NIRVACHAN SADAN, ASHOKA ROAD, NEW DELHI – 110001

No.ECI/PN/25/2010                                                            Dated:9th July, 2010

Subject: Clarification in the matter of registration of a political party (YSR Congress Party) under section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

Attention of the Commission has been drawn to reports in some section of media that a new party by the name of ‘YSR Congress Party’ has filed an application with the Commission for its registration as a political party. It is clarified that an application in the name of ‘YSR Congress Party’ for its registration under section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 by one Shri Mahaboob Basha was received in the Commission on 13.11.2009. Shri Mahaboob Basha is mentioned as the president of the proposed party and the address of the proposed party is D.No.7/2(A), Chila Kala, Bavi Street, Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh – 516001. According to the application the party (association) was formed on 18.09.2009. Registration as a political party is granted under section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. As per sub-section 2(b) of aforesaid section 29A, the application shall be made within 30 days next following the date of formation of the association or body.

Upon examination of the application in the Commission it was noticed that, the application of proposed ‘YSR Congress Party’ was made on 13.11.2009 whereas the party/association was formed on 18.09.2009. Thus the application was not made within 30 days next following the date of its formation and therefore, had become time barred in accordance with sub-section 2(b) of section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. As a result, Commission was in no position to entertain and process the application any further. This position was explained to the applicant vide Commission’s letter No. 56/197/2009/PPS-1/77 dated 30.11.2009 and the application fee of Rs.10,000/- was returned therewith.

The applicant thereafter represented before the Commission on 29.12.2009 for reconsideration of his case on the grounds that while on 18.09.2009 an association was formed, on 05.11.2009 the association resolved to convert itself into a political party. Therefore, the date of formation of the political party should be taken as 05.11.2009 and therefore they were not time barred. This submission was also examined in the Commission. The facts as claimed by the petitioners were not borne out from the petition. Therefore, the request of the applicant could not be acceded to and the applicant was informed of the Commission’s decision vide its letter No.56/197/2009/PPS-1/301 dated 11.05.2010.

The applicant has once again submitted the application dated 28.05.2010 on 01.06.2010 for reconsideration of his case. No new facts have been adduced. The prevailing law does not provide for extension of time for the purpose of making an application for the registration of a political party. There is also no provision to condone the stipulated time of 30 days. The current status is that the application made by Shri Mahaboob Basha for registration of ‘YSR Congress Party’ as a political party is time barred and cannot be entertained by the Commission.

On 05.07.2010 the Commission has received another application from one Shri S. Venkataramana Reddy of D.No.7-1-429, Gandhi Nagar Street, Siddavatam Road, Dadwel Post Village Town Mandal, Kadapa District, Andhra Pradesh seeking to register a political party by the name of ‘YSR Praja Party’. This application is being examined in the Commission in accordance with due procedure. Further action will be taken in accordance with extant provisions.

(VARINDER KUMAR) SECRETARY

India and the US have signed an agreement on reprocessing of American nuclear spent fuel by India, marking the final steps in terms of implementation of the landmark civil nuclear deal between the two countries.

Upon entry into force, the arrangements and procedures will enable reprocessing by India of the US obligated nuclear material at a new national reprocessing facility to be established by India, dedicated to the reprocessing of safeguarded nuclear material under International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards. The agreement in this regard was signed Friday by the US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs William Burns and Indian Ambassador to the US Meera Shankar, at the Foggy Bottom headquarters of the State Department.

“This arrangement, negotiated and concluded under President Obama, reflects the Administration’s strong commitment to building successfully on the landmark US-India Civil Nuclear Cooperation Initiative and is a prerequisite for US nuclear fuel suppliers to conduct business with India,” the State Department said in a statement. The Indian Embassy said signing of the Agreement is a significant step which highlights the strong relationship and growing cooperation between the two countries.

It enables reprocessing by India of US-obligated nuclear material under IAEA safeguards and will facilitate participation by US firms in India’s rapidly expanding civil nuclear energy sector.

“With this we have taken another significant step forward in the implementation of our bilateral agreement for cooperation in peaceful uses of nuclear energy,” Shankar said in her remarks on the occasion. The hard and meticulous work done by the Indian and US negotiators that led to the completion of negotiations, well ahead of the stipulated period of one year, Shankar said reflects how the two countries are increasingly getting into the habit of working together.

The signing of this Agreement today, and a few days back, of the Counter-terrorism Cooperation initiative in New Delhi, is a reflection of deepening ties between India and the United States, Shankar said. The historic bilateral cooperation agreement for peaceful uses of nuclear energy, the 123 Agreement, that the two countries signed two years back provided for reprocessing of US obligated nuclear material in an Indian national facility under IAEA safeguards, she said.

Previously, the US had extended such reprocessing consent only to the European Union (EURATOM) and Japan. “The Civil Nuclear Cooperation Initiative has facilitated significant new commercial opportunities across India’s multi-billion dollar nuclear energy market, including the designation of two nuclear reactor park sites for US technology in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat,” the State Department said.

“Increased civil nuclear trade with India will create thousands of new jobs for the US economy while helping India to meet its rising energy needs in an environmentally responsible way by reducing the growth of carbon emissions,” it said. “These Arrangements and Procedures are pursuant to Article 6 (iii) of the 123 Agreement and an important component of our bilateral civil nuclear cooperation,” said the Indian Ambassador.

Shankar said India has an ambitious programme for development of civil nuclear energy to meet its growing energy needs. The target is to increase our installed capacity more than seven fold to 35000 MW by the year 2022, and to 60,000 MW by 2032. India has already designated two sites for nuclear power plants to be established in cooperation with the US and the companies of the two countries are now engaged in discussions.

]]> http://indiacurrentaffairs.org/us-india-sign-agreement-on-reprocessing-of-nuclear-spent-fuel/feed/ 0 http://indiacurrentaffairs.org/the-park-wood-episode-new-media-new-tool-to-victimize-rape-victims-prof-madabhushi-sridhar/ http://indiacurrentaffairs.org/the-park-wood-episode-new-media-new-tool-to-victimize-rape-victims-prof-madabhushi-sridhar/#comments Sat, 31 Jul 2010 08:24:04 +0000 India Current Affairs http://indiacurrentaffairs.org/?p=8512 Current Affairs legalIssues:

Every sexual crime incident is an interesting news item for media- both print and electronic. When an international school principal is involved as an accused in such a crime where he was arrested for alleged rape of a 11th class student of 17 years, the TV channels showed building shots of all the international schools of Hyderabad unmindful of the fact they are suggesting that those schools also are dangerous for the girls. A case of rape and criminal intimidation has been booked against Salahuddin Ayub, Principal of Parkwood International School at Manneguda near Vikarabad on the outskirts of Hyderabad (Times of India, Hyderabad Newsreport, 22nd July, 2010). While the parents of the girl from Mumbai alleged that she was repeatedly raped by the principal during the last one year, the school authorities denied claimed that they were aimed at defaming their popular school, which has branches in the Middle East.

Crime: As News, Case, Story, Money, Success

Generally, once the arrest scenes are repeatedly shown, the media focus shifts on to the investigation process, which happened in this case too. The police tried to use the media’s interest to reveal the details of ‘confession’ of the accused to tell the world that they did an efficient job and caught the real culprit. Whole strength of such reports is the unnamed ‘sources’, as revealed by the following sentences:

“According to sources (phrase frequently used by media, without telling who the sources are), accused confessed that he used to stay on the third floor of Princes Court Block, where girls used to stay on the school campus. Every day he used to call girl students from the first floor to the penthouse and urged them to stay even during late hours, sources said, quoting the confession statement drafted on a laptop. In March, the girl went to his room at 9.30 pm to clear some doubts. At that time, he hatched a plan and mixed a sedative in her cool drink and gave it to the girl, who after drinking it fell unconscious. He then raped the girl and also threatened her with his licensed 0.32 pistol that if she reveals to anybody he would kill her, the sources said. ….Accused also confessed that he took the girl to two hospitals. He first took her to a corporate hospital in Banjara Hills on May 5 suspecting pregnancy. He stood outside the hospital and sent the girl inside by giving her the required money. After that, he took the girl to a private nursing home at Lower Tank Bund for subsequent treatment. A lady doctor at the hospital gave her some pills for abortion. Sources said he also confessed that he had the habit of taking photographs and videos of girl students at various times and used to see them during night. He also stated in the confession that he used to take the girls outside the school premises without noting in the security register. “On July 1, some girl students came to my room to see a movie on TV. The foreign student slept in my room while watching TV. I asked the other students to leave the girl in my room. When all the girls went away I touched her …and tried to remove her clothes…But she resisted and cried loudly. Then I changed my mind and threatened the girl not to reveal this to anybody,” Ayub admitted in the confession. (Times of India, Hyderabad, 25th July 2010)

Releasing of such ‘sensational’ information with details of incident either formally or informally to the media will not strengthen the case of prosecution in any manner. Still give and take happens happily on both the sides.

Neither the police nor the media bother whether such confession to police officer would be admissible in court or enough to prove the guilt? After the confession story is written, both the media and police wash off their hands. Further investigation successes do not appear in media. Once media loses interest, case becomes a routine and no one would be watching the process of destroying evidence, diluting the investigation etc. Every one starts talking about the case only when the case ends in acquittal or nominal sentence is pronounced.

Reporting in media (Times of India, Hyderabad, 24th July 2010) that police seized handycam camera with memory card in which the sleazy scenes were recorded and the .32 pistol used to threaten, or other parts of investigation including the recording of statements of doctors who examined the victim, would help the readers to know the progress. The details of the recordings are again not required to be reported. All these will help the accused to develop plan to dilute or sabotage or destroy the strength, which happens when media ‘forgets’ this totally. Thus media by it’s over enthusiastic reporting of details of confession and seized articles in the beginning and by silence or negligence or being busy with other crime of contemporary interest, will be helping accused than the victim.  Crime is a just a thing of interest for media, while a challenge for police to bring publicity to their efficiency,  a case for courts and ignominy or worse than that for the victim, while reports serve the accused as ‘alerts’ at every stage. The dishonesty and corruption in the system stand as great strengths for the accused in destroying the case. As the judgment day arrives, it is the judiciary that gets blamed. Justice is another victim.

Blog to Assassinate the Character

In the process another worst thing is happening every time for the victim, this time in case of this school girl’s rape is the use of new medium for character assassination of the victim in defence of the rape accused. The character assassination is being used as vital weapon by almost all accused, of sexual offence. A blog created to defame and demoralize this 17 year old student victim of rape.  Times of India made it a banner item, which perhaps make people to rush to search the blog to know who the victim is. It proclaims that blog contains a photograph and other details, which evince sufficient interest among the netizens. The banner news report says: “Stooping to a new low and in contravention of various laws of the land, a blog has been floated with the express purpose of disgracing the rape victim of Class XI of Parkwood School and her family. The blog identifies the 17-year-old, who has levelled charges of rape against the school’s director and has posted her pictures on cyberspace. It also raises questions about her ‘relationship’ with other male students of the school, apart from rubbishing all her statements made in connection with this case. Worse, it even gives out a picture of the girl sourced from her profile on a social networking site…..While it cannot be ascertained who the creator of the blog is, its content makes it amply clear that it serves the purpose of the disgruntled school management. The blog claims that it has been created to foil the “malicious attempt to defame the director and the school” and goes on to list in detail the victim’s family background, naming her parents, siblings among others.” (Times of India, Hyderabad, 30th July 2010).  This claim would be enough to register a  case against the accused and his group.

The report also quotes the father of the victim saying; “They (the management) have not only posted her pictures all over but have made false allegations. It is not just unlawful but also immoral”.

The suspicion that blog is created by the accused group is further consolidated by the points made in the newsreport: “The blog reads like the repeat of the rant of the school management and carries the claims it had made last week when the rape case was filed against M S Ayub, the school director. While the school management, mainly Ayub’s sister, Ayesha Tanvir, had later stated that they would let the law take its own course in the matter, the blogger has curiously used every point Tanvir had made last week.”

References to the statement of the victim to the police, attributes motive of ‘hidden agenda’ to the victim, or ridiculing the allegations of video making or photography by the accused,  are the factors which show pointing finger to the accused.

Can Law Comes to the Rescue of Victim

The law made it very clear that it would be a crime to reveal the identity of the rape victim. Section 228A of Indian Penal Code, which is introduced in 1983, prescribed 2 years of imprisonment and fine for this offence.

228A. Disclosure of identity of the victim of certain offences etc.

(1) Whoever prints or publishers the name or any matter which may make known the identity of any person against whom an offence under section 376, section 376A, section 376B, section 376C, or section 376D is alleged or found to have been committed (hereafter in this section referred to as the victim) shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years and shall also be liable to fine.

(2) Nothing in sub-section (1) extends to any printing or publication of the name or any matter which may make known the identity of the victim if such printing or publication is:-

(a) By or under the order in writing of the officer-in-charge of the police station or the police officer making the investigation into such offence acting in good faith for the purposes of such investigation; or

(b) By, or with authorization in writing of, the victim; or

(c) Where the victim is dead or minor or of unsound mind, by, or with the authorization in writing of, the next of kin of the victim:

Provided that no such authorization shall be given by the next of kin to anybody other than the chairman or the secretary, by whatever name called, of any recognized welfare institution or organization.

Explanation:- For the purpose of this section, “recognized welfare institution or organization” means a social welfare institution or organization recognized in this behalf by the Central or State Government.

(3) Whoever prints or publishes any matter in relation to any proceeding before a court with respect to an offence referred to in sub-section (1) without the previous permission of such court shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years and shall also be liable to fine.

Explanation: - The printing or publication of the judgment of any High Court or the Supreme Court does not amount to an offence within the meaning of this section

The Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted by the U.N. in 1989 (India acceded to it in 1992), under a protocol of May 2000, calls for “protecting the privacy and identity of child victims and avoid inappropriate dissemination of information that could lead to the identification of child victims.”

Justice Arijit Pasayat of the Supreme Court said, as recently as February 28, 2006 (Dinesh @ Buddha vs State of Rajasthan): “Sec. 228-A of IPC makes disclosure of identity of victim of certain offences punishable … True it is, the restriction does not relate to printing or publication of judgment of High Court or Supreme Court. But keeping in view the social object of preventing social victimisation or ostracism of the victim of a sexual offence for which Sec. 228 A has been enacted, it would be appropriate that in the judgments, be it of this court, High Court or Lower Court, the name of the victim should not be indicated.”

The guidelines of the International Federation of Journalists ask professionals to have respect for the privacy and identity of children and consider the consequences of publication of any report, and the need to minimize harm to children.

Norms by Press Council

The Press Council of India’s norms for journalistic conduct say that in reporting sexual assault on children, names, photos and particulars of their identity shall not be published. Press Council of India laid down Norm No.14 which states: “Caution against identification: While reporting crime involving rape, abduction or kidnap of women/females or sexual assault on children, or raising doubts and questions touching the chastity, personal character and privacy of women, the names, photographs of the victims or other particulars leading to their identity shall not be published.”

Crime against Juvenile

The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2000 clearly lays down: “No report in any newspaper, magazine or news-sheet or visual media of any enquiry regarding a juvenile in conflict with law (under an amendment proposed and now under consideration by the Standing Committee of Parliament, the words `or a child in need of care and protection’ are to be added here) under this Act shall disclose the names, address or school or any other particulars calculated to lead to the identification of the juvenile.”

It is quite possible that the allegations made in the blog would attract the definition of criminal defamation under section 499 and punishment of two years of imprisonment and fine under section 500 of IPC.

Cyber Crimes

It could be even a crime under new cyber law in India, such as sending offensive messages (S66A of Information Technology Act, 2000 as amended in 2008), publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form (S 67), transmitting of material depicting children in sexually explicit act in electronic form (S 67B) besides being cyber defamation.

Any person who sends, by means of a computer resource or a communication device – (a) any information that is grossly offensive or has menacing character; or (b) any information which he knows to be false, but for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience, danger, obstruction, insult, injury, criminal intimidation, enmity, hatred or ill will, persistently by making use of such computer resource or a communication device; …..shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years and with fine. (Section 66A of IT Act, 2000)

Blocking Blogging

Section 69A gives power to state or central government to direct for blocking for public access any information through any computer resource. This is the suitable case for invoking the power under section 69A to block this blog. This direction can be issued to the intermediary or server or subscriber and if this direction is violated, it will attract a penalty of seven year imprisonment and also fine. {S 69A(3)]

It is a known fact that if the physical sexual assault is first rape of the victim, second is done by media and third by the prosecution. If the in camera is not the rule, there would be another rape by media while victim was being cross examined. Finally in the text of judgment, if it goes in appeal, in appellate court’s orders, the debate and discussion continues to hurt the reputation of the victim, for which no remedy could be imagined. Blogging is another tool now to victimize the victim, further.

Prof. Madabhushi Sridhar,

Coordinator NALSAR Center for Media Law & Public Policy

• FARMERS RIGHTS OF SELLING SEEDS- Prof.Madabhushi Sridhar
• RESERVATION FOR WOMEN IN LEGISLATIVE HOUSES: TOWARDS EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN
• AP MEDIA IN LEGAL TROUBLE FROM CORPORATE COMPLAINTS – Madabhushi Sridhar
• RELENTLESS COVERAGE FANNED TELANGANA FLAMES – Prof.Madabhushi Sridhar
• BABRI DEMOLITION – Whether Judiciary was within the frame of Constitution? – Prof.Madabhushi Sridhar
• CRISIS IN ANDHRA PRADESH AND THE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS – Prof. Madabhushi Sridhar
• DEMISE OF YS:IS IT DEMISE OF AP CABINET ALSO? -Prof.Madabhushi Sridhar
• PUBLIC INTEREST VALIDATES MEDIA TRIAL – Prof. Madabhushi Sridhar

]]> http://indiacurrentaffairs.org/the-park-wood-episode-new-media-new-tool-to-victimize-rape-victims-prof-madabhushi-sridhar/feed/ 0 http://indiacurrentaffairs.org/on-corruption-in-commonwealth-games%e2%80%99-organisation/ http://indiacurrentaffairs.org/on-corruption-in-commonwealth-games%e2%80%99-organisation/#comments Sat, 31 Jul 2010 07:52:23 +0000 India Current Affairs http://indiacurrentaffairs.org/?p=8468 The reported payment of big sums of money by the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee to an obscure British based company seems to be a case of high level corruption. The Organising Committee is reported to have paid around Rs. 1.68 crore (2,47,467 pound) to a company, A. M. Films. It is further alleged that this company is receiving 25,000 pounds every month.   More than Rs. 3 crore  has so far been paid to this company. The British government has already pointed out various irregularities in the contract with the company.

It is imperative that the Central Government immediately order   a high level investigation into this   contract and the transactions undertaken. It is shocking that such large-scale misuse of public funds has taken place in the name of the Commonwealth Games. The government must act expeditiously and those found guilty must be brought to book.

Q1. What is an Electronic Voting machine? In what way its functioning is different from the conventional system of voting?

Ans. An Electronic Voting Machine consists of two Units – a Control Unit and a Balloting Unit – joined by a five-meter cable. The Control Unit is with the Presiding Officer or a Polling Officer and the Balloting Unit is placed inside the voting compartment. Instead of issuing a ballot paper, the Polling Officer in-charge of the Control Unit will press the Ballot Button. This will enable the voter to cast his vote by pressing the blue button on the Balloting Unit against the candidate and symbol of his choice.

Q2. When was the EVM first introduced in elections?

Ans. EVMs manufactured in 1989-90 were used on experimental basis for the first time in 16 Assembly Constituencies in the States of Madhya Pradesh (5), Rajasthan (5) and NCT of Delhi (6) at the General Elections to the respective Legislative Assemblies held in November, 1998.

Q3. How can EVMs be used in areas where there is no electricity?

Ans. EVMs run on an ordinary 6 volt alkaline battery manufactured by Bharat Electronics Ltd., Bangalore and Electronic Corporation of India Ltd., Hyderabad. Therefore, even in areas with no power connections, EVMs can be used.

Q4. What is the maximum number of votes which can be cast in EVMs?

Ans. EVMs can record a maximum of 3840 votes. As normally the total number of electors in a polling station will not exceed 1500, the capacity of EVMs is more than sufficient.

Q5. What is the maximum number of candidates which EVMs can cater to?

Ans. EVMs can cater to a maximum of 64 candidates. There is provision for 16 candidates in a Balloting Unit. If the total number of candidates exceeds 16, a second Balloting Unit can be linked parallel to the first Balloting Unit. Similarly, if the total number of candidates exceeds 32, a third Balloting Unit can be attached and if the total number of candidates exceeds 48, a fourth Balloting Unit can be attached to cater to a maximum of 64 candidates.

Q6. What will happen if the number of contesting candidates in a constituency goes beyond 64?

Ans. In case the number of contesting candidates goes beyond 64 in any constituency, EVMs cannot be used in such a constituency. The conventional method of voting by means of ballot box and ballot paper will have to be adopted in such a constituency.

Q7. What will happen if the EVM in a particular polling station goes out of order?

Ans. An Officer is put on duty to cover about 10 polling stations on the day of poll. He will be carrying spare EVMs and the out-of-order EVM can be replaced with a new one. The votes recorded until the stage when the EVM went out of order will be safe in the memory of the Control Unit and it will be sufficient to proceed with the polling after the EVM went out of order. It is not necessary to start the poll from the beginning.

Q8. Who has the devised the EVMs?

Ans. The EVMs have been devised and designed by Election Commission in collaboration with two Public Sector undertakings viz., Bharat Electronics Ltd., Bangalore and Electronic Corporation of India Ltd., Hyderabad after a series of meetings, test-checking of the prototypes and extensive field trials. The EVMs are now manufactured by the above two undertakings.

Q9. What is the cost of the machines? Is it not too expensive to use EVMs?

Ans. The cost per EVM (One Control Unit, one Balloting Unit and one battery) was Rs.5,500/- at the time the machines were purchased in 1989-90. Even though the initial investment is somewhat heavy, this is more than neutralised by the savings in the matter of printing of ballot papers in lakhs, their transportation, storage etc., and the substantial reduction in the counting staff and the remuneration paid to them.

Q10. In our country a sizeable section of the population being illiterate will it not cause problems for the illiterate voters?

Ans. In fact, voting by EVMs is simpler compared to the conventional system, where one has to put the voting mark on or near the symbol of the candidate of his choice, fold it first vertically and then horizontally and thereafter put it into the ballot box. In EVMs, the voter has to simply press the blue button against the candidate and symbol of his choice and the vote is recorded. Rural and illiterate people had no difficulty in recording their votes and, in fact they have welcomed the use of EVMs.

Q11. Can booth – capturing be prevented by the use of EVMs?

Ans. By booth-capturing, if one means, taking away or damaging of ballot boxes or ballot papers, this evil cannot be prevented by the use of EVMs as EVMs can also be forcibly taken away or damaged by miscreants. But if one looks at booth capturing as a case of miscreants intimidating the polling personnel and stamping the ballot papers on the symbol and escaping in a matter of minutes, this can be prevented by the use of EVMs. The EVMs are programmed in such a way that the machines will record only five votes in a minute. As recording of votes has necessarily to be through Control Unit and Balloting Unit, whatever be the number of miscreants they can record vote only at the rate of 5 per minute. In the case of ballot papers, the miscreants can distribute all the 1000 odd ballot papers assigned to a polling station, among themselves, stamp them, stuff them into the ballot boxes and run away before the police reinforcements reach. In half- an –hour, the miscreants can record only a maximum of 150 votes by which time, chances are the police reinforcement would have arrived. Further, the presiding Officer or one of the Polling Officers can always press the “close” button as soon as they see some intruders inside the polling station. It will not be possible to record any vote when once the ‘close’ button is pressed and this will frustrate the efforts of the booth-capturers.

Q12. Is it possible to use EVMs for simultaneous elections for Parliament and State Legislative Assembly?

Ans. Yes

It is possible to use EVMs for simultaneous elections for Parliament and State Legislative Assembly and the existing EVMs have been designed keeping this requirement in view.

Q13. What are the advantages in using EVMs?

Ans. The most important advantage is that the printing of millions of ballot papers can be dispensed with, as only one ballot paper is required for fixing on the Balloting Unit at each polling station instead of one ballot paper for each individual elector. This results in huge savings by way of cost of paper, printing, transportation, storage and distribution. Secondly, counting is very quick and the result can be declared within 2 to 3 hours as compared to 30-40 hours, on an average, under the conventional system. Thirdly, there are no invalid votes under the system of voting under EVMs. The importance of this will be better appreciated, if it is remembered that in every General Election, the number of invalid votes is more than the winning margin between the winning candidate and the second candidate, in a number of constituencies. To this extent, the choice of the electorate will be more correctly reflected when EVMs are used.

Q14. Does the use of EVMs slow down the pace of poll?

Ans. No

In fact the pace of poll is quickened by the use of EVMs as it is not necessary for the voter to first unfold the ballot paper, mark his preference, fold it again, go to the place where the ballot box is kept and drop it in the box. What he has to do under the system of EVMs is simply to press the button near the candidate and symbol of his choice.

Q15. With ballot boxes counting is done after mixing the ballot papers. Is it possible to adopt this system when EVMs are used?

Ans. The normal rule is to count the votes polling station-wise and this is what is being done when EVM is used in each polling station. The mixing system of counting is done only in those constituencies specially notified by the Election Commission. Even in such cases, the result from each EVM can be fed into a Master Counting Machine in which case, only the total result of an Assembly Constituency will be known and not the result in each individual polling station.

Q16. How long the Control Unit stores the result in its memory?

Ans. The Control Unit can store the result in its memory for 10 years and even more.

Q17. Wherever an election petition is filed, the result of the election is subject to the final outcome. The courts, in appropriate cases, may order a recount of votes. Whether EVMs can be stored for such a long time and whether the result can be taken in the presence of the officers authorised by Courts? Will not the battery leak or otherwise damage EVMs?

Ans. The battery is required only to activate the EVMs at the time of polling and counting. As soon as the polling is over, the battery can be switched off and this will be required to be switched on only at the time of counting. The battery can be removed as soon as the result is taken and can be kept separately. Therefore, there is no question of battery leaking or otherwise damaging EVMs. Even when the battery is removed the memory in the microchip remains intact. If the Court orders a recount, the Control Unit can be reactivated by fixing the battery and it will display the result stored in the memory.

Q18. Is it possible to vote more than once by pressing the button again and again?

Ans. No

As soon as a particular button on the Balloting Unit is pressed, the vote is recorded for that particular candidate and the machine gets locked. Even if one presses that button further or any other button, no further vote will be recorded. This way the EVMs ensure the principle of “one man, one vote”.

Q19. How can a voter be sure that the EVM is working and his vote has been recorded?

Ans. As soon as the voter presses the `blue button’ against the candidate and symbol of his choice, a tiny lamp on the left side of the symbol glows red and simultaneously a long beep sound is heard. Thus, there is both audio and visual indications for the voter to be assured that his vote has been recorded.

Q20. Is it true that sometimes because of short-circuitry or other reason, a voter is likely to get an electric shock while pressing the `blue button ?

Ans. No

EVMs work on a 6-volt battery and there is absolutely no chance of any voter getting an electric shock at the time of pressing the `blue button’ or at any time of handling the balloting unit.

Q21. Is it possible to program the EVMs in such a way that initially, say upto 100 votes, votes will be recorded exactly in the same way as the `blue buttons’ are pressed, but thereafter, votes will be recorded only in favor of one particular candidate irrespective of whether the `blue button’ against that candidate or any other candidate is pressed?

Ans. The microchip used in EVMs is sealed at the time of import. It cannot be opened and any rewriting of program can be done by anyone without damaging the chip. There is, therefore, absolutely no chance of programming the EVMs in a particular way to select any particular candidate or political party.

Q22. Will it not be difficult to transport the EVMs to the polling stations?

Ans. No

Rather it will be easier to transport the EVMs compared to ballot boxes as EVMs are lighter, portable and come with polypropylene carrying cases.

Q23. In many areas of the country, there is no electricity connection and even in those places where there is electricity connection, power supply is erratic. In this scenario will it not create problem in storing the machines without air conditioning?

Ans. There is no need to air condition the room/hall where EVMs are stored. What is required is only to keep the room/hall free from dust dampness and rodents as in the case of ballot boxes.

Q24. In the conventional system, it will be possible to know the total number of votes polled at any particular point of time. In EVMs ‘Result’ portion is sealed and will be opened only at the time of counting. How can the total number of votes polled be known on the date of poll?

Ans. In addition to the ‘Result’ button, there is a ‘total’ button on EVMs. By pressing this button the total number of votes polled upto the time of pressing the button will be displayed without indicating the candidate-wise tally.

Q25. The Balloting Unit has provision for 16 candidates. In a constituency, there are only 10 candidates. The voter may press any of the buttons from 11 to 16. Will these votes not be wasted?

Ans. No

The panels for candidates Nos. 11 to 16 will be masked before use. Further, recording of votes for candidates 11 to 16 will also be blanked off electronically, as the candidates’ switch is set on 10. Therefore, there is no question of any voter pressing any of the buttons for candidates 11 to 16 or the votes for these candidates being recorded in the EVMs.

Q26. Ballot boxes are engraved so as to avoid any scope for complaint of replacement of these boxes. Is there any system of numbering EVMs?

Ans. Yes

Each Control Unit has a unique ID Number, which is painted on each unit with a permanent marker. This ID Number will be allowed to be noted by the Polling Agents and will also be recorded in a Register maintained for the purpose by the Returning Officer. The address tag attached to the Control Unit also will indicate this ID Number. Therefore, there is no question of replacement of any EVM.

Q27. Is there any provision for issue of tendered ballot papers when EVMs are used?

Ans. Yes

There is provision for issue of tendered ballot papers under the system of EVMs also. But, when such a situation arises, the voter concerned will be issued an ordinary ballot paper. After marking the ballot paper with the arrow cross mark rubber stamp supplied, the tendered ballot paper will be put inside a cover specially provided for the purpose, sealed and kept by the Presiding Officer.

Q28. In the conventional system, before the commencement of poll, the Presiding Officer shows to the polling agents present that the ballot box to be used in the polling station is empty. Is there any such provision to satisfy the polling agents that there are no hidden votes already recorded in the EVMs?

Ans. Yes

Before the commencement of poll, the Presiding Officer demonstrates to the polling agents present that there are no hidden votes already recorded in the machine by pressing the result button. Thereafter, he will conduct a mock poll by asking the polling agents to record their votes and will take the result to satisfy them that the result shown is strictly according to the choice recorded by them. Thereafter, the Presiding Officer will press the clear button to clear the result of the mock poll before commencing the actual poll.

Q29. How can one rule out the possibility of recording further votes at any time after close of the poll and before the commencement of counting by interested parties?

Ans. As soon as the last voter has voted, the Polling Officer in-charge of the Control Unit will press the ‘Close’ Button. Thereafter, the EVM will not accept any vote. Further, after the close of poll, the Balloting Unit is disconnected from the Control Unit and kept separately. Votes can be recorded only through the Balloting Unit. Again the Presiding officer, at the close of the poll, will hand over to each polling agent present an account of votes recorded. At the time of counting of votes, the total will be tallied with this account and if there is any discrepancy, this will be pointed out by the Counting Agents

Source:  Election Commission of India

]]> http://indiacurrentaffairs.org/the-story-of-electronic-voting-machines-evms/feed/ 0 http://indiacurrentaffairs.org/ec-derecognized-rjd-as-national-party-others-lost-state-party-status/ http://indiacurrentaffairs.org/ec-derecognized-rjd-as-national-party-others-lost-state-party-status/#comments Sat, 31 Jul 2010 07:04:53 +0000 India Current Affairs http://indiacurrentaffairs.org/?p=8454 Lalu Prasad’s Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has been derecognized as a national party by the Election Commission, a decision that comes ahead of the Assembly polls in Bihar. Five other parties also lost their recognition as a State party.

Election Commission sources said on Friday that while the parties may retain their symbol, they would lose facilities like utilizing All India Radio and Doordarshan for poll-eve broadcasts and free copies of electoral rolls. The RJD which is a recognised party in Bihar, Jharkhand, Manipur and Nagaland lost its national party recognition following its poor showing in Jharkhand where the party has been derecognized.

To get the national party status, a party should be recognised as a State party in at least four States. Vaiko-led MDMK is among the five parties which lost its State party recognition in Tamil Nadu where Assembly polls are due by May next year.

The Election Commission also withdrew recognition to Janata Dal (United), Samajwadi Party, Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) and Arunachal Congress in some States following their poor poll performance. The Arunachal Congress lost its State party status in Arunachal Pradesh, the PMK in Puducherry and Samajwadi Party in Uttaranchal and Madhya Pradesh. The Janata Dal (United), a recognised party in Bihar and Jharkhand, lost its recognition in Jharkhand.

However, the PMK will continue to be accorded the State party status in Tamil Nadu and Samajwadi Party a similar privilege in Uttar Pradesh. Trinamool Congress and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), which were also served notices earlier, sought more time to present their case, EC sources said.

The Commission had earlier issued notices to these seven parties asking them to explain why their recognition in some states should not be withdrawn as they failed to fulfill EC’s conditions for being declared as a State Party. The notices were served based on their performance in polls to Lok Sabha or State Legislative Assemblies since last year.

The Election Commission conditions for getting recognition include that the total number of valid votes polled by all the candidates of a party at the last Lok Sabha or Assembly election should not be less than 6 per cent of the total votes polled.

EC press release on this issue from here:

The TRS nominees won from the five assembly constituencies whose results were announced in the early hours Saturday. In Huzurabad, TRS candidate E Rajendra defeated his nearest TDP rival by a margin of 55,360 votes. In Koreatla, TRS candidate K Vidyasagar Rao won by a margin of 45,895 votes against his Congress rival J Ratnakar Rao.

In Sircilla, TRS President K Chandrashekhar Rao’s son K T Rama Rao won by a majority of 44,642 votes over his Congress rival K K Mahinder Reddy. In Yellareddy, TRS candidate E Ravinder Reddy defeated his Congress rival Mohammad Ali Sabire.

In Warrangal West constituency, TRS nominee D Vinay Bhaskare trounced his Congress rival by a margin of 67,524 votes. The results of the five constituencies came late, as ballot papers were used for polling as a number of candidates exceeded the maximum limit of 64 for an EVM.

TRS has bagged six constituencies whose results were announced Friday. The BJP retained the lone seat of Nizamabad it contested. The by-polls were necessitated as the sitting MLAs -10 from TRS and one each from TDP and BJP- had quit their post in support of separate Telangana demand. The TDP MLA has subsequently joined TRS and won from Vemulawada in the current polls.

“Like most of you I too have grown with news. I have found news as essential in the conduct of my professional and personal life. Over the decades, the approach to news both from providers and receivers has changed quite a bit. But these changes have largely related to presentation and formats. But news has remained news. In the increasingly competitive world of media, we have come across terms like morning news, evening news, prime-time news, headline news, latest news and more recently breaking news. But, paid news? This coinage does not fall within the nationality of news even by the farthest stretch of imagination. In fact, it represents the epitome of anti-news. If you allow me to remove the layer of politeness provided by English language, the Hindi equivalent could be “ Kharidi Hui Khabar”, or “Bikau Khabar” or even something more outrageous, depending on the accuracy that a better translator can bring in. Paid news is downright unethical, and sinister.

I also understand that the malaise has now gone deep enough and cuts across print and electronic, regional and national and language and English media. For me, it is heartbreaking to know that young and talented reporters are being used as the new foot soldiers of this immoral news selling industry. We at the Election Commission of India are seriouslyconcerned, as all of you are. Many of us have been dealing with the problem of surrogate advertising for quite a while. Some instructions are in place to prevent stealthy advertising in favour of or against candidates. The success in this has only been moderate. But the new camouflage for advertising is “news”. To some extent, the menace has played out its role in manipulating real estate and stock market; but this is not my official headache. We feel directly concerned with the infiltration of this evil into the election arena. We do realize with all seriousness the impact of this malpractice. It is against free and fair polls. It could derail democracy.

Paid news is not free speech. The Commission is concerned about the undue influence that paid news can create in the mind of the voter. The voter’s right to correct and unbiased information needs protection. Our second concern is that paid news hoodwinks the enforcement of the expenditure ceiling, a key component in election management with particular importance for a level playing field.

I am happy that most political parties are speaking against paid news. I am even happier that there is a conspicuous uprising against it within the media. Not surprisingly, the protest is led by women and men from the editorial desk, because it is their space and their freedom, which is in maximum danger. The Commission has met senior most journalists of the country, mourning the new grave danger to their noble profession and yearning for remedies. It is heartening to note that the Government and Parliament are also seriously engaged to find a redressal. The churning is healthy and holds out hope.

Friends in media and politics have suggested that the Election Commission is powerful enough to deal with this problem. Well, we have some powers defined by the Constitution, Acts of Parliament and judicial pronouncements. We have to work within these. Our control runs only during the election period and applies generally to political parties and candidates. Politicians are more powerful. Members of Parliament alone have the power to legislate to bring the culprits of paid news to book. But, it is the media, which, to my mind retains the absolute power, derived from absolute freedom. In my estimate, the problem of paid news is best addressed by self-regulation that lends legitimacy to absolute power anywhere. Commission would again call upon politicians and media to press the delete button on paid news through active self- regulation. And if this does not happen, as seems to be the case, state interventions shall become unavoidable. While media has the absolute power to duly influence, exercise of undue influence is a misuse of media power and needs to be acted against, especially, in the context of elections.

Of course, this would require a consensus building. Fortunately in our country, a good cause or a good piece of legislation brings even opposite camps together. Our Model Code of Conduct during the elections is a shining example of restrictions voluntarily accepted by all political parties. This is a unique Indian institution that makes election managers across the world envious about. I need not tell this august gathering that this Code has worked wonderfully well. My suggestion is, can there be a code to check the de-stabilizing activity of paid news, to which there is voluntary and willing adherence.

Paid news is like a snake whose hood is down and tail gone underground. It is not quite feasible to take it head-on. It is also not easy to pull it out. There is circumstantial evidence of all type, but little proof. I am happy that the Press Council is engaged in finding ways to deal with the element of deceit in paid news and bring culpability over ground. The Commission has lent due support to their consultations and should do more, if necessary.

I understand that the Council is doing some serious enquiries. We look forward to their report on the subject, which is expected this month. The situation also warrants that the Election Commission keep a higher watch on the paid news phenomenon through our  existing machinery of election related vigilance. We will do so. We will augment the machinery if necessary.

As I have often said, in the multi-dimensional mandate of election management, every problem has a solution, but often a good solution leads to a new problem. After serious consideration of the public damage caused by some campaign methods, the Commission put some restrictions on wall writings, hoardings, loudspeakers etc. The question as suggested by some is, whether the strict enforcement of defacement laws has contributed this worse sickness of paid news in the election arena. More importantly, has it denied a level playing field to those candidates and political parties, who by force or by will, are not accomplices in paid news. These are issues, which will need to be considered.

It is indeed ironical that I stand here today to raise a few questions at media. India’s media is one of the strengths of the Election Commission. We often refer to them as one of our most formidable allies. We immensely benefit from media’s role as watchdog. With all responsibility, I have to state that media has all too often been our eyes and ears in the conduct of elections. I fervently wish that the alliance between the Election Commission, political parties and the media that fortifies the world’s largest democracy should not get diluted under the shadow of paid news. We must overcome.

* * * *

FOR MORE READING. .

• OPERATION COVER-UP NOW BEGINS -S.K.Pandey
• MEDIA AND THE MARKET -Vice President of India Shri M. Hamid Ansari
• MEDIA ON SALE
• WORLD PRESS TRENDS: NEWSPAPERS ARE A GROWTH BUSINESS
• INDIA AND CHINA : THE WORLD LEADERS IN THE NEWSPAPER INDUSTRY
• DOMINANCE OF ‘PAID NEWS’ MATTER OF GRAVE CONCERN :MRINAL PANDEY
• THE MEDIA AND PAID NEWS : WHO SHALL GUARD THE GUARDIANS? –Vipul Tripathi
• PAID NEWS CULTURE AND INDIAN MEDIA – Nava Thakuria
• THE MIND RIGGING BY MEDIA:AN ELECTORAL OFFENCE AND CORRUPT PRACTICE
• PUTTING PAID TO ‘PAID NEWS’ – Jagdeep S. Chhokar
• PAID NEWS’ UNDERMINES THE FOUNDATION OF JOURNALISM – Rajdeep Sardesai
• SELLING NEWS OR BUYING SILENCE?
• PARLIAMENT DEBATES PAID NEWS ISSUE
• ALL THE NEWS THAT’S FIT TO BUY – S Y Qurasihi
• THE MEDIUM, MESSAGE AND THE MONEY – P. Sainath
• FALSE PROPAGANDA FOR A PRICE: UNETHICAL PRACTICES OF MEDIA IN GENERAL ELECTIONS – 2009

]]> http://indiacurrentaffairs.org/paid-news-unethical-and-sinister/feed/ 0 http://indiacurrentaffairs.org/science-technology-for-homeland-security-2010/ http://indiacurrentaffairs.org/science-technology-for-homeland-security-2010/#comments Sat, 31 Jul 2010 04:06:46 +0000 India Current Affairs http://indiacurrentaffairs.org/?p=8436 CRYING NEED TO CUSTOMISE AVAILABLE TECHNOLOGIES FOR HOMELAND SECURITY

Current Affairs Technology :

As low intensity conflicts, terrorism and Insurgency take centrestage as the wars of the future, there is a crying need to customize technology and products already on the shelf to meet the needs of homeland security. New R&D initiatives in collaboration with the academia and industry with the government (user) need to be taken expeditiously to bridge the technology gaps to counter the emerging threats, Dr. V K Saraswat, Scientific Advisor to Raksha Mantri & Secretary, Defence R & D, declared.

Addressing the two-day conference on ‘Science & Technology for Homeland security- 2010’, organized by FICCI and the Ministry of Home Affairs, Dr. Saraswat said, “Recent incidents have shown that a new kind of internal war, totally nonconventional, is being waged by the terrorists, insurgents and anti-social elements using most common home grown technologies in an innovative way, which always have an element of surprise and high degree of sophistication.” These operations, he said, were asymmetric, non-platform centric, multi-factorial and combine various military and non-military concepts.

Dr. Saraswat said that realization of systems and devices for homeland security requires and close interaction with the security forces and meticulous planning to provide them with technology solutions by using existing technologies and making engineering solutions to customize them to meet their needs through a collaborative approach with industry and academia.

He said that DRDO had analysed the technology requirements projected by the security forces, both military and para-military, in a bid to provide solutions for surveillance & reconnaissance, enhancing day & night vision capability of fighting forces, communication & jamming, arms & ammunitions, non-lethal weapons, explosive detection, personnel protection and combat support. DRDO’s technologies developed for supporting the soldier as a system in the battlefield could be the building block for solutions to arm the para-military forces, he said.

DRDO, he said, had projected and mapped the available technologies for threat scenarios for operating in forests, urban & coastal areas, mountain regions, desert location, aerial scenarios, in high rise buildings, combating infiltration across the LOC, hostage crisis etc. For surveillance & reconnaissance, DRDO has developed an unmanned aerial vehicle – Nishant- and battle field surveillance radar to detect and track moving ground target and also mountain radar to detect and track aerial targets in mountainous terrain.

Some of the new initiatives in this direction are the development of NETRA, a quad rotor mini UAV weighing about 0.5 kg. with a flight endurance of 30 minutes and a fixed wing mini air vehicle (2 kg. Class) which will have an endurance of 1 hour and can provide telemetry and video data form a range of 10 km. Detection of concealed targets below thick foliage and monitoring terrorists in closed room from a remote location were some of the new R&D thrust areas.

Dr. Saraswat said that miniaturization was under way of Briefcase Satellite Terminal and Combat Net Radio for communication and voice and data transfer over low bandwidth and to access network resources from a remote location. New initiatives on networked situational awareness to assess own position and the position of the adversary in jungle operations were already at an advanced stage of development. Mr. U K Bansal, Special Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, underlined the need for active and intense public-private partnership to address the multifarious and diverse security challenges through appropriate technology induction. FICCI, he said, could provide an interface between the technology provider and the government. Mr. Mati Kochavi, Chairman, AGT International, Switzerland, pointed out that today’s terrorist had access to the capability and the technology possessed by nations. “We live in an age where a group of 30-40 people can have access to weapons of mass destruction and change the strategies that nations need to follow,” he said, adding that the strength of a terrorist outfit had to be determined not by the strength of the organization itself but by the strength of the network of the orgainsation and the potential of its connections.

The conference is deliberating on issues such as coastal and maritime security; naxalite insurgency; CBRNe threats and mitigation; capacity building and governance; surveillance and detection technologies; critical infrastructure protection and the role of ICT and GIS for homeland security.

The details of funds allocated for Commonwealth Games till date by  the

Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports are:

(Rs. In Crores)

The details of the Competition Venues and their completion status are :

Competition Venues Completion Status

S.No    Competition Venue                           Agency                                      Completion                                                                                                                           Date/Status

A 45 million Pound partnership between Department of Bio-Technology, Government of India and Wellcome Trust, UK has been announced to support the development of innovative healthcare products at affordable costs. Two other new India-UK joint research projects – “Bridging the rural/urban divide” to provide technological solutions to improve the quality of life of rural inhabitants in both countries and multi disciplinary research partnerships to develop the next generation of environmentally friendly fuel cell technologies were also discussed when Sh. Prithviraj Chavan, Minister for Science and Technology met David Willets, Minister of State for Universities and Science, UK, in New Delhi last evening.

Elaborating on the DBT-Wellcome Trust Initiative, Sh. Prithviraj Chavan said that this is the next phase of initiative announced two years ago wherein prestigious fellowships supporting the most promising researches were started in the Wellcome Trust-DBT alliance. Now the partnership, wherein DBT and the Wellcome Trust are contributing 22.5 million pounds each, would result in translation to projects for societal benefits. The aim is to bring together researchers from both public and private sector, largely working in India, to develop innovative devices, diagnostic medicines and vaccines that can reach the greatest number of beneficiaries at affordable cost. The focus would be on vaccines, technologies for rehabilitation and women and child care. Sh. Chavan said that affordable health is top priority for the government and use of high technology for low cost new devices would be encouraged on priority.

The Deptt. of Science & Technology and the Research Council UK have also agreed to invest three million pounds each, towards Fuel Cell research. The proposed initiative will address systems research programmes in fuel cell technologies including energy support through joint India-UK academic programmes. Sh. T. Ramasami, Secretary, Department of Science & Technology informed that Indo-UK joint workshop on fuel cell technology would be organized during September 15-17, 2010 at Centre for Fuel Cell Technology Chennai.

The aim of the other initiative “ Bridging the Rural and Urban Divide” is to provide technological solutions for making rural living an economically and technologically sustainable option. The area of research focus include robust infrastructure for sustainable energy for all, wherein solutions have the potential to be owned, modified and evolved by users. The Secretary Science & Technology informed that India and UK would be contributing six million pounds each towards this project. An Indo-UK workshop on bridging the urban and rural divide is being organized at Vardha from 19 to 21 October 2010.

Union Minister of Power, Shri Sushilkumar Shinde, and the Minister of State for Energy and Climate Change of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Mr Greg Barker, met today in New Delhi for bilateral discussions.  Among other issues of mutual interest, they discussed the question of industrial energy efficiency, and considered areas where bilateral collaboration could help inform analysis and future work on both sides.  They agreed that officials from their respective ministries should take forward enhanced cooperation in the following areas:

Sharing of Experiences

        Institutional structure and best practices from United Kingdom and European Union schemes relevant to Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) mechanism, including on how schemes may be expanded over time;

        Details of related schemes in UK & Europe (thematic areas of study between Climate Change Agreement (CCA) & PAT mechanism);

        Sharing of key success factors for trading schemes by building regular review points to allow for “learning by doing” (refining of targets from time to time) and by having some early restrictions on banking of certificates;

        Methodology for setting targets, penalties, enforcement, etc. and sharing of best industrial and market practices; target setting and benchmarking;

        Financial issues including taxation treatment of certificates and market regulation.

Capacity Building of

        Policy makers on approach for PAT implementation including setting targets; industry dialogue, fiscal incentives to promote markets for energy efficiency trading;

        Industry with information about technology deployment and introduction of best practice techniques through successful examples in UK.

Development of data management and trading tools

        Development of reporting, monitoring and verification formats and protocols; and outreach with industry.

‘Kick starting the market’

        Development of appropriate upfront pricing mechanism to bring out the price of certificates which could  enable industry to take an investment decision;

        Exploration of the potential of a partial risk credit guarantee fund for energy efficiency, to help ‘kick start the market’ for energy efficiency investment;

        Mechanism to enhance liquidity and stability of prices of Energy Savings Certificates (ESCerts);

        Analysis into the potential of using the carbon market (and international public finance) to support the strengthening of PAT.

The two sides also discussed the possibility of working in the area of Smart Grids.

Forecasting oceanographic parameters (both in surface and subsurface) at different time scales is extremely important for a wide spectrum of users ranging from the weathermen to fishermen, and from the navy to the off-shore industries.  Currently, Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) is forecasting the waves in the Indian waters as well as over the Indian Ocean.  Recently, INCOIS has brought up a new system for the forecasting of the dynamic and thermodynamic features of the Indian Ocean. The new Indian Ocean Forecasting System (IOFS) is the first of its kind in the country and the set-up of the system is being developed indigenously at INCOIS. Initially the 6 hourly forecasts of SST, surface currents, MLD and depth of 20oC isotherm (as an indicator of thermocline depth) will be made available for 5 days in advance.

The IOFS Setup

The core of the IOFS is a state-of-art ocean general circulation model (OGCM), Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS), developed and distributed as open source code by Rugters University, New Jersey, USA.  The model is configured to simulate the observed Indian Ocean features realistically by making appropriate changes in the model parameters and source code. An optimal interpolation based data assimilation scheme for assimilating satellite measured SST data is also introduced in the model. The simulations from the model for the period of 2000-2008 are validated extensively by comparing with the observations from the in-situ platforms and satellites. Since the validation was satisfactory, the model is put on experimental forecast mode from 1st November 2009. The forecasts are also being validated on a continual basis. At present, the model is forced with the 5-day forecast data of surface wind fields and atmospheric fluxes from the atmospheric model of National Centre for Medium Range Forecast (NCMRWF), New Delhi. Accordingly, the IOFS also forecasts the oceanographic features for 5 days.

The entire procedure for the generation of the forecast is automated. A suite of software was prepared to cater the pre-processing and post-processing needs of the model simulations. This enables little manual intervention throughout the process and thereby reduces the chances of human errors. Any malfunction of the system will be intimated to the concerned persons by emails as well as through mobile phone SMSs.   The present version of IOFS is capable of issuing forecast within 15 minutes of receiving data from NCMRWF. The forecast is   being made available through INCOIS website. In addition, it is also disseminated through email messages and the dedicated electronic display boards installed along the coast. The raw data is available to the registered users via FTP.

Potential users of IOFS

In addition to the scientific community who are engaged in active research on physical oceanography of the tropical Indian Ocean, the other beneficiaries of the forecasts from IOFS are Navy and Coast Guard (to plan the operations); Shipping industry (to chart the route); offshore oil industry (for various operations); Fishing industry (for species specific advisories that make use of information on SST gradient, depth of the mixed layer etc); and the India Meteorological Department (to force the atmospheric models, that will improve the short and medium range forecasts, particularly during the monsoon season).

IOFS is being designed to cater to the specific needs of the users as interests may vary from user to user and a generalized forecast may not be sufficient for all the users. A focused research and development approach is also envisaged to support the IOFS to meet the requirements of its users. Based on the feedback from them and through focused research, the IOFS will improve further in quality and quantity of services. With the availability of High Performance Computing Facility at INCOIS, the computational infrastructure is no longer a limitation in achieving the high goals. (PIB Features)

Some Sample Forecasts And Observations made by IOFS

*Inputs from the Ministry of Earth Sciences

Apple Computers has emerged as the world’s most valuable brand in the 50 Top valuable brand list of the Forbes magazine. “This (Apple) is a company that has faced setbacks before and bounced back to become the world’s most valuable brand–worth USD 57.4 billion,” Forbes said, explaining the company’s number 1 position in its Top 50 world’s most valuable brands 2010 list.

“Apple shows just how a brand can survive and thrive even when a parent company stumbles. Apple’s sales in the late 1990s plummeted 46 per cent over a four-year stretch while the company lost money seven times over eight quarters”, said the magazine. Interestingly, tech brands occupied four of the first five places in the rankings and claimed 30 per cent of the top 50 brands.

Financial services and food and beverage firms each captured six spots. Tech major Apple, which topped the list, was followed by software major Microsoft with a brand value of USD 56.6 billion.

Beverages firm, Coca Cola was third at USD 55.4 billion, followed by technology giant IBM, now worth USD 43 billion. Search engine Google was fifth in the ranking with USD 39.7 billion.

McDonald’s, General Electric, Marlboro, Intel and Finnish handset maker Nokia featured in the top 10 list.

“The brands on our list fared a little better, with sales on average flat in 2009. Some brands were hit hard by the economic downturn as well as their own missteps,” the Forbes noted.

Toyota, Vodafone, Pepsi, Nescafe, Frito-Lay, ESPN and Gucci were the other brands in the top 50 list.

The production of crude steel in  India has increased in the year 2009-10 in comparison to the year 2008-09. However, percentage of growth of steel has declined marginally in the year 2007-08 and 2008-09 in comparison to the year 2006-07. Following is the details of production of crude steel in the country: -

the production of steel depends upon inter play of various complex factors such as production capacity, capacity utilization, commercial viability, availability and cost of raw materials and the demand-supply situation in the global steel market. Moreover, the percentage growth is also a relative factor of the base line, which is steadily increasing on year by year basis.

low level of awareness on the varied benefits of using steel and the perception of steel as an expensive item amongst village people are the main reasons for steel consumption not picking up in rural areas of the country. Additionally, there are also related issues like inadequacy of infrastructure, which prevents selling of steel in villages/rural market, to be cost effective. To understand the pattern and potential of steel consumption in the Indian rural market, the Government has initiated a study on assessment of steel demand in the rural areas of the country.

The Minister said, the study would cover 300 districts, 1500 villages, 4500 Manufacturers and 8000 Retailers, spread over all the 35 States and Union Territories of the country. The objective of the study is to assess trends in consumption pattern of different items of steel in the rural areas, by examining both a) the demand side i.e. Household and Community/Institutional uses; and b) the supply side i.e. Manufacturers, Retailers. Additionally, the study would examine the potential for increasing the level of steel consumption, the nature of shifts and the extent of threat of substitution from competing materials.

]]> http://indiacurrentaffairs.org/production-of-crude-steel-increases-in-2009-10/feed/ 0 http://indiacurrentaffairs.org/mobile-cloning-cases/ http://indiacurrentaffairs.org/mobile-cloning-cases/#comments Fri, 30 Jul 2010 10:10:53 +0000 India Current Affairs http://indiacurrentaffairs.org/?p=8379

Current Affairs Technology.

The Government has come to know through Telecom Service Providers that approximately 2150 cases of misuse of mobile cloning through duplication of subscriber identity in different parts of country have come to their notice during 2009-10. Cloning of subscriber identity takes place by duplication of SIM (Subscriber Identity Modules) in GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) and R-UIM (Removable User Identity Module)/ESN (Electronic Serial Number) & MIN (Mobile Identification Number in CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) Networks, which gives the subscriber an identity and telephone number.

Though, cloning of subscriber identity is difficult due to elaborate authentication and encryption mechanism used in mobile network, Government intends to monitor mobile cloning, through its fields units namely TERM (Telecom Enforcement, Resource & Monitoring) Cells, which are already carrying out activities of similar type

Mobile cloning is a method of copying a mobile phone’s International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) onto another phone, which allows the user of the cloned phone to make fraudulent calls, the bill for which is sent to the victim as opposed to the perpetrator. This method is also used to carry out anti social activities.

Phone cloning involves placing a computer chip  into the target mobile telephone, allowing theElectronic Serial Number of the mobile phone to be modified. The ESN is normally transmitted to the cellular company in order to ascertain whether the mobile phone user is the legitimate owner of that phone. Modifying this, as well as the phone number itself (known as the Mobile Identification Number, or MIN) paves the way for fraudulent calls, as the target telephone is now a clone of the telephone from which the original ESN and MIN numbers were obtained.

Cloning has been shown to be successful on Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) but rare on the Global System for Mobile communication (GSM), one of the more widely used mobile telephone communication systems. However, cloning GSM phones is achieved by cloning the SIM card contained within, not necessarily any of the phone’s internal data (GSM phones do not have ESN or MIN, only an IMEI number.) There are various methods used to obtain ESN and MIN, the most common are to crack the cellular company, or ‘sniff’ the cellular network

]]> http://indiacurrentaffairs.org/mobile-cloning-cases/feed/ 0 http://indiacurrentaffairs.org/irrigation-projects-under-accelerated-irrigation-benefits-programme/ http://indiacurrentaffairs.org/irrigation-projects-under-accelerated-irrigation-benefits-programme/#comments Fri, 30 Jul 2010 09:56:01 +0000 India Current Affairs http://indiacurrentaffairs.org/?p=8371 currentAffairs Infrastructure

So far, 281 major/medium projects have been funded under Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) of which, 121 projects are reported as completed, 5 projects have been deferred by the State Governments and remaining 155 are ongoing by the various State Governments. Apart from above, so far 10808 surface water Minor Irrigation Schemes of various States have been funded under AIBP of which, 7898 schemes are reported as completed and remaining schemes are ongoing by various State governments.

The ultimate irrigation potential of these 281 major/medium projects and 10808 surface water minor irrigation schemes is about 134 lakh hectare.

The State wise and year wise details of Central Assistance released during 2007-08 to 2010-11 are given in given below :-

For major/medium projects, Central Water Commission is required to carry out monitoring visits twice a year and issue monitoring reports which inter-alia contains bottlenecks in project implementation “if any” and possible remedial measures for timely implementation of the projects. Ministry of Water Resources convenes Review Meetings as and when required for monitoring performance of the AIBP assisted projects and surface Minor Irrigation Schemes. Monitoring of surface minor irrigation schemes is carried out by the respective State Governments and Ministry of Water Resources monitors their performance on sample basis.

The National Policy on Older Persons (NPOP), 1999 envisages State support to ensure financial and food security, health care, shelter and protection of life and property of senior citizens.

The Government also enacted the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 which provides for maintenances of parents/senior citizens by children/relatives, establishment of old age homes for indigent senior citizens, adequate medical facilities and protection of life and property of senior citizens.

The Government is implementing the following two schemes for the benefit of senior citizens in the country:

(i) Scheme of Integrated Programme for Older Persons (IPOP) – financial assistance is provided to NGOs for running and maintenance of old age homes, day care centres, mobile medicare units, etc. Under the scheme, there is also a component for providing assistance to NGOs for running and maintenance of multi-facility care centres for destitute older widows.

(ii) Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) – Central assistance is given towards pension @ Rs. 200/- per month per beneficiary to persons above 65 years belonging to a household below poverty line which is meant to be supplemented by at least an equal contribution by the States so that each beneficiary gets at least Rs.400/- per month as pension.

Besides, the Government has also extended various concessions/facilities for the benefit of senior citizens in the country

]]> http://indiacurrentaffairs.org/schemes-for-senior-citizens-in-india/feed/ 0 http://indiacurrentaffairs.org/indian-workers-abroad/ http://indiacurrentaffairs.org/indian-workers-abroad/#comments Fri, 30 Jul 2010 09:18:40 +0000 India Current Affairs http://indiacurrentaffairs.org/?p=8355 Current Affairs Overseas Indians

Indian workers emigrate for seeking employment in all categories of work ranging from low skilled to high skilled professional jobs.  Data is available only for ECR (Emigration Check Required) category of workers going abroad.  This category includes those workers who have not passed class 10 level school certificate and are emigrating to 17 notified countries.  The details of ECR Category workers who emigrated to 17 notified countries during 2008, 2009 and 2010(upto30.6.2010) are at Annexure-I.  As regards ECR category of workers emigrating from the State ofOrissa, the details are at Annexure-II.

The details of Indians engaged in high skilled jobs and professional jobs, such as doctors,enginners, nurses, teachers, IT professionals and hotel management are not available as explained in (a) above.  As regards Indians who emigrated seeking employment in unskilled jobs during the year 2008, 2009 and 2010(up to 30.6.2010), the details are in Annexure-I.

Annexure-I

The details of ECR Category workers who emigrated to 17 notified countries during 2008, 2009 and 2010(upto 30.6.2010)

Annexure-II

The details of ECR Category workers from Orissa who emigrated to 17 notified countries during 2008, 2009 and 2010 (upto 30.6.2010)

This information was given by the Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs, Shri Vayalar Ravi in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha

]]> http://indiacurrentaffairs.org/indian-workers-abroad/feed/ 0 http://indiacurrentaffairs.org/capitalism-in-action-the-case-of-bps-oil-spill-prabir-purkayastha-newsclick/ http://indiacurrentaffairs.org/capitalism-in-action-the-case-of-bps-oil-spill-prabir-purkayastha-newsclick/#comments Fri, 30 Jul 2010 09:12:44 +0000 India Current Affairs http://indiacurrentaffairs.org/?p=8349 Currenta Affairs International

On the 22 of April, ironically being observed world over as Earth Day, the Deepwater Horizon rig drilling in Gulf of Mexico, blew up killing 11 workers and creating one of the worst oil spills in history. The oil well being drilled off the coast of Louisiana was owned British Petroleum (BP). The well which has been temporarily capped now, spilled an estimated 5-9 million barrels or an equivalent of one Exxon Valdez every 3-5 days. Exxon Valdez was the tanker, which had sunk off the Alaskan coast in 1989 and is held as the benchmark on oil spills in the oceans. The only other oil spill in open seas that is bigger than Deepwater was the one in Persian Gulf during the Iraq War.The record of Big Oil on spills have been dismal – from Nigeria to Ecuador – oil spill has been more the norm than the exception. The problem this time is that it cannot be hidden from the “public” as this time it affects the US public and not a third world country. Shell in Nigeria spills in one year as much as spilled in the Exxon Valdez tanker disaster. In 25 years in Ecuador, Texaco spilled about one and half Exxon Valdez every year. All this has gone “unnoticed”, the oil spills become disasters only if Alaska or Louisiana beaches are oil logged. But disaster is what Big Oil lives with, not because it has to but because it always puts profits before safety and people, In the Deepwater rig blow out, BP was paying a half million per day for the rig and wanted to move it to another location quickly to save this money. They went against the recommendations of their own engineers and their contractors in this hurry. Check this – saving half a million per day against the profits BP was making – in the last quarter alone, it made more than $6.1 billion in profits. The record of Big Oil is matched by that of the governments. In the US, despite known danger of oil spills, there was virtually no regulatory oversight in deep sea drilling. The companies were supposed to regulate themselves, very much in the mode of the press in India. The result is not very different from paid news being served up as real news. The oil companies routinely run equipment to failure giving preventive maintenance and all other such practices the go-by. From Alaska to Nigeria, from BP to Shell, the results are there for all to see. Not only was all oversight left to the oil companies themselves, even the liability from any accident capped under the Bush administration was capped to only 75 million dollars from any off-shore drilling. Contrast this figure to the amount that companies such as BP are making – more than 25 billion dollars in profits for the international oil majors. Incidentally, this is on par with what the Indian Government is now proposing for nuclear operators – for a plant costing billions, the liability cap for the operators will only be 110 million dollars. This is what capitalism has always been all about – privatising huge profits, while people pay with their lives or livelihood for accidents. And in this, Governments – big or small – or hand in gloves with private capital. Turning to the Deepwater Horizon well spill. One of the key issues today is that the era of easy oil is over, at least for private oil majors. Companies such as BP, Shell, Texaco, Aramco, etc., are no longer able to access easily oil resources. Most of the West Asian oil fields are owned by state owned companies and they are facing competition from China and even India in the newer oil finds in different parts of the world. While Shell and Texaco continue to ravage Nigeria and Ecuador, increasingly, their depredations are restricted now to only a few countries. That is why they have turned to what is termed by Michael Clare to “tough oil” – oil in deep waters or in the extremely low temperature in Alaska. Tough oil comes at a price – it is far more challenging a task to drill for oil one to two kilometres under water and a further 5-10 kilometres in the mud and sediment of the ocean floor. The pressures are enormous – a column of water and sediment of 6 -10 kilometres can easily crush equipment and buckle steel plates. The temperatures at bottom of the ocean is near freezing, while deep under the ocean floor, the temperatures are as high as 250 Degrees C. Most of the oil at these temperatures are in gaseous form and that is one of the problems. They can shoot up as a giant methane bubble as happened in Deepwater or become a solid mass once it encounters the cold temperatures of the ocean. Either way, the problems of going deep under the sea has major technological problems The problems are further compounded by the fact that no vehicle carrying human beings can operate at these pressures: we would just implode. Every bit of the work is done remotely – using robots or computer controlled equipment. On top of this is the rig, costing more than half a billion and as large as the Titanic. It must always manoeuvre to stay stationary over the spot which is being drilled – despite typhoons and hurricanes. This is one hugely complex system, for which every part must work for disasters not to happen. It is not a system which works if you play with safety. Nor can such systems be left to the mercy of the operators themselves, as the US Government decided. The Deepwater Horizon blow out was the result of a complex series of events. There were reports of leaking valves, problems with well control, the design of the final safety system – the blow-out preventer. The US House Committee investigating the blow-out in a statement made in June, noted that in a number of cases leading up to the explosion, BP chose riskier procedures to save time or money, sometimes against the advice of its staff or contractors. BP’s partner in the oil field, Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, said “.. BP operated unsafely and failed to monitor and react to several critical warning signs during the drilling. … BP’s behavior and actions likely represent gross negligence or willful misconduct.” The net result was that a bubble of methane rose up the riser that connected the well to the drilling platform, exploded destroying the rig and the riser. BP’s initial reaction, backed by the Obama administration was to reassure everybody that there was no leak. When tell tale signs of oil slick appeared, they kept on reassuring the public that it was a small leak – of 1,000 barrels a day. This was revised six times, each time after independent estimates made clear that the spill was much bigger than being officially stated. The current figures officially released by the US Coastguards is about 60,000 barrels a day, while internal BP documents show that the spill could be as high as 100,000 barrels a day. Though the well has been temporarily capped, this is only a temporary measure pending drilling a relief well, expected to be operational by August. The damage however to the coastline and to marine life is enormous. Reports indicate that a methane pool has accumulated creating a huge dead zone. Meanwhile, BP has pumped huge amounts of chemicals in attempt to disperse the oil. These chemicals also have long term effects – they are toxic and could stay in the food chain for a long time. Probably, about half the spilt oil has been mopped up – through pumping back into barges some of the spilt oil, burning and dispersing through the chemicals, etc. The rest will stay in the sea as a long term issue plaguing the Gulf and the coastline for decades. The clean-up can only address a part of the problem, leaving mother nature to take care of the rest. The Obma administration has missed major opportunities in orienting the debate on regulations and on energy. Though, Obama did come down on BP and Democrats have proposed legislation that will force BP pay compensation beyond 75 million dollar cap retrospectively, nevertheless, the administration collaborated with BP in first tamping down on all information flows on the disaster and later helping BP hide the damage of the oil spill. All journalists have been barred from spill areas on the specious plea that it will make BP’s task of controlling the spill more difficult. The energy debate is still bogged down on the need for a high oil consumption economy. No major changes are foreseen, meaning that deep sea drilling will continue in the future. The only change here is a temporary moratorium on deep sea drilling, which has now been stayed by an US Court. How this scenario will play is yet to be seen. The key issue of regulatory controls is how to bring back serious regulation after the hammer that the Bush administration took to the regulator – the Minerals Management Service (MMS). MMS was more busy taking kickbacks, sniffing cocaine and partying than any serious oversight. In the hearings of the Congressional Committee, the MMS officials have openly admitted that they did not do anything that could be even remotely considered as oversight. It was self regulation all the way, the same as in the financial sector that tanked the global economy. The real issue is that the way capital today looks at the world. It is continuing to look at the world as an infinite resources, the oceans and the air as infinite sinks where anything and everything can be dumped. All this is tied to Governments who believe that it is the cause of capital that they must serve. Whether a Bush or an Obama in America or a Manmohan Singh here, whether it is an oil spill or a chemical spill, the attitude to global capital remains the same. That is what we see in BP oil spill in Gulf and in the the nuclear liability bill here. People are expendable, corporate profits not, this is the mantra that we have to fight today