“A Slum is a compact settlement of at least 20 households with a collection of poorly built tenements, mostly of temporary nature, crowded together usually with inadequate sanitary and drinking water facilities in unhygienic conditions”.

In a written reply in the Lok Sabha today she said, this definition has been adopted for Rajiv AwasYojana with a special dispensation for North Eastern & special category states, where such settlements of 10 -15 houses would be considered as slums.

She said, the Government of India launched the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) on 3rd December, 2005 to assist cities and towns in taking up housing and infrastructural facilities for the urban poor including slum dwellers in 65 cities in the country under the Basic Services to the Urban Poor (BSUP) Programme for the urban poor in the country. For other cities/towns, the Integrated Housing and Slum Development Programme (IHSDP) was launched with the objective to strive for holistic slum development, with a healthy and enabling environment by providing shelter and basic infrastructure facilities to the slum dwellers. The Mission period is from 2005-2012.

Kumari Selja said, the Ministry is also implementing the Interest Subsidy Scheme for Housing the Urban Poor (ISHUP), which is meant to provide 5% interest subsidy on loans upto Rs.1.0 lakh for construction and purchase of houses for the EWS and LIG beneficiaries of the urban poor including Slum dwellers. This Scheme has now been dovetailed with Rajiv Awas Yojana.

She said, in pursuance of the Government’s vision of creating a Slum-free India, a new scheme ‘Rajiv Awas Yojana’ (RAY) has been launched on 02.06.2011. The Phase I of Rajiv Awas Yojana is for a period of two years from the date of approval of the scheme with an outlay of Rs.5,000 crores while Phase II will be for the remaining period of the twelfth plan period.

The Minister said, the Scheme will provide financial assistance to States that are willing to assign property rights to slum dwellers for provision of decent shelter and basic civic and social services for slum redevelopment, and for creation of affordable housing stock. Fifty percent (50 %) of the cost of provision of basic civic and social infrastructure and amenities and of housing, including rental housing, and transit housing for in-situ redevelopment – in slums would be borne by the Centre, including operation & maintenance of assets created under this scheme. For the North Eastern and Special Category States, the share of the Centre would be 90% including the cost of land acquisition, if required.

She said, the Affordable Housing in Partnership Scheme, which encourages public private partnerships for the creation of affordable housing stock, has been dovetailed into RAY. Under this scheme, central support is provided at the rate of Rs.50,000 per unit of affordable dwelling unit or 25% of the cost of civic infrastructure (external and internal), whichever is lower.

According to World Health Statistics 2011 published by World Health Organization (WHO), the total expenditure on health as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2008, for India is 4.2% as compared to expenditure on health in respect of some select developing countries, e.g. China 4.3%, Bangladesh 3.3%, Indonesia 2.3%, Malaysia 4.3%, Pakistan 2.6% , Sri Lanka 4.1% and Thailand 4.1%.

The above information was given by the Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad in the Rajya Sabha

RBI has informed that in the current statutory and regulatory framework, it is not legally feasible for banks in India to undertake Islamic banking activities in India or for branches of Indian banks abroad to undertake Islamic banking outside India.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Finance, Shri Namo Narain Meena in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha.

Source: World Economic Outlook, database IMF.

As per news release dated 26^th December, 2011 of Centre for Economics and Business Research Ltd. London, United Kingdom, India will move from being the 9^th largest economy in 2010 to become the 5^th largest economy by 2020.

The Approach Paper to the Twelfth Five Year Plan (2012-17) proposes a faster, more inclusive and sustainable growth with a target of 9 per cent increase in GDP.  The key requirements for achieving the goal are better performance in agriculture (at least 4 per cent growth), faster creation of jobs in manufacturing, development of appropriate infrastructural facilities, strong efforts at health, education and skill development, improving the implementation of flagship programmes and focus on backward region and vulnerable groups.  In this connection, certain specific measures taken by government interalia, include enhancing higher level of investment for agriculture sector including irrigation projects, promoting Micro Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector by way of higher allocation of funds, enhancing investment in the infrastructure sector focusing on Public Private Partnership and a number of legislative measures to develop the financial sector etc

She said, Government of India provides financial support for land and houses in the rural areas through ‘Indira Awas Yojana’ which is run by the Ministry of Rural Development. Similarly, under Basic Services to the Urban Poor (BSUP) and Integrated Housing & Slum Development Programme (IHSDP) schemes, financial support for construction of houses is provided by the Ministry of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) scheme

In a written reply in the Lok Sabha today she said, State-wise details of houses sanctioned for the urban poor and the Central share sanctioned and spent through release of Additional Central Assistance under the Basic Services to the Urban Poor (BSUP) and Integrated Housing and Slum Development Programme (IHSDP) – components of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) during each of the last three years and the current year are at Annexure-I and Annexure-II respectively.

Top of Form

She said, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation has no component of interest subsidy under IHSDP. However, the ceiling cost for a dwelling unit was increased from Rs. 80,000 to Rs. 1,00,000 under IHSDP with effect from 1.4.2008.

Click here to see Annexure-I

Click here to see Annexure-II

The Eleventh Five Year Plan envisaged increasing total health expenditure at the Centre and the States to at least 2 per cent of GDP by the end of the Five Year Plan period.

During the 11^th Plan (2007-08 to 2011-12), Central Plan allocation to health sector has been Rs. 99,491 crore as against actual expenditure of Rs. 36,079 crore during the 10^th Five Year Plan. The Central Government has taken several steps to increase public health expenditure, which inter-alia, include:

• Launching of National Rural Health Mission with a view to provide accessible, affordable, accountable, effective and quality healthcare services, especially to the poor and vulnerable sections of the population.
• Implementation of programmes for control of communicable and non-communicable diseases.
• Mainstreaming of Indian Systems of Medicine and Homeopathy.
• Setting up of the Centres of excellence on the pattern of AIIMS, alongwith upgradation of government medical colleges through PMSSY
• Strengthening human resources in the health sector, with focus on Medical education, Para-medical education and Nursing and Pharmacy education.

The above information was given by the Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad  in theRajya  Sabha

Mines (non-coal sectors):   06

Industries:                           Nil

Coal Mines:                         01

Roads:                                 Nil

On a question Whether it whether it is a fact that many Public Sector Units got the coal block surrendered as they could not get the clearance of the Ministry?

The Minister Said that the Ministry of Environment did not receive information that many Public Sector Units got the coal blocks surrendered as they could not get the clearance of the Ministry.

Textiles and Clothing Industry contributed 11.46% of country’s total exports in 2008-09, 12.54% in 2009-10 and 10.63% in 2010-11. Exports of Textiles & Clothing is USD 21.22 billion, USD 22.42 billion and USD 26.82 billion during 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11 respectively.

                        The number of functional textile mills in the country and the number of persons employed in the textile industry, State-wise as on 31.01.2012 is given below:-

The number of textile mills {cotton/ man-made fibre textile mills (Non SSI)} which have been closed during the last three years and the reasons behind their closure as on 31.01.2012 are given below:-

                        No agreement has been signed exclusively with Bangladesh. Bangladesh is a member country of the South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) and tariff for SAFTA has been reduced to zero percent for Least Developed Countries (LDCs), including Bangladesh, with effect from 01.01.2008. Certain textiles lines that figured in India’s Sensitive List forLDCs under SAFTA have been delisted with effect from 09.11.2011, which would allow Bangladesh zero duty access toIndia on these lines. No impact analysis has been made for the said zero duty access as it is too early to assess the impact of such duty free access to Bangladesh.

This information was given by Minister of State for Textiles Smt. Panabaaka Lakshmi in a written reply to a question raised in Lok  Sabha

The total investment for grid connected solar power projects is estimated to be about Rs. 6,000 crores at an average cost price of Rs. 12.0 crore per megawatt capacity.

The solar power projects are installed on build, own and operate basis, and the solar project developer is paid solar tariff for the power injected into the grid. No data on the amount of loans granted by financial institutions to developers is provided to the Ministry.

11th Plan target of 78,700 MW was revised to 62,374 MW during Mid-term Appraisal of the plan by Planning Commission. The reasons for scaling down the target included delay in placement orders for main plant and civil works, contractual disputes between project developers and the contractors /vendors, delay in land acquisition, environmental concerns, flash flood and difficult climatic conditions.

As far as capacity addition through renewable energy, during current 11th plan period, the target of 12, 380 MW has been achieved.

This information was given by the Minister of New and Renewable Energy Dr. Farooq Abdullah in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha

The Brahmaputra river is called Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibetan language.

The Brahmaputra enters India in the state of Arunachal Pradesh, where it is called Siang

Brahmaputra In Bangladesh is called as the Jamuna (not to be mistaken with Yamuna of India)

About 1,800 miles (2,900 km) long, the Brahmaputra is an important river for irrigation and transportation. The average depth of the river is 124 feet (38 m) and maximum depth is 380 feet (120 m). The river is prone to catastrophic flooding in spring when the Himalayan snows melt. The average discharge of the river is about 19,300 cubic metres per second (680,000 cu ft/s), and floods can reach over 100,000 cubic metres per second (3,500,000 cu ft/s). It is a classic example of a braided river and is highly susceptible to channel migration and avulsion. It is also one of the few rivers in the world that exhibit a tidal bore. It is navigable for most of its length.

 As per the estimate and inventory prepared by Geological Survey of India, the State-wise details of the assessed coal resources during the last four years is as under:

(In Million Tonnes)

***

The arbiters of time at the International Earth Rotation and Reference Systems Service (IERRSS) have announced they will be introducing a leap second on June 30th in order to keep up with the Earth’s rotation.

What’s a leap second? Give me a minute.

Back in ye olden days of the 1950s, atomic clocks were introduced to measure the Earth’s rotation. Atomic clocks are pretty precise and are powered to oscillate exactly 9,192,631,770 times a second. The Earth, however, is less precise.

As the Earth spins on its axis, slight deviations mean that some days end up being longer than others. Atomic clocks don’t precisely match actual Earth time because the globe’s orbit tends to be irregular.

A few years from now we’d find ourselves seconds out of kilter. In a few hundred years we’d be a minute out, and after several hundred thousand years, humans would find themselves eating lunch at midnight, Wired reported.

Enter the leap second.

Adding or subtracting seconds brings atomic time and solar time back into sync.

As the clock strikes midnight on June 30, it will take two seconds to transition into July instead of one — delaying Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) by a second.

It is unlikely most of us will even notice the difference, but people whose livelihoods depend on clockwork precision – pilots, airlines and air traffic controllers — are not going to have an easy time keeping everything in sync.

Leap seconds were introduced in 1972 and the last time IERRSS added a second was in December 2008.

]]> http://indiacurrentaffairs.org/whats-a-leap-second/feed/ 0 http://indiacurrentaffairs.org/what-is-the-present-full-immunization-coverage-of-children-in-india/ http://indiacurrentaffairs.org/what-is-the-present-full-immunization-coverage-of-children-in-india/#comments Thu, 19 Jan 2012 04:23:16 +0000 India Current Affairs http://indiacurrentaffairs.org/?p=107881 The present full immunization coverage of children in India is 61%. India has declared year 2012 as the year of intensification of routine immunization.

MORE READING. . .

Here are the procedures to be followed:

1. Approach the Regional Magistrate court.

2. Prepare the application in the format as prescribed

3. Obtain R. Dis Number allotted by the magistrate court

4. Applying to Registrar of Newspapers for India (RNI), Delhi office for name availability through the magistrate court

5. It would take about 90 days of time for the RNI, Delhi office to approve the name as proposed.

6. Once the name is approved by Delhi office, then approach the magistrate court to get a date allotted for hearing (date can be allotted anytime between 1 to 4 months from the date of request)

7. Printer, Publisher & Editor are required to appear before the magistrate for taking oath.

8. Following Documents must be produced during the time of appearance;
•    Declaration copy which has to be filled by Printer, Publisher & Editor and to produce 3 copies each.
•    Address & Id proof of the Printer, Publisher & Editor.
•    Printing Press License copy of the Printer.
9. After this is done, there will be an approval to this effect from the Magistrate court.

10. Then, the magazine can be published.

11. The copies of the magazines have to be submitted to the RNI, Regional office for the final approval.

12. They will evaluate whether the magazine meets the criteria specified in the declaration.

13. Once they are satisfied, they will issue a RNI certificate.

14. Both the R. Dis Number and RNI Number have to be mentioned on each copy of the magazine.

The availability of medical equipments and medicines in ESI Hospitals in the country is generally satisfactory. However, there are vacancies of doctors in ESI Hospitals. There are no separate sanctioned posts of lady doctors.

Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) has taken several steps for revamping and modernization of ESI Hospitals and dispensaries to provide better health services. The various steps taken are as under:

1. Hospital Development Committees have been constituted in all ESI Hospitals and have been given adequate administrative and financial powers for taking decisions for improvement in medical care facilities.

2. ESIC has under taken modernization & upgradation of hospitals and providing modern equipments for diagnostic and clinical services.

3. To facilitate early sanction of equipments for hospitals, Senior State Medical Commissioners/State Medical Commissioners, ESIC at State level have been delegated powers to sanction equipments up to Rs.25 lacs per unit.

4. For ensuring regular supply of medicines, ESIC formulates rate contracts for allopathic and Ayurvedic drugs and the same are sent to all the State Government for procurement of medicines.

5. ESI Corporation is grading its hospitals and dispensaries by reputed organizations. Further action has been initiated for getting ISO certification in respect of hospitals and dispensaries.

6. The expenditure on super specialty treatment is totally borne by ESI Corporation outside the ceiling since 01.08.2008 and ESIC has entered into tie up arrangement with reputed Government/private hospitals for super-specialty services and is providing cashless and hassle-free services to the ESI beneficiaries.

7. Besides, ESI Corporation has under taken a project for starting medical colleges, nursing colleges, dental colleges and training school for other para medical staff in ESIC /ESI Hospitals.

8. ESIC has appointed part-time specialist/super specialists directly in State ESI Hospitals to ensure that proper services are available to ESI beneficiaries. The total expenditure on this is borne by ESI Corporation. ESI Corporation is already running one 50-bedded hospital in Ujjain along with 2 dispensaries and one Branch Office.

This information was given by the Minister of Labour and Employment Shri Mallikarjun Kharge in reply in reply to a written question in the Lok Sabha

Annexure

“Impact of Mobile Radiations on Forest Areas”

State-wise number of mobile phone towers permitted inside forests in the country

The Minister of State  for Environment and Forests (independent charge) Shrimati Jayanthi Natarajan  gave this information in a written reply to a question by Shri S.R. Jeyadurai in Lok Sabha

Researcher Jia Liu along with colleagues from Beijing Normal University have demonstrated how this skill is rooted in the unique way in which the mind perceives faces.

‘Individuals who process faces more holistically – that is, as an integrated whole – are better at face recognition,’ said Jia, the journal Psychological Science reported.

In daily life, we recognize faces both holistically and also analytically – that is, picking out individual parts, such as eyes or nose, according to a university statement.

‘While the brain uses analytical processing for all kinds of objects like cars, houses, animals – holistic processing is thought to be especially critical to face recognition,’ said Jia.

The researchers first measured the ability of participants – 337 male and female students to remember whole faces, using a task in which they had to select studied faces and flowers from among unfamiliar ones.

The next two tasks measured performance in tasks that mark holistic processing. The composite-face effect (CFE) shows up when two faces are split horizontally and stuck together.

It’s easier to identify the top half-face when it’s misaligned with the bottom one, than when the two halves are fitted smoothly together.

‘That is because our brain automatically combines them to form a new and unfamiliar-face,’ Jia said.

The other marker of holistic processing is the whole-part effect (WPE). In this one, people are shown a face, then asked to recognize a part of it-say, the nose.

The results showed those participants who scored higher on CFE and WPE did well in holistic processing and performed better at the first task of recognizing faces.

‘Our findings partly explains why some never forget faces, while others misrecognize their friends and relatives frequently,’ Jia said.

A large number of steps have been taken to address shortage of doctors, specialists and faculty in the country:

1. The norms for setting up of a medical college in terms of requirement for land, faculty, staff, bed/ bed strength and other infrastructure have been relaxed.

2. Teacher-student ratio has been relaxed to increase the seats at Postgraduate level.

3. DNB qualifications have been recognized for appointment to various faculty posts in medical colleges.

4. Maximum intake capacity at MBBS level has been increased from 150 to 250.

5. Maximum age for appointment of faculty has been enhanced from 65 to 70 years.

6. 46 new medical colleges have been set up between 2009-11.

7. Under the scheme of `Strengthening and Upgradation of State Government Medical Colleges`, financial support to State medical colleges is being provided to increase postgraduate seats in various disciplines or start new postgraduate medical courses.

This information was laid by Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad in Rajya Sabha.

The Oates family had given up hope of seeing its beloved Staffordshire bull terrier T-Bone again after he was snatched from outside their home. Last night, they were reunited after he was found aboard a bus from Birmingham city centre to Solihull town, the Daily Express reported.

Pat Oates and her three children feared good-natured T-Bone had been stolen by a gang.

They now believe he was dumped after developing a cyst and hopped on the bus undetected. After the driver spotted T-Bone, he was taken to a vet who checked his microchip.

‘The kids are so happy to have him back. Some of them were only young but they had fond memories of him. We were all devastated when he was stolen from our driveway in 2006,’ said Oates.

‘We put up posters and made appeals in the papers but had no luck; so it came out of the blue to hear he had been found nearby. I broke down in tears. It is like having your child back.’

She said even if it was going to cost 300 pounds for the operation to remove their pet’s cyst, it was worth it to have him back.

A. For classes 1 to V:

(i) Two teachers for upto sixty admitted children

(ii) Three teachers for 61-90 children

(iii) Four teachers for 91-120 children

(iv) Five teachers for 121-200 children

(v) One head Teacher, other than the five teachers, if the number of admitted children exceeds 150 and the PTR (excluding Head Teacher) shall not exceed forty if the number of admitted children is above 200.

B. (i) At least one teacher per class so that there shall be at least one teacher each for (a) Science and Mathematics: (b) Social Studies: and (c) Languages.

(ii) At least one teacher for every 35 children:

(iii) Where admission of children is above 100, there shall be (a) a full time head-teacher and (b) part time instructors for Art Education, Health & Physical Education and Work Education.

Since inception Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) in 2001-02, 19.14 lakh posts of teachers have been sanctioned till October, 2011. The PTR at National level has improved from 36 at Elementary level in 2005-06 to 33 and 31 at Primary and Upper Primary level respectively as per District Information System, for Education (DISE) n- 2009-10.

This information was given by Dr. D. Purandeswari, Minister of State for Human Resource in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha

As per the provisions of the regulations, the telecom customers have to register with their service providers for registration in National Customer Preference Registry. No complaints have been received regarding the Access Providers refusing registration to new customers with the National Customer preference Registry as intimated by TRAI.

Mandate

The G-20 is the premier forum for our international economic development that promotes open and constructive discussion between industrial and emerging-market countries on key issues related to global economic stability. By contributing to the strengthening of the international financial architecture and providing opportunities for dialogue on national policies, international co-operation, and international financial institutions, the G-20 helps to support growth and development across the globe.

Origins

The G-20 was created as a response both to the financial crises of the late 1990s and to a growing recognition that key emerging-market countries were not adequately included in the core of global economic discussion and governance. Prior to the G-20 creation, similar groupings to promote dialogue and analysis had been established at the initiative of the G-7. The G-22 met at Washington D.C. in April and October 1998. Its aim was to involve non-G-7 countries in the resolution of global aspects of the financial crisis then affecting emerging-market countries. Two subsequent meetings comprising a larger group of participants (G-33) held in March and April 1999 discussed reforms of the global economy and the international financial system. The proposals made by the G-22 and the G-33 to reduce the world economy’s susceptibility to crises showed the potential benefits of a regular international consultative forum embracing the emerging-market countries. Such a regular dialogue with a constant set of partners was institutionalized by the creation of the G-20 in 1999.

Membership

The G-20 is made up of the finance ministers and central bank governors of 19 countries and the European Union:

• Argentina
• Australia
• Brazil
• Canada
• China
• European Union
• France
• Germany
• India
• Indonesia
• Italy
• Japan
• Mexico
• Russia
• Saudi Arabia
• South Africa
• Republic of Korea
• Turkey
• United Kingdom
• United States of America

To ensure global economic fora and institutions work together, the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the President of the World Bank, plus the chairs of the International Monetary and Financial Committee and Development Committee of the IMF and World Bank, also participate in G-20 meetings on an ex-officio basis. The G-20 thus brings together important industrial and emerging-market countries from all regions of the world. Together, member countries represent around 90 per cent of global gross national product, 80 per cent of world trade (including EU intra-trade) as well as two-thirds of the world’s population. The G-20′s economic weight and broad membership gives it a high degree of legitimacy and influence over the management of the global economy and financial system.

Achievements

The G-20 has progressed a range of issues since 1999, including agreement about policies for growth, reducing abuse of the financial system, dealing with financial crises and combating terrorist financing. The G-20 also aims to foster the adoption of internationally recognized standards through the example set by its members in areas such as the transparency of fiscal policy and combating money laundering and the financing of terrorism. In 2004, G-20 countries committed to new higher standards of transparency and exchange of information on tax matters. This aims to combat abuses of the financial system and illicit activities including tax evasion. The G-20 has also aimed to develop a common view among members on issues related to further development of the global economic and financial system.

To tackle the financial and economic crisis that spread across the globe in 2008, the G20 members were called upon to further strengthen international cooperation. Accordingly, the G20 Summits have been held in Washington in 2008, in London and Pittsburgh in 2009, and in Toronto and Seoul in 2010.

The concerted and decisive actions of the G20, with its balanced membership of developed and developing countries helped the world deal effectively with the financial and economic crisis, and the G20 has already delivered a number of significant and concrete outcomes:

First, the scope of financial regulation has been largely broadened, and prudential regulation and supervision have been strengthened. There was also great progress in policy coordination thanks to the creation of the framework for a strong, sustainable and balanced growth designed to enhance macroeconomic cooperation among the G20 members and therefore to mitigate the impact of the crisis. Finally, global governance has dramatically improved to better take into consideration the role and the needs of emerging of developing countries, especially through the ambitious reforms of the governance of the IMF and the World Bank.

Chair

Unlike international institutions such as the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), IMF or World Bank, the G-20 (like the G-7) has no permanent staff of its own. The G-20 chair rotates between members, and is selected from a different regional grouping of countries each year. In 2011 the G-20 chair is France. The chair is part of a revolving three-member management Troika of past, present and future chairs. The incumbent chair establishes a temporary secretariat for the duration of its term, which coordinates the group’s work and organizes its meetings. The role of the Troika is to ensure continuity in the G-20′s work and management across host years.

Former G-20 Chairs

• 1999-2001 Canada
• 2002 India
• 2003 Mexico
• 2004 Germany
• 2005 China
• 2006 Australia
• 2007 South Africa
• 2008 Brazil
• 2009 United Kingdom
• 2010 Republic of Korea

Meetings and activities

It is normal practice for the G-20 finance ministers and central bank governors to meet once a year. The ministers’ and governors’ meeting is usually preceded by two deputies’ meetings and extensive technical work. This technical work takes the form of workshops, reports and case studies on specific subjects, that aim to provide ministers and governors with contemporary analysis and insights, to better inform their consideration of policy challenges and options.

Interaction with other international organizations

The G-20 cooperates closely with various other major international organizations and fora, as the potential to develop common positions on complex issues among G-20 members can add political momentum to decision-making in other bodies. The participation of the President of the World Bank, the Managing Director of the IMF and the chairs of the International Monetary and Financial Committee and the Development Committee in the G-20 meetings ensures that the G-20 process is well integrated with the activities of the Bretton Woods Institutions. The G-20 also works with, and encourages, other international groups and organizations, such as the Financial Stability Board and the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, in progressing international and domestic economic policy reforms. In addition, experts from private-sector institutions and non-government organisations are invited to G-20 meetings on an ad hoc basis in order to exploit synergies in analyzing selected topics and avoid overlap.

External communication

The country currently chairing the G-20 posts details of the group’s meetings and work program on a dedicated website. Although participation in the meetings is reserved for members, the public is informed about what was discussed and agreed immediately after the meeting of ministers and governors has ended. After each meeting of ministers and governors, the G-20 publishes a communiqué which records the agreements reached and measures outlined. Material on the forward work program is also made public.

FAQ

1. When was the G-20 set up?

The G-20 first meeting was held in Berlin on December 1516, 1999.

2. Why was the G-20 set up?

The G-20 was created as a response both to the financial crises of the late 1990s and a growing recognition that key emerging-market countries were not adequately included in the core of global economic discussion and governance. Prior to the G-20 creation, similar groupings to promote dialogue and analysis had been established at the initiative of the G-7. The G-22 met at Washington D.C. in April and October 1998. Its aim was to involve non-G-7 countries in the resolution of global aspects of the financial crisis then affecting emerging-market countries. Two subsequent meetings comprising a larger group of participants (G-33) held in March and April 1999 discussed reforms of the global economy and the international financial system. The proposals made by the G-22 and G-33 to reduce the world economy’s susceptibility to crises showed the potential benefits of a regular international consultative forum embracing the emerging-market countries. Such a regular dialogue with a constant set of partners was institutionalized by the G-20 creation in 1999.

3. How does the G-20 differ from the G-7?

The G-7 was established in 1976 as an informal forum of seven major industrial economies: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. The G-7 conducts dialogue and seeks agreement on current economic issues on the basis of the comparable interests of those countries. The G-20 was established in 1999 and reflects the diverse interests of the systemically significant industrial and emerging-market economies. (see: About the G-20). It has a high degree of representativeness and legitimacy on account of its geographical composition (members are drawn from all continents) and its large share of global population (two-thirds) and world GNP (around 90 per cent). The G-20′s broad representation of countries at different stages of development gives its consensus outcomes greater impact than those of the G-7.

4. Can all member countries exert equal influence?

Achieving consensus is the underlying principle of G-20 activity with regard to comments, recommendations and measures to be adopted. There are no formal votes or resolutions on the basis of fixed voting shares or economic criteria. Every G-20 member has one ‘voice’ with which it can take an active part in G-20 activity. To this extent the influence a country can exert is shaped decisively by its commitment.

5. What are the criteria for G-20 membership?

In a forum such as the G-20, it is particularly important for the number of countries involved to be restricted and fixed to ensure the effectiveness and continuity of its activity. There are no formal criteria for G-20 membership and the composition of the group has remained unchanged since it was established. In view of the objectives of the G-20, it was considered important that countries and regions of systemic significance for the international financial system be included. Aspects such as geographical balance and population representation also played a major part.

6. How are the G-20 taking forward work remitted to Finance Ministers by Leaders.

The G-20 Finance Ministers were tasked from the Pittsburg Summit to take forward work in the following areas;

• Framework for Strong, Sustainable, and Balanced Growth
• Strengthening the International Financial Regulatory System
• Modernizing our Global Institutions to Reflect Today’s Global Economy
• Reforming the Mandate, Mission, and Governance of the IMF
• Reforming the Mission, Mandate, and Governance of Our Development Banks
• Energy Security and Climate Change
• Strengthening Support for the Most Vulnerable
• Putting Quality Jobs at the Heart of the Recovery
• An Open Global Economy.

Chanel Tapper, from Houston, US, shot to fame as a 13-year-old, when she was spotted sticking out her monster tongue in a YouTube video, says The Sun.

In September, Guinness invited Tapper to Los Angeles where they measured her tongue. She beat two other women contenders to the world record.

‘I have always been silly and goofy. I love sticking my tongue out at people. I started doing that back in school. I’ve never had a problem with having a long tongue, it’s just fun,’ Tapper said.

‘We think when you’re under pressure, your attention goes inward naturally. Suddenly, it means so much, you want to make sure everything’s working properly,’ says Rob Gray of the University of Birmingham, the author of the new article.

‘And that is exactly when things go wrong.’

Of course, athletes know they should just relax and do their usual thing, but it’s not very helpful to tell someone to just relax, the journal Psychological Science reports.

The goal for scientists, Gray says, is to figure out what actually happens when someone starts paying too much attention to their body, according to a Birmingham University statement.

‘Focusing on what you’re doing makes you mess up, but why? How do your movements change? How can we focus on correcting those issues instead of telling you to stop trying so hard?’

The research shows there are particular things that go wrong when someone is under pressure –changing the angle of the club head when putting or throwing with more force. If those things can be identified, a coach could work on the particular problems.

Situated in Yokohama, the Lastel hotel though looks much like any other lodging, it stores the deceased in refrigerated coffins so that mourning relatives can visit any time, the Daily Mail reported.

These are, however, not permanent hotel guests. They are waiting their turn at the city’s crowded crematoriums.

There are 18 corpses, all tucked up in refrigerated coffins. Each coffin costs around 12,000 yen ($157).

Hotel owner Hisayoshi Teramura says about the couples who come asking for rooms: ‘We tell them we only have cold rooms.’

Death in Japan has become a ‘rare booming market’, the daily said.

In 2010, according to government records, 1.2 million people died. Around 55,000 more people died than in 2009.

Over the past decade, an average of 23,000 more people died each year in Japan.

Annual deaths by 2040 are expected to reach 1.66 million.

Teramura’s hotel for the dead stores and chills encoffined corpses, and delivers them through hatches into a viewing room, whenever friends and family come to pay their respects.

In Yokohama city, the average wait for a crematorium is more than four days.

‘Otherwise people have to keep the bodies at home where there isn’t much space,’ said Teramura.

43 Special Prosecutors/Assistant Special Prosecutors and 45 Technical officers (09 Banking & Foreign Trade, 08 Engineering, 08 Insurance & Taxation and 20 Computer Professionals) have been appointed in CBI on contract basis as a stopgap arrangement.

The number of vacancies filled during the last three years and the current year till date, category-wise and year-wise is as under:

These include vacancies filled through Direct Recruitment, Deputation, Promotion and Contract basis.

The Government is taking long term and short term measures to fill up the vacant posts. Among long term measures, the Government is considering changes in the Recruitment Rules to reduce the deputation quota at various levels and increase the promotion quota and the direct recruitment quota whereby CBI would be able to recruit and promote its own officers and reduce dependency on lending organizations for sponsoring candidates for deputation to CBI. In the short term, the Government has approved contractual appointment of law officers, technical officers, pairviofficers and clerks to fill up vacant posts in CBI. The Government has also approved diversion of posts from deputation quota to promotion quota enabling CBI to fill up vacant posts at the level of Deputy Superintendent of Police. With these measures, the vacancies in CBI have been reduced to a large extent. Since January, 2010, as many as 1643 posts have been filled up through promotion, recruitment, deputation and contractual appointments.

Occurrence of vacancies and filling up the same as per notified Recruitment Rules are continuous processes. No definite time frame can be stipulated for the same.

This information was given by Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and the Prime Minister’s Office, Shri V. Naraynasamy in written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha

A Statement showing the State-wise number of landless agricultural workers (men and women) is annexed. The per thousand distribution of female and male workforce in agriculture sector is 463 and 536 respectively.

State-wise male and female agricultural workers

 (Source, Census 2001)

* NOTE:  India and Manipur figures exclude Mao Maram, Paomata and Purul sub-divs of Senapati District in Manipur State as census results were cancelled due to administrative and technical reasons.

As per Economic Survey, 2010-11, the agriculture sector accounts for 12.3% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2009-10.

With a view to providing social security to unorganized workers, including agricultural workers, the Government enacted the “Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Act, 2008”.  The Act provides for constitution of National Social Security Board to recommend social security schemes viz.  life and disability cover, health and maternity benefits, old age protection and any other benefit as may be determined by the Government for unorganized workers.

The Government launched the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana to provide smart card based cashless health insurance cover of Rs. 30,000/- per annum on family floater basis to BPL families ( a unit of five) in the unorganised sector, including agricultural labourers.  The scheme became operational from 01.04.2008.  The scheme is presently being implemented in 25 States/ UTs and more than 2.4 crore smart cards have been issued as on 31.08.2011. Remaining States are in the process of implementing the scheme.

               The Aam Admi Bima Yojana (AABY) was launched on 02.10.2007 with a view to providing insurance cover to the head of family or one earning member of rural landless households between the age of 18 years and 59 years. Under the scheme, the head of the family or an earning member of the family is eligible to receive the benefits of Rs. 30,000/- in case of natural death, Rs.75, 000/- accidental death, Rs. 75000/- for total permanent disability (loss of two eyes or two limbs or loss of one eye or one limb in accident) and Rs. 37,500/- for partial permanent disability (loss of one eye and one limb in accident).  AABY also includes Shiksha Sahyog Yojana (SSY), a free add-on benefit of scholarship of Rs. 100 per month up to a maximum of two children of the beneficiaries studying between class IX and XII.  More than 1.78 lives have been covered as on 31.07.2011

The Government has been implementing Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension which has been expanded by revising the criteria of eligibility.  All citizens above the age of 60 years and living below poverty line are eligible for benefits under the scheme.  For persons above the age of 80 years, the amount of pension has been raised from Rs. 200 to Rs. 500 per month.

The Minister of  Labour and Employment Shri Mallikarjun Kharge  gave this information in reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha .

*******

(Value in Rupees Crore )

This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Shri Jyotiraditya M.Scindia, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha

Shri Khurshid further informed the House that with regard to subordinate judiciary, the Supreme Court, in its judgment of 21st March, 2002, in All India Judges’ Association & Ors Vs. Union of India & Ors, directed the States that an increase in the Judge strength from the existing 10.5 or 13 per 10 lakh people to 50 judges per 10 lakh people should be effected and implemented within a period of five years. The Central Government filed a modification petition in the Supreme Court praying that the increase in judge strength in the Union Territories for which Central Government is administratively responsible be allowed based on workload and pendency of cases.

In a written reply in the Lok Sabha today he said, Hon’ble Supreme Court vide its Order dated 29th July, 2011 had directed to suspend all mining operations in Bellary District of Karnataka. Subsequently, the Hon’ble Supreme Court vide its order dated 5th August, 2011 has allowed NMDC Ltd. a public sector undertaking, to operate its iron ore mines in Bellary District to the extent of one Million Tonne per month commencing from 6th August, 2011 till further order. The suspension of mining operations in remaining iron ore mines of Bellary District may affect production of crude steel to some extent of steel industry located in Karnataka and neighbouring areas which were sourcing iron ore mainly from mines located in the State of Karnataka including Bellary District. He said, crude steel import will depend on the domestic demand and production in future.

The Government has received Rs.  6.91 crore, Rs. 9.56 crore and    Rs. 8.24crore respectively, in the last three years(2008, 2009 and   2010) by way of filing/registration charges.

The detail of such Foreign Companies operating  in India  at present,statewise companies is as under:

.

The Minister was replying to a written question on the number of foreign companies operating in India at present, State-wise;                 the number of foreign companies registered during the last three years;  whether the Government has received revenue from the foreign companies by way of fees/charges for filing/registering various documents; and the details of amount received from these companies during each of the last three years?

*****

Companies which had raised funds through Initial Public Offer were    identified as Vanishing Company for

(i)     non maintaining of their registered office;

(ii)    non- traceability of directors(iii)  non- filing of statutory returns/ listing requirements with the concerned Registrar of Companies / Stock Exchange for a period of 2 years. Out of 238 companies identified as vanishing companies, 119 companies have now become regular in filing their returns with the concerned Registrar of Companies. In addition, 32 companies have gone into liquidation. Thus, as on date, there are 87 companies which still remain identified as vanishing companies. The State-wise list of 87 vanishing companies is enclosed as Annexure I. 86 Prosecutions under Section 63/ 68 and 628 of the Companies Act, 1956 for mis-statement in the prospectus, fraudulently inducing persons to invest money and for false statement etc were filed against the company and its directors. Besides, 82 FIRs were also lodged with the Police to trace out the whereabouts of the companies and their directors.

                The Minister was replying to a written question on   the total number of companies which were identified as vanishing companies; identified the reasons for working of vanishing   companies; the number of vanished companies which were found working in the country at  present, State-wise; and the action taken against the promoters/ directors in these companies?

*****

            ST/-

Annexure-I

List of  Vanishing Companies (State-wise)

******************

The quantity of the production of Ethanol during the last three years, as available is as under:

Production of Ethanol for the current year is not available as the season is in progress.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers, Shri Srikant Kumar Jena in a written reply in the Lok Sabha

The growth in insurance sector is internationally measured in terms of insurance penetration (percentage of insurance premium to Gross Domestic Product) and insurance density (per capita premium determined in US$) of Indian insurance industry.  The details are as under:

Insurance Penetration (Premium as % of GDP)

Insurance Density (Premium per capita in INR)

Note:  Insurance density is converted to INR(1 US$ = 45.7695 INR).

Source:  IRDA

This information was given by the Minister of State for Finance, Shri Namo NarainMeena in written reply to a question raised in Lok Sabha

Frozen Shrimp continued to be the major export value item accounting for 44.17% of the total US $ earnings. Shrimp exports during the period increased by 16.02%, 36.72% and 42.90% in quantity, rupee value and US$ value respectively. Fish, has retained its position as the principal export item in quantity terms and the second largest export item in value terms, accounted for a share of about 38.42% in quantity and 20.42% in US$ earnings.

Fr. Cuttlefish recorded a growth of 19.56% in rupee value and 25% in US dollar terms. Unit value also increased by 34.18%, however, there is a decline in quantity (6.84%). Items like dried items, live items and chilled items showed an increase in US $ terms compared to the previous year. Export of Fr. Squid showed a remarkable increase in quantity 42.53%, 62.31% in rupee value & 69.14% in US dollar realization. Unit value also increased by 18.67%.

European Union (EU) continued to be the largest market with a share of 26.78% in US $ realization. Followed by South East Asia 16.43%, China with a share of 15.41%, USA 15.35%, Japan 13.06%, Middle East 5.19% and Other Countries 7.79%. The export to the US market shown an exponential growth of 50% in quantity, 97% in rupee value and 105% in US$ terms, unit value also increased by 8.75% compared to the last year. The Marine Products exports have strengthened India’s presence in Southeast Asia and Middle East where the increase in quantity has been 57% and 26% respectively. There is a significant increase in exports to African countries in comparison to previous year.

The officers at MPEDA are upbeat as the growth was amidst the scenario of continuing recession in the international markets, debt crisis in EU economies, continuing antidumping duty in US and the sluggish growth in US economy, political instability in the Arab world. MPEDA envisage an ambitious target of 4 Billion US$ Marine Products Exports for the year 2011-12. Increased production of L.Vannamei shrimp, increase in infrastructure facilities for production of Value added items and the regaining pace of Japanese arket after tsunami etc. are the helping factor to achieve this target.

A Statement showing public viz-a-viz Private Expenditure as percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on Health in respect of some selected countries of Asia and Europe in 2008 is annexed. One of the reasons for low public expenditure on health in India is the low tax to GDP ratio.

The Government has taken several steps to increase public health expenditure,  which inter-alia,  include:

• Launching of National Rural Health Mission with a view to provide accessible, affordable, accountable, effective and quality healthcare services, especially to the poor and vulnerable sections of the population.
• Implementation of programmes for control of communicable and non-communicable diseases.
• Mainstreaming of Indian System of Medicine and Homeopathy.
  • Making available specialized health care services through strengthening of hospitals.

The above information was given by the Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare ShriGhulam Nabi Azad in  a written  reply to a question in the Rajya  Sabha today.

MA/ls

Annexure

Statement showing Public viz-a-vis Private Expenditure as percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on Health in respect of some selected countries of Asia and Europe

Source: Based on World Health Statistics 2011

*Provisional data

This was stated by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Shri Jitendra Singh, in written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha .

English Release 24-August 2011

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions24-August, 2011 13:10 IST

The Government is taking long term and short term measures to fill up the vacant posts. As a long term measure, the Government is considering changes in the Recruitment Rules to reduce the deputation quota at various levels and increase the promotion quota and the direct recruitment quota whereby CBI would be able to

The reasons for these vacancies in the CBI are as under: -

(i) Some new posts have been created in 2010 and 2011 which are to be filled through UPSC/SSC

(ii) Unwillingness of some State Governments to spare officers for deputation.

(iii) Unwillingness of officers of some States and some other organizations to join CBI on account of higher pay scale/ pay package in their own cadres/organizations.

(iv) Time taken in recruiting officers under deputation quota in the ranks of Deputy Superintendent of Police/Additional Superintendent of Police/ Public Prosecutor and Senior Public Prosecutor.

(v) Non availability of officers from the CPOs like BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP etc. on deputation as these organizations are expanding and are unable to spare officials for CBI.

The Government is taking long term and short term measures to fill up the vacant posts. As a long term measure, the Government is considering changes in the Recruitment Rules to reduce the deputation quota at various levels and increase the promotion quota and the direct recruitment quota whereby CBI would be able to recruit and promote its own officers. In the short term, the Government has approved contractual appointment of law officers, technical officers, pairvi officers and clerks to fill up vacant posts in CBI and diversion of posts from deputation quota to promotion quota at the level of Deputy Superintendent of Police. Since January, 2010, as many as 1643 posts have been filled up through promotion, recruitment, deputation and contractual appointments.

The Government is implementing various schemes / programmes relating to entrepreneurial and skill development, credit, infrastructural development, technology up-gradation and marketing, for assisting MSME sector in the country, all of which aims to provide employment opportunities to youth. Some of the major schemes / programmes being implemented are Credit Guarantee Scheme, Credit Linked Capital Subsidy Scheme, Performance and Credit Rating Scheme, Cluster Development Programme, National Manufacturing Competitiveness Programme, Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) and Market Development Assistance Scheme.

This information was given by the Union Cabinet Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Shri Virbhadra Singh in a written reply to a question in the LokSabha

(In number)

The number of cars sold in India and exported during the same period is as under:-

(In number)

Department of Revenue has informed that the contribution of car manufacturing industry to the exchequer in the form of excise duty during the last three years is as under:-

(Amount Rs. in crore)

Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCI&S), Kolkata, under the Department of Commerce has intimated that the net foreign exchange earned through export of cars and its share in the total foreign exchange earned during the last three years is as under:-

         (Amount Rs. In Crore)

The above information was given by the Minister of Heavy Industries and PublicEnterprises  Shri Praful Patel  in a written reply  in the Rajya  Sabha

As per Gas Cylinder Rules 2004, approval of Petroleum & Explosives Safety Organization (PESO) is required for marketing LPG cylinders in the country. At present, there is no Indian manufacturer who has the approval of PESO for manufacturing of composite cylinders.

As regards multi-function regulator, OMCs have reported that they have launched a multi-function regulator which has additional safety features like level indicator, child lock, excess flow check valve and built in leak detector. This multi-function Regulator has been launched in the year 2011, as a pilot project.

Above information was given by the Minister of State for Petroleum & Natural Gas Shri R.P.N. Singh in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha

Updated data is received from HDFC Bank from time to time and the same is put on Ministry’s website in public domain.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Food Processing Industries, Dr. Charan Das Mahant in a written reply in the Lok Sabha

The Gross NPA of State Bank of India for the period ending March, 2011 was Rs. 23,074 crore which constitutes 32% of total Gross NPAs of the PSBs.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Finance, Shri Namo Narain Meena in written reply to an Unstarred Question in Rajya Sabha

the installed capacity of a biomass power project varies between 6 MW to 10 MW depending upon the availability of biomass, whereas the installed surplus capacity of a bagasse cogeneration project in a sugar mill varies from 6 MW to 25 MW depending upon their daily cane crushing capacity.

the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy has been implementing various schemes during the 11th Five Year Plan, to encourage setting up of projects for generation of power from various biomass residues including bagasse and paddy husk for power generation based on combustion/ cogeneration and gasification technologies. Against a target of 1700 MW, a capacity addition of 1645 MW has been achieved which is 96% of the planned target

The share of India’s export in India-China bilateral trade as per the current trend is about 31%. With the continued efforts to increase our exports to China, this share is likely to increase.

With the increasing trade, the gross trade deficit may further increase. With a view to achieve balance in the bilateral trade, efforts are being made to diversify the trade basket with emphasis on manufactured goods. The issue of trade deficit was raised by the Indian side during the 8th session of India-China Joint Group on Economic Relations, Trade Science and Technology (JEG) held on 19th January 2010. As an outcome of JEG a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between India and China, where the Chinese side assured the Indian side that it would increase its imports from India. Indian Companies are encouraged to participate in major trade fairs in China to show–case Indian products in the Chinese market and increase engagement with Chinese companies.

This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha

The Minister said that based on this analysis and criteria laid down in the scheme, State wise capacity requirement and locations were identified. Under the scheme, the Food Corporation of India would now give a guarantee of ten years for assured hiring to the private entrepreneurs . A capacity of about 152.97 lakh tonnes is to be created in 19 states under the scheme through private entrepreneurs and Central and State Warehousing Corporations. Out of this tenders have been finalized for creation of storage capacity of 52.32 lakh tonnes by the private entrepreneurs. CWC and SWCs are constructing 5.31 and 15.49 lakh tonnes respectively under the Scheme, out of which a capacity of about 3.5 lakh tonnes has already been completed by CWC/SWCs.

In the 11th Five Year Plan an allocation of Rs.154.82 crore has been made to FCI for construction of storage godowns . This is likely to result in the construction of about 1.2 lakh tonnes capacity.

He said to tide over the problem of shortage of storage space, FCI hires storage space from CWC/SWCs/Govt. agencies and private parties etc. Executive Directors(Zones) and General Managers (Region) of FCI have also been given full powers for hiring of private godowns for short term usage to store the procured foodgrains as per their requirement if the capacity available with FCI is not sufficient to store the foodgrains .

It is also not a fact that a large quantity of foodgrains are rottening in the precincts of Food Corporation of India. However, a meagre quantity of 366.33 MT during 2011-12 (upto 01.06.2011) accrued as damaged. The details are at Annexure.

No report has been received regarding large quantity of foodgrains rottening and generating widespread discontentment among masses in Orissa Region, the minister added

under JNNURM one of the reform agenda is encouraging Public Private Partnership (PPP) and 67 projects under Public Private Partnership have been approved till 31st December, 2011. Ministry of Urban Development has taken steps for encouraging Public Private Partnership such as preparation of Toolkit for Solid Waste Management and Model Concession Agreements, and leveraging support from India Infrastructure Project Development Fund (IIPD).

Source: MMTC, Department of Commerce

DMT FOB- Dry Metric Tonne Free on Board

#- Spot prices for shipments to China are for medium grade iron ore fines.  These prices change on load port and transaction to transaction basis during the year.

In a written reply in the Lok Sabha today he said, the per capita income of several States is more than the national average. However, the regional imbalance and disparity among various States and UTs in the country is largely due to historical difference in initial conditions, natural resource endowments, level of industrialization and differences in human capital indicators viz. education, health, etc. Per capita income is only an indicator of the disparity and not the cause.

The Minister said, the Government has been taking several measures to increase the per capita income of States in a balanced manner.  The Eleventh Five Year Plan (EFPY) takes cognizance of the disparities among States, regions within States. One of the basic objectives of the development planning in India is to reduce economic inequalities and raise the level of economic development in the country in a balanced manner. With a view to bring down disparities, the EFPY monitors 13 out of 27monitorable national targets state-wise. The policy instruments in this regard include plan and non-plan transfer of resources from the Centre to the States favouring less developed states, establishment of public sector units, tax incentives for setting up of private industries in the backward regions, etc. A number of programmes have been initiated to reduce income disparity between States. These include Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF), Hill Area Development Programme/ Western Ghats Development Programme, etc.

Annexure

Source: for Sl. No. 1-32 — Directorate of Economics & Statistics of respective State Governments, and for All-India — Central Statistics Office

Wind                            :  14551 MW (8.12%)

Small Hydro Power      :  3105   MW (1.73%)

Bio-Power                    :  2860    MW (1.60%)

Solar Power                 :   40        MW  (0.02%)

Total                          : 20,556 MW  (11.5%)

as per various studies undertaken, a potential of about 89,000 MW for power generation from differentrenewable energy sources has been estimated excluding solar energy. The Minister said that the solar energy potential  has been estimated for most parts of the country at around 20 MW per square kilometre of open, shadow free area covered with solar collectors.

The Government of India has initiated the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) in the 100 selected districts in 21 States during 2010-12. The community based strategies include prevention and control of diabetes at various levels viz. CHC, District etc. in the Health care delivery system. Government of India is providing glucometer, strips and lancets and training to ANM and other field workers to screen all persons of the age of 30 years and above and all pregnant women for blood sugar and hypertension.

The Government proposes to expand the screening programme through out the country to tackle rising cases of diabetes with other components of the programme. The monitoring would be done through National, State and District level Non-Communicable Disease Cells. The community based strategies for the prevention and control of Non-Communicable Diseases would continue to be hallmark/mainstay of the program. The funding requirement would be more than six times of the budget allotted for 100 Districts in the 11th five year plan i.e. Rs. 1230.90 crores. The State Government share would be 20% while the central share would be 80%.

Through the conscious efforts of the Government, the investment in Agriculture and Allied sectors as a percentage of agriculture sector Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increased from 13.5% in 2004-05 to 20.3% in 2009-10 at constant prices. Annual plan allocation for the agriculture sector has increased from Rs 7058.50 crore in 2007-08 (actual) to Rs. 17122.87 crore in 2011-12 (BE). Further the flow of agricultural credit has been considerably increased and is targeted at Rs. 4.75 lakh crore in 2011-12. The minimum support prices of crops have been significantly increased. Several schemes are being implemented with a view to increase public investment in agriculture and allied sector to increase farm growth rate in the country.

This information was given by Shri Harish Rawat, Minister of State for Agriculture & Food Processing Industries in written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha

As per latest available information, 57,179 cases were pending in the Supreme Court of India as on 30.6.11. The number of cases pending in the High Courts were 42,17,903 as on 30.9.2010. Giving his information in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha, Shri Salman Khurshid, Minister of Law & Justice informed the House that in order to facilitate expeditious disposal of cases in courts, Government has taken a number of measures as mentioned below:

I. The Government has approved setting up of ‘National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms’. The major goals are:

· Increasing access by reducing delays and arrears in the system;

· Enhancing accountability through structural changes and by setting performance standards and capacities.

A Mission Mode approach to infrastructure development of subordinate judiciary is among the major initiatives under the National Mission for Justice Delivery which is approved by the Government. Inadequacy of infrastructure in subordinate courts has been one of the bottlenecks in the speedy delivery of justice. Keeping this in mind in the financial year 2011-12, the allocation for the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for infrastructure development has been increased fivefold from Rs. 100 Cr to Rs. 500 Cr. Funding pattern has also been increased from 50:50 to 75:25 for the states and to continue 90:10 for the NE states.

II. The Government has accepted the recommendations of the Thirteenth Finance Commission to provide a grant of Rs. 5000 crore to the States for improving the justice delivery system in the country over a five year period 2010-15. A grant of Rs. 1,000 crore has already been released to the States during the year 2010-11. With the help of these grants, the States can, inter-alia, set up morning / evening / shift / special magistrates’ courts, appoint court managers, establish ADR centres and provide training to mediators / conciliators, organise more Lok Adalats to reduce pendency. The grants also provide for training of judicial officers, strengthening of State Judicial Academies, training of public prosecutors and maintenance of heritage court buildings.

III. In order to computerise the justice delivery system Government is implementing e-Courts Project for the District and Subordinate Courts in the country and up gradation of ICT infrastructure in superior courts at an estimated cost of Rs. 935 crore. The target is to computerize 12,000 courts by 31st March, 2012 and 14,249 courts by 31st March, 2014. Court Management and case management can be done through National Arrears Grid created under the project.

IV. The Thirteenth Finance Commission while recommending a grant of Rs. 5000 crore made a condition for release of 2nd year instalment only after formulating State Litigation policy. State Litigation policy is to be formulated with the aim to transform government into an efficient and responsible litigant. If the cases involving government are reduced then the courts will have time to dispose of a large number of cases to achieve the target of reducing the pendency.

V. Enactment of the Gram Nyayalayas Act, 2008 which provides for establishment of Gram Nyayalayas to improve access to justice to marginalised. The current year allocation has been increased from Rs. 40 crore to Rs. 150 crore. So far 151 Gram Nyayalayas have been notified by the states.

VI. All the Chief Justices of High Courts have been requested to launch a campaign to reduce pendency of cases in court from July-December, 2011 and also for filling up vacancies of judges in the High Courts and Subordinate Courts during the same period. Vacancies and delays are inevitably correlated, hence a campaign mode approach for filling vacancies need to be launched. At least 50% of the vacancies could be filled up in respect of subordinate courts by December 2011.

Can a Chernobyl type accident take place in Indian Nuclear Power Plants?

Nuclear power has a very good safety record for a period spanning more than three decades. The Three Mile Island (TMI) accident in March, 1979 and the Chernobyl accident in April, 1986, Have raised apprehensions in the minds of the public all over the world. In the case of TMI, no radiation injury had occured to any member of the Public. In fact all the safety systems had worked as designed and no radioactivity was released to the atmosphere. At chernobyl, 31 people died and they are all plant personnel. However, it must be recognised that the Chernobyl accident occured due to the negligence of operaters who violated the safety procedures. Besides, the Chernobyl reactor is a totally different type. It employed Graphite as a moderator. Graphite is a form of carbon and its combustible property contributed to explosion in the reactor core. Such a sequence of events in the Nuclear plants is not possible and explosion in the core is ruled out as it is cooled and moderated by heavy water. Adequate safety features in the plant are provided to ensure  its safe operation. Paramount importance is given in setting up of nuclear power installations, to the safety of operating staff, public and environment. Safety experts and regulatory personnel are associated at all — missioning and operation of nuclear power plants. Thus Chernobyl type accident is ruled out in Indian Nuclear Power Plants.

What is India’s 3-Phase Nuclear Power Programme?

In view of the limited fossil fuel availability with the country, the relevance of Nuclear Power in meeting the short and long term needs of our energy was recognised right at the initial stage. From the very beginning, as a long term strategy, the Nuclear Power Programme formulated by Dr. Homi Bhabha embarked on the three stage nuclear power programme, linking the fuel cycle of Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) and Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR) for Judicious utilisation  of our limited reserves of Uranium and vast Thorium reserves. The emphasis of the programme was self-reliance and thorium utilisation as a long term objective. The PHWR was chosen due to extensive research and development facilities covering diverse areas for supporting technology absorption.

The 3-stage of our Nuclear Power Programme are :

• Stage-I : envisages, construction of Natural Uranium, Heavy Water Moderated and Cooled Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs). Spent fuel from these reactors is reprocessed to obtain Plutonium.
• Stage-II : evisages, construction of Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs) fuelled by Plutonium produced in stage-I. These reactors would also breed U-233 from Thorium.
• Stage-III : would comprise power reactors using U-233 / Thorium as fuel.

What are India’s available energy resources?

How is environment surrounding Nuclear Plant is monitored?

This is done by the Environmental Survey Laboratory (ESL) set up well before starting the operation of the plant. The ESL collects data on forest, flora and fauna, marine products, food and air etc., to set up base level data on their quality prior to commencement of the operation of the plant. Samples are drawn and regularly analysed to ascertain the status on a continuos basis. The ESL functions independent of plant authorities and the data collected is checked by the regulatory authorities for control purposes.

KP

If Muslim women are  represented in the House to the same extent as their share in the population, there would have been 440 MPs, or 40 times their actual number.

The Muslim women members in the current Lok Sabha are Tabassum Begum, Kaisar Jahan (both Bahujan Samaj Party) and Mausam Noor (Congress).

Majority of the Muslim women fought Lok Sabha elections as independent candidates, particularly from the seventh Lok Sabha elections onwards.

For instance, out of the nine Muslim women contestants for the seventh Lok Sabha, six were independents, two contested on the Indian National Congress ticket and one on the Janata Party ticket. All of them lost.

In the eighth Lok Sabha elections, out of the seven Muslim women candidates, five were independents, and one each belonged to the Congress and the Lok Dal. Only the Congress nominee got elected. Coming to the ninth Lok Sabha, out of the 11 women candidates, nine contested as independents and two as Congress candidates. In the 10th Lok Sabha, 14 Muslim women contested the elections, of whom six were independent candidates, two each were fielded by the Janata Party and the Janata Dal and one each by the Communist Party of India (Marxist), the Door Darshi Party (DDP), the Indian Congress Socialist (ICS), and the Congress. All of them lost.

In 1996 for the 11th Lok Sabha, a record number of 37 Muslim women tried their luck. The Congress fielded only two Muslim women (Mohsina Kidwai, a Congress loyalist, and Begum Noor Bano aka Mahatab Zamani of the royal family of Rampur), while the Samajwadi Party, the Bahujan Kranti Dal (BKD) and the Rashtriya Aikata Manch (RAM) nominated one each.

In the 12th Lok Sabha elections, a total number of 15 Muslim women contested, nine of them as independents, two on the Congress ticket and one each from the Janata Dal (J.D.), the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), the Puthiya Tamizhagam (P.T.) and the Samata Party. However, none of them was elected.

In the 13th Lok Sabha elections, 26 Muslim women contested, of whom the number of women contesting as independents was again high. The BSP fielded three; the S.P., the JD (Secular) and the Congress two each; and the Janata Party, the P.T., the RJD, the Rajasthan Vikas Party, the Bharatiya Minorities Suraksha Mahasangh and the All India Minorities Front one each. (In 2004, out of 355 women contestants, 239 lost their deposits. Only 45 women got elected).

For the 14th Lok Sabha, the total number of Muslim women contestants was 21: six independents, three each from the BSP and the Congress, and one each from the S.P., the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the CPI(M), the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, the Samata Party, the Jammu and Kashmir People’s Democratic Party, the Samajwadi Jana Parishad, the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen and the Nav Bharat Nirman Party.

It appears from the above analysis that established national parties did not entertain Muslim women unless they already had a track record (as in the case of Mohsina Kidwai) or belonged to a dynasty with influence at the grass-roots level and the means to fight the election. The other national parties, including the Left, hardly showed any concern for representation of Muslim women. In comparison, though, the BSP and the Congress have given some space to Muslim women in this regard.

FACT SHEET

• By the close of 2011, the global population would have reached 7 Billion. (That’s more than double the number of people living just 50 years ago.) About half of them are women and girls.

• 1.2 Billion people are  living in poverty

70% of them are women and children.

• Over 1 Billion Adults are  illiterate

66% of them being women.

• 27 Million are refugees

80%  of them are women and children.

Everyday ….

v  1 Billion of us go hungry

v  2 Billion of us are surviving on less than $ 1 per day.

v  1 Billion of us don’t have access to clean water

v  More than 1 Thousand women die in pregnancy or during childbirth.

A single person can…

Ø  ..teach a child to read

Ø  ..plant a tree

Ø  ..visit a senior citizen

Ø  ..find a cure

Ø  ..stand up for others

Ø  ..make someone smile

*July 11 is World Population Day

**Source : United Nations

Also contrary to expectations of the researchers, men were more likely to report being happy in their relationship, while women were more likely to report being satisfied with their sexual relationship. The couples, more than 1,000 from the United States, Brazil, Germany, Japan and Spain, where together an average 25 years.

The study from the Kinsey Institute at Indiana University, published in theArchives of Sexual Behavior, is the first to examine sexual and relationship parameters of middle-aged or older couples in committed, long-term relationships. Research efforts to understand the place of sexuality in human lives rarely involves intact couples in ongoing relationships.

“You hear repeated research and commentary about divorce; but it’s important to note that though divorce rates are high in the U.S., couples tend to stay married — more than 50 percent of U.S. couples remain in their first marriage, and that number goes up to 90 percent in Spain,” said Julia Heiman, director of The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender and Reproduction and lead author of the article. “We know from other research that being in a long-term relationship has some value to health. Perhaps we can learn more about what makes relationships both sustainable and happy.”

“This study on heterosexual couples provides a basis for future research on sex and gender, such as how same-sex couples may or may not show similarities and differences in relationship and sexual satisfaction,” Heiman said.

Relationship Satisfaction

For men, relationship happiness was more likely if the man reported being in good health and if it was important to him that his partner experienced orgasm. Surprisingly, frequent kissing or cuddling also predicted happiness in the relationship for men, but not for women. Both men and women reported more happiness the longer they had been together, and if they themselves scored higher on several sexual functioning questionnaires.

Across all five nationalities, for both men and women, the Japanese were significantly happier with their relationships than Americans, and Brazilians and Spanish reported less relationship happiness than Americans.

Sexual Satisfaction

Men and women both were likely to report sexual satisfaction if they also reported frequent kissing and cuddling, sexual caressing by the partner, higher sexual functioning, and if they had sex more frequently. On the other hand, for men, having had more sex partners in their lifetime was a predictor of less sexual satisfaction.

Men did report more relationship happiness in later years, whereas for women, their sexual satisfaction increased over time. Women who had been with their partner for less than 15 years were less likely to report sexual satisfaction, but after 15 years, the percentage went up significantly.

“Possibly, women become more satisfied over time because their expectations change, or life changes with the children grown,” Heiman said. “On the other hand, those who weren’t so happy sexually might not be married so long.”

Compared with the U.S. men, Japanese men reported significantly (2.61 times) more sexual satisfaction in their relationships. For women, Japanese and Brazilian women were more likely to report being satisfied sexually than Americans.

“We recognize that relationship satisfaction and sexual satisfaction may not be the same thing for all couples, and in all cultures,” Heiman said. “Our next step is to understand how one person’s health, physical affection and sexual experiences relate to the relationship happiness or sexual satisfaction of his or her partner. So, we hope for more couple-centered than individual-centered understanding on relationship functioning and satisfaction.”

Co-authors of the study are J. Scott Long and Shawna N. Smith, Indiana University; William A. Fisher, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada; and Michael S. Sand and Raymond C. Rosen, New England Research Institutes, Mass.

The study is available here. .

The study was supported by an independent investigator-initiated grant from Bayer-Schering. The Kinsey Institute receives support from the Office of the Vice Provost for Research at IU Bloomington (OVPR). OVPR is dedicated to supporting ongoing faculty research and creative activity and developing new multidisciplinary initiatives to enhance opportunities for federal, state, and private research funding.

Pi, the circle constant in mathematics, is in trouble, , Pi is the “irrational” infinite number you get when you divide the circumference of a circle by its diameter. It starts 3.14159265, it fits into all kinds of equations and it turns up in strange places such as the fractal geometry of the Mandelbrot Set.

Tau is the number you get when you use a circle’s radius instead. It fits neatly into equations in place of 2Pi and clears up the problem of radians, which is the way mathematicians measure angles.

According to U.S. physicist, educator, and entrepreneur Dr Michael Hartl, author of The Tau Manifesto, Pi is a “confusing and unnatural choice” for the circle constant. “I find it fascinating that the absurdity of Pi was lying in plain sight for centuries before anyone seemed to notice,”

The approximate value of Tau is 6.28, twice Pi’s 3.14, the dissident mathematicians have declared June 28 to be Tau Day — as June 28 is written as 6.28 in American style,

“Pi simply isn’t the most natural number that we should associate with a circle. The proper number is 2Pi, or Tau.”

for more reading. .

TAUDAY

Replying to a written question the minister said  the norms/ parameters for declaration/change ofPanchayats are decided by State Govts/ UT administrations and vary from State to State.

Panchayati Raj system does not apply.

Recently conducted auction of 3G spectrum has fetched Rs.3350.116 Crores per MHz, whereas there is no upfront cost of 2G spectrum as per the existing license conditions.

As on record no information is available where the price of 2G spectrum has been equated with 3G in any country of the world.

Officially proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in March 2010, a Decade of Action Plan for Road Safety 2011-2020 provides the framework to countries and communities to increase action to save lives on the world’s roads. The global launch of the Decade is planned for May, 2011.

Q: Are there more accidents per number of helicopters than any other type of aircraft?

A: Even in the U.S., helicopter accident rate is 30 percent higher than the U.S. general aviation accident rate.

U.S. general aviation accident statistics to civil helicopter (2004) statistics show that the general aviation rate is 6.22 as opposed to 8.09 for helicopters. Based on 2004 U. S. rates (an estimated 2,225,000 total flight

hours), the U.S. civil helicopter accident rate per 100,000 flight hours is 8.09 (fatal accident rate is 1.48). The U.S. civil turbine helicopter accident rate is 5.11 (the fatal accident rate is 1.21). Air taxi accident rate is 2.21 (the fatal accident rate is 0.78.) Insurance rates for the helicopter industry are high because the accident rate is high. And many insurers will refuse altogether to cover what they perceive to be high-risk helicopter operations.?

By comparison, the U.S. Air Carrier (Part 121) accident rate is only 0.159 (the fatal accident rate is 0.011). Another relevant comparison is that of 2004 U.S. general aviation accident statistics to civil helicopter statistics. These show that the G.A. rate is 6.22 as opposed to 8.09 for helicopters (in other words, the helicopter accident rate is 30 percent higher). If we are to reduce the helicopter accident rate by 80 percent, we must bring it down to 1.62 / 100,000 flight hours?

Q: How many helicopters are there by region?

A: Approximately the world helicopter fleet at the begining of the 21st century was:

Civil (about 26500 helicopters)

46.1% in North America, 18.2% in Europe, 12.7% in former Soviet Union, 12.3% in Asia/Pacific,  7.2% in South America,  3.4% in the Middle East,  0.1% in Africa

Military (about 29700 helicopters)

33.5% in North America,  21.1% in Europe, 16.6% in former Soviet Union, 13.6% in Asia/Pacific,  6.3% in the Middle East,  4.5% in Africa,  4.4% in South America.

WHAT CAUSES HELICOPTER ACCIDENTS?

Helicopters are complex, sophisticated machines. They consist of engines, rotors, drive shafts, gears, electronics, flight controls and landing gear, all of which must function properly both independently and together for the helicopter to operate safely. These individual systems and their components must be designed, manufactured, maintained and operated with the utmost skill and care if the helicopter is to fly safely.

The accident rate in helicopter flight was flat, or perhaps increasing. Vertical flight is an exclusive engineering feat that only helicopters can offer. They operate close to the ground, within the earth’s boundary layer and are exposed to hazards beyond other flight vehicles. It therefore requires special attention to ensure safety of flight. This is true in general of helicopter operations, and particular types of helicopter operations—military, fire-fighting, law enforcement, medical evacuation—are even more demanding.

The causes of helicopter accidents can be grouped into three major causal areas: Operational error, mechanical malfunction, and electrical malfunction. Within these broad categories, there are multiple underlying causes.

1. Operational Error: Although all three categories involve some degree of human error, operational error is the one where the human error is most direct and apparent. This human error can occur in flight planning, actual conduct of the flight, in training or in maintenance.

a. Failure to operate the aircraft in accordance with the aircraft’s operational limitations.
b. Operating the aircraft in unsafe environmental conditions.
c. Failing to properly plan the flight.
d. Improper maintenance
e. Improper training of flight and maintenance personnel
f. Faulty manuals, training guides, checklists and operational procedures
g. Faulty oversight, auditing and review procedures

2. Mechanical Malfunction: A component of the aircraft fails or fails to function as intended. This can happen anywhere along the component’s life.

a. Improper design
b. Inadequate testing
c. Faulty manufacture
d. Inadequate quality control
e. Inadequate operational monitoring
f. Improper use
g. Poor maintenance
h. Inadequate lubrication or cooling
i. Improper installation

3. Electrical Malfunction: Here, the electrical source stops working or one of its components has a malfunction.

a. The electrical source malfunctions
b. An electrical short occurs
c. An electrical component malfunctions
d. Inadequate design
e. Inadequate testing
f. Inadequate quality control
g. Inadequate operational monitoring

Each of these elements of the three major causal areas contains its own subset of individual factors as to exactly why and how it occurs. Sometimes these factors result in minor or no aircraft damage or injury, but all too frequently they cause great aircraft damage and personal injury, even death. One thing is true as to all causes: they are preventable.

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR HELICOPTER ACCIDENTS?

Regardless of the cause of the accident, helicopter accidents and helicopter crashes do not occur unless something goes terribly wrong, and this inevitably means that someone did something they should not have done or they failed to do something they should have done.

In deciding who ultimately is at fault, one should not, and must not, rush to judgment. Even what appears to be the most obvious cause of a particular helicopter accident could have other causes and multiple underlying causes.

It is not easy to count the elusive tiger. This time, however, it has been a massive tallying exercise that involved elaborate methods like camera-trapping (photographing the animal using automated cameras), instead of the traditional pugmark and waterhole techniques.

FOR MORE READING. . .

200 posts of Patent Examiners were created under the XI Five Year Plan. As part of the recruitment process, and examination to recruit 257 patent examiners (which includes the new posts created) was conducted on 2nd January, 2011. There is no proposal to establish more branches of patent offices. However, a list of Product Patents in Pharmaceuticals granted by the Indian Patent Office between 2005-06 to 2009-10 has been placed in the IPO website www.ipindia.nic.in.

This information was given by Shri Jyotiraditya M Scindia, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha

Diversion of Forest Land for mining Under FC Act 1980, from 1.1.2008 to 8.3.2011 is given below:

As per available information, 71.66 Million Tonnes, 79.92 Million Tonnesand 72.68 Million Tonnes waste generated in the year 2007-08,

Understanding the behaviour of the Antarctic ice sheet has been important for understanding how climate change works because this ice sheet holds enough freshwater to raise ocean levels by 61 metres. Even partial meltdowns have the potential to put major coastal cities underwater. But glaciologists are far from pinning down the behaviour of these ice sheets decisively. They have known since the 1960s that there were volcanoes, mountains and some melting under the sheets.

FOR MORE READING. . .

Share of India’ agricultural exports in global agricultural exports which was 0.85% in 1990 has increased to 1.43% in 2009.

This information was given by Shri Arun Yadav, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Industries in written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha

The Coir Board has been making efforts to popularize coir geo textiles, coir composites, coir pith, etc. as innovative products, in international market and also in different regions of the country including North-East through seminars, field demonstrations and other interventions.

The Board has taken up collaborative research project for multiple use of coir ply viz. moulded furniture, door shutters, panels etc. with RV-TIFAC Composites Design Centre, Bangalore and National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad.

In addition, a three year project on developing coir based eco-friendly products was initiated in collaboration with North East Institute of Science & Technology (NEIST), Jorhat, Assam. A new project has been initiated in collaboration with NEIST, Jorhat to develop ceramic like products out of the coir composites jointly with Central Glass & Ceramic Research Institute, Kolkata.

The research was carried out using five different makes and models of car. Sound level measurements in 80 per cent of the cars at 88.5 kmph with the top down had maximum sound recordings greater than 85 decibels. Exposure of noise above 85 dB for prolonged periods is not recommended according to the US-based National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health. The higher the noise level, the shorter the recommended exposure time.

At 120.7 kmph (75 mph) the mean noise exposure inflicted on the driver of a convertible car driven with the top open was 89.9 decibels. Not only was the mean noise exposure excessive with the top open, but the driver was also exposed to extreme noise ‘spikes’ while driving on the highway; for example, when driving next to a motorcycle or lorry. The study was undertaken using a sound level meter operated by a passenger in each car tested. The passenger took a series of between eight to ten sound level measurements at various points in the journey from the position of the driver’s left ear, at various speeds. During all data collection, the car radio was turned off, there was no conversation between occupants, air conditioning was turned off, the car horn was not used and there was no rain or other inclement weather.

Drivers of convertible cars may also be exposed to additional noise when listening to the car radio. Even for comfortable listening, the radio volume levels required while driving under the conditions assessed in this study are likely to add significantly to the noise exposure level.

During the study, no excessive noise levels were recorded from any tested car driven with the top closed, meaning there is no more than minimal risk of excessive noise exposure when driving with the convertible top closed.

• Census 2011 will be the 15th National Census of the country.

• For the first time a National Population Register (NPR) is being prepared as a part of Census exercise. This is a Register of Usual Residents.

• The NPR will be a comprehensive identity database that would help in better targetting of the benefits and services under the Government schemes/programmes, improve planning and help strengthen security of the country. This will benefit people of the country in the years to come.

• Government servants duly appointed as Enumerators visit each and every house and collect the information required by asking questions and filling up Census Forms.

• Details such as Name, Date of Birth, Sex, Present Address, Permanent Address, Names of Father, Mother and Spouse etc will be gathered by visiting each and every household. All usual residents., will be eligible to be included irrespective of their Nationality.

• In the Houselisting and Housing Census, 35 questions relating to building material, use of houses, drinking water, availability and type of latrines, electricity, possession of assets etc. are being canvassed.

• The enumerator takes down all particulars as given by respondents. Respondents are not required to show any proof.

• Each household is required to provide information without any fear. The information collected about individuals is kept absolutely confidential and will not be shared with any agency – Government or private.

• The NPR form has to be signed by the respondents. In case one requires, he/she may ask the Enumerator to read it out and then affix signature/thumb impression. In any case, do ascertain that the details are correctly entered.

• The provision of false information can invite penalties under the Census and Citizenship Acts.

• Each and every household will be given an Acknowledgement Slip at the time of enumeration.

• Once the information is compiled, the data compiled will be printed out and displayed at prominent places within the village and ward for the public to see. Objections will be sought and registered at that stage.

• The data finalized will be entered into computers in the local language of the State as well as in English. Once this database has been created, biometrics such as photograph, 10 fingerprints and probably Iris information will be added for all persons aged 15 years and above. This will be done by arranging camps at every village and at the ward level in every town.

• Each household will be required to bring the Acknowledgement Slip to such camps. Those who miss these camps will be given the opportunity to present themselves at permanent NPR Centres to be set up at the Tehsil/Town level.

• After the NPR has been finalised, the database will be used only within the Government.

• Unique ID numbers will also be generated for every person. The UID Number will be available for each individual. For those below the age of 15 years (for whom biometrics is not available), the UID Number will be linked to the parent or guardian. (PIB)

For more reading. .

• CENSUS OF INDIA SOME FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
• COUNTING CASTE TO BE OR NOT TO BE – Prof. K. Nageshwar
• A STEP TOWARDS A UNIQUE IDENTITY FOR ALL – VEENA N. MADHAVAN
• NATIONAL POPULATION REGISTER (NPR) FOR INDIA
• INDIA’S NATIONAL CENSUS 2011 : A GIGANTIC EXERCISE

As per the latest statistics published by NCRB, at the end of 2008, the sanctioned strength of prison staff was 68920 and actual strength 49250.

The shortage of officers in the Armed Forces is partly attributable to accretions from time to time, tough selection procedures, difficult service conditions coupled with perceived high degree of risk involved in service career.

Measures have been taken on an ongoing basis to reduce shortages in the officers’ cadre. In this regard, a number of steps have been taken to attract the talented youth to join the Armed Forces. All officers including those in Short Service Commission (SSC) are now eligible to hold substantive rank of Caption, Major and Lieutenant colonel after 2, 6 and 13 years of reckonable service respectively. The tenure of SSC officers has been increased from 10 years to 14 years. A total number of 750 posts of Lt. Colonel have been upgraded to colonel towards implementation of AV Singh committee Report (Phase-I). Further, 1896 additional posts in the ranks of Colonel, Brigadier, Major General and Lieutenant General and their equivalents in the other two Services have been upgraded towards implementation of AV Singh Committee Report (Phase-II). The implementation of recommendations of the VI Central Pay Commission with substantial improvement in the pay structure of officers of Armed Forces has made the Services more attractive.

The Armed Forces have also undertaken sustained image projection and publicity campaign to create awareness among the youth on the advantages of taking up a challenging and satisfying career. Awareness campaigns, participation in career fairs and exhibition, advertisements in print and electronic media, motivational lectures in schools, colleges are also some of the other measures in this direction.

This information was given by Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in a written reply to Miss Anusuiya Uikay in Rajya Sabha

03 posts of Administrative and 05 posts of Judicial Members are lying vacant in different Benches of the Central Administrative Tribunals as on 26.11.2010.  Vacancies have been advertised for selection as per the provisions of Administrative Tribunals (Procedure for appointment of Vice-Chairmen and Members) Rules, 2006.

Under section 5(4)(c) of the Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985, Chairman, CAT is empowered to authorize Members appointed to one Bench to temporarily discharge the functions of another Bench.

This was stated by Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions. Shri V.Narayanasamy in written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha

The Government has issued instructions to the effect that the appointing authorities should verify the caste status of a Scheduled Caste/ Scheduled Tribe candidate at the time of initial appointment and promotion against a vacancy reserved for them. The instructions further provide that verification of caste status should be done at every important upturn of employee’s career so that the benefit of reservation and other schemes of concessions, etc, meant for SCs/STs go only to rightful claimants. Instructions also provide that if any person gets an appointment on the basis of such false claim, he should be removed from service.

The Government of India has requested all the States/ UTs to streamline the system of verification of caste certificates so that unscrupulous non-SC/ST/OBC persons are prevented from securing jobs meant for SCs/STs/OBCs by producing false certificate. They have also been requested to initiate disciplinary proceedings against officers who default in timely verification of caste status in such cases or issue false certificates so as to rule out collusion between candidates holding false/ forged certificates and employees.

This was stated by Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions. Shri V. Narayanasamy in written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha

Non-Recognition of Electrohomoeopathy in the Country Since Electro homeopathy is not a recognized system of medicine, there are no doctors with qualifications of electro-homoeopathy.

Representations have been received from various Associations of Electro homeopathic practitioners for recognition of electro-homeopathy such as N.E.H.M. of India, , New Delhi; National Electro Homoeopathic Development Association of India, Aligarh (UP), Council of EHSM Research & Development Institute, Hyderabad, etc.

No time frame can be fixed for recognizing electro homoeopathy as a system of medicine.

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

• Tianhe-1A supercomputer, featuring more than 14,000 Intel® Xeon® 5600 series processors, is No. 1 supercomputer on 36^thedition of TOP500 list.
• Intel’s TOP500 ranking has grown incredibly in ten years, going from just six systems in the November 2000 list to 398 or nearly 80 percent today, including three of the top five.
• Intel demonstrates applications powered by Intel® Many Integrated Core (MIC) architecture.

that its Intel® Xeon® 5600 series processors, announced earlier this year, are at the heart of the world’s most powerful supercomputer, the Tianhe-1A. Located at the National Supercomputing Center in Tianjin, China, Tianhe-1A contains 14,396 Intel processors accompanied by accelerator cards, and has demonstrated groundbreaking performance of 2.57 petaflops (quadrillions of calculations per second).

In partnership with Inspur, a computer manufacturer in China, Intel worked closely with the National Supercomputing Center and its technology partners to achieve this groundbreaking performance.

The 36th edition of the TOP500 list of supercomputers, as announced at SC10, Nov. 13-19 in New Orleans, shows that nearly 80 percent of the world’s top 500 systems have Intel processors inside. Such machines are increasingly featured in computers designed for geophysics, financial calculations and scientific research focusing on mainstream applications such as improving the safety of football players and enhancing medical imaging. According to the list, Intel chips now power three of the top five systems – in addition to the No. 1 system. Xeon® 5600 series processors are a key building block in the No. 3 system (Shenzhen), and the newly listed No. 4 system at the Tokyo Institute of Technology. The New Intel® Xeon® Processor 7500 series is featured in the Bull Supernode system at CEA, newly listed at No. 6. Intel’s ranking has grown incredibly in ten years, going from just six systems in the November 2000 list to 398** or nearly 80 percent today.

Xeon processor roadmap continues to deliver hugely powerful supercomputers that are helping solve mankind’s greatest challenges,” said Rajeeb Hazra, general manager of Intel’s High Performance Computing organization. “Securing the top position on the Top500 is also a source of great pride for us, and demonstrates the tremendous leaps in performance and versatility that our processors are delivering across a range of compelling workloads.”

Additional TOP500 Success

In addition to the Tianjin supercomputer, 17,296 Intel chips power the No. 6 system on the list. The CEA system from Bull features the largest shared memory system built around the Xeon® 7500 series processor, achieving performance in excess of one petaflop.

Another notable supercomputer hails from the Tokyo Institute of Technology. Featuring Xeon® 5600 series processors within an NEC/HP system, this No. 4-ranked supercomputer achieved 2.4 petaflops.

The semi-annual TOP500 list of supercomputers is the work of Hans Meuer of the University of Mannheim, Erich Strohmaier and Horst Simon of the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center, and Jack Dongarra of the University of Tennessee. The complete report is available at www.top500.org.

Many Integrated Core (MIC) Demonstrations

During SC10, Intel conducted demonstrations showcasing the real-world capabilities of the recently announced Intel® Many Integrate Core (MIC) “Mike” architecture. These include using Intel® MIC architecture as a co-processor running financial derivative Monte Carlo demonstrations that boasted twice the performance of those conducted with prior generation technologies. The Monte Carlo application for Intel® MIC was generated using standard C++ code with an Intel® MIC-enabled version of the Intel® Parallel Studio XE 2011 software development tools, demonstrating how applications for standard Intel CPUs can scale to future Intel® MIC products.

]]> http://indiacurrentaffairs.org/china-launches-tianhe-1a-world%e2%80%99s-fastest-supercomputer/feed/ 0 http://indiacurrentaffairs.org/how-many-public-sector-enterprises-in-india/ http://indiacurrentaffairs.org/how-many-public-sector-enterprises-in-india/#comments Thu, 11 Nov 2010 11:25:45 +0000 India Current Affairs http://indiacurrentaffairs.org/?p=14476 As per Public Enterprises Survey 2008-09 that was laid in the Parliament on 25.2.10, there were 213 operating Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) as on 31.3.2009. Out of these operating CPSEs, 158 CPSEs earned profits and 54 incurred losses. One CPSE, namely, Food Corporation of India neither made profit nor suffered loss during 2008-09.

The Government established the Board for Reconstruction of Public Sector Enterprises (BRPSE) in December, 2004 to advise the Government for strengthening, modernization, reviving and restructuring of CPSEs. The concerned administrative Ministries/Departments of the CPSEs prepare proposals for revival of sick companies on case to case basis and refer them to BRPSE for the recommendations. Based on the recommendations of BRPSE, the Government has approved revival of 40 CPSEs envisaging total assistance of Rs. 23,591 crore (cash assistance of Rs. 3,276 crore in the form of infusion of funds and non-cash assistance of Rs. 20, 315 crore in the form of waivers/write offs of loans, etc.). The revival packages are applicable to the sick industrial units of these CPSEs in the different parts of the country.

This information was given by Sh. Arun Yadav, Minister of State for the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises in written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha

While Maharashtra has the maximum number of registered motor vehicles (1,09,66,000) in the country, Lakshadweep has only 6000 registered motor Vehicles. Maharashtra is followed by Tamil Nadu (1,00,54,000), Gujarat (86,22,000), Uttar Pradesh ( 79,89,000), and Andhra Pradesh (72,18,000).

Registration, regulation and control of motor vehicles falls under the purview of States/UTs. However, the States/UTs were earlier advised by the Ministry to frame policies to discourage ownership of multiple vehicles through suitable fiscal disincentives.

This information was provided by Shri Mahadeo Singh Khandela, Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways in reply to an unstarred question in the Lok Sabha

]]> http://indiacurrentaffairs.org/how-many-registered-motor-vehicles-are-there-in-india/feed/ 0 http://indiacurrentaffairs.org/burns-prevention-and-care/ http://indiacurrentaffairs.org/burns-prevention-and-care/#comments Sat, 06 Nov 2010 04:16:13 +0000 India Current Affairs http://indiacurrentaffairs.org/?p=14236 According to the International Society for Burn Injuries (ISBI), a burn occurs when some or all of the different layers of cells in the skin are destroyed by a hot liquid (scald), a hot solid (contact burns) or a flame (flame burns). Skin injuries due to ultraviolet radiation, radioactivity, electricity or chemicals, as well as respiratory damage resulting from smoke inhalation, are also considered to be burns.

Globally, burns are a serious public health problem. There are over 300,000 deaths each year from fires alone, with more deaths from scalds, electrical burns, and other forms of burns, for which global data are not available. Fire-related deaths alone rank among the 15 leading causes of death among children and young adults 5-29 years. Over 95% of fatal fire-related burns occur in low- and middle-income countries. South-East Asia alone accounts for just over one-half of the total number of fire-related deaths worldwide and females in this region have the highest fire-related burn mortality rates globally. Among the various age groups, children under 5 years and the elderly (i.e. those aged over 70 years) have the highest fire-related burn mortality rates. In addition to those who die, millions more are left with lifelong disabilities and disfigurements, often with resulting stigma and rejection.

The suffering caused by burns is even more tragic as burns are so eminently preventable. High-income countries have made considerable progress in lowering rates of burn deaths, through combinations of proven prevention strategies and through improvements in the care of burn victims. Most of these advances in prevention and care have been incompletely applied in low- and middle-income countries. Increased efforts to do so would likely lead to significant reductions in rates of burn-related death and disability. In order to promote improvements in burn prevention and care globally, WHO, along with the ISBI and other partners, has recently developed A WHO plan for burn prevention and care . This outlines what WHO would like to promote in terms of efforts across several fields of activity including: advocacy, policy, data and measurement, research, prevention, health-care services for victims, and capacity building. The plan is intended to catalyse efforts to improve burn prevention and care globally.

International Society for Burn Injuries,  hot liquid,  flame,  public health problem,  scalds, electrical burns,   fire-related burn,  health-care services for victims,

For More Reading. .

PREVENTION AND CONTROLLING THE FIRE ACCIDENTS – Srinivas.Katta

For More Reading. .

However, it is estimated that 10.43 lakh nurses would be required by 2012 in the country. Taking into account 3.72 lakh  nurses  available and 3.13 lakh nurse likely to be trained with the existing capacity, there would be shortfall of 3.50 lakh nurse.

The following steps have been initiated to bridge the shortfall: -

(i)  Establishment of 132 Auxiliary Nurse Midwifery (ANM) and 137 General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) schools in those districts of high focus states which are not having both these training programmes.

(ii) Establishment of 6 Colleges of Nursing at the sites of AIIMS like institutions one each in Rajasthan, Bihar, Chattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa and Uttarakhand.

(iii) Indian Nursing Council has also taken proactive measures to encourage opening of more nursing institutions.  A copy is at Annexure.

Annexure

PROACTIVE MEASURES TAKEN BY INDIAN NURSING COUNCIL TO ENCOURAGE OPENING OF MORE NURSING INSTITUTIONS

(i)            Student patient ratio has been relaxed from 1:5 to 1:3

(ii)            The land from 5 acres has been relaxed to construct building of 54,000 sq. ft. for  School/College of Nursing and Hostel.

(iii)            Relaxed norms for teaching faculty to start B.Sc.(N) Programme.

At least 2 M.Sc. (N) faculty to be available·

Qualification and Experience of the Nursing Teachers has been relaxed up·      to 2012.

· Sharing of teaching faculty for both Diploma and GraduateProgramme.

(iv)            Relaxation for opening M.Sc.(N) programme. Super specialty Hospital can start M.Sc. (N) without having under graduate programme.

Relaxation of student teacher ratio for· M.Sc (N) programme has been relaxed from 1:5 to 1:10

Essentiality certificate to·  open M.Sc. (N) programme from State Government is not required for those institution which are already having Indian Nursing Council recognized programme like Diploma or Degree.

· If an institution is having INC recognition for one programme then there is no need to have Essentiality Certificate for starting another nursing programme.

(v)            Admission for Nursing allowed for married candidates.

(vi)            Age increased for Teaching Faculty up to 70 years.

(vii)            Maximum of 100 seats will be given to those parent hospitals with 300 beds without insisting Medical College.

(viii)            Distance from school to hospital has been relaxed from 15 km to 30 km

(ix)            Eligibility Criteria to admission i.e. (Marks) for Diploma and Degree has been relaxed 5% (GNM – 40%, B.Sc. – 45%).

This information was given by Minister of State  for Health and Family Welfare Shri S. Gandhiselvan   in Lok Sabha

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