisory capacity. INDIA PREPARES Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012 National Bulletin Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

Proposed National Mission For Quality Teaching Worried over the quality of teaching, the government has proposed to set up a National Mission on Teachers and Teaching that would address the entire gamut of issues relating to teachers including teacher education and quality of teaching. The broader policy of teacher/faculty shortages and vacancies, recruitment policies, capacity building of teachers for improvement in qualification, pedagogic skills, technology enabled teaching; continuous training and retraining, and pre-service and in-service training will be brought under the purview of the Mission that will be discussed at the Education Secretary’s meeting scheduled later this month. Holistic manner The Mission will look at teacher education in a holistic manner and in a single continuum covering school to universities and suggest ways to strengthen the institutional mechanisms at all levels so that there are vertical and lateral linkages. The challenges of technology interventions to enhance effectiveness of classroom transactions and how to equip teachers in its use, will be clearly spelt out. Given the total intake capacity in the teacher education institutions for the elementary and secondary teacher education courses, there is a need to expand the capacity for preparing teacher educators, from the present 28,957 to around 40,000. The University Grants Commission is taking steps to ensure that, to start with, all Central Universities take steps for developing institutional capacity to prepare teacher educators. However, even State Universities need to be requested to take action in this regard. The proposal is to establish Schools of Education (SoE) in select Universities to institute linkages between universities, teacher education institutions and schools. The proposed strategy is to identify 40 University Departments based in Central Universities, selected State Universities, Deemed Universities and other Centres of Higher Education, including the Regional Colleges of Education of the NCERT to establish Schools of Education. Untrained teachers Recent analysis made by the Department of Education shows that there are 5.23 lakh vacancies of school teachers at the elementary level and there would be additional requirement of around 5.1 lakh teachers to fulfill the provisions of Pupil Teacher Ratio specified in the Right to Education (RTE) Act. Moreover, around 7.74 lakh teachers are untrained, that is, they do not possess the prescribed qualifications. Under Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA), 1.79 lakh additional teachers need to be appointed in secondary schools. Focus on English, Mathematics and Science teachers in secondary schools is also necessary. In Central Universities, as per data is available in respect of 24 universities across 16 States on an average nearly 35 per cent faculty position are lying vacant. As regards, State Universities, UGC has provided data in respect of faculty positions for 77 State Universities 21 spread across 23 States. Of these, 19 universities have more than 50 per cent posts lying vacant, whereas another 14 have over 40 per cent posts vacant. In technical education also, there is a faculty deficit of around one lakh.

empowers all children to demand eight the responsibility of the state. But for the execution of RTE on the entire years of schooling, and everything must Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, the main vehicle society and the apparatus of the state. be done to encourage people to exercise for universalisation of elementary this fundamental right. Meaningful use of education, can tap non-profit initiatives Conclusion the law requires new infrastructure. But for speedy infrastructure building. Strong Overall, one can hope that this verdict is that is the easier part. It is the lack of commitment towards rising outlays for a harbinger of the change in the subtle human resources that is more worrying. education alone can determine India’s policy of segregation engrafted into the The Planning Commission identifies the long-term development. education system of India. A change twin problems of half a million existing The RTE Act has assigned the that would no longer mean: teacher-vacancies, and the need to have monitoring of implementation to the “Education for us, literacy for them; another half a million teachers with National Commission for the Protection requisite qualifications to meet the RTE Convent schools for us, under the of Child Rights (NCPCR). Currently, this tree one teacher schools for them; Act’s pupil-teacher ratio. Priority must fragile agency has hardly any institutional therefore be accorded to start as many capacity to look after the millions of English medium for us, vernacular accredited teacher training institutions children whose right to education and for them; as necessary. Such a measure can improve dignity has been recognised for the first Trained teachers for our children, learning outcomes, which are far below time in the nation’s history. Help from para teachers for theirs; desirable levels now. Raising the gross NGOs can hardly substitute a workforce Unaided institutions for ours, enrolment ratio at the secondary school of academic and legal specialists that government ones for theirs.” level from 60 per cent should be the NCPCR and its State units across the other priority. Expansion of both primary country require. Let us note that the and secondary schooling should remain Supreme Court’s verdict puts the onus INDIA PREPARES National Bulletin Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

NATIONAL news...

LEGAL / CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES decided to look into the legality of the government’s policy on granting subsidies to Haj pilgrims. Cabinet Clears Presidential Reference on 2G Ruling During the hearing in the case, the Centre had defended the Two months after the Supreme Court cancelled all 122 telecom policy of giving subsidies to the Haj pilgrims and had said it licences issued “illegally” in 2008 by the then Telecom Minister, had framed guidelines so that people get subsidies only once A. Raja, the Union Cabinet decided to make a presidential in their lifetime. In an affidavit, the Centre had told the court reference to the court, seeking clarity on several key issues that it has decided to restrict Haj pilgrimage at government relating to the other licences issued before 2008 on a first subsidy to Muslims only as a “once in a lifetime” affair as come, first served basis, and also on the allocation of natural against the existing policy of “once in five years“. It had said resources across all sectors. the new guidelines have been framed to ensure that priority Notably, the court had found serious faults in the government is given to those applicants who have never performed Haj. policy of not allocating natural resources through a market- The apex court had earlier expressed its dismay at the practice driven mechanism. “In matters involving award of contracts of sending official delegations to accompany the pilgrims and or grant of licence or permission to use public property, had asked the Centre to furnish entire details regarding Haj the invocation of the first come, first served principle has subsidy, as also about the criteria adopted. “These goodwill inherently dangerous implications,” it said in its judgment. delegations need to be scrapped altogether. They are no longer The government would also seek clarity on investments made relevant. Even a team of 9 to 10 persons is not required,” the by the foreign companies affected by the ruling. These firms, bench had observed. such as Telenor and Sistema, did not participate in the auction, SC upholds Election Commission Criteria for but later bought stake in Indian firms and then invested Recognition of Political Parties heavily in network rollouts and operations. The government is under diplomatic pressure from Norway and Russia, whose The Supreme Court has upheld the Election Commission rule 22 companies, after having invested in the Indian telecom sector, mandating a State political party to garner at least six per cent now find the licences issued to their Indian partners cancelled of votes in an Assembly election and win at least two seats for following the historic judgment. getting recognition. By a majority 2-1 verdict, a three-judge bench said the benchmark laid down by the Commission is not The presidential reference would ask about the status of “unreasonable” and dismissed a bunch of petitions filed by licences granted during 1994, 2001, 2003 and 2007 on a first various unrecognised political parties in several States. come, first served basis, and also the dual licences given to the CDMA players by Mr. Raja in 2008. It would seek clarity Justice Jasti Chelameswar, however, disagreed and gave on charging of spectrum with retrospective effect and ask a dissenting verdict saying that “there is no rational nexus about the status of operators who got 3G licences through between the classification of recognised and unrecognised a highly competitive bidding process but whose 2G licences political parties”. “In my opinion, this Court failed to were cancelled. appreciate that in a democratic set-up, while the majorities Supreme Court Strikes Down Haj Subsidy rule, minorities are entitled to protection. Otherwise the mandate of Article 14 would be meaningless. The Supreme Court on 8th May struck down the government’s Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Bill, policy of giving subsidies to Haj pilgrims and directed that it be progressively “eliminated” within a period of 10 years. A 2011 bench of justices Altamas Kabir and Ranjana Prakash Desai also The Union Cabinet has approved tabling afresh in Parliament directed the government to reduce to two the number of its the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Bill, 2011, representatives in the Prime Minister’s goodwill delegation. It which would make sexual contact with a girl below the age said it will look into the functioning of Haj Committee of India of 18 a criminal offence, even if it is consensual. The Bill and it process for selecting people for Haj pilgrimage. The apex was tabled in the Lok Sabha in March last year, and sent to court was hearing an appeal filed by the Centre challenging a the Parliamentary Standing Committee, which suggested some Bombay High Court judgement which had directed the Ministry amendments, including making consensual sexual relationship of External Affairs to allow certain private operators to handle with a girl under 18 a serious, criminal offence, punishable 800 of the 11,000 pilgrims earmarked under the VIP quota with life imprisonment. Section Seven of the original draft of subsidised by the government. The bench while hearing the the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Bill, 2010, did plea of the Centre had expanded the purview of the plea and not provide for any punishment if consent for the sexual act was secured from a person aged between 16 and 18. INDIA PREPARES National Bulletin Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

The Parliamentary Standing Committee suggested that The Bill states that the expenditure for setting up the separate the provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2000, on media high courts shall be borne by the respective states. The Bill reporting, be incorporated in the Bill, in addition to making also amends the Advocates Act, 1961 to provide that there the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights the shall be a separate state bar council for the three states. monitoring authority during trial. The law aims at protecting An advocate on the rolls of the Bar Council of the states of children against sexual assault, sexual harassment and Assam, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Manipur and Tripura has been pornography, and provides for establishment of special courts given an option to transfer his name on to the rolls of the new for trying such offences. It provides for treating sexual assault high courts. The advocate has to exercise this option within as an “aggravated offence” when committed by a person in one year of the commencement of the Act. a position of trust or authority, including a member of the The Institutes of Technology (Amendment) Bill, security forces, a police officer, a public servant, and a member of the management or staff of a children’s home, hospital or 2011 educational institution. The original Bill provided for hefty The Institute of Technology (Amendment) Bill, 2010 was monetary fines for the offenders, while the revised measure has introduced in the Lok Sabha on August 30, 2010. The Bill left the decision on the quantum of fine to court discretion. seeks to amend the Institutes of Technology Act, 1961, which Registration of Marriages to be Made Compulsory declares certain Institutes of Technology to be institutions of national importance. The government will amend the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, to include registration of marriages under The Bill seeks to add eight new Indian Institutes of Technology the purview of this law. The amendment bill to be introduced in Bhubaneshwar, Gandhinagar, Hyderabad, Indore, Jodhour, in Parliament during this session. This will provide legal Mandi, Patna, Ropar. It also seeks to integrate the Institute of protection to couples, especially in cases of inter-religious Technology, Banaras Hindu University within the ambit of the matrimony. The Union Cabinet has also approved amendment Act. All these institutions shall be declared as institutions of to the Anand Marriage Act, 1909, to provide for registration of national importance. marriages of Sikhs that has been a long-standing demand of The Bill allows the central government to notify zones in the the community. The proposed Bills will be beneficial to women, country. Each institute has the duty to support and collaborate protecting them from unnecessary harassment in matrimonial with technical education institutions that fall within its and maintenance cases. It will also provide evidentiary value respective zone to enhance their quality. It shall also advise 23 in matters of custody of children, right of children born from the state government and the Union Territory in the matter of wedlock of two persons whose marriage is registered and the technical education within its zone. age of the parties to the marriage. While marriages of Sikhs along with those of Buddhists and ISSUES ON GOVERNANCE Jains are currently registered under the Hindu Marriage Act, Mission to Improve Monsoon Forecast Muslims, Parsis, Christians and Jews have separate Acts for The Union Cabinet’s Committee on Economic Affairs has given registration. Necessary provisions have also been made to avoid its nod for a national mission to improve the accuracy of duplication of registration both under the proposed central monsoon forecasts. The mission, estimated to cost Rs. 400 legislation and State laws. The registration of marriages under crore over five years, is designed to improve the current the proposed amendment would, however, not affect any right dynamic numerical models through better insight of the recognised or acquired by any party to marriage under any law, highly complex phenomenon of monsoon. Under the project, custom or usage. scientists will work on two models already available from the The North Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) and United Kingdom’s Met Office and the United States’ National other Related Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2012 Centres for Environment Prediction. The mission will have two The North-Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) and other Related components on two different time scales — medium-range Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2012 was introduced in the Lok Sabha forecast, up to 15 days on the one hand and seasonal and on April 26, 2012 and was passed by Parliament on May 16, extended range prediction (16 days to one season). 2012. Once the mission is implemented, the India Meteorology The Bill proposes to amend the Act to provide for the setting Department can come out with predictions based on a dynamic up of separate high courts for the three states of Tripura, forecasting system for all time scales at appropriate spatial Meghalaya and Manipur. After the commencement of the Act, scales and with improved prediction skills. At present, the IMD the Gauhati High Court shall have no jurisdiction in respect makes its forecasts based on a statistical model. The statistical of the states of Tripura, Meghalaya and Mizoram. The cases system has several shortcomings. Dynamic numerical models, before the Gauhati High Court relating to these three states on the other hand, are expected to come out with better shall be transferred to the respective new high courts. forecasts. Since India does not have a dynamic numerical INDIA PREPARES National Bulletin Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

model of its own, the project will seek to use those available agencies will help in conversion of insanitary latrines into from the U.K. and the U.S. and try and adapt them to Indian sanitary ones within nine months of the notification of the conditions. The goal is to develop within five years a model Act, but non-receipt of assistance for the purpose will be no that will be India-specific. reason for continuation of insanitary latrines, failing which PM’s Rural Development Fellowship Scheme Gets the local authorities will demolish the structure and the Underway occupier will have to bear the cost, in a manner which will be prescribed in the Rules. The offences will be cognisable and Union Minister for Rural Development Jairam Ramesh has non-bailable and tried by an Executive Magistrate. launched the Prime Minister’s Rural Development Fellowship The National Commission of Safai Karmacharis will monitor the (PMRDF) programme. Under the programme, 156 youth selected implementation of the Act, while district magistrates will be for the fellowship would work in 78 Left-wing extremism responsible for implementing and ensuring that there are no (LWE)-affected districts covered in the integrated action plan insanitary latrines in their jurisdiction. The municipalities and (IAP) in nine States – Bihar, Orissa, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, panchayats will conduct a survey of the manual scavengers to Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh ascertain the number of persons involved in this profession and Jharkhand for two years. The programme would involve and bring them under a rehabilitation scheme. Once identified committed young people to facilitate development and welfare as a manual scavenger, he or she will be given a photo identity schemes in challenging rural areas. After two-month training, card with details of dependent family members; there will be they would work closely with local elected bodies and women an initial one-time financial assistance and scholarships for self-help groups to improve the implementation of government children under relevant government schemes; the government schemes, due to lack of which the areas remained under- will provide a residential plot and financial assistance to developed, Mr. Jairam Ramesh said. They would work directly construct a house or provide a built house under the scheme run under district Collectors and Chief Executive Officers of Zilla by the Centre or State government, or even local authorities. Parishads. Sanitary workers or one family member will be imparted SOCIAL ISSUES training in skill development and entitled to a stipend of Rs. Bill Prohibiting Manual Scavenging is Coming 3,000 during the training period. They will also be eligible for Soon subsidy and concessional loans to start their own alternative 24 occupation on a sustainable basis. Employing people for manual scavenging and cleaning of septic tanks and sewers will attract a hefty penalty once the Fresh Look at Poverty Line Planned Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their After facing a barrage of criticism on the issue of poverty Rehabilitation Bill, 2012 is passed. The Bill that seeks to line during the last few months, the Planning Commission prohibit employment as sanitary workers is to be tabled in has decided to appoint a technical committee to look into Parliament in the monsoon session. The proposed law suggests the whole issue afresh. Deputy Chairman of the Planning that every insanitary latrine will have to be demolished or Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia has said that the converted into sanitary latrines within nine months of the committee of experts would be appointed soon. The terms of notification of the law. It prohibits any agency or individual reference were being worked out and the commission would from employing manual scavengers and those already in notify it once the exercise was completed. this kind of job — directly or indirectly — will have to be The Suresh Tendulkar Committee had put the people below discharged irrespective of any contract, agreement, custom or poverty line (BPL) at slightly lesser than 30 per cent (360 traditional commitments. million) in 2009-10, down from 37.2 per cent in 2004-05. Insanitary latrine is defined where excreta is cleaned or The strategy of inclusive growth during the United Progressive manually handled before complete decomposition either in situ Alliance rule had brought down poverty by 1.5 percentage or in an open drain or a pit into which excreta is discharged points every year after 2004-05, while it had come down only or flushed. Though there is no accurate data available on by 0.74 percentage points during 1993-94 and 2004-05, Mr. the number of people involved in this kind of work, manual Ahluwalia stated. scavenging in India is prevalent and even municipalities do On the much debated figures of Rs. 32 per capita income per hire people for cleaning septic tanks. Employing or hiring day in urban areas and Rs. 26 per capita income per day in rural people for the hazardous job of cleaning of septic tanks and areas to decide the status of poverty, the Plan panel deputy sewers from within one year of the day the Act is notified chief said the numbers were arrived at by social activists and can attract imprisonment of up to two years and a fine of not by the Planning Commission. “What we told the Supreme Rs. 2 lakh for first violation; subsequent violations will attract Court was that Rs. 4,800 income per family per month in urban imprisonment of up to five years and Rs. 5 lakh. areas and Rs. 3,900 in rural areas is the line of poverty,” he As per the draft of the Bill, the governments or the local said. INDIA PREPARES National Bulletin Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

WHO Calls for Greater Attention to Aging India adults, children and even mentally ill persons. The petitioner brought to the court’s notice the menace taking place in The World Health Organisation (WHO) in partnership with the various States. Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has called for greater attention to the aging of India’s population, its implications for The petitioner said that in a large number of cases, health policy and for promotion of a society where the elderly multinational corporations were using contract research can live full, enriching and productive lives. “In India, as all organisations for carrying out clinical trials which were not around the world, people are living longer. Undoubtedly the even approved. As a consequence of these illegal trials, population of India is aging and will continue to age steadily 1,727 patients had died from 2007 to 2010. These trials “are in the next few decades. It is estimated that the population conducted in India either because these trials are not allowed aged 60 years and above will grow from 77 million (7.4% of outside India or because such trials are cost-prohibitive in the total population) in 2001 up to 300 million (17%) by the country of origin. Further, the poor, the illiterate and the 2050,’’ noted a release issued by WHO. vulnerable sections of the society become subjects of these illegal clinical trials. In conducting these trials, the doctors, With a steady increase in life expectancy and the elderly with the sole aim of making money, grossly compromise with population, the burden of non-communicable diseases ethical medical practices. ” (including heart disease and stroke, cancers, diabetes, mental health problems, vision and hearing impairment) will continue The NGO said “the manner in which these trials are conducted to grow, putting significant additional demands on health is grossly illegal and violative of Article 21 of the Constitution. services. In the years to come, there will be a need to further The inaction of the government in not banning/restricting improve the access of the elderly population to preventive, these trials is violative of Article 14.” The petitioner said that curative and rehabilitative services. “The launch of the as per guidelines, the subject should know the nature and National Programme for Health Care of the Elderly (NPHCE) by purpose of experiment; the method and means by which it was the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare is an important step to be conducted; all inconveniences and hazards reasonable to in that direction’’, said WHO Regional Director for South-East be expected; and the effects upon his health or person which Asia, Dr. Samlee Plianbangchang. might come from the experiment. New Central Scheme to Supply Free Generic Drugs ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES Moving towards major reforms, the Centre is in the process of 25 Green Tribunal Suspends Environmental Nod to Posco rolling out a universal health coverage package in at least one The Rs. 51,000 crore Posco steel project in Orissa is back district in each State on an experimental basis. This would in limbo, with the National Green Tribunal suspending the include a clearly defined basket of services to those who come Environment Ministry’s nod to the country’s single largest FDI to any public health facility for treatment or free supply of venture. The government has now been told to conduct a fresh generic drugs, doing away with user charges and upgrading review by specialist experts to recommend new conditions, public health infrastructure right from the primary to tertiary and ensure compliance before a clear deadline. levels. The private sector would have a role to play only when needed. The Tribunal has told the government to take a policy decision that in similar cases in the future, an EIA must consider the These recommendations had been made by the High Level full capacity of the project, rather than granting piecemeal Expert Group (HLEG) in its report on universal health coverage. clearances for separate components. It also directed that the The panel had also recommended against any insurance Environment Ministry consider a policy to insist that all water- scheme as a mechanism for health coverage. The HLEG had intensive projects find their own sources, rather than diverting been set up by the Planning Commission and it submitted its water meant for irrigation or drinking. In Posco’s case, it said report in November last. The Union Health and Family Welfare an alternative source could be examined, rather than using Ministry will soon write to the States asking them to put in water meant for the city of Cuttack. place a professional and transparent mechanism for providing free generic drugs. HEALTH ISSUES The scheme will be included as a new initiative under the SC Asks Centre to Take Corrective Steps on Il- National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) at a cost of Rs. 30,000 crore for the next five years. The scheme will be implemented legal Clinical Trials from sub-centres to district hospitals, but not in medical college The Supreme Court has asked the Centre to take corrective hospitals. At present, the Ministry is involved in working out measures on illegal clinical trials. The court was responded a process to implement the scheme by taking States on board, on a writ petition filed by the Indore-based Swasthya Adhikar as the scheme has enough potential for misuse. Manch highlighting the alleged illegal clinical trials of The Centre has already approved a Central Procurement Agency untested drugs being conducted by pharmaceutical firms on (CPA) for supplying generic drugs to the States right up to the INDIA PREPARES National Bulletin Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

district level, from where the secondary and primary centres AWCs into AWCs-cum-crèches with a planned early stimulation will procure these drugs. Importantly, the States will have component and interactive environment for children below 3 to draw up standard treatment guidelines as provided under years will be piloted. Young children with different abilities the Clinical Establishment (Registration and Regulation) Act, would be reached out to. Service-delivery models will be 2011. This will help in ensuring checking the irrational use of experimented for family, community, and NGOs. To standardise drugs, and encourage use of generic drugs. Maharashtra and the quality of ECCE available to children, basic quality standards Delhi already have such guidelines. and specifications will be laid down valid across public, private and voluntary sectors. A Regulatory Framework for the ECCE to EDUCATIONAL ISSUES ensure basic quality inputs and outcomes, across all service Early Childhood Care and Education Policy Proposed providers undertaking such services, will be progressively evolved at the national level and implemented by States in With the aim of providing integrated services for the holistic the next five years. development of all children from the prenatal period to six years, the government has proposed a National Early A developmentally appropriate National Curriculum Framework Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Policy that lays down the for the ECCE will be developed. It will promote play-based, way forward for a comprehensive approach towards ensuring experiential and child-friendly provision for early education a sound foundation for every child. India has 158.7 million and all-round development. To sustain the multi-sectoral and children in the 0-6 age group as per the 2011 Census. Broadly, inter-agency collaboration, a thematic ECCE Committee with the policy focuses on re-structuring the Integrated Child experts will be formed under the ICDS Mission Steering Group Development Services (ICDS) scheme and integrating early initially and later formed as a National ECCE Council, with childhood education with the Right to Education Act to ensure corresponding councils at the State level, and later at the a smooth transition into formal schooling. All service providers district level. The council will be the apex body to guide and will have to be registered with the State governments to oversee the implementation of the policy as well as keep ECCE ensure quality of services provided. programmes consistent with the National ECCE Policy. Early childhood is acknowledged as the most crucial period New Scheme to Raise Higher Education Enrolment in a person’s life, when the rate of development is very high Concerned over the low enrolment ratio in higher education, and foundations are laid for cumulative lifelong learning and the government is planning a Central scheme to incentivise 26 human development. There is growing scientific evidence that the States to improve higher education in the country. The the development of the brain in the early years is a pathway proposed Rashtriya Ucchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) is aimed that affects physical and mental health, learning and behaviour at increasing enrolment in the higher education institutions to throughout the life cycle. Despite the existence of multiple 30 per cent by 2020 as against the present 12.4 per cent. The service provisions, there is no reliable data available about government intends to subsume the current scheme of setting the actual number of children attending the existing ECCE up model degree colleges in 374 educationally backward provisions and their break-up as per the delivery of services. districts of the country. Of the 158.7 million children in the below-six-years category, The RUSA aims to expand the institutional base of higher about 75.7 million children — 48 per cent — are reported to education by creating additional capacity in existing be covered under the ICDS scheme. Broad estimations indicate institutions, establishing new institutions and incentivising that a significant number is also covered by the private sector, State governments. It will focus on providing higher education besides some limited coverage by the NGO sector, for which opportunities to socially deprived communities, address there is no data available. disparities by promoting inclusion of women, minorities, This ECCE policy will cover all early childhood care and Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes and differently abled education programmes and related services in public, private persons. It will also seek to remove regional imbalances and voluntary sectors in all settings across regions. These in access to higher education by setting up institutions in services include anganwadis (AWC), crèches, play schools, unserved and underserved areas. preschools, nursery schools, kindergartens, preparatory The programme will be funded in the ratio of 75:25, with schools, balwadis, and home-based care. the Centre putting up three-fourths of the cost. For special The policy seeks to universalise the provision of ECCE for all category States, the funding ratio will be 90:10. To increase children, mainly through the ICDS scheme in the public sector fund availability, it has been proposed that as much as 50 and other service provisions across systems. The Anganwadi per cent of the State share could be mobilised through public Centre would be repositioned as a “vibrant child-friendly Early private partnerships. The balance funds including recurring Childhood Development Centre” with adequate infrastructure cost of the institutions will be met by the State governments. and resources for ensuring a continuum of the ECCE in a life- Land for the institution will be provided free of cost by the cycle approach and child-related outcomes. Conversion of State governments.

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critical infrastructure, Tribal Sub-plan, implementation of the COMMITTEE / COMMISSIONS Scheduled Tribes and the Other Traditional Forest Dwellers Panel Set up On Corporate Governance (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 and Governors Report. The report also contains recommendations on the To improve corporate governance, the Ministry of Corporate role of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and State Tribal Welfare Affairs has constituted a high-level committee, headed by Departments, National Commission for Scheduled Tribes and Godrej Group Chairman Adi Godrej. The committee, comprising SCs & STs (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. representatives from the corporate world, industry bodies and government departments, will suggest a comprehensive policy REPORTS / SURVEYS framework to enable corporate governance of highest quality in all classes of companies without impinging on their internal India Will see Highest Urban Population Rise in autonomy to order their affairs in their best judgment. The 40 Years’ committee is likely to make its recommendations within six U.N. report says China, India together will account for about months after wide consultations with all stakeholders in the third of the increase in urban population in coming decades. corporate sector, academics and members of the public. The India will witness the largest increase in urban population government is keen on bringing in major changes in corporate in the next four decades followed by China, a United Nations governance guidelines by including good practices such as tax report has said. India will add another 497 million to its urban compliance and asking companies to adopt it voluntarily. Some population between 2010 and 2050, while China will see 341 of the prominent members of the Committee are: Biocon head million people shifting into cities, followed by Nigeria (200 Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, FICCI Vice-President Sidharth Birla, million), the United States (103 million) and Indonesia (92 Asian Centre for Corporate Governance & Sustainability Vice- million), according to the U.N.’s ‘2011 Revision of the World Chairman M. K. Chauhan, former chairman of Company Law Urbanisation Prospects’ report. The projected increase in Board S. Balasubramaniyan, besides former heads of ONGC, R. urban population in India and Nigeria between 2010 and 2050 S. Sharma, and SAIL, S. K. Roongta. will be higher than that of the past 40 years. This trend is Committee Constituted to Examine Drug Ap- particularly prominent in Nigeria, where the urban population proval Procedures grew by only 65 million between 1970 and 2010, but is projected to increase by 200 million between 2010 and 2050 Taking note of the 59th Report of the Parliamentary Standing 27 Committee on the functioning of the Central Drugs Standard the third largest increase in urban population of all countries Control Organization (CDSCO), the Union Minister of Health of the world. and Family Welfare Ghulam Nabi Azad has constituted a In 2025, Tokyo is projected to remain the world’s most committee of three experts comprising V M Katoch, Secretary populous urban agglomeration, with almost 39 million and DG, ICMR, P.N Tandon, President, National Brain inhabitants, although the population will scarcely increase. Research Centre, Department of Biotechnology, Manesar and It will be followed by Delhi with 33 million inhabitants and S S Aggarwal, former Director, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Shanghai in China with 28.4 million inhabitants. Mumbai Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow. The Committee has would come next, with almost 27 million inhabitants. All three been asked to: (i) examine the validity of the scientific and cities are expecting important population gains. High rates of statutory basis adopted for approval of new drugs without growth are expected in Lagos, Dhaka, and Karachi in Pakistan clinical trials. (ii) outline appropriate measures to bring (all having growth rates well above 2 per cent per year). In about systemic improvements in the processing and grant of addition, the megacities in India (Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai) statutory approvals and (iii) suggest steps to institutionalise and in China (Shenzhen, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai) plus improvements in other procedural aspects of functioning of Manila are expected to grow considerably faster than those in the CDSCO. The Committee has been asked to submit its report Egypt or Turkey. These trends are consistent with the overall within a period of two months. differentials in fertility among the national populations. Mungekar Committee Report on Administration Between 2000 and 2050, urban growth will be the sole driver in Scheduled Areas of the increase in the urban population of China. In contrast, The Mungekar Committee Report on Standards of the urbanisation of the U.S. until 2050 will be still mainly led Administration and Governance in the Scheduled Areas by an increase in the overall increase of the population. This submitted by the Standing Committee on Inter-Sectoral “unprecedented” increase in urban population will provide new Issues relating to Tribal Development under the chairmanship opportunities to improve education and public services in Africa of Dr. Bhalchandra Mungekar contains recommendations on a and Asia, the report said. It, however, warned that the trend variety of issues. These include inter-alia reviving institutions would also “pose new challenges of providing jobs, housing, of self governance, effective delivery mechanism, creation of energy and infrastructure to mitigate poverty, expansion of slums and deterioration of the urban environment.”

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“India Will Achieve Sanitation Goals only By 2054” INSEAD. It ranked 48th in 2011, against 43rd the previous year. China, ranked 51st this year, occupied the 36th place Going by the present pace of progress, India will achieve the in 2011. The report rates India’s performance as “very mixed, millennium development goals (MDGs) on sanitation only by with encouraging results in a few areas and a lot of room for 2054. While some States had already achieved the target and improvement elsewhere, notably in the political and regulatory some are close to it, other populous States such as Madhya environment and the business and innovation environment.” Pradesh and Orissa will reach the target only in the next century, according to WHO and UNICEF’s Joint Monitoring “Extensive red tape stands in the way of businesses, and Programme for Water Supply and Sanitation (JMPWSS). corporate tax is among the highest of all analysed countries. According to the JMPWSS’ report, which tracks the progress For instance, it typically takes four years and 46 procedures on drinking water and sanitation, 17 States, including Kerala, to enforce a contract,” the report said, referring to the longer Haryana, Meghalaya, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and most time and more paperwork required to start a business in India Union Territories, had already achieved the MDG target while than in most other countries. However, India fared better in Assam, Andhra Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh will achieve it the availability of new technologies and venture capital, the in the next 10 years. Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and intensity of local competition and the quality of management Chhattisgarh are some States that will meet the MDG target schools. Already ICT was “having a small transformational in the coming 25 years, while Madhya Pradesh is expected to impact” on the economy, the report stated. achieve the goal in 2105 and Orissa in 2160 unless special The low penetration of ICT was one of India’s weakest strategies are adopted to speed up the progress, the report aspects, with the country ranked 117th in individual usage. has said. Mobile penetration had to be improved further, as also the The world has pledged to reduce by half the proportion of percentage of the population that used the Internet. The people without sustainable access to safe drinking water and report suggested skills and infrastructure upgrade. “Fierce basic sanitation by 2015 from 1990 figures. Though India has competition and innovations” had made India the leader in already achieved impressive results on water supply, with 85 ICT affordability. “Although penetration is still limited among per cent of its people having access to safe drinking water, the population at large, businesses are early and assiduous 51 per cent or 626 million people in the country defecate in adopters of new technologies. And the government is placing the open, accounting for 60 per cent of the world’s total open a great deal of emphasis on ICT as a way of addressing some 28 defecations. India has seen an improvement in the sanitation of the most pressing issues. Whether this vision will translate figures from 1990, when 75 per cent people defecated in the into a transformation of the economy and society remains to open as against 51 per cent in 2010. But this improvement be seen.” is seen only in the urban settings, where 28 per cent had no access to toilets in 1990 as against 14 per cent in 2010. In the STATE NEWS rural areas, 91 per cent had no access to sanitation in 1990 West Bengal Frames Right to Education Rules as against 67 per cent in 2010, indicating that it was the rich Nearly two years after the legislation was implemented in who had more access to sanitation. the rest of the country on April 1, 2010, the West Bengal Four out of every 10 people who have gained access to Government has now framed rules for implementing the Right improved sanitation since 1990 live in China or India, and of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009. In more than half of the 2.5 billion people without improved keeping with the provisions of the Act, the age of admissions sanitation too live in these two countries. In India, 251 to Class I across the State has been raised from the existing million people gained access to sanitation between 1990 and five years to six years. The notification specifies that the State 2010 but the percentage continues to be low because of the Government will have to ensure the availability of a primary annual increase in the population. Over 1.7 million (22% of school (Classes I to IV) to a child within one km in rural areas the world total) children under five who died in 2010 were and within half-a-km in the urban areas. Similarly, every child Indians, diarrhoea being one among the largest killer diseases in rural areas should have access to an upper primary school and accounting for 13 per cent of the deaths. Worldwide, over (Classes IV to VIII) within two km of his/her residence and 80 per cent of diarrhoeal deaths are due to unsafe water, one km in the urban areas. inadequate sanitation and poor hygiene. The notification proposes to set up a Right to Education India Goes Down in Global ICT Ranking Protection Authority (REPA) in the State till the Government India has been ranked 69th among 142 nations in inherent comes up with State Commission for Protection of Child Rights capacity to leverage information and communication (SCPCR) to supervise the implementation of the Act in West technologies (ICT) for progress, in the latest of a series of Bengal. The newly-framed rules also specify that the State Networked Readiness Index reports brought out annually Government, through local authorities like the panchayats and by the World Economic Forum and the business school, municipalities, will keep a record of all children from six years

INDIA PREPARES National Bulletin Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012 to 14 years to ensure that they are provided compulsory and in principle to extend the $200 million loan to Himachal free elementary education. Pradesh for undertaking a “carbon-smart growth”, said Chief With the publication of the Gazette notification, the schools will Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal. The project aims at sustainable have to ensure special training for children who have dropped management of natural resources and heritage, with focus on out and are being admitted to a class appropriate to their age. forests, wildlife, wetlands, livestock, mining, fisheries, waste Certain other provisions of the Act, like reimbursement of fees disposal, and architecture and cultural heritage. Himachal of children belonging to economically weaker sections to the Pradesh had signed a pact with the World Bank last year school authorities by the State Government and withdrawal of for harnessing carbon credits to generate carbon revenue recognition to schools if they do not abide by the Act, have amounting to Rs. 20crore for 20 years under the “Bio Carbon also been incorporated in the newly-framed rules. National Projects” in 10 districts of the State, he said. The Rs. 365-crore Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) is the Himachal Pradesh Mid-Himalayan Watershed Project, co- statutory body that monitors the implementation of the Act funded by the World Bank, is the first Indian project registered across the country. for carbon credits. Gujarat, M.P. spar over translocation of lions Ordinance Returned by Manipur Governor to be Madhya Pradesh has pitched in with a plea in the Supreme Introduced as Bill Court for translocation of Asiatic lions from Gujarat to its Kuno The O Ibobi Singh ministry in Manipur will introduce an Palpur sanctuary. Counsel for Madhya Pradesh, Vibha Datta ordinance as a bill in the assembly after Governor Gurbachan Makhija told a special Forest Bench that Madhya Pradesh has Jagat returned it for reconsideration. The ordinance seeks to “all the necessary infrastructure, expertise and environment appoint parliamentary secretaries in the rank of a minister to for translocating the lions” to its own sanctuary. She disputed accommodate Congress MLAs who could not get ministerial Gujarat’s argument that Madhya Pradesh would not be a safe berths. Mr Jagat returned ‘The Manipur Parliamentary Secretary place for the lions as the State had failed to preserve its (Allowances, Appointment, Salary and Miscellaneous Provision) own tiger population in the Panna reserve forest. She also Ordinance, 2012,’ to the cabinet for reconsideration after it repudiated Gujarat’s argument that shifting lions to Madhya was sent to him for assent. Congress sources said at least Pradesh was not ideal as they cannot co-exist with cheetahs six to seven MLAs were to be made parliamentary secretaries and tigers. She placed before the Court purported findings of who would be given the charge to run certain government experts to establish that these wild animals could co-exist. departments. Manipur with 60-member state assembly can 29 At the last hearing, Gujarat opposed any effort by the Centre to have only 12 ministers following a constitutional amendment translocate Asiatic lions from its Gir sanctuary to Kuno Palpur which limits the size of the cabinet to 15 per cent of its total wildlife sanctuary of Madhya Pradesh. Gujarat counsel Shyam seats of the house. The ruling Congress has 42 MLAs. Divan had said the State had sufficient infrastructure and will Haryana’s First LED Village to conserve the lions’ population and it was not advisable to Shimla Mulana village of Panipat district has become the first translocate them and pointed out that tigers have become village in Haryana to be completely illuminated with Light extinct in Panna reserve. The State said that efforts should be Emitting Diode (LED) lamps. The Renewable Energy Department made for translocation of the extinct cheetah from South Africa has provided power and solar energy equipments worth Rs. to Kuno Palpur and only after sufficient time efforts should be 13.27 lakh to the village. It has also provided 430 LED bulbs, made to add lions gradually to that sanctuary. Otherwise “lions 466 tube lights and 10 solar street lights. will not allow the cheetahs to survive in the sanctuary,” Mr. Third NIA Centre in Uttar Pradesh Divan said. The Gujarat Government is fighting a legal battle in the Supreme Court against translocation of lions in the With Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav assuring full wake of a PIL filed by an environment group seeking their cooperation, a regional centre of the National Investigation translocation to Madhya Pradesh. Agency (NIA) will be opened soon in Lucknow. It will be the third, after Hyderabad and Guwahati. $200 Million Free Loan for Himachal Rajasthan HC CJ approves Fast Track court on Female Foeticide The World Bank has agreed to provide a $200 million loan to Himachal Pradesh in order to enable it become the country’s Chief Justice of the Rajasthan high court Arun Mishra has given first ‘carbon-neutral State’ by 2020. The World Bank has agreed an in-principle nod to set up a fast track court for expediting trial in cases of female foeticide.

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INTERNATIONAL news...

SOUTH ASIA second could undermine the military effort, but they eventually agreed compromises on both. The main U.S. prison is now in Undeterred Pakistan Knocks on Russia’s Door on the middle of a six-month handover, and Afghan forces have Pipeline taken control of night raids, under two separate agreements signed within a month of each other, paving the way for the Undeterred by the U.S. threat of sanctions on the Iran-Pakistan strategic partnership deal. gas pipeline, Islamabad has decided to explore the Russian Both sides agreed to set aside difficult questions about long- option to render financial services to the project after the term U.S. access to military bases and the status of any U.S. state-owned Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) forces that do stay on in Afghanistan. These issues will be developed cold feet. Delayed by one hiccup after the other, negotiated in a separate deal some time before 2014. In the the Iran-Pakistan pipeline stumbled yet again recently with U.S. it will go to the houses of Congress and the president; in ICBC dragging its feet over signing the contract with Inter- Afghanistan the President will consult with national leaders State Gas Systems to provide financial advisory services to the plus both Houses of Parliament. Washington and its allies project. A technical delegation visited Moscow recently to wanted to have the U.S.-Afghan strategic partnership agreed meet relevant authorities and companies, including Gazprom, before May, when a NATO conference in Chicago is expected to seek financial assistance. Russia has offered to fully to pledge long-term help to Kabul with finances and military finance the project — estimated to cost $1.5 billion — if training. By opening the way for a smaller but longer-term U.S. Pakistan awards it to Gazprom without bidding. This offer was presence in Afghanistan, the agreement would give western apparently made to Pakistan in February during the visit of leaders a rationale for supporting Kabul after combat troops Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar. are withdrawn in 2014. It also aims to reassure Afghans that Russia has also evinced interest in the Turkmenistan- the West will not cut and run, and is critical to Afghanistan’s Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline and CASA-1000, the financial stability. The World Bank forecasts the country will 30 Central Asia-South Asia electricity bridge. have a $7-billion hole in its annual budget after 2014. Pakistan Launches Hatf IV Shaheen-1A Nepal Army Takes Charge of Maoist Combatants Pakistan has said it had successfully conducted the launch of In what is being considered a major development in Nepal’s the Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile Hatf IV Shaheen-1A peace process, the Nepal Army (NA) has taken control of Weapon System. The missile — capable of carrying both nuclear the Maoist People’s Liberation Army (PLA) cantonments, and conventional warheads — is billed as an improved version combatants and the weapons stored in containers inside the of Shaheen-1, in terms of range and technical parameters. camps. This is in line with a decision taken by the all-party Advance notice was given to India on the test, in accordance Special Committee (SC) for the Supervision, Integration and with the May 2005 agreement regarding pre-notification of Rehabilitation of Maoist combatants, which was also attended flight testing of ballistic missiles. India had similarly informed by top political leaders. NA will now be responsible for the Pakistan of its upcoming test of Agni-V recently in advance. security of the 15 remaining Maoist cantonments, including its Afghan-U.S. strategic Partnership Pact infrastructure. Around 9,700 combatants who have opted for integration remain in these cantonments, and there are over Afghanistan and the United States have agreed the contents 3,000 weapons in the containers. A little more than 7,000 of a long-awaited deal to define their relationship after most former fighters who voluntarily retired with cash packages left foreign troops leave at the end of 2014. “Today Afghanistan the camps in mid-February, while 12 satellite camps were shut and the U.S. initialled and locked the text of the strategic down in March. partnership agreement,” said Mr. Karzai’s spokesman, Aimal Last week, the SC had decided that there would be another Faizi in April 2012. “This means the text is closed, and both round of regrouping in the cantonments, where combatants sides will now review the document and do a final consultation. would be given a second chance to take voluntary retirement. Negotiations on the strategic partnership deal have dragged This was aimed at bringing the numbers of those opting for on for over a year, initially held up by two demands from integration down to 6,500 — the agreed maximum limit of Afghan President Hamid Karzai that he said were critical to those who can join a specially created directorate under the restoring national sovereignty: Afghan control of jails and an Nepal Army as per a peace agreement. Opposition parties have end to night raids on Afghan homes. Western officials argued long demanded that the Maoists hand over the control of for months that the first demand was not practical and the cantonments to the Nepal government. INDIA PREPARES Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012 International Bulletin Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

willingness to engage in the disputed PoK region, both EAST ASIA commercially and politically. China has a long-standing policy China Boosts Trade with Nepal of not interfering in the Kashmir dispute, which it describes as an issue for India and Pakistan to resolve. However, some China will provide Nepal with technology and assistance to recent Chinese policies to the region have concerned India, build a border land port that will boost trade and serve as a including the issuing of stapled visas to Indian citizens from transit point on a proposed railway line. Chinese Ambassador Jammu and Kashmir, even while the PoK residents are issued to Nepal Yang Houlan told that China is taking forward plans regular visas, and Chinese investments in infrastructure for a “dry port” at Tatopani near the border with Tibet, projects. following discussions held during Premier Wen Jiabao’s visit Chinese officials said recently that China’s only focus in to Kathmandu in January. During the visit, both countries also PoK was boosting the local economy of the region, which discussed plans for a railway line connecting Nepal and the borders the far-western Xinjiang autonomous region, and the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), and agreed to have more government would not be “judgemental” over disputes. India frequent high-level visits. Mr. Wen’s visit was the first high- also expressed concerns over the presence of between three level visit since that of the former Premier, Zhu Rongji, in and four thousand Chinese military personnel in PoK, although 2001. China says the troops are all from engineering and construction Last year, China also opened a port of entry at Gyirong in corps and stationed there for humanitarian activities in the TAR to make it a major passage for land trade with Nepal. wake of the 2010 floods. China plans to make Gyirong a 44.5-sq.km. “cross-border free trade zone” with Nepal, with 1.2 billion yuan ($190 million) N. Korean Long-Range Rocket Launch Fails spent to upgrade its infrastructure. A five-year plan for TAR’s North Korea’s heralded long-range rocket test ended in failure, development announced in January detailed measures to build disintegrating in mid-air soon after blastoff and plunging into highways and rail links to boost connectivity to border regions. the sea in a major embarrassment for the reclusive state. The Part of the plan is upgrade the 318 National Highway, also defiant launch drew condemnation from world leaders who known as the “friendship highway”, that runs to Gyirong and described it as a “provocative” act that threatened regional to Zhangmu, a border town where much of the trade between security, despite Pyongyang insisting it was intended to put a China and Nepal takes place. The two countries also discussed satellite into orbit for peaceful purposes. Some four hours after 31 extending the Tibet railway line to the Nepal border during Mr. the rocket exploded over the Yellow Sea, the North admitted Wen’s visit. the satellite had failed to enter orbit. The United States and its Trade between China and Nepal grew by 61 per cent last year allies slammed the exercise as a disguised ballistic missile test to $1.2 billion. Chinese officials say they see potential for that contravened U.N. resolutions triggered by Pyongyang’s supporting infrastructure and hydropower projects in Nepal two nuclear tests. with the country facing deficits in both areas. China sees Japan Foregoes Myanmar’s $3.7-Billion Debt Nepal as crucial to Tibet’s stability, with the country not only serving as an important transit route for Tibetans travelling Japan has said that it will forgive about 300 billion yen ($3.7 to India but also home to a large exiled population. Boosting billion) of Myanmar’s debt and resume development aid as a way trade ties and commercial support to the Nepali government, to support the country’s democratic and economic reforms. The would serve a dual purpose of increasing China’s presence in government made the announcement after a meeting between the country and also giving Beijing greater strategic weight Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and Myanmar President Thein to press authorities there to cooperate more closely on the Sein following a summit with leaders from the five nations of Tibetan issue. the Mekong River region. Myanmar’s military junta last year handed power to a nominally civilian government that has Chinese Expedition to PoK Glacier surprised the world with a series of sweeping political and To celebrate its “long-term friendship” with Pakistan, China economic reforms, including releasing prominent political has said it will send an expedition to the Baltoro glacier prisoners and allowing democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi in the Karakoram mountain range, located in the disputed to contest recent parliamentary by-elections. The Japanese Pakistan- occupied Kashmir (PoK) region. A first of its kind government said in a statement that it will cancel 127.4 joint mountaineering expedition to this region from China and billion yen in loans due after April 2003. It will also forgive Pakistan will scale the 7,000 metre-high Mount Spantik peak 176.1 billion yen in overdue charges accumulated over the either in June or July, Chinese officials has said. past two decades after one year’s time as the two countries jointly monitor reforms. Japan does not have sanctions on The expedition has been seen as reflecting China’s growing Myanmar.

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WEST ASIA & MIDDLE EAST AMERICAS Syria Accepts Kofi Annan’s Peace Plan Bill Against Outsourcing of Call Centre Yobs Gets Syria has accepted a proposal crafted by the United Nations and 106 co-Sponsors Arab League envoy Kofi Annan that aims to end bloodshed in A Congressional Bill that bars U.S. companies outsourcing the strife-hit country. However, the main opposition coalition call centre jobs from receiving federal grants and loans now is sceptical and has questioned whether the government will has over 100 co-sponsors, its promoter has said. The U.S. Call honour its pledge. Mr Annan’s six-point plan calls for Mr Centre and Consumer Protection Act (HR 3596), introduced in Assad’s government to pull troops and heavy weapons out the U.S. House of Representatives by Congressman Tim Bishop, of population centres, and for all parties to allow for a daily now has as many as 106 lawmakers as its co-sponsors. In a two-hour pause to the fighting in order for humanitarian statement, Mr. Bishop hoped this would compel a hearing on aid to reach affected areas. The plan also requests that the the legislation in the Committee on Energy and Commerce. authorities release those detained in the uprising. However, The U.S Call Centre and Consumer Protection Act, if passed it does not impose any deadline for Mr Assad, or call for him by the Congress and signed into law, would require the U.S. to leave power. Department of Labour to track firms that move call centre jobs Meanwhile, the UN said over 9,100 people had been killed in overseas; the firms would then become ineligible for any direct Syria over the past year as President Bashar al-Assad’s regime or indirect federal loans or loan guarantees for five years. “The cracks down on protests, and the plan urges a UN-supervised provision is partially a response to the practice of companies halt to fighting, bringing hopes the violence will end. The taking millions in incentives from local taxpayers to open acceptance of the plan was hailed as an “important step” by call centres in the U.S, only to off-shore their operations a US state department. Both China and Russia have also offered short time later and leave local communities devastated and their support for Mr Annan’s strategy. The two countries had still paying the bill,” Mr. Bishop said. The Bill also requires been heavily criticised after vetoing two UN Security Council overseas call centre employees to disclose their location to resolutions condemning the violence. U.S. consumers and gives customers the right to be transferred On 29th March the Arab League also withdrew its advocacy to a U.S.-based call centre upon request. 32 of regime change in Syria and supports the diplomatic ‘Pakistan Terrorism Accountability bill’ Intro- initiative of Kofi Annan during its summit hosted by Iraq. Arab leaders urged a peaceful solution to the crisis in Syria at a duced in U.S. Congress landmark summit in Baghdad. Only nine visiting leaders of the Alleging that Pakistan has for decades leveraged radical 22-member Arab League turned up for the summit, the first terrorist groups to carry out attacks in India and Afghanistan, to be held in the Iraqi capital in more than 20 years. Syria, a U.S. lawmaker has introduced a bill that proposes to deduct which has been suspended from the pan-Arab body, was not $50 million from the U.S. aid to Islamabad every time an invited. The meeting was opened by U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon American is killed “as a result of actions of ISI.” Congressman who called on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to move swiftly Dana Rohrabacher has introduced the “Pakistan Terrorism to implement a peace plan crafted by U.N.-Arab League envoy Accountability Act of 2012” in Congress. The legislation Kofi Annan. would require the Department of Defence to list all Americans Kuwait-Iraq Flights to Resume After 20 Years killed by terrorist groups operating with impunity inside Pakistan and Afghanistan and supported by elements of the Iraq has approved a request from Kuwait’s Jazeera Airways to Pakistani government. For each person killed, $50 million operate services to Baghdad and Najaf, more than 20 years would be subtracted from U.S. foreign assistance to Pakistan, after direct flights between the neighbours were halted. Iraq a requested $2.2 billion, and given to the victim’s family. Mr. invaded Kuwait in 1990, after which flights between the Iraq Rohrabacher is Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Oversight and its small neighbour to the south were suspended. During and Investigations Subcommittee. According to the legislation a visit by Iraqi Premier Nouri al-Maliki in mid-March, Kuwait Pakistan, through Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), maintains agreed to a $500 million deal with Baghdad aimed at ending control and influence in Afghanistan through militant Islamic a decades-long debt dispute that saw an Iraqi Airways flight networks, such as the Haqqani Network, in order to secure its impounded in London. According to Kuwait Airways, Iraq’s flag strategic position and expand its sphere of influence, not only carrier owes it $1.2 billion as a result of the 1990 invasion. in Afghanistan, but also in Kashmir and against India. Kuwait says 10 of its planes as well as aircraft parts were plundered after its airport was seized during the invasion.

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EUROPE AFRICA U.K. Move to Snoop on Private e-mails, Phone Mali’s Rebels Declare Independence calls Mali’s Tuareg rebels, who have seized control of the country’s In a controversial move dubbed “the Big Brother’s Charter”, the distant north in the chaotic aftermath of a military coup in British government proposes to acquire unprecedented powers the capital, declared independence of their Azawad nation on to snoop on phone calls and online activity of ordinary people April 6, 2012. The rebels declared independence in a statement irrespective of whether they are suspected of any unlawful published on the rebel website and proclaimed the irrevocable action. Currently, intelligence agencies can monitor calls and independence of the state of the Azawad starting from April e-mails of specific individuals who may be under investigation 6, 2012. The military chiefs of 13 of Mali’s neighbours met after obtaining ministerial approval. But under plans expected on 5th April in Ivory Coast to hash out plans for a military to be announced in the Queen’s speech to Parliament next intervention to push back the rebels in the north, as well month, phone and internet companies will be required to give as to restore constitutional rule after disgruntled soldiers “on demand” the Government Communications Headquarters last month stormed the presidential palace and sent the (GCHQ), an arm of Britain’s intelligence network, access to democratically elected leader into hiding. The confusion in every phone call, e-mail, text message and website visit by the capital created an opening for the rebels in the north, their customers intercepted in real time. The Home Office said who have been attempting to claim independence for more such powers were necessary to tackle crime and terrorism. than 50 years. The proposed law will not allow GCHQ to read the contents The traditionally nomadic Tuareg people have been fighting for of such communications without a warrant but it will be able independence for the northern half of Mali since at least 1958, to use the information “to trace whom a person or group had when Tuareg elders wrote a letter addressed to the French contacted, when, for how long and how often. A similar move President asking their colonial rulers to carve out a separate by the erstwhile Labour government in 2003 was dropped in homeland called “Azawad” in their language. Instead the the face of strong opposition from the very same Tories and north, where the lighter-skinned Tuareg people live, was made the Liberal Democrats who are now pushing it in government. part of the same country as the south, where the dark-skinned Socialist Hollande Edges out Sarkozy ethnic groups controlled the capital and the nation’s finances. 33 The Tuaregs accuse the southerners of marginalising the Socialist challenger Francois Hollande on 6th May became north and of concentrating development, including lucrative President of France, ousting Conservative incumbent Nicolas aid projects, in the south. They fought numerous rebellions Sarkozy. He won with 51.9 per cent of the votes against Mr. attempting to wrestle the north free, but it wasn’t until a Sarkozy’s score of 48.1 per cent. This is a major victory for March 21 coup in Bamako toppled the nation’s elected the Socialists who return to power after a gap of 17 years. government that the fighters were able to make significant In the vote in 2002, extreme right leader Jean Marie Le Pen gains. In recent weeks they seized the three largest cities in eliminated Socialist candidate Lionel Jospin in the first round. the north as soldiers dumped their uniforms and retreated. The mobilisation in the Socialist camp has been phenomenal because the left has never digested that humiliation. Mr. Row between Sudans Hots Up Sarkozy now becomes the second President in France’s current South Sudan’s President has said that the nation will not Vth Republic (constituted in 1958) to serve just one term. The withdraw its troops that recently entered a disputed border other President who failed to get a second term was also a region with Sudan. South Sudan President Salva Kiir spoke to Conservative, Valery Giscard D’estaing. Parliament in the midst of escalating clashes along the border The 57-year-old Mr. Hollande has been active in Socialist with Sudan. He said the country’s military would also re-enter politics for more than 30 years and is a Member of Parliament another disputed area, Abyei, currently occupied by Sudan if from the Correze region of France. Although he has no the United Nations does not urge Sudan to withdraw. Troops ministerial experience, he served as a close presidential from South Sudan has captured the oil-rich border town of aide to Francois Mitterrand at the Elysee Palace. He also has Heglig that is claimed by Sudan, whose troops withdrew under immense organisational experience as general secretary of the the onslaught. Mr. Kiir said South Sudan’s military forces, Socialist Party, winning key legislative, municipal, regional the SPLA, had also advanced past Heglig after occupying it. and European elections. He was general secretary when his Fighting erupted in Abyei between Sudan and South Sudan partner Segolene Royal lost to Mr. Sarkozy. May of last year, just months before South Sudan formally declared independence from Sudan. The region was to hold a referendum in January to decide whether it stays with Sudan or joins a newly independent South. But the vote was postponed

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cleared the way for him to be transferred to The Hague, saying his presence in West Africa was an “impediment to stability and a threat to the peace.” The court, set up jointly by the Sierra Leone government and the United Nations, has already convicted eight Sierra Leoneans of war crimes and jailed them for between 15 and 52 years after trials in Freetown. MISCELLANEOUS Amnesty Report Records Executions Worldwide The breakneck speed of executions in China combined with the sparse data availability has led Amnesty International to say in its annual report on government-sanctioned killings that the “thousands of people who were believed to have been executed in China in 2011” could not be included in its study. In its report Death Sentences and Execution 2011 , Amnesty says at least 20 countries are known to have carried out executions. While this is a reduction from 2010, when 23 countries were reported to have implemented death sentences, and from a decade ago when 31 countries were known to have carried out executions, there has been an increase in the number of executions. At least 676 executions have been carried out worldwide in 2011, says Amnesty. This is an increase on the 34 2010 figure of at least 527 executions worldwide and the increase was in significant measure due to an “increase in judicial killings in Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia”. indefinitely amid disagreements over who would be eligible Though the use of the death penalty remained in decline at a to vote. global level, Amnesty in particular scolded the U.S. for staying Charles Taylor Convicted on All Counts “in its dubiously bad place on this fundamental human rights issue”. The U.S. is the only country in the western hemisphere Liberian ex-leader Charles Taylor has been convicted of arming or the G8 to kill its prisoners, the report notes, and is also rebels during Sierra Leone’s civil war in return for blood responsible for the fifth highest number of known executions diamonds. In the first judgment against a former head of in the world — behind China, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Iraq. state by a world court since the World War II Nuremberg trials, Taylor was found guilty of 11 counts of war crimes and crimes Regarding India, the report notes that for the seventh against humanity by the Special Court for Sierra Leone. Taylor consecutive year the country did not carry out any execution, (64) was convicted on all counts against him including acts though at least 110 new death sentences were imposed in of terrorism, murder and rape, committed by the Revolutionary 2011, putting the total number of people believed to be under United Front (RUF) rebels, who waged a terror campaign during sentence of death at the end of 2011 between 400 and 500. a civil war that claimed 120,000 lives between 1991 and 2001. While India carries out death sentences in the “rarest of rare” Taylor was Liberia’s President from 1997 to 2003. Prosecutors cases, the report suggests that Indian laws are being tightened alleged that the RUF paid Taylor with illegally mined so-called so that more crimes are becoming punishable by death. blood diamonds worth millions, stuffed into mayonnaise jars. Mr. Justice Lussick said the stones were gathered by the RUF in U.N. Adopts Norms Against ‘Land Grabbing’ Sierra Leone, who used slave labour and enlisted child soldiers. The U.N. has adopted global guidelines to defend the land Nigerian authorities arrested Taylor in March 2006 when he rights of poor farmers and recognise informal indigenous claims tried to flee from exile in Nigeria after stepping down as in a move hailed by aid groups as a step against exploitative Liberian President three years earlier in a negotiated end to a “land grabbing”. The new voluntary rules are the result of three civil war in his own country. He was transferred to the SCSL in years of negotiations following an outcry from campaigners Freetown, but in June 2006 a U.N. Security Council resolution INDIA PREPARES Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012 International Bulletin Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

who accuse rich investors and developing world governments of setting up plantations that abuse human rights. “This is extremely important,” the head of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in Rome, Jose Graziano Da Silva, told. Mr. Graziano drew attention in particular to the 40- page document’s call for private companies to be transparent and consult local populations, as well as the recognition of “customary tenure systems” by indigenous populations. FAO said in a statement that implementation of the rules would bolster global food security “by improving secure access to land, fisheries and forests and protecting the rights of millions of often very poor people.” Chief among the guidelines is a call on governments to “safeguard legitimate tenure rights against threats and infringements” and “provide effective and accessible means” to resolve tenure disputes. “Non-state actors including business enterprises have a responsibility to respect human rights and legitimate tenure rights,” it said. It also called on governments to “provide appropriate recognition and protection of the legitimate tenure rights of indigenous peoples.” On the issue of expropriation, which has caused upheaval in China, the text said governments should “ensure a fair valuation and prompt compensation for farmers” and expropriate only when the land is needed for a public purpose. Rights groups warn that “land grabbing” is driving up domestic food prices, 35 forcing the eviction of local farmers and fuelling corruption. There has been a sharp rise in such deals since the food crisis of 2008. Experts estimate 494 million acres — an area eight times the size of Britain — have been bought or leased between 2000 and 2010, particularly in Africa and Asia, often to the detriment of local populations.

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IndO-Bangladesh relations

India – Bangladesh relation has all been • Infrastructure development by India attend the closing ceremony of the year- given a new push when a joint statement and assistance in power sector. long joint celebrations of the 150th is issued by visiting Bangladeshi foreign Prime Minister’s visit to Ban- birth anniversary of Nobel Laureate minister Dr. Dipu moni and Indian Rabindranath Tagore. But it also turned external affairs minister S. M. Krishna gladesh in Sep 2011: into a political tour as the two sides on May 07th 2012. Their joint statement Bangladesh and India share a common reviewed the implementation of bilateral has touched almost all relevant issues of history and culture. Some political accords and commitments made in joint the mutual relation and reached a mutual commentators stated that the new declarations at New Delhi and Dhaka in consensus to quickly resolve the pending country Bangladesh, after getting 2010 and 2011. Developments from Mr. issues like water and extradition treaties. independence from Pakistan by direct Mukherjee’s visits are - It is true that some stagnancy engulfed military help from India, is going to • He has reassured Dhaka that India is the foreign relation of the two countries be a satellite country of India. But working on to sign the Teesta deal after the Teesta water treaty failed to unfortunately political uncertainty quickly. be signed because of strong opposition of Bangladesh affected the mutual from West Bengal chief minister Mamata relationship so much that even a • He assured that “consensus building Banerjee in September 2011 when Prime constant friendship has not been process” is on to ratify the protocols minster Dr. Manmahon Singh Visited achieved. It was much hyped start when in Indian Parliament to implement Dhaka. But it seems now that the Sheikh Hasina regained the post Prime the extradition treaty, aiming to political leaders have understood the minster of Bangladesh in early 2009 exchange the 162 enclaves of India importance of pending issues and are after 8 years. In September 2011 visit and Bangladesh, signed earlier. going ahead boldly. of Prime Minister Manmahon Singh to • Assured that the Indian river-linking project would not affect Bangladesh Why India Bangladesh coopera- Dhaka has achieved some fruitful results like:- as all the rivers originating in the 36 tion is important. • Opening of tin bigha corridor for the Himalayas would be kept outside its India, on her journey to be an economic benefit of two Bangladeshi enclaves purview. super power, needs – - Dahagram and Angarporta, • Assured that the any decision • Bangladeshi market for its • Opening of border haat in Meghalaya, controversial Tipaimukh hydraulic commodities and services. project which is being examined by • Duty free access of Bangladeshi a sub-committee with a powerful • The connectivity through Bangladesh textiles in Indian market, to connect India with vibrant ASEAN mandate under the Joint River economies. • Cultural and environmental co- Commission (JRC) will be taken by operations etc. mutual consensus. • Bangladesh should not become the safe heaven of insurgent activities But the visit also failed to sign • Announced $200 million as grant out bringing political turmoil in north- Teesta water treaty and consequentially of the $1billion credit line that India east the issue of transit of Indian goods has given Bangladesh and assured through Bangladesh and the permit to to decrease the interest rate on the • Cultural and economic cooperation use Chittagong port for importing and remaining $800 million. which can innovate new activities, exporting of Indian goods especially for Bangladeshi Foreign Minister’s both cultural and economic. the benefit of land locked North East was • Effective Water resource management. put on hold. visit to India: Bangladesh on the other hand, being a Note: one can read complete article On the day of May 07th a joint statement small country will definitely like to – on PM’s visit to Bangladesh in October has been issued by Bangladeshi foreign 2011 issue of India Prepares. minister Dr. Dipu moni and Indian • Good and healthy relation with the external affairs minister S. M. Krishna neighboring giant. Pranab Mukherjee’s visit to in New Delhi. Without merely assuring • Being a lower riparian state, water Dhaka: the previous commitment, the statement resource management is very After many months Indian finance mentioned some progressive steps to important to Bangladesh. minister Mr. Pranab Mukherjee has resolve the pending issues and has also • The huge textile market of India. visited Dhaka on May 05-06th to mainly taken some new ventures in economic

INDIA PREPARES Bilateral/Multilateral Bulletin Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012 and political cooperation. The outcomes • India welcomed the participation up efforts for connectivity with from the visit are of Bangladesh in power projects early finalization of the MoU for • The signing of the India-Bangladesh in India, particularly in the North- construction of Akhaura-Agartala boundary strip maps is almost Eastern states of India. railway link. complete, except for a few which • Both sides welcomed the recent • They also agreed that necessary are also likely to be completed very exchange of data on the flow of the formalities for use of Chittagong soon. Teesta River at the technical level. and Mongla seaports in Bangladesh • The Coordinated Border Management They reiterated their commitment to for movement of goods to and from Plan is now in operation, and will the early finalization of agreements India through water, rail and road help to reduce incidents on the for water-sharing of Teesta and Feni would be completed urgently. border, including illegal and criminal rivers. • They welcomed the agreement to activities. • The Indian side reiterated its commence a bus service on the Dhaka- • Following the positive experience in commitment that it would not Shillong-Guwahati sector and it was Meghalaya, new border haats along take any unilateral decision on agreed to expeditiously conclude the International Border in the the Himalayan component of the the Motor Vehicles Agreement for States of Tripura and Mizoram have proposed River Interlinking Project regulation of passenger and cargo been agreed to commence. which may affect Bangladesh. traffic. • India has agreed to supply 500 MW • Both sides agreed to constitute a The initiatives taken by the leaders of power to Bangladesh during the sub-group under the Joint River both sides are very much commendable. summer of 2013. A thermal power Commission (JRC) that would go The implementation of outstanding plant project of 1320 MW capacity into all aspects of the Tipaimukh issues and new projects will depend on has been agreed to build jointly and Hydroelectric Project. how efficiently the leaders can handle it is expected to be commissioned by • The two countries agreed to step the domestic political obstacles. 2016.

37 Pratibha Patil’s Visit to African Continent

The rising global profile of India on at both bilateral and regional levels. its commitment to provide assistance account of its dynamic economy, Given the progress in the relationship, to Seychelles in the defence sector, strategic importance, democratic both sides expressed the desire to work including training and deputation of governance and ancient civilisation links together towards elevating the bilateral experts and signed an MOU on co- has led to enhanced engagements with relations to a strategic partnership for operation on training of police personnel countries across the world. As part of mutual benefit. of the island republic by India’s Bureau these engagements, President Pratibha In a bid to further forge economic of Police Research and Development. Patil embarked on a nine day visit to and strategic ties with this island India had in February 2012 offered Seychelles and South Africa. It was her nation in the Indian Ocean, India to provide one more Dornier aircraft. last foreign tour before her tenure comes extended a $50-million line of credit It would also be setting up a Coastal to an end on July 25. and a $25-million grant to Seychelles Surveillance Radar System with the Visit to Seychelles during President Pratibha Patil’s visit. Automatic Identification System through India would also promote infrastructure Bharat Electronics Limited within the Seychelles has ethnic links with three and public transport by conducting a next six to eight months. This would continents – Asia, Africa and Europe. It feasibility study for a mono rail system help track unidentified vessels in the is uniquely placed to play a role in India’s on the main island of Mahe. seas and help curb piracy. efforts to achieve better integration of Both sides also recognised the An MOU was also signed on Co- its policies with Africa. Diplomatic ties importance of peace and security as operation in the field of Youth Affairs with Seychelles were established on its a pre-condition for development and and Sports which will go a long way in Independence in June 1976. agreed to curb the acts of violence, enhancing people-to-people exchanges India and Seychelles have, over the conflicts and terrorism, especially posed also. past few decades, developed a strong by piracy in the region. India reiterated In the field of environment and mutually beneficial cooperation INDIA PREPARES Bilateral/Multilateral Bulletin Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

protection and renewable energy, India in the African continent. Both the 2012. But since it has been crossed well would be setting up a solar power countries have worked together in before the time, therefore both the sides cluster. Besides, for promoting human various international fora, including at the Indo-SA business council meeting resource development, it would reserve the United Nations Security Council, agreed to revise it to US$ 15 billion by 41 slots or seats in various graduate, G-20, IBSA, BRICS, IOR-ARC and others. 2015. post-graduate and other programmes for India also shares common perceptions People to people contacts are at the students of Seychelles. with South Africa on trade issues and heart of vibrant and robust relationship. Trade and economic relations is closely coordinating on the Doha India during the President’s visit showed between India and Seychelles has not round of negotiations at the World trade interest in working closely with the realised its full potential. Bilateral Organisation. Government of South Africa to develop trade in 2010-11 was US$ 40.44 million India was in the forefront of the Gandhi heritage sites in South Africa. with India’s exports to Seychelles being anti-apartheid struggle. It was the As a part of this interest, the President US$ 31.14 million and imports US$ first country to sever trade relations unveiled a bust of the Mahatma Gandhi 9.29 million. However, considerable with South Africa in 1946, even before at the historic Number Four cell of the opportunities still exist for further it became independent. Relations Old Fort prison in Johannesburg where he expansion, particularly in the areas between India and South Africa were had served four terms of imprisonment of trade and economic cooperation. restored in 1993, and the Indian between 1908 and 1913, including his The President’s visit has further push High Commission in Pretoria opened very first sentence in South Africa. She bilateral relations in the economic and in 1994. The ANC had maintained a also visited the Pietermaritzburg Station commercial fields. representative office in India since the which has a historic link to India wherein Both the sides also agreed to 1960’s which was thereafter upgraded to Mahatma Gandhi had been thrown out further enhance exchanges in the a High Commission following the end of of a First Class compartment onto the fields of higher education, manpower apartheid. platform by the then apartheid regime. development, health, Information and In her discussion with the South Both the sides also agreed to Communications Technology, Science African President Jacob Zuma, both closely monitor the implementation and Technology, hydrographic surveys, the sides expressed satisfaction over of various agreements that exist and 38 monorail, tourism, hospitality and the current state of bilateral relations expand co-operation in the fields of culture. and agreed to explore considerable power including renewable energy, Visit to South Africa opportunities existing between the health, Information Technology, Science two nations, particularly in the area of and Technology, tourism, hospitality, In the second leg of the tour President trade and economic cooperation. Indian infrastructure development and culture. Pratibha Patil visited the rainbow nation companies are investing in capacity Conclusion -- a term coined by Archbishop Desmond building by systematic training of South Tutu to describe post-apartheid South Africans, creating jobs and playing an As in all visits of Heads of State or Africa after this country’s first fully important role in the development and Government, the visit by the Hon. democratic election in 1994. The visit economic growth of South Africa. President of India to Seychelles and South is another indication of New Delhi’s Africa has provided a greater momentum Bilateral trade between India and growing ties with Pretoria. and impetus in the further consolidation South Africa was US$ 11.125 billion in and development of comprehensive, India’s relations with South Africa 2010-11 of which imports were US$ 7.14 multifaceted engagement with these are close and friendly enjoined by a billion and exports US$ 3.98 billion. two countries. The visits has naturally strategic partnership. In fact South During the state visit of President Zuma provide greater content and meaning to Africa is one of the closest strategic in 2010, agreed to work towards a targ India’s partnership with both Seychelles partners in the developing world and et of US$ 10 billion in trade turnover by and South Africa.

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Bilateral/Multilateral News...

leaving the country on the pretext of higher studies and INDIA AND MAJOR POWERS eventually settling down there. According to the directive any U.S. moves WTO against India’s Import Ban student travelling for further medical education to the U.S. will have to give us a bond that he will return after completing The U.S. has approached the World Trade Organization (WTO), the studies. In the last three years, 3,000 doctors went abroad seeking a dispute settlement panel to decide American claims for studies and didn’t return. If a student doesn’t return from that Indian restrictions on imports of various U.S. agricultural the U.S., he won’t be allowed to practise there. From this year products, including poultry meat and chicken eggs, were onwards, the United States is insisting on a government NOC discriminatory. The U.S. has approached the WTO after its talks from every student enrolling with an American institute. with India failed to resolve the dispute between the two countries. India asserts that its measures are aimed at preventing entry of Roerich Museum Controversy with Russia avian influenza, but U.S. officials argue that the measures are Russian Ambassador Alexander Kadakin has said he felt inconsistent with the relevant science, international guidelines, heartbroken over the controversy surrounding the Roerich and the standards India has set for its own domestic industry. Memorial Museum in the Naggar Valley of Himachal Pradesh. The U.S. requested formal consultations with India on March 7. Mr. Kadakin has approached the Trust’s ex-officio chairman The two countries and India held consultations on April 16-17, and Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Prem Kumar Dhumal, and without resolution of the matter. plans to seek Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s intervention USTR officials said India was asserting that it had the right against the district administration’s oversight of the museum to impose import restrictions on countries whenever they and “removal” of long-time curator-cum-executive director reported outbreaks of low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI), Alena Adamkova. Mr. Kadakin is a founder- member of the the only kind of avian influenza found in the United States trust that was set up in 1992. Set up in memory of painter since 2004. The relevant international guidelines as well as the and thinker Nicholas Roerich, both Russia and India were keen relevant science did not support the imposition of measures of to refurbish the museum, which is a must-visit destination to the type India was maintaining on account of LPAI, they said. tourists headed for the Kullu-Manali Valley. 39 India Allocates $5 m. for USAID-FICCI Initiative Sign Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty: says Japan The Union government has announced a contribution of $5 Japan has asked India to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation million for a joint initiative of the United States Agency for Treaty (NPT) even as the two sides decided to reopen talks on international Development (USAID) and the Federation of a bilateral civil nuclear agreement. During the sixth Foreign Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) to invest Minister-level strategic dialogue, the two sides agreed to in innovations that could benefit vulnerable populations prepare a master plan for the industrial development of south across the world. Called “Millennium Alliance: An India India, especially areas around Chennai and Bangalore, and - U.S. Innovation Partnership for Global Development,” accelerate talks on export of rare earths to Japan. the partnership is designed to promote cost-effective and Another decision was to extend their dialogue to a code of rigorously tested solutions for critical development challenges conduct in outer space, cyber security and maritime issues, that have the potential for sustained global impact. The aim including security and freedom of navigation in the South China is to seek proposals from innovators in India who may have Sea. The talks also covered Japanese investment in high speed novel solutions that can be scaled to other countries in the trains, the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor and the Dedicated core sectors of health, food security, climate change, energy Freight Corridor. While agreeing to step up interaction between and education. The initiative was launched in December last the Coast Guards, India and Japan decided to hold their first- with the FICCI and the USAID pledging to provide $7.5 million ever maritime exercises towards the middle of the year. each and setting a goal to raise a total of $50 million, which New Delhi and Tokyo agreed to resume their dialogue on a will include contributions from corporations, foundations, civil nuclear agreement. But the initial reaction was that both other governments and donors. sides were sticking to their earlier positions — India insisting Indian Doctors to Sign Return Bond for Higher that its non-proliferation behaviour was impeccable enough Study in US to warrant the inking of the pact and Japan wanting India to Any doctor travelling to the U.S. for higher medical studies comply with its promise of a ban on further nuclear testing from this year onward will have to sign a bond with the made in the run-up to a clearance by the Nuclear Suppliers Government promising to return to India after completing Group (NSG). A joint statement, after the Fifth Energy dialogue his/her studies. This has been done to prevent doctors from held recently, indicated that despite the sentiments expressed INDIA PREPARES Bilateral/Multilateral Bulletin Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

by the Foreign Ministers, both sides were maintaining positions that has been in the production mode for a decade. But China that were some distance from being reconciled. is suspicious of India having taken up exploration activity in an Japanese companies have a virtual monopoly on supplying area that is much closer to Hainan where it has built a nuclear reactor vessels, a critical component of civil nuclear plants. submarine base. Vietnam is firm in its assertion that the new Officials in the past said that without an India-Japan civil block to India is in its territorial waters. nuclear agreement, Japanese origin firms might not be able to China to Learn Indian Mangroves Success Story supply components to French and American companies which Chinese environmentalists want to learn from India’s experience had won orders to install nuclear plants in India. On the trade in protecting mangrove forests even as they face an uphill front, India has extended the validity of an earlier agreement struggle to save their country’s wetlands from increasing to supply two million tonnes of iron ore per year. It will thus developmental pressures. In the tropical southern Chinese retain its foothold in the Japanese market despite supply island province of Hainan, which boasts one of China’s most disruptions due to court rulings and higher taxes. There is also pristine mangrove forest wetland reserves, environmentalists domestic unease over exporting primary commodities that has are fighting off a tourism push and new development plans to led to India slipping from its position as the world’s top iron protect the island’s rich and unique ecosystem. exporter to the third place. At Dongzhaigang Bay, China’s first mangrove nature reserve Rs. 7.2-crore Japanese Grant for Polio Eradication which lies on the outskirts of the bustling provincial capital Japan has given United Nations children’s fund UNICEF a grant of Haikou on Hainan island’s northern coast, acres of pristine of 120 million Yen, the equivalent to Rs. 7.2 crore, for buying mangrove forests sit beside quiet fishing villages. The 3,300 vaccines, supplies, equipment and services in 2012 to ensure hectare wetlands here are home to 25 mangrove species India remains free of polio virus. Japan’s Ambassador to India besides 194 species of birds, including rare and nationally Akitaka Saiki and UNICEF India Representative Karin Hulshof protected Chinese egrets and black-faced spoonbills. The signed the Exchange of Note. Mr. Saiki lauded the concerted Hainan government’s plans to develop the island province into efforts of the Centre, the State governments and international a world-class tourism destination ,“China’s Hawaii”. partner agencies spearheaded by the UNICEF and WHO, in China Allows Indian Basmati Import India’s fight against polio. China has allowed imports of basmati rice from India. It had 40 INDIA AND ITS NEIGHBOURS banned the import because of issues of pest control. China has China Slams Krishna’s Comments on South China Sea allowed import of Indian basmati rice although it might hurt Chinese officials and the State media have taken exception to exports of the same product from its close allay Pakistan. This S.M. Krishna’s recent comments that the disputed South China is a politically sensitive move, suggesting that Beijing would Sea was “the property of the world,” describing the External no more walk the extra mile to protect Pakistan’s interests. Affairs Minister’s remarks as “a mistake.” “Other countries China has been importing Pakistani Basmati for last few can’t denote one country’s territory as global property,” said years. Islamabad is known to have been persuading China not the Chinese newspaper. The Chinese Foreign Ministry has also to allow Indian Basmati as it will affect its export basket. issued a response to Mr. Krishna, who had also stressed that the Pakistan is pushing China to buy more of its cotton yarn after sea’s “trade-ways must be free from any national interference.” New Delhi slapped a ban on cotton exports. A Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson pointed out that the India Prefers International Arbitration for Tulbul Row unfettered robust economic development of the region had demonstrated that freedom of navigation on the South China India has indicated to Pakistan that it is no longer willing to Sea was unaffected by the dispute. China has claimed its indefinitely discuss the Tulbul navigation/Wullar lake project in indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha [Spratly] Islands, Kashmir and may seek international arbitration to resolve the which are also contested by Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia, the two decades-old dispute. This message was conveyed at the Philippines and other countries. two-day Water Resources Secretary-level talks that concluded on 28th March. The two sides are already in arbitration over the In its response India later clarified that Mr. Krishna’s comments Kishenganga project in Jammu and Kashmir. Earlier, Pakistan were made in the context of freedom of navigation and unfettered sought arbitration by a neutral expert on India’s Baglihar hydel shipping links in the area and that there was no intention to project in the State. Keen to resolve the long-pending Tulbul weigh in on overlapping claims of suzerainty by littoral states. dispute, India has agreed to provide Pakistan additional technical The South Block has interpreted China to mean that activity data. The project, planned on the Jhelum, has been suspended by countries from outside the region should not lead them to since 1986 after Pakistan raised objections. The issue now forms prejudge claims by a specific littoral state. India has inked part of the Composite Dialogue between the two countries. oil and gas exploration agreements with the Philippines and Vietnam. India’s preoccupation is with the block in the portion During the talk, India said if no solution was forthcoming, of the sea claimed by Vietnam. There is no issue with a well would prefer to go in for arbitration. New Delhi maintains that the Tulbul navigation project, located just before the exit of INDIA PREPARES Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012 Bilateral/Multilateral Bulletin Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

the Wullar lake on the Jhelum, is within its rights under the Rs.150 crore, was dedicated to the “nation and India-Pakistan Indus Water Treaty of 1960. A joint statement emphasised the peace and harmony.” India and Pakistan have agreed to draw need for an early and amicable resolution of the issue within a road map for allowing a whole spectrum of items for trade the ambit of the Treaty was released. through the land route — Attari-Wagah. The products include India proposes regulated release of water from the Wullar lake pharmaceuticals and related products, cement, livestock, during the lean-season period of October-February to facilitate newsprint, petrochemicals, fabric and raw jute. At present, year-round navigation for trade and tourism. New Delhi 150-odd items are allowed to be exported to Pakistan through maintains that regulating depletion of naturally stored waters the land route and by truck. After the pruning of the negative for non-consumptive use of navigation is permissible under list by Pakistan last month, the number of items India could the Treaty. There is no pondage or storage involved. Pakistan, export has gone up to nearly 7,800. however, raises objection, saying it is a “storage project” that In a joint statement issued recently after talks between will allow India to control the waters. This, Islamabad claims, Commerce Minister Anand Sharma and Pakistan Trade is violation of the Treaty. Minister Makhdoom Amin Fahim, both sides agreed to take all India Opens FDI Gate to Pakistan further action to encourage greater trade through the newly inaugurated Integrated Checkpost (ICP). “It was agreed that India has decided in principle to allow foreign direct investment Pakistan will take necessary steps to remove extant restrictions from Pakistan, as part of the road map to enhance economic on items permitted to be imported through the land route. The engagement, a development that is expected to boost bilateral aim is to permit all items not in the Negative List to be traded trade. The decision was taken after a meeting of Commerce and across the land border at Attari-Wagah. The Pakistan side has Industry Minister Anand Sharma and Pakistan Commerce Minister stated that through a Cabinet decision in 2009, the flow of Makhdoom Amin Fahim. Both countries have also agreed in items is linked to provision of adequate infrastructure at the principle to allow opening of bank branches to guarantee smooth checkpost and it would take the case to the Cabinet on the trade. This is the upshot of several rounds of talks between the basis of the additional capacity created through the new ICP.” Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the State Bank of Pakistan. This could possibly pave way for allowing cement import from Encouraged by the pro-active steps taken by Pakistan, India Pakistan, and export of pharma products, an expanded list of would carry out a review of 30 per cent of the ‘sensitive list’ fruits and vegetables, livestock, petrochemicals, petroleum in the next four months as a confidence-building measure, products, raw jute and fabrics to and from Pakistan. 41 Mr. Sharma said. Pakistani banks and businesses are keen on As per the Pakistan Government’s March 20 order, a Negative setting up shop in India, and the decision could pave the way List of 1209 tariff lines has been announced. In accordance for their entry into the country. with the Pakistan Cabinet decision, complete phasing out Mr. Sharma also announced that an India-Pakistan business of the Negative List by December 2012 is subject to further council would be set up soon. It would be co-chaired by negotiations. Both sides have agreed that the modalities would both countries. It was decided that a Joint Business Council be discussed at the next meeting of the Commerce Secretaries. be constituted with 10 prominent business persons to be RIC Opposes New Sanctions on N. Korea nominated by each country. This Council shall provide an additional institutional framework for regular and sustained Meeting in trilateral format at Moscow in April 2012, Russia, dialogue between the business communities. It is expected to India and China (RIC) have taken a common stand on a range of meet at least once in six months and recommend further steps international issues, including North Korea, Iran, Afghanistan, that could be taken to improve bilateral economic relations. terrorism and regional security in Asia. The Foreign Ministers The Ministers expressed their wish that the business visa of the three countries voiced “regret” over North Korea’s rocket regime needed to be liberalised at the earliest. launch but opposed new sanctions on Pyongyang and called for restraint from neighbouring countries and the U.N. Security During the discussions, both sides agreed to draw a road Council. The U.N. Security Council should take a stand on the map for further reductions in the South Asian Free Trade violation by North Korea of earlier sanctions, but its reaction Area (SAFTA) sensitive lists. While reducing the SAFTA lists, must be calibrated and serve the main goal — a resumption of both sides would appropriately consider requests received the six-party talks, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said. for tariff lines to be removed. Both sides welcomed these rapid developments on the business front and the business- The three Ministers voiced “serious concern” over the to-business and business-to-consumer contact for promoting situation involving Iran’s nuclear programme. They recognised both commerce and people-to-people understanding. Iran’s right to peaceful use of nuclear energy and called for “exclusively peaceful resolution of the problem on the basis of New Integrated Checkpost Inaguraged at Attari the available decisions of the IAEA and the Security Council.” Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram has inaugurated the Russia, India and China backed Afghanistan’s request to join Integrated Checkpost at Attari, 33 km from Amritsar. The as observer in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and state-of-the-art facility, established on 118 acres at a cost of described the group as the “optimal platform for regional INDIA PREPARES Bilateral/Multilateral Bulletin Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

cooperation on Afghanistan.” Russia. Playing on its strengths, India, too, is keen to widen The Ministers condemned terrorism in all its forms and the bilateral agenda. The joint statement issued at the end of stressed there could be no justification for any act of terrorism a meeting on 25th March between Prime Minister Manmohan on any ground. It is understood that they agreed action Singh and President Lee Myung-Bak envisages cooperation must be taken against those who commit terrorist attacks in space activities, including the Indian launch of Korean and also those who abet and sponsor terrorism. Mr. Lavrov satellites, as well maritime security. Dr. Singh also asked Mr. said the Ministers attached priority to building up a security Lee to back Indian membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group and cooperation architecture in the Asia-Pacific region based and the Missile Technology Control Regime. on the universally agreed principles of international law But it is the Korean pitch for military and nuclear cooperation and giving due consideration to the legitimate interests of that is likely to be noticed in world capitals. India said it would all states. The meeting reaffirmed the relevance of trilateral post a defence attaché in Seoul and explore joint ventures in dialogue and vowed to deepen three-sided cooperation. the manufacture and R&D of military equipment. “President Lee Sushma Swaraj Hands Over Railway Line to Sri Lanka underscored that the ROK side wanted to increase cooperation with India in military and defence industry including…naval The Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Sushma Swaraj, who ships, aircraft and ship-building,” the joint statement said. has led an Indian parliamentary delegation to Sri Lanka, handed On the nuclear side, it notes: “President Lee requested that over a railway project built with Indian assistance. The upgraded the Indian government allocate a site for Korean nuclear coastal railway line, costing $167.4 million, was completed reactors.” Sites have already been set aside for Russia, France ahead of schedule by an Indian public sector company, IRCON. and the U.S. India and the Republic of Korea signed a nuclear Ms. Swaraj earlier visited the Kankasanthurai harbour, where cooperation agreement last year. Since a similar agreement India has completed a $22-million wreck removal project. As with Japan is still some distance away, Korean capabilities in many as 10 shipwrecks were removed from the harbour. building reactor vessels would be of use not just for bilateral INDIA AND REST OF THE WORLD projects but also for third-country suppliers like Areva who Indonesia to Sign Sister-State Pact with Tamil normally source components from Japanese firms. Nadu The joint statement backed ASEAN’s leadership of the East Asia Summit (EAS) process and welcomed the U.S. and Russian Indonesia is interested in signing a sister-state agreement membership of the EAS. The two leaders also welcomed the idea 42 with the Tamil Nadu Government and explore the business and of a trilateral dialogue between India, ROK and Japan at the investment potential with regard to coal mining and other Track-II level. With bilateral trade volumes — especially after sectors. Tourism was accorded highest priority in investment the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement kicked in and business promotion. Last year, 1.80 lakh Indians visited two years back-up — nearly 70 per cent to $20 billion, the two Indonesia and it was likely to go up to 2.40 lakh this year. leaders set a target of $40 billion by 2015. An agreement on Garuda would start operating direct flights from Jakarta to simplification of visa procedures was also signed. four Indian metros. The bilateral trade between the two countries touched $20 billion last month and it was growing. Indian Authorities Clearance, Must For Work In January 2011 when Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Contract in UAE Yudhoyono visited India, he and Prime Minister Manmohan Indians seeking to migrate to the United Arab Emirates for Singh agreed to increase the volume of bilateral trade to $ 25 employment can now expect an assured salary package and billion by 2015. But, in view of the spurt in trade volume, the better work environment with both countries introducing a target was now revised to $ 45 billion. During the visit of Mr. system under which work contracts of prospective employees Yudhoyono, 32 Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) were will have to be endorsed by Indian authorities. Overseas Indian signed, covering (Government to Government, Government to Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi and Minister of Labour of the UAE Business and Business to Business). The two-way trade was Saqr Ghobash signed a protocol to this effect in Abu Dhabi to heavily loaded in favour of Indonesia, with the former doing a streamline the employment process of Indian workers through business of $11 billion and India about $9 billion. Indonesia an electronic contract registration and validation system. The supplied coal, wood, rubber and palm oil among other things. setting up of the new mechanism comes amid rising complaints India exported machinery, electronics and textiles. of exploitation of Indian workers by recruitment agencies and India and Korea Push ‘Strategic’ Side to Ties employers in the Gulf region. South Korea — one of the first countries to grab the The UAE has been a favourite destination for employment for opportunities provided by Indian economic reforms two skilled and unskilled Indian workers whose number has grown decades ago — is now looking to add strategic depth to to approximately 1.7 million in the country. its relationship with India, pushing for the sale of nuclear India, UAE Draw up Road Map to Bolster Relations reactors and big-ticket arms exports that have until now been India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has sketched out the the preserve of major powers like the United States, France and INDIA PREPARES Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012 Bilateral/Multilateral Bulletin Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

outlines of a road map, centred on a new partnership rooted taken over by Iraq. in energy security and investments, to firm up their ties. Switzerland Agrees to Ease Secret Account Official sources said India was looking for larger volumes of Disclosure Norms crude imports from the UAE to meet its growing needs. Going beyond a buyer-seller relationship, India is looking for avenues In a step that is expected to make tracking down tax evaders in oil exploration in the UAE. In line with the stratospheric rise easier and effectively combat the black money menace, the in trade, which is now $67 billion, the India-UAE avoidance government has announced that Switzerland had agreed to of double taxation agreement was updated and brought on a provide details of secret bank accounts of individuals sought par with international standards. The article on exchange of by India even on the basis of “limited” information, under a information was amended to bring within its purview exchange mutual agreement inked on April 20 this year. of information related to the banking sectors. The two sides This marks a significant easing of disclosure norms, as under also proposed the establishment of a joint committee to address the existing revised bilateral treaty signed under the Double “consular issues” related to birth or death registration, travel Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA), the requesting State documents, and “quasi-judicial” matters involving the detention has to compulsorily provide the name of the person under or arrest of nationals of both countries. examination and the name of the foreign holder of the India, Qatar Agrees to Take Steps in Mutual information as part of the identity requirements without Investments which the information will not be shared by the other country. “This was a restrictive provision and not in line with the India and Qatar have taken a leap forward in the area of mutual international standards,” the Ministry statement said. investments. At a meeting in New Delhi in April 2012, the Emir of Qatar, Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, and Prime Minister Manmohan India Germany to Collaborate in Electric Mobility Singh took forward the initiatives on mutual investments agreed India has sought German expertise and participation in developing upon during their previous detailed interaction in 2008. Four green technologies. Indian Minister of Commerce Industry and pacts, including one setting in place the framework for a more Textiles Anand Sharma, who met German Federal Minister for intensive partnership in the hydrocarbons sector, were signed. Transport, Building And Urban Development, Peter Ramsauer Building on a previous agreement to set up a $100-million in Berlin told, that “India and Germany are both committed to fund to indicate their genuineness and credibility in investing reducing carbon emissions and sustainable mobility is one of the in India’s infrastructure sector, the sources said $5.5 billion highlights of our cooperation in the automotive sector. We are 43 of investments could be expected from Qatar. Qatar in turn also seeking a common approach to implement targets for India’s welcomed Indian companies bidding for projects and requested National Mission for Electric Mobility.” support for facilitating its investments. Germany is a strong supporter of electric mobility. There are India, Iran Work to Boost Trade in Non-Oil Products about 1,500 electric vehicles operating on German roads. By Business persons from India and Iran have hold talks to boost 2020, Germany aims to put at least one million electric vehicles trade between the two countries. Tehran signalled its interest on the roads. Germany is also a world leader in logistics and in in purchasing an estimated Rs.25, 000 - 30,000-crore worth of the construction of infrastructure, as well as in energy-efficient Indian goods every year by having a former Cabinet Minister to technologies in the transportation sector. Indo-German Joint head the delegation. India and Iran have been forced to turn Working Group (JWG) on Automotive Sector has helped to to this system because most financial institutions are wary of intensify bilateral cooperation in the development of efficient dealing with Tehran due to the threat of being locked out by automotive technologies and alternate fuels and drives. Both western countries. The Iran-India business meetings focussed countries are exploring areas of cooperation including in future on agro and allied products, pharmaceuticals, engineering, road map for India’s Auto Fuel Policy, Electric Mobility Plan in shipping, banking, petroleum products polymer, textile, as India. The extension of the JWG on Automotives for another well as e-commerce. Pharmaceuticals and agro products are two years is indicative of the progress being made. free from pre-existing United Nations sanctions, which India Sharma also sought German Participation in seven National already complies with. Manufacturing Investment Zones (NMIZs) that have been The United States is pushing India to cut back its imports of notified along the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) crude oil from Iran, and has warned that Indian banks could and the project envisages development of Industrial Townships be cut off from its financial system in June unless significant on a PPP model. India has committed US$ 4.5 billion for progress is made. Indian exporters to Iran are also seeking development of trunk infrastructure. The bilateral trade clarity on a recent tightening of United States laws that target between India and Germany has more than doubled over the those helping Iran avoid the full effect of sanctions by barring last 5 years to reach nearly US$ 23.64 billion last year. Both them access to its banking system. Iran was India’s second- countries expressed confidence that the trade target of Euro biggest crude oil supplier after Saudi Arabia, meeting about 20 Billion by 2012 will be surpassed. 12 per cent of the country’s needs, but the position has been INDIA PREPARES Economy@IP Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

Economy@Ip...

General Anti-Avoidance Rules “Tax avoidance like tax evasion seriously undermines the objectives of tax revenues. Tax revenues are an indispensable source of funding of a government’s development initiatives in an era in which government’s often lament the lack of resources to secure for all its citizens the right to an adequate means of livelihood and to minimize the inequalities in income.”

The introduction of General Anti- dealing at arm’s length, or • considering or looking through an Avoidance Rule (GAAR) in the Union • result in the misuse or abuse of the arrangement by disregarding any Budget 2012-13 by the Finance Minister provisions of the Act in any way, or corporate structure Pranab Mukherjee to tackle the challenge • clacks commercial substance either For the above purposes, following re- of ‘tax evasion’ has created a much characterization may be done — furor among the foreign institutional wholly or in part, or investors (FIIs). This has led to the • entered or carried out in a manner • any equity into debt or vice versa; postponement of the GAAR by a year by which would not be employed for • any accrual, or receipt, of a capital our finance minister Pranab Mukherjee bonafide purposes or revenue nature; or bringing much needed relief to the While, the principle condition for • any expenditure, deduction, relief or foreign institutional investors. In order invalidating a transaction might be rebate. to have a complete understanding of the triggered at the assessment stage itself, Furthermore, it has been provided by issue let’s look ‘what GAAR is?’ the burden to refute the same shall rest the provisions of GAAR that the reason General Anti-Avoidance Rule (GAAR) with the tax payer. Further, once the ‘tax that a structure provides an exit route was first introduced in Brazil in 2006 benefit’ test is satisfied, the arrangement would not be considered in determining to counter tax avoidance as a residual also has to satisfy at least one out of commercial substance. This is in contrast 44 measure and Indian GAAR is based on the four additional tests discussed above. to what was held in Vodafone Judgment. Brazilian model. GAAR is tax regulation The tax authorities upon satisfaction Scope of GAAR Provisions which sets out to tackle highly abusive, of aforesaid conditions shall seek to: contrived and artificial tax schemes and The scope of Indian GAAR is very wide • disregard, combine or re-characterize tax structures. It is generally intended as it seeks to cover within its ambit any step, part or whole of a as a catch-all to close loopholes in the nearly all the arrangements (the term transaction; income and profit tax laws. ‘arrangement’ is very widely worded to • treat the transaction as if it had not Note: meaning of certain technical cover almost every transaction scheme, been entered into; terms is given in the end of the article. understanding etc.) which have an • disregard any accommodating party element of ‘tax benefit’ accruing to the Salient Features of GAAR in or treating any accommodating party taxpayer. In other words, the principle India and any other party as one and the condition along with the four additional The Indian tax law has always had same person; tests could have the effect of bringing specific anti avoidance rules to target • deeming connected persons in each and every transaction resulting in a known arrangements of tax avoidance, relation to each other as one; lower tax liability for the taxpayer under the purview of GAAR. whereas GAAR seeks to completely • reallocating, amongst the parties to redefine this concept. GAAR as the arrangement— Further, while a transaction as a envisaged under the Finance Bill 2012 whole may be a bonafide one, however is a broad set of provisions which seek • any accrual, or receipt, of a the tax authorities can invoke GAAR to tax an ‘impermissible avoidance capital or revenue nature; or provisions if any of the steps on a arrangement’(which may be a step, a • any expenditure, deduction, standalone basis are undertaken to part or whole of an arrangement and relief or rebate; or obtain a tax benefit. Consequently, even hereinafter referred to as ‘Transaction’) • relocating place of residence of a genuine business transactions might fall whose main purpose is to obtain a tax party or location of a transaction on the wrong side of GAAR. In fact, it benefit by: or situs of an asset to a place other seems that while taking all commercial • creating rights or obligation which than provided in the arrangement; decisions and determining the manner wouldn’t arise between persons and of their implementation, the tax INDIA PREPARES Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012 Economy@IP Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

Salient features/provisions of GAAR Classification of Avoidance Rules Avoidance Rules can be classified into following: —Measures based on general principles in the law • This refers to principles which are not codified in the legislation (non-statutory) • They include a range of philosophies and approaches including “substance over form” “abuse of law” —General Anti Avoidance rules • It has same meaning as “anti avoidance rules based on general principles in law” except that it is codified and included in the legislation —Specific Anti Avoidance rules • These are the specific anti-avoidance rules which applies to the specific situations-CFC, Thin Capitalization rules, Exit Tax etc.

implications of these provisions would the revenue authorities to establish the tax authorities in case of GAAR being play a pivotal role. presence of at least one tainted element invoked are inordinately wide and Burden of Proof to invoke GAAR. Therefore, in order to clearly not in line with international avoid abuse of this provision, the burden best practices. That coupled with The GAAR provisions in India call for of proof should be shifted to the revenue the sort of rulings that are passed by the taxpayer to prove the underlying authorities and an opportunity might be tax authorities (particularly at lower purpose of a transaction, once it gets given to taxpayer to provide the facts levels), is likely to result in misuse of questioned. The tax authorities on the and evidences and prove legitimacy of the GAAR provisions. One can only hope other hand are given power to invoke transactions. that specific and objective criteria are GAAR by using any one of the criterions Conclusion introduced with respect to applicability 45 which seem to be vast as well as of these provisions. ambiguous. However, in other countries Both the scope of the proposed GAAR such as South Africa, the onus lies with provisions and the powers given to the

Meaning of some of the terms used in GAAR 1. Accommodating Party: Accommodating party means a party to an arrangement whose main purpose for direct or indirect participation in an arrangement (in whole or in part) is to secure benefits whether directly or indirectly to a person to whom it may be connected or not. 2. An ‘arrangement’ will mean any transaction, conduit, event, trust, grant, operation, scheme, covenant, disposition, agreement or understanding, including all steps therein or parts thereof, whether enforceable or not. 3. ”Tax benefit” means a reduction, avoidance or deferral of, or an increase in a refund of tax under the Income Tax Act (“ITA” or “the Act”) or a reduction, avoidance or deferral of, or an increase in a refund of tax for a Tax Treaty or a reduction in tax bases including increase in loss. 4. “Arm’s length price” means a price applied or proposed to be applied in a transaction between persons or enterprises other than associated enterprises in uncontrolled, unrelated or independent conditions. 6. “Lacks commercial substance” includes situations where there is a • Significant tax benefit without a significant effect upon on business risk or net cash flow • Legal substance or effect differs from legal form • It involves or includes 4 Round tripping financing 4 An accommodating or tax indifferent party 4 Any element that has the effect of offsetting or cancelling each other 4 A transaction which is conducted through one or more persons and disguises the nature, location, source, ownership or control of funds 7. “Round trip financing” includes financing in which funds are transferred among the parties to the arrangement in a manner which would result, directly or indirectly, in a tax benefit; or significantly reduce, offset or eliminate any business risk incurred by any party to the arrangement INDIA PREPARES Economy@IP Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

Economy@Ip...

Balancing Inflation and Growth in India: Need of the Hour

Growth-inflation trade-off1 acquiredappropriate steps to minimize the ill could discourage capital inflows. centre stage of policy debate in India effects of inflation to a certain extent. Fiscal Imbalance: Even if inflation in 2011, as persistent high inflation Apart from affecting the common man is seen as a tax, fiscal imbalances may coexisted with robust growth. From through reduction in the purchasing power actually increase in a high inflation March 2010 through October 2011, RBI of the money, inflation also adversely environment. First, because of specific has increased interest rates by a record affects growth. Inflation and economic fiscal measures taken to contain 13 times to batten down high inflation growth are parallel lines and can never inflation (such as tax cuts and higher which hovered around 10 per cent for meet. Inflation and economic growth subsidies), which in turn could delay over a year during this time. RBI since are incompatible, that is, there exists a fiscal consolidation. In the case of then has soften its anti-inflationary negative relationship between inflation India, suppressed inflation could be stance and amidst the fear expressed and growth albeit only in the short run. significant, going by the magnitude of by the industrialists over declining The adverse impact of inflation on growth food, fertilizer and petroleum products investment and slackening growth, RBI could operate and manifest through subsidies. Second, expenditure growth in the monetary policy announcement multiple channels. Some of the important at times may match inflation, given of April 2012 reduced the policy rates. ones are presented here in brief. the indexation of wages and expected The repo and reverse repo rate were External Sector: Higher inflation demands for compensation matching the reduced from 8.5% and 7.5% to 8% and rate of inflation. Revenue collection, 7% respectively. However, the inflation- and the resultant higher inflation differential relative to the inflation however, may lag behind, due to lags growth trade-off does not seem to rest in pricing of public utilities as well as in peace. The recent release of the lower in rest of the world could cause the real effective exchange rate (REER) to incentives to underreport income to Index of Industrial Numbers (IIP) of 5.6% escape the inflation tax. Fiscal imbalance 46 has once again put the RBI in a dilemma appreciate, which in turn could weaken export growth. Moreover, domestic firms is a risk to both inflation and growth in whether to pursue tightening monetary the medium-run. policy or pursue its growth objective. may find it difficult to pass on the rising input costs to consumers in the face of Asset Prices: Stock markets may Risks to Growth from Inflation– competition from cheaper imports, which react adversely to high inflation, leading Some Obvious Triggers may increase pressure on margins. Margin to negative wealth and income effects, Inflation means rise in the price level in pressures could alter investment plans as as well as higher cost of funds, both of an economy. Essentially it is a situation well as cost of financing for firms. which could adversely impact growth. At where in the supply of money is too Private Investment: The most times, however, asset price bubbles and high in the economy. The high supply of significant adverse impact of inflation associated positive wealth effect could money in essence means that demand in could be on private investment and become a source of inflationary pressures. the economy is too high. The inflationary even productivity of investment. First, Interest Rate: Anti inflationary situation also exists when there is firms have to spend time and money monetary policy stance pursued in presence of structural bottlenecks (or to understand and manage the effects response to inflation could raise the supply-side constraints) as in agriculture of inflation on their business. Second, cost of financing for investment and sector in India. higher noise in the information embodied consumption activities, and thereby Though inflation is a less dreaded in prices could lead to over investment compress aggregate demand. Interest situation than depression, however, in some sectors and underinvestment rate channel, however, may not be very inflation has never done well to the in others. Third, inflation could cause effective when input cost pressures are economy. Moreover, in a developing misallocation of financial resources passed on to consumers in the form of country like India where structural -from productive investment to higher output prices, and consumers in bottlenecks exists and more than one- speculative activities. Fourth, it may general get wage increases matching the third of population is below the poverty discourage domestic savings. Borrowers rate of inflation. line, the inflationary situation becomes benefit at the expense of creditors in a Input Costs: When supply shocks a major challenge to tackle. Therefore, rising inflation scenario. More debt than increase input costs that automatically whenever there is expected inflation, more savings could become the norm in raises headline inflation while governments around the world take a high inflation regime. Fifth, inflation simultaneously reducing growth. Supply INDIA PREPARES Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012 Economy@IP Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

shocks by their very nature lead to large uncertainties in decision making. Rising several months. Supply constraints have relative price changes, which in turn may prices adversely affect savings even been the main trigger for inflation. In depress demand on the one hand while as they make speculative investments fact, what we need to watch out for is raising input costs on the other. The more attractive. These apart, there is the impact of high inflation on growth. overall impact becomes visible in terms a crucial social dimension, particularly Persistent high inflation can distort of low growth and high inflation. When in developing countries. Inflation the motives for investment, thereby repeated adverse supply shocks drive adversely affects those who have no undermining growth. the inflation path, lower growth would hedges against it and that include all There has been considerable debate co-exist with high headline inflation. the poorer sections of the community. on what an acceptable level of inflation Stagflationary possibilities could yield This is a very strong argument in favour is. Prof. C Rangarajan has given the a growth-inflation relationship contrary of maintaining price stability by the RBI. term “threshold level of inflation”, to what the conventional Phillips Curve The other view is that, the fact defining it as the level beyond which relationship suggests. that inflation is triggered primarily by inflation costs begin to rise sharply. The Unemployment: Growth of a supply-side shocks and less by demand- Chakravarty Committee regarded four nation depends to a large extent on pull factors, the RBI can less do about per cent as the acceptable rise in prices. employment. If rate of inflation is high, controlling the inflation and therefore, This, according to the Committee, unemployment rate is low and vice versa. in absence of fiscal policy, it would be will reflect changes in relative prices This theory is propounded by economist better for the RBI to focus on growth and necessary to attract resources to growth William Philips and this gave rise to the easing the monetary policy. However, that sectors. Growth is not uniform in all the Philips Curve. does not mean that monetary policy has sectors. Thus, maintaining an absolute Inflation vs Growth and the no role to play in such conditions. Food price stability, meaning a zero rate of RBI’s Dilemma price inflation, if it persists long enough, increase in prices, may not be possible. gets generalised. It becomes a cost-push Nor is it desirable. Obviously, there is a The inflation certainly affects growth factor as far as the manufacturing sector certain amount of judgement involved in as can be revealed by the slowing is concerned. Thus, monetary policy and, determining the acceptable or threshold down of Indian economy on account at one step removed, fiscal policy have to level of inflation. One has to factor in of decline in the investments. The play their part in containing the overall not only the impact on output but also 47 decline in investment has been the demand pressures. distributional implications. result of, in Indian context, due to consistent monetary tightening since Therefore, in the above context, it Conclusion March 2010 and the consequent “lag is of utmost important that “potential” In the early decades after India’s effect.” Though there are other very growth of the economy is determined Independence, the argument that valid reasons for the slowdown of the first. Since the investment rate now inflation was endemic in economic economy like eurozone crisis, high fiscal exceeds 36 per cent and can realistically growth led to a very steep increases in deficit and current account deficit and be expected to rise to 38 per cent under prices. We should not let that happen in “policy inertia” within the government, favourable investment conditions, even the years of high growth. We must remain however, monetary tightening has with an incremental capital-output committed to maintaining inflation at a been the most important reasons. This ratio of 4:1, we should be able to grow low level. High growth does not warrant has put the central bank in a dilemma at 9 to 9.5 per cent comfortably. This a higher level of inflation. We must use whether to follow the objective of price rate of growth may be regarded as the all our policy instruments to bring down stability or the objective of economic “potential” of the economy. As RBI the current inflation and re-anchor the growth, that also, at a time when the Deputy Governor Subir Gokaran said, “We inflationary expectations to the four- or coordinating policy, that is, fiscal policy are not raising interest rates to bring five-per cent comfort zone. growth down. We are raising interest of the government seems to be haywire References on account of missing of the targets of rates to bring growth down to a level fiscal consolidation. that is consistent with a steady rate of 1. Balancing inflation and growth by C inflation. And if the potential (growth) Rangrajan, Business Standard An environment of reasonable price is 8.5 per cent, then we are in recession 2. Why Persistent High Inflation stability is considered conducive to and clearly there is an argument for a economic growth. Many people would Impedes Growth? An Empirical reversal, but then the inflation number Assessment of Threshold Level of regard price stability as a necessary should reflect that.” condition for long-run growth. The case Inflation for India by Sitikantha of price stability as a major objective This, however, has not been the case Pattanaik and G V Nadhanael, RBI of economic policy rests on the in the last two years when the inflation Working Papers assumption that price volatility creates rate remained at double-digit levels for 3. Economic Times and Times of India issues on Inflation INDIA PREPARES Economy@IP Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

Economy News...

opt for direct bank transfer. However, all other payments above MONEY & BANKING Rs.25,000, as also towards settlement of retirement/terminal Credit Quality to Stay Under Pressure: Crisil benefits shall be directly credited to their bank accounts, says Credit quality pressures for India’s corporates, which intensified the statement. A ‘Government e-payment gateway’, set up by in 2011-12, are expected to continue given the slowdown in the Controller General of Accounts recently, will be used by the demand, says credit rating agency Crisil. Instances of default PAOs (Pay & Accounts Officers) of various civil ministries and by Crisil-rated entities last fiscal increased to 188, the highest departments, to start with. At a later stage, the Controller- in any year. The annual default rate for such entities hit a General of Defence Accounts will also progressively move ten-year high of 3.4 per cent in 2011-12, according to a towards making payments through this gateway. The measure release from the agency. An indicator of the pressures was the is expected to streamline the payment process and minimise increase in banks’ gross non-performing assets (to 2.9 per cent payees’ interface with government offices, and thereby of advances from 2.3 per cent) and in the quantum of debt enhance transparency and accountability. restructured (to 3.3 per cent of advances from 2.5 per cent) Centre Clears Banking Bill between March 31 and December 31 of 2011, it says. The Union Cabinet has decided to retain the voting rights Crisil downgraded 292 ratings and upgraded 266 ratings in the in the private sector banks at 10 per cent and felt it could second-half of 2011-12 as against upgrading of 313 ratings be raised progressively to 26 per cent as suggested by the and downgrading of 207 in the first-half. The downgrades were Standing Committee. The decision was taken by the Cabinet driven by liquidity pressures and weakening demand. One-third while approving changes in the proposed the Banking Laws of the downgrades were to the default category (‘Crisil D’). (Amendment) Bill, 2011. It has been decided that the cap Roopa Kudva, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of on voting rights in the private sectors, which is now at 10 Crisil, says: “Weak liquidity caused by elongation of working 48 per cent, could be raised to 26 per cent in a phased manner. capital cycles is the primary reason for the defaults. This trend In December last, the Parliamentary Standing on Finance had is likely to persist with slowing demand.” recommended raising voting rights of investors in private sector Highly indebted industries, including textiles, steel, banks but with a cap of 26 per cent with a view to maintaining construction and engineering, accounted for a fourth of the a balance between economic control and promoting corporate defaults. Textile exports have been hampered by weak demand, democracy. The Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2011, especially in the eurozone. Steel manufacturers had to contend introduced in the Lok Sabha in March, 2011, had proposed with higher input prices. Industries dependent on investment providing voting rights to investors commensurate with their demand such as construction and engineering, and industrial shareholding in the private sector banks. The Committee in its machinery have been affected by weak domestic demand, report on the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2011, tabled stretched working capital cycles, and high interest rates. in the Lok Sabha had suggested the RBI must ensure that regulatory mechanism is adequate and strictly complied with Centre to Credit Payments above Rs. 25,000 into to prevent any misuse of the provision of increasing the limit. Bank Accounts In a unique move to usher in green banking and enhance PUBLIC FINANCE transparency and accountability in public dealings of the Centre Sets Up study Team to Evolve Common Centre, all payments above Rs. 25,000 will be credited Tax Code directly to the bank accounts of payees from this fiscal. The green banking facility is also being extended to payments to The government has set up a ‘Study Team’, headed by M. K. government servants, including for settlement of retirement Gupta, former Vice-Chairman of the Customs and Central Excise and terminal benefits. According to an official statement, the Settlement Commission, to look into the possibility of evolving Finance Ministry has amended rules to enable all ministries a common tax code for service tax and Central excise duty, and departments to credit payments directly to the bank which could be adopted to harmonise the two legislations accounts of payees as part of the government’s commitment under the proposed Goods and Services Tax (GST). The team is to good governance and elimination of corruption. to submit its report to the Finance Minister by September 30. Even as government servants will continue to have the option The Study Team has also been directed to address issues of receiving their salaries by cash or cheque, they could also relating to input tax credits so as to simplify the existing scheme and mitigate the cascading impact of levies to the INDIA PREPARES Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012 Economy@IP Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

extent possible. At the same time, another prime objective is bank said that not furnishing a copy of the loan agreement to harmonise the existing procedures and processes and make or enclosures quoted in the loan agreement was an unfair them more trade-friendly. “The Study Team may also suggest practice and this could lead to disputes between the NBFC and any other measure that will help in reducing the cost of the borrower with regard to the terms and conditions on which compliance for business or transition towards a comprehensive the loan was granted. In loan recovery, the NBFCs should not GST,” the statement said. resort to undue harassment such as persistently bothering the SPV Approved for Smooth Roll-out of GST borrowers at odd hours and use of muscle power, said the RBI. It said, “though interest rates are not regulated by the Bank, In a step towards facilitating implementation of the proposed rates of interest beyond a certain level may be seen to be Goods and Services Tax (GST), possibly from next fiscal, the excessive and can neither be sustainable nor be conforming to Union Cabinet has approved the setting up of a special purpose normal financial practice.” vehicle (SPV) to provide the IT infrastructure and services for smooth roll-out of the new indirect tax regime. No Tax on Investments Made via P-Notes According to an official statement, the GSTN SPV, with an equity With confusion over the applicability of taxation provisions capital of Rs. 10 crore, would be incorporated as a Section 25 proposed in the Budget for the new fiscal beginning April (not-for-profit), non-government, private limited company in 1, which has led to sell-off on the bourses during the week, which the government is to retain strategic control. While the Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee has sought to assure Centre and the states would hold equal stakes of 24.5 per overseas investors that entities investing in stock markets cent each in the SPV, non-government institutions together through P-Notes (participatory notes) would not be required would have the majority equity stake of 51 per cent. However, to pay taxes in India. In a bid to set at rest the prevailing although no single institution would hold more that 10 per uncertainty over tax dues of overseas investors, Mr. Mukherjee cent equity, there would be “the possibility of one private said: “Indian tax authority would not go beyond financial institution holding a maximum of 21 per cent equity”, the investor [FIIs] to check the details about the P-Note holders. statement said. Accordingly, a question of liability for tax in India of the P-Note holder would not arise.” “GTSN SPV would have a self-sustaining revenue model, based on levy of user charges on tax payers and tax authorities Under the P-Note mechanism, even those foreign institutional availing its services,” the statement said and noted that investors who are not registered with the market regulator 49 while the SPV’s services would be critical to actual roll-out of — Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) — are GST at a future date, “it is also expected to render valuable permitted to invest in the Indian equity market. Mr. Mukherjee services to the Centre/State tax administrations prior to the pointed out that as P-Note holders make their investment in GST implementation.” stock market through FIIs, “the Income-tax Department would examine the tax liability of the FIIs”. The Finance Minister’s CAPITAL MARKETS detailed clarification to the media has ostensibly come in the wake of a written communication to him by the Asia Securities Reserve Bank Tightens Fair Practices Code for Industry & Financial Markets Association (ASIFMA) and the NBFCs Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) The Reserve Bank of India, on 26th March, revamped the which pointed out that “such onerous taxation or even the fair practices code (FPC) to be adopted by non-banking risk of such taxation could threaten this important source of finance companies (NBFCs) while doing lending business. The capital for India’s businesses”. guidelines covered general principles on adequate disclosures SEBI Norms for Automated Trading on the terms and conditions of a loan and also adopting a non-coercive recovery method. “A review of the guidelines is The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has issued made in view of the creation of a new category of NBFCs, broad guidelines on Algorithmic Trading, that is, any order that NBFC-MFIs and also rapid growth in NBFCs’ lending against is generated using automated execution. The market regulator gold jewellery,” said the RBI. The RBI said that the modified has asked stock exchanges to undertake system upgradation, FPC should be put in place by all NBFCs with the approval of including periodic upgradation of its surveillance system, their boards within one month from the date of issue of this in order to keep pace with the speed of trade and volume circular. of data that may arise through algorithmic trading. Further, the stock exchanges were asked to put in place monitoring However, it said, NBFCs would have the freedom of drafting systems to identify and initiate measures to impede any the FPC, enhancing the scope of the guidelines but in no way possible instances of order flooding through this system. “The sacrificing the spirit underlying the above guidelines. The RBI stock exchange shall ensure that all algorithmic orders are said that NBFCs should mention the penal interest charged necessarily routed through broker servers located in India and for late repayment in bold in the loan agreement. The apex the stock exchange has appropriate risk controls mechanism to INDIA PREPARES Economy@IP Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

address the risk emanating from algorithmic orders and trades. of banks, which may enable the ailing carrier save several The SEBI said the minimum order-level risk controls include: hundred crore in the first year itself. As part of the FRP, Air Price check — the price quoted by the order shall not violate India has signed four agreements with the SBI-led consortium. the price bands defined by the exchange for the security. For These were Master Restructuring Agreement, Working Capital securities that do not have price bands, dummy filters shall be Facility Agreement, Appointment of Facility Agent Agreement brought into effective use to serve as an early warning system and Appointment of Trustee Agreement. to detect sudden surge in prices; Quantity limit check — The One of the major highlights of the agreements is conversion quantity quoted in the order shall not violate the maximum of about Rs.10,500 crore of the airline’s working capital in to permissible quantity per order as defined by the exchange for long-term loan, carrying an annual interest of 11 per cent. the security. The first year interest would accumulate in a funded interest term plan. These would lead to substantial savings of about INFRASTRUCTURE Rs.1,000 crore in 2012-13 itself. In addition, non-convertible Presidential Fiat to CIL on Fuel Supply Pact debentures (NCDs), guaranteed by the government, worth Rs.7,400 crore would be issued. The proceeds from the NCDs With Coal India Ltd. (CIL) not following Prime Minister would be used to repay the lenders. Manmohan Singh’s directive to commit coal deliveries to power The financial restructuring exercise began in May 2010 with companies, the Centre, has issued a Presidential directive, SBI Caps being appointed financial advisors to the transaction. asking CIL to immediately sign fuel supply agreements (FSAs) The FRP is based on the airline’s overall turnaround plan aimed with power producers. The government decided to sign the at providing immediate relief to Air India through provisions FSAs with 80 per cent commitment. The move comes after such as funded interest term plan, repayment moratorium of CIL failed to meet the March 31 deadline set by the Prime long term loans and upfront equity infusion by the government. Minister’s Office (PMO) for signing of the FSAs for all projects commissioned before December, 2011. In February, the PMO Nod for RINL to Become Public Limited Com- had issued these directions to CIL after the heads of top pany power companies, including Tata Sons Chairman Ratan Tata and Reliance Power Chairman Anil Ambani, met Prime Minister Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL), the corporate entity of Manmohan Singh seeking assurance on coal supply. They had Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, has been made a public limited 50 informed Dr. Singh that CIL had been insisting on signing the company. The decision was taken at the extraordinary general FSAs with the assurance of only 50 per cent of the required meeting of RINL. RINL, being fully owned by the President of quantity. As a result, no FSAs had been signed since April, India, was registered as a private company as per Companies’ 2009. Act, 1956. At the EGM, the shareholders approved its conversion in to a public limited company. India Inks Pacts with ADB India, on 30th March, inked three loan agreements worth $826 AGRICULTURE million with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to shore up “Tea to be Declared National Drink” the country’s power transmission systems for efficient transfer Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh of electricity from surplus regions to deficit regions. According Ahluwalia has said that tea would be declared the national to an official statement, a $500-million sovereign-guaranteed drink by next year. It would be accorded the national drink loan along with a $250-million non-sovereign corporate status by April 17 next year to coincide with the 212th birth loan will help establish a more than 1,300-kilometre inter- anniversary of the first Assamese tea planter and Sepoy Mutiny regional transmission link to allow bulk transfer of electricity leader Maniram Dewan. The other important reason is that from independent power producers in Chhattisgarh to high half of the labour in the tea industry comprises women and power demand areas in the north, including the National it is the largest employer in the organised sector,” said Mr. Capital Territory (NCR) region of Delhi. The third agreement Ahluwalia. India is the largest producer and consumer of black for a sovereign loan of $76 million is aimed at connecting tea in the world. According to ORG-India Tea Consumption the western power grid to the Union Territories of Daman & Study, 83 per cent households in India consume tea and it is Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli. The tripartite agreements were the cheapest beverage in the world after water. Mr. Ahluwalia signed by the representatives of Union Government, ADB and urged tea planters and producers to emulate coffee planters PowerGrid Corporation. and produce more varieties. There are more than 20 varieties Air India’s Financial Revamp Plan Cleared of coffee in the market but there are only two varieties of tea. — CTC and Orthodox — and there was an urgent need to bring Grappling with a fragile financial position, Air India’s financial in more varieties, he said restructuring plan (FRP) has been approved by a consortium

INDIA PREPARES Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012 Economy@IP Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

INTERNATIONAL TRADE up mineral processing units for iron ore and coal, besides steel making units there. “The MoU envisages exploration Trade Deficit Records New High at $185 b of opportunities for investments to be made by SAIL either Braving the downturn in the United States and the economic individually or in consortium with other entities to develop slowdown in the eurozone, India, has announced that it had mineral processing/steel manufacturing facility in Mongolia,” surpassed the export target of $300 billion for 2011-12. a statement by SAIL said. SAIL has been trying to diversify its The rising trade deficit, touching $184.9 billion mark, was coal requirements from the expensive Australian coal to other a worrying factor. Exports surged by 21 per cent to $303.7 destinations, including Mangolia and Africa. billion in 2011-12 powered by a strong growth in petroleum, The MoU was signed between SAIL and Ministry of Mineral pharmaceuticals and engineering products. India managed Resource and Energy (MMRE), Government of Mongolia, at to go past the export target by adopting product and market Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. As per the MoU, MMRE will provide diversification strategy. However, imports surged by 32.1 per information on iron ore and coal deposits in Mongolia to cent to $488.6 billion, leaving the highest-ever trade deficit of SAIL and will offer options of locations and size of steel $184.9 billion. Interestingly, the government had set a target manufacturing facility for pre-feasibility study, the statement of $150 billion trade deficit. said. The official announcement said a joint pre-feasibility Owing to the huge trade deficit, the current account deficit study for setting up a mineral processing facility for iron (CAD) is likely to be close to an uncomfortable 4 per cent of ore and coal, both coking and thermal, in Mongolia, and gross domestic product (GDP) in 2011-12. A country runs a downstream steel making facilities for domestic consumption CAD when its total import of goods, services and transfers are and trade, will be taken up by MMRE and SAIL. SAIL, on the more than its total export of goods, services and transfers, other hand, will select the best available technology to treat in turn, making it a net debtor to the world. For the first Mongolian iron ore and coal deposits based on the feasibility time since September 2011, exports increased on a month- study. on-month basis in March 2012. On imports, gold imports were This is the first attempt by India to break away from the expected to come down due to the duties imposed in the excessive dependence of Australian coking coal, which has recent Union Budget. become too costly in recent years pushing up the cost of steel Engineering exports grew by 16.9 per cent to $58.2 billion. production to very high level in India. India is importing 35 Exports of petroleum and oil products surged by 38.5 per cent MT of coking coal every year about 60 to 70 per cent from 51 to $57.5 billion and gems and jewellery exports increased Australia which is close to India and the rest from US and New to $45.9 billion, which is 13.3 per cent higher than in the Zealand. previous year. Other sectors which showed healthy performance Pakistan to Double Tea Imports from India by included drugs and pharmaceuticals up 21.9 per cent at $13.1 2015 billion; leather (up 22.5 per cent) at $4.2 billion; electronics (up 9.2 per cent) at $9 billion; cotton yarn and fabric made- Pakistan is targeting to double its tea imports from India up (up 17.4 per cent) at $7.2 billion, readymade garments by 2015 — from 24 million kg in 2011 to 50 million kg. A yarns and fabrics (up 18 per cent) at $13.7 billion and marine memorandum of understanding to this effect has been signed products (up 31.4 per cent) at $3.4 billion. between the Indian Tea Association and the Pakistan Tea Association (PTA) recently. Pakistan is one of the top three tea Imports also registered a huge surge with petroleum, oil and importing nations with a consumption of 220 million kg and lubricants going up by a steep 46.9 per cent to $155.6 billion an official import of 120 million kg. Its main supplier is Kenya. largely due to increased prices in international markets. This has also been the main reason for widening deficit. Imports GLOBAL ECONOMY of gold and silver jumped by 44.4 per cent to $61.5 billion; while that of coal surged by 80.3 per cent to $17.6 billion. World Trade to Slow Down to 3.7 % in 2012 Imports of machinery increased by 27.7 per cent to $35.4 The World Trade Organisation (WTO) has projected a further billion; electronics goods by 23 per cent to $32.7 billion; iron slowdown in world trade, pegging the growth at 3.7 per cent and steel by 15 per cent to $11.9 billion; vegetable oil by 47.5 for 2012. World trade expanded in 2011 by 5 per cent, a per cent to $9.7 billion; and fertilizer by 59 per cent to $11 sharp deceleration from the 2010 rebound of 13.8 per cent. billion. However, imports of gems and jewellery fell by 10.6 It attributed the slowdown to the global economy losing per cent to $31 billion. momentum due to a number of shocks, including the European SAIL Goes Mine Hunting in Mangolia sovereign debt crisis. Multiple economic setbacks during 2011 dampened growth beyond expectations and led to a stronger Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) on 11th May inked a than anticipated easing in the fourth quarter, according a major agreement with Mangolian Government for the allocation report released by the WTO. The preliminary figure of 5 per of coking coal mines, exploring opportunity for setting cent for world merchandise trade growth in 2011 is down 0.8 INDIA PREPARES Economy@IP Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

points from its most recent forecast in September 2011. energy development; develop policy framework for offshore It said India recorded exports growth of 16 per cent in 2011, wind resource assessment through public/private entities; the fastest in the world in volume terms last year. “India had and guidelines for awarding the sites to private sector for the fastest export growth among major traders in 2011, with establishing offshore wind power projects. shipments rising 16.1 per cent. China had the second-fastest export growth of many major economies at 9.3 per cent,” the CORPORATE WORLD report said. India also emerged as the second-fastest importer Rs.950-Crore Package for Reviving HMT after China growing at 6 per cent in 2011. While, Indian The Board for Reconstruction of Public Sector Enterprises exports increased the fastest in the world in volume terms, (BRPSE) has recommended a Rs.950-crore package to nurse in terms of dollar realisation, the growth has been slowing HMT back to health. The package is aimed at financial sharply since August 2011, according to Commerce Ministry restructuring, upgrading technology, upgrading of plant and data. WTO economists said the weak import demand from the machinery and modernisation. The sick public sector unit Europe and the U.S. would adversely affect the emerging and (PSU) would also garner about Rs.400 crore from sale of its developing countries such as India. The U.S. and the European surplus land. HMT, which is under the Department of Heavy Union together account for nearly 35 per cent of India’s Industries, has been engaged in the business of manufacturing exports of $245.9 billion in 2010-11, as per India’s trade data. tractors and watches. During 2010-11, HMT’s loss rose to COMMITTEE/COMMISSION Rs.79.24 crore from Rs.52.91 crore in the year-ago period. Panel set up to Give Thrust to Offshore Wind Zee TV is First Indian Channel to Land in China Energy Projects Zee TV has become the first Indian television channel to be granted landing rights in China, following a long six year wait. The Union Ministry for New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) China’s State Administration for Radio, Film and Television has constituted an Offshore Wind Energy Steering Committee (SARFT), gave the green light for Zee TV Asia Pacific to sign (OWESC) under the chairmanship of Secretary, MNRE, to steer a landing agreement with the country’s only agent that is the offshore wind power development in a focussed manner, allowed to distribute foreign channels, CTV-STVP, on March 27. especially in Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Gujarat. The Zee TV, which has already been selling to Chinese television 52 committee will work out a road map for offshore wind power channels its popular Mandarin-dubbed Indian dramas which development in the country. have garnered wide following, will begin by broadcasting in A Technical Committee has already been constituted to analyse three star-plus hotels all over China. the available data with various agencies for preliminary assessment of potential, including identification of pockets U.K.’s FTSE 100 Debuts on NSE for offshore wind power development. According to the From May 3rd Indian investors are able to hedge and gain terms and reference of OWESC, it will provide policy guidance exposure to the London Stock Exchange, through derivative for tapping offshore wind energy potential on a sustained contracts of U.K.’s FTSE 100 index on the National Stock basis; approve plans and proposals relating to offshore wind Exchange.

INDIA PREPARES Science Spectrum Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

science spectrum...

India’s Deterrence Comes a Full Circle: Agni-V

Continuing with its greater quest for in a kill vehicle that could home in on a thought to be equipped with single warheads, depth deterrence in the region surrounded satellite with the help of ground-based not MIRVs. This suggests that developing an by two nuclear capable countries, i.e., radars. operational MIRV capability is not easy and China and Pakistan and with whom India will take time for both countries. Which is has a chequered history, India flexing its A Giant Leap just as well because mutual security — as the muscle test-fired its longest nuclear capable From a single-stage, liquid-propelled, superpowers discovered during the Cold War missile so far- Agni V on 20th April 2012 surface-to-surface Prithvi missile with a — does not lie in going down that path. 150-km range, which was first launched from missile testing range Wheeler Island Both China and Pakistan possess in 1988, to a three-stage Agni-V that can in Odisha. formidable nuclear-armed missiles of take out targets 5,000 km away, it has The three-stage solid fuelled, 17-metre their own. The former is in the process been a “giant leap” for India in less than tall Agni-V, weighing 50 tonnes, with a of replacing its liquid-fuelled ballistic 25 years. range of 5000 km is capable of carrying missiles with more modern solid propellant a nuclear warhead of 1.1 tonnes. It has From the first generation anti-tank ones. From bases in Qinghai and Yunnan been designed and developed by Defence missiles in the 1960s to Prithvi, Agni, provinces, these missiles can reach all of Research and Development Organisation Akash, Trishul and Nag, the DRDO has India. In addition, in 2004, China launched (DRDO). Agni V is the most important designed and developed a variety of the first of its second-generation Type 094 addition to the family of Agni group of missiles that could be launched from Jin-class nuclear-powered submarines that missiles, namely, Agni-I, Agni-II, Agni- different platforms, including a canister. will carry JL-2 solid-propellant ballistic III and Agni-IV. The Agni missiles form The missiles that have been inducted missiles. Islamabad too has a number the bulwark of India’s nuclear deterrence into the armed forces include Prithvi-1, of long-range missiles in its armoury. strategy, which is based on the no-first- Prithvi-II, anti-ship Dhanush, surface-to- An assessment carried out by an Indian use of nuclear weapons policy. air Akash and surface-to-surface Agni-1 strategic studies group found that Pakistan 53 (700 km), Agni-II (2,500 km) and Agni-III The test fire of Agni V in itself has had a “credible deterrent structure” (3,500 km). attained greater significance for India’s organised around the solid-propellant security and increased India’s diplomatic With the test of Agni V, India now Shaheen-1 and -2 missiles. However, maneouvres in the region. India already has a complete range of missiles that can responsible possession of nuclear-armed has nuclear-capable missiles that can take care of various threats from different missiles for the purposes of deterrence reach all of Pakistan and Agni V is clearly quarters. The focus of the new generation also requires working assiduously to intended to provide a similar deterrent of missiles is on weight reduction and remove sources of friction that can erupt capability with respect to China. Although improvement in velocities with high into open conflict. It is also important it is of the class of an Intermediate Range payload fractions. that India and China start talking to each other on nuclear matters. Ballistic Missile (IRBM), the success of A Game Changer the mission will enable India join a select The Agni V missile is touted by Indian Conclusion band of nations with capability to design, defence analysts as “a game-changer” that The test of Agni V has led to mixed develop and produce Inter-Continental can perform different roles, from carrying responses from various quarters as it Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs). The countries multiple warheads to providing anti-satellite comes hot on the heels of the failed North with ICBM capabilities at present are the capability and even launching tiny satellites Korean Unha-3 launch. On the one hand U.S., Russia, France and China. into orbit. Like its progenitor, Agni III, the US has asked for “restraint” and on The spin-off benefit of Agni-V is this missile has a two-metre diameter (as the other Chinese press has expressed the that the booster technology gives the compared to the one-metre diameter of Agni caution that “it will give rise to rise to country the ability to launch satellites I and II). Agni III and V are therefore the arms race” in the region. However, with its on demand that may be required in war first Indian missiles that can potentially be policy of “No First Use,” India only wants theatre situations when existing satellites equipped with several warheads each (known deterrence and not stockpiles. The country are affected — requiring rapid deployment as Multiple Independently Targeted Re-entry had technical parity in missiles with the of mini or micro satellites in low-orbit for Vehicles or MIRV). MIRVs, however, pose most developed countries. Agni-V is a 21st navigation and communication purposes. their own technological challenges, especially century missile. Another benefit is in making the the need to considerably shrink the size and missile an anti-satellite weapon. Agni-V weight of nuclear warheads. Despite China’s could give the boosting capacity to deliver earlier start, its ballistic missiles are still INDIA PREPARES Science Spectrum Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

science spectrum...

RISAT-1

After the ISRO launched IRS-1A RISAT-1, weighing 1,858 kg and the in 1988, it sent up well over a dozen heaviest satellite launched yet by earth-viewing satellites bearing a the PSLV, is a state-of-the-art Active variety of optical imaging cameras. Microwave1 Remote Sensing Satellite These satellites have created a large carrying a Synthetic Aperture Radar user community within the country. (SAR)2 that will operate in the C-band3. Their data is also being received and The satellite is equipped with a utilised in several countries. 160 x 4 Mbps data handling system, An important reason for the ISRO’s 50 Newton-metre-second reaction initial emphasis on optical imaging was wheels, and a phased array antenna the far greater complexity of a radar with dual polarisation. Its synthetic India’s first indigenously built all- satellite. With RISAT-1, ISRO scientists aperture radar has a resolution of weather Radar Imaging Satellite, and engineers have demonstrated their 3m-50m. It also supports a spotlight RISAT-1, is now in polar orbit after its mastery of that difficult and closely mode for prolonged focus on a given carrier, the PSLV-C19, was launched guarded technology. If the satellite geographical area at a resolution of 1m. with clinical precision from the works as its creators hope, it will match According to ISRO scientists, Sriharikota spaceport of the Indian and perhaps in some respects even once the satellite onboard propulsion Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on surpass Canada’s second-generation system will raise the orbital altitude 26th April 2012. RADARSAT-2 that is now operational. to 536 km with orbital inclination of The RISAT-1 will, however, be approximately 97 degrees to place the 54 The perfect launch of the satellite catapulted India into a select band the country’s second radar imaging RISAT-1 into a polar sun-synchronous of countries having indigenous radar satellite. India already operates the orbit, the satellite will begin its daily imaging technology. Only the US, Israeli-built RISAT-2, which was routine of 14 orbits. Canada, Japan and the European launched in April 2009 and appears to The RISAT-1 uses the ‘synthetic consortium have the technology so far. have been quickly procured to meet aperture radar’ technique. It carries The approved cost of the mission was security requirements. out complex processing of the radar Rs. 488 crore — the assembling of the The launch of RISAT-1 came few echoes received from the same place on satellite involved Rs. 378 crore and the years after that of RISAT-2, which the ground so as to simulate a much rocket Rs.110 crore. carried an Israeli-built x-band radar. bigger antenna than it actually carries. History The RISAT-2 mission was prioritised Doing so greatly increases the image over RISAT-1 following the 2008 resolution that is possible. The RISAT series are the first all-weather Mumbai attacks, since the indigenous Radar images from the satellite will earth observation satellites from ISRO. C-band SAR to be used for RISAT-1 was have a resolution that can be varied Previous Indian observation satellites not ready. This resulted in RISAT-1 from 50 metres down to 3 metres. relied primarily on optical and spectral being delayed by few years. However, as resolution increases, less sensors which were hampered by cloud of the ground can be imaged as the cover. Various inputs

1. Microwaves are radio waves with wavelengths ranging from as long as one meter to as short as one millimetre, or equivalently, with frequencies between 300 MHz (0.3 GHz) and 300 GHz. 2. Synthetic-aperture radar is a form of radar whose defining characteristic is its use of relative motion, between an antenna and its target region, to provide distinctive long-term coherent-signal variations that are exploited to obtain finer spatial resolution than is possible with conventional beam-scanning means. 3. The C band is a name given to certain portions of the electromagnetic spectrum, including wavelengths of microwaves that are used for long-distance radio telecommunications. The C-band (4 GHz to 8 GHz) - and its slight variations - contains frequency ranges that are used for many satellite communications transmissions, some Wi-Fi devices, some cordless telephones, and some weather radar systems. For satellite communications, the microwave frequencies of the C-band perform better under adverse weather conditions in comparison with Ku band (11.2 GHz to 14.5 GHz) microwave frequencies, which are used by another large set of communication satellites. The adverse weather conditions, collectively referred to as rain fade, all have to do with moisture in the air, including rain now. INDIA PREPARES Science Spectrum Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

satellite passes overhead. for natural resources management, Future launches primarily agriculture planning and In a special ‘spotlight mode,’ where Buoyed by the successful launch of forestry surveys, as well as to predict the satellite will keep looking at a small RISAT-1, ISRO chief K Radhakrishnan and prevent flooding. It will be used region on the ground, it will be capable has announced that ISRO will launch for monitoring paddy plantations and of providing one-metre resolution two GSLVs and a PSLV this fiscal and yields in the kharif season and to images. the second Indian moon mission of assist India’s food security planning. Chandrayaan- 2 in 2014 on board a The satellite is equipped with an Pictures from RISAT-1 can also be used GSLV. advanced ‘active phased array’ antenna. to estimate the number of hectares Instead of a single device generating being farmed in India, to assess crop On launch of two Geosynchronous the microwave signals, the antenna health and predict total yield. Also Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLVs) and has a large number of modules that they can help identify wreckage from Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) collectively produce the radar beam. By aircraft which go down in forested this fiscal, Radhakrishnan said ISRO suitably adjusting the signals generated areas. RISAT-1 was not designed as a has studied the reasons for the failure by various modules, the beam can be surveillance satellite, given its reliance in 2010. “Now GSLV will undergo an electronically moved around. Even if on the C-band. endurance test of 1,000 seconds and a few modules fail, the satellite can a vacuum test at a special facility at continue to function albeit perhaps Launching vehicle the Liquid Propellant System Centre at with some degradation in performance. A powerful PSLV-XL is being used to put Mahendragiri in Tamil Nadu, where a Rs Applications RISAT-1 in polar orbit at an altitude 300 crore facility for vacuum test has of 480 km. The satellite’s propulsion been made,” he said. The RISAT-1 can beam back imaging of system will then be used to take it to the earth surface features at day and PSLV C-20 with Indo French satellite the final orbit at an altitude of 536 km. SARAL and four small satellites would night and under all imagined weather The PSLV C-19 is the 21st flight in the conditions. SAR, which gives the be launched in October, 2012 and PSLV PSLV series of satellite launches, the C-21 with a commercial payload SPOT, RISAT-1 its magical roving eyes, also 20th consecutive successful launch makes it superior to the generation a French satellite on earth observation and the third to involve the high-end this August, he said. of optical remote sensing satellites in version (PSLV-XL) 55 clearer imaging at all times and under On GSLV Mark III, he said various any condition. The rocket is called PSLV-XL (XL subsystems of engines are being tested stands for extra-large) because it uses During its mission life of five years, and it would take two years for it to six more powerful strap-on motors be completed. “After all the tests, the the RISAT-1 will use its active microwave than those used in the standard PSLV remote sensing capability for cloud experimental flight without cryogenic version. If the normal PSLV version’s six engines could be in 2012-13,” he said. penetration and day-night imaging of strap-on motors each use nine tonnes Radhakrishnan also said ISRO the earth surface and provide critical of solid propellants, each of them in the had spent over Rs 20,000 crore in 29 data inputs for a range of agricultural PSLV-XL use 12 tonnes of propellants. missions in the 11th five year plan and soil moisture studies and forestry This is the third time the ISRO is using against Rs 13,000 crore in 20 missions applications. a PSLV-XL version. It was first used in in the 10th five year plan. Much of Synthetic aperture radar allows October 2008 to put Chandrayaan-1 in the amount was spent on procuring RISAT-1 to collect data during both day orbit and again in July 2011 to during six to eight Russian cryogenic engines and night and in all weather conditions. the GSAT-12 launch. The satellite is intended to be used and equipment for remote sensing programmes, he said.

INDIA PREPARES Science Spectrum Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

Science News...

Space Technology Data returned by NASA’s Dawn spacecraft shows that the giant asteroid Vesta more closely resembles a small planet or the ISRO to Launch French satellite moon than other asteroids. Images taken by the Dawn, which An advanced French remote sensing satellite – SPOT-6 – has been orbiting Vesta since last year, provide key clues into weighing close to 800 kg will be launched by ISRO’s Polar the early universe when the asteroid formed and show it began Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) from Sriharikota during the its life as a planetary building block. Results of the report second half of 2012. An agreement was signed recently between appeared in the journal Science . ISRO’s commercial wing Antrix Corporation Limited and Astrium The 4.56-billion-year-old asteroid has a rare iron core, and SAS, a company under European Aeronautic Defence and Space a crust and mantle like a planet, forming in a similar way to Company (EADS), France, for the commercial launch of the the Earth and its moon. It likely once harboured a sub-surface satellite. Along with SPOT-6, the PSLV will also carry other magma ocean, a feature that often leads to the formation of co-passenger payloads. This launch services agreement signed layers that form planets. Vesta is also the largest source of between Antrix and Astrium is part of a long-term agreement meteorites that reach Earth, providing scientists with the first signed between the two agencies in September 2008. In up-close look of the source of such space rocks. The meteorites’ November 2010, under a commercial contract between Antrix composition matches that of Vesta, which scientists said and Astrium, an advanced communication satellite Hylas was provides 6 per cent of Earth’s meteorites. Dawn, which was built for a European customer. launched in 2007 by the U.S. space agency, is to offer insights Meanwhile INSAT-2E, the last of the five satellites in the into the beginning of the universe by examining rocky objects INSAT-2 series, has completed its mission life after 13 years that date to the time when planets were forming in the solar in orbit. Launched on April 3,1999 by the European Ariane-5 system. After examining Vesta, Dawn will continue on to the launcher, INSAT-2E carried 14 C-band and 5 lower extended dwarf planet Ceres elsewhere in the asteroid belt. 56 C-band transponders for various communication services. The satellite also carried a very high resolution radiometer and a Information Technology charge-coupled device camera for meteorological observation. National Art Now in Super High ‘gigapixels’ Eleven communication transponders of 36 MHz bandwidth In a unique experiment, Google has joined hands with two onboard INSAT-2E satellite were leased to the International leading Indian institutions -- National Museum and National Telecommunication Satellite Organisation, the first such lease Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) – providing them an online from an Indian satellite. platform to showcase their artworks globally. Called the ‘Art Astronomy Project’, Google’s initiative will enable art-lovers to discover and view more than a thousand artworks of Indian and global Solar Radius Measured Precisely artists in both the museums, online. Google’s tie up with the A group of scientists from Hawaii, Brazil and California two renowned museums under the Ministry of Culture will has measured the diameter of the Sun with unprecedented help people stroll through the galleries themselves using the accuracy by using a spacecraft to time the transits of the technology from ‘Google Street View’, and save specific views planet Mercury across the face of the Sun in 2003 and 2006. of artwork to create a personalised online collection. They measured the Sun’s radius as 696,342 km (432,687 miles) Open access to Government Data with an uncertainty of only 65 km. This was achieved by using the solar telescope aboard a NASA satellite, thereby bypassing The way has been cleared for public access to the data the blurring caused by Earth’s atmosphere that occurs when collected by Union government ministries and departments, observations are made from the ground, notes a University of with official approval being accorded to the National Data Hawaii Institute for Astronomy Press Release. Sharing and Accessibility Policy (NDSAP). Following its recent approval by the Union Cabinet, the policy has been notified The measurements of the Sun’s size were made by University and is in the process of being gazetted. The use of open of Hawaii Institute for Astronomy scientists. They used the data as a tool for promoting governmental transparency and Michelson Doppler Imager (MDI) aboard NASA’s Solar and efficiency has been gaining ground in some parts of the world. Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) to make the measurements. An Open Government Partnership was launched last year by the Giant Vesta Asteroid like Small Planet: NASA United States and seven other governments. Forty-three other governments have joined the partnership, which has endorsed INDIA PREPARES Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012 Science Spectrum Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

an Open Government Declaration, expressing a commitment sourced hybrid delivery solution that spans traditional IT as to better “efforts to systematically collect and publish data well as private, managed and public clouds, a press release on government spending and performance for essential public from the firm stated. services and activities.” It acknowledges the ‘right’ of citizens Built on HP Converged Infrastructure and HP software, with to seek information on governmental activities. India has a developer-friendly integration of OpenStack technology, not joined the partnership, but is collaborating with the U.S. HP Cloud Services deliver an Open Source-based public cloud in developing an open source version of software for a data infrastructure with business-oriented features. These address portal. developer needs and meet organisational requirements for The NDSAP states that at least five ‘high value’ data sets should workload availability, manageability and portability, while be uploaded to a newly created portal, in three months of the eliminating the constraints of a closed operating environment notification of the policy. Uploading of the remaining data sets and vendor lock-in, the release added. should be completed within a year. The Department of Science and Technology will co-ordinate the effort and create the portal Defence Technology through the National Informatics Centre. The Department of Boeing Transonic Wind Tunnel Facility in Hyder- Information Technology will work out the implementation guidelines, including those related to technology and data abad standards. The NDSAP seeks “to provide an enabling provision Global aircraft major, Boeing will be setting up a Transonic and platform for providing proactive and open access to the Wind Tunnel, which is estimated to cost Rs .450 crore, in data generated through public funds available with various Hyderabad under the offset clause obligation. As per offset departments/organisations of the government of India.” policy of the Defence Ministry, foreign companies entering However, the Ministries and Departments can draw up, within into a major contract would have to source a minimum of 30 six months of the notification of the policy, a negative list of per cent of its value from India. The Transonic Wind Tunnel data-sets that will not be shared, subject to periodic review by would be utilised by the Defence Research and Development an ‘oversight committee.’ The policy also provides for pricing, Organisation (DRDO) for conducting tests relating to missiles with the Ministries and Departments being asked to formulate and aircraft projects. Right now, DRDO was depending on their norms for data in the registered and restricted access the only such facility in the country at National Aerospace Limited (NAL). Besides, for hypersonic wind tunnel facility, categories within three months of the notification of the 57 policy. the tests were being carried out abroad, either in Israel or Russia. As a result, lot of projects were in queue. With the Tablets that support 23 Indian Languages proposed Transonic Wind Tunnel facility and another Rs.350- Launched crore Hypersonic Wind Tunnel, also being set up at Hyderabad Wishtel, a Mumbai-based company, last week launched by DRDO, the pace of the R & D projects would get hastened. two tablet PCs, Ira and Ira Thing, which support 23 Indian Navy Commissions full-scale Station in Lakshad- languages. The seven-inch portable devices run on Taiwanese chipmaker VIA Technology’s 800 MHz processor and operate weep on the Google Android ecosystem. While Ira sports a TFT LCD As part of its efforts to augment the security of the resistive touch screen, 256 MB RAM and 2GB of storage, the strategically significant Lakshadweep archipelago, the Navy top-of-line Ira Thing features a capacitive touch screen, 215 has commissioned a full-scale naval base, INS Dweeprakshak, MB RAM with 4 GB of storage. The low-price tablet segment is at Kavaratti. The establishment of the station on the western booming in India ever since the Union government announced maritime frontiers of the country is a milestone indicative of the ‘Aakash Tablet’ in October 2011. Ira was designed as per the force’s commitment to maintain effective coastal surveillance specifications of the Indian Institute of Technology Rajasthan, and defence capability. The Navy has put in place radar stations as part of the low-cost computing devices project under the and other surveillance measures across the island chain to National Mission of Education through the ICT and sponsored monitor shipping traffic and gather operational intelligence. by the Ministry of Human Resources. They are made in factories The Navy has been operating a detachment at Kavaratti since in Maharashtra and Gujarat. the 1980s. With the commissioning of INS Dweeprakshak, the island territories will witness calibrated strengthening of HP Enters Public Cloud Services Arena assets in tandem with their growing relevance to the security Global IT major Hewlett-Packard announced the beta release calculus of the nation. “A firmer footing on the islands, which of its first public cloud services that will enable developers to are spread out astride some of the busiest shipping lanes of build the next generation of Web applications. Starting May the world, would provide the necessary wherewithal to the 10, HP Cloud Services would provide its first generation of Navy to discharge its responsibilities suitably. Indian warships cloud infrastructure, platform services and cloud solutions on patrol would now extend their reach farther with base for developers, independent software vendors and enterprises support from INS Dweeprakshak,” said a Defence press release. of all sizes. The company now offers organisations a single- INDIA PREPARES Science Spectrum Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

Navy Commissions UAV squadron at Uchipuli laboratory in Bangalore. It is the primary sensor for the AEW&C System. It can look 240 degrees within a short time As part of stepping up surveillance, the Uchipuli naval base in and has a range of 350 km. It can track more than 500 Ramanathpuram, Tamil Nadu has commissioned an Unmanned targets simultaneously. Two radiating planar arrays, assembled Aerial Vehicle squadron. The objective of the UAV squadron back-to-back and mounted on the fuselage will provide 120 was to strengthen surveillance and reconnaissance in the Gulf degrees coverage on either side of the AAAU. The secondary of Mannar and Palk strait and Palk bay, which were strategic surveillance sensor is the Identification of Friend or Foe (IFF) locations. The new squadron ‘INAS 344’ is operated from INS system. It is developed by CABS. Parundu, the Naval air station at Uchipuli. This is the Navy’s third UAV squadron. The others are at Kochi and Porbandar in Anti-aircraft Carrier Variant of BrahMos Success- Gujarat. The UAV squadron comprises four units of two Israeli- fully Test-fired built Searcher and Heron UAVs. BrahMos, the India-Russia joint-venture, has developed an INS Chakra Inducted into Navy anti-aircraft carrier variant of the supersonic cruise missile Nuclear-powered attack submarine INS Chakra has been and successfully tested it recently. With this the organisation formally inducted into the Navy, taking India into an elite achieved the capability to attack aircraft carriers using the league of six nations that operate nuclear subs. The Navy supersonic vertical dive variant of the missile that could travel will use INS Chakra, commissioned on January 23 this year at up to 290 km. The steep dive variant of the missile was done Vladivastok in Russia, for training its men in operating such for the Army and after its success, the path for the induction submarines. The Navy began operating submarines in 1967 and of the fourth regiment for mountain warfare was clear. within two decades, graduated to operating nuclear submarines The Army had plans to deploy the missile regiment in the by leasing a Soviet Charlie class submarine, also named INS Northeast along the borders with China and the proposal was Chakra, between 1988 and 1991. The new INS Chakra has a accorded sanction in a Defence Acquisition Council meeting displacement of over 12,000 tonnes and is manned by a crew last year. Considering that the country was planning to induct of 80. It is powered by a 190-MWe reactor for a maximum a number of new aircraft including the medium multirole submerged speed of 30 knots (55 kmph) and operating depths combat fighter aircraft and MiG-29K naval fighters, the of over 500 metres. The submarine is equipped with an array of BrahMos planned to develop smaller version of the missile for 58 tactical missiles, cutting edge fire control systems, sonars and them. communication and surveillance systems. It has come to the Indian shores with deadly fire power, tremendous sustained Successful Flight of RUSTOM-I speed and practically unlimited endurance. Indigenously designed and developed RUSTOM-1 made 14th successful. It may be noted that this unmanned aerial vehicle Second Brazilian Plane with Indian AEW&C Sys- (UAV), developed by Aeronautical Development Establishment tem Flown (ADE), a DRDO lab at Bangalore, had its maiden flight in The maiden flight of the second fully modified Embraer aircraft Nov 2009. This UAV has the potential military missions for India-developed Airborne Early Warning and Control like Reconnaissance & Surveillance, Target Acquisition, (AEW&C) System took place on April 4 at Sao Jose dos Campos, Target Designation, Communications Relay, Battle Damage Sao Paulo in Brazil. This aircraft will be delivered to India in Assessment and Signal Intelligence. This UAV can attain a June 2012. The other mission systems will then be integrated maximum altitude of 22,000 ft and endurance of 12-15 Hours and the mission system flight trials may begin from November with an operating range of 250 Kms when fully developed. 2012. The mission systems and components, including the dummy Active Antenna Array Unit (AAAU), were fitted onboard Nuclear Technology an Embraer EMB 2451. The AEW&C System is mounted on top Nod for Loading of Real Fuel in Kudankulam of the plane’s fuselage. The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) has given its India’s first AEW&C System, with dummy electronics, made approval for the removal of dummy fuel and loading of real its maiden flight on December 6, 2011 on another modified fuel (enriched uranium) in the first unit (1000 MW capacity) Embraer from the Sao Jose dos Campos facility. India will of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP) in Tamil Nadu. receive the third Embraer by the middle of 2013 to be fitted The loading of real fuel would begin soon and thereafter, a trial with the AEW&C System. The Centre for Air-borne Systems run would go on for approximately 20 days before attaining (CABS) in Bangalore that comes under the Defence Research criticality (commissioning). and Development Organisation (DRDO), is executing the System with other DRDO laboratories as partners. Uranium Mine Commissioned The Active Electronic Scanning Array (AESA), which is the Atomic Energy Commission chairman Srikumar Banerjee processor part of the AAAU, has been developed by the commissioned the Rs. 1,106 crore uranium ore mine and Electronics and Radar Development Establishment, a DRDO INDIA PREPARES Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012 Science Spectrum Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

processing plant set up by Uranium Corporation of India at by cardiac arrest — reprogramming one kind of heart cells Thummalapalle village, Kadapa district in Andhra Pradesh into another. A paper published on April 19 in Nature details on April 20. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs how the remarkable feat of reprogramming cardiac fibroblasts had cleared the uranium ore mining and processing plant at into adult cardiac muscle-like cells (cardiomyocyte) produced Thummapalle in August 2007. The Thummalapalle Project promising results. A few years ago, researchers introduced would boost India’s nuclear energy plans and help reduce stem cells directly into the heart and saw some improvement costs by helping switching over from coal. It would give a in heart functioning. With further progress, scientists were fillip to power production from nuclear plants from three per able to reprogram adult heart cells into pluripotent cells in the cent in 2011 to over 30 per cent by 2050. About 1.10 million lab and inject them into the heart. Deepak Srivastava of the tonnes of ore can be mined annually at Thummalapalle. On University of California and his team went a step further and processing, the ore can yield 250 tonnes of uranium oxide and, reprogrammed cardiac fibroblasts into adult cardiac muscle- on further processing, can be used as fuel for nuclear reactors. like cells in the lab. The uranium processing plant has a capacity to treat 3,000 But in the work reported, Dr. Srivastava and his team were tonnes of ore a day. able to change (reprogram) the cardiac fibroblasts into adult The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre has developed an cardiac muscle-like cells inside the body of mice. This was innovative and economically viable process for recovery of low- accomplished by injecting three transcription factors directly grade uranium (less than 0.2 per cent) from Thummalapalle ore into the heart. Behold, the cardiac fibroblasts, which make up mine. The Thummalapalle mine is considered to have world’s nearly 50 per cent of the heart cells, reprogrammed into heart largest reserves of 1.50 lakh tonnes of uranium. Most of its muscle-like cells. Significant changes were seen three months water requirements are drawn from Chitravathi River. after the researchers induced heart damage in the mice and the transcription factors were introduced. Biotechnology Light-powered Bionic Eye Invented to help Re- BGI, ICRISAT Join Hands on Genomics Research store Sight BGI, the world’s largest genomics organisation founded in A retinal implant - or bionic eye - which is powered by light China and the International Crops Research Institute for has been invented by scientists at Stanford University in the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) have jointly announced the California. Implants currently used in patients need to be 59 signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a long- powered by a battery. The new device, described in the journal term collaboration on applied genomics research and molecular Nature Photonics, uses a special pair of glasses to beam near breeding. The partnership aims to enhance precision of infrared light into the eye. This powers the implant and sends breeding programmes for semi-arid tropic crops by using next- the information which could help a patient see. generation sequencing technologies towards crop improvement for sustainable food production particularly in the dry lands Diseases such as age-related macular degeneration and retinal of Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. The two organisations agreed pigmentosa result in the death of cells which can detect light to enhance their collaboration in agricultural research for in the eye. Eventually this leads to blindness. Retinal implants development, especially in the genome sequencing and stimulate the nerves in the back of the eye, which has helped analysis of ICRISAT mandate crops namely, chickpea, finger some patients to see. Early results of a trial in the UK mean millet, groundnut, pearl millet, pigeonpea and sorghum, as two men have gone from being totally blind to being able to well as in capacity building and other agreed activities. The perceive light and even some shapes. However, as well as a collaboration will be crucial in the development of improved fitting a chip behind the retina, a battery needs to be fitted varieties that can provide high yields and at the same time behind the ear and a cable needs to join the two together. meet the challenges of marginal environments and the threat The Stanford researchers say their method could be a step of climate change and scarce natural resources in the drylands, forward by “eliminating the need for complex electronics and according to a press release. ICRISAT and BGI together with wiring”. A retinal implant, which works in a similar way to a several organisations from the U.S. and Europe, has just solar panel, is fitted in the back of the eye. A pair of glasses completed the de novo genome sequencing of pigeon pea, fitted with a video camera records what is happening before a known as the “poor people’s meat,” published in the journal patient’s eyes and fires beams of near infrared light on to the Nature Biotechnology in November 2011. retinal chip. This creates an electrical signal which is passed on to nerves. Natural light is 1,000 times too weak to power Repairing Damaged Hearts by Healing Affected the implant. The implant has not been tested in people, but cells has been shown to work in rats. Scientists have found an easier way of repairing hearts damaged

INDIA PREPARES Science Spectrum Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

Ecology & Environment Reliance Plans Largest Solar Power Hub Within the next two years Rajasthan will become the world’s Uranium not Responsible for Dying Fish: Megha- solar power hub as Reliance Power plans to take up the laya generation capacity of its newly-opened 40-MW plant at The Meghalaya government has denied a report that fish in Dhursar village in Pokhran to 300 MW by 2014. India’s largest the State’s Ranikor river were dying due to exploratory drilling solar photovoltaic power plant at Pokhran in Jaisalmer district for uranium ore and claimed the water had turned toxic from has been set up at an investment of about Rs.700 crore. substances used by local people for fishing. Thousands of dead The Dhursar plant has been set up in a record time of five fish have been found floating in the Ranikor since April 13, months that uses new, efficient technology like thin film. It prompting the government to conduct an inquiry. Geologists is estimated that the clean energy generated from the plant K.B. Surong and E. Nongbri submitted their findings after will displace over 70,000 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide studying the Kynshi and Rilang rivers, the two tributaries of emissions per year that is equivalent to taking 25,000 cars off the Ranikor. the road. It will generate more than 70 million kilowatt hours of clean and green energy enough for consumption of 75,000 Kolkata-based Maheshwari Mining Private Limited is currently households. conducting exploratory drilling for uranium ore near one of the streams that joins the Kynshi river. The Atomic Minerals The project is financed with a debt-equity ratio of 75:25 where Directorate (AMD) has found an estimated 9,500 tonnes of Reliance Power has put in the entire equity while the debt has uranium oxide reserves in Meghalaya. The proposed open- been provided by the US Exim Bank and the Asian Development cast uranium mining project in West Khasi Hills district has Bank. been hanging fire since 1992 after several groups cited the E-waste Management Rules Kick in ill-effects of radiation on human health and environment. The Uranium Corporation of India Ltd (UCIL) proposes to set up an The e-waste (Management & Handling) Rules, 2011 have come open-cast uranium mine and processing plant in Meghalaya. into effect from 1st May. The rules were notified in May 2011 It has also plans to produce 375,000 tonnes of uranium ore and aim at reduction in the use of hazardous substances in a year and process 1,500 tonnes a day. The Union Ministry of electrical and electronic equipment by specifying threshold Environment and Forests has already given clearance to the for use of hazardous material including lead, mercury and 60 UCIL to start mining in the State. cadmium. These rules were notified in advance to give the various stakeholders adequate time to prepare themselves Cancer Drug Plant to get Protection and also to put in place the required infrastructure. They will Nothapodytes nimmoniana, a plant possessing an anti-cancer apply to every producer, consumer or bulk consumer, collection alkaloid camptothecin, will soon get protection from over- centre, dismantler and recycler of e-waste involved in the exploitation. The National Biodiversity Authority has asked the manufacture, sale, purchase and processing of electrical and Kerala State Biodiversity Board to initiate steps for declaring electronic equipment or components. The rules place the main the plant as a threatened species following reports of its responsibility of e-waste management on the producers of the unregulated and unscientific exploitation. The large shrub is electrical and electronic equipment by introducing the concept found in the moist deciduous, evergreen, and shola forests. of “extended producer responsibility” (EPR). It is found in China, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, However, they will not apply to lead acid batteries as covered and China. In India, it has been reported from Assam, West under the batteries (Management and Handling) Rules, 2001, Bengal, Goa, Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. The small tree micro and small enterprises as defined in the Micro, Small and can grow up to a height of eight metres and has smooth grey Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006 (27 of 2006) and wrinkled bark. The bisexual and creamy yellow flowers of the radio-active wastes as covered under the provisions of the plants are foul-smelling. The plants flower from April to June Atomic Energy Act, 1962 (33 of 1962). Sectors like information and bear fruits during August-October period. and telecommunications equipment and consumer electrical Though the medicinal use of the plant is not reported in and electronics falling within the specified categories will any of the codified systems of the Indian medicine or folk have to ensure that the products do not contain lead, mercury, traditions, the plant is used in modern medicine for obtaining cadmium, hexavalent chromium, poly-brominated biphenyls or camptothecin. Wood chips of the species were reportedly poly-brominated di-phenyl ethers above a specified threshold. exported for extraction of the alkaloid. The species was EPR is the main feature of the rules, wherein the producer of propagated by seeds and stem cutting. The rare and sparsely electrical and electronic equipment is given the responsibility distributed plant is found in altitude between 500 metres of managing such equipment after its end of life; thus the and 2,300 metres. Despite its known anti-cancer, anti-HIV, producer is responsible for their products once the consumer and anti-fungal properties, no significant studies have been discards them. Under EPR, the producer is also entrusted with conducted regarding the propagation and population of the species. INDIA PREPARES Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012 Science Spectrum Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

the responsibility to finance and organise a system to meet increased in recent years, they also spread to new geographical the costs involved in complying with EPR. areas. In recent years due to unplanned construction activities, life style changes and deficient water management, including Supreme Court Stays Cheetah Reintroduction improper water storage, have led to proliferation of vector Project breeding sites. The Supreme Court has stayed the implementation of the The list of measures suggested by the Centre include enhancing Cheetah Reintroduction Programme by which the Ministry of disease surveillance, awareness campaigns, indoor spraying, Environment and Forests (MoEF) had proposed to import the use of Long-lasting Insecticide Nets and regular monitoring of African large-sized feline to India. A forest bench comprising larval breeding sites. justices K.S. Radhakrishan and C.K. Prasad restrained the government from going ahead with the Rs. 300 crore India Contests WHO Figures for Multi-Drug Re- project in the wake of questions being raised that a “totally sistant TB misconceived” venture was pushed without consulting that The government has contested the WHO figures that put the National Board for Wildlife (NBW) which is a statutory body number of Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) cases for the enforcement of the wild life law. in India at 63,000, saying there were only 10,267. As many as The issue of relocating Cheetah from Namibia was raised during 38,287 suspected cases were examined till the end of 2011 and the hearing of the matter on reintroduction of Asiatic Lions of them, 10,267 have been diagnosed with MDR-TB and 6,994 from Gujarat’s Gir National Park and Sanctuary and surrounding put on treatment, according to TB India-2012 — the annual areas to Palpur Kuno Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh pursuant to status report of the Revised National TB Control Programme a decision taken by the NBW. (RNCTP) brought out by the Health Ministry. The World Health Organisation, in its report released on the Health & Medicine eve of World TB Day, said India had an estimated 63,000 cases Native Anti-Malaria Drug Launched of notified MDR-TB in 2010, the highest in South East Asia. India has launched its first indigenously manufactured anti- It also put the MDR-TB prevalence estimates at 2.3 per cent malaria new-age drug Synriam. The drug, produced by Ranbaxy among new cases and 12-17 per cent among re-treatment Laboratories, was formally introduced for marketing. The drug cases. However, due to the size of the population and the has been developed by the company in collaboration with number of TB cases reported annually, India ranks second 61 the Department of Science and Technology and supported by among the 27 MDR-TB high-burden countries worldwide after the Indian Council for Medical Research. Malaria claims half a China. million lives every year globally and India contributes to 77 India’s Alarming Share of Global New Leprosy per cent of the 2.5 million cases reported annually from South Cases East Asia. The dual-molecule combination drug conforms to the recommendations of World Health Organisation (WHO) and According to the government about 55.5 per cent of new will be required to be taken only once a day for three days. leprosy cases detected world-wide in 2010 were reported in India. Out of the total 2,28,474 new leprosy cases detected Synriam will be used to treat uncomplicated “plasmodium world-wide in 2010, India contributed 1,26,800 cases which is falciparum” malaria in adults. It provides relief from most about 55.5 per cent of the global disease burden. malaria-related symptoms, including fever, and has a high cure rate of over 95 per cent. After commencing research on The present strategy is to achieve less than one case per 10,000 the drug in 2003, the company received the Drug Controller population. This level was achieved at the national level in General of India’s (DCGI) approval in 2011 to manufacture and 2005 and the Ministry is now concentrating on achieving market it in India. elimination of leprosy at district level during the 12th Plan (2012-17). It would be done through early case detection Vector-Borne Diseases: States Asked to Take and case management and capacity building of medical/ Preventive Steps para-medical staff and community workers, besides improved Concerned over the increasing frequency of outbreaks of vector- monitoring and supervision. Although Uttar Pradesh registered borne diseases, the Centre has asked the States to undertake a reduction of 1,964, the maximum of 25,509 fresh leprosy effective control activities during the ‘inter-epidemic’ period. cases in 2010-11 were reported here. This was followed by Importantly, it wanted the Accredited Social Health Activists 20,547 cases in Bihar and 15,498 in Maharashtra and another (ASHAs) to be trained, along with other programme personnel, 10,321 from West Bengal. so that their services can be utilised when needed. Vector- Among the states which showed an increase in cases were borne diseases include malaria, dengue, chikungunya and Maharashtra, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Assam , Jammu & Japanese encephalitis (JE). While their frequency and intensity Kashmir , Himachal Pradesh , Dadra and Nagar Haveli and

INDIA PREPARES Science Spectrum Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

Kerala . Among states which showed a decrease in cases were fears of a drug-resistant strain of HIV. There is also concern Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar and Tamil that the high cost of Truvada could divert limited funding from Nadu among others. more cost-effective options. HIV Prevention Pill Truvada Backed by US Ex- Miscellaneous perts Vast Aquifers Detected in Sahara A panel of US health experts has for the first time backed a Researchers have found vast groundwater reserves in the drug to prevent HIV infection in healthy people. The panel Sahara, one of the driest places on earth that could help recommended US regulators approve the daily pill, Truvada, buffer climate change effects for years. Researchers from for use by people considered at high risk of contracting the the British Geological Survey and University College London, Aids virus. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is not who have prepared a map of the aquifers or groundwater in required to follow the panel’s advice, but it usually does. Africa, say the volume of water found beneath the driest Truvada is already approved by the FDA for people who are HIV- parts of the continent is around 0.66 million cubic kilometres positive, and is taken along with existing anti-retroviral drugs. — 100 times the volume found on the surface. The largest Studies from 2010 showed that Truvada, made by California- groundwater volumes are found in the large sedimentary based Gilead Sciences, reduced the risk of HIV in healthy aquifers in the North African countries of Libya, Algeria, Egypt gay men - and among HIV-negative heterosexual partners of and Sudan,” said a scientist associated with the research, the people who are HIV-positive - by between 44% and 73%. journal Environmental Research Letters reports. The research, Opposition to the prospect of approving the drug is based on however, points out that not all these reserves — some of concerns that users could gain a false sense of security, and which are as deep as 100-250 metres — can be accessed.

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INDIA PREPARES Health Issues Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012 health Issues...

Family planning in India

Today, no one can ignore the importance true that uncontrolled population efforts have resulted in a sharp drop of of family planning. According to National growth brings food crisis, job crisis, low TFR from 5.7 in 1966 to 3.6 in 1991 and Family Health Survey -3(NFHS-3) human development, political crisis, and further down to 2.6 in 2009. But India although more than 98% of population environmental crisis, of course. In this is yet to achieve the replacement level in between 15-49 knows about one stage of India’s economic development, TFR of 2.1 which is desired for a stable or more methods of contraception, population growth must be synchronized sustainable population and human less than 60% uses some. So, it may with the growth of jobs, infrastructure development. be said that there is still some apathy development etc. And to achieve that, Factors that contribute to high TFR: towards family planning. It is quite there arise a need of an efficient family normal that the age group of 15-24 planning programme. Although some of • It is clear from the data that states normally does not go for sterilization the states have achieved the desired having relatively better education as they would give birth to children Total Fertility Rate (TFR) which is the and human development have low in future. In many areas couples don’t measure of the average number of TFR rate too. know about reversible methods which children that would be born to a woman • Lower level of female education is allow them to have child whenever they over her lifetime at the current age- the most important fact among those want. That’s why there is recent policy specific fertility rates, it is a fact of high which are contributing the increasing shift of government which now aims to concern that some heavily populated population. popularize Intrauterine Contraceptive states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh has • If the female is educated she is Device (IUCD) which assures spaces very high TFR till now. aware of importance of family between two birth ensuring less child India’s history of birth control planning and her education makes 63 birth and less maternal mortality rate. Indian government has been pushing her less dependent on the male and Importance of family planning family planning programme since her opinion has less chance to be As a nation transform from a poor 1952. In 8th plan (1992-97) human ignored. country to a developed one, its development has been identified as its • More education automatically delayed population increases first and then main focus and health and population the early marriage and decreases the stabilize. As India, along with most of have been enlisted among two of its number of children. the countries of South East Asia, Africa six priority objects. Various family • The idea of preferring sons than and Latin America, is developing first, planning measures have been taken daughters has also roots in female its rising population makes it one of like free female sterilization and free dependency and gender inequality in the youngest nation of the world. It distribution of condoms from health almost every part of our life. is true that India’s high birth rate and centers, awareness development • There are also shortages of trained relatively young population is a unique programs through advertisement, staffs to support government programs opportunity to increase the Gross local governments (panchayat and to achieve population stabilization. Domestic Product (GDP) fast, it is equally municipalities), ASHAs etc. All these Fact-file • TFR for the country remained stationery at 2.6 during 2008 to 2009 showing a decline during last few years. • Bihar reported the highest TFR (3.9) while Kerala and Tamil Nadu, the lowest (1.7) • Replacement level TFR, viz 2.1, has been attained by Andhra Pradesh (1.9), Delhi (1.9), Himachal Pradesh (1.9), Karnataka (2.0), Kerala (1.7), Maharashtra (1.9), Punjab (1.9), Tamil Nadu (1,7) & West Bengal (1.9) • At present, a rural woman (having a TFR of 2.9) at the National level would have about one child more than an urban woman (having a TFR of 2.0), on average. • TFR for the country declined by 1.2 points (down by more than a child), rural TFR also by 1.2 points and urban TFR by 0.8 point over last 20 years. INDIA PREPARES Health Issues Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

• Customs and prejudice in Indian 12.7 per cent jump in IUD insertions, population in Madhya Pradesh, society also deter people in using 17 and 18 per cent hike in condom Bihar, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and contraceptive measures. Poor level of use and oral pill use respectively. other highly populated States where awareness is also one of the major • In some states like Chhattisgarh, women often do not have access to factor in high TFR. Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, contraceptives. • Availability of contraceptive Jharkhand, Kerala, Karnataka and • This method is getting popular measures and devices like condoms Tamil Nadu the number of family fast- at the national level; the is poor especially in rural areas. planning acceptors has actually got number of IUD insertions during Family planning methods and down. April-September 2011 has shown an New initiatives to more effec- increase of 5.1 per cent against the recent data: same period previous year. tive family planning 64 • Recent data shows that total number Conclusion of family planning acceptors has • Recently Government of India has taken increased to 3.5% between 2010 and steps to make the use Intrauterine It is true that we have overcome 2011. Contraceptive Device (IUCD) more the apathy towards family planning, but we are still far away from population • Though the percent of female popular. stabilization. There is a still some lag of sterilization among the family • Young mothers will be provided proper understanding of the necessity of planning acceptors is highest, the Suraksha-5 and Surakhsa-10, an family planning and there also exist some number of female sterilization is on assured method. misconceptions of the practiced methods. decline. • Suraksha-5 will be recommended If India needs to become an economic • Condom is the most preferred for short-term spacing, while superpower it has to have a stable, skilled method of family planning now Suraksha-10 will give women security and educated population. Education, not and the number of condom users is for 10 years. in the mere sense of number of years increasing fast. • This will provide relief to young of schooling but in the development • Oral pill users come next to the females who don’t want to undergo of understanding and awareness, can condom users. sterilization in the early years of achieve the desired goal of family • It is interesting to know that Bihar, their lives. planning along with the broader goal one of the most populated states • The whole programme will be of human development. Family planning with very high TFR, has shown managed by the trained auxiliary and human development needs proper an unbelievable jump of 92 per nurse midwives (ANMs) and planning and management together with cent between 2010 and 2011 in Accredited Social Health Activists new innovations. The use of IUCD can sterilizations, 61 per cent in IUD (ASHAs). effectively revolutionize family planning of India. The surprising increase of family users, 49 per cent in condom users • The IUCD method is infection free and 71 per cent in oral pill users. planning acceptors in Bihar indicates and does not leave any emotional that if properly planned and managed, • But simultaneously densely populated trauma which is normally associated we can have a stable population more Uttar Pradesh has indicated only 3.7 with sterilization. quickly than imagined earlier paving the per cent increase in sterilization, • The move is expected to help stabilize way of developed and prosperous India. INDIA PREPARES Environment and Ecology Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012 environment and ecology...

Indian River Linking Project: Recent Judgment And Its Implications The unsustainable equation for the future is staring us starkly in the face - freshwater supply is dwindling at an alarming rate even as the demand for water grows manifold. “Of all the social and natural crises we face, water crisis lies at the heart of our survival,” Kochiro Matsuura, director general of UNESCO.

The Indian River Linking (IRL) Project land areas that otherwise does not have National Council of Applied Economic is back in the news after the Supreme river water access and reducing the flow Research (NCAER) and by the Standing Court asked the Centre and state of water to sea using this means. It is Committee, the delay has adversely governments to participate in planning based on the assumptions that surplus affected the financial benefits that could its implementation. The court has also water in some rivers can be diverted to have accrued to the concerned parties directed the Union government to set up deficit rivers by creating a network of and the people at large, and is in fact a committee, comprising representatives canals to interconnect the rivers. now putting a financial strain on all from various government departments The Indian River-linking Project concerned.” and ministries as well as experts and (RLP) proposes to link 14 Himalayan rivers The Bench said: “This is a matter social activists, to chart out a plan. in the north and 16 peninsular rivers in of national benefit and progress. We For decades, several proposals for the the south. The Project is designed to ease see no reason why any State should lag project were discussed and studied by a water shortages in western and southern behind in contributing its bit to bringing number of high-powered committees. They India while mitigating the impacts of the inter-linking river programme to a all recommended early implementation to recurrent floods in the eastern parts of success, thus saving the people living mitigate the havoc created by recurring the Ganga basin. The NRLP, if and when in drought-prone zones from hunger and floods and droughts. However, not even implemented, will be one of the biggest people living in flood-prone areas from 65 a single link has been constructed so far. interbasin water transfer projects in the the destruction caused by floods.” The project is limping from pre-feasibility world. Reactions to the judgment to feasibility studies and from preliminary The benefits of such a scheme are Grappling with the Supreme Court to detailed investigations, with the stage obvious - it would add 35-37 million order to set up a special committee of implementation nowhere in sight. hectares of irrigated land; generate for implementation of the rivers inter- The reasons for this state of affairs 34,000 million kilowatts of electricity linking project, the Water Resources are not far to seek. While states are busy and increase navigational efficiency apart Ministry is consulting the Law Ministry quarrelling with each other on their from controlling floods and eliminating on seeking a review of the order. water rights, the Centre makes the plea chances of drought. The Ministry, it is reliably learnt, that water is a state subject under the Recent judgment Constitution and hence it would not is seeking opinion for review of the be able to suo motu intervene in such The recent judgment of the Supreme mammoth committee that has to be set disputes. Though many high-powered Court in a 2002 case relating to up under the directions of the court. Not bodies had advised the Centre that Entry networking of rivers has once again only does it want the numbers pruned 56, List 1 of the Seventh Schedule of the brought the issue in the limelight. A but also keep non-official members out Constitution gives ample powers to the Bench of Chief Justice S.J. Kapadia and so that the secrecy of the decisions can Union government to regulate interstate Justices A.K. Patnaik and Swatanter be maintained. rivers which contribute more than 80 Kumar directed the Centre to constitute Criticising the Supreme Court per cent to the annual water resources a ‘special committee’ forthwith for inter- directive, several concerned citizens of the country, the Centre has not taken linking of rivers for the benefit of the have pointed out that the apex court was any initiative to use these provisions to entire nation. The Bench said that the getting into the domain of the executive promote projects to generate benefits. committee should submit a bi-annual in the matter. They urged the court to put report to the Union Cabinet, which must The project its order on hold and undertake careful consider the report and take decisions. reconsideration of the entire matter River Linking involves linking two or Writing the judgment, Justice Kumar which is controversial and has serious more rivers by creating a network of said: “As pointed out in the report by implications. manually created canals, and providing INDIA PREPARES Environment and Ecology Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

“By declaring the project in ‘national projects will prove fruitful for the of fresh water inflows into the seas interest,’ the apex court not only nation as a whole and would serve seriously jeopardizing aquatic life. anticipates the result of examination that a greater purpose by allowing higher India’s best known environmentalist is yet to take place, but also makes it returns from the agricultural sector Dr. Vandana Shiva and her two colleagues difficult for the government to undertake for the benefit of the entire economy. Gunjan Mishra and Kuwar Jalif have a rigorous and objective examination [of • Safe drinking water: it may result done an impact assessment study of the the project],’’ they said and added that in reduction of some diseases due project that unfolds the grave ecological by referring to a ‘unanimous view of all to the supply of safe drinking water, nightmare that could result from this experts,’ the court ignored a ‘substantial and thus serve a greater purpose to gargantuan exercise. body of experts’ that was highly critical India and for humanity at large. of the project. Dr. Shiva says that no serious study • Flood prevention: During heavy seems to have been done on the river Several experts associated with rainy seasons some areas can linking project. “ The project is based on the Forum for Policy Dialogue on Water experience heavy floods while other the false assumptions that water from Conflicts in India have raised objections. areas might be experiencing drought surplus rivers can be diverted to deficit At a two-day national seminar in Pune, like situations. With network of rivers rivers. The truth is there are no surplus the Forum passed a resolution enlisting this problem can be greatly avoided or deficit rivers. There are only living six objections. The resolution has been by channeling excess water to areas and dead rivers. Rivers live where river sent to the SC and the Government of that are not experiencing a flood or basins have been ecologically managed.” India. are dry. This works similar to canal Dr. Shiva’s colleague Gunjan adds that According to K J Joy of the Forum, system in Netherlands to channel all rivers change their course every 70 to “There are 30 links that will connect the excess water from sea. 100 years. “This is a natural phenomenon rivers in the country. A feasibility study • Generation of electricity: With new that can’t be altered. You may link them is being done only on three links (Ken- canals built, feasibility of new DAMS today but once the rivers start changing Betwa, Damanganga-Pinjal, Par-Tapi- to generate hydroelectric power their course after a few decades then the Narmada — have reached the stage of becomes a possibility. entire project would be in vain.” preparation of Detailed Project Reports), But these aren’t the only reasons why 66 while the rest are in conceptual form.” • Navigation: Newly created network of canals opens up new routes and critics are debunking the government’s The Forum members said instead ways and routes of water navigation, massive project that is perceived to of starting with identification of the which is generally more efficient and control floods, reduce incidences of needs of water-scarce areas and finding cheaper compared to road transport. drought, produce huge amounts of hydro- area-specific answers, the project starts electricity and create long stretches for by looking at a map of India and then • Expanding international role: the navigation. They say the scheme has the deciding that rivers should be linked. project will not only help India potential to cause large and irreparable This is a reckless method of redesigning but also neighboring countries like damage on a scale that is unimaginable. the geography of the country, Joy said, Nepal, Bangladesh and Myanmar, thus There would be loss of biodiversity, adding that the design consists of 30 improving the bilateral relations. reduction in downstream flows, damage projects involving 80 dams and it is • Generate employment: the project to fisheries and wild life, displacement bound to have major environmental and will create lacs of jobs opportunities of people, conflicts over water sharing ecological consequences which might for the Indian youth especially in the and pressure created on land by cubic even be disastrous. Construction of dams rural areas. tonnes of water that might cause seismic will also mean displacement of people Issues and Concerns tremors. to varying extents. He added that Nepal Studies by Dr. Shiva’s institute and Bangladesh have expressed serious Though votaries of the river linking project say channeling the surplus water Navdanya reveal that a dam constructed apprehensions that should be taken into at the Sharda-Yamuna link in Haryana account. to underfed areas will solve the perennial problem of floods and droughts and is going to create a load of 500 billion Proposed benefits of the project bring a boom in employment but there’s tonnes on the uphill side making the surface tremor-prone due to this load. • Irrigation: By linking of rivers vast another side to the coin which spoils amount of land areas which does the rosy picture. A number of leading Elaborating on this Gunjan says, “ not have otherwise irrigated and environmentalists are of the opinion Water-logging is inevitable with dam unusable for agriculture will become that the project could be an ecological construction and river linking. This is the fertile. The NCAER report clearly disaster. There would be a decrease in breeding ground for water-borne diseases. opines that the interlinking of river downstream flows resulting in reduction These constructions disturb the aquatic lifecycles and have adverse effect on INDIA PREPARES Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012 Environment and Ecology Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

fisheries. Large forestland is submerged irreparable losses with the submergence or whatever it was, announced in 2002, and many people get displaced. These are of the elephant reserve area. is languishing; and that the judiciary has the reasons why river linking can be such Even at the administrative level the to step into the vacant space created by an epidemic.” project not only holds the potential of non-action by the Executive and issue the Studies reveal that the flora and generating new inter-State conflicts but necessary direction. This is the gap-filling fauna too will be adversely affected by has serious international dimensions theory. However, there is a fallacy here. this project. For example, the Panna that need to be considered. Both, Nepal The “delay” is not the result of executive Tiger National Park in Madhya Pradesh and Bangladesh, have expressed serious failure or inefficiency, but a deliberate that falls in the vicinity of the linking apprehensions about India’s rivers linking (though unstated) slowing down of action of the Ken and Betwa rivers is going to project on the project. The NDA had announced the project in 2002 with fanfare and suffer major damages. Over 50 square Conclusion kilometers of land, which is a habitat to trumpets. The UPA government which many endangered species that fall under So, is the move to link the rivers feasible followed in 2004 was not very enthusiastic the wild life protection act 1972, will get and desirable? It is quite axiomatic about the project but at the same time submerged. that the project has some serious did not want to abandon it; its Common repercussions. It could be argued that the Minimum Programme stated that the Add to this the construction of above criticism is a misrepresentation of project would be comprehensively re- the dam, which will result in large what the Supreme Court has done, and assessed in a fully consultative manner. deforestation in an area where the that the judges are only concerned at This was a clear indication of reservations entry of noise-polluting diesel vehicles the delay in the implementation of an about the project. Thereafter the project is banned. The construction that will approved project and asking for early has been in the doldrums. Unfortunately, take over ten years will virtually kill the implementation. the government’s attitude towards the ecology in the area. The learned judges may say that this project was never made unambiguously Similarly in Uttar Pradesh the famed is precisely what worries them; that by clear to either the general public or the Jim Corbett National Park that falls under now the projects should have been well Supreme Court. Shadra-Sahayak Canal Link will bear under way; that a good project or concept 67

INDIA PREPARES Perspectives Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

Perspectives...

Debating National Security or the NCTC ?

The National Counter Terrorism Centre threw up many questions regarding the that the Union Home Ministry wanted to effectiveness of our intelligence and create will not see the light of day — not security agencies. A quick answer was in the near future at least, and certainly found in the establishment of National not in the manner it was envisaged. Investigation Agency (NIA). The long After a majority of key states lasting and more efficient one however invoked federalism to reiterate their is in limbo as states and centre fight strong objections to the NCTC, the fate it out over the operation procedures of of the body, that was to have come into NCTC. operation from March 1, is all but sealed. National Counter Terrorism Centre, Centre tried hard to reach out to states or NCTC, was proposed by the Home with a six-step Standard Operating Minister Shri P. Chidambaram after his Procedure under which state anti-terror visit to US, which has a similar body units would have been part of the NCTC constituted after the 9/11 attacks. and state DGPs included in its council. NCTC is projected as a top anti-terror But this re-working was a non-starter body, an umbrella organization, under given the deep political trust deficit the Intelligence Bureau, which would between the Centre and the states. analyse intelligence, maintain relevant Most of the non-Congress Chief data and develop appropriate response. Post-mortem inquiries of various 68 Ministers, including Odisha’s Naveen Patnaik and Tamil Nadu’s Jayalalithaa, cross border as well as internal acts and UPA ally and West Bengal’s Mamata of terror have pointed to intelligence Banerjee, had opposed the creation and operational failures and hence the need for a unified assault on terrorism of the NCTC, apprehending that the threats and thus would enhance their powers to be vested with the centre is absolute. NCTC is proposed to set up small offices throughout the states for counter-terrorism capability and access would violate the federal structure of to resources to tackle them.” the country and encroach upon States’ real time information gathering, to be powers. headed by a Director and report to the Need of the Hour home ministry. The Home Ministry has countered that In words of the Prime Minister, the a NCTC is unavoidable because, at primary purpose of setting up the NCTC present, the Union Government cannot “is to coordinate counter-terrorism deploy its military and para-military efforts throughout the country, as the forces suo motu to deal with internal Intelligence Bureau has been doing so security problems in the States; often far. The NCTC should be a vehicle of our the States are unwilling to accept these combined efforts to reach the shared Central forces due to dubious political goal of curbing terrorism and eradicating compulsions. This has occurred when militancy”. large-scale communal riots occurred The antecedents of the NCTC were in 1993 (post Babri Masjid) and 1992 Mumbai Attacks- the trigger derived from the Group of Ministers and (post Godhra). Moreover, the need for a The need to coordinate the anti-terrorism the Administrative Reforms Commission, NCTC is justified because the States lack measures of the Union and State beginning with the lessons learnt in the the political will to fight determinedly Governments had become apparent after Kargil conflict, Dr. Singh said, defending against terrorism. Often the States have the Mumbai attacks in November 2008 the proposal. “The NCTC mechanism not deployed their police and state when several intelligence and operational will give each State agency an ability armed forces to deal firmly with law failures came to light. 26/11 Mumbai to see the bigger picture of terrorist and order situations in a timely manner. Neither have they taken credible steps INDIA PREPARES Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012 Perspectives Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

to professionalize these forces. They and the local police/ armed forces in the The US established its Department have also used their State forces to States; this would be more relevant to of Homeland Security after 9/11. In serve political ends, like the partisan meeting the threat since they have local India the establishment of a separate use of the Gujarat police during the knowledge of the terrain, language and Ministry of Internal Security, conceived post-Godhra riots in 2002. These facts culture that are of equal, if not greater, several years back, continues to cast serious doubts on the impartiality significance for counter-terrorism and languish. Ideally, the NCTC should and integrity of the State law and order counter-insurgency operations. be placed under this new Ministry, apparatus. along with the National Intelligence Indian Vs American Model Unfortunately, the record of the Union Agency (NIA), and relevant sections Government is equally questionable. The Indian NCTC differs from the US model of the various intelligence agencies, cases launched against those involved in two respects. The US NCTC is an including the National Information Grid in the anti-Sikh riots of 1984 are still independent institution not coming (NATGRID), National Threat Reduction lingering, despite some three decades under the control of any of the existing Organization (NTRO). The intention intervening. Besides, the failure of the agencies. In India, it is proposed to be would be to integrate the information Union government to deploy the Army made a wing of the IB and will work at all levels relating to terrorist and in Mumbai during the anti-Muslim riots under the DIB. insurgent organizations for undertaking in 2003, despite their being available, In the US, the NCTC is a legal counter-terrorism and counterinsurgency reflected adversely on the impartiality institution set up under a Congressional operations. of the government. Ironically, several of legislation after bipartisan consultations, The granting of these powers to the those involved in these dubious actions but it does not have any legal powers to IB through the NCTC mechanism could were appointed to high administrative act on its own in matters such as arrest, have two undesirable consequences. and political positions or continue in detention, interrogation, searches Firstly, allegations of misuse of the them, which was not fortuitous. These etc. The Indian model has been set up IB for harassing political opponents. blatant instances of partisanship and under an executive notification under Secondly, it will affect the role of the IB lack of integrity in the Union government the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act as a clandestine intelligence collection apart, the professional ability of the of 1967. This has obviated the need for organisation. It will be preoccupied Central police organizations is also fresh legislation for its creation and for defending its arrests before the courts 69 arguable. The loss of 76 CRPF personnel fresh political consolations at the Centre and against allegations of human rights of its 62nd battalion in the Dantewada and with the States. More seriously, violations. Moreover, presently the IB district of Chhattisgarh in a clinically the Indian NCTC is sought to be given enjoys protection from the Right to executed Naxalite ambush, some two powers of arrest and searches as part of Information Act. If it has these powers years back might be recollected here. its preventive operations. and starts functioning as an intelligence Several questions had arisen then about Moreover, placing the NCTC within collection agency cum central police, the adequacy of their training, their the Intelligence Bureau (IB) would it may no longer be able to enjoy this physical fitness to undertake arduous convert the Bureau into an operational protection. jungle operations, and their familiarity body, which would be disastrous for What is the solution? with the terrain, language and culture of the general polity. It is an open secret Through the tides of history, India has the local population. that the IB assiduously gathers ‘political suffered enough terror attacks from all All this was found wanting in the intelligence’ on behalf of the political quarters. Strengthening of intelligence post-mortem inquiry. Whether remedial party in power about rival factions within agencies is imperative to abate these acts steps have been taken to professionalize the party and the Opposition parties. of terror and for this we need to create these forces currently deployed for Equipping the IB with powers of arrest a nationwide strategy in challenging counter-terrorism and anti- Naxalite and search in the States is, therefore, terrorism. Lack of infrastructural support operations can only be speculated upon being resisted by the States. Moreover, should not be a cause of violence on in the absence of any independent the NCTC would also get embroiled in our motherland and her children. This evaluation. The limited point being IB’s running battle with the Research requires a strong commitment from made here is that the Union forces are and Analysis Wing (R&AW), which is everybody involved to uphold the unity, not much better than the State forces responsible for external intelligence. integrity and sovereignty of the country. in dealing with terrorists and insurgents; Terrorism has both international and so naïve conclusions regarding their national aspects; hence, the NCTC must First, the need for harnessing natural superiority are quite misplaced. be separated from the IB to maintain the joint efforts of the Union and Indeed, a strong argument can be made equidistance from the IB and the R&AW. State Government to fight the demon for strengthening the police stations of terrorism is too obvious to need

INDIA PREPARES Perspectives Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

iteration. A conjoint expression of validation of the professional abilities Fifth, the underlying governance their commitment to pooling their of the Union and State forces employed issues must be tackled to strengthen intelligence and operational resources in the anti-terrorism and counter- the anti-terrorism strategy. Obvious should be made in the next meeting of insurgency role. An independent candidate are the establishment of the Inter-State Council as a prelude to Inspectorate can be suggested for this special courts to try terrorismrelated establishing the working arrangements. purpose that would function like an offences with celerity, credible programs Second, the State Governments Ombudsman to evaluate the capability to ensure witness protection and ensure must strengthen their own intelligence of these forces to undertake the the anonymity of whistle-blowers, and operational capabilities to address challenging tasks confronting them. The the prosecution of politicians and the menace of terrorism, including Left need for this outside evaluation is all the bureaucrats linked to such activities, an Wing Extremism. Their need for financial more necessary since the intelligence effective rotational postings policy for assistance should be considered agencies and their activities are not executive officers in the government, sympathetically by New Delhi, but subject to Parliamentary oversight—an implementation of social services and the emphasis has to be on agreed idea whose time has also come. development programs—especially solutions being properly implemented. Fourth, an overall operational those relating to education and public For instance, the additional forces strategy needs to be devised. The health and so on. catered for must be raised, training cluster of questions arising is: How The imperative need to coordinate institutions must be upgraded, police could the States be better enabled to the antiterrorism intelligence gathering stations authorized must be physically handle anti-terrorism activities more and joint operational efforts of the established, arms and ammunition confidently with their own human and Union and State governments needs no sanctioned must be centrally purchased material resources? Should the Union emphasis. The mechanics have to be and supplied and so on. In short, a para-military forces be deployed only for reworked by joint consultations after a physical, apart from a financial, audit of special operations or routinely in lieu of decent interval, since the present NCTC devolved funds is necessary. State Police forces? In what combat or proposal can only be described as dead Third, adequate arrangements support role can the Indian Army and Air on arrival. are required to ensure a continuing Force be deployed? 70

INDIA PREPARES Inspirations@IP Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

Inspirations@IP...

The People’s President, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

I climbed and climbed Dr. Kalam obtained his primary The Writer Within education from a primary school Where is the peak, my Lord? This scientist has in Ramaeswaran, after which he I ploughed and ploughed, inspired many attended the Schwartz High School at Where is the knowledge treasure, my Lord? youth in India Ramanathpuram. His undergraduate through his I sailed and sailed, life began when he entered the Saint enticing writing. Where is the island of peace, my Lord? Joseph’s College in Tiruchchirapalli to ‘Ignited Minds: Almighty, bless my nation study physics which he later regretted Unleashing the With vision and sweat resulting into happiness. after discovering aerospace engineering Power Within lessons in Madras. -A.P.J Abdul Kalam’s favourite poem, The Vision. India’ is his latest Dr. Kalam, world renowned aerospace engi- “As a child of God, I am greater than neer and the 11th President of Independent book which is India is often referred to as the “People’s anything that can happen to me.” highly motivating. President” and is admired for his modest and The pivotal moment in his education As most of Dr. Kalam’s books are dedicated humble nature, not only by Indians but people was when he discovered the opportunity to an incident, a simple but deep meaning around the world. He is a man with a vision lies behind the concept of this book. who took over the responsibility of changing to learn aerospace engineering at the the destiny of India. Madras Institute of Technology and ‘Ignited Minds’ was dedicated to a high school child named Snehal Thakkar whom Tough Beginnings graduating as the aerospace scientist in 1960. Dr.Kalam had met at a school. Upon the Kalam was born on 15 October 1931, questioning by the former President as to He started his career by designing at Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu, the son “who is your greatest enemy?” this boy 71 a small helicopter for the Indian Army, of Jainulabdeen, a boat owner and had impressed the audience by replying but remained unconvinced with the Ashimma, a housewife. He came from a “poverty is our enemy”. choice of his job. Kalam was also part poor background and started working at of the INCOSPAR committee working an early age to supplement his family’s “I will not be presumptuous enough under Vikram Sarabhai. In 1969, Kalam income. As a child, he had a discipline of to say that my life can be a role was transferred to the Indian Space starting the day at 4:00 am following the model for anybody; but some poor Research Organization (ISRO) where he footsteps of his father to do homework child living in an obscure place in was the project director of India’s first before going to school to attend an underprivileged social setting indigenous Satellite Launch Vehicle mathematics classes. After completing may find a little solace in the way (SLV-III) which successfully deployed school, Kalam distributed newspapers my destiny has been shaped. It could the Rohini satellite in near earth orbit in order to financially contribute to his perhaps help such children liberate in July 1980. Joining ISRO was one of father’s income. In his school years, he themselves from the bondage of Kalam’s biggest achievements in life and had average grades, but was described their illusory backwardness and he is said to have found himself when he as a bright and hardworking student who hopelessness?..” started to work on the SLV project. had a strong desire to learn and who Dr. Kalam’s other famous writing is spent hours on his studies, especially The credit of developing indigenous ‘India 2020 – A Vision for the Millennium,’ mathematics. As a child, Avul Pakir Guided Missiles also goes to Dr. Kalam which addresses the issue of strengths and Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam remembers who was the Chief Executive of Integrated weaknesses of India as a nation and the being fascinated by the flight of Guided Missile Development Programme goal of making India one of the world’s seagulls. Kalam’s interest in flight led (IGMDP) in the Defence Research and first four economic powers by 2020. to a degree in aeronautical engineering, Development Organization. Moreover, he and eventually to his supervising the was the mastermind in operationalising Kalam continues to take an active development of India’s guided missiles. AGNI and PRITHVI Missiles, the first interest in other developments in Along the way, he found time to write ever missiles of India and from there he the field of science and technology. Tamil poetry and learned to play the got his title as the ‘Missile Man of India’ He has proposed a research program veena, an instrument similar to the sitar. for ballistic missile and space rocket for developing bio-implants. He is technology. a supporter of Open Source over INDIA PREPARES Inspirations@IP Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

proprietary solutions and believes that will be the central theme the use of free software on a large scale of Dr. Kalam’s mission, it will bring the benefits of information will also cover a wide array technology to more people. of social, environmental A. P. J. Abdul Kalam’s 79th birthday and ethical issues of was recognized as World Students’ Day by urgent importance to United Nations. He has received honorary India. According to the ex- doctorates from over 40 universities. President, his movement The Government of India honoured him is especially for the young with the Padma Bhushan in 1981 and students, young officers, the Padma Vibhushan in 1990 for his young legislators and youth work with ISRO and DRDO and his role of our nation because as a scientific advisor to the Government. corruption and moral In 1997, Kalam received India’s highest turpitude are evils that civilian honour, the prestigious Bharat need to be defeated by the Ratna for his immense and valuable goodness of youth. contribution to the scientific research and hoping for his re-candidature. One of the “Never stop fighting until you arrive modernisation of defence technology. He tweets on a social networking site speaks at your destined place, that is, the was the second scientist after the late volume about this great man- “Dr A.P.J. unique you. Have an aim in life, Homi Bhabha to receive this award. Abdul Kalam for President. Bring honour continuously acquire knowledge, back.” ‘What Can I Give?’ Movement work hard and have perseverance to Calling upon the people to defeat the realise the great life. These are four “Great dreams of great dreamers are evil of corruption, Dr Kalam announced essential criteria….” always transcended.” his mission of propagating the ‘What This former President is once again Whether he comes back as India’s Can I Give?’ movement in 2011 to infuse in news when his name was proposed for President or not, it won’t affect people’s youth with ethics and great families another term as India’s President after immense love and respect for him and he with value system. Smt Pratibha Patil’s term ends. There 72 will always be remembered as ‘People’s While the fight against corruption seems to be quite a buzz among people President ’.

Success depends upon maturity! Maturity is many things. It is the ability to base a judgment on the big picture, the long haul. It means being able to resist the urge for immediate gratification and opt for the course of action that will pay off later. One of the characteristics of the young is “I want it now.” Grown-up people can wait. Maturity is perseverance–the ability to sweat out a project or a situation, in spite of heavy opposition and discouraging setbacks, and stick with it until it is finished. The adult who is constantly changing friends and changing mates is immature. He/she cannot stick it out because he/she has not grown up. Maturity is the ability to control anger and settle differences without violence or destruction. The mature person can face unpleasantness, frustration, discomfort and defeat without collapsing or complaining. He/she knows he cannot have everything his/her own way every time. He/she is able to defer to circumstances, to other people-and to time. He/she knows when to compromise and is not too proud to do so. Maturity is humility. It is being big enough to say, “I was wrong.” And, when he/she is right, the mature person need not experience the satisfaction of saying, “I told you so.” Maturity is the ability to live up to your responsibilities, and this means being dependable. It means keeping your word. Dependability is the hallmark of integrity. Do you mean what you say-and do you say what you mean? Unfortunately, the world is filled with people who cannot be counted on. When you need them most, they are among the missing. They never seem to come through in the clutches. They break promises and substitute alibis for performance. They show up late or not at all. They are confused and disorganized. Their lives are a chaotic maze of broken promises, former friends, unfinished business and good intentions that somehow never materialize. They are always a day late and a dollar short. Maturity is the ability to make a decision and stand by it. Immature people spend their lives exploring endless possibilities and then doing nothing. Action requires courage. Without courage, little is accomplished. Maturity is the ability to harness your abilities and your energies and do more than is expected. The mature person refuses to settle for mediocrity. He/she would rather aim high and miss the mark than low-and make it. Maturity is the art of living in peace with that which cannot be changed, the courage to change that which should be changed, no matter what it takes, and the wisdom to know the difference.

INDIA PREPARES Mosaic Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

Mosaic... RE-IGNITING THE PAST- CELEBRATING 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THREE GREAT MEN

—RABINDRANATH TAGORE, SWAMI VIVEKANAND AND MADAN MOHAN MALVIYA.

The second decade of 21st century began legacy endures also in the institution he stone laid on with the 150th anniversary celebrations founded, Visva-Bharati University. 24 December of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore( 1861- Tagore was poet, novelist, short 1918 and was 1941) and a forgotten patriot Pt Madan story writer, essayist, playwright, inaugurated Mohan Malviya(1861-1946). The year educationist, spiritualist, painter, precisely 2012-13 will mark similar celebrations lyricist, composer and singer – a rare three years for another visionary of the modern set of distinctions, an unbelievable later. Tagore India- Swami Vivekanand(1863-1902). conjunction of talents. His creative employed a Though these three revered luminaries works, which still influence billions of brahmacharya belong to separate realms of social people globally, are a matter of pride system: and public discourse, their anniversary for the people of India. He modernised gurus gave celebrations give us an opportunity to Bengali art by spurning rigid classical pupils personal guidance—emotional, re-visit and re-ignite the flames that forms and resisting linguistic strictures. intellectual, and spiritual. Teaching was enlightened the nineteenth and the His novels, stories, songs, dance-dramas, often done under trees. He staffed the twentieth century India. and essays spoke to topics political and school, he contributed his Nobel Prize monies, and his duties as steward- Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore personal. Gitanjali (Song Offerings), Gora (Fair-Faced), and Ghare-Baire(The mentor at Santiniketan kept him busy. 73 Tagore was born on May 7, 1861, in Home and the World) are his best-known Tagore was more a citizen of the Calcutta, and died on August 7, 1941, at works, and his verse, short stories, and world than an Indian, or more precisely 80 years of age. Even a century and a half novels were acclaimed—or panned—for he was a cosmopolitan Indian, because after his birth, his place in the collective their lyricism, colloquialism, naturalism, he belonged to the Indian cultural space life of India and Bangladesh as also of the and unnatural contemplation. His without being involved with the idea of world is only getting stronger. The birth compositions were chosen by two a particular territory with borders. As a anniversary celebration is testimony to nations as national anthems: the literal translation of his novel “Ghare a new realisation and awakening. Author Republic of India’s Jana Gana Mana Baire” suggests, he was “At Home and of Gitanjali and its “profoundly sensitive, and Bangladesh’s Amar Shonar Bangla. Outside”. Standing between Asia and fresh and beautiful verse”, he became The composer of Sri Lanka’s national Europe, without submitting to the idea the first non-European to win the Nobel anthem: Sri Lanka Matha was a student of a clash among them, Tagore extended Prize in Literature in 1913. In translation of Tagore, and the song is inspired by the meaning and pragmatic importance his poetry was viewed as spiritual and Tagore’s style. of the critical intercultural dialogue mercurial; his seemingly mesmeric as nobody else had done before him. personality, flowing hair, and other- Santiniketan and Visva- By extending his vision of civilization worldly dress earned him a prophet-like bharati:Tagore despised rote classroom beyond the bounds of mere particularism, reputation in the West. A Pirali Brahmin schooling: in “The Parrot’s Training”, a Tagore placed the idea of a whole world from Calcutta, Tagore wrote poetry bird is caged and force-fed textbook as of supreme value. For him, the whole as an eight-year-old. As a humanist, pages—to death. Tagore, visiting Santa world should be viewed as a single Universalist internationalist, and Barbara in 1917, conceived a new family where different nations are its strident anti-nationalist he denounced type of university: he sought to “make members, each contributing its quota to the Raj and advocated independence Santiniketan the connecting thread the welfare of the whole. from Britain. As an exponent of the between India and the world [and] a Bengal Renaissance, he advanced a world centre for the study of humanity Equally important is Tagore’s vast canon that comprised paintings, somewhere beyond the limits of nation assertion that “the Man’s world is a sketches and doodles, hundreds of texts, and geography.” The school, which he moral world which would be dangerous and some two thousand songs; his named Visva-Bharati, had its foundation for us to ignore.” Today in a time when INDIA PREPARES Mosaic Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

mankind is confronted with a grim is positive and nothing negative.” and his bright countenance was so scenario involving clashes of national The 150th Birth Anniversary of Swami great that next day the newspapers self interest and ethnic and racial Vivekananda (1863-1902) will be described him as the greatest figure in prejudices, an attempt to engage in celebrated all over the world during the Parliament of Religions. The simple an intercultural dialogue can be a well 2012-13. monk with a begging bowl had become trusted means of laying the groundwork Government of India has also the man of the hour. of a new human solidarity in a plural decided to commemorate the Anniversary with Ramakrishna world. and a National Committee has been Swami Vivekananda, born as Narendra Politics constituted under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. Nath Datta was the chief disciple of the Tagore’s political thought was tortuous. 19th century saint Ramakrishna and the He opposed imperialism and supported “You are the makers of your own founder of the Ramakrishna Math and Indian nationalists, and these views fortunes. You make yourselves suffer, the Ramakrishna Mission. were first revealed in ‘Manast’, which you make good and evil, and it is you who put your hands before your Narendra’s meeting with was mostly composed in his twenties. Ramakrishna in November 1881 proved Evidence produced during the Hindu– eyes and say it is dark. Take your hands away and see the light.” to be a turning point in his life. German Conspiracy Trial and latter About this first meeting, Narendra accounts affirm his awareness of the Vivekanand was an embodiment of said,- “Ramakrishna looked just like an Ghadarites, and stated that he sought divinity in human form, a prophet of his ordinary man, with nothing remarkable the support of Japanese Prime Minister age. Hinduism was in a historic crisis in about him. He used the most simple Terauchi Masatake and former Premier India during his time. Never before such language and I thought ‘Can this man kuma Shigenobu. Yet he lampooned the a sweeping be a great teacher?’ I crept near to him Swadeshi movement; he rebuked it in influence and asked him the question which I had “The Cult of the Charka”, an acrid 1925 of Western been asking others all my life: ‘Do you essay. He urged the masses to avoid Culture could believe in God, Sir?’ ‘Yes’, he replied. ‘Can victimology and instead seek self-help be seen among you prove it, Sir?’ ‘Yes’. ‘How?’ ‘Because I and education, and he saw the presence the educated 74 see Him just as I see you here, only in a of British administration as a “political intellectuals much intenser sense.’ That impressed me symptom of our social disease”. He of the country. at once. [...] I began to go to that man, maintained that, even for those at the Bright students day after day, and I actually saw that extremes of poverty, “there can be no left Hinduism religion could be given. One touch, one question of blind revolution”; preferable for conversion glance, can change a whole life.” to it was a “steady and purposeful to Christianity. education”. Narendranath In course of time Narendranath became the meeting point not only Repudiation of knighthood was destined to save the oldest religion from the poison of religious of East and West but also of past and Tagore renounced his knighthood, fundamentalism and consumeristic future. He thundered – Where seekest in response to the Jallianwala Bagh materialism. He defined civilization as Thou, friend, God/ Leaving aside those massacre in 1919. In the repudiation a manifestation of divinity in man and before you in myriad form?/ He indeed letter to the Viceroy, Lord Chelmsford, stated that each soul is potentially serves God who loves God in all living he wrote- divine. beings. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose regarded him as the spiritual father “The time has come when badges of The Chicago parliament which was of the Nationalist Movement and that honour make our shame glaring in the designed to end in victory of Christianity since his death at a very young age his incongruous context of humiliation, and ended with a triumphant victory for influence had been even greater. I for my part, wish to stand, shorn, of all Vivekananda and the Hinduism he special distinctions, by the side of those interpreted. His words struck the West Swami Vivekananda did a lot to of my countrymen who, for their so with an unprecedented sense of newness inculcate a national consciousness called insignificance, are liable to suffer and veneration for the ancient India and among the people. His message was degradation not fit for human beings.” her religion. . While all the delegates universal and based on rationality and righteousness. It was a message that SWAMI VIVEKANAND to the Parliament spoke of their own religion, the Swami spoke of a religion appealed to people of all classes, castes Nobel laureate poet Rabindranath Tagore that was vast as the sky and deep as the and creeds. His message of unity and once said- “If you want to know India, ocean. The appeal of his simple words of brotherhood has far-reaching appeal and study Vivekananda. In him everything burning sincerity, his great personality relevance even today. INDIA PREPARES Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012 Mosaic Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

He thought deeply about education held in Calcutta in 1886 and delivered legislation, ‘B.H.U. Act 1915’, today and what it meant for Indian society. He a speech which held the audience it remains a prominent institution of conceived of education as the primary spell-bound. After that, he was offered learning in India. means of rebuilding Indian society. For the editorship of the Hindi weekly, him, education meant secular learning the Hindustan. He became popular for A Secular Leader that built character and instilled human his outspoken views about media as a Many historians saw Malviya as a narrow values in students. subject of the British, the abject poverty minded leader of the Hindus. Malaviya Practice is absolutely necessary. of the masses and the indifference of was no doubt a strong supporter of You may sit down and listen to me the British towards them. He studied Hindi language and moaned that young by the hour every day, but if you do law and became a High Court lawyer in Hindus seemed to know little about not practice, you will not get one 1893. He was elected to the Provincial their rich cultural heritage. But he was step further. legislative Council in 1902 and later to not communal. Malaviya constantly the Imperial Legislative Council in 1909. underlined the importance of both Urdu MAHAMANNA, MADAN MOHAN He gave up his well established and Hindi, and favoured Urdu, Persian, MALVIYA law practise in 1911 for education and Turkish and English words that were easy on the tongue to be part of Hindi. He Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya, born in social service. He donned the robe again grew up in a deeply religious family and the holy pilgrim city of Prayagraj (later only to fight the case of Chouri Choura was heavily influenced by his innately renamed to Allah- freedom fighters. 177 freedom fighters secular grandfather. Malaviya was a abad) on 25th got capital punishment. Mahamana “hardcore liberal”, one who respected December 1861, fought their case and was successful in all religions and who asked people not was a great Scholar, saving 156 freedom fighters. to attack each other`s religion. “We educationist, In April 1911, Annie Besant met him are Indians first and then Hindus.” So man of action and they decided to unite their forces much so that many Muslim and Christian and a leader of and work for a common Hindu University groups often invited him to preside over national liberation at Varanasi. Annie and fellow trustees their meetings. movement. His of the Central Hindu College, which ancestors were she has founded in 1898 also agreed Conclusion 75 poor but were known for their Sanskrit to Government of India’s precondition Decades might have passed by but scholarship. Malviya graduated from that the college should become a part of these men of honour, values, ethics and the Calcutta University in 1884 and was the new University. Thus Banaras Hindu insurmountable knowledge continue to appointed as a teacher in his school. He University (BHU) was established in be as relevant and inspiring today as attended the Second Congress Session 1916, through under the Parliamentary they were then.

INDIA PREPARES Know it all Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

KNOW IT ALL

AWARDS prestigious £1.1 million Templeton ‘Secrets of Wild India’ Bags Prize for his contribution to “affirming International Award Arbind Singh life’s spiritual dimension.” The Prize, in ‘Secrets of Wild India’, a three-part series Arbind Singh, a well-known development its 40th year, was established in 1972, to honour a living person who affirms highlighting the diversity of Indian activist from India, has been given the wildlife, has won the ‘Best Television prestigious Skoll Foundation Social “life’s spiritual dimension” — be it through insight, or practical works. Dr. Series’ award at the International Wildlife Entrepreneurship Award at a function in Film Festival held at Montana in the US. Oxford for his work in the informal labour John Templeton, president of the John Templeton Foundation, said the Dalai ‘Secrets of Wild India’ was commissioned sector. Mr. Singh, heads the National by National Geographic and is currently Association of Street Vendors of India. Lama represented the “universal voice of compassion.” He was chosen for the being shown in India. The three episodes The Foundation, set up by Jeff Skoll, a covered three different ecosystems. philanthropist and social entrepreneur, prize for encouraging “serious scientific works with local activists to drive investigative reviews of the power of Tiger reserve bags award social and economic change among compassion” and its potential to address global problems. The 24-year-old Kalakkad – Mundanthurai the neglected sections of society. “The Tiger Reserve (KMTR), spread over 895 Skoll Award provides a three-year core Endre Szemeredi square kilometres on the southern tip of operating support grant for recipients to Endre Szemeredi got Abel Prize, 2012 the Western Ghats with rich biodiversity, extend their already impressive reach,” has bagged the National Tiger the Foundation said in a statement. for his fundamental contributions to discrete mathematics and theoretical Conservation Authority (NTCA) award in Ratan Tata computer science. By being named for the ‘Best coexistence and buffer zone management’ category. Tata Group Chairman Ratan Tata on 8th the Abel Prize, generally regarded as the “Mathematician’s Nobel”, for the year 76 May was conferred ‘The Grand Cordon of APPOINTED/ELECTED the Order of the Rising Sun’ title by Japan 2012, he has attained the pinnacle of for his contribution in strengthening mathematical achievement. Instituted B.V. Wanchoo, Aziz Qureshi in the year 2001 in honour of the economic relations between Japan and The former Special Protection Group India. Norwegian mathematical wizard Niels Henrik Abel (1802-1829) on his 200th (SPG) chief B.V. Wanchoo, has been Pandit Ravishankar birth anniversary by the Norwegian appointed Goa Governor, and the former Academy of Science and Letters, the Madhya Pradesh Minister, Aziz Qureshi, Sitar maestro Pandit Ravishankar has Abel Prize has been awarded annually Governor of Uttarakhand. A release been nominated for the first Tagore since 2003. from Rashtrapati Bhavan also said that Award, instituted by the government K. Sankaranarayanan would continue to commemorate the 150th birth National Environment Manage- as Governor of Maharashtra, for a fresh anniversary of Nobel Laureate ment Award term, Uttarakhand Governor Margaret Rabindranath Tagore, for promoting Alva would be the new Governor of Neyveli Lignite Corporation has bagged values of universal brotherhood. The Rajasthan. name of Ravishankar, the Varanasi- the National Environment Management born, most-famous contemporary Indian Award (Silver shield) for its Thermal Sachin Tendulkar, Rekha nomi- musician, was cleared unanimously by Power Station-I Expansion for the year nated to RS a jury under the chairmanship of Prime 2010-2011. It noted that the 420- Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar and Minister Manmohan Singh. On the MW capacity TPS-I Expansion plant Bollywood actor Rekha are among recommendation of the jury, the award is a pride and model plant of the NLC four eminent persons who have been has been renamed as ‘Tagore Award for and is also known for its environment nominated to the Rajya Sabha by the Cultural Harmony’. Singh had last year friendly working atmosphere, apart from UPA government. Tendulkar, 39, who announced the establishment of the awesome performance and production has 100 international centuries to his Tagore Award for promoting values of achievements. The lush green credit, and Rekha, 57, who made a name universal brotherhood. surroundings were being nurtured with utmost care. for herself in the 1980s in the Hindi Dalai Lama filmdom through a variety of roles she The Dalai Lama has received the INDIA PREPARES Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012 Know it all Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

played with ease and brilliance, will Trombay, has taken over as Chairman a two-year term, commencing in January become members under Article 80 of the of the Atomic Energy Commission and 2013. Dr. Reddy is the president of Constitution, which allows the President Secretary of the Department of Atomic the Public Health Foundation of India to nominate to the Rajya Sabha 12 Energy (DAE), from Srikumar Banerjee, (PHFI), and former Head of Cardiology members having special knowledge of, who retired after 45 years of distinguished at the All India Institute of Medical or practical experience in, literature, service. Before he became Director of the Sciences. science, art and social service. BARC in 2010, Mr. Sinha was Director of the Reactor Design and Development K. Vijaykumar Ranjan Gogoi Group and the Manufacturing and K. Vijaykumar has been appointed as Chief Justice of the Punjab & Haryana Automation Group at the BARC. Along Managing Director and Chief Executive High Court, Justice Ranjan Gogoi, who with the former Chairman of the Atomic Officer of Sun TV Network. In July last, hails from Assam, has been recommended Energy Commission (AEC), Anil Kakodkar, the company had informed the stock by the Collegium of Judges — headed he was one of the key designers of the exchanges that Mr. Vijaykumar, COO, had by Chief Justice of India S. H. Kapadia AHWR. been elevated to the post of CEO with — for elevation to the Supreme Court. effect from July 12. Justice Gogoi, who became a permanent Rahul Khullar Judge of the Gauhati High Court on Commerce Secretary Rahul Khullar has Arun Sawhney February 28, 2001, was transferred to been appointed as the chairman of the Drug major Ranbaxy Laboratories the Punjab & Haryana High Court on Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has approved reappointment of Arun September 9, 2010. He became its Chief (TRAI). Mr. Khullar, a 1975-batch IAS Sawhney as CEO and Managing Director Justice on February 12, 2011. He will officer, will take over from J.S. Sarma. of the company for a period of five have a tenure of a little over seven years He will have a three-year term. Mr. years. The AGM has also approved the in the Supreme Court. Khullar was personal secretary to Dr. reappointment of Takashi Shoda as the Meanwhile, President Pratibha Patil has Singh when he was the Finance Minister director of the company, it added. cleared the appointment of Chief Justice in the Narasimha Rao government. of the Jammu & Kashmir High Court F. Vladimir Putin S. Narsing Rao M. Ibrahim Kalifulla as a Supreme Court Vladimir Putin was sworn in as Russia’s 77 judge. Justice Kalifulla, who hails from S. Narsing Rao, former chairman of President for a third term on 7th May. Tamil Nadu, will be the second judge to Singareni Collieries Company Ltd (SCCL), Mr. Putin served two terms as Russian represent the Madras High Court, after has taken charge as the Chairman and President from 2000 to 2008 and shifted Justice P. Sathasivam. Justice Kalifulla Managing Director of Coal India Ltd to the post of Prime Minister after ceding was transferred to the Jammu & Kashmir (CIL). power to his hand-picked successor, High Court in February 2011. He became Dmitry Medvedev. With the presidential its acting Chief Justice in April 2011 and M. Anandakrishnan term extended from four to six years, Mr. regular Chief Justice in September. He M. Anandakrishnan, veteran educationist, Putin, who turns 60 later this year, will will have a tenure of a little over four has been appointed Chairman of the serve till 2018 and will have the option years in the Supreme Court. Board of Governors of the Indian of running for the fourth term. Shortly Institute of Technology - Kanpur for after taking office Mr. Putin sent to Goolam E. Vahanvati the third time. The appointment was Parliament Mr. Medvedev’s nomination President Pratibha Patil has re-appointed made by President Pratibha Patil in her as Prime Minister in keeping with his Goolam E. Vahanvati Attorney-General capacity as the Visitor of the IIT-Kanpur. earlier promise. for two more years with effect from June 8. Mr. Vahanvati, 63, was appointed to Dr. Srinath Reddy Salahuddin Rabbani the post in 2009 for three years, and his Dr. Srinath Reddy has been elected Salahuddin Rabbani, son of Afghanistan’s term ends in the forenoon of June 8. He president of the World Heart Federation slain peace negotiator Burhanuddin is thee first Muslim to hold the top law (WHF), an overarching, global, non- Rabbani has been appointed the head of officer’s post in the past six decades. governmental organisation, and the only the Afghan High Peace Council to lead Mr. Vahanvati was appointed Solicitor- body dedicated to the global prevention reconciliation talks with the Taliban, General in June 2004. of heart disease and stroke, with a focus months after his father’s assassination on low- and middle-income countries. dealt a major blow to the peace efforts. R.K. Sinha Dr. Srinath Reddy is the first Indian ever, Stepping into his father’s shoes, Mr. Ratan Kumar Sinha, Director of the to be conferred this honour. He succeeds Rabbani, who is Ambassador to Istanbul, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Dr. Sydney Smith of USA, and will serve said in a statement that it was only

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through peace that stability and security Ross Levinsohn allegedly signed without a competitive can be ensured in Afghanistan. bidding process. Yahoo says it has appointed Ross Jim Yong Kim Levinsohn as interim CEO and Fred James Murdoch Amoroso as chairman of its board. James Murdoch has resigned as chairman Korean-American physician Jim Yong Kim Yahoo says CEO Scott Thompson has left of the British satellite broadcaster BSkyB has been selected as new President of the company. Mr. Thompson has been (popularly known as Sky TV). This is the the World Bank. The World Bank picked under fire for more than a week over second important position Mr. Murdoch Seoul-born Kim over Nigerian Finance mentions in his resume and company has lost recently. Earlier, he was forced Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. Mr. Kim filings of a computer science degree to step down as executive chairman of is president of Dartmouth College. A he did not earn. Mr. Amoroso was the News International, publisher of the U.S. national, Mr. Kim is a co-founder board member leading the investigation defunct News of the World, following of Partners in Health (PIH) and a former into inaccuracies on Thompson’s resume. fresh allegations of a cover-up. director of the Department of HIV/ Mr. Levinsohn is Yahoo’s head of global AIDS at the World Health Organization media. (WHO). Mr. Kim (52) will take over at Antonio Ereditato the beginning of July, after Robert B RESIGNED/SUSPENDED An Italian physicist at the head of a Zoellick, steps down at the end of his team that made a cautious but hugely five-year term. Yogendra Yadav, Suhas Pal- controversial claim that neutrinos may shikar travel faster than the speed of light Leung Chun-ying has resigned following calls for his Hong Kong has appointed as its new Yogendra Yadav and Suhas Palshikar, dismissal. Antonio Ereditato submitted Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying, a two eminent political scientists have his resignation before a vote on a businessman with close ties to China, resigned their positions as advisors to motion by some members of his OPERA following a bitter election that brought the National Council of Educational team that he be removed after tests this to the fore growing public anger against Research and Training (NCERT) after a month contradicted the claim that the corruption and a closed, elite-run furore in Parliament led Human Resources universe’s speed limit had been broken. Development Minister Kapil Sibal to 78 political system. Mr. Leung won 689 of OPERA is part of the European Centre the 1,200 votes cast by the committee of withdraw a book on the Constitution for Nuclear Research (CERN) and carried businessmen and political insiders who because it contained a cartoon some out its experiment at the Gran Sasso appoint Hong Kong’s Chief Executive. legislators said was offensive. The NCERT Laboratory in central Italy. His nearest rival was industrialist Henry textbook includes a cartoon of Dr. Tang, who was seen as the favourite B.R. Ambedkar made by the legendary Bangaru Laxman cartoonist K. Shankar Pillai in 1949. before being embroiled in a scandal over The former BJP president, Bangaru allegations of corruption and an extra- M.G. Chandrasekhar Laxman, sentenced by a Delhi court marital affair. to four years in jail in a bribery case, M.G. Chandrasekhar has submitted has resigned from the party’s national Macky Sall his resignation and stepped down as executive committee. Laxman, has been Macky Sall won the presidential election the Chairman of Devas Multimedia in sentenced for four years and fined Rs. 1 in Senegal on 26th Mrach. Mr. Sall connection with its controversial S-band lakh for accepting a bribe of Rs. 1 lakh replaced his former mentor Abdoulaye spectrum deal with Antrix, commercial in a fake arms deal in 2001. Wade as President. Mr. Sall’s political arm of Indian Space Research career appeared to have peaked under Organisation (ISRO). Dr. Chandrasekhar DIED/KILLED Mr. Wade, where after serving as Prime will be replaced by Lawrence T. Babbio, Minister he fell from favour. Whereas former Vice Chairman and President Manik Godghate of U.S. telecommunications operator Mr. Wade had spent 25 years as an Celebrated Marathi poet and author Verizon. Under the Antrix-Devas contract opposition leader before finally winning Manik Godghate, popularly known as signed in 2005, ISRO was to build the presidency, Mr. Sall won the top ‘Grace,’ has passed away. He was 75 years two satellites GSat 6 and 6A for the political prize at his first attempt. old. Known for his path-breaking work Bangalore-based company, which would in Marathi literature, Godghate, was a Joyce Banda have been allowed the use of 70 MHz of household name owing to his poetry that Malawi’s Vice-President Joyce Banda S-band spectrum over a 20-year period. was used in many popular songs. He has taken charge of the southern The Centre scrapped the deal in February was awarded the Sahitya Akademi award African country under the terms of the 2011, following an investigation into for his prose Varyane halte raan (The constitution following the death of irregularities in the agreement that was President Bingu wa Mutharika. INDIA PREPARES Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012 Know it all Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

forest swings with the wind) in 2011. severely wounded in 1967 and won four Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton. They will His works include Churchbell and Mitva major photo awards including the first spend nearly two years training for the in prose, and Sandhyakalchya Kavita , of his two Pulitzers. Mr. Faas’ Vietnam expedition with trips to Arctic Norway, Rajputra and Darling , Sanjbhayachay coverage earned him the Overseas Press Greenland and Canada. Currently, he is Saajani andChandramadhaviche Pradesh Club’s Robert Capa Award and his first based in Concordia Station — a French- in poetry. Pulitzer in 1965. Italian base in the interior of Antarctica. Bingu wa Mutharika PEOPLE IN NEWS PLACES IN NEWS Malawi’s President Bingu wa Mutharika has died after the 78-year-old suffered Balwant Singh Rajoana J&K’s Nagin is no more out of a heart attack. Mr. Mutharika, a former Three days before his scheduled bounds World Bank economist who first came execution in connection with killing of The Jammu and Kashmir Government has to power in 2004, was re-elected with a the former Punjab Chief Minister, Beant thrown open to tourists the stunning sweeping majority in 2009 as President Singh, on August 31, 1995, Balwant destination of Nagin, which was sealed of the poor southern African country. His Singh Rajoana has got relief, with the off 22 years ago due to its proximity to Vice-President, Joyce Banda, is next in Union government staying the capital the Line of Control. It is 10 km from the line to run the country, according to the punishment. The Union Home Ministry, Gulmarg skiing resort and at an altitude Constitution. in a letter to the State Government, of 9000 ft surrounded by Pir Panjal stated that the execution of 44-year-old mountain range. Nagin was declared Govind Narain Rajoana has been stayed. The decision out of bounds for trekkers, tourists and Govind Narain, one of the last surviving came after Punjab Chief Minister Parkash civilians in 1990 when militancy had Indian Civil Service (ICS) officers and Singh Badal met President Pratibha Patil erupted in the State. Home Secretary during the Bangladesh and submitted a mercy petition. The war, has passed away. Born on May President’s office then sent it to the Global ICT Conference, Delhi 5, 1916, in Uttar Pradesh’s Mainpuri, Ministry. Delegates from over 30 countries Oxford-educated Narain joined the ICS Nelson Mandela have taken part in the two-day in 1939 and went on to become the World Information Technology Forum 79 country’s Home Secretary and Defence Nelson Mandela’s archivists and Google (WITFOR) in New Delhi. India hosted Secretary. He was Home Secretary from say their $1.25 million project to the fifth edition of the coveted event 1971 to 1973 and one of the top officers digitally preserve a record of the anti- that focused on use of information instrumental in planning the Bangladesh apartheid leader’s life is now online. and communication technology (ICT) war and setting up of Mukti Bahini. Anyone else from around the world now in agriculture, education, health have access to hundreds of documents, and e-governance within the overall Achala Sachdev photographs and videos. The archive has theme of ‘ICT for Sustainable Human Veteran actress Achala Sachdev who been launched with more than 1,900 Development’. featured in the highly popular song “ Ae entries. Meri Zohra Jabeen…. ” from the much Urn Burial Site Discovered Near talked about film Waqt , has passed away Alexander Kumar Kancheepuram following a prolonged illness. She was Dr. Alexander Kumar, a young doctor, is A vast urn-burial site has been found 88. Born in Peshawar, Achala, who acted set to become the first foreign national at Mandapam village, near Aarpakkam in around 150 films, made her debut of Indian origin to walk across Antarctica intersection, about 14 km from with Fashionable Wife (1938). carrying the Tricolour the South Pole Kancheepuram. The importance of and back. The expedition is scheduled Horst Faas the site, archaeologists say, is that it for 2014. Dr. Alexander Kumar has belongs to a period earlier than the Horst Faas, a Pulitzer Prize-winning been living in Antarctica since January Megalithic Age or Iron Age in Tamil combat photographer who carved out conducting research for the European Nadu. They estimate that the site is new standards for covering war with a Space Agency’s human spaceflight datable to 1,800 BCE to 1,500 BCE, camera and became one of the legendary programme. Dr. Kumar (28), who has been that is, 3,800 to 3,500 years before the photojournalists in nearly half a century selected as the Chief Medic and Chief present. The Iron Age and the Megalithic with The Associated Press, has died. Scientist for the expedition, is among a Age are contemporaneous in south He was 79. But he was best known team of six who will make the crossing India. Archaeologists say the Iron Age in for covering Vietnam, where he was — retracing the steps of famous British south India was extant from 1,000 BCE explorers Sir Robert Falcon Scott and to 300 BCE.

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Centre for Tagore studies in of Bangalore. The Civil Aviation Ministry Daredevils sporting the UNICEF logo. The Edinburgh has accepted the proposal to rename team will also donate a part of the funds BIA. raised from the sale of match tickets and A major university Centre dedicated merchandise to UNICEF. The Daredevils’ to the life and works of Rabindranath UNESCO protection for Titanic association with the United Nations’ arm Tagore has opened in Edinburgh, wreck for developmental assistance to children Scotland, to mark the Nobel Laureate’s The wreckage of the Titanic, which has and mothers in developing countries will 150th birth anniversary. Professor Indra extend beyond IPL 5. Nath Choudhuri, Academic Director remained at the bottom of the North of the Indira Gandhi Institute, will be Atlantic for 100 years, will now come England Keeps No. 1 Position Scotland’s first Chair in Tagore Studies. under the protection of the United England won the second Test against The Scottish Centre for Tagore Studies Nations’ cultural body that seeks to Sri Lanka with a session to spare on the (ScoTs) at Edinburgh Napier University’s safeguard wrecks, decorated caves and final day, to level the series, and in the Institute of Creative Industries, which other cultural relics underwater. Till now, process keeping its position as the top has the second largest Indian student remains of the Titanic were not eligible for team in the ICC Test rankings intact. population of any Scottish university, protection under UNESCO’s Convention on the Protection of Underwater Cultural will “promote Indian culture, education, FOOTBALL philosophy, art and literature by Heritage, which applies only to wreckage highlighting Tagore’s legacy’’. that has remained submerged for atleast Lionel Messi 100 years. As 2012 marks the 100th Lionel Messi swept holder Barcelona into MISCELLANEOUS anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, the ship’s wreckage will now come under the Champions League semifinals for the Earthquakes in Sumatra the cover of the UNESCO convention. fifth successive year while becoming Titanic struck an iceberg in the North the competition’s most prolific scorer in Massive earthquakes hit the north Indian Atlantic on its maiden voyage and sank a single season. The Argentina forward Ocean off Indonesia and triggered a on the night of April 14, 1912. scored a pair of first-half penalty kicks tsunami watch. A tsunami alert was and Andres Iniesta added another goal issued to countries all along the rim of National Crop Forecast Centre Set up after the break to give Barcelona a 3-1 80 the Indian Ocean, from Australia and The Mahalanobis National Crop Forecast victory over AC Milan following a 0-0 India to as far off as Africa. In India, Centre, New Delhi has been set up as an draw in Italy. Messi’s 14th Champions tremors were felt almost all along the Attached Office under the Ministry of League goal this season surpassed Ruud east coast. Unlike the December 26, Agriculture, Department of Agriculture van Nistelrooy’s tally in the 2002-03 2004 quake caused by a thrust fault, & Cooperation and was inaugurated on campaign. His brace also took him to this quake was caused by a strike-slip 23rd April. The Centre has been set up 51 Champions League goals — at 24 fault. The fault had moved in a north to inter alia provide satellite imagery the youngest player to achieve the half northwest-south southeast direction. based inputs for assessing crop area and century landmark. In the case of a strike-slip fault, the yield. These inputs will be used along fractured crust slides past each other with econometric & agro-meteorological Chelsea lifts FA Cup laterally. parameters and ground observations Chelsea has won the FA Cup for the fourth to make crop forecasts in respect of Khasi Language is ‘Safe’ Now time in six years, beating Liverpool 2-1 selected crops. The Centre will also use in the final at Wembley. Ramires got The Khasi language of Meghalaya has remote sensing techniques to monitor the opener after 11 minutes and Didier been withdrawn from UNESCO’s Atlas of and assess the drought situation in the Drogba added the second goal seven the World’s Languages in Danger as it country. minutes into the second-half. Andy is considered “safe” now. The language Carroll pulled one back and Liverpool, is spoken by some 900,000 people in SPORTS after an insipid opening, piled on the the State and is no longer in danger, pressure in the final minutes. Petr Cech declares UNESCO on its website. Khasi is CRICKET made a superb save to deny Carroll a spoken in the region of the Khasi and second as Chelsea hung on. Jaintia hills. Daredevils Tie Up With UNICEF BIA to be named after Kempe Gowda Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket team Manchester City Wins English Delhi Daredevils has inked a partnership Title The Centre has accepted the proposal to with UNICEF India with a special focus name Bengaluru International Airport on adolescent girl child. The initiative, Manchester City staged a dramatic (BIA) after Kempe Gowda, the founder called ‘Dare to Care’ will have the fight back to win the English title for INDIA PREPARES Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012 Know it all Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

the first time in 44 years, with Sergio BADMINTON 0-2 against Pakistan in the summit Aguero scoring the side’s second goal clash in the 16th Asian Team Squash in stoppage time to clinch a 3-2 victory Shon Wan Ho Championship. National champion over Queens Park Rangers. Aguero’s Indian Open final witnessed the birth of a Saurav Ghosal went down in five games to goal in the fourth minute of stoppage new men’s singles champion from Korea, Pakistan’s number one Farhan Mehboob time snatched the trophy from holder Wan Ho Shon, who deposed World No. in the first singles. In the second singles Manchester United on goal difference. 1 Lee Chong Wei in an epic 66-minute Siddharth Suchde lost to Farhan Zaman The 2010 champions had been top when battle at the Siri Fort Complex. The in five games. The India’s men’s team its game at Sunderland ended in a 1-0 final scores read 21-18, 14-21, 21-19 equalled its silver-winning performance win. with the Malayasian ace chasing the tie in the team championship in the more often than was expected. It was inaugural edition of the tournament HOCKEY the Korean shuttler’s first Super Series held in 1981 in Karachi. Adrian D’Souza title. He had beaten another former All-England champion - Peter Gade VOLLEYBALL Former India hockey goalkeeper Adrian Christensen - in the quarterfinals to earn 13th National Beach Volleyball D’Souza has tested positive for a banned his Olympic berth. substance in a random test conducted Championship by the National Anti—Doping Agency Asian Badminton Championships Proving a point to the critics who had (NADA) during the inaugural World Series China’s Chen Jin has won the men’s said that the two were over-the-hill, Hockey. According to a NADA statement, singles title at the Asian Championships. Pradeep John and Mohan clinched the Adrian’s ‘A’ sample, collected on March Chen, who was seeded third, defeated men’s title — their fourth as a pair and 21, contained “higher concentration fellow countryman and fifth seed Du first at home — in the 13th National of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a Pengyu 21-12, 21-18 in China’s eastern beach volleyball championship at the metabolite of marijuana”. Adrian had city of Qingdao. Marina Beach in Tamil Nadu. played for Mumbai Marines in the World Series Hockey. Anand Pawar CHESS TENNIS After a gap of nearly two years, the Dubai International Open Chess 81 Mumbai shuttler Anand Pawar won an Grandmaster Sandipan Chanda played Leander Paes international title when he emerged out a draw with overnight co-leader champion in the French International Indian tennis veteran Leander Paes Miezis Normunds of Latvia to tie for the Badminton tournament which concluded became only the 24th player in the ATP first spot in the 14th Dubai International at Orleans (France). In a well-contested World Tour history to win 50 doubles Open chess tournament. Ni Hua of final, third seed Pawar trounced titles after he and his Czech partner China emerged as the winner with the Malaysia’s Ramdan Mohmed Misbun 21- Radek Stepanek clinched the Sony best tiebreak in a five-way tie that also 16, 21-10 in 34 minutes. Ericsson Open, their second team trophy included the Georgian duo of Baadur of the season. Paes and Stepanek, who SQUASH Jobava and Mikheil Mchedlishvili. were seeded seventh, rallied to upstage Fast improving Madhurima Shekhar second seeds Max Mirnyi and Daniel Asian Team Squash Championship displayed her growing tactical strength Nestor 3-6, 6-1, 10-8. Indian women squash team has created as she beat Grandmaster Mysroslava Ivan Ljubicic history by winning its maiden Asian title Hrabinska of Ukraine. The victory also by defeating top seed Hong Kong 2-0 ensured a maiden Woman International Croatia’s Ivan Ljubicic said goodbye to in the final in Kuwait. In the women’s Master norm for the Delhi girl with a tennis after suffering a 6-0, 6-3 opening final, Joshna Chinnappa, waged a battle round to spare. defeat to compatriot Ivan Dodig at the against Joey Chan before winning in 38 Monte Carlo Masters. The first-round minutes to put India 1-0 ahead. Dipika Asian Continental Chess Cham- loss was the end of the line for the Pallikal then complemented by winning pionship shaven-headed Croatian icon. The Monte against Annie Au to seal the issue in Carlo-based veteran, 33, had previously Grandmaster Parimarjan Negi won the India’s favour. India’s best performance announced that the elite event in the Asian continental chess championship in the women’s team championship was principality which opened the pre- despite losing to A.R. Saleh Salem of a silver medal at the last championship French Open run would be his last hurrah UAE in the final round. Negi finished the held in 2010 in Chennai. in the sport. tournament on seven points and was The men’s team, however, went down tied for first place along with Yu Yangyi

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of China. But in their direct encounter won by Raja Sekar of Tamil Nadu with a record mark of 2:04:40 set by compatriot earlier in the championship, Negi had leapt of 15.79m. Emmanuel Mutai in winning last year’s beaten Yangyi, which helped him win race. Second place went to Kenyan’s the gold medal. Mary Ann Gomes spoilt Saurabh Vij Martin Lel, who produced a sprint her chances of the gold medal in the Shot putter Saurabh Vij struck excellent finish to overtake fellow former London women’s champion for which a draw was form in the first meet of the season by champion Tsegaye Kebede of Ethiopia in enough against Tan Zhongyi of China. reaching 19.80 metres in the Indian the closing 100 yards. The Kolkata-based girl instead lost and Grand Prix meet. Vij opened with a foul In Women’s category Mary Keitany could only finish on second spot with and continued with two more fouls before successfully defended her London her best tiebreak. putting to his winning distance with his Marathon title as Kenya swept the only legal throw. In the women’s 400 ATHLETICS podium places in the women’s race. The metres, M.R. Poovamma expectedly took 2011 champion went clear in front from Federation Cup Senior National the title with a 54.60s finish. a world class field in the closing miles Athletics Championship and won in an unofficial time of two Krishna Poonia hours 18 minutes and 36 seconds, a new Siddhanth Thingalaya of ONGC clocked Commonwealth Games gold medallist Kenyan national record and a personal an impressive 13.69secs, the fastest by woman discus thrower Krishna Poonia has best. an Indian on home soil, to win men’s created a new national record en route 110m hurdles gold on the final day of to her silver medal winning performance Christian Olsson the 16th Federation Cup Senior National at the Altius Track Crew Throwdown meet Swedish triple jumper Christian Athletics Championship. Tamil Nadu in Maui Island, Hawaii. Krishna hurled Olsson has said he was to retire from hurdlers J Surendhar and T Balamurugan the discuss to 64.76 meters to not only international athletics due to a new foot finished second and third respectively. pocket the silver medal but also break injury as he did not want to undergo Khushbir Kaur of Punjab set a National Seema Antil’s existing national record more operations. The 2004 Olympic record of 1:37:28 in the women’s 20km of 64.64 meters. Reigning Olympic champion had three world titles, two of walk. The 18-year-old walker bettered L. champion Stephanie Brown Trafton them indoors. In 2006 he won his second 82 Deepmala Devi’s 2010 record of 1:37:44 of USA won the gold medal, while Gia European championship title when the on her way to clinching the top place, Lewis-Smallwood pocketed the bronze. competition was held in Gothenburg. nearly seven minutes ahead of the Asian Grand Prix Athletics MOTOR SPORTS second-placed athlete. Sajeesh Joseph and M.R. Poovamma Khushbir Kaur set a new national record have won their races in the opening leg Pastor Maldonado in women’s 20km walk race en route of the Asian Grand Prix athletics meet. Pastor Maldonado gave Williams a first to winning gold. Kaur’s 1:37:28 effort Joseph beat Asian Games silver medallist Formula One race win in almost eight betters L Deepmala Devi’s old national Adnan Taes of Iraq in the men’s 800 years when he fought off local hero record of 1:37:44 set during the Asian metres. Poovamma won the event from Fernando Alonso in a thrilling Spanish Race Walking Championships at Nomi IranianMaryam Toosi. City, Japan, two years ago. Grand Prix. The Venezuelan lost the start Om Prakash Singh bur rebounded to beat Ferrari’s Alonso Kerala’s Jithin Thomas stole the limelight and Kimi Raikkonen of Lotus for his first with a personal best effort of 2.20m en Om Prakash Singh bettered the 12-year- career victory. route to winning gold in men’s high old National record in shot put with jump. Thomas, however, missed the meet a throw of 20.69 metres at a meet at SHOOTING mark of 2.21m held by national record Szombathely, Hungary. The 25-year-old holder Harishankar Roy of Jharkhand Indian, a bronze medallist at the last Gagan Narang who finished second with 2.05m. Asian championships in Kobe, surpassed Gagan Narang has clinched the silver National record holder Renjith Shakti Singh’s mark of 20.42m set in medal in the men’s 50m rifle 3-position Maheshwari of Tamil Nadu won the triple Chennai in July in the run-up to the event in the Kuwait international jump gold with a new meet record. Sydney Olympics in 2000. shooting Grand Prix. Narang shot a Maheshwari’s leapt of 16.85m, which London Marathon total of 1165 (prone 395, standing 385, he came up in his fifth and penultimate kneeling 385) to become the winner. attempt, erased the old meet record Kenya’s Wilson Kipsang won the men’s Sanjeev Rajput, winner of the bronze of 16.72m which he himself created in London Marathon. Kipsang’s unofficial medal in the men’s 50m rifle prone event 2007. The silver went to ONGC’s Arpinder time of two hours, four minutes and earlier, finished fourth with 1160. Singh (16.20m) while the bronze was 44 seconds was just outside the course INDIA PREPARES Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012 Know it all Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

Abhinav Bindra Promotion Board has won his second Australia’s Anna Meares claimed her national snooker title in a period of six fourth title in the women’s 500 metre Olympic champion Abhinav Bindra shot a months by outplaying Kamal Chawla 6-2 time trial in a world record time. Meares’ strong final, but had to settle for the silver in the best-of-eleven frame final in the time of 33.010sec in the 500m beat the with a total of 699 in the International 78th National Championships. Mehta previous best time of 33.296sec set by shooting championship in Dortmund, showed the benefits of playing on the Simona Krupeckaite of Lithuania at the Germany. The former world champion pro-circuit, as he dismantled the game 2009 world championships in Pruszkow, shot 104.0 in the final, which was 0.4 of Railways rival Chawla. Poland. better than the eventual gold medallist Are Hansen of Norway. However, Bindra Manisha National Billiards and Frenchman Gregory Bauge reclaimed had shot only 595 in the qualification, the coveted men’s sprint crown after following a series of 98, 99, 100, 100, Snooker Championship defeating Great Britain’s Jason Kenny. 99 and 99. The Norwegian Hansen had Pankaj Advani of PSPB scored a 5-0 win Kenny finished second with fellow Briton shot 598 in qualification and thus won over Balachandra Bhaskar of Karnataka Sir Chris Hoy winning the bronze. the gold 2.6 point ahead of the reigning to retain the men’s billiards title in the Britain’s Victoria Pendleton claimed a Asian champion. Manisha National Billiards and Snooker sixth sprint title after a 2-0 defeat of Championship. With this win Advani Simona Krupeckaite of Lithuania. World Cup Shooting claimed his sixth national billiards title. Sergei Martynov of Belarus has won Arantxa Sanchis won the Women’s WRESTLING the 50-meter rifle prone World Cup at National Billiard trophy for the first time the Royal Artillery Barracks. Martynov after beating Mumbai’s Meenal Thakur in Sushil Kumar topped qualifying on a windy day with a tight five-game all-Maharashtra final. Former world champion and Beijing 595 points then scored a finals-best bronze medallist Sushil Kumar won the 104.9 to win his 16th career World Cup CYCLING 66kg gold medal in the World qualifying with a 699.9 total. wrestling tournament in Taiyuan, China, Indian Cyclists Qualify For South Korean shooter Lee Daemyung to make the cut for the London Olympics. earned his first World Cup title with a Worlds Sushil became the fourth Indian wrestler comfortable win in the 10-meter air For the first time ever in the history of to book a berth for the London Games. 83 pistol at the Royal Artillery Barracks. the sport, India has qualified for the This will be Sushil’s third straight He scored 100.3 to tally 691.3, beating World track cycling championship held in appearance in the Olympics. Earlier, Vladimir Isakov of Russia with 689.8. Melbourne. The country was represented three Indian wrestlers, Amit Kumar Denys Kushnirov of Ukraine came back by O. Bikram Singh, Amrit Singh and (55kg) and Yogeshwar Dutt (60kg) in with a final-best 103 points to win the Amarjit Singh in the team sprint event. freestyle and Geeta (55kg) in women’s bronze medal with 688. India earned the qualification because section, had made the Olympics from the of its fine performance in the Asian Astana event. Meanwhile, Wei Ning of China won the cycling championship in Kuala Lumpur women’s skeet for her eighth World Cup in February. BOXING triumph. Wei, the 2003 world champion and Athens Olympic silver medalist, Track Cycling World Champion- Asian Women’s Boxing Champi- came from behind to outshoot Danka onship Bartekova of Slovakia, a two-time World ships M.C. Mary Kom and Sarita Devi have Cup winner. Hosts Australia set a new national record on their way to stunning team won gold medals in the Asian women’s BILLIARDS & SNOOKER sprint specialists France to win gold boxing championship at Ulaanbaatar, in the men’s final at the track cycling Mongolia. In the 51kg final, five-time R. Umadevi world championships. Australia won world champion Mary Kom defeated two-time world title winner and 2010 R Umadevi of India has won her maiden the match in a new national record of Asian Games gold medallist Ren Cancan world billiards title in the World Ladies 43.266sec. France won silver in 43.267. ofChina 14-8. Sarita, a world title winner Billiards & Snooker Asso¬ciation- Britain’s Chris Hoy won the men’s keirin in 2006, tamed defending champion organised champio¬ns¬hip in Cambridge. title. Hoy overtook countryman Jason Chorieva Mavzu of Tajikistan 26-15. In Umadevi dispatched world No 13 Eva Kenny and swooped between leaders the other summit clashes, Pinki Jangra Palmius 2-0 in the Seniors final. Max Levy of Germany and New Zealander (48kg) went down fighting to Bolortuul Simon Van Velthooven to claim the Aditya Mehta Tumurhuyag of Mongolia 22-24, Sonia inside of the track and the gold medal. Lather (54kg) lost to Ke Jia Luu of Aditya Mehta of Petroleum Sports INDIA PREPARES Know it all Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

China 8-12, Monica Saun lost to Dong WEIGHTLIFTING McDowell. It marked the first PGA Tour Mei Wang of China 10-13 and Pooja Rani victory for Woods in 30 months, ending a (75kg) fought hard before losing to Asian Weightlifting Champion- drought that coincided with the personal world champion and Asian Games gold ship turmoil that followed a 2009 sex medallist Jinzi Li of China 8-15. The scandal. England’s Ian Poulter finished N Soniya Chanu bagged a bronze Indian team returned with a rich haul in third seven shots behind Woods. With in women’s 48kg category to open of two gold, four silver and two bronze this win, Tiger Woods has climbed to India’s medal account in Senior medals to make a strong statement in sixth in the World rankings. Woods last Asian Weightlifting Championships the continental championship. topped the rankings in October 2010, at Pyeongtaek, South Korea. Soniya, when he was unseated by England’s Lee who won a silver medal in the Delhi Shiv Thapa Westwood and subsequently tumbled Commonwealth Games, finished third out of the World top 50. Shiva Thapa has settled for the silver in snatch with an effort of 75kg in the medal in the 43rd Boxing Grand Prix at first competition of the championship, Digvijay Singh Ústí nad Labem, Czech Republic. In the which is a London Olympics qualification 56kg final, Thapa lost to Italian Vittorio event. Even as the ball travelled around 10 Jahyn Parrinnelo 7-10. The Indian, who feet, approaching the ‘cup’ on the 18th was tied 5-5 with his rival after the GOLF hole, Digvijay Singh clenched his fist in second round, conceded two crucial anticipation of the biggest moment of points following a warning issued to him Bubba Watson his golfing career spanning 12 years. in the final round. Earlier, Vikas Krishan American Bubba Watson parred the The birdie-putt virtually gave Digvijay (69kg) had managed a bronze. second sudden-death playoff hole to the Panasonic Open title — his maiden defeat South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen triumph on the Asian Tour — as it put L. Devendro Singh and capture the 76th Masters for his first him two strokes clear of the nearest Indian boxer L. Devendro Singh (49kg) major golf championship. The 33-year- challenger Gaganjeet Bhullar, who has won the silver medal at the old U.S left-hander became the eighth waited on the fairway of the 18th hole. International Republic of Kazakhstan first-time Major winner in a row and only ARCHERY 84 President’s Cup after losing in the finals the third southpaw to claim the green in Almaty. The 20-year-old was defeated jacket symbolic of Masters supremacy Deepika Kumari by Cuba’s top light flyweight boxer after three-time winner Oosthuizen, the Yosvany Veitia. In the semis Devendro 2010 British Open champion, and big- India’s Olympic prospect Deepika Kumari defeated 2010 Asian Games silver- hitting playing partner Watson battled won her first World Cup individual medallist Birzhan Zakipov. down the final holes of the back nine recurve gold medal at Antalya, Turkey. She beat Korea’s Lee Sung Jin by six set Earlier, Asian Games silver medallist at Augusta National, each finishing with points to four in the final of the Stage Manpreet Singh (91kg) and debutant a four-round total of 10-under par 278. 2 of the championship. Ms. Deepika, Kanwar Preet Singh (+91kg) had to Tiger Woods who has already qualified for London settle for bronze medals after losing Tiger Woods has won the Arnold Palmer Olympics, is the current junior world out in the semifinals of their respective Invitational at the Bay Hill golf course champion and a gold medallist at the weight categories. with a five shot victory over Graeme Delhi Commonwealth Games. She had also won the Cadet World Title in 2009.

INDIA PREPARES Paper Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

Questions@IP...

pt-2012 analysis and solutions

The logical reasoning questions were Subject Area Number of Questions Paper 1 predominantly based on Syllogisms. The pattern of Paper I has been in-line Environment 20 The analytical ability questions covered with the general trend of General Studies General Science 12 common areas, e.g. relationships, over last few years. The questions are directs, arrangements, Venn diagrams Economics 11 designed to check the level of basic etc. Indian History 20 understanding of the various subject GMA section covered basic arithmetic areas. As such, in general the questions Geography 10 concepts like time and distance, averages are simple. In most questions, the Indian Polity 27 etc. There were no questions to interpret options have been intelligently created graphs this year. so as to confuse the examinee if there Total 100 is slightest of lack of understanding of Overall, the mathematical/reasoning/ basic concepts. Most of the questions Paper II analytical part of the paper II have more than one statement as The first and a relieving observation constituted about 50% questions, with correct answer. This demands more is that the level of ‘Maths’ has been moderate difficulty. Comparatively, the understanding, more time to decide the consistently (in 2011 and now in 2012 Comprehension questions required deeper best option as answer and also leaves also) on the average level. The fears of understanding of the passages, more time certain uncertainty when the examinee many students not so conversant with to read the dense passages and difficult leaves the examination hall. Maths have been allayed. There is no options to choose from, making this area more difficult than last year. However, it is a welcome feature as need to stress out due to the general fear rote learning and memory will have less of Maths (due to topics like Remainder It is prudent that the mathematics/ bearing on selection/rejection. The type theorem, Permutation and Combination, analytics/reasoning area be perfected 85 of questions in Paper I in 2011 and now Probability etc.). The syllabus reads by students to maximise their marks in in 2012 are only enforcing the view for ‘Class X level’ and it surely does match Paper II (and overall marks as well). students to focus on basics of all topics that in the question paper, with a few A section-wise distribution of number of that comprise General Studies. It seems give-aways too. questions is as below: that facts and figures are a thing of past, and even if asked, will be of minor value Subject Area Number of Questions as compared to the rest of the paper. Comprehension 35 A section-wise distribution of number of English Language Comprehension 8 questions is as below: Logical Reasoning and Analytical Ability 27 GMA and Basic Numeracy 3 Decision Making and Interpersonal Skills 7

Total 80

INDIA PREPARES Questions@IP Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

Question code for all the sets

Set A Set B Set C Set D Set A Set B Set C Set D Set A Set B Set C Set D 1 28 16 51 28 43 31 1 54 16 4 39 2 29 17 52 29 44 32 2 55 17 5 40 3 30 18 53 30 45 33 3 56 18 6 41 4 31 19 54 31 46 34 4 57 19 7 42 5 32 20 55 32 47 35 5 58 20 8 43 6 33 21 56 33 48 36 6 59 21 9 44 7 34 22 57 34 49 37 7 60 22 10 45 8 35 23 58 35 50 38 8 61 23 11 46 9 36 24 59 36 51 39 9 62 24 12 47 10 37 25 60 37 52 40 10 63 25 13 48 11 38 26 61 38 53 41 11 64 26 14 49 12 39 27 62 39 54 42 12 65 27 15 50 13 40 28 63 40 55 43 13 66 66 66 66 14 41 29 64 41 56 44 14 67 67 67 67 15 42 30 65 42 57 45 15 68 68 68 68 16 1 54 24 43 58 46 16 69 69 69 69 17 2 55 25 44 59 47 17 70 70 70 70 86 18 3 56 26 45 60 48 18 71 71 71 71 19 4 57 27 46 61 49 19 72 72 72 72 20 5 58 28 47 62 50 20 73 73 73 73 21 6 59 29 48 63 51 21 74 74 74 74 22 7 60 30 49 64 52 22 75 75 75 75 23 8 61 31 50 65 53 23 76 76 76 76 24 9 62 32 51 13 1 36 77 77 77 77 25 10 63 33 52 14 2 37 78 78 78 78 26 11 64 34 53 15 3 38 79 79 79 79 27 12 65 35 80 80 80 80

INDIA PREPARES Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012 Paper Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

SOLUTIONS FOR UPSC PRELIMS 2012 – PAPER I SET A 1.(b) RS (Delhi and Pondicherry) internal combustion engines also. Statement 3 is not correct because Statement 2: Election disputes can be Refer: wikipedia.org recommendation is needed only challenged only before the respective for “minor minerals” and not “all 13. (a) High Courts. Even in the cases where minerals”. Election Commission exercises quasi- Statement 2:UV radiation does not Refer: tribal.nic.in judicial powers, it is the Commission improve taste, odour or clarity of water. 2.(a) as a whole (and not just the CEC, as Statement 3: UV radiation’s Statement 2 refers to measures like mentioned in statement) who decide. effectiveness decreases with “Calling Attention” Statement 3: Article 79 of Constituion of India, President is also part of increasing turbidity due to scattering Statement 3 refers to “Economy Cut and associated factors. Motion” Parliament of India. Refer: ultraviolet-light.com Statement 4: Speaker/Chairman has Refer: “Indian Polity” by Laxmikanth 14. (c) the power to adjourn the session of 8.(c) the concerned house. Chapter 1 of Consumer Protection Statement 3: Graphene is made up of Carbon. Refer: loksabha.nic.in, “Indian Act, 1986 provides that legal heir Polity” by Laxmikanth can file a complaint in case of death. 15. (b) 3.(c) Chapter 3 provides for sampling and 1. Smelting units of lead cause lead a fee while filing a complaint. poisoning. Statement 2: this is the role of GEAC, to be later replaced by National Refer: ncdrc.nic.in (National 2. Pencils do not have any lead in them. Biotechnology Regulatory Authority Consumer Disputes Redressal The term “bonded lead” or “lead (NBRA) Commission) pencil” is due to its association with 87 the stylus made of lead in ancient Refer: nbaindia.org 9.(b) Roman times. 4.(a) As per article 93 of Constitution of India, Speaker is elected by Lok Sabha 3. Lead compounds are added in paints Refer: moef.nic.in and the mentioned members from amongst themselves. to give various colors. articles in statements 2 and 3. This also means the Speaker must be 4. Hair oil does not have lead (dyes may 5.(b) a member at the time of election. contain lead). Some cosmetics (e.g. Statement 3 is not part of NWM, it is As per article 94, resignation is given lipsticks use lead). a separate project under study. of Speaker is given to the Deputy Refer: wikipedia.org, pencils.com Speaker and vice versa. Statement 4 contradicts NWM 16. (b) objectives that aim to reduce 10. (c) Statement 1: Stem cells are present exploitation of water resources. Statement 2: Such cases are under in all multicellular organisms. Refer: National Water Mission – original jurisdiction of High Courts Refer: National Institute of Health, Mission Document (india.gov.in) Statement 3: Such disputes do not USA (stemcells.nih.gov), wikipedia. 6.(b) arise as UTs are under administrative org control of Government of India. Statement 1 – Liberal-Intellectual 17. (c) principle in DPSP Refer: “Indian Polity” by Laxmikanth Refer: ideo.columbia.edu, wikipedia. Statement 2, 3 – Gandhian principles 11. (d) org in DPSP Refer: US Environment Protection 18. (c) Statement 4 – Socialistic principle in Agency (epa.gov) Refer: US Department of Energy, DPSP 12. (a) Berkeley Laboratory (ibl.gov), Refer: “Indian Polity” by Laxmikanth Statement 2: Carbon Monomxide is Wikipedia.org 7.(d) also generated. 19. (a) Statement 1: UTs are represented in Statement 3: It can be used in Both CMBR (Cosmic Microwave INDIA PREPARES Questions@IP Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

Background Radiation) and Redshift Refer: Ministry of Health and Family multidimensional-poverty-index/ phenomena are evidence for an Welfare website (mohfw.nic.in/ 33. (c) expanding universe. Asteroids do NRHM.htm) Statement 1 and 2 have been not prove expansion of universe and 27. (c) supernova is a natural stage in the provided for by the TFC. Statement growth of a star. Separate electorates for Muslims was 2 is incorrect as employment provided by the Act of 1909. generation is beyond the purview of Refer: astro.ucla.edu 28. (d) Finance Commission. 20. (a) It was started by M G Ranade and Refer: Chapter 5 and 10 of the report Charged particles are deflected when Raghunath Rao in 1887. Major focus of TFC, Summary of recommendations they encounter Earth’s magnetic field was on abolition of polygamy and given in Economic Survey 2010-11. and get deflected towards the poles. encouraged intercaste marriages. 34. (d) Refer: hopperinstitute.com/phys_ Sometimes referred to as as the Refer: commerce.nic.in, Report of magnetism.html social reform cell of INC. PM’s group (nmcc.nic.in/pdf/PMGR. 21. (c) 29. (b) pdf) First human organ transplant was Peasants and Workers Party of India 35. (a) done in 20th century (USA). was founded as Labour Swaraj Party Statement 4: Parliamentary Budget Works of Sushruta (4th Century BC) of Indian National Congress in 1925, Office is not applicable to India. It is and Aryabhatta (5th Century AD) by Kazi Nazrul Islam, H K Sarkar, prevalent in countries like Australia. prove the other statements true. Qutubuddin Ahmad and Shamsuddin Hussain. It was a pro leftist party. Refer: “Indian Polity” by Laxmikanth. 22. (b) 30. (b) 36. (c) Jainism believes in extremity of a. Such act is done by the Parliament as Gandhi fasted as a response to the penance. Both Jainism and Buddhism communal award, which was followed were against the authority of Vedas a whole (in the form of an Act). Refer Article 3 of Constitution. by Poona Pact between Ambedkar and the rituals. and Gandhi. 88 b. Article 249 and 312 provide for Refer: Themes in India History, Part – 37. (c) I, Class XII, NCERT these. c. Rajya Sabha alone cannot do this. Ryotwari means settlement with 23. (c) the Ryot (farmer) itself. Registered NBFCs as institutions are not essential d. Functions of Election Commission agreements (Pattas) were given to parts of inclusive governance. The are provided in Constituion itself, Ryots to recognise ownership rights. NBFC-MFI (Micro Finance Institution) and deciding on Number of election Surveying was also undertaken. Commissioners is an executive is a latest category of RBI that 38. (c) can be said to be part of inclusive action. (refer Article 324) governance as they help in extending 31. (b) Stage 1: High Birth Rate due to credit facilities to rural areas. religious beliefs etc., high death rate NRLM aims at reducing poverty by due to poor health facilities. 24. (c) enabling poor households to access gainful self-employment and skilled Stage 2: Minor decline in Birth Rate, Nagara – Temple architecture style of low death rate due to better health North India wage employment opportunities (revamped from SGSY) facilities. Dravida – Temple architecture style Stage 3: Low death rate, low birth of South India Refer: pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease. aspx?relid=52423, Economic Survey rate (better education, better health Vesara – Mixed style 2011-12 (Chapter 13) facilities) 25. (d) 32. (a) 39. (c) The resignation was submitted MPI identifies deprivations across Refer: indianexpress.com/news/ because British Govt. declared health, education and living eight-core-industries-sectors- India’s participation in World War II standards, and shows the number of grow-2/943540/ without discussing it with Congress. people who are multi-dimensionally 40. (d) 26. (a) poor and the deprivations that they Refer: DPSP – Article 45, Schedule XI Accredited Social Health Activists do face at the household level. and XII (Rural and Urban LBs) not conduct delivery of babies. Refer: ophi.org.uk/policy/ 41. (c) INDIA PREPARES Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012 Paper Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

Sea buckthorn is a native of into the eurasian plate (folding), medical institutions. Himalayan region, is a shrub and 4. young mountains have steep slopes Refer: esic.nic.in/coverage.php helps control soil erosion. Potential due to recent upliftment (contrast to 56. (c) of sea-buckthorn in making biodiesel older ranges, e.g. Aravalis). is still not well established. Little Statement 2: The report of PAC is research has been done. The plant Refer: NCERT, Class XI presented by the Chairman of PAC. is short in height and is basically a 49. (c) 57. (a) shrub, thus no commercial value is Statement 1: The atmosphere traps Joint sitting is provided for deadlock there in its timber. Considering these, majorly the heat which is reflected on ordinary bills. There is no the best option has been chosen as back from the Earth and not the deadlock on money bills as mandate ‘c’. insolation, so generally, altitude has of Lok Sabha prevails (Article 109). Refer: Wikipedia.org inverse relation. The Constitutional Amendment Bill 42. (c) Statement 2: Altitude has inverse has to be passed by each house Mixed farming is the combining relation with moisture. separately (Article 368). of two independent agricultural Statement 3: Less dense air implies 58. (b) enterprises on the same farm. A less particles to absorb heat. Statement 1: incorrect because typical case of mixed farming is the Refer: Goh Cheng Leong’s Book, DRDAs are not PRIs. combination of crop enterprise with NCERT – Fundamentals of Physical Statement 2: No such scientific study dairy farming or in more general Geography is undertaken by DRDAs. terms, crop cultivation with livestock 50. (a) farming. Statements 3 & 4: These are the roles The PH of oceanic water has bearing of DRDAs. 43. (a) on all the life forms supported by the 59. (c) Arunachal Pradesh has more than ocean. High acidity implies threat to 80% area under forests. calcifying organisms, phytoplanktons Statement 2 is not given under Fundamental Duties (Refer Article 44. (d) and phytoplanktonic larvae, coral 51A). 89 Note: Green manure refers to cover reefs etc. 60. (a) crops grown to add nutrients and Statement 4: Reverse is true. organic matter to the soil. 51. (c) Statement 2: Judges are removed by a special process, by the Parliament. Refer: Wikipedia.org 52. (a) Statement 4: These matters are 45. (b) No provision to compensate for wage internal matters of Courts and Refer: Goh Cheng Leong (“Certificate loss. Government has no role to play here. Physical and Human Geography”), Refer: mohfw.nic.in/NRHM/RCH/ Refer: “Indian Polity” by Laxmikanth. Page 87 guidelines/JSY_guidelines_09_06. 61. (d) 46. (a) pdf Refer: Wikipedia.org Inland wetland area (69%) is higher 53. (a) than coastal wetland area (27%). PM’s qualification is same as that 62. (d) Refer: moef.nic.in/downloads/ of a minister. They can hold office The incoming short wavelength IR public-information/NWIA_National_ for maximum of 6 months without rays pass through the Carbon Dioxide, brochure.pdf being member of either houses of but it traps the longer wave IR rays reflected back by the (warm) Earth. 47. (d) Parliament. Refer Articles 75 and 84 of Constitution of India. 63. (b) 48. (d) 54. (c) The basic constituents of life are 1. Deep gorges are caused by antecedent Amino Acids (Carbon, Hydrogen, rivers, Article 329 – Courts are barred from interfering in the delimitation Oxygen and Nitrogen), so best 2. U-turn due to syntaxial bending of exercise answer is option ‘b’. Himalayas (e.g. Brahmaputra) – a 64. (b) feature of young fold mountains, Refer: Wikipedia.org Statement 1: The gene is from 3. parallel mountain ranges are result of 55. (d) bacteria (Baacillus Thuringiensis) the Indo-austral plate compressing The Act has been recently (2 May 2012) extended to include private and not fungus. INDIA PREPARES Questions@IP Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

Statement 2: Monsanto says that the 1916 session at Lucknow. implies expenditure by govt. i.e. terminator gene (sterile seeds) are Statement 3: The two nation theory more money supply. not used in India. But, people doubt came in 1940s, mush later than the Statement 4: Sale of securities to it. session of 1929. public implies mopping up of money Statement 3: Correct, and one of 72. (b) by central bank i.e. decrease in the reasons for MoEF to impose money supply. The demon Mara was tormenting moratorium – to conduct appropriate 78. (d) tests. Buddha. Buddha, in Bhumisparsha Mudra, is calling Goddess Earth to be Item 4 is a short term investment in Statement 4: This is widely accepted, witness to his purity while Mara was shares of Indian companies, and not but more research is yet to be tempting him. a FDI. undertaken. Refer: buddhism.about.com/ Refer: Economic Survey, NCERT Considering all the above and the od/eightauspicioussymbols/a/ (Economics) point that question is asking the earthwitness.htm reason for “people’s” protest, best 79. (b) answer is option ‘b’. 73. (c) 1. World Bank has no role to play in Refer: greenpeace.org, moef.gov.in Bhakti evolved much later the currency prices in international (Vallabhacharya, 15th Century AD). market. 65. (d) Idol worship was also much later 2. Demand of good and services 66. (a) (post Mauryan period, 1 Century BC). provided by the country is the major Statement 2: Naoroji did not interpret The Vedic literature mentions Yajnas reason for price of currency. More the ancient texts. Also, moderates (e.g. Rajsuya, Ahvamedh in later exports by a country lead to rising generally did not do much to include Vedic period) and Nature Gods (Rain, demand of its currency, which leads masses in the struggle. Fire etc.) to strengthening of the currency. Statement 3: Naoroji did want 74. (d) 3. Stability of govt. is important as to eradicate social evils, but not Refer: NCERT (Modern India), Class most govts. have a floating exchange 90 necessarily “before anything else. XII rate for their currencies and investors Also, his major contribution was the 75. (d) need to be sure about the stability. economic analysis of British rule in RBI is the central bank i.e. bank 4. More economic potential of a country India. of the last resort. RBI is the sole means more investment from outside, 67. (b) authority on deciding the monetary which will lead to rise in the price of currency. Statement 1: Dhrupad is believed to policy. Statement 3 uses the word have background in Vedic traditions. ‘advises’, which may be interpreted After eliminating item 1, possible as ‘non-authoritative’. This will render answers are ‘b’ and ‘c’. Since stability Refer: spicmacay.com/articles/ statement 3 as incorrect. However, in of the govt. is a bigger cause and has dhrupad, dhrupad.info the general spirit of the question, we a bearing on the economic potential, 68. (a) believe the best option is ‘d’. option ‘b’ is the most suitable answer. Kuchipudi is a dance-drama. Brass Refer: rbi.org.in 80. (c) plate is a feature of Kuchipudi and 76. (b) Under LBS, each district had been not of Bharatnatyam. Capital gain relates to the increase in assigned to different banks to act 69. (d) the value of an asset (and not sales). as a consortium leader to coordinate the efforts of all credit institutions Sufism is based on concept of divine 77. (c) love between the soul and almighty. – expansion of banking facilities and Sufis practice asceticism, meditation, Statement 1: Purchase of securities meeting the credit needs of rural musical ‘sama’ etc. by central bank implies more money economy. It was started in 1969. with public i.e. increase of money 81. (d) Refer: Wikipedia.org supply in the economy. 70. (b) 1. This was introduced by Sher Shah Statement 2: Deposits in banks Suri (later rationalised by Akbar). Refer: NCERT (Modern India), Class means lesser money with public i.e. XII decrease in money supply. 2. Babur used the mobile canons first in India. 71. (a) Statement 3: Borrowing by 3. Portugese brought chillies and Statement 2: The rift was resolved at government (deficit financing) INDIA PREPARES Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012 Paper Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

tobacco to India. Refer: NCERT Class XI (Physical terrain. 82. (c) Geography of India) Refer: Wikipedia.org Shrenis were autonomous. 89. (d) 96. (a) The Shrenis made their own rules of Savannah is a transition between 1. Example: Coral Reefs affected by work, wages etc. tropical and dry climates. A definite global warming dry and wet season is characteristic. The Shrenis had some judicial powers 2. Example: Tiger population affected (some even had an army called 90. (b) due to fragmentation Shreni-Bal). Buffer Zone of Biosphere reserves 3. Example: Introduction of water 83. (c) allow for limited usage by humans. hyacinth in Indian waters cause Similarly, Wildlife sanctuaries and clogging of water bodies. The GoI Act 1935 was the first Act to Wetlands under Ramsar convention propose a federation. are allowed restricted access by Vegetarianism is not a threat to 84. (b) humans. biodiversity. Statement 1: Incorrect. This would 91. (d) 97. (d) mean purposefully increase our All are pollinating agents. 1. Found in J&K import bill, whereas general target is Refer: Britannica.com, Wikipedia.org 2. Cheetah – ‘naturally found’ in India of import-substitution. for very long. It became extinct Statement 2: Infrsatructural 92. (a) around 1940s. So, even though not bottlenecks of procurement and Group 2: Cheetal (spotted deer) ‘found’ now, it should be accepted as supply leave a big gap to be filled by is under Least Concern (common ‘naturally found’ in India. This was in imports. observation also tells their large news recently due to the plan of GoI Statement 3: 90% of India’s coal is numbers). to translocate Cheetahs from Africa. non-coking type. Group 3: Rhesus Monkey (everyday 3. Found in Kashmir Refer: Economic Survey (Chapter 11) spottable monkeys in cities) are also 4. Found in Himalayas (Project Snow Least Concern status. 85. (c) Leopard launched in 2009) 91 Group 4: again includes Cheetal The pole star points to the North. So, Refer: Wikipedia.org walking with polestar to one’s left So, by elimination the most suitable 98. (c) answer is ‘a’. would mean walking towards East. 1. Contour bunding protects soil 86. (c) Refer: iucnredlist.org, Wikipedia.org erosion, and thus holds the organic Statement 2: Incorrect. Several other 93. (b) matter together for longer period. countries have rare earth elements. Capillarity is the ability of liquids to 2. Relay cropping means planting E.g. Monazite (from which Thorium flow in narrow spaces without any a second crop in the same space is extracted) is found abundantly in external assistance and in opposition amidst the first crop before it has India. to external forces. Consumption of been harvested. This practice also Refer: Wikipedia.org soft drink by using a straw utilises helps in holding the organic matter the pressure created by the mouth. for longer periods within the soil. 87. (b) In all other activities, given as 3. Zero tilling has carbon sequestration Bhitarkanika National Park in Orissa options, the flow of liquid is natural. potential through storage of soil is not a tiger reserve. It is known for Refer: NCERT Books on General organic matter in the soil of crop crocodiles. Science fields Refer: moef.nic.in/downloads/ 94. (c) 99. (a) public-information/NTCA-booklet.pdf Refer: maweb.org Phytoplanktons act as carbon sink as 88. (c) 95. (a) they produce organic compounds from The monsoon winds travel from the carbon dioxide. They are the source south to north before the direction Oryx are found in Arab, Africa (north of food for aquatic life too. There is no reverses, thus the duration and and east) and Western USA. Some relation with density of water. of these are now extinct. They are amount of rainfall reduces. Also, 100. (b) Aravalis in the western part are adapted to near-desert conditions. parallel to the direction of monsoon, Chiru is the name of Tibetan Diclofenac drug is used, which so lesser rainfall in western parts as Antelopes that prefer flat and open destroys the digestive system of vultures. compared to eastern parts. INDIA PREPARES Questions@IP Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

SOLUTIONS FOR UPSC PRELIMS 2012 – PAPER II SET A

1.(a) people as A, B and C, the given Note that the third color of Pant ‘instrumentalist’ is which serves statements are: (yellow) is given only in the options. some purpose. ‘Utilitarian’ would 1. A ≥ B Now, based on the information that have meant specifically fulfilling 2. D ≥ C all three wore different color shirts human needs. 3. B > C and a person is not wearing both 2.(c) shirt and pants of same color, the Since A is at least same age as B, and table can be filled up as below: Last line of the paragraph says it B is older than C, A is also older than clearly. C. (Relate Statement 1s and 3. 3. (c) 4. (c) 18. (b) “Resistance has been recorded in Statement 1: All members = have every family of arthropod pests…. ” binoculars 2nd para. Statement 2: Some members = have 5.(c) cameras 2nd statement is not true as Statement 3: Members with camera = 21. (c) pesticides cannot be done away with take part in contest in agriculture. 5 out of 5 Sitcoms started are still Option (a) – Incorrect. As not 6.(d) on air. Total 7 shows are on air. all people having binoculars are This means 3 shows have been 7.(a) members. Having binoculars is only discontinued. Since there were only All pests do not possess the ability a condition for membership. 2 News Magazines , at least 1 of 92 to detoxify the pesticides. Option (b) – Correct. This is the discontinued shows has to be a 8.(c) restatement of statement 1. drama. 1st statement is not based on the Option (c) – Incorrect because too Option (d) is not correct because no passage despite being correct. far-fetched. It nowhere says that such information about viewership “only” members can participate in has been provided. 9. (b) 10. (a) 11. (d) 12. (d) the contest. 22. (c) 13. (d) 19. (d) Givens: The two statements were given in Statement (a): Parents are not the passage to support author’s 2 Docs, 2 Businessmen mentioned in the information given. argument and not as generalizations. 2 Gujarati speaking, 2 Tamil speaking Statement (b): Ankit’s preference is 14. (a) 15. (b) 2 Muslims, 2 Christians nowhere mentioned. 16. (b) One Christian Doc is Tamil Speaking. Statement (c): We cannot generalise (Base profile) All Artists = Whimsical just based on information of last Some Artists = drug addict……so, year and this year. Now, Same profession persons do not speak same language. No two of Some Artists = Not drug addict….. Statement (d): Information says same religion are of same profession. and Some whimsical people = “looking forward to sing, dance…”. Therefore, based on base profile, Doc drug addict (because All Artists = Therefore this is correct. Whimsical) 2 is Muslim and Gujarati Speaking. 20. (b) Thus Statement 2 is correct. Some Frustrated people = drug Following truth table can be drawn addict….so, Some frustrated people Now, now two of the same religion based on the information provided: = no drug addict speak same language too. Therefore, based on base profile, the second Based on this analysis, option ‘b’ is Christian person is a businessman correct. and speaks Gujarati. 17. (d) Assuming the ages of the three INDIA PREPARES Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012 Paper Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

23. (a) also for homogenisation. 41. (b) Statement (b): The statement is not 29. (d) Statement 1: Members = students talking about “essential things”. 10th line, 1st para. Statement 2: Some members = Statement (c): Again, no mention 30. (d) married of essentiality of TV is there in the 2nd para. Statement 3: All married = dance statement. invitation….So, some members (all Statement (d): This is a direct 31. (a) those who are married) are invited sentence from the statement, but Statements 3 and 4 are completely for dance…..AND…Some members not an inference. false. are not invited (who are unmarried). 24. (b) 32. (c) Checking the options against these, Average speed = 48 kmph. Let us Invasion of exotic species can gives ‘b’ as correct option. assume distance to office is = d Km both lead to erosion of endemic 42. (c) Time taken for first 60%, T1 = (0.6 X species and also change in species The truth table can be drawn like this d) / 48 Hours composition. (last example in 1st for the given information: para and 3rd para). Time taken for last 40%, T2 = (0.4 X d) / 48 Hours 33. (b) Since, first 60% took 10 minutes Last four lines, 1st para. more, T1 – T2 = 10/60 Hours 34. (d) Solving this gives d = 40 Km First three statements talk about 25. (a) measurable indices of development. 35. (c) D’s status with Parties Y and Z is Given: Rita > Gita > Sita not explicitly mentioned. But, C’s 26. (a) Last lines of 3rd para. acceptability by all parties is clear. The family tree can be drawn like 36. (a) 43. (b) 93 this: Foreign investment ‘may’ lead to The options are unambiguously inflated prices. incorrect, except ‘b’. A simple read of 37. (b) 38. (c) the statements is sufficient to derive 39. (d) the correct option. Option (a) is incorrect because 44. (a) reverse of statement 1 is no true. Option (a): Statement mentions “I watch TV only when I am bored” “misuse of nuclear power will does not imply that “I will watch TV trigger”. Thus, use of nuclear power when I am bored” (I might be doing in third world war can be inferred. something else too. Option (b): The statement mentions Similarly, Options (b) and (c) are “possible end of civilisation” whereas 27. (d) incorrect. the option mentions “there will be Statement 1: Rama > Rani Option (d) is direct corollary of no civilisation” – this certainty is no Statement 2: Ratna > Rani statement 1. there in statement. Statement 3 added with above two: 40. (b) Option (c): “growth of nuclear power” is not inferable from statement. Only Ratna > Rama > Rani Option (a): If P is open, B, C & Q can “misuse” will trigger the war which Statement 4: Ratna > Padma > Rama be open. Thus, not necessarily true. may “possibly” destroy civilisation. > Rani Option (b): In storms, either A or B is Option (d): The statement mentions 28. (d) open. So, this is true. the possibility of third world war. Introduction of exotic species Option (c): During floods, P is closed. 45. (d) does not ‘always’ lead to reduced So, in one case A, B, C, Q can be biodiversity or alterations in native open. So, not true. The triangle is moving anti-clockwise, at corners of the rectangle. So, next ecosystems. Option (d): The reasoning of option position is top left corner. There are other non-human reasons (b) applies here and thus, not true. INDIA PREPARES Questions@IP Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

The line is falling from the right side, It is not ‘imperative’ for transition 64. (d) and the next appropriate place is economies to have agricultural Option (a): This can not be concluded. bottom of the rectangle. collectivities. Option (b): Statement 2 clearly 46. (b) 54. (d) 55. (a) states “some” of those who travel by The performance will be best in a test 56. (c) air fall sick, so incorrect option. where the average marks are less, the Last line of the para. Option (c): Only “some” become sick, highest mark is also less and the refer statement 1 & 2. range is also less. A cursory look also 57. (d) tells that the student is closest to The information given in the question Option (d): this is a direct conclusion the topper (75 marks) in Test 2. can be tabulated in a truth table as from statement 1. 47. (c) below: 65. (d) Fold the boxes with G as base (or Y as Clearly, Doctor stays on 3rd Floor. As base). he has to travel equally upwards and downwards. First fold: along G-Y Engineer goes up to meet MLA above Second Fold: along G-B * Maths class possible only after Eco, whom lives the IAS. Thus, it is only Third Fold: along Y-W and English only before Eco. Since possible if MLA lives on 4th Floor and Tuesday is taken for history, only Visualisation will give B as opposite IAS on the fifth floor. There is only possible days for English, Eco one option where IAS is on 5th floor. W. and Maths are Wed, Thu and Fri, 48. (a) respectively. 66. (d) 67. (c) 68. (a) Intelligent + Honest + Truthful = ** The only day left for Stats is Monday. 69. (c) Intersection of Q, R & S (shade this This table is applicable for answering “we started pitching the highest area) till Q 61. camp that ’has ever been made’” Part of this area is also part of P. 58. (b) 59. (c) 60. (c) 61. (a) 70. (b) 94 Removing that would mean ‘not hard Fifth line of the para. working’. This area has 6 written 62. (d) inside it. Vessel 1 = ½ Milk + ½ Water 71. (a) 49. (a) Vessel 2 = ¾ Milk + ¼ Water 8th line of the para. Figure 1 & 2 suggest that either H or Rewriting with same Denominator of 72. (b) M is opposite to A (as the 4 letters 4, Vessel 1 = 2/4 Milk + 2/4 Water 73. (d) adjacent to K are A,B,H,M) Adding the two vessels = (2/4 + ¾) 74. (c) If M is opposite A, H will be opposite Milk + (2/4 + ¼) Water = 5/4 Milk + The important point is ‘urgency’. All B. But, from figure 2, H is adjacent ¾ Water other options will only cause delay. to B. So, M is opposite B and H is So ratio of milk to water after mixing 75. (a) opposite A. = 5:3 Apt action against unfair treatment 50. (d) 63. (d) is to lodge a complaint first. In any row, the shaded quadrant is Option (a): All machines are run by Withdrawing without listening to flipping between opposite quadrants. energy, but Electricity is only one the justifications of the committee Or, we can say the shaded part is source (Statement 2 does not say is in essence assuming that the moving by 180 degrees. that Electricity is the only source) committee has discriminated against 51. (b) Option (b): Follows from the you. A fair chance has to be given All the three are explicitly mentioned explaination above. so as to understand the situation completely. in 12th-14th lines of the para. Option (c): Statement 3 can be 52. (c) inferred as “some” machines operate 76. (b) Last line of the paragraph clearly says on electrical energy, but not as Since the issue has been identified that women only groups farming have “most” machines operating on at a review meeting and it is only an potential for benefitting women. electrical energy. apprehension that delay will occur, there is possibility to bring the 53. (b) Option (d): Statement 3 & 4 justify this. project back on track. Options (a), INDIA PREPARES Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012 Paper Vol.1 Issue 8 June 2012

(c) and (d) can be used at a later Options (a) and (b) are unprofessional. 80. (d) stage. Option (c) will create unfavourable Option (a): Giving bribe is criminal 77. (b) work environment. offence and unethical. As chairperson, the first priority after Option (d) is most appropriate. Option (b): Illogical option. the issue has been noticed is to ask 79. (d) Option (c): Complaining to higher the athlete to return the medal. Option (a): Providing free water will official about “feelers” is not the Screening committee’s role can be cause losses and create complacent best option. It may or may not result investigated later on. behaviour w.r.t usage of water. in work being done (depending on the nature of senior officer), but Asking for affidavit won’t solve any Option (b): Similar to above. purpose as it is already established as a ‘citizen’ (read first few words that athlete is over age. Option (c): Charging only non-BPL is in the case details) our duty is to unfair. Again, a fixed cost will lead to ensure eradication of the menace of Option (d) will only delay the complacent behaviour w.r.t usage. corruption. decision process. Option (d): Payment based on Option (d): Writing a formal complaint 78. (d) income levels and consumption is is a stronger and appropriate action. fair to everyone.

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