The total plan allocation for education sector has been raised by 15 per cent to Rs.42,000 crore, from Rs.36,400 crore proposed in the 2009-10 budget. (The revised estimate for 2009-10 is only Rs.30,600 crore.) At the current rate of inflation, the increase is very modest, if not insignificant. The proposals made in case of education in the 26th Feb 2010 Union budget, to say the least, do not indicate any special significance being attached to education — neither to the Right to Education Act, nor to the recent proposals on universalisation of secondary education, nor to the reforms being discussed in higher education.

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“Paid news” is a serious matter as it influences the functioning of a free press. The media, acts as a repository of public trust for conveying correct and true information to the people. However, when paid information is presented as news content, it could mislead the public and thereby hamper their judgment to form a correct opinion. Thus, there is no denying the fact that there is an urgent need to protect public’s right to correct and unbiased information.

Terrorism of any variety is simply unacceptable for India and there can be no compromise on the efforts required to exterminate this menace. Fight against terrorism is non-negotiable. Through dialogue Pakistan must be told this firmly to take firm action against terrorism emanating from its soil against India.

The Central Zoo Authority has prepared a document, “Vision2020” for improvement and development of Indian Zoos in the next 10 years (i.e. up to 2020) the major components of “Vision -2020” are preparation of Master Plans, construction of appropriate animal housings and development of other infrastructure in zoos and conservation breeding programme. Besides this, research, record keeping, training in service zoo personnel and international co-operation will be taken care of.  Rs. 800 crores will be required under the project for the next 10 years. The need for Vision 2020 was felt for the better management and future development of zoos with a detailed plan otherwise development may become lopsided.

On 12th January 2010, at about 5 o’clock in the evening, a powerful earthquake jolted the small island nation of Haiti in the Caribbean Sea, just about 1200 kilometers from the United States. Over 2 lakh people died and another 4 lakh sustained injuries. Estimates say that over 30 lakh people, that is, one third of the country’s population, became homeless.

The proposals for release of central share of subsidy under Swarnajayanti GramSwarojgar Yojana (SGSY) have been received from all the 22 District Rural Development Agencies (DRDAs) of Andhra Pradesh during 2008-09 & 2009-10 and funds were released to all these DRDAs.  The details of central allocation and central releases to Andhra Pradesh during the year 2008-09 & 2009-2010 under SGSY are as under:

The Progress made so far for implementing e-Governance in migration management includes completion of the following:

(i) As is where is Report analyzing the deficiency in the emigration system.

(ii) The Business Process Re-Engineering Report required to implement the project.