Comprehensive Current Affairs

Comprehensive Current Affairs
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WWW.JAGRANJOSH.COM
COMPREHENSIVE CURRENT AFFAIRS
www.jagranjosh.com
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CONTENTS
UNIT 1 Chapter 1: National ............................................................................................................. 59 BCCC Sought Reviewing Rules for Tv Licensing ........................................................................... 59 Pranab Mukherjee Imposed Presidents Rule on Jharkhand ...................................................... 59 India for the Second Consecutive Year Reported No Fresh Polio Cases ..................................... 59 Cochin Shipyard Launched Aadesh, The First Fast Patrol Vessel For Coast Guard ..................... 60 Railway Fares to Be Hiked From 21 January 2013: Railway Minister ......................................... 60 Aadhaar Card to Be Accepted As Proof to Get Passport: Ministry Of External Affairs ............... 61 News Broadcasting Standards Association Issued Guidelines For Reporting Of Sexual Crimes . 61 Indias First Successful Intestinal Transplant Performed on A Software Engineer ..................... 61 Foreign Tourists Not Allowed to Work as Journalists On Tourist Visa: Mha .............................. 62 Union Government Withdrew Z-Plus Security Cover For Ex-Army Chief, Gen V K Singh ........... 62 Union Government Decided Setting Up 5-Year Project For Cyber Security Of Critical Sectors.. 62 New Cases of HIV Decreased By 57 Percent in India: Union Health Minister ............................ 63 Govt. of India to set up Real Time Water Quality Monitoring Stations along River Ganga ........ 63 India Developed Indigenous Japanese Encephalitis (Je) Vaccine................................................ 63 Union Government of India Extended Ban On Ulfa And Ndfb .................................................... 64 Union Government Introduced Bill to Amend Competition Act ................................................. 64 Union Government of India Cleared Decks For Ambedkar Memorial ........................................ 64 Global Terrorism Index Revealed: India Ranked Among Top Five Terror-Hit Nations ............... 65 Supreme Court Issued Guidelines to Curb Eve Teasing At The Public Places ............................. 65 Nuclear Waste would not be Dumped at Kolar Gold Mine: Govt. to Sc ..................................... 65 Union Cabinet Cleared Setting Up Of 21 Textile Parks ............................................................... 66 Trai Issued A Cap Of 100 Smss On Concession Rates .................................................................. 66
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Government Nod to Grant Ex-Serviceman Status to The Retired Paramilitary Staffs ................ 66 Union Government Constituted A National Committee On Direct Cash Transfers .................... 67 Union Cabinet Approved Setting Up Of National Automotive Board ......................................... 67 Union Cabinet Cleared 4000 Crore Rupees Plan To Tackle Japanese Encephalitis .................... 68 Sc: All States and Uts To Conduct Fresh Surveys To Identify Bonded Labour Problems ............ 68 Supreme Court Worried About the Status Of Growing Pollution In Yamuna ............................. 68 SC: Refused to restrain Center from providing training to Sri Lankan armed Forces ................. 69 Supreme Court Directed Government To Provide Basic Infrastructure In School ...................... 69 India and World Bank Signed 500 Million Dollar Deal for Shiksha Abhyan ................................ 70 Ministry of Rural Development Launched Nirmal Bharat Yatra ................................................. 70 Supreme Court Of India Ordered Better Healthcare For Bhopal Gas Tragedy Victims .............. 71 Bccc Asked Tv Channels to Be Extra-Cautious While Showing Violence Against Women .......... 71 Delhi High Court Approved The Guidelines For Media Reporting On Children .......................... 71 Bimal Gurung Sworn In As The Head Of Gorkhaland Territorial Administration ........................ 72 Special Tribunal Approved Mha Move To Declare Simi As An Unlawful Organisation ............... 72 Power Tripped In Northern, Eastern And North Eastern Grids: Indias Biggest Powe r Blackout 73 UK Lifted Travel Advisory on Jammu and Kashmir ...................................................................... 73 Nasscom signed Pact with NIIT to Train One Lakh Students in next Three years ....................... 73 Indira Gandhi International Airport got International Certification ........................................... 74 BHEL Deployed Solar Panel on GSAT 10 Satellite ........................................................................ 74 DGCA Suspended the License of Kingfisher Airlines ................................................................... 75 NDTV filed Lawsuit against Audience Measurement Company TAM India ................................ 75 GAIL and RSPCL signed an Agreement of Joint Venture on Gas Supply Pipeline Project ........... 76 CVC instructed CBI to expand the scope of investigation on Coalgate ....................................... 76 Jal Satyagraha came to an end after 17 days demonstration on a victory note ........................ 76 Number of Supreme Court Judges increased to 28 after 3 Judges Sworn In ............................. 77
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Cyber Security get Revamped with Government Five Year Plan ................................................ 78 Broadcasting Content Complaint Council told Channels to Abstain From Vulgar Comedy ........ 79 SM Krishna resigned from the Post of External Affairs Minister ................................................ 79 Union Cabinet approved Proposals to procure Brahmos and Invar Missiles ............................. 79 Justice Altamas Kabir appointed as the New Chief Justice of India ............................................ 79 DCGI directed Drug Companies to submit Safety Reports of New Drugs to It ........................... 80 No Mobile Connection to any Foreign Tourist for more than Three Months ............................ 80 The CII held the Eleventh Energy Efficiency Summit in Hyderabad ............................................ 80 Parthasarathi Shome Appointed As the Adviser to Finance Minister of India ........................... 81 The 2nd Meeting on India-China Border Affairs held in New Delhi ............................................ 81 Halimah Yacob Became First Woman Speaker of the Singapore Parliament ............................. 81 Chapter 2: International ...................................................................................................... 83 India and USA inaugurated the First Triangular India-US-Africa Partnership at Hyderabad ...... 83 India and Bangladesh signed Agreements on Extradition and Visa Regime ............................... 83 Milos Zeman won the Czech Republic Presidential Election 2013 ............................................. 84 China Successfully Carried Out Interceptor Missile Test ............................................................ 84 IMF: World Economic Growth Rate would be 3.5 percent in 2013 ............................................ 84 War Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh pronounced its First Verdict of Death Sentence ............... 85 Barack Obama Sworn In As the US President for Second Term.................................................. 86 Chinas Economy Grew 7.8 Percent In 2012, Hits 13-Year Low .................................................. 86 Obama Proposed Stricter Gun Control Laws: 23 Executive Actions Announced ........................ 86 India, Vietnam signed MoU to Strengthen Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises ....................... 87 South Korea Became First Country in Asia to Order Chemical Castration of Child Rapist ......... 88 The United States evacuated its Embassy in the Central African Republic ................................ 88 President Mohamed Morsi signed Egypt's Controversial Constitution ...................................... 88 Pakistan Government Recognised Republic of Kosovo as an Independent State ...................... 89
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United Nation Approved New Debate on Arm Treaty opposed by U.S. Gun Lobby ................... 89 India and Russia signed pacts on Economic Ties for 2 billion dollar Investment Fund............... 90 Moscow Authorities Announced Demolishing Only Hindu Temple by January 2013 ................ 91 European Union imposed Stiff Sanctions on Trade with Iran ..................................................... 91 US House of Representatives passed the Defence Bill 2013 ...................................................... 91 David Cameroon announced that Britain would Pull Half of its Troops from Afghanistan ........ 92 Park Geun-Hye Elected As the First Woman President of South Korea...................................... 92 Ireland to legalise Abortions when the Mothers Life is at Risk .................................................. 92 WHO approved Vaccine Manufacturing Practices adopted by Indian Pharmaceutical Companies ................................................................................................................................... 92 UK Planned to Replace Paper Money with Plastic Banknotes .................................................... 93 Global Telecom Treaty without Net Control Signed by Eighty Nine Nations.............................. 94 Vinod Rai Re-Elected As Chairman of UN Panel of External Auditors......................................... 95 Maldives took over Charge of Male Airport scrapping Agreement with GMR ........................... 95 China Held largest Air Force Drill involving 100 Fighter planes .................................................. 95 Iran Declared Extracting Complete Data from the Captured US Drone ..................................... 96 UN (United Nations) Panel passed N Korea Resolution by Consensus ....................................... 96 Eurozone, International Monetary Fund Agreed to New Greek Debt Deal ................................ 96 India Voted Against UN General Assemblys Resolution to Ban Death Penalties ...................... 96 Death of Savita Halappanavar Ignited Strong Reactions for Change in Irish Abortion Law ....... 97 US Lifted the Ban Imposed on Imports from Myanmar, before President Obamas Visit to the Nati .............................................................................................................................................. 97 IEA: US would become worlds largest oil producer by 2017 ..................................................... 98 Nepal Elected as a Board Member of the ECOSOC ..................................................................... 98 The Review Meeting of the E-9 Countries concluded in New Delhi ........................................... 98 Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director David Petraeus Resigned ......................................... 99 Australian Schools would Teach Hindi ........................................................................................ 99
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Japan Lifted Travel Advisory on Jammu and Kashmir ................................................................. 99 Colombian Government and FARC Launched Peace Talk ........................................................... 99 Israeli Authorities released Red Line Report for Gaza Strip ...................................................... 100 Five New Non-Permanent Member Countries Elected to UN Security Council ....................... 101 South Asian University made Introduction to South Asia a Compulsory Subject ..................... 101 UK and Scotland signed an Agreement to hold a Referendum on Scottish Independence ..... 101 UN warned of price hike in food products and a decline in global cereal production ............. 102 Arabic made its debut as official language at Vatican .............................................................. 102 Maldivian Court issued an arrest warrant against ex-President Mohamed Nasheed .............. 103 New Nuclear Safety Agency launched in Japan ........................................................................ 103 India Topped the Chart of Registered Largest Number of Under Five Deaths in 2011 ............ 103 US Diplomat to Libya killed in Benghazi Attack......................................................................... 104 India, Myanmar and Thailand decided to implement Trilateral Connectivity Project by 2016 104 US uplifted terrorist designation from Nepali Maoists ........................................................... 105 Sixth MekongGanga Cooperation meeting held in New Delhi ............................................... 105 The 16th NAM (Non-Aligned Movement) Summit was held in Tehran .................................... 105 US imposed Fresh Sanctions on Belligerent Iran ...................................................................... 106 US Senate passed Bill to label Haqqani Network as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation ............. 107 Spice Jet to Launch Flights to Guangzhou in South China......................................................... 107 South African Government Rolled Out Nelson Mandela Bank Notes ....................................... 108 China inaugurated Worlds Longest High-Speed Rail Route linking Beijing with Guangzhou .. 108 President of Russia Vladmir Putin Visited India to attend 13th India-Russia Annual Summit . 108 Shinzo Abe Elected As Prime Minister of Japan by Lower House of the Parliament ................ 109 Somalia got its new President in form of Hassan Sheikh Mohamud ........................................ 110 Tensions grew over Senkaku Islands in between Japan and China .......................................... 110 Vice president of India M. Hamid Ansari released a book ........................................................ 110
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India ranked to be 59th in the report released by World Economic Forum ............................. 111 Tehran hosted the 16th NAM (Non-Aligned Movement) Summit............................................ 111 Prime Minister of Fiji, Laisenia Qarase was punished for One year Prison .............................. 111 The Belgian Deputy Prime Minister Didier Reynders visited India ........................................... 111 Rogelio Sierra Diaz, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cuba visited India ............................... 112 Chapter 3: Bilateral Relations ............................................................................................ 113 Two Pakistani Diplomats Denied Permission to Attend Jaipur Literature Festival 2013 .......... 113 India and Asean Finalised Fta In Investments And Services...................................................... 113 India to Sign Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty In Criminal Matters With Four Other Nations... 114 India and China agreed to boost the Defence Ties ................................................................... 114 India and Austria Signed An Mou To Strengthen Bilateral Cooperation On Rail And Road ..... 114 Sc: There Are Alternative Ways For Allocation Of Natural Resources ...................................... 115 Farmers Moved To Supreme Court Challenging the Release of Water .................................... 115 India Pledged Humanitarian Assistance of 2.5 Million US Dollars to Syria ............................... 116 India and Australia agreed to Concentrate on Energy and Food Security ................................ 116 India and Pakistan agreed not to allow Tension along LoC to Escalate .................................... 117 China appointed Wei Wei, a Career Diplomat as Ambasador to India ..................................... 117 India and Bangladesh Decided Increasing Rail Link Projects .................................................... 117 India and Pakistan Exchanged Nuclear Units List as a Part of the Agreement ......................... 118 India and Pakistan Jointly operaionalized New Visa Agreement .............................................. 118 North Korea Launched Long Range Unha-3 Rocket amid International Opposition ................ 119 Eleventh Meeting of India-Canada JWG on Counter Terrorism held in New Delhi .................. 119 India and Pakistan Discussed Methods for Solving Sir Creek Issue .......................................... 119 India and Japan Signed Two Agreements in Tokyo ................................................................... 120 India and Sweden Signed Social Security Agreement in New Delhi ......................................... 120 The 8th Meeting of the India-UK JWG on Counter Terrorism held in New Delhi ..................... 121
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The 2nd India-China Strategic economic Dialogue held in New Delhi ...................................... 122 Tenth ASEAN-India Summit Concluded at Peace Palace, Phnom Penh, Cambodia .................. 124 Twenty first ASEAN Summit concluded in Phnom Penh, Cambodia ......................................... 124 The Seventh East Asia Summit concluded in Phnom Penh, Cambodia..................................... 125 India Added 22 New Items to promote Indo-Myanmar Border Trade ..................................... 125 India and Afghanistan Signed Four Cooperation Pacts ............................................................. 126 India, Britain decided to enhance Cooperation in Cyber Security ............................................ 126 India-Canada finalised a Mechanism for Shipping of Canadian Uranium to India ................... 127 India-Japan-US Trilateral Dialogue held in New Delhi .............................................................. 127 Pakistan Cabinet Ratified the Landmark Visa Pact with India................................................... 127 India and UK Amended pact on Avoidance of Double Taxation ............................................... 128 India, US and Japan held Trilateral meet and Talked on Cooperation...................................... 128 India, Spain Signed Agreement on Defence Cooperation ......................................................... 129 The 2nd India-Japan 2+2 Dialogue held in Tokyo...................................................................... 129 India-Australia Announced Nuclear Deal Negotiation .............................................................. 130 India and New Zealand signed Five MoUs to cooperate in Education ..................................... 130 India and Pakistan Discussed TAPI Gas Project ......................................................................... 130 Japan and India Launched Research Project to Study LNG Pricing ........................................... 131 India and France signed an Agreement in the Field of Urban Development............................ 131 India and Austria tied up for development of Smart Cities in India ......................................... 132 US, India and Afghanistan held its First Trilateral Discussion ................................................... 132 India Malaysia to Achieve a Target Trade of USD 15 Billion ..................................................... 133 India and Nepal signed MoU for Constructing School Building ................................................ 133 India and Burundi signed 3 Major Agreements and Issued a Joint Statement ......................... 133 India signed a memorandum of understanding with Egypt ...................................................... 134 India Offered Telecom Support to Turkmenistan ..................................................................... 134
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Differences grew in between China and Japan over the disputed Diayo Islands ..................... 135 India and Saudi Arabia held their first talk on defence ties ...................................................... 135 India extended a credit of $10 Million aid to Palestine in a gesture of support ...................... 136 India and Pakistan issued a joint statement at the end of the SM Krishna's Visit .................... 137 India and Tajikistan went ahead on strategic partnership and signed six agreements ............ 137 India established Diplomatic Relations with Niue .................................................................... 138 India, China discussed Border security and Bilateral Defence Ties........................................... 138 India and Iran decided to Expand Trade and Economic Cooperation....................................... 139 India China agreed to set up Joint Working Group on Trade and Investments ........................ 139 India to cut Import Duties on 234 Items from Pakistan ............................................................ 139 Joint Statement on the First India-CELAC Troika Foreign Ministers Meeting Held in New Delhi ................................................................................................................................................... 140 India and Belgium signed Agreement for the Modernisation of Indian Railways .................... 141 India and Israel signed Collaborative Academic Research Programme Agreement ................. 141 India allowed FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) from Pakistan .................................................. 141 Election Commissions of India and South Korea signed MoU to Strengthen Democracy ........ 142 India signed Tax Information Exchange Agreement (TIEA) with Monaco ................................ 142 China signed Economic Agreements with North Korea which includes the Development of SEZs ................................................................................................................................................... 143 U.S. Treasury Secretary Discussed Economy and Trade Barriers with India............................. 143 India-Maldives Joint Military Training Exercise EKUVERIN 2012 held in Belgaum ................... 143 President of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai Visited India and discussed on various Issues ............ 144 The President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon visited India ...................................................... 144 Chapter 4: Science and Technology .................................................................................... 145 First Space Weather Reading Centre of India Scheduled To Be Opened By Mid 2013 ............ 145 Costal Chain of Static Sensors Positioned Along the Coast Of Andhra Pradesh ....................... 145 Controversy over Clean Chit Given To Rajasthan Atomic Power Plant by Iaea ........................ 145
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President Pranab Mukherjee Launched Low Cost Aakash Tablet 2 .......................................... 146 Union Cabinet approved the Launch of Satellite to study Mars ............................................... 147 Researchers Found Mechanism behind Origin of Life on Early Earth ....................................... 147 Huge Dust Storm Observed On Mars by NASA Rover ............................................................... 148 New Drug discovered that can Halt Cancer from Multiplying .................................................. 148 Makemake, the Massive Dwarf Planet of Solar System Has No Atmosphere .......................... 148 Scientists decoded how flu viruses replicate within Infected Cells .......................................... 149 Researchers Developed New Tool for Keeping Your Email Spam-Free .................................... 149 Algorithm Developed for Controlling Computer Cursors with the Thoughts ........................... 150 Gene Discovered That Identifies Your Time of Death ............................................................... 150 Bionetwork of Bacteria Live in Belly Button .............................................................................. 151 Scientist Decoded a Gene that Gives Humans an Edge over Apes ........................................... 151 Researchers Created a Paper-Thin Fabric to Stop Bullets ......................................................... 152 Scientists discovered Bacteria that can Line up to Create Live Wire ........................................ 152 NASA launched Space Station Alert Service to Make People Aware about the ISS.................. 152 A Humanoid Robot called Baxter designed in USA ................................................................... 153 New Earth Sized Planet Discovered in Neighboring Solar System ............................................ 153 Scientist Developed a Superhero Mice that sniff out Explosives .............................................. 154 Scientist Discovered Source of Water on Moon ....................................................................... 154 Australian Scientists unveiled the Colossal Radio Telescope .................................................... 154 Sunita Williams became the Second Woman in History to take Command of ISS ................... 155 Researchers discovered Two Proteins that can Protect against Diabetes ................................ 155 Indias first multi-lateral Social Science research collaboration with four European Nations . 156 Scientists developed a Gene Therapy which can restore the Sense of Smell ........................... 156 A New Strain of Rice developed by the Scientists that could boost Crop Yields ...................... 157 Scientists developed a New Technique to reduce the Side Effects of Chemotherapy ............. 157
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Ring-Planet Saturn and Red Planet Mars paired in the Sky ...................................................... 157 NASAs New Robot Rover Curiosity touched the Surface of Mars............................................ 158 Google Launched Dead Sea Scrolls Online Library in Partnership with Israel Antiquities Authority.................................................................................................................................... 158 Tata Steel Developed a New Kind of Anti-Ballistic Steel Super Bainite .................................... 159 Apple Launched i pad mini and fourth-generation iPad in India .............................................. 159 Iran Announced Sending a Monkey Successfully Into Space .................................................... 159 154 Sonnets of Shakespeare encoded and stored in strands of DNA ...................................... 160 Scientists Discovered Gene That Restricts Tumours ................................................................. 160 Black Holes Growing At Faster Pace Than Expected: Astronomers .......................................... 161 Sensors to Detect Plants Distress Worked Upon By the Researchers ...................................... 161 Researchers Developed New Technology That Helps Surgeon Detect Cancer Spread ............ 161 Astronomers discovered Largest Cosmic Structure in the Universe......................................... 162 Scientists Developed a Drug to Reverse Permanent Deafness ................................................. 162 Scientists Developed a Drug That Help Paralysed Walk Again ................................................. 162 Mars Curiosity Rover captured a Flower like formation on Martian Rocks .............................. 163 2 Billion Year Old Martian Rock Is a Meteorite with 10 Times More Water than Normal: Scientists .................................................................................................................................... 163 Researchers Discovered Protein behind Scaly and Dry Skin in Eczema .................................... 164 Two New-Born Giant Planets Observed Around the Star ......................................................... 164 Astronomers Claimed Rare Supercomet Would Outshine Moon in 2013 ................................ 164 Spaceplane Successfully Completed Flight Test; Moved a Step Closer to Space Tourism ....... 165 Life supporting Planet Found Orbiting Star near Earth ............................................................. 165 NASAs Twin Probes Crashed Successfully onto Lunar Mountain............................................. 165 Researchers created natural heart pacemaker from single gene ............................................. 166 Permian Mass Extinction Was Led By a Microbe: Research ..................................................... 166 Brain-Removal Tool Discovered in 2400-Year Old Mummy...................................................... 167
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Scientists Developed a Headset That Give Humans 360 Degree Vision ................................... 167 Scientist Decoded genetic code of Honey Bees revealing its sensitivity to Environmental Change ....................................................................................................................................... 167 Research Indicated That Anti-Ageing Gene Might Suppress Tumours ..................................... 168 First 100 Percent Ultrasound Toothbrush of the World Developed ......................................... 168 NASA Announced to send New Rover to Mars in 2020 ............................................................ 168 Anti Collision Device for Railways developed by Hyderabad Based Firm ................................. 169 Mystery that Surrounded the Missing Sandy Island Solved ..................................................... 170 CHAMP Missile Could Shut Down the Electronics of the Country Permanently: Boeing ......... 170 Scientists created most complex and realistic artificial brain which can pass IQ as well ......... 170 NASAs Mercury-orbiting probe discovered ice on the planet ................................................. 171 New Kind of Matter Might Be Produced In Large Hadron Collider ........................................... 171 India Successfully Test Fired Air to Air Interceptor Astra Missile ............................................. 172 Prithvi II, the Nuclear-capable surface to surface Missile Successfully test-fired .................... 172 Ramanujans Cryptic Death Bed Theory proved by American Scientist ................................... 172 Super-Jupiter, the Largest Planet of Our Solar System Discovered .......................................... 173 Microsoft Corp Organised Wowzapp 2012 for Students Interested in App Development ...... 173 Nuclear Capable Prithvi II Missile Sucessfully Test Fired .......................................................... 174 India successfully launched its Heaviest Satellite GSAT-10....................................................... 174 CSIR announced Fellowship program for Scientists aged above 70 ......................................... 175 Air Force Version of Pilot-less Target Aircraft Lakshya-1 was successfully Test-flown ............ 175 NASAs Curiosity Rover took its First Drive on the Surface of Mars ......................................... 175 India successfully test-fired Medium Range Ballistic Missile Agni II ...................................... 176 India Successfully test-fired manoeuvrable version of BrahMos Supersonic Missile ............... 176 Astronomers measured the Process how Universe cooled on lines of Big Bang Theory ......... 177 CHAPTER 5: Polity and Governance .................................................................................... 179 India Celebrated Its 64th Republic Day; Showcased Military Prowess and Cultural Heritage . 179 www.jagranjosh.com
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Supreme Court Of India Banned Construction of Religious Structures and Statues on Public Land ........................................................................................................................................... 179 The Union Cabinet Sanctioned Appointment Of 2000 Judges For The Fast-Track Courts ....... 179 Election Commission Announced Date Of Election And By-Elections In 10 States .................. 179 Money Laundering and Banking Bills 2012 Turned Into Law with Presidents Assent .............. 180 Cji Altamas Kabir Constituted Special Bench To Hear Crimes Against Women ........................ 180 Supreme Court Judges Number Increased To 28 Against The Sanctioned Strength Of 31 ...... 180 Delhi High Court Dismissed The Pil That Challenged Tendulkars Nomination To Rajya Sabha 181 Sc Dismissed Purno Sangma Petition That Challenged Pranab Mukherjee's Election As President.................................................................................................................................... 181 Lok Sabha Passed The Companies Bill 2011 Aimed At Improving Corporate Governance ...... 182 Supreme Court Asked Judge Of Sc And Hc To Inform Government About Details Of Foreign Visits .......................................................................................................................................... 183 Union Cabinet of India Approved the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Policy ........................ 183 The Protection Of Children From Sexual Offences Act, 2012 Came Into Force ........................ 183 Sc: Criminal Case Cant Be Dismissed Because Of Delay ........................................................... 184 Union Cabinet Approved Amendment Of Indecent Representation Of Women Act ............... 185 Commission Issued Stricter Guidelines To Curb The Practice Of Paid News ............................ 185 Rail Radar, Website launched by the Railways to track the position of train ........................... 186 Mos Was Signed To Provide Autonomy For The Hills Council In Assam ................................... 186 Supreme Court Lifted The Gag Order On Media Reporting Of Troop Movement .................... 186 Supreme Court: Media Can Be Restrained From Pressing Trials During Proceedings .............. 186 Constitution Amendment Bill passed by Huge Majority in Rajya Sabha .................................. 187 Chapter 6: Social Issues ..................................................................................................... 188 Justice Js Verma Panel Report Submitted To the Government: Recommendations on the Sexual Crimes ........................................................................................................................................ 188 India and Sri Lanka Signed Two Agreements on Terrorism And Drug Trafficking .................... 189 Supreme Court Banned Tourists Entry In Jarawa Tribe Habitat Of Andamans ....................... 190 www.jagranjosh.com
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Government of India Declared Use Of Mgnrega Linked Post Office Accounts For Direct Cash Transfer ..................................................................................................................................... 190 Supreme Court Asked Union Government to Set Up A Special Court To Try Italian Marines .. 191 Union Home Ministry Issued Strict Guidelines for Regulating Surrogacy In India .................... 191 Parliamentary Standing Committee Recommended Entitlement Of Food For 67 Percent Population ................................................................................................................................. 192 Supreme Court: Khap Panchayats Diktat On Dress Code For Women Unlawful ..................... 193 Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde Launched Pilot Project of Crime And Criminal Tracking System ......................................................................................................................... 193 Union Government Launched Government Calendar Featuring Flagship Schemes ................ 194 Union Government Approved An Anti-Piracy Scheme In Audio-Visual Sector ......................... 194 Igmri and Cwc Signed Mou for Post Harvest Management of Foodgrains ............................... 194 Prime Minister Launched Aadhar Based Transfer System ........................................................ 195 Passive Euthanasia Supported By the Law Panel ...................................................................... 195 Sc: Land Belonging To Scheduled Castes Or Tribes Cannot Be Bought By Non-Dalits.............. 196 New Measures Announced For the Welfare of Overseas Indians ............................................ 196 Jal Satyagraha Came To an End after 17 Days Demonstration on A Victory Note ................... 197 The Government Approved A Complete Ban On Employment Of Children ............................. 197 The Union Government Issued An Ultimatum To Social Networking Site Twitter ................... 198 Government of India Enacted Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2006 .................................... 198 Chapter 7: Economy .......................................................................................................... 199 Union Government Approved 14 Fdi Proposals Worth Over 1300 Cr Rupees ......................... 199 Union Cabinet Approved Higher Funds For Indira Awaas Yojana ............................................. 199 National Data Centre For Uidai To Come Up In Gurgaon ......................................................... 200 Empowered Group of Ministers Decided To Auction Four Telecom Circles In 1800 Mhz Band ................................................................................................................................................... 200 Union Government Doubled 12th Plan Outlay For Science And Technology Ministry ............ 200
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Union Government Constituted the 14th Finance Commission under Former Rbi Governor Yv Reddy ......................................................................................................................................... 201 Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram Unveiled Cash Transfer Rollout Plan ........................ 202 Bihar Became the Fastest Growing Indian State between 2006 And 2010 .............................. 202 Union Government Approved Selling 12.5 Percent Stake In Rashtriya Chemicals And Fertilizers ................................................................................................................................................... 202 Bhatinda Srinagar Gas Pipeline Project To Be Completed By July 2014 ................................... 203 Union Government Exempted Service Tax for Janashree and Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana ......... 203 India to Sign Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty In Criminal Matters With Four Other Nations... 204 Union Minister Of Finance P Chidambaram Finalised Gaar Amendment ................................. 204 Union Government Body Ccea Lifted Export Ban on Some Milk Products ............................... 205 Indian Sovereign Rating is Stable-Moody ................................................................................. 205 Service Tax on High-End Class Travel, Freight and Auxiliary Service Rail Fares ........................ 205 Government Reduced Interest Rates On Rescheduled Crop Loans From 12 To 7 Percent ...... 206 Supreme Court Refused To Lift Ban On Mining Activities In Karnataka ................................... 206 The Government Extended the Ban On Import Of Milk And Milk Products From China ......... 206 FDI Inflow in China Decreased 3.7 Percent, First Time in 3 Years ............................................. 206 RBI and the State Bank of Vietnam signed a Memorandum of Understanding ....................... 207 Deutsche Bank Appointed As the Depository Bank for GDR of IIPL.......................................... 207 Spice Global Entered Healthcare Sector in India; Announced Investing Over 1400 Crore Rupees ................................................................................................................................................... 207 Reliance Industries Shut 8th Well in KG-D6; Gas Output Fell to All-Time Low ......................... 208 Hindalco finalized Arrangements to acquire Bauxite Mines and Alumina Refirnery from Novelis ................................................................................................................................................... 208 Union Government approved the Partial De-notification of RIL SEZ ........................................ 209 GAIL India Commissioned Dabhol Liquefied Natural Gas Terminal .......................................... 209 PR Fonroche inaugurated First Solar Plant under National Solar Mission Batch II ................... 210 Supreme Court rejected Sahara Petition on Refund of 24000 crore Rupees ........................... 210 www.jagranjosh.com
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Allahabad Bank Signed MoU with Chamber of Indian Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises 211 Union Government Decided to disinvest Stakes in Oil India, NTPC .......................................... 211 National Aluminium Co Ltd (Nalco) Commissioned its First Wind Power Project .................... 212 KG-D6, Gas Producing Fields Reached Lowest Gas Output Level since Inception .................... 212 ICICI Bank Opened 101 Gramin Branches across Villages in Six States..................................... 212 Infosys Shares started Trading on New York Stock Exchange ................................................... 213 Telecom Commission approved 1500 crore Rupees subsidy for BSNL ..................................... 213 Lobby Bill of Wal-Mart Hit Around 125 Crore Rupees to Seek Entry into India ....................... 213 Sahara Companies Got Two Months Time to Repay Investors Money ................................... 213 SBI Announced Expectation of 4000 crore Rupees Equity from the Government ................... 214 Tea Board of India Joined Hand with European Tea Committee to Protect Darjeeling Tea .... 214 SEBI Asked Government to set up Special Court for Speedy Trial ............................................ 214 Petroleum Ministrys Non Approval to RILs Investment Plans ................................................ 215 ICICI Bank Signed an Agreement with Eco Bank of Africa ......................................................... 215 HDFC Bank and Indian Oil came together to Provide Banking Services in Rural Areas ............ 216 Delhi Metro Rail Corporation won work in Jakarta Metro Rail Project .................................... 216 Indigo Airlines emerged to be the top ranked carrier for consecutive second month ............ 216 Supreme Court asked Essar Oil to pay the sales tax dues in phases......................................... 217 Sales percentage of car declined in India .................................................................................. 217 GAIL signed pact with French Energy Giant GDF Suez to import LNG ...................................... 217 Geojit BNP launched Android OS Flip Me; first mobile trading solution on NSE & BSE ........... 218 SBI reduced the interest rate on the deposits of more than 5 years........................................ 218 SBI reduced Interest Rate on Home and Car Loans by Up to 0.5 Percent ................................ 218 Union Ministry for Commerce launched e Biz Portal to Provide one Stop Shop for all Investment................................................................................................................................. 219 Reserve Bank of India slashed Repo Rate to 7.75 Percent and CRR to 4 Percent .................... 220 Securities and Exchange Board of India revised the Mechanism of Offer for Sale ................... 220 www.jagranjosh.com
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Union Commerce Ministry claimed that India has crossed One Billion Mark in Tea Production ................................................................................................................................................... 221 FDI Inflow Decreased to Two-Year Low in November 2012 ..................................................... 221 IMF forecasted Indian Economic Growth Rate to be 5.9 percent in 2013 ............................... 221 Union Cabinet Approved 50 Percent Reduction in the Reserve Prices for CDMA Spectrum ... 222 Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the Continuation of JNNURM.................. 222 CCEA approved Defreeze in the Tariff Value of Edible Oils as per International Market ......... 222 Union Government of India raised the cap on Subsidized LPG Cylinders from 6 to 9 .............. 223 Union Government Imposed 2.5 Percent Import Duty on Crude Edible Oil ............................. 223 World Bank slashed the Global Growth Forecast to 2.4 Percent ............................................. 223 The Implementation of GAAR deferred by 2 Years, to Come into Force from 1April 2016 ..... 224 Sensex Crossed Crucial 20000 Mark after Two Years ............................................................... 224 Union Government approved Ten Percent Stake Sale in Engineers India Ltd (EIL) .................. 224 Union Government Announced More Incentives to Exporters Hit By Global Meltdown ........ 225 Union Government of India lowered the Growth Projection for Current Fiscal to 5.7 Percent226 Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the Setting up of CCI................................ 226 Retail Inflation Increased to 9.90 Percent in November 2012 .................................................. 226 Indian Economy Would Dominate the Economy of the World by 2030: US Intelligence Community Report .................................................................................................................... 226 Security and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) allowed 12 more Alternative Investment Funds 227 Reserve Bank of India (RBI) signed Currency Swap Agreement with Bank of Japan ................ 228 National Cancer Institute and a National Cardio Care Centre to be developed at Jhajjar ....... 228 India signed 70 million US Dollar loan agreement with World Bank ........................................ 229 Reserve Bank of India asked Banks not to Provide Loans for Purchase of Gold ....................... 229 Income Ceiling for LIG raised by Union Government of India .................................................. 230 Union Cabinet of India cleared Proposal for Spectrum Sharing ............................................... 230 Civil Aviation Ministry approved New Traffic Rights to Indian Carriers .................................... 231
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Government decided to digitize Cable TV Network in Thirty Eight Cities ................................ 231 Government of India announced Minimum Support Price for Cotton ..................................... 231 Northern Railways introduced Pink Coloured Tatkal Forms ..................................................... 232 RBI Expanded the Lending Norms on Priority Sectors .............................................................. 232 Civil Aviation Ministry announced omission of Airport Development Fee from January 2013 233 Pilot Projects for development of People Friendly Roads approved ........................................ 233 Website for SMS alerts and Rail passenger enquiry launched by Railways .............................. 234 CCEA approved 1.90 crore lakh package on debt restructuring for the SEBs ........................... 234 Foreign Investment cap hiked to 74 percent for Broadcasting Services .................................. 234 GAAR Report submitted by the Shome Committee to the Finance Ministry ........................... 235 Cash Reserve Ratio Slashed to Inject Rs 17000 crore, Repo Rates remained Unchanged ....... 236 Shimla Municipal Corporation introduced Green Tax on vehicles entering Shimla ................. 236 IRCTC introduced Interbank Mobile Payment System .............................................................. 237 Proposal for 51 percent FDI in multi-brand retail and 49 percent in Aviation passed ............. 237 Report: Indian external debts are within manageable limits.................................................... 238 Government approved 14000 Crore Rupees Fund to spur Production of Hybrid and Electrical Vehicle ....................................................................................................................................... 238 SEBI allowed Partial Flexibility in IDRs for Investors ................................................................. 239 Reserve Bank of India (RBI) transferred a Surplus of Rs 16010 crore to the Union Government ................................................................................................................................................... 239 Public Accounts Committee (PAC) called for Deterrent Penal Provisions against Units in SEZs ................................................................................................................................................... 240 India eased External Overseas Borrowing Rules to enable Easier Access to Cheap Dollar Funds ................................................................................................................................................... 240 Union Finance Ministry approved 49 Percent FDI in Insurance and Pension Sector ................ 241 Air India losses pegged at 28046 Crore Rupees ........................................................................ 242 RBI stipulated the Norms for Securitisation of Loans by NBFCs ............................................... 242 India's Marine Exports to grow by over 28% to USD 4.5 billion in 2012-13 Fiscal ................... 242 www.jagranjosh.com
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Regulator SEBI permitted seven Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) to start Operation in India ................................................................................................................................................... 243 CAG pegged Public Exchequers Loss at 1.86 Lakh Crore in Coal Blocks Allocation Scam ........ 244 Inter-ministerial group recommended Linking Patented Drug Prices to Per-capita Income ... 244 Indias NSE became the Worlds Largest Bourse in Equity Segment as per WFEs Global Ranking ................................................................................................................................................... 245 Union Cabinet sets Base Price for Auction of 2G Spectrum at 14000 Crore Rupees ................ 245 RBI directed NBFCs to maintain Net-owned Funds (NOF) at Rs 3 crore by 31 March 2013 ..... 246 RBI signed MOU with Financial Regulators of 9 Countries to promote Sharing of Information ................................................................................................................................................... 246 Chapter 8: Personalities ..................................................................................................... 248 Chief Justice of India S.H. Kapadia retired................................................................................. 248 Jaideep Sarkar appointed as the new envoy to Israel ............................................................... 248 Former Navy Chief Nirmal Verma Appointed As Indian Envoy to Canada ............................... 248 Queen Elizabeth Became First Peacetime British Ruler to Attend Cabinet Meeting ............... 248 Menon First Top Ranking Indian Official to Visit China after Changes in Communist Party of China .......................................................................................................................................... 249 Board Members of Tata Sons conferred the Title of Chairman Emeritus on Ratan Tata ......... 249 Cyrus Pallonji Mistry Appointed as Chairman of Tata Sons ...................................................... 250 Industry Leader Deepak Parekh Nominated to Competition Commission of India .................. 250 Keshub Mahindra stepped down as the Chairman of Mahindra & Mahindra ......................... 250 US President Barack Obama named Person of the year 2012 by TIME Magazine ................... 251 Leslie Claudius the Legendary Hockey Player from India Died ................................................. 251 Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti resigned ahead of Elections ............................................. 252 Virbhadra Singh took oath as Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh for the Sixth time ............. 253 Narendra Modi was Sworn-in as the Chief Minister of Gujarat ................................................ 253 Delhi Gangrape Victim Passed Away at Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore...................... 253 Tony Greig, Former Captain of England Cricket Team and Commentator Died ....................... 253 www.jagranjosh.com
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Patrick Suckling appointed as Australia's Next High Commissioner to India ............................ 253 IK Gujral, Former Prime Minister of India Died At 92 ............................................................... 254 BS Yeddyyurappa resigned from BJP and Karnataka Legislative Assembly .............................. 254 Daw Aung San Suu Kyi of Myanmar visited India ...................................................................... 254 Dr. Joseph Edward Murray, the Man behind First Kidney Transplant Died At 93 .................... 255 Oriya Novelist and Academician Pratibha Ray selected for 2011 Jnanpith Award ................... 255 Alok Joshi to be RAW Head, Asif Ibrahim to Head IB ................................................................ 255 Arvind Kejriwal named his Political Party as Aam Admi Party .................................................. 255 Ernest Bai Koroma re-elected as the President of Sierra Leone ............................................... 256 Joaquim Barbosa sworn-in as Brazils Supreme Courts First non-White President ................. 256 Senior IPS Officer Ranjit Sinha Appointed as CBI Director for Two Years ................................. 256 Anil Dev Singh became the new Chairperson of IOA Election Panel ........................................ 256 Shiv Sena Chief Balasaheb Thackeray died in Mumbai ............................................................. 257 Ami Bera became 3rd Indian-American to win US Congressional Election .............................. 257 Former Union Minister of India and ex-Defence Minister K.C. Pant Died ................................ 257 Xi Jinping elected as the New General Secretary of the Communist Party of China ................ 258 BBC Director General George Entwistle Resigned Over covering Sexual Abuse ...................... 258 President Barack Obama Re-elected President of United States of America ........................... 258 Irom Sharmila, the Iron Lady of Manipur completed 12 Years of Fast ..................................... 259 Chinese-British Writer Han Suyin died at the age of 95 in Lausanne ....................................... 259 Veteran BJP Leader Kailashpati Misra Died at the age of 90 in Bihar ....................................... 259 Pioneer of Pocket Cartoons in India Cartoonist, T. Samuel Died .............................................. 260 Anand Kumar of Super 30 Fame Declared Peoples Hero ......................................................... 260 The King of Romance and the Famous Filmmaker, Yash Chopra Died ..................................... 260 Former King of Cambodia, Norodom Sihanouk Died in China .................................................. 260 Libyas National Congress elected Ali Zidan as the New Prime Minister .................................. 261
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Felix Baumgartner became the First Skydiver to go Faster than the Speed of Sound ............. 261 S.Vishwanathan Elected as New Managing Director of State bank of India ............................. 261 Huge Chavez Re-elected as President of Venezuela ................................................................. 261 Ajit Saran Appointed as Secretary in National Commission for Women .................................. 262 India's first National Security Advisor Brajesh Mishra died ...................................................... 262 Professor Banwarilal Sharma, the Mathematician and a Gandhian Activist Died .................... 262 R Lakshmipathy elected as chairman of the Press Trust of India.............................................. 262 Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Resigned .......................................................................... 263 Ramesh Abhishek appointed as FMC chairman ........................................................................ 263 Aishwarya Rai appointed as International Goodwill Ambassador ............................................ 263 C.P. Joshi appointed as the new Railway Minister .................................................................... 263 Bill Gates still the richest person in America............................................................................. 263 Aung San Suu Kyi received US Congress Highest Honour ......................................................... 264 Supreme Court refused to Review the petitions challenging Right to Education Act, 2009 .... 264 Salman Rushdie released his Book Joseph Anton ..................................................................... 264 World Bank appointed Onno Ruhl as the country director for India ........................................ 264 Rajiv Mehta appointed as Director General of Narcotics Control Bureau ................................ 265 Former Sarsanghchalak of RSS KS Sudarshan died at Nagpur .................................................. 265 Former Chief Justice of India Ranganath Misra Died ................................................................ 265 Cartoonist Assem Trivedi granted bail by Mumbai High Court................................................. 265 Verghese Kurien the White Revolutionary and the Milkman of India Died ............................. 265 Dr. KC Abraham awarded with Business Excellence Award ...................................................... 266 Gaurav Shumsher Rana became Nepals Army Chief ............................................................... 266 Smita Shah turned up to be the First Indian American at DNC parliamentarian ...................... 266 Sachin Pilot commissioned as a Lieutenant in Territorial Army................................................ 266 Kaushik Basu appointed as World Bank Chief Economist ......................................................... 266
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Admiral Devendra Kumar Joshi took over as the new Indian Navy Chief ................................. 267 Raghuram Rajan took over as the Chief Economic Advisor of in Union Finance Ministry ....... 267 Indian American Karl Mehta was selected to Work on Five High-Impact Projects .................. 267 Veteran Actor AK Hangal passed away in Mumbai ................................................................... 267 PM Nair appointed the Director General of National Disaster Response Force & Civil Defence ................................................................................................................................................... 267 G Ashok Kumar took over as the Southern Naval Command Chief .......................................... 268 Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenavi passed away ............................................................... 268 PJ Kurien elected the Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha ........................................................... 268 Lakhdar Brahimi was appointed the New UN Arab League Envoy for Syria ............................. 268 Wikileaks Founder Julian Assange would be Granted Political Asylum by Ecuador ................. 268 Pakistan Government honoured Gopi Chand Narang with Sitara-i-Imtiaz ............................... 269 Union Minister for Science and Technology Vilasrao Deshmukh passed away ........................ 269 Raghuram Rajan appointed the New Chief Economic Advisor in the Finance Ministry ........... 269 Syed Nasim Ahmed Zaidi appointed New Election Commissioner ........................................... 269 Kofi Annan quit as the UN special envoy to Syria ..................................................................... 269 Kaushik Basu Ended Tenure as the Chief Economic Advisor in New Delhi ............................... 269 Dave Brubeck, the Renowned Jazz Pianist and Composer Died At 91 ...................................... 270 Oldest Person of the World, Besse Cooper Died At 116 ........................................................... 270 S. Ramakrishnan took over as Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre ............................... 270 Syed Asif Ibrahim Took Over as the Director of Intelligence Bureau ........................................ 270 Urjit Patel Was Appointed As the Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India .................. 271 Mukesh Ambani Declared 18th Richest Man in the World; Retains Position as Richest Indian ................................................................................................................................................... 271 Freedom fighter Pandit Ram Sanehi Shukla died ...................................................................... 271 Violin Maestro M.S. Gopalakrishnan died at the age of 82 ...................................................... 271 PM Manmohan Singh Became the 19th Most Followed Leader on Twitter............................. 271
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Gerda Lerner, the Womens History Pioneer Died at 92 .......................................................... 271 US President Barack Obama re nominated Indian American Srikanth Srinivasan as Federal Judge.......................................................................................................................................... 272 Former South African Bowler Neil Adcock died at the age of 81.............................................. 272 Ravindra Dholkia to Head five-member committee of Air India .............................................. 272 Justice D.K. Jain appointed as the Chairman of Law Commission ............................................ 272 Chief Minister of Jharkhand Arjun Munda Resigned ................................................................ 273 Akbaruddin Owaisi Arrested For Delivering Hate Speech; Faces Several Other Charges ......... 273 Chief Minister of Gujarat Narendra Modi inaugurated 6th Vibrant Gujarat summit ............... 273 Air Marshal Kulwant Singh Gill took over as the Commandant of NDA ................................... 273 Rajiv Takru appointed Secretary of Financial Services in the Finance Ministry ........................ 274 Brij Bihari Lal Butail Elected As the Speaker of Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly ......... 274 Internet Activist and Co-founder of Reditt, Aaron Swarth committed Suicide ........................ 274 Rusi Framroze Surti, Former Test Cricketer Died At 76 ............................................................ 274 Kamal Nath Elected As the Leader of Indian Delegation for World Economic Forum 2013 .... 274 Tahawwur Rana sentenced 14 years in Jail by the Federal Court............................................. 275 SSPI to honour Prof. U R Rao by inducting him as a Member to the Satellite Hall of Fame..... 275 Rahul Gandhi appointed as the Vice-President of Indian National Congress ........................... 276 Bhutan King to be the Chief Guest at Indias Republic Day for the Year 2013 ......................... 277 JBT Teachers Recruitment Scam: Chautala and Son sentenced 10 years in Prison ................. 277 Rajnath Singh elected as the new National President of Bhartiya Janata Party ....................... 277 Uddhav Thackeray appointed as the Party President of Shiv Sena .......................................... 277 U.S. Federal Court sentenced 35 years in Prison for David Coleman Headley ......................... 277 US Astronaut Neil Alden Armstrong passed away .................................................................... 278 Chapter 9: INSTITUTION and Agencies ............................................................................... 279 Special Consultative Status With Uno Accorded To Six Indian Ngos ........................................ 279 Broadband Network Pact Signed With 16 States and Ut Government .................................... 279 www.jagranjosh.com
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Union Government Approved 492 Crore Rupees To Set Up Central Academy For Police Training In Bhopal .................................................................................................................................... 280 Union Government decided to launch Saksham to Educate Adolescent Boys ......................... 280 Women and Child Development Ministry launched a Web Portal named Track Child ............ 280 Chapter 10: Awards/Honours ............................................................................................ 282 The Bhilai Steel Plant won the Prime Ministers Trophy for the 10th Time ............................. 282 Jammu and Kashmir Bank was Awarded Best Banker Prize ..................................................... 282 Krishi Karman Awards for the year 2011-2012 presented by the President of India ............... 282 Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowships and Akademi Awards for the Year 2012 Announced ..... 283 Lula da Silva awarded Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development .......... 284 Autar Kaw, a professor of Indian Origin won US Professor of the Year Award-2012 ............... 284 Three Indian Writers Shortlisted for DSC South Asian Literature Prize 2013 ........................... 285 Gavaskar conferred with Col. CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award ................................. 285 Malala Yousafzai awarded with Bravery Award by World Peace and Prosperity Foundation . 285 President of Liberia Ellen Johnson Sirleaf chosen for Indira Gandhi Peace Prize 2012 ............ 286 Chinese Film, 11 Flowers won NETPAC Award at Kolkata Film Festival ................................... 286 Urdu Scholar Gopi Chand Narang Awarded Moortidevi Award for 2010 ................................. 286 Katherine Boo won US National Book Award for Mumbai Book .............................................. 287 Madhav Chavan Awarded the Education Nobel Prize .............................................................. 287 Literary Critic and Educator Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak Got Kyoto Prize ................................ 287 Sunita Williams Ventured on 7th Space Walk: Set New Record ............................................... 288 Mathura Refinery Bagged 13th Annual Greentech Environment Award ................................. 288 Aishwarya Rai Bachchan Conferred with French Award the Knight of the Order of Arts and Letter ......................................................................................................................................... 288 Lyricist Gulzar Conferred with Indira Gandhi National Award .................................................. 289 Amitabh Bachchan Got Best TV Host Award for KBC ................................................................ 289 Strategic Thinker and Analyst Brahma Chellaney won Bernard Schwartz Award .................... 289
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Edinburgh Napier University honoured Sharmila Tagore with Honorary Doctorate of Arts .... 290 Gov. of Bangladesh Awarded Babu Jagjivan Ram with Friends of Liberation War Honour ...... 290 V Narayan Murthy honoured with 2012 Hoover Medal in Washington................................... 290 Books that won 11th Economist Crossword Book Award Declared ......................................... 291 First Ever India Biodiversity Award Presented in Hyderabad ................................................... 291 British Writer Hilary Mantel won Booker Prize for Second Time ............................................. 291 Reliance Industry Limited's Jamnagar refinery bagged British Safety Council Award .............. 291 Lloyd Shapley and Alvin Roth of America won Nobel Prize in Economics ................................ 292 Nobel Peace Prize 2012 awarded to European Union .............................................................. 292 Mo Yan a Chinese writer won the 2012 Nobel Prize for literature ........................................... 293 Robert Lefkowitz and Brian Kobilka Won Nobel Prize 2012 for Chemistry .............................. 293 Serge Haroche and David Wineland won Nobel Prize 2012 for Physics ................................... 294 John Gurdon and Shinya Yamanaka won Nobel Prize-2012 for Medicine ............................... 294 Fortis Escorts won FICCI Healthcare Excellence Award 2012 ................................................... 294 Sheryl Kumar was Crowned as Miss India Fiji 2012 .................................................................. 294 Jeet Thayil shortlisted for the Man Booker for his debut novel Narcopolis ............................. 295 Pieta the South Korean Film won Golden Lion Venice Top Prize .............................................. 295 Aditi Mukherjee won the prestigious Norman Borlaug Award ................................................. 295 Delhi Government presented Lifetime Achievement Awards .................................................. 295 Six Top Sporting Coaches to receive Dronacharya Award for 2012.......................................... 295 Charles L Bennett received the Gruber Cosmology Prize 2012 ................................................ 296 Prime Minister Shram Awards for year 2011 announced ......................................................... 296 Indian Scientist Ashoke Sen was honoured with Fundamental Physics Prize .......................... 296 9 physicists worldwide received the Fundamental Physics Prize ............................................. 296 Muthunayagam and Saraswat to be awarded with Aryabhatta Award by the ASI .................. 297 Scientist Venkatesh Mannar honoured with Order of Canada Award ..................................... 297
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Irelands prestigious Tipperary International Peace Prize for 2012 awarded to Malala .......... 298 Sunmeet Kaur became the first woman to win 5 Crore Rupees on Kaun Banega Crorepati Game Show .......................................................................................................................................... 298 Life of Pi Nominated For BAFTA 2013 with Nine Nominations, Lincoln Leads Way with 10 Nods ................................................................................................................................................... 298 Renault Duster Awarded Car of the Year Award 2013.............................................................. 299 Malala Yousafzai Honoured with France's Simone de Beauvoir Prize for Women's Freedom 299 19th Colors Screen Awards: Ranbir Kapoor and Irfan Khan declared Best Actors ................... 299 Golden Globe Awards 2013: Argo Won Best Picture and Best Director Awards ...................... 299 President Pranab Mukherjee honoured 18 States with Krishi Karman Awards ....................... 299 58th Idea Filmfare Awards: Barfi! Bags Seven Awards, Kahaani Scripts Five ........................... 300 Thirty-Seven Officers of Customs & Central Excise and ED Selected for Presidential Awards . 301 Major Abup J Manjali Selected For Second- Highest Peacetime Gallantry Award Kirti Chakra 301 Indian writer shortlisted for the prestigious International Man Booker Prize for Fiction 2013 301 President of India approved the conferment of 108 Padma Awards ....................................... 302 Taiwanese Business Magnate Launches Asias Nobel-Type Prizes ........................................... 302 Chapter 11: Reports and Committees ................................................................................ 304 RTE Report revealed the Low Percentage of Enrolment of SC and ST Students in Schools ..... 304 Cigarette Package Health Warnings: International Status Report Released ............................ 304 Agewell Foundation Report on Condition of Elderly People in Delhi-NCR Released................ 305 The World Development Report 2013-Jobs Released by World Bank...................................... 306 Children in India 2012 - A Statistical Appraisal Report released ............................................... 307 Naresh Chandra Committee submitted its Report on National Security .................................. 308 Chapter 12: Programs and Policy ....................................................................................... 309 Union Government Approved Relaxation In Policies Related To Transfer Of Government Land ................................................................................................................................................... 309 Health Ministers of BRICS decided to set up Technical Working Group (TWG) ....................... 309
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World Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT-12) Held in Dubai ............... 309 National Girl Child Day Celebrated In India on 24 January ....................................................... 310 Chapter 13: Sports ............................................................................................................. 312 Union Hrd Minister Kapil Sibal Launched Hockey and Cricket League ..................................... 312 Scott Flemming Became the New Indian Basketball Team Coach ............................................ 312 Six Top Sporting Coaches to receive Dronacharya Award for 2012.......................................... 312 Roelant Oltmans is the High Performance Director for Indian Hockey Team .......................... 313 Former Cricketer Anil Kumble Appointed Chairman of ICC Cricket Committee ....................... 313 Monisha Kaltenborn Became the First Woman Team Principal in Formula one ...................... 313 Indian Golfer Gaganjeet Bhullar won Macau Open .................................................................. 313 Novak Djokovic won Shanghai Masters by Defeating Andy Murray......................................... 314 Deccan Chargers now out of Indian Premium League .............................................................. 314 Martin Guptill won New Zealand Top Cricket Award ............................................................... 314 Olympic Shooter Vijay Kumar Named Services Best Sportsman .............................................. 314 Saina Nehwal won Denmark Open Badminton Title ................................................................. 314 Lance Armstrong Stripped of from Seven Tour de France Titles .............................................. 314 Sun TV Network Acquired Hyderabad IPL Franchise ................................................................ 315 Sebastian Vettel won F1 Second Indian Grand Prix .................................................................. 315 Pankaj Advani won World Billiards Championship Title ........................................................... 315 Lionel Messi won Golden Boot Award as Europes top Scorer ................................................. 315 Union Government of India Approved Indo-Pak Cricket Series ................................................ 316 Virat Kohli Selected for BCCI Polly Umrigar Award ................................................................... 316 Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna won First ATP Tour Masters Title ............................... 316 Sachin Tendulkar received the Honorary Membership of the Order of Australia .................... 316 Mahendra Singh Dhoni Renamed his Super Bike Team and Signed Two New Members ........ 317 Gaganjeet Bhullar Declared Youngest Indian on Golfer List ..................................................... 317
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DGP of Andhra Pradesh V. Dinesh Reddy appointed as the President of IHF .......................... 317 Life Ban on Mohammad Azharuddin Lifted by Andhra Pradesh High Court ............................ 317 Marcel Granollers & Marc Lopez won the ATP World Tour Final 2012 .................................... 318 Daimler Purchased full control of Mercedes One Motor Racing Team .................................... 318 Davis Cup 2012: Czech Republic defeated Spain in the Finals .................................................. 318 Usain Bolt and Allyson Felix named IAAF World Athletes of the Year 2012 ............................. 319 Sebastian Vettel became Youngest Triple Champion in Formula One History ......................... 319 Former Australian Cricketer Glenn McGrath to be inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame ................................................................................................................................................... 319 Novak Djokovic won World Tennis Championships in Abu Dhabi ............................................ 319 Australian Cricketer Michael Hussey Announced Retirement from Test Cricket ..................... 320 Sachin Tendulkar announced Retirement from One Day Cricket ............................................. 320 Roger Federer Named Swiss Male Athlete of the Year 2012 .................................................... 320 Sardar Singh Commanded the Best Price in Hockey India League Auction .............................. 320 India Lost the Test Series by 1-2 after Nagpur Test ended as a Draw ...................................... 321 Junior World TT Championship: China Claimed All Titles ......................................................... 321 India won the World Cup Kabaddi Tournament 2012 .............................................................. 321 India Beat Pakistan to Lift Inaugural SBI T20 World Cup for the Blind 2012 ............................ 322 BB Nimbalkar, Indias Highest Scorer in First class cricket Passed away .................................. 323 Lionel Messi set the Record for most Goals in a Calendar Year ............................................... 323 Hockey Champions Trophy: Australia Won for the Fifth Consecutive Year, India Lost Bronze to Pakistan ..................................................................................................................................... 323 Athens Olympics Athletes Lose Medals over Doping After 8 Years .......................................... 324 England Cricket Captain Alastair Cook became the youngest Batsman to score 7000 Runs ... 324 Air India won Lal Bahadur Shastri hockey tournament against Bharat Petroleum .................. 324 IOC suspended IOA; India facing ban from Olympics ................................................................ 325 Ricky Ponting announced his Retirement from International Test Cricket .............................. 325
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Ravindra Jadeja Became Only Indian to Score Three Triple Tons in First-Class Cricket ........... 325 Anna Ushenina of Ukraine won the Womens World Championship Crown of Chess ............. 326 Tiger Woods won his 75th PGA Tour Title in the Farmers Insurance Open ............................. 326 India won the ODI series against England 3-2; England won the Fifth ODI .............................. 326 Mumbai won its 40th Ranji Trophy after defeating Saurashtra in Final ................................... 327 Novak Djokovic won Australian Open 2013, defeated Andy Murray in Final ........................... 327 Victoria Azarenka of Belarus won Australian Open 2013 in the Womens Category ............... 327 Fauja Singh, the Oldest Marathon Runner of the World Announced Retirement ................... 327 Kohli became the Quickest Indian and Second at World Level to complete 4000 ODI Runs ... 328 IOC asked Armstrong to return back the Sydney Olympic Bronze Medal ................................ 328 Saina Nehwal clinched Second Position in the Badminton World Federation Rankings .......... 328 International Paralympic Committee Decided to Launch International GP Circuit for Disabled ................................................................................................................................................... 329 Simon Taufel to be the First Umpire to deliver the MCC Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey Lecture 2013 ................................................................................................................................................... 329 Usain Bolt and Fraser-Pryce Won Athlete of the Year Award At JAAA Golden Cleats Awards Ceremony .................................................................................................................................. 329 Lionel Messi won the FIFA Ballon dOr Award for fourth time ................................................. 330 Andy Murray defeated Grigor Dimitrov to retain his Brisbane International Tennis Title ....... 330 India Lost the Series against Pakistan by 2-1 after it won the last match by 10 runs .............. 331 Virat Kohli named CEAT International Cricketer of the Year .................................................... 331 Sania Mirza and Bethanie Mattek-Sands claimed Ladies Doubles final at the Brisbane International .............................................................................................................................. 332 Chapter 14: State News ..................................................................................................... 333 Madras High Court Upheld Ban on Vishwaroopam in Tamil Nadu ........................................... 333 Karnataka To Provide Tamil Nadu With 12 Tmc Feet Of Cauvery Water: Cmc ........................ 333 Union Government Ruled Out the Decision Of Cauvery River Authority ................................. 334 Rashtriya Aarogya Nidhi Scheme Was Launched In Arunachal Pradesh .................................. 334 www.jagranjosh.com
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Supreme Courts Notice to Tamil Nadu On The Petition That Challenged 69% Quota In The State ................................................................................................................................................... 334 Rajasthan HC stayed States Decision for Giving 4% Additional Reservation to Gurjar ........... 335 Leprosy Eliminated from Delhi as Per WHO Guidelines: Delhi Health Minister ....................... 335 Madras High Court ordered that Police Permission is not required to stage Plays in the State ................................................................................................................................................... 335 Ghat Ki Guni Tunnel, Jaipur inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh ....................... 336 Delhi witnessed the Highest Number of Rape Cases in a Decades Time ................................. 337 Patiala House Became First District Court to Use Complete E-Stamping Facility ..................... 337 Om Prakash Chautala and his Son held guilty in Teachers Recruitment Scam ......................... 337 Punjabs First Shariat Panchayat to be inaugurated in March 2013 ......................................... 338 Supreme Court of India gave its nod to conduct Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu ................................ 338 37 Year Old Woman Became First Complete Body Donor of AIIMS ......................................... 338 Arunachal Pradesh Collaborated with NSDL for Adoption of National Pension Scheme ......... 339 JMM withdrew support from BJP in Jharkhand and Reduced It to Minority ........................... 340 Mantra Airlines to start Civil Airlines Services from Jammu to Kargil....................................... 340 Rape Victims Free to Choose Lawyers at the Expense of State: Maharashtra Government .... 340 Haryana Government announced Kanyadan Scheme for Bride participants of Mass Marriages ................................................................................................................................................... 341 Chief Justice of India Inaugurated First Fast-Track Court in Delhi for Hearing Rape Cases ...... 341 Maharashtra Government to set up 25 Fast track Courts to Deal with Crime against Women ................................................................................................................................................... 342 Maharashtra Government decided to Implement National Commission on Food Processing 342 Delhi Government Decided Drafting New Bill for Amendments in Law on Rape, Sexual Assault ................................................................................................................................................... 342 Congress won the State Assembly Elections 2012 in Himachal Pradesh, claimed 36 Seats ..... 343 BJP won in Gujarat State Assembly Elections 2012, Claimed 115 Seats ................................... 343 Government of Maharashtra ordered SIT Probe into Multi-Crore Irrigation Scam ................. 344
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Bihar State Government approved the New Jail Manual ......................................................... 344 Bihar received the Silver Icon Web Ratna Award 2012 ............................................................ 345 AP HC stayed ED Order attaching 822cr Rupees deposit in Money Laundering Scam ............. 345 BS Yeddyurappa, former Chief Minister of Karnataka launched KJP ........................................ 345 Haryana to buy 2000 MW Hydel Power from Bhutan .............................................................. 345 Uttar Pradesh Government decided to issue Golden Cards to Industrialists ........................... 346 Andhra Pradesh SC, ST Sub-Plans Bill 2012 was passed by State Assembly ............................. 346 Delhi High Court Launched e-court Fee System making Justice Delivery System Paperless .... 347 NTPC to impart Skill Development Programme for Jammu and Kashmir Youth ...................... 347 Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Inaugurated New Helpline Service for Women ..................... 348 Delhi and Moscow Government Signed MoU to Facilitate Cooperation .................................. 348 DMRC would Execute the Kochi Metro Rail Project in Association with E. Sreedharan........... 349 High Court of Madhya Pradesh dismissed the Plea of Dow Chemicals .................................... 349 Delhi HC: Child Witness cannot be Rejected Out rightly .......................................................... 349 Union Power Ministry gave its Nod to Implement Islanding Scheme in Delhi ......................... 350 Chhattisgarh Government set up a Livelihood College in Dantewada ..................................... 350 Five Tamil Nadu Places Included in UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List ............................ 351 Tamil Nadu Government filed a contempt of court plea against Karnataka Government in SC ................................................................................................................................................... 351 Social Activist Arvind Kejriwal Launched Bijli Paani Satyagrah ................................................. 352 Construction of Tunnel across Jojila Pass on Srinagar-Leh highway Started ............................ 352 Haryana Government Signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) ................................... 352 UP Government launched the Samajwadi Swasthya Seva in the State .................................... 352 Punjab Government amended Canal and Drainage Act ........................................................... 352 Delhi Government decided to impose a Blanket Ban on Plastic Bags ...................................... 353 Goa Government ordered Temporary Suspension of Mining Operations ............................... 353 West Bengal signed an agreement with TCS to monitor MGNREGA Fund ............................... 353 www.jagranjosh.com
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Sikkim Lokayukta Bill received Presidential Assent................................................................... 354 The Rural Electrification Corporation signed MoU with Genco ................................................ 354 EGoM decided to invest Rs. 425 crore for Gujarat Drought Relief ........................................... 354 Orissa is the first state to commence e-payment facility for government employees ............ 355 Welspun finds the lenders for its 50 MW solar Project in Rajasthan ....................................... 355 The NCR Planning Board approved the Controversial Greater Noida Master Plan 2021 ......... 355 Chapter 15: History............................................................................................................ 356 Noor Inayat Khans Bust to be Unveiled at London by Princess Anne ...................................... 356 France officially recognised the killings of 1961 Paris Massacre .............................................. 356 Maharaj Loonkaran Singhs Era Gunpowder Found in Sonar Fort ............................................ 357 750 Year Old Explicit Stone Tablet Discovered in Vasai ............................................................ 357 Tipu Sultans Era Cannon Discovered at Bangalore Metro Site ................................................ 357 Commemorative Postage Stamp on Silk Letter Movement released by President .................. 358 Study: Indians Migrated to Australia 4000 Years ago ............................................................... 358 Chapter 16: Environment ................................................................................................... 359 Supreme Court Directed Centre to Present Fresh Guidelines on Tiger Reserves Within A Week ................................................................................................................................................... 359 Election Commission Prohibited Use Of Animals In Election Campaigns ................................. 359 Environment Clearance of 99 Mines In Goa Suspended ........................................................... 359 Day campaign observed in Uttar Pradesh to Save Gangetic Dolphins...................................... 360 5 October observed as Dolphin Day in Bihar ............................................................................ 360 The House Sparrow was declared as State Bird of Delhi .......................................................... 360 India and Japan Signed Earths Pact on Rare Earth Minerals ..................................................... 360 US Drillers Reached Lake Whillans Hidden Beneath Antarctic Ice ............................................ 361 Vulture Population Estimation-2013 Conducted in Panna Tiger Reserve ................................ 361 Gas That Causes Ozone Destruction Discovered By the Researchers....................................... 362 Beijing Air Pollution Crossed Toxic Levels: Yellow Alert Issued By Meteorological Authority . 362 www.jagranjosh.com
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Internet Emit 830 Million Tonnes of CO2 in Environment Annually: Researchers ................... 362 Researchers: Siachen Glacier Shrinking Due to Increasing Temperatures ............................... 363 Environmental Changes led to Encouragement of Human Evolution ...................................... 363 Typhoon Bopha: Death Toll Rises in Philippines ....................................................................... 364 Scientists Studying Himalayan Geologic Features Warned Against Major Earthquakes in the Region ........................................................................................................................................ 364 Newly Discovered Colourful Species of Fish Named After US President Obama ..................... 365 Ocean Acidification Dissolving Shells of Sea Creatures Causing Disaster in Food Chain .......... 365 Report Suggested That Developed Nations Deprived Poor Countries of 30 Billion US Dollar Climate Fund.............................................................................................................................. 366 Tongariro Volcano erupted in the North Island region of New Zealand .................................. 367 Greenhouse Gases Level Reached Record High in 2011: WMO Survey Revealed .................... 367 Greenland Continuously Lost 200 Million Tonnes Ice Every Year Since 2003 .......................... 367 Bombay Natural History Society released a Report indicating Growth in Vulture Population 368 World Rarest Whale Species found in Pacific Ocean ................................................................ 368 Supreme Court of India Expressed its Concern over the Growing Smog Cover on New Delhi. 369 Uttarakhand Named best Performing States in terms of Environmental standards ................ 369 Forty Whales Died in Mass Stranding on Andaman and Nicobar Islands ................................. 370 COP 11 held in Hyderabad: Emphasised on the Well Being of Biodiversities ........................... 370 Frightening Level of Mercury Content in the Environment of Sonbhdra District: CSE ............. 372 TEC recommended a 10-Year Moratorium on all Field Trials of GM Food Crops ..................... 372 Centre of Science and Environment and HSBC Bank came together to Impart Environment Training ...................................................................................................................................... 373 Supreme Court Lifted Ban on Tourism in Core tiger Reserve Areas ......................................... 373 The Government notified Fresh Guidelines on Tiger Conservation.......................................... 374 India to get Warmer by 2 Degree Celsius by 2030: Scientist of IISc and IIT .............................. 374 Supreme Court directed Government to notify Fresh Guidelines on Tiger Conservation ....... 374
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Dolphin Day observed in Bihar to create awareness about Gangetic Dolphins ....................... 375 Save Ganga, Save Dolphin campaign initiated in Uttar Pradesh ............................................... 375 Navys Proposal to set up Missile Testing Site in Andaman & Nicobar Islands Rejected ......... 376 Supreme Court of India Banned Mining Activities in Goa......................................................... 376 100 elite forces assigned the task of saving Rhinos from Poachers ......................................... 376 Minister of Water Resources Released Atlas named Aquifer System of India ......................... 377 SC: If Safety measures are not met, commissioning of the Kundakulam Plant can be stopped ................................................................................................................................................... 377 Great Indian Bustard and Lesser Florican got Shonkaliya region to breed ............................... 378 18th International Day for preservation of the Ozone Layer celebrated worldwide ............... 379 Supreme Court asked the Centre to prepare revised Guidelines for Tourist Activities ........... 379 Ministry of Environment and Forest issued Advisory to reduce the Impact of Communication Towers ....................................................................................................................................... 379 Parliamentary Panel on Agriculture recommended ban of GM Food Crops ............................ 380 NASAs Scientists warned Earth might face More Heat Waves ................................................ 380 Hurricane Sandy a Category 2 Cyclone Struck US, Jamaica, Haiti and Cuba ............................. 381 Chapter 17: Miscellaneous ................................................................................................. 382 Google India Partnered With E-Commerce Sites to Bring Cyber Monday to India .................. 382 Nokia India Introduced Rebranded Map Service named HERE................................................. 382 Airtel Completed Largest Network Transformation in Africa ................................................... 383 Bharti Airtel Became Worlds Fourth Largest Mobile Operator ............................................... 383 Gangnam Style Named among Collins Dictionarys Word of the Year 2012 ............................ 384 NAK Browne released a book Victory India-A Key to Quality Military Leadership ................... 384 Yuvi - Book on Cricketer Yuvraj Singh authored by Makarand Waingankar Released ............. 384 President of India released a Commemorative Postage Stamp on late Ramgopal Maheshwari ................................................................................................................................................... 385 Omnishambles selected as the UK Word of the Year by Oxford English Dictionary ................ 385
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India International Trade Fair started in Delhi with its theme Skilling India ............................ 385 United Nation Declared November 10 as Malala day ............................................................... 386 Newsweek Decided to Stop its Print Run and Go All-Digital..................................................... 386 Indian Navy Successfully Test Fired BrahMos Missile ............................................................... 386 Former UP Governor and Freedom Fighter Satyanarayan Reddy Passed Away ...................... 387 Global James Bond Day was celebrated on 5 October 2012 .................................................... 387 Niryat Shree and Niryat Bandhu Awards Presented By President of India ............................... 387 ISRO Scientist Tessy Thomas Conferred with Lal Bahadur Shastri Award ................................ 388 The Book Challenged Official Story of Osama bin Laden Killing ............................................... 388 Adolf Hitler Based Novel Titled Er Ist Wieder Da Became Germanys Bestseller ..................... 388 The Election Commission of India celebrated the 3rd National voters Day ............................ 389 UNIT - 2 Chapter 1: National ........................................................................................................... 392 SC directed Government to notify Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal Award .......................... 392 Expert Committee constituted to Review Functioning of Prasar Bharti ................................... 392 Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram launched in Thane, Maharashtra ...................................... 393 Headcounts in Areas to be covered under PMGSY lowered ..................................................... 393 SC Ordered Karnataka to Release 2.44 TMC Cauvery Water to Tamil Nadu ............................ 394 I&B Ministry launched My India Initiative-A Digital Volunteer Programme to reach Citizens . 394 First Ever Live Twitter Conference Arranged By Ministry of I&B on Community Radio ........... 394 The Union Government directed all States to Review Cases of Under-Trial ............................ 395 Priority Sector Lending (PSL) to Minorities Crossed 15 Percent Mark in 2012-2013 ............... 395 Prime Ministers New 15 Point Programme for Welfare of Minorities .................................... 396 SC ordered Seizure of operations of Unsuccessful Bidders 2G Spectrum ................................ 396 NACO signed MoU with Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to Highlight Issues related to AIDS ........................................................................................................................................... 397 CBI Registered Case against Airtel and Tata Communications for Violating DoT Norms ......... 398 www.jagranjosh.com
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Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Bill approved by Rajya Sabha ............................ 398 Ministry of New and Renewable Energy Sanctioned Remote Village Electrification for 6033 Villages....................................................................................................................................... 399 UPSC Changed the Scheme of Civil Services MAIN Examination 2013 ..................................... 400 Cabinet Committee on Security approved Flexible Use of Airspace ........................................ 401 Union Cabinet cleared Bill to Tackle Crimes against Women ................................................... 402 2G Prosecutor removed for his alleged involvement in leaking Agency's Trial Strategy ......... 403 Afzal Guru, the convict of Parliament Attack 2001 hanged after rejection of Mercy Plea ...... 403 Afzal Gurus Secret Hanging Was Called Operation Three Star ................................................ 404 The Union Government of India approved setting up of NPCA ................................................ 404 Union Cabinet approved DRDO for developing AWACS for IAF................................................ 404 Chapter 2: International .................................................................................................... 406 United States of America filed a Civil Lawsuit against Standard and Poor's............................. 406 Ahmadinejad is sfirst Iranian President to visit Egypt since 1979 Islamic Revolution .............. 406 North Korea conducted its third Nuclear Test and defied UN Regulations for World Peace ... 406 India and France agreed to Strengthen Cooperation on Counter Terrorism ........................... 407 Court of Arbitration, The Hague gave its go ahead to India on Kishanganga Project .............. 408 India and UAE agreed to Carry Forward the Trade Relations to another Level........................ 410 Worlds First Mercury Treaty adopted by 140 Countries at Geneva ........................................ 410 India and Sri Lanka Signed Agreements On Combating Terrorism and Avoiding Double-Taxation ................................................................................................................................................... 411 African Leaders signed UN-Brokered Accord in DR Congo ....................................................... 411 Barack Obama Signed Into Law the Violence against Women Act Reauthorization 2013 ....... 412 Kenya Election: Uhuru Kenyatta won the Election ................................................................... 413 China Unveiled Government Restructuring Plan ...................................................................... 413 Khil Raj Regmi Sworn-In As the Prime Minister of Nepal .......................................................... 414 India and Britain signed Pact to Support Research and Development Projects ....................... 414
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Eurozone and IMF Agreed For Cyprus Bailout Deal .................................................................. 415 Tzipi Livni entered into a Coalition Deal with Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel. 416 Ecuadors President Rafael Correa Re-elected for Third Term ................................................. 416 International Conference on Traditional Medicine for South-East Asian Countries Ended ..... 416 Delhi Declaration of the SAAN for Autism Spectrum Disorders Conference concluded .......... 417 Barack Obama Nominated Sally Jewell as U.S. Interior Secretary ............................................ 418 John Kerry Sworn-In As the 68th Secretary of State of the United States ................................ 419 Nicolas Maduro sworn in as the Interim President of Venezuela ............................................. 419 Chapter 3: Bilateral Relations ............................................................................................ 420 India and Austria signed a Social Security Pact ......................................................................... 420 Pakistan approved the Deal that Handed over Gwadar Port to China ..................................... 420 India and Bangladesh signed MOU on Health........................................................................... 421 India and Japan held talks to Strengthen Cooperation in Tourism Sector ............................... 421 First India-Japan Maritime Affairs Dialogue was held in New Delhi ......................................... 422 India-US Joint Working Group held its 10th Meeting in Washington ....................................... 422 India-United Kingdom Summit 2013: Discussions and Agreements ......................................... 422 India and Portugal Signed Social Security Agreement .............................................................. 424 India and Bhutan signed Currency Swap Agreement................................................................ 424 Iran and Pakistan launched Gas Pipeline Project ...................................................................... 425 Silk Route Car Rally from Kolkata to Kunming organised by CII Flagged Off ............................ 426 Indias External Affairs Minister visited Bangladesh to Co-Chair the 2nd Meeting of JCC ....... 426 Lyonchhen Jigmi Y. Thinley, Prime Minister of Bhutan visited India ........................................ 426 Giuseppe Orsi held on Bribe Charges in Indian Defence Helicopter Deal ................................ 426 King of Bhutan visited India as Republic Day function Chief Guest .......................................... 427 Rajkeswur Purryag, President of Mauritius Visited India .......................................................... 427 David Cameron, Prime Minister of United Kingdom was on an Official Visit to India .............. 428
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Foreign Msinister of Portugal, Paulo de Sacadura Cabral Portas Visited India ........................ 428 5th CIDC Vishwakarma Award 2013: Tapas Kumar Lahiry won Achievement Award for Public Officer ........................................................................................................................................ 429 Chapter 4: Science and Technology .................................................................................... 430 NASA marked 10th Anniversary of Space Shuttle Columbia Disaster ...................................... 430 NASA Scientists Discovered a 10-M-Year Old Star that still produces Giant Planets ............... 430 Worlds First Digital Atlas of Brain Created ............................................................................... 431 Japanese Scientists Filmed Thoughts of a Fish .......................................................................... 431 First Complete Bionic Man of the World Unveiled ................................................................... 432 NASAs Mars Rover, Curiosity Drilled into First Martian Rock .................................................. 432 NASA Satellite Data Found Freshwater Losses in Middle East.................................................. 433 Researchers Discovered Water on the Oldest Rocks of Moon ................................................. 433 New Zealand Declared Worst-Ever Drought in 30 Years in North Island ................................. 434 Okhla Compost Plant Became First In India to Receive Carbon Credits Worth 25 Lakh Rupees ................................................................................................................................................... 435 Half of Africas Lions Facing Extinction Threat: Study ............................................................... 435 NASA Scientists spotted Youngest Black Hole W49B in Milky Way Galaxy .............................. 435 Pakistan Successfully Test-Fired Nuclear-Capable Hatf-II Ballistic Missile ............................... 436 Human Resource Development Ministry Launched Sanskrit Caravan ..................................... 436 Meteorite exploded over Skies of Russia left more than 500 injured ...................................... 437 Asteroid 2012 DA14 to Pass through Earth poses no threat .................................................... 437 Pakistan Successfully Test Fired Short Range Surface-To-Surface Missile Hatf IX (NASR) ....... 437 First Direct Presidential Elections were held in Czech Republic ............................................... 438 NASA launched a New Communication Satellite called TDRS .................................................. 438 Astronomers Discovered Six Speeding Stars Racing Through Milky Way ................................. 438 NASAs Chandra X-Ray Observatory Revealed Formation of Youngest Black Hole in Milky Way ................................................................................................................................................... 439
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Cosmic Rays Originate as a Result of Star Explosion: Astronomers .......................................... 440 Scientists discovered Deepest Hydrothermal Vents in World .................................................. 441 Researchers Discovered Water on the Oldest Rocks of Moon ................................................. 441 ISRO's PSLV-C20 Rocket Successfully Launched SARAL and Six Other Satellites ...................... 442 Researchers Calculated Exact Distance to Our Closest Neighbouring Galaxy .......................... 442 Japan Became First Country in the World to Extract Natural Gas from Methane Hydrate ...... 443 Arneson Surface Drive Based Interceptor Boat C-154 Commissioned ..................................... 444 CHAPTER 5: Polity and Governance .................................................................................... 445 President of India Gave Assent to Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance, 2013 .................... 445 Panel to Examine issues of Certification under Cinematograph Act 1952 Constituted ........... 446 Chapter 6: Social Issues ..................................................................................................... 448 Committee Constituted to Check Harassment Allegations Made By AIR News Presenters ..... 448 Justice Usha Mehra Commission Submitted its Report to the Union Government of India .... 448 Chapter 7: Economy .......................................................................................................... 450 Indias Proposal for Hydrocarbon Pipeline from Kazakhstan.................................................... 450 RBI announced Guidelines for Licensing of New Banks in Private Sector................................. 450 Akhilesh Yadav Presented Budget for Fiscal Year 2013-14 ....................................................... 452 BHEL & GAIL Granted Maharatna Status by Union Government ............................................. 452 Economic Growth of India Estimated to Fall to 5 Percent ........................................................ 453 TRAI: Teledensity Declined By 25.97 Million To 895.51 Million ............................................... 454 CCEA Gave its Nod to Price Pooling Mechanism on Coal .......................................................... 454 MSP of Copra for 2013 season increased by 150 Rupees per Quintal ...................................... 454 Railway Revenue Earnings increased by 20.38 Percent during April 2012-January 2013 ........ 455 Comfort Letter issued by Finance Ministry for sanction of 25000 crore Subsidy ..................... 455 SEBI ordered Freezing of Accounts and attachment of properties of two companies of Sahara ................................................................................................................................................... 456
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India's Trade Deficit for April - January, 2012-13 was estimated at 167168.12 Million US Dollars ................................................................................................................................................... 456 Net Direct Tax Collection Grew 12 Percent in April-January in FY 2012-2013 ......................... 457 MOU signed for Setting up of Memu Coaches Manufacturing Facility at Bhilwara ................. 458 Union Government of India approved Export of Additional 5 Million Tonnes of Wheat ......... 458 Indian Financial Regulators signed pact to Monitor Conglomerates ........................................ 459 World Bank estimated a growth of over 6 percent for the Indian Economy during 2013-14 .. 459 Union Government granted an aid of 41 Crore Rupees to protect Pashmina Goats ............... 460 HPCL and Government of Rajasthan Signed a MoU for Setting up Refinery ............................ 460 Chapter 8: Personalities ..................................................................................................... 462 Patiala House Court framed Charges against Irom Sharmila for Attempting Suicide .............. 462 Mo Yan and Jackie Chan Selected As Members of Chinese Parliament ................................... 463 Nicos Anastasiades Won Cyprus Presidential Elections With 57.5 Percent Votes ................... 463 Hamadi Jebali, Resigned from the Post of Prime Minister of Tunisia ....................................... 464 T. S. Vijayan, appointed as the Chairman of IRDA..................................................................... 465 Radhakishan Malviya former Union Minister died at the age of 68 ......................................... 465 Ronald Dworkin, the Constitutional Law Expert and Philosopher of America died at 81 ........ 465 AK Mukerji is the Next Permanent Representative of India to UN ........................................... 465 Oscar Pistorius charged for Shooting Dead his Girlfriend ......................................................... 466 Mohan Parasaran Appointed As the Solicitor General of India ................................................ 466 Aero India 2013 ended after displaying magnificent Aerobatic Skills ...................................... 466 Kalyan Kumar Chakravarty Appointed As the Chairman of Lalit Kala Akademi ........................ 467 Pope Benedict XVI announced his Resignation ......................................................................... 467 US Marine Joseph Dunford took over the Command of ISAF in Afghanistan ........................... 467 Education Minister of Germany Annette Schavan Stripped of Doctorate for plagarism ......... 468 Rohinton F Nariman Solicitor-General of India resigned from his office .................................. 468
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P.R. Vasudeva Rao Appointed As the Director of the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research ................................................................................................................................................... 469 Raghuraj Pratap Singh resigned from the State Cabinet of Uttar Pradesh ............................... 469 Vice Admiral Anurag G Thapliyal is the New Director General of Indian Coast Guard ............. 469 Italian musician and composer Armando Trovajoli died aged 95 ............................................. 469 Rajeev Shahare Appointed As the New High Commissioner of India to Maldives ................... 469 Mukesh Ambani Became Richest Person of India for Sixth Consecutive Year ......................... 470 Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez died at 58 due to Cancer ................................................. 470 Former CBI Director Ashwani Kumar appointed Nagaland Governor ...................................... 470 C J George elected as the Chairman of CII Kerala State Council ............................................... 471 Swedish Princess Lilian Davies Died At the Age of 97 Years ..................................................... 471 Prof Veer Bhadra Mishra, the Noted Environmentalist Died At 75 .......................................... 471 Xi Jinping Took Over As the New President of China ................................................................ 471 Chief Justice Khil Raj Regmi Sworn-In As the Prime Minister of Nepal..................................... 471 Soumitra Bhattacharya elected as the Chairman of CII Karnataka ........................................... 472 Jorge Bergoglio Elected as the New Pope; Chose Francis as his Papal Name .......................... 472 Chapter 9: Awards/Honours .............................................................................................. 474 Silver Linings Playbook won Four Awards at the Independent Spirit Awards .......................... 474 Ela Bhatt Conferred 2011 Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development Award ................................................................................................................................................... 474 YES Bank Awarded Financial Institutions Syndicated Deal of the Year 2012 ............................ 474 Ratan Tata Awarded Life Time Achievement Award 2012 by Ernst & Young ........................... 475 Romanian Film Childs Pose bagged the Golden Bear Prize...................................................... 475 Pandit Ravi Shankar Honoured With Posthumous Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award ..... 475 B Surender Mohan Conferred With CEO with HR Orientation Award ...................................... 476 Hariram Meena Selected For the Bihari Puraskar For 2012 ..................................................... 476 US State Department Awarded Women of Courage Award to Delhi Gangrape Victim ........... 476
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President of India Conferred With the Liberation War Honour Award by Bangladesh ............ 477 Five Writers honoured with SAARC Literature Award 2013 ..................................................... 477 India Tourism Film, Find What You Seek claimed First Prize at 11th Golden City Gate Awards ................................................................................................................................................... 477 5th CIDC Vishwakarma Award 2013: Tapas Kumar Lahiry Won Achievement Award for Public Officer ........................................................................................................................................ 478 Laureus World Sports Awards 2013: Jessica Ennis named Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year ............................................................................................................................................ 478 Rajiv Gandhi National Quality Awards for the Year 2011 Announced ...................................... 479 Tan Twan Eng Declared Winner of 2012 Man Asian Literary Prize........................................... 480 Five Writers honoured with SAARC Literature Award 2013 ..................................................... 481 Chapter 10: Reports and Committees ................................................................................ 483 India dropped to 140th Rank in Latest World Press Freedom Index ........................................ 483 Black Money Generated In India Would Exceed 10 Percent of GDP: NIPFP ............................. 483 Retd. Justice Bhatt to Conduct Judicial Probe in Allahabad Railway Station Stampede .......... 484 Report: India accounts to 86 percent Oral Cancer Figure across the World ............................ 484 India Ranked Third on the List of Spam Spewing Nation in the World ..................................... 485 Entertainment and Media Sector to Double by 2017: FICCI-KPMG Report.............................. 485 India Ranked Low on Gender Inequality Index: UN Human Development Report 2013 .......... 486 Delhi Counted Among Five Indian Hotspots of Illegal Trade of Tigers: Report ........................ 486 Chapter 11: Programs and Policy ....................................................................................... 488 Union Government Approved Relaxation In Policies Related To Transfer Of Government Land ................................................................................................................................................... 488 Health Ministers of BRICS decided to set up Technical Working Group (TWG) ....................... 488 World Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT-12) Held in Dubai ............... 488 National Girl Child Day Celebrated In India on 24 January ....................................................... 489 Chapter 12: Sports ............................................................................................................. 491 ED Slapped 98.5 Crore Rupees Penalty on Rajasthan Royals.................................................... 491 www.jagranjosh.com
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Allan Border Medal 2013: Michael Clarke Won the Medal Fourth Time ................................. 491 MS Dhoni named as the Vice-President of India Cements ....................................................... 492 Glenn McGrath and Charlie Turner Joined Australian Cricket Hall of Fame ............................. 492 South Africa achieved top Spot in latest ICC Test Rankings ...................................................... 492 Rebecca Adlington, Announced Retirement ............................................................................. 493 Marussia F1 Team Unveiled Their New Formula 1 Car, MR02 ................................................. 493 Luis Razia appointed as second Driver for F1 team Marussia................................................... 493 India won 46 Medals in 2013 Pyeongchang Special Olympics World Winter Games .............. 493 CCI slapped a penalty of 52.24 crore on BCCI for abuse of position ........................................ 494 Sachin Tendulkar equaled Sunil Gavaskars record of 81 Centuries in First Class Cricket ........ 494 Ranchi Rhinos Beat Delhi Waveriders to Win Inaugural Hockey India League ......................... 494 Lydia Ko Became Youngest Winner Of European Tour Golf Event, New Zealand Women's Open ................................................................................................................................................... 494 Indian Tennis Players Association formed to address the concerns of Tennis Players ............ 495 Horacio Zeballos won Tennis Tournament VTR OPEN 2013 ..................................................... 495 Angelo Mathews appointed Captain of Sri Lankan Test and One-Day Cricket Team ............... 496 Girisha Hosanagara Appointed Brand Ambassador of Herbalife .............................................. 496 England won Twenty20 Cricket Series against New Zealand .................................................... 496 Serena Williams Became the New World Number One Womens Tennis Player ..................... 497 Australia won ICC Womens World Cup after defeating West Indies ....................................... 497 Viswanathan Anand won Grenke Chess Classic Trophy............................................................ 497 FIFA confirmed use of Goal-Line Technology at the 2014 World Cup ...................................... 498 Rafael Nadal defeated David Nalbandian to Win Brazil Open 2013 ......................................... 498 Milos Raonic Won Third Consecutive SAP Open 2013 Singles Titles Beating Tommy Haas ..... 498 Virat Kohli appointed Captain for Royal Challengers Bangalore ............................................... 499 Sania Mirza and Bethanie-Mattek Sands won the Dubai Tennis Championship 2013 ............. 499 Marina Erakovic Won Her First WTA Title In US National Indoor Tennis Championship 2013 499 www.jagranjosh.com
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Vijitha Bandara of Sri Lanka Won Eighth NCR Cup Golf Tournament ....................................... 499 World Number one Novak Djokovic won the ATP Dubai Open Tennis title 2013 .................... 499 Sahmim Khan won the PGTI Players Championship Title 2013 ................................................ 500 Rafael Nadal Defeated David Ferrer to Win ATP Mexican Open 2013 Tennis Tournament .... 500 Deborah Won a Bronze Medal in Asian Cycling Championship 2013 ....................................... 500 Smriti Mehra Won Second Title in Hero Womens Pro Golf Tour 2013 ................................... 500 Tine Baun Won Women's Singles Title in the All England Open Badminton Championships 2013 ................................................................................................................................................... 501 Neha Tripathi Won BT Pro Am of Champions Golf Tournament 2013 ..................................... 501 Manorama and Deborah won Bronze for India in Hero Asian Cycling Championships ............ 501 David Beckham Named Richest Footballer of the World.......................................................... 502 Shrinivas Won 42nd Senior National and Inter-State Carrom Championship Mens Title ....... 502 India Clinched Gold and a Bronze Medal in Asian Archery Grand Prix ..................................... 502 India Won Eight Medals in Inaugural Asian Grand Prix Archery Championship ....................... 502 Neha Tripathi Won Second Title in Hero Women's Pro Golf Tour 2013 ................................... 503 Chapter 13: State News ..................................................................................................... 504 Judicial Probe in Allahabad Railway Station Stampede ............................................................ 504 Immediate Medical Treatment to be given to Criminal Offence Victims: Delhi High Court .... 504 Asian Development Bank Gave 100 Million US Dollar Loan to Uttarakhand ............................ 504 India and World Bank signed a Deal for Karnataka Watershed Development Project II ......... 505 HC of Gujarat ordered State Government to Implement Minority Scholarship Scheme ......... 506 Pre-matriculation Scholarship Scheme for Minority Communities .......................................... 507 CCI approved proposal for North Karanpura Super Thermal Power Plant in Jharkhand ......... 507 Kerala Government Raised Age Limit for Buying and Selling of Liquor from 18 to 21 ............. 507 Assam became First Indian State to produce over 500 million kg Tea for 2 Years in a Row .... 508 Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Projects Receive a Nod ................................................. 508 State Cabinet of Manipur to issue Ban on Sale and Consumption of Tobacco Product ........... 509 www.jagranjosh.com
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Government of Rajasthan announced Relief Package for Farmers .......................................... 509 State Budget of Haryana 2013-14: Highlights ........................................................................... 509 State Budget of Haryana 2013-14: New Initiatives ................................................................... 510 State Budget of Haryana 2013-14: Sector wise Allocations ...................................................... 511 President of India appointed Judges in the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir ...................... 514 UK opened Mobile Visa Application Facility in Goa .................................................................. 514 Chief Minister of Delhi Launched a Comprehensive Five-In-One Vaccine................................ 515 Congress Government won the No-Confidence Motion Initiated against it in Andhra Pradesh ................................................................................................................................................... 515 Mukul Manda Sangma Sworn-In As the Chief Minister of Meghalaya ..................................... 515 Neiphiu Rio sworn-in as the Chief Minister of Nagaland .......................................................... 516 Chapter 14: Environment ................................................................................................... 517 India and UK Signed MOU to strengthen Co-Operation in Earth Sciences ............................... 517 First Wildlife Skywalk of India to Come Up in Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary, Sikkim ................. 517 Indian Reptiles face severe Extinction Threat: Study ................................................................ 517 NASA Study Revealed Alarming Loss of Water in Middle East ................................................. 518 Environment Ministry Constituted Committee to Examine Legal Cover for Elephant Habitats ................................................................................................................................................... 519 Hydro Projects worth 2500 MW cleared by the Ministry of Environment & Forest ................ 520 Shells of Snails Could Give Information about Ancient Climate: Study .................................... 520 New Zealand Declared Worst-Ever Drought in 30 Years in North Island ................................. 521 Half of Africas Lions Facing Extinction Threat: Study ............................................................... 521 Okhla Compost Plant Became First In India to Receive Carbon Credits Worth 25 Lakh Rupees ................................................................................................................................................... 522 Earthquake of magnitude 8.0 struck the Solomon Islands ....................................................... 522 Chapter 15: Miscellaneous ................................................................................................. 523 Inaugural Lahore Literary Festival (LLF) 2013 ........................................................................... 523
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Kai Po Che, Chetan Bhagats Novel-Based Movie Premiered ................................................... 523 Twenty-Seventh edition of Surajkund Mela ended on 15 February 2013 ................................ 523 One Billion Rising Campaign launched to end Violence against Women ................................. 524 Seventeenth Convocation of NIMHANS held ............................................................................ 524 12 February 2013: World Radio Day was observed to increase awareness about the importance of radio ...................................................................................................................................... 525 Worlds Largest Prime Number Discovered; Contains 17 Million Digits ................................... 525 Book Titled Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and Germany Presented to President of India ...... 526 World Cancer Day observed across the world .......................................................................... 526 Vice President of India Released Walking With Lions: Tales from a Diplomatic Past ............... 527 Union Minister for Steel Released Coffee Table Book Titled Indian Saga of Steel ................... 527 ACI Placed Three Indian Airports among the Top Five of the World ........................................ 527 World Consumer Rights Day Observed Across the World for Creating Awareness among Consumers ................................................................................................................................. 528 President of India Released Commemorative Postage Stamp on Sahir Ludhianvi ................... 528 UNIT - 3 Chapter 1: Agriculture ....................................................................................................... 531 Major Programmes Of Department Of Agriculture .................................................................. 531 Crop Science .............................................................................................................................. 534 Natural Resource Management ................................................................................................ 534 Agriculture Engineering and Post-Harvest Technology............................................................. 535 Chapter 2: Culture and Tourism ......................................................................................... 538 Intangible Cultural Heritage ...................................................................................................... 538 Tourism ...................................................................................................................................... 542 Chapter 3: Basic Economic Data ......................................................................................... 545 Central Statistical Office (Cso) ................................................................................................... 545 National Sample Survey Organisation (Nsso) ............................................................................ 545
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Economic Census ....................................................................................................................... 545 Infrastructure Statistics-2010 .................................................................................................... 546 Infractructure and Project Monitoring ...................................................................................... 546 Twenty Point Programme ......................................................................................................... 546 Chapter 4: Commerce ........................................................................................................ 547 Trade Scenario ........................................................................................................................... 547 Export Promotion Measures ..................................................................................................... 547 India's Engagement in Free Trade Agreements (Ftas) .............................................................. 548 B. Ptas already concluded ......................................................................................................... 549 India's Initiatives for Developing Countries .............................................................................. 549 Special Economic Zones (Sezs) .................................................................................................. 549 Focus Africa Programme ........................................................................................................... 550 MMTC Limited ........................................................................................................................... 550 The state trading corporation of India ltd. ................................................................................ 550 Chapter 5: Communication and Information Technology .................................................... 551 Mail Network Optimization Project .......................................................................................... 551 My Stamp .................................................................................................................................. 551 Rafi Ahmed Kidwai National Postal Academy (RAKNPA) at Ghaziabad: ................................... 551 Draft National Telecom Policy (NTP) ......................................................................................... 551 Draft National Policy on Electronics (NPE) ................................................................................ 552 Draft National Policy on Information Technology-2011 ........................................................... 552 Common Services Centres (CSCS) ............................................................................................. 553 e-District .................................................................................................................................... 553 Electronic Delivery of Services (EDS) Bill ................................................................................... 553 India Development Gateway ..................................................................................................... 553 e-Govemance Conformity Assessment Centers (eGCAs) .......................................................... 554
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Electronics e-Newsletter ........................................................................................................... 554 National Knowledge Network (NKN) ......................................................................................... 554 Technology Development for Indian Languages (TDIL) ............................................................ 554 Society for Applied Microwave Electronics Engineering and Research (SAMEER) ................... 554 Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) ...................................................... 555 Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology (C-MET) ........................................................ 555 Education & Research Network (ERNET) India.......................................................................... 556 Media Lab Asia .......................................................................................................................... 556 National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI)................................................................................ 556 Chapter 6: Defence ............................................................................................................ 557 Sainik Schools ............................................................................................................................ 557 Rashtriya Military Schools ......................................................................................................... 557 National Defence Academy ....................................................................................................... 557 Rashtriya Indian Military College .............................................................................................. 557 Indian Military Academy, Dehradun ......................................................................................... 557 National Defence College .......................................................................................................... 557 National Institute for Research and Development in Defence Shipbuilding (NIRDESH) .......... 558 Chapter 7. Education ......................................................................................................... 559 Elementary Education ............................................................................................................... 559 Mahila Samakhya Scheme ......................................................................................................... 562 National Bal Bhavan .................................................................................................................. 562 Right to Education ..................................................................................................................... 562 Secondary Education ................................................................................................................. 563 National Population Education Project ..................................................................................... 564 Environmental Orientation to School Education ...................................................................... 564 Kendriya Vidayalaya Sangathan ................................................................................................ 564
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Navodaya Vidyalaya Samitl ....................................................................................................... 564 Adult Education ......................................................................................................................... 565 Chapter 8. Energy .............................................................................................................. 567 50,000 MW Hydro Electric Initiative ......................................................................................... 567 Central Electricity Authority ...................................................................................................... 567 Accelerated Power Development And Reforms Programme ................................................... 568 Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana ............................................................................. 568 Power Finance Corporation Limited (PFC) ................................................................................ 569 Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission.................................................................................. 569 The "Development of Solar Cities" ............................................................................................ 569 Chapter 9. Environment ..................................................................................................... 570 All India Coordinated Project on Capacity Building in Taxonomy (AICOPTAX) ......................... 570 Intensification of Forest Management Scheme (IFMS) ............................................................ 570 Project Tiger (National Tiger Conservation Authority).............................................................. 570 E-waste Management ............................................................................................................... 571 Municipal Solid Waste Management ........................................................................................ 571 Bio-Medical Waste Management.............................................................................................. 572 National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) ........................................................................ 572 Institutions related to Environment .......................................................................................... 573 Indira Gandhi Paryavaran Puraskar (IGPP) ................................................................................ 574 Indira Priyadarshini Vriksha Mitra (IPVM) Awards .................................................................... 574 Pitamber Pant National Environment Fellowship ..................................................................... 574 B.P. Pal National Environment Fellowship for Bio-diversity ..................................................... 574 National Awards for Prevention of Pollution and Rajiv Gandhi Environment Award for Clean Technology ................................................................................................................................ 574 Amrita Devi Bishnoi Wildlife Protection Award ........................................................................ 575 Rajiv Gandhi Wildlife Conservation Award ............................................................................... 575 www.jagranjosh.com
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Medini Puraskar ........................................................................................................................ 575 Environmental Information system (ENVIS) ............................................................................. 575 Chapter 10. Finance ........................................................................................................... 576 Social Sector Programmes ......................................................................................................... 576 SEBI (Alternative Investment Funds) Regulations, 2012 ........................................................... 576 Revised Guidelines for Exit Policy of Stock Exchanges .............................................................. 576 Rajiv Gandhi Equity Savings Scheme ......................................................................................... 576 India's Sovereign Debt Rating.................................................................................................... 577 Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) ................................................................ 577 Financial Sector Legislative Reforms Commission (FSLRC) ....................................................... 577 Financial Action Task Force (FATF) ............................................................................................ 577 Financial Stability Board (FSB) ................................................................................................... 578 Financial Transactions Plan (FTP) .............................................................................................. 578 World Bank Projects Approved In Fy 2011-12 .......................................................................... 578 Following new loans have been negotiated/signed with ADB: ................................................ 579 Indo-Japan Bilateral Relations ................................................................................................... 579 GoI-UNDP Country Programme Document (2013-2017) .......................................................... 579 Finance Act, 2011 ...................................................................................................................... 580 Chapter 11. Corporate Affairs ............................................................................................ 581 National Foundation for Corporate Governance ...................................................................... 581 Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IleA)................................................................................ 581 MCA21 E-Govemance Project ................................................................................................... 581 Competition Commission of India (CCl) .................................................................................... 581 Chapter 12. Food and Civil Supplies ................................................................................... 583 Open Market Sale Scheme (Domestic) ..................................................................................... 583 Other Welfare Schemes ............................................................................................................ 583
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World Food Programme ............................................................................................................ 584 Food and Agricultural Organisation (Fao) ................................................................................. 585 International Grains Council (Igc) .............................................................................................. 585 Essential Commodities Act, 1955 .............................................................................................. 585 Forward Markets Commission .................................................................................................. 586 Commodity Exchanges .............................................................................................................. 586 Consumer Protection ................................................................................................................ 587 Bureau of Indian Standards ....................................................................................................... 588 Vision 2015 on Food Processing Industries ............................................................................... 588 Integrated Food Law.................................................................................................................. 589 Chapter 13. Health and Family Welfare .............................................................................. 590 National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) ..................................................................................... 590 National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) ................................................................................... 590 Family Welfare........................................................................................................................... 590 Schemes and Initiatives ............................................................................................................. 590 National Institutes ..................................................................................................................... 593 Chapter 14. Housing .......................................................................................................... 595 National Policy on Urban Street Vendors (2009) ...................................................................... 595 Model Bill on Street Vending: 'The Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Bill, 2009-......................................................................................................... 596 Rajly Awas Yojana (RAY) ............................................................................................................ 596 Chapter 15. INDIA and the World ....................................................................................... 598 Technical and Economic Cooperation and Development Partnership (ITEC) ........................... 598 Development Partnership Administration (DPA) ...................................................................... 598 Indian Council for Cultural Relations (lCCR) .............................................................................. 598 Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) ..................................................................................... 599 Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) .......................................... 599 www.jagranjosh.com
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Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) ........................................................................................... 599 Know India Programme (KIP) .................................................................................................... 599 Bilateral Social Security Agreements (Ssa) ................................................................................ 599 Indian Council of Overseas Employment (ICOE) ....................................................................... 600 Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) .................................................................................. 601 Prime Minister's Global Advisory Council (PMGAC) ................................................................. 601 Chapter 16. Industry .......................................................................................................... 602 Industrial Policy ......................................................................................................................... 602 Factors affecting industrial growth ........................................................................................... 602 National Manufacturing Policy .................................................................................................. 603 Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) Project..................................................................... 603 Trade Mark (Amendment) Bill, 2010 ......................................................................................... 604 National Design Policy ............................................................................................................... 604 Mega Cluster ............................................................................................................................. 604 Silk Mark Organization of India (SMOI) ..................................................................................... 605 Integrated Skill Development Scheme (ISDS)............................................................................ 605 Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (Pmegp) ............................................. 606 Fertilizers: Public Sector Undertakings...................................................................................... 607 Chemical Sector: Public Sector Undertakings ........................................................................... 607 National Policy on Petrochemicals ............................................................................................ 607 National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA)................................................................... 608 Important Features of National Mineral Policy, 2008............................................................... 608 Chapter 17. Justice and Law ............................................................................................... 610 Legal Aid to the Poor ................................................................................................................. 610 Functioning of Nalsa .................................................................................................................. 610 Lok Adalats ................................................................................................................................ 610
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Legal Aid Counsel Scheme ......................................................................................................... 610 Alternative Dispute Redressal (ADR) ......................................................................................... 610 Advocates Welfare Fund ........................................................................................................... 611 National Commission to Review the Working of Constitution ................................................. 611 Paramilitary Forces of India ....................................................................................................... 612 The Administration-General (Amendment) Act, 2012 (Act 33 of 2012) ................................... 614 The anand marriage (amendment) act, 2012 (act no. 29 of 2012) ........................................... 614 Chapter 18. Labour ............................................................................................................ 615 Labour Reforms ......................................................................................................................... 615 Child Labour............................................................................................................................... 615 Unorganised Sector ................................................................................................................... 616 Awards ....................................................................................................................................... 617 Skill Development Initiative....................................................................................................... 618 Chapter 19. Mass Communication ..................................................................................... 620 Bharatendu Harishchandra Awards .......................................................................................... 620 Chapter 20. Planning ......................................................................................................... 620 National Coastal Management Programme.............................................................................. 620 Issue that require focused attention during the Twelfth plan are: .......................................... 620 Climate Change.......................................................................................................................... 621 National Action Plan for Climate Change .................................................................................. 621 Green India Mission................................................................................................................... 622 Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) ..................................................................................................... 622 Education of Girls ...................................................................................................................... 622 Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009............................................... 623 New Initiatives ........................................................................................................................... 624 Chapter 21. Rural and Urban Development ........................................................................ 628
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Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (Mgnrega)............................... 628 Pradhan Mantri Sadak Yojana ................................................................................................... 629 Indira Awas Yojana (lAY)............................................................................................................ 629 Swamajayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojana/National Livelihoods Mission NRLM ........................... 629 Rural Self Employment Training Institute (RSETI) ..................................................................... 630 Mahila Kissan Shasaktikaran Pariyojana (MKSP)....................................................................... 630 National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) ......................................................................... 630 Providing Urban Amenities in Rural Areas (PURA) .................................................................... 631 CAPART ...................................................................................................................................... 631 Integrated Watershed Management Programmes (IWMP) ..................................................... 631 Rural Drinking Water Supply ..................................................................................................... 632 Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC) ............................................................................................... 635 Nirmal Gram Puraskar ............................................................................................................... 635 BRGF (only significantly funded scheme of MoPR) ................................................................... 635 Rajiv Gandhi Panchayat Shashaktikaran Abhiyam (RGPSA) ...................................................... 636 Peer Experience and eflective Learning (PEARL) ....................................................................... 636 Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Small and Medium Towns ............................ 636 Capacity Building Scheme for Urban Local Bodies (CBULB) ...................................................... 637 Scheme for Urban Infrastructure Development in Satellite Towns/Counter Magnets of Million Plus Cities................................................................................................................................... 637 Chapter 22. Scientific and Technological Developments ..................................................... 638 Nano Science & Technology (Nano Mission) ............................................................................ 638 Fund for Improvement of S&T Infrastructure in Universities and Higher Educational Institutions (FIST) .......................................................................................................................................... 638 Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana ......................................................................................... 638 Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) ................................................. 638 Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC) ................................... 638
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Mission REACH .......................................................................................................................... 639 The Technology Development Board (IDB) ............................................................................... 639 Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) ..................................................................... 639 New Millennium Indian Technology Leadership Initiative (NMITLI):........................................ 641 Nuclear Power Programme ....................................................................................................... 641 Fuel Reprocessing ...................................................................................................................... 641 Nuclear Waste Management .................................................................................................... 642 Thorium Based Reactors ........................................................................................................... 642 Safety & Environment ............................................................................................................... 643 Industrial Applications of Radioisotopes ................................................................................... 644 Basic Research ........................................................................................................................... 644 Overview of India's Space Programme ..................................................................................... 644 Earth Sciences............................................................................................................................ 647 Ocean Technology ..................................................................................................................... 648 Earth Day Celebration-2012 ...................................................................................................... 650 Industry Schemes ...................................................................................................................... 650 Autonomous Institutions........................................................................................................... 651 Bio-clusters ................................................................................................................................ 651 International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi ......................... 652 Chapter 23. Transport ........................................................................................................ 653 Central Road Fund ..................................................................................................................... 653 National Maritime Development Erogramme .......................................................................... 653 Maritime Agenda for the decade 2010-2020 ............................................................................ 653 Indian Maritime University........................................................................................................ 653 Inland Water Transport ............................................................................................................. 654 Cruise Shipping .......................................................................................................................... 654
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Sethusamudram Ship Channel Project ...................................................................................... 654 Airport Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) ........................................................................ 655 Central Water Commission ....................................................................................................... 655 Chapter 24. Welfare .......................................................................................................... 656 Babu Jagjivan Ram Chhatrawas Yojana ..................................................................................... 656 Dr. Ambedkar Foundation ......................................................................................................... 656 National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation ........................................ 656 Welfare of Backward Classes .................................................................................................... 656 National Policy for Empowerment of Women .......................................................................... 657 Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls - (RGSEAG) - SABLA................... 657 Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana (IGMSY) - CMB Scheme ............................................... 657 Support to Training and Employment Programme for Women (STEP) .................................... 658 Swadhar ..................................................................................................................................... 658 Ujjawala ..................................................................................................................................... 658 National Mission for Empowerment of Women ....................................................................... 659 Award ........................................................................................................................................ 659 Rajiv Gandhi National Creche Scheme for the Children of Working Mothers .......................... 660 Rajiv Gandhi Manav Seva Award ............................................................................................... 660 Beijing Platform for Action ........................................................................................................ 660 Chapter 25. Youth Affairs and Sports ................................................................................. 661 National Youth Policy, 2003 ...................................................................................................... 661 Draft National Youth Policy (NYP) 2012: ................................................................................... 661 National Service Scheme (NSS) ................................................................................................. 662 Rajiv Gandhi National Institute Of Youth Development (RGNIYD) ........................................... 662 Nehru Yuva Kendrasangathan (NYKS) ....................................................................................... 662 National Youth Corps (NYC)....................................................................................................... 663
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Commonwealth Youth Programmes (CYP) ............................................................................... 663 Panchayat Yuva Krida Aur Khel Abhiyan (PYKKA) ..................................................................... 663 National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) .............................................................................. 663 Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award ................................................................................................. 664 Arjuna Awards ........................................................................................................................... 664 Dhyan Chand Award For Lifetime Achievements in Sports and Games ................................... 664 Dronacharya Award ................................................................................................................... 664 Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (Maka) Trophy ................................................................................ 664 Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar ........................................................................................... 664 UNIT - 4 Chapter- 1 State of the Economy and Prospects ................................................................. 667 Chapter2 State of the Economy and Prospects ................................................................. 674 Chapter3 Public Finance................................................................................................... 682 Chapter-4 Prices and Monetary Management .................................................................... 685 Chapter-5 Financial Intermediation.................................................................................... 687 Chapter-6 Balance of Payments ......................................................................................... 692 Chapter- 7 International Trade........................................................................................... 697 Chapter- 8 Agriculture and Food Managemen .................................................................... 703 Chapter 9 Industrial Performance ................................................................................... 706 Chapter 10 Services Sector .............................................................................................. 708 Chapter 11 Energy, Infrastructure and Communications .................................................. 709 Chapter 12 Sustainable Development and Climate Change .............................................. 711 Chapter 13 Human Development .................................................................................... 718 Annexure A Population Census 2011 ............................................................................... 724
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Current Affairs Part A
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CHAPTER 1: NATIONAL
BCCC SOUGHT REVIEWING RULES FOR TV LICENSING
The Broadcasting Content Complaints Council (BCCC), the television body sought assessment of the guidelines issued by the Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry for renewing television licenses. BCCC termed the present rules of I&B as violation of freedom of speech. BCCC cited certain shortcomings of the provision of I&B, in which the Ministry demanded that renewal of licenses for the television channels should be denied in case they are found breaching the advertising and program on 5 different occasions or more than that. BCCC, which is led by Justice (retired) A P Shah, instead sought that the violations by the television channels should in turn be handled with the financial penalties. BCCC argued that the provisions had questions of constitutionality. The body described that the clauses 10.2 and 8.2 (which ban renewing broadcasting licenses) of the guidelines which were issued by the Ministry in order to handle the renewal of licenses of broadcasters were not in alignment with the Article 19(1) of the Constitution of India.
follow up of the recommendation made by the Union Cabinet of India on 17 January 2013 and fall of the state machinery in form of Government on 8 January 2013 after the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha the supporting party to BJP led Coalition Government withdrew its support from it. The President imposed the Rule on the state following the provisions of imposition of Presidents Rule on a state mentioned under Article 356 (1) of the Constitution of India.
INDIA FOR THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR REPORTED NO FRESH POLIO CASES
India for the continuous second year reported no fresh cases of Polio. One more year of success with zero fresh cases of polio, would win India a status of polio free nation, in 2014. In 2009, India shared about a half of the polio cases witnessed by the world. But the success achieved since then, can be termed as the biggest public health success story of the century. Continuous three years absence of Polio that is caused due to the Wild Polio Virus (WPV) coupled with the intense surveillance would help India in being declared the Polio-free Nation in 2014.
PRANAB MUKHERJEE IMPOSED PRESIDENTS RULE ON JHARKHAND

Pranab Mukherjee, the President of India on 18 January 2013 imposed Presidents Rule in Jharkhand. The decision came as a www.jagranjosh.com
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Surveillance Program and System In 1995, a Pulse Polio Immunization (PPI) Program was initiated in India with the aim of eradicating it completely from the country. The program started under the World Health Organization's (WHO) Global Polio Eradication Initiative. Under this program, every child below five years in age is given two doses of Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV), in the month of January and December every year and it needs to be continued till Polio is eradicated completely. To achieve 100 percent success and meet the requirements of unreached children programs like social mobilization and planned mop-up operations, were undertaken.
The ship was designed by the Kochi-based SEDS and this is the first association between CSL and a local design house. The yard also launched two other platform supply vessels for PSV Holdings Inc, Cyprus. Specification of Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) It has a designed speed of 33 knots with propelled water jets to attain the speed. Its primary role includes fisheries protection and monitoring, patrol within exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and coastal patrol, anti smuggling, search and rescue operations and for anti piracy operations. The secondary role of vessel is to provide communication link and escort convoys during hostilities and war time. Although it is small in size and complex but is technologically very challenging.
COCHIN SHIPYARD LAUNCHED AADESH, THE FIRST FAST PATROL VESSEL FOR COAST GUARD
Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) on 8 January 2013 launched the first fast patrol vessel (FPV), built for the Indian Coast Guard. The vessel which is named Aadesh was launched by Jayasree Muralidharan, in the presence of M.P. Muralidharan, Director General of Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and K. Subramaniam, Chairman and Managing Director of the Coast Guard. The vessel is the first in a series of 20 numbers fast patrol vessel (FPVs) contracted by CSL for the Indian Coast Guard. The contract was signed in year 2010 with of which the delivery the last vessel scheduled for 2017.
RAILWAY FARES TO BE HIKED FROM 21 JANUARY 2013: RAILWAY MINISTER

Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal on 9 January 2013 announced that the rail fares would be hiked for all passengers from 21 January 2013 including the AC-1 and AC-2 tier passengers, who were affected in early 2012. The hike announced will be of 2 paise per km to 10 paise per km across classes. All fares are supposed to be rounded off to 5 rupees and there will be no fare hike in the Railway Budget. The fare hikes are higher than what was proposed in the Rail Budget 2012.
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Fares of Ordinary Second Class (suburban) trains will go up by 2 paise per km while for nonsuburban travel it will be 3 paise. Travel by Second Class Mail and Express trains will be costlier by 4 paise per km, while it will be 6 paise in Sleeper Class. Travellers by AC Chair Car and AC Three Tier will have to shell out 10 paise more per km, First Class by 3 paise, AC Two Tier by 6 paise and AC First Class by 10 paise. The fares for First Class, AC Two Tier and AC First/ Executive Class were already raised by 10 paise per km, 15 and 30 paise respectively in the current year's budget.
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card (EPIC), ration card, PAN, driving license, birth certificates among others.
NEWS BROADCASTING STANDARDS ASSOCIATION ISSUED GUIDELINES FOR REPORTING OF SEXUAL CRIMES
The News Broadcasting Standards Association (NBSA) on 7 January 2013 issued certain guidelines for the television channels to exercise discretion and sensitivity, while reporting the sexual assault cases. Keeping in view, the Section 228A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), NBSA directed television channels to keep the identity of the victims involved in sexual assault, hideous. The guidelines were a result of the Zee News television interview of the friend of Delhi gang rape victim. The name of victim was also disclosed in one international publication.
As per the railway minister the slowdown has further impacted railways' earnings, adding that the fare hike will help raise an additional 1200-1300 crore rupees in the remaining period of current fiscal.
AADHAAR CARD TO BE ACCEPTED AS PROOF TO GET PASSPORT: MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

The Ministry of External Affairs on 8 January 2013 decided and consequently advised all Passport Issuing Authorities to accept Aadhaar letter as Proof of Address and Photo identity in conjunction with any other prescribed documents for proof of address/identity for the purpose of passport application. Presently, it is being seen that the authorities accept passport applications based on about 14 documents such as voter ID card or electoral photo identity www.jagranjosh.com
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INDIAS FIRST SUCCES SFUL INTESTINAL TRANSPLANT PERFORMED ON A SOFTWARE ENGINEER

The first successful and healthy intestinal transplant surgery in India was given to a software engineer on 24 November 2012 at Medanta Medicity, Gurgaon. Because around 60 percent intestinal transplants are not successful due to jettison and higher degree of infection of transplanted organ, therefore the hospital authorities waited for announcing the results till patient recovered completely. The earlier attempts

of intestinal transplant in India have always failed.
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FOREIGN TOURISTS NOT ALLOWED TO WORK AS JOURNALISTS ON TOURIST VISA: MHA

Ministry of Home Affairs on 2 January 2013 ordered foreign tourists not to indulge in the journalistic activities on their tourist visas. The order was issued by the Ministry after observing that a lot of foreigners visiting India on their tourist visa are also involved in covering the events as well as journalistic activities in India.
In India, depending upon the threat perception, high-risk people are provided securities by local government and the police. There are mainly four categories of security and these are Z-Plus, Z, Y and X. ZPlus security cover is the highest level of security. Anyone provided with the Z-Plus security, gets a security cover of 36 personnel. Individuals in India who are provided with various categories of securities include cabinet ministers, chief ministers, Supreme Court and High Court judges, senior bureaucrats as well as leading politicians. NSG or National Security guards are usually used for providing security to individuals under Z-Plus security cover.
UNION GOVERNMENT WITHDREW Z-PLUS SECURITY COVER FOR EX-ARMY CHIEF, GEN V K SINGH
The union government of India withdrew Zplus security provided to ex-army chief General V K Singh. The Ex-Army chief had remained in limelight over the issue of his age, and currently for sharing stages with critics of the central government such as Anna Hazare and Baba Ramdev. The decision to withdraw Z-plus security cover from 1 December 2012 was taken after home ministry reviewed that there wasnt any threat against the ex-Army chief. Usually, all the retiring Army chiefs are given Z-plus security for a period of six months. The security is continued only in case there is a high threat perception to the chief. What is Z-Plus Security?
UNION GOVERNMENT DECIDED SETTING UP 5-YEAR PROJECT FOR CYBER SECURITY OF CRITICAL SECTORS
The union government decided to set up five-year project for restoring the overall cyber security structure of critical sectors of India. This was decided in light of increasing number of cyber attacks as well as security threats that the Internet offers. In 2011, India suffered 13000 cyber incidents. National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC) is responsible for the project. It is the nodal agency which is responsible for coordinating the cyber security operations related to critical infrastructures in India. NCIIPC prepared its 5-year plan for refurbishing as well as integrating the structure of cyber security in all critical structures like defence,
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telecommunication, transportation, power and water. NCIIPC will be notified for plans in order to set up sectoral Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) which will be associated to it. Sensors will be installed on critical systems for giving real-time information to the command as well as control centre regarding cyber attack of any kind for formulating quick response. While NCIIPC would be responsible for checking the very critical sectors which have higher threat along with higher dependence on computer and information technology (CIT), CERT-IN on the other hand would undertake other sectors. Sectors falling under NCIIPC are energy (natural gas, coal, oil and power), finance and banking, transportation (civil aviation and railways), space, law enforcement, security, telecom and defence.
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The Government of India on 17 December decided to set up 113 Real Time Water Quality Monitoring Stations along the river Ganga. The Environment and Forests Minister Jayanti Natarajan in a written reply in the Lok Sabha on 17 December 2012 asserted that the Real Time Water Quality Monitoring Stations stations is going to be set up in the next five years which includes eight in Uttarakhand, 57 in Uttar Pradesh, 13 in Bihar and 35 in West Bengal to monitor the water quality in the river.
INDIA DEVELOPED INDIGENOUS JAPANESE ENCEPHALITIS (JE) VACCINE

First vaccine of the world was developed against Japanese Encephalitis (JE) using the Indian strain of virus. National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune offered the strain of JE virus to Bharat Biotech. This JE virus was gathered from Kolar in Karnataka. Bharat Biotech had submitted results from final human trials to Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) so that it could have marketing clearance. The vaccine is an injectable one and offers protection rate of more than 90 percent. It can be used for age group of 115 years. Currently, India imports the stock of JE vaccine from National Biotech Group of China.
What is Japanese Encephalitis (JE)? JE is the mosquito-borne virus which mainly affects the CNS or Central Nervous System. It can be transmitted to human beings if infected mosquito bites. Mosquitoes in turn are affected when they feed on domestic pigs that carry this virus. JE usually affects children who are below 15 years of age.
NEW CASES OF HIV DECREASED BY 57 PERCENT IN INDIA: UNION HEALTH MINISTER

Addressing the India Health Summit which was organised by CII in New Delhi, the Union health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad on 18 December 2012 declared that India was witnessing a steep decline in fresh cases of HIV. The health minister announced that the fresh cases of HIV have dropped down to 57 percent.
GOVT. OF INDIA TO SET UP REAL TIME WATER QUALITY MONITORING STATIONS ALONG RIVER GANGA
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UNION GOVERNMENT OF INDIA EXTENDED BAN ON ULFA AND NDFB

The Union home ministry in Month of December extended the ban on United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) and National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) under the Unlawful Prevention Act. About United Liberation Front of Assam United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) is a separatist group from Assam along with many other such groups in North-East India. The motto of the group is to establish a sovereign Assam through an armed struggle in the Assam conflict. The government of India banned the organisation in 1990 citing it as a terrorist organisation, while the United States Department of State lists it under other groups of concern.
operated in Bhutanese territory by ULFA and NDFB.
UNION GOVERNMENT INTRODUCED BILL TO AMEND COMPETITION ACT

The Union Government of India on 10 December 2012 introduced a bill in Parliament to amend the Competition Act which, among other things, will require the Competition Commission to decide on corporate mergers within 180 days. The bill is named Competition (Amendment) Bill, 2012 bill and was introduced by Corporate Affairs Minister Sachin Pilot in the Lok Sabha to amend the Competition Act 2002. The bill would also confer powers on fair trade regulator Competition Commission of India (CCI) to vet all M&A deals and also authorise its Director General to carry out search and seizure activities.
About National Bodoland
Democratic
Front
of
The National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) is an extremist outfit whose motto is to obtain a sovereign Bodoland for the Bodo people in Assam, India. NDFB fights to get a sovereign Bodoland north of the Brahmaputra River. It was very active during the 1990s. The NDFB is allied with the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (IM) and illegally occupies terrorist training camps in the South of Bhutan. In December 2003, the government of Bhutan and the Indian Army launched joint operations to destroy the terrorist camps
UNION GOVERNMENT OF INDIA CLEARED DECKS FOR AMBEDKAR MEMORIAL

Union Government of India on 5 December 2012 cleared the decks for transferring the prime India 12.5 acre United Mill land in Mumbai to the Maharashtra government for building a state-of-the-art memorial to B.R. Ambedkar. The Maharashtra State government is going to bear the entire cost of the memorial project and will henceforth take care of the land. The Union Cabinet will take further decisions on the process. A Bill will have to
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be passed in Parliament for transfer of the land for the memorial project. The memorial is to be modeled on the basis of Mahatma Gandhis SAMADHI at Rajghat.
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GLOBAL TERRORISM INDEX REVEALED: INDIA RANKED AMONG TOP FIVE TERRORHIT NATIONS
New index called Global Terrorism Index (GTI) prepared by Australian think tank released by Australia-based Institute for Economics & Peace ranked various countries based on the data collected from Global Terrorism Database, which in turn is operated by a group at University of Maryland. GTI revealed that India, Afghanistan and Pakistan accounted for 11 percent, 10 percent and 12 percent of global terrorist events respectively from time period 2002 to 2009. The major points of the report are as follows: The figures revealed that there were 529 terrorist incidents in 2011 and they had tolled lives of 402 people, injuring 687 people. The numbers were higher in 2006 to 2010 time period when the number of casulties averaged greater than 600 people per year, rising to 735 people in 2009 and 772 in 2010. In the year 2011, India, Pakistan, Russia as well as Middle East were most affected by terrorism. Out of 159 countries that were surveyed, India ranked number 4. Iraq was at the first position followed by www.jagranjosh.com
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Pakistan, Afghanistan, India and Yemen respectively. The GTI showed that terrorism in the world started escalating after an increase in Iraq war. Consequently, it was followed by increasing terrorism in Afghanistan and later in Pakistan after 18 months. The index also revealed that merely 31 countries out of surveyed 159 did not experience a single terrorist attack since 2001.
SUPREME COURT ISSUED GUIDELINES TO CURB EVE TEASING AT THE PUBLIC PLACES
Supreme Court on 30 November 2012 issued certain guidelines in order to put a halt to eve-teasing. SC termed eve-teasing consequences disastrous and also directed the government that women cops in plain clothes should be deputed at the public places. The state governments as well as the union territories are ordered by the Supreme Court to depute female police officers in plain clothes at the public places such as metro stations, bus stands, railway stations, shopping malls, beaches, parks, worship places, cinemas as well as public service vehicles. This has been done to monitor as well as supervise the incidents of eve-teasing.
NUCLEAR WASTE WOULD NOT BE DUMPED AT KOLAR GOLD MINE: GOVT. TO SC

The Union Government of India on 28 November 2012 cleared its intention in

front of the Supreme Court about dumping the Uranium waste in useless gold mines at the Kolar Gold Fields (KGF) in Karnataka from Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant. Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) in its supplementary affidavit made clear before the court that there was nothing mentioned in earlier affidavit which indicated that the union government identified Kolar Gold Mine as the storage for nuclear waste.
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Now the establishment will extend up to 12th Five Year Plan (2012-17) and envisages a total investment of 819 crore rupees.
TRAI ISSUED A CAP OF 100 SMSS ON CONCESSION RATES

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on 5 November 2012 issued a cap of 100 SMSs per day at concession rate. It also fixed a rate of 50 paise per SMS beyond the decided cap. TRAI also ordered the service providers and operators to place a technology to make sure that the unregistered telemarketers are not able to send more than 200 SMSs per hour, from their phone or computer. About TRAI The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is an independent regulator of the telecommunications business in India. It came into existence by the Act of the Parliament on 20 February 1997 and the act was named as Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act 1997. Its constitution came into effect in 1994, when the Government constituted the National Telecom Policy (NTP) to attract domestic and Foreign Direct Investment in the telecommunication sector. The flooding of investors from domestic market and the international market players resulted in the development of the regulatory body. As a result of this demand, the formation of the Telecom Regulatory Body came up.
UNION CABINET CLEARED SETTING UP OF 21 TEXTILE PARKS

The Union Government on 8 November 2012 approved the release of funds for the establishment of 21 integrated textile parks which was sanctioned in the 11th Five Year Plan. The cabinet committee on economic affairs (CCEA), in a meeting held in New Delhi also had committed the government to provide for liability beyond 200 crore Rupees. It was in October 2010 that the CCEA had approved a proposal for setting up additional 21 integrated textile parks utilising the Rs.200 crore left in the 11th plan. The parks were to be implemented during the 11th Five Year plan (2007-2012). Scheme of Integrated Textile Parks (SITP) aims at providing private sector investment, generating employment and create a need-based and product-based world class infrastructure for the industry.
GOVERNMENT NOD TO GRANT EX-SERVICEMAN
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STATUS TO THE RETIRED PARAMILITARY STAFFS

The Union Cabinet of India on 1 November 2012 gave its nod to grant retired personnel of central police and paramilitary forces the status of ex-Servicemen. The Home Minister of India Sushil Kumar Shinde at an event of paramilitary CISF in Delhi made this announcement making it clear that the hounour was given to the paramilitary forces as they put their life at risk in the line of duty. This announcement would enable more than four lakh retired personnel to avail the welfare benefits available for the exservicemen till date. Retired personnel from CRPF, CISF, BSF, ITBP and SSB would be counted among the ex-central police personnel equivalent to the ex-servicemen recognition of the retirees of the defence forces. The retired personnel of these forces would be reckoned as ex-central police personnel. The ex-servicemen status to the retired personnel of these forces would bring them the benefits in form of canteens and hospital facilities that is run by Government. These personnel would also be recognised while applying for the jobs in Private Sectors as trained and suitable talent.
Direct Cash Transfers. The committee would be responsible to coordinate in development of the process for making the transfer of the cash directly to the individuals, being provided under different types of government schemes and programs. The Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh would be the Chairperson of the committee and the group of members would include eleven Cabinet Ministers, two Ministers of State with independent charge, the Deputy Chairman Planning Commission, the Chairman UIDAI, the Cabinet Secretary with the Principal Secretary to the PM as the convenor. The Prime Minister can invite some more officers, minister or any expert for the committees meet. An Executive Committee for Direct Cash Transfer under the chairmanship of Prime Ministers' Principal Secretary is constituted along with the Secretaries of the concerned Ministries and the DG UIDAI. Convenor for this committee would be the Secretary of the Planning Commission.
UNION CABINET APPROVED SETTING UP OF NATIONAL AUTOMOTIVE BOARD

The Union Cabinet on 18 October 2012 gave its nod for setting up of the National Automotive Board (NAB). The body will be responsible for promoting the research and development activities of the industry and act as a facilitator in between the industry and the government. NAB would also be responsible as a specialized body to promote sustainable development of the Nations Auto Sector
UNION GOVERNMENT CONSTITUTED A NATIONAL COMMITTEE ON DIRECT CASH TRANSFERS

The Union Government on 25 October 2012 constituted a National Committee on
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along with skill development for the automobile sector.
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of children continue to work as domestic help even after the enactment of the Right to Education Act (RTE act). A bench of justices K S Radhakrishnan and Dipak Misra ruled in a judgment that it shall be the duty of the local bodies and panchayats to identify such children and ensure that they get proper education. Referring to bonded labour practice, the apex court noted that after the perusal of the NHRC (National Human Rights Commission) and other reports it is clear that the practice is rampant. The court passed the directions while dealing with a 1985 PIL filed by Public Union for Civil Liberties, highlighting bonded labour practice in the country.
UNION CABINET CLEARED 4000 CRORE RUPEES PLAN TO TACKLE JAPANESE ENCEPHALITIS
The Union Cabinet of India on 18 October 2012 approved a 4038-crore Rupees comprehensive multi-pronged plan for prevention and control of Japanese Encephalitis (JE) and Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) in the country. The plan will implemented in Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Bihar and Assam within five years from 2012-13 to 2016-17. The Plan is going to be jointly implemented by the Ministries of Health and Family Welfare, Drinking Water and Sanitation, Social Justice and Empowerment, Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation and Women and Child Development. The proposal for Prevention and Control of Japanese Encephalitis came after the recommendation of Group of ministers (GoM) to Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
SUPREME COURT WORRIED ABOUT THE STATUS OF GROWING POLLUTION IN YAMUNA

Supreme Court on 10 October 2012 expressed its serious concerns over Yamuna and the growing rate of pollution in its water although a huge sum of about 1800 crore rupees had been spent on containing pollution in the river. The Supreme Court of India on issues of pollution in River Yamuna criticized to the Centre and Governments of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi. The Bench of Justices Swatanter Kumar and Madan B. Lokur in its statement said it an unfortunate event that without showing any improvement in the quality of water such a huge public fund has been invested. The bench considering the report issued by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB),
SC: ALL STATES AND UTS TO CONDUCT FRESH SURVEYS TO IDENTIFY BONDED LABOUR PROBLEMS
The Supreme Court of India on 15 October 2012 directed all states and Union Territories to conduct fresh surveys to identify bonded labour problems in the country and regretted that a large number
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which points out the growing concentration of pollutants along the stretch of river, directed the Secretary of Union Urban Development Minister and chief secretaries of the three state along with civic bodies and concerned ministries to file a report in detail, about the works undertaken by them from Hathnikund to Agra, so far. The report measured coli content to be 17 billion per 100 ml in Delhi, since March 2012. President of India Approved New Protocol for Addressing the Dignitaries Pranab Mukherjee, the Honble President of India approved new set of Protocols for addressing, the dignitaries inside and outside the country. Mukherjee also asked the authorities to organise government functions within the premises of Rastrapati Bhawan, this came out of his concern to the inconvenience caused to the public and police during his movement. Words of colonial era like his Excellency will be replaced by Shree or Smt. before the name of the President or the Governor, in the functions being organised within the country and between the Indian dignitaries. His Excellency can only be used to greet the President during his interaction with foreign dignitaries. The Hindi word, Mahamahin would be replaced by Rastrapati Mahoday. In official notings in President Secretariat, Mahamahim will be replaced with the word Rastrapati ji. Honble word would be used before the names of the President and the Governor. For further action to be taken on the protocol, the changed Protocol was conveyed to the Home Ministry. The
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protocol will be implemented and brought in practice with immediate effect.
SC: REFUSED TO RESTRAIN CENTER FROM PROVIDING TRAINING TO SRI LANKAN ARMED FORCES
The Supreme Court on 8 October 2012 denied from restraining the centre from offering training the armed forces of Sri Lanka. Supreme Court Bench headed by Justice Aftab Alam including Ms. Ranjana Desai stated that it was the government policy and the court cannot interfere in the government policy decisions. The court in its verdict declared the petition as misconceived, dismissed the petition. The decision came in response to the petition filed by N Raja Raman against nine Lankan defence personnels, who are being trained in the Indian Air Force base at Karnataka.
SUPREME COURT DIRECTED GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE BASIC INFRASTRUCTURE IN SCHOOL

The Supreme Court of India on 3 October 2012 directed the Union government of India and state governments to provide basic infrastructure, including drinking water and toilets, in all schools within six months. A bench headed by justice K S Radhakrishnan fixed the time limit and directed the governments to take steps to provide the basic facilities in schools across the country.
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INDIA AND WORLD BANK SIGNED 500 MILLION DOLLAR DEAL FOR SHIKSHA ABHYAN
World Bank and the Government of India on 5 October 2012 signed a loan agreement of 500 Million US Dollar for Secondary Education Project named Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA). The project is going to help in achieving What is and Rashtriya Shiksha increased good Madhyamik quality secondary Abhiyan? as directed in the framework of education Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan, the Like Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), the flagship government of India program for Department of School Education and Literacy gradual Universalisation of secondary of the Ministry of Human Resource education. Development (MHRD) under Government of India is launching Rastriya Madhyamic Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) with an aim to achieve Universal Access and Quality Secondary Education. Under Rashtriya Madhyamik Siksha Abhiyan, the responsibility to develop SecondaryEducation Management Information system (SE-MIS) is given to the Department of Educational Planning, National University of Educational Planning and Administration (NUEPA), New Delhi.
go through Indore, Kota, Gwalior, and Gorakhpur and end up in Bettiah district of Bihar on November 17, covering about 2000 km of distance. The Indian Bollywood actress Vidya Balan is the brand ambassador of the campaign. The campaign is being promoted by several NGOs and private companies and it is going to be completed at a cost of over Rs 12 crore and is going to target over 9 crore people to spread awareness about sanitation. The well known NGOs that are participating in the programme are Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council. UNION CABINET OF INDIA APPROVED THE DEMANDS OF EX-SERVICEMEN FOR ONE RANK ONE PENSION The Union Cabinet of India, under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on 24 September 2012 approved the long awaited demand for One Rank One Pension (OROP) and other benefits of exservicemen. The cabinet also gave a nod for enhancement of pension for family and dual family pension. The approved demand will cost the government about Rs 2300 crore per year. The cabinet also approved family pension grants for mentally or physically challenged children of personnel from armed forces.
MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT LAUNCHED NIRMAL BHARAT YATRA

Ministry of rural development on3 October 2012 started a campaign named Nirmal Bharat Yatra which focuses on making the country free from open defecation. The Yatra will begin from Wardha District of Maharashtra from 3 October 2012 and will www.jagranjosh.com
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Panel report The approval of the Union Cabinet came on the OROP after the six member committee formed by the Prime Minister submitted its report. Ajit Seth was the head of this committee Issue The ex-servicemen association and defence forces demanded payment of uniform pension to the defence personnel retiring at same rank with same length of service period irrespective of their date of retirement. The OROP also demanded passing of future enhancements to the past pensioners.
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also ensure that health booklets and smart cards are provided to each victim irrespective of where such victim is being treated.
BCCC ASKED TV CHANNELS TO BE EXTRA-CAUTIOUS WHILE SHOWING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

The Broadcasting Content Complaints Council (BCCC) in its report submitted to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, asked TV channels to be extra-cautious while showing violence against women. BCCC received almost half of the complaints related to obscene scenes during its first year of functioning. The BCCC directed some channels that since these programmes were not suitable for telecast during general viewing hours; they should suitably modify the content and air such programmes during restricted viewing hours. The main concern was use of vulgar language by participants and the alleged obscene acts performed by them during the shows. BCCC is the non-news television industrys self-regulatory body. It was formed in July 2011.
SUPREME COURT OF INDIA ORDERED BETTER HEALTHCARE FOR BHOPAL GAS TRAGEDY VICTIMS
In an order passed on 9 August 2012, the Supreme Court of India directed the government to make all the medical records of Bhopal Gas victims computerised and issue health booklets and smart cards to each victim. The courts directive came as it seek to ensure better healthcare and proper implementation of relief and rehabilitation programme for thousands of victims of worlds worst industrial disaster. The Apex Court Bench of Chief Justice SH Kapadia and Justices AK Patnaik and Swatanter Kumar passed the order on a petition filed by the Bhopal Gas Peedith Mahila Udyog Sanghathan. An Empowered Monitoring Committee will be set up to carry out the courts order. The committee will undertake the tasks such as making medical surveillance operational, computerisation of medical information, publication of health booklets, etc. It will
DELHI HIGH COURT APPROVED THE GUIDELINES FOR MEDIA REPORTING ON CHILDREN
The Delhi High Court approved the guidelines for media reporting on children ,
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which stipulates various curbs including that the identity of kids should not be revealed under any circumstances while covering stories of sexual offences, elopement and drug abuse. A committee, appointed by the court in February 2012, had submitted the guidelines before a bench of Acting Chief Justice A K Sikri and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw. The Committee set the guidelines that the media shall ensure that a child's identity is not revealed in any manner, including but not limited to, disclosure of personal information, photographs, school or locality and information of the family including their residential or official address.
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three-year long agitation by Bimal Gurung led Gorkha Janmukti Morcha for separate Gorkhaland state. The agitation which kicked off in 2007 culminated with the formation of GTA in 2011. In 2011, when Mamta Banerjee led Trinmool Congress stormed to power in West Bengal, three sides viz. Union Government, West Bengal Government and GJM inked a tripartite agreement with respect to the formation of GTA.
SPECIAL TRIBUNAL APPROVED MHA MOVE TO DECLARE SIMI AS AN UNLAWFUL ORGANISATION

A Special Tribunal in its decision pronounced on 1 August 2012 approved the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) move to declare Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) as an unlawful association. The tribunal headed by sitting Delhi High Court Judge Justice VK Shali submitted its report to the Union Home Ministry. The tribunal was constituted to decide whether there was sufficient cause for declaring the association unlawful. SIMI was founded by Mohammad Ahmadullah Siddiqi on 25 April 1977, in Aligadh, Uttar Pradesh. The organization was banned under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. SIMI appealed against the ban in various courts including Special Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act tribunals, but it was not given any respite. Though a special tribunal in August 2008 had lifted the ban on SIMI, but the ban was soon restored by the then Chief Justice of India KG Balakrishnan, on 6 August, 2008.
BIMAL GURUNG SWORN IN AS THE HEAD OF GORKHALAND TERRITORIAL ADMINISTRATION

The Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA), a semi-autonomous body for trouble-torn Darjeeling hills in West Bengal, sworn in on 4 August 2012. The 50-member body was administered oath by West Bengal Governor MK Narayanan in presence of Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Railway Minister Mukul Roy. Bimal Gurung, President of Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM), will head the first elected body of the GTA. The 50-member body will consists of 45 elected candidates and 5 nominated candidates. Gorkhaland Territorial Administration is the successor of Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council which came into existence in 1988. Gorkhaland Territorial Administration was the result of www.jagranjosh.com
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POWER TRIPPED IN NORTHERN, EASTERN AND NORTH EASTERN GRIDS: INDIAS BIGGEST POWE R BLACKOUT
India witnessed its biggest ever power blackout on 31 July 2012. Post the collapse of the northern power grid twenty states in India were left with no electricity till late evening. This is the second time that the country saw a power failure of a huge margin; interestingly both the failures happened in a time frame of over twenty four hours. The collapse happened at around one o clock in the noon, when the northern grid tripped, which then immediately led to a similar effect on the eastern and northeastern grids, as the two are connected as a common grid. POWER GRID Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID) is the Central Transmission Utility (CTU) of the country. It is under Ministry of Power and is one of the largest Power Transmission utilities in the world.
The lifting of Travel Advisory came just before British foreign secretary William Hagues visit to India. The lifting of Advisory is going to encourage more UK tourists to visit and provide a platform for businesses, which in turn would benefit the local economy of Jammu and Kashmir. UK is the third country to lift its ban on travel to these places in the state after Germany and Japan. Earlier, Japan on 19 October 2012 lifted the advisory while Germany in July 2011 had relaxed travel restriction to Jammu and Kashmir for its National. The travel Advisories were imposed as a result of the outbreak of militancy in the state of Jammu and Kashmir after 1989 and with the abduction of some foreign tourists.
NASSCOM SIGNED PACT WITH NIIT TO TRAIN ONE LAKH STUDENTS IN NEXT THREE YEARS
The Nasscom Sector Skills Council (SSC) on 4 January 2013 signed a memorandum of understanding with NIIT to train one lakh students over the next three years for business/ knowledge process outsourcing and legal process outsourcing jobs. Both the organization had jointly introduced two new courses Foundation Skills in IT (FSIT) for engineering graduates and Global Business Foundation Skills (GBFS) for graduates of all streams which directly aims to train 30000 students in the first year.
UK LIFTED TRAVEL ADVISORY ON JAMMU AND KASHMIR

The United Kingdom on 6 November 2012 lifted its around twenty years old travel advisory for its nationals against travel to Srinagar, Jammu and Ladakh, referring improvements of the security situation in the State. www.jagranjosh.com
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The courses had been specifically designed and developed by the IT-ITeS SSC of Nasscom and the achievement levels are certified through the Nasscom Assessment of Competence -Technology. Major Indian multinational information technology (IT) services, business solutions company like those of Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys, Wipro, HCL Technologies, Accenture, Genpact, IBM, Dell, Cognizant, Convergys and Microsoft are all part of the Nasscom Skills Council. NIITs training expertise together with Nasscoms industry insights will empower college students across India.
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IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) of Delhi International Airport (P) Limited consists of 13 processes, which are used in ITSMS to ensure cost effectiveness, availability, zero tolerance and customer satisfaction. Also in June 2012, DIAL had attained ISO 27001 Continuity, which was an IT information security framework that certifies the company demonstrating and following best of the world IT information security principles, processes and procedures. The continuity of the ISO 27001 certification was assessed and adjudged by British Standards Institution (BSI) during their annual audit.
INDIRA GANDHI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GOT INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATION

The Indira Gandhi International Airport operator, Delhi International Airport (P) Limited (DIAL) on 22 October 2012 got an ISO 20000 international certification for eliminating and controlling information technology-related threats. With receiving of this ISO certification, Delhi International Airport (P) Limited (DIAL) became the sixth airport operator to receive the ISO 20000 certification in IT Service Management System (ITSMS) after Dubai, Munich, Abu Dhabi, Incheon and Hyderabad. ISO 20000-1:2011 is a service management system (SMS) standard which specifies requirements for the service provider to plan, establish, implement, operate, monitor, review, maintain and improve an SMS. www.jagranjosh.com
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BHEL DEPLOYED SOLAR PANEL ON GSAT 10 SATELLITE

Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) in the Month of October had successfully deployed space grade solar panels on the GSAT-10 Satellite of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). BHEL had supplied four solar panels for GSAT-10, that have an area of 5.36 square metre each and comprise multi-junction solar cells in series and parallel combinations, with a total power capacity of 4000 watts. The GSAT-10 satellite was launched from the Kourou launch base in French Guyana, and it is the heaviest Indian satellite built by ISRO and caters to the countrys telecommunications and television broadcasting requirements. Prior to its supply, the space grade solar panels and batteries were manufactured and tested to strict space quality standards

at the BHEL facility by highly skilled manpower. BHEL, in collaboration with ISRO, also had established state-of-the-art 10,000 class clean room facilities at its Electronics Systems Division in Bangalore for the assembly and testing of Space Grade Solar Panels using high efficiency solar cells. Till date, BHEL had supplied 55 solar panels totaling to 250 square metres of area and 40 batteries for various satellites of ISRO.
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The Civil Aviation Ministry cleared that the cancellation of license and permit to fly was done under Civil Aviation Rules and Provisions of the Aircraft Act.
NDTV FILED LAWSUIT AGAINST AUDIENCE MEASUREMENT COMPANY TAM INDIA

India's national news broadcasting channel NDTV sued the countrys only television audience measurement company TAM India and its global parent firms Nielsen and Kantar on 31 July 2012. The channel accused officials at TAM of being indulged in fraudulent and manipulating TV ratings. NDTV, which filed the lawsuit in Supreme Court of New York, demanded damages of at least 810 million dollar for its losses over the last eight years. Besides, it also claimed the 580 million dollar compensation for losses due to negligence over the last three years. What is TAM? TAM (Television Audience Measurement) the media research company installs People Meters in over 8000 sample homes to monitor viewership patterns. The findings of TAM are instrumental in making the corporate decisions. In its lawsuit, NDTV accused TAM of fraudulent and claimed that the small sample size gave rise to the rampant corruption in Media industry. NDTV NDTV is one of the Indias top broadcasters which has its presence in both English and Hindi media. The company also runs a business channel with name NDTV Profit. It
DGCA SUSPENDED THE LICENSE OF KINGFISHER AIRLINES

Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on 20 October 2012 suspended the license of the debt-ridden aircraft carrier Kingfisher Airlines. The decision came up after the airlines failed to address the concerns of the regulatory body about its operation that came up after the airlines was directed to stop-bookings till further notifications. The notification issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation on 20 October asked Kingfisher to submit a concrete and reliable revival plan. The Airlines is suffering from a loss of 8000 crore rupees and a debt burden of 7524 crore rupees and right now out of 66 aircraft that was operational last year by the company have only 10 aircraft operational. Losses Suffered by the Airlines 2008-2009:1609 crore rupees 2009-2010:1647 crore rupees 2010-2011: 1027 crore rupees 2011-2012: 734 crore rupees
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was founded by Prannoy Roy, an eminent journalist and current chairman and director of NDTV Group in 1988.
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GAIL AND RSPCL SIGNED AN AGREEMENT OF JOINT VENTURE ON GAS SUPPLY PIPELINE PROJECT
The GAIL Gas Limited and the Rajasthan State Petroleum Corporation Limited (RSPCL) signed an agreement of Joint Venture on 5 November 2012 to lay down the natural gas supply pipeline in the state. Both the bodies will together formulate a long-term plan on commercial, domestic as well as industrial consumption of the gas. The joint venture would help in supply of pollution free LPG, CNG and LNG to consumers of different categories and would also be responsible for development of the CNG stations on the road sides of the state and national highways. The project would also supply the gas required by the industrial units that is coming up on the Delhi-Mumbai industrial corridor. The transport, supply and distribution of gas would be carried after getting approvals from the Petroleum & Natural Gas Regulatory Board.
to private firms in between 1993 to 2004. The decision was made after CVC received a letter from the Coal Minister, Shriprakash Jaiswal seeking a probe from CBI on allocations made, since 1993. Widening of the scope of investigation will bring into scanner the allocation done to private companies during the reign of P.V. Narasimha Rao led congress government after 1993, including United Front Government from 1996 to 1998 and BJP-led NDA government from 1996 to 1998. Report of Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) - Vinod Rai on coal block allocations tabled in the parliament states 1. Due to arbitrary allotment of the coal blocks the Indian exchequer suffered a loss of Rs 1.86 lakh crore equivalents to $ 37 billion 2. Up to 31 March 2011 total 194 coal blocks were allotted to different private and government parties with an aggregate quantity of 44,440 million tonnes of coal 3. The beneficiary of these allotments as per CAG report were 25 major companies of India including Essar Power, Jindal Steel and Power, Hindalco and Tata Power 4. To bring out transparency in the process, the CAG suggested competitive bidding as a better solution
CVC INSTRUCTED CBI TO EXPAND THE SCOPE OF INVESTIGATION ON COALGATE

The Central Vigilance Commission on 24 September 2012 instructed the Central Bureau of Investigation to expand its investigation scope on Coal Block Allocation www.jagranjosh.com
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JAL SATYAGRAHA CAME TO AN END AFTER 17 DAYS DEMONSTRATION ON A VICTORY NOTE

The most outstanding demonstrations of its own kind in Khandawa district of Madhya Pradesh named Jal Satyagraha continued for 17 days at Omkareshwar Dam Project came to an end on 10 September 2012. Across 1000 acres of cultivatable land has been submerged into water with at least 60 odd villages that will not be visible in the map of India any more. The Satygrahis demanded land for the land compensation following the ruling of Supreme Court. The oustees in the satyagraha remained standing in the neck deep water with demands like lowering down the level of water stored in the dam to 189 meters and to provide land for land compensation, ended the battle on the victory note. A high level committee was constituted to hear the grievances of the dam effected people. Jal Satyagraha Jal Satyagraha was a type of Satyagraha, in which 51 farmers from Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh stood in the neck dip water of Omkareshwar Dam for 17 days continuously asking for their rehabilitation. The Satyagrahis demanded for the compensation as per the ruling of the Supreme Court. The agitators termed as Jal Satyagrahis made a decision to stand in neck deep water of the dam, all wet and damp. Omkareshwar Dam Project Omkareshwar Dam Project is a 520 MW project constructed by the Narmada Hydroelectric Development Corporation in joint venture with Madhya Pradesh Government and NHPC is among the biggest dam on Narmada River. The Omkareshwar project area, lies in between www.jagranjosh.com
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the banks of the two important rivers of India, Narmada and Kaveri (its a tributary to Narmada). It was conceived as an irrigation and power dam to be built in the state of Madhya Pradesh in the year 1965. The project is one of the fasted completed hydroelectric projects of the country in between 2004 and 2006. The project has benefitted about 529 villages with irrigation facilities and has helped in raising the yield to .725 million tons of grains along with .835 million ton of other crops in the region.
NUMBER OF SUPREME COURT JUDGES INCREASED TO 28 AFTER 3 JUDGES SWORN IN

M.Y. Eqbal-Chief Justice of Madras High Court, V. Gopala Gowda-Chief Justice of Orissa High Court and Vikramajit Sen-Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court sworn in as the Judges of Supreme Court of India on 24 December 2012 by the Chief Justice of India Altamas Kabir. With this, the number of judges in Supreme Court of India rose to twenty-seven, with four more vacancies remaining. The three judges were appointed by the President of India Pranab Mukherhjee for the post on 21 December 2012. Supreme Court The Supreme Court of India was established by Part V, Chapter IV of the Constitution of India and is the highest judicial forum and the final court of appeal. Establishment of the Supreme Court of India, its Composition and Jurisdiction has been laid down in Articles 124 to 147 of the Indian Constitution. Initially during 1950s the Supreme Court consisted of a Chief Justice and seven low

ranked judges and a full bench of the court sat together to hear the cases and pass on the judgments. In 1956 the number rose to eleven and it kept rising to fourteen, eighteen, twenty six and thirty one including the Chief Justice in 1960, 1978, 1986 and 2008 respectively. Appointment The Constitution of India under Article 124 (2) provides powers to the President of India to appoint the judges of the Supreme Court with consultation with the Chief Justice of India and such judges of Supreme Court and High Court if necessary. With the three appointments, the number of Judges including the Chief Justice of India increased to 28 including Chief Justice of India against 31 provided by the constitution.
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It is part of the step to first create awareness and ensure setting up of a robust security system in all critical government agencies at their own level. Once agencies set up their security infrastructure, it will be connected to NCIIPC. NCIIPC had prepared a five-year plan to completely revamp and integrate the cyber security apparatus of all critical infrastructures such as power, transportation, water, telecommunication and defence. The government has also defined clear mandates for NCIIPC and CERT-IN, which is also engaged in cyber security of national infrastructure. Tasks that NCCIIPC is going to Perform NCIIPC will only look after absolutely critical sectors that have high threat perception coupled with greater dependence on computer and information technology (CIT), while other sectors will be with CERTIN. These sectors (with NCIIPC) have been identified as energy (power, coal, oil and natural gas), transportation (railways and civil aviation), banking and finance, telecom, defence, space, law enforcement and security. NCIIPC also plans to set up a sectoral Computer Emergency Response Team (CERTs) that would be connected to it, and will install censors on all critical systems to provide real-time information to its command and control (C&C) center about any cyber attack to formulate a quick response. Under a newly defined mandate, NCIIPC will look after critical sectors with high dependency on computer and information technology (IT), while other
CYBER SECURITY GET REVAMPED WITH GOVERNMENT FIVE YEAR PLAN

Union government of India in its bid to meet the challenge of cyber attacks and security in the virtual world in month of December set in motion a five-year project to revamp the entire cyber security apparatus of critical sectors in the country. In the past one year, India has suffered 13,000 cyber incidents. National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC) had taken the responsibility to coordinate cyber security operations for critical infrastructures across the country.
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sectors will be under India's CERT, CERTIN. India's critical infrastructure agencies are no stranger to cyber attacks. Just in month of December a hacker group leaked Indian telco BSNL's passwords and database, calling for the withdrawal of a controversial legislation which allegedly suppresses freedom of speech and expression. In April 2012 Chinese hackers allegedly planted a bug via flash drives on India's navy computers, which relayed sensitive data to China IP addresses.
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He submitted his resignation to the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who accepted it and forwarded to the President of India. SM Krishna, before being inducted as the External Affairs Minister in 2009, served Maharasthtra as its nineteenth Governor from 2004 to 2008. He served as a Member of Parliament from the Mandya district of Karnataka in its 4th, 5th, 7th and 8th Lok Sabha starting from 1968.
BROADCASTING CONTENT COMPLAINT COUNCIL TOLD CHANNELS TO ABSTAIN FROM VULGAR COMEDY
The Broadcasting Content Complaint Council (BCCC) on 28 December 2012 asked all the entertainment channels not to televise abusive, crass, vulgar as well as double-meaning language that has sexual overtones in comedys name. The BCCC issued an advisory in which it mentioned that channels need not cross their limits in the name of comedy. The council also declared that a lot of complaints were received by it against dialogues which had double-meaning sense of humour.
UNION CABINET APPROVED PROPOSALS TO PROCURE BRAHMOS AND INVAR MISSILES

The Cabinet Committee on security on 18 October 2012 approved proposals worth over 8000 crore rupees for procuring around 10000 Invar missiles from Russia for the Army's T-90 tanks and over 200 airlaunched versions of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles for the Indian Air Force. Also, the Union Cabinet approved the waiver of the outstanding loan along with interest for the 370 tsunami affected fishermen and to reimburse the same to concerned banks. The Union Cabinet also approved setting up of a National Automotive Board, NAB a body which would act as a facilitator between the government and the industry and promote Research and Development activities in the sector.
SM KRISHNA RESIGNED FROM THE POST OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS MINISTER

SM Krishna on 26 October 2012 resigned from his post of External Affairs Minister.
JUSTICE ALTAMAS KABIR APPOINTED AS THE NEW CHIEF JUSTICE OF INDIA

Justice Altamas Kabir was appointed as the new Chief Justice of India on 13 September
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2012. He will take oath as 39th Chief Justice of India and assume his office on 29 September 2012 as a Successor of Chief Justice S.H. Kapadia. S.H. Kapadia will relinquish from his office on 28 September 2012. Altamas Kabir at present is the seniormost Judge of the Supreme Court.
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The move comes in the wake of instances where mobile connections used by foreigners were misused by some people even after the departure of the foreign nationals from the country
DCGI DIRECTED DRUG COMPANIES TO SUBMIT SAFETY REPORTS OF NEW DRUGS TO IT

The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) on 3 September 2012 directed drug companies to submit mandatory safety reports of new drugs to it every six months. The country's drug regulator, in its order, threatened to cancel drug licenses in case they fail to do so. The Directive came after DCGI found that some companies are not submitting the required mandatory safety reports every six months during the first two years.
THE CII HELD THE ELEVENTH ENERGY EFFICIENCY SUMMIT IN HYDERABAD

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) held the eleventh Energy Efficient Summit in HICC, Novotel Hyderabad. The summit was held from 22 August 2012 to 25 August 2012. The objective of the summit was to facilitate the Indian industry to improve energy efficiency on a continuous basis and help them in achieving the target set as part of Perform Achieve and Trade under the National Mission on Enhanced Energy Efficiency. Securities and Exchange Board of India inaugurated their local office in Jaipur Jaipur: Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) inaugurated their local office here. Jaipur is known as the Pink City. It is the largest city in Rajasthan State. Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) inaugurated their local office in Jaipur on 4 August 2012. It was inaugurated by Rajeev Kumar Agarwal, the member of SEBI. The office will be responsible to look after all the regulatory aspects of investor protection, investor education and all the other responsibilities within Rajasthan state.
NO MOBILE CONNECTION TO ANY FOREIGN TOURIST FOR MORE THAN THREE MONTHS
The Government in the first week of September 2012 asked telecom service providers not to give mobile connection for more than three months to any foreign tourist visiting India. New guidelines issued by Department of Telecom, DoT, recently stated that the proof for a mobile connection to any foreigner will be a passport with a valid visa. DoT ruled that any mobile connection issued to a foreigner should not have validity beyond the validity of the visa. www.jagranjosh.com
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PARTHASARATHI SHOME APPOINTED AS THE ADVISER TO FINANCE MINISTER OF INDIA

The Union government of India appointed Parthasarathi Shome, the tax expert, as the adviser to finance minister P Chidambaram. Shome was appointed with a rank of minister of state and this also indicated his comeback to the Secretariat building after almost 5 years.
India Pakistan Flag Meeting was held at Chakan-Da- Bagh in Jammu and Kashmir Chakan-Da-Bagh: India and Pakistan held flag meeting here on 14 January 2013 The Indian and Pakistani armies held Brigade Commander-level flag meeting at Chakan-Da-Bagh in Poonch district in Jammu and Kashmir on 14 January 2013. The objective of the meeting was to deescalate tension along the Line of Control and border. Beheading of Indian soldier at the LoC was taken up strongly by India in the meeting apart from repeated cease fire violations. The Indian Army reportedly voiced its concern over the violation of the ceasefire by Pakistani Army and the mutilation of the bodies of two Indian soldiers killed in Pakistani firing on 8 December 2012.
THE 2ND MEETING ON INDIACHINA BORDER AFFAIRS HELD IN NEW DELHI

New Delhi: The 2nd meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs was held here The 2nd meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs was held in New Delhi on 29-30 November, 2012. The discussions took place in a cordial, constructive and cooperative atmosphere. The two delegations reviewed developments in the India-China border areas since the 1st meeting of the Mechanism and acknowledged with satisfaction that peace and tranquility continued to be maintained due to the efforts of both sides. The two delegations also exchanged ideas on additional measures for maintaining peace and tranquility as well as further steps to build greater trust and confidence between the two sides.
HALIMAH YACOB BECAME FIRST WOMAN SPEAKER OF THE SINGAPORE PARLIAMENT

Halimah Yacob (58) became the first woman and the 9th Speaker of the Singapore Parliament on 14 January 2013. She replaced Michael Palmer, the former People's Action Party MP. Palmer got down from the post of Speaker of the Parliament and as an MP on 12 December 2012. Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Hsien Loong nominated her for the designation of speaker. Halimah Yacob came down from her post of Minister of State (Social and Family Development) and was elected as the Speaker by Members of Parliament. In her
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role, she is expected to play an independent role during all the parliamentary debates, but she stressed the fact that she would remain ahead for the Singaporeans' concerns and would also share the views on various policies.
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Various MPs stood up in favour of the appointment of Halimah Yacob in the Parliament, which also highlighted the importance to women as well as the MalayMuslim community.
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CHAPTER 2: INTERNATIONAL
INDIA AND USA INAUGURATED THE FIRST TRIANGULAR INDIA-USAFRICA PARTNERSHIP AT HYDERABAD
India and the United States inaugurated the first triangular India-US-Africa partnership in agricultural training at the National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE), Hyderabad in January 2013 for 30 trainees from three African countries Kenya, Liberia and Malawi. The three-year triangular partnership program aims to improve agricultural productivity, strengthen agricultural value chains, and support market institutions in Kenya, Liberia, and Malawi. Supported by the U.S. Government through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Agriculture of India, and implemented by two of Indias leading agricultural training institutes - National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE), Hyderabad, and the Chaudhary Charan Singh National Institute of Agricultural Marketing (NIAM), Jaipur, the program will train 180 mid-level African Government and private sector agriculture professionals from Kenya, Malawi, and Liberia in agricultural extension practices, agribusiness, and agricultural marketing.
The training includes classroom sessions, group work, field trips, and interaction with industry experts. After the training, these professionals will go home with new knowledge, skills and potential innovations to address their domestic challenges in food and nutrition security.
INDIA AND BANGLADESH SIGNED AGREEMENTS ON EXTRADITION AND VISA REGIME

India and Bangladesh in January 2013 signed two landmark agreements on Extradition of Criminals and Terrorists and Liberalising the Visa Regime. However, refusal provisions were incorporated into the Extradition Treaty. If extradition of someone poses a threat to national security, a nation has the right to refuse the deportation request. Moreover, no political detainee will be brought under the purview of the extradition treaty. In case of a controversy during an extradition process, the matter will be resolved according to the laws of the country concerned. The other agreement has provision for a friendlier visa regime for citizens of Bangladesh. Businessmen will be provided a five-year, multiple-entry visa. Those travelling on medical grounds will be eligible for a two-year, multiple-entry visa, which could be extended for one more year. Three attendants of a patient will also be given visa. Until now, India was granting Bangladeshi tourists visas for up to six months and had allowed one person to accompany a patient.
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MILOS ZEMAN WON THE CZECH REPUBLIC PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION 2013

As per the Czech Republic Presidential election results declared on 25 January 2013, Milos Zeman won and thus became the countrys first elected President through direct elections. Zeman succeeds Vaclav Klaus.
the economic activities have seen a positive note with the start of the year. Reasons that may be beneficial in betterment of the economic growth The actions taken in policy making have been responsible in reducing the risk of the acute crisis situation faced in the area and the United States. Actions in terms of plans taken by Japan would also be beneficial in pulling it out from a short-lived recession kind of condition. The policies made by the emerging economies of the world in terms of policy making is has also shown positive outcomes with a good start in the year
CHINA SUCCESSFULLY CARRIED OUT INTERCEPTOR MISSILE TEST

China on 27 January 2013 successfully performed the second Interceptor Missile Test. The test was said to be of the defensive nature without targeting any other country. This is for the second time that China announced test of such a missile. Likewise, the anti-missile interception test was conducted successfully on 11 January 2010 earlier. No detailed information was revealed.
Major projections of IMF Global growth would reach 3.5 percent in 2013, from 3.2 percent in 2012 Crisis risks would narrow down but the downside risks will remain crucial Main sources of growth would be the emerging markets, developing countries and the United States
IMF: WORLD ECONOMIC GROWTH RATE WOULD BE 3.5 PERCENT IN 2013

International Monetary Fund (IMF) in an update to World Economic Outlook (WEO) on 23 January 2013, projected that the global economic growth rate would be 3.5 percent in 2013. The update mentioned that the global economic growth would strengthen gradually as the limitations of
The report also described that if the risks of crisis doesnt materialize, then the expected targets of growth may be crossed and can be stronger then that is projected. Situations that hinted towards improvement in economic conditions The economic conditions of the world had shown a positive movement in the third
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quarter of the 2012 and this was change brought by the performance displayed on the economic front by the emerging economies of the world as well as United States. The borrowing cost of the countries in Euro Zone was marginally better than expected but it also identified some of the weaknesses in the core Euro area. Japan was under the effect of recession in the second half of 2012, which had shown positive signs of improvement in the running year.
Forecasts and the Expected Changes In terms of Euro Zone, IMF managed to downgrade its forecast as this economic situation of the region may contract a bit n 2013. The report also observed slight improvement in the financial conditions of the banks and governments of the Periphery economies, occurred due to the policy actions undertaken by them but these economies has yet not improved in terms of the borrowing conditions in private sector. In terms of United States, the forecast remained broadly unchanged to that of the of October 2012 WEO to 2 percent, but predicted that the support offered to the financial market would support the growth in consumption in the country In terms of Japan, the near-term outlook has also remained unchanged regardless of the recession witnessed by the country in recent past and its expected that the monetary easing and incentive package would boost the growth in the country The report projected that the developing economies and the emerging market of the world would grow by 5.5 percent in 2013 and it will remain almost same as it was predicted in October 2012 WEO.
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In case of China, the IMF has forecasted a growth rate of 7.8 percent, 8.2 percent and 8.5 percent in 2012, 2013 and 2014 respectively. In 2011, it witnessed a growth rate of 9.3
Things that can show an impact, the growth or result into the downfall Fiscal tightening, if crosses an excessive limit in United States it may have an adverse impact on the economic growth Long-term stagnation of the euro-area would also have an adverse impact
WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL OF BANGLADESH PRONOUNCED ITS FIRST VERDICT OF DEATH SENTENCE
The War Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh constituted for conducting trials against those, who committed atrocities during the Bangladesh Liberation War 1971 on 21 January 2013 pronounced its first verdict and ordered death sentence against Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the Jamaat-eIslami leader. Bangladesh Liberation War 1971 Bangladesh, the then East Pakistan entered into an armed conflict against the West Pakistan on 26 March 1971, the war that lasted for about nine months. Background of the War On 7 December 1970 the Awami League under the leadership of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman won 160 seats out of the 162 in
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East Pakistan and became the leader of the majority party of the Pakistan National Assembly. Awami League was refused from forming the Government by the military rules of Pakistan. On behalf of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Major General Ziaur Rahman, declared independence of the state and started a full-scale noncooperation to the Military Government on 26 March 1971, this day is observed as the Independence Day every year. Following this declaration, Bangladesh got itself indulged into a civil war that ended on 16 December 1971 after India intervened into it on 3 December 1971.
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Obama took oath as the President of the country on the family Bible. On 21 January 2013, Obama repeated oath-taking process on those Bibles which were used by Martin Luther King and Abraham Lincoln because 20 January 2013 was an official holiday in the US. Apart from Obama, in yet another ceremony, Vice-president Joseph Biden administered this oath-taking by associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor.
BARACK OBAMA SWORN IN AS THE US PRESIDENT FOR SECOND TERM

Barack Obama, the first mixed race President of the United States, was sworn in as the President of the country for the second term on 20 January 2013. The oathtaking ceremony was quiet as well as brief in the White House East Room by Justice John Roberts. The brief oath-taking ceremony was held to meet the constitutional deadline, i.e., 20 January, under which term of both President as well as the Vice-President finishes at the noon. The formality of repeating this ceremony publically took place on 21 January 2013 because public institutions and the courts, which record as well as endorse swearing-in officially were closed on 20 January 2013 as it was Sunday. Therefore, in the brief ceremony, only President, his family along with a closed group that viewed Justice Roberts swear-in Barack Obama in private ceremony.
CHINAS ECONOMY GREW 7.8 PERCENT IN 2012, HITS 13YEAR LOW

According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Chinas economy which is said to be the second largest economy of the world grew just 7.8 percent in 2012, which is the 13-year low. In the year 2010, the economy of China increased 10.4 percent. NBS announced that there was not any crucial improvement in the economy of China. The figures by NBS came when Xi Jinping will soon be taking over as the new President of the country. Initially the economy was in a slow pace when the GDP grew 7.6 percent in 1999. The NBS however announced that the economy of the country was expected to grow at a stable pace in 2013.
OBAMA PROPOSED STRICTER GUN CONTROL LAWS: 23 EXECUTIVE ACTIONS ANNOUNCED
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Barrack Obama, the US President on 16 January 2013 proposed Extensive Gun Control Laws, making them stricter. Obama announced a total of 23 executive measures, which would come into effect immediately after his signatures. One of these measures include requiring the target shooters to keep their guns locked and also within the range once they are done, instead of carrying it home, since it can fall into the wrong hands. The US President also additionally asked the lawmakers to ban military-style assault weapons, high capacity magazine as well as to make the background check mandatory. Obamas Proposal According to the White House, as an immediate action, Obama signed 23 Executive Actions that would keep children safe from violence arising from gun. Apart from this, Obama called the lawmakers for eliminating the loopholes as well as conducting the background check on anyone who would buy the gun. Additionally, Obama wanted the legislators to restore ban on the military-style assault weapons, apart from creating the tougher penalties for people who buy guns for selling them to the criminals.
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MICRO, SMALL & MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

India and Vietnam on 15 January 2013 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which is directly meant for building capacity and developing institutional framework, and identifying thrust areas and opportunities for micro, small and medium enterprises in Vietnam. The MoU is part of Indias efforts to further strengthen economic ties with Vietnam. The two countries have set a trade and investment target of 7 billion dollars by 2015.
Significance of the MoU The MoU signed would be focusing on building capacity for developing policy and institutional framework through exchange of experts for the development of MSMEs, and conducting industrial surveys and feasibility studies to identify thrust areas and opportunities for development of MSMEs in Vietnam. It ideates the promotion of partnership projects and institutional cooperation between the two countries, organising exhibitions and trade fairs for marketing the products of MSMEs, exchange of business missions to initiate transfer of technology and business alliance, and providing training for improvement of managerial and technical skills for MSMEs.
The proposals on stringent gun control laws came in light of the Sandy Hook School shootings that took place on 14 December 2012 in Newtown, Conn.
INDIA, VIETNAM SIGNED MOU TO STRENGTHEN
A Joint Committee comprising representatives from the Ministry of Planning and Investment (Vietnam) and Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (India) is going to monitor the implementation of the MoU.
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SOUTH KOREA BECAME FIRST COUNTRY IN ASIA TO ORDER CHEMICAL CASTRATION OF CHILD RAPIST
South Korean court in landmark ruling on 3 January 2013 ordered the first-ever chemical castration of the country. The sentence of chemical castration was given to 31-year old pedophile (a person who is sexually-attracted to children) along with 15 years of jail term. The order was the first-ever since South Korea passed the law in 2011 allowing chemical castration or hormonal treatment for offenders who are at the risk of repeating crimes.
The rebels started their campaign in November 2012 and have captured several towns in their advance towards the capital.
PRESIDENT MOHAMED MORSI SIGNED EGYPT'S CONTROVERSIAL CONSTITUTION

Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi on 25 December 2012 signed into law a new Islamist-drafted constitution, which will help end political disorder and allow him to focus on fixing the weak economy. Mohamed Morsi signed a declaration enforcing the charter late after the official announcement of the result of a referendum approving the basic law, Egypt's first constitution since Hosni Mubarak's overthrow. The passing of the constitution meant Egypt could now move to a new stage that should bring security and stability for the people. The body, known as the Shura council, will temporarily be able to pass laws until a new parliament has been elected within the next few months, after the adoption of an election law. Two-thirds of the members of the 270-seat council were elected earlier this year in a vote in which only 12 per cent of registered voters participated. The remaining 90 were appointed by Mohamed Morsi, the Islamist president. It was expected to draft a law for legislative elections for the dissolved lower house that have to be held by the end of February 2013.
THE UNITED STATES EVACUATED ITS EMBASSY IN THE CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
The United States of America evacuated its embassy in the Central African Republic, reflecting growing fears that the capital, Bangui, may fall to rebel forces called Saleka. The country's President Francois Bozize sought French and American help against the insurgents, who have been making rapid territorial gains. France, however, rejected any intervention. Seleka consists of breakaway factions from three former armed groups. It accuses Bozize of failing to honour a 2007 peace deal, under which fighters were meant to be paid who laid down their arms. The rebels want to depose Bozize in case he fails to negotiate with them.
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The National Salvation Front opposition coalition said it would vie for seats in the parliament, which has powers under the new charter that could hamper Morsis ability to govern.
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PAKISTAN GOVERNMENT RECOGNISED REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO AS AN INDEPENDENT STATE

Government of Pakistan on 24 December 2012 officially recognised Kosovo as an independent state, almost five years after it declared independence from Serbia on 17 February 2008. The decision was made in accordance with the aspirations of the people of Kosovo. With this Pakistan became the 98th sovereign state among 193 UN-member states recognising Kosovo. The government of Pakistan has also decided to at the same time to accredit its ambassador to the Republic of Turkey in Ankara as ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the Republic of Kosovo. Kosovo declared full independence in September 2012 after the western powers overseeing Kosovo announced the end of their supervision of this Balkan nation. In more modern times, Kosovo ended up as the least developed part of Yugoslavia, slowly moving towards high unemployment and unequal opportunities for Kosovar Albanians. This, coupled with nationalistic policies that broke up Yugoslavia, culminated in the Kosovo - Serbia war of 1997-1999.
About Republic of Kosovo Kosovo is a small south east European state lies between Albania, Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro. The capital of the Republic is Prishtina, a city of around 500000 people. The population of Kosovo exceeds 2 million. Kosovo is a democratic, multi-ethnic and secular Republic that incorporates into its Constitution the UN Special Envoy, Martti Ahtisaari, Comprehensive Proposal for Kosovo Status Settlement. This plan ensures that the Constitution of the Republic protects and guarantees rights for all of Kosovo citizens. The support of this proposal by Kosovar people shows readiness to move on, forgive and build. Kosovo has historically, culturally and socially been part of Europe. The ancient kingdoms that stood there were at the center of European history well over 3,000 years ago.
UNITED NATION APPROVED NEW DEBATE ON ARM TREATY OPPOSED BY U.S. GUN LOBBY
The U.N. General Assembly on 24 December 2012 voted overpoweringly to restart negotiations on a draft international treaty to regulate the 70 billion dollar global trade in conventional arms, a pact the powerful U.S. National Rifle Association has been lobbying hard against. U.N. delegates and gun control activists have complained that earlier in July 2012
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talks collapsed largely because U.S. President Barack Obama feared attacks from Republican rival Mitt Romney before the 6 November 2012 election if his administration was seen as supporting the pact, charge U.S. officials have denied. But after Obama's re-election in November 2012, his administration joined other members of a U.N. committee in supporting the resumption of negotiations on the treaty. There were 133 votes in favour, none against and 17 abstentions. A number of countries did not attend, which U.N. diplomats said was due to the Christmas Eve holiday. Among the top six arms-exporting nations, Russia cast the only abstention in last month's vote. Britain, France and Germany joined China and the United States in the disarmament committee in support of the same resolution approved by the General Assembly. The main reason the arms trade talks are taking place at all is that the United States the world's biggest arms trader, which accounts for more than 40 percent of global transfers in conventional arms - reversed U.S. policy on the issue after Obama was first elected and decided in 2009 to support a treaty. Obama administration officials have tried to explain to U.S. opponents of the arms trade pact that the treaty under discussion would have no effect on gun sales and ownership inside the United States because it would apply only to exports.
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About Arms Trade Treaty The Arms Trade Treaty is the name of a potential multilateral treaty that would regulate the international trade in conventional weapons. The treaty was negotiated at a global conference under the support of the United Nations from 2 July 27 July 2012 in New York. Arms Trade Treaty is part of a larger universal effort that began in 2001 with the adoption of a non-legally binding program of action at the United Nations Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects in 2001. This program was formally called the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (PoA).
INDIA AND RUSSIA SIGNED PACTS ON ECONOMIC TIES FOR 2 BILLION DOLLAR INVESTMENT FUND
India and Russia on 24 December 2012 signed a pact for strengthening their economic ties with a Kremlin-backed 2 billion dollar investment fund. Both the parties also agreed to talk about a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement involving Kazakhastan and Belarus. During the twelfth straight annual summit, the leaders of both the nations Vladimir Putin - President of Russia and Manmohan Singh - Prime Minister of India finalised 10 agreements including two military contracts of 20000 crore rupees, which was under process for past some time.
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The two nations were not successful in making a substantial progress on issues related to delay in commissioning of Gorshkov-the aircraft carrier, applicability of the Nuclear Limited Liability Act at Kudankulams six new reactors developed by Russia. Plans of Sistema and Severstalthe two Russian companies investment plans in India and the tax imposed on the Indian company operating in Russia named Imperial Energy. Sistema, whose 2G licenses were cancelled by the Supreme Court of India signed two agreements in the satellite segment with India through its sister concern company named Glonass. India has signed military side contracts with Glonass - the constellation of 34 satellites in 2011 for receiving precision signals. Both the nations would be extending their partnership in energy sector moving beyond the investments made in Sakhalin-I and direct trade of Gazprom-Gail and are planning to boost joint investment in upstream and downstream sectors. India also managed to discuss on its areas of interest for equity participation via ONGCOVL in the projects of Siberia, Arctic Shelf and Far East of Russia either in the existing ones or the new ones. India also put on table the interests of acquiring equity stakes in the proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects in Russia.
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Moscow authorities by 15 January 2013. The ISKCON monks announced that the Hindu temple was facing closure by Russian government, a year after the country had sought ban of Bhagvad Gita. As Vladimir Putin, the Russian President arrives in India on 24 December 2012 for negotiations with the Government of India; there are hardly any chances that the issue of ISKCON would be discussed because it was followed already by foreign ministry.
EUROPEAN UNION IMPOSED STIFF SANCTIONS ON TRADE WITH IRAN

European Union (EU) imposed stiff sanctions on trade with Iran in a move aimed at further isolating it over the controversial nuclear program. The fresh sanctions directed against Iran's banking, shipping and industrial sectors came into effect from 22 December 2012. These are considered to be the toughest EU measures and include bans on financial transactions, sales to Iran of shipping equipment and steel, and imports of Iranian natural gas in addition to the existing ban on import of Iranian crude oil.
MOSCOW AUTHORITIES ANNOUNCED DEMOLISHING ONLY HINDU TEMPLE BY JANUARY 2013

The only Hindu temple in Russia, ISKCON was scheduled to be demolished by www.jagranjosh.com
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US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PASSED THE DEFENCE BILL 2013

US (United States) House of Representatives on 20 December 2012 passed the Defence Authorization Act of 2013. The bill was passed with a 315-107 vote amid chaos over the fiscal cliff

negotiations and the threat of drastic defense spending cuts. The Defence Authorization Act of 2013 covers the cost of ships, aircraft, weapons and military personnel as well as the war effort in Afghanistan. It consists of 528 billion dollars for the Defense Department's base budget, 17 billion dollars for defense and nuclear programmes in the Energy Department and 88 billion dollars for the war in Afghanistan. The bill tightens sanctions on Iran and increases security for U.S. diplomatic missions after the attack on U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya. It also requests the Pentagon to report to Congress regarding the conflict in Syria on possible military options.
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Park Geun-hye was elected as the President of South Korea on 19 December 2012, the first woman who acquired this post. Park Geun-hye is the daughter of longest ruling dictator of South Korea. Election of Park Geun-hye, 60, is said to be the milestone for South Korean society, which has remained mainly maledominated. Dictator Park Chung-hee, the father of Park Geun-hye ruled the country from 1961 to 1979 and left behind political repression, something that is still dividing the country.
IRELAND TO LEGALISE ABORTIONS WHEN THE MOTHERS LIFE I S AT RISK

Ireland on 18 December 2012 announced that it will legalise abortions when the mother's life is at risk, weeks after the death of Indian dentist Savita Halappanavar who died after being refused an abortion in the European country. The decision comes after a huge public outcry over the death of 31-year-old Savita, who died on 28 October 2012 at Galway University Hospital. She had been 17-week pregnant and was found to be miscarrying. Savita Halappanavar asked repeatedly for a termination of pregnancy but was refused and was told the foetal heartbeat was still present and this is a Catholic country.
DAVID CAMEROON ANNOUNCED THAT BRITAIN WOULD PULL HALF OF ITS TROOPS FROM AFGHANISTAN
The Prime Minister of Britain, David Cameroon on 19 December 2012 announced that Britain has planned to withdraw more than half of its troops back from Afghanistan by 2013 and all-foreign forces of the country would be pulled out by 2014. The Prime Minister informed to the commons that 3800 troops, who were deployed at Helmand Province would be back by end of the year 2013 leaving 5200 troops behind.
PARK GEUN-HYE ELECTED AS THE FIRST WOMAN PRESIDENT OF SOUTH KOREA

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WHO APPROVED VACCINE MANUFACTURING PRACTICES ADOPTED BY INDIAN PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES

The World Health Organisation (WHO) in December 2012 approved the manufacturing practices being adopted by the private vaccine manufacturing pharmaceutical companies of India. This approval was given to Indian Pharmaceutical companies after an intensive four days audit of the vaccine manufacturing facilities across the country was concluded by a 16-member multination team that was headed by WHO officials. The team comprised officials from China, EU, the US FDA, Thailand, Sweden and France. WHO gave its clearance to the procedures adopted by the Indian National Regulatory Authority (NRA) or the Drug Controller Generals Office (DCGO). The audit team also cleared that the procedures adopted by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) and institutions affiliated to it meet the prescribed international standards and the procedures inculcated in production were stringent enough to ensure that the vaccines produced by Indian companies were safe, high in quality and efficacious.
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In case of measles every second child of the world is vaccinated using the vaccine produced in India. At present India manufactures 30 different types of vaccines that include Hepatitis, measles and polio. This approval from WHO had made the 12 manufacturing units of India eligible for supplying the vaccines to international bodies like UNICEF, WHO, World Bank, Gates Foundation, Clinton Foundation, and GAVI.
UK PLANNED TO REPLACE PAPER MONEY WITH PLASTIC BANKNOTES

Britain planned to replace the paper money with plastic banknotes, which are said to be more durable as well as waterproof. Another advantage of these plastic banknotes is that they are difficult to be forged. Paper money has been used in Britain for over 300 years. The radical renovation in Britain might see polymer sterling currency in circulation in just three years time. However, the cost of producing these notes is a bit higher than the paper currency. Also, the initial cost needs to be invested so that the vending machines as well as ATMs can adapt to them.
With this approval India became the first country in 2012 to pass the stringent levels of seven indicators that is put forward by the WHO that is made much more stringent every time conducted by a team of 12 international experts headed by a member of WHO. India at present is a major vaccine producing country with 12 major vaccine manufacturing facilities and the vaccines formulated and manufactured in India are used in national and international markets of nearly 150 countries of the world. www.jagranjosh.com
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Why plastic notes can be beneficial than Paper Currency? Plastic notes are more durable than the paper notes. Also, these polymer notes prove to be more hygienic because they attract fewer bacteria and do not form crease or tear. Apart from being waterproof, the plastic notes are also easier to be used for vending machines. The primary feature of plastic notes is that they offer clear window which also contains optical variable device through which light can be split easily into the component colours. This makes it very difficult for anyone to counterfeit the currency. These notes are eco-friendly as well as recyclable.
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Fifty-five countries did not sign the treaty that enters into effect in January 2015. A US-led bloc advocated a tolerant approach to the Internet, while Russia, China and much of Africa and the Middle East wanted greater governmental oversight of cyberspace. The treaty that is the first update to the International Telecommunication Regulations (ITRs) agreed in 1988, stimulated controversy as Internet operators, activists and countries led by the United States objected to reference to the Internet deemed to be paving the way for government control. The United States on 13 December 2012 opposed the treaty saying that the proposed text opened the door to government regulation of the Internet. As per the treaty, the non-binding resolution on the Internet recognises, among other things, that all governments should have an equal role and responsibility for international Internet governance and for ensuring the stability, security and continuity of the existing Internet and its future development and of the future Internet. As in a previous version, the International Telecom Regulations spell out guidelines on technical issues such as how carriers charge each other for incoming international phone calls, as well as taxation and accounting. Countries that sign the treaty are supposed to be guided by its principles, although these have no force of law.
GLOBAL TELECOM TREATY WITHOUT NET CONTROL SIGNED BY EIGHTY NINE NATIONS
A controversial New Global Treaty on Telecom Regulations was signed on 14 December 2012 by 89 International Telecommunication Union member states out of a possible 144 Countries regardless of US objections to prospective regulation of the Internet. Over 150 nations met in Dubai, under the support of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to update a set of telecom rules of 1988, before the Internet and mobile phones transformed communications. But they failed to draw a conclusion which will lead to a new fight over cyberspace. www.jagranjosh.com
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VINOD RAI RE-ELECTED AS CHAIRMAN OF UN PANEL OF EXTERNAL AUDITORS

United Nations gave Vinod Rai, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India a second term as the designation of chairman of UN Panel of External Auditors for 2013. CAG of the UK, Amyas Morse was re-elected as the vice-chairman. Panel of the United Nations is the deciding body of the course as well as subject of audit of the different UN organisations which also include International Atomic Energy Agency. The UN Panel of External Auditors for 2013 includes apex auditors of various countries such as Switzerland, Tanzaniam, Canada, China, India, Italy, Philippines, UK, France and Pakistan as the members. Composition of UN Panel of External Auditors UN Panel of External Auditors comprises of Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs), which are always engaged in auditing the United Nations as well as the specialised agencies and International Atomic Energy Agency. Role of UN Panel of External Auditors The UN Panel of External Auditors has a crucial role to play in promotion of accountability as well as strengthening of the governance mechanisms in various organisations of UN. The Secretary General of UN, Ban-ki-Moon appreciated this panel of the auditors which was headed by Vinod Rai. In the meeting held on 11 December 2012, the panel of auditors at UN headquarters in www.jagranjosh.com
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New York held discussions about the business transformations, which were at present underway in United Nations with secretary general.
MALDIVES TOOK OVER CHARGE OF MALE AIRPORT SCRAPPING AGREEMENT WITH GMR
Maldives took charge of Male airport from GMR. Maldives government had scrapped the agreement with GMR on first December 2012, saying that the agreement was not in the interest of the country. Singapore Supreme Court had upheld the right of Maldives to terminate the 25 year contract.
CHINA HELD LARGEST AIR FORCE DRILL INVOLVING 100 FIGHTER PLANES
China held one of its largest- ever Air Force drill involving about 100 multi-types fighter planes, amid heightened tensions with Japan over territorial dispute in the East China Sea. The air combat exercises were held under information conditions at an airport in Southwest China for 11 days in the month of November 2012, which involved over 100 fighters of over 10 different types and support staff. Aircrafts, which took part in the drill came from 14 separate units and included Chinas most modern jet fighters, the J-10 and J-11, along with older models and two-seater Sukhoi Su-30s which was purchased from Russia.

Chinas navy also for the first time launched and recovered aircraft from the countrys first aircraft carrier, a refurbished Ukrainian craft that will be armed with J-15 fighterbombers, a Chinese adaptation of the Russian Sukhoi Su-33.
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human rights abuses. The resolution came before the Third Committee of the General Assembly for the eighth year in a row, but the first time no vote was taken.
IRAN DECLARED EXTRACTING COMPLETE DATA FROM THE CAPTURED US DRONE

Iran declared on 5 December 2012 that it had extracted data from the US intelligence drone, which was caught spying on its Military Sites as well as Oil Terminals. Iran had declared on 4 December 2012 that the US Spying Drone was captured. Iran had announced that it had captured the US ScanEagle drone, which was found flying over the Gulf waters. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) declared that they had extracted the information from the drone completely. IRGC further also mentioned that this drone was spying and gathering the military information on transfer of oil from the petroleum terminals of Iran. The primary expert terminal of Iran is located at Kharg Island.
EUROZONE, INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND AGREED TO NEW GREEK DEBT DEAL

Eurozone Finance Ministers signed a deal on 27 November 2012 with International Monetary Fund (IMF) to reduce over 40 billion Euros or 52 billion US Dollar massive debt burden of Greece by 2020, thus freeing long-blocked loans. The decision would help in reducing the lack of confidence in Europe as well as Greece, thus strengthening buoyancy in the economy.
Eurozone Nations Eurozone is also known as the Euro Area. It is the EMU or Economic and Monetary Union of total 17 European Union (EU) states which have mutually agreed to espouse Euro as the common currency as well as legal tender. The nations which come under Eurozone include Greece, Ireland, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Cyprus, Estonia, Luxembourg, Malta, Slovenia, Finland, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain and Italy.
UN (UNITED NATIONS) PANEL PASSED N KOREA RESOLUTION BY CONSENSUS

The Social, Humanitarian Cultural Affairs Committee (Commonly referred as third committee of the UN General assembly) of United Nations on 27 November 2012, overseeing human rights issues, unanimously passed a resolution on North Korea. The committee asked North Korea to solve the abduction issue and address
INDIA VOTED AGAINST UN GENERAL ASSEMBLYS RESOLUTION TO BAN DEATH PENALTIES

India was one among the 39 countries that voted in November 2012 against the nonbinding draft resolution of UN General
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Assembly that proposed for putting an end to death penalty. India voted on the grounds that each and every nation has its own sovereign right in order to determine the legal system. 110 nations voted in the favour, while 36 members withdrew. The non-binding UN resolution called for suspension on the capital punishment with a view to put an end to the death penalty. This was adopted at Third Committee of the General Assembly on 20 November 2012 along with the deals with humanitarian as well as social issues. The resolution called the nations to gradually hamper the use of death penalty and not to impose them for offences, which are committed by pregnant women or people below 18 years of age. The nations were also called to decrease the offences for which capital punishment is imposed. In the explanation of the non-agreeing vote, India said that every state has its autonomous right for determination of the legal system. Apart from India, other nations that voted against the resolution include China, Korea, Bangladesh, Japan, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Libya, Kuwait and US. Over 2/3rd countries of the world have completely abolished death penalty. 97 countries of the world have abolished death penalty for all the crimes.
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Indian origin dentist Savita Halappanavar died in Ireland on 28 October 2012 at the University College Hospital Galway after the doctors refused her abortion despite hers body being sick and weak due to 17 weeks of pregnancy. The doctors had refused her abortion on the basis of catholic tenets. Eventually it led to septicemia or blood poisoning that led to her death.Savita suffered miscarriage, when she went to University College Hospital Galway; and was refused abortion saying that there was still the fetal heartbeat. The Irish Law on Abortion Under the Offences against the Person Act 1861, abortion in Ireland has been made as a criminal offense. The laws that govern abortion are under section 58 and 59 of Offences against the Person Act 1861. However a person is free to travel to another state to abort the unborn child in case there is harm to the life of a mother. Abortions abroad are also subject to stern conditions. Abortion laws in India As per the laws in India, abortion can only be performed by the qualified physician under stipulated conditions. These laws are categorized under Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act that was enacted in 1971 by Indian Parliament. MTP was effective from 1972 and was amended once in 1975. The act clearly states conditions under which termination of pregnancy is possible and this includes performing abortion on women if life is endangered due to pregnancy. Sex-selective abortions where males are favoured is illegal.
DEATH OF SAVITA HALAPPANAVAR IGNITED STRONG REACTIONS FOR CHANGE IN IRISH ABORTION LAW
US LIFTED THE BAN IMPOSED ON IMPORTS FROM

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MYANMAR, BEFORE PRESIDENT OBAMAS VI SIT TO THE NATI

The decade old ban on most of the imports from Myanmar in the third week of November was scrapped by the United States. The step of scrapping the ban on import of most of the products from Myanmar came ahead of the landmark visit of the U.S. President Barack Obama scheduled on 20 November 2012 to the long isolated nation. With this visit to Myanmar, Obama would turn-up to be the first sitting President of U.S. to visit the country. The ban would still be in existence, on the import of Gems from the country as gems remained a cause for the long race of violence and corruption in Myanmar. Before this step of U.S. nations like Canada, Australia and the European Union had already suspended virtually all types of sanctions from Myanmar. Japan has forgiven a 3.8 billion dollar debt waiver on the country.
hydraulic fracturing of underground shale formations. This drilling activity would make U.S. in times to come as an economy that is selfsufficient in terms of energy within next five years, but down the line by 2023. North America would become a net oil exporter in the world. This forecast from the International Energy Agency is a change on its previous prediction in which the agency stated that Saudis would be the worlds leader in oil production up to 2035. At present U.S. imports about 20 percent of oil to meet its energy needs.
NEPAL ELECTED AS A BOARD MEMBER OF THE ECOSOC

Nepal was elected on 8 November 2012 as a board member of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for a three year term starting from January 2013. Nepal along with seventeen other countries was elected as board members. Nepal was elected with 131 votes out of the total 194 in the UN General Assembly. The fifty-four member ESOSOC is one of the principal organs of the UN which coordinates the economic, social and related work of the UN and its specialized agencies and institutions.
IEA: US WOULD BECOME WORLDS LARGEST OIL PRODUCER BY 2017

The International Energy Agency (IEA) in the second week of November 2012 announced that United States would takeover Saudi Arabia as worlds biggest oil producing nation by 2017. The forecast came up by the Paris based energy agency because U.S. has been drilling more crude oil by using the technology based on
THE REVIEW MEETING OF THE E-9 COUNTRIES CONCLUDED IN NEW DELHI

The three-day review meeting of Ministers of Education and heads of delegation of the E-9 countries comprising India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, China, Brazil, Egypt, Indonesia, Nigeria and Mexico ended in New Delhi on
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10 November 2012 with the adoption of the New Delhi Commitment. The E-9 nations decided to expand their cooperation in Inclusive, Relevant Quality Education for All. It took stock of the progress towards the Education for All goals and to renew cooperation in consolidating the gains and addressing remaining challenges. The member-states re-affirmed the central role of education in all development endeavours and in promoting peace and social cohesion. They recognised relevance and equity as key dimensions of quality in their future efforts and resolved to address the same by making their education systems more flexible and responsive.
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its schools. This was a step forward to be taken by the county to establish deeper and strengthened links with India and other nations with booming economies, of the world. Prime Minister of Australia Julia Gillard announced the plans of the nation at the release ceremony of the sweeping policy blueprint with its title Asian Century White Paper. The white paper was released with an aim of link maximisation with Asia; this would help Australia to be among the top 10 most powerful economies of the world by 2025.
JAPAN LIFTED TRAVEL ADVISORY ON JAMMU AND KASHMIR

Japan in October 2012 in a step to testimony the fact that security situation in Jammu and Kashmir is improved; relaxed the travel restriction to the state for its nationals. The move to ease restrictions is valid for Srinagar and adjoining areas like Gulmarg. With lifting of Travel Advisory Japan became the second country among G8 nations to take this step. Earlier Germany in July 2011 had relaxed travel restriction to Jammu and Kashmir for its National.
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY (CIA) DIRECTOR DAVID PETRAEUS RESIGNED

CIA Director David Petraeus on 9 November 2012 resigned as head of the leading US Spy Agency, shocking the intelligence community. His resignation came on his personal choice after he had engaged in an extramarital affair and acknowledged that he showed extremely poor judgment.
AUSTRALIAN SCHOOLS WOULD TEACH HINDI

Australia on 28 October 2012 revealed that the country was planning to include Hindi and Mandarin as languages to be taught in www.jagranjosh.com
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The decision of lifting travel advisory came after the Japanese embassy officials met the Jammu and Kashmir Government.
COLOMBIAN GOVERNMENT AND FARC LAUNCHED PEACE TALK


Government of Colombia and Leftist FARC Rebels formally launched peace talks in Norway on 17 October 2012 which aimed at ending nearly five decades of conflict that has claimed an estimated 600000 lives. The peace talk was officially launched by Government and the rebels in a hotel in Hurdal, a small town in North of Oslo. The core area of discussion focused on five main areas Land reforms The rebels' future role in political life, A definitive end of hostilities Fighting the illegal drug trade and The situation of the victims
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for minimum food needs of people at Gaza Strip to avoid, the issue of Malnutrition. Referring to the Defence Ministry documents dated 2008 obtained under Freedom of Information, an Israeli NGO, Gisha that campaigns for the cause of Palestinian Freedom of Movement and Trade stated that 2279 calorie per person per day was sufficient to avoid malnutrition on the Gaza strip. A blockade was imposed by Israel in June 2006 after a militant snatched one of its soldiers and tightened it in September 2007 after seizure of the Islamists Hamas Movement and the soldiers of the Western Backed President Mahmud Abbas were sent on exile. Gisha report also cleared that this was an official goal of this barrier lied behind the economic warfare policy of creating a paralysis in Gazas economy to create pressure on the Hamas Government. It was officially cleared by the COGAT Defence Ministry Department spokesperson that the report entitling - Food Consumption in the Gaza Strip - Red Lines was never implemented to set the levels of food that was allowed to people in Gaza as it was just a draft. By 2010 restrictions in Gaza was eased followed by the international outcry of killing of nine Turkish nationals by Israel during a navy raid on a ship in a trial to break the blockage. The Red Lines File was made available to Gisha after fighting and three-and-a-half year legal battle and the documents of the file mentioned in its recommendations that a minimum of 106 food trucks per working day was to be sent in the Gaza strip,
FARC is Latin America's largest rebel group, founded in 1964 with 9,200 armed fighters is known by Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia. In the past several years FARC suffered the capture and killings of some of its top leaders, and its rank had been depleted to half of Militants what they were at their peak in the 1990s. It was also earlier found that Colombias leftist FARC rebels smuggle U.S.-bound cocaine via Venezuela, Panama and the Pacific. The FARC is on both the U.S. and EU lists of terrorist groups. Drug trafficking, extortion and kidnapping-for-ransom are the FARCs main means of financing its operations.
ISRAELI AUTHORITIES RELEASED RED LINE REPORT FOR GAZA STRIP

The Israeli Authority on 18 October 2012 released documents describing the red line
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whereas sending of 67 trucks on an average remained in practice.
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FIVE NEW NON-PERMANENT MEMBER COUNTRIES ELECTED TO UN SECURITY COUNCIL

The UN General Assembly on 18 October 2012 elected five new non-permanent members to the Security Council. The New Members are South Korea, Luxembourg, Argentina, Australia and Rwanda. The newly elected member countries are going to serve a two-year term in the powerful UN body that will begin on 1 January 2013. The country of Republic of Korea and Luxembourg were elected to a two-year term in the UN Security Council in the second round of voting. Argentina, Australia and Rwanda were elected earlier to serve as new non-permanent members of the powerful UN body. The five new members are going to replace Colombia, Germany, India, Portugal and South Africa, whose term ends on 31 December 2012. Under the UN Charter, the 15-member Security Council has the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. To be elected to the UN Security Council, a country must win support from two thirds of the General Assembly members, or 129 votes.
SOUTH ASIAN UNIVERSITY MADE INTRODUCTION TO SOUTH ASIA A COMPULSORY SUBJECT

South Asian University (SAU) made Introduction to South Asia a compulsory course for every student in the University. The University made it mandatory to pass this non-credit course for gaining a degree from the University. The decision came during the second meet of the Universitys Academic Council in October 2012. The taken step will help the students taking admissions in the University from different South Asian Nations to know some facts and relevant importance of the region. A PhD program will also be launched by the University in the next academic year. The University also declared that it would also institute Gold Medal by the name of the University for all the eight different PostGraduate Programmes that it offers at present. These medals will be awarded to one student from each section at the end of the program after reviewing their academic record and achievement.
UK AND SCOTLAND SIGNED AN AGREEMENT TO HOLD A REFERENDUM ON SCOTTISH INDEPENDENCE

UK and Scotland signed an agreement on 15 October 2012 to hold a referendum in 2014 on Scottish Independence. The referendum agreement has been signed following talks in Edinburgh between David
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Cameron, UK Prime Minister and Alex Salmond, who leads the proindependence Scottish National Party. The referendum could lead to the United Kingdom breaking up after 300 years, leaving only England, Wales and Northern Ireland in the Union.
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2012. Whereas, Maize and dairy products have witnessed a price hike of 13 and 7 percent within a months time, respectively. The world at present is facing tight conditions in food supply because of decreased cereal production and decline in world reserves. This has turned up to be a reason for hike in prices across the world. This price hike is the reason for decline in demand of these products. Maplecroft, the Risk Analysis Company has brought forward the data of identified countries that are the suspects of societal unrest and famine, which may steam up the food storage and price fluctuations. These countries have been divided into two categories of Extreme Risk and High Risk Zones. Countries listed in the group of High Risk include Congo, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Somalia. The countries named in the list of High Risk include India, Pakistan, Yemen, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. US that is the worlds largest grower and exporter of grain (includes Wheat, Maize and Barley) is also expected to be effected by the harsh weather conditions.
The British Government wants Scotland to stay in its political union with England. The Scottish Government led by Alex Salmond favours independence. After months of negotiations, the deal is expected to give Scotland's Administration, the power to hold a vote in the final quarter of 2014, which will offer Scotland a choice on leaving the United Kingdom.
UN WARNED OF PRICE HIKE IN FOOD PRODUCTS AND A DECLINE IN GLOBAL CEREAL PRODUCTION
United Nations on 4 October 2012 issued a warning of price rise for meat and dairy products in response to the extreme weather conditions suffered by Europe and associated centers of food production. Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) with its headquarters in Rome indicated that the global wheat production saw an expected fall of 5.2 percent and other crops meant for feeding the animals could drop down by 10 percent in the year 2012 to that on the available data of year 2011. With rise in density of population there has been a fall in the production to manage the demand of consumption and this is a reason that products like wheat have seen 25 percent growth in the price in the year www.jagranjosh.com
ARABIC MADE ITS DEBUT AS OFFICIAL LANGUAGE AT VATICAN

Arabic on 10 October 2012 made its official debut among one of the Languages at Pope Benedicts weekly general audiences. This is an exercise and attempt of Vatican to expand its reach to Christians and Muslims in Middle East. This came out of the growing concerns of the Vatican in relation to the mass
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departure of the Christians from Middle East fearing to their safety over there. The community that comprised about 20 percent of the total population a century ago has fallen down to a percentage level of five. Some of the estimates also states that the 12 million of Christians leaving in Middle East may drop down to its half by 2020. The Priest, while addressing thousands of people at St. Peter's Square, read the summary of popes Italian language weekly address in Arabic for the very first time in the history along with other briefs in different languages including English, Polish, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Slovak, German, Czech, Russian and Hungarian. On occasion of the 50th anniversary of the second Vatican Council, Pope for the first time addressed people in Arabic.
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the Chief Criminal Judge. This is a case that is related to his order of dispatching the military for arresting the senior judge. This action led to his resignation after viewing protests.
NEW NUCLEAR SAFETY AGENCY LAUNCHED IN JAPAN

Japan launched a new Nuclear Safety Agency on 18 September 2012. The formation of this five-member Nuclear Regulation Authority was done after the country was hit by Tsunami in the year 2011 resulting in major breakdown and leakage of the Nuclear Power Plants in the tsunamistricken-area of Fukushima Dai-Ichi Plant. Headed by the nuclear Physicist, Shunichi Tanaka, this agency is responsible for reviewing of the nuclear policies of the country. Before the incident, Japan relied on nuclear power for at least one-third of its energy requirements but now its planning to increase it to a level of 50 percent of its total energy requirements. The framed policies framed aims to phase out the issues related to nuclear power of the country for next three decades.
MALDIVIAN COURT ISSUED AN ARREST WARRANT AGAINST EX-PRESIDENT MOHAMED NASHEED

An arrest warrant was issued by the Maldivian Court on 7 October 2012 against Mohamed Nasheed countrys first democratically elected President. The warrant was issued in reference to Nasheeds questioning the authority of the special court for initiating a trail against him for the alleged charges of power abuse, when he was in the office. Ordering the police to produce the former President in the court, the Magistrate Court of Hulhumale also asked the police to keep Nasheed in Custody to face the charges of arresting and detaining Abdulla Mohamed,
INDIA TOPPED THE CHART OF REGISTERED LARGEST NUMBER OF UNDER FIVE DEATHS IN 2011
In the Child Mortality Estimates Report 2012 published on 12 September 2012, by United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF), India was placed at the top position in the chart of 10 countries that topped on the chart. The other countries with their names
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on the chart are Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, China, Pakistan, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. As per the report, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, China, Pakistan along with India are the countries with more than fifty percent of the total deaths. The countries with worlds lowest mortality rate are Singapore, the Nordic Countries, Japan and some of the European Countries. But the good news of the report is the decrease in the number of the under five mortality to 6.9 million from that if the 12 million in 1990. This fall measures to 51 per thousand in 2011 from that of 87 per thousand in 1990. Identified cause for the Mortality Are 14 percent due to pre-term birth complications 18 percent due to Pneumonia 11 percent due to Diarrhea 9 percent due to Intrapartum related complications 7 percent of the total deaths happen The report also cleared that approx 40 percent of the total deaths were reported within 28 days (neonatal period) of birth which counts to be three million deaths in total.
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Mohammed, attacked Consulate building in Benghazi city of Libya. The said event happened on the day which is also marked as the 11th anniversary of 9/11. The US ambassador to Libya, Chris Stevens was the man who had helped Libyan opposition to overthrow the Gaddafi regime. The protest came after 14 minute trailer of the film posted on You Tube. The film named as Innocence of Muslims, was directed and produced by an IsraeliAmerican real estate developer. It depicts the Prophet in poor light. In response to the incident, US President Barack Obama ordered increased security for US diplomatic posts across the world and in his White House appearance he declared that the U.S. would "work with the Libyan government to bring to justice those who killed Ambassador Chris Stevens. Chris Stevens is the second U.S. ambassador who had been killed during an outstation posting since the death of Adolph Dubs in 1979 during his tenure in Afghanistan.
US DIPLOMAT TO LIBYA KILLED IN BENGHAZI ATTACK

United States Ambassador to Libya, Chris Stevens with three other embassy staff were killed on 9 September 2012 after some fundamentalist mobs fumed and protesting over a film mocking Prophet
INDIA, MYANMAR AND THAILAND DECIDED TO IMPLEMENT TRILATERAL CONNECTIVITY PROJECT BY 2016
India, Myanmar and Thailand on 10 September 2012 reviewed the eagerly awaited trilateral connectivity project and decided to make all efforts to implement this by 2016. This was done at the meeting
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of the India-Myanmar-Thailand Joint Task Force, which met in New Delhi. It was also agreed during the meeting that steps be initiated to address issues related to harmonisation of customs and immigration procedures at border checkposts to enable seamless movement of goods and people to realise the full potential of the trilateral highway.
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MekongGanga sixth Cooperation meet was held in New Delhi on 3-4 September 2012. Senior officials meeting were held on September 3 whereas the Foreign Ministers meet was held on September 4 2012. The Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC) was established on November 10, 2000 in Vientiane, Lao Peoples Democratic Republic with a purpose of cooperation amongst India and the five Mekong region countries - Cambodia, Lao Peoples Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Vietnam and Thailand. It was basically established to emphasize on four areas of cooperation, tourism, culture, education, and transportation linkage, in order to build strong foundation for future trade and investment cooperation among the region. This is the first time that the Mekong Ganga Cooperation meeting was hosted by India. India had earlier chaired the 5th MGC Ministerial Meeting on the sidelines of the ASEAN-India Meetings. Five Mekong Ganga Cooperation ministerial meetings has held so far In Vientiane, Lao Peoples Democratic Republic on November 10, 2000 In Hanoi, Vietnam on July 28, 2001 In Phnom Penh, Cambodia June 20, 2003 In Cebu, Philippines on January 12, 2007 In Manila, Philippines on August 1, 2007
US UPLIFTED TERRORIST DESIGNATION FROM NEPALI MAOISTS

The title of terrorists assigned to Communist Party of Nepal (Maoists) by United States has been uplifted on 6 September 2012. Maoist part was Specially Designated with the title of Terrorist Entity under Executive Order 13224. US also withdrew its status as terrorist organisation from the Terrorist Exclusion List (TEL) under the Immigration and Nationality Act. This decision came in favor of the party after six years long wait, since the time it signed peace treaty to make its entry to open politics. US declared its decision on the day, when final phase of rehabilitation and integration process of former Maoists combatants started. The state department stated that the party is no longer involved in the activities that threaten the security of U.S. Foreign Policy and its nationals and now they are directly involved in governance of the Nation.
SIXTH MEKONG GANGA COOPERATION MEETING HELD IN NEW DELHI

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THE 16TH NAM (NONALIGNED MOVEMENT)

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SUMMIT WAS HELD IN TEHRAN

The 16th NAM (Non-Aligned Movement) summit was held at Tehran, Iran on 30-31 August 2012. The theme of the summit was Lasting Peace through Joint Global Governance. At the Tehran Summit, the Chairmanship of NAM was passed on from Egypt to Iran in accordance with the NAMs practice of regional rotation.
India's stance at Tehran Summit India expressed support for popular aspirations for a democratic order in Syria while cautioning against external intervention. India urged NAM to take a clear stand on Syria.
US IMPOSED FRESH SANCTIONS ON BELLIGERENT IRAN

In pursuit of its goal to debilitate Irans oil exporting economy, the US Government on 2 August 2012 announced to impose some fresh sanctions on Iran. Sanctions, imposed under Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010 (CISADA), put punitive regulation on those who continued to maintain ties with Iran. Under the sanction Bank of Kunlun in China and Elaf Islamic Bank in Iraq faced cut off from transactions with US Institutions. The two banks were punished for facilitating transactions worth millions of dollars on behalf of sanctioned Iranian banks. The new sanctions categorically target the Iranian energy and petrochemical sectors. The sanctions are aimed at preventing Iran from establishing payment mechanisms for the purchase of Iranian oil to circumvent existing sanctions, and utilises the existing structure of our sanctions law, including exceptions for significant reductions in the purchase of Iranian oil. Earlier this year India, China and a host of other nations had opposed US dictate to cut down their oil imports from Iran. US and European Union have come down heavily on Irans nuclear programme seeking all
The NAM meeting in Tehran was held in three phases: Preparatory Senior Officials Meeting on 26-27 August, Ministerial Level Meeting on 28-29 August and the Summit on 30-31 August. At the end of the summit, the outcome documents were adopted which put emphasis on peace. Participants called for fundamental changes in global governance and collective management of the world as the precondition of establishing peace, and all of them expressed the call for avoiding conflicts in the world. Venezuela was selected the host for the 17th NAM Summit in 2015 Two nations, namely Azerbaijan Republic and Fiji, were accepted as the new members of the organization.
The NAM was founded in the former Yugoslavia in 1961. It represents almost two-thirds of the UN members and about 55 percent of the world population.
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possible diplomatic methods to stop the belligerent nation to carry on its nuclear programme. Though the heavy sanctions imposed by the US and EU over Iran have not yielded them the desired result as Iran has thus far not gave up its plan to build nuclear armaments.
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US SENATE PASSED BILL TO LABEL HAQQANI NETWORK AS A FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANISATION

The US Senate on 27 July 2012 unanimously passed a resolution to label the Haqqani Network as a foreign terrorist group. The resolution came following the US House of Representatives passed Haqqani Network Terrorist Designation Act of 2012 early July 2012. The bill was already passed in 2011 but had to be passed by the Senate again given the changes made in it by the House. As the final step to become legislation, the bill now moves to the White House for the approval of President Barack Obama. What is Haqqani Network? The Haqqani Network is a group of Islamic fanatics which have been fighting against US-led NATO forces and the government of Afghanistan to reacquire control over the trouble-torn nation. The insurgent group, which came into existence in mid 1970s, was largely used by the US as a tool against Soviet Russia during the cold war days. Haqqani Network is widely believed to have the support of Pakistani administration as well as the ISI, Pakistan's top spy agency. The Network is led by Maulvi Jalaluddin Haqqani and his son Sirajuddin Haqqani. www.jagranjosh.com
The group, which believed to have its base in Pakistan, operates across the Afghanistan- Pakistan border. The dreaded terror group consistently remains one of the most formidable threats to the US led NATO forces and the Afghan Government given its striking capabilities and the influence it enjoys among the conservative Islamic groups existing across the border. The network has drawn extreme reactions from the leaders in US and western countries, which consider it as the most resilient enemy network. Haqqani Networks alleged link with Taliban militants has added to the anxiety of US administration which wants the group to be banned immediately. To fund its terror operations the group relies on the extortion, kidnapping and smuggling.
SPICE JET TO LAUNCH FLIGHTS TO GUANGZHOU IN SOUTH CHINA

SpiceJet decided to launch its flights to Guangzhou in the first week of February 2013. With this launch, the low-cost carrier, SpiceJet will become the only Indian private airline to fly China. It has decided to launch the four weekly flights starting from New Delhi to Guangzhou. The duration of the flight will be 4 hours and 35 minutes with the Boeing 737 aircraft. As of now, Shanghai remains the only southern mainland city which is connected to India via airlines such as Air China and Air India. With the launch of this flight, SpiceJet looks towards targeting the business community.
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It will also direct its attention towards the southern part of the country. Furthermore, SpiceJet has plans to launch its flights to other Chinese cities such as Macau, Zhuhai and Hong Kong. First Indian carrier flying to China Jet Airways was the first Indian carrier that flew to China. It launched flight from Mumbai to Shanghai and thereafter towards San Francisco in 2008. However, the flight was later discontinued.
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CHINA INAUGURATED WORLDS LONGEST HIGH SPEED RAIL ROUTE LINKING BEIJING WITH GUANGZHOU
China on 26 December 2012 inaugurated world's longest high-speed rail route linking its capital Beijing with the southern metropolis of Guangzhou, covering a distance of 2298 kms. It runs at an average speed of 300 km per hour and it will save nearly 12 hours by bringing down the travel time between Beijing and Guangzhou from more than 20 hours to around eight. The route connects five provinces and has 35 stops in major cities, including Shijiazhuang, Zhengzhou, Wuhan and Changsha. With the opening of the Beijing-Guangzhou high-speed railroad, China now has a network of more than 9300 km of operating high-speed railways. This is the longest high speed network China launched after the Beijing-Shanghai Bullet train in 2010, which brought down travel time to around five hours, covering over 1300 km distance between two of China's largest cities. The new train covers Beijing with China's most industrialised province Guangdong where most developed cities like Guangzhou close to Hong Kong and Maccau are located. The line is expected to be extended to Hong Kong by 2015.
SOUTH AFRICAN GOVERNMENT ROLLED OUT NELSON MANDELA BANK NOTES

The South African Reserve Bank on 6 November 2012 rolled out new bank notes bearing the face of the countrys first black President Nelson Mandela marking it as a tribute to him. The Note issued by the South African Reserve Bank, displayed the 94-year-old anti-apartheid icons smiling face. Also, the earlier images of one of the five big animals featured on the old bank notes lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo and elephant will be retained on the reverse of the note. Nelson Mandela is currently living out his retirement in his childhood rural village of Qunu in the Eastern Cape Province. Nelson Mandela held office between 1994 and 1999 and he is the first black face to appear on South African Currency.
PRESIDENT OF RUSSIA VLADMIR PUTIN VISITED INDIA TO ATTEND 13TH INDIA-RUSSIA ANNUAL SUMMIT
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Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, the President of Russia visited India on 24 December 2012 at the Invitation of Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister of India to attend 13th India-Russia Annual Summit. During the visit the Russian President met the Prime Minister of India - Manmohan Singh and the President of India Pranab Mukherjee. During this visit of President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh reviewed the progress made in all the important areas of mutual cooperation, comprising sectors like energy, trade, high technology and military-technical cooperation. Both these leaders discussed on extending the special and privileged strategic partnership between the two countries. Some of the issues of discussion were Promoting Trade and Investment Deepening Energy Partnership Science and Technology Cooperation Education Cultural and Humanitarian Exchanges Promoting Ties in Space Stepping Up Military-Technical Cooperation Coordination on International and Regional Issues Combating Terrorism Supporting Disarmament and NonProliferation Efforts Promoting Cooperation among Emerging Economies Situation in Syria Stabilizing the Afghan Situation Iran's Nuclear Programme Recovery and Strengthening of Global Economy, Reforming the International Financial Architecture Environment/Sustainable Development
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SHINZO ABE ELECTED AS PRIME MINISTER OF JAPAN BY LOWER HOUSE OF THE PARLIAMENT
Shinzo Abe, the conservative leader of Japan was elected as the prime minister of the country by lower house of the Parliament called the House of Representatives, on 26 December 2012. Shinzo Abe took oath to rebuild Japanese economy as well as mend the coalition with US. The lower house of the parliament in Japan, which is said to be very powerful, picked 58-year old Shinzo Abe as the new leader of the country. All this came after the loud victory of Liberal Democratic Party which is headed by Abe, in national election earlier in December 2012. The Liberal Democratic Party had won over Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ). The lawmakers in Japan voted in favour of Abe by 328 votes. Opponent Banri Kaieda, the newly chosen leader of DPJ received merely 57 votes. As the seventh prime minister of Japan in not even 7 years, Abe replaced Yoshihiko Noda, who belonged to DPJ and whose party suffered deep defeat at the elections. DPJ had come into power in 2009 and it lost on grounds of failing policies as well as mishandling of atomic disaster at Fukushima in 2011. The cabinet of Yoshihiko Noda resigned as a whole before LDP-powered lower house
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of the Parliament named Abe as the next Prime Minister. Abe had initially served as the Prime Minister of Japan from 2006 to 2007. He would form the new cabinet in order to rush the extra budget for encouraging flagging economy of the country. Most probably, Abe would choose close associates as well as senior members of the party for crucial posts in the cabinet. It is expected that Taro Aso, the former prime minister of Japan would be chosen as the deputy of Abe as well as the finance minister. Fumio Kishida would be the foreign minister. He was the state minister of Okinawan affairs in previous tenure of Abe. Defence ministry might go to Itsunori Onodera. He served as the deputy foreign minister during Abes tenure in Japan. Justice Minister of Japan might be Sadakazu Tanigaki.
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The uninhabited group of Islands Senkaku or Diaoyu turned up to be the cause for mounting tensions in between China and Japan. Japan on 11 September 2012 announced that they have purchased three islands of this group of islands from its identified Tokyo based Kurihara family (owner of the island) at $25b million. In response to this declaration, china sent two Marine Surveillance Ships for patrol and resettling Chinese claim on the islands. Chinese foreign ministry also warned Japan that necessary steps will be taken to protect Chinese interests to the issue. Following the study conducted by experts in 1968, the Island group that has been under the control of Japan, since 1895 holds oil reserves under the sea. China claims that the islands were discovered and controlled by them ever since fourteenth century and considers it to be a part of Taiwan (Republic of China).
SOMALIA GOT ITS NEW PRESIDENT IN FORM OF HASSAN SHEIKH MOHAMUD

Hassan Sheikh Mohamud won the presidential elections of Somalia on 10 September 2012. He won the election by gaining 190 votes to 79 in the second round of competition. Alliances were formed between the Prime Minister Abdiweli Ali and Hassan Sheikh.
VICE PRESIDENT OF INDIA M. HAMID ANSARI RELEASED A BOOK

Vice president of India Hamid Ansari released the book Muslim in Indian cities on 10 September 2012. The book is edited by Laurent Gayer and Christopher Jafferlot. On the occasion of book release, VicePresident denoted Indian Muslim as Sui generic that means unique in characteristics. The book speaks about Muslim life in India. Numbering more than 150 million, Muslims constitute the largest minority in India, yet they suffer the most politically and socioeconomically.
TENSIONS GREW OVER SENKAKU ISLANDS IN BETWEEN JAPAN AND CHINA
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INDIA RANKED TO BE 59TH IN THE REPORT RELEASED BY WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM

India slipped down with 3 ranks to 59th position from its previous year ranking in the Global Competitiveness Report 20122013 released on 5 September 2012 by the World Economic Forum. The identified reason for this downfall is Indias disappointing performance in satisfying competitiveness for the basic factors. Previously, India was far ahead to the nations like South Africa and Brazil has trailed down by 10 ranks and is 30 ranks behind the China. As per the details released by the forum, India still is strong in term of competitiveness on many other sections of comparison. Switzerland managed to be on top of the list for consecutive four years followed by Singapore that ranked second and Finland was placed at third position. Among the members of BRICKS Nations, Russia was placed at 67th Position, South Africa got 52nd position and Brazil remained to be the 48th Nation.
meeting in Tehran was held in three phases: preparatory senior officials meeting on 2627 August, ministerial level meeting on 2829 August, and the summit on 30-31 August. Heads of the government from over 100 countries participated in the Tehran Summit to discuss the new global challenges. Venezuela was selected the host for the 17th NAM Summit in 2015. India expressed support for popular aspirations for a democratic order in Syria while cautioning against external intervention. India urged NAM to take a clear stand on Syria.
PRIME MINISTER OF FIJI, LAISENIA QARASE WAS PUNISHED FOR ONE YEAR PRISON
Prime Minister of Fiji, Laisenia Qarase was punished for One year Prison on 3 August 2012 by the Supreme Court of Fiji. He found guilty on corruption charges. He was unable to answer the Government about his private investment in three companies to whom he was helping financially from past 20 years. He is not allowed to take part in the Prime Ministers elections of Fiji in the year 2014.
TEHRAN HOSTED THE 16TH NAM (NON-ALIGNED MOVEMENT) SUMMIT

The 16th NAM (Non-Aligned Movement) summit was held at Tehran, Iran on 30-31 August 2012.The theme of the summit was Lasting Peace through Joint Global Governance. At the Tehran Summit, the Chairmanship of NAM was passed on from Egypt to Iran in accordance with the NAMs practice of regional rotation.The NAM
THE BELGIAN DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER DIDIER REYNDERS VISITED INDIA

The Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and European Affairs Didier Reynders visited India from 1-5 August and 8-12 August 2012. During his visit, he discussed
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bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest. Besides that, A MoU was signed between Ministry of Railways, Government of India and the Ministry of Mobility of Kingdom of Belgium on 2 August 2012.
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ROGELIO SIERRA DIAZ, VICE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF CUBA VISITED INDIA
Rogelio Sierra Diaz, vice foreign minister of Cuba visited India on 7 August 2012 to participate in the First India-CELAC foreign
ministers Troika meeting in New Delhi. On the sidelines of the meeting, he met SM Krishna, Minister of External Affairs of India. During this meeting, both nations discussed ways to improve bilateral relations encompassing the areas dealing with political, commercial and economic; energy; sports; science and technology; education and culture. India and Cuba agreed on the need for the reform of the United Nations Organisation. The Indian side appreciated Cubas expression of support to Indias candidature for permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council.
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CHAPTER 3: BILATERAL RELATIONS

TWO PAKISTANI DIPLOMATS DENIED PERMISSION TO ATTEND JAIPUR LITERATURE FESTIVAL 2013
The Government of India banned two Pakistani diplomats from participating in the Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) 2013, which began on 24 January 2013. Two Pakistani diplomats Naeem Anwar and Manzoor Memon were prevented from visiting Jaipur on 24 January 2013 because Ministry of External Affairs did not provide them with the approval. One of the Pakistani diplomats asked for the permission to visit Ajmer Sharif, while the other wanted to visit Agra from Jaipur in order to attend his business meeting.
Indias Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh declared that after implementation of FTA in the goods, the trade between the two sides increased by 41 percent in the year 2011-2012. Manmohan Singh announced at the summit that two-way flows in terms of investment grew rapidly and reached the mark of 43 billion dollar over last 10 years. Because the investments through ASEAN in India grew, therefore the ASEAN countries also emerged as lucrative destination for the Indian companies. India was demanding from ASEAN to open the services sector even more, which would also include the steps to cover contractual service suppliers along with independent professional services at all its levels. But following difficult rounds of talks and discussions on 19 December 2012, India decided to drop the demand of independent professional services. As trade-off, ASEAN on the other hand dropped the demand for prudential measures in context with financial services. Impact of the agreement The agreement would create new pathways for greater economic integration. Post, FTA in investments and services, India was also planning to hold market opening negotiations like these with other members of the group. FTA was already implemented with Malaysia and Singapore. Negotiations with Thailand and Indonesia were still on its way. This FTA would also create pathways for discussions on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) which ASEAN planned sealing with its six crucial trade partners, including India. ASEAN along with the six partners, India, China, Australia,
INDIA AND ASEAN FINALISED FTA IN INVESTMENTS AND SERVICES

The awaited Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in investments and services was finalised between India and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on 20 December 2012. The actions would be beneficial in enhancing the trade to around 100 billion dollar by 2015. Also, it will help in enhancing the economic ties. FTA in the goods was operationalised in 2011 and since then both the sides were busy in widening the pact by also including investments and services. Trade between the two sides is at present 80 billion dollar. www.jagranjosh.com
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New Zealand, Japan and South Korea would begin first negotiation rounds on RCEP in 2013. This would form the economic alliance of the world in 2015. Final legal paper work on investment and services pact would be given a concrete shape by February 2013. Signing of the agreement would take place in August 2013.
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India and China on 4 September 2012 agreed to boost defence ties. The agreement was made during the visit of Chinese Defense Minister Gen Liang Guanglie to India and his meet with his Indian Counterpart, AK Antony. Last time the defence minister of China visited India in the year 2004. The two nations have agreed on improving the friendly, strategic and co-operative partnership and exchange of young officers and high level visits. An inter-collegiate exchange that includes non-traditional security fields is also a part of the agreement.
INDIA TO SIGN MUTUAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE TREATY IN CRIMINAL MATTERS WITH FOUR OTHER NATIONS
India would sign Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty in the criminal matters with four other countries in 2013. The treaty in general helps in mutual assistance between two nations for preventing, investigating as well as prosecuting crime. Discussions on treaty were initiated already with four countries namely Azerbaijan, Israel, Nepal and Oman. As of now, India has signed the treaty with 32 countries which include Russia, Egypt, US, South Africa, France, Switzerland, UK, Canada, UAE and Iran. The agreement is important because it helps in fighting back the transnational organised crimes such as money laundering, terrorism, counterfeit currency, smuggling of explosives and arms, drug trafficking and much more.
During the joint Naval Practice in Shanghai, the two nations agreed on increasing the process of military exchange that includes maritime operations and navy. Last joint exercise that took place between the two nations was at Kunming in the year 2007 and at Belgaum in the year 2008.
The third joint exercise scheduled for 2010 was cancelled because China disagreed to provide VISA to Lieutenant General BS Jaiswal of the Northern Command and since then India cancelled all collateral ties related to defence activities with China.
INDIA AND AUSTRIA SIGNED AN MOU TO STRENGTHEN BILATERAL COOPERATION ON RAIL AND ROAD
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed on 1 October 2012 between Indian and Austria to strengthen the long-
INDIA AND CHINA AGREED TO BOOST THE DEFENCE TIES
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term bilateral cooperation and relationship on rail and road infrastructure. The MoU was signed in between C.P. Joshi- the Minister of Railways and Road Transport of India and Highways and the Doris Burse-the Federal Minister of Transport, Innovation and Technology of Austria during her visit to India. The identified areas of cooperation as declared are Tunneling technology enhancement, training and skill up gradation like locomotive drivers psychological qualification test, track monitoring as well as maintenance. Provisions of mechanised track laying, traction and rolling stock and telecom and signaling. Establishing and encouraging relationship for communication and cooperation that is effective and continues for a long term. Exchange of information related to infrastructural development for roads, their management, administration, road safety and different areas of mutual interests that includes intelligent Transport Systems related to road transport technologies.
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requirement. The Supreme Court passed the statement in relation to the 2 G Presidential Reference in form of its advisory opinion.
FARMERS MOVED TO SUPREME COURT CHALLENGING THE RELEASE OF WATER

Farmers of Karnataka moved to the Supreme Court on 25 September 2012 challenging the direction given to the state by the Union Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, who is the head of Cauvery River Authority (CRA) to release 9000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu from September 20October 15. The reason was drastically failure of monsoon in the last year which has affected the agriculture of Karnataka severely. The farmers gave a writ petition mentioning that due to failure of monsoon to the extent of 40 percent, drought had severely affected almost half of the agricultural activities in the Cauvery basin of Karnataka. The petitioner mentioned that the demand of Tamil Nadu seeking water from Karnataka was uncalled for because Farmers in Tamil Nadu are going to get enough water during the North-East monsoon beginning in October and ending in December. They had also mentioned that the crops can be grown with the help of rain received during the North-East monsoon. As also the storage in Mettur Dam was 45 tmcft, Tamil Nadu farmers are not in need of water as it is going to be sufficient for them till November.
SC: THERE ARE ALTERNATIVE WAYS FOR ALLOCATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES

The Supreme Court in its verdict for routing of the allocation of Natural Resources on 27 September 2012 directed that the Auction being a preferable method for allotment of the natural resources cant be turned up to be a Constitutional Limitation or
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INDIA PLEDGED HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE OF 2.5 MILLION US DOLLARS TO SYRIA

India announced an assistance of 2.5 million US dollars to Syria on 30 January 2013 at the High-level International Humanitarian Pledging Conference for Syria held in Kuwait. Syria continues to face acute crisis as the impasse has become explosive and could engulf the region. India has strongly expressed its concern on the steep escalation of violence and has called upon all sides in Syria particularly; the Syrian leadership to abjure violence and resolve all issues peacefully through discussions taking into accounts the aspirations of the people of Syria.
Gillard in October 2012 underlined both countries deep commitment to advance the Strategic Partnership agreed in November 2009. The Minister for External Affairs, Salman Khurshid, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Bob Carr, held the 8th Foreign Ministers Framework Dialogue on the 21 January 2013, to review the bilateral relations and build on the momentum achieved by Prime Minister Gillards visit. The two countries also met at Ministerial level to advance Agriculture, Energy, Education and Science & Technology links. India and Australia emphasised the importance of closer trade and investment relations as a critical component of the strategic partnership.
INDIA AND AUSTRALIA AGREED TO CONCENTRATE ON ENERGY AND FOOD SECURITY

India and Australia on 28 January 2013 agreed to concentrate on priority areas like energy and food security for mutual benefit of the two countries. At the 14th Session of the India - Australia Joint Ministerial Commission held in New Delhi, the two sides underlined the importance of a solid institutional framework to facilitate future growth in bilateral trade and investment. India and Australia welcomed the positive momentum in the India-Australia relationship, based on shared values, converging interests and growth in economic links. The successful state visit to India by Australian Prime Minister Julia
Both nations underlined the importance of a solid institutional framework to facilitate future growth in bilateral trade and investment. In this context, they highlighted the priority they placed on the conclusion of a mutually beneficial Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA). The countries welcomed progress through four rounds of negotiations to date, including the exchange of goods offers. They looked forward to a future exchange offers on services. Ministers reiterated that a comprehensive, high quality equitable agreement would broaden the base of merchandise trade, remove non-tariff barriers that impede trade in services, and facilitate and encourage investment. India and Australia recognized the critical role played by industry in driving trade and investment between the two countries. In
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this regard, they expressed their strong support for the initiatives of the India Australia CEO Forum. Both nations welcomed the outcomes from the second forum meeting on 16 October 2012 held in New Delhi including agreement to promote skills training, increased mutual cooperation on infrastructure development, promotion of services trade, and the creation of investment champions to identify opportunities and navigate government processes. The nations commended the important work under way in the Forum. The nations welcomed the third meeting of the Forum to be held in Australia in March 2013. Other areas of mutual interests are as following The nations discussed Australia and India`s mutual interests in the effectiveness of global and regional economic institutions. The nations welcomed the launch of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) negotiations towards a modern, comprehensive, high quality, and mutually beneficial regional Economic Partnership Agreement. They discussed their mutual commitment to strengthening the East Asia Summit (EAS) as a forum that incorporated all the major economies in the India-Pacific region.
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observe ceasefire strictly and exercise restraint. The ways to defuse the tension on the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir, which was triggered by the brutal killing of two Indian soldiers by the Pakistan Army, were discussed during a telephonic conversation between the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of the two sides. The Pakistan Army DGMO conveyed that orders have been passed to troops to strictly observe the ceasefire and exercise restraint.
CHINA APPOINTED WEI WEI, A CAREER DIPLOMAT AS AMBASADOR TO INDIA

Chinese President Hu Jintao on 16 January 2013 appointed the career diplomat and its current envoy to Singapore Wei Wei as its new Ambassador to India. Wei Wei would be the successor of Zhang Yan in India. Wei Wei appointment as the Ambassador to India was confirmed by the President following the decision made by the Standing Committee of the Chinese Top Legislature, the National People's Congress (NPC). He has served as a diplomat of China in countries like, Ethopia, Brunei, Zimbabwe and Kenya.
INDIA AND PAKISTAN AGREED NOT TO ALLOW TENSION ALONG LOC TO ESCALATE
DGMOs (Director Generals of Military Operations) of India and Pakistan on 16 January 2013 agreed not to allow escalation of tensions along the Line of Control (LoC) with the Pakistan Army asking its troops to www.jagranjosh.com
INDIA AND BANGLADESH DECIDED INCREASING RAIL LINK PROJECTS

India and Bangladesh decided in the third week of January 2013, to speed up its rail link projects in order to increase the contact among the people of two neighbouring nations. As of now, there are four ongoing
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rail link projects and these are Chilahati (Bangladesh)-Haldibari (India), Birol (Bangladesh)-Radhikapur (India), Akhaura (Bangladesh)-Agartala (India) and Shahbazpur (Bangladesh)- Mahishashan (India). The senior railway officials from the two countries decided in the joint meeting to also examine feasibility of establishment of rail link between Feni (Bangladesh) and Belonia (India). Railway delegations from India and Bangladesh discussed about the operational, technical as well as financial matters as well. Discussions on reforming inter-country freight train operations, improving functioning of Maitree Express, upgrading the infrastructure as well as establishment of even more rail connectivity points, were held. Delegations from India and Bangladesh also agreed in the meanwhile to increase frequency of the Maitree Express as well as introduction of the system of return tickets.
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since 1992. This is a customary action as a part of Agreement on Prohibition of Attacks against Nuclear Installations and Facilities which was signed in December 1988. Apart from this list, the two nations, as a part of another bilateral agreement signed back in 2008, share the list of each others prisoners in the jails of two countries. The bilateral agreement was signed between India and Pakistan in May 2008, according to which a complete list of the citizens of both the countries living in the jails of other country should be exchanged two times every year on 1 January and in July.
INDIA AND PAKISTAN JOINTLY OPERAIONALIZED NEW VISA AGREEMENT

India and Pakistan jointly operationalized the new Visa Agreement on 14 December 2012 in New Delhi during the visit of Pakistan interior minister A. Rehman Malik to India. However, the Visa-on-Arrival will come into effect from 15 January 2013 and the Group Tourist Visa from 15 March 2013. Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan signed on 8 September 2012, a new Visa Agreement to facilitate travel for the citizens of both countries desirous of travelling to the other country and to promote people to people contact. Main features of the India-Pakistan new Visa Agreement are as following Visitor Visa Places of visit allowable increased from three to five places
INDIA AND PAKISTAN EXCHANGED NUCLEAR UNITS LIST AS A PART OF THE AGREEMENT
India and Pakistan exchanged their nuclear units lists on 1 January 2013, as it is customary since 20 years. The list which contains the names of nuclear units of two countries, are exchanged between India and Pakistan as a custom and part of an agreement which prevents them from aiming the nuclear installations of each others nations. The exchange of the list of nuclear units has been going on, on 1 January every year
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In exceptional cases visitor visa for one year could be issued in the past. Now provision made for issue of visa up to two years in following cases: a) Persons above 65 years of age b) National of one country married to national of the other country. c) Children below 12 years accompanying parents in (b) above Visa on Arrival can be granted at Attari/Wagah check-post to persons more than 65 years of age for 45 days with single entry (effective from 15 January 2013). Business Visa Exemption from Police Reporting for Business visa granted to businessmen with an annual income above Pak Rs. 5 million or equivalent or annual turnover above Pak 30 million rupees or equivalent. Group Tourist Visa Group Tourist Visa for 30 days may be issued for travel in groups, with not less than 10 members and not more than 50 members in each group, organized by approved tour operators/travel agents (effective from 15 March 2013). Entry and Exit Now entry and exit from different designated Immigration Check Posts can be allowed, if indicated in application. However, exit from Wagha/Attari on foot cannot be accepted unless the entry was also on foot via Attari/Wagah. Later after the incident of beheading of the Indian solder on the LoC, the visa-of-arrival policy for the senior citizens of Pakistan was
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put on hold citing technical reasons from the Indian officials.
NORTH KOREA LAUNCHED LONG RANGE UNHA-3 ROCKET AMID INTERNATIONAL OPPOSITION
North Korea launched a long-range rocket Unha-3 on 12 December 2012 despite international opposition and growing tensions in the region successfully delivering a scientific satellite Kwangmyongsong-3 into orbit. Unha-3 is the second version of satellite Kwangmyongsong-3 was successfully lifted off from the Sohae Space Center by carrier rocket.
ELEVENTH MEETING OF INDIA-CANADA JWG ON COUNTER TERRORISM HELD IN NEW DELHI

The 11th meeting of the India-Canada Joint Working Group (JWG) on Counter Terrorism was held in New Delhi on 29 November 2012. The meeting took place within the framework of the enhanced interaction in bilateral relations between India and Canada, and in keeping with the desire of the governments of India and Canada towards greater cooperation in counter terrorism matters.
INDIA AND PAKISTAN DISCUSSED METHODS FOR SOLVING SIR CREEK ISSUE
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A meeting of the India and Pakistan former diplomats, peace activists, army and navy officers concluded on 3 December 2012 with an agenda that Sir Creek dispute will be resolved. Apart from this, Siachen and Kashmir are other territorial troubles that sit amidst the India-Pakistan relationship. The strategic seminar called Aman Ki Asha concluded with the fact that even after a lot of deadlock after the bilateral meetings, the issue of Sir Creek was not difficult to handle. There were certain proposals on which both India as well as Pakistan agreed and this included De-linking maritime boundaries from land. It was agreed that there would be marking from seaward to the point, where both these sides agree. Additionally, it was agreed that the non-defined area (Sir Creek and the approaches) would be declared as free zone or the maritime sensitive zone, or, it was agreed upon that such an area be turned into a jointly administered maritime park.
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into the Arabian Sea and divides the region of Kutch of Indias Gujarat with Sindh of Pakistan. The major dispute over Sir Creek is about understanding of the maritime boundary between the Kutch and the Sindh. Before Indias independence, the region remained a part of the British India. After the partition of 1947, Sindh entered Pakistan and Kutch remained with India.
INDIA AND JAPAN SIGNED TWO AGREEMENTS IN TOKYO

The Governments of India and Japan signed the two agreements on 16 November 2012 in Tokyo. The agreements are as following 1) Agreement between India and Japan on Social Security 2) Memorandum between the Department of Atomic Energy of India and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan on Cooperation in the Rare Earths Industry in India. The conclusion and signing of these agreements will further enhance and strengthen the India-Japan Strategic and Global Partnership.
The experts in the meanwhile also highlighted that in case the shore points are accepted by both the sides mutually, the boundary line marked using angular bisection would only undergo a few changes when final baseline would be established. What is Sir Creek? Sir Creek is the 96 km narrow piece of water that is a subject of dispute between India and Pakistan. Sir Creek sits in the Rann of Kutch marshlands. Creek opens
INDIA AND SWEDEN SIGNED SOCIAL SECURITY AGREEMENT IN NEW DELHI

India and Sweden signed a Social Security Agreement in New Delhi on 26 November 2012. This agreement will help both the countries in more investment and work opportunities for nationals of India and
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Sweden. It will also encourage more and more Indians to go to Sweden for employment opportunities and vice versa. Approximately, 156 Swedish companies are operating in India and expressed the hope that this agreement will encourage Swedish people to come in large numbers to India. In fact, India is the first Asian country with which Sweden has signed this type of agreement. The Social Security Agreement will enhance cooperation on social security between the two countries. The Agreement will provide following benefits to Indian nationals working in Sweden a) For short term contract up to two years, no social contribution would need to be paid under the Swedish law by the detached workers provided they continue to make social security payment in India. b) The above benefits shall be available even when the Indian company sends its employees to Sweden from a third country. c) Indian workers shall be entitled to the export of the social security benefit if they relocate to India after the completion of their service in Sweden. d) The self-employed Indians in Sweden would also be entitled to export of social security benefit of their relocation to India. e) The period of contribution in one contracting state will be added to the period of contribution in the second contracting state for determining the eligibility of social security benefits.
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There are about 18000 Overseas Indians in Sweden, most of who are working as professional and self-employed. However, there is a huge potential for Indian workers to take employment in Sweden owing to the huge labour supply gap in the market. As such, a bilateral Social Security Agreement with Sweden is a significant requirement from the futuristic point of view to take advantage of the emerging employment opportunities and to strengthen the trade and investment between the two countries. India has singed similar agreements with Belgium, Germany, France, Switzerland, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Hungary, Denmark, Czech Republic, the Republic of Korea, Norway, Finland, Canada and Japan.
THE 8TH MEETING OF THE INDIA-UK JWG ON COUNTER TERRORISM HELD IN NEW DELHI
The 8th meeting of the India-UK Joint Working Group (JWG) on Counter Terrorism was held on November 20, 2012 in New Delhi. The discussions of the JWG were held in an atmosphere of trust and mutual understanding. The two countries shared their respective threat assessments and informed each other of the measures taken by their governments to strengthen counter terrorism policies and structures. They also discussed the follow up on the Mumbai terror attacks of 26/11. The two countries also exchanged views on international developments, coordination in international forum and their bilateral cooperation in the area. The first meeting of the India-UK Joint Working Group (JWG) took place in 2004.
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The next and the 9th meeting of the JWG will be held in the UK in 2013 on mutually convenient dates.
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THE 2ND INDIA-CHINA STRATEGIC ECONOMIC DIALOGUE HELD IN NEW DELHI

The 2nd India-China Strategic Economic Dialogue was held in New Delhi on 26 November, 2012. During the 2nd meeting of the Dialogue, India and China discussed a wide range of topics including greater cooperation at the global level, strengthening communication on macroeconomic policies, deepening and expanding trade and investment and promoting bilateral cooperation in the financial and infrastructure sectors. The proposals and recommendations made by the five Working Groups were considered during the 2nd Dialogue and directions were given for their future activities. India and China agreed that in the current global economic situation it was important to raise the level of economic engagement between India and China. The agreements are as following (i) Cooperation at the Global Level: The reform of international monetary and financial systems, stabilizing the volatility in global commodity markets, working towards sustainable development and climate change goals, and ensuring food and energy security. (ii) Strengthening Communication on Macroeconomic Policies: Both sides seek to maintain continued economic growth while adjusting manufacturing and services, www.jagranjosh.com
upgrading levels of technologies and skills, while developing the hard and soft infrastructure for encouraging economic growth. The two countries agreed that they would regularly conduct joint studies on issues of mutual interest, focusing on benefits of best practices and information exchanges. (iii) Deepening and Expanding Trade and Investment: With a view to promoting greater economic and commercial engagement, both sides recognized the need to explore potential synergies in areas where the two sides have mutual complementarities, improve trade and investment environments, work towards removing market barriers, enhance cooperation in project contracting, deepen business to business exchanges, improve transportation links, encourage greater bilateral investment and work towards achieving a more balanced and sustainable bilateral trade. (iv) Expanding Cooperation in the Financial and Infrastructure Sectors: Both sides have agreed to intensify the cooperation in the financial sector by encouraging financial institutions of the two countries to set up operations in either country to support enterprises of the two countries to establish / expand commercial operations. The two sides also agreed to undertake studies in related areas including innovative financial methods to support the requirements of priority sectors particularly the infrastructure sector having significant scope for furthering economic development. The main outcomes of the five Working Groups are as follows
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(a) In the Policy Coordination Working Group, both countries discussed plan priorities and ways and means of achieving plan targets recently unveiled in their 12th Five Year Plans. They exchanged views on skills development and industrial park development. The two nations also submitted assessment reports on the investment environments in each others country based on the experiences of the enterprises of the two countries and discussed possible solutions to improve the investment environment. India and China also agreed to carry out joint studies on planning cooperation and skills development for employability, and entered into related MoUs. (b) In the Infrastructure Working Group, with its focus on enhancing railway cooperation, both countries exchanged views on the broad policies and plans for railway development in each others country. The two countries also discussed high-speed rail development programme, heavy haul and station development and entered into a MoU to exchange views and other related information in these areas. (c) In the Energy Working Group, India and China briefed each other on the development of the power sector in the two countries, the ongoing cooperation in the power equipment sector, opportunities and challenges in the wind energy sector, the possibility of Chinese power equipment manufacturers setting up service centres in India and relevant policy environment to support the ongoing cooperation, and reviewed the small hydro power workshop that was successfully held in Beijing in October 2012. (d) In the Environmental Protection Working Group, the two nations agreed to www.jagranjosh.com
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enhance cooperation in the implementation of energy efficiency projects through Energy Service Companies (ESCOs), encouraging visits to industrial and manufacturing centres excelling in energy efficient initiatives cooperate and jointly develop testing protocols and standards and have entered into a related MoU. The two sides also exchanged views on enhancing cooperation in water-saving technologies covering the areas of waste water recycling and water-efficient irrigation systems. (e) In the Hi-Technology Working Group, the two countries agreed to enhance cooperation in the Information Technology and Information Technology Enabled Services (IT/ITES). Both sides also agreed to carry out / support joint studies to better understand the IT/ITES markets of each country and have entered into a related MoU in this area. The two sides also reached a consensus to explore the possibility of working together for developing common standards for digital TV, audio and video codec standards and mobile communication technology. What is India-China Strategic Economic Dialogue? Established during the visit to India of Wen Jiabao, Premier of the State Council of the Peoples Republic of China in December 2010, the India-China Strategic Economic Dialogue is aimed at improving macroeconomic policy coordination, promoting exchanges on economic issues and enhancing India-China economic cooperation. The 1st Dialogue had been successfully held at Beijing in September 2011 where the two countries agreed to constitute five Working Groups on policy coordination, infrastructure, energy,
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environment protection and hightechnology. A working level delegation from China visited New Delhi in March 2012 following which the five Working Groups met in Beijing in the months of August and September 2012. This preparatory work has contributed immensely to the successful deliberations in and outcomes of the 2nd Dialogue.
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Some other commemorative activities on which discussions were held included 2nd ASEAN-India Business Fair and Business Conclave, and the ASEAN-India Car Rally, these would be held during the ASEANIndia Commemorative Summit. Decisions were also made on implementing the Plan of Action and the ASEAN-India Partnership for Progress, Peace and shared Prosperity (2010-2015). These implementations would be followed by the ministers of the ASEAN members and India to contribute in deepening the dialogue relations between the two sides. Marked Commemorative Activities 1. The meeting between Heads of Space Agencies 2. Ministerial level meetings in tourism, environment, agriculture, new and renewable energy, 3. The sending of the Sail Training Ship Sudarshini on an expedition to ASEAN countries
TENTH ASEAN-INDIA SUMMIT CONCLUDED AT PEACE PALACE, PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA

The tenth ASEAN-India Summit that was held at Peace Palace, Phnom Penh, Cambodia concluded on 19 November 2012. The summit was chaired by the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of CambodiaSamdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo HUN Sen and attended by the leaders of the ten Member states of ASEAN and the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. During the summit the discussions were held on identifying the future course of action on the ASEAN-India relations. Success was achieved in deciding the convening of the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit scheduled to be held on 20 December to 21 December 2012 at New Delhi, India, the summit will be held to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the ASEAN-India Dialogue Relations. During the 10th Anniversary of the ASEANIndia summit, 20th Anniversary of ASEANIndia Dialogue Relations was also observed at the same venue of Peach Place, Phnom Penh. The ASEAN-India Summit for the first time was observed in the year 2002 at Phnom Penh. www.jagranjosh.com
TWENTY FIRST ASEAN SUMMIT CONCLUDED IN PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA

The 21st ASEAN Summit Phnom Penh was held on 18 November 2012 at Peace Palace, Phnom Penh in Cambodia. Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia- Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen was the Chairperson for the 21st ASEAN Summit Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The head of states of the ASEAN members and the SecretaryGeneral of ASEAN participated in the 21st ASEAN Summit and discussed about things
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like progress of the Implementation of ASEAN Charter and Roadmap for an ASEAN community. New Secretary General for ASEAN Le Luong Minh- the candidate from the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam was appointed as the upcoming Secretary General for ASEAN for the next five year term by the ASEAN Head of States. The nomination was done on the basis of alphabetical rotation plan for next five year that would start from January 2013 and end in December 2018. ASEAN ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) was created on 8 August 1967 at Bangkok, Thailand after ASEAN Declaration (also called Bangkok Declaration) was signed between the Founding Fathers of ASEAN, namely Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines and Thailand. With time 5 more South Asian countries joined the group namely Brunei Darussalam joined on 7 January 1984, Viet Nam on 28 July 1995, Lao PDR and Myanmar on 23 July 1997, and Cambodia on 30 April 1999. Today, ASEAN is a 10-member group by now. The group was formed with a basic idea of promoting social progress, economic growth and cultural development between the member nations and talk on the differences in a peaceful manner.
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The seventh East Asia Summit (EAS) was held at Peace Palace, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on 19 November 2012. Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen chaired the meeting. The Leaders of East Asia Summit adopted a joint declaration for the 7th East Asia Summit following the regional responses to control Malaria and address the resistance to antimalarial medicines. The Phnom Penh Declaration of the East Asia Summit Development Initiative was also taken on this occasion. Discussions and exchange of views on different regional and international issues was also done between the leaders of the member-nations. Apart from the 10 members of the ASEAN representatives from eight different countries namely Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russia and United States of America also participated in the summit.
INDIA ADDED 22 NEW ITEMS TO PROMOTE INDOMYANMAR BORDER TRADE

Indian Government in the month of November added 22 commodities such as agricultural tools, bicycle, coal and garments in the list of items for border trade with Myanmar to boost the two-way commerce. The new items added and revised in the list of 40 tradable items was confirmed in a public notice by Director General of Foreign Trade which now make the list of 62 Consolidated items.
THE SEVENTH EAST ASIA SUMMIT CONCLUDED IN PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA
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The other new items included are edible oil, electrical appliances, steel products, medicines, tea, beverages, motor cycles and spare parts, semi precious stone, sewing machines and three wheelers/cars below 100 cc.
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Information and Culture Makhdoom Raheenis.
INDIA AND AFGHANISTAN SIGNED FOUR COOPERATION PACTS

India and Afghanistan on 12 November 2012 signed four agreements to cooperate in areas of social welfare, fertilizer, coal mining and youth affairs. President of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai was in India on a four day visit from 9 November 2012 to12 November 2012. During his visit a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by External Affair Minister Salman Khurshid and Afghanistan Foreign Minister Zalmai Rassoul under which India will provide grants to Afghanistan to implement small development projects through local bodies, community organisations, charitable trusts and educational institutions. The three other Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed can be listed as The second MoU relates to fertilizer sector and was signed by Salman Khurshid and Afghanistans Minister of Mines Wahidullah Shahrani. The third MoU aims at cooperation in youth affairs which was signed by India's external affairs minister and Afghanistans Minister of
The fourth MoU was on the development of coal resources and was signed by India's Coal Minister Prakash Jaiswal and Afghanistans Minister of Mines Wahidullah Shahrani.
Both the countries also decided to intensify the cooperation with a special focus by deepening their economic engagement in areas ranging from agriculture and small businesses to mining and infrastructure.
INDIA, BRITAIN DECIDED TO ENHANCE COOPERATION IN CYBER SECURITY

India and Britain on 8 November 2012 decided to step-up cooperation in Cyber Security during the Foreign Minister level talks of both the nations. Before, this during the Foreign Secretary level talks, the issues discussed was nuclear energy and counterterrorism. The representatives of both the nations, William Hague the British Foreign Secretary and Salman Khurshid India's External Affairs Minister after agreeing on the issues of cooperation on cyber crimes, which included cooperation in defining the ways of tackling the cyber crime, bilaterally issued a joint statement on the issues discussed. William Hague, during the bilateral discussions, also supported Indian bid to the membership in four export control regimes looking forward to the time, when India would turn-up to be a permanent seat in the UN Security Council. The Foreign
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Minister and the Foreign Secretary also discussed Syria Issue. The London Conference on Cyberspace of 2011 was attended at Ministerial level from the Indian side and following the results of the conference, both the countries started its first dialogue on cooperation in October 2012. India & Britain upgraded the relationship of strategic partnership in the year 2004 and since then the foreign ministers of both the nations have been working on the areas of common interest in the cyber domain. Britain also allowed its citizens to visit Srinagar and Jammu by lifting the ban because of the changed ground realities of the Himalayan State. Core principles based on Transparency, Freedom and Liberty The officials from both the nations tried to create and define the core principles through interactions to carry on the cooperation on the principles of liberty, freedom of expression, transparency and the rule of law that is applied to the cyber space. To tackle cybercrimes of all types and to boost the confidence of cooperation, the dialogue tried to find the facts of reducing risk of threats from cyberspace to international security.
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clearing the mistrust generated on the Canadian side after the nuclear explosion from India in 1974. Both the sides were successful in inking the agreement on the mechanism of shipment of the Canadian Uranium to India for the first time after 1974. The nuclear trade relations between the two nations were affected, when India used the plutonium that was allegedly abstracted from the Canadian test reactor to carry on a nuclear explosion in the year 1974.
INDIA-JAPAN-US TRILATERAL DIALOGUE HELD IN NEW DELHI

Senior officials of the India, Japan and USA held their third trilateral dialogue in New Delhi on 29 October 2012 to enhance cooperation on combating maritime security, combating piracy and leveraging their strengths to shape the Asia-Pacific architecture. The trilateral meeting was the third of its kind. The first round of talks was held in Washington in 2011 and the second round was held in Tokyo.
INDIA-CANADA FINALISED A MECHANISM FOR SHIPPING OF CANADIAN URANIUM TO INDIA

India and Canada on 6 November 2012 succeeded in creating a mechanism for shipping Canadian Uranium to India www.jagranjosh.com
PAKISTAN CABINET RATIFIED THE LANDMARK VISA PACT WITH INDIA

Pakistans Cabinet on 31 October 2012 ratified four recent agreements with India. The major of which is landmark visa pact aimed at facilitating restrictions on several categories of travelers, including senior citizens and businessmen. The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister of Pakistan M
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Raja Pervez Ashraf, who also ratified three other agreements that is going to promote trade between the Pakistan and India. The agreement introduced new categories for group tourist visas and pilgrim visas and relaxes restrictions on travel by senior citizens, businessmen and persons of one country married to a citizen of the other. The two countries are also discussing other measures aimed at boosting bilateral trade and cooperation in new areas like opening of bank branches and cross-border investments. Both the countries asserted they intend to increase bilateral trade to six billion dollars by 2014.
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Also, the withholding taxes on the dividends would be 10 per cent or 15 per cent and is equally applicable in the UK and in India. The Protocol integrates provisions for effective exchange of information between tax authorities of the two countries in line with latest international standards including exchange of banking information and supplying of information irrespective of domestic interest. With the amendment, now there will be a new article in the Convention on assistance in collection of taxes. It includes provision for taking measures of conservancy. The Protocol also constitutes the Convention anti- abuse (limitation of benefits) provisions, which ensure that the benefits of the Convention are not misused.
INDIA AND UK AMENDED PACT ON AVOIDANCE OF DOUBLE TAXATION

India and the United Kingdom on 30 October 2012 signed a protocol amending the 1993 bilateral convention on avoidance of double taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion related to taxes on income and capital gains. The Protocol amends the pact or Convention that was originally assigned on 25 January 1993 in New Delhi The protocol was signed by Indias High Commissioner Jaimini Bhagwati and Exchequer Secretary to the U.K. Treasury, David Gauke. The amended protocol is going to provide tax stability to the residents of both the countries and also facilitate mutual economic cooperation with stimulating flow of investment, technology and services.
INDIA, US AND JAPAN HELD TRILATERAL MEET AND TALKED ON COOPERATION

India, U.S. and Japan on its third trilateral meet on 29 October 2012 discussed trilateral cooperation in maritime security and a route through middle or north of Myanmar leading up to Hanoi. The other major area of discussion was on exchanging of proposals for doing projects together in Africa as well as cooperating on the economic side in Afghanistan. The three countries were on cycle of talk which they completed following this meet. The talk began with their first meeting in Washington in December 2011 which was followed by next meeting in Tokyo in April 2012.
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Talking of maritime security the three countries discussed some specific areas of cooperation which will be productive in the next cycle of talks that is going to begin after the U.S. Presidential elections and with the settling down of next US administration. Each side gave a strategic overview of the Asia Pacific. While Japans Briefing was primarily focused on dispute with China over the Senkaku islands. India with discussing issues on Myanmar had taken up a trilateral connectivity initiative with Myanmar and Thailand that touched on a route through upper Myanmar that would lead into Vietnam. Also, US briefing was about its much-talked about policy of 'Pivot to Asia', which is a move driven by the allure of emerging Asian economies, especially China and India.
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it plans to procure six large conventional submarines at a cost of more than 50000 crore of Rupees. The MoU on defence was among the five pacts signed after comprehensive talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the visiting King Juan Carlos I on bilateral, regional and international issues. Other pacts signed are included as under A protocol for amending the over 19year-old double taxation avoidance pact to check tax evasion, A MoU in the roads and road transport sector, aimed at promoting efficient and environmentally sustainable transport systems. A pact to promote and facilitate coproduction of films which includes feature films, documentary and animation films.
INDIA, SPAIN SIGNED AGREEMENT ON DEFENCE COOPERATION

India and Spain on 26 October 2012 signed a memorandum of understanding under which they are going to encourage collaboration between their defence industries and exchange of personnel. Both the Countries agreed to exchange defence-related experience and information, and will encourage visits of personnel and collaboration in the defence industry and similar areas of cooperation. Also in another gesture of Cooperation Spanish firm Navantia is planning to offer its S-80 diesel electric submarine for the Indian Navy's Project 75-India, under which
THE 2ND INDIA-JAPAN 2+2 DIALOGUE HELD IN TOKYO

The 2nd India-Japan 2+2 Dialogue was held in Tokyo on 22 October, 2012. These 2+2 consultations at Senior Official level are mandated by the Action Plan to Advance Security Cooperation concluded between India and Japan in December 2009. The first India - Japan 2+2 Dialogue was held at New Delhi in June 2010. The two countries briefed the other on their respective defence and security policies in the background of each countrys security environment. In this context, both nations reviewed bilateral security and defence cooperation and discussed ways of further expansion of
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such ties. The two sides also exchanged views on maritime, cyber and outer space security. They agreed to an early meeting of the new India Japan Cyber Security Dialogue. They also discussed the regional and international security situation. The next and the 3rd round of the India Japan 2+2 Dialogue will be held at New Delhi at a mutually convenient date.
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Security, establish a Water Technology Partnership and start negotiations for an Agreement on Transfer of Sentenced Persons. Other Memorandums Are Memorandum on Military and Security Initiative committed to enhance maritime cooperation Memorandum to develop a comprehensive economic cooperation agreement
INDIA-AUSTRALIA ANNOUNCED NUCLEAR DEAL NEGOTIATION

India and Australia on 17 October 2012 announced the launch of nuclear negotiations for a civil nuclear deal that will enable the sale of uranium from Australian Capital city Canberra to New Delhi. The deal was announced by Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard on her visit to India. The deal is going to provide stretch in India's civilian nuclear ambitions and will also strengthen bilateral ties between both the Countries. Earlier in 2011, the Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Australian Labour Party refused to sell uranium to India by specifying that India had not signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Both the Countries also signed four memorandum, the most important of which is agreement on Student mobility and welfare in which they agreed to hold annual meetings at the summit level either bilaterally or during multilateral events. India and Australia also agreed to launch a Ministerial-level Dialogue on Energy
INDIA AND NEW ZEALAND SIGNED FIVE MOUS TO COOPERATE IN EDUCATION

India and New Zealand on 19 October 2012 signed five Memorandums of Understandings (MoUs) in different fields of education. The MoUs were signed in New Delhi during the first meeting of IndiaNew Zealand Education Council. The education institutions of New Zealand especially higher education maintain global standards. India and New Zealand share strong people to people links through increasing migration, tourism, education and sporting ties. The education can play a vital role in strengthening links between the two countries.
INDIA AND PAKISTAN DISCUSSED TAPI GAS PROJECT

Pakistans Minister of Petroleum and Natural Resources Asim Hussain met Cabinet Minister of Petroleum and Natural gas of India, Jaipal Reddy in New Delhi on 17 October 2012 in an event PETROTECH 2012 and discussed avenues for energy
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cooperation, including the trans-regional project TAPI. About TAPI Gas Project The TAPI is the Trans-Afghanistan Pipeline project which is also known as TurkmenistanAfghanistanPakistanIndia Pipeline, TAP or TAPI. It is basically a proposed natural gas pipeline that is developed by the Asian Development Bank. The project was started on 15 March 1995 by signing a memorandum of understanding between the governments of Turkmenistan and Pakistan for a pipeline project. Under the Proposed plan, the pipeline will transport Caspian Sea natural gas from Turkmenistan through Afghanistan into Pakistan and finally to India.
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North America is determined on the basis of supply and demand. India's expanding economy also demand more and more energy keeping this in view both the countries agreed for a research project to study price structure. About LNG LNG is gas that is temporarily liquefied for easier storage and transportation. Liquefied natural gas or LNG is natural gas predominantly in the form of methane, CH4 that has been converted to liquid form for ease of storage or transport. Liquefied natural gas takes up about 1/600th the volume of natural gas in the gaseous state. It is odorless, colorless, nontoxic and non- corrosive. Hazards include flammability, freezing and asphyxia.
JAPAN AND INDIA LAUNCHED RESEARCH PROJECT TO STUDY LNG PRICING

Japan and India on 10 October 2012 launched a joint research project into pricing structures in LNG markets. Resource-poor Japan is on the hunt for cheaper energy, with the situation further worsened by the shuttering of all but two of its nuclear reactors amid public distrust following tsunami-sparked meltdowns at Fukushima. Japan is the worlds top importer of liquefied natural gas. Asian buyers pay far more than those in North America because the price is index-linked to oil on the continent. Under the present pricing structures in LNG markets, the price in www.jagranjosh.com
INDIA AND FRANCE SIGNED AN AGREEMENT IN THE FIELD OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT

India and France on 7 October 2012 signed an agreement in the field of sustainable Urban Development. Both India and France would benefit from the agreement as it would provide an enabling platform for the officials, professionals, business leaders and local self-governing bodies to meet and share knowledge and best practices in the urban sector. It would also lead to enhanced cooperation and deepen the engagement between the two countries. India and France also discussed ways to enhance economic and commercial relations between the countries.
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INDIA AND AUSTRIA TIED UP FOR DEVELOPMENT OF SMART CITIES IN INDIA

India and Austria on 2 October 2012 tied up to develop smart cities that would include fine planning of the city including the transport system and services of internet. The plans of developing the new cities will be implemented under the second phase of Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM II). As per the plans initially two model smart cities will be developed in every state of the country that will include the mid-sized cities with a minimum population of half a million to one million. Every State to have two smart-cities Austrian Institute of Technology will assist the country in planning and development of the smart cities that will include things that it needs to cover, broadband facilities to its maintenance to carbon levels. As per the plans of the Central Government under JNNURM II every state will have two model towns initially. 70 cities with over a million population graph are in plan Plans are on the paper to convert at least 70 cities with million plus population in India into smart cities. Austria that has been into different types of trade-relations for a long time with India will be offering the potential technical support. Organizations involved implementation in project
Austrian Institute of Technology and the National Institute of Urban Affairs that is a research, information and training wing under the Urban Development Ministry, would be the partners in the project.
US, INDIA AND AFGHANISTAN HELD ITS FIRST TRILATERAL DISCUSSION

US, India and Afghanistan held its first ever trilateral meeting on 25 September 2012. The major point of discussion was on the situation in Afghanistan along with the issue of terrorism. The discussion marks the strengthening of Afghanistan relation with India and US who are totally behind the vision of a secure, peaceful, democratic and prosperous Afghanistan living in peace, security, friendship and cooperation with its region and the wider world. The meeting was held at the Afghan Mission in New York and was attended by Joint Secretary (Pakistan/Afghanistan/Iran) Y K Sinha and Joint Secretary (America) Jawed Ashraf from the Indian side, Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister Jawed Ludin, US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Ambassador Marc Grossman and Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Robert Blake. The discussions also mark the beginning of a series of consultations among the three governments, who share common interests across South and Central Asia and who have pledged to work together on common challenges and opportunities including combating terrorism and violent extremism, reviewing cultural exchanges and increasing
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regional trade, investment and economic integration.
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INDIA MALAYSIA TO ACHIEVE A TARGET TRADE OF USD 15 BILLION

India is going to expand bilateral trade with Malaysia to $15 billion by 2013 from $13 billion in 2011-12 as per the discussion in India- Malaysia CEO Forum. It was informed by Union Minister of Commerce, Industry and Textiles, Anand Shrama that Indias bilateral trade with Malaysia stood at nearly $13 billion in 201112 registering a growth of 34% over the previous year. In his visit to Malaysia in July 2010 and February 2011 Anand Sharma analysed that it was required an investment from Khazanah Nasional Berhad (Government of Malaysia`s strategic investment fund) into Indian infrastructure sector through a collaborative venture with IDFC. The Union minister, Anand Sharma has identified priority sectors of engagement including Roads & highways, Railways, Airports, IT &ITES, Biotechnology, Tourism, Health Services and JV projects in third countries. Subsequently, the two countries have entered into a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement which was signed in February 2011. The signing of this Agreement has provided considerable momentum to trade and investment on both sides.
Indian Embassy in Kathmandu and Nepalese authorities signed a MoU on 19 September 2012 for granting the amount to Shri Mahendra Higher Secondary School in Achham district under Indian-Nepal Economic Cooperation Programme. The proposed building will provide better educational opportunity to over 1300 students, about half of whom are girls. Besides, India has gifted two ambulances to health care facilities in the district.
INDIA AND BURUNDI SIGNED 3 MAJOR AGREEMENTS AND ISSUED A JOINT STATEMENT
President of the Republic of Burundi visited India from 17 to 19 September 2012. During this visit, India and Burundi signed three agreements (i) Exchange Programme for Cooperation in the field of Education (ii) Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the field of Rural Development and (iii) Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the field of Health and Medicine. Besides, India also announced a Line of Credit of 42.38 million US dollars for Farm Mechanisation and Integrated Food Processing Complex in Burundi. India and Burundi issued a joint statement on that occasion. The major highlights of the joint statement are as following India and Burundi agreed to further enhance the bilateral cooperation in
INDIA AND NEPAL SIGNED MOU FOR CONSTRUCTING SCHOOL BUILDING

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view of the considerable untapped potential. Burundi thanked India for approval of a concessional line of credit of 80 million US dollars for the Kabu 16 Hydro-electric projects. Both nations agreed to continue strengthening cooperation in the areas of economy, trade and investment, finance, human resource development, culture, etc. while striving to expand cooperation into other potential areas such as agriculture, food processing, ICT, science & technology, health, mining etc. Burundi conveyed its support for Indias candidature for Permanent Membership in an expanded United Nations Security Council.
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Major aims of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) a. Promotion of exchanges of knowledge and experience in the field of organizational and technical development, with a view to strengthening the administration of electoral processes. b. Exchange of information, material, expertise and technical knowhow relating to electoral processes and systems; training of personnel and development of human resources. c. Organizational development and capacity building. MoU is an extremely suitable mechanism for strengthening and carrying forward mutual collaboration in electoral management and administration. Election Commission of India has so far signed thirteen MOUs with Election Management Bodies and international organizations across the world. India and Egypt are already collaborating in the areas of Electronic Voting, Voters Education and Election Tracking Technology.
INDIA SIGNED A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH EGYPT

India and Egypt on 18 September 2012 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in New Delhi to establish an institutional framework for their ongoing cooperation in the field of election management and administration. The MOU was signed by the Chief Election Commissioner of India, V.S. Sampath and the Secretary General of the Supreme Presidential Election Committee of Egypt, Justice Hatem Bagato. MoU was made to facilitate sharing of best practices, skills and experiences between the two institutions for mutual benefit.
INDIA OFFERED TELECOM SUPPORT TO TURKMENISTAN

India has assured Turkmenistan of all cooperation in Information and Communication technology (ICT) for the mutual benefit of both the countries. It was decided in the inaugural session of TurkmenTEL 2012 at the Turkmenistan capital Ashgabat on 17 September 2012 by
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the Minister for Communications & IT and HRD, Kapil Sibal. Recalling the historical ties between India and Turkmenistan, it was emphasized that the need for regional cooperation to uplift the social and economic status of the people in the region is uttermost important. Kapil Sibal shared the success story of Indian Telecom Sector and gave an overview of the spectrum of policy initiatives in Indias National Telecom Policy 2012. India could extend cooperation to Turkmenistan in the fields of e-health, eeducation and e-governance services. Turkmenistan can be connected to Indian Universities through National Knowledge Network and students sitting in Turkmenistan can directly be part of academic sessions in various disciplines in India. Turkmenistan Minister and his delegation was invited to participate in India Telecom 2012 in Delhi, from 13 to 15 December 2012, as the event could be an excellent platform for further strengthening mutual cooperation and for promoting ICT and its eco system in the region.
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on that it will take care of its interests by taking necessary steps in relation to the three islands purchased by Japan in the Diaoyo Islands. Two Marine Surveillance Ships were sent on patrol by China to the inhabited islands for enforcement of Chinese control that heightened the possibilities of confrontation with Japanese coastguards. What is the Dispute all about? Senkaku or Diaoyu Islands are the uninhabited group of Islands in the East China Sea controlled by Japan since 1895. These Islands lie in between the mainland of China, West of Okinawa Island, Northeastern Taiwan and north of the South-western end of Ryukyu Islands. As per a study conducted by the experts in the year 1968, it was discovered that these islands may have oil reserves. After Japans surrender in the World War II, the control of the Islands went in the hands of USA and controlled by them from 1945 to 1971. US returned these islands to Japan after the Okinawa Reversion Treaty inked in between US and Japan in 1972. Whereas after the reversal treaty, Peoples Republic of China (PRC) and the Republic of China, Taiwan (ROC) claims the discovery of the islands and their control over these from 14th Century. Amidst the complexity, ROC and PRC consider these Islands as the part of Taiwan as part of Yilan Countries, Toucheng Township. Japan does not consider Taiwan as a sovereign state and hence does not regard the claims of Taiwan over the group of Islands.
DIFFERENCES GREW IN BETWEEN CHINA AND JAPAN OVER THE DISPUTED DIAYO ISLANDS
Japan on 11 September 2012, announced that it has purchased the three uninhabited islands in the Diayo Islands from its owner family based in Tokyo. Amidst, the growing tensions in relation to the disputed East China Sea, China issued a warning to Japan www.jagranjosh.com
INDIA AND SAUDI ARABIA HELD THEIR FIRST TALK ON DEFENCE TIES
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The Joint Committee on defence cooperation from Saudi Arabia and India met for creation of defence ties on 11 September 2012. Decisions for this establishment of joint committees was decided during the visit of Indian defence minister A.K. Antony to Saudi Arabia and his meet with the Crown Prince and defence minister of Saudi Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud in February 2012. The 11 member team from Saudi Arabia was headed by the Chief of the Armed Forces Operations of Saudi Arabia Maj Gen Suleiman Saleh Al-Khalifa. The Indian side was headed by the Joint Secretary, Ministry of Defence. Both the sides met for formulation of the program that can enhance the areas of cooperation between the defence establishments of two nations. This upswing in the relationship between India and Saudi Arabia has been in existence ever since the visit of King Abdullah to New Delhi in the year 2006. The two nations inked several agreements on certain factors like narcotics, energy, money laundering, counter terrorism and extradition in the 2010.
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counterpart about Indias backing for their full and equal membership of the U.N. the one that is threatened by US for veto. During the meet, both the sides inked three different agreements comprising information and communication technology, education and vocational training. A MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) has been signed up to set up two schools at two districts of Palestine namely Abu Dees and Asera Al Shamalyeh, which will be named on the name of Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, Indias first Prime Minister. Cost estimated for the construction of the two schools is US$ 1.8 million and will help about eight hundred students of these districts to fetch quality education. The schools at Abu Dees and Asera Al Shamalyeh will be constructed in an area of 1700 and 1900 square meter with 10 and 12 classes respectively. In the second agreement, India will set a state-of-the-art information and communication technology center in Palestine to create IT experts and generate opportunities of employment. To make the center of Palestine self reliable, some of the IT professionals from Palestine will be trained here in India to a higher level. As per the third agreement, India will participate in providing vocational training to the women and youth of Palestine. The training will include technical and machinery know-how to. Prime Minister Singh stated that he supported the Palestinian cause to achieve independent, sovereign and united state of Palestine and East Jerusalem as a capital to the state.
INDIA EXTENDED A CREDIT OF $10 MILLION AID TO PALESTINE IN A GESTURE OF SUPPORT

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announced a support of 10 Million $ to Palestine during a meet with Palestines National Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on 11 September 2012. Palestinian President was here in Indian on a three day visit from 10 to 12 September 2012. Mr. Singh also promised his Palestinian www.jagranjosh.com
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INDIA AND PAKISTAN ISSUED A JOINT STATEMENT AT THE END OF THE SM KRISHNA'S VISIT
External Affairs of India, SM Krishna visited Pakistan from 7 to 9 September 2012 to review progress in the Dialogue process. During his visit, India and Pakistan issued a joint statement. The Highlights of the Statement are as Following Cross-LoC travel would be expanded on both sides of LoC to include visits for tourism and religious pilgrimage. Tourist and Pilgrimage sites will be designated on both sides of the LoC and information will be available with the designated authorities. Both sides will extend necessary assistance to valid entry permit holders to cross the LoC in emergency situation on crossing as well as non-crossing days. This will be facilitated by designated authorities. Improvement of roads and bridges for Cross-LoC trade will be facilitated. Transportation links on operational crossing points will be upgraded. Both sides agreed to facilitate the exchange of business delegations. Besides, List of 21 products of permissible items for Cross-LoC trade will be respected by both sides. It was agreed that the JWG (Joint Working Group) on Cross-LoC CBMs will meet on a bi-annual basis to review existing arrangements and suggest additional CBMs and
measures for Cross-LoC travel and trade. India and Pakistan reviewed the status of bilateral relations and expressed satisfaction on the holding of meetings on the issues of Counter-Terrorism (including progress on Mumbai trial) and Narcotics Control; Humantarian issues; Commercial & Economic cooperation; Wullar Barrage / Tulbul Navigation Project; Sir Creek; Siachen; Peace & Security including CBMs; Jammu & Kashmir; and promotion of Friendly Exchanges.
INDIA AND TAJIKISTAN WENT AHEAD ON STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP AND SIGNED SIX AGREEMENTS
India and Tajikistan on 3 September 2012 signed six agreements in the field of sports, health, culture, education, labour, textiles and energy. India and the central Asian country of Tajikistan agreed to advance their ties to a strategic partnership in order to impart greater strength to the relationship through all-round co-operation and engagement. The President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Mr. Emomali Rahmon, was on a State Visit to India from 1 to 4 September 2012 at the invitation of the President of the Republic of India. This was the fifth visit to India by President Mr. Emomali Rahmon. The visiting dignitary also attended a business meeting organized jointly by ASSOCHAM, CII and FICCI.
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Both the countries identified information technology, bio-technology, mining, tourism, pharmaceuticals among other sectors as high potential area. After the agreements it was decided that India will increase training slots for Tajikistan from 100 to 150 under India Technology and Eco Training Programme.
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countries. The country has always been engaged in assisting in the development of the island countries of the Pacific.
INDIA, CHINA DISCUSSED BORDER SECURITY AND BILATERAL DEFENCE TIES

For expanding defence cooperation, India and China on September 4 2012, agreed to resume Joint Military Exercises that were postponed since 2010 due the denial of visa to the then Northern Army Commander Lt Gen BS Jaswal by China in 2010, resulting to which New Delhi had suspended all bilateral defence exchanges with Beijing. Chinese Defence Minister General Liang Guanglie and his delegation, including highranking members of the defence and military establishment met Indian Defence Minister A. K. Antony on 4 September 2012 to discuss measures to help avoid flares along the border between the nucleararmed Asian giants. Both the two sides reached on an agreement on a wide range of issues relating to defence and military. This is the first visit after eight years by a Chinese defence minister to India. The last time a Chinese defence minister visited India was in 2004. A growing competition between the two emerging powers was highlighted as they are pushing up for influence and resources across Asia. Both the two sides went ahead on a wide range of issues relating to defence and military. The result of the meeting happened so that the both sides agreed to strengthen border security cooperation between the troops in order to maintain peace in the border areas.
INDIA ESTABLISHED DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH NIUE

Minister of State for External Affairs of India E Ahamed and Prime Minister of Niue H. E. Toke Talagi signed a Joint Communiqu on the establishment of Diplomatic Relations between India and Niue, at Cook Islands, on 30 August 2012. Niue is a Pacific island country, which is a member of regional bodies such as the Pacific Island Forum and the Pacific Community and also of UNESCO, WTO and FAO. It is an island of 1400 inhabitants, which is also known as the worlds first WiFi nation, in which free wireless Internet access is provided throughout the country. Niue is also known as the Rock of Polynesia, and is situated 2400 km northeast of New Zealand in a triangle between Tonga to the southwest, the Samoas to the northwest and the Cook Islands to the southeast. Since 2002, India has intensified its cooperative relations with all countries in pacific island region. India always actively participated as a 'Dialogue Partner' of the Pacific Island Forum, a regional group of Pacific Island
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The Chinese delegation has also invited Antony to visit China, which he accepted and he will be visiting China next year.
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INDIA AND IRAN DECIDED TO EXPAND TRADE AND ECONOMIC COOPERATION

India and Iran 28 August 2012 decided to expand Trade and Economic Cooperation through the Chahbahar port. The port will act as an important trade and transit point for Afghanistan and Central Asia. On the nuclear issue, India expressed hope that progress will be on the P5 plus one dialogue in the interest of peace and stability in the region. Both the nations agreed to set up an Indian cultural centre in Tehran. India also discussed the issue of global governance confronting the developing world.
concerns over the widening trade deficit with its neighbour and sought a correction. On its part, China expressed serious concern over the imposition of duty on import of power equipment by New Delhi. The total bilateral trade between India and China for 2011-12, stood at 75457.42 million dollar as compared with 59000.36 million dollar in 2010-11. During 2011-12, the exports were 17902.98 million dollar while the imports stood at 57554.44 million dollar. The provisional trade deficit for 2011-12 was 39651.46 million dollar. The Joint Group on Economic Relations, Trade, Science & Technology was formed in 1988, when then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi visited Beijing.
INDIA TO CUT IMPORT DUTIES ON 234 ITEMS FROM PAKISTAN

The Union Cabinet on 17 August 2012 approved the Commerce Ministrys proposal to cut down the list of sensitive items under South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) for Pakistan by 30 percent. Besides, India will also cut import duties on about 234 items from Pakistan under the bilateral trade normalisation programme. The cabinet, however, made it clear that the India will follow these measures only when Pakistan reciprocates with the same gesture and allows goods to be traded through the land routes Pakistan permits only 137 items to be imported through the Attari land route, while the rest goods are imported through sea route, making exports largely unviable for Indian traders. Indian authorities have been consistently demanding Pakistan to
INDIA CHINA AGREED TO SET UP JOINT WORKING GROUP ON TRADE AND INVESTMENTS
India and China agreed to set up a Joint Working Group (JWG) to look into issues related to trade and investments. The decision to set up the JWG was taken at the meeting of India-China Joint Group on Economic Relations, Trade, Science and Technology in New Delhi on 27 August 2012. Besides, the two nations also agreed to adopt a five-year plan on economic cooperation. The working group will submit its report within three months. The working group is set up even as India has expressed serious
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allow all goods to be traded through land, but the demand has not received any positive response as yet. India and Pakistan initiated the trade normalisation programme in early 2011 which subsequently paved the way for fast paced liberalisation of trade and investments.
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JOINT STATEMENT ON THE FIRST INDIA-CELAC TROIKA FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING HELD IN NEW DELHI
The first meeting of the India-CELAC Troika Foreign Ministers was held on 7 August 2012 in New Delhi. The Indian delegation was led by the External Affairs Minister of India, Shri S.M Krishna, whilst the CELAC Troika was led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Chile Mr. Alfredo Moreno Charme, the pro-tempore President of CELAC. Apart from both the nations, the Foreign Minister of Venezuela Mr. Nicolas Maduro and the Vice Foreign Minister of Cuba, Mr. Rogelio Sierra participated in the meeting as members of the Troika. The Foreign Ministers of India and the CELAC Troika ended the First Meeting of the India-CELAC Troika Foreign Ministerial Dialogue at a good note after the commencement of CELAC in December 2011. Collective Discussions The two nations expressed satisfaction over the growth of commercial, economic and investment relations between India and CELAC that has crossed US$ 25 billion in 2012.
The nations agreed to set up an Energy Forum to discuss energy security issues. Both the countries agreed to work towards providing value addition in the exchange of commodities through direct trading and by setting up of manufacturing units. Both sides agreed to work towards providing for food security for their people Both the countries agreed to initiate various projects related to tele-education, e-governance and tele-medicine that would cover the entire Latin America and Caribbean region.
Objective of the Meet To discuss the regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest, to strengthen the multifaceted bilateral cooperation between India and CELAC. To co ordinate responses to regional issues and address international challenges including the UN reform, the international financial crisis, climate change and international terrorism. To enhance the exchange of visits at all levels including at the Summit level leading towards a 'Strategic Partnership' between India and CELAC. To expand relation between India and countries in the Latin America and the Caribbean region and make it possible for them to work together bearing in mind each sides' respective development priorities based on the common shared values of democracy, freedom, equality and justice.
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INDIA AND BELGIUM SIGNED AGREEMENT FOR THE MODERNISATION OF INDIAN RAILWAYS
India on 1 August 2012 signed an agreement with Belgium for the modernisation of the Indian Railways and make some of the major railway stations in the country of global standard. Under the agreement, the two countries would share design and current practices in railway infrastructure and deputation of experts in areas of mutual interest. The countries will also explore the new avenues of cooperation in the Railway sector. Belgian state run companies such as Euro Station and Euro Immostar have vast experience in developing stations. The companies have extensive expertise in transforming historical railway stations into the modern international terminals. Numerous Belgium or Belgium-based companies are already operating in India and have been involved in activities such as fastening and coating of rails to delivery of parts for train construction and software for safety and network management.
work in areas such as medical, information technology, social sciences, humanities and arts. The MoU was signed by Professor Benjamin Geiger, Chairman of the Israel Science Foundation and Ved Prakash, Chairman of University Grants Commission. The agreement will exist for next five years, providing support up to 100000 dollar a research project for three years The idea of collaborative academic research programme came into being during a recent visit of Minister for Human Resource Development Kapil Sibal to Israel. Sibal during the course of her visit had conducted dialogue with Israels Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz, Education Minister Gideon Saar and Chairman of Planning and Budgeting Committee Manuel Trajtenberg.
INDIA ALLOWED FDI (FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT) FROM PAKISTAN

Indian government on 1 August 2012 decided to allow investment from Pakistan with the objective of boosting bilateral economic relations. However, India kept out strategic sectors of defence, space and atomic energy from Pakistan. Pakistan can explore sectors like cement, textiles and sports for investments in India. Besides, the FDI proposals from Pakistan need to be cleared from the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB). It is important to note that India had granted the MFN status to Pakistan in 1996. Although Pakistan had notified
INDIA AND ISRAEL SIGNED COLLABORATIVE ACADEMIC RESEARCH PROGRAMME AGREEMENT

India and Israel signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on 2 August 2012 for starting a collaborative academic research programme. Under the Research programme both the countries will together
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granting the MFN status to India in March 2012, it is yet to implement it fully. However, Pakistan had partially liberalised its trade regime with India in March 2012 by shifting from positive list rules to negative. It means that barring 1209 items Pakistan will allow import of all other Indian goods can explore sectors like cement, textiles and sports for investments in the country.
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ELECTION COMMISSIONS OF INDIA AND SOUTH KOREA SIGNED MOU TO STRENGTHEN DEMOCRACY
The Election Commission of India and South Korean Election Commission on 1 August 2012 signed a MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) to strengthen institutions and processes for democracy. This was 13th MoU that India signed with Electoral Bodies. It will also strengthen India-South Korea bilateral cooperation. Both the nations will work together for the cause of the Asian electoral community and the larger global electoral fraternity.
INDIA SIGNED TAX INFORMATION EXCHANGE AGREEMENT (TIEA) WITH MONACO

India signed Tax Information Exchange Agreement (TIEA) with Monaco on 31 July 2012 in New Delhi. It will allow the two countries to check tax evasion and money laundering. This was the ninth TIEA signed by India. Key features of this agreement are
It is based on international standard of transparency and exchange of information. Information must be foreseeably relevant to the administration and enforcement of the domestic laws of the Contracting Parties concerning taxes and tax matters covered by the agreement. The requesting State has to provide some minimum details about the information requested in order to justify the foreseeably relevance criteria. Information is to be treated as secret and can be disclosed to only specified person or authorities, who are tax authorities or the authorities concerned with the determination of tax appeal. It also provides for disclosure of information to any other person or entity or authority or any other jurisdiction (including foreign Governments) with the written consent of the competent authority of the requested Party. There is a specific provision that the requested Party shall provide upon request the information even though that Party may not need such information for its own tax purposes. There is a specific provision for providing banking and ownership information. There is a specific provision for Tax Examination Abroad where authorities of one State can present in the tax examination of taxpayer in the other State. Upon entry into force, the Agreement allows exchange of information forthwith.
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CHINA SIGNED ECONOMIC AGREEMENTS WITH NORTH KOREA WHICH INCLUDES THE DEVELOPMENT OF SEZS
China in the second week of August 2012 signed agreements with North Korea to increase the bilateral economic cooperation. The agreements were signed during a visit of senior North Korean official. The agreements included the development of two special economic zones in North Korea. One is in Rason, on North Koreas east coast and the other is in Hwanggumphyong on the border with China. Moreover, China and North Korea also signed agreements on agricultural cooperation and electricity supply.
He also asserted that India and US have agreed on the importance improving coordination on bilateral tax matters including with respect to the tax treaty and Implementation of the Foreign Account tax Compliance Act (FATCA) to address offshore tax evasion. Both the countries US and India recognize the great potential benefit from working together to meet the challenges of a shared future to generate jobs, sustain growth, and help ensure macroeconomic stability. The growing trade and investment between two countries across a wide range of products, services, and technology is a sign of commitment to build relationship on a solid foundation that utilizes mutual strengths
U.S. TREASURY SECRETARY DISCUSSED ECONOMY AND TRADE BARRIERS WITH INDIA
U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner and Indian Finance Minister P. Chidambaram for the third annual meeting of the India-U.S. Economic and Financial Partnership on 9 October 2012 discussed lowering trade barriers and extending ways to expand capital markets. Both the countries agreed to deepen cooperation at various multilateral forums, including the G20 and discussed ways to remove trade and investment barriers. Timothy F. Geithner welcomed the economic reform measures announced by the Indian government recently by saying that it would help in boosting private investment.
INDIA-MALDIVES JOINT MILITARY TRAINING EXERCISE EKUVERIN 2012 HELD IN BELGAUM

EKUVERIN 2012- The fourth joint military training exercise between India and Maldives held in Belgaum. The fourth Joint Military Training Exercises between the Indian Army and the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) EKUVERIN 2012 - was held in Belgaum, India from 12 to 25 November 2012. A total of 45 personnel from the MNDF are taking part in the exercises along with the personnel from the Indian Army. The bilateral annual exercises, which commenced in 2009 in Belgaum, are alternately held in India and Maldives. The aim of the exercises is to enhance the close military cooperation between the two countries.
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In April 2012, both countries, along with Sri Lanka, held joint Coast Guard/Naval exercises DOSTI XI - off the coast of Male (Maldives) to strengthen the bonds of friendship and enhance mutual operational capability and cooperation in the region. About President Hamid Karzai
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PRESIDENT OF AFGHANISTAN HAMID KARZAI VISITED INDIA AND DISCUSSED ON VARIOUS ISSUES
Hamid Karzai, the President of Afghanistan paid a state visit to India from 9 November to 13 November 2012 following the invitation of the President of the Republic of India Pranab Mukherjee. On his visit to India he was accompanied by a high-level delegation to India. The Afghani President held delegate level bilateral discussions on various regional and international issues that are relevant for both the nations with the Prime Minister of India. During his India Visit the Afghanistans President attended a business meet at Mumbai on 10 November 2012 participated by the business leaders of India. On 12 November 2012, he delivered a Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Memorial lecture that was organised by the Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) in New Delhi. The geographical conditions of both the countries make them natural strategic partners of each other to create a common platform for the virtue of peace and cooperation in all fields. The good relations started between the two nations after the two signed a Strategic Partnership Agreement in October 2011 for creation of strong ties between both the nations.
Hamid Karzai was elected as the 12th President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan on 7 December 2004 after playing a dominant role as a political figure after Taliban regime came to an end in the year 2001 in the nation. He was re-elected to the chair of the President in the elections of 2009. Karzai as a dominant political figure from Afghanistan was elected as a chairperson of the Interim Administration for a term of six months, during International Conference on Afghanistan in Germany in December 2012.
THE PRESIDENT OF TAJIKISTAN EMOMALI RAHMON VISITED INDIA

The President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon visited India from 1 to 4 September 2012.This was the fifth visit to India by President Emomali Rahmon. During this visit, India and Tajikistan signed six agreements in the field of sports, health, culture, education, labour, textiles and energy. It was also decided that India would increase training slots for Tajikistan from 100 to 150 under India Technology and Eco Training Programme. In the course of his visit, President of Tajikistan also addressed a business meeting jointly organised by ASSOCHAM, CII and FICCI.
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CHAPTER 4: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

FIRST SPACE WEATHER READING CENTRE OF INDIA SCHEDULED TO BE OPENED BY MID 2013
The centre of excellence which specialises in reading the weather conditions of the space and helps the air traffic on their polar routes is scheduled to come up in Kolkata by the middle of 2013. The space weather reading centre in Kolkata will be first of its kind and is approved by Union HRD Ministry. This centre would be coming up at Indian Institute of Science, Education and Research (IISER) campus. The Union HRD Ministry sanctioned 4 crore Rupees for the centre. The coordinator of the centre explained that the centre of excellence in space sciences shall focus on areas of the space weather, primarily the weather conditions in the solar system as well as the gravitational physics. The coordinator also explained that solar flares and the coronal mass ejections (CME) were the kinds of storms that originated from the Sun and exposed various flights to huge amount of radiations on the Polar Regions. Various commercial flights from North America, Europe and South Asia fly from the Polar Regions to shorten the distance as well as save time. With the help of this centre, there will be an availability of the prior information about these storms which originate in the space or
the solar system. This information can eventually be passed on to the civil aviation department, which in turn can inform the airlines regarding the adverse effects of flying in Polar Regions or high altitudes.
COSTAL CHAIN OF STATIC SENSORS POSITIONED ALONG THE COAST OF ANDHRA PRADESH
A coastal chain of static sensors positioned along the coast of Andhra Pradesh was inaugurated by Ministry of Defence in a ceremony held at Coast Guard District Headquarters in Visakhapatnam on 23 November 2012. The event signified the operationalisation of the network on the East coast. A complete surveillance mechanism along the coast was needed post 26/11 incident. A chain of static sensors were planned to monitor the high sensitive traffic density areas along the coast of India. The coastal surveillance network will provide an integrated picture of all the vessels traversing along the coast. As part of this project, a chain of radar stations along the coast line of Andhra Pradesh were installed by the Ministry of Defence. The Chain of Static Sensors project being steered by the Indian Coast Guard, envisages fitment of high end surveillance gadgets on lighthouses and masts at various locations.
CONTROVERSY OVER CLEAN CHIT GIVEN TO RAJASTHAN ATOMIC POWER PLANT BY IAEA
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The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) gave clean chit to Rajasthan Atomic Power Plant (RAPP) in Rawatbhata. IAEA reviewed the RAPP and gave conclusion of the review on 14 November 2012 after visiting unit 3 and unit 4, leaving the controversial unit 6 of RAPP, Rawatbhata. Over 40 people working at this controversial unit 6 of RAPP were exposed to hazardous tritium on 23 June 2012. 4 maintenance workers exposed themselves to the risks of tritium radiations when they were repairing the faulty pipe in pressurised heavy water reactor (PHWR) of unit 4 on 19 July 2012. It was the same unit that IAEA members paid visit to during their in-depth safety review which took place from 29 October 2012 to 14 November 2012. The Operational Safety Review Team, assembled by IAEA which was alleged by antinuclear activists, ignored the fact that heavy tritium leak took place in unit 6 of RAPP plant in 2012. An Operational Safety Review Team (OSART) was led by Division of Nuclear Installation Safety of IAEA. This team included experts from various countries such as Belgium, Finland, Canada, Slovakia, Sweden, Germany, Romania and Slovenia. Antinuclear activists expressed their doubts about safety review of IAEA. These activists also included general secretary of People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL). The issues of risks of nuclear safety as well as absence of autonomous regulation of atomic power production in India were raised. The activists also said that this jeopardized workers to risks of cancer, leukaemia as well as certain other health issues.
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PRESIDENT PRANAB MUKHERJEE LAUNCHED LOW COST AAKASH TABLET 2

The Indian President Pranab Mukherjee on 11 November 2012 in New Delhi launched the new tablet Aakash -2 which is an improved version of India's super- cheap tablet computer on the occasion of the National Education Day which is observed on 11 November 2012 ever year. The new version Aakash 2 come at a price of 1130 Rupees for students, and the first one lakh devices is going to be made available to students of engineering colleges and universities. Preceding its previous version it is now powered by a processor running at 1 GHz, 512 MB Ram, 7 Inch capacitative Touch Screen and battery which have atleast three hour of working operation. The new Aakash-2 Tablet was developed under the expertise guidance of IIT Bombay with the active support of C-DAC. The company that is rolling out the new Aakash 2 is Datawind and is selling it to government at a price of 2263 Rupees and In turn, the government is subsidizing it by 50 per cent and is going to distribute to students at a price of mere 1130 rupees. The Union Government is also extending its effort to encourage the state governments to chip in by subsidising it further so that the device can eventually be available to students free of cost. It is expected that around 22 crore students are going to get the device across the country in the next five to six years.
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Some of the new technology-enabled educational applications that can run on Aakash Version 2.0 tablet include Ten Thousand Teachers Training Programme - a live video interaction with participants, Clicker applications for real time feedback in country-wide classroom, Daisy Books for differently-abled students, NCERT content , GNU Khata- an accounting package for barefoot accountants in rural areas Scholarship Portal integrated with Aadhar.
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next year, other opportunities are available in 2016 and 2018. India has undertaken the massive space project with the help of United States, Russia, Europe, Japan and China. The mission is estimated to cost the government exchequer about 450 crore rupees. An initial allocation of 125 crore rupees was already made in the budget 2012-13.
RESEARCHERS FOUND MECHANISM BEHIND ORIGIN OF LIFE ON EARLY EARTH

Researchers in the fourth week of November 2012 discovered a molecular network with a capability of self perpetuation that could have triggered mechanism through which life developed on early Earth. The mathessmatical research shows the possible mechanism through which it was possible for life to get a foothold in chemical soup which existed on early Earth. The researchers suggested about various competing theories regarding the starting of life on earth much before first genes or the living cells developed. There are certain differences in these suggested scenarios but one thing that is common is the network of molecules. These molecules have a capability of working together as well as pacing their replication. These are the two important things for starting life. Researchers from the University Of Canterbury, New Zealand made use of the mathematical model for easy chemical reactions in order to demonstrate that these networks could be formed easily than what other researchers thought.
UNION CABINET APPROVED THE LAUNCH OF SATELLITE TO STUDY MARS

The Union Cabinet on 3 August 2012 gave its consent to the launch of satellite to the Mars proposed in 2013. The Cabinet decision came following a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The Department of Space had sent a proposal to the Union Cabinet, in which it had sought governments permission to launch a satellite to study Mars, also called Red Planet. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is expected to launch a Mars Orbiter in November 2013 with a 25kg scientific payload. The Mars mission will be launched by ISROs advanced Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). The objective of the mission is to study the climate, geology, origin, evolution and sustainability of life on the planet. If the ISRO fails to launch the Mars Mission
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On looking at the structure of these networks of molecules it was found that they are actually composed of the smaller subsets of these molecules. When combined, split or recombined using their own sub-units, these subsets of the molecules could possibly lead to large as well as complex chemical reactions or maybe even life. The result of the research could have a huge impact on how people thought life originated from the pure chemistry.
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Sensors on Rover Environmental Monitoring Station (REMS), provided by Spain for the Curiosity measured a dip in the air pressure and also an increase in the temperature overnight. The Mars Climate Sounder instrument found on Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter detected a bit rise in temperature at around 25 kilometres above this storm. Since that time, there has been an increase in the atmospheric temperature by around 25 degrees Celsius. This has happened because the dust is absorbing all the sunlight at the height. This also indicated that the dust is striking above surface and winds are creating dust haze over wider region.
HUGE DUST STORM OBSERVED ON MARS BY NASA ROVER

NASA spacecraft tracked huge dust storm on the Red Planet- Mars and this storm in turn has led to changes in Martian atmosphere. This was observed by Curiosity rover on surface of the planet. First this dust storm was spotted by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) of NASA on 10 November 2012 and since then it is being tracked. With the help of Mars Colour Imager of the orbiter, Malin Space Science Systems started observing this dust storm and also reported it to the Mars Exploration RoverOpportunity of NASA. The storm did not come closer than around 1347 kilometres from the Opportunity which resulted in meager dip in the clarity of atmosphere over the rover that lacks weather station. Halfway from the planet from the Opportunity, the weather station of Mars rover of NASA- Curiosity detected certain atmospheric changes which were linked to the storm.
NEW DRUG DISCOVERED THAT CAN HALT CANCER FROM MULTIPLYING

Scientists in the last week of November 2012 developed a new drug called Aflibercept for stopping the cancerous cells from multiplying. The new drug compels the cancerous cells to sleep which in turn stops them in multiplying. The drug is said to trick the tumours for becoming inactive by swapping the molecular switches in cancer structure so that there is no multiplication of the cancerous cells.
MAKEMAKE, THE MASSIVE DWARF PLANET OF SOLAR SYSTEM HAS NO ATMOSPHERE

Astronomers from Instituto de Astrofisica de Andalucia, CSIC, Spain in the third week of November 2012 discovered that the distant drawf planet called Makemake,
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which is 2/3rd that of Pluto in size does not have atmosphere. Planet makemake revolves around sun in its distant route which lies away from Pluto. This distance is closer to sun than Eris, the massive dwarf planet in entire solar system. In the previous observations it was found that Makemake was quite like the fellow dwarf planets which compelled some astronomers to believe that it had atmosphere, maybe like that of Pluto. But in the new study it was discovered that Makemake does not have significant atmosphere.
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The free ends of this twisted loop are held by a flu-virus polymerase enzyme, which is entrusted with two important tasks of viral reproduction-1) making new viral genomic RNA 2)making the RNA gene-transcripts that will develop into new viral proteins. It would be interesting to know how the flu polymerase and the rest of the RNP interact. The only flu RNPs reproduced in the laboratory, were shortened versions whose structures didnt match those of native flu RNPs. Still, Scientists developed a test-cell expression system which produced all of the protein and RNA components required to make full-length flu RNPs. The discovery enabled Scientists to analyse molecular samples more easily.
SCIENTISTS DECODED HOW FLU VIRUSES REPLICATE WITHIN INFECTED CELLS

Scientists in the fourth week of November 2012 decoded how flu viruses replicate within infected cells, which could be used in the development of potent vaccines. The study done by the scientists explained the flu virus replication machinery. Scientists used advance molecular biology and electron-microscopy techniques to see one of influenza's essential protein complexes in detail. They focused on influenzas ribonucleoprotein (RNP). RNPs contained the genetic material of virus and the special enzyme that is required by the virus to replicate itself. Any influenza virus contains eight RNPs in its core. RNPs are important to the viruss ability to survive and spread in its hosts. Each RNP contains a single protein which is the coding gene of the RNA-based viral genome. The viral RNA segment is coated with protective viral nucleoproteins and its structure resembles a twisted loop of chain. www.jagranjosh.com
RESEARCHERS DEVELOPED NEW TOOL FOR KEEPING YOUR EMAIL SPAM-FREE

Researchers from the Concordia University in the third week of November 2012 proposed statistical structure for filtering the spam, which can efficiently and swiftly block the unnecessary messages in the inbox of your email account. Researchers had conducted a full-fledged study for various spam filters while preparing the efficient and new one. According to researcher Ola Amayri, the new approaches of the spam filtering can adapt to active nature of the spams. It can also handle the tricks of spammers accurately by knowing the informative patterns which are extracted automatically from content, both images as well as text of spams. As of now, the only focus of email spam filteration was that on the text
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content and not on the images.
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When the tricks are being used in combined format, spam filters become helpless to curtail these messages since they focus on one of the content- either images or text but hardly on both of them. Majority of the previous researches had their focus on textual content associated with the spams. According to Amayri, by keeping into consideration the patterns from the images as well as text, a new filtering method for spams was discovered.
is responsible for recording the action potentials in the neural activity from the range of electrode sensors. It then sends the data to the computer.
GENE DISCOVERED THAT IDENTIFIES YOUR TIME OF DEATH

Researchers at the Division of Neurology, University of Toronto in third week of November discovered the common gene alternate which can influence the time you wake up every morning as well as the time of the day when you are most likely to die. In the research, the scientists identified that variant of the gene which can virtually affect the whole population. The discovery identifies the variant which can determine when a person will die. The research is said to be surprising and is going to help in planning the medical treatments. This research will also help in analyzing the medical condition of the weak patients. According to the researchers, there is a biological clock within us which can help in regulating various aspects of the human biology as well as behavioral patterns and these include times when a person can perform brilliantly, their preferred sleeping patterns as well as timing of the psychological processes. This biological clock can also influence timings of the medical events such as heart attack and stroke. It has been found that earliness or lateness of the biological clock within the body can be inherited. Experiments on animals suggest that this earliness or lateness can also be influenced by certain kinds of genes.
ALGORITHM DEVELOPED FOR CONTROLLING COMPUTER CURSORS WITH THE THOUGHTS

Researchers from Stanford who were led by the scientists of Indian origin, in the third week of November 2012 claimed the development of fastest as well as most reliable mathematical algorithm which can help the disabled trick the computer cursors with the thoughts. The speed, accuracy as well as natural movements of the algorithm are those like the real arm. Researchers have developed the system for ReFIT, the algorithm for the brain-implantable prosthetic systems. This can help in greatly improving the accuracy as well as speed of the neural prosthetics which can control cursors of the computers.
The findings will help in improving the prosthetic system performance as well as robustness in the paralysed. The system works by relying on the sensor which is actually implanted in the brain. This sensor www.jagranjosh.com
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In the research, wake-sleep patterns of people were compared along with their genotypes. The researchers found out single nucleotide (nucleotides are responsible for making the basic units of RNA and DNA molecules) near the gene known as Period 1. At this site, around 60 percent people have nucleotide base A or Adenine and 40 percent have G or Guanine. There are two pairs of chromosomes in the individuals, which is why there are around 36 percent chances of two As, 16 percent having two Gs and 48 percent having both As and Gs at the site. It is this genotype which affects the pattern of each person. For example, people with A-A genotype usually wake up one hour earlier than the people with genotype G-G. Those with A-Gs genotypes wake up in middle. Expression of Period 1 gene remained lower in brains as well as white blood cells of individuals with G-G genotype than with AA genotype, but only in day. Virtually, all the physiological processes include a circadian rhythm which means that these occur in the certain parts of a day. There is a circadian rhythm of the death as well and it has been found that people will most likely die in morning hours, especially around 11 am on an average.
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found out of which 1458 are absolutely new for science. Among the 60 individuals who were studied, merely eight of the species were frequent in around 70 percent people. These eight species are called oligarchs. Nevertheless what remains doubtful is what factors determine about the kind of species found in the people. Researchers have looked at various factors such as ethnicity, age and sex and none of these can predict as to which species of bacteria will live in a person. The project was launched by the researchers in part in order to investigate claims made over recent years about collection of the organisms on human skin which makes the first line of protection against the pathogens. Researchers are aware of the fact that the immune system will not function properly in the absence of these microorganisms.
SCIENTIST DECODED A GENE THAT GIVES HUMANS AN EDGE OVER APES

Researchers of University of Edinburgh discovered a new gene known as miR-941, which explains the evolution of humans from the chimpanzees. The gene is found only in human beings. It appeared in humans after they evolved from apes. This gene played a very important role in the development of a human brain. The gene could be used for knowing how humans learnt the usage of languages as well as tools.
BIONETWORK OF BACTERIA LIVE IN BELLY BUTTON

US researchers from North Carolina State University in the second week of November found that the navel, also known as belly button can harbour the bionetwork of bacteria which is quite similar in biodiversity to the rainforests of the world. 2368 such species of the bacteria were www.jagranjosh.com
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RESEARCHERS CREATED A PAPER-THIN FABRIC TO STOP BULLETS

Researchers in the second week of November fabricated an all-new paperthin bullet-proof super material, which has the capability to self-assemble into alternating rubbery as well as glassy layers. The nanomaterial has the ability to translate into the safety beyond the vests. These technological advancements could be used for protective coating for the jet engine turbine blades as well as the satellites. Scientists from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) as well as Rice University created the special textures which had the ability to stop bullets from lab. This special texture known as structured polymer composite can reassemble into rubbery layers and alternating glassy layers. According to the Rice University, while the ballistic tests were performed, on this material at MIT's Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies, a 9 millimetre bullet could be stopped by the 20 -nanometrethick layers. Nevertheless, the most challenging task was to test the material effectively in lab. An innovative testing methodology was also introduced by the MIT-Rice, where tiny glass beads were shot at this material. Despite being too small in size (millionth of a meter), they projected the bullet impacts. If the layers of materials are looked under the scanning electron microscope, they appear like the corduroy. The researchers also assumed that projectile hit the target at least 2000 times more rapidly than the
falling of an apple from one metre, but with much less force.
SCIENTISTS DISCOVERED BACTERIA THAT CAN LINE UP TO CREATE LIVE WIRE

Scientists on 8 November 2012 revealed about the discovery of a special type of bacteria in the Ocean with abilities of combining together for the formation of the long conducting nano wire cable for transportation of electrons and capturing the oxygen available at the surface for carrying out the metabolic activities. The live wire is made of the living biological cells, not from any type of metal or alloy that is generally used in making of the wire. A group of scientists along with Christain Pfeiffer reported about the discovery of this special type of bacteria with abilities of cooperate and multiply at times of threats to overcome the problems.
NASA LAUNCHED SPACE STATION ALERT SERVICE TO MAKE PEOPLE AWARE ABOUT THE ISS
The US Space Agency, NASA on 2 November 2012 launched a new service in which people can receive text messages on their phones, whenever the International Space Station would come over their house. The service was launched during the celebration of 12th anniversary of astronauts living and working on the orbiting lab. The message would make people aware in finding out the International Space Station
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(ISS) as people yet are unaware about the location of ISS in the sky also about the fact that after sun and moon, it is the third brightest object present in the sky. The Spot the Station facility would be available across the world as the trajectory of the station carries more than 90 percent population on earth. The Spot the Station Service would provide people information about the location of the ISS in the sky.
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A humanoid robot with common sense, designed to work safely alongside its human co-workers on factory production lines, was unveiled in the US. Baxter could apply common sense, adapt to its environment and be trained in less than 30 minutes to complete specific tasks. It is capable of superhuman speed and precision. To teach Baxter a new job, a human guides its arms to simulate the desired task, and presses a button to program in the pattern, the report said. The robot responds with a confused expression, if it does not understand.
About International Space Station (ISS) International Space Station (ISS) that looks similar to Venus is mainly visible in the sky during dusk and dawn at the time, when only moon is visible in the sky. It is a habitable satellite made and placed on the lower earth orbit by the Scientists, and can be seen in the sky with naked eyes without using telescope or any other device. The International Space Station Acts as a platform and environment for scientists to conduct research in the space, which cannot be performed by any other means. The ISS provides a platform to conduct scientific research that cannot be performed in any other way. While small unmanned spacecraft can provide platforms for zero gravity and exposure to space, space stations offer a long term environment where studies can be performed potentially for decades, combined with ready access by human researchers over periods that exceed the capabilities of manned spacecraft.
NEW EARTH SIZED PLANET DISCOVERED IN NEIGHBORING SOLAR SYSTEM

Astronomers have discovered a new earth sized planet in October 2012 which is closest to but outside our solar system. The planet is said to be astronomical stones throw away at four light years. The discovery of planet was announced in Science Journal, Nature by Stephane Urdy and Xavier Dumusque at Geneva Observatory. The planet is very close to its sun that it is difficult to support life there. The planet is of very low mass and have a surface temperature of about 1200 degree Celsius (2192 Farenheit).The Planet orbits one of the suns in Alpha Centauri, roughly 25 trillion miles away. Also according to the previous study by different scientist if one planet is discovered
A HUMANOID ROBOT CALLED BAXTER DESIGNED IN USA

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orbiting a sun there is usually other planet in the same solar system. Almost 800 exoplanets are discovered in the recent past that is outside our solar system since early 1990s. But this Planet is very close to earth. It was also asserted that getting to the planet is nearly impossible because it would take about 40000 years to travel to new planet even with current Propulsion Technology
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SCIENTIST DISCOVERED SOURCE OF WATER ON MOON

Scientists in third week of October have discovered that the most likely source of water on Moon is the constant stream of charged particles from the Sun known as the solar wind. The findings came by researchers from the University of Michigan who imply that ice inside permanently shadowed polar craters on the Moon, sometimes called cold traps, could contain hydrogen atoms ultimately derived from the solar wind. Also, The Theoretical models of lunar water stability dating to the late 1970s suggest that hydrogen ions (protons) from the solar wind can combine with oxygen on the Moons surface to form water and related compounds called hydroxyls, which consist of one atom of hydrogen and one of oxygen and are known as OH. The researchers have found that the 'water' component, the hydroxyl, in the lunar regolith is mostly from solar wind implantation of protons, which locally combined with oxygen to form hydroxyls that moved into the interior of glasses by impact melting. With this research it is also clear that water likely exists on Mercury and on asteroids such as Vesta or Eros further within our solar system. The study findings are published in the journal 'Nature Geoscience'.
SCIENTIST DEVELOPED A SUPERHERO MICE THAT SNIFF OUT EXPLOSIVES

Scientists of the City University of New York in month of October had genetically engineered mice that have up to 500 times more of nose cells to detect explosives and TNT-like chemicals, using the Genetically Modified technology. The mice are named as 'super-hero' sniffer mice and have the ability to smell out landmines and explosives. The mice can be used by armed forces and can be deployed in future, to countries affected by war for rapidly sniffing out of landmines. The project was funded by the US government's health research arm. Using of rats and mice is not common phenomenon as it is evident from the fact that a Belgian charity already uses giant African rats to sniff out TNT and has deployed them in Mozambique and Tanzania and on the Thai-Burmese border. In this research project mice was used because they are cheaper to manage and house and easier to breed. www.jagranjosh.com
AUSTRALIAN SCIENTISTS UNVEILED THE COLOSSAL RADIO TELESCOPE

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Australian Scientists on 5 October 2012 unveiled a colossal radio telescope with abilities of exploring the depths of universe with unparalleled precision. The telescope will increase the abilities of astronomers in mapping black holes, survey the universe, and cracking the new light across the galaxies to an exponential level. At present the Australian SKA Pathfinder telescope having 36 antennas with diameter of 12 meters each is placed at the remote Murchison Radio-Astronomy observatory in the deserts of West Australia. Designed and developed by making investments of Australian $ 140 million has facilities of surveying the sky at a much faster speed than any other telescope available in the world. The sensitive antennas of the telescope are quite sensitive to the faint radiations of Milky Way hence is able to detect the galaxies far away. The radio waves generated from this telescope can provide details of the cosmos far away and the gases that resulted in the formation of any particular star. Pulsars and quasars can also be identified by the telescope with an ease pushing forward the boundaries of knowledge of the mankind ahead of the physical laws of nature. The principle of radio-astronomy can provide the details of the beginning of the universe. Basically the antennas of the telescope spread across the rocky terrain would be used for collection of the radio signals of the cosmic phenomenon. Being 50 times more powerful, when compared to other radio devices, it can easily detect the exploding stars. Hence can be of a great use in establishing the facts related to the formation of the universe that happened about 14 billion years ago.
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SUNITA WILLIAMS BECAME THE SECOND WOMAN IN HISTORY TO TAKE COMMAND OF ISS
Sunita Williams, the astronaut of Indian American origin, took over the command of International Space Station on 15 September 2012. As per the reports released by NASA, in the traditional ceremony of change-of-command, Expedition 33 Sunita Williams took over the command from Expedition 32 Commander Gennady Padalka in the Destiny Laboratory. Before this on 6 September 2012, Sunita Williams booked a record for total cumulative spacewalk time of 44 hours and 2 minutes by a woman astronaut with her sixth walk in the space for repairing a faulty unit of power distribution. In the spacewalk of 6 hours and 28 minutes, she used a wire brush made using a spare cable and a toothbrush for repairing the unit. Sunita Williams is accompanied with Japans Akihiko Hoshide and Russias Yury Malenchenko on the International Space Station.
RESEARCHERS DISCOVERED TWO PROTEINS THAT CAN PROTECT AGAINST DIABETES

Researchers discovered that two proteins that work together to kill self-reactive immune cells can protect against diseases such as type1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.
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Researchers from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute in Australia discovered that absence of proteins called Puma and Bim can result in to self-reactive immune cells accumulating and attacking many different body organs, causing illness. The proteins are called BH3-only. They make the selfreactive cells die by a process called apoptosis. Defects in apoptosis proteins were linked to many human diseases, including cancer and neurodegenerative disorders and autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune diseases, such as type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and multiple sclerosis, develop when immune cells launch an attack on the body's own cells, destroying important body organs or structures.
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which India has been successful in created tie-ups. The social scientists will get national funds for creating collaborations with European Partners via a scheme. This is help in eradication of bureaucratic restrictions and obstacles. Its expected to economise and rationalize the efforts of Europe towards production of high impact and quality research on social science that can address to the challenges forwarded by the global arena in terms of growth, economy, development, climate change, well being and health. As per the scheme the proposal can be made on any hemisphere of social science that can be of a help in understanding the social and individual behavior of a person and influence the policies beyond the boundaries. The targeted six proposals that have been awarded with the funds after being mapped in the month of May 2011, will deal in the aspects of wellbeing, ageing, bullying, mapping the cultural authority of science, globally accessible medicine, climate governance and pupil-safety.
INDIAS FIRST MULTI -LATERAL SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH COLLABORATION WITH FOUR EUROPEAN NATIONS
India has managed to enter into its first multi-lateral Social Science research collaboration with four European Nations by the approval of projects for networking and social science research cooperation in between the researchers of these nations on 5 September 2012. The French Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANR), the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation), the UK Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) are the four bodies with
SCIENTISTS DEVELOPED A GENE THERAPY WHICH CAN RESTORE THE SENSE OF SMELL
Scientists of the University of Michigan developed a gene therapy which they claimed could restore the sense of smell in human beings who lost the ability to sniff odours from birth. The scientists used gene therapy to regrow cilia, cell structures that are important for olfactory function.
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These results could result in to one of the first therapeutic options for treating people with congenital anosmia. They also set the stage for therapeutic approaches to treating diseases which involve cilia dysfunction in other organ systems. Many of these diseases can be dangerous if left untreated. Olfactory dysfunction can be a symptom of a class of genetic disorders, known as ciliopathies. It includes diseases as diverse as polycystic kidney disease and retinitis pigmentosa--an inherited, degenerative eye disease- that causes severe vision impairment and blindness.
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2100. Therefore, we need more yields. Phosphate fertilisers are typically extracted from layers of rock which were ocean sediments millions of years ago.
SCIENTISTS DEVELOPED A NEW TECHNIQUE TO REDUCE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF CHEMOTHERAPY

Scientists developed a new technique to reduce the harmful side effects of chemotherapy. The new technique blocks an oxygen-sensitive enzyme and streamlines the blood flow by combining the specific PHD2 inhibitors with the chemotherapy. Inhibiting PHD2 results in the production of anti-oxidant enzymes were able to neutralise the harmful side effects of chemotherapy. The better formed blood vessels ensure that the anticancer drugs are distributed throughout the tumour, which increases their impact. In Chemotherapy, anticancer drugs are not easily delivered to the actual tumour because leaking blood vessels prevent anticancer drugs from reaching tumourb cells while promoting metastasis. Moreover, chemotherapy can adversely affect healthy organs, resulting into heart and kidney failure.
A NEW STRAIN OF RICE DEVELOPED BY THE SCIENTISTS THAT COULD BOOST CROP YIELDS
Scientists developed a new strain of rice that could increase crop yields by a fifth for small farmers. It grows well in soils lacking the nutrient phosphorus. The gene will be now transferred to modern varieties of rice using classic methods of cross-breeding, not genetic engineering. Many soil types bond tightly to phosphorus, allowing only a small quantity of the precious mineral to plant roots.To solve this problems, farmers seek help of phosphorus fertilisers. But in poor countries, this option costs too much, which means the plant is left undernourished. Ultimately, this meagre growth affects yields. In October 2011, the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) said the global population of seven billion could rise to at least 10 billion by
RING-PLANET SATURN AND RED PLANET MARS PAIRED IN THE SKY

The Ring-planet Saturn and Red planet Mars came together in Western Sky after sunset on 15 August 2012. While the two planets appeared to be pairing in the sky, they were
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in actual quite far apart and different from each other. Saturn, the sixth planet from sun, is the second-largest planet in the solar system. The planet is composed almost entirely of gas, mostly hydrogen, with smaller amounts of other gases. It has no solid surface in our sense of the word, but it may have a small rocky core that is surrounded by thousands of miles of highly compressed gas due to the enormous gravitational effects of Saturn's large mass, which is 95 times that of the Earth. Mars, which is also called the Red Planet, is fourth planet from the Sun in the Solar System. The planet is made of Iron-oxide gas that gives the planet reddish appearance.
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NASAS NEW ROBOT ROV ER CURIOSITY TOUCHED THE SURFACE OF MARS

The US space agency NASA landed Curiosity, a huge new robot rover on Mars on 5 August 2012. The one-tonne vehicle touched the surface of Mars after a 345million-mile expedition. The robot rover will now conduct a study to find out whether the planet was ever hospitable to life. The robot rover, which epitomizes the technological wizardry of mankind, is set to spend nearly two years for the mission. NASA undertook the mission with an objective to determine whether Mars has ever had the conditions to support life. The ambitious project cost the US government about 2.5 billion dollar. Specific Technological Features of Curiosity
The 900 kg rover has the top speed of about 4cm/s Plutonium generators installed on the rover will deliver heat and electricity for at least 14 years 75kg science payload more than 10 times as massive as those of earlier US Mars rovers Equipped with tools to brush and drill into rocks, to scoop up, sort and sieve samples Variety of analytical techniques to discern chemistry in rocks, soil and atmosphere Even carries a laser to zap rocks; beam will identify atomic elements in rocks Equipped with 17 cameras, which will identify particular targets, and a laser will zap those rocks to probe their chemistry Findings of the mission will be delivered to Earth through antennas on the rover deck
GOOGLE LAUNCHED DEAD SEA SCROLLS ONLINE LIBRARY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ISRAEL ANTIQUITIES AUTHORITY
Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA), in partnership with Google on 18 December 2012 put 5000 images of the ancient biblical artifacts online in form of Digital library. The online availability of Dead Sea scrolls came after more than six decades since the discovery of it and thousands of years after they were written. The digital library comprises Book of Deuteronomy, which basically includes the second listing of the Ten Commandments,
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and a portion of the first chapter of the Book of Genesis, dated to the first century B.C. What is Dead Sea Scrolls? The Dead Sea Scrolls are a collected works of 972 texts discovered between 1946 and 1956 that mainly comprises biblical manuscripts known as the Hebrew Bible and also the extra-biblical documents which was found on the northwest shore of the Dead Sea, from which they obtained the name Dead Sea Scrolls. The texts had great historical and religious importance and include the earliest known surviving copies of biblical and extra-biblical documents, as well as preserving evidence of great diversity in late Second Temple Judaism. They are written in Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek, and Nabataean, mostly on parchment and also on papyrus and bronze.
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APPLE LAUNCHED I PAD MINI AND FOURTH-GENERATION IPAD IN INDIA

Apple, on 7 December 2012 launched iPad mini and fourth-generation iPad in India. This comes less than a week after the company rolled out iTunes Store in the country. The i Pad mini with its 7.9-inch touchscreen, display, FaceTime HD, and iSight cameras came to India at starting price of 21900 rupees for the 16GB Wi-Fi-only version. The 32 and 64GB Wi-Fi-only versions of the device cost 27900 and 33900 rupees respectively in Indian market. The 16, 32 and 64GB Wi-Fi +4G iterations of Apple's mini-tablet have been priced at 29900, 35500 and 41900 rupees respectively.
TATA STEEL DEVELOPED A NEW KIND OF ANTI-BALLISTIC STEEL SUPER BAINITE

Corporate/Bussiness Current Affairs 2012.Tata Steel's Port Talbot plant in the UK developed a new kind of anti-ballistic steel in the second week of December which could transform safety of soldiers and security forces fighting terrorists and extremists. The steel named as Super Bainite is very lightweight, super-strength anti-ballistic steel with a lattice form. It can be used to armour-plate troop carriers and tanks.
IRAN ANNOUNCED SENDING A MONKEY SUCCESSFULLY INTO SPACE

Iran on 28 January 2013 announced that it had successfully sent into space a monkey. While declaring the sending of a monkey into space, Iran also declared that it was yet another step towards the space flight goal of Tehran. The rocket called Pishgam (meaning Pioneer) reached at a height of 120 km. Though the details about timing or the location were not disclosed, but Iran declared that the monkey had come back to the Earth successfully. Since a long time, Iran wanted to send an astronaut in space as its aerospace
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programme in 2012. In 2010, Iran declared that it had launched the Explorer rocket into space which carried worms, turtle and mouse. Irans effort to launch a monkey into the space had earlier failed in 2011.
Early Monkeys sent into Space The first country to launch the primate into space was US. It sent a rhesus monkey known as Albert into a subspace altitude of 39 miles in the V2 rocket in 1948. However, Albert died because of suffocation in the flight. Another monkey called Albert II was sent into space achieving the altitude of 83 miles in the V2 rocket in 1949. Though Albert II survived but it died because of parachute failure. In late 1949, other two monkeys called Albert III and Albert IV were sent but again did not survive. In 1951, Albert V died because of parachute failure. In 1951, Albert VI, also called Yorick survived the flight but only reached the height of 45 miles. The boundary of outer space is considered beyond 62 miles. The landmark was achieved by the US in 1959 when two primates were recovered alive after their spaceflight. These primates were a rhesus monkey called Able and a squirrel monkey called Baker. These primates were aboard a rocket called Jupiter.
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allows storage of 100 million hours of high definition video in a cup of DNA. Researchers claim that into a speck of DNA a huge amount of information can be written for being stored for tens of thousands of years. The scientists in Cambridge downloaded all the 154 sonnets of Shakespeare on the strands of the synthetic DNA, a genetic storage device have been used. A part of Martin Luther Kings 1963 speech I have a dream, in its audio format have also been stored by the scientists on strands of DNA and this describes the double helical nature of DNA. This is a breakthrough, carrying possibilities of solve the problems to store the evergrowing mountain of Data. Scientists were successful in decoding the information and reproduction of the Brads words with complete accuracy. One sonnet from Shakespeare weighs 0.3 millionths of a millionth of a gram when written on the DNA and thus a gram of the DNA can easily store information that more than one million of compact disks (CDs) can store. Scientists claimed that the DNA can be used as the robust way to store information as the information once stored in it can be extracted from the mammoth bones, even after tens of thousands of years.
154 SONNETS OF SHAKESPEARE ENCODED AND STORED IN STRANDS OF DNA

The researchers from EMBL- European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI) in January 2013 developed a new method that www.jagranjosh.com
SCIENTISTS DISCOVERED GENE THAT RESTRICTS TUMOURS

Scientists at the Jawaharlal Nehru University's School of Biotechnology claimed in the third week of January 2013
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that they found the SCO2 gene which has potential qualities of restricting tumours. Scientists claimed that this SCO2 gene can therefore be used for the treatment of various kinds of cancers. As of now, p53 gene was considered as the protein that holds back tumours and therefore prevents occurrence of cancer. But as per the combined research studies which were conducted by the scientists of JNU School of Biotechnology and Ohio State University Medical Centre as well as other universities, p53 gene employs SCO2 gene to imbibe this tumour-suppressing quality to it.
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mass of the galaxy, it leads to around 100 times increase in the mass of black hole.
SENSORS TO DETECT PLANTS DISTRESS WORKED UPON BY THE RESEARCHERS

Researchers from the University of Georgia revealed in the third week of January 2013 that they were creating the technology which helps in identifying the plants that are in pain. The technology or the sensors were being worked upon. These sensors detect the compounds called green leaf volatiles, which are emitted by the diseased plants into the devices which would be field-ready. This technology will be useful for the farmers because it could lower the use of the pesticides and save a lot of money. Green leaf volatiles are actually invisible to the human eyes. These compounds are also odourless and they are released by the plants much before the signs of any harm. The use of this technology could help in detecting the problems of the plants early, thereby reducing the disease transmission or crop loss. This technology can be used in the grid pattern to the quarantine pathogens in a sector of the field, eventually reducing and localising the use of crop treatment. The technology will also be useful for catching the unhealthy vegetables and fruits. The research will soon enter the testing phase.
BLACK HOLES GROWING AT FASTER PACE THAN EXPECTED: ASTRONOMERS

Astronomers had already discovered that the super-massive black holes which sit in the centres of various galaxies were growing faster. But as per the new observations conducted by Swinburne University of Technology, astronomers revealed that these black holes were growing at much faster pace than expected. Professor Alister Graham from Swinburne's Technology's Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing explained that different galaxies competed with each other for available gases, for either creating new stars or for the purpose of feeding central black hole. For over 10 years, the leading theories as well as the models facilitated fixed fraction of gas to each of this process, thereby safeguarding the ratio of black hole mass to galaxy mass. Professor Graham explained that every time there is a ten times increase in the stellar www.jagranjosh.com
RESEARCHERS DEVELOPED NEW TECHNOLOGY THAT
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HELPS SURGEON DETECT CANCER SPREAD

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, in the third week of January 2013 developed a fresh technique that enables surgeons to find out about the reach of tumours and helps them to decide which tissues should be removed for saving the healthy cells in cancer patients. In the new technique known as moleculartargeted imaging, surgeons are able to get rid of unnecessarily removing the healthy lymph nodes, which are required for patients in the long term. The technique allows enhancing the range of visual field of the surgeons through molecular tool, which allows them to achieve accurate surgical margins as well as detection of the metastases so that there are no tumours left.
(UCLan) that is led by Dr. Roger Clowes and the significant size of the same is challenging the Albert Einsteins Principle of Cosmology. The principle states the Universe when viewed at a large scale, it seems to be the same; it doesnt matters that from where it is being observed from. The Einsteins principle is just an assumption but was never demonstrated after observations so its beyond reasonable doubts. The newly, discovered LQG carries a dimension of 500 megaparsecs (Mpc). The elongated structure makes its longest dimension to a size of 1200 Mpc or 4 billion light years, which is 1600 times larger than the distance between the Milky Way Galaxy and the Andromeda Galaxy.
ASTRONOMERS DISCOVERED LARGEST COSMIC STRUCTURE IN THE UNIVERSE

Astronomers in the first week of January 2013 discovered the largest known structure in the Universe called Large Quasar Group (LQG) that is powered by super massive black holes clump together. This cluster of galaxies spans across four billion light years. Quasars are considered to be the nuclei of galaxies of the universe, which undergoes brief period of extremely high brightness making them visible in the sky from extreme distant positions. The LQG was identified by a research team from the University of Central Lancashire www.jagranjosh.com
SCIENTISTS DEVELOPED A DRUG TO REVERSE PERMANENT DEAFNESS

Scientists in the second week of January 2013, at the Harvard Medical School, US developed a drug codenamed LY411575, which is claimed to be a cure of the permanent deafness. The drug works by exciting the inner ear. It actually triggers the restoration of sensory hair cells. As of now, it was not possible to refurbish the cells which were lost because of various factors such as toxic drugs, infection and loud exposure of noise. This kind of deafness, which usually occurred to DJs and rock musicians, was assumed as irrevocable.
SCIENTISTS DEVELOPED A DRUG THAT HELP PARALYSED WALK AGAIN

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Scientists at the Stanford University in the second week of January 2013, California developed an experimental drug called LM11A-31 which is claimed to help paralysed people reclaim their movements. The new drug enabled the mice which had no movements in lower limbs, to walk again with the coordinated steps. The mice were even able to imitate the swimming motions. In a 42-days long experiment, the scientists gave three doses of the drug to different groups of the mice starting at four hours post injury and later twice every day. In the tests, it was also observed that the medication did not cause any pain in mice. Also, there were no toxic effects on them. Blood brain barrier, which is responsible for protecting the Central Nervous System (CNS) from harmful chemicals carried in the bloodstream, was also crossed efficiently. This is for the very first time that the oral drug was observed to provide effective therapy like this. This is therefore said to be the first drug that if taken orally, produced functional improvement leading to no toxicity in rodent model. Apart from this, the scientists tested the small molecule for the ability to avoid death of cells known as oligodendrocytes. Oligodendrocytes actually are the cells which surround as well as provide protection to the axons, which are long projections of the nerve cells. Protection is provided to axons by wrapping them in myelin sheath which provides protection to the fibres.
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FORMATION ON MARTIAN ROCKS

NASA in the first week of January 2013 unveiled that Mars Curiosity Rover has captured an image of a flower like object embedded on the rocks of Mars. It has also photographed a snake-like rock formation on the Martian Rocks. The picture of flower was captured by the microscope Mars Hand Lens Imager held by the robotic arm of Rover on 19 December 2012. The 2.5 billion dollar Curiosity Rover landed on Mars on 5 August 2012 with a mission to identify that was the planet in its past was habitable or had primitive microbial life. The mission would end after 2 years from the day it landed on the Glenelg, the Martian Peak base named MountSharp by the Scientists.
2 BILLION YEAR OLD MARTIAN ROCK IS A METEORITE WITH 10 TIMES MORE WATER THAN NORMAL: SCIENTISTS
Scientists claimed that the 2-billion year old dark black rock, called Northwest Africa (NWA) 7034 or Black Beauty, which landed into Sahara desert in 2011 is actually new kind of Martian meteorite which contains 10 times excess water than the normal. Black Beauty weighs around 320 g. After studying it intensively for over a year, the team of US scientists finally determined that the meteorite was formed 2.1 billion years ago and that too during the starting of most recent geologic period called Amazonian, on Mars.
MARS CURIOSITY ROVER CAPTURED A FLOWER LIKE
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Programme scientist for the Mars Exploration Programme at NASA headquarters, Washington explained that the age of Black Beauty was important because it is majorly older than the other Martian meteorites.
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largest radio telescope on Earth, Atacama Large Millimetre /submillimeter Array in the Atacama Desert of Chile. It was observed that streams of gases were flowing through the gap found in the disc of the material that was surrounding the young star supported theories, about how these planets grew. The European Southern Observatory (ESO) described the vast stream of gases was flowing through the gap in disc.
RESEARCHERS DISCOVERED PROTEIN BEHIND SCALY AND DRY SKIN IN ECZEMA

A team of researchers including that of an Indian-origin, at Oregon State University discovered in the first week of January 2013, one malfunctioning protein which leads to itchy, dry as well as inflamed skin wounds in a kind of eczema. The protein is called Ctip2 and it actually causes certain skin conditions by controlling body fat which keeps the skin hydrated and healthy. Eczema actually causes major loss of certain fluids through the skin which in turn leads to penetration of certain allergens. In the study conducted by the researchers, it was found that insufficient Ctip2 leads to reduction in the lipids in skin which are required for staying healthy and performing its function. Additionally, this leads to unwanted creation of proteins which can cause inflammation.
ASTRONOMERS CLAIMED RARE SUPERCOMET WOULD OUTSHINE MOON IN 2013

Astronomers claimed that a rare supercomet called C/2012 S1 (ISON) was moving towards the Sun from outer solar system. This supercomet would outshine Moon in November 2013. C/2012 S1 (ISON) was first noticed in September 2012. The comet would be closest to the Sun in November 2013. The comet would be as good as Hale-Bopp, a comet which appeared in 1997. Hale-Bopp is the most widely noticed comet of 20th century. It is also the brightest comet observed in various decades. ISON on the other hand would be making its first voyage in the solar system. Astronomers believe that this comet might also contain certain volatile gases which are not found in other comets. Astronomers also hope that this would help them get a peep into the materials of the outer solar system. Additionally, the year would also witness celestial fireworks having various flavours because of the gas cloud which has three
TWO NEW-BORN GIANT PLANETS OBSERVED AROUND THE STAR

Astronomers studying about the newborn star called HD 142527, observed glimpses of the planets which were forming around it, depicting the stage of planetary evolution which was never seen before. The newborn planets were observed using the
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times the mass of Earth, heading in the direction of calm supermassive black hole which sits in the heart of our galaxy. This collision would not be visible with naked eyes. However, the X-ray telescopes will be able to catch the radiations from shock wave which would be created as the cloud hits into aura of hot gases which surround the hole. Because this black hole called Sagittarius A is just 25000 light years far from Earth, therefore the crash would offer a unique view of various materials getting into the black hole. This might also provide a hint about what had happened 300 years back when this black hole was brighter than present.
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Scientist in the month of December revealed a planet that could support life, orbits a Sun-like star near the Earth. There are five planets found to be circling Tau Ceti - a star just 12 light years away which is almost identical to the sun, a journal set to appear in Astronomy & Astrophysics says. Out of the five planets found one of the planets, which is five times the mass of earth support life and lies in the "habitable" zone where liquid water and life could potentially exist. As per the Astronomers estimate the Tau Ceti planets is two to six times bigger than Earth. Most planets detected in the Universe so far had high masses due to the difficulties in finding extra-solar planets. The Tau Ceti planetary family is thought to be the lowest mass solar system yet detected. More than 800 planets have been discovered so far orbiting stars beyond the sun since the 1990s.
SPACEPLANE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED FLIGHT TEST; MOVED A STEP CLOSER TO SPACE TOURISM
The spaceplane constructed by Richard Branson's spaceflight company called Virgin Galactic successfully completed the important flight test which would be able to carry the people to space. SpaceShipTwo, the spaceplane was piloted to soft runway touchdown after highaltitude release from WhiteKnightTwo mothership, which eventually enabled it to score successful test drop. It additionally also checked off various milestones at Mojave Air and Space Port in California.
NASAS TWIN PROBES CRASHED SUCCESSFULLY ONTO LUNAR MOUNTAIN

Ebb and Flow, the gravity mapping satellites of NASA ended the successful mission to Moon by crashing on the rim of crater. Lunar surface on which Ebb and Flow crashed will be given a name after Sally Ride, the first woman of America in the space who died earlier in 2012. Ebb and Flow, two spacecrafts of NASA that comprised Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) Mission, on 14
LIFE SUPPORTING PLANET FOUND ORBITING STAR NEAR EARTH
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December 2012 were commanded for landing in lower orbit of Moon which would create an impact on the mountain near its North Pole. Ebb and Flow were launched in September 2011 and were orbiting Moon since 1 January 2012. After a year of their arrival on Moon, the twin spacecrafts of NASA hit the lunar surface as it was planned at 5:28:51 pm EST and 5:29:21 pm EST respectively. The speed of the two was 1.7 kilometres per second. The location of site is on southern face of around 2.5 kilometre tall Lunar Mountain near the crater called Goldschmidt. The principal investigator of GRAIL, Maria Zuber of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge declared that the lunar mission was complete and that they were proud to honour the contributions of Sally Ride after naming that corner of Moons surface after her. The impact indicated that the GRAIL mission was complete. This was the first planetary mission of NASA which carried cameras that were completely dedicated to public outreach as well as education. Apart from the basic science instrument, the spacecrafts carried MoonKAM, the camera which captured over 115000 images of Moons surface.
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called natural pacemaker. The researchers programmed ordinary cells of heart for becoming the exact imitations of specialised biological pacemakers through injection of single gene. The heartbeat begins in sino-atrial node (SAN) of right upper chamber of heart where there are accumulated pacemaker cells. Out of the 10 billion cells of heart, less than 10000 are the pacemaker cells which are also referred as SAN cells. Once these new pacemaker cells are programmed by Tbx18 gene, they had all the important features of the native pacemakers. These pacemaker cells once programmed, also maintained the SAN-like characteristics despite the fact that effects of Tbx18 gene faded away.
PERMIAN MASS EXTINCTION WAS LED BY A MICROBE: RESEARCH

A microbe led to extinction of more than 90 species on Earths surface around 251 million years ago, the researchers found out in the second week of December 2012. The mass extinction did not take place due to catastrophic volcano or meteorite, but because of a microbe. According to the current theory, mass extinction by end of Permian period was started because of volcanic eruptions on a large area, now called Siberia. This in turn led to a dramatic increase in the emission of greenhouse gases. But a researcher from Massachusetts Institute of Technology believes that the scenario doesnt align with the facts. An analysis of the end-Permian sediment sample from China was
RESEARCHERS CREATED NATURAL HEART PACEMAKER FROM SINGLE GENE

Researchers of Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute developed pacemaker cells through injection of gene called Tbx18, which could greatly help in repairing the heart. This research would help treating the heart patients with the simple injection of so-
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conducted and it was found that carbon levels had rushed too fast for geological processes to begin. Microbes could generate equally fast carbon compounds. When the group of researchers analysed genome of Methanosarcina a methanogen which is accountable for most of the biogenic methane on Earth today, it was discovered that microbe acquired this ability some 231 million years ago. This date matched closer to the time when mass extinction took place. However, the link could still not be suggested. Methanosarcina needs huge amount of nickel for producing methane fast. On going back to sediment cores, the researchers discovered that the level of nickel prickled exactly 251 million years. This might have happened because the Siberian lavas had nickel in large quantities. This in turn reinforced the fact that Methanosarcina triggered mass extinction. It is important to note that the mass extinction of biodiversity of todays time is quite identical since it is mainly determined by our species.
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who discovered this tool were surprised by the breakthrough. Brain removal was the Egyptian mummification procedure which was quite popular around 3500 years ago. It was also used extensively in later periods. It is important to note here that identification of the ancient tools which were used by the embalmers for brain removal was very difficult. Researchers also noted that this was the 2nd time when this kind of a tool was found in the skull of a mummy.
SCIENTISTS DEVELOPED A HEADSET THAT GIVE HUMANS 360 DEGREE VISION

French scientists claimed that they developed a new system called FlyVIZ which enables humans to get 360 degree vision. The headset in the system is said to capture the images from different directions and thereafter transform these into the matter which is possible for the human vision system to comprehend. The device basically makes use of a video camera which is mounted on the top of the helmet with special mirrors that can be used for capturing scenes all around a user. It then displays the results in real-time on modified 3D Viewer headset. The entire system takes around 15 minutes for a user to get used to.
BRAIN-REMOVAL TOOL DISCOVERED IN 2400-YEAR OLD MUMMY

Brain-removal tool, which was used by the ancient Egyptian embalmers, was discovered by the researchers of Zagreb Croatia in the third week of December 2012. This brain-removal tool was lodged in skull of the female mummy which dated back to approximately 2400 years. This was the 3-inch object which was found in body of the 40-year old woman. The researchers
SCIENTIST DECODED GENETIC CODE OF HONEY BEES REVEALING ITS SENSITIVITY TO ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE
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Scientists unlocked the genetic secrets behind honey bees' high sensitivity to environmental change which will help show links between nutrition, environment and the insects' development. The decoded gene could offer an insight into problems like Colony Collapse Disorder, a mysterious cause of mass bee deaths globally. Honey bees live in complex societies comprising tens of thousands of individuals. Most of these are female 'worker' honeybees that are unable to reproduce and instead devote their short lives to finding food in flowers and other tasks such as nursing larvae inside the hive. However, the hive has a queen as well - the much longer-lived, reproductive head of the hive. As per the Researchers the change occurs as a result of a histone code - a process that sees genetic changes made to proteins called histones within cells' nuclei. Rather than "genetic" changes that are locked into DNA, these are known as "epigenetic" changes. The study findings appeared in Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
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The researchers had shown that the decrease in SIRT6 protein in rats increased the size, aggressiveness as well as number of tumours apart from promotion of tumour growth in the human colon as well as pancreatic cancers.
FIRST 100 PERCENT ULTRASOUND TOOTHBRUSH OF THE WORLD DEVELOPED

British scientists in the first week of December 2012 claimed that they developed, the first toothbrush of the world called Emmident toothbrush which makes use of the ultrasound waves for cleaning teeth, which means that there is no need of abrasive brushing. Even though the manual toothbrushes have been replaced long back with whizzyelectric versions of the brushes which have superfast vibrations along with costly whitening heads, but the high-tech toothbrushes launched in UK in first week of December 2012 is the first 100 percent ultrasound toothbrush of the world. Ultrasound technology was also included in electric designs earlier but this time it is the first of its kind toothbrush which has independent ultrasound technology and it does not require movement of brush.
RESEARCH INDICATED THAT ANTI-AGEING GENE MIGHT SUPPRESS TUMOURS

Researchers of the University of Michigan Health System and Harvard Medical School in the second week of December 2012 showed that anti-ageing genes might be helpful in curtailing the multiplication of cancer. It was shown that the loss of antiageing gene can promote the occurrence of tumours in the human beings. www.jagranjosh.com
NASA ANNOUNCED TO SEND NEW ROVER TO MARS IN 2020

The US space agency NASA, on 4 December 2012 announced plans to send a new robotic explorer to the Red Planet, Mars in 2020.
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The announcement came a day after NASA released the results of the first soil tested by the Curiosity rover, which found traces of compounds like water and oxygen that are necessary for life. Some basic guidelines for the mission are already planned. The 2020 rover is going to help NASA in preparing for its eventual goal of bringing samples from Mars back to Earth an effort most scientists regard as the best way to look for signs of life on the Red Planet. The unmanned rover's chassis and landing system will be based heavily on NASA's 2.5 billion dollar Curiosity rover, which was send on Mars in August 2012. The Curiosity Rover landed on Mars 5 August 2012 and dropped onto the surface by a rocketpowered sky crane. It's now four months into a two-year prime mission to determine if the Red Planet can, or ever could, support microbial life. The 1ton rover carries 10 different science instruments to aid this quest. The 2020 Curiosity Rover launch would allow NASA to keep contributing to two European-led Mars missions the Trace Gas Orbiter and the ExoMars rover, which is scheduled to lift off in 2016 and 2018, respectively. NASA also plans to send a craft dubbed InSight to dig the planet's depths in 2016 to determine whether the planet's core is solid or liquid like Earth's. The 2020 mission is just another step toward being responsive to high-priority science goals and challenge of sending humans to Mars orbit in the 2030s.
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ANTI COLLISION DEVICE FOR RAILWAYS DEVELOPED BY HYDERABAD BASED FIRM

Hyderabad Based Company, Hyderabad Batteries Limited (HBL) developed a new anti collision safety device which is path breaking technology in ensuring safe travelling and fewer accidents. The device is based on a combination of railway signaling data with radio communications, global position, radio frequency identification devices, software and logic. It was HBL Power Systems which reacted first to the expression of interest floated by the Research, Design and Standards Organization of the Indian Railways to develop an anti-collision device in August 2008. The system is designed to automatically bring trains to a halt when collision-like situations arise or when the red signal is violated, for whatever reason. In the Month of September 2012, a train collision avoidance system (TCAS), tested in real time on a track near Tandur, in the South Central Railway demonstrated the viability of the system. During the trials, the effectiveness was demonstrated for prevention of head-on collisions; rear-end collisions, over-speeding of trains and disregard for red signal. The new anti collision device had essential features of both automatic train protection and collision prevention in one solution. HBL Power Systems had also developed electronic interlocking system, audio
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frequency track circuits management systems. and train
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MYSTERY THAT SURROUNDED THE MISSING SANDY ISLAND SOLVED

A researcher from New Zealand claimed that he had solved the mystery of the missing South Pacific Island which was shown on the world maps as well as Google Earth but did not actually exist. The blame of the missing island went to the whaling ship from the year 1876. The landmass in Coral Sea which is shown as the Sandy Island on Google maps as well as Google Earth is apparently somewhere between Australia and New Caledonia. Times Atlas of the World, on the other hand identifies it as the Sable Island, but the Australian scientists who went on a research in November 2012 could not locate it exactly, which is why they claimed that the island did not exist actually. A researcher at Auckland Museum after his investigations claimed that the island had never existed. Google in the meanwhile welcomed this feedback and explained that suggestions from the users on maps enabled integration of new information into Google Maps. Apparently, now the Sandy Island has been removed from the maps.
Boeing, the US aircraft manufacturer claimed that a new missile codenamed CHAMP has been tested successfully which makes use of the electromagnetic pulses in order to target the buildings can permanently blackout the electronics of the country without causing any harm to people. Boeing claimed that it has successfully tested this weapon on their one-hour flight. During the flight, the missile made all the computers of the military in Utah dead. It is also thought that this missile could possibly break through the caves as well as bunkers which allegedly are hiding the nuclear facilities of Iran. However, it was also warned that in case the missile is acquired by the wrong people, it would knock down the Western cities as well. In the experiment of Boeing, the missile went flying over Utah Test and Training Range, and it discharged electromagnetic pulses on seven targets. Eventually, it shut down all the electronics of the area permanently. Boeing claimed that this test remained highly successful; so much that it also disabled the camera recording. CHAMP or Counter-Electronics High Power Microwave Advanced Missile Project is the first of its kind missile test with the capability of electromagnetic pulse. Boeing Report mentioned that the stealth aircraft deployed the missile which emitted radio waves from the undercarriage and knocked down the computers in the building below the missile.
CHAMP MISSILE COULD SHUT DOWN THE ELECTRONICS OF THE COUNTRY PERMANENTLY: BOEING
SCIENTISTS CREATED MOST COMPLEX AND REALISTIC
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ARTIFICIAL BRAIN WHICH CAN PASS IQ AS WELL

Software engineers as well as neuroscientists at University of Waterloo, Canada claimed that they have developed a closest model of the functioning human brain, known as Spaun which is advanced enough for passing the basic IQ tests. This is the virtual brain which functions on the supercomputer and comprises of a digital eye, which can be used for visual input. It also has the robotic arm which can be used for drawing the response. The engineers as well as neuroscientists claimed that this was the most complex model of the world of human brain. Spaun or Semantic Pointer Architecture Unified Network comprises of 2.5 million simulated neurons which enables this brain to perform multiple tasks. The tasks which this artificial brain can perform range from answering the questions to copy drawing as well as fluid reasoning. The tests were conducted in which the engineers and neuroscientists showed various letters as well as numbers, which were read in the memory by Spaun. Later, the other symbol or letter behaved like the command which tells Spaun what needs to be done with the memory.
from the Mercury-orbiting probe of NASA, Messenger. Frozen water is found in the North Pole regions of Mercury which are always found in shadows and mainly affects the craters. It is supposed that the south pole of mercury also has ice but there is no hard and fast data which supports this. Messenger orbits closer to the North Pole than South Pole. About Messenger Messenger was launched back in 2004. It is a NASA spacecraft orbiting around Mercury. The observations through NASAs Messenger will continue in the next year as well.
NEW KIND OF MATTER MIGHT BE PRODUCED IN LARGE HADRON COLLIDER

Scientists at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) believed that collisions taking place in Large Hadron Collider (LHC) might have formed new matters which are known as colour-glass condensate. Collisions taking place between the lead ions and protons at LHC near Geneva, Switzerland have caused a different kind of behaviour in certain particles which were created due to collisions. What is Large Hadron Collider? Large Hadron Collider is the huge scientific instrument which is found near Geneva. It is basically the particle accelerator which is used by the physicists for observing and studying about the smallest particles which form the basis of all the things in the world. The instrument apparently helps the physicists understand everything ranging from minute world within the atoms to the gigantic universe. Comprehensive Current Affairs
NASAS MERCURY -ORBITING PROBE DISCOVERED ICE ON THE PLANET

Scientists of NASA have discovered a huge mass of ice at Mercurys North Pole on 29 November 2012. Mercury is the planet closest to the Sun. These findings come
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INDIA SUCCESSFULLY TEST FIRED AIR TO AIR INTERCEPTOR ASTRA MISSILE

India on 21 December 2012 test launched its indigenously developed beyond visual range (BVR) air-to-air interceptor missile Astra at the interim test range (ITR) at Chandipur in Odisha. Missile Specification Astra has the capability to intercept and destroy enemy aircraft at a supersonic speed and can be fitted into any fighter aircraft. 3.8 metre long, it is considered as one of the best of its kind in the world as it weighs about 160 kg and can carry explosive loaded conventional warheads up to 15 kg. It is designed to intercept and destroy enemy aircraft at supersonic speeds (1.2 to 1.4 Mach) in head-on and tail-chase modes. The missile uses solid propellant and can carry a conventional warhead weighing 15 kg. It can be launched from different altitudes and cover 110 km when fired from an altitude of 15 km, reach 44 km when launched from an altitude of eight km, and 21 km when launched from the sea-level.
missile with a strike range of 350 km from a test range at Chandipur near Balasore. The missile was test fired from a mobile launcher in salvo mode from launch complex-3 of Integrated Test Range at about 9:20 am. Missile Specification Prithvi is India's first indigenously built ballistic missile and one of the five missile developed under Indias prestigious Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP). It is capable of carrying 500 kg to 1000 kg of warheads and thrusted by liquid propulsion twine engines, uses advanced inertial guidance system with manoeuvring trajectory. The Prithvi-II missile is equipped with advanced high accuracy navigation system and guided by an innovative guidance scheme. The improved Circular Error Probability (CEP) achieved by the missile is a testimony to specify the efficacy of this missile system. Prithvi uses an advanced inertial guidance system with manoeuvring capabilities and comes within metres of its target.
PRITHVI II, THE NUCLEARCAPABLE SURFACE TO SURFACE MISSILE SUCCESSFULLY TEST-FIRED

India on 20 December 2012 successfully test-fired its indigenously developed nuclear capable surface-to-surface Prithvi-II www.jagranjosh.com
RAMANUJANS CRYPTIC DEATH BED THEORY PROVED BY AMERICAN SCIENTIST

Indian maths genius Srinivasa Ramanujans Cryptic Deathbed Theory, which he claimed was conceived in his dreams, was finally proved by American scientist in the month of November.
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It was in year 1920, when while on his death-bed, Ramanujan wrote a letter to his mentor, English mathematician G.H. Hardy, demarcating several new mathematical functions never before heard of, along with an instinct about how they worked. As per the Researchers study the theory is now proved to be right and that the formula derived from the theory is capable of explaining the behaviour of black holes. Researcher proved that Ramanujan was right and found the formula explaining one of the visions that he believed came from his goddess Researchers were also stunned to find the function could be used even today. The problem was solved from the last mysterious letters of the theory. The problem has been open for 90 years for people who work in this area of math. Ramanujan was a self-taught mathematician who was in born in a rural village in South India and had spent so much time thinking about mathematics that he flunked out of college twice. The maths geniuss letter described several new functions that behaved differently from known theta functions, or modular forms, and yet closely mimicked them. Functions are equations that can be drawn as graphs on an axis, like a sine wave, and produce an output when computed for any chosen input or value. The findings were presented in November at a Ramanujan conference held at the University of Florida, ahead of the 125th anniversary of the Ramanujans birth on 22 December.
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SUPER-JUPITER, THE LARGEST PLANET OF OUR SOLAR SYSTEM DISCOVERED

Astrophysicists at the University of Toronto in the third week of November 2012 discovered a new planet called SuperJupiter, which is thirteen times enormous than Jupiter. This is the largest planet discovered in the solar system. Super-Jupiter orbits around the star known as Kappa Andromedae which is 2.5 times greater than the Suns mass and is situated at 170 light years farther than the Earth. The star is quite young, 30 million years old, while the sun is 5 billion years old. The planet is called Super-Jupiter because it is larger than the Jupiter planet. According to the astrophysicists, Super-Jupiter could represent first newly discovered exo-planet system in the time duration of 4 years and it has mass which is at least thirteen times more than Jupiter. The orbit of the planet is a bit larger than that of Neptune. Kappa Andromedae, which is said to be the host star of this newly discovered planet, is the highest mass star to host a planet which was directly observed.
MICROSOFT CORP ORGANISED WOWZAPP 2012 FOR STUDENTS INTERESTED IN APP DEVELOPMENT
Thousands of youths from the world came together from 9 November 2012 to 11 November 2012 to exhibit their technical and creative skills at Microsoft Corporganised Wowzapp 2012 (Worldwide
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Hackathon for Windows). Wowzapp 2012 was organized for students who are interested in development of applications for mobiles, PCs as well as tablets in more than 100 places in the world. In Wowzapp 2012, around 16500 students from the world, including 3500 from 14 cities of India registered themselves. Wowzapp 2012 was organised in over 100 locations in the world. Participants made use of languages like JavaScript, C++ and C for development of applications on Windows 8. The applications approved will also be available on Windows Store apps. In the event, Microsoft facilitated the participants with the free software for application creation, Windows Store registration code as well as trainer and expert assistance at hackathon location. this flight, explosives. it carried
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Prithvi-II is a user-friendly missile which has a completely guided trajectory. The SFC had earlier launched it on August 25, 2012 and the flight was successful. The Indian Army is already armed with the single-stage PrithviII, which uses liquid propellants. From July 2012 onwards the Strategic Forces Command had launched a series of strategic missiles including Agni-I, Agni-II and Agni-III. It is one of the five missiles that were developed under the country's Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme.
NUCLEAR CAPABLE PRITHVI II MISSILE SUCESSFULLY TEST FIRED

India on 4 October 2012 successfully test fired its indigenously developed, nuclearcapable ballistic missile Prithvi-II from a test range in Odisha. The missile was test fired by the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, Odisha. All the radars and electro-optical systems along the coast have monitored the missile throughout its flight path. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) have developed Prithvi-II for the Indian Air Force for deep interdiction and the missile can be armed with a nuclear warhead weighing 500 kg. In
INDIA SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHED ITS HEAVIEST SATELLITE GSAT-10

The advanced communication satellite GSAT-10 of India was successfully launched on 28 September 2012 on board Ariane-5 rocket from European spaceport in French Guiana. The rocket placed GSAT-10 in the elliptical Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) within 30 minutes and 45 seconds of its launch from the French station just after injecting the European co-passenger ASTRA2F in the orbit. IGSAT-10 is the 101st space mission for ISRO is a Rs 750 crore project that includes development of the satellite along with its launch from the European launching station. The 3400 kg lift-off is the heaviest satellite built by the Indian Space Research Organization headquartered at Bangalore. Designed with a life span of 15 years the satellite will expand Indian radio-navigation, direct-to-home broadcasting and
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telecommunication services to the next level. Soon after successful injection of the satellite in the space, the command of control was taken by the ISRO's Master Control Facility (MCF) at Hassan in Karnataka. K Radhakrishnan, chairman of ISRO declared that the satellite will come into operation from November 2012 for being used by the general community.
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The Air Force version of micro-light pilotless target aircraft Lakshya-1 was successfully test-flown from the launch complex-2 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur, Orissa on 23 August 2012. The test was carried out with an objective to test the validity of its engine and duration enhancement. Lakshya has been inducted into the Indian Air Force since 2000. The aircraft is remote-controlled from the ground and designed to provide training to both airborne and air defence pilots. Lakshya-1 fitted with an advanced digitally controlled engine and is a sub-sonic, reusable aerial target system. It is launched by a solid propellant rocket motor, and sustained by a turbojet engine in flight. The flight duration of the six-foot-long aircraft is 30 to 35 minutes.
CSIR ANNOUNCED FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM FOR SCIENTISTS AGED ABOVE 70

Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) on its 70th Foundation Day celebration on 26 September 2012 greeted the scientists aged above 70 years with research fellowships. The fellowship will offer a sum of Rs 20 lakh per year for continuous 5 years to scientists who will guide students and publish research papers. A scientist who has won the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award is eligible for the fellowship program. Samir Brahmachari the Director-General of CSIR said that advantage of the services of scientists, who remain active even after the age of 70 years, should be taken. At present there are about 10 scientists who are eligible for the fellowship program.
NASAS CURIOSITY ROV ER TOOK ITS FIRST DRIVE ON THE SURFACE OF MARS
NASAs Curiosity rover took its first drive on the surface of Mars on 23 August 2012. The rover in its first drive moved around six metres from its original landing site. After more tests on its systems, NASA intends to move the Curiosity rover some 400 metres to the southeast to continue its exploration of the red planet. NASA also released images of the tracks left by the rover, to show the success of the mission. The space agency also announced that the original landing site of the Curiosity rover would be named after the late science fiction author Ray Bradbury who died on 5 June 2012. The site will be known as the Bradbury Landing.
AIR FORCE VERSION OF PILOT-LESS TARGET AIRCRAFT LAKSHYA-1 WAS SUCCESSFULLY TEST-FLOWN
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INDIA SUCCESSFULLY TESTFIRED MEDIUM RANGE BALLISTIC MISSILE AGNI II

India on 9 August 2012 successfully testfired domestically built surface-to-surface two stage Agni-II ballistic missile. The missile was launched from a test range at Wheeler Island off Odisha coast. The nuclear capable missile with a strike range of 2000 km was first test fired on 11 April 1999. The missile was inducted in the Army on 17 May 2010. The missile was launched by the strategic force command of Indian Army as a routine users trial. The objective of the launch was to train the user team to launch the missile. Agni-II is 20 metres long and capable of carrying a nuclear warhead weighing one ton. Agni-II was developed under the joint work of advanced systems laboratory, the missile development laboratory of the DRDO, Defence Research Development Laboratory and Research Centre Imarat, while it was integrated by Bharat Dynamics Limited, Hyderabad. The Agni-II missile belongs to the genre of medium range ballistic missiles developed by India under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program. The missile was made operational by the Indian Army in March 2010.
India on 9 January 2013 successfully testfired a highly manoeuvrable version of the 290-km range supersonic cruise missile BrahMos from a naval warship off the coast of Vishakhapatnam in Bay of Bengal. The missile blasted off in a pre-designated war scenario taking a double manoeuvre in S-form hitting the designated target ship just one meter above water line. The sheer velocity and power of hit made the missile rip through the ships hull. The present test firing is considered to be the 34th launch of BrahMos after the successful October 2012 launch from INS Teg in the Arabian Sea. About BrahMos Missile BRAHMOS is a two-stage missile with a solid propellant booster engine as its first stage which brings it to supersonic speed and then gets separated. The liquid ramjet or the second stage then takes the missile closer to 3 Mach speed in cruise phase. Stealth technology and guidance system with advanced embedded software provides the missile with special features. The BrahMos missile system was inducted into the Indian Navy in 2005 when it began arming the Rajput-class guided missile destroyers and inducted subsequently in many warships. BrahMos is capable of acquiring data not only from the American GPS but also from Russian GLONASS satellite systems also, which ensures double redundancy. The missile has identical configuration for land, sea and subsea platforms and uses a Transport Launch Canister (TLC) for transportation, storage and launch.
INDIA SUCCESSFULLY TESTFIRED MANOEUVRABLE VERSION OF BRAHMOS SUPERSONIC MISSILE
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ASTRONOMERS MEASURED THE PROCESS HOW UNIVERSE COOLED ON LINES OF BIG BANG THEORY
Astronomers in the fourth week of January 2013 revealed that they have made the most precise measurement of the fact that how the Universe has cooled down in a period of 13.77 billion years history following the prediction made in the Big Bang Theory. To find out the fact and to carry on the study, the astronomers studied molecules in the gas cloud at a distance of 7.2 billion light years from us somewhere in the universe a distance so far that the light emitted from it took half the age of the Universe to reach us. A team of Astronomers from France, Germany, Sweden and Australia used the Australian Telescope Compact Array to measure the heat of Universe at the time when it was half of its current age.
A statement released from the CSIRO Astronomy and Space Science described that the study has been able to find out the most precise measurement to identify the fact that how the Universe has cooled over a time of 13.77 billion years. The scientists looked back halfway across the Universe to look back halfway into the Universe history and the basic reason to do so is to identify the time, when the light left the galaxies. Astronomers studied gas at a distance of 7.2 billion light years away in an unnamed galaxy and identified that the cosmic background radiation was the only thing that kept it warm left over by the big bang. Behind this unnamed galaxy PKS 1830-211 quasar is also in existence.
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CHAPTER 5: POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

INDIA CELEBRATED ITS 64TH REPUBLIC DAY; SHOWCASED MILITARY PROWESS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE
India celebrated its 64th Republic Day on 26 January 2013. President Pranab Mukherjee, the Supreme Commander of Armed Forces, took salute for the first time after assuming office in July 2012. The impressive marchpast was watched by Chief Guest, King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk.
Apart from the religious structures, the Apex Courts order was also applicable on the installation of statues.
THE UNION CABINET SANCTIONED APPOINTMENT OF 2000 JUDGES FOR THE FAST-TRACK COURTS
The Union Cabinet, in its letter sent on 9 January 2013, to the High Court as well as the State Governments asked them to enhance strength of the subordinate judiciary from 18000 at present to 20000. The Law Ministry approved 80 crore Rupees for recruiting these 2000 additional judges in the country for the fast track courts. The government additionally was also working upon the proposals to enable states for using the funds which were available for morning as well as evening courts, in order to increase the number of fast track courts even more. The morning as well as evening courts were set up by the law ministry in 2010. However, the scheme was not successful because only a few states availed it, which resulted in unused funds. The government now proposed to divert these funds for setting up the fast track courts. In spite of all such efforts, there are over 3.20 crore cases pending in the various courts of the country. Out of these, a total of 2.76 crore cases were pending in the subordinate courts and 44 lakh were pending in the high courts, as per the Law Ministry.
SUPREME COURT OF INDIA BANNED CONSTRUCTION OF RELIGIOUS STRUCTURES AND STATUES ON PUBLIC LAND
The Supreme Court of India on 15 January 2013 passed an order that constructing religious structures such as the temples and shrines on the public land was banned. The bench of Justices R M Lodha and S J Mukhopadhaya, in its order declared that henceforth no state should grant permission for installation of any statue or erection of structures on the public utility places, pavements, public roads as well as the sideways. The order passed by the Supreme Court will now grant power to the government bodies and the municipal bodies from preventing unauthorised constructions.
ELECTION COMMISSION ANNOUNCED DATE OF

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ELECTION AND BY-ELECTIONS IN 10 STATES

The Election Commission of India on 11 January 2012 announced the dates for elections and by-elections in the Legislative Assemblies of 10 states. The elections/byelections would be held in Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura, Assam, Bihar, Maharashtra, Mizoram, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Punjab. The states of Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland would go for the regular polls for 60 members in each state. The by-polls in Tripura are scheduled for 14 February 2013 and for Meghalaya and Nagaland the decided date of 23 February 2013 and the results would be announced on 28 February 2013.
2. The Bill sought removal of 5 lakh rupees as fine in existence under the act and proposed a provision of taking away of the profits of the crime even under situation, where the conviction was not proved but the offence of money laundering happened and the property in question that is involved in the offence. The Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha during the winter session on 29 November 2012.
CJI ALTAMAS KABIR CONSTITUTED SPECIAL BENCH TO HEAR CRIMES AGAINST WOMEN
Chief Justice of India Altamas Kabir on 10 January 2013 set up a Special Bench of Justices of A.K. Patnaik and Gyan Sudha Misra to hear cases of crime against women. The Bench is going to start its hearing from 14 January2013 onwards and already a total of 526 cases relating to rape, dowry and other sexual offences from year 2002 had been listed before the Bench which is anticipated to take up the matters on dayto-day basis.
MONEY LAUNDERING AND BANKING BILLS 2012 TURNED INTO LAW WITH PRESIDENTS ASSENT
The President of India Pranab Mukherjee in second week of January gave his assent to the Prevention of Money Laundering (Amendment) Bill, the Enforcement of Security Interest and Recovery of Debts Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2012 and Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2012 to make it a law of the land. The Parliament in its winter session approved the Prevention of Money Laundering (Amendment) Bill 2012 that 1. Needed to enlarge its definition of money laundering offences so that it can curb the practice of funding the terrorists operations. www.jagranjosh.com
SUPREME COURT JUDGES NUMBER INCREASED TO 28 AGAINST THE SANCTIONED STRENGTH OF 31

Chief Justices of three High Courts were on 22 December 2012 elevated as judges of the Supreme Court of India, increasing the strength of the apex court to 28.Chief
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Justice of Madras High Court, Justice M Yusuf Eqbal, Chief Justice of Orissa High Court Justice Venkategowda and Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court Justice Vikramjit Sen were appointed as judges of the Supreme Court, in that order of seniority. The appointment of judges will come into effect from the date they assume charge of their respective office. At present, including the Chief Justice of India, the Supreme Court has 25 judges against the sanctioned strength of 31.
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The division bench also spotted Article 80 (3) of the words that in context of the matter of such type literature, science, art and social service has remained illustrative and not exhaustive. The Petition and Petitioner Ram Gopal Singh Sisodia, the former MLA from Delhi filed a petition that seeking nullification of the cricketers appointment to Upper House as the cricketer didnt possess the qualifications mentioned in Article 80(3) of the Indian Constitution, which allows him to be nominated to the Upper House of the nation. Article 80 (3) The Article 80 (3) of the Constitution of India states that the person - The members to be nominated by the President under sub-clause (a) of clause (1) shall consist of persons having special knowledge or practical experience in respect of such matters as the following, namely:- Literature, science, art and social service.
DELHI HIGH COURT DISMISSED THE PIL THAT CHALLENGED TENDULKAR S NOMINATION TO RAJYA SABHA
The High Court of Delhi on 19 December 2012 dismissed the PIL (Public Interest Litigation) that challenged Indian Cricketer Sachin Tendulkars nomination to the Rajya Sabha under the category of person with special knowledge or practical experience in any form of science, art, literature and social service. The High Courts Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Darmar Murugesan and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw admitted sports as a form of art and it justified the argument of Union Government that Sachin Tendulkar as a person with special knowledge and practical experience in art. The Court also stated that Art holds no satisfactory definition for itself in Indian Constitution. The decision to define sports as a form of art was reached by the Court after referring to experts, dictionaries, jurists and other sources. www.jagranjosh.com
SC DISMISSED PURNO SANGMA PETITION THAT CHALLENGED PRANAB MUKHERJEE'S ELECTION AS PRESIDENT
The Supreme Court of India on 5 December 2012 dismissed the petition of Purno Sangma that challenged Pranab Mukherjees election to the office of the President. The Constitution bench of Supreme Court comprising five-judges namely Chief Justice
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Altamas Kabir and Justices P. Sathasivam, J. Chelameswar, S.S. Nijjar and Ranjan Gogoi decided by a 3:2 majority announced the decision that the petition didnt deserved any short of detailed trail and the court was convinced that Pranab Mukherjee was not holding any office of Profit. Article 58 of the Constitution of India The Article states that no person is eligible to be the President of India until and unless: He/She is the citizen of India and must have attended 35 years of age and qualifies for election as the member of the House of the people. The person would not be eligible for being a President of India if he/she holds any office of profit managed by Government of India or any state or a local authority or any other body may be a subject of control to any of the government. Holding any office of profit disqualifies a person from being President of India. To hold an Office of Profit in context of the constitution means - the office should hold or yield various financial benefits like chauffeur driven car with an official accommodation. Sangmas Claim Purno Sangma challenged the appointment of Pranab Mukherjee as the President of India in the Supreme Court of India on the ground that Mukherjee was holding the office of Council of Indian Statistical Institute an office of profit as its chairman and thus was ineligible for being elected as the President of India.
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LOK SABHA PASSED THE COMPANIES BILL 2011 AIMED AT IMPROVING CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Lok Sabha on 18 December 2012 passed the COMPANIES BILL 2011. The Bill is aimed at improving corporate governance. 1. It contains provisions to strengthen regulations for corporate as well as auditing firms. Once enacted as law, it will replace THE COMPANIES ACT 1956. 2. The Companies Bill makes it mandatory for profit-making companies to spend two percent of their profit for community welfare as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility. 3. In case, a company fails to meet its social obligations, it will have to explain the reasons for the shortfall. 4. The Bill will protect small investors from corporate frauds. 5. Under the proposed legislation, more powers will be conferred upon Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) to deal with corporate frauds. 6. There will be better co-ordination now between the investigation agencies at the centre and the states.
In the year 1956, there were only 30000 registered companies in India. In 2012 there are more than 850000 companies. Therefore a modern company bill was needed to check the corporate fraud.
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SUPREME COURT ASKED JUDGE OF SC AND HC TO INFORM GOVERNMENT ABOUT DETAILS OF FOREIGN VISITS
On 10 December 2012, the Supreme Court partially stayed the order of Delhi high court in which it had cancelled three paras of Centre's 2010 circular which made it compulsory for the judges to take foreign visits only with approval of chief justice of the high court concerned or Chief Justice of India (CJI). The judges of Supreme Court as well as high court needed to inform the Government of India about the foreign visits which include the purpose of their visit, duration as well as the funding source. Foreign visits could be taken after traveling details were submitted to the Government of India. The high court had called these conditions offending for autonomy of higher judiciary, which is why it cancelled them on 25 May 2012. The high court had cancelled the paragraph which mentioned that travel details need to be submitted, but it clarified that the judged still needed to give information regarding their duration of the trip as well as city in which they intended to stay. These details need to be submitted to the chief justice of the HC concerned or CJI.
The Union Cabinet of India on 22 November 2012 passed the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Policy (NPPA). As per the new pricing policy declared by the Union Government, 348 essential drugs would come under price control policy of the nation, which would lead to price reduction of the same. The policy was approved by the Union Cabinet with an objective to bring in a regulatory framework to make sure that the pricing of essential drugs remains under control and are made available in the market at reasonable prices. The approval came in as a response to the deadline of 27 November 2012 set by the Supreme Court of India for finalization of a policy that to without altering or hampering the mechanism for cost-based drug pricing policy in existence. The move would bring down the cost of the drugs to an average of 30 percent as the pricing now would be fixed following the simple average of the rates of all the brands that have more than one percent of market share in the pharmaceutical industry. Following the rules of the policy, the companies will have to take a clearance by NPPA to increase the prices beyond 10 percent on all the 348 drugs enlisted in the new National Pharmaceutical Pricing Policy.
UNION CABINET OF INDIA APPROVED THE NATIONAL PHARMACEUTICAL PRICING POLICY
THE PROTECTION OF CHILDREN FROM SEXUAL OFFENCES ACT, 2012 CAME INTO FORCE
The PROTECTION OF CHILDREN FROM SEXUAL OFFENCES ACT, 2012 came into force on 14 November 2012. The Act was
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passed in the Indian Parliament in May 2012. 1. The Act under its ambit defines child as a person below the age-group of 18 and is gender neutral and have a clear definition for all types of sexual abuses like sexual harassment, penetrative or non-penetrative sexual abuse, and pornography. 2. The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 has defined the ways to provide a child friendly process of offence reporting to evidence recording, trial and investigations. 3. Section 45 of the Act allows the Union Government to make the necessary changes in the Act, whenever and wherever applicable. 4. The Act has also defined the facts like qualification and experience of the translators, interpreters, special educators, experts, arrangement for protection and care at times of emergencies and emergency treatment of child. 5. The Compensation amount that is payable to any victim of sexual abuse. 6. This Act has also cleared that the provisions of this Act would be monitored by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights and the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, periodically. 7. All the rules have been structured and framed relying upon the Juvenile Act, 2000 for making arrangements in regards to the care and protection of the child, the devised rules of the act also would pay attention to the fact that the
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child is not re-victimised at time of investigation as well as trial. 8. The Act has also made it clear that under situations in which the child who is being taken for the medical facility on an emergency factor no documentation or magisterial requisition would be demanded before the treatment.
SC: CRIMINAL CASE CA NT BE DISMISSED BECAUSE OF DELAY

The Supreme Court of India on 2nd November 2012 ruled that a criminal case cannot be dismissed merely because of delay in lodging a complaint if the delay has been reasonably explained. A bench of Justices P Sathasivam and Ranjan Gogoi noted, the prosecution case cannot be rejected merely on the ground of delay since the complainant has reasonably explained the reasons for the delay. The Supreme Court bench made the observation while upholding the conviction and the life sentence given to two male and two female members of a Tamil Nadubased Ashram (hermitage) for beating a woman member to death. The murder had taken place on April 8, 2000 when the accused members of the Ashram had gathered together and had beaten the victim to death and later cremated her body. Prosecution had said the woman was murdered as she had threatened to disclose the alleged love affair between two senior members of the Ashram, affiliated to Sri Devi Maha Sannathi Temple at Govardhan Garden in Trichy. The complainant who had
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witnessed the beating and had also heard the victim's cries for help had lodged a complaint with the police nine days after the crime had taken place. The complainant had submitted that there was a delay on his part in reporting the incident as he himself had not seen the murder taking place and had to verify whether such an incident had taken place.
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Government officers authorized by the State or Central Government. The Act was enacted in 1986 to prohibit the indecent representation of women through advertisement, publication, writing, and painting or in any other manner. With the increased use of advanced technology and communication devices in everyday life, the Government felt the scope of the Act should be amended. The amendments were introduced after consultations with stakeholders, including lawyers and civil society organisations, on the draft Bill.
UNION CABINET APPROVED AMENDMENT OF INDECENT REPRESENTATION OF WOMEN ACT

The Union Cabinet on 11 October 2012 approved the introduction of Amendments to the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986 in Parliament under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The amendments proposed are (a) Broaden the scope of the law to cover the audio-visual media and material in electronic form which includes Internet, satellite-based communication, multi-media messaging and cable television, among others. (b) Penalties to be enhanced to a maximum of three years of imprisonment and fine of between 50000 to 100000 Rupees for first conviction, and imprisonment of not less than two years, but which may extend to seven years, and a fine between 100000 Rupees to 500000 Rupees for second conviction. (c) Police officers not below the rank of Inspectors authorized to carry out search and seizure, in addition to State and Central
COMMISSION ISSUED STRICTER GUIDELINES TO CURB THE PRACTICE OF PAID NEWS

The Election Commission of India on 9 October 2012 issued stricter guidelines to curb the practice of Paid News. It asked candidates to reply within 48 hours to notices sent to them regarding Paid News. The Commission also asked the Media Certification and Monitoring Committees, MCMC at the districts and state levels to decide such cases within the 48 hours of getting the reply from a candidate. Election Commission Issued fresh instructions to Chief Electoral Officers of all states, including the poll-bound states of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh. In case the candidate did not reply within the specified time, the MCMC decision will be considered final. Returning officers were till now required to send notices within 96 hours of the publication or telecast of the paid news on references from the MCMC.
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The guidelines issued by the Election Commission will cover cinema halls, besides TV channels, cable networks and radio including private FM channels
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and resorted to peace for getting into the mainstream of development. Under the MoS, a committee will be constituted to deal with the matters relating to the 6th schedule councils. Under the agreement, the DHD will dissolve as an organization within a reasonable timeframe as a precursor to the government initiating further process to implement the agreed decisions.
RAIL RADAR, WEBSITE LAUNCHED BY THE RAILWAYS TO TRACK THE POSITION OF TRAIN
Rail Radar, the new online application was launched by the Indian Railways on 10 October 2012, to find out the location of 6500 trains on real-time basis on Google Map. It can be accessed from the website trainenquiry.com. To identify the train running status that whether the train is running on-time or late from its schedule, color codes have been created. Blue color is a code for trains running on time and red markers are the symbol of trains running behind schedule. On clicking upon the name of the train, the map will show the route along with stoppages and running status of the train on real time-basis.
SUPREME COURT LIFTED THE GAG ORDER ON MEDIA REPORTING OF TROOP MOVEMENT
The Supreme Court of India on 14 September 2012 lifted the gag order on media reporting of troop movement ordered by the Allahabad High Court. The SC pronounced the order while hearing the petition filed through PCI Chairman and former Apex Court judge Markandeya Katju's office which submitted that the HC order was in violation of the fundamental right under Article 19(1) (a) of the Constitution, granted to the media and every citizen of the country.
MOS WAS SIGNED TO PROVIDE AUTONOMY FOR THE HILLS COUNCIL IN ASSAM
Tripartite Memorandum of Settlement (MoS) was signed on 9 October 2012 for providing autonomy for the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council in Assam and a special package for speedier socioeconomic development of the area. It was signed between Centre, Assam government and both factions of Dima Halam Daogah (DHD). DHD used to be a group with violent activities in the state but gave up violence www.jagranjosh.com
SUPREME COURT: MEDIA CAN BE RESTRAINED FROM PRESSING TRIALS DURING PROCEEDINGS
Supreme Court refused to frame any guideline for pressing up of the court proceedings of the sub-judicial matters, on 11 September 2012. It just put forward a constitutional provision for postponement
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of the publications of the report or court hearing if the involved parties want so.
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be forwarded to the Lok Sabha for further consideration and passing on 19 December 2012. Article 335 It claims of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes to services and posts. Part XVI of the article states Special Provisions Relating to Certain Classes The article claims that the members of the Scheduled Castes and Tribes should be taken into consideration, consistently with the maintenance of efficiency of the administration while making appointments to services and posts in connection with the affairs of the union or the state. The 289B segment provided in the article prevents making on any provision to favour the members of Scheduled Castes and Tribes by relaxing the qualifying marks in the examination, or the standards of evaluation for reservation in promotion matters of any class of services and classes and posts connected to the affairs of state or of the union.
CONSTITUTION AMENDMENT BILL PASSED BY HUGE MAJORITY IN RAJYA SABHA

The Constitution Amendment Bill that provides quotas for SCs and STs in Government Job Promotions was approved in Rajya Sabha on 17 December 2012 by an overwhelming majority. The new amendment demands retaining of Article 335 and deletes the words or in the article to make sure that condition of efficiency as mentioned in the Article continues to be the part of Indian Constitution and not wiped out. The bill would also ensure that the provision of the Article 335 and its effects are retained and allows related standards for promotion against reserved vacancies to candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes and Tribes. The reservation in Promotion had been in existence for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes since 1955 but has suffered attacks in different cases by the decisions of Supreme Court of India in cases like Indra Sawhney, Veer Pal Singh Chauhan and S. Vinod Kumar. The Indian Government has passed several amendments namely 77th, 81st, 82nd and 85th amendments to overcome these effects. The Judgment of the Supreme Court in case of M Nagaraj mentioned few of the prerequisite conditions to provide reservation in promotion and the laid condition was assessing the quantum of representation of SCs, STs and their backwardness along with the effect on the efficiency. The bill would www.jagranjosh.com
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CHAPTER 6: SOCIAL ISSUES

JUSTICE JS VERMA PANEL REPORT SUBMITTED TO THE GOVERNMENT: RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE SEXUAL CRIMES
The Justice Verma panel, which is a 3member commission created to review the laws for sexual crimes submitted the report to the Government of India on 23 January 2013. Justice Verma panel was created after the brutal gang rape of the Para-medical student on 16 December 2012. Former Chief Justice of India, Justice JS Verma headed the commission and reviewed the laws on sexual crimes which exist already. The report was prepared by the panel in its 30-day deadline. The former CJI described that there were more than 80000 suggestions from the length and breadth of India as well as abroad after 5 January 2013 was declared as the deadline for receiving comments from common man in order to refurbish the present legislation that deals with the sex offenders. The Justice Verma panel recognised failure of governance as primary cause of sexual crimes. The panel additionally criticised the police, government and also the public for the lack of interest and also recommended changes in the entire society. Some of the changes described by the Justice Verma panel as follows:
There is a need for overall wide spectrum of law for violence against the women. It is important to address even the placid sexual harassment and that each and every complaint of sexual harassment should be registered. Anyone committing rape shall be given rigorous imprisonment which may range from seven years to life term. Punishment for rape that leads to death or vegetative state should be given rigorous imprisonment ranging from not less than 20 years to the remaining life of a convict. The crimes such as voyeurism and stalking, even-teasing as well as insensitivity of the police for dealing with the rape cases shall also be punished. Voyeurism will lead to a punishment of up to 7 years. Stalking or attempting to contact a woman repeatedly via any means shall land the person in jail for up to 3 years. The panel also suggested that there was a need of provisions for addressing the sexual assault on the homosexuals. The panel also mentioned in its report the Khap Panchayat mentioning that Khaps were unconstitutional and they had no right to declare the marriage invalid. In order to preserve the rules of law, there is a need for police reforms as well. There was a need to bring sexual violence by the personnel on duty under one common law.
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The panel suggested the need to take into consideration, the continuance of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in the areas at the earliest. No delay should be there in imparting the necessary medical aid to the victims, even in case of the private practitioners. All the marriages should be registered, while making sure that there was no demand for dowry. There was a need for amendment of Criminal law amendment bill 2012. Trafficking should be made punishable with imprisonment ranging from not less than 7 years to 10 years. In case, a police officer or a public servant is involved in child trafficking, it should be dealt with in a stricter manner than usual.
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signed the following Agreements. The Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) was preceded by the Senior Officials Meeting at the level of the Foreign Secretaries of the two countries on 21 January 2013. During the Joint Commission meet both the sides discussed bilateral relations that included development cooperation, trade, investment, power, science and technology, health, agriculture, connectivity, people to people contacts, culture and education. Major discussions decisions made during India-Sri Lanka 8th Joint Commission Meet Both the nations recognized the need of creating a special economic partnership framework to achieve the shared goals of poverty alleviation, job creation and economic development for the people of the two countries, the two sides decided to take several steps to further deepen trade, tourism and investment relations. In relation to the same, an agreement was reached to encourage closer economic and trade linkages between all stakeholders with a view to double the bilateral trade to 10 billion US dollar, in next three years. Both sides noted the impressive growth of tourism traffic between the two countries both ways. India currently contributed the largest number of tourist arrivals in Sri Lanka and over 250,000 Sri Lankans visited India in 2011-2012. Sri Lanka and India made decisions to enhance bilateral cooperation in the areas of New and Renewable energy, and in this context agreed
INDIA AND SRI LANKA SIGNED TWO AGREEMENTS ON TERRORISM AND DRUG TRAFFICKING
India and Sri Lanka after the 8th round meet of the Joint India-Sri Lanka Commission on 22 January 2013 at New Delhi inked two agreements. The signed agreements are: I. Agreement on Combating International Terrorism and Illicit Drug Trafficking; and II. Revised Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement. The External Affairs Ministers of India, Salman Khurshid and Sri Lanka, G L Peiris
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to conclude a MoU on Cooperation in New and Renewable Energy. The Joint Commission noted that both sides are committed to decrease incidents pertaining to fishing on the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL). Both countries agreed that the use of force could not be justified under any circumstances and reiterated in this regard the importance of continuing to extend humane treatment to all fishermen. Both sides agreed to enhance cooperation in the energy sector and to promote dialogue on security and defence issues of relevance to the bilateral relationship.
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Earlier, the Apex court had banned the tourism or commercial activities in 5-km radius of Jarawa Tribal Reserve which lies in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The Supreme Court in its 2007 notification had declared the area up to 5-km radius of Jarawa Tribal Reserve as the Buffer Zone and had prohibited any person from entering into this Zone unless and until that person is a member of aboriginal tribe. Who are the Jarawas? The Jarawas are basically the indigenous tribes or adivasis of Andaman Islands, India. The present population of Jarawas is merely 250-400 people. It is said that the Jarawas have remained the inhabitants of the Andamans for thousands of years. Jarawa ancestors were thought to be the first successful migration of humans from Africa.
Both the sides, Sri Lanka and India also expressed satisfaction at the substantive developments in bilateral relations between the two countries in existence after the 7th session of the Joint Commission held at Colombo on 26 November 2010.
SUPREME COURT BANNED TOURISTS ENTRY IN J ARAWA TRIBE HABITAT OF ANDAMANS

The Supreme Court of India on 21 January
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DECLARED USE OF MGNREGA LINKED POST OFFICE ACCOUNTS FOR DIRECT CASH TRANSFER
The Union Government of India in the third week of January 2013 amended the August 2008 notification to allow MGNREGA beneficiaries to receive other Government benefits and deposits in their post office saving account. With this order of the Union Finance Ministry more than 3.5 crore post office accounts in existence has turned up to be ready for the Aadhaar-linked Cash Transfer Scheme of Government of India. Earlier, the accounts linked with the MGNREGA workers of the country were used for
2013 banned the tourists to pass from Andaman Nicobar Trunk Road which passes through an area which is Jarawas habitat. The Andaman Nicobar Trunk Road leads to the Limestone Cave. A bench of Justices G.S. Singhvi and H.L. Gokhale ordered that the directives of the court which were issued in 2012 should be followed strictly.
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receiving the wages under the rural employment guarantee scheme. The Aadhaar number would be used for authentication of the identities of the beneficiaries under the new Direct Cash Transfer initiative.
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As per the Seventh Schedule of the (Article 246) List I - Union List the centre has the rights to exercise the defence related issues in India. Italys Stand on the Issue The Republic of Italy is also carrying proceedings as per the penal provisions of available in the country against the two accused marines. The available panel provisions of Italy can result into the sentence of 21 years of imprisonment to the marines. Italy has also been declaring its right in carrying out the prosecution of the two marines, since very beginning.
SUPREME COURT ASKED UNION GOVERNMENT TO SET UP A SPECIAL COURT TO TRY ITALIAN MARINES
The Supreme Court of India on 18 January 2013 decided that Kerala had no jurisdiction to investigate into the matter of Italian Marines shooting incident in which two fishermen were killed on 15 February 2012. The Union Government was directed by the Supreme Court bench of two Judges comprising Chief Justice Altamas Kabir and J. Chelameswar for setting up of a special court for proceeding ahead with the trials of the two Italian Marines namely Massimilano Latorre and Salvatore Girone, accused of shooting the two fishermen. The highest judiciary body of India described that the Union Government of India had the jurisdiction to move ahead with the process of investigation and trial on the two Italian Marines. Reasons for which Kerala has no rights to carry on the Jurisdiction Kerala Police has no Jurisdiction to carry on the investigation because it is one of the Federal Units of the Union of India and hence has no authority for continuing the trial on the two accused marines. They are outside the Jurisdiction limit of the State Unit.
UNION HOME MINISTRY ISSUED STRICT GUIDELINES FOR REGULATING SURROGACY IN INDIA
The Union Home Ministry in India issued stricter guidelines for those visas which are used by the foreign nationals interested in surrogacy. This is said to be the archetypical step by the Home Ministry to regulate surrogacy in India. The new guidelines indicated that single foreigners as well as the gay couples would not be eligible for having the Indian surrogate. Only those foreign man and woman, who are married for at least two years, would be granted the visas. The Union Home Ministry stated that they had noticed a few foreign nationals visiting India for the purpose of surrogacy on their tourist visa, which is not appropriate. Back in July 2012, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs had decided in the circular sent to
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foreign embassies that the foreigners were entitled to enter India for surrogacy only on their medical visas and no other kind of visas. Also, it was mandatory for the foreign nationals to fulfill a few criterions. The circular was notified on 17 December 2012 by the Foreign Regional Registration Office in Mumbai and was also sent to the fertility clinics. The guidelines are issued when the legislation for regulating the fertility clinics is waiting for tabling in the Parliament. This legislation is called the Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Regulation Bill 2010. Conditions laid down by home ministry 1. Foreign couples who intended to have an Indian surrogate should provide a letter from the Foreign Ministry of their country or the embassy in India, certifying that the home country recognises surrogacy. This is important because a lot of countries such as Norway, Italy, France and Germany do not recognise surrogacy. 2. The letter which would be certified also needs to have an assurance that children or a child born from Indian surrogate would have the rights to enter the home country as a biological child. This was mainly essential because in the recent past, a lot of babies born from crossborder surrogacy were refused to be accepted as the biological child. Norms of Home Ministry compatible with ICMR guidelines 3. The norms laid down by the Home Ministry are also compatible with the guidelines of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). www.jagranjosh.com
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4. ICMR only recognised man-woman marriages and not gay marriages. Additionally, the ICMR had encouraged various fertility clinics to get registered. 5. The guidelines of Home Ministry made it obligatory for the foreign nationals to undertake the treatment from registered ART clinics which are recognised by ICMR.
PARLIAMENTARY STANDING COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED ENTITLEMENT OF FOOD FOR 67 PERCENT POPULATION

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Food and Consumer Affairs in January 2013 suggested the entitlement of the food under the National Food Security Act to the 67 percent population leaving behind the 33 percent people who are tax-payers and have pucca houses of their own. The Priority (BPL-below poverty line) and general (APL-above poverty line) are to be replaced with the exclusion and inclusion categories. The beneficiaries would be identified by the state government for the public distribution system of the subsidized rice and wheat. As per the plans of the standing committee the Union Government would be distributing the subsidized food grains to the 67 percent population that includes 75 percent rural and 50 percent urban population. This act was sent to the Parliamentary Panel for its reference in December 2011 after it was tabled in the Lok Sabha and was followed by the demands of the Food Security Bill.
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Parliamentary Committees The Parliamentary committees are constituted to take care of the legislative businesses of the Parliament and it comprises of several committees. Among these the two main committees are: The Ad hoc Committee The Standing Committee Ad hoc Committee these are appointed for specific purpose and they are dissolved after the task assigned to them is completed and the final report is submitted. These committees are the joint and select committees over the Bills and are appointed for specific purposes like Committees on the Draft Five Year Plans, Railway Convention Committee, Hindi Equivalents Committee and more. The Standing Committee Each house of the Indian Parliament are supported by standing committees, which includes the Committee on Petitions, the Business Advisory Committee, the Rules Committee, the Committee of Privileges and more.
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fundamental right to life and asked Khap Panchayats, which are caste-based councils, to file their replies on the issue. Right to life is guaranteed to all the citizens of India under Article 21 of the Constitution of India. Article 21 in the Constitution of India 1949 Protection of life and personal liberty No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law.
UNION HOME MINISTER SUSHIL KUMAR SHINDE LAUNCHED PILOT PROJECT OF CRIME AND CRIMINAL TRACKING SYSTEM
Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde on 4 January 2013 launched Pilot Project of Crime and Criminal Tracking Systems. The Government launched the project to make use of technology in bringing greater transparency and accountability into government functioning, as Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS) is supposed to be an important step forward in this direction which requires a significant change management effort. The pilot launch of the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS) Project would create a nation-wide environment for the real-time sharing of crime and criminal information and connect approximately 14000 police stations throughout the country apart from higher offices in police hierarchy.
SUPREME COURT: KHAP PANCHAYATS DIKTAT O N DRESS CODE FOR WOMEN UNLAWFUL
The Supreme Court of India on 14 January 2013 ruled that Khap Panchayats' diktat on dress code for women and asking them not to carry mobile is unlawful. A bench of justices Aftab Alam and Ranjana Prakash Desai ruled that such diktats are against the
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About Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS) The CCTNS is a mission mode project under the National e-Governance Plan of Government of India. It aims at creating a comprehensive and integrated system for enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of policing through adopting the principle of e-Governance. The project also includes the creation of a nationwide networking infrastructure for evolution of ITenabled-state-of-the-art tracking system around Investigation of crime and detection of criminals. The credit for the pilot launch goes to the State police forces and the relentless support and guidance provided by MHA (Ministry of Home Affairs) and National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) officials. CCTNS is 2000 rupees crore project, approved in 2009 and spans across all the 35 states and Union Territories. It will be connected to a total of more than 21,000 locations. At present, 2000 police stations and other higher offices (mainly immigration check posts) in the country have been connected under the system.
of the Government, which includes Aadhaar based Direct Cash Transfer Scheme to be implemented in 51 districts from January 2013 among others.
UNION GOVERNMENT APPROVED AN ANTI-PIRACY SCHEME IN AUDIO-VISUAL SECTOR

The Union Government of India on 27 November 2012 approved a scheme under the 12th Five Year Plan for carrying out an anti-piracy initiative in the audio-visual sector with an allocation of two crore rupees. The new scheme of Information and Broadcasting Ministry aims to put special focus on piracy on the internet. Under the scheme, the campaign on piracy through audio-visual, internet and print media will be launched. The piracy continues to be a key challenge for the Indian film sector and has been a prime reason for the decline of the home video market in the country. The emerging threat to legitimate exhibition of films is illegal download of films available on websites.
UNION GOVERNMENT LAUNCHED GOVERNMENT CALENDAR FEATURING FLAGSHIP SCHEMES

The Government of Indias Wall Calendar for 2013 was launched on 14 December 2012 featuring various flagship programmes
IGMRI AND CWC SIGNED MOU FOR POST HARVEST MANAGEMENT OF FOODGRAINS
Department of Food & Public Distribution under Ministry of Consumer Affairs, and Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) on 25 October 2012 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for creating a Centre of Excellence focusing on capacity building
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in the areas of post harvest management of food grain by providing training on latest developments to the aspirants internationally. The MOU was signed by S. Gupta, Director of Indian Grain Storage Management and Research Institute (IGMRI), Hapur on behalf of Department of Food & Public Distribution and G. Mathialagan, Director of CWC. As per the Memorandum of Understanding, CWC is going to take over the management of training functions and related facilities of IGMRI, and develop it as a centre of excellence for the purpose of training in post harvest management of food grains and other agricultural commodities. The MOU was signed for a period of five years which is effective from 25th October, 2012. The MOU ideates that CWC will develop IGMRI, Hapur as an institution of excellence to attract overseas participants from SAARC nations, neighbouring countries for training on post harvest management of food grain.
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With this launch of delivery system the government is going to start out Aadhaar Enabled Service Delivery initiatives in 51 districts across the country Now, the services will be linked to various government schemes such as MNREGA wage payments, PDS distribution, payment of social security benefits such as old-age payments, distribution of LPG cylinders, etc. A number of state governments are coming ahead to roll out for these initiatives. Currently 23 crore residents have enrolled for an Aadhaar number, of which 21 crore Aadhaar numbers have already issued. Aadhaar, is a 12-digit number, which serves as a proof of identity and address anywhere in the country. It is an online identity platform that can be accessed in real-time for authenticating beneficiaries and can be adapted by various user agencies.
PASSIVE EUTHANASIA SUPPORTED BY THE LAW PANEL

The Law Commission which advice government on legal issues made a recommendation to the government to initiate measures to enact a comprehensive law on passive euthanasia, subject to certain safeguards. According to the Commission, Passive Euthanasia is not objectionable from a legal and constitutional point of view. It was in April 2011 that the UPA government had asked the law commission to study the feasibility of framing a law for euthanasia after the legalization of Passive Euthanasia in Aruna Shanbaug case after
PRIME MINISTER LAUNCHED AADHAR BASED TRANSFER SYSTEM

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on 20 October 2012 launched Aadhaar Enabled Service Delivery in Dudu district of Rajasthan to mark the 2nd anniversary of Aadhaar. Also marking the second anniversary, the 21st crore Aadhaar number was given to a local resident of Kurawar, district of Udaipur.
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the Supreme Court verdict. The verdict was just law of the land till it will enacted by Parliament. In its report on PASSIVE EUTHANASIA the law commission recommended that a competent adult patient, who can take an informed decision, has the right to insist that there should be no invasive medical treatment by way of artificial life sustaining measures. It was also suggested by the commission that if patients cannot take a decision on their own, then the decision of the doctors or relatives to withhold or withdraw the medical treatment will not be final. Also, the same rule will apply to a minor above 16 years of age who has expressed his or her wish not to have such treatment provided the consent has been given by the major spouse and one of the parents of such patient. Active euthanasia still remain a crime under Section 302(murder) or 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) of the IPC, along with the physician assisted suicide under section 306 IPC (abetment of suicide). What is Euthanasia? Euthanasia is the practice of intentionally ending a life in order to relieve pain and suffering. Passive euthanasia entails the withholding of common treatments, such as antibiotics, necessary for the continuance of life. Active euthanasia entails the use of lethal substances or forces, such as administering a lethal injection, to kill and is the most controversial means. www.jagranjosh.com
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SC: LAND BELONGING TO SCHEDULED CASTES OR TRIBES CANNOT BE BOUGHT BY NON-DALITS

The Supreme Court of India on 20 September 2012 ruled that the land belonging to scheduled castes or tribes cannot be bought by non-dalits, including companies as such transactions are unconstitutional. A bench of justices KS Radhakrishnan and Dipak Misra gave the verdict on an appeal by the Rajasthan government against the state High Court's order holding such a sale to be valid in law. The Rajasthan High Court had passed its order on an appeal by a private firm against the refusal by the state authorities to recognise or grant mutation to the purchase of a plot by the company from a person belonging to scheduled caste.
NEW MEASURES ANNOUNCED FOR THE WELFARE OF OVERSEAS INDIANS

Vayalar Ravi, Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs inaugurated the 7th Heads of Indian Missions (HoMs) conference on 17 September 2012. He announced revised Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) scheme, which includes: a) Assistance towards boarding expenses per head by HOMs is enhanced from 15 to 30 days. b) Payment of penalties in respect of Indian nationals for illegal stay in the host country where prima facie the worker is not at fault.
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c) Payment of small fines/penalties for the release of Indian nationals in jail/detention centre. d) Providing support to local Overseas Indian Associations to establish Overseas Indian Community Centres in countries that have populations of Overseas Indians exceeding 1,00,000. e) Providing support to start and run Overseas Indian Community-based student welfare centres in Countries that have more than 20,000 Indian students presence. The Minister also mentioned that Government has given the voting rights to NRIs. The Government is also getting the PIO and OCI Card Scheme merged into one Scheme. The conference was attended by Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries as well as Jordan, Yemen, Malaysia, Maldives, Angola, Thailand, Nigeria, Iraq and Libya. The conference is organized by the Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs every year to discuss the issues related to protection and welfare of Overseas Indian workers. There are approximately 7.5 million semiskilled and unskilled overseas Indian workers in the GCC countries and Malaysia on temporary employment/ contract visas, predominantly in the construction, healthcare and household services sectors. The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) is the nodal Ministry for protection and welfare of Overseas Indian workers.
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DEMONSTRATION ON A VICTORY NOTE

The most outstanding demonstrations of its own kind in Khandawa district of Madhya Pradesh named Jal Satyagraha continued for 17 days at Omkareshwar Dam Project came to an end on 10 September 2012. Across 1000 acres of cultivatable land has been submerged into water with at least 60 odd villages that will not be visible in the map of India any more. The Satygrahis demanded land for the land compensation following the ruling of Supreme Court. The oustees in the Satyagraha remained standing in the neck deep water with demands like lowering down the level of water stored in the dam to 189 meters and to provide land for land compensation ended the battle on the victory note. A high level committee has been constituted to hear the grievances of the dam effected people. The constituted committee will comprise of Minister of State for Narmada Valley Development K.L. Agrawal, SC-ST Welfare Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah, Commerce and Industries Minister Kailash Vijaywargiya, Principal Secretary, Narmada Valley Development Rajneesh Vaish and the Indore Divisional Commissioner.
THE GOVERNMENT APPROVED A COMPLETE BAN ON EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN

The Union Government on 28 August 2012 cleared a proposal to put a complete ban on employment of children up to the age
JAL SATYAGRAHA CAME TO AN END AFTER 17 DAYS

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of 14 both in hazardous and nonhazardous work by amending an anti-child labour Act. The Union Cabinet approved bringing amendment to the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, which has also penal provisions for non compliance. As per the existing Act, children below 14 years of age are allowed to work in industries not considered to be hazardous. Children between 14-18 years will also be defined as adolescents in the amended Act. The amendment will also fulfill the mandate of Right to Education to free and compulsory education for children in the age group of 6-15 years. It will also bring labour laws in the country in line with International Labour Organisation norms.
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Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Karnataka and Maharashtra.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA ENACTED PROHIBITION OF CHILD MARRIAGE ACT 2006

The Government of India enacted the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (PCMA) 2006, which will have under its ambit all the States and Union Territories of India except the State of Jammu & Kashmir. The Act also applies to all citizens of India without and beyond India. Under the PCMA 2006, every child marriage is voidable at the option of the contracting party who was a child at the time of the marriage, within two years of the child attaining majority. PCMA 2006 replaced Child Marriage Restraint Act (CMRA) of 1929. PCMA was notified in the Gazette of India on 11 January, 2007 and has been enforced 1 November, 2007.
THE UNION GOVERNMENT ISSUED AN ULTIMATUM TO SOCIAL NETWORKING SITE TWITTER

The DEIT (Department of Electronics and Information Technology) on 21 August 2012 issued an ultimatum to social networking site Twitter to block nearly 30 of its WebPages, which continue to host morphed and inflammatory content or face punitive action. The government served the ultimatum on Twitter as it failed to comply with the government order to block 28 web-pages on its site. Government had already ordered blocking of 310 web pages, which showed morphed and inflammatory contents which allegedly incited Muslims in India against people of the Northeastern region resulting in to the mass exodus of the latter from places in
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CHAPTER 7: ECONOMY
UNION GOVERNMENT APPROVED 14 FDI PROPOSALS WORTH OVER 1300 CR RUPEES
The Government of India on 11 January 2013 approved 14 FDI proposals which is said to be about 1311 crore rupees including that of Hindustan Port Ltd. The approval of proposals was based on the recommendations of Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) in its meeting held on 21 December 2012. The proposal of Mumbai-based Hindustan Port Ltd to induct foreign funds worth 440 crore rupees for investment in downstream companies was also included among those cleared by FIPB. Foreign Investment Promotion Board The Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) is a government body that is constituted for providing a single window clearance to proposals on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in India which are not allowed access through the automatic route. It comprises of Secretaries who are drawn from different ministries with Secretary of Department of Economic Affairs, MoF in the chair. As an interministerial body it examines the proposals of foreign investments in the country insectors with caps, sources and instruments that require approval under the extant FDI Policy (prescribed vide Circular 1 of 2012) on a regular basis.
The Foreign Investment Promotion Board, headed by Economic Affairs Secretary Arvind Mayaram.
UNION CABINET APPROVED HIGHER FUNDS FOR INDIRA AWAAS YOJANA

The Union Cabinet on 10 January 2013 approved the Ministry of Rural Developments proposal to increase the unit cost under Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY), keeping under consideration the sharp increase in the cost of materials. As per the approved cost, unit assistance under the scheme in plain areas had been increased from 45000 to 70000 rupees and for the hilly and difficult areas it had been increase from 48500 to 75000 rupees. The enhancement of unit assistance provided for homestead site to rural below poverty line (BPL) had been increased from 10000 rupees to 20000 rupees. The unit assistance is provided to those households who have neither agricultural land nor a house site. Indira Awas Yojana is a major scheme of the Ministry of Rural Development which directly aims at addressing rural housing issues by providing grant for construction and up gradation of dwelling units of BPL families. The priority is especially given to Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes, freed bonded labourers and physically challenged persons with financial assistance.
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NATIONAL DATA CENTRE FOR UIDAI TO COME UP IN GURGAON

The Chief Minister of Haryana, Bhupinder Singh Hooda on 7 January 2013 laid the foundation stone of the state-of-the-art National Data Centre of Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) at Maneshar, Gurgaon in Haryana. The centre that will spread in an area of five-acres would serve as the respiratory system for the UIDAI and would store all the basic biometric and demographic information of the residents, before the 12digit Aadhaar Number is issued. The development work of the UIDAI center would be completed by mid 2014 and is being developed as a green data centre and abides to all the global standards and guidelines.
provisions of getting an extra topping of 3.75 MHz as was in November 2012.
UNION GOVERNMENT DOUBLED 12TH PLAN OUTLAY FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY MINISTRY
Union Science and Technology Minister S. Jaipal Reddy on 4 January 2013 declared that the Centres allocation for the science and technology and earth sciences ministry had been doubled for the 12th Plan period. The declaration came in the inauguration ceremony of Children Science Congress as part of the 100th Indian Science Congress where Jaipal Reddy announced that in the 12th Five-Year Plan, the combined planned allocation for science and technology and earth sciences had been nearly doubled from 33000 crore rupees in the previous Plan period to around 60000 crore rupees in the present 12th plan period. The Minister S. Jaipal Reddy also stressed on the newly announced Science, Technology and Innovation Policy, and recommended that the policy would emphasise on the importance of greater innovation and suggested that there is a need for integrating science, research and innovation to develop valuable technologies. A PM Doctoral Research Fellowship in partnership with industry had also been initiated where already 30 (such) fellowships have been awarded to doctoral students. The Minister invited the students of the country to avail such opportunities like the Prime Minister's Research
EMPOWERED GROUP OF MINISTERS DECIDED TO AUCTION FOUR TELECOM CIRCLES IN 1800 MHZ BAND
The Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) on 7 January 2013 decided to auction the four telecom circles in 1800 MHz band, which failed to win bidders in the November 2012 auction. The EGoM also decided to reduce the reserve price fixed in November by 30 percent. The auction is planned in March 2013. Of the 1800 MHz Band the quantum of spectrum that would be put forward for auction in different states and cities are 15 MHz in Mumbai and Delhi and 10 MHz in Rajasthan and Karnataka. There also are www.jagranjosh.com
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Fellowship scheme being offered by the Government of India.
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UNION GOVERNMENT CONSTITUTED THE 14TH FINANCE COMMISSION UNDER FORMER RBI GOVERNOR YV REDDY
Union Government on 2 January 2013 constituted the 14th Finance Commission under former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor Yaga Venugopal Reddy. The commission under YV Reddy is going to primarily review finances of the governments keeping in mind the fiscal consolidation road map that was laid out by his predecessor Vijay Kelkar, the head of 13th finance Commission. The Commission would have three full-time members Sushma Nath, Former Finance Secretary M. Govind Rao, Director, NIPFP and Sudipto Mundle, Former Acting Chairman of National Statistical The Commission would also have Abhijit Sen, the Member of Planning Commission as its part-time member. Also, Ajay Narayan Jha had been appointed Secretary to the Commission.s The commission has to give its report by October next year and the recommendations will come into effect from April, 2015 for a five-year period. Functions 14th Finance Commission will perform
Among the new areas of recommendations on public sector units (PSUs), the commission will suggest how to list these units on the bourses and will also give its prescriptions on the disinvestment process. The commission has also been asked to recommend how non-priority PSUs be relinquished. The commission will recommend measures for segregating the pricing of public utility services such as drinking water, irrigation, power and public transport from policy fluctuations through statutory provisions. It will also suggest measures for maintaining a stable and sustainable fiscal environment consistent with equitable growth including suggestions to amend the Fiscal Responsibility Budget Management Act.
About Finance Commission The Finance commission is set up every five years. Article 280 of the Constitution provides for setting up of a finance commission to recommend how net earnings of taxes are to be divided between the Union and states and subsequently among the states. The Finance Commission Act of 1951 states the terms of qualification, appointment and disqualification, the term, eligibility and powers of the Finance Commission.
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UNION FINANCE MINISTER P CHIDAMBARAM UNVEILED CASH TRANSFER ROLLOUT PLAN

The government is going to roll out its ambitious scheme of transferring cash to beneficiaries of select schemes in 20 districts on 1 January 2013, but food, fertiliser and fuel subsidies will not be covered in the initial phase. As per the roll-out plan, more and more districts and schemes would be covered under the scheme during the course of 2013. All 26 schemes are ready for rollout. On 1 January 2013 the seven schemes in which payout is due in the (20 selected) districts, the money will be transferred through the direct benefit transfer system using the UIDAI platform.
Chhattisgarh grew from 7.7 per cent in 2001-05 to 10 per cent growth between 2006 and 2010 while Haryana grew from 8.4 per cent to 9.7 per cent, Maharashtra from 8.2 per cent to 9.6 per cent and Orissa from 7.8 per cent to 9.4 per cent between 2006 and 2010.
UNION GOVERNMENT APPROVED SELLING 12.5 PERCENT STAKE IN RASHTRIYA CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
The union government of India approved selling 12.5 percent stake in Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers (RCF) on 26 December 2012. This is said to be the 11th public sector undertaking which is approved for the action. Finance minister P. Chidambaram announced that the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) agreed to disinvest 12.5 per cent paid-up equity capital of RCF. The government would make an effort to wind up the entire process in 2012-2013 financial year, which would end on 31 March 2013. As of now, government held 92.5 percent stake in RCF. The paid-up capital of RCF was 551.7 crore Rupees. Considering the present market price of 57.8 Rupees per share, the stake of 12.5 percent would bring in 360 crore Rupees to exchequer. The finance minister also announced that it was decided to make use of the offer for sale via the auction or stock exchanges, but it might be altered to follow-on public offer. Disinvestment would help RCF meet its
BIHAR BECAME THE FASTEST GROWING INDIAN STATE BETWEEN 2006 AND 2010
As per the data released by the Planning Commission of India, Bihar became the fastest growing state in India at 10.9 per cent between 2006 and 2010 while Gujarats growth rate declined to 9.3 per cent and it lagged behind Bihar and other four states- Orissa, Maharashtra, Haryana, Chhattisgarh in terms of growth rate. Bihar was the slowest growing state during 200105 periods with GDP figure of 2.9 percent whereas Gujarat was the fastest growing state between 2001 and 2005 with figure of 11 percent.
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minimum public shareholding of 10 percent, which was prescribed to it by SEBI.
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BHATINDA SRINAGAR GAS PIPELINE PROJECT TO BE COMPLETED BY JULY 2014

The Jammu and Kashmir Government on 10 December 2012 informed that the 328-kmlong Bhatinda-Jammu-Srinagar gas pipeline project is scheduled to be completed by July 2014 to draw gas from Gujarat to the State.
studying from 9 to 12 Standard as an extended benefit. A separate fund has been created for providing scholarship to the children of beneficiaries.
UNION GOVERNMENT EXEMPTED SERVICE TAX FOR JANASHREE AND AAM AADMI BIMA YOJANA
Union Government of India in the month of December granted service tax exemption on the services of life insurance business provided under the Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana (AABY) and Janashree Bima Yojana (JBY). Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana (AABY) was launched in August 2007 and it basically covers death and disability insurance for the benefit of rural landless households. The Granting of Tax Exemption is going to save some money of the government as the central contribution towards premium in the two schemes is 50% and the rest is contributed by state governments. The Centre has created a fund that is being operated by LIC for meeting the liability of the Central Government towards premium payment. AABY also provides for educational assistance to the beneficiaries children www.jagranjosh.com
About Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana (AABY) AABY provides for insurance of the head of the family or earning member of the family of rural landless households between the age of 18 and 59 years against natural death or accidental death and partial/permanent disability. The annual premium payable is 200 rupees of which 50 per cent shall be payable by the Union Government and the remaining 50 per cent by the State Government.
About Janashree Bima Yojana (JBY) Janashree Bima Yojana (JBY) was launched in August 2000 and it provides life insurance protection to people who are below poverty line or marginally above poverty line. Persons aged between 18 years and 59 years and who are members of the identified 45 occupational groups are eligible to be covered under the scheme. The premium for the JBY is 200 rupees per member. While 50 per cent premium under the scheme is met out of Social Security Fund maintained by LIC, the balance 50 per cent premium is borne by the member and/or nodal agency.
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INDIA TO SIGN MUTUAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE TREATY IN CRIMINAL MATTERS WITH FOUR OTHER NATIONS
India would sign Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty in the criminal matters with four other countries in 2013. The treaty in general helps in mutual assistance between two nations for preventing, investigating as well as prosecuting crime. Discussions on treaty were initiated already with four countries namely Azerbaijan, Israel, Nepal and Oman. Ministry of Home Affairs announced that formal signing of this treaty will take place in 2013. As of now, India has signed the treaty with 32 countries which include Russia, Egypt, US, South Africa, France, Switzerland, UK, Canada, UAE and Iran. The agreement is important because it helps in fighting back the trans-national organised crimes such as money laundering, terrorism, counterfeit currency, smuggling of explosives and arms, drug trafficking and much more.
UNION MINISTER OF FINANCE P CHIDAMBARAM FINALISED GAAR AMENDMENT

Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram on 18 November 2012 disclosed that the Amendments to GAAR, the controversial law against tax avoidance through foreign investments, had been finalised. Supporting the fact P. Chidambaram asserted that the amendments to the Chapter 10A of the Income Tax Act which deals with taxation of investments were finalized and it will be sent to the Prime Ministers Office (PMO). GAAR (General Anti-Avoidance Rules), which was proposed in 2012-13 budgets with a view to preventing tax evasion, generated sharp reactions from foreign as well as domestic investors who feared that ungoverned powers to taxmen is going to result in harassment of investors. To look into the concerns a committee was appointed then by the government which was headed by tax expert Parthasarthi Shome. Issue relating to retrospective tax amendment on which the Shome Committee had submitted its report, is also under consideration with the drafting going on and it will go to the PMO and then to the Cabinet. The government is keen to get the investment engine ongoing and measures were being taken by the government to create a better climate.
CST, a tax imposed on the inter-state movement of goods, was reduced from 4 per cent to 3 per cent in 2007-08 and further to 2 per cent in 2008-09 after the introduction of Value-Added Tax (VAT). The committee set up by Finance Minister P Chidambaram to resolve the CST issue had suggested that the payment of 34000 crore rupees be made to the states towards losses on account of phasing out of CST.
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UNION GOVERNMENT BODY CCEA LIFTED EXPORT BAN ON SOME MILK PRODUCTS
The Union Government body, Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on 1 November 2012 lifted the export ban on milk products, especially on whole milk powder (WMP), dairy whitener, infant milk foods and other milk products till March 2013. In February 2011 to meet the domestic supply of Milk Products the Union government had imposed ban on export of all kinds of milk products that is skimmed milk powder (SMP), whole milk powder (WMP), dairy whitener, infant milk foods, casein and casein products. However the ban was withdrawn in for Casein in April 2012 and for Skimmed Milk Powder (SMP) in June 2012. As per the Government Statistics, there is a stock of 1.12 lakh tonnes of milk powder in the country. As much as 300 lakh kilos of milk per day were procured in the country in September 2012 while sales were to the tune of only 260 lakh kilos per day.
Whereas, the outlook to India by the rating agencies Fitch and Standard & Poors was negative, where the two agencies showed concerns towards the pace of reforms going on in India along with the economic downfall.
SERVICE TAX ON HIGH-END CLASS TRAVEL, FREIGHT AND AUXILIARY SERVICE RAIL FARES
The new Railway Minister C.P. Joshi and the Finance Minister P. Chidambaram in their meeting held on 26 September 2012 came up with the decision to regulate service taxes on high-end passenger classes like AC along with freight and auxiliary services provided by the railways. The taxation will be in effect from 1 October 2012. Implementation of the taxes will help the exchequer in generating estimated revenue of Rs 3100 Crore annually. Percentage increase in the fair chart for different segments is as follows: First Class - 7 percent Air-conditioned - 3.708 percent Freight charges - 3.708 per cent Auxiliary services at stations 12.36 percent The fair for high-end passengers have been increased by 30 percent Busy route surcharge during busy season of maximum 10 percent varying from commodity to commodity on freight will also come on effect from 1 October 2012. This step will help in winning an additional sum of Rs 826 crore in upcoming six months for the railways.
INDIAN SOVEREIGN RATING IS STABLE-MOODY

The rating agency, Moody's Investors Services on 26 September 2012 in its Outlook for India expected stability due to the newly announced reforms (FDI & hike in petrol rates). It believed that these reforms will help India in pairing up of the fiscal deficits. Indian sovereign credit rating outlook was kept by the agency at Baa3 for the medium term. www.jagranjosh.com
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GOVERNMENT REDUCED INTEREST RATES ON RESCHEDULED CROP LOANS FROM 12 TO 7 PERCENT

Government on 11 September 2012 reduced interest rates on rescheduled crop loans from 12 to 7 per cent in droughtaffected areas for this fiscal. It also increased the number of guaranteed work days under the MGNREGA to 150 days from 100 days. Four Indian states namely Karnataka, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Rajasthan have declared drought in more than 390 taluks. During agrarian crisis, crop loans get converted into term loans for a longer period of three years but at a higher interest rate of 12 per cent. The Empowered Group of Ministers also approved 846 crore rupees to Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Haryana under the National Rural Drinking Water Programme, and relaxed some norms.
Senior advocate appeared for NGO.
Prashant
An alleged 35 lakh metric tons of iron ore have been illegally exported by private firms in Karnataka. Accepting the recommendations of CEC, the Supreme Court on 13 April 2012 had suspended new mining leases in Bellary, Tumkur and Chitradurga districts of Karnataka unless rehabilitation plans for the existing leases were executed.
THE GOVERNMENT EXTENDED THE BAN ON IMPORT OF MILK AND MILK PRODUCTS FROM CHINA
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) recommended the extension of the ban till 23 June 2012 or until further orders, whichever is earlier. The notification for ban was issued on 4 July 2012 by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade. The banned milk products include chocolate, chocolate products, candies, confectionery, food preparations with milk or milk solids as ingredient. The prohibition on import of milk and its products from China was imposed on 24 September, 2008 because the milk products imported from China contained melamine. Melamine is a banned substance injurious to health.
SUPREME COURT REFUSED TO LIFT BAN ON MINING ACTIVITIES IN KARNATAKA

The Supreme Court of India on 17 August 2012 ruled that it would not allow resumption of mining activities of iron ore in Karnataka unless there is a statutory compliance and full implementation of reclamation and rehabilitation measures. The Supreme Court was hearing to a petition filed by an NGO Samaj Parivartana Samudaya, against the illegal mining and encroachment of forest areas in the state.
FDI INFLOW IN CHINA DECREASED 3.7 PERCENT, FIRST TIME IN 3 YEARS

The FDI inflow of China dipped in for the first time in 3 years. There was a decline of
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3.7 percent in the FDI inflow of China over 2012, as per the data revealed by the Ministry of Commerce in Beijing. However, China still holds its position as the most lucrative FDI destination in the world. It drew 111.7 billion dollar FDI in 2012 in comparison to 116 billion dollar in 2011. FDI flows nevertheless sink in for 7th month in a row in December 2012 with a fall of 4.5 percent in comparison to November 2012. Analysts are of the view that the foreign players were restricting their investments keeping in mind the taking over of new President of China, Xi Jinping in March 2013, who is expected to liberalise the Chinese economy more. This might lead to relaxation of capital account controls.
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DEUTSCHE BANK APPOINTED AS THE DEPOSITORY BANK FOR GDR OF IIPL

Deutsche Bank was appointed as the depository bank for Global Depository Receipt (GDR) of Indiabulls Infrastructure and Power Limited (IIPL). Global Depository Receipt (GDR) of Indiabulls Infrastructure and Power Limited (IIPL) is listed in the Luxemborg Stock Exchange. Indiabulls Infrastructure and Power Limited is the part of Indiabulls Group. It facilitates various companies that venture in power generation, distribution and transmission, with the consultancy services. Indiabulls Infrastructure and Power Limited were also involved in the power generation, distribution and transmission business through its partner Indiabulls Power Limited. IIPL holds 44.48 percent interest in the Indiabulls Power Limited.
RBI AND THE STATE BANK OF VIETNAM SIGNED A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 16 November 2012 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) for promoting greater cooperation and sharing supervisory information, between the two supervisors. The MoU between the two banks was signed at Hanoi, Vietnam in the Headquarters of State Bank of Vietnam and by the Chief General Manager-In-Charge, Department of Banking Supervision, RBI- G. Jaganmohan Rao and Chief Inspector, Banking Supervision Agency, SBV- Nguyen Huu Nghia. The Deputy Governor, SBVDang Thanh Binh, and Indian Ambassador to Hanoi- Ranjit Rae graced this occasion of signing the MoU.
SPICE GLOBAL ENTERED HEALTHCARE SECTOR IN INDIA; ANNOUNCED INVESTING OVER 1400 CRORE RUPEES
Spice Global, the diversified company on 22 January 2013 entered into the healthcare sector and also announced its plans to invest more than 1400 crore Rupees by 2016 in order to establish its 1st hospital. The hospital called Saket City Hospital would have 1000 beds at first. Global Founder and Chairman B K Modi announced that the company had already committed 400 crore Rupees for first phase
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of its hospital project in which there will be 230 beds by June 2013. Spice Global is a Singapore-based company that has left its presence in various sectors such as finance, entertainment and mobility. The Chairman of the company additionally also announced that 150 crore Rupees were invested already in the project and remaining investment was in process. The investment would be funded through the internal accruals. The Saket City Hospital by Spice Global was inaugurated on 22 January 2013 and it would be expanded to the capacity of 1000 beds by mid 2016. Spice Global is a 2 billion US dollar firm with its mark in various locations of the world. It employs more than 9000 employees across its different locations.
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However, shutting of B6 well dropped down the output from D1&D3 to 16.98 million standard cubic meters per day during the week which ended on 13 January 2013. With the 4.37 mmsmcd sourcing from the MA oilfield in the same block, overall output equaled 21.35 mmscmd in the week. However, production fell down even more to 20.88 mmscmd in the fourth week of January 2013, which is the lowest since April 2009. So far, Reliance Industries drilled 22 wells in all on the D1&D3 fields. However, only 18 out of these are on production till now. D1&D3 started production of gas in April 2009 and had mounted to 55 mmscmd in August 2010. Later, there was an ingression of water as well as sand in the wells.
RELIANCE INDUSTRIES SHUT 8TH WELL IN KG-D6; GAS OUTPUT FELL TO ALL-TIME LOW
Reliance Industries shut down its eighth well on the main gas-producing field in KGD6 block, which compelled the output to drop down to an all-time low at 20.88 million metric standard cubic metre per day (mmscmd). As per the status report of Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH), RIL shut down the well B6 on 9 January 2013 on the Dhiburbhai-1 and 3 (D1&D3) in Krishna Godavari basin KG-D6 block because of water loading. Earlier on 29 November 2012, RIL had shut B4, which was the seventh well on D1&D3 field.
HINDALCO FINALIZED ARRANGEMENTS TO ACQUIRE BAUXITE MINES AND ALUMINA REFIRNERY FROM NOVELIS
The metals flagship of Aditya Birla Group, Hindalco Industries on 18 January 2013 announced that as a part of its corporate reorganization plan, it has finalized arrangements with Novelis Do Brasil, its wholly owned subsidiary Novelis for acquiring the bauxite mines and alumina refinery in Brazil. Execution of the agreement was done between Novelis Do Brasil, Novelis and AV Minerals the wholly owned subsidiaries of Hindalco Industries. The 145 KTPA, alumina refinery is located in Ouro Preto, State of Minas Gerias, Brazil and have a right of carrying on mining
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activities over 50 million tonnes of bauxite reserves. The alumina assets of the Novelis Do Brasil would be transferred to the new company being developed in Brazil and the shares of the company would be acquired by the MV Minerals.
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The developer has applied for partial denotification so as to implement a number of new projects in the domestic tariff area in Jamnagar near the SEZ. The proposed projects will mainly cater to the significant existing domestic demand. SEZ is going to retain its multi-product status as the total area would remain higher than the minimum required area of 1000 hectares. Even though the SEZ mainly comprises refineries, retaining the multiproduct status will allow the company to invest in value-added products later, if it wants to. It had been seen in the past that a number of SEZs have sought de-notification and cancellation of approval following the Governments decision to impose the minimum alternate tax and dividend distribution tax on SEZ investors.
UNION GOVERNMENT APPROVED THE PARTIAL DENOTIFICATION OF RIL SEZ

The Union Government in the month of January 2013 had given its approval to Reliance Industries plans of de-notifying more than 40 per cent of its multi-product Special Economic Zone in Jamnagar subject to refund of all tax benefits it received for developing the area. The company has also been asked to obtain a no-objection-certificate from the State Government of Gujarat. It was in the second week of January that Reliance Industries (RIL) had applied for denotification of over 40 per cent of its Special Economic Zone in Gujarat as it plans an investment of 45000 crore rupees in that area to cater to the domestic market. RILs multi product SEZ is spread over 1764.14 hectares. The company wanted partial de-notification of an area of 728.43 hectares, leaving 1035.72 hectares of plan for the multi-product special economic zone. Now, the clearance is subject to the company getting an NOC from the State Government and refunding all tax benefits it received for developing the de-notified area.
GAIL INDIA COMMISSIONED DABHOL LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS TERMINAL

GAIL India announced successful commissioning of 5 million tonne capacity Dabhol liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal on 10 January 2013 at Ratnagiri in Maharashtra. This is the third LNG terminal. The remaining two are set up at Dahej and Hazira in Gujarat. With the commissioning of 5 million tonnes (MT) capacity Dabhol LNG terminal, the overall capacity of India to manage the imported LNG reached approximately 20 MT per annum. The Dabhol LNG terminal was set up at a cost of 4000 crore Rupees. This terminal would play a crucial role in meeting the demands of the industries in Maharashtra.
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State-owned GAIL India planned to expand its terminal to 7.5 MT by 2015 and thereafter increasing its capacity to 10 MT by 2017. The Dabhol LNG terminal would act as entry for natural gas to western as well as southern parts of India including Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Goa and Maharashtra. Ratnagiri Gas and Power Private limited (RGPPL) operates the Dabhol LNG terminal. RGPPL is the joint venture of NTPC and GAIL India as the prime shareholders along with the rest of the equity held by Maharashtra State Electricity Board and financial institutions. GAIL however is the commercial operator of this terminal and had started commissioning cargo for it back in December 2012. At present, the LNG demand of India is satisfied only by Dahej and Hazira. In light of the decrease in home gas production, the present gas capabilities operate at their maximum rates. Commissioning of Dabhol LNG terminal will help in facilitating the higher volumes of LNG imports.
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electricity production at the site at present is in process. The project is the first of the 340 MW projects, which are being developed under the Phase I Batch II of the Mission. PR Fonroche It is a Joint Venture of the French company Fonroche and the Indian company PR Clean Energy. The two companies are working as partners for setting up a 200 MW of SolarVoltaic Plants in India. PR Fonroche was successful in winning the project with the bidding tariff of 9.1 rupees per kWhr. The company expects a total production of 38 million units of electricity per year or 1.9 million units in total per year and it uses Film Modules developed by a US Company, First Solar.
SUPREME COURT REJECTED SAHARA PETITION ON REFUND OF 24000 CRORE RUPEES

The Supreme Court on 9 January 2013 dismissed Sahara group's petition for review of its verdict directing its two firms Sahara India Real Estate Corporation (SIREC) and Sahara Housing Investment Corporation (SHIC) to refund around 24000 crore rupees to their investors with 15 percent interest per annum. A bench of justices K S Radhakrishnan and J S Khehar, declaring an order stated that all the records placed before them were meticulously examined and dealt with. Review petitions are, therefore, not entertained and accordingly stand dismissed.
PR FONROCHE INAUGURATED FIRST SOLAR PLANT UNDER NATIONAL SOLAR MISSION BATCH II
PR Fonroche on 10 January 2013 inaugurated a 5 MW Solar Plant at Gajner near Bikaner in Rajasthan. The project is a part of the 20 MW project of PR Fonroche that was won by the company through the process of independent bidding in the National Solar Mission, Phase I Batch II. The next 15 MW plant would be commissioned officially on 15 January 2013 but the
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The bench asserted that all the contentions raised by the companies were considered by it while passing its August 2012 verdict and there is no need to review the same. The verdict on the review plea assumes significant as the firms have again filed a fresh application for extension of time for paying back to their investors. Although the 31 August 2012 verdict was passed by a bench of justices Radhakrishnan and Khehar but another bench headed by Chief Justice Altamas Kabir on 5 December 2012 had modified the judgment granting the group nine more weeks to pay back 24000 crore rupees with interest to over three crore investors.
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would also help in providing the early signs of warning, if they exist. MoU signed between the two will basically help in accelerating the process of faster clearance of loan proposals which lie under MSME. It would additionally, also enable the bank in acquiring quality proposals as well as boosting up the credit flow to this sector. MoU signed between CIMSME and Allahabad Bank was executed by General Manager (SME & Retail Credit) as well as the President of CIMSME in the presence of CMD of Allahabad Bank.
ALLAHABAD BANK SIGNED MOU WITH CHAMBER OF INDIAN MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
Allahabad bank signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Chamber of Indian Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (CIMSME) in Kolkata on 4 January 2013. The MoU was signed to support the priority sector lending. CIMSME is basically a body that represents interest of the companies in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector, with the financial institutions, banks, concerned ministries as well as other organisations. According to the agreement, CIMSME would help in activating the proposals from the members for the due consideration of the bank. Once the bank sanctions the loan, CIMSME would help the bank in followingup as well as recovering the dues. CIMSME www.jagranjosh.com
UNION GOVERNMENT DECIDED TO DISINVEST STAKES IN OIL INDIA, NTPC

The Union government in month of January 2013 decided to divest 10 percent stake in Oil India in the second fortnight of January and follow this up by disposing of 9.5 percent holding in NTPC in February 2013. As per the Disinvestment Secretary D.K. Mittal the 10 percent stake in Oil India could fetch around 2700 crore rupees at current market prices also the 9.5 percent stake sale in National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) could yield over 12000 crore rupees for the exchequer. The government proposes to divest in NTPC through the Offer for Sale (auction) route. Post-disinvestment, the government stake would come down to 75 percent. NTPC went public with an initial public offer (IPO) in 2004. The government has set a 30000 crore rupees disinvestment target for the current
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fiscal. So far, it has managed to raise over.6900 crore rupees through minority stake sales in PSUs. The National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) issue had fetched 6000 crore rupees. Hindustan Copper divestment brought in 808 crore rupees for the government. The government had identified 10 companies, including Oil India, SAIL and Hindustan Aeronautics, and plans to sell 10 percent stake each in Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd. and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. Also in the pipeline are 12.15 percent stake sale in aluminium producer Nalco, 10.82 percent in steel giant SAIL and 9.33 percent in Minerals and Metals Trading Corporation.
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MW, and will be situated in Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan. The cost of this project is estimated to be around 190 crore rupees. Nalco, a large thermal power consumer for its aluminium smelting in Odisha, is appreciative to generate renewable energy under electricity regulations. As per the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, the Indian Wind Turbine Manufactures Association (WTMA) had reported that public sector units have so far established around 1135 MW of wind power projects in the country, besides solar power projects of 27 MW.
NATIONAL ALUMINIUM CO LTD (NALCO) COMMISSIONED ITS FIRST WIND POWER PROJECT
National Aluminium Co Ltd (Nalco) in the Month of January 2013 commissioned its first wind power project at Gandikota in Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh. Nalco which is the Government-owned manufacturer and distributor of aluminum products had invested around 275 crore rupees for the 50-MW Suzlon-erected project. Nalco signed a power purchase agreement with the States power transmission utility Transco and has begun inoculation of power to the State grid. The windmill project had received clearance from the Ministry of Forests and Environment. Also, setting up of the second wind power is on the line which is supposed to be of 50 www.jagranjosh.com
KG-D6, GAS PRODUCING FIELDS REACHED LOWEST GAS OUTPUT LEVEL SINCE INCEPTION
The biggest gas producing fields of India in Krishna Godavari basin (KG-D6), which are controlled by Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) as well as UKs BP, reached the lowest level of output ever since it was incepted. After the production level of gas producing fields touched peak levels of 60 million standard cubic metres of gas per day (mmscmd), the output remained 22.77 mmscmd in second week of December 2012.
ICICI BANK OPENED 101 GRAMIN BRANCHES ACROSS VILLAGES IN SIX STATES
ICICI Bank, the largest private sector bank of India on 13 December 2012 opened 101 distinct Gramin branches or rural branches as the part of its financial enclosure plan.
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These branches were opened in villages which lack the banking facilities, across six states of India. All these Gramin Branches of the ICICI Bank would remain open for 4 hours per day and 6 days per week. These branches would offer banking services like fixed and recurring deposits, saving bank accounts, remittances, tractor loans as well as Kisan credit cards. Just like their current rural branches, ICICI will have at least 3 employees at the bank. Depending upon the business of the bank, ICICI might also make an addition of ATMs to a few of these rural branches.
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An American Depositary Shares (ADS) is a US dollar-denominated equity share of a foreign-based company available for purchase on an American stock exchange.
TELECOM COMMISSION APPROVED 1500 CRORE RUPEES SUBSIDY FOR BSNL

The Inter Ministerial body Telecom Commission of India on 12 December 2012 gave its nod to a 1500 crore Rupees subsidy to state owned BSNL for supporting its landline operations in rural areas. The approval came in line with the TRAI recommendation which had suggested that 2700 crore rupees should be given to BSNL as operations in rural areas dont generate enough revenues.
INFOSYS SHARES STARTED TRADING ON NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE

Infosys Ltd, Indias second-largest IT services provider on 12 December 2012 announced that its American Depositary Shares (ADS) have started trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the ticker symbol INFY. The company is also in the process of listing its ADS on the Paris and London exchanges of NYSE Euronext. Earlier in the month of December the company had announced transfer of its NASDAQ-listed ADS to NYSE, which basically aimed to give its European investors better access to its stock. At the end of September quarter, Infosys had 6.67 crore ADS representing 11.62 per cent of its total number of shares, according to BSE data.
LOBBY BILL OF WAL-MART HIT AROUND 125 CRORE RUPEES TO SEEK ENTRY INTO INDIA
Wal-Mart had filed the lobbying disclosure report with US Senate and it was found that the retail giant had incurred around 25 million dollar or approximately 125 crore Rupees in the lobbying activities. These lobbying activities also included issues which were associated with increased access to the Indian markets for investments.
SAHARA COMPANIES GOT TWO MONTHS TIME TO REPAY INVESTORS MON EY
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The Supreme Court of India on 5 December 2012 provided a relief to two Sahara companies when it gave them the time of two months till first week of February 2012. The two Sahara companies- Sahara India Real Estate Corporation (SIRECL) and Sahara Housing Investment Corporation (SHICL) are required to deposit 24000 crore Rupees to the investors. The Apex Court provided breather to the Sahara Companies when it declared that the companies can deposit 24000 crore Rupees, which was collected from the investors, in two installments with SEBI.
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COMMITTEE TO PROTECT DARJEELING TEA

Tea Board of India signed a joint Communiqu with European tea Committee on 17 October 2012. It was agreed with signing of communiqu that both the oraganisation will cooperate and work together in distributing information about the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) registration and its implications in Germany and other tea consuming countries within the European Union. Now with the implementation of PGI, tea produced only in Darjeeling can be labelled and sold as Darjeeling Tea within the territory of European Union.
SBI ANNOUNCED EXPECTATION OF 4000 CRORE RUPEES EQUITY FROM THE GOVERNMENT
State Bank of India (SBI), the largest lender of India on 5 December 2012 announced about its expectation of infusion of approximately 4000 crore Rupees from the government in 2012-2013 fiscal year. SBI declared that this move would help it in ramping up the capital to more than 13 percent. The Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer of SBI declared that they were expecting the government to infuse a capital of around 4000 crore Rupees. What will be the mode of infusion was still under discussion. It was declared that various options for mode of infusion were given to the government but the final decision would be that of the government itself.
SEBI ASKED GOVERNMENT TO SET UP SPECIAL COURT FOR SPEEDY TRIAL

Security Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on 22 October 2012 asked the government to set up special courts to fast-track the process of bringing the guilty to book. The grievances came into light with SEBI Worried over delays in prosecution of those found to be involved in frauds and other offences with some cases pended for several years. Keeping it into light SEBI Chairman U K Sinha, made grievances to government for special courts to expedite the process and had also asked the government to facilitate the same with immediate effect. In India, there is a provision for setting up special courts to deal with certain class of
TEA BOARD OF INDIA JOINED HAND WITH EUROPEAN TEA
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offences under the Special Courts Act of 1979. There are special courts for corruption and other cases, including some that are handled by CBI. The Supreme Court earlier had also asserted that the government should constitute more designated courts to dispense with the cases expeditiously. The government in 1992 had enacted the Special Court (Trial of Offences relating to Transactions in Securities) Act after the Harshad Mehta scam.
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ICICI BANK SIGNED AN AGREEMENT WITH ECO BANK OF AFRICA

ICICI Bank on 15 October 2012 signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Ecobank Transnational Incorporated of Africa in order to extend their banking services across their combined footprint in India and Africa. The MoU was signed in Tokyo by Vijay Chandok, President - International Banking Group of ICICI Bank Ltd and Arnold Ekpe, Group CEO of Ecobank. Indias trade with Africa has doubled in the past four years. Stronger investment ties are complementing this steady growth in trade with Indian investments in Africa across a range of sectors including oil & gas, pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, fertilizers, IT and infrastructure. About Eco Bank Eco Bank is a pan-African banking conglomerate, with banking operations in 35 African countries. It is the leading independent regional banking group in West Africa and Central Africa, serving wholesale and retail customers. Ecobank was incorporated in Lome, Togo. Ecobank Transnational Incorporated is the parent company of the leading independent panAfrican banking group. About ICICI Bank ICICI Bank Limited is India's largest private sector bank and the second largest bank in India, with consolidated total assets of US $ 111 billion as on June 30, 2012.
PETROLEUM MINISTRYS NON APPROVAL TO RILS INVESTMENT PLANS

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry on 17 October 2012 escalating the troubles of Reliance India Limited informed the Prime Minister office that it would not approve the investments of the company on its KGD6 fields. The ministry came to its decision after the company refused to allow the CAG (Comptroller and Auditor General of India) the federal body that would scrutinize spending made by the company during 2008-09 and 2011-2012 in the block. The Petroleum Secretary, G.C. Chaturvedi at a meeting in the Prime Ministers Office informed Pulok Chatterjee, the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister about the issues related to KG-D6 fields and the production fall in the KG-DWN-98/3 Block by 26 mcmd (million cubic metres per day), which was less than half of the target investments approved by the Government.
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It is the second largest bank in India by assets and third largest by market capitalization.
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IN JAKARTA METRO RAIL PROJECT

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation on 23 September 2012 was awarded with the work of Management Consulting Services by Jakarta Metro Rail Project. Before this, DMRC assisted them in preparation of SAPI (Special Assistance on Project Implementation). The work in its first phase will be done in a distance of 15.7 kilometer. DMRC will be working in a joint-venture with eight international companies. As per the contract, DMRC is responsible for creation and finalisation of the organisational structure along with development of training facilities, recruitment of personnel and their training in different segments that will be required for starting the operations of the project. DMRC is also acting as a consultant to other metro projects of the nation that includes Chennai, Bangaluru, Mumbai, Kolkata and Jaipur (here DMRC is also looking after the construction work).
HDFC BANK AND INDIAN OIL CAME TOGETHER TO PROVIDE BANKING SERVICES IN RURAL AREAS
HDFC Bank on 4 October 2012 tied up with Indian Oil Corporation where rural Petrol Pump Outlets of Indian Oil will act as HDFC Bank Business Correspondent (BCs). It is unique and first kind of tie-up, where an oil distribution company is coming up with the bank to make available modern banking services to the people of remote areas. The Indian oil is going to make it possible through Kisan Seva Kendra which is an retail outlet model pioneered by Indian Oil to cater to the needs of customers in the rural segment. HDFC Bank planned to cover 1000 Kisan Seva Kendras in a phased manner and each of these outlets will be able to serve around 1,500 customers. The Kisan Seva Kendra outlets will offer banking services such as preliminary processing of loan applications, disbursal and collection of small value deposits, sale of micro-insurance, mutual funds and other investment instruments. HDFC plan is to bring 10 million families into its banking Fold.
INDIGO AIRLINES EMERGED TO BE THE TOP RANKED CARRIER FOR CONSECUTIVE SECOND MONTH
The data presented by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on 18 September 2012 claimed that the low cost airlines Indigo emerged as the leading carrier in the month of August by carrying 12.05 lakh domestic passengers out of 43.69 lakh passengers. Indigo shared a total of 27.6 percent of the market share. Share of other airlines are as follows
DELHI METRO RAIL CORPORATION WON WORK
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1. Jet Airways-18.7 percent 2. Spice Jet- 18.5 Percent 3. Air India- 18.2 percent The report also reported that there was a fall of 8.6 percent passengers in total as compared to the previous year record for the month.
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The next disappointing part is that the export of cars is also declined to a figure of 26.83 percent in the August month which has affected overall production of companies in India. It is the highest decline in 11 years of time. The automobile industry has entered into a desperate situation. The excise duty on automobiles, which was increased in this years Budget, needs to be reduced, particularly for the commercial vehicles segment to regain the sale in momentum. In contrary to that, Chinese market saw a robust sale of car in the month of august.
SUPREME COURT ASKED ESSAR OIL TO PAY THE SALES TAX DUES IN PHASES
Supreme Court passed a judgment on 13 September 2012 for Gujarat Sales Tax case allowing Essar Oil to pay back the sales tax dues in phases. The dues amount of Rs 5,165 crore can be paid back in eight different installments of two years beginning from 17 January 2012. Supreme Court also dismissed the demand of Rs 1800 crore interest made by the Government of Gujarat. The court also directed the oil company to make the payment at the interest rate of 10 percent on the payment due of 17 January 2012 instead of 18 percent demanded by the state Government. In its statement, the oil company cleared that it has already cleared a due payment of Rs 1004 crore of the total dues amount of Rs 6169 crore.
GAIL SIGNED PACT WITH FRENCH ENERGY GIANT GDF SUEZ TO IMPORT LNG
State-owned gas utility GAIL India on 26 August 2012 signed a contract with French energy giant GDF Suez to import 0.8 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from 2013 to 2014. GDF would supply six cargoes of LNG in 2013 beginning January and an equal number in 2014. It will supply one cargo once in two months, most probably from its Yemen portfolio. As per the agreement, GDF will supply six cargoes of LNG in 2013 and an equal number in 2014. The LNG could be imported at Dahej terminal of Petronet LNG Ltd in Gujarat or Kochi import facility in Kerala. The gas in its liquid form could be shipped to the Dabhol terminal in Maharashtra. GDF holds a 10-per cent stake in Petronet LNG Ltd. It had in November 2011 agreed to supply 9 cargoes of LNG to Petronet LNG Ltd. GAIL owns and operates over 9,500-km
SALES PERCENTAGE OF CAR DECLINED IN INDIA

The sales of cars in India declined in the month of August 2012 by an overall 19 percent. It is counted among the biggest drop in one year timeline, resulting to which Society of Indian automobile Manufacturer (SIAM) asked the government to cut the excise duty. www.jagranjosh.com
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of natural gas pipeline network in India and can manage 175 mmscmd of gas.
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Paribas. Also, the application can be downloaded for free from Google Play.
GEOJIT BNP LAUNCHED ANDROID OS FLIP ME; FIRST MOBILE TRADING SOLUTION ON NSE & BSE
Geojit BNP Paribas on 3 August 2012 launched its new version for Android Operating System (OS) Flip Me. It is the first mobile trading solution which offered customers the facility to place orders on National Stoke Exchange (NSE) as well as on Bombay Stoke Exchange (BSE). The mobile trading was created by Geonit BNP Paribas in the year 2010. The customers with an Android OS in mobiles or tablets can download Flip Me Android application for multiple market watch views, real time updates, active real time charts, arrange and place orders for all cash and copied segments of the stock exchanges and view the order and trade book in a security environment. It also has the facility to place orders beyond market hours. It has also added many new features to the previous application that use the improved capabilities of the phone hardware and the Android OS like customers can take calls to the tele-trading centre of Geojit BNP Paribas while watching the market. Flip Me also providing views and themes, trading ideas to make good trading decisions and multi-view market watch like graph, MBP and security info in single screen. Flip Me Android OS is available free of cost in all registered customers of Geojit BNP
SBI REDUCED THE INTEREST RATE ON THE DEPOSITS OF MORE THAN 5 YEARS
Indias leading bank State Bank of India (SBI) on 2 August 2012 reduced the interest rate on the deposits of five year and above to 8.5 percents. The new interest rate will be effective from 7 August 2012. Currently, SBI is providing 8.75 percent interest on the deposits of 15 lakh or below and 9 percent on the deposits from 15 lakh to 1 crore. Recently, SBI on 1 August 2012 announced 0.50 percent reduced interest rate on home and car loans. However, Indias third largest bank Punjab National Bank (PNB) raised the interest rate on single deposit by 0.25 percent against 8.75 percent for the maturity of less than 1 crore rupees for one year
SBI REDUCED INTEREST RATE ON HOME AND CAR LOANS BY UP TO 0.5 PERCENT
Indias leading bank State Bank of India (SBI) on 1 August 2012 reduced its interest rate on home and car loans by up to 0.5 percent. The new interest rate will be effective from 7 August 2012. It has reduced the interest rate on home loans of up to 30 lakh rupees from 10.50 percent to 10.25 percent. The loan more than 30 lakh to 75 lakh, the interest rate is 10.40 percent against 10.75 percent.
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SBI new car loans are likely to be available at an interest rate of 10.75 percent against previous rate of 11.25 percent for 7 years. It makes customers to pay 1699 rupees EMI for every 1 lakh rupees against 1725 rupees EMI per month earlier. The reduction is likely to save 312 rupees per year on every one lakh.
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UNION MINISTRY FOR COMMERCE LAUNCHED E BIZ PORTAL TO PROVIDE ONE STOP SHOP FOR ALL INVESTMENT
The Union Minister for Commerce on 28 January 2013 launched an eBiz portal at the CII Partnership Summit in Agra. The portal is Indias Government-to-Business (G2B) portal developed by Infosys in a Public Private Partnership (PPP) Model. This Mission Mode Project will mark a paradigm shift in the Governments approach to providing Government-to-Business (G2B) services for Indias investor and business communities. In order to enable businesses and investors to save time and costs and in order to improve the business environment in the country, an online single window was conceptualised in the form of the eBiz Mission Mode Project under the National eGovernance Plan. The project aims to create a business and investor friendly ecosystem in India by making all business and investment related regulatory services across Central, State and local governments available on a single portal, thereby obviating the need for an investor or a business to visit multiple offices or a plethora of websites. www.jagranjosh.com
The core value of the transformational project lies in a shift in the Governments service delivery approach from being department-centric to customer-centric. EBiz will create a 24x7 facility for information and services and will also offer joined-up services where a single application submitted by a customer, for a number of permissions, clearances, approvals and registrations will be routed automatically across multiple governmental agencies in a logical manner. An inbuilt payment gateway will also add value by allowing all payments to be collected at one point and then apportioned, split and routed to the respective heads of account of Central and State agencies along with generation of challans and MIS reports. This payment gateway is the first of its kind designed in India and can become a universal payment gateway for all e-Governance applications. The Department of Industrial Promotion & Policy, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, is the Nodal Government Agency responsible for the implementation of the eBiz Project. Infosys Technologies Ltd. has been selected as the Concessionaire/ Project Implementation Partner and is responsible for the design, development, implementation and maintenance of the eBiz Solution. The Indian government is firmly committed to wide-ranging initiatives aimed at fostering the business environment in the country in a holistic manner. Its approach includes leveraging technology to bring transparency, improve efficiency and promote convenience. eBiz is an important step in this direction and working in partnership with Infosys on this project will become a benchmark for successful Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) in the country.
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The eBiz Project is the first of its kind ever implemented in the country. It marks the highest level of maturity in web-based eGovernance applications as it strives to achieve horizontal integration across various verticals of Central government, State governments and Para-statal agencies. The first phase of the project, which was being launched, provides an interactive tool that helps investors assess the Licenses and Permits requirements while setting up and operating a business in India. The License & Permit Information wizard will provide authentic information 24X7 to investors and businesses by providing answers to questions in an interview style format.
funds. Unveiling the policy review in Mumbai, RBI stated that the stance of monetary policy in this review is intended to provide an appropriate interest rate environment to support growth as inflation risks moderate. CRR cut will have impact on long term interest rates. The RBI, however, has reduced the growth projections for the current financial year to 5.5 per cent from its earlier estimate of 5.8 per cent. On inflation, it moderated the rate to 6.8 per cent for March-end from earlier projection of 7.5 per cent. The repo rate, which was cut last in April 2012, stands revised at 7.75 per cent with immediate effect, while the liquidity infusing CRR stands at 4 per cent effective 9 February 2013.
RESERVE BANK OF INDIA SLASHED REPO RATE TO 7.75 PERCENT AND CRR TO 4 PERCENT
The Reserve Bank of India on 29 January 2013 slashed its key interest rates by 0.25 per cent and released 18000 crore rupees additional liquidity into the system to perk up growth through reduced cost of borrowing. RBI in its third quarter monetary policy review surprised the market by cutting short-term lending rate called repo, by 0.25 per cent to 7.75 per cent and Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) by similar margin to 4 per cent. The repo rate cut will reduce the cost of borrowing for individuals and corporate, whereas the reduction in CRR, which is the portion of deposits that banks have to park with RBI, would improve the availability of
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE BOARD OF INDIA REVISED THE MECHANISM OF OFFER FOR SALE
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on 25 January 2013 revised the mechanism of the Offer for Sale (OFS). The board took the decision of revising the norms because the deadline for the promoters of the listed companies to offload their stake for meeting the minimum public shareholding norm of 25 percent by June 2013 is approaching. These revisions would make the norms much more efficient, transparent and economical. The quantity for cumulative bidding would be made available online for the market across the trading session at different intervals to take care of the orders
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that carries 100 percent upfront margin and also of the orders which have been placed without the upfront margin. The indicative price of the market would be disclosed for the market across the trading session and is calculated on the basis of bids and orders.
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consensus on FDI-associated issues is the main causes of decline in FDI inflow. During 2012-2013, the sectors which remained on the positive side of the FDI inflows included services, hotel and tourism, metallurgical, construction and automobile. In India, maximum FDI inflow came from Mauritius (USD 7.2 billion), Japan (USD 1.56 billion), Singapore (USD 1.5 billion) the Netherlands (USD 1.09 billion) and the UK (USD 615 million).
UNION COMMERCE MINISTRY CLAIMED THAT INDIA HAS CROSSED ONE BILLION MARK IN TEA PRODUCTION
The Union Commerce Ministry of India in the third week of January 2013 released figures and it mentioned that tea-industry in India had passed the one billion kilogram mark production. This target has been crossed by the participation of the small tea-growers.
IMF FORECASTED INDIAN ECONOMIC GROWTH RATE TO BE 5.9 PERCENT IN 2013

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on 23 January 2013 projected that the economic growth rate of India in 2013 would be 5.9 percent. The IMF also projected an increased growth rate of 6.4 percent for 2014 looking forward towards the gradual strengthening of the global expansion in Indias context. In its update at the World Economic Forum (WEO), the IMF also forecasted that the global economic growth rate would be 3.5 percent, little higher than the 3.2 percent estimated earlier. As per the report of IMF, uncertainty in policy making and supply bottlenecks were one of the most visible causes that hampered the growth aspects of the economies like India and Brazil. It also stated that the scopes of easing the policy to any further extent have also gone down in these countries.
FDI INFLOW DECREASED TO TWO-YEAR LOW IN NOVEMBER 2012

The inflow of foreign direct investment (FDI) in India decreased to around 2-year low at 1.05 billion US dollar in November 2012 because of uncertainties of the global economies. Back in November 2011, the FDI was worth 2.53 billion US dollar. The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) announced that from April-November period 2012-13, inflows of FDI decreased by around 31 percent to 15.84 billion US dollar from 22.83 billion US dollar in 2011-12. The reason why inflow of FDI decreased was because of the issues arising in the global economic scenario. Economic slowdown as well as absence of political
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About International Monetary Fund (IMF) The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is an organization of 188 countries that works for fostering the global monetary cooperation, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, facilitate international trade, secure financial stability and reduce poverty around the world. Since the end of World War II, the IMF had been playing a major role in shaping the global economy. The IMF has played a part in shaping the global economy.
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The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on 17 January 2013 approved the continuation of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) to sanction new projects and capacity building activities till 31st March, 2014 under Urban Infrastructure and Governance (UIG) and Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Small and Medium Towns (UIDSSMT) components of JNNURM. New Urban infrastructure projects in States/UTs would be approved till 31st March, 2014, and taking up new capacity building activities in Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and States has also been approved. The proposal would enable provisioning of creation of urban infrastructure, particularly in small and medium towns, in all States and UTs. These projects would be subsumed in the next phase of the JNNURM for the 12th Five Year Plan.
UNION CABINET APPROVED 50 PERCENT REDUCTION IN THE RESERVE PRICES FOR CDMA SPECTRUM
The Union Government on 17 January 2013 approved a 50 per cent reduction in the reserve price of spectrum used by CDMA mobile operators. Spectrum auction, for both GSM and CDMA, is supposed to be completed by 31 March 2013 and thereafter the markets will decide how much revenue the government will get. With the reduction of reserve price to 50 percent pan-India 5MHz of 800 MHz spectrum (CDMA radio waves) will now cost 9100 crore rupees.
CCEA APPROVED DEFREEZE IN THE TARIFF VALUE OF EDIBLE OILS AS PER INTERNATIONAL MARKET
The Cabinet Committee of Economic Affairs on 17 January 2013 approved the defreezing of the tariff values of the all types of edible oils and notified that the tariffs of these oils would be decided on the basis of the existing international prices in the market. Oils that would suffer the effect of this decision are Soyabean Oil Crude Palm Oil RBD (Refined Bleached Deoderized), Palm Oil Crude, Palmolein Crude, Palm Oil others and Palmolein others.
CABINET COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC AFFAIRS APPROVED THE CONTINUATION OF JNNURM
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The decision would bring an advantage to the domestic refining industry because of the impact that the imports of the edible oils will do on the collected duty. The tariff value of the edible oils Under Section 14 (2) of the Customs Act 1962 the tariff value is fixed on the edible oils mentioned would be notified fortnightly. The tariff value of the edible oils remained unchanged since 31 July 2006 as a result of fiscal measures to control inflation. This halt in increase in the tariff value have created a great difference between the notified tariff and the computed landed prices following the price of edible oils in the international market. This halt had an adverse impact on the domestic refining industry as well as the revenue collection.
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onwards people would be entitled for nine cylinders per annum. Subsidized rates of LPG for 14.2 kg cylinder in the market is 410.50 rupees and further requirement of any household beyond the cap of 6 cylinders costs 895.50 rupees per cylinder. As per the reports from Oil Ministry, it suffered a total subsidy loss of about 37411 crore rupees on cooking gas in 2012-2013 at 520.50 rupees per cylinder.
UNION GOVERNMENT IMPOSED 2.5 PERCENT IMPORT DUTY ON CRUDE EDIBLE OIL
Union government on 17 January 2013 imposed a 2.5 per cent import duty on crude edible oil with keeping the duties unchanged on refined cooking oil fearing a hike in retail prices. The decision was taken at the meeting of Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) in New Delhi with a view to protect domestic farmers. The Agriculture Ministry had proposed an increase in the duty on crude edible oil to protect the interest of palm growers, particularly from Andhra Pradesh.
UNION GOVERNMENT OF INDIA RAISED THE CAP ON SUBSIDIZED LPG CYLINDERS FROM 6 TO 9
The Union Government of India on 17 January 2013 hiked a cap on the subsidized LPG Cylinders from 6 to 9 and offered a partial relief to the consumers of LPG cylinders. This move of the Union Government would come into effect from April 2013. As per the orders of the Government and the decisions made by the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) the rate of the kerosene and LPG would remain unchanged and the quota on the five subsidized cylinders from September 2012 to March 2013 would be given to the consumers. Further, from 1 April 2013
WORLD BANK SLASHED THE GLOBAL GROWTH FORECAST TO 2.4 PERCENT

The World Bank on 15 January 2013 projected that the world economy would expand 2.4 percent in 2013, little higher than the 2.3 percent achieved in 2012. In June 2012, the Bank forecasted the growth up to 3 percent, but due to the slow growth
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rate, high unemployment rate and less confidence in businesses across the developing nations it managed to revise the forecast earlier made. The World Bank has reduced the projected growth rate of different countries. It has slashed the growth rate of Japan to its half from the one projected earlier and in case of US the growth rate has been slashed by 0.5 percent points. The bank also projected narrowing in the growth rate of the Euro Region. For emerging markets of Mexico, Brazil and India also the projection was lowered.
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Shome Committee was set up by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in July 2012 to address the issue of GAAR.
SENSEX CROSSED CRUCIAL 20000 MARK AFTER TWO YEARS

The Bombay Stock Exchange Sensex for second time in a row on 15 January 2013 touched 2-years high. The shares remained supported inspite of governments delayed implementation of the controversial rules related to tax avoidance. However, till the time the RBI reviews the policy on 29 January 2013, analysts are expecting that the earnings would remain crucial catalysts for the Indian shares, as the investors would look for the signs of profit improvement in 2013. Analysts predicted that in the fiscal year 2013-14, the Sensex EPS would grow by 13-14 percent. The BSE Sensex closed at 0.4 percent or 80.41 points at 19986.82 on 15 January 2013, which is the highest since 6 January 2011. Earlier it had touched the crucial 20000 level as well. The Nifty, on the other hand, increased to 0.54 percent or 32.55 points, ending at 6056.60, closing more than 6000 for the second consecutive day. Shares of the important companies such as ITC, Axis Bank, TCS and Bharti Airtel also increased.
THE IMPLEMENTATION OF GAAR DEFERRED BY 2 YEARS, TO COME INTO FORCE FROM 1APRIL 2016
The implementation of General Anti Avoidance Rules (GAAR) was deferred by two years by the government of India. It will now come into force from 1 April 2016. Earlier, the provisions of GAAR were to be implemented from 1 April 2014. GAAR will not apply to those Foreign Institutions Investors, FIIs who are not taking any benefit under an agreement under the Income Tax Act. Besides, it will also not apply to non-resident investors in FIIs. The Parthasarathi Shome Committee in its final report submitted to Finance ministry on 30 September 2012 had suggested that GAAR should be deferred by three years. The report was made public on 14 January 2013. Union Government accepted major recommendations of the Shome Committee with some modifications.
UNION GOVERNMENT APPROVED TEN PERCENT STAKE SALE IN ENGINEERS INDIA LTD (EIL)
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The Union Government on 10 January 2013 approved 10 per cent stake sale in Engineers India Ltd (EIL), which is supposed to bring back a sum of around 800 crore Rupees to the government. The stake is going to take place this fiscal, April 2012 to March 2013 and is approved by Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA). At present 80.40 Percent of Stake in EIL is held by the Government. Earlier in 2010 Government divested 10 per cent stake through an FPO in EIL, a leader in engineering consultancy. About Foreign Institutional Investors Foreign Institutional investors are those organizations which sum up huge amount of money and invest that amount in securities, real property and other investment assets. Some Foreign Institutional investors are also operating companies that decide to invest their profits to some degree in these types of assets. The most common types of typical investors includes banks, insurance companies, retirement or pension funds, hedge funds, investment advisors and mutual funds. They act as highly specialized investors on behalf of others which are considered as their economic role.
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The union government on 26 December 2012 announced more incentives for the exporters who were hit hard because of global meltdown. An extension of 2 percent interest subsidiary would be provided for another year till March 2014. Additionally, the Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma decided an introduction of pilot scheme of 2 percent interest subsidiary for those project exports that took place through Exim Bank. Any incremental export which would be done in the time duration of January to March 2013 would also be granted incentive. The ministry announced that the incentives would enable to push the exports in last quarter of 2012-2013 fiscal year. The objective of these incentives was stabilisation of the situation as well as shift from the negative territory to the positive one. Another objective of the incentives was keeping trade deficit under the control. Exports during the period of AprilNovember 2012, shrunk by 5.95 percent to 189.2 billion. If the situation continues, it would be very difficult for India to achieve export target of 360 billion dollar in 20122013 fiscal year. What are P-Notes or PNs? P-Notes or PNs or Participatory Notes are used by the HNIs or High Networth Individuals, foreign institutions as well as hedge funds. P-Notes allow them to invest their money in Indian markets via registered FIIs or Foreign Institutional Investors. This saves them cost as well as time related to direct registrations. So basically, PNs are the tools or instruments which are issued by the
UNION GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED MORE INCENTIVES TO EXPORTERS HIT BY GLOBAL MELTDOWN
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registered FIIs to the overseas investors who are willing to invest in stock market of India without registering with market regulator SEBI.
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UNION GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOWERED THE GROWTH PROJECTION FOR CURRENT FISCAL TO 5.7 PERCENT
The Union Government of India on 17 December 2012 lowered down the growth projection for the current financial year 2012-13 from 7.6 percent that was estimated earlier to 5.7-5.9 percent. It also pitched for the supportive monetary and fiscal policies for improving the confidence of the investors. The projection was showcased in the Mid-Year Economic Analysis tabled in Indian Parliament.
The Union Cabinet also cleared the Land Acquisition Bill. Under the new bill consent of 80 percent land owners is mandatory for private acquisition of land where as for Public-Private-Partnership 70 per cent consent is required. The award of compensation will also be as per the new bill. The Cabinet also approved cutting the 1800-MHz band 2G spectrum auction reserve base price by 30 per cent for four circles that did not attract bidders in November. The circles are Delhi, Mumbai, Karnataka and Rajasthan. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs also cleared a new urea investment policy.
RETAIL INFLATION INCREASED TO 9.90 PERCENT IN NOVEMBER 2012

Consumer Price Index (CPI) data released on 12 December 2012 showed that the retail inflation increased for the second successive month to 9.90 percent in November 2012 mainly because of the increase in price of food products like edible oil, sugar, vegetables as well as clothing. In October 2012, the retail inflation was 9.75 percent and in September 2012, it was 9.73 percent. Maximum increase in the price in the month of November 2012 was in oil as well as fats segment, amounting to the annual inflation of 17.67 percent. Apart from oil, the price of sugar also increased by 16.97 percent and pulses on the other hand because costlier by 14.19 percent on yearly basis.
CABINET COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC AFFAIRS APPROVED THE SETTING UP OF CCI

The Union government of India on 13 December 2012 approved the setting up of a Cabinet Committee on Investment (CCI), to fast track investment clearances for mega projects. The decision was taken in the Union Cabinet meeting held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Prime Minister will head the CCI and he will also nominate the members of the committee. The CCI will expedite projects offering single window clearance for projects costing 1000 crore rupees or more by setting timelines for the concerned ministries. www.jagranjosh.com
INDIAN ECONOMY WOULD DOMINATE THE ECONOMY OF

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THE WORLD BY 2030: US INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY REPORT

US intelligence community in its report called Global Trends 2030: Alternative Worlds which was released on 10 December 2012 declared that India would straddle international commerce and will also dominate the economy of the whole world by 2030. This would happen with decelerating Chinese economy as well as declining West. Key Points of the Report Indias chance of powering would begin only after 2015 as Chinas fortunes would start diminishing. By the year 2030, Asia (mainly India) would return back to its position of being the powerhouse of the world, like it was before 1500. Pakistan might not exist at all. India will rush forward after 2020 as China would begin decelerating, primarily on certain demographic trends. China is indeed ahead of India, but the gap between India and China would start zeroing in by 2030. The economic growth rate of India will surge while that of China will slow down. In 2030, India might be rising as the economic powerhouse just like China is today. The current economic growth rate of China, 8-10 percent would become just a memory for the country. Overall size of the working-age population in China would increase in 2016 and decrease from 994 million to 961 million in 2030. www.jagranjosh.com
Contrarily, working age population of India would most probably rise until around 2050. The demographic opportunities of India will rise from 2015 to 2050. Chinas opportunities window is from 1990 to 2025. Contrarily, USs opportunity was best from 1970 to 2015. Median age of India which is at present 26 will increase to 32 by 2030, which would still be the least among top 10 economies of world. The report also mentioned that anytime after 2030, India instead of China would be having the largest middle-class consumption, which would be even larger than US and Europe combined. However, India might face trapping in the status of middle-income group in case the resources constraint, especially food, water and energy are not resolved. More investment would be required in science and technology sector in order to keep the pace of economy in the value chain.
It was however made clear that the journey of economic development of both India as well as China will not be smooth. But if the difficulties were handled well, India as well as China would be dominating the world in 2030.
SECURITY AND EXCHANGE BOARD OF INDIA (SEBI) ALLOWED 12 MORE ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT FUNDS
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Indian Market regulator Security and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) allowed 12 entities to set up Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs), a newly created class of pooled-in investment vehicles for real estate, private equity and hedge funds, in the last two months of October and November 2012. The 12 Alternative Investment Funds AIFs that were registered with SEBI since October 2010 included India Realty Fund, Dar Mentorcap Film Fund, Capaleph Indian Millennium Small & Medium Enterprises Fund and Capaleph Indian Millennium Private Equity Fund. SEBI in last few years had already allowed nine AIFs to set up shops in the country. As on 31 August 2012, a total of 20 applications were pending with SEBI for registration as AIFs. As per the new SEBI guidelines, AIFs can operate broadly in three categories. The SEBI rules is applicable to all AIFs which also includes those operating as private equity funds, real estate funds and hedge funds. The Category-I AIFs are those funds that get incentives from the government, SEBI or other regulators. It includes Social Venture Funds, Infrastructure Funds, Venture Capital Funds and SME Funds. The Category-II AIFs are those funds which can invest anywhere in any combination but are prohibited from raising debt, except for meeting their day-to-day operational requirements. These AIFs include PE funds, debt funds or fund of funds. The Category-III AIFs are those trading with a view to make short-term returns and include hedge funds, among others.
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RESERVE BANK OF INDIA (RBI) SIGNED CURRENCY SWAP AGREEMENT WITH BANK OF JAPAN
The Reserve Bank of India on 4 December 2012 signed a three year Bilateral Swap Arrangement (BSA) with the Bank of Japan for swapping of the local currencies to address short-term liquidity problems. The BSA will be effective from 5 December 2012. The main idea behind the arrangement is to address short-term liquidity difficulties and supplement the existing international financial arrangements, as one of the efforts in strengthening mutual cooperation between Japan and India. The Bilateral Swap Agreement (BSA) is going to enable both the countries to swap their local currencies either Japanese yen or Indian rupee against US dollar for an amount up to 15 billion dollars. Earlier for a period of three years from June 2008 to June 2011 both the countries signed a similar agreement for an amount of 3 billion dollar. The enhancement of the BSA is going to strengthen economic and financial cooperation between the two countries and accordingly to financial market stability. The BSA is activated when an IMF-support programme already exists or is expected to be established in the near future.
NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE AND A NATIONAL CARDIO
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CARE CENTRE TO BE DEVELOPED AT JHAJJAR

The Union Government of India on 24 November 2012 announced to set up a National Cancer Institute (NCI) and a National Cardio Care Centre (NCCC) at the second campus of All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Badhsa village of Jhajjar, Haryana during the inauguration of the Outreach OPD of the AIIMS-II campus spread over 300 acres. This outreach OPD is well equipped with all the facilities and has a capacity of 1000 beds and the first OPD in the nation to provide free medicines to the patients. On this occasion, the Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad also declared that the AIIMS-II, with a total capacity of 2,100 beds, would be developed as a world-class institute. International bids in form of the Expression of Interest for drafting the master plan was already called on by the ministry. The Proposed National Cancer Institute would be the countrys largest cancer institute with a capacity of 600 beds and facilities of treating almost every form of cancer.
financial aid for vulnerable groups and underserved in Karnataka. The agreement was signed by the Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs and India Operations Advisor of World Bank in New Delhi.
The components of the project include Strengthening present health programs of the Government of India Innovations in the health financing as well as service delivery Project management, evaluation as well as monitoring Additional financing of this project is scheduled to be implemented till 31 March 2016.
RESERVE BANK OF INDIA ASKED BANKS NOT TO PROVIDE LOANS FOR PURCHASE OF GOLD
The Reserve Bank of India, in its notification released on 19 November 2012 directed banks not to provide loans to its customers for purchase of all types of gold, which includes primary gold, jewellery, bullion, gold coins, units of Gold Exchange Traded Funds (ETF) and units of gold mutual funds. The order was directed for discouraging people from getting involved in speculative activities. The notification from the Reserve Bank of India also directed the banks not to grant advances against gold bullion to traders or dealers, as such advances would be utilised with the purpose of offering finance for gold purchase at auctions and speculative
INDIA SIGNED 70 MILLION US DOLLAR LOAN AGREEMENT WITH WORLD BANK

Government of India on 22 November 2012 signed a 70-million US Dollar loan agreement with World Bank for financing the Karnataka Health Systems Development as well as Reform Project. Primary objective of this project is improvisation of public-private collaboration, health services delivery and www.jagranjosh.com
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holding of stocks and bullion. This notification allowed the banks to provide finances to the jewelers for their general working capital requirements. The decision of RBI came up in response to the suggestion of the working Group constituted after the announcement if the Monetary Policy Statement of April 2012. The working group suggested that the banks are not permitted to finance purchase of any type of gold other than the working capital. This decision of RBI came up in response to the significant growth in the imports of the gold in past few years that has created pressure on the current account deficit. The Gold imports of India in 2011-12 stood up at 60 billion dollar.
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category has been raised to 2 lakh Rupees now. This decision will be implemented during the 12th Five Year Plan. Instructions have been given to the state governments as well as the banks so that the decision could be implemented effectively. People will now be able to get benefits under the Rajiv Awas Yogna (RAY) and EWS Housing Schemes. Additionally, the Union Minister added that they have the target of including 20 lakh people under this plan. It is the big step because more people would qualify for the home loans now. Definition of Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) People falling within the income limit set by the Ministry of Urban Development fall under the category of Economically Weaker Sections (EWS). Ministry of Urban Development revised this income ceiling from Rs. 3,300 to Rs. 5,000. This income ceiling has been made applicable to loans for Interest Subsidy for Housing the Urban Poor Scheme (ISHUP) as well as Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO).
INCOME CEILING FOR LIG RAISED BY UNION GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

The Union Government of India on 15 November 2012 decided to raise cap on the annual income which is required for qualification for the benefits under the present housing schemes for the Low Income Groups (LIG) as well as Economically Weaker Sections (EWS). This step on the part of the government will provide benefit to 20 lakh people. The Ministry for Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation (HUPA) raised the income criterion for EWS housings from 60000 Rupees per year initially to 1 Lakh Rupees now. This clearly indicates that people with household income below 1 Lakh Rupees will be able to avail benefits of EWS housing scheme. Likewise, the income bar for LIG
UNION CABINET OF INDIA CLEARED PROPOSAL FOR SPECTRUM SHARING

The Union Cabinet of India on 8 November 2012 approved levy of about 31000 crore rupees as one-time spectrum charge to be implemented on all incumbent telecom operators like Bharati Airtel, Vodafone, Idea and others. The proposed charges had been implemented to create a level ground
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between the old players and the new players of the telecom sector. The Finance Minister of India P Chidambaram declared that the recommendations of the EGoM (Empowered Group of Ministers) was cleared and the GSM operators would have to pay for the airwaves that they hold beyond the 4.4 Mega-Hertz, the price determined at the auction and the operators holding more than 6.2 mega hertz airwaves would have to pay a retroactive fee from July 2008 onwards. The CDMA operators would have to pay for the airwaves that they hold beyond 2.5 MegaHertz as per the validity of the permits offered to them.
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sector. The move will also enhance connectivity from various Indian cities to international destinations. It will also enhance competitiveness among airlines and is expected to bring down fares. Opening of several new international sectors and progressive increase in number of flights will also give a fillip to the domestic tourism sector which will result in overall economic growth of the country.
GOVERNMENT DECIDED TO DIGITIZE CABLE TV NETWORK IN THIRTY EIGHT CITIES

The Union Government of India on 6 November 2012 decided to digitise Cable TV network in thirty eight cities, spread over 15 States, by 31 March 2013 in the second phase of digitisation. Earlier, the digitization was completed in Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata on the 31October 2012, while in Chennai the deadline was extended till the 9 November 2012 by the Madras High Court.
CIVIL AVIATION MINISTRY APPROVED NEW TRAFFIC RIGHTS TO INDIAN CARRIERS

The Civil Aviation Ministry in the first week of November 2012 approved new traffic rights to Indian carriers for the next three seasons to expand international air travel out of the country. The new cities include Rome, Madrid, Barcelona, Sydney, Melbourne, Nairobi, Al Najaf in Iraq, Moscow, Zurich, Macau, Tashkent and Ho Chi Minh City. Air India and its subsidiary Air India Express got their number of weekly flights enhanced. Air India has also got the rights for the first time to fly on sectors like DelhiRome-Madrid/Barcelona, Delhi-Moscow, Delhi-Sydney/Melbourne, Mumbai-Nairobi and Mumbai-Al Najaf. The allocation of flight traffic rights is expected to give a major boost to Indian carriers and spur growth in the civil aviation www.jagranjosh.com
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA ANNOUNCED MINIMUM SUPPORT PRICE FOR COTTON

The Union Government on 2 October 2012 announced a revised Minimum Support Price (MSP) for cotton and this would help in inducing stabilisation in cotton price. Cotton has witnessed a sharp decline in the past and remained operational round about its minimum support price. After the review meet conducted on 2 October 2012, by the Union Textiles Minister, Anand Sharma the revisions were
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done. The decided minimum support price of medium staple cotton has gone up to 3600 rupees per quintal from initial rate of 2800 rupees. Similarly, the MSP for long staple cotton has gone up to 3900 per quintal from 3300 rupees. This rate is fixed for the fiscal year 2012-13.
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RBI EXPANDED THE LENDING NORMS ON PRIORITY SECTORS

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on 18 October 2012 extended the lendings on the Priority sectors like housing, agriculture, small and medium enterprises, and expanded the scope of bank loans for these sectors up to 2 crore Rupees. These amendments would be in effect from 20 July 2012. The decision came after discussions were held with the CMDs/CEOs of selected banks as well as the heads of Priority Sectors of selected banks and based on the same the new guidelines and amendments were made. The banks were permitted by the central bank to offer loans up to an aggregate limit of 2 crore Rupees, to corporate that includes farmers producer companies, cooperatives and partnership firms of famers indulged in agricultural and allied activities including animal husbandry, bee-keeping, dairy, fishery and sericulture. The Priority loan would also be made available for preharvest and post-harvest activities like weeding, spraying, grading, harvesting and sorting. Export Credit loans for exporting ones own farm produce would also be made available. The lending scheme fulfills the criterion mentioned under the MSMED Act-2006. Bank loans to Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) those are engaged in providing services would be eligible for the direct finance of up to 2 crore Rupees per borrower per unit under priority sector. In case the loan amount per borrower
NORTHERN RAILWAYS INTRODUCED PINK COLOURED TATKAL FORMS

The Northern Railways on 18 October 2012 introduced Pink coloured forms for Tatkal reservation. These forms would be made available with a printed warning column at the booking counters itself and would have enough space to fill in the details like names, contact number, address and others. This step of Railways would help in getting away from the menace created by touts and unauthorized ticket agents. If the passenger is caught for buying the tickets from any of these touts or unauthorized agents, he will be responsible for the consequences that may be a fine in form of penalty or imprisonment following the provisions available in the Railway Act 1989. In case address or phone number provided in the ticket is found false, the passenger would be de-boarded from the train on the very next station. Tatkal being a special service offered by the Railways requires special documents to be presented and hence the form would serve to the requirements.
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increases the limit of 2 crore rupees, than it can be considered as the indirect finance for agriculture. Loans under priority sector would also include loans provided to Government agencies for development of dwelling units or slum clearance and rehabilitation up to 10 lakh rupees. This provision also spreads for low income group and the economically weaker sections of the society in form of housing finance, construction and reconstruction, purchase and more up to ceiling. The Central Bank also guided the banks to keep a check on the loans, which are offered for the approved purposes. Thus the banks engaged in issuing loans would have to put forward a fine and channeled internal system and control in this regard. The apex court decision came to ensure that credit needs of people who dont have access to institutional finance.
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The Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh asked the DIAL (Dial International Airport Ltd) and MIAL (Mumbai International Airport Ltd) to submit proposals for stopping the Airport Development Fee, to the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA). Charges paid by domestic fliers in Delhi and Mumbai are 200 rupees and 100 rupees and for international fliers it is 1300 rupees and 600 rupees respectively.
PILOT PROJECTS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF PEOPLE FRIENDLY ROADS APPROVED

C.P. Joshi, the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways on 11 October 2012, approved two pilot projects for development of People Friendly Roads. This project will involve construction of National highways on corridor redevelopment and spot improvement concepts. This will help in reducing the financial burden from the government making it public friendly. The pilot projects in this regard will be experimented at the Hero Honda chowk on the Delhi Gurgaon Expressway for its spot improvement concept and Delhi-Dasna Section of NH-24 will be used for implementation of corridor redevelopment concept. Additional features like premium cluster, higher education cluster, business cluster, Social Economic Zone (SEZ) and specialty cluster will be provided in the corridor redevelopment concept at DelhiDasna section of NH-24. The concept just not focus upon, development of the Highways but also have a prime objective of developing livelihood
CIVIL AVIATION MINISTRY ANNOUNCED OMISSION OF AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT FEE FROM JANUARY 2013
The Civil Aviation Ministry on 16 October 2012 announced to abolish the airport development fee on Delhi and Mumbai Airports, from 1 January 2013. The ministry directed the operators of the two airports to stop levying the charges for Airport Development Fee from the travellers from next year and also asked the Airport Authority of India to infuse equity in form of joint venture firms that operates the two largest airports of the nation.
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spaces and residential complexes, for people whose lands will be acquired.
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WEBSITE FOR SMS ALERTS AND RAIL PASSENGER ENQUIRY LAUNCHED BY RAILWAYS
Indian Railways on 4 October 2012 introduced a brand new website and SMS service to provide real-time details of running trains. To avail the facilities of the website one can log in to www.trainenquiry.com or send an sms via phone by typing SPOT <Space><Train Number> and sending it to 139. The facility in form of website and SMS service is created for providing the passengers information related to the running time and location of different trains. The railways have obtained permission from ISRO in relation to the project and its operation thorough satellite and allocated a sum of Rs 121 crore in making of this project. The website has replaced the previous one named www.simran.in from where the details of running trains location were made available and the mobile number used before for SMS generation was 9415139139. The service of the SIMRAN (satellite imaging for rail navigation) was closed because it was confined to 36 pairs of selected train.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on 24 September 2012 approved a 1.90 lakh crore package on debt restructuring for the state-electricity boards. The taken step will allow the statedistribution companies (DISCOMS) to facilitate their turnaround. The committee met under the leadership of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and gave its nod to the package forcing the red marked distribution companies to start the fresh round of tariff increase. The note of the cabinet states that all this has been done to maintain a balance in between the average cost of supply to that of the average of the revenue released. To avail the package the discoms and the state government will have to keep revising the tariffs on a regular basis.
FOREIGN INVESTMENT CAP HIKED TO 74 PERCENT FOR BROADCASTING SERVICES

The Government of India on 20 September 2012 hiked the foreign investment cap for the broadcasting service providers to 74 percent. The registered hike in foreign investment cap is for service providers of Direct to Home (DTH), modernized cable network and mobile television. This move of the government will allow the global players in acquiring major stakes in the broadcasting companies. Before his decision was passed, the eligibility of DTH and multi-system cable operators to make foreign investment was limited to 49 percent only. In its decision last week, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs cleared its stand on the companies of broadcast
CCEA APPROVED 1.90 CRORE LAKH PACKAGE ON DEBT RESTRUCTURING FOR THE SEBS
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content that the TV news Channels and FM radio channels can have a foreign investment cap of 26 percent. This decision was made to make sure that majority of control remains back in the hands of Indian Partner.
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GAAR REPORT SUBMITTED BY THE SHOME COMMITTEE TO THE FINANCE MINISTRY

The GAAR report was submitted on 1 September 2012 to the finance minister of India by the Shome Committee constituted by the Central Board of Direct Taxes, after the approval of Prime Minister of India. The committee in its report has tried to create a balance in between the investors being invited to the country and protection of the tax base from tax avoidance and evasion, using aggressive tax planning. The committee in its findings has stated that the GAAR guidelines should be introduced in the country at the time of economic stability. Hence, it has recommended the postponement of its implementation by 3 years. Committees recommendation also states about the implementation of the findings with complete spirit and has laid emphasis on transition period of the taxpayers and preparedness of the administrators. To provide clarity on GAARs applicability provisions in different situations 27 illustrations were made and are mentioned under different conditions like
Tax Mitigation- GAAR cant be invoked Tax Avoidance- SAAR is applicable hence GAAR is not invoked Court Approved Amalgamations or demergers Tax Avoidance- GAAR invoked Tax Evasion can directly be dealt of law without invoking the GAAR
The major findings of the GAARs committee to create a balance in between the investors and chances of tax avoidance and evasion includes Tax Evasion, Tax Mitigation and Tax Avoidance Overcharging Principle Applicability of GAAR Monetary Threshold Arms Length Test Test to Misuse or Abuse the Provisions of Act Factors for determination of Commercial Substance Grandfathering of existing Investments GAAR will not override the CBDT circular 789 of 2000 with respect to the tax-treaty in between India and Mauritius GAAR will not be applicable at places where so ever anti-avoidance provisions are in existence in the treaty of tax and any type of antiavoidance rule exists in the Act Impermissible Avoidance arrangements Tax abolition in cases of gains that rises out by the transfer of listed securities Foreign Institutional Investors
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Corresponding adjustments Implementation of the Onus on the revenue authority Tax Withholding Definition of the term Connected Person Constitution of approval panel Time limit for GAAR provisions AAR to pass ruling within 6 months Prescription of Statutory forms Implementation issue Reporting requirements
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portion of deposits that the banks are supposed to keep with the central bank (RBI), these deposits doesnt earn any interest the depositing bank. Repo Rate is a rate at which the central bank offer funds to the borrowing banks, whereas the reverse repo rate is the rate of parking the funds available by the banks with the central bank. The Wholesale Price Index (WPI) have been moving around 7.5 percent across the financial year, without much changes and so is the condition of Consumer Price Index (CPI) that has been rotating around 10 percent in spite of price hike in food items. Wholesale Price Index (WPI) means the price fixed as a representative for a wholesale grain. In India, WPI is used for monitoring inflation. Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a statistical estimate that helps in measurement of price change of services and consumer goods purchased by the households.
CASH RESERVE RATIO SLASHED TO INJECT RS 17000 CRORE, REPO RATES REMAINED UNCHANGED
Reserve Bank of India on 18 September 2012 injected a liquidity of around Rs 17000 crore by slashing down the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) by 25 basis points to 4.50 percent from 4.75 percent. The indicative policy rates were remained at its original level. The repo rate, state-term policy rate and reverse repo rate remained unchanged with 8 and 7 percent respectively. The RBI stated following its mid-term review of the monetary policy that with increased risks of growth and inflation. In the situation, where there is a persistent inflammatory pressure of fiscal and current deficits constraints, there exists a need of a stronger policy targeting growth risks. The monetary policies are of great use in reviving the growth rate as per the expectations of the market. The Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) will come into effect from 22 September 2012. So far in 2012, RBI has slashed the CRR by 150 basis points. Cash Reserve Ratio, basically is a www.jagranjosh.com
SHIMLA MUNICIPAL CORPORATION INTRODUCED GREEN TAX ON VEHICLES ENTERING SHIMLA

Shimla Municipal Corporation on 15 September 2012 introduced Green Tax on Shimla entry of vehicles not registered in Himachal Pradesh. The Corporation Commissioner M.P. Sood stated that the vehicles crossing the entry points of the town will have to pay the imposed tax. The tax will be imposed on automobiles on both commercial and non-commercial category.
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By imposing the tax, the corporation will increase its revenue by Rs 6 crore per year. The taxes will be charged on the four entry points of the city namely, Totu, Tara Devi, Dhalli and Mahali.
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The Union Cabinet on 14 September 2012 cleared the proposal of foreign direct investment (FDI) for 51 percent in the multi-brand retail chains and 49 percent in Aviation power exchanges industry. Passing of the proposal have cleared the floor for welcoming the multi-brand retail chains like Wall mart and Tesco and Carrefour in the country for setting up of their shops and retail outlets. Similarly, the 49 percent of FDI allowed in aviation and Power exchanges will bring in funds for the domestic carriers on a verge of death and will help in enhancement of power availability and distribution management, respectively. Conditions put forward for investors in the proposal for the multi-brand retails 1. The proposal makes a clear stand that investors looking ahead for investments will have to take the permission in form of approvals from the Foreign Investment Promotion Board 2. Investment of minimum $100 million is a must for any foreign investor planning to invest in India, out of which 50% of the investment should be made in creation of backend infrastructure. Back-end investment means investments that is made in quality control, warehouse creation, cold storage, design improvement, manufacturing, processing and packaging 3. The investors will have to get 30% of the production of their total products by the small-scale industries 4. The proposal also clears that the agricultural produce like pulses,
Tax imposed as per the category of vehicles 1. Twowheelers-Rs100perentry 2. Car-Rs200perentry 3. UtilityVehicles-Rs300perentry 4. Bus/truck- Rs 500 per entry
IRCTC INTRODUCED INTERBANK MOBILE PAYMENT SYSTEM

The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited introduced the Interbank Mobile Payment System (IMPS) for making the payment of the bookings via mobile phones. On use of IMPS system, the user will be charged with Rs 5 for transactions of up to Rs 5000 and Rs 10 for transactions more than that. The facility of booking via IMPS will be available to those with their phone number registered in the respective bank accounts as the M-Pin and the MMID (Mobile money identifier) will be required for furnishing the details required. This facility will ensure smooth and functioning of the booking criteria via SMSs.
PROPOSAL FOR 51 PERCENT FDI IN MULTI-BRAND RETAIL AND 49 PERCENT IN AVIATION PASSED
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flowers, fruits, vegetables, poultry item, fishery, meat and others can be unbranded 5. Investors can invest in the 51 cities with a minimum population of 10 lakh people as per the census presented in the year 2011 What does it mean for different economic sections of India 1. Economy: Help in reversal of the economic slowdown, attract the investment of billions of dollars from foreign market and spin jobs to a greater extent 2. Kirana Stores: Will lower down the selling price, because they will purchase the supplies from deep down retailers 3. Retailers: Can sell their equity up to 51% to the global leaders 4. Farmers: They can sell their produce directly at higher prices and the presence of middle man will end 5. States: Decision to allow the retail giants or prohibit lies in the hands of states 6. Common Man: A chance to gain big discount with many options to shop 7. UPA government: Got a chance to wash away the blames of policy paralysis
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debt in the end of March 2012 was $345.8 billion, which is 13% high than the previous years debt or $ 39.9 billion from where India stood at the end of March 2011. The publication points out about the upward movement of the stress that is put on the current account deficit (CAD) of the nation because of the risks thrown on it, from the external sectors that comprises Fall in the reserve cover for imports and external debt, depreciation in the exchange rate of rupee, rise in the level of external debts and the increased share of the short term commercial borrowing in the complete external debt quantum. Know about Cauvery River Water Dispute The dispute is related to the sharing of water of Cauvery River in between the two states Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and the place of origin to this dispute goes back to the two controversial agreements signed in 1892 and 1924 between the two states, and that two at the time when the two were the parts of the Princely State of Mysore and erstwhile Madras Presidency.
REPORT: INDIAN EXTERNAL DEBTS ARE WITHIN MANAGEABLE LIMITS

The Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) published its annual publication- Indias external debt: a status report 2011-12. As per the published report, Indias external www.jagranjosh.com
GOVERNMENT APPROVED 14000 CRORE RUPEES FUND TO SPUR PRODUCTION OF HYBRID AND ELECTRICAL VEHICLE
The government of India on 29 August 2012 approved a 14000 crore rupees fund to spur the production of hybrid and electrical vehicles in the country. According to a new policy approved, Automobile companies and the government plan to put six million electric vehicles on road by 2020. The
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government under the new policy will fund research and development, infrastructure and subsidies. With an aim at reducing the burden on fossil fuels, the Union government in national budget 2011 had proposed a plan to develop electric and hybrid vehicles. Later, the government set up a National Council for Electric Mobility led by heavy industries minister Praful Patel, and a National Board for Electric Mobility to ensure uniform rules in all the states. According to an estimate about 130000 electric vehicles were sold in India in 201112. Electric scooters cost between 26000 rupees and 43000 rupees in Indian market, while countrys only indigenously built electric car Reva starts at 3.5 lakh rupees. Japan-based Nissan Motor Co. Ltds electric car, Leaf, is the largest-selling car in the world that runs on battery. It costs 33000 dollar (around 18 lakh rupees) in the US and its battery cost is at least half the cars price. The government has long been contemplating a policy to reduce its dependence on oil which makes up a substantial part of Indias huge import basket. The hybrid and electric vehicles have emerged as a better alternative of traditional oil-based vehicles over the years.
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SEBI move is aimed at retaining domestic liquidity besides; it is also expected to attract foreign entities to enroll their IDRs on India stock exchanges. In another circular released by the RBI, the central bank put an overall cap of 5 billion dollar for raising of capital through IDRs by foreign companies in Indian markets. The RBI measure will help Indian investors to convert their depository receipts into equity shares of the issuer company and vice versa.
RESERVE BANK OF INDIA (RBI) TRANSFERRED A SURPLUS OF RS 16010 CRORE TO THE UNION GOVERNMENT
The Reserve Bank of India in its annual report released on 23 August 2012 mentioned that it transferred a surplus of Rs 16010 crore to the union government during 2011-12 which is 6.7% more than Rs 15,009 crore transferred in 2010-11.The central banks gross income increased by 43.4% to Rs 53176 crore in 2011-12. Its expenditure however rose by 17.1% to Rs 10137 core. After transfers to the contingency reserve, the asset development reserve and the four statutory funds, Rs 16010 crore was allocated for transfer to the centre. The Reserve Bank recorded a sharp rise in its income from domestic resources as it aggressively bought bonds through its open market operations. However, the lower interest rates in the advanced markets led to a dip in income from foreign currency assets for the third consecutive year.
SEBI ALLOWED PARTIAL FLEXIBILITY IN IDRS FOR INVESTORS

Indias market regulator Security and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on 28 August 2012 allowed partial flexibility in the conversion of Indian Depository Receipts (IDRs) into equity shares by investors. The www.jagranjosh.com
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PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE (PAC) CALLED FOR DETERRENT PENAL PROVISIONS AGAINST UNITS IN SEZS
Parliament's Public Accounts Committee on 23 August 2012 decided to bring the three latest CAG reports on coal allocations, GMR-run Delhi airport and Reliance Power, onto its agenda for the year 2012. The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in its meeting on 23 August 2012 called for deterrent penal provisions against units in Special Economic Zones which default duty payments to the exchequer. PAC in a report adopted in the meeting recommended an oversight mechanism which would ensure no misuse of the SEZ policy. The PAC panel based its findings on a sample of 22 SEZ units. The panel found that out of an overall export of 7149.23 crore rupees made by 22 SEZ units, the actual export content was only 1999.27 crore rupees (28%) and the remaining 5149.96 crores rupees (72%) related to Domestic Tariff Area earnings. Panel Findings & Recommendations The report stated that low figures of actual physical export of goods were typical of most SEZ units. The aim of SEZ Act was to boost exports and earning of foreign exchange by giving these units certain duty waivers and incentives. PAC however observed that there is no mandatory requirement of undertaking exports in the SEZ legislation. Since the units located in SEZs enjoy tax benefits and are expected to www.jagranjosh.com
fuel economic growth, PAC recommended revisiting the scheme. The committee recommended that all SEZs undertake physical export of at least 51% of their product, and even import tax waivers raw material for goods falling under the Domestic Tariff Area (DTA) is to be considered on the credit account of the SEZ firms. It was noted that SEZ units could sell their goods, including by products, and services in DTA on payment of applicable duty including at nil rate with no requirement to payback the duty foregone on inputs used in the clearance of products. This policy will put SEZ units at a distinctly advantageous position compared to similar units in the DTA.
INDIA EASED EXTERNAL OVERSEAS BORROWING RULES TO ENABLE EASIER ACCESS TO CHEAP DOLLAR FUNDS
The high-level committee on external commercial borrowings (ECB),chaired by secretary, department of economic affairs Arvind Mayaram on 22 August 2012 decided to further liberalise the foreign borrowing norms. India eased overseas borrowing rules to enable easier access to cheap dollar funds to housing finance companies such as HDFC, small industry financier SIDBI. It was decided to permit non-resident entities to provide rating enhancement facility to Indian borrower. Indias measure to ease overseas borrowing is expected to boost capital inflows by permitting lower rated
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companies to raise dollar funds. Even a company with low credit rating will be able to raise foreign funds using credit enhancement facility that states that third party is to assure the lender that he will be compensated if the borrower defaulted. The government permitted foreign entities to provide credit enhancement to rupee bonds of Indian companies which will improve their appeal to investors. The minimum maturity period of such rupee bonds was reduced from seven years to three years. Manufacturing sector too now will enjoy access to cheap dollar funds and they will be thus able to revive investments plans stuck on account of high costs. Earlier, only infrastructure and infrastructure finance companies could issue rupee-denominated bonds with guarantees from multilateral or regional financial institutions. The decision taken by the high-level committee on 22 August 2012 includes Foreign institutional investors were permitted to invest in these bonds upto US$5 billion within the overall corporate bond limit of US$45 billion. The minimum maturity period for rupee bonds was reduced to three years Credit enhancement to provide an enabling mechanism for Indian companies to raise foreign debt Costly credit observed to be one of the key issue impeding investments. The panel also decided to increase the maturity of such buyers credit to maximum five years thereby allowing companies flexibility in payment. Extending refinance facility to SPVs will ease debt financing for infra projects. www.jagranjosh.com
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Advantages for Lower-rated Companies The guarantee for domestic companies from offshore entities effectively lifts the credit ratings of the bonds thereby benefitting lower-rated borrowers. Indian companies have always been constrained in their funding options due to high domestic interest rates and difficulties in tapping markets overseas. The actions targeting credit guarantees will benefit sectors such as telecoms and energy, where foreign companies often operate via Indian units, but whose domestic borrowing get constrained, if they had lower ratings than their parent companies. Infrastructure and manufacturing companies can re-finance a higher proportion of their rupee borrowings via cheaper overseas debt. These infrastructure and manufacturing companies can now tap overseas loans up to 75% of their average forex earnings over the previous three financial years from 50% previously.
UNION FINANCE MINISTRY APPROVED 49 PERCENT FDI IN INSURANCE AND PENSION SECTOR
In a move aimed at encouraging investment sentiment in the country, the Union Finance Ministry on 22 August 2012 approved 49 percent foreign direct investment in insurance and pension sector. Earlier the permitted level of FDI in the insurance and pension sector was 26 percent. The proposal for 49 percent FDI in insurance and pension sector was made during Pranab Mukherjees tenure at the

finance minister office. However, the decision on the same was delayed because of resistance from the cronies.
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AIR INDIA LOSSES PEGGED AT 28046 CRORE RUPEES

Despite all the efforts made by the government to revive ailing Air India, the losses of the company have been constantly mounting. Since the five-year-old merger of Air India with Indian Airlines the collective losses of the company from 2007-08 to 2011-12 pegged at 28046 crore rupees. The data holds great significance as it was revealed by none other than the Union Aviation Ministry itself in the Parliament. The company had registered 2226 crore rupees loss in 2007-08. In year 2008-09 the figure shot up to 5548 crore rupees. The loss figure kept rising as in 2009-10, 201011 and 2011-12 it stood at 5552 crore rupees, 6865 crore rupees and 7854 crore rupees. Air India and Indian Airlines were merged in 2007 and subsequently a new entity National Aviation Company was formed. The merger which was aimed at reducing the financial losses and improve the quality of service of both the carriers did not work out rather it created more trouble for the already ailing companies. With the merger several new administrative and managerial issues surface which were not taken into account while government was contemplating merger. Instead of the loss figure coming down it climbed up significantly over the past five years making all the government attempts to revive the airline futile.
RBI STIPULATED THE NORMS FOR SECURITISATION OF LOANS BY NBFCS

Extending the guidelines of securitisation of loan from banks to non-banking finance companies (NBFC), Indias Central Bank Reserve Bank of India on 21 August 2012 tightened the securitisation norms for NBFCs. The RBI instructed that a nonbanking finance company will have to retain at least 5 per cent of the loan being sold to another entity. The RBI in its revised guidelines also stipulated that NBFC cannot sell or securitise a loan unless three monthly installments have been paid by the borrower. The latest directives from the RBI are aimed at checking unhealthy practices and distributing risk to a wide spectrum of investors. These guidelines are to be implemented by NBFCs in two phases by the end of October 2012. Earlier, the RBI had issued similar guidelines with regards to securitisation of loans by banks.
INDIA'S MARINE EXPORTS TO GROW BY OVER 28% TO USD 4.5 BILLION IN 2012-13 FISCAL
According to the data provided by the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) in August 2012, India's marine exports are likely to grow by over 28 per cent year-on-year to USD 4.5 billion in 2012-13 fiscal. The growth is expected to rise as a result of the increase in demand in western markets like the US and Europe.
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During 2011-12, seafood exports had stood at USD 3.5 billion. The US and the Europe together account for over 45 per cent of the country's total seafood exports. The increase in demand, mainly for Litopenaeus Vannamei shrimp and Black Tiger shrimp, in the US and European markets are likely to raise the Indias marine exports by over 28 per cent. Litopenaeus Vannamei shrimp and Black Tiger shrimp are favourite seafood items in countries like Europe, American, Japan and China.
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Funds established or incorporated in India for the purpose of pooling in of capital from Indian and foreign investors for investing would have to follow a pre-decided policy. SEBI decided to allow promoters of listed companies can offload 10 per cent of equity to AIFs such as such as SME Funds, Infrastructure Funds, PE funds and Venture Capital Funds registered with the market regulator to attain minimum 25 per cent public holding. AIFs, as per SEBI guidelines can operate broadly in three categories and it is mandatory for them to get registered with the regulator. The SEBI rules apply to all AIFs, including those operating as private equity funds, real estate funds and hedge funds, among others. AIF Categories The Category I AIFs are those where funds stand a chance of getting certain incentives or concessions from the government, SEBI or other regulators in India and include Social Venture Funds, Infrastructure Funds, Venture Capital Funds and SME Funds. The Category II AIFs are those funds which can invest anywhere in any combination but are prohibited from raising debt, except for meeting their day-to-day operational requirements. These AIFs include PE funds, debt funds or fund of funds, as also all others falling outside the ambit of Category I and Category III. The Category III AIFs are those trading with an objective to make short term returns and include hedge funds, among others.
REGULATOR SEBI PERMITTED SEVEN ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT FUNDS (AIFS) TO START OPERATION IN INDIA
Market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) in August 2012 permitted seven Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) to start operation in India under a newly formulated route that enable pooling of funds for investments in areas such as real estate, private equity and hedge funds. Six AIFs registered with the regulator in August 2012, while one was granted registration back on 23 July 2012. SEBI had published its guidelines with regard to AIF in May 2012. The seven AIFs that registered with SEBI include IFCI Syncamore India Infrastructure Fund, Utthishta Yekum Fund, Indiaquotient Investment Trust, Forefront Alternate Investment Trust, Excedo Realty Fund, Sabre Partners Trust and KKR India Alternate Credit Opportunities Fund.
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CAG PEGGED PUBLIC EXCHEQUERS LOSS AT 1.86 LAKH CRORE IN COAL BLOCKS ALLOCATION SCAM
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India in its incisive audit report noted that Indias exchequer suffered a massive loss of 1.86 lakh crore due to the distribution of coal blocks without bidding. The CAG report was tabled in the parliament on 17 August 2012. The CAG in its report stated that 57 coal blocks that were allocated to private companies during 2004-2009, extended them a windfall gain of 1.86 lakh crore rupees. The CAG report has also brought Prime Minister Manmohan Singh under scrutiny as he was holding the charge of Coal Ministry from 2006 to 2009. Besides, the CAG report also raised serious allegations against the PMO which delayed the fair bidding process for coal blocks despite the clearance from Law and Justice Ministry. Tata Group, Reliance Power, Jindal Power and Steel, Abhijit Group, Bhushan Group, Electro Steel, OP Jindal Group were some of the major beneficiaries of the coal blocks distribution. The government has distributed about 150 coal blocks over the past eight years. During this period Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Shibu Soren and Prakash Jaiswal has been at the helm of the Coal Ministry. The 1.86 lakh rupees scam is the biggest in the history of India as it surpassed the 1.7 lakh crore 2G spectrum scam.
INTER-MINISTERIAL GROUP RECOMMENDED LINKING PATENTED DRUG PRICES TO PER-CAPITA INCOME

An inter-ministerial group formed in 2007 and entrusted with the responsibility of regulating prices of patented medicines recommended using a per capita incomelinked reference pricing mechanism. The proposal by the group is expected to reduce prices of several patented dugs by up to one-third. However it will hit the profitability of foreign companies. The committee suggested fixing the price of patented drugs by comparing the price at which these drugs are procured by governments in the UK, Canada, France, Australia and New Zealand. The committee recommended that the retail price is to be fixed by adjusting it to the per capita income of the country. The new mechanism is to be applicable for patented drugs that dont have any therapeutic equivalents in the market. For patented drugs that have similar alternatives in the market, the price is to be fixed in such a manner that it should not lead to an overall increase in the treatment cost. If the global launch of the patented drug takes place in India, the retail price will have to be based on the cost of developing the drugs and other factors. Prices of patented drugs are currently unregulated. Patented drugs account for 1% of the $13billion domestic market. This share is expected to grow to 5% of the estimated $50-60 billion drug market by 2020. The Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance, the representative body of big Indian drug
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makers, supported the reference-based system. The Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI), the lobby body of multinationals however stated that the cross-country per capita income-linked proposal is fundamentally flawed. The Indian government is of the opinion that if patented drugs are not regulated, these would remain unaffordable for most Indians. A WHO study stated that as many as 79% of Indian patients pay for their healthcare expenditure from their own pockets. However it must also be noted that if the government fixes the prices of these drugs at excessively low levels, companies may stop selling drugs in the market. Historical Backdrop India had adopted a new product patent regime in 2005 after it became a signatory to TRIPS, an international intellectual property protection agreement, providing 20 years of marketing exclusivity to the patent holder. Global innovator companies such as GSK, Bayer AG, Novartis, Merck & Co and Bristol Myers Squibb who started launching their drugs in India continue to remain jittery about the governments policies aimed at reducing healthcare costs. They complain that Indias implementation of intellectual property rights has been unsatisfactory.
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National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) become the worlds largest bourse in terms of the number of trades in equity segment for the first six months of 2012. A total of 735474 trades took place in the equity segment of NSE in the January-June period of 2012, making it the worlds largest exchange on this parameter. NSE was followed by NYSE Euronext and Nasdaq OMX at the second and the third positions. Industry experts attributed the recent position of NSE acquired by the bourse to growing investor base, use of latest technology and new products. NSE's platform is connected to two lakh trading terminals in more than 2000 towns and cities across the country. NSE is the second largest exchange globally after Korea Exchange for index options. Eurex was the third largest exchange worldwide in terms of total number of index options traded during the first six months of 2012. BSE recorded a total of 187824 trades during this period in its equity segment. The total number of listed companies is much larger in case of the BSE, the exchange however lags behind NSE significantly in terms of volume and value of trades. The latest data published by WFE indicated that investors from tier-three cities contributed more than 45 per cent of total cash market retail turnover in the financial year 2011- 12. The tier-three cities account for more than half of the total retail investor base on NSE platform.
INDIAS NSE BECAME T HE WORLDS LARGEST BOUR SE IN EQUITY SEGMENT AS PER WFES GLOBAL RANKING
As per the latest global ranking compiled and published by the World Federation of Exchanges (WFE) in August 2012, the
UNION CABINET SETS BASE PRICE FOR AUCTION OF 2G
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SPECTRUM AT 14000 CRORE RUPEES

The Union Cabinet on 4 August 2012 approved the reserve price for auction of 2G spectrum as well as spectrum usage charges (SUC). The Cabinet set the reserve price of 14000 crore rupees for the 5 megahertz pan-India spectrum in the 1800 megahertz band. The price is 22 percent lower than the telecom regulator's suggestion. An auctioneer will be soon appointed to conduct a fresh auction. The Cabinet also endorsed the EGoM's recommendation that the reserve price for the 800 megahertz band, which is used by CDMA operators, be fixed at 1.3 times the price for 1800 megahertz band. Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) had recommended the base price at 18000 crore rupees, which drew a heavy criticism from telecom companies, who argued that the base price suggested by TRAI is irrational. The fresh auction of 2G spectrum was necessitated after the Supreme Court scrapped 122 telecom licenses on 2 February 2012 as it found the process of spectrum allocation cramped with flaws.
financial company-micro finance institutions (NBFC-MFIs) would have to seek registration with immediate effect, not later than 31 October 2012. The central bank also mentioned that the NBFCs have to maintain net-owned funds (NOF) at Rs 3 crore by 31 March 2013, and at Rs.5 crore by 31 March 31 2014. If the NBFCs fail maintain the NOF they will have to ensure that lending to the micro finance sector, that is, individuals, SHGs or JLGs, which qualify for loans from MFIs to be restricted to 10 per cent of the total assets.
RBI SIGNED MOU WITH FINANCIAL REGULATORS OF 9 COUNTRIES TO PROMOTE SHARING OF INFORMATION
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) signed three memoranda of understanding with Jersey Financial Services Commission (JFSC), Financial Services Authority of UK and Financial Supervisory Authority of Norway. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with regulators of other countries to promote greater co-operation and sharing of supervisory information between the regulators. RBI signed nine MoUs thus far with financial regulators of different countries. The MoU with the Jersey Financial Services authority was signed on 16 July 2012. Jersey Financial Services Commission (JFSC) is an independent statutory body. The main function of JFC is the regulation, licensing and supervision of financial services providers for compliance with prudential norms and conduct of business requirements in Jersey.
RBI DIRECTED NBFCS TO MAINTAIN NET-OWNED FUNDS (NOF) AT RS 3 CRORE BY 31 MARCH 2013
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in a notification issued on 3 August 2012 stated that all registered non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) which who intend to convert themselves into non-banking www.jagranjosh.com
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The MOU with the Financial Services Authority (FSA), UK was signed on 17 July 2012 at FSA, UK Headquarters, London. The FSA is the United Kingdoms principal national financial services and markets regulator and administers the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000(FSMA) that provides for the supervision of firms, financial services and financial products as well the financial markets. The MoU with the Financial Supervisory Authority of Norway (Finanstilsynet) was signed on 19 July 2012 at FSA, Norway headquarters. Finanstilsynet as the supervisory authority is entrusted with supervision of banks (insurance companies and investment firms, etc.) in Norway as per the Financial Supervision Act of 1956.
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CHAPTER 8: PERSONALITIES
CHIEF JUSTICE OF INDIA S.H. KAPADIA RETIRED
The Chief Justice of India Sarosh Homi Kapadia, retired on 28 September 2012 from the post after serving the Supreme Court for two and a half years. Justice Kapadia, who turned up to be 65 years in age sworn in as the thirty-eighth CJI and served the Supreme Court from 12 May 2010 and retired, on 28 September 2012. While holding the office as a judge for a period of 22 years, Justice Kapadia never took a leave. After his retirement, Justice Altamas Kabir took over the job as the Chief Justice of India from 29 September 2012. The Chief Justice of India sworn-in to the post by the name of God by the president of India. His appointment to the position is mentioned in article 124 of the Indian Constitution. The chief Justice of India also acts as the acting President of the nation in case the office of the President falls vacant due to any reason like his death, resignation or removal via impeachment and the VicePresident is not available to take on the charge of the acting president.
Singh and a joint secretary of external affairs ministry, has replaced Navtej Sarna, the former ministry spokesperson.
FORMER NAVY CHIEF NIRMAL VERMA APPOINTED AS INDIAN ENVOY TO CANADA

Nirmal Verma, the former navy chief on 27 September 2012 was appointed as Indias high commissioner to Canada. His appointment to the post happened on the recommendation of the PMO to the president, who cleared his name for the vacancy. Admiral Verma, will soon leave for Ottawa to join the office because Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harpers visit is scheduled to India in the near future.
QUEEN ELIZABETH BECAME FIRST PEACETIME BRITISH RULER TO ATTEND CABINET MEETING
On 18 December 2012, Queen Elizabeth became first peacetime British ruler ever since 1781, who attended the cabinet meeting. Though she did not take part in any deliberations, but she participated in the cabinet meeting as an observer and a listener. Queen Elizabeth remained seated on the chair which is usually occupied by the prime minister. Historians believed that Queen Elizabeth became the first monarch in the history to attend any cabinet meeting, after George III did that. Factually, George I had abandoned joining the cabinet in 1717. Nevertheless, Queen Elizabeths father George VI had
JAIDEEP SARKAR APPOINTED AS THE NEW ENVOY TO ISRAEL

Jaideep Sarkar on 27 September 2012 was appointed as the new Indian Ambassador to Israel. The IITian and diplomat, is a private secretary to Prime Minister Manmohan www.jagranjosh.com
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attended the cabinet meeting during World War II. The first agenda of the meeting was about law amendment on the succession to royal chair. The agenda was basically allowing the first born girl to be head of the state, even if she had younger brother. Though Queen Elizabeth had attended the cabinet meeting, but academics were of different viewpoints on whether Queen should have attended the meeting or not. At present, Britain has a tradition of monarch allowing a weekly audience to PM in order to receive private as well as confidential briefing. But actually, the Queen just rubber stamps the ministerial decisions, maybe sometimes in presence of the Privy Council.
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map on those areas which are controlled as well as claimed by them on the passports. China as well as India were working over to explore the positive signal in order to rise above the criticism that both these nations have already had 15 rounds of negotiations over border but all in vain without any significant improvements. In the meanwhile, the passport row by China has vitiated this situation. The visit by Menon is very important, especially because China is preparing itself for change of guard with the premier as well as president being replaced in March 2013.
MENON FIRST TOP RANKING INDIAN OFFICIAL TO VISIT CHINA AFTER CHANGES IN COMMUNIST PARTY OF CHINA
Shiv Shankar Menon, the national security advisor as well as negotiator in the border talks with China paid the visit here on 2 December 2012. This was the first visit by any top ranking Indian official post changes announcement in Communist Party of China. Menon would meet the next premier of China- Li Keqiang. China might look for diplomatic indicator from the Indian official suggesting that India would not join its forces with Philippines and Vietnam in the passport row which is started by China. Three countries protested against China when it embossed Chinas
BOARD MEMBERS OF TATA SONS CONFERRED THE TITLE OF CHAIRMAN EMERITUS ON RATAN TATA
Ratan Tata, the outgoing Chairman of Tata Group was conferred with the honorary title of Chairman Emeritus- by the board of Tata Sons, the holding company of the 100 billion dollar Tata Group on 18 December 2012. Ratan Tata will retire from his office on 28 December 2012 and Cyrus Mistry would be taking over the chair of the group after him on the same day. Ratan Tata as an honorary chairman will not attend any of the board meetings of Tata Group and would also not have any responsibility towards the company. JRD Tata was conferred with this title honour before Ratan Tata by the Tata Sons. Ratan Tata would continue to be the Chairman of Tata group trusts, Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and Sir Ratan Tata Trust, which together have 66 per cent stake in Tata Sons.
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CYRUS PALLONJI MISTRY APPOINTED AS CHAIRMAN OF TATA SONS

Cyrus Pallonji Mistry was appointed as the chairman of Tata Sons, the firm that holds more than 100 billion dollar Tata Group, on 18 December 2012. Cyrus Pallonji Mistry would take on the role of chairman of Tata Sons with effect from 28 December 2012, after Rata Tata retires as the current Chairman of the company. Ratan Tata who will also celebrate his 75th birthday on 28 December 2012 was conferred the honorary title of chairman emeritus. Tata Sons Board gave the title to Ratan Tata. About Cyrus Pallonji Mistry Cyrus Pallonji Mistry, 43, is billionaire Pallonji Shapoorji Mistrys son. Cyrus Mistry has already remained the director of Tata Sons since 2006. He was appointed as the deputy chairman of Tata Sons in November 2011. Pallonji Mistry, along with the sons, Cyrus Mistry and Shapoor Mistry are the owners of 18.5 percent stake in the company. This makes the Mistrys the largest shareholders on individual basis of this company. Earlier in December 2012, Cyrus Mistry was also appointed as chairman of Tata Motors. He would commence playing his role from 28 December 2012. He was also appointed as chairman of two other Tata companies- Tata Chemicals and Tata Steel.
In November 2012, Ratan Tata also bowed out from Tata Global Beverages as the chairman, which paved way for Mistry.
INDUSTRY LEADER DEEPAK PAREKH NOMINATED TO COMPETITION COMMISSION OF INDIA

The Union government of India on 31 August 2012 nominated industry leader Deepak Parekh to Competition Commissions Eminent Persons Advisory Group (EPAG). The group advises the antitrust regulator on good global practices and other issues. The group was constituted in a way that CCI could avail from the advice of eminent persons representing a wide arena from the Corporate Sector. Along with HDFC Chairman Deepak Parekh, eminent authors Gurcharan Das and Rama Bijapurkar were also nominated as members of the EPAG of the Commission. Others on the ten-member panel comprises former, Biocon CMD Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, CAG V N Kaul, NGO activist Rohini Nilekani and former RBI Deputy Governor Rakesh Mohan.
KESHUB MAHINDRA STEPPED DOWN AS THE CHAIRMAN OF MAHINDRA & MAHINDRA

Keshub Mahindra stepped down as the Chairman of 15.4 billion dollar business conglomerate Mahindra & Mahindra on 8 August 2012. His nephew and ViceChairman and Managing Director of the company Anand Mahindra elevated to the position of Chairman, the position Keshub held for nearly 48 years. He would,
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however, continue to be Chairman Emeritus of the group. During the 48 years of his chairmanship, the Mahindra Group made its presence felt in various sectors including automobile, IT, real estate, financial services and hospitality. He was instrumental in establishing business ties with global business giants like Willys Corporation, Mitsubishi, International Harvester, United Technologies, British Telecom and many others. The founder Chairman of HUDCO, he served on many corporate boards, including SAIL, Tata Steel, Tata Chemicals, Indian Hotels, IFC, ICICI and HDFC. He also held the position of President of Employers' Federation of India and the Bombay Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He was a member of the Sachar Commission on Company Law and Reforms.
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It is the second time Barack Obama is being accorded with this honour. He had also received the honour in 2008, when he was first elected as president. Obama had won re-election despite a higher unemployment rate than anybody's had to face in basically in 70 years. He's the first Democrat to actually win two consecutive terms with over 50 percent of the vote.
LESLIE CLAUDIUS THE LEGENDARY HOCKEY PLAYER FROM INDIA DIED

The legendary hockey player Leslie Claudius, Indias triple Olympic Gold Medallist died after a prolonged illness on 20 December 2012. Cirrhosis of the liver became the region of his death and is now survived by a wife and three sons. Leslie Claudius Claudius was a legendary Hockey player from the Indian side, who won three Olympic Gold Medals in the year 1948 London Olympics, 1952 Helsinki Olympics and 1956 Melbourne Olympics. He also won a silver medal at 1960 Rome Olympics. Udham Singh along with him is the only two Indians who share a tally of 4 Olympic Medals in the history of Hockey. The 85 year old was a part of legendary trio of the Indian Hockey team and shared the berth with Dhyan Chand and Roop Singh. During the Bangkok Asian Games of 1978, Claudius was appointed as the manager for the Indian Team. Claudius was the First Indian Hockey Player to play more than 100 games for the country.
US PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA NAMED PERSON OF THE YEAR 2012 BY TIME MAGAZINE
US President Barack Obama was named TIME's Person of the Year for 2012, because of his historic win over the reelection in November 2012, which is being considered as symbol of the nation's changing demographics amid the backdrop of high unemployment and other challenges. His name was announced by TIME editor Rick Stengel on NBC's Today program on 19 December 2012.
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Jeet Thayil along with 23 Others Chosen as Sahitya Akademi Award Winners Jeet Thayil - nominated to Booker Prize 2012, Subrata Mukhopadhyay - the Bengali novelist, K Satchidanandan - the Malayalam poet and HS Shivaprakash - the noted Kannada writer are among the 24 authors, who were chosen for the Prestigious Sahitya Akademi Awards 2012 on 20 December 2012 by the Sahitya Akademi Indias National Academy for Letters. Six short stories, twelve books of poetry, four novels along with an autobiography and criticism have been chosen for being awarded. The works were chosen after the recommendation of the Jury members who represented from 24 Indian languages and then the Executive Board of the Akademi approved the selected candidates for the award to be presented this year. The nominations were done in the chairmanship of Dr. Vishwanath Prasad Tiwari, who also is the acting President of the Sahitya Akademi. Sahitya Akademi Award Sahitya Akademi Award the literary honour in India is annually conferred to the writers for their outstanding works in the field of literature by Sahitya Akademi, the National Academy of Letters in India. The award is conferred for the works done in 24 major languages of India including English as quoted in Sahitya Akademi. The Sahitya Akademi Award had been into existence since the year of its inception in 1954 and was conferred for the first time for meritorious literature published in India in the year 1955. Since day of inception the prize amount of the Sahitya Akademi has been changed constantly and it followed
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like 5000 rupees since inception which was enhanced to 10000 rupees from 1983, 25000 rupees from 1988, 40000 from 2001 rupees, 50000 rupees from 2003 and is now 100000 rupees from 2009 Languages included in Indian Constitution As per the eighth schedule of Indian Constitution 22 languages are recognized by the Indian Constitution and they are Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Manipuri, Malayalam, Konkani, Marathi, Nepali, Oriya, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Sindhi, Tamil, Telegu, Urdu, Santhali, Bodo, Maithili and Dogri. Sindhi was added in 1967 by 21 Amendment. Konkani, Manipuri and Nepali were added in 1992 by 71 Amendment Santhali, Maithili, Bodo and Dogri were added in 2003 by 92 Amendment.
ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER MARIO MONTI RESIGNED AHEAD OF ELECTIONS

Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti on 21 December 2012 resigned after 13 months in office with handing over his resignation to President Giorgio Napolitano after parliament gave final approval to the 2013 budget law. With the resignation of Mario Monti the President is expected to call early national elections within 70 days of the parliament dissolution, possibly on 24 February 2013. 69-year-old Mario Monti is an economist and former European commissioner and was appointed by the President Napolitano to fill former premier Silvio Berlusconi's place after he resigned in 2011 under
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pressure for failing to control Italy's debt and a series of scandals. Monti's term was originally set to expire in mid-2013, but his earlier departure is expected to bring elections forward. Former Prime Minister Berlusconi had announced that he intends to run for re-election in the New Year.
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Ministers and nine Ministers of State also took oath.
DELHI GANGRAPE VICTIM PASSED AWAY AT MOUNT ELIZABETH HOSPITAL IN SINGAPORE

Mount Elizabeth Hospital, Singapore: The 23-year old para-medical student who was gangraped in New Delhi on 16 December 2012 passed away in Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore on 29 December 2012. The 23-year old Delhi gangrape victim passed away on 29 December 2012 at Mount Elizabeth hospital in Singapore at 2:15am (IST). The victim died due to multiple organ failure and severe injuries to her brain and body.
VIRBHADRA SINGH TOOK OATH AS CHIEF MINISTER OF HIMACHAL PRADESH FOR THE SIXTH TIME
Former Union Minister of India and Veteran Congress leader Virbhadra Singh on 25 December 2012 was sworn-in as Chief Minister of Himachal for a record sixth term in Shimla. 78 years old Virbhadra Singh was administered the oath of office by Governor of Himachal Pradesh Urmila Singh. Oath of office and secrecy to the chief parliamentary secretaries was administered by the Chief Minister. Besides Virbhadra Singh, nine Cabinet members and three chief Parliamentary secretaries were also sworn-in.
TONY GREIG, FORMER CAPTAIN OF ENGLAND CRICKET TEAM AND COMMENTATOR DIED
Tony Greig, 66, the former captain of England cricket team and renowned commentator passed away in Sydney on 29 December 2012 following lung cancer. Greig was diagnosed with the ailment in October 2012.
NARENDRA MODI WAS SWORN-IN AS THE CHIEF MINISTER OF GUJARAT

Narendra Modi on 26 December 2012 was sworn-in as the Chief Minister of Gujarat for the fourth consecutive term. Governor Kamla Beniwal administered the oath of office and secrecy to him at Sardar Patel Stadium at Ahmedabad. Seven cabinet
PATRICK SUCKLING APPOINTED AS AUSTRALIA'S NEXT HIGH COMMISSIONER TO INDIA
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Career diplomat Patrick Suckling on 30 December 2012 had been appointed as Australias next High Commissioner to India. Patrick Suckling who is a career diplomat and had been previously posted to New Delhi and Washington is going to take up the position in New Delhi in January 2013. Suckling is replacing Peter Varghese, who is returning to Australia to head the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
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IK GUJRAL, FORMER PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA DIED AT 92

Inder Kumar Gujral, who served as the Prime Minister in United Front government in 1990s, died at the age of 92 on 30 November 2012. Following the resignation of HD Deve Gowda, he became the 13th Prime Minister of India on 21 April 1997 and held that post till 19 March 1998 in United Front government. IK Gujral's Major Contribution to Indian Politics During his tenure as the Prime Minister, IK Gujral resisted signing CTBT (Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty) paving the way for next government conducting the Pokhran nuclear tests. He provided a five-point roadmap to build trust between India and its neighbouring countries known as Gujral Doctrine. Five Principles of Gujrals Doctrine With neighbors like Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal and Sri
Lanka, India does not ask for reciprocity, but gives and accommodates what it can in good faith and trust. No South Asian country should allow its territory to be used against the interest of another country of the region. No country should interfere in the internal affairs of another. All South Asian countries must respect each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty. They should settle all their disputes through peaceful bilateral negotiations.
BS YEDDYYURAPPA RESIGNED FROM BJP AND KARNATAKA LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

B.S. Yeddyurappa former Chief Minister of Karnataka on 30 November 2012 announced his resignation from Legislative Assembly and from primary membership of BJP party. Yeddyurappa submitted his resignation to the Speaker of the Assembly, KG Bopaiah. Yeddyurappa represented Shikaripura in his home district Shimoga, which is about 280 km north of Bangalore.
DAW AUNG SAN SUU KYI OF MYANMAR VISITED INDIA

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Chairperson of the National League of Democracy of Myanmar visited India from 13 November 2012 to 18 November 2012. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi spent several years in India during her early days when her mother Daw Khin Yi was Ambassador to India. She also spent
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some time as a Fellow at the Institute of Advanced Study in Shimla in 1987. Besides her engagements in Delhi, travelled to Bangalore where she visited the Indian Institute of Science and the Infosys Campus. She also toured rural areas in Andhra Pradesh to gain a firsthand impression of the rural development and womens empowerment programmes being undertaken in India.
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2011 for her contribution to the field of Indian literature. Pratibha Ray is the first Oriya woman and fourth Oriya writer to get the coveted award. Earlier Gopinath Mohanty (1973), Sachidananda Routray (1986) and Sitakant Mohapatra (1993) were conferred the honour. The award carries a cash prize of 7 lakh rupees, a citation and a bronze statuette of Godess Saraswati.
DR. JOSEPH EDWARD MURRAY, THE MAN BEHIND FIRST KIDNEY TRANSPLANT DIED AT 93
Dr. Joseph Edward Murray, the first doctor to perform kidney transplant successfully died on 26 November 2012. The 93 year old doctor had received a Nobel Prize for the work. Murray had stroke at the suburban home in Boston on 22 November 2012 and eventually he died at Brigham and Women's Hospital. After he performed the first kidney transplant on the identical twins, various other transplants on different organs of the body were performed. Murray also shared Nobel Prize in Physiology in 1990 along with Dr. E. Donnall Thomas, who performed various bone marrow transplants.
ALOK JOSHI TO BE RAW HEAD, ASIF IBRAHIM TO HEAD IB

Alok Joshi, senior IPS officer of 1976 batch from Haryana cadre is scheduled to be appointed as the new Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) chief and Syed Asif Ibrahim is cleared to be the next Intelligence Bureau director. Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) cleared Alok Joshis name as the RAW chief to succeed Sajeev Tripathi, the 1973-batch UP cadre IPS officer.
ARVIND KEJRIWAL NAMED HIS POLITICAL PARTY AS AAM ADMI PARTY

Arvind Kejriwal on 24 November 2012 announced the name of his newly formed Political Party as Aam Admi Party after two months of its split from Anna Hazare and his movement of India Against Corruption at the Constitution Club, New Delhi. The Party on the same day also adopted its Constitution that foresee establishment of Swaraj in the country. All this happened in
ORIYA NOVELIST AND ACADEMICIAN PRATIBHA RAY SELECTED FOR 2011 JNANPITH AWARD
Renowned Oriya novelist, Pratibha Ray on 27 December 2012 selected for the prestigious Jnanpith award for the year www.jagranjosh.com
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presence of about 320 people. The name would be publicly accepted on 26 November at Jantar Mantar.
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became famous in Brazil after overseeing one of the country's biggest corruption trials involving key members of the former President Lula Da Silva's government. Barbosa is famous for his tough stand against political corruption. Brazil has the second largest non-White population in the world after Nigeria, but few of them achieve high office.
ERNEST BAI KOROMA REELECTED AS THE PRESIDENT OF SIERRA LEONE

Sierra Leone, the incumbent President Ernest Bai Koroma, leader of the All People's Congress was re-elected as the President of the nation on 23 November 2012 after the electoral body declared results of the elections that took place in the country in third week of November. He had sworn in as the President of Sierra Leone on the same day, when the results were declared. He won the Presidential elections by securing 58.7 percent votes in his favour. Sierra Leone Sierra Leone is a mineral resource rich West African Nation, with massive iron ore deposits. The estimates of International Monetary Fund had predicted that use of the mineral resources available in the nation would increase the 2.2-billion dollar Gross Domestic Product by 21 percent.
SENIOR IPS OFFICER RANJIT SINHA APPOINTED AS CBI DIRECTOR FOR TWO YEARS
Ranjit Sinha, the Bihar Cadre Senior IPS Officer of 1974 batch was appointed as next director of Central Bureau of Investigation on 22 November 2012 for two years. In the official order, it was declared that Sinha would serve as the CBI director for two years starting from the date when he joins the office. Sinha will be taking over the office from AP Singh, the IPS of 1974 Jharkhand Cadre, who is retiring on 30 November 2012.
ANIL DEV SINGH BECAME THE NEW CHAIRPERSON OF IOA ELECTION PANEL
Anil Dev Singh, the former Chief Justice of Rajasthan High Court on 19 November 2012 was appointed as the new Chairperson of the Election Commission of The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) after S.Y. Quraishi resigned from his post on 17 November 2012. This appointment was done by Vijay Kumar Malhotra, the Acting President of IOA at present.
JOAQUIM BARBOSA SWORNIN AS BRAZILS SUPREME COURTS FIRST NON -WHITE PRESIDENT
Joaquim Barbosa was sworn-in as Brazil's Supreme Court's first non-White President on 23 November 2012 at a packed ceremony in the capital Brazilia. Barbosa www.jagranjosh.com
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SHIV SENA CHIEF BALASAHEB THACKERAY DIED IN MUMBAI

The Shiv Sena Supremo Balasaheb Keshav Thackeray died on 17 November 2012 at the age of 86. He died of the cardiorespiratory arrest after suffering a long illness at his residence Matoshree, in Mumbai. About Balasaheb Keshav Thackeray Balasaheb Keshav Thackeray was an Indian Politician, who founded Shiv Sena a Political Party based in Mumbai, Maharashtra in the year 19 June 1966. Before turning up to politics, he was a cartoonist by profession with an English daily newspaper in Mumbai, named the Free Press Journal. His cartoons were also published in the Times of India. He resigned from the Free Press Journal in 1960 and founded his own political weekly, named Marmik. He also founded Samana, the Marathi language newspaper and the Dophar ka Samna a Hindi newspaper. His house at Bandra, Mumbai is famous with the name Matoshree. Balasaheb was a leading face in the fight named Samyukta Maharashtra movement (United Maharashtra movement); to make Mumbai a place for Maharastrians that was witnessing the influence of South Indians, Gujaratis and Marwaris. Shiv Sena Shiv Sena is a Political Party that strongly supports the thought of Maharashtra for Maharashtrians. Shiv Sena has been a member in different Governments of the State in Maharashtra and was a member in the national cabinet as a coalition partner in the National Democratic Alliance www.jagranjosh.com
government from 1998 to 2004. The party came up as a political force after it won a Mumbai Civic Body Elections in the year 1973. In late 1980s and early 1990s, Shiv Sena adopted the hard-line Hindu Ideology and joined hands with Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), the coalition won the assembly elections of 1995 and came to power in Maharashtra. In 1999 the coalition failed to win the majority.
AMI BERA BECAME 3RD INDIAN-AMERICAN TO WIN US CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION

Ami Bera, 47, California-based, IndianAmerican has become the only 3rd of the community to win Congressional election, making it to US House of Representatives on 6 November, 2012 by defeating Republican Dan Lungren. On 6 November 2012, Bera had neck to neck competition with the opponent Lungren with just 184 votes lead. The lead increased to 3800 votes on 13 November 2012. Later, on 15 November 2012, it was announced by The Sacramento County Registrar of Voters that the lead of Bera had increased by 5696 votes or 2.2 percent. Gradually the lead widened and Bera won the seat to the House of Representatives.
FORMER UNION MINISTER OF INDIA AND EX-DEFENCE MINISTER K.C. PANT DIED
K.C. Pant, the ex-Defence Minister of India and former Planning Commission Deputy Chairman died on 15 November 2012. The 81 years old is now survived by his wife Ila
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Pant, who was a former Member of Parliament and two sons.
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XI JINPING ELECTED AS THE NEW GENERAL SECRETARY OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF CHINA
The Communist Party of China (CPC) on 15 November 2012 declared Xi Jinping as the new General Secretary of the Partys seven-member Politburo standing committee. The 59 years old, Xi Jinping is the son of the former politburo and vice premier. Xis selection as the new leader, the Communist Party of China has marked the end of Hu Jintaos ten year term as the General Secretary of the Party, but he will continue as the President till March 2013, the month when the Chinese Parliament would meet. Li Keqiang, the second-ranked member of the Politburo standing committee would take over as Premier in March 2013 after Wen Jiabao will step down from his position. The size of the inner circle of elites has been reduced from nine to seven by the Communist Party of China. This step of reducing the members in the elite circle was done to ensure efficiency in policy and decision making by the top body of the nation. The other five members of the elite circle are Zhang Dejiang as the Chongqing Party Secretary, Yu Zhengsheng as the Shanghai Party Secretary, Liu Yunshan as a senior propaganda official, Wang Qishan as the Vice Premier in charge of economic affairs and Zhang Gaoli as the Party Secretary in Tianjin.
The once in a five year meet of the partys National Congress concluded at the Great Hall of the People on 14th November 2012. A total of 2300 delegates casted there secret ballots to choose the members of the 18th Central Committee, the 376 member policy making body. A new PBSC has also been created that include four princelings out of the seven leaders. Princeling means the family of any of the former leaders. The newly framed PBSC would be functional for the next five years till 2017 and after this Xi and Li would only continue in the office and rest of the PBSC members would step down from their posts.
BBC DIRECTOR GENERAL GEORGE ENTWISTLE RESIGNED OVER COVERING SEXUAL ABUSE
BBC Director General George Entwistle on 10 November 2012 resigned from the job after the broadcaster put out a program which was denounced by the corporation's chairman as shoddy journalism as a British politician was depicted in child sex abuse. George Entwistle in a statement asserted that he had decided that the honourable thing to do is to step down as director general after just eight weeks in the job. He also asserted the fact that the directorgeneral is also the editor-in-chief and ultimately responsible for all content.
PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA RE-ELECTED PRESIDENT OF UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
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President Barack Obama won re-election on 6 November 2012 overthrowing a severe challenge from Republican Mitt Romney resisting concerns over his handling of economy and anxiety over the future. The President Barack Obama had secured over 270 votes in the Electoral College which was needed to win the race. He was re-elected for a second term in the White House securing another four years in which he will try to fulfil the promise that greeted his election in 2008.
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arrested and charged with attempt of committing suicide. To keep her alive, she is fed forcefully at a Government hospital at Porompat and the ward where she is admitted is converted into a jail. About Irom Sharmila Irom Sharmila nicknamed as the Iron Lady of Manipur is a civil rights activist, political activist, and poet and holds the record of longest hunger strike of the world after refusing food and water for more than 500 weeks.
IROM SHARMILA, THE IRON LADY OF MANIPUR COMPLETED 12 YEARS OF FAST

Iron Lady from Manipur, Irom Sharmila on 5 November 2012 completed 12 years of her fast demanding cancellation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 (AFSPA). She blames AFPSA as the main cause for violence in the state of Manipur and other parts of Northeastern India. Irom Sharmila started her fast till death on 5 November 2000, after 10 people that included a boy who received National Bravery Award was shot dead by the Assam Rifles personnel at Malom near Imphal Airport on 2 November 2012 in an alleged encounter. Sharmila began her fast till death after ten persons, including a boy who received the National Bravery Award, were shot dead in an alleged encounter with Assam Rifles personnel at Malom near Imphal Airport on November 2, 2000. She has been force-fed through the nose to keep her alive since then. On the second day of her fast she was www.jagranjosh.com
CHINESE-BRITISH WRITER HAN SUYIN DIED AT THE AGE OF 95 IN LAUSANNE

Chinese-British writer and physician Elizabeth Comber, who was known by her pen name Han Suyin, died at the age of 95 on 2 November 2012 at her home in Lausanne, Switzerland. Han Suyin was a Chinese-Belgian British writer. She emerged as among the most powerful voices that served as a bridge between China and the West in the 20th century. She later became an ambassador for China-India relations after her marriage to an Indian colonel, Vincent Ratnaswamy.
VETERAN BJP LEADER KAILASHPATI MISRA DIED AT THE AGE OF 90 IN BIHAR

Veteran BJP leader, former governor of Gujarat and Rajasthan and former finance minister of Bihar, Kailashpati Mishra, passed away in Bihar on 3 November 2012.
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Kailashpati Misra was of 90 years of age and was suffering from prolonged illness. Kailashpati Misra who was born at Dudharchak village in Buxar district in 1923 served as governor of Gujarat from 7 May 2003 to 7 July 2004 and for a brief period of Rajasthan too during the same duration. He was a bachelor and popularly known as the "Bhishmapitamah" of State BJP.
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residential coaching to students from economically backward families for IIT-JEE exams, named 'People's Hero' by People magazine of American Time Magazine Group. It is itself an uncommon occasion where the people magazine which usually profiles celebrities from films and other fields onto their magazine had chosen a person who is a teacher by profession.
PIONEER OF POCKET CARTOONS IN INDIA CARTOONIST, T. SAMUEL DIED

Veteran Cartoonist and the pioneer of pocket cartoons in India, T Samuel died on 2 October 2012 at the age of 86. Samuel is now survived by his wife, two daughters and a son. About T. Samuel Samuel started his journey as a professional cartoonist before Independence from Lahore with a Military Gazette. After partition he came to Delhi as a refugee and joined Shankars weekly, where he contributed the Kalu and Meena, the silent strip cartoon and some more related to social life. As a staff cartoonist, he served Delhi edition of Times of India, where he became famous as the creator of the pocket cartoon named Babuji.
THE KING OF ROMANCE AND THE FAMOUS FILMMAKER, YASH CHOPRA DIED
The Indian Filmmaker Yash Chopra died on 21 October 2012, nine days after being diagnosed with Dengue. He passed away at the age of 80 at Lilavati Hospital at Bandra due to dengue and multiple organ failure. Also termed as the King of Romance, Yash Chopra had by his name Six National Film Awards, Eleven Filmfare Awards out of which four was Filmfare Award for Best Director.
FORMER KING OF CAMBODIA, NORODOM SIHANOUK DIED IN CHINA

Former Cambodian king Norodom Sihanouk died on 15 October 2012 in Beijing. He was 89 Years old. Norodom Sihanouk was receiving medical treatment for many years in Beijing for cancer and other ailments. Norodom had dominated politics in Cambodia for nearly 60 years. He was the King of Cambodia from 1941 to 1955 and again from 1993 until 2004. He was the
ANAND KUMAR OF SUPER 30 FAME DECLARED PEOPLE S HERO

Anand Kumar, teacher and founder of Super 30 institute, which provides free www.jagranjosh.com
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effective ruler of Cambodia from 1953 until 1970. After his second abdication in 2004, he was known as The King-Father of Cambodia a position in which he retained many of his former responsibilities as Constitutional monarch. Sihanouk held so many positions since 1941 that the he was identifies as the politician who has served the world's greatest variety of political offices. These included two terms as king, two as sovereign prince, one as president, two as prime minister, as well as numerous positions as leader of various governments-in-exile. He was succeeded in 2004 by his son, King Norodom Sihamon
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TO GO FASTER THAN THE SPEED OF SOUND

Austrian Felix Baumgartner became the first skydiver on 14 October 2012 to go faster than the speed of sound, reaching a maximum velocity of 1,342 kilometers per hour. In jumping out of a balloon 39 kilometers above New Mexico, the 43-yearold also smashed the record for the highest ever freefall. It took just under 10 minutes for him to descend. Only the last few thousand feet were negotiated by parachute. The previous highest, farthest, and longest freefall was made by Kittinger, who leapt from a helium envelope in 1960. His altitude was 31 kilometers.
LIBYAS NATIONAL CON GRESS ELECTED ALI ZIDAN AS THE NEW PRIME MINISTER
Libya's 200-member General National Congress on 14 October 2012 elected Ali Zidan as the new Prime Minister. Ali Zidan, an independent, won 93 votes, a majority among those present. He beat a candidate favoured by the Justice and Construction party which is linked to the Muslim Brotherhood. Announcing his victory, President of the National Assembly asked Mr Zidan to propose a cabinet within two weeks. Ali Zidan is a human rights lawyer. The previous Prime Minister, Mustafa Abu Shagur, was dismissed a week ago after failing to form a government.
S.VISHWANATHAN ELECTED AS NEW MANAGING DIRECTOR OF STATE BANK OF INDIA

S. Viswanathan on 8 October 2012 was appointed as a managing director of State Bank of India. His appointed came by the Central Government of India. Following the appointment, SBI has now four managing directors, including Diwakar Gupta, who the chief financial officer, Hemant Contractor, who is in charge of international operations and A. Krishna Kumar, who looks after national banking.
FELIX BAUMGARTNER BECAME THE FIRST SKYDIVER
HUGE CHAVEZ RE-ELECTED AS PRESIDENT OF VENEZUELA

Huge Chavez re-elected as President of Venezuela on 9 October 2012 Venezuela. It
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his third election victory in 14 years of Office. With this he will be spending 6 more years in Office. Huge Chavez had won with 54% of the vote defeating his challenger Henrique Capriles who managed to get only 45% of vote in presidential election held on 7 October 2012. Among the 19 million registered voters the turnout was a record of 80.4% voters. Later, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez died on 5 March 2013 at a military hospital in Caracas at the age of 58 due to Cancer. He died after battling from cancer for two years during which he underwent several surgeries and chemotherapy in Cuba. With his death his 14 year rule of Venezuela came to an end and bringing a challenge of electing a new President for the country within 30 days as per Constitution of Venezuela. Till then the Presidency will be assumed by the Vice-President of the country, Nicolas Maduro.
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INDIA'S FIRST NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR BRAJESH MISHRA DIED

The first National Security Advisor of India, Brajesh Mishra died on 28 September 2012 at New Delhi after suffering from a heart ailment. Mishra (84) played a pivotal role in making of the foreign policies during the NDA regime of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and was a trouble shooter to him.
PROFESSOR BANWARILAL SHARMA, THE MATHEMATICIAN AND A GANDHIAN ACTIVIST DIED

Professor Banwarilal Sharma, the mathematician and a Gandhian activist died on 26 September 2012 at Chandigarh. He served Allahabad University as former HOD of Mathematics department. Prof. Banwarilal Sharma also served International Council of Mathematicians in developing countries for 6 years in between 1986 to 1992, as its chairman. He was trained under Prof Henri Cartan to obtain DSc degree at University of Paris. Banwari Lal Sharma was a convenor of the movement named Azadi Bachao Andolan that was led as peoples movement in different part of the nation against nuclear energy.
AJIT SARAN APPOINTED AS SECRETARY IN NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR WOMEN

Senior IAS officer Ajit M Sharan was appointed as Member Secretary in National Commission for Women (NCW) on 3 October 2012. Ajit Sharan is a 1979 batch officer of Haryana cadre. He is going to be in the rank and pay of Additional Secretary.
R LAKSHMIPATHY ELECTED AS CHAIRMAN OF THE PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

R Lakshmipathy, the publisher of Tamil daily Dinamalar, was elected as the Chairman of
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the Board of Directors of Press Trust of India (PTI) on 24 September 2012 after the company's Annual General Meeting (AGM).
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MAHARASHTRA DEPUTY CHIEF MINISTER RESIGNED

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar resigned on 25 September 2012 after the alleged corruption charges on him in awarding irrigation projects when he was state's water resource minister. It was alleged that there were discrepancy committed in granting administrative approvals to projects involving several crore of rupees during his tenure as an Irrigation Minister between 1999 and 2009.
AISHWARYA RAI APPOINTED AS INTERNATIONAL GOODWILL AMBASSADOR

The United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has appointed Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan as its International Goodwill Ambassador. Her job will be now is to raise global awareness on protecting children from HIV infection and to increase access to antiretroviral treatment.
C.P. JOSHI APPOINTED AS THE NEW RAILWAY MINISTER

C.P. Joshi, the Union Road Transport and Highways Minister on 24 September 2012 took an additional charge of the Railway Ministry after the exit of Mukul Roy. With this responsibility in the hands of C.P. joshi, the railway ministry has landed down in the hands of Congress after 17 years. The last railway minister from congress was C.K. Jaffer Sharief (1991-95).
RAMESH ABHISHEK APPOINTED AS FMC CHAIRMAN

An IAS Officer of 1982 Batch Bihar Cadre, Ramesh Abhishek on 24 September 2012 was appointed to be the Chairman of Forward Markets Commission (FMC). His pay-scale and rank has been elevated to that of the additional secretary and FMC Chief respectively. Forward Markets Commission (FMC) With its headquarters at Mumbai, Forward Markets Commission (FMC) is a regulatory authority established under the Forward Contracts (Regulation) Act 1952. The body is responsible for taking care of forward and future markets of India and is a part of Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.
BILL GATES STILL THE RICHEST PERSON IN AMERICA

Microsoft Co-Founder, Bill Gates remained at the top position in the list of 400 richest Americans released by Forbes Annual Ranking on 19 September 2012. Gates, succeeded in winning the top position for 19th time in a row with his net worth of $ 66 billion. Bill Gates at present is the chairman of Microsoft and co-chair for Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
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AUNG SAN SUU KYI RECEIVED US CONGRESS HIGHEST HONOUR

The Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi received, the US Congress highest Civilian Honour at a ceremony organized in the Capitol Rotunda on 19 September 2012, before her meet with the US president Barack Obama. Before her, the recipient of this award includes George Washington, Pope John Paul II and Dalai Lama-the Tibetan Buddhist Leader. During her 15 year long house arrest against the military rule in Myanmar, she received the Congressional Gold Medal in 2008.
free and compulsory education to children in the age group of 6 to 14 years. The right to education is included to the right to life in Article 21 of the Indian Constitution and in case any child is derived from his right of education is also deprived from his right to live with dignity, exercise freedom of expression and speech included in Article 19(1) (a).
SALMAN RUSHDIE RELEASED HIS BOOK JOSEPH ANTON

Joseph Anton the 633 page book depicts a memoir of Salman Rushdie during his 10 years long run to protect himself from the Fatwa issued by his name was released on 18 September 2012. Salman Rushdies new book reveals his life, at the time when he was issued an Iranian fatwa that ordered his death for the publication of The Satanic Verses in 1988. In the book, Salman Rushdie has characterized himself as Joseph Anton and the name is the combination of the first names of his favourite writers Joseph Conrad and Anton Chekhov.
SUPREME COURT REFUSED TO REVIEW THE PETITIONS CHALLENGING RIGHT TO EDUCATION ACT, 2009
The Supreme Court of India on 19 September 2012 refused to review the petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Right to Education to Free and Compulsory Education Act 2009. The Independent Schools Federation of India, the Society for Unaided Private Schools of Rajasthan, the Catholic Bishops Conference of India with two other institutions filed PIL (Public-interest litigation) against the Act, for a review. Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act makes it mandatory for the government, aided and non-minority unaided schools to reserve a minimum of 25 percent seats to provide www.jagranjosh.com
WORLD BANK APPOINTED ONNO RUHL AS THE COUNTRY DIRECTOR FOR INDIA
World Bank appointed Onno Ruhl a Dutch National to be the country director for India on 10 September 2012. He will replace the retiring N Roberto Zagha in October 2012. His appointment at this post will help the bank to formulate and implement developmental programs and steps in the nation.
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RAJIV MEHTA APPOINTED AS DIRECTOR GENERAL OF NARCOTICS CONTROL BUREAU

Rajiv Mehta was appointed as a Director General of Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on 18 September 2012. His appointment will be on deputation basis for a period of five years from the date of assumption of charge of the post or till the date of his superannuation or until further orders.
CARTOONIST ASSEM TRIVEDI GRANTED BAIL BY MUMBAI HIGH COURT

The cartoonist Aseem Trivedi was released from the Arthur Road Jail on 12 September 2012. Aseem Trivedi, who was arrested on the charges of sedition and insulting the national symbol and emblem, was released from jail after Bombay High Court granted him bail on the personal bond of Rs 5000. This supporter of Anna Hazares Anti Corruption campaign was arrested for depiction of wolves in place of lions and providing a quote Bhrastameva Jayate as a replacement of Satyameva Jayate on the National Emblem. Aseem Trivedi the cartoonist is renowned for portraying politics in India and appreciated for his campaign Cartoons against Corruption. He is the winner of Courage in Editorial Cartooning Award for 2012 that is conducted by Cartoonists Rights Network International. The cartoonist has been a founding member of a body named movement against internet censorship in India, Save Your Voice.
FORMER SARSANGHCHALAK OF RSS KS SUDARSHAN DIED AT NAGPUR

KS Sudarshan, the former RSS Sarsanghchalak died on 15 September 2012. He suffered a heart attack at the Nagpur headquarters of RSS. He was in Nagpur for release of a book written by Gopal Vyas a Rajya Sabha MP from Chhattisgarh that was held on 14 September 2012.
FORMER CHIEF JUSTICE OF INDIA RANGANATH MISRA DIED

Ranganath Misra, the former Chief Justice of India died on 13 September 2012. He died at the age of 86 and is survived by his wife Sumitra Misra. Ranganath Misra was appointed to be the 21st Chief Justice of India from 25 September 1990 to 24 November 1991 during the reign of former Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar and former President of India, R. Venkataraman.
VERGHESE KURIEN THE WHITE REVOLUTIONARY AND THE MILKMAN OF INDIA DIED
The man responsible for bringing white revolution in India and founder of worlds largest dairy company Amul, Verghese Kurien (90) took his last breath in a hospital at Nadiad, on 9 September 2012. The body of Kurien was cremated in the ultramodern crematorium at Kailash Bhumi in the milk capital of India- Anand, Gujarat in presence
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of his admirers and staff members of milk cooperatives.
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DR. KC ABRAHAM AWARDED WITH BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARD

Managing Director of Kunnath Pharmaceuticals and the producer of world famous Musli Power X-tra won Switzerland Business Excellence Award 2012 on 8 September 2012 at Zurich, Switzerland. He got shortlisted for the award because of his visionary leadership skill, hard working nature and dedication. The award has helped Kunnath Pharmaceutical to become a name of rapport across the nation.
serve as a parliamentarian for Democratic National Convention on 6 September 2012. As per the publically available documents, Smita has been an applauded donor to the campaign of the Democratic Party and Obama.
SACHIN PILOT COMMISSIONED AS A LIEUTENANT IN TERRITORIAL ARMY

Indian Union Minister of state for Telecommunication and Information Technology is commissioned to be a Lieutenant in Territorial Army on 6 September 2012. He was pipped by the Army Chief Bikram Singh at the commissioning ceremony organized in South Block, at the Integrated Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence (Army). With this he has turned up to be a part of 124 TA (Sikh) Battalion the one also known by the name of Urban Concept battalion. Along with commissioning, he will have to attend "14 camp and 22 parade days'' in a year.
GAURAV SHUMSHER RANA BECAME NEPALS ARMY CHIEF

Gaurav Shumsher Rana an India-educated lieutenant general took over the position of Nepals Army Chief, on 6 September 2012. He has served Nepals army for 39 years ever since his recruitment in 1970. Ranas appointment is a result of cabinet decision following a proposal made by the ex-army chief Gen Chhatra Man Singh Gurung to the President Ram Baran Yadav, as a successor to him.
KAUSHIK BASU APPOINTED AS WORLD BANK CHIEF ECONOMIST

On 5 September 2012, The World Bank appointed Kaushik Basu, as its chief economist and senior vice president. Basu, an Indian national and a Cornell University professor most recently served as chief economic adviser of the India's Union Ministry of Finance.
SMITA SHAH TURNED UP TO BE THE FIRST INDIAN AMERICAN AT DNC PARLIAMENTARIAN

Smita Shah a close supporter of US President Barack Obama became the first person from Indian-American origin to www.jagranjosh.com
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ADMIRAL DEVENDRA KUMAR JOSHI TOOK OVER AS THE NEW INDIAN NAVY CHIEF
Admiral Devendra Kumar Joshi (DK Joshi) took over as the new Indian Navy chief on 31 August 2012. He is the 21st Chief of Naval Staff of Independent India and the 19th Indian to command the Indian Navy. He succeeded Admiral Nirmal Verma. DK Joshi has commanded several naval ships which includes aircraft carrier INS Virat. He was also the chief of Eastern Fleet. He specializes in anti-submarine warfare. During his tenure, the Navy will start 13000 crore rupees phase II expansion of Project Seabird, the naval harbour under construction near Goa.
INDIAN AMERICAN KARL MEHTA WAS SELECTED TO WORK ON FIVE HIGH-IMPACT PROJECTS
Indian-American entrepreneur Karl Mehta was selected among the 18Presidential Innovation Fellows who would work on five high-impact projects in the US capital Washington DC. Selected from an applicant pool of nearly 700 innovators from across the country, the Fellows would spend six months in Washington DC to work on five high-impact projects aimed at supporting entrepreneurs, small businesses and the economy, while significantly improving how the Federal Government serves the American people.
RAGHURAM RAJAN TOOK OVER AS THE CHIEF ECONOMIC ADVISOR OF IN UNION FINANCE MINISTRY
Raghuram Rajan, former chief economist of International Monetary Fund (IMF) took over as the Chief Economic Advisor in the Finance Ministry on 29 August 2012. The Appointments Committee of Cabinet had cleared the appointment of Rajan as the new CEA on 10 August 2012. The position was lying vacant since Kaushik Basu demitted the office on 31 July 2012. Raghuram Rajan has already been serving as the Honorary Economic Advisor to the Prime Minister, the position he was given in November 2008. He also headed High Level Committee on Financial Sector Reforms in 2007.
VETERAN ACTOR AK HANGAL PASSED AWAY IN MUMBAI

Veteran actor Avatar Krishan Hangal, popularly called AK Hangal, passed away in Mumbai on 26 August 2012 after prolonged illness. He was 97. In a career spanning nearly 40 years Hangal worked in around 225 films. A devoted artist, he also worked in numerous theatre plays and TV Series.
PM NAIR APPOINTED THE DIRECTOR GENERAL OF NATIONAL DISASTER RESPONSE FORCE & CIVIL DEFENCE
The Ministry of Home Affairs on 27 August 2012 appointed P M Nair as the Director
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General, National Disaster Response Force & Civil Defence (NDRF & CD). The appointment will be effective from the date of his taking over the charge of the post and until his superannuation on 31 May 2013 or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
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Kurien has been the member of national parliament for the last three decades representing Idukki, and Mavelikkara Lok Sabha constituencies. Since 2005 he is a member of the Rajya Sabha.
G ASHOK KUMAR TOOK OVER AS THE SOUTHERN NAVAL COMMAND CHIEF

Rear Admiral G Ashok Kumar assumed the charge as the Southern Naval Command Chief, Kochi on 28 August 2012. Prior to this this, Kumar was serving as the Flag Officer at Sea Training, Kochi, where he was responsible for preparing all major warships for combat readiness. A specialist in navigation and direction, he commanded INS Kulish and INS Ranvir.
LAKHDAR BRAHIMI WAS APPOINTED THE NEW UN ARAB LEAGUE ENVOY FOR SYRIA
Algerian diplomat Lakhdar Brahimi was appointed the new UN-Arab League envoy for Syria on 17 August 2012. He will succeed Kofi Annan, who resigned earlier this month after his six-point peace plan failed to achieve a meaningful cease-fire. Lakhdar Brahimi will be known as the Joint Special Representative for Syria.
ETHIOPIAN PRIME MINISTER MELES ZENAVI PASSED AWAY

Meles Zenavi, the Ethiopian Prime Minister, passed away on 20 August 2012 following prolonged illness. He was 57. Deputy Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, who is also Ethiopia's foreign minister, will assume the charge as the acting Prime Minister of the country.
WIKILEAKS FOUNDER JULIAN ASSANGE WOULD BE GRANTED POLITICAL ASYLUM BY ECUADOR

The foreign ministry of Ecuador announced that Ecuador would be granting Wikileaks co-founder Julian Assange a political asylum on 16 August 2012. Assange shot to fame in the year 2010 after he leaked a number of US diplomatic cables and videos regarding the war in Iraq and Afghanistan through Wikileaks. Following the incident, USA and other countries whose secrets were divulged jumped into considerable action. Assange and his team argue that the alleged sex crimes allegations and these accusations are untrue and falsely built up.
PJ KURIEN ELECTED THE DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF RAJYA SABHA

Congress leader PJ Kurien was unanimously elected the Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh moved the motion for the election of Kurien.
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PAKISTAN GOVERNMENT HONOURED GOPI CHAND NARANG WITH SITARA-IIMTIAZ

Pakistan government on 14 August 2012 honoured Urdu author, Gopi Chand Narang with sitara-i-Imtiaz, the third highest civilian honour given by the nation. In the past, former Prime Minister Morarji Desai and matinee idol Dilip Kumar were bestowed Pakistan's highest civilian honour, Nishan-iImtiaz. The award will be given to Gopi Chand Narang in Pakistan on 23 March, 2013, Pakistan's Republic Day.
August 2012. The position was lying vacant since Kaushik Basu demitted the office on 31 July 2012.
SYED NASIM AHMED ZAIDI APPOINTED NEW ELECTION COMMISSIONER

Syed Nasim Ahmad Zaidi, a 1976 batch IAS officer of UP cadre, was appointed as an Election Commissioner on 7 August 2012. His appointment was approved by President Pranab Mukherjee. Zaidi had retired as Civil Aviation Secretary on 31 July 2012.
UNION MINISTER FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY VILASRAO DESHMUKH PASSED AWAY
Vilasrao Dagadojirao Deshmukh, the Union Minister for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences died of multiple organ failure at the Global Health City Hospital in Chennai on 14 August 2012. He was 67. He was admitted to hospital on 6 August after his kidney and lever stopped to work.
KOFI ANNAN QUIT AS THE UN SPECIAL ENVOY TO SYRIA

Former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on 2 August 2012 stepped down as the UN special envoy to Syria. Annan formally informed UN Secretary-General Ban Kimoon and the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Nabil El Araby about his decision. His appointment for the highprofile as the UN peace interlocutor was set to expire on 31 August 2012.
RAGHURAM RAJAN APPOINTED THE NEW CHIEF ECONOMIC ADVISOR IN THE FINANCE MINISTRY
Raghuram Rajan, former chief economist of International Monetary Fund (IMF) was appointed as the Chief Economic Advisor in the Finance Ministry. The Appointments Committee of Cabinet cleared the appointment of Rajan as the new CEA on 10 www.jagranjosh.com
KAUSHIK BASU ENDED TENURE AS THE CHIEF ECONOMIC ADVISOR IN NEW DELHI
Kaushik Basu ended his tenure as Indias Chief Economic Advisor on 31 July 2012. A professor from Cornell University, he held the position for two and a half years at the North-Block, New Delhi. Prior to his stint as the economic advisor, Basu was the Chairman of the Department
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of Economics in the year 2009 and between 2006-09. He was the Director of the Center for Analytic Economics at Cornell. He at present is the fourth President of the Human Development and Capabilities Association, which was founded by Amartya Sen.
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She was also the first Georgian who had world record with her. The birth place of Besse was Tennessee and she had moved during the First World War to Georgia. Guinness World Records declared that as of now, merely 8 people have reached the age of 116. Besse Cooper held this title of oldest person of the world since 2011. She explained her secret of living for such a long time, to Guinness World Records. She explained that she didnt eat junk food. Who is the worlds oldest person now? After the death of Besse Cooper, the title of oldest person of the world now goes to Dina Manfredini of Johnston who is aged 115 years of age.
DAVE BRUBECK, THE RENOWNED JAZZ PIANIST AND COMPOSER DIED AT 91

Dave Brubeck, the renowned Jazz pianist died on 5 December 2012 due to heart failure. He was 91 when he died and just a day away from the 92nd birthday. His experiments in style as well as rhythm won him a million jazz fans. Dave Brubeck died at a hospital in Norwalk, Connecticut while visiting cardiologist. He had also won various awards during his career which spanned over six decades. The Library of Congress designated him as the Living Legend. The 1959 album called Time Out was the first million-selling Jazz album of the modern times.
S. RAMAKRISHNAN TOOK OVER AS DIRECTOR OF VIKRAM SARABHAI SPACE CENTRE

A senior Scientist from ISRO, S. Ramakrishnan took over as the Director of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Thiruvananthapuram in the first week of January 2013. Ramakrishnan carries a four decades of experience in rocketry and headed the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) at ISRO. He replaced P S Veeraraghavan.
OLDEST PERSON OF THE WORLD, BESSE COOPER DIED AT 116

Besse Cooper, the woman listed as the oldest person of the world died on 4 December 2012 in Georgia nursing home at 116 years of age. Besse Cooper had died peacefully in Monroe. Besse was recently taken ill with the stomach virus. Besse Cooper was declared as the oldest person of the world in January 2011 by the Guinness World Records. www.jagranjosh.com
SYED ASIF IBRAHIM TOOK OVER AS THE DIRECTOR OF INTELLIGENCE BUREAU

Syed Asif Ibrahim, the 1977 Madhya Pradesh cadre IPS officer took over the office of Intelligence Bureau as a director on
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1 January 2013 from Nehchal Sandhu. Alok Joshi, the Haryana cadre IPS officer on the other hand took over the office of RAW as the director on 31 December 2012.
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freedom fighter were performed at the Manikarnika Ghat of Varanashi with full state honour.
URJIT PATEL WAS APPOINTED AS THE DEPUTY GOVERNOR OF THE RESERVE BANK OF INDIA
Urjit Patel was appointed as the Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India on 3 January 2013. Urjit Patel succeeds Subir Gokarn, who handled Monetary Policy in RBI. The three-year term of Subir Gokarn terminated in November 2012 but he was given an extension which ended finally on 31 December 2012.
VIOLIN MAESTRO M.S. GOPALAKRISHNAN DIED AT THE AGE OF 82

Padma Bhushan M.S. Gopalakrishnan, the Violin maestro died on 3 January 2012 at the age of 82. He died with the complaints of breathlessness and a brief illness. The violinist was an expert in Hindustani and Carnatic systems of classical music. He is now survived by his wife and a violinist son and daughter M Narmada and Suresh Respectively and another daughter Latha.
MUKESH AMBANI DECLARED 18TH RICHEST MAN IN THE WORLD; RETAINS POSITION AS RICHEST INDIAN
Mukesh Ambani, the Indian business tycoon is the 18th richest person of the world having personal wealth of 24.7 billion dollar in 2012, as per the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, which is the daily ranking that describes 100 wealthiest individuals of the world.
PM MANMOHAN SINGH BECAME THE 19TH MOST FOLLOWED LEADER ON TWITTER

As per Digital Policy Council (DPC), PM Manmohan Singh became the 19th most followed leader of the world on Twitter. PM Manmohan Singh is ahead of David Cameron and Julia Gillard, both of who were left behind in less than 12 months time.
FREEDOM FIGHTER PANDIT RAM SANEHI SHUKLA DIED

Pandit Ram Sanehi Shukla, the veteran freedom fighter died at the age of 98 at Sahebpur Village under Madiyahon tehsil on 3 January 2013. Shukla, who was a disciple of Mahatma Gandhi, died after surviving a long illness. The last rites of the www.jagranjosh.com
GERDA LERNER, THE WOMENS HISTORY PION EER DIED AT 92

Gerda Lerner, the leader in womens history as well as the founding member of National Organization for Woman died on 2 January 2013 at Wisconsin. She was aged 92 years.
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Lerner died in peace at the assisted-living facility in the city of Madison. She founded the doctoral programme in the womens history in Madison at the University of Wisconsin.
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to look into and suggest the measures that can be taken for cost cutting as well as optimal utilization of resources in Air India. The committee would be headed by Ravindra Dholkia of IIM, Ahmedabad. The Ministry has provided a two months time to Dholkia and the committee to submit its report along with interim recommendations, for immediate implementation.
US PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA RE NOMINATED INDIAN AMERICAN SRIKANTH SRINIVASAN AS FEDERAL JUDGE
Indian-American Srikanth Srinivasan on 4th January 2013 re-nominated by US President Barack Obama as Federal Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit. Srikanth Srinivasan is among the 33 federal judges re-nominated by the President Barack Obama for the US Court of Appeals and the only Indian American re-nominated by Obama for the District of Columbia Circuit.
JUSTICE D.K. JAIN APPOINTED AS THE CHAIRMAN OF LAW COMMISSION

Union Government of India on 7 January 2012 appointed Justice D.K. Jain as Chairman of the 20th Law Commission of India. Justice Jain would take on the chair of the Chairman of the Law Commission on 24 January 2012 after he retires of a Judge of Supreme Court on the same day. The Law Commission is responsible for offering advices on complex issues to the Government. He would be heading the commission as its chief for a period of three-years from the date of being in the office. 20th Law Commission of India The 20th Law Commission of India was constituted with the Order of the Government of India with effect from 1 September 2012. The functioning of the commission would end on 31 August 2012. The commission would be responsible for identification of obsolete laws and suggest measures suitable for quick grievance handling and redressal of the citizens. It would also be examining the laws that effects poor and suggest measures which would help in harnessing the law and the
FORMER SOUTH AFRICAN BOWLER NEIL ADCOCK DIED AT THE AGE OF 81

Former South Africa fast bowler, Neil Adcock died on 6 January 2013 at the age of 81 in Howick, KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. He had pneumonia and was also suffering from cancer for a long period of time.
RAVINDRA DHOLKIA TO HEAD FIVE-MEMBER COMMITTEE OF AIR INDIA

The Ministry of Civil Aviation on 3 January 2013 constituted a five-member committee www.jagranjosh.com
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legal process for the economically weaker and poor section of the society.
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CHIEF MINISTER OF JHARKHAND ARJUN MUNDA RESIGNED

The Arjun Munda Ministry in Jharkhand on 8 January 2013 resigned and recommended dissolution of the two-year-old Assembly to the governor in Ranchi. The decision of his resignation came after his coalition partner, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), decided to withdraw its support from the 28-month-long BJP-led coalition government.
CHIEF MINISTER OF GUJARAT NARENDRA MODI INAUGURATED 6TH VIBRANT GUJARAT SUMMIT
Chief Minister of Gujarat Narendra Modi on 8 January 2013 inaugurated the biennial (held every second year) Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors meet by throwing open a mega trade exhibition that has over one thousand firms from as many as 16 countries displaying their products. About Vibrant Gujarat summit Vibrant Gujarat is the name given to a biennial investors' summit held by the government of Gujarat. The Global Trade Show is an integral component of Vibrant Gujarat Summit. This platform offers a unique opportunity to corporate houses, institutions and industrial giants to showcase their innovations, products and services to a large gathering of Indian and global summit delegates and also allows having meaningful business-to-business interactions resulting in serious business and trade opportunities.
AKBARUDDIN OWAISI ARRESTED FOR DELIVERING HATE SPEECH; FACES SEVERAL OTHER CHARGES
Akbaruddin Owaisi, the Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) MLA who was indicted of making hate speech was arrested on 8 January 2013 after going through the medical tests in government hospital in Hyderabad. The MLA on 7 January 2013 sought time of four days for appearing in front of the police on certain medical grounds. The MIM leader Akbaruddin Owaisi is facing charges which range from sedition to waging a war against the state. He was booked on 3 January 2013 under two different sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) by the police in Nirmal Town, 200 km away from Hyderabad.
AIR MARSHAL KULWANT SINGH GILL TOOK OVER AS THE COMMANDANT OF NDA
Air Marshal Kulwant Singh Gill on 8 January 2013 took over the charge of National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla as its new Commandant. Kulwant Singh replaced outgoing Lt. Gen Ashok Singh to take over this post.
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RAJIV TAKRU APPOINTED SECRETARY OF FINANCIAL SERVICES IN THE FINANCE MINISTRY

Rajiv Takru, the Senior IAS officer on 9 January 2013 promoted and appointed as Secretary of Financial Services in the Finance Ministry. Rajiv Takru was promoted from his present post of Additional Secretary and Financial Adviser in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The job of Rajiv Takru is that of looking after the functioning of banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions.
Aaron Swarth, the internet activist and cofounder of Reditt committed suicide by hanging himself on 11 January 2013. The 26 years old computer genius was the developer of the early version of the RSS (Rich Site Summary) web feed system was facing federal criminal charges in cases of a controversial fraud and hacking allegations. He was largely credited as the co-author of the specifications of the RSS 1.0 web feed format at the age of 14. RSS feed generally is a format that supports the users to find out content from the sites, where updates keeps on changing regularly like a news website or a blog.
BRIJ BIHARI LAL BUTAIL ELECTED AS THE SPEAKER OF HIMACHAL PRADESH LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY
Brij Bihari Lal Butail was unanimously elected as the new speaker of Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly on 9 January 2013. Brij Bihari Lal Butail is the five-time MLA as well as Senior Congress leader. Butail was elected as the speaker unananimously after the BJP decided that none of its candidate should field for this designation, leaving him as the only choice.
RUSI FRAMROZE SURTI, FORMER TEST CRICKETER DIED AT 76

Rusi Framroze Surti, the former all-rounder of India from Surat died on 13 January 2013 in Mumbai. Surti was aged 76 years. Surti was often also called poor man's Garry Sobers and played 26 Test matches for India from the time period of 1960 to 1969. He played for Rajasthan as well as Gujarat in Ranji Trophy. In Sheffield Shield, he represented Queensland 35 times.
INTERNET ACTIVIST AND COFOUNDER OF REDITT, AARON SWARTH COMMITTED SUICIDE
KAMAL NATH ELECTED AS THE LEADER OF INDIAN DELEGATION FOR WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM 2013
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh elected Kamal Nath, the Union Minister for Urban Development and Parliamentary Affairs, as a leader of Indian delegation for annual meetings for World Economic Forum which
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will be held in Davos from 23 to 27 January 2013. There will be other three members in the delegation and these involve Power Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, Heavy Industry Minister Praful Patel and Commerce & Industry Minister Anand Sharma.
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TAHAWWUR RANA SENTENCED 14 YEARS IN JAIL BY THE FEDERAL COURT

Tahawwur Rana, the Chicago based businessman and immigration consultant was sentenced for 14 years in Jail by the Federal Judge of US. He was sentenced by the court for his alleged involvement in supporting the terrorist group from Pakistan, which worked with the intelligence service of Pakistan and carried out the 26/11 Mumbai Attacks in 2008. He was also a convict for a Denmark strike in a Jyllands-Posten a Danish newspaper that published cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed. The court described Rana as a partner in crime of Mumbai Attacks, when 166 people were killed and among them six were Americans. The trails undertaken in the year 2011 identified string evidences against the Spy Agency of Pakistan the Inter-Services Intelligence Directorate (ISI) of playing a direct role in the operations that was planned and designed to kill people from west and the US. The sentence was pronounced by U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber and he chose a punishment that was higher than the minimum 11 years in prison under the guidelines of federal sentencing. The Judge www.jagranjosh.com
claimed that the crime in the newspaper building at Copenhagen and the act of beheading the hostages and throwing the heads out of the windows to create a situation of panic was very serious. Rana being aware about Headleys involvement in the Mumbai Attack was the proof of the murderous potential of him. The Federal Court Judge also added post-prison supervision for five years of Rana in his sentence. Tahawwur Rana He is a Pakistani Canadian resident in Chicago and a business man who dealt in immigration services. He was arrested in October 2009 on the issue of his alleged involvement in Mumbai Attack in 2008 and in 2011 was convicted for providing support to the militant organization Lashkar-e-Taiba in its plot against the Danish News Paper Jyllands-Posten.
SSPI TO HONOUR PROF. U R RAO BY INDUCTING HIM AS A MEMBER TO THE SATELLITE HALL OF FAME
The Society of Satellite Professionals International (SSPI) would honour, the Former Chairman of ISRO and Secretary Department of Space, Professor U R Rao by inducting him as the member of the prestigious Satellite Hall of Fame, Washington. His induction to the Satellite Hall of Fame is scheduled for 19 March 2013 in a gala function that is to be organised at Washington, D.C. USA. After being inducted into the hall of fame, Prof. Rao would be joining the list of illustrious space scientists
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like Dr. James A. Van Allen, Dr. William Pritchard, Dr. Harold Rosen, Dr. Joseph V. Charyk, Arthur C Clarke, Santiago Astrain and others. SSPI Hall of Fame The Society of Satellite Professionals International (SSPI), since 1987 has been in the process of recognizing the invaluable contributions of the people involved in transforming the life on earth and upgraded it via satellite technology. The pioneers of communication as well as satellite based aerospace scientific research and development for delivery of business related applications for government and institutions via satellite are selected as members of the Satellite Hall of Fame.
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Kalyan Singh merged his Jan Kranti Party with BJP, restrained himself from Joining Kalyan Singh, the former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh on 21 January 2013 merged his Jan Kranti Party with Bhartiya Janta Party. Singh merged his party with BJP during the Atal Shankhnaad Rally of BJP in Lucknows Jhelum Park. His resignation from the Parliament would have created a space for by-elections for the Etah Seat. Kalyan Singh left BJP before the Lok Sabha Elections of 2009 due to the differences with the senior leaders of BJP. Anti-Defection Law The Constitution (Fifty-Second Amendment) Act, 1985 Tenth Schedule, of the Defection Laws Articles 102(2) and 191(2)]. The provisions as to disqualification on ground of defection includes Disqualification on ground of defection (1) Subject to the provisions of paragraphs 3, 4 and 5, a member of a House belonging to any political party shall be disqualified for being a member of the House(a) If he has voluntarily given up his membership of such political party; or (b) If he votes or abstains from voting in such House contrary to any direction issued by the political party to which he belongs or by any person or authority authorised by it in this behalf, without obtaining, in either case, the prior permission of such political party, person or authority and such voting or abstention has not been condoned by such political party, person or
RAHUL GANDHI APPOINTED AS THE VICE-PRESIDENT OF INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS

Rahul Gandhi on 19 January 2013 was formally elevated and was appointed at the position of party Vice-President of Congress at the Chintan Shivir organised at Jaipur in January 2013. With this appointment, Rahul Gandhi took over the second highest chair of the oldest political party of the nation, just after the party-president and her mother Sonia Gandhi. His appointment to the post came up following the decision made by the Congress Working Committee, the party's highest decision making body. Congress Vice Presidents in the Post Independent India Arjun Singh in 1986 was designated as the first Vice-President of the party Jitendra Prasada was appointed as the party Vice-President in 1997 www.jagranjosh.com
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authority within fifteen days from the date of such voting or abstention.
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BHUTAN KING TO BE THE CHIEF GUEST AT INDIA S REPUBLIC DAY FOR THE YEAR 2013
Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck is to be the chief guest at the Republic Day parade for the year 2013. The Bhutan King is also to be the chief guest at the Confederation of Indian Industry Partnership Summit-2013 to be held at Agra from 27th to 29 January 2013.
Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) on 23 January 2013 elected Rajnath Singh as its new President. His appointment to the post was announced by Thawar Chand Gehlot, the Central Election Officer at the headquarters of the party, at New Delhi. Rajnath Singh replaced Nitin Gadkari, who served the party as its President for a period of three years from December 2009 to January 2013.
UDDHAV THACKERAY APPOINTED AS THE PARTY PRESIDENT OF SHIV SENA

Uddhav Thackeray on 23 January 2013 was elected as the Party President for Shiv Sena during the National Executive Meet of the party held at Sena Bhawan, partys headquarters at Dadar in Central Mumbai. He was elected to the post of the President of the Party on the day of birth anniversary of the party supremo and his father, Bal Thackeray.
JBT TEACHERS RECRUI TMENT SCAM: CHAUTALA AND SON SENTENCED 10 YEARS IN PRISON
The Delhi Court on 22 January 2013 sentenced 10 years in prison for the former Chief Minister of Haryana and the leader of the National Lok Dal (INLD) Om Prakash Chautala and his Son Ajay Singh Chautala, who is an MLA from Dabwali constituency. The two along with 53 others have been sentenced for their alleged involvement in the Junior Basic Trained (JBT) teachers recruitment scam in which 3,206 JBT teachers were recruited illegally in the state in the year 2000.
U.S. FEDERAL COURT SENTENCED 35 YEARS IN PRISON FOR DAVID COLEMAN HEADLEY
David Coleman Headley, the PakistaniAmerican and the mastermind of the 26/11 Mumbai Terror Attack 2008 was sentenced to 35 years in Prison on 24 January 2013 by a U.S. Court. The Court sentence would be followed by a five years of supervised release. The sentence was pronounced by the U.S. Federal District Court Judge Harry Leinenweber, who said that Headley was a
RAJNATH SINGH ELECTED AS THE NEW NATIONAL PRESIDENT OF BHARTIYA JANATA PARTY
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terrorist and numerous crimes were committed by Headley but his confessions turned up to be the reason that lenient sentences were issued for him. It was admitted by the U.S. Government that the nature of role played by Headley in 26/11 attacks were deplorable and the prosecution pressed for a sentence of 30 to 35 years for him. The death penalty and extradition options were dropped because of the cooperation shown by him. Headley, under a deal with U.S. Government supplied major information about the terror suspects, which was really helpful in carrying on the investigation and bring defendants like Ilyas Kashmiri, Tahawwur Rana and other Pakistan-based operatives under criminal charges. David Coleman Headley David Coleman Headley is a Chicago based Pakistani-American, who was involved as a mastermind in Mumbai Terror Attack and many other terrorist activities. He is accused of carrying on the spying mission during the terror attacks of Mumbai in which 166 people died. In 2009 he was the mastermind to plan the attack on the Danish Newspaper, Jyllands-Posten.
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became the first human to land on the moon on 20 July 1969. Right after he stepped on the surface of moon, Armstrong uttered that famous sentence "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."
US ASTRONAUT NEIL ALDEN ARMSTRONG PASSED AWAY

Neil Alden Armstrong, the US Astronaut, who got his name written in the history of mankind after he became the first person on the Earth to walk on the surface of moon, passed away on 25 August 2012. He was 82. At the age of 38, Armstrong, as the commander of the Apollo 11 mission,
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CHAPTER 9: INSTITUTION AND AGENCIES

SPECIAL CONSULTATIVE STATUS WITH UNO ACCORDED TO SIX INDIAN NGOS
Six Indian NGOs or non-governmental organisations working towards upliftment of poor, Dalits as well as women were approved by the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations for consultative status with the UN. The committee is a part of Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. The consultative status was given during the annual ongoing session of the world body panel in the week dated 21 January 2013 to 27 January 2013. NGO THAT ENJOY SPECIAL CONSULTATIVE STATUS Action of Human Movement (AHM) that works towards improving the living conditions of the poor in rural Tamil Nadu. Centre for Community Economics & Development Consultants Society that works towards empowering the partner communities, small and marginal farmers, Dalits, landless people, castes and tribes and the deprived children and women. Chaithanya Samskarika Vedi Chennayangaloor P.O. that helps in promotion of development through financial as well as other aid to poor. Ekta Welfare Society which is a national organisation for socio-economic development, world unity and peace was also accorded with this status.
Social & Healthy Action for Rural Empowerment is the national organisation working towards betterment of disadvantaged and underprivileged sections of remote hilly areas of India was given the status with UN as well. India and International Services Association, whose main concern is the development of vulnerable communities as well as the sustainable health.
ABOUT THE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS
NON-
The Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations, has as of now, accorded this special status to ove3500 NGOs from the world. This committee includes 19 members, all of which are chosen on the grounds of equitable geographical representation. The committee is chaired by Bulgaria and at present, its members for the time period of 2011-2014 include Venezuela, US, Turkey, Sudan, Russia, Senegal, Morocco, Mozambique, Belgium, Burundi, India, Israel, China, Cuba, Pakistan, Peru, Kyrgyzstan and Nicaragua. The committee has two-week session which began on 21 January 2013 and will conclude on 8 February 2013. In 2013, the committee received application for the special status from 600 NGOs which is a record in itself.
BROADBAND NETWORK PACT SIGNED WITH 16 STATES AND UT GOVERNMENT
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The central government on 26 October 2012 signed a tripartite pact with 16 state and UT governments for laying digital highway and also formed a special purpose vehicle BBNL for facilitating connection to every gram Panchayat with broadband network. The states which signed the pact include Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerela, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura. Also, the three union territories Dadar and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu and Puducherry also signed the agreement. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed for around 140000 gram panchayats. It is Rs 20000 crore projects and entire fund is going to be provided by central government. State Governments will have to provide approvals for laying of the optic fibre network and facilitate other measures for expeditious rollout of the network. By December 2013, broadband network across the country will be completed. The states which signed the pact constitute 60 per cent gram panchayats in the country. Bharat Broadband Network Ltd will be unveiling the project, which will be executed by BSNL, RailTel and Power Grid.
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Bhopal at a cost of 492 crore rupees. The government also approved the creation of one post of Director, CAPT in the rank of Inspector General of Police. The Madhya Pradesh government will provide about 400 acres of land in Bhopal for setting up the academy.
UNION GOVERNMENT DECIDED TO LAUNCH SAKSHAM TO EDUCATE ADOLESCENT BOYS

The Union Ministry of Women and Child Development on 18 September 2012 decided to launch a scheme called Saksham to empower adolescent boys by educating them on gender sensitivity and moral behaviour. Saksham aims to target young boys in the age group 10-18 years for their holistic development by giving lessons in gender sensitivity and inculcating in them respect for women.
WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT MINISTRY LAUNCHED A WEB PORTAL NAMED TRACK CHILD
Track Child: The Union Women and Child Development Ministry launched the portal to serve as a central database of all those children who have gone missing in different parts of the country. The Union Women and Child Development Ministry on 18 September 2012 decided to launch a web portal named Track Child, which will serve as a central database of all those children who have gone missing in different parts of the country. The portal
UNION GOVERNMENT APPROVED 492 CRORE RUPEES TO SET UP CENTRAL ACADEMY FOR POLICE TRAINING IN BHOPAL
The Union Government on 3 August 2012 approved the setting up of Central Academy for Police Training (CAPT) in www.jagranjosh.com
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will act as a coordination mechanism between child homes, police departments and state governments. As soon as a child is enlisted in a home, or whenever a missing FIR is registered in a police station, the details will be put on the portal. The ministry will coordinate with police heads, social welfare departments of various states and other agencies to create this mechanism. The ministry is also considering a proposal to create a National Institute of Women Affairs, which will serve as a think tank for women-related matters.
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CHAPTER 10: AWARDS/HONOURS

THE BHILAI STEEL PLANT WON THE PRIME MINIST ERS TROPHY FOR THE 10TH TIME
The Bhilai Steel Plant, on 24 August 2012 won the prestigious Prime Minister's Trophy for the 10th time. Bhilai Steel plant is the flagship unit of Indias largest public sector steel maker, Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL). It has an annual production capacity of over 5 million tonnes. The award includes a cash element of Rs.2 crore, is given to integrated steel plants (ISPs) on the basis of an evaluation by a panel of judges appointed every year. The Prime Minister's Trophy is awarded to an ISP based on customer satisfaction index, its overall performance, and observations by the panel of judges based on plant visits.
to conduct a survey and find out Indias best bankers. The surveyors highlighted the J&K Banks contribution in facilitating the workings of the economy and contributing to its growth by promoting entrepreneurs and innovation.
KRISHI KARMAN AWARDS FOR THE YEAR 2011-2012 PRESENTED BY THE PRESIDENT OF INDIA
The President of India, Pranab Mukherjee on 15 January 2013 presented the Krishi Karman Awards for the year 2011-2012 at an award ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The awards were presented to the State Governments for their excellent performance in increasing the production of food grains in their respective states. Awards in different segments Awards Sates Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Manipur and Nagaland
JAMMU AND KASHMIR BANK WAS AWARDED BEST BANKER PRIZE

Jammu and Kashmir Bank on 20 August 2012 won four national awards-The Sunday Standard FINWIZ-2012 Best Bankers Awards. The Bank was awarded Best Banker in Financial Inclusion and Customer Friendliness and declared runner up for Best Banker in Priority Sector Growth and Agricultural Credit. The Sunday Standard is a part of the New Indian Express Group which is based in Chennai. It had engaged Indicus AnalyticsIndias premier economic research agencywww.jagranjosh.com
The Awards for Special Contribution to Total Food Grains Production
Award for Bihar Contribution to Production and Productivity of Rice Award Contribution Production Productivity Wheat for Haryana to and of
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Award Contribution Production Productivity Pulses Award Contribution Production Productivity Coarse Cereals for Jharkhand to and of for Uttar Pradesh to and of
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SANGEET NATAK AKADEMI FELLOWSHIPS AND AKADEMI AWARDS FOR THE YEAR 2012 ANNOUNCED
The General Council of Sangeet Natak Akademi, the National Academy of Music, Dance and Drama, New Delhi on 21 December 2012 in a meet elected and declared N. Rajam, T.H. Vinayakram and Ratan Thiyam as the three eminent personalities in the field of Arts, as Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellows (Akademi Ratna). This fellowship is the rare and most prestigious honour, restricted to a limited number of people at a given pint of time. At present, there exist only 40 fellows of the Sangeet Natak Akademi. Thirty Six persons from field of Music, Theater, Puppetry and Dance were also elected by the General Council of the Akademi for the Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards (Akademi Puraskar) 2012. Nine eminent artists are from the field of Music and they are Mysore M. Nagaraja, (Violin) and K.V. Prasad (Mridangam) for Carnatic Instrumental Music, Sabir Khan (Tabla) and Bahauddin Dagar (Rudra Veena) for Hindustani Instrumental Music, O.S. Thyagarajan for Carnatic Vocal Music, Rajashekhar Mansur and Ajay Pohankar for Hindustani Vocal Music, Illayaraja for Creative and Experimental Music and Bhai Balbir Singh Ragi (Gurbani) for other major traditions of music. The Akademi Award has been conferred on people since 1952 and the Akademi Fellow honour has been conferred since 1954. The honour and the award is the symbol of highest standards of excellence and achievements on national level and also
Krishi Karman Awards The award was instituted in the year 201011 for recognizing the meritorious efforts made by the states in production of food grains. The Awards include a trophy, a citation and a cash reward of 2 crore rupees for total food grain production and 1 crore rupees for each of the four individual crops. For commendation award winner the cash prize declared is of 25 lakh rupees and for individual farmers the prize amount is 1 lakh rupees, with a citation and a trophy. The awards are presented in two different sets and they are one for the total food grain production and second for the production of individual food grains that includes rice, wheat, pulses and coarse cereals. The awards were finalized and the states were selected by a selection committee that was headed by the secretary of agriculture and cooperation that accessed the performance of states following certain fixed criteria, which took into account the outcomes of production, implementation of programmes for crop production as well as the innovative approach adopted for delivery of effective services.
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recognises sustained work of the individual and his/her contribution to the practice and appreciation of arts via scholarship, teaching and performance. Akademi Fellowship carries a prize amount of three lakh rupees and the Akademi Awards carry a prize amount of one lakh rupees, besides Tamrapatra and Angavastram.
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AUTAR KAW, A PROFESSOR OF INDIAN ORIGIN WON US PROFESSOR OF THE YEAR AWARD-2012
Indian Born Academic, Autar Kaw, a mechanical engineering professor at University of South Florida (USF) on 15 November 2012 was declared winner of the prestigious 2012 US Professor of the Year award. Autar Kaw was conferred with the award in the category of Outstanding Doctoral and Research Universities Professor of the Year- for his abilities of providing solutions of complex mathematical equations to students making it simple by providing logical solutions to it beyond the classroom through his website, twitter account and lectures available on You Tube Video. He is also known as Methods Guy. He was conferred with the award in the National Press Club and the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC along with other three lecturers nominated from the list of 300 nominees. About the Award The award is given by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education and is conferred on the academicians with abilities of engaging and influencing students in an exceptional manner. This award is considered to be the nations highest honor for undergraduate teaching.
LULA DA SILVA AWARDED INDIRA GANDHI PRIZE FOR PEACE, DISARMAMENT AND DEVELOPMENT
The former President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was awarded with Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development on 22 November 2012 at Rashtrapati Bhavan by President of India, Pranab Mukherjee. Lula was awarded for Lula was conferred with the award for his contribution towards elimination of hunger. He has also brought inclusive growth in his country. He was awarded for advocating stronger ties among the developing economies as well as for the signal contribution for India-Brazil partnership. About the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development Every year, Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development is awarded to person or an organisation that works towards enlargement of scope of freedom as well as enrichment of human spirit. The award is conferred upon the person or an organisation irrespective of race, religion, nationality or other aspects. It consists of award worth 2.5 million Rupees as well as trophy along with citation. www.jagranjosh.com
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THREE INDIAN WRITERS SHORTLISTED FOR DSC SOUTH ASIAN LITERATURE PRIZE 2013
Three Indian writers- Uday Prakash, Amitav Ghosh and Jeet Thayil were shortlisted for the US Dollar 50,000 DSC South Asian Literature Prize 2013. The names of shortlisted candidates were announced on 21 November 2012 in London. Others who were shortlisted for the prize include Pakistani novelists Jamil Ahmad and Mohammed Hanif as well as Tahmina Anam of Bangladesh. Only contender from beyond the boundaries of Indian Subcontinent is Jason Grunebaum who is the American Writer, academic and translator. Amitav Ghosh has been chosen for River of Smoke, Jeet Thayil for the debut novel Narcopolis and Uday Prakash for The Walls of Delhi. About DSC Prize for South Asian Literature The prize was introduced in 2010 and was described by sponsors as the first of its kind initiative for promotion of best works in English language fiction on South Asian theme.
Awards Function 2011-12. Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli and V.V.S. Laxman were also felicitated at the award ceremony. The Lifetime Achievement Award given to Gavaskar carried a citation, trophy and a cheque for 25 lakh Rupees and he received this award from the BCCI president N. Srinivasan. Sachin Tendulkar was honoured at the occasion with a gold-plated bat for scoring the century of centuries in international cricket. Kohli was chosen as the Best Indian International Player of the year at the award ceremony.
MALALA YOUSAFZAI AWARDED WITH BRAVERY AWARD BY WORLD PEACE AND PROSPERITY FOUNDATION
Malala Yousafzai, on 19 November 2012 awarded by World Peace and Prosperity Foundation for her bravery and commitment to education for girls in adverse conditions in Swat, Pakistan. She was shot in the head by Taliban, and had become the face of Pakistans struggle against the Taliban. She is now being treated and on the road to recovery at a Queen Elizabeth Hospital, England.
GAVASKAR CONFERRED WITH COL. CK NAYUDU LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Sunil Gavaskar, the Former Captain and legendary opener of Indian Cricket Team on 21 November 2012 was conferred with BCCIs prestigious Col. CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award at the BCCI Annual www.jagranjosh.com
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About Col. CK Nayudu and the Lifetime Achievement Award Col. CK Nayudu or Cottari Kanakaiya Nayudu was the first captain of Indian Cricket Team in Test Matches, and he played the first class cricket for India till 1958. The ruler of Holkar in 1923 conferred him with the honour of Colonel in Holkars Army at Indore. Nayudu was appointed as the first captain of Indian team for its first test tour of England in 1932 after the previously appointed captain and vicecaptain of the team, Maharaja of Porbandar and Ghanshyamsinhji of Limbdi respectively were out of the series due to health problems.
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Ellen Johnson Sirleaf who is the 24th President of Liberia was commended by the jury for her strong interest in consolidation and improvement of Liberia's relations with India. She was raised to the Presidency becoming the first elected female head of state of the African continent. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf took over office as the President of Liberia in 2006 acquiring a legacy of distrust, disharmony and mismanagement. She had successfully restored financial health her country which was on the verge of fiscal breakdown.
CHINESE FILM, 11 FLOWERS WON NETPAC AWARD AT KOLKATA FILM FESTIVAL

The Chinese film, 11 Flowers on 17 November 2012 won the Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema (NETPAC) Award at 18th Kolkata International Film Festival. The film won the best film award in Asian Select category-the only competitive category in Kolkata International Film Festival. A total of 13 films from 12 12 Asian Countries were selected to compete for the award of this category. The film directed by the acclaimed filmmaker Wang Xiaoshuai describes the backdrop of the Cultural Revolution in form of a semi-autobiographical story of the rural Guizhou Province. Wang Jinchun and Wenqing Liu are the lead stars of the film. The NETPAC award is now a part of 44 film festivals of 28 different countries across five continents.
PRESIDENT OF LIBERIA ELLEN Col. CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement JOHNSON CHOSEN Award is the SIRLEAF highest-revered award for captaincy and lifetime achievement FOR INDIRA GANDHI PEACE in Indian Cricket. PRIZE 2012
Liberian President and Nobel laureate Ellen Johnson Sirleaf on 19 November 2012 was chosen for 2012 Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for being an inspiration to women and ensuring return of peace and democracy in her country. The award is set up by Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust with an international jury chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The Indira Gandhi Prize is being awarded to Ellen Johnson Sirleaf for serving as an example and inspiration to women in Africa and beyond and for ensuring the return of peace, democracy, development, security and order in Liberia.
URDU SCHOLAR GOPI CHAND NARANG AWARDED

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MOORTIDEVI AWARD FOR 2010

The Vice President of India M. Hamid Ansari on 16 November 2012 presented the Moortidevi Award for 2010 to eminent Urdu scholar Gopi Chand Narang for his outstanding work on Urdu Ghazal aur Hindustani Zehan wa Tehzeeb at a function organized by Bhartiya Jnanpith. Gopi Chand Narang revived Urdu language in India through his writings and he is one of the foremost theorist, literary critic and Urdu scholar of our country. His perceptive writings have helped Urdu criticism becoming more contemporary. It is befitting that his long academic life of excellence has been felicitated by conferring the Moortidevi award on him.
inequality and the perseverance of families striving for something better. The National Book Foundation, which administers the awards, nominated five writers in each of four categories: fiction, nonfiction, poetry and young people's literature.
MADHAV CHAVAN AWARDED THE EDUCATION NOBEL PRIZE

Dr Madhav Chavan was awarded the WISE prize, which is known as the Nobel prize for Education. He was felicitated on 13 November 2012 at the WISE summit in Doha, the capital of Qatar. The international award not only felicitated the person himself, but also recognized his efforts to provide lessons in literacy and numeracy for less fortunate and disadvantaged children and adults in India.
KATHERINE BOO WON US NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FOR MUMBAI BOOK

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and writer Katherine Boo on 14 November 2012won the national book award for nonfiction for Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death, and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity, which sheds light on the lives of India's poor as well as government corruption. Behind the beautiful forever is a story of an ambitious woman who has set her sights on being slumlord in Annawadi, a large slum close to Sahar International Airport in Mumbai the story also revolves around a boy and the harsh and illuminating after effects of crime or perceived crime. More broadly, the book explores themes of
LITERARY CRITIC AND EDUCATOR GAYATRI CHAKRAVORTY SPIVAK GOT KYOTO PRIZE
Renowned literary critic and educator Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak on 10 November 2012 was awarded the prestigious Kyoto Prize in Kyoto. Kyoto Prize was instituted by the Inamori Foundation. It honours those personalities who had significantly contributed to the scientific, cultural and spiritual betterment of mankind. Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, is professor at Columbia University in the U.S. She won the award in the Arts and Philosophy category
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for her deep thinking on humanities against intellectual colonialism in relation to globalisation. Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak shifted the critical theory of deconstruction into political and social dimensions, and had applied a sharp scalpel to intellectual colonialism which is being reproduced in our heavily globalised modern world, said the Foundation. Also, U.S. computer scientist Ivan Sutherland, regarded as a father of computer graphics, won the Advanced Technology Prize while Japanese molecular biologist Yoshinori Ohsumi was awarded the Basic Sciences Prize. Each laureate received a diploma, a 20K gold Kyoto Prize medal and a cash gift of 50 million ($630,000). ground-based ammonia leak. troubleshooting
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Over the period of time, flight controllers at Mission Control Houston will check periodically if the leak continues. This was the seventh spacewalk for Indian astronaut Sunita Williams who holds the record for spacewalking time with over forty four hours during six previous excursions. This was the third spacewalk for Hoshide, who holds the equivalent record for Japanese astronauts. This is the 166th spacewalk in support of International Space Station assembly and maintenance and also the 138th spacewalk from the station.
SUNITA WILLIAMS VENTURED ON 7TH SPACE WALK: SET NEW RECORD

Indian American astronaut Sunita Williams along with a fellow astronaut moved out of the International Space Station on 1 November 2012. The Expedition Commander Williams and Aki Hoshide, Flight Engineer switched their space suits to batter power showing the start of the planned 6.5 hours excursion outside the Space Station. The NASA statement mentioned that while the astronauts took their walk they ventured out to the port side of the station's truss to configure the 2B solar array power channel's Photovoltaic Thermal Control System (PVTCS) to support
MATHURA REFINERY BAGGED 13TH ANNUAL GREENTECH ENVIRONMENT AWARD

Indian Oil's Mathura Refinery was awarded the Platinum Award in the 13th Annual Greentech Environment Awards. The award was felicitated on 31 October 2012. Mathura Refinery was awarded in regard to the company's outstanding achievements and contribution to apt implementation of environmental friendly technologies and methodologies. Greentech Awards is a key component that values the need of environmental management in business sustainability.
AISHWARYA RAI BACHCHAN CONFERRED WITH FRENCH AWARD THE KNIGHT OF THE ORDER OF ARTS AND LETTER
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The Aishwarya Rai Bachchan on 1 November 2012 was conferred with the Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters (Chevalier dans lOrdre des Arts et des Lettres) by the French Ambassador to India Franois Richier. She was awarded on behalf of the French Authorities. She was conferred with the award for the contributions made by her to Indian and World Cinema and the developments in Indo-French cooperation in art, culture and the most important one, Cinema. Late Habib Tanvir, Nandita Das, Raghu Rai, Shahrukh Khan, and Upamanyu Chatterjee are few more Indians who had been conferred with this prestigious French award.
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AMITABH BACHCHAN GOT BEST TV HOST AWARD FOR KBC

Amitabh Bachchan was rewarded as the Best Television Host for the popular game show Kaun Banega Crorepati by Peoples Choice Award of Colour Television channel. Amitabh is presently hosting Season 6 of Kaun Banega Crorepati, which is being aired on Sony channel. He had earlier hosted 5 seasons of KBC except for the third one, which was hosted by Bollywood actor Shahrukh Khan. The first appearance of Amitabh Bachchan on Indian television is marked with Kaun Banega Crorepati, (KBC) which first aired in the year 2000.
LYRICIST GULZAR CONFERRED WITH INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL AWARD

Lyricist and well known poet Gulzar on 31 October 2012 awarded with Indira Gandhi National Integration Award by congress President Sonia Gandhi. The award was given on the eve of 28th death anniversary of the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi who was assassinated on 31 October 1984. Marking the event, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh congratulated the poet for the award and asserted the fact that Gulzar Sahab is real talent and a great personality who is spreading the message of peace and brotherhood in the country.
STRATEGIC THINKER AND ANALYST BRAHMA CHELLANEY WON BERNARD SCHWARTZ AWARD
India's leading strategic thinker and analyst, Brahma Chellaney on 25 October 2012 won the 2012 Asia Society Bernard Schwartz Book Award for his recently published book Water: Asia's New Battleground. Brahma Chellaney is going to be honoured with $20,000 prize money at a special event to be held at Asia Society's headquarters in New York City on 23 January 2012. The book Water: Asia's New Battleground" by Brahma Chellaney was selected from nearly 90 nominations submitted by US and Asia-based publishers for books published in 2011.
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Asia Society Bernard Schwartz Book Award was established in 2009 and is the only award that recognizes non-fiction books for their outstanding contributions to the understanding of contemporary Asia or USAsia relations.
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Liberation War Honourby the Government of Bangladesh for his contribution in the 1971 War. The award was received by Babuji's grandson, Anshul Avijit at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in Dhaka. Anshul Avijit is a journalist and academician and also the son of Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Meira Kumar. Babu Jagjivan Ram as the Defence Minister of India in 1971, helped in liberation of Bangladesh. He assured that the war for liberation of Bangladesh ended in the remarkably short time of 13 days.
EDINBURGH NAPIER UNIVERSITY HONOURED SHARMILA TAGORE WITH HONORARY DOCTORATE OF ARTS
Veteran actress Sharmila Tagore on 25 October 2012 was awarded with anHonorary Doctorate of Arts for her outstanding contribution to Indian cinema by the Edinburgh Napier University. The Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University Dame Joan Stringer called her as an excellent ambassador for the Indian Culture. Sharmila Tagore whose films are appreciated and enjoyed all over the world is also a strong advocate of educational rights of Indian children. At present, she is a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF that is working for literacy, maternal health and AIDS-related issues and is also an active spokesperson for Indian Children Child Rights and YOU (CRY).
V NARAYAN MURTHY HONOURED WITH 2012 HOOVER MEDAL IN WASHINGTON

V. Narayan Murthy was honoured with 2012 Hoover Medal at the Global Humanitarian Technology Conference in Seattle in Washington on 22 October 2012. Murthy, who is the 70th recipient since the medal's inception, was recognized for establishing a foundation that forges outstanding improvements in healthcare, social rehabilitation, rural uplift and education. Previous awardees include former US presidents Herbert Hoover, Dwight D. Eisenhower and James Earl Carter. Narayan Murthy co-founded Infosys limited in 1981. He contributed significantly in India's success in information technology outsourcing.
GOV. OF BANGLADESH AWARDED BABU JAGJIVAN RAM WITH FRIENDS OF LIBERATION WAR HONOUR
Former Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister of India, Babu Jagjivan Ram was posthumously awarded with the Friends of
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BOOKS THAT WON 11TH ECONOMIST CROSSWORD BOOK AWARD DECLARED

The Folded Earth written by Anuradha Roy and A Free Man by Aman Sethi won the 11th Economist Crossword Book Award that was declared on 18 October 2012 at Mumbai. The Folded Earth was successful in securing its position in the English Indian Fiction Category, whereas, A Free Man by Aman Sethi was successful in the category of Indian Non-Fiction books. A Bengali short-story collection Bengali written by Anita Agnihotri named 17 and translated in English by Arunava Sinha and a Malyalam Novel, The Araya Woman that was written by Narayan and translated in English by Catherine Thankamma were declared as the winners of the award for Indian Language Translation jointly. Ravi Subramanians creation The Incredible Banker fetched the Popular Award by its name.
Maharashtra in the category of decentralised management, Van Utthan Sansthan from Rajasthan in the category of co-management and Periyar Tiger Reserve in the protected areas category.
BRITISH WRITER HILARY MANTEL WON BOOKER PRIZE FOR SECOND TIME
British Writer Hilary Mantel on 16 October 2012 won the prestigious literary prize, the Booker Prize for her novel Bring up the Bodies, the second in a historical trilogy set during the reign of King Henry VIII. Hilary Mantel had earlier won the Booker prize in 2009 for "Wolf Hall," the first novel in the trilogy. Hilary Mantel is the third author to win the prize twice, alongside South-African-born J.M. Coetzee and Australian Peter Carey. With this she also became the first British author, and the first woman, to achieve a double Booker Prize.
FIRST EVER INDIA BIODIVERSITY AWARD PRESENTED IN HYDERABAD

The Government of India in collaboration with United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) announced Biodiversity award 2012 in Hyderabad on 17 October 2012. The winners of the awards were: Pir Jahania Jungle Suraksha Samiti from Odisha in the community stewardship category, Shankarpur Village Gram Panchayat from
RELIANCE INDUSTRY LIMITED'S JAMNAGAR REFINERY BAGGED BRITISH SAFETY COUNCIL AWARD
Reliance Industries Ltds (RIL) Jamnagar Refinery on 15 October 2012 won the British Safety Council's Globe of Honor Award for excellence in Environmental management. The award would be presented on 23 November 2012 at Mansion House in London. RIL's Jamnagar SEZ Refinery is the only Indian organisation which had made it to
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the list and it is for the first time that a Reliance Industries' manufacturing site has grabbed this very well known award.
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LLOYD SHAPLEY AND ALVIN ROTH OF AMERICA WON NOBEL PRIZE IN ECONOMICS
Alvin Roth and Lloyd Shapley of America were awarded the Nobel economics prize on 15 October 2012 for their work in market design and matching theory. The research work helps in explaining the market processes at work, say, when doctors are assigned to hospitals, students to schools and human organs for transplant to recipients. The award was cited to the economist by The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences for the theory of stable allocations and the practice of market design. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, which awards the 8 million crown ($1.2 million) prize, called their work an outstanding example of economic engineering. The two economists were working independently on the same research project. Lloyd Shapley used game theory to study matching models, and Alvin Roth built on them to make real-world changes to existing markets, including school choice and organ transplants, Alvin Roth is a professor at Harvard and Lloyd Shapley teaches at the University of California in Los Angeles The Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences was the last of the 2012 Nobel awards to be announced.
The economics award is not among the original prizes created in 1895 by Swedish industrialist Alfred Nobel to honor work in physics, medicine, chemistry, literature and peace. It was added as a category in 1969 by the Swedish central bank in memory of the industrialist.
NOBEL PEACE PRIZE 2012 AWARDED TO EUROPEAN UNION

The European Union (EU) won Nobel Peace Prize 2012 on 12 October 2012 for its effort to promote peace and democracy in Europe. The award was announced by Norwegian Nobel Committee. The award was given to European Union even though the Union is struggling with its biggest crisis since it was created in the 1950s. Practically, the EU was being honored for six decades of contributions to the advancement of peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe. Different Social media exploded with strong reactions both for and against, awarding the prize to European Union worth 8 million Swedish kronor ($1.2 million) The EU grew out of the tremendous devastation created by World War II, fuelled by the conviction that ever-closer economic ties would make sure that century-old enemies never turned on each other again. The European Union is now made up of 500 million people in 27 nations, with other nations lined up, waiting to join.
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The first Nobel Peace Prize was awarded in 1901 to Frdric Passy and Henry Dunant. The 2011 Nobel peace Prize was awarded to Leymah Gbowee of Liberia for their nonviolent struggle for the safety of women and for women's rights to full participation in peace-building work. About Nobel Peace Prize The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded annually by the Norwegian Nobel Committee to the person who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses. It is one of the five Nobel Prizes established by the 1895 will of Alfred Nobel (who died in 1896), awarded for outstanding contributions in chemistry, physics, literature, peace, and physiology or medicine. The recipient of Nobel Peace Prize receives a medal, a diploma, and a monetary award prize that has varied throughout the years. And, the 2010 Nobel peace Prize was awarded to Liu Xiaobo of China for his his long and non-violent struggle for fundamental human rights in China.
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combines the folk stories, modern events and the history in his works. He is the first Chinese writer in the 111 years of Nobel history to become a Nobel Prize winner. Before him, Gao Xingjiana a French citizen born in China won a Nobel in literature in 2000. The Swedish Academy compared him with two writers of twentieth century namely William Faulkner from America and Gabriel Garcia Marquez from Colombia. Mo Yan will receive the prize medal and the prize amount of more than 1 million $ on 10 December 2012, the death anniversary of the prize founder, Alfred Nobel. Mo Yan means Dont Speak. The original name of Mo is Guan Moye. The writer changed his name to be Mo Yan, to remind himself of talking less to avoid the trouble that follows. Nobel Prize for Peace 2012 would be declared on 12 October 2012.
ROBERT LEFKOWITZ AND BRIAN KOBILKA WON NOBEL PRIZE 2012 FOR CHEMISTRY
Robert Lefkowitz (69) and Brian Kobilka (57), the two Americans won the Nobel Prize 2012 for Chemistry on 10 October 2012. They won the award for their study and research on Protein Receptors, which allows the body to respond the signals from outside world. The study is a key and would pave the path for developing better drugs to different ailments. Lefkowitz and Kobilka from Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina and Stanford University School of Medicine in Palo Alto, California respectively will be sharing the prize amount of 8 million-krona ($1.2 million).
MO YAN A CHINESE WRITER WON THE 2012 NOBEL PRIZE FOR LITERATURE
Mo Yan, the Chinese writer won 2012 Nobel Prize for Literature on 11 October 2012. The Swedish Academy of Stockholm praised the Chinese writer for the writer called his hallucinatory realism. The writer
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SERGE HAROCHE AND DAVID WINELAND WON NOBEL PRIZE 2012 FOR PHYSICS
Serge Haroche and David Wineland of France and US respectively, won the Nobel Physics Prize on 9 October 2012. They received Nobel for their work on quantum physics, which would open a gate for supercomputers in future. The two physics have developed the technology for examining the intimate relationship between matter and light. This research by the duo would help in development of precise clocks, which will be hundred-times precise than the caesium clocks of present-time. The eight million Swedish Krona (1.2 millions $) would be divided in between the two and the award was received by them on 10 December 2012 on the death ceremony of the Prize Founder, Alfred Nobel.
helped in understanding the theory of cell and organism development. The discovery has turned up to be a tool for the scientists round the world allowing them to make remarkable progress in different areas of medicine and can help in tissue transplantation for treatment of diseases like Diabetes and Parkinson. The Nobel Prize in Medicine sector is the first announcement made for the year. The declared prize was handed out to their respective winners on the death anniversary of prize founder Alfred Nobel on 10 December 2012.
FORTIS ESCORTS WON FICCI HEALTHCARE EXCELLENCE AWARD 2012

FICCI Healthcare Excellence Award-2012 went to the Jaipur based Fortis Escorts hospital for its operational excellence in the category of private hospital with multispecialty hundred beds. The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry has instituted this award for felicitation of the individuals and institutions for their contribution in increasing the efficiency of health care by imparting innovative steps. The laid norms were specified by the Quality Council of India.
JOHN GURDON AND SHINYA YAMANAKA WON NOBEL PRIZE-2012 FOR MEDICINE
John Gurdon and Shinya Yamanaka, the British and Japanese researchers respectively on 8 October 2012 won the Nobel Prize-2012 in Medicine. They were awarded with the prize for the discovery of reprogramming the specialised and matured cells of the body into blank slate and this may one day this can start repairing the damaged organs. The Prize committee based in Karnolinska Institute at Stockholm stated that this discovery has
SHERYL KUMAR WAS CROWNED AS MISS INDIA FIJI 2012

Sheryl Kumar was crowned Miss India Fiji 2012 at a glittering ceremony in Suva on 8 September 2012. Sheryl beat nine other contestants to win the title. She is now
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preparing for the Miss India Worldwide pageant to be held in Kuala Lumpur in March 2013. Sheryl also won the Pure Fiji Beautiful Skin award at the event.
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Mukherjee was picked for the award for her work in transforming access to water for thousands of farmers in West Bengal. The award will be formally presented to Mukherji on 17 October 2012 in Des Moines, Iowa, US.
JEET THAYIL SHORTLISTED FOR THE MAN BOOKER FOR HIS DEBUT NOVEL NARCOPOLIS
Jeet Thayil, 53 years has been shortlisted for 50,000 the Man Booker Prize for the year 2012 on 11 September 2012. The Kerela born novelist and poet was chosen for the prize for his debut novel Narcopolis. Before this in the year 2008, Arvind Adiga won the booker prize for his debut novel The White Tiger.
DELHI GOVERNMENT PRESENTED LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

Celebrated Sarod exponent Amjad Ali Khan, vocalist Girija Devi and famous writer Ruskin Bond were conferred the Delhi government's Lifetime Achievement Awards on 24 August 2012. Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit presented the award acknowledging the outstanding contribution of the awardees to their respective fields at the national and international level. The award was consisted of a cash prize of 11 lakh rupees and a citation. The award was instituted by the Delhi government's Sahitya Kala Parishad in 2004 to felicitate on eminent personalities for their outstanding contributions to the fields of music, dance, theatre, visual arts, sports and literature. Bhimsen Joshi, MS Subbulakshmi, Zohra Sehgal, Kapila Vatsayan, Rahim Fahimuddin Dagar, Ebrahim Alkazi, Habib Tanvir, Vishwanathan Anand and Ram Kumar are some of the noted recipients of the award.
PIETA THE SOUTH KOREAN FILM WON GOLDEN LION VENICE TOP PRIZE
The Golden Lion Prize for best movie was given to the South Korean Movie, Pieta directed by Kim Ki-duk at the 69th Venice Film Festival on 8 September 2012. The Master by Paul Thomas Anderson walked off with two major awards namely, Special Jury Award and Best Actor for Joaquin Phoenix.
ADITI MUKHERJEE WON THE PRESTIGIOUS NORMAN BORLAUG AWARD

Aditi Mukherjee, a Delhi based scientist, won the prestigious Norman Borlaug Award in Field Research and Application. www.jagranjosh.com
SIX TOP SPORTING COACHES TO RECEIVE DRONACHARYA AWARD FOR 2012
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The names of six sporting coaches were recommended for the Dronacharya Awards for the year 2012. Wrestling Coach Yashvir Singh, Boxing Coach BI Fernandez, Athletics Coach Virender Poonia, Kabaddi Coach Sunil Davas, Parathletics Coach Dr. Satyapaul and Hockey Coach Harinder Singh are the six coaches who have been selected for the coveted award, given to the coach of different sports, for their excellent contribution to the sports.
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PRIME MINISTER SHRAM AWARDS FOR YEAR 2011 ANNOUNCED

Union Ministry of Labour and Employment announced the Prime Minister Shram Awards for year 2011 on 15 August 2012. This year, no nomination was found suitable for the presitigious Shram Ratna Award. Six nominations for the Shram Bhushan Award, Thirty Three nominations for Shram Vir/Shram Veerangana and twenty nine nominations for Shram Shree/Shram Devi Awards have been selected.
CHARLES L BENNETT RECEIVED THE GRUBER COSMOLOGY PRIZE 2012

Charles L Bennett, a professor of physics and astronomy at Johns Hopkins University, US, was awarded with the Gruber Cosmology Prize 2012 in Beijing at the opening ceremony of the 28th Conference of the International Astronomical Union on 22 August 2012. The 500000 dollar award was given to him acknowledging his immense contribution to the world of physics. Bennett, a prominent physicist, led a 26member team that worked on NASA's Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe. The findings of the study helped astronomers refine their understanding of the age, shape and makeup of the universe. The Gruber Prize is the second for Bennett, who also was a member of a NASA team that won the prize in 2006. As the member of the COBE Team he conducted a groundbreaking studies confirming that our universe was born in a hot Big Bang.
INDIAN SCIENTIST ASHOKE SEN WAS HONOURED WITH FUNDAMENTAL PHYSICS PRIZE
Indian Scientist Ashoke Sen was honoured with Fundamental Physics Prize (FPP) 2012 on 31 July 2012. He is 56 years old. Ashoke will get the cash prize of three million dollar which is double the cash prize of Nobel Prize. He is the only Indian who was honored with this award. He was the Professor of Physics in Harish Chandra Research Institute, Allahabad. In the year 1988, he had joined Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in Mumbai.
9 PHYSICISTS WORLDWIDE RECEIVED THE FUNDAMENTAL PHYSICS PRIZE

9 physicists worldwide were given the Fundamental Physics Prize on 31 July 2012.
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The prizes were given to the physicists for their remarkable contribution to the field of fundamental physics. Fundamental Physics Prize has been established by Russian Businessman Yuri Milner and the most money-spinning academic prize in the world. Winners of the award include, Ashoke Sen, N J Nima, Arkani-Hamed, Juan Maldacena, Nathan Seiberg, Edward Witten, Andrei Linde, Alexei Kitaev, Maxim Kontsevich, Ashoke Sen The winners will receive 3 million dollar as the prize amount. The Nobel Prize currently comes with an award of 1.2 million dollar, which is generally divided between two or three people.
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Micronutrient Initiative, Canada was awarded with Canadas Highest Civilian Award the Order of Canada in the last week of December 2012. Mannar, a Graduate from Indian Institute of Technology, Madras and a post graduate in chemical engineering from Northwestern University, US, was honoured with the award for his forty years long contribution working towards reduction of debilitating micronutrient deficiencies among the worlds most vulnerable. Micronutrient Initiative The not-for-profit organization, Micronutrient Initiative is dedicated towards ensuring the worlds most vulnerable, the children and the women mainly in the developing countries get a proper amount of minerals and vitamins (supplements) that they require for survival and it tries to thrive the same through food fortification programme. The organization works for identifying, development, implementation and monitoring the cost effective solutions for hidden hunger. The Support offered by Canada to the organization allows it to improve lives of more than 500 million people in 70 different countries, annually. All this is being done through different programs of the organization and they are child health, child survival, growth and development, and womens and newborn survival and health programs. Order of Canada Award The Order of Canada instituted by Queen Elizabeth II in the year 1967 is a Canadian National Order and is the second highest honour of merit in the Country. It is placed next to Order of Merit. The order is given to people with lifetime outstanding
MUTHUNAYAGAM AND SARASWAT TO BE AWARDED WITH ARYABHATTA AWARD BY THE ASI

The Astronautical Society of India (ASI) in the last week of December 2012 announced names of former secretary of the Department of Ocean Development, Dr. A.E. Muthunayagam and Dr. V.K. Saraswat, Scientific Adviser to the Defence Minister for prestigious Aryabhatta Award for the year 2010 and 2011 respectively. The two have been selected for the achievement in rocketry.
SCIENTIST VENKATESH MANNAR HONOURED WITH ORDER OF CANADA AWARD

Venkatesh Mannar a Channai-born Scientist of Indian Origin and President,
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achievements and their dedication towards the community and service to the nation and people in Canadian Society in all the sectors.
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tuitions to young children in suburban Mumbai to add to the family income.
IRELANDS PRESTIGIOU S TIPPERARY INTERNATIONAL PEACE PRIZE FOR 2012 AWARDED TO MALALA
Irelands prestigious Tipperary International Peace Prize for 2012 was awarded on 3 January 2013 to Malala Yousafzai the teenage schoolgirl from Pakistan, who was shot by Talibans Gunman in October 2012. Malala would be conferred with the award for her bravery, courage and determination to speak and support the cause of access to equal education for every child. With this award, Malala became the second Pakistani National to win the award. Before this, Lt. Benazir Bhutto was awarded with the same award in 2007.
LIFE OF PI NOMINATED FOR BAFTA 2013 WITH NINE NOMINATIONS, LINCOLN LEADS WAY WITH 10 NODS
Life of Pi and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, the Hollywood films which had their shooting in India were chosen for the major BAFTA Awards 2013. The political drama of Steven Spielberg, Lincoln is leading its way with ten nominations. Suraj Sharma, the Indian actor was already nominated for the BAFTA Awards 2013 for the category of Rising Star. He acted as the Pi in Life of Pi directed by Ang Lee. Life of Pi and Les Miserables earned nine nominations respectively. These movies are competing with Lincoln, Zero Dark Thirty and Argo in the category of Best Film. Daniel Day-Lewis was nominated for the category of Best Actor for his portrayal as US President in the movie Lincoln. Others who are nominated in this category include Ben Affleck for Argo, Joaquin Phoenix for The Master, Bradley Cooper for Silver Linings Playbook and Hugh Jackman for Les Miserables. Ang Lee was nominated for Best Director category in BAFTA for Life of Pi along with Ben Affleck (Argo), Kathryn Bigelow (Zero Dark Thirty), Michael Haneke (Amour) and Quentin Tarantino (Django Unchained). Life of Pi is running for the categories original music, cinematography; best adapted screenplay, production design, special visual effects, Sound and editing.
SUNMEET KAUR BECAME THE FIRST WOMAN TO WIN 5 CRORE RUPEES ON KAUN BANEGA CROREPATI GAME SHOW
Sunmeet Kaur Sawhney, a housewife from the state of Punjab in January 2013 emerged as the first woman to win 5 crore rupees on the TV game show Kaun Banega Crorepati 6 (KBC). Sawhney who had studied till class XII only is a home tutor and she presently resides in the city of Mumbai. She used to give
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Argo is running for categories best adapted screenplay, editing, sound and original music. Lincoln is running for best cinematography, costume design, makeup and hair, original music and production design. The British Academy Film Awards 2013 was held at Royal Opera House on 10 February 2013.
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19TH COLORS SCREEN AWARDS: RANBIR KAPOOR AND IRFAN KHAN DECLARED BEST ACTORS
The 19th Colors Screen Awards were announced on 12 January 2013 in a function at Mumbais Bandra Kurla Complex. From the list of 119 films released in 2012, 27 films were green signaled in the Screen Academy Selection singled for consideration by the Jury. The screen jury comprised the eminent members of the Indian Film Industry. These panelists after several rounds of discussions and debates were able to finalise the nominations.
RENAULT DUSTER AWARDED CAR OF THE YEAR AWARD 2013

Renault Duster was awarded the Car of the Year Award 2013 by the automotive magazine Autocar India at the annual awards night on 9 January 2013 in Mumbai. In the gala event, there was a strong competition for the award among some of the most renowned and reputed names in auto industry. Autocar India gave away 22 awards in all, in the two-wheeler as well as four-wheeler segment.
GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS 2013: ARGO WON BEST PICTURE AND BEST DIRECTOR AWARDS
In the prestigious Golden Globe Awards 2013, the hostage-crisis movie Argo thrashed Lincoln to bag best picture as well as best director awards on 13 January 2013. Les Miserables, on the other hand won the awards in best musical or comedy category with the actors Anne Hathaway and Hugh Jackman winning one trophy each. The award-winning movie Argo is actually inspired by 1979 crisis US diplomats in Iran. In the category of Best Drama, other nominees were Django Unchained, Zero Dark Thirty as well as Life of Pi.
MALALA YOUSAFZAI HONOURED WITH FRANCE'S SIMONE DE BEAUVOIR PRIZE FOR WOMEN'S FREEDOM
Malala Yousafzai, 15, the schoolgirl from Pakistan shot by Taliban for campaigning girls education, on 9 January 2013 received France's Simone de Beauvoir Prize for Women's Freedom in Paris. Malalas father Ziaudin Yousafzai received the honour on her behalf. The award is accompanied with 2.5 million Rupees honorarium.
PRESIDENT PRANAB MUKHERJEE HONOURED 18
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STATES WITH KRISHI KARMAN AWARDS

President Pranab Mukherjee on 15 January 2013 presented Krishi Karman awards for 2011-12 to eight states, which includes the state of UP and Bihar for improving the food grain production and commendation awards to 10 other states. Highlights of the Awards The states of Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Manipur and Nagaland were awarded with amount of 2 crore rupees each, for their special contribution in increasing foodgrain production. In an individual crop category Bihar, Haryana, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh were awarded 1 crore rupees each, for increasing output. Punjab, Assam, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Tripura, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Himachal Pradesh were presented with Commendation awards. For the first time one female farmer and one male farmer from the eight awards winning states were awarded for their outstanding performance in enhancing foodgrain production. Awards were received by Chief Ministers on behalf of their states, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan and Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda received awards on behalf of their states. The awarded were based on their record production and productivity levels in total foodgrains or in any of the individual crops
but scored relatively lesser marks on other criteria compared to the top awardees. As per President Pranab Mukherjee, India can achieve the targeted 4 per cent growth in farm sector during the 12th Plan period with help of better seeds, improved water management and balanced use of fertilisers and pesticides, among others. President also gave award to Shanti Devi of Naran village in Nokha block of Rohtas district for creating a record in production of a certain variety of paddy named MPU7029. As per deputy director of agriculture department A C Jain, scientists had predicted production of 55 quintal per hectare of MTU-7029. But astonishingly Shanti Devi had grown 95 quintal per hectare paddy of this variety through SRI method in financial year 2011-12. About Krishi Karman Award Krishi Karman awards were instituted in 2010-11. It recognise the effort made by states in foodgrain production. The awards are given to best performing states in two broad categories, one for the total foodgrain production and the other for the individual foodgrain crops of rice, wheat, pulses and coarse cereals. States in foodgrains category are divided into three categories based on total foodgrain production capacity of the state.
58TH IDEA FILMFARE AWARDS: BARFI! BAGS SEVEN AWARDS, KAHAANI SCRIPTS FIVE
58th Idea Filmfare Awards were given away on 20 January 2013 at YRF Studio, Andheri.
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At the 58th Idea Filmfare Awards, Barfi!, the much-acclaimed film grabbed seven Black Lady awards while, Kahaani bagged five awards. The award for the Best Actor was given to Ranbir Kapoor for his deaf-mute performance in Barfi! Vidya Balan, on the other hand was adjudged as the Best Actress for Kahaani. Barfi! was awarded with the Best Film award, while Kahaanis director Sujoy Ghosh won the Black Lady for the Best Director. The lifetime achievement award was given away to Yash Chopra posthumously. Yash Chopras wife Pamela collected this award on his behalf.
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The officials selected for the Presidential Award of Appreciation Certificate in 2013 represent different cadres such as Commissioner , Directors, Superintendents, Inspectors and Drivers working in different fields like seizing the smuggled goods, prevention of smuggling of goods and Narcotics Drugs, detection of Foreign Exchange Violations, detecting tax evasion and money laundering cases by booking / arresting the offenders.
THIRTY-SEVEN OFFICERS OF CUSTOMS & CENTRAL EXCISE AND ED SELECTED FOR PRESIDENTIAL AWARDS
37 officials of the Customs & Central Excise and Enforcement Directorate were selected for Presidential Award of Appreciation Certificate for especially distinguished record of service for 2013. Every year, certain officers from Customs & Central Excise and Enforcement Directorate departments are kept into consideration to be granted the Presidential Award of Appreciation Certificate which is announced on 26 January, i.e., Republic Day every year. The award is given away for the especially distinguished record of service to the officials for maintaining their excellence in discharging their duties. 37 officials from the departments were selected on the grounds of exemplary and perfect performances in their services.
MAJOR ABUP J MANJALI SELECTED FOR SECONDHIGHEST PEACETIME GALLANTRY AWARD KIRTI CHAKRA
Major Abup J Manjali of the Rashtriya Rifles was selected for the award of Kirti Chakra for his extraordinary bravery efforts in counter- terrorist operations in Jammu and Kashmir. Major Manjali will be awarded on 26 January 2013. Major Manjali is the only soldier to receive this secondhighest peacetime gallantry award Kirti Chakra on the Republic Day. Apart from him, eight other jawans as well as officers were selected to be awarded with the Shaurya Chakra.
INDIAN WRITER SHORTLISTED FOR THE PRESTIGIOUS INTERNATIONAL MAN BOOKER PRIZE FOR FICTION 2013
UR Ananthamurthy, the Kannada author was shortlisted among other ten authors for prestigious International Man Booker Prize
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for Fiction 2013. UR Ananthamurthy, 80, is an only Indian who was shortlisted in the final list of this prestigious award. The list of the awardees was announced at the Jaipur Literature Festival on 24 January 2013.
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These awards are announced on the eve of Republic Day celebration and are conferred by the President of India at a function organised at Rastrapati Bhawan.
PRESIDENT OF INDIA APPROVED THE CONFERMENT OF 108 PADMA AWARDS

Pranab Mukherjee, the President of Union of India on 25 January 2013 approved conferment of 108 Padma Awards. Four people have been conferred with Padma Vibhusan, twenty four are conferred with Padma Bhusha n and 80 people would be receiving Padma Shree Awards. Out of all the awardees twenty-four are ladies and 11 people belong to categories like NRIs, PIOs, Foreigners and Posthumous awardees. Padma Awards Padma Awards are the highest Civilian Awards and are conferred to people in three different categories namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. These Awards are conferred on people for the work done by them in different categories including art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service, and many more. Padma Vibhusan is conferred on the people for the exceptional and distinguished services done by them Padma Bhushan for distinguished service of high order Padma Shri is given to a person for his/her distinguished service in any field
TAIWANESE BUSINESS MAGNATE LAUNCHES ASI AS NOBEL-TYPE PRIZES

A business tycoon from Taiwan with interests mainly in China declared on 28 January 2013 that he was funding the Asia's Nobel Prizes for outstanding achievements in natural and social sciences. Samuel Yin, the head of Ruentex Group announced that he would establish Tang Prize Foundation which would have an initial donation of 103 million dollar. Tang Prize Foundation, which uses the name of Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), is valued by the Chinese for cultural as well as scientific achievements. It was decided that the prizes under the Tang Prize Foundation will be awarded every alternate year to the international leaders in sustainable development, biopharmaceutical science, the rule of law as well as the study of China. Samuel Yin declared that these categories were kept in the new awards because the Nobels, which are 118 years old, did not include these fields. He also opined that these categories had high importance for the humanity. About the Tang Prize Foundation The prizes under the Tang Prize Foundation will commence from 2014. The winners of the prize would be entitled to receive 1.7 million US dollar. Nobel prizes award 1.2 million US dollar to the awardees.
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The winners of the Tang Prize will be nominated as well as screened by the special committees which in turn would be established by the Academia Sinica, the highly prestigious research organisation of Taiwan.
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CHAPTER 11: REPORTS AND COMMITTEES

RTE REPORT REVEALED THE LOW PERCENTAGE OF ENROLMENT OF SC AND ST STUDENTS IN SCHOOLS
A Report on Right to Education (RTE) by the Union Ministry of Human Development Resource revealed that the percentage enrolment of the Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) as students in primary and upper primary is low to an unacceptable level in India. The report also threw light on the fact that about 20 percent of the teachers teaching in different schools of the nation are not professionally qualified for teaching, following the revised guidelines issued by the National Council of Teacher Education (NCTC). As per the report the percentage enrolment of SC and ST students in primary schools of West Bengal in past two years, was recorded as 27 and 7 percent respectively. The figure at all-India level was worse even to the status of West Bengal in terms of percentage enrollment for SC students, which stood at 19 percent in the year 201011. Citing example of the government-run schools of West Bengal the report also stated that 75 percent of the schools in the state had more than 35 students in one classroom. Apart from this 66 percent schools running were without playground and 67 percent were without boundaries in the state.
The report also indicates inconsistency in admissions at primary school level that is turning up to be a concern for the gender disparity index as in the past two years it accounts to 0.94; this means 94 girls for every 100 boys. This is a complete failure of the three-year timeframe of the road-map drafted for achieving the status Education to All, which would be ending on 31 March 2013.
CIGARETTE PACKAGE HEALTH WARNINGS: INTERNATIONAL STATUS REPORT RELEASED

Cigarette Package Health Warnings: International Status Report released in the second week of November ranked India at 123rd Position in the list of 198 countries surveyed on fulfillment of picture based health warnings and warning size issued on the Cigarette Packets. The released report has ranked the countries on the success that they achieved in issuing pictorial health warnings on tobacco packets. Pictorial Health Warnings is considered to be the proven strategy to discourage people from chewing or smoking tobacco. India signed and ratified an International Treaty under the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) and as per the treaty the signing party is responsible for carrying health warnings on the packets of all type of tobacco product with a description of its harmful effect on human. The issued warning should include a pictorial warning and cover about 50 percent of the principle display area but at no instance less than 30 percent of the display area.
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The situation of India as per a NGO that works on tobacco control Voluntary Health Association of India is regretful because of its position at 123rd place in the ranking. At the time of negotiations for issue of picturebased health warnings on the packets of tobacco products, in the year 2003, India was at forefront, but its positioning in the released report was a situation of regret. India in the year 2004 approved the WHOFCTC that makes the Government committed towards implementation of pictorial warnings related to health on tobacco products of all types. As per Article 11 of FCTC the pictorial health warnings are treated as an effective and proven strategy of reducing the demand of tobacco. A survey report published in the year 2006 by the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) about 14.1 percent children, who are in the age group of 13 to 15 years are tobacco users in one or the other form and out of this recorded population 11.9 percent use tobacco products and the rest 4.2 percent smoke cigarettes. Another report published in 2009-10 by the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) India described that about 34.6 percent of the adults, who are 15 plus years in age use tobacco in India. A total population of about 206 million people that accounts to 25.9 percent use smokeless tobacco in the nation and of these 15 percent users are from urban society and 30.7 percent belong to rural India. Among the women tobacco users that constitutes to 20.3 percent, 18.4 percent use smokeless tobacco. World Report Australia was ranked at first position in the list of countries in the issued report as it recorded the largest warnings in the world. www.jagranjosh.com
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About 63 countries and territories of the world that covers about 40 percent of the worlds population have been successful in issuing picture warning messages. The Picture Warning have been into stress by the FCTC because of its belief in the fact that a picture says thousand words and can easily convey the message to tobacco users in the low and middle income countries and high illiteracy rates. It also considers the picture warnings as the cost effective measure to curb the use of tobacco even in countries with fewer resources to spread awareness. Guidelines The guideline issued by FCTC recommends that the pictorial warnings should be in a representation of the graphical picture in a rotating series on both the front and back side of the packages and it should be as large as it can be.
AGEWELL FOUNDATION REPORT ON CONDITION OF ELDERLY PEOPLE IN DELHINCR RELEASED

Agewell Foundation released its report on the status of older persons in and around Delhi in the month of November 2012. The report in its finding based on the interviews conducted with 15000 senior citizens reached to a conclusion that, isolation of the elderly people has emerged as a red flag, in this changing world with fast changing demographic as well as socioeconomic status along with the change in traditional values of the modern man. As per the report and its finding in form of conclusion, more than 80 percent of the
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olds in Delhi experience loneliness in their present lives and carried a feeling of isolation. This isolation and loneliness is a cause of zero interaction with family as well as the other members of the society. Agewell Foundation, while conducting this study dealt with variety of issues connected with the old age people to identify their status and condition in a around the Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR). The total population of old aged people (people above 60 years) in Delhi-NCR region is more than 12 lakhs, which is about 8 percent of its total population of more than 2 crore people and they faced different kind of critical situations in their life. Identified problems of the old-aged people Feel of marginalization Little or no access to medicines and healthcare No work opportunities Concerns related to safety and security of their property and life Financial problems Restricted mobility Psychological problems that occurred due to loneliness
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the greater phenomenon of isolation than that of the social isolation that accounts to 25 percent. Impacts of the Isolation Adverse health effects: 43 percent of the surveyed people claimed to be depressed Less or zero interaction of people lead them to the stage of poor health conditions: 36 percent of the surveyed people claimed deterioration of the health conditions, ever since they left their homes Feel of insecurity in their lives: isolation created a feel of insecurity to the lives of around 16.2 percent of the total population interviewed
THE WORLD DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2013-JOBS RELEASED BY WORLD BANK

The World Development Report 2013: Jobs released by the World Bank stressed upon the role of strong private sector in creation of jobs, outlining the facts that how can the jobs encourage development and incite an honest cycle. The report in its finding also indicated that when people work, there is an intense fall in poverty as people work out from their hardship and empowerment of women through jobs ensures better investments in children. The non-productive mass turns up to be productive and increase in jobs helps in making of flourished societies proving better alternatives of conflict by fostering diversities. Part-time work has seen a rise in India
The study also cited the bitter truth of emotional and social isolation of people in different areas of Delhi-NCR region. A total of 36 percent old persons in the villages of Delhi, were reported to be isolated emotionally as well as socially, whereas in the rural areas a total of 20.8 percent of these people were found to be socially isolated and 19 percent accounted to emotional isolation. A total of 44 percent old persons in the urban areas of Delhi-NCR were isolated on both social and emotional ends. Emotional isolation, which accounted to be 26 percent as a whole was, identified www.jagranjosh.com
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The World Development Report also emphasised on the fact that the mediumsize businesses whereas the share of parttime work has seen a rise in India. The report also stated that the share of informal workers in organised sectors and firms have also witnessed a steep rise from 32 percent in 2000 to 68 percent by 2010. Skilled Labour Shortage in India The report targeted firm dynamics associated lacks accounted for the growth of such trends. The World Bank surveyed 54000 firms across 102 developing nations and went to a conclusion that large firms with over a hundred workers were innovative and engaged mainly in export and had higher productivity combined with good wages, whereas the small firms with an employee base of about 20 people were less innovative. The report also cleared that majority of the firm across the world starts up as a small unit but in case of India these firms remains to be small by doubling the profits after being productive for a period of about 35 years and slashing down the headcount by one-fourth. The report also forecasted for India the missing middle of the medium sized firms. Emphasis on Strong Urbanization Policy In context of India the published report also emphasised on strong urbanization policy in India to create better jobs and betterment of the labour policies, which were too stringent in India. To arrive at findings the authors of the report also surveyed over 800 households and processed censuses to arrive at their findings. The published report was created by a team led by Martin Rama along with Kathleene www.jagranjosh.com
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Neegle and Jesko Hentschel with five more members in the core team and eight members in the Research team.
CHILDREN IN INDIA 2012 - A STATISTICAL APPRAISAL REPORT RELEASED

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation released on 9 October 2012 a report named Children in India 2012 - A Statistical Appraisal, showcased the griming status of children in India. The report in its finding pointed out a growth of population by 181 million people, between 1991 to 2011 and at the same time also a huge reduction of 5.05 million of child in the age group of 0 to 6 years. And among this the decline in female population reportedly was 2.99 million and of male population was 2.06 million. The report indicates a huge dip in the sex ratios of child, increased crime and troubles against the girl child and continued child labour that is constitutionally believed to be a social crime. As per the report there was a 24 percent increase in reported crime against children in the year 2011. In this list of crime against children Uttar Pradesh took the first position with 16.6 percent share followed by states like Madhya Pradesh and Delhi. 47 percent kidnapping cases were reported in Uttar Pradesh and Delhi, where as 44.5 percent of child rape cases were reported in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. The report also presented a dip of child sex ratio from 945 to 914 in a period of two decades in between 1991 to 2011, when the graph of over-all sex ratio showcasing
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improvement climbed from 927 to 940. In this report the identified states with lowest sex ratio were Haryana (830), Punjab (846), Jammu and Kashmir (859), Delhi (866) and Chandigarh (867) in a chronological order. North-eastern states, like Meghalaya and Mizoram remained at top position with maximum (970). This report is prepared by making the comparisons on different standards like rural vs urban, north vs south and northeast vs rest of India. The findings of the report presents a shocking data of no Northern state except Himachal Pradesh had its presence in the sex-ration chart above 900. It also presents an indicator of the birthration of a girl child as compared to that of the male births per 1000 to be 832 in Punjab and 848 in Haryana due to the impacts of female foeticide prevalent in the region. Uttar Pradesh with 15.22 percent share in the chart of child labour stood at top position and is followed by Andhra Pradesh. Youthful crimes of children have also been raised as the issue of serious concern in the report, and Tamil Nadu with 672 cases per 1000, took the lead in the chart with its share of 23.7 percent as a whole.
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suggest ways to revamp of defence management in the country. Naresh Chandra, a former bureaucrat, headed the committee which members included former military officers, intelligence chiefs, diplomats and strategic analysts. Air Chief Marshal (retired) S. Krishnaswamy, General (retired) VR Raghavan, the former Department of Atomic Energy chief Anil Kakodkar, Admiral (retired) Arun Prakash, the former R&AW head KC Verma, the former Union Home Secretary V.K. Duggal, G Parthasarathy, former diplomat, and senior journalist Manoj Joshi were the other members in the committee. The main objective behind the constitution of the committee was to contemporarise the Kargil Review Committees recommendations, which was tabled in the Parliament on 23 February 2000. Besides, the task force was also asked to examine the state of country's border management and restructuring system. Kargil Review Committee The Kargil Review Committee (KRC), headed by the late K. Subrahmanyam, had submitted its report a decade back. The recommendations made by the committee had paved the way for the setting up of a Group of Ministers which had suggested massive reforms in the country's security management system. The KRC is considered to be the first major attempt at revamping the country's security after Independence.
NARESH CHANDRA COMMITTEE SUBMITTED ITS REPORT ON NATIONAL SECURITY

Naresh Chandra Committee, a 14-member task force on national security, submitted its report to the government on 8 August 2012. The committee was set up by the Union government on 21 June 2012 to
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CHAPTER 12: PROGRAMS AND POLICY

UNION GOVERNMENT APPROVED RELAXATION IN POLICIES RELATED TO TRANSFER OF GOVERNMENT LAND
The Union Government of India on 2 August 2012 approved relaxation in policies relating to transfer of government land. The objective of the policy is to speed up private-public partnership in the country and to fast-track pending infrastructure projects. The decision will ensure that infrastructure projects are not held up for procedural delays. A ban was imposed in 2011 on transfer of government-owned land to any entity except in cases where land was to be transferred from one government department to another. This ban however excluded the cases where the land was to be transferred from one government department to another. The policy has also been relaxed for all land transfers from ministries to statutory authorities or PSUs (Public Sector Units). Besides, the government allowed use and development of railway land by Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA), as per the provisions of Railways Amendment Act, 2005.
HEALTH MINISTERS OF BRICS DECIDED TO SET UP TECHNICAL WORKING GROUP (TWG)

TWG (Technical Working Group): The group set up by the BRICS nation to exchange information regarding the prevailing systems and institutional mechanisms through meetings. The Health Ministers of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) in the second week of January 2013 decided to set up a Technical Working Group (TWG). As per the Agreed Action Plan released by the Health and Family Welfare Ministry, member countries will nominate their respective Nodal Officers to work jointly for the Working Group. The group will exchange information regarding the prevailing systems and institutional mechanisms through meetings.
WORLD CONFERENCE ON INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS (WCIT-12) HELD IN DUBAI

International telecommunication Union (ITU) summoned the World Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates which was held from 3 to14 December 2012. In the landmark conference, it was decided that the current International Telecommunications Regulations (ITRs) shall be reviewed. After negotiating for two weeks, the delegates from the length and breadth of
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the world agreed to a fresh international treaty called New Global Telecoms Treaty, which will welcome the power of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to everyone in the world. More than 2000 delegates from across the world were registered for this conference. The main points of the treaty were as follows The treaty basically embarks general principles for making sure that there is free flow of the information across the world. New provisions ensured that there was special emphasis on the future efforts for helping the developing countries, on promotion of accessibility to the disabled as well as on emphasising the right to freedom of expression of people over all the ICT networks. In another provision, there was an inclusion of a Resolution for creating one, globally-harmonised number for access to various emergency services, improving the energy efficiency of the ICT networks, new text making it mandatory for the prices set for mobile roaming as well as fighting against the e-waste. Issues that provoked debate at the World Conference on International Telecommunications There were certain tough issues which led to debate at this conference. These issues were Network security Unwanted bulk content like spam emails
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Definition of the entities which provided services under terms of the treaty, Whether the language on freedom of expression in the Preamble text of the treaty should be included or not The principle of non-discriminatory access of the networks of each others countries
ITUs Gold Medal: In WCIT-12, the ITUs Gold Medal, which is the highest honour of the organisation, was awarded by ITU Secretary-General Dr Hamadoun Tour to Chairmanship of Al Ghanim. About WCIT-12 WCIT-12 was among the most open treatymaking conferences of the world which had live as well as archived webcasting. There was English-language captioning of the meetings of substantive working committee (Committee 5 Review) as well as the conference plenary sessions. There were in all, 1275 proposals to this conference from the member States. WCIT12 included around 1600 delegates onsite from 151 Member States. This also included around 70 Ministers, Ambassadors and Deputy Ministers.
NATIONAL GIRL CHILD DAY CELEBRATED IN INDIA ON 24 JANUARY

24 January, National Girl Child Day: This day is celebrated as the National Girl Child Day every year by the Government of India with an objective to raise consciousness of Indian society towards the girl children.
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The Women and Child Development Ministry observed National Girl Child Day on 24 January 2013. 24 January is celebrated as the National Girl Child Day every year since 2008 by the Government of India. Objective of the National Girl Child Day The primary objective of the National Girl Child Day is raising awareness and consciousness of the society towards the girl child. The primary aim is to ensure that every girl is respected and valued in Indian society.
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CHAPTER 13: SPORTS

UNION HRD MINISTER KAPIL SIBAL LAUNCHED HOCKEY AND CRICKET LEAGUE
In order to give encouragement to the talented sportsmen of the University system and promote sports in Universities, the Union Minister of Human Resource Development Kapil Sibal on 5 October 2012 launched hockey and cricket league under the Association of Indian Universities (AIU). Association of Indian Universities has been organising the Rohinton Baria Cricket Trophy, the Inter University Hockey Tournament and other events for promotion of sports in the Universities throughout the country. It was after an offer made by the NDTV Group for assisting in sponsoring sports events, it was decided to organise every year, a National Level University Cricket League (UCL) and University Hockey League (UHL). So For this purpose an Organising Committee chaired by the Minister of Human Resource Development, Communication and IT has been constituted, composed of senior representatives of University Grants Commission (UGC), AIU, NDTV, Vice Chancellors of several Universities, NDMC, DDCA Hockey India and eminent persons in the field of sports. The University Cricket League would be played among 8 top University teams in the T 20 format, from amongst those who www.jagranjosh.com
qualify through a zonal competition. Similarly the University Hockey League would be played among the top 8 teams selected through the zonal competitions.
SCOTT FLEMMING BECAME THE NEW INDIAN BASKETBALL TEAM COACH

Scott Flemming was appointed as the head coach of the mens National Basketball Team in the third week of November 2012 by the Basketball Federation of India (BFI). Flemming has served as the assistant coach in NBA Development League of Texas Legends, often working as the head coach for present as well as future NBA players. He was also designated as coach and athletic director at Mount Vernon Nazarene University in Ohio. Flemming has a total record of 397226 with the Cougars.
SIX TOP SPORTING COACHES TO RECEIVE DRONACHARYA AWARD FOR 2012

The names of six sporting coaches were recommended for the Dronacharya Awards for the year 2012. Wrestling Coach Yashvir Singh, Boxing Coach BI Fernandez, Athletics Coach Virender Poonia, Kabaddi Coach Sunil Davas, Parathletics Coach Dr. Satyapaul and Hockey Coach Harinder Singh are the six coaches who have been selected for the coveted award, given to the coach of different sports, for their excellent contribution to the sports.
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ROELANT OLTMANS IS THE HIGH PERFORMANCE DIRECTOR FOR INDIAN HOCKEY TEAM
Hockey India on 17 January announced that Roelant Oltmans, the Dutch Coach would serve the Indian Hockey Team as Director High Performance and would look forward towards the sports in India till 2016 Rio Olympics. Oltmans would be responsible for the planning the training program as well as calendar for both the junior and the senior Players in Men and Women sections.
India-born, Monisha Kaltenborn became the First Woman Team Principal in Formula one on 11 October 2012 after taking the control of team Sauber, a Swiss Formula one team with the stepping down of team founder Peter Sauber from day to day management. The news of Monisha Kaltenborn appointment came after Peter Sauber made it clear that he did not wish to run the team, which he built more than forty years ago.
INDIAN GOLFER GAGANJEET BHULLAR WON MACAU OPEN

Indian Golfer Gaganjeet Bhullar on 14 October 2012 fired a three-under 68 to complete a start to-finish win in the Venetian Macau Open Golf. Gaganjeet Bhullar finished with 16-under 268 for a two-shot win and bag his second title on Asian Tour within a month. With this he took over his fourth title of his career, keeping aside the inaugural Gujarat Challenge Tour win in 2011. American Jonathan Moore finished two shots back in second place after a 65 and Thai youngster Thitiphun Chuayprakong closed with a 70 to share third place with Bangladeshi Siddikur (66). About Macau Open The Macau Open is a men's professional golf tournament on the Asian Tour which take place in Macau ever year. It was founded in 1998. The venue is the Macau Golf & Country Club at Coloane. The best known golfer who won the tournament is eight-time European Tour Order of Merit champion Colin Montgomerie.
FORMER CRICKETER ANIL KUMBLE APPOINTED CHAIRMAN OF ICC CRICKET COMMITTEE

Former India cricketer and captain Anil Kumble on 11 October 2012 was named the new head of the International Cricket Council's (ICC) cricket committee, replacing former West Indies skipper Clive Lloyd. The International Cricket Council's (ICC) cricket committee is a 16-member committee which meets twice a year to consult on playing matters and offer recommendations to the ICC on technical aspects and rules of the sport.
MONISHA KALTENBORN BECAME THE FIRST WOMAN TEAM PRINCIPAL IN FORMULA ONE
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NOVAK DJOKOVIC WON SHANGHAI MASTERS BY DEFEATING ANDY MURRAY

Novak Djokovic beated British Tennis Player Andy Murray on 14 October 2012 and saved five match points to seal a stunning 5- 7, 7- 6 (13/ 11), 6- 3 victory in the Shanghai Rolex Masters final. With the winning of match Novak Djokovic became the first player to win seven of the nine ATP World Tour 1000 Masters events. Also in the Doubles Category, Leander Paes and Radek Stepanek won the Shanghai Rolex Double title by defeating Mahesh Bhupati and Rohan Bopanna.
OLYMPIC SHOOTER VIJAY KUMAR NAMED SERVICES BEST SPORTSMAN

London Olympic Shooter and silver medalist Vijay Kumar on 19 October 2012 was honoured with the Services Best Sportsman award for 2012 at the Army Headquarters in New Delhi The award which include trophy and cash award of one lakh rupees is generally given to the best sportsman from the three defence forces of Army, Air Force and Navy.
SAINA NEHWAL WON DENMARK OPEN BADMINTON TITLE

The World No. 4 badminton player Saina Nehwal on 21 October 2012 won the Denmark Open Super Series Premier tournament by defeating the German badminton player Juliane Schenk by 21-17 21-8. She was competing in the women's single final category badminton match in Odense, Denmark and was Playing without the chief national coach and her mentor Pullela Gopi Chand, This title is counted to be her sixth Super Series title and the first title outside Asia. Her previous titles came in Indonesia (2009, 2010, 2012), Singapore (2010) and Hong Kong (2010).
DECCAN CHARGERS NOW OUT OF INDIAN PREMIUM LEAGUE

The Supreme Court of India on 19 October 2012 rejected the plea of Deccan Chargers to put a stay order on the decision of Mumbai High Court that supported the decision of BCCI to terminate the franchise from being in Indian Premier League (IPL).
MARTIN GUPTILL WON NEW ZEALAND TOP CRICKET AWARD

Opening batsman of New Zealand Cricket team Martin Guptill on 18 October 2012 claimed the top honour at the New Zealand Cricket Awards in Auckland, winning the Sir Richard Hadlee Medal for 2011-12.
LANCE ARMSTRONG STRIPPED OF FROM SEVEN TOUR DE FRANCE TITLES

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Lance Armstrong on 22 October 2012 was stripped of from his seven Tour de France Titles and banned for life from cycling. This event occurred as a follow up of the 202 page report from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) that accused Armstrong of leading a doping programme on his team. President of International Cycling Union (UCI) Pat McQuaid cleared on 22 October 2012 that the report from the anti-doping agency, USADA was accepted and no appeals would be made in the Court of Arbitration for Sports. Organisers of Tour de France would now officially remove the name of Armstrong from all its record books that will include omission of his consecutive victories from 1999 to 2005. Christian Prudhomme the Tour Director announced that no official winners of these years would be declared and the race would follow the decisions made by the UCI.
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is payable in the next five years at 85.5 crore Rupees per year. The bid made by SUN TV Network was substantially higher than the second bid of 69.03 crore Rupees made by PVP Ventures of Hyderabad.
SEBASTIAN VETTEL WON F1 SECOND INDIAN GRAND PRIX

Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel won the Indian Grand Prix 2012 on 28 October 2012 at the Buddh International Circuit (BIC) for the second time in a row extending his Formula One championship lead. The rival Fernando Alonso of Ferrari kept the pressure on with finishing up for a second-place. The win put Vettel (240 points) 13 points clear of his rolling Ferrari rival Fernando Alonso.
SUN TV NETWORK ACQUIRED HYDERABAD IPL FRANCHISE

Chennai based SUN TV Network acquired the Indian Premier League (IPL) Hyderabad franchise on 25 October 2012 for an enormous amount of 85.05 crore Rupees per year. The Hyderabad franchise of the Indian Premier League was fell vacant after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) dropped Deccan Chargers in October 2012 for its failure to give a bank guarantee and other issues. The deal was made by Sun TV Network, who bought the (IPL) Hyderabad franchise for 425 crore Rupees (approx $80m) which
PANKAJ ADVANI WON WORLD BILLIARDS CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE

Indian Billiards Player Pankaj Advani on 29 October 2012 won seventh World Billiards Championship title after comprehensively beating defending champion and seasoned Englishman Mike Russell in the finals of World Billiards Championship 2012. The event was scheduled at the Northern Snooker Centre in Leeds, England where Pankaj scored 1895 points and Russell managed to score only 1216 points losing to Pankaj Advani.
LIONEL MESSI WON GOLDEN BOOT AWARD AS EUROPE S TOP SCORER
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Lionel Messi, the Barcelonean forward footballer on 29 October 2012 won Golden Boot Award. Messi won the award in recognition to his record 50 goals scored in the Europes domestic football league in the last session. To win the award he scored 4 more goals than Cristiano Ronaldo, the Spanish league star. This is the second Golden Boot award for Messi, as he won his first Golden Boot Award in the year 2010 after scoring 34 goals during Argentina International to help Barcelona win the league title. He is also in the list of the favorites to win the 2012 Ballon dOr for the Worlds best player.
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The other previous winners of this prestigious award are Sachin Tendulkar in year 2006-07 and 2009-10, Virender Sehwag in year 2007-08, with Gautam Gambhir and Rahul Dravid in year 2008-09 and 2010-11 respectively.
MAHESH BHUPATHI AND ROHAN BOPANNA WON FIRST ATP TOUR MASTERS TITLE
Indian Tennis Player Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna on 4 November 2012 won their first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title together defeating Pakistan's AisamUl- Haq Qureshi and Netherlands' JeanJulien Rojer by 7-6(6), 6-3 in the final of the BNP Paribas Masters in Paris. The pair Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna won 142500 in prize money and had also claimed 1000 ATP Doubles Team Rankings points, while their opponent and Barclays ATP World Tour Finals qualifiers Aisam-Ul- Qureshi and Jean- Julien Rojer claimed 69780 prize money and 600.
UNION GOVERNMENT OF INDIA APPROVED INDO-PAK CRICKET SERIES

The Union Home Ministry on 30 October 2012 mentioned that it had cleared the Pakistan cricket teams India visit later this year after detailed discussions with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officials on issues related to security and visas for fans who will be visiting for the limited-over series.
VIRAT KOHLI SELECTED FOR BCCI POLLY UMRIGAR AWARD

Indian Cricketer Virat Kohli was chosen for the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) Polly Umrigar award for being India's top international cricketer in 2011-12. With this Virat Kohli is going to be honoured with a trophy and cheque of 5 lakh Rupees at the Annual BCCI Awards Ceremony in Mumbai on 21 November 2012.ss
SACHIN TENDULKAR RECEIVED THE HONORARY MEMBERSHIP OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA

Sachin Tendulkar the Indian Cricketer on 6 November 2012 received the honorary membership of the Order of Australia by Simon Crean, Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government and Minister for the Arts at a function organised at Taj Lands End at Mumbai, India. On this occasion Sachin received a medal and a stump painted by an Australian. Tendulkar was honoured with
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AM award, one of the six different grades of the Order of Australia honour. With this honour Sachin has now joined the list of non-Australian cricketers to be honoured with the membership of Order of Australia along with Brian Lara, Clive Lloyd and Gary Sobers. Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard on her visit to India on 16 October 2012 announced that Sachin Tendulkar would be conferred with the membership of the Order of Australia. This is the honor that is rarely bestowed on any non-Australian. The Prime Minister announced the special honour for Sachin said that he deserves the award because he was a special cricketer. Sachin is the Second Indian after Soli Sorabjee, the former Attorney General of India to be conferred with this award. Before Sachin Tendulkar, Brain Lara the cricketer from West Indies was conferred with this honour in the year 2009.
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GAGANJEET BHULLAR DECLARED YOUNGEST INDIAN ON GOLFER LIST

Indian Golf Player Gaganjeet Bhullar became the First Indian who made it to the elite group of the worlds top-100 players in the latest ranking. The title was previously held by Jeev Milkha Singh, who broke the record in 2006 at the age of 34 with Jyoti Randhawa following him in the same year when he was also aged 34. As per the latest Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), Bhullar had jumped 10 ranks on the back of a tied-18 finish in the $7 million WGC-HSBC Champions in China to take the 98th position in the world. Only Jeev Milkha Singh is ahead of Bhullar currently, and is placed at 95 in the OWGR. The next best placed Indian is Anirban Lahiri ranking 234 on the list.
MAHENDRA SINGH DHONI RENAMED HIS SUPER BIKE TEAM AND SIGNED TWO NEW MEMBERS
Indian cricket team Captain M.S. Dhonis Superbike championship team on 7 November 2012 changed its name from MSD R-N Racing Team India to Mahi Racing Team India and had signed two new members. The two new members that had been signed up are world champion Kenan Sofouglu and former world champion Fabien Foret.
DGP OF ANDHRA PRADESH V. DINESH REDDY APPOINTED AS THE PRESIDENT OF IHF

V. Dinesh Reddy, the Director-General of Police for Andhra Pradesh has been appointed as the New President of the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) on 7 November 2012. Dinesh Reddy replaced R.K. Shetty after he resigned from the post.
LIFE BAN ON MOHAMMAD AZHARUDDIN LIFTED BY ANDHRA PRADESH HIGH COURT
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The Andhra Pradesh High Court on 8 November 2012 lifted the life ban from playing Cricket on Mohammad Azharuddin which was imposed by Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in Year 2000. The life ban on Mohammad Azharuddin came after he was found involved in the betting scandal and the match-fixing episode as per the BCCI three-member committee, comprising its erstwhile president A C Muthaiah and two vicepresidents Kamal Morarka and K M Ram Prasad.
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Team owned by the Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund Aabar Investments in the third week of November 2012. With this purchase the teams full control went into the hands of Daimler. The amount of purchase of the 40 percent stake remained undisclosed. The deal of selling out the stakes of the formula 1 team now awaits regulatory approval.
DAVIS CUP 2012: CZECH REPUBLIC DEFEATED SPAIN IN THE FINALS

The Czech Republic on 18 November 2012 won the 100th Davis Cup 2012 finals, after defeating Spain by 3-2 in the finals. Radek Stepanek of Czech Republic outclassed Nicolas Almagro of Spain with 6-4, 7-6 (0), 3-6, 6-3 in the 3 hours and 52 minutes game, on the hard court of Pragues O2 Arena, during the final fifth rubber of the Davis Cup. Radek Stepanek has created a history by his name after winning the Davis Cup final as he became the first man ever aged 30 or above to win the decisive rubber in 100 years. With this win, the Czech Republic lifted the Davis Cup for the first time after winning independence in 1993. Before this in the year 1980 it lifted the trophy under Czechoslovakia flag by the team led by Ivan Lendl. With this win the Czech Republic turned-up to be the first nation that won the Hopman Cup, Fed Cup and Davis Cup in one year.
MARCEL GRANOLLERS & MARC LOPEZ WON THE ATP WORLD TOUR FINAL 2012
The Spanish pair of Marcel Granollers and Marc Lopez on 12 November 2012 defeated the Indian duo of Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna in the Men's Doubles title clash of the ATP World Tour Finals in London. In the final match, the fifth seeded Indian duo went down fighting in a tight three-set game, 5-7, 6-3, 3-10. Meanwhile, Serbia's World Number One Novak Djokovic has bagged the Men's Singles trophy. Djokovic defeated World Number Two Roger Federer of Switzerland in straight sets, 7-6, 7-5, in the final match played early this morning.
DAIMLER PURCHASED FULL CONTROL OF MERCEDES ONE MOTOR RACING TEAM

Daimler, the German Luxury Carmaker purchased 40 percent stakes of the Mercedes Formula One Motor Racing www.jagranjosh.com
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USAIN BOLT AND ALLYSON FELIX NAMED IAAF WORLD ATHLETES OF THE YEAR 2012
Usain Bolt won the IAAF World Athlete of the Year Award 2012 for the fourth time and United States sprinter Allyson Felix won women's World Athlete of the Year Award 2012 on 24 November 2012 during the IAAF's 100th Anniversary Celebration. The Jamaican sprinter Bolt had won for defending his gold medals in the 100 and 200 meter races of the summers Olympic Games, he also won the same award previously in 2008, 2009 and 2011. Bolt managed to be ahead of United States hurdler Aries Merritt and Kenyan runner David Rudisha to win the award.
Manuel Fangio. The Red Bull team of Vettel took the third constructors' championship in the sequence on 18 November 2012 in Texas and finished with 281 points while Alonso with 278 points.
FORMER AUSTRALIAN CRICKETER GLENN MCGRATH TO BE INDUCTED INTO THE ICC CRICKET HALL OF FAME
Australian pace legend Glenn McGrath was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame during the third Test between Australia and Sri Lanka starting from 4 January2013 in Sydney. McGrath became the third inductee of the year 2012-13 to the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame and will join Enid Bakewell and Brian Lara to the list and also became the 68th male member of the Hall of Fame. Lara and Bakewell were inducted in September 2012 at the ICC Awards; McGrath was inducted at his home ground of the SCG. A fourth and final inductee of 2012-13 would be announced next summer.
SEBASTIAN VETTEL BECAME YOUNGEST TRIPLE CHAMPION IN FORMULA ONE HISTORY

Sebastian Vettel of Germany, the Red Bull driver became youngest triple champion in the history of Formula One on 25 November 2012 by finishing 6th behind Jenson Button in the Brazilian Grand Prix. Vettel, 25 got himself involved in opening lap collision and made very little damage to his Red Bull car in the run in rain-swept conditions at Interlagos circuit. The only title rival of Vettel was two-time champion Spaniard Fernnando Alonso who finished in the second position in his Ferrari. However he had pre-race 13 points deficit while Vettel won the title by merely three points. Vettel was the third driver in the history of Formula One to win three consecutive titles. Others who have done this before are Michael Schumacher and Argentine Juan www.jagranjosh.com
NOVAK DJOKOVIC WON WORLD TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS IN ABU DHABI

Novak Djokovic on 29 December 2012 won World Tennis Championship final against Spanish tennis player Nicolas Almagro. Novak Djokovic beat Nicolas Almagro to clinch the Mubadala World Tennis Championship exhibition tournament held in Dubai.
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Novak Djokovic, the world number one from Serbia beat Nicolas Almagro the Spaniard by 6-7 (4-7) 6-3 6-4 to get his season off to the perfect start.
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16 December 2012. Federer received the honour for the fifth time. Earlier in 2012, Federer had grabbed the 17th Grand Slam title at Wimbledon Championships, London, while also reclaiming his No. 1 ranking in the month of July 2012. He also acquired top most position by the end of the season.
AUSTRALIAN CRICKETER MICHAEL HUSSEY ANNOUNCED RETIREMENT FROM TEST CRICKET

Australian veteran Michael Hussey on 29 December 2012 announced that he would retire from Test cricket after playing the final match of the series against Sri Lanka at Sydney starting on 3 January 2013. Sydney Test match is going to be the 79th and final Test in 37-year-old Husseys career having made his debut at 30. However Hussey will continue playing the ODI tri-series involving Australia, West Indies and Sri Lanka which will be his last international assignment.
SARDAR SINGH COMMANDED THE BEST PRICE IN HOCKEY INDIA LEAGUE AUCTION
In the Hockey India League Auction held at New Delhi on 16 December 2012 the Indian Skipper Sardar Singh became the highest marquee player after commanding for the best price of 78000 dollar. Sardar Singh was bought by the Delhi Franchisee. The five marquee players for the league were drawn by Delhi Wave Riders, Jaypee Punjab Warriors, Mumbai Magicians, Ranchi Rhinos and Uttar Pradesh Wizards. The marquee players would be offered with 15 percent more price than the commanded best price by the player by their respective teams. The price quoted for the players would be same for next three years and the teams are allowed to buy the players from other teams. Few more players who commanded best prices were V. Raghunath bought by Uttar Pradesh Wizards for 76,000 dollar, Moritz Fuertse bought by Ranchi Rhinos for 75500 dollar, Teun de Nooijer brought by Uttar Pradesh Wizards for 66000 dollar and Jamie Dwyer bought by Jaypee Punjab Warriors for 60000 dollar and Sandeep Singh moved to Mumbai Magicians with a base price of 27800 dollar. The Hockey League will comprise of 33 matches in all and would be
SACHIN TENDULKAR ANNOUNCED RETIREMENT FROM ONE DAY CRICKET

Sachin Tendulkar on 23 December 2012 announced retirement form one day cricket which put an end to his 23- year old glorious career.
ROGER FEDERER NAMED SWISS MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR 2012

Roger Federer, 31, the No. 2 of the world and 17 times Grand Slam champion, was named Swiss Male Athlete of the Year on
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played in India from 16 January 2013 onwards.
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INDIA LOST THE TEST SERIES BY 1-2 AFTER NAGPUR TEST ENDED AS A DRAW
The last test match between India and England of the Tournament England Tour to India ended up as a draw and with this India lost the four-test match cricket series against England by 1-2 on 17 December 2012. With this win England succeeded in ending a 28 year long wait of winning a test series on Indian Soil. Before this the English side under the captaincy of David Gower won the test series in India 1984-85. The Series The first Test was played at Ahmedabad from 15 November to 19 November 2012 in which India won the match by 9 wickets. The second was played at Mumbai from 23 November to 26 November 2012 in which England won the match by 10 wickets In the third test match played at Kolkata from 5 December to 9 December 2012 England won the match by 7 wickets The last test resulted in a draw and was played at Nagpur from 13 December to 17 December 2012
China got the clean sweep of titles at Volkswagen 2012 World Junior Table Tennis Championship after it won girls as well as boys trophies on 16 December 2012. In the second week of December 2012, China had won girls and boys team titles. Petrissa Solja of Germany who was the only non-Chinese, lost in the semifinal to Chinese top seed Zhu Yuling who finished by turning over Gu Yuting 4-0 for the title of girls. Her top speed, superior technique as well as great attitude helped her win the title. Thereafter, Fan Zhendong also overcame to beat Lin Gaoyuan 4-2 and thus claimed boys singles title. Initially, he was also the winner of mixed doubles title. Second-seeded team of Liu Gaoyang and Fan Zhendong recovered fast to beat topseeded competitors Gu Ruochen and Lin Gaoyuan 4-3 to claim their gold in boys doubles. Gu Yuting and Zhu Yuling defeated Gu Ruochen and Liu Gaoyang with a score of 43 to claim girls double gold. The mixed doubles gold was claimed by Fan Zhendong and Liu Gaoyang who defeated Lin Gaoyuan and Gu Ruochen combine 4-3.
INDIA WON THE WORLD CUP KABADDI TOURNAMENT 2012

India on 15 December 2012 won the 3rd World Cup Kabaddi Tournament for the third consecutive time in the Mens category and second consecutive time in the Womens category. Indian men defeated arch rival Pakistan with a decisive margin of 37 points whereas, Indian women thrashed Malaysia 72-12. Both the finals
JUNIOR WORLD TT CHAMPIONSHIP: CHINA CLAIMED ALL TITLES
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were played at the Guru Nanak Dev Stadium in Ludhiana. The Kabaddi world cup was a 15-day tournament. In men's category, third prize went to Canada and in women's category, it was given to Denmark. Indian men registered a hat trick by outclassing Pakistan in every aspect of game. At the end of the first half, Indian men squad was leading with a point difference of 34-9. Indias raider and stoppers showed an extraordinary sport in collecting points for their country. Womens final was virtually a one sided show as Malaysian team was no match against Indian eves.
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Mohammad Akram who had the highest score in the history of international blind cricket (264 against West Indies) was sent back to the pavilion for 32 runs only. Eventually, India won the T20 World Cup for the Blind and the team was later crowned as the world champions. It is also worth noticing that Men-of-the-Series were all Indians. These were Ketan Patel, Fully blind category (B1); Prakash Jayaramaiah, Partially blind category (B2) and Ajay Kumar Reddy, Partially sighted category (B3). About T20 World Cup for the Blind 2012 T20 World Cup for the Blind was a 12-day tournament which comprised of nine teams. The T20 World Cup for the Blind 2012 was hosted by India. The tournament ran from 1 December 2012 to 13 December 2012 in Bangalore. The competing teams included Bangladesh, Australia, India, Nepal, England, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, West Indies and South Africa. The tournament was played on league-cum-knockout basis. Cricketer Saurav Ganguly is the Brand Ambassador of T20 World Cup for the Blind. The Cricket Association for the Blind (CABI) is main body which organises as well as conducts cricket for visually impaired in India. CABI is registered NPO which is affiliated to World Blind Cricket Council (WBCC). About World Blind Cricket Council (WBCC) World Blind Cricket Council (WBCC) laid its foundation in 1996. The founding chairman of WBCC was George Abraham of India. The primary purpose of WBCC is promotion as well as administration of the game of blind cricket in the world.
INDIA BEAT PAKISTAN TO LIFT INAUGURAL SBI T20 WORLD CUP FOR THE BLIND 2012
India won the inaugural SBI T20 World Cup for the Blind on 13 December 2012 after beating Pakistan in the finals at Central College grounds in Bangalore. A total of 5000 crowd cheered as India shattered Pakistan from 29 runs and the Indian captain Shekhar Naik lifted the trophy. India decided to bat first and scored 119 for 4 in 10 overs. India put up a competitive score of 258 runs in 20 overs. Rescuer of the team India was middle-order batsman Ketan Patel who scored 98 runs off 43 balls and is completely blind. Pakistan entered into finals unbeaten. Pakistan is the only team that entered the finals of all the four international blind cricket tournaments till now. At the break of the innings, Pakistan might have thought of winning the match on the grounds of excellent batting skills of the team throughout this tournament. The opener www.jagranjosh.com
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About Cricket Association for the Blind (CABI) CABI is a non-profit organisation affiliated to World Blind Cricket Council (WBCC). Pakistan, South Africa and England Blind Cricket bodies receive sponsorship from their mainstream cricket bodies but CABI does not receive any such sponsorship from Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). CABI survives with the support from corporate houses as well as a few public sector organisations. Other Blind Cricket Tournaments First two Blind Cricket Tournaments were World Cup held in 1998 as well as 2002 in New Delhi and Chennai respectively. Third Blind World Cup was held at Islamabad, Pakistan in 2006. Apart from this, local, state, zonal as well as national tournaments for the blind are organised from past 15 years in India.
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LIONEL MESSI SET THE RECORD FOR MOST GOALS IN A CALENDAR YEAR
Lionel Messi, the soccer player on 9 December 2012 set the record for most goals in a calendar year by scoring his 86th goal of 2012. He set the record while scoring the winning goal against Real Betis. Messi's record included 12 for Argentina and 74 goals for Barcelona in 66 games. The earlier record was made by Gerd Mueller, who had scored 85 goals in 1972 which included 72 goals for his club Bayern Munich and 13 for his country West Germany. The record breaking performance has made Messi favourite to claim his fourth FIFA World Player of the Year award. Lionel Andrs Leo Messi is a footballer who plays for La Liga club FC Barcelona and as the captain of the Argentina national team.
BB NIMBALKAR, INDIA S HIGHEST SCORER IN FIRST CLASS CRICKET PASSED AWAY

Bhausaheb Babasaheb Nimbalkar, a giant of Indian domestic cricket who came close to breaking Sir Don Bradman's first-class score in the Ranji Trophy, passed away due to age related ailments in his residence in Kolhapur on11 December 2012 just one day shy of his 93rd birthday. Nimbalkar holds the record for the highest individual first-class score by an Indian - 443 not out for Maharashtra against Kathiawar at Poona Club in December 1948.
HOCKEY CHAMPIONS TROPHY: AUSTRALIA WON FOR THE FIFTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR, INDIA LOST BRONZE TO PAKISTAN
At the Champions Trophy 2012, Australia won once again, adding to fifth victory consecutively after it earned a 2-1 win in a match against Netherlands in Melbourne. The fifth consecutive victory of Australia at this event re-established it as the hockey team (mens) to beat, after Australia had missed on gold at Olympics. For the Netherlands, it was silver medal with the silver lining. Netherlands upgraded
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itself from bronze which they acquired last two years. The bronze was claimed by Pakistan after they beat India 3-2 on a match on 9 December 2012. India missed the chance to win bronze, which would have been its second Champions trophy medal as well as the first since 1982. For the fifth place, Belgium won the match against Germany, the Olympic champion. New Zealand, in the meanwhile stood at seventh position over England.
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years ago by IOC with the help of modern methods. IOC has a procedure of storing the samples for eight years in order to enable re-testing of newly found substances or those substances for which no tests were available at that time. Athens Olympics doping cases tally now stands at 31 after 26 positive tests as of now. This is the maximum in any game. IOC declared that it would like the extension of law of limitation from current 8 years. It was added by IOC that World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) was considering this law of limitation to extend to 10 years.
ATHENS OLYMPICS ATHLETES LOSE MEDALS OVER DOPING AFTER 8 YEARS

International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced on 5 December 2012 that four 2004 Athens Olympic medalists had their medals taken away because the re-tested samples, which were stored for 8 years, proved positive. The four medalists included shot put champion of Ukraine Yuriy Bilonog, women's shot putter of Russia Svetlana Krivelyova, discus thrower Irina Yatchenko of Belarus and Belarussian hammer thrower Ivan Tsikhan. 3-times world champion Tsikhan also had to give away his bronze medal from the 2008 Beijing Games. However, this decision was reversed at Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on the grounds that there were errors in laboratory procedures. IOC declared that the case which involved fifth athlete from Athens Games was pending. The four athletes who had to give their medals had tested positive for the anabolic steroids. Around 100 samples from Athens Games were target tested eight www.jagranjosh.com
ENGLAND CRICKET CAPTAIN ALASTAIR COOK BECAME THE YOUNGEST BATSMAN TO SCORE 7000 RUNS
England Cricket team captain Alastair Cook on 6 December 2012 claimed his place among the cricketing greats, when he set an England record for the most Test centuries and became the youngest player in the long history of the game to pass 7000 runs. The 27 years old Alastair Cook scored his 23rd Test hundred to leave England closing in on a rare series win in India.
AIR INDIA WON LAL BAHADUR SHASTRI HOCKEY TOURNAMENT AGAINST BHARAT PETROLEUM
Air India emerged champion against Bharat Petroleum in the 23rd Lal Bahadur Shastri
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hockey tournament at the Shivaji Stadium on 4 December 2012. This was second title of this season for Air India. Air India had already shared the MCCMurugappa Cup with Indian Oil. Air India had an edge over Bharat Petroleum because the team was full of experienced players. Besides, there was also an advantage because Bharat Petroleum did not give its 100 percent which was evident when it wasted a lot of opportunities. For Bharat Petroleum this was another runnerup in the second event consecutively.
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IOC suspended IOA because India was following the Sports Code of government in the IOA elections, which is against the Olympic Charter. IOC declared that following of Sports Code of government is actually the interference of the government in the Olympic Movement.
RICKY PONTING ANNOUNCED HIS RETIREMENT FROM INTERNATIONAL TEST CRICKET

The Cricketer and Former Captain of the Australian Cricket team, Ricky Ponting on 3 December 2012 announced his retirement from International Test Cricket. The decision of retirement came after Australia lost the third test match against South Africa by 309 runs on 3 December 2012 at Perth. The first and second test matches at Brisbane and Adelaide resulted in a draw during the South Africa Tour to Australia 2012. Ponting will continue playing for Tasmania and in the Australian Domestic T20 Tournament the Big Bash League, where he would represent the Hobart Hurricanes this season.
IOC SUSPENDED IOA; INDIA FACING BAN FROM OLYMPICS

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) suspended the India Olympic Association (IOA) on 4 December 2012 and eventually this might also lead to IOA ban from Olympic movement.
IOA ban from Olympic would result in consequences such as No funding from IOC No officials from India would be invited by IOC to any events such as Paralympics and Olympics No India athlete would be allowed competing under Indias flag; but could be permitted competing under IOC flag Commonwealth Games Federation as well as The Olympic Council of Asia might also go with the trend which would lead to similar sanctions in case of Commonwealth Games as well as the Asian games www.jagranjosh.com
RAVINDRA JADEJA BECAME ONLY INDIAN TO SCORE THREE TRIPLE TONS IN FIRSTCLASS CRICKET
Ravindra Jadeja became first Indian and only eighth batsman in the first-class cricket history of world to score three triple-centuries in the unbeaten 320 runs
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against Railways in the Ranji Trophy Group A match on 2 December 2012 in Rajkot. With the help of Jadejas innings, Saurashtra reached the giant score of 534 for six in their first innings on second day of 4-day combat. Jadeja had scored 303 against Gujarat in his first match of this season and eventually the second triple century and third as well to become the only Indian batsman to reach this podium.
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Brandt Snedeker and Nick Watney. Although, he was far from his fluent best and he dropped four strokes in three holes from the 15th, it did not stop his progress to victory and he finished on 14 under par .He parred his first five holes without any problem before birdying the 13th after two putting from 52 feet. Woods dropped another shot on the 17th and missed a 15ft birdie putt on the last; however, his level-par 72 was enough to secure him victory.
ANNA USHENINA OF UKRAINE WON THE WOMENS WORL D CHAMPIONSHIP CROWN OF CHESS
Anna Ushenina of Ukraine on 1 December 2012 won the Womens World Championship Crown of Chess at KhantyMansiysk, Russia after defeating Antoaneta Stefanova of Bulgaria in first set of tiebreak game. Anna won the title along with 60000 US dollar for the efforts made by her to win the Chess championship. In 2013 Anna would be playing the next world championship against Chinese Yifan Hou, which is a part of new cycle in Womens World Championship.
INDIA WON THE ODI SERIES AGAINST ENGLAND 3-2; ENGLAND WON THE FIFTH ODI
England defeated India by seven wickets in the fifth and the last ODI played at Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamshala on 27 January 2013. Despite Englands win in this match, India won the series against England by 3-2. India batted first in the match and scored 226 in 49.4 overs. In reply, England easily reached the target with seven wickets remaining. The details of the remaining matches are as following: First ODI-Played at Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot on 11 January 2013. England won by 9 runs. Second ODI-Played at Nehru Stadium, Kochi on 15 Jan 2013. India won by 127 runs. Third ODI-Played at JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi on 19 January 2013. India won by 7 wickets.
TIGER WOODS WON HIS 75TH PGA TOUR TITLE IN THE FARMERS INSURANCE OPEN
Tiger Woods on 29 January 2013 won his 75th PGA Tour title in the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines. Woods entered into the fifth day of play with a sixshot lead over his closest competitors,
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Fourth ODI-Played at Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali, Chandigarh on 23 Jan 2013. India won by 5 wickets. Suresh Kumar Raina of India was declared player of the series. Alastair Cook was the skipper of England ODI team while Indian ODI team was led by Mahender Singh Dhoni.
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53-minute five-set win over Rafael Nadal at the Australian Open, the longest Grand Slam final. Djokovic won his first major title in 2008 Australian Open. He now has six Grand Slam titles altogether. Federer has won four of his 17 majors at Melbourne, and Agassi is the only other player to have won that many in Australia since 1968.
MUMBAI WON ITS 40TH RANJI TROPHY AFTER DEFEATING SAURASHTRA IN FINAL
Mumbai won its 40th Ranji trophy at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on 28 Jan 2013. Mumbai won the final match against Saurashtra by an inning and 125 runs on the third day of Ranji Trophy final. The Mumbai team so far has played in 44 finals of Ranji Trophy.
VICTORIA AZARENKA OF BELARUS WON AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2013 IN THE WOM ENS CATEGORY
Victoria Azarenka of Belarus on 26 January 2013 won the Womens Singles title of the Australian Open Tennis tournament at Melbourne. The World Number One defeated Li Na of China, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 in the final to win the title for the second successive time. The match lasted for 2-hour and 40-minutes which featured 16 service breaks, with Li losing her service nine times. Top seeded American brothers Bob and Mike Bryan won the men's doubles title. Americans Mike and Bob Bryan won their record 13th Grand Slam doubles title, defeating the Dutch team of Robin Haase and Igor Sijsling 6-3, 6-4.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC WON AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2013, DEFEATED ANDY MURRAY IN FINAL
Novak Djokovic of Serbia defeated Andy Murray of UK in four sets to win Australian Open 2013 final. The tournament was held in Melbourne. It was Djokoviks third consecutive Australian Open title and fourth overall. Nine other tennis players had won consecutive Australian open tournament, but none three straight years. Djokovic had five break-point chances in the opening set, including four after having Murray at 0-40 in the seventh game, but couldnt convert any of them. In 2012, Djokovic had started with an epic 5-hour,
FAUJA SINGH, THE OLDEST MARATHON RUNNER OF THE WORLD ANNOUNCED RETIREMENT
Fauja Singh, 101, the oldest marathon runner of the world decided to stop
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running in the competitions after Hong Kong marathon which will be held in February 2013. However, before the Hong Kong marathon, Singh will be running in the Australia marathon as well. Fauja Singh is also popularly known as the Turbaned Tornado in all the international events. Though Fauja Singh announced his retirement from marathon, but he admitted that he would keep running for inspiring the masses. Fauja Singh was born on 1 April 1911. Fauja was also felicitated at the Buckingham Palace by the queen in London on December 7, 2005.
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IOC ASKED ARMSTRONG TO RETURN BACK THE SYDNEY OLYMPIC BRONZE MEDAL
The International Olympics Committee (IOC) on 17 January 2013 asked the all time popular Cyclist Lance Armstrong facing the charges of doping to return the Olympic Bronze Medal and Certificate of 2000 Sydney Games. The IOC wrote a letter to the defamed Cyclist and the winner of seven times Tour de France and asked him to return back the bronze medal and the certificate that accompanied it for the mens time trial event. The dominoes continue to fall for Lance Armstrong, with the International Olympic Committee formally requesting that the disgraced cyclist return his Olympic bauble from the 2000 Sydney Games. Lance Armstrong He was stripped off from the seven Tour de France titles that he won from 1999 to 2005 on 22 October 2012 and was banned from cycling for life. U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) accused Armstrong of leading a doping programme with his team and submitted a 202 page report Lance Armstrong is a cyclist, who used performance enhancing drugs and banned substances.
KOHLI BECAME THE QUICKEST INDIAN AND SECOND AT WORLD LEVEL TO COMPLETE 4000 ODI RUNS
The Indian Cricketer and the right handed batsman Virat Kohli on 19 January 2013 completed his 4000 runs in One day International cricket tournament. He is the 12th Indian batsman and 84th at world level to reach this milestone. By scoring these runs in just 93 innings, he became the first quickest from India and second at world level to accomplish this milestone. Viv Richards, the West Indies player reached this milestone in 88 innings in the year 1985 and is placed at the 1st position in the list of crickets to touch the mark of 4000 runs in less number of innings. Both Richards and Kohli played in 96 matches to reach the score. Before Kohli, the former Indian Captain Sourav Ganguly had this record of scoring the fastest 4000 runs in ODI in 110 matches and 105 innings.
SAINA NEHWAL CLINCHED SECOND POSITION IN THE BADMINTON WORLD FEDERATION RANKINGS
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Saina Nehwal, the Olympics bronze medalist on 17 January 2013 clinched her career best second rank in the latest rankings released by the Badminton World Federation (BWF). To clinch the second position in the latest rankings released, Saina scored 80091.7444 points and is leaded by the Chinese Li Xuerui, who has 94626.7153 points by her name.
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The lecture of 2013 would be the 13th lecture, ever since its inception and Taufel would be the third Australian after Adam Gilchrist (2009) and Richie Benaud (2001 the first lecture) to deliver this lecture. MCC Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey Lecture MCC Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey Lecture first began in the year 2001 in the memory of the former Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) president Colin Cowdrey. He played an important role in enshrinement of the Spirit of Cricket in the preamble of the Code of the Laws of Cricket in the year 2000.
INTERNATIONAL PARALYMPIC COMMITTEE DECIDED TO LAUNCH INTERNATIONAL GP CIRCUIT FOR DISABLED

International Paralympic Committee (IPC) decided to launch the international grand prix circuit especially for the elite athletes who are disabled. This international grand prix circuit is scheduled to be launched in April 2013. The version of IPC of the strong Diamond League shall comprise of eight meetings in all, at various venues across the world. Two of these venues which also include the final one shall be held in Britain.
USAIN BOLT AND FRASERPRYCE WON ATHLETE OF THE YEAR AWARD AT JAAA GOLDEN CLEATS AWARDS CEREMONY
Usain Bolt, the fastest man of the world and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, the women's 100m Olympic champion won the male and female Athlete of the Year awards respectively on 8 January 2013 at Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) Golden Cleats Awards ceremony which took place at Terra Nova Hotel in St Andrew. Glen Mills, the Racers Track Club head coach won the Coach of the Year Award for the second time in a row, bringing his total of winnings to 3. It was Mills who conditioned Bolt and Yohan Blake, which in turn helped them in grabbing gold and silver respectively in 100m and 200m at the London Olympics.
SIMON TAUFEL TO BE THE FIRST UMPIRE TO DELIVER THE MCC SPIRIT OF CRICKET COWDREY LECTURE 2013
Simon Taufel, the umpire who has been the five-time ICC Umpire of the Year from 2004 to 2008 would be the first umpire to deliver the prestigious MCC Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey Lecture that would take place on 24 July 2013. This announcement was made by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on 11 January 2013.
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In the meanwhile, the Howard Aris Award was won by Fedrick Dacres, the 2012 World Junior discus champion and Jeneive Russell, the 2012 World Junior 400m hurdles champion. Howard Aris Award was established in 2012 to commemorate late former JAAA president. The award recognises the athletes who represent their county with the distinction in nontraditional events. The athletes additionally, also won the scholarships worth 250000 dollar, acceptable at the University of Technology, the University of the West Indies or GC Foster College. Usain Bolt acclaimed the renowned status by defending three gold medals, which are 100m, 200m and 4x100m at 2012 Olympic Games in London.
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win for the fourth time, Messi has left behind the three time FIFA winners namely Zinedine Zidane of France and Ronaldo of Brazil. FIFA Ballon dOr Award FIFA Ballon dOr Award was started in the year 2010 after merging the two, France Football's Ballon d'Or and the men's FIFA World Player of the Year Award. It is the associations football award that is awarded to the years best performer. The player is selected via voting process and the votes are casted by the captains and coaches of the International Teams as well as the journalists from across the world.
LIONEL MESSI WON THE FIFA BALLON DOR AWARD FO R FOURTH TIME
Lionel Messi, the Argentine footballer won FIFA BallondOr Award on 7 January 2013 as a reward to his 91-goal in a year for Barcelona and Argentina, in the year 2012. Messi voted to be the best player for the fourth year in a row managed to beat his close competitors, Cristiano Ronaldo of Spanish champion Real Madrid and Barcelona teammate Andres Iniesta. To win this award, Messi won 41.60 percent votes and was followed by Ronaldo, who won 23.68 percent votes and Andres Iniesta, who won 10.91 percent votes of all the votes casted. The votes were casted by National Team Coaches and Captains as well as journalists invited. All these people, helped in selecting the top three from a huge list of 23 nominated players. With this
ANDY MURRAY DEFEATED GRIGOR DIMITROV TO RETAIN HIS BRISBANE INTERNATIONAL TENNIS TITLE
Andy Murray, the third seeded Scottish tennis player retained his Brisbane International Tennis Title after defeating the Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov on 6 January 2013. Murray defeated Dimitrov by 7-6 and 6-4 in straight sets. This is the first title won by Murray in the year 2013 and twenty-fifth title of his career. With this win, Murray was successful in winning 78800 dollar and 250 Emirates ATP Ranking Point and Dimitrov ended up with 150 Emirates ATP Ranking Point and 41540 dollar.
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Brisbane International Tennis Title Brisbane International Tennis Title is an internationally acclaimed Tennis Tournament that is organised every year in the month of January at Queensland Tennis Centre in Brisbane, Queensland in Australia. The tournament is played on the outdoor hard courts and is a part of ATP World Tour 250 series of the World Tour of the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) as well as the WTA Premier tournaments of the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) Tour. The tournament is held before the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam tournament of the season.
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2nd Match Report: In the second match played at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on 3 January 2013 (day/night format) Pakistan gave a target of 251 runs for India to win but India was able to score 165 in 48 over with no wicket remaining in hand. Nasir Jamshed was elected as the Player of the match. 3rd Match Report: India playing first at Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi on 6 January 2013 (day/night format) scored 167 runs in 43.4 over and Pakistan was all out at 157 runs in 48.5 over. India won the match by 10 runs and MS Dhoni was once again chosen as the Player of the match.
INDIA LOST THE SERIES AGAINST PAKISTAN BY 2-1 AFTER IT WON THE LAST MATCH BY 10 RUNS
India won the last match of the Pakistan in India ODI Series on 6 January 2013 against Pakistan by 10 Runs. With this win over Pakistan, India lost the three matches one day series by 1-2. At the end of the series, Nasir Jamshed of Paksitan was declared as the Player of the tournament. Series Report 1st Match Report: The first match was played at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, at Chennai on 30 December 2012. India scored 228 runs at a loss of 6 wickets and Pakistan managed to achieve the target to win the match by 6 wickets (with 11 balls remaining). At the end of the match Dhoni was chosen as the player of the match. www.jagranjosh.com
VIRAT KOHLI NAMED CEAT INTERNATIONAL CRICKETER OF THE YEAR

Vice-captain of Indian Cricket team Virat Kohli on 4 January 2013 was named the International Cricketer of the Year, while Pakistan cricket team bagged the top honours for the best team at the CEAT Cricket Awards 2011-12 in New Delhi. Virat Kohli had deafeated Hashim Amla, Kumar Sangakkara and Michael Clarke to bag the prestigious award. Kohli was the top run-getter for India in both Tests and ODIs in 2012 with his careerbest 183 which came against Pakistan in the Asia Cup in March 2012 only. The Former Pakistan cricket captain Zaheer Abbas was honoured with the lifetime award while Saeed Anwar got the best audience choice awards.
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SANIA MIRZA AND BETHANIE MATTEK-SANDS CLAIMED LADIES DOUBLES FINAL AT THE BRISBANE INTERNATIONAL
Indian Tennis player Sania Mirza and her American partner Bethanie Mattek-Sands on 5 January 2013 lifted the WTA Brisbane International Trophy with a win against Kveta Peschke and Anna-Lena Groenefeld. The second seeded Indo-American pair Sania Mirza and Bethanie Mattek-Sands defeated fourth seed Anna-Lena Grnefeld of Germany and Czech Keveta Peschke with 4-6 6-4 10-7 in the summit face-off of the 1000000 US dollar event. The win is supposed to be Sania's first doubles title of the season and 15th of her career. Sania and Mattek earned 470 ranking points each and shared 51022 US Dollar as prize money. On the other hand, In the same tournament World no. 3 Serena Williams claimed her first ever single Brisbane International Title with 6-2, 6-1 victory over Russian tennis player Anastasia Sergeyevna Pavlyuchenkova.
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CHAPTER 14: STATE NEWS

MADRAS HIGH COURT UPHELD BAN ON VISHWAROOPAM IN TAMIL NADU
Madras High Court on 30 January 2013, in the evening upheld the ban on Kamal Haasans Vishwaroopam in Tamil Nadu till 6 February 2013. An order passed on by Justice K. Venkataraman to lift the ban was later nullified by the two-member bench comprising of Acting chief justice Elipe Dharma Rao and Aruna Jagadeesan.
by the Central Board of Film Certification. The ban was rolled back by the Madras High Court on 29 January 2013. On 30 January 2013, however, the ban was upheld by the High Court once again.
KARNATAKA TO PROVIDE TAMIL NADU WITH 12 TMC FEET OF CAUVERY WATER: CMC
The Cauvery Monitoring Committee (CMC) on 7 December 2012 asked Karnataka to provide Tamil Nadu with 12 TMC feet of Cauvery water during December even as it asked both the states to be more efficient in using available water. The meeting of the CMC came after the Supreme Court of India on 5 December 2012 asked the multi-state panel to meet within the next two days to decide on water requirement of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The states sharing the disputed Cauvery River waters were informed that the final award of the Cauvery Waters Dispute Tribunal will be notified by the end of December 2012. In 1997, the Union Government of India had proposed the setting up of a Cauvery River Authority. Under this new proposal, the Government set up two new bodiesCauvery River Authority and Cauvery Monitoring Committee. The Cauvery River Authority consisted of the Prime Minister and the Chief Ministers of all four states(Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Pondicherry, Kerala) and its headquarter is in New Delhi. The Cauvery Monitoring Committee is an
CAUSE FOR THE BAN ON VISHWAROOPAM Certain Islamic organisations demanded that film should be screened to them before the release on the grounds that the Muslim community was depicted in a negative light in the movie. Kamaal Hassan had also organised special screening for them. However, the film screening was curtailed for 15 days by Tamil Nadu government under Section 144 of the Indian Criminal Procedure Code because of allegations by certain Islamic organisations. Eventually the matter was brought to the Madras High Court seeking rollback of the ban on the grounds that Vishwaroopam was approved
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expert body which consists of engineers, technocrats and other officers. This body takes stock of the ground realities and report to the government.
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UNION GOVERNMENT RULED OUT THE DECISION OF CAUVERY RIVER AUTHORITY

Decision of the Cauvery River Authority was ruled out by the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on 8 October 2012. The Prime Minister ordered Karnataka to release 9000 cusecs of water to Tamil Nadu every day, till 20 October 2012. The Cauvery River Authority (CRA) comprises of the Chief Ministers of basin states namely Puducherry, Kerela, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka and is chaired by the Prime Minister itself. The Prime Minister in response to his meet with the Congress Union Ministers namely S.M. Krishna, M. Mallikarjun Kharge and K.H. Muniyappa along with 16 members of Parliament from BJP came to a conclusion that the decision will be made following the findings of the ground reality from the Cauvery Monitoring Committee. The committee is going to meet in the third week of October. As the decision making lies in the hands of the CRA, so the Prime Minister due to lack of mechanism cannot make any changes in the award.
scheme in Itanagar on 14 September 2012. The scheme which is under the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare provides financial assistance upto 1.5 lakh rupees to BPL patients suffering from life threatening diseases in the form of a onetime grant. In the event of the treatment cost exceeding 1.5 lakh rupees, the patients can avail the assistance from the Central Rashtriya Aarogya Nidhi scheme. The Central governments contribution to the scheme for Arunachal Pradesh, will be two crore rupees.
SUPREME COURTS NOTICE TO TAMIL NADU ON THE PETITION THAT CHALLENGED 69% QUOTA IN THE STATE
In a petition filed against 69 per cent quota in educational and employment institutions of Tamil Nadu by ten meritorious students, Supreme Court of India issued a notice on 10 September 2012 as the granted quota exceeds the limits decided by the judgement issued by Mandal Commission. After hearing from the senior council Rakesh Diwedi, the notice was issued by the bench of Justices K.S. Radhakrishnan and Dipak Misra seeking clarification and response from the state for directing the ways to provide admission to the petitioners in the running session of the Medical Colleges, by increasing the number of seats as it has been doing for past sixteen years. As per the petitioners, the Supreme Court directed the backward class commission in 2010 to measure the justifiability of the 69 percent quota with the objective criteria report. The body filed a report to the state
RASHTRIYA AAROGYA NIDHI SCHEME WAS LAUNCHED IN ARUNACHAL PRADESH

The State Health Ministry of Arunachal Pradesh launched Rashtriya Aarogya Nidhi
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government on 8 July 2011, without any objective criteria just by confirming the 69 percent reservation on basis of Amba Shankar Commission Report made in 1985, without taking any objective criteria related to the terms of Nagaraja case that does not permits the power to exceed the restriction beyond 50 percent reservation.
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GUIDELINES: DELHI HEALTH MINISTER

Delhi Health Minister A.K. Walia announced on 24 January 2013 that leprosy was eliminated from the state as public health problem, as per the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines. There was a huge decline in the rate of this disease. The rate declined from 4.5 cases per 10000 population in 2001 to 0.8 cases per 10000 population in 2013. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines, leprosy is said to be eliminated as the public health problem when its number of patients drop down below 1 case per 10000 population.
RAJASTHAN HC STAYED STATES DECISION FOR GIVING 4% ADDITIONAL RESERVATION TO GURJAR

The Rajasthan High Court on 29 January 2013 stayed the state government's decision for giving 4 per cent additional reservation to Gurjar, Raika-Rebari, Gadia Luhar and Banjara communities. The division bench of the Rajasthan High Court presided by Justice N.K. Jain stayed this order. Final hearing of this case will be on 19 February 2013. Earlier on 28 November 2012, the Rajasthan Government announced to provide 4% more reservation in government jobs to Gurjar and 4 other communities under Special Backward Category. This decision was taken on the basis of the report of Rajasthan OBC Commission. This commission studied and examined quantifiable data with regard to Gurjar and other communities representation in the state services and made its opinion accordingly. This decision was challenged by a petitioner Manoj Solanki that it will provide 54 per cent reservation which is violation of Supreme Courts order.
Leprosy is caused because of the bacteria mycobacterium leprae. It affects primarily skin and the nerves. The symptoms of leprosy appear gradually and may also take 2-5 years of time to be evident.
MADRAS HIGH COURT ORDERED THAT POLICE PERMISSION IS NOT REQUIRED TO STAGE PLAYS IN THE STATE
The High Court of Madras on 23 January 2013 ordered that staging plays in Tamil Nadu doesnt require any sort of Police Permission and it also explained that some provisions of the Tamil Nadu Dramatic Performances Act, 1954 were unconstitutional.
LEPROSY ELIMINATED FROM DELHI AS PER WHO

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The bench of Madras High Court led by Justice K. Chandru in its verdict stated that the definition to the objectionable performance mentioned in the law was quite unclear and thus it cant be brought within the restrictions allowed in the Article 19 (2) of Constitution of India. The Bench also found that Under Section 3 and Section 4 of the Constitution of India, the power conferred on the State government and the Police Commissioner/District Collectors respectively are wide and discretionary and thus it violates the provisions mentioned under Article 14 of the Constitution of India. The decision of the High Court came in context of the petition filed by a Journalist, N. V. Sankaran alias Gnani, who runs a theater group Pareeksha. Dramatic Performance Act 1876 was passed to regulate theatre during colonial rule. Different Articles of Constitution of India and provisions mentioned under it Part iii, Fundamental Rights: Right to Equality Right to Freedom Article 14 - Equality before law - The State shall not deny to any person equality before the law or the equal protection of the laws within the territory of India. Part iii, Fundamental Rights: Right to Freedom Article 19 - Protection of certain rights regarding freedom of speech, etc. (1) All citizens shall have the right- (a) to freedom of speech and expression Article 19 (2) of Constitution of India Nothing in sub clause (a) of clause ( 1 ) shall affect the operation of any existing law, or prevent the State from making any law, in so far as such law imposes reasonable www.jagranjosh.com
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restrictions on the exercise of the right conferred by the said sub clause in the interests of the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States, public order, decency or morality or in relation to contempt of court, defamation or incitement to an offence.
GHAT KI GUNI TUNNEL, JAIPUR INAUGURATED BY PRIME MINISTER MANMOHAN SINGH

The Ghat Ki Guni Tunnel that links the Jaipur with the National Highway No. 11 to Agra was inaugurated by the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Chairperson of United Progressive Alliance Sonia Gandhi. This 150 crore rupees twin-tube tunnel was created by grilling out the Aravalli hills on the eastern side of the Pink City. The combined length of the tunnel is 2.80 kilometer and would provide a safe alternative to the narrow passage at Ghat Ki Guni, which connects Jaipur to Bharatpur and Agra. With a combined length of 2.80 km, the tunnel will provide a safe alternative to the narrow passage at Ghat Ki Guni connecting Jaipur to Bharatpur and Agra. The walls of the tunnel have been washed with pink colour to present the craftsmanship of Jaipur and it also have sensors to control air pollution, cameras for speed control of the vehicles, display boards, fans for ventilation, fine illumination, pedestrian footpath, fireextinguishing facilities and many more.
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DELHI WITNESSED THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF RAPE CASES IN A DECADES TIME

The Delhi Police Annual Report released on 19 January 2013 reported that Delhi witnessed the record number of highest rape cases, attempts to murder, robbery, rioting in the complete decade. The report claimed that the year 2012 witnessed 706 registered rape cases out of which 40 occurred at midnight including the brutal gang rape in the bus.
OM PRAKASH CHAUTALA AND HIS SON HELD GUILTY IN TEACHERS RECRUITMENT SCAM
The Special CBI Court on 16 January 2013 convicted former Chief Minister of Haryana and President of Indian National Lok Dal Om Prakash Chautala and his son Ajay Chautala along with 53 others for illegal selection of 3000 junior basic trained teachers. The process of recruitment started in 1999 to deal with the issue of acute shortage of teachers in the state. 3206 vacancies were advertised for recruitment of the junior basic trained teachers from 18 districts of Haryana. All the accused of the case were arrested and sent to Tihar Central Jail and the orders on the quantum of sentence is awaited to be pronounced on 22 January 2013. The arrested includes 16 women. The Special CBI Judge termed Om Prakash Chautala to be the main conspirator and convicted the others involved in the case of charges related to criminal misconduct of a public servant, criminal conspiracy, forgery, abuse of official position, cheating with a knowledge that the illegal loss that would result to person whose interest all the convicted were supposed to protect. How the Scam Surfaced The scam surfaced after the Director of Primary Education (DPE), Sanjiv Kumar in the year 2003 approached the Supreme Court and submitted a writ petition and claimed that Om Prakash Chautala created a pressure to replace the original lists with the fake ones.
PATIALA HOUSE BECAME FIRST DISTRICT COURT TO USE COMPLETE E-STAMPING FACILITY
Patiala House court complex in New Delhi on 16 January 2013 completely switched over to the e-stamping facility. Patiala House court complex is one of the six district courts in New Delhi. E-stamping arrangement in Patiala House court complex was inaugurated by the district judge of Patiala House court, I S Mehta. With the complete e-stamping facility at the Patiala House, it became the first ever district court to make use of this facility completely, while doing away with the stamp papers. This action will help in making sure hassle-free transactions as well as keeping fraudulent practices under check. E-stamping was first introduced in April 2008 and is now also accessible in all the denominations. The city government, on an average collects 200 crore Rupees revenue in a month through this facility. www.jagranjosh.com
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PUNJABS FIRST SHARI AT PANCHAYAT TO BE INAUGURATED IN MARCH 2013

The first Shariat panchayat of Punjab scheduled to be inaugurated on 3 March 2013 will be first of its kind in the state. This will allow the Muslim community to deal with the cases. The first Shariat panchayat of the state would be inaugurated in Malerkotla, which is the Muslim town in Sangrur district. The panchayat would deal with three main types of the disputes and these are inheritance, marriage and divorce.
month before from the date fixed for the event to start. The Act has also mentioned 180 locations in the state that has been identified and notified in the gazette, where the events can be organised. The locations of the event are subject to be added and deleted at the discretion of the state. Its the responsibility of the District Collector to make sure that every animal participating in the event is registered and the event organizers and the owners of the animals registered need to follow the conditions imposed for the exhibition. The collector is also responsible for notifying the Chennai Chapter of the Animal Welfare Board of India about the event, so that they can depute the volunteers/representatives/animal inspectors at the locations of event, as observers. The rules mentioned also make it mandatory that the barricades that prohibit the spectators to enter the area where the bulls are tamed by the bull tamers should be eight feet high. The spectators are also not allowed to enter the same area. The state Government would appoint a complete veterinary team at the venue to test and certify the bulls for participation in the event. The team would also be responsible for treating the bulls which get injured during the event.
SUPREME COURT OF INDIA GAVE ITS NOD TO CONDUCT JALLIKATTU IN TAMIL NADU
The Supreme Court of India on 10 January 2013 gave its nod to the Tamil Nadu Government to conduct Jallikattu from 15 January 2013. The Court gave its permission and asked the state to conduct it in accordance to the law passed by it and follow the rules and regulations of the event, framed. The Supreme Court bench of Justices K.S. Radhakrishnan and Dipak Misra permitting the state also passed orders making it clear that the event should be conducted, with strict adherence to the orders passed by it. The provisions of the 2009 Act passed by the State states that to organize the Jallikattu event, a written permission from the District Collector needs to be taken and the permission should be availed at least a
37 YEAR OLD WOMAN BECAME FIRST COMPLETE BODY DONOR OF AIIMS

Chandrakanta Rawat, the 37-year-old Uttrakhand woman became the first complete body donor in January 2013 at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. Chandrakanta Rawat was admitted to
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the hospital on 2 January 2013 and was declared brain-dead. Rawats husband permitted the doctors to retrieve her organs. Heart, two kidneys as well as liver of the woman were used for the patients in need while other organs such as bones and cornea were kept to be used in the future. While the heart of the woman was used for the purpose of transplant at AIIMS, her kidneys were transported to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital and liver was utilised at the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, Vasant Kunj for the purpose of transplant.
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ARUNACHAL PRADESH COLLABORATED WITH NSDL FOR ADOPTION OF NATIONAL PENSION SCHEME
The state of Arunachal Pradesh on 9 January 2013 entered into an agreement with signing of MoU with National Securities Depository Ltd (NSDL), permitting it to work as a Central Record Keeping Agency (CRA) for adoption of the National Pension System (NPS). National Pension Scheme NPS is an initiative of the Union Government of India and Arunachal Pradesh is the 26th State to adopt it. Around 44 lakh subscribers across the Central Government, State Government, central and State autonomous bodies, a few corporates and other citizens are associated with NPS. The NPS scheme will be benefitting more than 6160 employees who had joined the services of the State Government on or after1 January 2008. About National Pension System www.jagranjosh.com
NPS is a system wherein eligible Government subscribers contribute a fixed portion of their salaries and an equivalent contribution is made by the respective State Governments every month. These amounts are transferred to empanel Pension Fund Managers (PFMs) for subsequent contribution in instruments such as Government securities, corporate and equities. The National Pension Scheme is under effect from 1 January 2004. As on date 11.043 crore rupees has been deposited in the State Government exchequer. The complete NPS activity is regulated by the Pension Fund Regulatory Development Authority which has been created especially for this purpose by the Centre.
About National Securities Depository Ltd (NSDL) NSDL is the first and largest depository in India which was established in August 1996. It is promoted by institutions of national stature responsible for economic development of the country. It had established a national infrastructure of international standards that handles most of the securities held and settled in dematerialised form in the Indian capital market. NSDL is promoted by Industrial Development Bank of India (IDBI) - the largest development bank of India, Unit Trust of India (UTI) - the largest mutual fund in India and National Stock Exchange (NSE) - the largest stock exchange in India. Some of the prominent banks in the country have taken a stake in NSDL.
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JMM WITHDREW SUPPORT FROM BJP IN JHARKHAND AND REDUCED IT TO MINORITY

The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) on 7 January 2013 announced withdrawal of support from the existing Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) led coalition Government in Jharkhand. The support withdraw by JMM has reduced BJP to a minority party in the State Assembly. The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha gave two reasons for the withdrawal of its support from the BJP and they were, Chief Minister Arjun Mundas refusal from recognizing the JMMs claim on the agreement to hold the Chief Ministers office for 28 months each party and also because of the derogatory remarks against Shibu Soren by Nishikant Dubey, MP from Godda.
Since its formation in the year 2000, there have been eight Chief Ministers in the Jharkhand and the state had seen President Rule twice.
MANTRA AIRLINES TO START CIVIL AIRLINES SERVICES FROM JAMMU TO KARGIL

The Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah on 7 January 2013 launched the first civil aviation service from Kargil to Jammu. Mantra Airlines would be the company that will be operating the civil airline services, from Jammu to Kargil. The landing of the 17-seater aircraft at Kargil marked a history in itself, as before this there has been no occasion, when a civil passenger aircraft has been spotted or landed at Kargil. Mantra Airlines conducted a trial run between Jammu and Kargil on 3 November 2012. Before this, AN-32 aircraft an Indian Air Force aircraft had been offering the services between Jammu-Kargil Sector and SrinagarKargil Sector thrice and once a week respectively. AN-32 aircraft takes 40 to 45 passengers at a time. It charges 1450 rupees for Jammu-Kargil route and 1100 rupees for Srinagar-Jammu route.
Status of Seats of different Political Parties in 81-member Assembly JMM 18 seats BJP 18 seats All Jharkhand Students Union 6 seats Janta Dal United 2 seats Congress 13 seats Jharkhand Vikas Morcha 11 seats
RAPE VICTIMS FREE TO CHOOSE LAWYERS AT THE EXPENSE OF STATE: MAHARASHTRA GOVERNMENT
The Maharashtra Government decided facilitating each sexual assault victim with the lawyer of their choice at its own
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expense. The government declared that this would ensure putting behind the bars, each and every rapist who walked free because of prosecution inexpertness. Home Minister of Maharashtra, R R Patil declared on 7 January 2013 that the choice of lawyers would not be limited to just the government attorneys but also the private lawyers. The Home Minister declared that this decision would help in securing higher rate of conviction in the rape cases. Ineffectual prosecution is a cause of poor rate of conviction in sexual assault cases against the women. As per the National Crime Records Bureau, in 2011, 20576 men went through the trial in Maharashtra but merely 268 out of these were convicted by the end of 2011. This decision of the government could alter these figures. However, it was believed that this decision would demand the best attorney from the system, thereby putting a lot of pressure on state treasury.
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Launch of the scheme was planned to check the social evils like dowry in the state and the mass marriages would bring down the expenditure done on any of the wedding eves. The incentive amount of 11000 rupees would be given to brides from all castes, creeds, race, religion and the income category to which the girl belongs.
CHIEF JUSTICE OF INDIA INAUGURATED FIRST FASTTRACK COURT IN DELHI FOR HEARING RAPE CASES
Chief Justice of India (CJI) Altamas Kabir inaugurated the first fast-track court in Delhi on 2 January 2013 for dealing with the crimes against females. The first fast-track court is one among other four fast-track courts which would deal with the cases of crime against the women. This court is set up in the Saket Court Complex and the first case to be heard here is that of the Delhi gang rape, which took place on 16 December 2012.
HARYANA GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED KANYADAN SCHEME FOR BRIDE PARTICIPANTS OF MASS MARRIAGES
The Government of Haryana on 3 January 2012 announced its plan of launching a Kanyadan Scheme in the state for brides participating in the mass marriage ceremony, which would be organised by any of the registered NGO or the Red Cross Society. The scheme would carry an incentive amount of 11000 rupees and would come into effect from 1 April 2012.
Other fast track courts would function from 3 January 2013 at Rohini, Tis Hazari and Dwarka in New Delhi. In the first rape case which would be heard in the fast-track court, the Delhi Police decided to submit a 1000-page charge sheet in the magistrate court in Saket on 3 January 2013 after which it would move to fast-track court where hearing will take place on daily trial basis. In December 2012, the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court announced that all the cases of crime against women in Delhi would be dealt in the fast-track courts.
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MAHARASHTRA GOVERNMENT TO SET UP 25 FAST TRACK COURTS TO DEAL WITH CRIME AGAINST WOMEN
Maharashtra government on 27 December 2012 announced setting up s The principle consent to the proposal was given by Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and with this government will approach the Bombay High Court to seek its nod. The shift by the government to set up such courts comes in the wake of a rise in incidents of rape and harassment of girls in various parts of the state. In Maharashtra, there are 100 fast track courts for speedy disposal of criminal cases and the government is going to approach the Bombay High Court to allocate 25 of these courts completely for serious crimes against women.
handhold the units in building capacity. It will also undertake skill upgradation through institutional training, which is meant to ensure sustainable employment opportunities to the people. The basic purpose of the programme is decentralisation of implementation of schemes through participation by State governments which also aims to reduce the gap in requirement and availability of skilled manpower in the food processing sector. The State Cabinet on 27 December 2012 approved the programme and appointed Maharashtra Agro Industries Development Corporation as the nodal body for implementing it. Under the scheme, the Centre provides 75 per cent while state's share is 25 per cent. For the current fiscal, the State Government made a provision of 5.5 crore rupees for the mission, while the Centre would be providing 16.5 crore Rupees. Sectors in food processing such as fruits and vegetables, milk products, meat, poultry, fishery, oilseeds products, rice milling, pulse processing and other agri-horticultural sectors such as food flavours and colours, oleoresins (plant extracts) and spices would be covered under the programme. The chief secretary of Maharashtra is going to oversee the programme implantation in the state.
MAHARASHTRA GOVERNMENT DECIDED TO IMPLEMENT NATIONAL COMMISSION ON FOOD PROCESSING

The Maharashtra Government in the month of December decided to implement the National Mission on Food Processing which is directed to enhance the standard of small food processing units in the State. The mission is a Centrally-sponsored programme and it is going to provide micro credit, facilitate technology transfer and
DELHI GOVERNMENT DECIDED DRAFTING NEW BILL FOR AMENDMENTS IN LAW ON RAPE, SEXUAL ASSAULT
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In context with the Vasant Vihar gang rape which took place on 16 December 2012, Delhi Government decided drafting new bill for making amendments in the law against rape and sexual assault. It was decided that amendments would be made so that the law against rape and sexual assault were more stringent. The new bill would be prepared by Additional Solicitor General Indira Jaising and it would later be moved to Home Ministry via Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit. The new bill would aim at filling gaps in present law on rape and sexual assault. At present, the laws on rape and sexual assault have various gaps in justice delivery system. Decision to draft new bill was taken by CM Sheila Dikshit after negotiations with social workers, professors and experts. Additionally, the Delhi government also decided setting up full-time control room for women who needed help by end of December 2012. The control room would become functional at Delhi Secretariat in CMs office with committed phone numbers. Before the draft bill is finalised, there would be a consultation with the stakeholders. Also, the Delhi Commission for Women was asked to use all possible modes of media for inculcating awareness among different sections of society. GRCs, RWAs, Mahila Panchayats, corporate houses as well as Citizen Groups would be involved as well.
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As per the election results declared by the Election Commission of India on 20 December 2012, Indian National Congress was declared winner in the Vidhan Sabha elections of Himachal Pradesh under the leadership of its veteran leader Virbhadra Singh. Congress was successful in securing 36 out of 68 seats in the state elections. BJP that won 41 seats in the 2007 Vidhan Sabha Elections dropped down and was able to win just 26 seats. Six independents including the rebels of BJP also won in the state elections in Himachal Pradesh. The Congress Leader Virbhadra Singh won from Shimla (Rural) constituency and defeated the rival from BJP Ishwar Rohal by 19033 Votes. The BJP Leader, Prem Kumar Dhumal won from Hamirpur defeating his congress rival Narinder Thakur by 9500 votes.
BJP WON IN GUJARAT STATE ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS 2012, CLAIMED 115 SEATS
s per the election results declared by the Election Commission of India on 20 December 2012, Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) under the leadership of Chief Minister Narendra Modi on 20 December 2012 won the Vidhan Sabha Elections in Gujarat leaving behind the opposition Congress and Gujarat Parivartan Party. BJP was successful in capturing 115 seats out of the 182 member assembly in the state, with this win BJP is back to power in the state for the fifth time and for the third time under the leadership of Narendra Modi. The 115 seats secured by BJP in the State Elections was two less than the seats that it won in the 2007 state elections, where as
CONGRESS WON THE STATE ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS 2012 IN HIMACHAL PRADESH, CLAIMED 36 SEATS
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Congress was successful in winning 61 seats which marked a growth by 2 seats on its part as compared to the 2007 results. The newly formed political party of Keshubhai Patel, the Gujarat Parivartan Party (GPP) was successful in winning 3 seats. BJP was successful in winning 35 seats out of 54 seats in the Saurastra-Kutch region where it secured 38 votes in the 2007 elections. In Southern Gujarat the party won 28 seats out of 25 and 20 out of 40 in the central Gujarat region. Narendra Modi was successful in beating her closet rival Seweta Bhatt by a margin of 86000 votes in Maninagar and is the wife of the suspended IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt. Sanjeev Bhatt was suspended for accusing Narendra Modi for orchestrating the 2002 Gujarat Riots as a Chief Minister of the state.
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BIHAR STATE GOVERNMENT APPROVED THE NEW JAIL MANUAL

The Bihar government on 11 December 2012 approved new jail manual that has provision for elaborate computer generated record of inmates including their voice samples, replacing the existing 88-year-old prison guidelines formulated in 1924. The new guidelines are as following The new guideline has provisions for computerization of records including the works done by inmates. Under the new manual, visitors to the jails would be registered through computer. Visitors complex would be established in all the jails where visitors' photographs would be taken on computer along with their fingerprints. The jails would have elaborate computer generated details of inmates including their voice recordings. Separate wards would be created in jails for inmates aged between 18 to 21 years to keep them away from hardcore criminals. Close circuit cameras would be set up in jails to keep a tab over affairs inside including standard of food served to the inmates. Bihar has 56 jails at present that includes 8 central jails, 31 district jails and 17 sub-jails. These jails have capacity to house 33119 prisoners.
GOVERNMENT OF MAHARASHTRA ORDERED SIT PROBE INTO MULTI-CRORE IRRIGATION SCAM

Government of Maharashtra on 17 December 2012 ordered a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the matter of multi-crore irrigation scam. The announcement was made in both the legislative houses of the state. The SIT would be headed by the Dr. Madhavrao Chitale and comprise experts from law and judiciary and finance departments. Its deadline would be finalized by 31 December 2012. Dr. Chitale is a water expert and has worked for different commissions and at different capacities and served the Union Water Resource Ministry as its Secretary.
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BIHAR RECEIVED THE SILVER ICON WEB RATNA AWARD 2012

Bihar's public grievance redressal website received the Silver Icon Web Ratna Award 2012 on 10 December 2012. The public grievance redressal website -http://bpgrs.in has been developed by the State Government as an e-governance initiative and has various features for quick and transparent disposal of complaints. The complainant is also intimated on his/her email about the action taken.
BS YEDDYURAPPA, FORMER CHIEF MINISTER OF KARNATAKA LAUNCHED KJP

Former Chief Minister of Karnataka, B S Yeddyurappa formally launched Karnataka Janatha Party (KJP) on 9 December 2012. KJP was launched in Haveri, 350 kms from Bangalore. Besides Yeddyurappa, Ramkrishna Hegde, HD Deve Gowda, SR Bommai, D Devaraj Urs, S Bangarappa and S Nijalingappa had formed their own parties after serving as the Chief Minister of Karnataka.
AP HC STAYED ED ORDER ATTACHING 822CR RUPEES DEPOSIT IN MONEY LAUNDERING SCAM

Andhra Pradesh High Court on 11 December 2012 stayed a provisional order of Enforcement Directorate(ED) attaching 822 crore rupee deposits belonging to Mahindra Satyam in a moneylaundering case involving former Satyam Chairman B Ramalinga Raju and others. Justice P V Sanjay Kumar also stayed the notice issued by the adjudicating authority to Mahindra Satyam, Satyam Computer Services Ltd, asking company officials to appear before it with regard to the case. The Enforcement Directorate had on 18 October 2012 issued a provisional attachment order of the company's fixed deposits of 822 crore rupee in the money laundering case related to the previous management.
HARYANA TO BUY 2000 MW HYDEL POWER FROM BHUTAN

The Government of Haryana approached Bhutan to provide hydel-powerto resolve the power crisis in the state. The Haryana Government is supposed to purchase 2000 MW power from the country for which they have alreday finalised modalities regarding the purchase at the administrative level. The Chief Minister of Haryana Bhupinder Singh Hooda is going to lead a high-level delegation to Bhutan from 14 December 2012 to 16 December 2012 calling for a significant step to make the state free of any power shortage in the coming days.Senior officers of power utilities department would be part of this high-level delegation to Bhutan. Hydel-power is available at cheaper rates as compared to coal-based power plants.
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However, Haryana has already started working in this direction as senior officers of power utilities department had visited Bhutan and interacted with their officials .The rates of the power would be as per the MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) that would be signed between the two countries. Four coal-based thermal power stations are already operating at full capacity in the state of Haryana. Also, a nuclear power plant of 2800 MW was being set up at Gorakhpur village in Fatehabad district. The government is also planning to start a new scheme, under which, 22-hour power supply will be given to consumers who pay their bills on time. If the MoU is successfully signed then it would help to ensure uninterrupted power supply of 14 to 20 hours to the rural consumers in the state. Besides, Haryana government is also exploring the possibilities of purchasing hydel-power from Arunachal Pradesh in the future.
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A Golden Card will be like an identity (ID) card with the holder's photo. It will allow entry of industrialists to the state secretariat and government departments on priority basis without hurdles. The right to visit card will be treated at par with ID cards issued by the secretariat.
ANDHRA PRADESH SC, ST SUB-PLANS BILL 2012 WAS PASSED BY STATE ASSEMBLY
The Andhra Pradesh Assembly on 2 December 2012 passed Andhra Pradesh SC, ST Sub-Plans Bill 2012 providing statutory status for implementation of the sub-plans for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The legislation will ensure fund allocation proportionate to the SC and ST population and is expected to prevent diversion of subplan funds for other activities and not allowing them unspent. There is also a mandatory provision for allocation of almost a fourth of the States annual plan of the budget for SC, ST. The bill was introduced on the recommendations of the Cabinet Sub-Committee. The demand for according legal status to the Sub-Plans was made on states for a long time by the Planning Commission of India and National Development Council (NDC). With this, Andhra Pradesh has become the first state in India to enact such legislation. The Opposition endorsed the legislation except the Telugu Desam. The party sought an amendment by inserting a provision in the legislation to provide proportionate allocations to ABCD groups within the SCs based on their populations and socioeconomic conditions. The proposal was
UTTAR PRADESH GOVERNMENT DECIDED TO ISSUE GOLDEN CARDS TO INDUSTRIALISTS

The Uttar Pradesh government on 4 December 2012 decided to issue Golden Cards to industrialists and industrial associations for easy access to its offices. The Golden Card facility is part of the larger effort of creating an industry-friendly environment in Uttar Pradesh.
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defeated by 22 votes when it was subjected to voting. Since the state assembly had the power to adopt annual budget only for one year, there was no constitutional provision to prevent lapsing of SC/ST funds.
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This is a historic step which is going to bring transparency in the administration of justice.
DELHI HIGH COURT LAUNCHED E-COURT FEE SYSTEM MAKING JUSTICE DELIVERY SYSTEM PAPERLESS
The Delhi High Court on 20 November 2012 launched the e-court feesystem at its premises to cut off the difficulty and delay in filing cases and to make the justice delivery system paperless and hassle-free. The new system launched is a joint initiative of Delhi Government and the Computer Committee of the High Court which is headed by Justice B. D. Ahmed and it is going to allow litigants to buy stamp papers--used to file court cases online instead of having to physically stand in queue to do so. Also, the new system is fully secure as it could not be tampered with or counterfeited. Further, litigants or lawyers can make payment for court fees in cash or through cheque or pay order or draft. They could also use RTGS facility to make payment once the system goes online. The litigants and lawyers would get a great relief as earlier at times they had to wait for several days or pay extra money to get court fee stamps of the required denominations due to their unavailability. The court fee stamps would be available 24x7 so that filing of cases becomes easy. www.jagranjosh.com
NTPC TO IMPART SKILL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR JAMMU AND KASHMIR YOUTH
NTPC, the State-run power producer is going to start a skill development programme for 144 youngsters from Jammu & Kashmir, under the central government's UDAAN initiative in last week of November. The programme named UDAAN is an initiative of central government and it is intended at imparting skills to youth from Jammu & Kashmir to help them in establishing their careers. As per the Programme module NTPC is going to train 200 youths from J&K every year for a period of five years and the company would also help the student in getting placed. The programme is meant for both graduates and post-graduates from the J&K region. The Programme is 36-week training programme in thermal power plant engineering. Giving an equal opportunity to students of both the region of state the company had chosen half of the 144 from Jammu and rest half are from Srinagar. The trainees would also be getting a monthly stipend of 2500 Rupees. The power producer would be the first public sector undertaking to implement UDAAN. As per NTPC, after the induction programme, the participants will be sent to
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four locations Rihand, Singrauli, Vindhyachal and Talcher NTPC, the country's largest power generator, has an installed capacity of 39674 MW. About UDAAN UDAAN aims to help the youth of Jammu and Kashmir, who are seeking to enhance and grow their careers. Udaan will provide skills and consequently employment to 8000 youth from Jammu and Kashmir per annum over a 5 year period in key high growth sectors. The programme is targeted at providing wellpaying jobs to the trained manpower. It calls for organizations from across the country to select deserving candidates from the state, provide for training and place them either within their organization or outside or enable them to become entrepreneurs.
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Keeping in touch with the latest Technology trend a digital cage is also built for the offenders; once helpline officials confirm that the offender was not paying attention to counseling, police would act to ensure that the person is not able to get a character certificate, passport or driving licence. The New helpline Service is going to operate from the administrative block 2 of Bhimrao Ambedkar Samajik Pariwartan Sthal, the sprawling park built by Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati near Jiamau crossing on Lohia Path in Lucknow.
DELHI AND MOSCOW GOVERNMENT SIGNED MOU TO FACILITATE COOPERATION

Delhi and Russian capital Moscow on 26 October 2012 signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen cooperation in 11 key areas including culture, healthcare, education, transport management, trade and housing. The MoU was signed by Sergey Cheremin, Minister in charge of the International Economic Relations of Moscow government, and Urban Development Minister of Delhi Government Arvinder Singh Lovely. The signing of the MoU between the two capital cities also commemorated the beginning of a three-day cultural celebration Days of Moscow in Delhi under which a series of cultural, academic and business events took place in the city. The MoU signed is going to facilitate cooperation between the Delhi government and Government of Moscow for next three
CHIEF MINISTER OF UTTAR PRADESH INAUGURATED NEW HELPLINE SERVICE FOR WOMEN
Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Akhilesh Yadav on 15 November 2012 at his official residence in Lucknow inaugurated the New Helpline service 1090 for women. The much-hyped Women's Power phone helpline '1090' is basically a pilot project of Uttar Pradesh Police as it was stewarded by Navneet Sikera, the Lucknow deputy inspector general of police (DIG). The helpline is largely aimed at counseling firsttime offenders and if the offences continued, police would initiate legal measures against repeat offenders.
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years. The delegation from both cities will visit each other with aim to establish direct contact between the two cities in various areas. The collaboration is also going to help in addressing major issues related to urban development such as sewage management, transport management and most importantly in the area of affordable housing for urban poor in which Moscow has extensive experience and expertise.
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The High Court of Madhya Pradesh on 19 October 2012 dismissed the petition filed by Dow Chemicals that challenged the orders of the trial court pronounced in 2005 in form of a show-cause notice against the 1984 Bhopal Gas Leak Tragedy. The show-cause notice was issued to the Dow Chemical International Private Limited by a Court of Bhopal in relation to the petition filed by an NGO that has been fighting for the rights of the Gas Victims that moved in the year 2005. The petition of the Dow Chemicals was dismissed by the Bench of Justice G.S. Solanki.
DMRC WOULD EXECUTE THE KOCHI METRO RAIL PROJECT IN ASSOCIATION WITH E. SREEDHARAN
The Chief Minister of Kerela, Oommen Chandy on 24 October 2012 declared that Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) would execute the Kochi Metro Rail Project in association with E. Sreedharan in next three years. Oommedn Chandy also declared that for timely completion of the rail project, Sreedharan and DMRC were the best bet for the state and to avoid complications created during the meet of the Director Board of Kochi Metro Rail Project, he would be writing a letter to Sheila Dixit, the Chief Minister of Delhi or would meet him personally (if required). The Chief Minister also promised extension of all sorts of facilities to Sreedharan for easy and timely completion of work.
DELHI HC: CHILD WITNESS CANNOT BE REJECTED OUT RIGHTLY

Delhi High Court in the month of October ruled that the evidence of a child witness cannot be rejected outright while upholding a case in which life sentence awarded to a man for kidnapping and then raping a minor girl in 2009. A bench of justices comprising Sanjiv Khanna and S P Garg gave the ruling dismissing Delhi resident Amrit Sharma appeal against his conviction and sentence of life imprisonment that was awarded by the trial court on 27 September 2010 on basis of the testimonies of the victim and her friend. As per the judge, the law on the issue is that the evidence of a child witness cannot be rejected outright. It must be evaluated more carefully and with greater circumspection because a child is susceptible to be swayed by others and can be tutored.
HIGH COURT OF MADHYA PRADESH DISMISSED THE PLEA OF DOW CHEMICALS
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The judge also asserted that Small children can make false identification not because they want to depose and state false facts but because they may not be guided and be fully aware and conscious of the adverse consequence and the effect of making false positive identification. The bench accepted the statements of victim, a 4-year-old girl at the time of incident in April 2009, and also of her friend, who is also of same age group that the accused had offered them biscuit and Rs 10 to go with him.
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requires 930 MW of power for being operational. To control the power supplies, the Delhi Government would implement the islanding facilities within next three months. The move aims towards prevention of electric supply disruptions under situations of grid disturbances or failures. This project is being developed at an investment of 25 Crore Rupees and will have a capacity of 3400 mega watt. Four islands have been shortlisted for providing electricity for this scheme and they include Bawana CCGT (600 MW), BTPS-Pragati (500 MW), Dadri-Jajjhar-Pragati (2315 MW) and Rithala CCGT (20 MW) and Delhi State Load Dispatch Center (SLDC) would be responsible for the operations of the island system being developed.
UNION POWER MINISTRY GAVE ITS NOD TO IMPLEMENT ISLANDING SCHEME IN DELHI
The Union Power Minister Veerapa Moily on 17 October 2012 announced the implementation of Islanding Scheme for Delhi by January 2013 to protect it from massive disruptions caused due to grid failures in power supply. The scheme of Delhi is different to that of the existing ones in cities like Mumbai and Kolkata because the transmission lines of different states is routed through Delhi. This scheme is being implemented as a solution against the problems like the massive blackout that occurred in July 2012 after the failure of Northern Grid, affecting the power supplies of different states including Delhi. Implementation of this scheme would help in assuring an unaffected flow of electricity to the VVIP areas, Indian Railways, airport, hospitals, Metro Rail, water treatment plants and other essential places during the issues of Northern Grid failure. These facilities overall www.jagranjosh.com
Working Process of the Project To make the installation operational the mechanism to be followed includes disconnecting Delhi from the national grid at times of disturbances to secure the state against power failures. After disconnecting, the power generated within the state will be supplied for meeting the demand of electricity within the state.
CHHATTISGARH GOVERNMENT SET UP A LIVELIHOOD COLLEGE IN DANTEWADA

The Chhattisgarh government in the first week of October 2012 established a Livelihood College in Dantewada to fight
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unemployment in the Naxal affected areas of the state. Dantewada district has always been ridden with Maoist violence but nowadays this district is in news for its innovative initiative to fight unemployment. District administration recently started a unique livelihood college where educated and even illiterate youth are being given skill enhancement training so that they could earn livelihood. Livelihood College runs a course in repair and maintenance of solar energy equipment, hand pumps, carpentry, plumbing, office management, hospitality, sales and marketing. More than 1000 local youth have been trained from this college and were successfully employed in different places.
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maintained by the international World Heritage Programme administered by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, composed of 21 states parties which are elected by their General Assembly As of 2012, 962 sites are listed: 745 cultural, 188 natural, and 29 mixed properties, in 157 states parties. By sites ranked by country Italy is home to the greatest number of World Heritage Sites with 47 sites, followed by Spain with 44 and China with 43.
FIVE TAMIL NADU PLACES INCLUDED IN UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE TENTATIVE LIST
Union Culture Minister Kumari Selja declared on 14 October 2012 that the five sites in Tamil Nadu, including famous Lord Sri Ranganathar temple in Srirangam, have been included in the tentative list by the Union Culture ministry for UNESCO's world heritage status The 17th century Fort St George in Chennai, Chettinad, Kazhugumalai rock sculptures and Pulikat Lake were the other sites in the list. About UNESCO World Heritage Site UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place such as a forest, mountain, lake, desert, monument, building, complex, or city that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance. The list is www.jagranjosh.com
TAMIL NADU GOVERNMENT FILED A CONTEMPT OF COURT PLEA AGAINST KARNATAKA GOVERNMENT IN SC
The Government of Tamil Nadu on 10 October 2012 moved to the Supreme Court (SC) against the Chief Minister of Karnataka, Jagadish Shivappa Shettar and six others for initiation of content of court for disobeying the courts order, given on 28 September 2012 for releasing 9000 cusecs of water from the Cauvery to Tamil Nadu till 15 October 2012. The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, J Jayalalithaa after chairing a meet with the senior members of the cabinet and identifying the situation, directed them to file a plea in form of courts contempt against the Counterpart at Karnataka, as an immediate action plan. This came up after Karnataka stopped the release of water from Krishna Raja Sagar Dam citing depletion of stored water.
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SOCIAL ACTIVIST ARVIND KEJRIWAL LAUNCHED BIJLI PAANI SATYAGRAH

Indian Social activist Arvind Kejriwal on 6 October 2012 launched a Bijli-Paani Satyagraha in New Delhi to protest against inflated power and water bills and hike in tariffs by restoring electricity connection to the household of a labourer which was disconnected for non-payment of bills.
Out of four, two projects is going to commissioned soon. Haryana is among the leading states in implementing energy conservation programmes. The memorandum was basically signed to tackle with the prevailing power crisis in the state.
CONSTRUCTION OF TUNNEL ACROSS JOJILA PASS ON SRINAGAR-LEH HIGHWAY STARTED

In Jammu and Kashmir, an ambitious project of constructing 6.5 kilometre long tunnel across Jojila Pass on Srinagar- Leh highway started on 4 October 2012. The project on its completion will make Srinagar - Leh road an all weather road and fulfill the long pending demand of the people of Laddakh region. The tunnel project fulfills the long term demand of people in Laddakh region.
UP GOVERNMENT LAUNCHED THE SAMAJWADI SWASTHYA SEVA IN THE STATE

Uttar Pradesh state government on 14 September 2012 launched the Samajwadi Swasthya Seva, the biggest emergency medical transport service in the country. The ambitious service was launched in 13 districts - Mainpuri, Etawah, Lucknow, Kannauj, Saharanpur, Meerut, Rampur, Moradabad, Muzaffarnagar, Sambhal, Shamli, Baghpat and Ambedkarnagar - in the first phase.The facility can be availed free of cost by dialling 108. The ambulance service was launched with the help of a private service provider. The government aims to reach people in need within 20 minutes of the SOS call. A call centre that will be manned by 100 people has been set up here to support the emergency service. It will be functional 24x7.
HARYANA GOVERNMENT SIGNED MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU)

Haryana government had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with four independent power producers for setting five bio-mass power projects. The capacity of power projects is of 51 MW and required an investment of 230 crore.
PUNJAB GOVERNMENT AMENDED CANAL AND DRAINAGE ACT

Punjab state government on 11 September 2012 amended the section 70 of Canal and Drainage Act, 1873 to punish the offence of
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canal water theft. As per the amendment, those who puncture a canal to irrigate their fields will face a fine of 5000 rupees, imprisonment or both. For the second offence of canal water theft, water supply would be ceased for full term during the crop season. In case any person still continues to use water in an unauthorised manner, they would be excluded from the command area of the canal for a period of two years. Before this amendment, there was a provision of Rs 1,000 fine or 1 month imprisonment or both.
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GOA GOVERNMENT ORDERED TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF MINING OPERATIONS

The Goa Government on 10 September 2012 ordered temporary suspension of all mining operations in the state. An order to this effect was issued by the Principal Secretary, Department of Mines and Geology. The suspension came into effect from 11 September 2012. The decision comes in view of the serious illegalities and irregularities mentioned in the report of the Justice M.B. Shah commission of inquiry constituted by the Union Government of India to look into the aspect of illegal mining in various states including Goa. However, the suspension of mining operations will have no effect on trade and transportation of ore already mined and existing in the lease-hold area, in transit or stored or stocked on the jetties.
DELHI GOVERNMENT DECIDED TO IMPOSE A BLANKET BAN ON PLASTIC BAGS

The Delhi government on 10 September 2012 decided to impose a blanket ban on the manufacture, sale, storage and use of plastic bags in the national capital. The use of plastic cover pouches to pack magazines and invitation and greeting cards will also be prohibited. Following a Delhi High Court order, the government had in January 2009 imposed a ban on the use of plastic bags in various markets, shopping malls, hotels and hospitals but it has not produced any desired result. The government now decided to impose the ban as per provision of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 under which the violators could face imprisonment up to five years and fine of up to 1 lakh rupees or both.
WEST BENGAL SIGNED AN AGREEMENT WITH TCS TO MONITOR MGNREGA FUND

The West Bengal government on 8 September 2012 signed an agreement with a leading IT firm TCS (Tata Consultancy Services) to monitor management of the MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) fund. The agreement will facilitate in plugging wastage and leakage of funds under the scheme in the state. The 100-day employment programme will also get a boost with modernization and transparency. The pilot project of
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technology enabled monitoring of MGNREGA will start from south 24 Pragana district and gradually will be extended to all other 18 districts of the state. TCS will provide a 5-year support to the system after implementation. TCS said it would offer extensive experience in egovernance.
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THE RURAL ELECTRIFICATION CORPORATION SIGNED MOU WITH GENCO

The Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) on 23 August 2012 signed MoU with Genco under which the former will provide the latter a loan of 10873 crore rupees to set up three power projects with a combined capacity of 2560 MW in Andhra Pradesh. These are Vijayawada and Kothagudem thermal power stations expansion projections of 800 MW each, and the hydroelectric project of Polavaram dam (960 MW). The expansion projects of the Vijayawada and Kothagudem thermal stations will require 5286 crore rupees and 5291 crore rupees respectively and that of Polavaram will require 3014 crore rupees. The REC loan will cover a major part of the cost of these projects while the remaining expenditure will be carried out by Genco.
SIKKIM LOKAYUKTA BILL RECEIVED PRESIDENTIAL ASSENT

The Sikkim Lokayukta Bill, an act seeking to check corruption in the state, got the approval of the President of India on 28 August 2012. The bill was passed by the Sikkim Assembly on 29 December 2010, subsequently it was sent to the state governor who forwarded it for presidential nod on 13 January 2011. The Sikkim Lokayukta Act sets accountability on government authorities and aims at checking corruption in the state. The principal objective of the Act is citizens grievances redressal, especially those related to corruption in the functioning of public bodies or authorities including that of favouritism. As per the Act the Lokayukta is to be appointed by the Governor and be given the responsibility to conduct enquiry and investigations after consultations with the Chief Justice of the Sikkim High Court, the Speaker of the Assembly and the Leader of Opposition. It also provides that the Lokayukta initiate enquiry on the receipt of complaints and after the approval of a Minister, Chief Secretary or Secretary.
EGOM DECIDED TO INVEST RS. 425 CRORE FOR GUJARAT DROUGHT RELIEF
The Union Government decided to invest Rs. 425 crore for Gujarat Drought Relief on 3 August 2012. The decision took in the meeting with the Chief Minister of Gujarat. It was headed by the Union Agriculture Minister and Rural Development Minister. The Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM) was also agreed to consider the demand of the state to extend the employment opportunities for the state under Mahatma
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Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA), 2005. The Chief Minister of Gujarat decided to leave 30 percent draught relief funds spent by State government.
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Welspun Energy is a sister concern of the US $ 3.5 billion Welspun Group. The company mainly deals with creation of environment-friendly power plants and is aimed to establish its plants across India.
ORISSA IS THE FIRST STATE TO COMMENCE E-PAYMENT FACILITY FOR GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES
Orissa became the First Indian state to commence e-payment facility for government employees from 1 August 2012. Now, the government employees in the state will receive their salaries and pensions through the online Portal of Reserve Bank of India. Employees received their salaries and pensions directly to their bank account. Reserve Bank of India took an initiative for e-payment facilities.
THE NCR PLANNING BOARD APPROVED THE CONTROVERSIAL GREATER NOIDA MASTER PLAN 2021
The NCR (National Capital Region) Planning Board on 24 August 2012 approved the controversial Greater Noida Master Plan 2021. This will allow builders to restart construction of around 200000 apartments in various projects in the Noida Extension area of Greater Noida. NCR planning board comes under the ministry of urban development, Government of India. The board was constituted in 1985.
WELSPUN FINDS THE LENDERS FOR ITS 50 MW SOLAR PROJECT IN RAJASTHAN

Welspun Energy declared that it was successful in finding the funds of Rs 355 crore for its 50 MW Solar Power Project in Rajasthan on 10 September 2012. Three public sector banks along with an infrastructure finance company came together to issue the loan for this long term project to the company. The project is expected to be commissioned by the first quarter of 2013.
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CHAPTER 15: HISTORY

NOOR INAYAT KHANS B UST TO BE UNVEILED AT LONDON BY PRINCESS ANNE
Britain's Princess Anne unveiled the Bronze Bust of Noor Inayat Khan in London, reckoned to be a heroine of the World War II on 8 November 2012 for the role that she played as a secret agent in the secret mission against the Nazis. The Bronze Bust was unveiled at Gordon Square the place, where Noor Inayat lived at the time. Noor Inayat Khan was worlds first lady radio operator, who was infiltrated in the then occupied France and pass on the information of the allies. She was caught at Dachau Concentration Camp and killed. The decision came up giving an end to the several years of campaign that was run by the Noor Inayat Memorial Trust and also by Shrabani Basu, her biographer, for reviving the memory of the War heroine, who by now was almost forgotten. This campaign of winning recognition to the forgotten heroine of the World War II was also supported by several Parliamentarians, the British Prime Minister David Cameron and John Bercow, the Speaker of the House of Commons. The rights activist Shami Chakrabarti and filmmaker Gurinder Chadha also supported this campaign. Karen Newman, a London based Artist has sculptured the bust. The Noor Inayat Memorial Trust was successful in raising 60,000 as funds from the Public.
FRANCE OFFICIALLY RECOGNISED THE KILLINGS OF 1961 PARIS MASSACRE

France on 17 October 2012 for the first time officially acknowledged the killings of hundreds of unarmed Algerians in the 1961 Paris Massacre. In a communiqu (communication) that was published by the Elysee Palace, a statement by the President Francois Hollande stated about the killing of the Algerians protestors, protesting for their Independence on 17 October 2012 in a bloody repression. He also paid homage to the victims after 51 years of the incident. Algeria, the North African Country, won its independence in 1962, after fighting 8 years long brutal war in which about a million people died. The official declaration in relation to the acknowledgement of the killings came a week before Mr. Hollandes visit to Algeria. About the Incident Maurice Papon, the French Nazi sympathizer and the then Prefect of Paris imposed a curfew on Algerians living in France. The Leaders of Algeria tried to challenge the curfew with a protest that was to be done in a peaceful manner. The Protestors on 17 October 1961 were rounded up in Paris on the order of Papon and tortured and beaten up brutally. Many of them were thrown alive in River Seine with their hands tied at their back. The 1961 Massacre of Paris can be compared to Jalianwala Bagh Masscare in which General Dyer ordered killing of unarmed civilians protesting against colonial presence in the India.
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MAHARAJ LOONKARAN SINGHS ERA GUNPOWDE R FOUND IN SONAR FORT

More than 1500 kg of 500-year old gunpowder was found on 20 December 2012 in five leather bags near Jain Temple in Sonar Fort, Jaisalmer. District administration decided to seek help from Army for destroying the gunpowder. The secretary of Jaisalmer Vikas Samiti explained that gunpowder was lying in closed burj (tower) and was discovered by the labourers who were engrossed in repairing work. This burj had remained closed for several years, possibly centuries. Historian Nand Kishore Sharma believed that gunpowder could possibly be from Maharaj Loonkaran Singhs time when the cannon use was just started in 1550. Till today, five huge cannons were kept in Sonar Fort, Jaisalmer. Usually the explosives were kept in proximity to the cannons. It was possible that explosives were kept in burj near cannons which were placed near Jain temple.
symbol for keeping the trespassers at a distance or to make sure that the tax collectors regularly deposited the revenue. The stone tablet bears the inscription of a donkey copulating with the female, which might be an indication that women of trespassers would face a similar fate. In the olden times, the property owners in Vasai area used to place the carved stones at entrances of their properties. This practice is followed even today in Vasai. Trespassers were given a warning using the abusive words but historians believe that such a pictorial abuse was not common. The stone tablet dates back to 1268 AD and was recovered from the Kiravali village. The measurements of the stone are 126 cm, 56 cm and 22 cm in length, width and breadth respectively. The stone is from the era of Shilahara kings who were the rulers of Vasai around 1000 years back. Shilahara kings had ruled over the Vasai region before Portuguese in 1536. It is important to note that this stone tablet was, at some point of the time, acclaimed artifact in village. It was kept in Chankai Devi Mandir and villagers broke coconuts on it on new moon day. Later, this stone was kept near the pond. The historians eventually removed this stone tablet and were surprised at the historical value.
750 YEAR OLD EXPLICIT STONE TABLET DISCOVERED IN VASAI

Early in December 2012, a team of the historians in Vasai recovered the 750 year old stone tablet which has sexually explicit inscription. The historians explained that the bygone king of that area (identity of whom is yet to be discovered) might have had custom-made the carvings as warning www.jagranjosh.com
TIPU SULTANS ERA CA NNON DISCOVERED AT BANGALORE METRO SITE

Workers digging the underground section of the Bangalore Metro rail were surprised to discover a 12 feet 18th century cannon as well as a 10 kg cannonball which is believed to be from the era of Tipu Sultan. The site
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of construction in Bangalore lies between the summer palace of Tipu Sultan and Bangalore Fort. This is the rarest discovery in the capital of Karnataka linked to that time period.
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COMMEMORATIVE POSTAGE STAMP ON SILK LETTER MOVEMENT RELEASED BY PRESIDENT

The President of India, Pranab Mukherjee on 11 January 2013 released a Commemorative Postage Stamp on Silk Letter Movement at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The Silk Letter Movement The Silk Letter Movement refers to the golden history of Indias freedom struggle in which, the Deobandi leaders tried to generate a pan-Islamic revolt in British-India against the British Empire by gaining support of Afghanistan and Turkey Governments. Obaidullah Sindhui and Maulana Mahmood Hasan were the two main leaders of the movement. In 1916 few letters, which were written on Silk, were caught by the British.
now. It was a time, when the Island Continent was not even in contact with the Europeans. The study also described that there are evidence of Indian gene flow from India to Australia at the time of the Holocene that happened about 4230 years ago.
STUDY: INDIANS MIGRATED TO AUSTRALIA 4000 YEARS AGO

The new study from the scientists and researchers of the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Germany published on 15 January 2013 revealed the fact that the Ancient Indians migrated to Australia and mixed itself with the aborigines about 4000 years back from
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CHAPTER 16: ENVIRONMENT

SUPREME COURT DIRECTED CENTRE TO PRESENT FRESH GUIDELINES ON TIGER RESERVES WITHIN A WEEK
Supreme Court of India on 9 October 2012 asked the center to present fresh guidelines on tiger conservation within a week. The court in its verdict also said that the guidelines issued by the court on banning all types of tourists activities in Tiger reserves given on 24 July, may be modified. The Supreme Court bench of Justices A K Patnaik and Swatanter Kumar in its statement also stated that the court will not allow the given directives on tiger-reserves to be open ended and in case the state government is not happy with the issued guidelines, they can challenge the decision in the court. The bench also cleared that ultra vires will not be declared in case the states challenged the guidelines issued by the apex court.
to the animal including violation of any law as well as cruelty towards the creature. To justify the decision the commission pointed towards Article 51(g) of the Indian Constitution that states compassion for all living creature as well as Prevention of Cruelty of Animals Act, 1960. The commission also pointed towards the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 that prohibits overloading and torturing of the animals. The Election Commission has also sent letters to the political parties as well as the Chief Electoral Officers of every state and union territories. The decision was made following the representations received by the election commission by some organization and individual stating the cruelty that animals suffered during the election campaign of the political parties.
ENVIRONMENT CLEARANCE OF 99 MINES IN GOA SUSPENDED

The environment clearance of 99 Mines of Goa was suspended with respect to the report presented by the Justice M B Shah Commission on 12 September 2012. Report claims that the organizations involved in the mining work taunted with the forest laws and environment norms & guidelines. This report also suggests the involvement of state directorate of mines, the union ministry for environment and forests (MoEF), Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM), the state forest department and the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) in this act of illegal mining.
ELECTION COMMISSION PROHIBITED USE OF ANIMALS IN ELECTION CAMPAIGNS

The Election commission on 27 September 2012 directed the Political Parties and candidates not to use birds and animals in the campaigns. The commission also directed that in case the use of animal is unavoidable then the party or candidate will have to ensure that no harm is caused
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DAY CAMPAIGN OBSERVED IN UTTAR PRADESH TO SAVE GANGETIC DOLPHINS

A three day campaign named Save Ganga, Save Dolphin started on 5 October 2012 in Uttar Pradesh. 18 boats were flagged off by the Transport Minister of the State Raja Mahendra Aridaman Singh on this day to have a check on the population of the dolphins in the Gangetic River System in the state. The World Wild Life Fund (WWF) in association with the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department and some of the local volunteers including 16 NGOs started the campaign in the 2800 kilometer long Ganga and its tributaries. Save Ganga Save Dolhpin was initiated with an aim of spreading awareness about the Riverine species the Gangetic Dolphins and its protection. This campaign was called off on 7 October 2012 by the Chief Minister of the state Akhilesh Yadav.
Dolphin Watch Center at places where these rare aquatic species are seen.
THE HOUSE SPARROW WAS DECLARED AS STATE BIRD OF DELHI

The House Sparrow was on 14 August 2012 declared as state bird of Delhi by the state government. The new status of the bird is likely to help in its conservation. State government announced the decision after launching a campaign Rise for the Sparrows. The campaign is aimed at conserving the species. The campaign will try to reach out to people across the Indian subcontinent.
INDIA AND JAPAN SIGNED EARTHS PACT ON RARE EARTH MINERALS

India and Japan signed an Earths Pact on 16 November 2012 that will enable the latter to import the rare Earth minerals from India. These rare minerals are very important for the Tech-savvy industries of Japan. The pact came as a conclusion despite postponement of India-Japan annual summit. As per the signed pact, Japan will be able to import 4000 tonnes rare Earth minerals for a year from India. By signing the pact, Japan has branched out its supply from China for metals which are used in their industries. Japan now hopes that the pact will reduce its dependency on China for these rare minerals. It is important to note here that Japan is in tiff on the issue of Senkaku islands with China.
5 OCTOBER OBSERVED AS DOLPHIN DAY IN BIHAR

Bihar on 5 October 2012 observed Dolphin Day. This day was observed in wake of spreading awareness for conservation of the Gangetic Dolphins the rare and endangered species that is found only in the Gangetic River System and its Tributaries. Bihar that observed the World Wildlife Week from 2 to 8 October 2012, decided to observe 5 October as Dolphin Day every year. Sushil Kumar Modi, the Deputy Chief Minister of the state on this occasion declared that the state will come up with a
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Apart from this, India-Japan also signed a social security pact. These two pacts which were destined to come into force on the now-cancelled Indian PMs trip were reinforced in Japan.
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US DRILLERS REACHED LAKE WHILLANS HIDDEN BENEATH ANTARCTIC ICE

Scientists from the US in the last week of January 2013 successfully drilled into the lake called Lake Whillans, which was buried around 1 kilometre beneath the Antarctic Ice. Scientists described that the sensors which were there on the drill system detected a change in the pressure, which hinted towards the fact that it had made some contact with the undiscovered lake. After detecting a change in the pressure, the scientists sent down the camera in order to verify this breakthrough. The Whillans project is one among various projects started by the scientists to investigate about the buried lakes of Antarctica. The Whillans project researchers now want to comprehend the water flow beneath the glaciers into the Southern Ocean as well as the rate at which the Antarctic ice is melting. Back in December 2012, a team of British scientists had abandoned their efforts to explore the Lake Ellsworth after they faced certain technical difficulties. The Russian scientists too took note of the water samples from the Lake Vostok, but they do not have any big discovery about it yet. About Lake Whillans Lake Whillans lies towards the west of Antarctica. It is situated on the www.jagranjosh.com
southeastern edge of the Ross Sea. As a matter of fact, it is not exactly a lake, but a dense system of the streams, which in turn look like a delta which spreads over around 60 square kilometers. The liquid in the lake is a bit shallow, merely a few metres in terms of depth. As of now, over 300 large water bodies have been discovered under the Antarctic.
VULTURE POPULATION ESTIMATION-2013 CONDUCTED IN PANNA TIGER RESERVE

Vulture Population Estimation-2013 was conducted in Panna Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh by the State Government. The Vulture Population Estimation-2013 started from 16 January 2013. It was found that there are 867 vultures in the Panna Tiger Reserve which include 160 migratory birds as well as 48 unidentified birds. The Technical report of Vulture Population Estimation-2013 would be submitted by February end 2013. Around 102 live nests were present in this tiger reserve.
Reasons for Decline in Vulture Population Over the past few years, there has been a sudden decline in the vulture population. Post mortem as well as the diagnostic tests of the vultures revealed that there was a decrease in their population because of consumption of veterinary drug Diclofenac. Diclofenac was consumed by the vultures who fed on the carcasses of livestock. Diclofenac led to deposition of uric acid in the visceral organs of vultures which caused their sudden death.
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GAS THAT CAUSES OZONE DESTRUCTION DISCOVERED BY THE RESEARCHERS

Researchers at the Universities of York and Leeds in the third week of January 2013 identified a gas from the earlier unknown marine source which led to destruction of ozone over the oceans. The researchers discovered that most of the ozone-depleting iodine oxide which is observed on the oceans came from earlier unknown marine source. The researchers found out that the source of iodine oxide could be explained by emissions of hypoiodous acid (HOI) together with molecular iodine (I2). Since 1970s, when the gas called methyl iodide (CH3I) was discovered to be present everywhere in the ocean, it was understood that the presence of the iodine in atmosphere used to crop up primarily from the emissions of organic compounds from the microscopic marine plants called phytoplankton.
China. The cities which were under the blanket of yellow alert included major ones such as Chengdu and Beijing. The alert mentioned that China was reeling under the effects of worst ever pollution record.
INTERNET EMIT 830 MILLION TONNES OF CO2 IN ENVIRONMENT ANNUALLY: RESEARCHERS

The researchers from the Centre for EnergyEfficient Telecommunications (CEET) and Bell Labs in the first week of January 2013 claimed that internet video and associated cloud services including Information Communication and Technology, discharge more than 830 million tonnes of Carbon Dioxide per year. This emission of the CO2 (one of the major green house gas) from the information and communication industry includes about 2 percent of the global CO2 emission annually and its expected to double nearly by 2020. Same is the amount shared by the aviation industry in form of emissions. To control this emission, the researchers have suggested measures like development of accurate and feasible model taking into account the energy use, data traffic and CO2 production in the networks as well as use of other elements in the ICT industry. The researchers from the CEET and Bell Labs following their new models of emissions and energy consumption have suggested three key factors that would help in reduction of the CO2 emissions from the ICT industry and these are efficient usage of facilities, use of energy efficient equipment and use of renewable energy sources.
BEIJING AIR POLLUTION CROSSED TOXIC LEVELS: YELLOW ALERT ISSUED BY METEOROLOGICAL AUTHORITY
The meteorological authority of China issued yellow alert in various cities. Yellow alert indicated the presence of fog that shows dangerous smog levels in the northern as well as western regions of www.jagranjosh.com
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Centre for Energy-Efficient Telecommunications (CEET): Partnership between the Victorian State Government and Alcatel-Lucent, the University of Melbourne is responsible for the formation of CEET. Bell Laboratories: It is a R&D subsidiary of Alcatel-Lucent in Berkeley Heights, United State and is owned by France. Initially, it was a division of American Telephone & Telegraph Company (AT&T Corporation) and was half-owned by its Western Electric manufacturing subsidiary.
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that the satellite images displayed increasing numbers as well as sizes of blue lakes in glacier. The main cause of Siachen shrinking is construction of the helipads as well as frequent flights of helicopters which loosen packed snows leading to avalanches. Snow scooters also cause the same. Most of the experts believe the fact that saving these glaciers is actually the scientific challenge which needs attention immediately.
RESEARCHERS: SIACHEN GLACIER SHRINKING DUE TO INCREASING TEMPERATURES

The researchers claimed that the Siachen Glacier reduced to 5.9 km in its longitudinal extent from the time period of 1989 to 2009. This happened because of increasing temperatures. The researchers additionally also believed that presence of humans on Siachen would affect other neighbouring glaciers such as Milan, Janapa, Miyar and Gangotri which are a source to Chenab, Sutlej and Ganges river. Hindukush, Karakoram and Himalaya actually form the largest mountain chain on this planet. They are also keepers of the third-largest ice reserves only after Polar Regions. The glaciers found in these mountains feed a population of 1.7 billion via seven huge Asian river systems which also include Brahmaputra, Mekong, Yangtze, Ganges and Indus. Siachen is largest mountain glacier of the world, which is 70 km in length and 5-10 km in width. The satellite pictures revealed that the glacier was shrinking. It is even worse www.jagranjosh.com
ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES LED TO ENCOURAGEMENT OF HUMAN EVOLUTION

Researchers from the Penn State University in the last week of December declared that the cause of encouragement of human evolution might have been the swift environmental changes in areas like East Africa around two million years ago. The landscape, in which early humans lived, changed speedily between the closed woodland and open grassland around 5-6 times during time duration of 200000 years. The researchers declared that the changes took place abruptly. The co-researcher of the study found that the present leading hypothesis suggested that evolutionary transitions which took place among the human beings during that period were linked with long as well as fixed environmental changes, or maybe a single climate change. A lot of researchers as well as anthropologists believed that unpredictability of the experience could lead to cognitive development. American Scientist Suggested That Refreezing Arctic Could Help Deal With Climate Crisis
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An American scientist David Keith, who is the professor of applied physics at Harvard University offered solution to global warming when he suggested that refreezing Arctic using certain modified jets could help in dealing with the climate crisis. The scientist used climate models for suggesting that by injecting the reflective particles in atmosphere, there could be a reduced amount of sunlight which reached the Earth. This in turn could help in tricking the regional effect which might bring back ice to Arctic. He claimed that penetration of sunlight could be reduced by merely 0.5 percent for restoring the sea-ice surrounding North Pole. The research conducted by the scientist suggested that this entire operation was possible to accomplish with certain modified Gulfstream jets which could cost approximately 8 billion dollar annually. It is important to note that overall amount of the ice in Arctic Ocean had reached alltime lowest in September 2012. However, while this scientist believed that action should definitely be taken for dealing with the pollution that was discharged in the atmosphere, he still doesnt advocate action which his study suggested.
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SCIENTISTS STUDYING HIMALAYAN GEOLOGIC FEATURES WARNED AGAINST MAJOR EARTHQUAKES IN THE REGION
Scientists who study the Himalayan geologic features and activities warned that the mountain range which separates Indian subcontinent plains from Tibetan Plateau is prime focus of the major earthquakes. Stanford geophysicists announced that the range of Himalayas was formed and it remained active currently because of the collision activities in Indian and Asian continental plates. For quite some time, it has been known to the scientists that subduction is going on in India under Asia. Subduction is a geological process during which an edge of the crustal plate forces below the edge of the other plate. Scientists had recently started studying difficulties involved in the volatile collision zone like this in detail, especially the fault which is separating the two plates, Main Himalayan Thrust (MHT) declared. In the previous observations it was found that comparatively uniform fault plane had sunk a few degrees towards North. In order the get a clear picture about this fault, the geophysics researchers at Stanford analysed data from 20 seismometers which were deployed for around 2 years across Himalayas.
TYPHOON BOPHA: DEATH TOLL RISES IN PHILIPPINES

Typhoon Bopha is the strongest ever tropical cyclone which hit Philippines. With the central winds at a speed of 120 kmph and gusts of around 150 kmph Typhoon Bopha swept away the dive spots as well as beach resorts on Palawan Island on 5 December 2012. www.jagranjosh.com
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NEWLY DISCOVERED COLOURFUL SPECIES OF FISH NAMED AFTER US PRESIDENT OBAMA

A recently discovered colourful, freshwater species of fish known as Darters, was named after the re-elected US President Barack Obama in the first week of December 2012. The species of fish was named so because of Obamas global vision towards environment conservation as well as protection. Five new colourful, freshwater fish species was discovered in the eastern North America in river drainages and they were named after 4 US presidents and vicepresident. This species of fish has bright blue and orange colours. Darters are known as the tiniest members belonging to the family of perch. They have the ability to move under, into or around the rocks as well as sediments on beds of fast-moving and clean waterways. Around 200 species of Darter have been discovered as of now and most of these live in rivers as well as creeks of eastern Tennessee and northern Alabama. They are known as the most assorted species of native fishes of North America.
which is leaving them defenceless against their predators. The research found that the waters around Antarctica have become acidic because of the rising carbon dioxide levels. The rising carbon dioxide levels were corroding protective layer or shells of the swimming snails. This situation was even worse in Polar Regions since the gas becomes soluble in the cold water. Scientists predicted that average acidity of these oceans will be triple all over the world and this will be the first time in around 20 million years. In the research, scientists checked the shells which were collected from molluscs from Southern Ocean surface, with the help of microscope. They found that the ones from acidic regions had their shells dissolved across the whole length. What caused this was the fact that deep water which was already rich in carbon dioxide was mixed with the surface that was affected by the greenhouse gas. British Antarctic Survey revealed that the effect of ocean acidification was happening in the oceanic populace already. Decline in the pteropod populations might occur much sooner than the projected date in Southern Ocean surface waters. Destruction of this crucial group of mollusks called pteropods could lead to disaster in the food chain. Even if pteropods are smaller in size but they are still important sources of food for the predators at various tiers of food chain which include herring, salmon, zooplankton, sea birds as well as whales. Without their shells, pteropods will become defenceless against predation leading to decrease in their population.
OCEAN ACIDIFICATION DISSOLVING SHELLS OF SEA CREATURES CAUSING DISASTER IN FOOD CHAIN
A new research in the fourth week of November 2012 found that the sea snails shells are dissolved due to global warming,
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Lab tests suggested that the shell molluscs also include conchs, whelks and clams which are also at higher risk level. Ocean acidification would impair the ability of clams, urchins, corals as well as calcareous algae for building their protective shells. What is ocean acidification? Ocean acidification is one of the biggest carbon dioxide challenges. It means that the pH level of the oceans on earths surface has decreased because of an increase in the carbon dioxide level in atmosphere. Ocean acidification is taking place rapidly, posing a serious threat to marine life as well as biodiversity.
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loan, but was a compensation contribution to climate change.
These funds were supposed to be given to the poorest nations so that they could adapt to climate change. These funds should have been new as well as addition to already-existing overseas development aid (ODA) money. The funds were supposed to be used for adaptation as well as flexibility for poor countries according to their own priorities. What did the Oxfam report find? It was found that merely 1/3rd of total amount till now is the new money and just 24 percent of this amount was in addition to the existing commitments of aid. The developed nations spent just 21 percent of this amount on adaptation to the change in climate. Developed nations need to make the solid financial commitments for 20132020 time period. The Doha talks- what to expect? The Doha talks which will commence on 26 November 2012 will expect developing nations to demand accountability as well as clarity on the promised funds by the developed nations. The rich countries would find private investments as the solution but the developing countries, on the other hand want public funds as their central source for clean energy as well as adaptation. However, developed countries use ill health of their economy as an excuse to escape the obligations. What is Oxfam? Oxfam is the international confederation comprising of 17 organisations which
REPORT SUGGESTED THAT DEVELOPED NATIONS DEPRIVED POOR COUNTRIES OF 30 BILLION US DOLLAR CLIMATE FUND
Oxfam Report released in the fourth week of November 2012 ahead of negotiations in Doha, Qatar suggested that the developing nations were deprived of 30 billion US Dollar funds by the rich countries which they had committed to transfer between 2010 and 2012. Developed nations committed funding for climate change In 2009 at the Copenhagan talks, developed world had promised to fasttrack funding of 30 billion US dollar between 2010 and 2012 and had also promised annual transfer of 100 billion US Dollar starting from 2020. The money, known as climate funding, was not to be offered as financial assistance or www.jagranjosh.com
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network together in over 90 countries. Oxfam works with the communities directly and functions towards elimination of poverty. The primary aim of Oxfam is to put an end to the injustice and poverty prevailing in various countries.
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The volume of the main greenhouse gascarbon dioxide grew at almost identical rate in previous 10 years and it touched 390.9 parts per million (ppm) or 40 percent above the pre-industrial level, as per the survey. There had been an increase on an average by 2 ppm for last decade. Since the beginning of the industrial era from 1750, the fossil fuels had remained the main source of around 375 billion tonnes carbon which was released in atmosphere.
TONGARIRO VOLCANO ERUPTED IN THE NORTH ISLAND REGION OF NEW ZEALAND

The Tongariro Volcano in Mount Tongariro at Tongariro National Park, New Zealand erupted on 21 November 2012. This volcano left behind massive plume of ash billows up to 3 kilometers in the skies of Tongariro National Park in the North Island of New Zealand. The volcano erupted with a grumble at 1:25 pm about 300 kilometers away from Wellington City of New Zealand. The volcano was used as the backdrop in many scenes and sequences of the Hollywood movie, Lord of the Rings film Trilogy.
GREENLAND CONTINUOUSLY LOST 200 MILLION TONNES ICE EVERY YEAR SINCE 2003
Scientists at the University of California (UCI) in the third week of November 2012 confirmed that Greenland was losing 200 million tonnes ice every year ever since 2003 and this in turn will have a huge impact on the sea levels. According to the latest analysis, scientists who study the changing mass of this island with the help of satellite data, support the trends which were reported initially without including the record-breaking melting of ice of previous two summers. According to the researcher Isabella Velicogna of UCI, Greenland is one place where ice melting is taking place rapidly and this in turn is contributing to the rising sea levels. Velicogna analyses the data which is being used in the recent studies from the GRACE or Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment that detects major changes on Earths surface. This is done by GRACE by checking the increase of decrease in gravity level, something which is directly associated with the mass below two GRACE satellites.
GREENHOUSE GASES LEVEL REACHED RECORD HIGH IN 2011: WMO SURVEY REVEALED
World Meteorological Organization (WMO) on 20 November 2012 in the annual Greenhouse Gas Bulletin revealed that the atmospheric volume of the greenhouse gases, which are often blamed for the change in atmosphere, had hit the record in 2011.
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Approximately, 200 million tonnes ice is required for filling the railroad coal cars in order to encircle Earth. Princeton University, on the other hand applied another approach for analysing GRACE data. It was established that during 2003 as well as 2004, this low mass remained centred along Eastern coast of Greenland. In the year 2005 till 2006, the mass loss became less in northeast but increased in southeast. Also, there was more mass loss along northwest coast from 2007-2010. The scientists were aware of this but the recent study has confirmed what they knew.
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number of this bird is encouraged but this increase in number and stabilization is yet a weak figure. Sudden fall in the number of vultures that flies in the high sky, was the use of diclofenac, the painkiller drug that is used for administering cattle. Actually, the digestive system of vultures is capable enough to digest disease causing pathogens that is found in the rotten meat, but it also lacks the critical enzyme, that can easily break-down the diclofenac. This diclofenac causes a sudden renal failure in vultures just after eating the remains of cattles, treated with diclofenac as drug. In the year 2006, a ban was created on the use of diclofenac in the South-Asian region and this ban resulted in the fall in the number of deaths reported in case of these vultures.
BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY RELEASED A REPORT INDICATING GROWTH IN VULTURE POPULATION
The research paper published by the scientists of the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) presents a positive report about the change in the number of vultures, which resulted in a catastrophic decline in its number by more than 99 percent in past two decades. The study reveals that there has been a marginal rise in the population of Vultures between 2011 and 2012. The population of vulture during early nineties saw a dramatic fall and by 2003, its population saw a record fall of 95 percent, which by 2008 reached to an alarming mark of more 99 percent. In 1980s there population ranged to about 4 crore but by 2011 there was a dramatic fall recorded in its population and it reached to a mark of about 1 lakh. The Study also issued a warning that the stabilization on the
WORLD RAREST WHALE SPECIES FOUND IN PACIFIC OCEAN

The world's rarest whale species - the spade-toothed beaked whale was spotted for the first time by scientists of New Zealand in the Pacific Ocean. The Spade-toothed beaked whales were first discovered in 1872 when bone fragments of rarest whale species were found on a remote Pacific island. Till date the rarest species had remained entirely hidden from human view. This is the first time that the species was ever seen as a complete specimen. The discovered species was found on 31 December 2010 in a form of a female whale
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(5.3 metres) and male calf (3.5 metres) which were stranded and later died on Opape Beach in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand. It was after their death that they were measured, photographed and tissue samples were taken by the Department of Conservation. A DNA typing was done on them and with further investigation a report on 6 November 2012 was published in the journal Current Biology.
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can be termed as bad-ozone, but is harmful for old age people, children, and people suffering from asthma, bronchitis, emphysema and other diseases related to heart and lungs. Photochemical Smog Photochemical Smog is basically formed by the chemical reaction of nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds in presence of sunlight and the term was first time used and described during 1950s. The mixture of air pollutants may include aldehydes, peroxyacyl nitrates, nitrogen oxides, like nitrogen dioxide, troposphere ozone and other volatile organic compounds.
SUPREME COURT OF INDIA EXPRESSED ITS CONCERN OVER THE GROWING SMOG COVER ON NEW DELHI
The Supreme Court of India on 6 October 2012 expressed its concerns on the growing smog cover over the National Capital, which is caused due to the pollution created due to the increase in the number of vehicles in the Capital. The Apex Court made a decision to take a call on examining the problems and then further suggest and identify the remedial measures. Smog and its harmful effects Smog in itself is the mixture of smoke and fog, which is the combination of pollutants created from industries and vehicles. At present, it is generally visible over the big cities in form of yellow cloud covering the horizon during sunrise and sun-set. One can see the smog cover in the sky even during the hot summer days when the wind density is low and weak. Because of its toxicity, the smog umbrella in the sky is also harmful for human health because of the toxicity level present in its atmosphere. The smog also forms ground level ozone that
UTTARAKHAND NAMED BEST PERFORMING STATES IN TERMS OF ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS

The state of Uttarakhand on 29 October 2012 tops the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) list of being best-performing States and Union territories in terms of environmental well-being released by Planning Commission. Uttarakhand is followed by Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Sikkim, and Andhra Pradesh on the Planning Commissions Environmental Performance Index (EPI) list. Environmental well-being is one of the considerations for decentralization of funds to the States under the Gadgil formula. The State of Uttarakhand was given a cumulative score point of 0.8123 which is followed by Himachal Pradesh with score point of 0.7316, Chandigarh with 0.7270,
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Sikkim (0.7149), and Andhra Pradesh with 0.7147 of Score point. Mizoram, Kerala, Goa, Sikkim, Tripura, Puducherry and Andaman and Nicobar, with an average score of 1, were ranked as the best States in terms of air quality. Amazingly, except for Uttarakhand, all the States met the prescribed national ambient air quality standard in respect of the sulphur dioxide which is of 20 micrograms per cubic metre. In terms of Nitrogen oxide, the national standard set of 30 microgram per cubic metre was not met by more than 10 states. Also, in term of suspended particles no states met the 60 microgram per cubic metre national standard except state of Goa, Kerala, and Mizoram. Water quality standards, of all the states indicated a very pathetic standard except for Himachal Pradesh, which has set up 100 per cent treatment capacity for sewage, the treatment capacity in the remaining States ranges from 0 (13 States) to less than 20 per cent (8 States) and more than 50 per cent in four States. Delhi, Punjab, Rajasthan, Daman and Diu, and Puducherry extract more water than they recharge, but Himachal Pradesh, Goa, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Puducherry are the only States which show a semblance of adherence to river water quality. Talking about forest conservation, Chandigarh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh are among the five best-performing States that have preserved forests as well as increased cover.
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FORTY WHALES DIED IN MASS STRANDING ON ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS

Approximately 40 whales died in a mass stranding on 25 October 2012 on the west coast of remote North Andaman Island in the Bay of Bengal. About Whale Stranding A Stranded whale is a whale that has stranded itself on land, usually on a beach. The reason of their death is dehydration, collapsing of body under their own weight or drowning when high tide covers the blowhole. The stranded whale is also referred as beached whale. There are also many other reasons for whale stranding the major of which are natural and environmental factors, such as rough weather, weakness due to old age or infection, difficulty giving birth, hunting too close to shore and navigation errors. Some stranding is also caused by larger cetaceans following dolphins and porpoises into shallow coastal waters.
COP 11 HELD IN HYDERABAD: The other reason for stranding is SONAR EMPHASISED WELL (Sound, NavigationON and THE Resonance) there is evidence OF that BIODIVERSITIES active sonar leads to beaching. BEING
On some occasions whales have stranded shortly militaryof sonar was active the The XIthafter Conference the Parties (COPin 11) -area. Convention on Biological Diversity was organised by the Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India from 8 October to 19 October 2012. Eleventh meeting of the COP 11 was held at Hyderabad International Convention Centre, and the conference included a high-
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level ministerial segment meet that was organised by India in consultation with the Bureau and Secretariat and it took place from 17 October to 19 October 2012. Mobilisation of financial resources was the theme for the COP 11 summit. The next round of the conference is scheduled to take place in Korea after 2 years. Finding out the commendable solution by discussions over the issues of the Earths bio-diversity is the main agenda of the conference. The conference was attended by more than 5000 delegates from 180 countries. Enrollment of about 14,400 participants in the convention made it the largest biodiversity gathering of its time. Demands of Developing and Developed Countries African countries like Namibia demanded developed nations to stand by their promise fund allocation for saving the biodiversity, made in the 2010 protocol The developed nations stood by their demand of creating a baseline of the investments made by now and how much more was needed Discussions on Identified Targets of Nagoya Protocol Discussion over the 20 identified targets at 2010 Nagoya Protocol was also done to find out the problems that it faced for implementation. Indias Stand India also demanded steps to be taken for ecosystem restoration and establishment of a relationship between biodiversity and climate change, identification of ecologically and biologically areas in marine ecosystems.
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India to Chair the Conference for Next Two Years as its President: India will be Chairing the Conference as its President for next two years. The Union Environment and Forests Minister Jayanthi Natarajan took over the charge of COP-11 as its President for next two years. The Union Environment and Forests Minister Jayanthi Natarajan, who took over the charge of COP-11 as its President for next two years emphasised on the issue of resource mobilization that remained an unfinished agenda of COP-10 at Nagoya in Japan Manmohan Singh the Prime Minister of India announced a grant of $50 million for strengthening the institutional mechanism of biodiversity conservation in India and other developing countries by the name of Hyderabad Pledge The Prime Minister also launched the high level segment of the 11th conference of parties during the UN Convention on Biodiversity meeting at Hyderabad. This conference was the first conference after the launch of Decade of Biodiversity by United Nations in 2011. The high level meet took place during the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity (UNBD) that was declared by the United Nations General Assembly following its resolution 65/161. This plan was designed to find out the solutions for the objectives like Strategic Plan for Biodiversity and the Aichi Biodiversity Targets. Across the UNBD, a trial to encourage government and representatives of different countries to
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develop, implement and communicate the results established by their national strategies designed for fine implementation of the strategic plan over biodiversity. Plan and Programmes Launched during COP11 Conference BirdLife International on 16 October 2012 launched an e-Atlas of Marine-Important Bird Areas during COP11. The e-Atlas would act as an inventory and carry data of around 3000 important bird areas from across the world and can play a major role in conserving the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) target for protection of 10 percent coastal and marine Areas by 2020 The NTCA (National Tiger Conservation Authority) also declared its plan to create a national database for tigers, the flagship species of India proving a unique identification code and number to each one of these big cats in India. This was declared by the member secretary of NTCA, Rajesh Gopal during an event organized with a theme Have We Turned the Corner in Tiger Conservation
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study that was conducted in Sonbhadra District in the year 2011-12 and revealed the fact that the Sonbhadra that is a part of resource-rich Singrauli Area that acts as a industrial powerhouse for the country presents a tale of sorrow in relation to pollution, non-compliance of environmental norms, poverty, disease and official indifference. The report released by a Delhi-based Centre for Science & Environment (CSE) declared Sonbhadra district of Uttar Pradesh as the critically-polluted area that is also an environmental disaster, due to the presence of high levels of Mercury in the bodies of the local residents and the environment of the region. Mercury acts as a neurotoxin in the body and affects the central nervous system leading to damages in the renal system.
TEC RECOMMENDED A 10YEAR MORATORIUM ON ALL FIELD TRIALS OF GM FOOD CROPS

TEC (Technical Expert Committee), in its interim report recommended a 10-year moratorium on all field trials of Genetically Modified (GM) food crops, including Bt Cotton. In its interim report, it suggested that the present regulatory system and protocol for conducting the field trials were unsatisfactory and inadequate, requiring major changes, restructuring and strengthening.
FRIGHTENING LEVEL OF MERCURY CONTENT IN THE ENVIRONMENT OF SONBHDRA DISTRICT: CSE

Director-General of Centre for Science & Environment (CSE) Sunita Narain on 19 October 2012 released the report of the www.jagranjosh.com
TEC Committees recommendation is based on the current overall status of food safety evaluation of Bt transgenic including the
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data on Bt Cotton and Bt Brinjal examined by the TEC and in accordance with the precautionary principle. TECs suggestion for a moratorium on field trial was welcomed by environmentalists. In fact, the moratorium is necessitated by the potential harm of GM crops to human health, that of livestock and biodiversity and the possibility of field trials to contaminate regular crops and food supply. Five-member TEC was appointed by the Supreme Court of India.
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transport and mobility and environment impact assessment. The Institute is going to be developed as an incubation, development and demonstration centre for green technologies.
About Centre of Science and Environment (CSE) The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) is a public interest research and advocacy organisation based in New Delhi. It was founded in 1980. CSE researches into, lobbies for and communicates the urgency of development that is both sustainable and equitable. Centre of Science knowledge-based awareness about problems and helps solution. and Environment uses activism to create environment related in proposing sustainable
CENTRE OF SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENT AND HSBC BANK CAME TOGETHER TO IMPART ENVIRONMENT TRAINING
Centre of Science and Environment (CSE) on 17 October 2012 announced Partnership with Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corpoartion Ltd (HSBC) to set up modern Environment Training Institute in Alwar district of Rajasthan. The Institute that will set up will be offering short and long term courses on Environmental governance for regulators and decision makers. Both the organization will environmental governance building capacity of regulators, non-government and industry. be improving in India by environment organizations
SUPREME COURT LIFTED BAN ON TOURISM IN CORE TIGER RESERVE AREAS

The Supreme Court on 16 October 2012 had lifted its interim ban on tourism in core areas of tiger reserves across the country. The ban came into consideration a day after the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) notified fresh guidelines. As per the new Guidelines, a maximum of 20 per cent of the core area is going to be outlined for regulated tourism. Also, the
The institute will cover the multiple research disciplines such as air pollution, water and waste water management, climate change, sustainable industrialisation and urbanisation, renewable energy, public
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state governments will put in place sitespecific frameworks for each tiger reserve. It was in 24 July 2012 that the Supreme Court had imposed an absolute ban on tourism in core areas of 41 tiger reserves across the country. The Supreme Court Citing the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) guideline directed that the state governments are required to prepare their own tiger conservation plans under the Wildlife Protection Act. It directed them to prepare the plans within six months and submit it to the NTCA for approval.
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INDIA TO GET WARMER BY 2 DEGREE CELSIUS BY 2030: SCIENTIST OF IISC AND IIT
Scientist of Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore and Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai together made a Projection that India may warm up by 1.7 to 2 C by 2030s and up to 4.8 degree Celsius by 2080s. The Scientist had pointed out more warming over the northern areas, especially the Himalayas and Kashmir. The projections were made for the period of 1860 to 2099 which is based on new climate data, models and new emission scenarios termed as Representative concentration pathways. Also as per the scientist Rainfall is predicted to increase from four per cent to five per cent by 2030s and from six per cent to 14 per cent towards the end of the century in 2080s compared to the 1961- 1990 baseline. All these new projections should be used in future assessment of impact of climate change and adaptation planning. However, also contradicting analysis was presented which has indicated that limiting warming to roughly 2 C by the end of this century is unlikely since it requires an immediate ramp down of emissions.
THE GOVERNMENT NOTIFIED FRESH GUIDELINES ON TIGER CONSERVATION

The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests on 15 October 2012 notified fresh guidelines on tiger conservation allowing regulated low impact tourism in the core and critical tiger habitat. Since, tourism has been happening in core and critical tiger habitats, regulated low impact tourism visitation would be allowed in such areas subject to site-specific carrying capacity. The guidelines, however, say no new tourism infrastructure should be permitted in such core and critical tiger habitats. Recently, the Supreme Court of India had allowed the government to notify within a week its fresh guidelines on tiger conservation and indicated that it may modify its 24July 2012 order staying all tourism activities in the reserved areas across the country.
SUPREME COURT DIRECTED GOVERNMENT TO NOTIFY FRESH GUIDELINES ON TIGER CONSERVATION
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The Supreme Court of India on 9 October 2012 asked the Union government to notify within a week its fresh guidelines on tiger conservation. A division bench of the apex court indicated it may modify its July order issued on 24 July 2012 which stayed all tourism activities in the reserved areas across the country. The bench, however, made it clear that the states, if aggrieved by the guidelines, are free to challenge it before the court. The apex court on 24 July 2012 had banned all tourist activities in the core areas of tiger reserves and had extended the ban till 27 September 2012. Delhi Government tied up with INTACH for Conservation of Monuments The Delhi Cabinet on 9 October 2012 agreed for an agreement with INTACH for conservation and refurbishment work of 16 monuments in New Delhi.
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DOLPHIN DAY OBSERVED IN BIHAR TO CREATE AWARENESS ABOUT GANGETIC DOLPHINS

Dolphin Day was observed on 5 October 2012 in Bihar. The state government declared to observe 5 October as the Dolphin Day in the state every year. This came as a part of world wild life week that was being observed by the state from second to eight October. This was an act to increase awareness about conservation of one of the rarest and critically endangered Gangetic Species. The Gangetic Dolphin that is scientifically known as Platanista Gangetica is also the National Aquatic animal of India. To conserve the aquatic species the Deputy Chief Minister of the State Sushil Kumar Modi declared that a Dolphin watch center would be developed at places where these Dolphins are still visible. To raise the awareness this center will also be used as a site for tourists attraction. During the day long observation of Dolphin Day, films and documentaries related to dolphins were screened in the state.
About INTACH The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) is an autonomous nongovernmental Indian NGO which was founded in 1984 by Rajiv Gandhi that seeks to preserve Indian Art and Cultural heritage. In 2007, the United Nations awarded INTACH a special consultative status with United Nations Economic and Social Council Its headquarters are in New Delhi and today it has chapters in 117 Indian cities, as well as chapters in Belgium, the UK and the United States. INTACH is the only non-governmental Indian non-profit society working for the awareness and conservation of Indian culture and heritage.
SAVE GANGA, SAVE DOLPHIN CAMPAIGN INITIATED IN UTTAR PRADESH

Save Ganga, Save Dolphin, the three day campaign was initiated on 5 October 2012 by the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department in association with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). The team also included local volunteers and 14 NGOs. The campaign was a state-initiative to create awareness to conserve the Gangetic Dolphins one of the
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critically endangered species of the Gangetic River System. These dolphins are scientifically named as Platanista Gangetica.
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mine head or stockyard, would transported until further orders.
NAVYS PROPOSAL TO S ET UP MISSILE TESTING SITE IN ANDAMAN & NICOBAR ISLANDS REJECTED
The Union Ministry of Environment and Ecology on 4 October 2012 rejected the Navy's proposal to set up a missile-testing site in Andaman and Nicobar islands, on the basis that the firing range would destroy the habitat of endangered birds in Nicobar Megapode, unique to the isles. The megapode actually does not exist anywhere and it is a very unique species. It is too sensitive to withstand any such installation over there.
The failure of the State government of Goa to control illegal mining has led to largescale destruction of both forest land and non-forest land and had adversely affected the livelihood of local people, especially the rural poor. The Goa Foundation pointed out that the Justice M.B. Shah commission, appointed in November 2010, said illegal activities in mining had been going on in the State since 2000. All 90 mines were functioning without the mandatory permission from the National Board for Wildlife and 33 of them were located within 1.5 km of wildlife sanctuaries.
100 ELITE FORCES ASSIGNED THE TASK OF SAVING RHINOS FROM POACHERS
The Assam Government has deployed a 100-member team of Elite Forest Protection Force at the Kaziranga National Park on 2 October 2012. The decision came in concern to the recent killings of the one horned Rhinos in the flood-affected areas of Karbi Anglong Hills, the area outside the protected region of the Park. The park is also a UNESCO Heritage Site. The forest department of the state dispatched a team of armed forces to the park for offering protection to the one-horned animal against the Poachers. As per the available data the park has lost 39 Rhinos within 10 months bringing down the population to a total of 2,251. Out of these 28 died after being drowned in the floods of the state and the remaining 11 felt a pray to the poachers. In a hunt to stop the
SUPREME COURT OF INDIA BANNED MINING ACTIVITIES IN GOA

The Supreme Court on 5 October 2012 banned until further orders on all mining operations, in all 90 mines which also includes transportation of mined iron ore and manganese in leases, in Goa. The Forest Bench comprising Justices Aftab Alam, K.S. Radhakrishnan and Swatanter Kumar granted the stay on a writ petition filed by the Goa Foundation, an environmental action group, and asked the Central Empowered Committee to give its response in four weeks. The court made it clear that no mineral, whether lying at a
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poachers from being successful, the forest guards till date have been successful in arresting 14 poachers and killed 3 of them.
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MINISTER OF WATER RESOURCES RELEASED ATLAS NAMED AQUIFER SYSTEM OF INDIA

Minister of water resources and parliamentary affairs Pawan Kumar Bansal on 28 September 2012 in New Delhi had released Atlas for six states namely- Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Chattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh and Meghalaya. The atlas comprises data on various aspect of ground water since its inception that was compiled and integrated by the Central Ground Water Board. The atlas was named as Aquifer System of India. The atlas provides a country wide overview and summary of the most important information available for each principal and major aquifer systems and depicts aquifer wise ground water scenario. It also deals with major issues and challenges which need immediate attention for sustainable management of ground water resources. In this process, a baseline data on GIS platform was created for initiating National Aquifer Mapping Programme and demarcating priority areas for aquifer wise management of ground water resources on scientific and sustainable basis. Attempt was also made to represent the correlations of various thematic layers such as climate, topographic settings on the occurrence, movement, and chemical quality of ground water in map forms.
The Atlas is going to be of immense use for Regional and National ground water resources planning by the policy makers and anyone who needs to understand ground water scenario in the country.
SC: IF SAFETY MEASURES ARE NOT MET, COMMISSIONING OF THE KUNDAKULAM PLANT CAN BE STOPPED
The Supreme Court on 27 September 2012 directed to the center that if the safety measures are not found satisfactory than it would not hesitate from stopping the commissioning of the Kudankulam project in spite of the huge investments made on its installation. The bench of Justices K. S. Radhakrishnan and Deepak Misra stated that safety of the people residing around the plant is a serious concern and in case any of the safety measures have not been followed during the execution of the plant. Earlier the central Government formed a special task force that recommended 17 measures in relation to the safety concerns of the power plant but they have not been taken care of nor fully implemented. The installation of the plant also suffered several changes ever since 1989, when the environment clearance was offered to the plant. Concerns and Issues related Kundakulam Nuclear Power Plant to
The petition submitted by G Sundarrajan declares that the environment clearances made during the 1989 Environment Impact Assessment was not done because the site for installation was not decided by then.
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Government even failed to conduct the public hearing, which is a mandatory thing to be done under law. The critical changes done in the plant are 1. The previous plan was to store the spent fuel in Russia, but now it will be stored within the plant 2. The water for being used in the nuclear plant was to be taken from the local dam, but now the decisions have been made to take the fuel from the sea 3. Then the Ministry of Environment and Forests stated that the sea temperature will suffer a change of 5 degrees but now it has been raised to 7 degrees Affidavit submitted by The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd submitted an affidavit to the Madras High Court on 18 August 2012 and 22 August 2012 in relation to the safety measures followed by the plant and its abilities to withstand the natural events like earthquake, cyclones and all. The same affidavit was submitted to the Supreme Court on 26 September 2012. The provided Affidavit States 1. The plant has been designed to be safe at times with the washing away of the safety units which may be caused due to floods, Fukushima incident of washing away has been cited for an example. 2. The nuclear plant is a generation 3+ power plant and is designed taking care of the ultra-modern safety measures like auto-prevention against the general causes of failure of the safety system and is reliable www.jagranjosh.com
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and complies to the standards of redundancy available at present 3. The power plant can survive against the natural events such as tsunami, earthquakes of high reactor scale, shock waves, fire, cyclones and others. The main building of the plant is also safe against the air-craft impact. Security arrangements against the terrorists attack and sabotages have also been implemented. 4. The structural design can prevent the release of the radioactive material in the public even in cases of physical attacks 5. The affidavit also cleared that the 17 recommendations of the AERB (Atomic Energy Regulatory Board) will be taken care at times to come. This affidavit also made clear that 7 out of 17 recommendations were compiled but the power plant was safe even without the use of the 17 recommendations made by AERB.
GREAT INDIAN BUSTARD AND LESSER FLORICAN GOT SHONKALIYA REGION TO BREED
The endangered birds, Great Indian Bustard and Lesser Florican have got a dedicated land for breeding in the Shonkaliya Region of Ajmer District, Rajasthan. The villagers of Ajmer District have agreed to conserve 30 hectares of land for the breeding activity of these endangered birds. Population of the Great Indian Bustard (the state bird of Rajasthan) is reportedly not sizeable with six males, present in the area. The Great Indian Bustard needs to lure at
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least three to four females in number for making of the family. Nests of the Great Indian Bustard have been noticed in the crop fields of the area. The Lesser Floricans are available in a large number as compared to the Great Indian Bustards in the region. Nest of lesser Floricans have also seen around the crop lands of the area. Floricans make a visit to this north-western region of the country during their breeding season of advancing monsoons. This move of conservation of the Lesser Floricans and the Great Indian Bustard is an initiative to use MNREGA, the job guarantee scheme of the central government as a conservative tool. At the time of Manju Rajpal, the former collector of Ajmer district, the villagers of Shonkaliya agreed to earmark a dedicated zone in 30 hectare of land for breeding of the birds from their total of 100 hectares. From 1st May to 30th September entry of cattle as well as people will be restricted in the protected land.
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The theme for this years celebration was Protecting our Atmosphere for Generations to come.
SUPREME COURT ASKED THE CENTRE TO PREPARE REVISED GUIDELINES FOR TOURIST ACTIVITIES
The Supreme Court of India on 29 August 2012 directed the Centre to prepare revised guidelines for tourist activities in core areas of tiger reserves. A bench including justices AK Patnaik and Swatanter Kumar ruled that the fresh guidelines should be evolved within four weeks after consultations with States, all stake-holders, hotel associations affected by the ban, guides and tour operators. The apex court's decision came after the Attorney General GE Vahanvati sought permission to revise the existing guidelines to ensure that tigers are protected even while tourism is promoted. The Supreme Court once again extended the ban imposed by the court on tourist activities in the core areas of tiger reserves till the 27th of September 2012. On 24 July 2012, the apex court had banned all tourism activities in the core areas of tiger reserves.
18TH INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR PRESERVATION OF THE OZONE LAYER CELEBRATED WORLDWIDE
On 16 September every year, from 1995 onwards the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer is celebrated. This date was designated by the United Nations General Assembly in its resolution 49/114, to memorialize the signing of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. With this, The Montreal Protocol is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FOREST ISSUED ADVISORY TO REDUCE THE IMPACT OF COMMUNICATION TOWERS
The Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) on 14 August 2012 issued an advisory to reduce the negative impact of
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Electro Magnetic Radiations emanating from the communication towers. Acting on the recommendations made by an expert panel, constituted to Study the possible Impacts of Communication Towers on Wildlife including Birds and Bees, the ministry issued numerous guidelines. Some of the major directives issued by the MoEF are as follows: 1. Regular Electro Magnetic Radiation (EMR) to be conducted in urban localities and ecologically sensitive regions. 2. New mobile towers not to be set up within the 1 km radius of existing towers. 3. Any study conducted on impact of EMR radiation on wildlife needs to be shared with Forest Department andDepartment of Telecommunications to facilitate appropriate policy formulations. 4. The location and frequencies of cell phone towers and other towers emitting EMR, should be madeavailable in public domain. 5. State governments are urged to spread awareness among the people about the negative impacts of EMR using different media.
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until it develops a better system of monitoring and oversight. In the 389-page report submitted in the parliament on 9 August 2012, the panel also demanded a complete probe into how permission was granted in 2009 for the commercialisation of Bt brinjal (also known as aubergine, or eggplant). Bt Brinjal was developed by Pune-based Mahyco (Maharashtra Hybrid Company) in a joint venture with US seed giant Monsanto. The Genetic Engeneering Appraisal Committee had cleared the commercialization of Bt Brinjal on 14 October 2009, though soon after its clearance it was caught amidst bitter controversies ranging from its environmental impacts to ethical concerns such as corporate control of the food supply and intellectual property rights. Bt cotton was the only GM crop before Bt Brinjal which had got clearance for commercialization.
NASAS SCIENTISTS WA RNED EARTH MIGHT FACE MORE HEAT WAVES

Scientists at NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) warned that most of Earth's land areas might face an extreme summer heat wave than they did from 1951 to 1980. Scientists revealed that over the past 30 years the northern hemisphere has witnessed more "hot" (orange), "very hot" (red) and "extremely hot" (brown) summers. Scientists noted that Earth's northern hemisphere, which comprises of 90 percent of the planet's land, has become much more likely to experience an extreme
PARLIAMENTARY PANEL ON AGRICULTURE RECOMMENDED BAN OF GM FOOD CROPS

In a major setback to the production of genetically modified (GM) foods in the country, a parliamentary panel on agriculture asked the government to ban all field trials of GM crops until it develops
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summer heat wave compared to a base period from 1951 to 1980. The researchers described how "extremely hot" summers has become a routine over the past 30 years. Since 2006, about 10 percent of land area across the Northern Hemisphere has experienced these temperatures each summer. Study show how heat waves in Texas, Oklahoma and Mexico in 2011 and in the Middle East, Western Asia and Eastern Europe in 2010 fall into the new "extremely hot" category.
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maintains a list of names for naming the Hurricanes that occurs round the year. This list keeps on rotating on the yearly basis.
HURRICANE SANDY A CATEGORY 2 CYCLONE STRUCK US, JAMAICA, HAITI AND CUBA
Sandy: is the name given to the category 2 Cyclone that struck US, Jamaica, Haiti and Cuba, and was formed in the late Hurricane season of 2012. Sandy was created from the elongated tropical wave that occurred in the Western Caribbean Sea on 22 October 2012. Hurricane Sandy is one of the fiercest storms to hit the East Coast of Massachusetts on 29 October 2012 and it gave a devastating look to the city leaving behind the torrential rains, with widespread flood and howling winds. The dangerous high rise in the sea along with the flooded coastal areas saw a huge power cut in 385000 homes. The name Sandy has been provided to the hurricane following the nomenclature set in an alphabetical order by the US authority National Hurricane Center for naming the hurricanes that arises in the North Atlantic Ocean. World Meteorological Organization
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CHAPTER 17: MISCELLANEOUS

GOOGLE INDIA PARTNERED WITH E-COMMERCE SITES TO BRING CYBER MONDAY TO INDIA
In order to develop the concept of online shopping in India, Google India decided on 4 December 2012 to partner with leading ecommerce websites to introduce the concept of Cyber Monday in the country. Titled as the Great Online Shopping Festival, it is slated for 12 December 2012. Some of the e-commerce websites that would partner with Google India include Snapdeal, Flipkart, Homeshop 18 as well as Makemytrip. India has more than 137 million Internet users. Significant growth is being observed in online activity. It is the first time that there will be an industry-wide program of such a scale. It would enable the entire country to benefit from the unbeatable deals which would be offered on the Internet. It is expected that The Great Online Shopping Festival would have participants from more than 50 partners, which include e-commerce, classified as well as local, online traveling sites as well as banking, financial services and insurance companies. All such companies will offer some of the best deals to Indian customers for 24 hours. This is an initiative for encouraging the shoppers to go for online shopping. The primary focus of the festival is reaching out
to the first-time buyers. The festival would allow people to shop for travel packages, jewellery, kids wear, gadgets, books, computer accessories, home decoration products, watches and also on real estate deals. Google India declared that the industry of online shopping is already more than 1.5 billion US dollar and this initiative would help in further promotion of the online shopping. What is Cyber Monday? Cyber Monday is actually the marketing term for Monday after the Black Friday. Cyber Monday was the term which was created by certain marketing companies in order to attract people towards the concept of online shopping. The term was first debuted on 28 November 2005. In the year 2010, it was declared by comScore that the consumers spent a total of 1.028 billion US dollar on this Cyber Monday.
NOKIA INDIA INTRODUCED REBRANDED MAP SERVICE NAMED HERE

Nokia India on 20 November 2012 launched its re-branded mobile map services in the Indian market. The new cloud computing-based map service is called as HERE and offers maps and location-based services across multiple devices and operating systems. The main aim of the service is to inspire a new generation of location services and devices that make the mobile experience more
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personally everywhere. significant for people
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AIRTEL COMPLETED LARGEST NETWORK TRANSFORMATION IN AFRICA

Bharti Airtel, a leading telecommunications services provider with operations in 20 countries across Asia and Africa, in the month of November completed a network transformation programme across its mobile operations in 16 African countries in partnership with Ericsson. The programme involved upgradation and expansion of network elements on all of Airtel's African operations, including switching, radio, network management, data, charging, and consumer-services platforms and systems, the company said in a statement. Ericsson had deployed wireless technologies under the programme, and it is going enhance Airtel's network capacity and robustness and would also help deliver services to customers at affordable rates. It makes Airtel's networks fully ready for next generation services that include high speed data and value added services. The company had implemented a full upgrade of the charging platforms across all operations using Ericsson's Charging System, which will enable it to offer services like mobile wallets to the subscribers. The project will result in Airtels 60+ million customers having a better experience on their networks. The project was backed by 12000 consulting and systems integration professionals www.jagranjosh.com
across the world, over one hundred resources worked onsite to ensure successful delivery of this complex project which is the largest network modernization program in Africas telecom history. The transformation programme follows the 2011 announcement of an ongoing five year multi-country managed services agreement, wherein Ericsson would manage and optimise Airtel's mobile networks across Africa.
BHARTI AIRTEL BECAME WORLDS FOURTH LARGEST MOBILE OPERATOR

Indian Telecom Service Company Bharti Airtel became the fourth largest telecom operator in the world in terms of subscribers, according to the Wireless Intelligence Scoreboard report. At the end of the quarter ended June 2012, the Company had over 250 million mobile subscribers across its operations, representing 13 percent Year-over-Year growth. China Mobile is on the top position with 683.08 million connections, which is followed by Vodafone Group with 386.88 million Connections and American Movil Group with 251.83 million connections. The other Indian telecom operators in the report are Reliance Communications at eighth position, Idea Cellular at fourteenth position and BSNL at twentieth position. Reliance Communications had maintained its global ranking, Idea Cellular has moved up to three places and State-owned and run telecommunication giant BSNL's ranking dropped by two places.
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GANGNAM STYLE NAMED AMONG COLLINS DICTIONARYS WORD OF THE YEAR 2012
Gangnam Style, the most-watched video ever on Youtube now booked a place in popular culture with becoming Collins dictionarys word for November 2012. Gangnam Style is pop sensation with a horse dance video by his South Korean singer Psy. It became the first video in the history of the Internet to be viewed more than a billion times. Gangnam Style was named among the Collins dictionarys words of the year along with mummy porn, fiscal cliff and Romneyshambles. Mummy Porn became Aprils word of the year as the erotic novel Fifty Shades of Grey was published during that month and became an instant bestseller. Defeated presidential candidate Mitt Romney became word of the year for July after critics recognized his visit to London a Romneyshambles. Jubilympics was Junes word, while Games Makers was Augusts due to the volunteers who made the Olympic event in UK a success.
The Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne on 20 November 2012 released a book titled Victory India - A Key to Quality Military Leadership authored by Colonel Vinay B Dalvi (Retd) at the Air Headquarters. The book has tried to present the process of identification, selection and training of the youths for moulding them into effective and inspiring military leaders of the nation. The book is a compilation of well written contributory articles by military experts that includes Admiral Arun Prakash, Lieutenant General Arun Chopra, Lieutenant General Gautam Banerjee, Air Marshal TS Randhawa and different technologists, professors, sports medicine specialists and psychologists. Colonel Vinay B Dalvi (Retd) In the 37 years of his distinguished service of the Indian Army, Colonel Vinay B Dalvi has served almost every sector and commands of the Indian Army which also includes National Defence Academy, Instructional Training at Indian Military Academy and Officers Training Academy.
YUVI - BOOK ON CRICKETER YUVRAJ SINGH AUTHORED BY MAKARAND WAINGANKAR RELEASED

The book on Indian Cricketer Yuvraj Singh named Yuvi was released in third week of November 2012. Kapil Dev and Dilip Vengsarkar, the former cricketing legends were invited at the launch ceremony to offer insight on the cricketing star. Yuvi, the book on Yuvraj Singh is published by Harper Sport and written by Makarand Waingankar. The book illustrates the
NAK BROWNE RELEASED A BOOK VICTORY INDIA-A KEY TO QUALITY MILITARY LEADERSHIP
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brilliance of cricket shown by Yuvraj Singh in his career as a cricketer and the way he recovered from Cancer.
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word was compounded using the Latin prefix omni- that means the entire/all and a word shambles that mean a situation of complete disorder.
PRESIDENT OF INDIA RELEASED A COMMEMORATIVE POSTAGE STAMP ON LATE RAMGOPAL MAHESHWARI

The President of India Pranab Mukherjee on 20 November 2012 released a Commemorative Postage Stamp on late Ramgopal Maheshwari. The stamp was released in the Rastrapati Bhavan on the occasion of Maheshwaris birth centenary year celebration. Ramgopal Maheshwari Ramgopal Maheshwari was a freedom fighter and a social worker is also regarded as a doyen of Journalism in India. He was a person who worked for promotion of Hindi Language.
INDIA INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR STARTED IN DELHI WITH ITS THEME SKILLING INDIA
The 32nd season of Indian International Trade Fair started on 14 November 2012 at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. The annual fair that would conclude after 14 days on 27 November 2012 was inaugurated by the President of India Pranab Mukherjee. Mikhail V Myasnikovich, the Prime Minister of Belarus was the Guest of Honour to the inauguration ceremony and he also inaugurated the Belarusian pavilion at the fair. Belarus has been selected as the partner country to the event, whereas South Africa is selected as the Focus Country for the 32nd edition of the International Trade Fair. In the state category, Uttarakhand has been opted as the Partner State and Andaman and Nicobar Islands was opted as the Focus State for the event. Theme The theme selected for the 32nd edition of the India International Trade Fair is Skilling India and the event would focus on the initiatives undertaken by different agencies, government departments and other private participants for development of skills among the youths. To make the event successful and pass on the idea behind the theme, several seminars and workshops were also organized.
OMNISHAMBLES SELECTED AS THE UK WORD OF THE YEAR BY OXFORD ENGLISH DICTIONARY

The Oxford English Dictionary has chosen Omnishambles as the UK Word of the Year 2012. The neologism was first time used in the BBC TVs political satire The Thick of Itto describe the badly mismanaged situation and gaffes. The word exactly is defined as the situation that has been mismanaged comprehensively and is characterized by a string of blunders and miscalculations. The www.jagranjosh.com
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UNITED NATION DECLARED NOVEMBER 10 AS MALALA DAY

The United Nations declared November 10 as Malala Day in honour of Pakistani teeenage rights activist Malala Yousafzai, who was shot in the head by the Taliban in October 2012 for advocating girls education. The day 10 November marks the 30-day anniversary of the Taliban attack on the 15year-old Malala Yousafzai, the education campaigner from Pakistan. United Nations Secretary-General Ban KiMoon asserted that Malala Yousafzai is an inspiration for girls education the world over. As per the UN Secretary General Ban KiMoon, observing Malala day is going to build on the momentum of UN's Education First initiative and show that education is a right of everyone, and not a privilege for a few.
publication and move on the online platform completely. The Digital Publication of the magazine will be a single issue worldwide and a compilation of world events in a sophisticated context targeting on the opinion leading audience.
INDIAN NAVY SUCCESSFULLY TEST FIRED BRAHMOS MISSILE

The Indian Navy on 7 October 2012 successfully test-fired the 290-km range BrahMos supersonic cruise missile which is capable of carrying a conventional warhead of 300 kg, from a warship off the Goa coast. The cruise missile was test-fired from guided missile frigate INS Teg--the Indian Navy's latest induction from Russia off the coast of Goa. The INS Teg, which has been built at the Yantar shipyard in Russia, had fired the missile successfully during pre-induction trials in Russiain 2011. ABOUT BrahMoS MISSILE BrahMos is a stealth supersonic cruise missile that can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft or land. It is a joint venture between Republic of India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russian Federation's NPO Mashinostroeyenia who have together formed BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited It is the world's fastest cruise missile in operation. The missile travels at speeds of Mach 2.8 to 3.0. and have the capability of
NEWSWEEK DECIDED TO STOP ITS PRINT RUN AND GO ALL-DIGITAL

Newsweek, the eighty year old print magazine on 18 October 2012 announced that it would shut down its print operations completely and go all-digital. The Editor-in-Chief of the Magazine and founder of the online Newsweek Daily Beast Company, Tina Brown posted a statement on the website that being affected by the harsh media environment, the magazine had planned to stop its print www.jagranjosh.com
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attacking surface targets by flying as low as 10 metres in altitude
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FORMER UP GOVERNOR AND FREEDOM FIGHTER SATYANARAYAN REDDY PASSED AWAY

Former Governor of UP and Odisha and a renowned freedom fighter B Satyanarayan Reddy died on 7 October 2012 folowing age-related illness in a private Hospital in Hyderabad. 86 years old Satyanarayan Reddy, was a bachelor who had dedicated his life for public service. He was a strong follower of JayPrakash Narayan and Ram Manohar Lohiya. Satyanarayan Reddy was a patriot and freedom Fighter who during quit India movement in 1942 also faced arrest for leading a procession of protest against the arrest of Mahatma Gandhi.
NIRYAT SHREE AND NIRYAT BANDHU AWARDS PRESENTED BY PRESIDENT OF INDIA

President of India Pranab Mukherjee with Union Minister for Commerce, Industry and Textiles Anand Sharma on 5 October 2012 presented awards to exporters on the occasion of the presentation of Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) Niryat Shree and Niryat Bandhu awards at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi. The President gave away 52 awards 46 Niryat Shree Awards was given to exporters for their performance in 12 different categories, which includes agriculture, plantation products; chemicals, drugs, pharmacy and allied products; engineering; gems and jewellery, handicrafts, carpets; textiles, leather, service providers; and 6 Niryat Bandhu Awards were given to Export Promotion Councils and Banks for their support to the exporting community. Among the Niryat Shree awardees that were presented a gold trophy was MIOT Hospitals Limited for being the highest foreign exchange earner in the country among all service providers. The award was received by company chairperson Mallika Mohandas. Reliance Industries was also awarded a gold trophy for earning the highest foreign exchange. PC Jewellers was awarded a silver trophy in the Gems and Jewellery category. In the Niryat Bandhu category for banks, the winners were Canara Bank which got gold trophy followed by Bank of India and
GLOBAL JAMES BOND DAY WAS CELEBRATED ON 5 OCTOBER 2012

Global James Bond Day was celebrated on 5 October 2012 to mark 50 years since the world premiere of Dr. No which introduced author Ian Fleming's sophisticated secret agent to the people. The franchise went on to produce best selling Agent 007 films. It is making legends out of actors over the last 50 years and the James Bond movie franchise has made heart-stopping thrillers.
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Punjab National Bank getting silver and Bronze trophy respectively.
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ISRO SCIENTIST TESSY THOMAS CONFERRED WITH LAL BAHADUR SHASTRI AWARD
President Pranab Mukherjee on 1 October 2012 conferred the prestigious Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award 2012 to ISRO scientist Tessy Thomas at an award function in Rashtrapati Bhawan. The award was given on the eve of Birth anniversary of Former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shashtri. Tessy Thomas 48 years old is the Key Scientist for Agni-V in Defence Research and Development Organisation Hyderabad. She is the first woman scientist to head a missile project in India. Tessy Thomas was an associate Project director (mission) for Agni-I, II and III systems. She was associated with the Agni Programme since their developmental stages.
The US government after the raid in May, 2011 claimed that the SEALs shot Osama bin Laden only after they entered his bedroom.
ADOLF HITLER BASED NOVEL TITLED ER IST WIEDER DA BECAME GERMANYS BESTSELLER
New novel about Adolf Hitler, called Er Ist Wieder Da (Hes Back) authored by Timur Vermes became the bestseller in Germany, replacing Winter Of The World by Ken Follet. Er Ist Wieder Da is the novel that makes use of the proactive approach with a tinge of comedy and satire. The book was released in September 2012. The book has a different plot in which Hitler, instead of dying by the end of Second World War, goes to sleep in 1945 and wakes up in modern Berlin in 2011. The novel with a different approach climbed up to the Germanys bestseller list with over 250000 copies sold. 75000 audio books have also been sold. The German press plans to publish the book in English as well. There have been mix reviews about the book, where some literary critics applauded the book, while some called it a marketing machine in the name of Hitler to earn money. About the author Timur Vermes who authored the book is a former journalist. He described his book as something that makes use of the comic theme to put forward the authenticity of Hitler.
THE BOOK CHALLENGED OFFICIAL STORY OF OSAMA BIN LADEN KILLING

The book No Easy Day: The Firsthand Account of the Mission That Killed Osama bin Laden written by a former Navy SEAL claimed that Osama bin Laden was shot in the head by a SEAL bullet when he looked out of his bedroom door into the hallway and not killed inside the room. The book was written under the pseudonym Mark Owen.
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THE ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA CELEBRATED THE 3RD NATIONAL VOTERS DAY
25 January: National voters' day celebrated by Election Commission of India The Election Commission of India celebrated the 3rd National Voters Day across the country on 25 January 2013. The theme for the 3rd NVD is Inclusion. NVD functions were held at more than 6.5 lakh locations across the country covering nearly all 8.5 lakh Polling Stations. Around 46000 Educational Institutions also celebrated National Voters Day. Around 4867 Youth Voter Festivals have been held across the states to engage youth in the registration process. The National Function to mark the 3rd National Voters Day was held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. 25th January is also the foundation day of the Commission, which came into being on this day in 1950. The Commissions objective through NVD is to increase enrolment of voters, especially of the newly eligible ones, to make universal adult suffrage a complete reality. The National Voters Day is also utilized to spread awareness among voters regarding effective participation in the electoral process.
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Current Affairs Part B
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Current Affairs Comprehensive
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UNIT I Current Affairs
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CHAPTER 1: NATIONAL
SC DIRECTED GOVERNMENT TO NOTIFY CAUVERY WATER DISPUTES TRIBUNAL AWARD
The Supreme Court of India on 4 February 2013 directed the Union Government of India to notify the six-year-old final award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal by 20 February 2013. A bench headed by Justice RM Lodha expressed displeasure over the government for not notifying the award even after the warring Tamil Nadu and Karnataka had agreed before it on 4 January 2013 that they had no objection if the award was notified. The Centre had earlier assured the apex court that it would notify the tribunals award by 31 December 2013. The apex court also directed Karnataka to release 2 Thousand Million Cubic feet, of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu and directed the Central Water Commission to file a report on the water requirement of the two states. It asked the Commission to form a three-member expert body which will visit the states and directed it to file report within two days. The Court posted the matter for further hearing on 7 February 2013. The Court was hearing Tamil Nadu's petition seeking the immediate release of 12 TMC of water. The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting on 29 January 2013 constituted an Expert Committee to review the institutional frame work of Prasar Bharati as well as its relationship with Government, its role in continuance as a public broadcaster and the measures that needs to be taken to ensure technical upgradation of the organization. Sam Pitroda is the Chairperson of the committee. Roles and Responsibilities Committee are as follows of the
EXPERT COMMITTEE CONSTITUTED TO REVIEW FUNCTIONING OF PRASAR BHARTI
To suggest measures to sustain, strengthen and amplify Prasar Bharati`s role as a Public Broadcaster with special reference to its relationship with Government in the emerging context. The committee is responsible for reviewing the status of implementation of the recommendations, which were made by different committees after undertaking the study of Prasar Bharati, mainly, the Sengupta committee, the Bakshi Committee and the Narayanamurthy committee. It is also responsible to suggest a road map ahead to enhance the reach and potential of Prasar Bharati. The committee is responsible for identifying the ways for digitization of the archived material available with Doordarshan (DD) and All India Radio (AIR), which includes digitization of the materials of the Independence Movement.
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As well suggest the measures for development of infrastructure data centre, digitalization system and networks The committee is responsible to find the ways offer suggestions to use the new media for delivering digital content; both in broadcast mode (DTH) and in a demand-based mode (Free on social media like You-Tube and on payment through IPTV). Identify the ways and develop strategy to create a network of domestic and overseas business partners to ensure wider reach to a worldwide audience that includes creation of an exclusive overseas service. Any other statutory issue that the Committee may like to consider.
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Main Features of Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram are The Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram is aimed at improving overall quality of life of children through early detection of birth defects, diseases and deficiencies, which are among key factors for child mortality. The new initiative would assure a package of health services for all children up to 18 years of age. The programme will also prove economical for poor and marginalized. The services will be provided through dedicated mobile health teams placed in every block. The scheme, which will be implemented in a phased manner, is expected to benefit approximately 27 crore children across the country.
RASHTRIYA BAL SWASTHYA KARYAKRAM LAUNCHED IN THANE, MAHARASHTRA

UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi on 6 February 2013 launched a new health initiative called Rashtriya Bal Sawsthya Karyakram at Palghar town in Thane district of Maharashtra. The Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram, is a part of the National Rural Health Mission of the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) is an Indian health program for improving health care delivery across rural India. It was launched on 12 April 2005 for a period of 7 years.
HEADCOUNTS IN AREAS TO BE COVERED UNDER PMGSY LOWERED

The Union Cabinet of India on 6 February 2013 gave its nod to the proposal of decreasing the headcounts of residents to 100 in habitations under the government's flagship programme, Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, PMGSY. Under this program (PMGSY), habitations with population of 100 tribals and more in eighty-two naxal-hit areas would be connected via all weather roads. Earlier, under the PMGSY program the tribal areas with a population graph of more than 250 people in the naxal-affected reasons were covered. The decision of decreasing
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the head counts in different area came after it was pointed out by Kishore Chandra Deo, the Tribal Affairs Minister that maximum habitations in these areas had a population graph of less than 250 people.
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VOLUNTEER PROGRAMME TO REACH CITIZENS

The Information and Broadcasting Minister, Manish Tewari on 7 February 2013 launched the MyIndia Initiative-A Digital Volunteer Programme to reach out the people in the social media space. The initiative from I&B Ministry is aimed towards disseminating and delivering the messages of development to the citizens by registering them as volunteers them on the social media platforms. The initiative is an effort to allow the citizens to contribute positively towards nation building and this would initiate a principle of participative governance across the nation. The I&B Ministry on 8 February 2013 also tried to reach out the citizens for the first time via Live Twitter Conference on the eve of 3rd Community Radio Conference. This was the first ever conference of such type by any of the Ministrys of Government of India. Community Radio: Road Travelled & way forward was the topic for community radio conference and it lasted for a period of 30 minutes from 4 pm to 4:30 pm.
SC ORDERED KARNATAKA TO RELEASE 2.44 TMC CAUVERY WATER TO TAMIL NADU

The Supreme Court of India on 7 February 2013 directed Karnataka to release 2.44 thousand million cubic feet of Cauvery water to the state of Tamil Nadu with immediate effect. The bench of Justices R M Lodha, J Chelameswar and Madan B Lokur gave the order on the basis of report submitted by the committee of Central Water Commission that was appointed on the orders of the Apex Court. Sharing Cauvery waters has remained a source of disagreement between the states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka since 1892. The dispute is based on the agreements which were signed in 1892 and 1924 between former Madras Presidency and Princely State of Mysore. In the development of the dispute that took place in recent past, i.e., on 6 December 2012, the Apex Court had directed Karnataka to release 10000 cusecs water to Tamil Nadu. The decision came in order to save the standing crops of both Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
FIRST EVER LIVE TWITTER CONFERENCE ARRANGED BY MINISTRY OF I&B ON COMMUNITY RADIO
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on 8 February 2013 arranged the first of its kind Live Twitter Conference based on the theme- Community Radio: Road Travelled & Way Forward. The first ever Live Twitter Conference was chaired by
I&B MINISTRY LAUNCHED MY INDIA INITIATIVE-A DIGITAL
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the Secretary of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Uday Kumar Varma. Other senior officials of I&B were present as well. The Live Twitter Conference was scheduled for half an hour but continued for around more than 1 hour. During the Live Twitter Conference, over 200 questions were asked on various topics of Community Radio programme. The Secretary of Ministry of I&B gave answers to around 45 questions. These questions were associated to topics such as sustainability, licensing, waiver and spectrum fee of Community Radio Model as well as career prospects. I&B announced that the first Live Twitter Conference enabled it to understand the mindset of people in terms of social media space. The intervention, in the meanwhile, also provided a good platform to the citizens for making them aware about the important policies as well as programmes of the Government of India. It was also ensured that awareness in terms of key policy interventions like Community Radio reached people in a way that it was understood by them.
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bond with or without sureties except for those involved in heinous crimes. The Advisory issued by the Home Ministry stated that although the percentage of overcrowding in jails is decreasing slowly, even then 67 per cent of the inmates in various prisons are under-trials. The ministry elaborated that except those who are charged with offences punishable with the death sentence, no person can be detained in prison as an under-trial for a period exceeding the maximum possible sentence.
PRIORITY SECTOR LENDING (PSL) TO MINORITIES CROSSED 15 PERCENT MARK IN 2012-2013

Priority Sector Lending (PSL) to minorities increased considerably from 10.60 percent of total PSL in 2007-2008 to 15.01 percent in 2012-2013. Priority Sector Lending (PSL) to minorities belongs to one of the schemes, which are covered under the Prime Ministers new 15 Point Programme for Welfare of Minorities. An increase was observed because of lending of 171960.71 crore Rupees as on September 2012 to the minorities. Selfemployment initiatives were created and sustained because of bank credit. The increase was observed because of sustained efforts of government of India. In order to increase credit flow to the minorities, various steps were undertaken by the Government. These included Reserve Bank of India issued directions on Priority Sector Lending
THE UNION GOVERNMENT DIRECTED ALL STATES TO REVIEW CASES OF UNDERTRIAL

The Union government of India on 10 February 2013 directed all states to review the cases of under-trials lodged in jails for longer duration. The Home Ministry asked the States and Union Territories that an under-trial prisoner completing half of the maximum period of imprisonment should be released by the Court on his personal
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in order to improve credit facilities to the minorities. From 2007-2008 to 2011-2012, 5954 branches of bank were opened in those areas where there was substantial minority population. Regular monitoring of Public Sector Banks was done for checking disposal of loan applications for the minorities. 14244 awareness campaigns were organised by Public Sector Banks in 15466 towns and blocks which covered minority population.
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Improving the conditions of living of minorities by ensuring an appropriate share for them in infrastructure development schemes. Prevention and control of communal disharmony and violence.
SC ORDERED SEIZURE OF OPERATIONS OF UNSUCCESSFUL BIDDERS 2G SPECTRUM

The Supreme Court (SC) of India on 15 February 2013 directed the telecom companies that failed to win bidding in the fresh 2G Spectrum Auction or didnt participated into it to cease their operations immediately. The fresh auction took place after the licenses issued earlier were scrapped by the Court. The Supreme Court also cleared that the Court would soon order the companies, which were successful in winning their biddings in the actions those were held on 12 November and 14 November 2012 to start operations in their respective circles immediately. The Supreme Court bench of two Judges that comprised Justices G S Singhvi and K S Radhakrishnan directed the telecom companies, whose licenses were scrapped on 2 February 2012 but allowed to function were supposed to pay back the reserved price fixed for the licenses during the first round of November 2012 auction. The Court in its declaration cleared that the Judgment pronounced in February 2012 was not applicable for the telecom companies that holds spectrum in 900 MHz
Priority Sector Lending (PSL) to Minorities in the absolute terms increased from 58662.67 crore Rupees in 2007-2008 to 171960.71crore Rupees as of September 2012.
PRIME MINISTERS NEW 15 POINT PROGRAMME FOR WELFARE OF MINORITIES

The President on 25 February 2005 announced that Government of India would recast the 15 Point Programme for the Welfare of Minorities for including certain programme specific interventions. The Objectives of this Programme were as follows Enhancing opportunities for education. Ensuring an equitable share for minorities in economic activities and employment, through existing and new schemes, enhanced credit support for self-employment, and recruitment to State and Central Government jobs.
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band as the orders of February 2012 helds no bearing on litigations related to 900 MHz band. The Court also ordered to put on immediate and fresh auction the entire 2G Spectrum, whose licenses were cancelled by it.
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NACO SIGNED MOU WITH MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE TO HIGHLIGHT ISSUES RELATED TO AIDS
National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare signed the first MoU with the Ministry of Shipping on 14 February 2013 as a part of its efforts to highlight issues relating to HIV/AIDS. According to the MoU, NACO will provide HIV/AIDS/STI preventive, care support and treatment services to port workers as well as community around major ports including fishermen, seafarers, truckers, single male migrants and other vulnerable population etc. It also aims to provide stigma free environment and promote greater involvement of people living with HIV in all major port areas. Under the MoU, Ministry of Shipping commits itself to the following points Make available health infrastructure and human resources for prevention and management of HIV/AIDS/STI. Designate responsibility to personnel at suitable level to plan, implement and monitor HIV/AIDS/STI services. Ensure identified health personnel from the facilities are provided
capacity building by State AIDS Control Societies. Promote safe sexual practices among vulnerable population in port setting with necessary support from State AIDS Control Societies. Ensure dissemination/display of IEC material pertaining to HIV/AIDS/STI at ports/health facilities and outreach activities. Ensure ICTC/PPTCT/ and STI services and ensure availability of rapid HIV diagnostic kits (3 different antigens/principles) as per NACO guidelines and specifications. Set up designated STI/ICTC Clinics at major ports for vulnerable population including truckers and transport workers and ensure availability of STI drug kits as per NACO guidelines and specifications. Coordinate and strengthen referral linkages with State AIDS Control societies and implementing partners like targeted interventions TI NGOs/drop in centre/community care centres and network of HIV Positive persons. Ensure record keeping and reporting to SACS as per prescribed format. Commit resource (Manpower, material and money) for HIV/AIDS/STI in budgets/or CSR component for sustainability to his endeavor.
The NACO commits itself to the following points Share nationally approved treatment protocols, guidelines and standards pertaining to STI/HIV/AIDS. Providing technical support and build capacity of ports health
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personnel to facilitate integration of HIVIAIDS in the Health Services. Providing training to major port health personnel (Doctors, nurses, laboratory technicians on syndromic case management of ST1, which could be direct training or training of trainers as per the number of personnel. Providing training to major port health personnel (Doctors, nurses, laboratory technicians) on integrated counseling and testing services for HIV, which could be direct training or training of trainers as per the number of personnel. Provide technical support for implementation of IEC and awareness activities around major ports with support of ports authorities. Sharing reporting formats and monitoring mechanisms. NACO/SACS will coordinate and provide necessary technical support to Ministry of Shipping major ports to integrate STI/HIV/AIDS services.
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CBI on 24 February 2013 announced that the two companies were charged for causing a loss of around 48 crore Rupees to the Union Government of India since 2004 because of their illegal arrangement. CBI filed an FIR in the local court in Delhi after complaints of Communications and IT Ministry. CBI accused these operators on charges of cheating and criminal conspiracy. Actually, Bharti Airtel Ltd. and Tata Communications Ltd had entered into an agreement with the Singapore Telecom for the purpose of international calls, which violates the norms that are laid down by the Department of Telecommunications.
SEXUAL HARASSMENT OF WOMEN AT WORKPLACE BILL APPROVED BY RAJYA SABHA

Rajya Sabha on 25 February 2013 approved the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Bill. The bill seeks protection for women in all type of organised, unorganized as well as Private Sectors, including the sexual harassment of domestic help as well as agricultural workers. The bill had made it mandatory for every organization with 10 or more employees to form an internal complaint committee to deal with the complaints of sexual offences. The committees should be disposed of within 90 days and organizations that fails to follow the guidelines, would be penalized with 50000 rupees. Organisations that repeatedly violate the provisions of the bill would be penalized to a greater level and the offence may lead to the cancellation of
CBI REGISTERED CASE AGAINST AIRTEL AND TATA COMMUNICATIONS FOR VIOLATING DOT NORMS
The Central Bureau of Investigation registered a case on 22 February 2013 against Bharti Airtel Ltd and Tata Communications Ltd, the giant telecom companies for having link up with the Singapore Telecom for the purpose of international calls, thereby violating norms of Department of Telecom (DoT).
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the licenses or registration of the business conduct. Under its list of offences, the bill covers sexual remarks, sexual favour demands, any act of unwelcome touch and physical advance and showing pornography. The Bill was passed by Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Parliament in September 2012.
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purpose of final closure of the project, it is important that the third party, i.e., agency appointed by the concerned state notified implementing agency monitors the project. Also, it is important that the implementing agencies make sure that the system functions properly after installation. At present, the RVE programme was sanctioned to be continued up to 31 March 2013. However, a new scheme called Rural Area Energy Access Programme I would be developed after modification of the existing RVE scheme. Electronics Project Proposal System e-PPS launched by Kapil Sibal Union Minister Kapil Sibal on 6 March 2013 launched the Electronics Project Proposal System (e-PPS), developed by the Department of Electronics and Information Technology, through the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC) during a round table discussion with Academia, Industry and R&D Organisation. The e-PPS system will initially start as a pilot project. What is Electronic Project Proposal System (e-PPS)? It is a web based system in form of solution to fund the R&D projects, which will start from online submission of the project proposal for funds and will monitor as well as manage the funded projects. Processes Supported by the e-PPS System Online submission of project proposals Evaluation of proposals by experts Project recommendations Project Monitoring Impact of the e-PPS System Current Affairs Comprehensive
MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY SANCTIONED REMOTE VILLAGE ELECTRIFICATION FOR 6033 VILLAGES
Remote Village Electrification (RVE) for a total of 6033 villages as well as hamlets was sanctioned during 11th Plan by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. Additionally, work on 5211 villages as well as hamlets, was in its completion stage in various states such as Odisha and Tamil Nadu. Two proposals of 61 hamlets as well as 161 hamlets of UP along with one proposal of 14 villages of Rajasthan and one proposal of 24 villages and 274 hamlets of Jammu & Kashmir, were in all received and were under initial stage of appraisal. It is important to note that the Remote Village Electrification (RVE) programme as well as projects is usually sanctioned on the caseto-case basis after these proposals are submitted by the state notified implementing agencies according to the guidelines of this scheme. The respective state notified implementing agencies carry out the monitoring of implementation of RVE projects. For the
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It will replace existing manual system of project funding in which the project investigators submit hard copies of R&D proposals, which are presented to a Working Group and based on the recommendations of the Working Group the proposals are further processed The system would create a One-GoDash-Board to monitor the projects from its initiation to completion Will ease the processing time of the proposal and dissemination of the project information
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General Studies Paper General Studies Paper I and II I, II, III and IV Marks carried by Marks carried by General Studies was General Studies was 2*300=600 4*250=1000 Optional A Paper I - Optional A Paper I 300 Marks, Paper II - 250 Marks, Paper II 300 Marks 250 Marks Optional B Paper I - Optional B (No more 300 Marks, Paper II - in existence) 300 Marks Interview/Personality Interview/Personality Test - 300 Test 275 marks New topics added to the syllabus include In Paper I Section 2 - English Prcis of Matriculation or 10th standard level had been added In Paper II General Studies I part the History and Geography of the World and Society had been added In Paper IV General Studies III Disaster Management had been added along with Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment and Security In Paper-V General Studies IV Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude has been added Analysis The weightage of marks of the interview have been kept at the same standard of 13 percent, i.e. Previously the Interview Carried: 300/2300*100=13 percent approx At Present 275/2075*100=13 percent approx
UPSC CHANGED THE SCHEME OF CIVIL SERVICES MAIN EXAMINATION 2013

Union Public Service Commission in its latest notification released on 6 March 2013 changed the Scheme of Civil Services {MAIN (Written+Interview/Personality Test)} Examination, 2013. The commission had also made some changes in the choice of language medium in the Civil Services (Main) Examination. For the first time in the history of Civil Services the candidates planning to apply for the Civil Services Examination or Indian Forest Service Examination or both will have to fill in this common Application Form. Comparison of changes implemented in the syllabus of the examination Previous Essay 200 Marks Present Essay 200 Marks English 100 marks
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Similarly the weightage of the Optional Paper had been reduced from 52 percent to 24 percent, i.e. Previously it was 1200/2300*100=52%approx And now it is 500/2075*100=24%approx In case of the General Studies Paper, weightage of marks have gone up to 48 percent from 26 percent, i.e. Previously it was 600/2300*100=26%; And now it is 1000/2075*100=48% Later following the protests across the country, the Union Government of India put on hold the declared notification.
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Chennai, Delhi-Hyderabad, Delhi- Begaluru, Kolkata-Chennai and Chennai-Mumbai for which the information is available. Objective of Flexible use of Airspace (FUA) The primary objective of FUA is to enhance airspace Capacity, minimize delays, fuel conservation, emission reduction and ultimate benefits to travelling public. Implementation of FUA through efficient civilian military coordination is an essential requirement to foster the traffic growth with ultimate benefit to the nations economy. FUA permits both military and civil user to efficiently and effectively utilize the available airspace on sharing basis to gain optimum usage, thereby enhancing its capacity, which results into efficient operations. In this model a coordinated procedure between the civil and the military and vice versa, as per need and on a real time basis if it is not being used by the user assigned with the responsibility for its control. Working mechanism of Flexible use of Airspace (FUA) As a first step for implementation of the FUA in India, a National High Level Airspace Policy Body (NHLAPB) for airspace use is set up, to take up the job of strategic planning and assess/reassess the national airspace requirements of various stakeholders. It will establish flexible airspace use structure/committees and introduce procedures for allocation of these airspace structures.
CABINET COMMITTEE ON SECURITY APPROVED FLEXIBLE USE OF AIRSPACE

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) on 8 March 2013 cleared Flexible Use of Airspace (FUA) by civil and military users, which was unsettled for last few years. There was a necessity to fulfill the demand of national security, where the requirement of airspace by the military was to be fulfilled in the fast changing environment of air warfare. Therefore, sharing of airspace on a need basis, by civil and military users was an urgent national requisite. Ajit Singh with taking over the charge as Union Civil Aviation Minister implemented the Flexible Use of Airspace, which will result in fuel saving of 202380 kg per annum and reduction of carbon dioxide emission by 6393600 kg per annum by direct routing between seven city pairs of Delhi-Mumbai, Delhi-Kolkata, Delhi www.jagranjosh.com

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The NHLAPB will be chaired by Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation with representation from Ministry of Defence, Indian Air force, Indian Navy, Indian Space Research Organization, Airport Authority of India and Directorate General of Civil Aviation. It can co-opt new members in future depending upon requirement.
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It is also important to note that the Junior Engineer [Civil] - the in-charge of maintenance of the post office building, as well as the Assistant Superintendent of Post Offices of the Postal Sub Division and Senior Superintendent of Post Offices of Delhi Central division of this Post Office is also women.
The Ministry of Defence has agreed with the proposal for implementation of FUA, subject to ensuring adequate safeguards in the system to prevent inadvertent leak of Military information and dissemination of any information on Military Aviation activities strictly on need to know basis. Indias First All Women Inaugurated by Kapil Sibal Post Office
UNION CABINET CLEARED BILL TO TACKLE CRIMES AGAINST WOMEN

The Union Cabinet of India on 14 March 2013 cleared a Bill providing for severe punishment for rape, acid attack, stalking and voyeurism more to the point reducing the age of consent for sex to 16 years. The bill which was named the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2013 lowers the age of consent for sex from 18 to 16 years with making of rape as a gender-specific offence under which men only can be charged for it. The Bill is brought in line with the Indian Penal Code, but at variance with the Child Protection Act, 2012, which raised it to 18. The bill brought against the milieu of the 16 December 2012 Delhi gangrape, provides for minimum jail term of 20 years for rape which may be extended to natural life of the convict in jail. There is also provision for death sentence if the victim dies or is left in a 'persistent vegetative state'. Stalking, voyeurisms have been defined as criminal offences in the bill. Sustained stalking will be a non-bailable offence. As per the bill there is replacement in more general expression sexual assault used in the ordinance. It also provides for the death sentence if the rape victim dies or ends up in a vegetative state. Current Affairs Comprehensive
Union Minister of Communications & IT, Kapil Sibal on 8 March 2013 inaugurated the First All Women Employees Post Office of India at Shastri Bhawan in New Delhi. The Post Office is called Project Arrow Office and consists of three counters. Two of the three counters offer Multi Purpose services such as registration, booking of money orders, booking of speed post as well as sale of IPOs. Other counter is meant to facilitate the sale of stamps. All the three counters will have only women employees.
Overall, there are 1003 women employees at operative level in Delhi circle. The percentage of these women in overall workforce is around 14 percent. In administrative cadres, percentage of women employees is 22 percent.
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The approval of the Cabinet paves the way for introduction of the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2013 in Parliament before it goes into recess on 22 March 2013. The bill also proposes a punishment of not less than 10 years to a maximum of life imprisonment Defining acid attack as a separate IPC offence. Repeat offences of voyeurism, inappropriate touch, gesture and remarks have been recommended as non-bailable offences.
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and politicians were accused for their alleged involvement in undercharging the frequency allocation licenses to the mobile telephony companies, resulting in a total loss of about 176,645 crore rupees as valued by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG).
AFZAL GURU, THE CONVICT OF PARLIAMENT ATTACK 2001 HANGED AFTER REJECTION OF MERCY PLEA
Mohamammed Afzal Guru, the convict of 2001 Parliament attack was hanged on 9 February 2013 at 8 AM in Tihar Jail, New Delhi. The Supreme Court of India pronounced the death Sentence for Afzal Guru in 2004 for masterminding the terrorist attack on Indian Parliament on 13 December 2001. The decision of hanging him came after the mercy petition filed was cancelled by the President of India, Pranab Mukherjee on 23 January 2013. The 2001 Parliament Attack The terrorist of Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaishe-Mohammad managed to attack on the Parliament of India, leading to the death of about a dozen of people including the security persons as well as civilians. More mercy pleas rejected by the President, Pranab Mukherjee Before rejection of Afzal Gurus mercy plea, two more mercy pleas were rejected by the President in the recent past and they include the mercy pleas of 26/11 Mumbai Terror Attacks convict, Ajmal Kasab and Saibanna Ningappa Natikar, the person
2G PROSECUTOR REMOVED FOR HIS ALLEGED INVOLVEMENT IN LEAKING AGENCY'S TRIAL STRATEGY
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on 11 February 2013 removed the public prosecutor AK Singh from the 2G Spectrum Case. The decision of removal came after the alleged public prosecutor was caught discussing the strategy of prosecution with one of the prime accused of the 2G Spectrum Allocation Case in a taped conversation. The 2G Spectrum Case is under trial in a Court of Special Judge at New Delhi and the court was informed about the alleged involvement if the Public Prosecutor by the CBI. AK Singh was the part of the 2G scam legal team of the CBI that was headed by the senior lawyer UU Lalit (the special public prosecutor in the case). 2G Spectrum Case The 2G Spectrum Scam of India is a scam that involved Government Officials, Political Leaders and Industrialists within its circumference. The Government officials www.jagranjosh.com

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convicted for murdering his daughter and wife and was sentenced to death. Ajmal Kasab, the terrorist caught during the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai, was hanged in a Yerwada Jail, Pune in a top-secret operation on 21 November 2012. Saibanna Ningappa Natikar currently lodged in the Central Operation Three Star: Code name given to secret plan for executing Jaish-eMohammad terrorist Afzal Guru in Tihar Jail on 9 February 2013. Operation Three Star started on 4 February 2013, just a day after the President of India Pranab Mukherjee rejected mercy plea of Afzal Guru. A few top officials of Home Ministry were aware about secret Operation Three Star.
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Prison at Hindalga, Belgaum, Karnataka and his plea was rejected by the President on 4 January 2013
AFZAL GURUS SECRET HANGING WAS CALLED OPERATION THREE STAR

Afzal Guru was hanged on 9 February 2013 at 8 AM in Tihar Jail, New Delhi. Afzal Guru was guilty of conspiring as well as providing shelter to terrorists who attacked Indian Parliament on 13 December 2001. Hanging of Mumbai terror attack militant Ajmal Kasab was called Operation X. he was hanged at Yerwada Central Jail on 21 November 2012. National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-systems (NPCA) The Union Government of India merged National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-systems (NPCA) to develop a new program named National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-systems (NPCA). The formation of the NPCA was done with the objective of conserving aquatic ecosystems (lakes and wetlands) by implementing sustainable conservation plans. To govern the implementation uniform policy and guidelines will be framed.
THE UNION GOVERNMENT OF INDIA APPROVED SETTING UP OF NPCA

NPCA: National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-systems The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on 7 February 2013 approved the proposal for the merger of National Lake Conservation Plan (NLCP) and National Wetlands Conservation Programme (NWCP) to develop a new scheme named National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-systems (NPCA). The estimated cost to bring this plan into operations during the 12th Plan Period is 900 crore rupees. The Government of India and the State Governments would be sharing the costs in a ratio of 70:30 and in case of the North-Eastern states the ratio is 90:10.
UNION CABINET APPROVED DRDO FOR DEVELOPING AWACS FOR IAF

The Union Cabinet of India on 6 February 2013 gave approval to Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for
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developing an indigenous Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AWACS) for IAF. AWACS allows IAF to keep a close watch on the enemy territory. The government granted an in-principal approval to the proposal for developing an indigenous AWACS. The approval was granted in the meeting of Cabinet Committee on Security. DRDO officials announced that DRDO would work for finalisation of further details of the programmes as well as the number of aircrafts that IAF would need for giving overall coverage to Indias boundaries. At present, India has a fleet of three AWACS aircraft.
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CHAPTER 2: INTERNATIONAL
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA FILED A CIVIL LAWSUIT AGAINST STANDARD AND POOR'S
The United States of America on 5 February 2013 filed a civil lawsuit against Standard and Poor's (S&P) the credit rating agency alleging that the agency lied about the nations objectivity and independence by the way it rated the mortgage bonds. The lawsuit have claimed that as a result of the ratings issued by the S&P, which misrepresented the securities true credit risks the investors, even those who were federally insured financial institution lost billions of dollars on collateralized Debt Obligations. Mohamed Morsi. The Presidents of the two nations discussed on the ways to improve relations between them and to resolve the Syrian crisis without resorting to military intervention. During his visit to the al-Azhar, an ancient mosque, a shoe was thrown on Ahmadinejad by a Syrian protestor after which he managed to flee from the site. Tehran's 1979 Islamic revolution The Islamic Revolution of 1979 was the series of events that took place for overthrowing the Pahlavi dynasty under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, which was then replaced by the Islamic republic under Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of the revolution. Reason for tensions between Iran and Egypt The relations between the two countries went sour since late 1970s, when Anwar Sadat (Egypt), the predecessor of Hosni Mubarak concluded a peace treaty with Israel in 1979 to became an ally with the Western Powers, namely Europe and United States. This was the time, when Iran stood against the influence of Western Power in the Middle East. The other reason for the tension is naming of a street in Tehran by the name of the Islamist, who was responsible for the assassination of Anwar Sadat in 1981.
AHMADINEJAD IS SFIRST IRANIAN PRESIDENT TO VISIT EGYPT SINCE 1979 ISLAMIC REVOLUTION
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the President of Iran on 5 February 2013 became the first Iranian leader to visit Egypt after Tehran's 1979 Islamic revolution. He flew into the Egyptian capital city Cairo for attending the summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) that started on 6 Feb 2013. Ahmadinejads visit to Egypt was scheduled to improve the ties between the two countries. During this historic visit to Egypt, Ahmadinejad received a red carpet welcome by the President of Egypt, www.jagranjosh.com
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NORTH KOREA CONDUCTED ITS THIRD NUCLEAR TEST AND
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DEFIED UN REGULATIONS FOR WORLD PEACE

North Korea on 12 February 2013 announced success of its underground Nuclear Test. The country cleared that the miniaturized nuclear device was detonated successfully and it also announced that the test was an act of self-defence from the US Hostility and also threatened stronger steps in future. This was the third test conducted by the country since 2006 that had defied the UN regulations in existence. The test is reported to have conducted in the North Hamgyeong Province nearby the Punggye-ri nuclear complex, the place where the tests of 2006 and 2009 were conducted. Due to the past two nuclear tests of 2006 and 2009, North Korea is already facing many sanctions over it imposed by the United Nations Security Council. This is the first test conducted in North Korea under the leadership of Kim Jong-un. World Response The Western Nations termed this act to be highly provocative act of North Korea and claimed it to be a threat to the stability of the region. Whereas Asian countries like, China, Japan and Russia criticized the test and announced it to be a threat beyond tolerance. The international bodies like UN and NATO claimed this test as irresponsible and threat to the world peace.
COOPERATION ON COUNTER TERRORISM

India and France on 14 February 2013 agreed to strengthen counter terrorism and intelligence cooperation between the two countries during the visit of French President Francois Holllande to India. Both nations exchanged views on a number of bilateral, regional and multilateral issues. India and France also reviewed progress on the Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project and reiterated our commitment to its early implementation as soon as the commercial and technical negotiations, which have made good progress, are completed. Both the nations also concluded negotiations on the short range surface to Air missile to be co-produced in India. They also agreed on the need to reinvigorate economic engagement between the two countries. Moreover, they had in-depth discussion on the defence cooperation issue including submarines and missiles. Other Important India-France Agreements Both the nations agreed to strengthen cooperation in the fields of the modernisation of the railway, high speed corridors and network upgradation of railway stations. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and France's CNES under the space cooperation programme, jointly identified the means to pursue further cooperation. A pact was changed to increase exchanges between the sportspersons, artists, architects, researchers, teachers, students to improve people-to-people contacts.
INDIA AND FRANCE AGREED TO STRENGTHEN
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The cooperation between various Indian and French educational institutions was finalised. MoU was signed between Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore and France's CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique) CFA(Credit Facility Agreement) was signed for the Bangalore Metro Rail Project, Phase-1 between Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance and the French Development Agency(AFD)
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Bhaswati Mukherjee, Indian Ambassador and her Pakistani counterpart Fauzia Mazhar Sana received the Judgment of the Court at The Hague. Pakistan initiated the arbitration against India with a charge that India violated the provisions of the Water Treaty between the two countries. But India denied the charges forced on to it by explain that the country reserved its rights to divert the water from one of the tributaries of Jhelum to another. Issues for Pakistan from its Perspective Pakistan on 17 May 2010 raised objections on the making of the Kishanganga Hydropower project for which it demanded setting up of the Court of Arbitration. The issues raised by Pakistan in the Court of Arbitration The project is being developed at the downstreams of Kishanganga River that is known by the name Neelam in Pakistan and is a tributary of Jhelum. India is diverting the waters of the river from the dam site to Bonar Madmati Nallah that is another tributary of Jhelum. India planned to use modern drawdown flushing technique for sedimentation management in the dam. The technique requires waters to be brought below the dead storage level (as per the treaty the water can be reduced below the dead storage level only in cases of unforeseen emergency) and was this plan was accepted by the neutral expert during the Bahlihar dispute with Pakistan.
COURT OF ARBITRATION, THE HAGUE GAVE ITS GO AHEAD TO INDIA ON KISHANGANGA PROJECT
The Court of Arbitration at The Hague on 18 February 2013 allowed India to go ahead with the Construction of the Kishanganga hydro-electric project in Gurez valley near Bandipura in North Kashmir, the court rejected the plea of Pakistan that the construction was a violation of 1960 Indus Water Treaty. The Court of Arbitration, chaired by Stephen M. Schwebel in its orders stated that India can move ahead with the diversion of water plans of Kishanganga that is a tributary of Jhelum, for generation of hydro-electric power. But it restrained India from adoption of the drawdown technique of flushing for clearing the sedimentation of the run-of-the river project that had been designed and asked it to adopt a different technique for generation of 330 MW power facilities. The Court had also demanded the environmental flows statistics of the project. www.jagranjosh.com

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In June 2011, the members from the Court of Arbitration, The Hague visited India as well as Pakistan for inspection of the site. Brief Provisions of Indus Waters Treaty 1960 i. The Indus system of rivers comprises three Eastern Rivers (Ravi, Beas and Sutlej and their tributaries) and threes Western Rivers (Indus, Jhelum and Chenab and their tributaries). ii. The Indus Waters Treaty 1960 was signed on 19.09.1960 between India and Pakistan. It is however effective from 01.04.1960. iii. Under the Treaty, the waters of Eastern Rivers are allocated to India. India is under obligation to let flow the waters of the Western Rivers except for the following uses: a) Domestic Use b) Non-consumptive use c) Agricultural use as specified d) Generation of hydro-electric power as specified ix. The Commissioners of the Indus Waters may discuss the questions arising under the Treaty under Article IX of the Treaty related to Settlement of Differences and Disputes and in the case of non-resolution, take further action under this Article for resolution through a Neutral Expert, negotiators or Court of Arbitration. Articles under Consideration Article III (2): Let flow all waters of the Western Rivers and not permit any interference with the water Article IV (6): Both the countries require use of the best endeavors at each others end for maintenance of natural channels of the rivers and should avoid all the steps that may www.jagranjosh.com
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obstruct the flow of these rivers creating a material damage at the end of any of the two parties. As per Pakistan, the diversion of the water of Kishanganga as well as implementation of the drawdown flushing technique at Kishanganga project as well as other hydroelectric plants were the violation of the Treat signed in 1960, named Indus Water Treaty. Kishanganga Project Kishanganga hydro-electric power project is a 330 MW project under its construction phase on the Kishanganga River and is developed by the National Power Corporation in Gurez Valley, near Bandipura in North Kashmir. The work on the project started in the year 1992. The Kishanganga hydro-electric project is a 3600 crore project. Kishanganga is called Neelam in Pakistan. Permanent Court of Arbitration The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) was established during the First Hague Peace Conference 1899 by a treaty. It is an intergovernmental organization (IGO) that provides a variety of dispute resolution services to the international community. It provides resolution to the disputes related to intergovernmental organizations, states, state entities and private parties. PCA is located in The Hague, Netherland. PCA provides services for the resolution of disputes involving various combinations of states, state entities, intergovernmental organisations, and private parties. The PCA can assist in the selection of arbitrators, and may be called upon to designate or act as appointing authority.
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INDIA AND UAE AGREED TO CARRY FORWARD THE TRADE RELATIONS TO ANOTHER LEVEL
India and the UAE agreed to improve their trade and investment relations during the first meeting of India-UAE High Level Task Force on Investment in Abu Dhabi on 18 February 2013. UAE decided to invest 2 billion dollars in Infrastructure sector projects in India and the two countries decided to work for and support Strategic Oil Reserve in India. The meeting was cochaired by the Union Minister of Commerce, Industry and Textiles, Anand Sharma and Sheikh Hamid Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Court. As a part of the bilateral agreement, Five high level sub committees will be set up to promote investment in infrastructure and energy, trade and investment, manufacturing and technology, Information and communications technology and aviation sectors. India and UAE also decided to work together for third country projects, including Africa aimed at collaborating in the infrastructure sector and oil and gas exploration. The two countries also agreed to put in place Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (BIPA).
mercury was adopted by 140 nations in the third week of January 2013 at Geneva. The treaty would be signed in Minamata, Japan, in October 2013 to honour the inhabitants of town who have suffered the consequences of serious mercury contamination for decades The treaty that was reached after four years of difficult negotiations will aim at Reduction of global emission levels of the toxic heavy metal or the quick silver Reduce the production and the use of mercury in industrial processes and product production To cut mercury pollution from utility plants, mining, a host of products and industrial processes, and set enforceable limits as well as to encourage alternatives where mercury in not used or released Making of the treaty Switzerland and Norway pushed forward for making of an International Treaty to limit the emission of Mercury in the atmosphere. The two nations came up with the plans of reducing the emission of mercury decades ago and it was finalized after a long conference in Geneva held in February 2013. Impact of Mercury on Human Being The natural element Mercury cannot be created or destroyed, but is released in air, water and land from different activities like coal powder plants, gold mining activities as well as electrical goods and other consumer products. Mercury enters the food-chain via fish and poses a threat to the living being more likely to pregnant women and children. As per the data released by the Current Affairs Comprehensive
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WORLDS FIRST MERCUR Y TREATY ADOPTED BY 140 COUNTRIES AT GENEVA

An international treaty that legally binds the nation to limit the use of health hazardous
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World Health Organisation intake of mercury or any of its compounds to any limit is not safe and it may lead to memory loss, language impairment and kidney damage.
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Development of Sri Lanka would be initiated to progress the framework for special economic partnership between these two nations.
INDIA AND SRI LANKA SIGNED AGREEMENTS ON COMBATING TERRORISM AND AVOIDING DOUBLE-TAXATION
India and Sri Lanka on 22 January 2013 signed two agreements for fighting against international terrorism as well as avoiding double taxation. The agreements were signed after 8th India-Sri Lanka Joint Commission meeting, which was held in New Delhi. Discussions held during 8th India-Sri Lanka Joint Commission meeting The agreements were signed after discussions on cooperation on various areas such as civil nuclear energy and many more. External Affairs Minister led the Indian side in the meeting, while the Sri Lankan side was led by G L Peiris. Issue of the fishermen as well as rehabilitation process of the Tamils in Sri Lanka was also discussed during the meeting. Apart from this, 13th Amendment of the Lankan constitution which provides autonomy to the provinces was also discussed. It is important to note that India and Sri Lanka are the largest trade partners of each other in South Asia. After the meet, it was agreed that a dialogue between the Commerce Secretary of India and Secretary of the Ministry of Finance and Economic
AFRICAN LEADERS SIGNED UN-BROKERED ACCORD IN DR CONGO

Regional African leaders from Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, South Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo Republic and South Sudan signed UN-brokered Accord, which aims to bring peace to the troubled eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The deal was signed in the presence of UN Secretary General Ban Kimoon in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia. As many as 800000 people were displaced since rebel group M23 revolted against the DR Congo government in May 2012.The agreement, signed by leaders of the Great Lakes region, will result in setting up of special UN intervention brigade in eastern Congo. M23 Rebels The M23 rebels want to create better conditions for the people of eastern DR Cong. However UN that is supported by Rwanda is responsible for the country's genocide in 1994. Bosco Ntaganda set up M23. He was an officer in the Rwandan army earlier. Afterwards, he left to join a rebel movement in DR Congo. He is accused of using child soldiers and he controls several mines in the east of the country. The M23 group briefly seized control of the city of Goma in November 2012 after carving out an area for themselves in North Kivu
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province. Congo's government and rebels are holding talks in Uganda aimed at reaching an agreement on a range of issues. In January 2013, the rebels declared a unilateral ceasefire. An earlier attempt to reach a deal ended up in failure in December 2012 after the rebels accused President Joseph Kabila of failing to honour a deal to integrate rebels into the army. The region's mineral resources have been exploited by numerous groups and countries over the past 15 years and little has been aimed at improving DR Congo's infrastructure.
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BARACK OBAMA SIGNED INTO LAW THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT REAUTHORIZATION 2013
The US President, Barack Obama on 7 March 2013 signed into law, the Violence against Women Act Reauthorization 2013 in Washington. The Violence against Women Act was first passed in 1994. Re-authorised since then, the new Act offers support to the organisations which serve to the victims of domestic violence. Usually, the local authorities are responsible for criminal prosecutions of abusers, but now the Act made a stricter sentence for stalking under the federal law. Under the original Violence against Women Act, following issues are dealt with Acid throwing Breast ironing Bride burning www.jagranjosh.com
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Dating abuse Domestic violence Domestic violence and pregnancy Dowry death Honor killing Female genital mutilation Gishiri cutting Infibulation Foot binding Forced abortion Forced pregnancy Forced prostitution Human trafficking Marital rape Murder of pregnant women Rape Pregnancy Sexual slavery Sexual violence Violence against prostitutes
Violence against Women Act of 1994 The Violence against Women Act of 1994 is primarily a US Federal Law which was signed in 1994 by President Bill Clinton. The Act established the Office on Violence against Women in the Department of Justice. Signing of Violence against Women Act Reauthorization 2013 The Violence against Women Act Reauthorization 2013 was passed on the vote of 286 to 138. 199 Democrats joined 87 Republicans in the support of this reauthorization act of 1994 law. Changes incorporated The new Act creates as well as expands the federal programs for helping local communities for the purpose of law enforcement as well

as helping the victims of sexual abuse and domestic violence. The most important feature was offering protection to the transgender, bisexual and gay victims of the domestic abuse.
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KENYA ELECTION: UHURU KENYATTA WON THE ELECTION

Uhuru Kenyatta, the Deputy Prime Minister who faces trial for alleged crimes against humanity, clinched victory in a tightly fought race for Kenya's presidency, on 9 March 2013. Uhuru Kenyatta needed over 50% of the National vote to avoid a run-off. He received 50.07% to win the elections but the victory is being disputed by his main rival, Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who has now unsuccessfully sought the presidency three times. Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta is a controversial figure as he is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on charges of crimes against humanity for his alleged role in the country's 2007-2008 election. Kenya would become the second African country after Sudan to have a sitting president indicted by the ICC. With the win Uhuru Kenyatta will become the fourth president of Kenya.
China on 10 March 2013 unveiled its Government Restructuring Plan, according to which the most powerful Railways Ministry will be dissolved, while the National Family Planning Commission will be merged with the Ministry of Health. It is said to be the biggest reduction in the cabinet-level entities since 1998. The major changes that will be seen in the Chinese Government after restructuring are The Ministry of Railways will be dissolved. The commercial functions of the Ministry of Railways will be taken over by the China Railway Corporation. The Ministry of Transport will be the in-charge of development and planning of the Chinese railways. The National Family Planning Commission will be merged with the Ministry of Health. It is important to note that National Family Planning Commission is that agency of China which controls the one-child policy. The new Government Restructuring Plan of China will have focus on boosting the food and drug safety by combining the responsibilities and duties of various agencies into the General Administration of Food and Drug. Newly formed administration will have the responsibility of taking over the duties of Food Safety Office of the State Council, State Food and Drug Administration, food supervision branch of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine as well as the State Administration for Industry and Commerce. There will be a merger of two main media watchdogs- the State
CHINA UNVEILED GOVERNMENT RESTRUCTURING PLAN
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Administration of Radio, Film and Television as well as the General Administration of Press and Publication. There will also be a reorganisation of the National Oceanic Administration. It will come under Ministry of Land and Resources. Management over the maritime enforcement efforts which were performed by various agencies such as coastguard forces and customs will be consolidated within the Public Security Ministry. Fisheries enforcement will come under Agriculture Ministry. Apart from the Ministry of Railways, the State Electricity Regulatory Commission will also be dissolved. The responsibility of State Electricity Regulatory Commission will be taken over by the reorganised National Energy Administration. National Energy Administration will in turn remain under National Development and Reform Commission.
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Democratic Madhesi Front, Nepali Congress, Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist Leninist) and United Communist Party of Nepal (Maoists), reached the 11-point understanding. In the meanwhile, Madhav Ghimire was chosen as the Home Minister as well as the External Affairs Minister. Hari Prasad Neupane was chosen as the Law and Justice and Labour Minister. The other eight ministers would be nominated by the aforementioned political parties. As per the agreement, all ministers need to be retired civil servants from special class. No active politician would be included in cabinet. It is for the first time in the political history of Nepal that any sitting Chief Justice was named as Head of the Government.
INDIA AND BRITAIN SIGNED PACT TO SUPPORT RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
India and Britain in the month of March 2013 signed a multi-million-pound agreement to support industry and businesses by working together on the commercialization of research in key areas like energy and healthcare. The deal is supposed to help build and strengthen links between countries and to build the international partnerships between businesses so vital in todays global economy. Highlights of the Deal As part of the deal, Global Innovation and Technology Alliance (GITA) sponsored by the Indian governments Department of Current Affairs Comprehensive
KHIL RAJ REGMI SWORN-IN AS THE PRIME MINISTER OF NEPAL

Chief Justice Khil Raj Regmi was sworn-in as the new Prime Minister of Nepal on 14 March 2013. Khil Raj Regmi will be the head of interim government which will have its elections by 21 June 2013. He took over the office from Baburam Bhattarai. Regmi will be the head of 11-member electoral government. Khil Raj Regmi, 63, took oath of the office and secrecy from the President Ram Baran Yadav after the top leaders of four main parties- the United
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Science and Technology and UKs Technology Strategy Board (TSB) will support UK and Indian businesses and academics in joint R&D and innovation projects over a three-year period. The deal is meant for strengthening the UK-India research and innovation partnership. The latest agreement is the firstever international partnership the Technology Strategy Board (TSB), Britains government-sponsored innovation agency, has signed outside Europe.
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The Eurozone Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund agreed on the terms which included one-time tax of 9.9 percent on Cypriot bank deposits of over 130000 Dollars or 100000 Euros as well as the tax of 6.75 percent on smaller deposits. Other elements of this deal demanded that Cyprus should raise the low corporate tax rate to 12.5 percent from its previous 10 percent apart from privatizing state assets as well as refurbishing the banks for making sure that money laundering is not done there. Major points of the deal are as follows Under the deal, Cyprus agreed for increasing the nominal corporate tax rate to 12.5 percent, thus increasing it by 2.5 percent. An imposition of 9.9 percent onetime tax on the bank deposits above 100000 Euros in the banks will be done apart from the 6.75 percent tax on the smaller deposits. The tax on interest which will be generated by the deposits will also be levied. The tax measures taken will help in boosting the revenues of Cyprus apart from limiting the loan size which is required from Eurozone. Originally, Cyprus had estimated its requirement for 17 billion Euros, which was the amount that it required for restoration of its economy. Of this, 10 billion Euros was required for recapitalizing the banks while 7 billion Euros was required for the servicing debt as well as the operations of the government.
About GITA GITA, a not-for-profit PPP Company, is promoted jointly by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Technology Development Board of the Indian governments Department of Science and Technology.
EUROZONE AND IMF AGREED FOR CYPRUS BAILOUT DEAL

The Eurozone finance ministers and the International Monetary Fund signed a deal on 16 March 2013 in Brussels to aid Cyprus with a bailout worth 10 billion Euros. It is important to note that Cyprus is the fifth country to go to Eurozone for the financial aid because of sovereign debt crisis that kicked off in 2010. Other countries that reached Eurozone for financial aid before Cyprus are Greece, Ireland, Portugal and Spain. However, the Eurozone agreed for the bailout agreement of up to 10 billion Euros, while Cyprus in 2012 had asked for around 17 billion Euros.
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TZIPI LIVNI ENTERED INTO A COALITION DEAL WITH BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, PRIME MINISTER OF ISRAEL
Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel on 19 February 2013 announced a coalition deal with the rival centrist Hatnua Party Chairwomen and the former Israeli Foreign Minister, Tzipi Livni, at Jerusalem. Under the deal agreement, Livni will serve as the new Justice Minister and will oversee the peace efforts with the Palestinians. Benjamin Netanyahu Netanyahu is the Prime Minister of Israel and the leader of the Right Wing bloc of Israel. His party won the hard fought general elections on 23 January 2013 but felled shot of majority.
competitor Guillermo could secure only 23.3 percent. Correa is a socialist leader who was first elected in 2007. He is credited with bringing political stability to a nation that experienced several protests and coups. He is known for his citizen revolution which made him popular among people of Ecuador. He is 49 years old.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON TRADITIONAL MEDICINE FOR SOUTH-EAST ASIAN COUNTRIES ENDED

The two-day International Conference on Traditional Medicine for South-East Asian Countries concluded with the Adoption of Delhi Declaration in New Delhi on 13 February 2013. The Delhi Declaration was made for fostering the development of Traditional Medicine of the region. Agendas of Delhi Declaration on Traditional Medicine for the South-East Asian Countries For appropriate use of traditional medicines in the health care delivery system impartial development and promotion of national policies, strategies and interventions Development of institutionalized mechanism for exchange of information, expertise and knowledge with active cooperation with WHO on traditional medicine through workshops, symposia, visit of experts, exchange of literature and more To pursue harmonized approach for the education, research, Current Affairs Comprehensive
Tzipi Livni Tzipi Livni is an Israeli Politician and the first women to be the leader of opposition in Israel. She is the leader of the new centrist party, Hatnuah. She served Israel as its Foreign Minister from 2006 to 2009.
ECUADORS PRESIDENT RAFAEL CORREA RE-ELECTED FOR THIRD TERM

Ecuador's President Rafael Correa was reelected for a third term with more than 50 percent of the vote according to the election results declared in the third week of February 2013. As per the results, Rafael Correa got 56.7 percent while his closest
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documentation, practice and regulation of traditional medicine along with the involvement of practitioners of health services of the traditional medicine Identification of the possible ways for promotion of mutual recognition of educational qualifications that is awarded by recognized Universities, monographs, pharmacopoeias and relevant databases of traditional medicine The declaration included development of a common document for reference on traditional medicines for the south East Asian nations To identify and develop the scopes of regional cooperation for training and capacity building of traditional medicine experts To encourage sustainable development and resource augmentation of medicinal plants in the South East Asian regional countries To establish regional centers as required for capacity building and networking in the areas of traditional medicine and medicinal plants To exchange views, experiences and experts for integration of traditional medicine into national health systems in accordance with national policies and regulations
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DELHI DECLARATION OF THE SAAN FOR AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS CONFERENCE CONCLUDED
The Delhi Declaration of the first South Asian Autism Network (SAAN) for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) conference concluded in New Delhi on 11 February 2013. The Delhi Declaration is as follows The members of South Asian Autism Network (SAAN), during New Delhi Declaration took into consideration facts like To reiterate the commitment of nations to the concept of all human beings being born free and equal in rights and dignity as enshrined in a) The Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948, b) The Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989, c) The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2007, d) The Declaration of 2nd April as World Autism Awareness Day by the United Nations General Assembly 2007 e) The Dhaka Declaration on Autism Spectrum Disorders and Developmental Disabilities of July 2011 They reiterated towards its commitment for safeguarding every citizen from discrimination and social exclusion ensuring their inclusion in all spheres of life They noted down their concerns related to the increased occurrence of autism and disorders related to it Current Affairs Comprehensive
The conference was attended by the representatives of South-East Asian countries namely Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Timor-Leste, DPR Korea, Indonesia, Myanmar, Maldives and Thailand.
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as well as the absence of population based mechanisms to detect the accessible interventions on time To develop a community based model for early detection, intervention and care for Autism which can surely improve the outcome and become a model for different types of developmental disabilities The concern for making the appropriate services accessible to children and their families, making it affordable, and increase the human and material costs for communities, families and nations because the scientific evidences for early intervention of the children with autism have increased at a large scale To consider the stigma, discrimination as well as social exclusion that children and their families can face on a daily basis
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To strive to improve Awareness, develop collaborative networks for Advocacy and Legislation/Policy changes if required, on ASD which will also provide a platform for the voices of persons with ASD and their families Implementation of the Dhaka Declaration on Autism Spectrum Disorders and Developmental Disabilities of 2011, in both letter and spirit
BARACK OBAMA NOMINATED SALLY JEWELL AS U.S. INTERIOR SECRETARY

US President Barack Obama nominated Sally Jewell, a retail executive and outdoor enthusiast on 6 February 2013 as the U.S. interior secretary for looking after the huge energy reserves as well as the national parks. Obama while nominating Jewell described her as an expert on climate issues and energy issues. It is important to note that Jewell is the first woman who is nominated to join second term of Obama. About Sally Jewell Jewell who is 56 years of age has remained a leader in land conservation in the Pacific Northwest. She has also worked in banking and energy sector in early days of her career. Role of the U.S. interior secretary Apart from managing the U.S. National Park Service, the U.S. interior secretary also looks after
Participant Nations Undertook A commitment to themselves to include ASD in all mainstream policies and programmes of their nations for addressing the issues related to early childhood development in all spheres of community life To develop measures for early detection and surveillance services at every level Evaluation and implementation of the efficacious and effective programs for addressing the life cycle needs of person with ASD The member countries agreed to undertake collaborative research on all aspects of autism
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one fifth of the land mass of the country as well as offshore oil fields. The interior secretary also strongly voices out the opinions in rules which govern the hydraulic fracturing or fracking on the public lands and drilling for oil and gas in the Arctic.
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Venezuelan Vice- President Nicolas Maduro on 8 March 2013 was sworn in as Venezuelas acting president, despite the Opposition resistance as it is being considered to the violation of the countrys constitution. Late President Hugo Chavez who died on 5 March 2013 after two year long fight against cancer named Maduro as his successor before undergoing the latest surgery in December 2012. He picked Nicolas Maduro as the presidential candidate of Chavezs socialist party. As per the country's 1999 constitution, the National Assembly speaker becomes interim president in the event of a president-elect's death or inability to be sworn in. The constitution also says new elections should be called within 30 days. Leader of opposition Angel Medina boycotted the swearing-in ceremony, with the vast majority of opposition legislators who havent attended the ceremony. The earlier interim president of Venezuela was Ramn Jos Velsquez who served as acting president of Venezuela between 1993 and 1994 as a result of the crisis produced by the impeachment of President Carlos Andrs Prez.
JOHN KERRY SWORN-IN AS THE 68TH SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE UNITED STATES
John Kerry was sworn-in as the 68th Secretary of State of the United States on 1 February 2013. With the consent of the Senate, John Kerry was appointed as the Chief Foreign Affairs Adviser of the President. John Kerry succeeded Hillary Rodham Clinton. The Secretary of State has the role of carrying out the foreign policies of the President through the State Department that encompasses Civil Service, Foreign Service and U.S. Agency for International Development. Under the Article II of US Constitution, the President has an authority to nominate any candidate for the Cabinet posts. The Senate thereafter, accepts or rejects the candidate. John Kerry was appointed with the consent of the Senate.
NICOLAS MADURO SWORN IN AS THE INTERIM PRESIDENT OF VENEZUELA
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CHAPTER 3: BILATERAL RELATIONS

INDIA AND AUSTRIA SIGNED A SOCIAL SECURITY PACT
India and Austria on 5 February 2013 inked a social security pact at Vienna, under which the Indian professionals working in Austria would be exempted from paying the social security contribution of the country, if such payments are already made in India. Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi and Austrian Minister for Labour and Social Security, Rudoulf Hundstorfer signed the pact. The pact of social security between the two countries would also boost cooperation of the labour market expansion in Austria, the country that is a home for more than 17000 Indian professionals. Provisions of the Agreement Indians working in the country on short-term contracts of up to five years are exempted from making social security contribution in Austria if they continue making the payments in India. If any Indian worker is sent to Austria by an Indian company from a third country then also he can avail the relief. Export of the benefits of social security would be offered to the Indian worker, who relocates to India once his/her service term in Austria ends. The self employed Indians can also carry on the same benefits on relocation to India India already have inked similar types of agreements with countries like Czech Republic, Belgium, Germany, France, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Hungary, Luxembourg, Denmark, South Korea, Finland, Canada, Norway and Japan. As per the Indian Labour Law, every employer and employee, who falls under the umbrella of Employees Provident Fund Act 1952 needs to make contribution towards provident fund. Similarly the mandatory contribution fund in Austria is known as Social Security. Before signing of these agreements, the Indian professionals posted in foreign countries paid social security tax in the countries of their stay although they contributed there part in India.
PAKISTAN APPROVED THE DEAL THAT HANDED OVER GWADAR PORT TO CHINA
Pakistan in the last week of January 2013 approved the deal which transferred operational control of Gwadar port from Singapores PSA International to Chinese Overseas Port Holdings Ltd. Gwadar port is situated at a strategic location of the Arabian Sea and the mouth of the Persian Gulf. It is only 400 kilometres away from the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil supply route. Pakistan decision to hand over Gwadar port to China is a serious concern for India. It can be an attempt by China to encircle India. In addition to funding ports in Sri Lanka, China has also plans to build a port in Bangladesh.
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INDIA AND BANGLADESH SIGNED MOU ON HEALTH

The Health Ministers of India and Bangladesh signed a MoU on Health in New Delhi on 12 February 2013. The main areas of cooperation between the two Governments include Exchange of medical doctors, other health professionals and experts: Development of human resources. Exchange of information on health. Medical and health research development. Regulations of pharmaceuticals, medical devices and cosmetics. Health promotion and disease prevention. Fostering cooperation for the development of culturally sensitive and effective public and professional awareness campaign including clinical are practices and best practices guidelines for healthcare providers and caretakers to benefit individuals and families touched by Autism Spectrum Disorders and Developmental Disabilities Any other area of cooperation as may be mutually decided upon. Moreover, the cooperation between India and Bangladesh in the fields of health and medical sciences will be promoted through the following means Exchange of scientific materials and information. Joint collaboration in the area of research in medical science. Institution level cooperation in the field of medical treatment, scientific research and training.
Exchange of health specialists and professionals. Participation of specialists / professionals in seminars, workshops, conferences and meetings to be organized by both the parties. Training for doctors and health workers by both the parties in the areas where they have relevant expertise and excellence. Other areas of cooperation in the fields of health and medical sciences as mutually agreed upon.
INDIA AND JAPAN HELD TALKS TO STRENGTHEN COOPERATION IN TOURISM SECTOR

India and Japan on 12 February 2013 decided to strengthen cooperation in tourism sector and explore the new areas and opportunities in the sector by working together in different fields like the field of human resource development, investment in the tourism sector, exchange of tour operators and exchange of information related to tourism. The decision was made during a meet of the Japanese Senior Vice-Minister of Tourism, Hiroshi Kajiyama with the Union Tourism Minister K Chiranjeevi in India. The two also discussed issues related to singing of an agreement/MoU. India and Japan had been an important tourism market for each other in the recent past and Japan accounts to be among the top ten inbound tourist generating market for India.
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FIRST INDIA-JAPAN MARITIME AFFAIRS DIALOGUE WAS HELD IN NEW DELHI

The first India-Japan Maritime Affairs Dialogue was held in New Delhi on 29 January 2013. Issues of mutual interest were discussed, inter alia, maritime security including non-traditional threats, cooperation in shipping, marine sciences and technology, marine biodiversity and cooperation at various multilateral forums. The Indian delegation was led by DB Venkatesh Varma, Joint Secretary (Disarmament and International Security Affairs), in the Ministry of External Affairs and the Japanese delegation by Mr. Kazuyuki Yamazaki, Deputy Director General (Ambassador), Foreign Policy Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.
India and USA, welcomed the open and comprehensive nature of the discussions, and agreed the talks helped advance their shared commitment to supporting and strengthening United Nations peacekeeping operations, and their mutual interest in assuring the success of UN peacekeeping missions. Both nations agreed that the 11th meeting of the Working Group will be held in New Delhi in 2014.
INDIA-UNITED KINGDOM SUMMIT 2013: DISCUSSIONS AND AGREEMENTS

The India-UK Summit talks took place on 19 February 2013 in New Delhi during the official visit of British Prime Minister, David Cameron to India. The British Prime Minister was accompanied with his Ministerial colleagues as well as delegation that included largest British trade delegation ever to visit India, i.e., the university Vice Chancellors, leaders of the UK-India CEO Forum and members of Parliament. In the official visit, the progress which was made between the two countries since previous Summit in 2010, was reviewed and discussed. The issues which were discussed included Economic Growth and Cooperation
INDIA-US JOINT WORKING GROUP HELD ITS 10TH MEETING IN WASHINGTON

The India-U.S. Joint Working Group on UN Peacekeeping held its 10th meeting in Washington on 13 February 2013. At the meeting, India and the United States advanced a number of goals laid out in the Declaration of Principles the Joint Working Group agreed upon in 2011. The Joint Working Group also continued in-depth consultations on UN peacekeeping issues, and explored an agreement on a set of Principles of India-U.S. Cooperation in the Area of Training UN Peacekeepers and institutional arrangements between their peacekeeping institutions.
It was found that the trade between India and UK grew at a positive pace since last Summit in 2010. The average growth of the trade in 2010 and 2011 was 23 percent. However, in 2012, the economic climate remained tougher. It was decided that trade and investment between the two countries would be increased.
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Two-way investment between India and UK since 2010 Summit was also reviewed. It was found that UK was 3rd largest investor in India now and India, on the other hand, was 5th largest investor in UK. It was also additionally found that signature of an Amending Protocol of their Double Taxation Avoidance Convention (DTAC) in October 2012 provided tax stability to residents of the two countries. It also led to flow of investment, services as well as technology. During the visit, the leaders also had a meeting with the members of the UK-India CEO forum. During the meeting, recommendations in context with advance manufacturing and R&D, education and skills, healthcare, and infrastructure and energy were taken. The EU-India negotiations were discussed as well. It was found that Free Trade Agreement would help in generation of jobs as well as growth of the two countries. UK extended co-operation with India for development of a new Bengaluru-Mumbai Economic Corridor (BMEC)
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decided that the two countries would promote joint cooperation through activities where exchanging technology and knowledge would lead to fuel conservation. It was agreed to encourage Indian Public Sector Undertakings and UK oil and gas companies for exploring possibilities of upstream oil and gas sector investment in India, the UK and in third countries. The issue of cyber security was also discussed. The two nations also agreed to work towards security of nuclear weapons. It was agreed that regular consultations on disarmament and non-proliferation issues would be held. UK Prime Minister David Cameron committed to facilitate India with cutting edge British technology, civil and military, in accordance with the international obligations. International security matters such as conflict in Syria and Irans nuclear programme were also discussed during the visit. Both the nations agreed to deepen the existing India-UK strategic consultations on developments in West Asia / Middle East. Establishing a new Joint Working Group was also agreed upon. This was done for regular bilateral dialogue on peace, security and development in Afghanistan. Other discussions and dialogues The two nations considered the results of India-UK Education Forum meeting which took place on 30 January 2013 in London. India welcomed the British Councils programme for providing digital English language materials for Indian learners. Both India and UK affirmed welcoming legitimate
During the visit, it was also found that coinvestment made by both countries in supporting joint research activities increased from 1 million pounds in 2009 to more than 100 million pounds in 2013. It was agreed by the leaders of both the nations that energy security challenge would be faced in a co-operative manner. India and UK during the visit of the UK PM agreed to discuss between relevant agencies working in the field of petroleum conservation in the two countries. It was www.jagranjosh.com

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travellers, including students, tourists, visitors, business people or qualified workers.
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INDIA AND PORTUGAL SIGNED SOCIAL SECURITY AGREEMENT

A Social Security Agreement (SSA) was signed between India and Republic of Portugal on 4 March 2013 at New Delhi. The agreement was signed by Vayalar Ravi, the Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs and Paulo Sacadura Cabral Portas, Minister of State of Foreign Affairs of Portugal. The bilateral social security agreement would help in taking advantage of the emerging employment opportunities and strengthening the trade and investments between the two countries. At present about 75000 Indians are living in Portugal and it includes self-employed people as well as working professionals. Benefits that Indian nationals working in Portugal will get with the Social Security Agreement For short term contract of up to 5 year, no social security contribution should be paid under the Portuguese law by the detached workers, in case they are making their contribution of the social security payment in India. In case an employee is sent to Republic of Portugal by an Indian Company from a third company then also the benefits of the agreement will be available to the Indian worker. Indian workers shall be entitled to the export of the social security
benefit if they relocate to India after the completion of their service in Republic of Portugal. The self-employed Indians in Republic of Portugal would also be entitled to export of social security benefit on their relocation to India. The period of contribution in one contracting state will be added to the period of contribution in the second contracting state for determining the eligibility for social security benefits.
India has signed the Social Security Agreement with 17 countries of the world and they are Belgium, Germany (Social Insurance), Hungary, Switzerland, France, The Czech Republic, Republic of Korea, Germany (Comprehensive SSA), Luxemburg, The Netherlands, Japan, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Canada, Sweden and Austria.
INDIA AND BHUTAN SIGNED CURRENCY SWAP AGREEMENT

India and Bhutan on 8 March 2013 signed a currency swap agreement for up to 100 million US dollars to strengthen economic co-operation between both the countries. The currency swap arrangement was signed between the Reserve Bank of India and the Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan (RMAB). Effects of the Agreement Signed It enables RMAB (Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan to make withdrawals of US dollar, euro or Indian rupee in multiple tranches up to a maximum of 100 million dollars or its equivalent. Current Affairs Comprehensive
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The swap agreement is intended to provide a precaution line of funding for SAARC member countries to meet any balance of payments and liquidity crisis till longer term arrangements are made or if there is need for short-term liquidity due to market turbulence. The arrangement would be for a three-year period and would help bring financial stability in the region.
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the economic, political and security ties of the two nations. About the Gas Pipeline Iran has constructed 900 km of the 1600-km pipeline on its soil. Both Iranian and Pakistani firms have undertaken the construction of the remaining part in Pakistan. The project is completed by mid2014, as scheduled; Iran will export 21.5 million cubic metres of natural gas to Pakistan on daily basis. The work on the Iranian side is almost complete and on 11 March 2013 saw the construction work start on the Pakistani side. A total of 780km of pipeline is to be built in Pakistan by December 2014. Tehran has agreed to lend Islamabad 500 million, dollar a third of the estimated 1.5 billion dollar cost of the Pakistani section of the pipeline. Controversy with the project The project provoked several warnings of sanctions from the US. Washington stated that the pipeline would enable Tehran to sell more gas, undermining efforts to step up pressure over its nuclear activities. As per US, if this deal is finalized for a proposed Iran-Pakistan pipeline, it would raise serious concerns under our Iran Sanctions Act. US State Department's advise saying Pakistan to better look for other energy options instead of the Iran gas project.
Earlier, In May 2012, RBI had announced it would offer swap facilities aggregating 2 billion dollars, both in foreign currency and Indian rupee, to SAARC member countries Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
IRAN AND PAKISTAN LAUNCHED GAS PIPELINE PROJECT

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his Pakistani counterpart Asif Ali Zardari on 11 March 2013 launched a 7.5 billion dollar gas pipeline project which will link Iran's gas pipeline to that of Pakistan. The inauguration ceremony of gas pipeline project was held in Iran's Chabahar city and attended by ministers and senior officials from Iran and Pakistan. With the launch of pipeline Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad asserted that west has no right to obstruct Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project that has nothing to do with Iran's nuclear issue. Both the president mentioned that the completion of the pipeline is in the interests of peace, security and progress of the two countries and is supposed to consolidate
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SILK ROUTE CAR RALLY FROM KOLKATA TO KUNMING ORGANISED BY CII FLAGGED OFF
The Silk Route Car rally from Kolkata to Kunming organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and supported by the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Forum for Regional Cooperation (BCIM) was flagged off on 22 February 2013 from Helipad Ground in Salt Lake Stadium, West Bengal. In its 3000 kilometer long journey the car rally will pass from North-East of India to Bangladesh than will enter back to NorthEast and then to Myanmar to head towards China. The rally will end on 5 March 2013 at Kunming, China. A total of eighty participants from India, China, Bangladesh and Myanmar in 20 SUVs will rally on the ancient trade route that have remained closed for more than six decades, post World War II. Success of the rally may help in redefining the ancient trade route and bring out the trade potential of the region.
taken under the Framework Agreement since the last meeting and hold discussions on the entire gamut of bilateral relations including power, water resources, security, border management, people-to-people exchanges, trade, connectivity, culture, development cooperation, environment and education. The JCC was constituted under the Framework Agreement on Cooperation for Development signed during the visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Bangladesh in September 2011. The first meeting of the JCC was held in New Delhi in May 2012.
LYONCHHEN JIGMI Y. THINLEY, PRIME MINISTER OF BHUTAN VISITED INDIA

Prime Minister of Bhutan, Lyonchhen Jigmi Y. Thinley was on the home visit to India from 7 February to 9 February 2013. During his visit to India he met with President of Indian Union-Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhavan, Vice-President of IndiaHamid Ansari, Prime Minister-Manmohan Singh, Minister of Finance-P Chidambaram and Foreign Secretary-Ranjan Mathai. His visit was aimed at improving India-Bhutan bilateral relationship.
INDIAS EXTERNAL AFF AIRS MINISTER VISITED BANGLADESH TO CO-CHAIR THE 2ND MEETING OF JCC
External Affairs Minister of India, Salman Khurshid paid an official visit to Bangladesh on 16-17 February 2013 to co-chair the second meeting of the India-Bangladesh Joint Consultative Commission (JCC). Both nations reviewed the progress of initiatives
GIUSEPPE ORSI HELD ON BRIBE CHARGES IN INDIAN DEFENCE HELICOPTER DEAL

Giuseppe Orsi, head of an Italian defence and aerospace giant Finmeccanica was arrested in Milan on 11 February 2013 on the charges of his alleged involvement in the bribery activity to secure an Indian
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defence helicopter deal of 3600 crore rupees. He was arrested in relation to the probe of the international corruption. The Deal The contract signed with Italian defence giant Finmeccanica in February 2010 involved supply of 12 VVIP three-engine AW-101 choppers from AgustaWestland for the Indian Air Forces elite Communication Sqadron. By now, three choppers have already been delivered to India. As per the reports on the bribe scam, its expected that about 362 crore rupees that is equivalent to about 10 percent of the final deal was given back to help the Italian firm in winning the contract. About Finmeccanica The Finmeccanica is an Italian defence Giant company that entered into a deal to supply 12 three-engine AW-101 helicopters to India in February 2010. AgustaWestland AgustaWestland is an Anglo-Italian helicopter company that is owned by Italys Finmeccanica. The company is a total capability provider in the vertical lift market. Giuseppe Orsi, now the CEO of Finmeccanica and the then head of its
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Helicopter Unit was arrested on the charges of the bribe scandal that surfaced.
KING OF BHUTAN VISITED INDIA AS REPUBLIC DAY FUNCTION CHIEF GUEST

The King and Queen of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Jetsun Pema respectively visited India from 23 January to 30 January 2013. King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck was invited by the Indian President to be the Chief Guest for the Republic Day Celebrations of India. The visit of the King of Bhutan and his acceptance to be the chief guest for the Republic Day celebration would contribute to further strengthening and expansion of the bilateral relation and ties between Bhutan and India.
RAJKESWUR PURRYAG, PRESIDENT OF MAURITIUS VISITED INDIA

Rajkeswur Purryag, President of Republic of Mauritius visited India from 3 January 2013 to 10 January 2013. He was accompanied by Aneetah Purryag as well as the Ministers of Arts & Culture and of Social Integration and Economic Empowerment, and senior officials
Key highlights of Presidents visit Rajkeswur Purryag was the Chief Guest at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2013 from 8 January 2013 to 9 January 2013. President Purryag was honoured with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award. President Purryag met President Pranab Mukherjee and also held talks with PM Manmohan Singh in New Delhi on 4 January 2013.
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President Purryag also visited Patna, Tirupati as well as Kochi during the visit. He visited ancestral village, Bojeetpore near Patna in Bihar. During his stay in India, David Cameron visited the Golden Temple, Amritsar and the Jallianwala Bagh Public Gardens. He described the shootings as a Deeply Shameful event, but defended to deliver a formal British apology for the event, where more than 379 innocent Indians were killed at the orders of the then Brigadier-General Reginald E.H. Dyer. He is the first serving British prime minister to visit the site of 1919 Jallianwala Bagh shootings.
DAVID CAMERON, PRIME MINISTER OF UNITED KINGDOM WAS ON AN OFFICIAL VISIT TO INDIA
David Cameron, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland was on a visit to India from 18 February to 20 February 2013. During his three day visit to India, the Prime Minister met the President of India Pranab Mukherjee as well as the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Major Agreements Reached and Announced Agreement on more cooperation to combat with the cyber attacks, which included police training exchanges and research into online security, was reached between the two nations Agreement on doubling the overall trade to 23 billion Euros by 2015 was reached David Cameron promised that his country will respond to any request for information in relation to the corruption allegations over India's procurement of helicopters from the Anglo-Italian company AgustaWestland Cameron outlined a same-day visa scheme to make the process easier for India's business community in his country Cameron invited the Indian students to come up the United Kingdom to pursue higher studies in the country
FOREIGN MSINISTER OF PORTUGAL, PAULO DE SACADURA CABRAL PORTAS VISITED INDIA

The Foreign Minister of Portugal, Paulo de Sacadura Cabral Portas visited India from 3 March 2013 to 8 March 2013. This was his first official visit. Paulo de Sacadura Cabral Portas was accompanied by Minister of State for Culture of Portugal and a business delegation. The minister visited Goa and Mumbai with the delegation. During his visit, the Foreign Minister of Portugal held discussions with the Indias External Affairs Minister, Salman Khurshid. India and Portugal discussed bilateral, regional and global issues during the visit. It is important to note that Portugal is home to the third largest population of Indian origin people in Europe. The visit held importance because it would strengthen the friendly ties between India and Portugal.
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5TH CIDC VISHWAKARMA AWARD 2013: TAPAS KUMAR LAHIRY WON ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR PUBLIC OFFICER
At the 5th CIDC Vishwakarma Award 2013, Tapas Kumar Lahiry- the chairman-cummanaging director (CMD) of Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL) and Bharat Cooking Coal Limited (BCCL) won the Achievement award for Public Officer on 7 March 2013 in New Delhi. At the function organised by Construction Industry Development Council (CIDC), Lahiry received this award. Lahiry is a mining engineer as well as administrator with leadership qualities. BCCLs turnover is 6952 crore Rupees with a profitability of 1093.69 crore Rupees in 2010-11. Lahiry has also remained associated with mining industry of America, China and Australia. CIDC Vishwakarma Awards are held annually for recognising the achievements as well as work of the organisations and individuals.
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CHAPTER 4: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

NASA MARKED 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF SPACE SHUTTLE COLUMBIA DISASTER
NASA on 1 February 2013 marks 10th anniversary of the Space Shuttle Columbia that perished into the atmosphere of the Earth upon its re-entry. Seven astronauts were aboard Columbia, which disintegrated across southern United States. The debris of Columbia spread across 200-mile stretch from Texas to Louisiana. NASA decided to mark the anniversary in just the low-key ceremonies in Texas as well as Florida in order to honour the crew members of Columbia along with those who died in the Challenger shuttle explosion on 28 January 1986. Participants of the ceremony include family members of the crew who waited at Kennedy on 1 February 2003 when Columbia was about to land. The seven crew members on-board included Commander Rick Husband; co-pilot William McCool, specialists Kalpana Chawla, Laurel Clark, Michael Anderson, David Brown and Ilan Ramon an Israeli fighter pilot. Columbia broke into pieces on re-entering the atmosphere of the Earth. The cause for its explosion was attributed towards the piece of foam which dropped from external rocket tank on launch, which eventually created a hole in the shuttle wing.
NASA SCIENTISTS DISCOVERED A 10-M-YEAR OLD STAR THAT STILL PRODUCES GIANT PLANETS
Scientists from NASA in the last week of January 2013 discovered an old star called TW Hydrae, which they believe could create new planets even now. TW Hydrae is 176 light years away from the Earth. NASA announced that the disk of material which surrounds TW Hydrae could be huge enough for creating the planets in a number which could be larger than our solar system. The findings were created using the Herschel Space Telescope of European Space Agency in the mission where NASA is also a participant. TW Hydrae is around 10 million years old and 176 light years away from Earth, which means that it is relatively closer to the Earth as per the astronomical standards. Relatively this star is young theoretically but it has already crossed the age at which it can create the giant planets. The scientists explained that the stars of this age usually have cleared the surrounding material, but this particular star had mass which could create as many as 50 Jupiters. Apart from describing the state of this star, the findings of NASA also demonstrated a precise and new method for measuring the weight of the planetforming disks. This new method can help in directly investigating the gas which is typically used for making the new planets. Current Affairs Comprehensive
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WORLDS FIRST DIGITA L ATLAS OF BRAIN CREATED

Scientists at the Berkeley Lab in their first major breakthrough made possible to get the close view of how a brain develops as well as functions. The scientists would also be able to find out which part of brain is an absentee during the neurological disorders such as epilepsy, autism and schizophrenia. In their major breakthrough, the scientists created the first of its kind genome-wide digital atlas of gene enhancers that are found in the brain. Genomes, as described by the scientists are the switches which help a gene in getting information about when and where they should be switched on or off. The worlds first atlas of this kind documents the cerebrum, motor functions as well as emotion identifies and also find out various gene-regulating elements that form the basic causes of neurological disorders. A geneticist with Berkeley Lab's genomics division, Axel Visel described that the most challenging tasks of the contemporary science is to understand the functioning or malfunctioning of the brain. Therefore, they created the digital atlas of gene enhancers in the human brain. This atlas enabled the scientists to get a detailed study about how the individual genes can be regulated during the development of a brain and also how the genetic mutations can create an impact on the human neurological disorders. The gene enhancers in reality are the short pieces of DNA in human genome, rather than the actual genes. Therefore these enhancers do not give rise to the proteins. Actually, they are the switches which are www.jagranjosh.com
used to inform actual genes when they should become active and create a protein. Every cell type of human body composes of different sets of enhancers which are switched on or off. Together, these can help in coordination of activities of 20000 genes in every single cell.
JAPANESE SCIENTISTS FILMED THOUGHTS OF A FISH

The Japanese scientists from the Saitama University in the first week of February 2013 filmed for the first time, the thoughts of a fish while it tracks the prey, revealing about the precision of the brain activity that governs its hunting behaviour. The study is a first of its kind and it led to realtime recording of the precise brain processes in the animal. In the similar studies conducted earlier, the patterns of the brain activities while making use of MRI scans were studied. These MRI scans were used to find out when the different regions of a brain switched on and off. However, this new study used a very different approach for recording which individual cells were being used at a particular moment. The filmed thoughts are very important because this technology can be used for understanding the thought process of the animals as well as the humans. Also, it could be used for learning about the abnormalities which lead to increase in diseases of a brain. In the study, the scientists demonstrated the map in a brain of the Zebra fish. This map was also present in human brain. This could greatly help in interpreting the behaviour of an animal which includes

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understanding their anger, joy, memory, learning and much more. In their study, the scientists modified the larvae of the Zebra Fish genetically so that the neurons in their optic tectum emitted a fluorescent green light when being used. The larvae of Zebra Fish have transparent bodies which meant that the activities of brain cells could be easily filmed in a realtime with the help of a microscope and a high-resolution camera.
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heart can be designed to work automatically. Rex would remain in display at London's Science Museum from 7 February 201 to 11 March 2013.
NASAS MARS ROVER, CURIOSITY DRILLED INTO FIRST MARTIAN ROCK

NASA on 9 February 2013 announced that its Mars rover Curiosity drilled into the surface of the planet for first time. The drilling was a part of endeavor to learn whether the Martian surface, which has solar system like that of Earth, supports microbial life or not. The drilling into Martian surface took place for the first time on 8 February 2013. As an outcome of the drilling, the pictures were sent by Curiosity which depicted a hole of around 0.63 inches wide and 2.5 inches deep in the fine-grained sedimentary bedrock. The drilling fetched out small heap of powder which will be fed in onboard laboratory instruments so that the chemical makeup of the rock can be determined. Earlier in the second week of February 2013, engineers spent a few days in order to make use of the Curiositys drill which also included boring practice holes. The first drill target of Curiosity was a Martian rock which was laced with the veins which appeared like water-deposited minerals. Curiosity is on a two-year mission on Mars for finding out the chemical and geologic conditions on Mars which are required for supporting as well as preserving the microbial life. Engineers are not clear yet whether the powder was produced in what quantity but it is enough for laboratory analysis. NASA Current Affairs Comprehensive
FIRST COMPLETE BIONIC MAN OF THE WORLD UNVEILED

First bionic man of the world called Rex was unveiled on 7 February 2013 at London's Science Museum. The bionic man was created using 1 million US dollar limbs as well as organs. Prosthetic legs and ankle came from MIT, synthetic blood from Sheffield University, spleens, pancreas and artificial kidneys from University College London, retinas from Oxford University and artificial lungs came from Swansea. Rex has a human face with brown eyes and a height of 6.5 feet. It was designed jointly with assistance from 18 universities and companies. Rex gave a hope that it was possible to replace the body parts with the artificial alternatives, for the very first time. The internal organs of Rex such as artificial lungs, bladder and pancreas were in line of development. It is important to note that it is not possible for certain technology to function without the help of human input. For example bionic hands require signals from brain and muscles to work properly. Other parts however, such as pancreas and
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announced that using drill was the biggest achievement for the team of Curiosity ever since the rover landed on Mars in August 2012. The final target of Curiosity is 3-mile- (5km) high mound of layered sediment which rises from floor of Gale Crater landing site.
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strong the local gravitational attraction is. By periodically measuring gravity regionally, GRACE tells us how much each region's water storage changes over time. The team calculated about one-fifth of the observed water losses resulted from soil drying up and snowpack shrinking, partly in response to the 2007 drought. Loss of surface water from lakes and reservoirs accounted for about another fifth of the losses. The majority of the water lost approximately 73 million acre feet (90 cubic kilometers) was due to reductions in groundwater. When a drought reduces an available surface water supply, irrigators and other water users turn to groundwater supplies. For example, the Iraqi government drilled about 1000 wells in response to the 2007 drought, a number that does not include the numerous private wells landowners also very likely drilled. Water management is a complex issue in the Middle East, an area that already is dealing with limited water resources and competing stakeholders said Kate Voss, lead author of the study and a water policy fellow with the University of California's Center for Hydrological Modeling in Irvine, which Famiglietti directs. GRACE is a joint mission with the German Aerospace Center and the German Research Center for Geosciences, in partnership with the University of Texas at Austin.
NASA SATELLITE DATA FOUND FRESHWATER LOSSES IN MIDDLE EAST

A new study using data from a pair of gravity-measuring NASA satellites found on 12 February 2013 that large parts of the arid Middle East region lost freshwater reserves rapidly during the past decade. Scientists at the University of California at Irvine found that during a seven-year period beginning in 2003, parts of Turkey, Syria, Iraq and Iran along the Tigris and Euphrates river basins lost 117 million acre feet (144 cubic kilometers) of its total stored freshwater. That is almost the amount of water in the Dead Sea. The researchers attribute about 60 percent of the loss to pumping of groundwater from underground reservoirs. Since obtaining ground-based data in the area is difficult, satellite data, such as that from NASA's twin Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellites, are essential. GRACE is providing a global picture of water storage trends and is invaluable when hydrologic observations are not routinely collected or shared beyond political boundaries. GRACE is like having a giant scale in the sky. Within a given region, rising or falling water reserves alter Earth's mass, influencing how www.jagranjosh.com
RESEARCHERS DISCOVERED WATER ON THE OLDEST ROCKS OF MOON

Researchers in the third week of February 2013 detected water traces inside the Current Affairs Comprehensive
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crystalline structure of one of the oldest lunar rocks, which were obtained through Apollo missions on Moon. As per the study conducted by University of Michigan, the lunar highlands represent original crust which is actually crystallised from Magma Ocean that was found mainly on the molten early Moon. Researchers made use of the Infrared spectroscopy for analysing water content in a part of plagioclase feldspar from lunar anorthosites. Plagioclase feldspar from lunar anorthosites is basically the lunar rocks which are formed of over 90 percent plagioclase. It is believed that these bright-coloured highlands rocks formed early in the history of the moon when plagioclase crystallised from the magma ocean and came up to the surface. The infrared spectroscopy work found out about the presence of 6 parts per million of water in lunar anorthosites. The water content that was measured is not actually liquid water but hydroxyl groups which were distributed in mineral grain. These hydroxyl groups that were detected are evident that the interior of the Moon contained water during the early molten state of it. Later the crust was solidified and played a crucial role in lunar basalts developments. Because there are some oldest rocks from the Moon, therefore it is believed that water would have been there in the Moon when it was formed. Earlier theories revealed that Moon was formed when the Mars-sized body bumped into the young Earth. Eventually the debris broke off and combined into new body. It was believed that a lot of water would have been evaporated in the space, leaving Moon arid. www.jagranjosh.com
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NEW ZEALAND DECLARED WORST-EVER DROUGHT IN 30 YEARS IN NORTH ISLAND

The New Zealand Government in the third week of March 2013 declared the worstever drought in 30 years in the entire North Island of the country. The worst-hit section of the society is the farmer. Losses from agriculture will put pressure on the economy, which in turn would cut off 1 percent of the economic growth of New Zealand. Farmers of New Zealand, who are said to be a crucial factor of the economy of the country, estimated that drought had cost them earnings of 1 billion New Zealand Dollars already. The capital of NZ, Wellington is left with just 18 days of water. Drought will hit parts of the South Island soon. However, it was forecasted that first rainfall in the duration of two months would come by 16-17 March 2013. The drought conditions in New Zealand were apparent through the satellite images from space. Drought hinting towards climate change According to a few scientists, dry climatic conditions hint towards an overall climate change. Climate scientists from Victoria University of Wellington forecasted that more summers and drought conditions like these were on their way in New Zealand because of global warming. The scientists explained that dry subtropical weather, which leads to the formation of deserts in countries like Australia and Africa, was inching closer towards the poles of the world.

There were increasing risks of drought in the country, leading to stretching of water resources.
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them. One carbon credits equals to the saving of one tonne of carbon dioxide.
OKHLA COMPOST PLANT BECAME FIRST IN INDIA TO RECEIVE CARBON CREDITS WORTH 25 LAKH RUPEES
The composting plant of South Delhi Municipal Corporation in Okhla, New Delhi became the first in India to receive the carbon credits from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The civic body was given 25 lakh Rupees as an advance against the Carbon Emission Reduction (CER) earnings from this plant. The Okhla plant became operational in 2008. Since 2008, around two lakh tonnes of the waste has already been processed. In the future, the amount of waste processed everyday would be increased. The South Delhi Municipal Corporation has outsourced this operation to IL&FS (Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services Ltd), which in turn is also working on the programme for upgradation of this plant. What are carbon credits? Carbon credits can be like the certificates which represent a decrease of greenhouse gases in environment. Projects which help in preventing the generation of these greenhouses gases are eligible for earning these credits. The projects in turn can also sell these carbon credits to the other organisations, businesses or individuals in order to offset the emissions which are generated by
HALF OF AFRICAS LIO NS FACING EXTINCTION THREAT: STUDY

The study conducted by a team of Lion Biologists of University of Minnesota in the first week of March 2013 found that around half of the wild lion population of Africa would decline to almost extinction over the period of 20-40 years if conservation measures were not taken. It was estimated that at present, less than 30000 lions remain in Africa in around 25 percent of natural habitat. The study led by Professor Craig Packer as well as coauthored by a whole team of lion biologists made use of the field data from 11 different African countries. In the study, the cost for managing the fenced as well as unfenced habitats was examined. Also, in the study, the lion population densities along with the trends were studied.
NASA SCIENTISTS SPOTTED YOUNGEST BLACK HOLE W49B IN MILKY WAY GALAXY
Scientists from NASA spotted the youngest Black Hole in the Milky Way galaxy called W49B, which is just 1000-years-old and only 26000 light-years away from Earth. New data from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory suggested a highly distorted supernova remnant may contain the most recent black hole formed in the Milky Way galaxy.
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NASA explained that W49B appears to be the product of a rare explosion in which matter is ejected at high speeds along the poles of a rotating star. Laura Lopez, who led the study at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said that W49B is the first of its kind to be discovered in the galaxy. Usually, when a massive star runs out of fuel than the central region of the star collapses, triggering a chain of events that quickly culminate in a supernova explosion. Most of these explosions are generally symmetrical, with the stellar material blasting away more or less evenly in all directions. However, in the W49B supernova, material near the poles of the doomed rotating star was ejected at a much higher speed than material emanating from its equator. The remnant now glows brightly in X-rays and other wavelengths, offering the evidence for a peculiar explosion. By tracing the distribution and amounts of different elements in the stellar debris field, researchers were able to compare the Chandra data to theoretical models of how a star explodes. A careful search of the Chandra data revealed no evidence for a neutron star. The lack of such evidence implies a black hole may have formed.
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The test was conducted in order to evaluate the capabilities of Strategic Forces. Main features related to Hatf-II Ballistic Missile Hatf-II ballistic missile is also known as Abdali short range surface-tosurface ballistic missile. Hatf-II is capable of carrying nuclear or conventional warheads with precision and high accuracy. Hatf-II has a range of 180 km. It is important to note that earlier on 11 February 2013; Pakistan had tested the Hatf-IX tactical missile that had a range of 60 km and was nuclear-capable. Hatf-IX missile, according to the analysts, is aimed at preventing the Cold Start military doctrine of India.
HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT MINISTRY LAUNCHED SANSKRIT CARAVAN

Sanskrit Caravan was launched in New Delhi on 14 February 2013 by the Minister of State for Human Resource Development Shashi Tharoor for promoting, preserving as well as propagating Indian languages such as Sanskrit and Urdu. Sanskrit Caravan was launched as a part of Indian Heritage Caravan, which is actually an initiative of Press Council of India chairman and former Supreme Court Judge Justice Markandey Katju. Idea Communication was the sponsor of the event. Earlier in February 2013, Justice Markandey Katju had also inaugurated Urdu Caravan from Delhi to Bhopal as well as Mumbai. Current Affairs Comprehensive
PAKISTAN SUCCESSFULLY TEST-FIRED NUCLEARCAPABLE HATF-II BALLISTIC MISSILE

Pakistan successfully tested the nuclearcapable Hatf-II ballistic missile on 15 February 2013. This was the second test of missile system in just four days by Pakistan.
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METEORITE EXPLODED OVER SKIES OF RUSSIA LEFT MORE THAN 500 INJURED
The meteorite that weighed around 10 tonnes entered the earths atmosphere over Siberia above the skies of Ural Mountains on 15 February 2013. The meteorite that travelled at a speed of 15 to 20 kilometer per second created a panic kind of situation and resulted into shockwaves that blasted windows and rocked buildings. Russian Emergency Situations Ministry declared that the shockwaves injured around 500 people out of which 84 were children. The meteorite exploded itself into small fragments at a distance of about 50 kilometers from earth surface. Fragments of the meteorite effected several regions of Siberia and Kazakhstan, with Chelyabinsk, the industrial city of Russia. Three areas that suffered effects of meteorite and among them one included a crater of six meters near Lake Chebarkul. The meteorite was preceded the Asteroid 2012 DA14 that crossed over the skies of Indonesia and other parts of Asia.
This would be the first encounter of the scientists with an object so close to earth. This encounter will bring chances of studying the closet near earth object. NASA's Near-Earth Object Program Office that have predicted the path of the asteroid had cleared that there exist no chances of asteroid collision with earth.
PAKISTAN SUCCESSFULLY TEST FIRED SHORT RANGE SURFACE-TO-SURFACE MISSILE HATF IX (NASR)
Pakistan on 11 February 2013 successfully test fired short range surface-to-surface missile Hatf IX (NASR). The test fire took place with consecutive launches of two missiles from multi-tube launcher. NASR has 60 km range with the capability of inflight manoeuvring. It also has the capability of carrying nuclear warheads having apt yields, with higher efficiency. Important facts related to Hatf IX (NASR) NASR is designed specifically to defeat Anti-Tactical Missile Defence Systems of all kinds. The test firing of short range surface-to-surface missile Hatf IX (NASR) was a part of medium-range ballistic missiles [MRBM] and shortrange surface-to-surface ballistic missile [SRBMs] exercise which will be completed in three cycles by July 2013. The missile has the capability to carry nuclear weapons.
ASTEROID 2012 DA14 TO PASS THROUGH EARTH POSES NO THREAT

The Asteroid 2012 DA14, a 150-foot asteroid flew above the earth at a distance of about 17000 miles on 15 February 2013, inside the ring of geosynchronous weather and communications satellites. The asteroid would be visible across Asia including India and can be seen with the help of a binocular or telescope. www.jagranjosh.com

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FIRST DIRECT PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS WERE HELD IN CZECH REPUBLIC

Czech Republic: First Direct Presidential Elections were held here. The result of first direct Presidential elections held in Czech Republic was declared on 25 January 2013. Milos Zeman emerged as winner. He won 55 percent as compared with 45 percent of Karel Schwarzenberg. Milos Zeman is the former Prime Minister of Czech Republic and head of the Party of Civic Rights-Zemanovci (SPOZ) while Karel Schwarzenberg is foreign minister in the present centre-right coalition government. Zeman succeeded Vaclav Klaus as the President of Czech Republic. The Czech Republic is a land-locked country in central Europe. Until 2012, the Parliament elected the President for a fiveyear term. After a long discussion, fueled by allegations of corruption in the voting process, the constitution was amended in 2012 to provide for direct Presidential elections.
be launched by NASA. The space agency uses the orbiting network to communicate with astronauts living on the International Space Station. The first TDRS spacecraft flew in 1983. This newest third-generation TDRS carries the letter K designation. Once it begins working, it will become TDRS-11. It will take two weeks for the satellite to reach its intended 22300-mile-high orbit. Testing will last a few months. NASA estimates the satellite costs between 350 and 400 million US Dollars. Another TDRS spacecraft, L in the series, will be launched in 2014.
ASTRONOMERS DISCOVERED SIX SPEEDING STARS RACING THROUGH MILKY WAY

Astronomers in the third week of February 2013 discovered six speeding stars which were racing through the space at a speed of 3.2 million kilometres per hour. These stars were ejected from the huge black hole which sits in the middle of Earths galaxy, Milky Way. These stars represented the first-known hypervelocity stars that have mass just like that of Earths Sun. The discovery is said to be very important because it would reveal how stars were formed in the dust-cloaked core of Milky Way. The core of Milky Way is actually cloaked in dust which makes all stars unclear from telescopes of the astronomers, except the brightest stars. But these hypervelocity stars were useful in providing a peep into how star formation took place in the depths of Milky Way.
NASA LAUNCHED A NEW COMMUNICATION SATELLITE CALLED TDRS

NASA on 31 January 2013 launched a new communication satellite to stay in touch with its space station astronauts and relay more Hubble telescope images. An unmanned Atlas V rocket blasted into the starry night sky carrying the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) from Cape Canaveral. This is the 11th TDRS satellite to
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This is so because it is believed that the hypervelocity stars form when the black holes in the centre of Milky Way consume one star in binary system and ejects other (its twin), throwing it through the space at extremely high speed. The astronomers explained that these stars were highly fast-moving objects which were gravitationally unbound to Earths galaxy. Even though these stars were in proximity to black holes, but they were not cloaked by dust and so they could be identified using telescopes easily. Identifying these stars could help in revealing the kind of star formation that took place in galactic centre. Astronomers at University of Hawaii in their study made use of the data from Palomar 5metre telescope in California. In their study they discovered 130 stars in Milky Way which were traveling at a fast pace. Then the astronomers narrowed down the group of stars which were traveling at extremely fast speed with ejection from centre of Milky Way galaxy. Six of the stars met this criterion.
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a result of rare explosion due to which matter ejects at very high speed along poles of rotating star. Scientists described that W49B is the first one that was discovered in Milky Way. It was observed that the parent star of W49B died in such a way like most of the other stars dont. Most often, when the massive star does not have fuel, its central region collapses which leads to certain events which quickly lead to supernova explosion. Most of the explosions are symmetrical due to which stellar material blasts away almost evenly in all the directions. However in case of W49B supernova, material in proximity with the doomed rotating star was cast out at a higher speed than the material originating from the equator. Jets which shoot from the poles of the star are the main cause for shaping the supernova explosion as well as its results. The trace or the remains are now glowing brightly in certain wavelengths and X-rays which offer a confirmation of the explosion. The scientists compared the data from Chandra with theoretical models of the process of star explosion by tracing distribution as well as amounts of various elements in stellar debris field. The scientists explained that apart from having unusual elements, W49B is also elliptical and elongated than the other traces. In the study, it was also examined about the kind of compact objects the supernova explosion left. Usually, the massive stars which collapse into supernovas leave behind dense and spinning core which is called neutron star. These neutron stars can be detected using the X-rays or radio pulses.
NASAS CHANDRA X -RAY OBSERVATORY REVEALED FORMATION OF YOUNGEST BLACK HOLE IN MILKY WAY
NASA scientists discovered the youngest black hole in our galaxy, Milky Way in February 2013. This youngest black hole is merely 1000 years old and just 26000 light years away from our planet. According to the new data revealed by Chandra X-ray Observatory of NASA, the distorted remains of supernova could contain most recent or the youngest black hole formed in our galaxy. The remains known as W49B are
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However, data from Chandra did not reveal any evidence of a neutron star. Absence of evidence like this indicated towards the formation of a black hole.
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COSMIC RAYS ORIGINATE AS A RESULT OF STAR EXPLOSION: ASTRONOMERS

The astronomers in the second week of February 2013 discovered the proof that cosmic rays originate as the results of explosions of stars or supernova, these are termed as the most energetic event in the galaxy. Cosmic Rays were first discovered in 1912 by Victor Hess and it was believed that these highly energetic particles that keep on hitting the atmosphere of earth from all directions originate with the explosion of stars, but till now no direct evidence for the same conclusion was available to the mankind. The astronomers were successful in reaching to the conclusion as the findings of two experiments one ground-based and the other one that was space-based, provided the same evidence, after looking on different Supernova Remnants (SNRs) in the sky. The observations were made on different perspectives and in different parts of the sky. The first study is based on the observations made by the astronomers from Max-Planck Institute for Astronomy, Heidelberg of the remnants of a 1000 year old supernova SN1006 from the European Southern Observatorys (ESO) Very Large Telescope (VLT) based in Chile. The second study was based on the years of data collected from the 10000 year old SNRs IC443 that is located in Gemini www.jagranjosh.com
Constellation at a distance of about 5000 light years from earth and W44 that is located in Aquila Constellation at a distance of 10000 light years. The data of the two SNRs were collected by the scientists of Kavli Institute for Particle Physics and Cosmology at the SLAC National Accelerator laboratory by using NASAs Fermi Gamma Ray Telescope that was launched in June 2008. A supernova occurs twice or thrice in a century and it happens with the massive explosion of a star. The core of the exploded star remains as a neutron star or a black hole, whereas the parts ejected due to explosion flows in the space in form of debris by a powerful shockwave. The remnants of the explosion remains in the sky for thousands of years and are used by the scientists and astronomers to study the facts about the cosmic rays. Cosmic rays consist of about 90 percent proton, a nuclei and electrons. The two experiments done in space and ground claimed that evidence were found that protons that the protons accelerated to the speed of light after being ejected due to shockwaves of the supernova. The mechanism was proposed by Enrico Fermi in 1949 and it stated that the protons, which are trapped in the fast moving shock region due to magnetic fields travelling through the shock front boosts itself to high speeds after repeatedly being reflected in the magnetic field. The protons gain energy of about one percent with every round trip and after making several hundreds of such trips; it travels at the speed of light and finally releases itself from the shockwave front. These charged protons, get it drifted due to the magnetic field that it experiences on its Current Affairs Comprehensive
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way to earth resulting in distortion of its path. This is a reason that one cant decidedly say that the SNRs produce cosmic rays.
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RESEARCHERS DISCOVERED WATER ON THE OLDEST ROCKS OF MOON

Researchers in the third week of February 2013 detected water traces inside the crystalline structure of one of the oldest lunar rocks, which were obtained through Apollo missions on Moon. As per the study conducted by University of Michigan, the lunar highlands represent original crust which is actually crystallised from Magma Ocean that was found mainly on the molten early Moon. Researchers made use of the Infrared spectroscopy for analysing water content in a part of plagioclase feldspar from lunar anorthosites. Plagioclase feldspar from lunar anorthosites is basically the lunar rocks which are formed of over 90 percent plagioclase. It is believed that these bright-coloured highlands rocks formed early in the history of the moon when plagioclase crystallised from the magma ocean and came up to the surface. The infrared spectroscopy work found out about the presence of 6 parts per million of water in lunar anorthosites. The water content that was measured is not actually liquid water but hydroxyl groups which were distributed in mineral grain. These hydroxyl groups that were detected are evident that the interior of the Moon contained water during the early molten state of it. Later the crust was solidified and played a crucial role in lunar basalts developments. Because there are some oldest rocks from the Moon, therefore it is believed that water would have been there in the Moon
SCIENTISTS DISCOVERED DEEPEST HYDROTHERMAL VENTS IN WORLD

UK scientists in the third week of January 2013 discovered a set of hydrothermal vents, the deepest anywhere in the world while exploring the ocean floor in the Caribbean islands. Scientists used ROV (Remotely operated vehicle) in the Cayman Trough to make this discovery. They stumbled across a previously-unknown site nearly 5000m below the surface. In the huge pressure of the sea three miles down, the ROV, which is also known as ISIS, was gently steered around the vents, to take pictures and gather samples. Hydrothermal vents are among the strangest features of the deep ocean and their existence was hidden until the 1970s. Since then they have been discovered at about 200 sites across the globe which includes the Southern Ocean and the Atlantic. However it was in 2010 that vents were first detected in the Cayman Trough, a deep trench formed by the boundary between two tectonic plates. One set of vents, known as Beebe, was considered as the deepest on record prior to the recent discovery made in the Ocean floor of Caribbean islands.
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when it was formed. Earlier theories revealed that Moon was formed when the Mars-sized body bumped into the young Earth. Eventually the debris broke off and combined into new body. It was believed that a lot of water would have been evaporated in the space, leaving Moon arid.
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launch the Geo-Synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle that has indigenous cryogenic engine, along with the Indias mission to Mars, both of which are scheduled for 2013. SARAL, the unique Satellite SARAL is said to be a very unique satellite which serves the research community. This satellite will assist the researchers in oceanographic studies. SARAL will study the sea surface heights and ocean currents. ARGOS-2 will help in collecting the data, while Altikameter will be responsible for measuring the height of sea surface. SARAL will also assist researchers in studying about the climatic developments. Its practical applications include study of migration of the marine animals, continental ice studies, protection of biodiversity and coastal erosion.
ISRO'S PSLV-C20 ROCKET SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHED SARAL AND SIX OTHER SATELLITES
Six foreign micro and mini spacecrafts as well as the Indo-French oceanographic study satellite, SARAL (Satellite for Argos-3 and Altika) were launched successfully by ISRO's PSLV-C20 rocket on 25 February 2013 from the spaceport at Sriharikota. The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) of Indian Space Research Organizations (ISRO) flew from first launch pad of Satish Dhawan Space Centre and was successfully put into the orbit. The President of India, Pranab Mukherjee witnessed this launch from mission control centre at Sriharikota. Satellites launched by PSLV-C20 Rocket 410-kg SARAL with payloads - Argos and Altika Two micro-satellites UniBRITE and BRITE from Austria AAUSAT3 from Denmark STRaND from United Kingdom Micro-satellite (NEOSSat) Mini-satellite (SAPPHIRE) from Canada These seven satellites were launched successfully by PSLV which depicted its versatility and recorded 22nd successful flight consecutive. ISRO also has plans to
RESEARCHERS CALCULATED EXACT DISTANCE TO OUR CLOSEST NEIGHBOURING GALAXY

Researchers working on the accurate calculation of the distance of Milky Way to the nearest galaxy, led by Grzegorz Pietrzynski of the Universidad de Concepcion in Chile and Warsaw University Observatory in Poland, found the exact distance to our nearest galaxy. The nearest galaxy to Milky Way is called Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) and it was found
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that it lies at a distance of 163000 light years away or exactly 49.97 kiloparsecs. Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) is the dwarf galaxy which floats in the space around our galaxy, Milky Way. It floats in a similar trend like that between the Earth and the Moon. Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) encompasses huge clouds of gas in Importance of the findings The findings about the distance of LMC from Milky Way are crucial because they can help in determining the scale of our universe, which has remained a mystery ever since its inception. These findings could also be used for determining the rate of expansion of the universe. This rate of expansion of the universe is called Hubble Constant, which is named after an astronomer Edwin P Hubble who discovered in 1929 that the Universe was growing continuously. Determination of the Hubble Constant is highly important for finding out the age as well as size of the universe. Exact distance of Milky Way to LMC has always remained one of the hugest uncertainties which affected the past measurements.
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it, which gradually collapse, thereby forming new stars. These new stars are brightened in the colours which are actually visible in the images that are taken by Hubble Space Telescope. LMC also includes Tarantula Nebula which is the brightest stellar nursery in the cosmic neighbourhood.
official from Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry announced that this was the first offshore experiment of producing natural gas from methane hydrate in the world. Methane Hydrate, also known as clathrates are a kind of frozen confinements of molecules of water and methane. The gas field where the natural gas was extracted from methane hydrate is situated 50 km away from the main island of Japan in Nankai Trough. Also, apart from Japan, certain other countries such as China, US and Canada have been searching for the ways to exploit the methane hydrate deposits. Certain pilot experiments were conducted in the past few years, which depicted that it was possible to extract methane from deposits by making use of the methane hydrate which was found under the land ice. Offshore deposits have a huge source of methane but they also raise environmental concerns because underwater geology which encompasses them is unstable at various places. Now, the survey of gas field is being conducted by Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC). How was the natural gas from methane hydrate extracted? Current Affairs Comprehensive
JAPAN BECAME FIRST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD TO EXTRACT NATURAL GAS FROM METHANE HYDRATE
Japan on 12 March 2013 announced that it had extracted the natural gas from frozen methane hydrate successfully off the central coast. With this, Japan became the first country to do so in the world. A Japan www.jagranjosh.com
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The engineers made use of the depressurisation method which converts the methane hydrate into the methane gas. The production tests will continue till the end of March 2013. The government officials of Japan announced that now their aim was establishment of methane hydrate production technologies for the purpose of practical use by 2018. How will this extraction benefit Japan? According to the Japanese study, it was estimated that around 1.1tn cubic metres of methane hydrate existed in the offshore deposits. This is equal to the gas consumption of Japan in more than 10 years. According to the researchers, this extraction can prove to be very beneficial because it could facilitate as an alternative source of energy for Japan. It is important to note that Japan as of now imports all the energy needs. Japan has limited natural resources. After the nuclear disaster of Fukushima plant in 2011, cost of importing the fuel has also increased. The extraction of natural gas from methane hydrate will therefore help Japan in reducing the pressure on natural resources as well as bringing down the cost of import of fuel.
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by the Chief Secretary to Government of Maharashtra. Representatives of the State Government departments, Air Force, Navy and Army were also present in the ceremony. About Interceptor Boat C-154 Interceptor Boat C-154 is 28 metres in length with 75 tonnes displacement has the capability of achieving a maximum speed of 35 knots. The vessel has state-of-the-art navigation as well as communication equipment along with medium range armament. The purpose of designing the Interceptor Boat C-154 was for achieving close-coast patrol, high speed interception, Search and Rescue, low-intensity maritime operations as well as maritime surveillance. This IB also has the capability of operating in the shallow water along with the deep sea. IB is also fitted with the 02 main engines of 1630 KW each and ASD system. IB is facilitated with communication equipment along with advanced navigational equipment. Interceptor Boat ICGS C-154 is Mumbai-based under the Administrative and Operational Control of the Commander, No 2 Coast Guard District HQ.
ARNESON SURFACE DRIVE BASED INTERCEPTOR BOAT C154 COMMISSIONED

At the ceremony held in Mumbai on 22 February 2013, the Indian Coast Guard Interceptor Boat C-154 was commissioned
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CHAPTER 5: POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

PRESIDENT OF INDIA GAVE ASSENT TO CRIMINAL LAW (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE, 2013
The President of India, Pranab Mukherjee on 3 February 2013 agreed to the Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance, 2013 for sharpening the laws against sexual assault. The President mandated harsher punishment such as death penalty for the offenders in such cases where the victim either dies or lands into the vegetative state. The amended law would come into force almost immediately. Features of the Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance, 2013 This Ordinance may be called the Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance, 2013. It shall come into force at once. Insertion of new section 166A to the Indian Penal Code: Public servant disobeying direction under law. Insertion of new sections 326A and 326B to the Indian Penal Code: Voluntarily causing grievous hurt by use of acid, voluntarily throwing or attempting to throw acid. Insertion of new sections 354A, 354B, 354C and 354D to the Indian Penal Code: Sexual harassment and punishment for sexual harassment, Assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to disrobe, voyeurism, stalking. Substitution of new sections 370 and 370A for section 370 to the Indian Penal Code: Trafficking of person, employing of a trafficked person. Substitution of new sections for sections 375, 376, 376A, 376B, 376C and 376D to the Indian Penal Code: Sexual assault, punishment for sexual assault, punishment for causing death or resulting in persistent vegetative state of the victim, sexual assault by husband upon his wife during separation, sexual intercourse by a person in authority, sexual assault by gang and punishment for repeat offenders. Insertion of new section 198B of the Code of Criminal Procedure: Cognizance of offence Insertion of new section 53A of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872: Evidence of character or previous sexual experience not relevant in certain cases. Substitution of new section for section 114A of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872: Presumption as to absence of consent in certain prosecution for sexual assault. Substitution of new section for section 119 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872: Witness unable to communicate verbally.
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What does the Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance, 2013 include? The Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance, 2013 was given assent by the President and it includes stalking, voyeurism, acid attacks as well as disrobing of women. These crimes were given the status of specific offences under the Indian Penal Code. The ordinance was approved by Union Cabinet of India on 1 February 2013. The Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance, 2013 comprises of various recommendations from the JS Verma committee as well. The ordinance is an impact of the Delhi gangrape which took place on 16 December 2012 in a moving bus. The ordinance brought changes to the clauses of alreadyexisting criminal law by making amendments in Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Evidence Act. Part V the Union CHAPTER III of the Constitution of India grants legislative powers to the president to pass the ordinance. Article 123 includes power of president to promulgate ordinances during recess of parliament. Article 123 of the Constitution of India (1) If at any time, except when both Houses of Parliament are in session, the President is satisfied that circumstances exist which render it necessary for him to take immediate action, he may promulgate such Ordinances as the circumstances appear to him to require.
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(2) An Ordinance promulgated under this article shall have the same force and effect as an Act of Parliament, but every such Ordinancea) Shall be laid before both Houses of Parliament and shall cease to operate at the expiration of six weeks from the reassembly of Parliament, or, if before the expiration of that period resolutions disapproving it are passed by both Houses, upon the passing of the second of those resolutions; and b) May be withdrawn at any time by the President. Explanation - Where the Houses of Parliament are summoned to reassemble on different dates, the period of six weeks shall be reckoned from the later of those dates for the purposes of this clause. (3) If and so far as an Ordinance under this article makes any provision which Parliament would not under this Constitution be competent to enact, it shall be void. Duration of the ordinance An ordinance once passed by the President of India remains into force for a time period of six months. Within this period, the Parliament needs to pass the ordinance.
PANEL TO EXAMINE ISSUES OF CERTIFICATION UNDER CINEMATOGRAPH ACT 1952 CONSTITUTED

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on 4 February 2013 constituted a panel for examining the issues
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of certification under Cinematographer Act 1952. Shri Mukul Mudgal, the retired Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court was appointed the Chairman of the Panel. Role and Responsibilities of the Panel I) The Panel would be responsible for reviewing the mandate and functioning of CBFC and recommend measures that includes constitutional changes for enabling CBFC to deal with contemporary requirements of certification with increased transparency/efficiency. The issues, inter alia, may include: a) The process of certification under the Act and Rules, including the mechanism followed by Examining and Revising Committees b) Categories of certification, existing and proposed, under the Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2013 c) Requirement of special categories of certification for the purposes of broadcasting on television channels and radio stations II) It will be responsible for reviewing the mandate and functioning of Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT) in order to make it a more efficacious appellate body III) It will be responsible towards examining the role of Central Government regarding
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sanctioning of cinematograph films for exhibition under Entry 60, List I of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India with reference to Entry 33, List II of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India IV) The Panel will also be responsible to suggest measures for carrying on more effective legal remedies and penal provisions in the Act, particularly with reference to making of the unlawful copies, cam cording in cinema halls, interpolation/insertion of clips after certification and such similar issues V) It will be responsible for the issues that the Panel may find fit to deliberate upon The constituted Panel is responsible for submission of report within two months period from the day of its constitution.
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CHAPTER 6: SOCIAL ISSUES

COMMITTEE CONSTITUTED TO CHECK HARASSMENT ALLEGATIONS MADE BY AIR NEWS PRESENTERS
A committee was constituted by the Ministry for Information & Broadcasting to check the sexual harassment allegations made by the news presenters, represented by AIR Broadcasting Professionals Association (AIRBPA) at FM Gold AIR. The committee was constituted on the grounds of the report which appeared in certain sections of the Press alleging sexual harassment of women presenters at FM Gold AIR. The head of this committee will be the officer of level of Joint Secretary apart from senior lady officers. Role of the Committee The committee will look into the matter of certain allegations made by women Radio Presenters of FM Gold, AIR, represented by AIRBPA. The committee will also look into the matter of issues associated with safety of women at workplace in FM Gold, AIR. The committee will submit the report within three days of the constitution. Allegations made by Radio Presenters Radio presenters at Prasar Bharati had complained about sexual harassment at the workplace. The All India Radio Broadcasting Professionals Association (AIRBPA) filed its complaint on 4 March 2013 with the Delhi Commission for www.jagranjosh.com
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Women. AIRBPA also planned to file the complaint with the National Commission for Women (NCW).
JUSTICE USHA MEHRA COMMISSION SUBMITTED ITS REPORT TO THE UNION GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
Justice Usha Mehra Commission on 22 February 2013 submitted its report on the 16 December 2012 Delhi gang-rape incident to the Union Government of India. The report was received by the Union Minister of Law and Justice Ashwani Kumar and the Union Home Secretary R.K. Singh. Major findings Commission of the Usha Mehra
Lack of Coordination between the Police and the transport department Lack of cooperation between the police of National Capital Territory and National Capital Region plays a great role in escape of the criminals from one place to another Lack of PCR vans and public transport facility in Delhi
Usha Mehra Commission The Usha Mehra Commission was constituted by the Union Government on 26 December 2012 to inquire into the different aspects of the brutal rape and assault incident of the girl on 16 December 2012 on the streets of Delhi. The commission was
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asked to submit the report within three months. Retired Delhi High Court Judge, Usha Mehra was the head of this commission.
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CHAPTER 7: ECONOMY
INDIA S PROPOSAL FOR HYDROCARBON PIPELINE FROM KAZAKHSTAN
India in the month of March 2013 proposed the idea of a hydrocarbon pipeline with Kazakhstan that is intended to bring fuel through a five-nation route. The concept of the pipeline, unveiled could be in future extended to Russia. Officials said currently most hydrocarbon pipelines from Central Asia are on an east-west axis. This pipeline will, like TAPI, be on a northsouth axis, providing a new route to South Asia for hydrocarbons extracted from Central Asia. Significance of the Proposed Pipeline The proposed pipeline would cover about 1500 kms (no study has yet been done), thus making it longer than the planned TurkmenistanAfghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) pipeline, which will serve as the role model. It will head from the former Silk Road caravanserai city of Shymkent, known today for oil refining, and enter Uzbekistan. From there it will go to Afghanistan and then follow the route to be taken by the TAPI pipeline into India via Pakistan. It has the potential to be extended to Russia resolving the headache of transportation that has vexed Indian energy security managers when they scout for hydrocarbon collaboration with Moscow. www.jagranjosh.com
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India and Kazakhstan also plan to cooperate closely in Afghanistan where New Delhis aid model has been appreciated by the Central Asian countries all of whom have a vital stake in stabilising the country.
RBI ANNOUNCED GUIDELINES FOR LICENSING OF NEW BANKS IN PRIVATE SECTOR

The Reserve Bank of India on 22 February 2013 released the Guidelines for Licensing of New Banks in the Private Sector. The guidelines issued by the Apex Bank have opened gates for private players as well as the finance firms to enter into the strictly regulated banking sector of India. Key Features of the issued Guidelines (i) Eligible Promoters: Entities / groups in the private sector, entities in public sector and Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) shall be eligible to set up a bank through a wholly-owned Non-Operative Financial Holding Company (NOFHC). (ii) Fit and Proper criteria: Entities / groups should have a past record of sound credentials and integrity, be financially sound with a successful track record of 10 years. For this purpose, RBI may seek feedback from other regulators and enforcement and investigative agencies. (iii) Corporate structure of the NOFHC: The NOFHC shall be wholly owned by the Promoter / Promoter Group. The NOFHC shall hold the bank as well as all the other financial services entities of the group. Current Affairs Comprehensive

(iv) Minimum voting equity capital requirements for banks and shareholding by NOFHC: The initial minimum paid-up voting equity capital for a bank shall be `5 billion. The NOFHC shall initially hold a minimum of 40 per cent of the paid-up voting equity capital of the bank which shall be locked in for a period of five years and which shall be brought down to 15 per cent within 12 years. The bank shall get its shares listed on the stock exchanges within three years of the commencement of business by the bank. (v) Regulatory framework: The bank will be governed by the provisions of the relevant Acts, relevant Statutes and the Directives, Prudential regulations and other Guidelines/Instructions issued by RBI and other regulators. The NOFHC shall be registered as a non-banking finance company (NBFC) with the RBI and will be governed by a separate set of directions issued by RBI. (vi) Foreign shareholding in the bank: The aggregate non-resident shareholding in the new bank shall not exceed 49% for the first 5 years after which it will be as per the extant policy. (vii) Corporate governance of NOFHC: At least 50% of the Directors of the NOFHC should be independent directors. The corporate structure should not impede effective supervision of the bank and the NOFHC on a consolidated basis by RBI. (viii) Prudential norms for the NOFHC: The prudential norms will be applied to NOFHC both on stand-alone as well as on a consolidated basis and the norms would be on similar lines as that of the bank.
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(ix) Exposure norms: The NOFHC and the bank shall not have any exposure to the Promoter Group. The bank shall not invest in the equity / debt capital instruments of any financial entities held by the NOFHC. (x) Business Plan for the bank: The business plan should be realistic and viable and should address how the bank proposes to achieve financial inclusion. (xi) Other conditions for the bank: The Board of the bank should have a majority of independent Directors. The bank shall open at least 25 per cent of its branches in unbanked rural centres (population up to 9,999 as per the latest census) The bank shall comply with the priority sector lending targets and sub-targets as applicable to the existing domestic banks. Banks promoted by groups having 40 per cent or more assets/income from non-financial business will require RBIs prior approval for raising paid-up voting equity capital beyond `10 billion for every block of `5 billion. Any non-compliance of terms and conditions will attract penal measures including cancellation of licence of the bank. (xii) Additional conditions for NBFCs promoting / converting into a bank: Existing NBFCs, if considered eligible, may be permitted to promote a new bank or convert themselves into banks.
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Background Guidelines for the Licensing of New Banks in the Private SectorAffairs were Comprehensive finalized after Current amending the Banking Regulation Act, Page 451 1949 in December 2012.
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AKHILESH YADAV PRESENTED BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2013-14

Uttar Pradesh Budget 2013-14: 221201.19 crore rupees Budget Planned The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh on 19 February 2013 presented a budget of 221201.19 crore rupees for the fiscal year 2013-2014 in the Vidhan Sabha. The budget presented for the upcoming fiscal year is 10.5 percent more than the budget presented in the 2012-13 fiscal year. The budget has not presented any new tax. The State Finance Ministry of Uttar Pradesh is led by the Chief Minister of the State Akhilesh Yadav himself. The new budget had levied no new taxes but estimated a deficit of 2.94 percent in the new financial year. Important points of the State Budget 201314 People with annual income less than 36000 rupees will be provided free houses in the state Free education for girls in degree colleges, both in government and government aided colleges 750 crore rupees was allocated for a loan waiver for farmers.
Budgetary Allocation of Money 32886 crore rupees for Education 20292 crore rupees for Social Welfare Schemes 10,654 crore rupees for Health 26,641 crore rupees for developing Infrastructure and Value-Addition on Bridges, Roads, Flyovers, Expressways, this is 25 percent more than the allocation made in 2012-13 budget 17,774 crore rupees for Agriculture 1,200 crore rupees for unemployment allowance 100 crore rupees for the development of Poorvanchal The state Government have allotted a sum of 350 crore rupees for its scheme Hamari Beti Ushka Kal 20292.92 crore rupees have been allocated for uplifting of SCs, STs, OBCs, physically handicapped, Minority groups as well as BPL families of general category The budget has displayed a revenue loss of 3 percent (24000 crore rupees) in the GDP. The budget has assured construction of 313 junior schools and 1200 primary schools in the 2013-14 fiscal year.
BHEL & GAIL GRANTED MAHARATNA STATUS BY UNION GOVERNMENT

The Union Government of India gave the Maharatna status to PSUs- BHEL and GAIL on 1 February 2013. Granting Maharatna status to BHEL and GAIL will provide them with better functional and financial freedom and will also guarantee them with better valuation of the shares.
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Ideally any Maharatna firm has a capacity to take investment decision of around 5000 crore Rupees without taking assistance from the government. On the other hand, forms with Navratna status have the capability of 1000 crore Rupees. However, both BHEL and GAIL do not have enough non-official directors on the board, which is why they cannot exercise their Maharatna powers. Even though all other conditions of Maharatna status were met by both these PSUs but their boards do not have requisite number of board members. While GAIL is short of 4 independent directors, BHEL, on the other hand is short of 6 non-official directors. In terms of turnover, net worth as well as net profit, both these companies meet all the eligibility criterions. Eligibility of a company to get a Maharatna Status For any company to qualify for Maharatna status, the annual turnover should be over 25000 crore Rupees in past three years, as per the guidelines issued by Department of Public Enterprises. The net worth of the PSU should be more than 15000 crore Rupees in past three years. The net profit should be over 5000 crore Rupees during past three years. At present, there are seven Maharatna companies, after inclusion of BHEL and GAIL and these companies are - ONGC, Indian Oil, SAIL, NTPC and CIL. Also, there are 14 Navratna companies, including Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited and NMDC.
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ECONOMIC GROWTH OF INDIA ESTIMATED TO FALL TO 5 PERCENT

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) on 7 February 2013 revealed that the economic growth of India is estimated to fall to 5 percent in 2012-2013 financial year, which is the lowest figure in 10 years. A fall in the economic growth is because of the poor performance of the services, agriculture and manufacturing sectors. The Central Statistics Office (CSO) in its advance forecast of the national income chopped off the gross domestic product (GDP) growth estimate to 5 percent for financial year which will end on 31 March 2013. This is much less than the GDP of 6.2 percent in 2011-2012 financial year. This is said to be the worst performance of economy of India since 2002-2003 when the economic growth was 4 percent. The major share of Indias GDP comes from the services sector. The services sector is estimated to record a growth of 5.2 percent in 2012-2013 fiscal year against 7 percent of 2011-2012 fiscal year. As far as the industry sector is concerned, it is expected that the growth would decrease to 1.9 percent in 2012-2013 FY. The farm sector growth will fall down to 1.8 percent. It is important to note that the official projection of the economic growth of India is much lower than budgetary estimate as well as projections of the central bank of India and other organisations. In the union budget for financial year 2012-2013 which was presented in March 2012, the government pegged Indias economic growth at 7.6 percent.
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Also in the quarterly monetary policy review which took place in the first week of February 2013, the Reserve Bank of India projected the growth of 5.5 percent for 2012-2013 financial year. In the meanwhile, Finance Minister P. Chidambaram had projected the economic growth of 5.7 percent. In first half of 2012-2013 FY, the economy of India grew by 5.4 percent. However, as per the latest estimate, the growth would be around 4.6 percent in second half of 2012-2013. Industry bodies in the meanwhile asked the government to press for the reform process in order to revive the economic growth.
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CCEA GAVE ITS NOD TO PRICE POOLING MECHANISM ON COAL

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on 5 February 2013 gave its principle approval for the price pooling mechanism of coal. The mechanism includes cost blending of the domestic coal with the imported one to counterbalance price hike. Basic principles and parameters of the price pooling mechanism have been identified and a specific data on the same would be created by the Power and Coal Ministries. The mechanism has been created before government decided to put on sale the 9.5 percent stake of the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) from its present holding of 84.50 percent. The sale of the stake was approved by the Empowered Group of Ministers on disinvestment chaired by Finance Minister P Chidambaram on 5 February 2013. This disinvestment of NTPC would fetch about 12000 crore rupees for the exchequer.
TRAI: TELEDENSITY DECLINED BY 25.97 MILLION TO 895.51 MILLION

As cellphone operators continued disconnecting inactive SIM cards, India's total telecom subscriber base declined by 25.97 million to 895.51 million in December. In November, the country had 921.47 million telecom subscribers. Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) stated that total wireless subscriber base decreased from 890.60 million in November 2012 to 864.72 million at the end of December 2012. TRAI reasoned that this decline is majorly due to large scale disconnections of inactive SIMs by some of the service providers. With this, the overall teledensity in India decreased to 73.34 per cent at the end of December, 2012 from 75.55 per cent in the previous month.
MSP OF COPRA FOR 2013 SEASON INCREASED BY 150 RUPEES PER QUINTAL
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on 6 February 2013 approved increase in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for 2013 season of both Milling and Ball Copra by 150 rupees per quintal over the MSP that was regulated in 2012. The MSP for the Fair Average Quality (FAQ) of Milling Copra is fixed at 5250 rupees per quintal, and for the Ball Copra it is 5500
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rupees per quintal. The decision from government of India may ignite the interests of the farmers to invest in cultivation of coconut to increase its productivity. Government also cleared that National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd. (NAFED) is the body that will act as the nodal agency for undertaking the price support operation at the minimum support prices in the coconut growing states. Authorized Capital of NABARD raised from 5000 crore rupees to 20000 crore rupees The Union Cabinet of India on 7 February 2013 approved raise in the authorized capital of National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development, Nabard to 20000 crore rupees from 5000 crore rupees. The authorized capital was increased with the aim to enlarge the operations and broadening the activities of NABARD.
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rupees during 1 April 2012 31 January 2013, registering an increase of 24.76 per cent. The total passenger revenue earnings during 1 April 2012 31 January 2013 were 25924.29 crore rupees compared to 23344.42 crore rupees during the same period last year, registering an increase of 11.05 per cent. The revenue earnings from other coaching amounted to 2617.19 crore rupees during April 2012 - January 2013 compared to 2353.54 crore rupees during the same period last year, an increase of 11.20 per cent. The total approximate numbers of passengers booked during 1st April 2012 31st January 2013 were 7150.60 million compared to 6910.00 million during the same period last year, showing an increase of 3.48 per cent. In the suburban and nonsuburban sectors, the numbers of passengers booked during April 2012 January 2013 were 3753.32 million and 3397.28 million compared to 3651.70 million and 3258.30 million during the same period last year, showing an increase of 2.78 per cent 3.48 per cent respectively.
RAILWAY REVENUE EARNINGS INCREASED BY 20.38 PERCENT DURING APRIL 2012-JANUARY 2013
The total approximate earnings of Indian Railways on originating basis during 1 April 2012 to 31 January 2013 were 101223.95 crore rupees compared to 84083.74 crore rupees during the same period last year, registering an increase of 20.38 per cent, as per the data released by Ministry of Railways. The total goods earnings have gone up from 56163.30 crore rupees during 1 April 2011 31st January 2012 to 70067.36 crore
COMFORT LETTER ISSUED BY FINANCE MINISTRY FOR SANCTION OF 25000 CRORE SUBSIDY
The Union Finance Ministry in second week of February 2013 decided to pay an additional cash subsidy of 25000 crore rupees for the state owned fuel retailers. The subsidy package is being given to help the retailers in making up of the revenue
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that they lost while selling cooking and auto fuel below cost in the current fiscal year of April to December 2012. A comfort letter was issued on 7 February 2013 by the Union Finance Ministry to the Indian Oil Corp. Ltd (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corp. Ltd (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corp. Ltd (HPCL) that sanctioned sanctioning 25,000 crore rupees as the part of the revenue lost by them on selling diesel, domestic LPG and kerosene below cost or at subsidized cost. The sanctioned subsidy meets about 44 percent of the revenue lost by the three firms of 124854 crore rupees together on the Sale of cooking and auto fuels in a period of April to December in 2012. As per the latest sanctions reveled IOC, BPCL and HPCL would get 13474.56 crore rupees, 5987.25 crore rupees and 5538.19 crore rupees respectively.
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The decision from the market regulator came after the Supreme Court of India granted it the freedom to freeze the accounts of the two companies and attach the properties of the defaulting groups. The market regulator gave 21 days time to Sahara Firms to submit the details of the investments done and not listed in an order. SEBIs orders restricted the Sahara India Estate Corporation from operating its DEMAT accounts and redeeming the mutual fund units held by it as well as from transferring the shares controlled by it to any other body or company. Sahara Housing was asked to furnish details related to the development rights along with the special purpose vehicles as well as stakes. The orders to submit the details of movable and immovable properties to Subrata Roy and the three executives have restrained them from alienating, disposing or encumbering the properties on their names.
SEBI ORDERED FREEZING OF ACCOUNTS AND ATTACHMENT OF PROPERTIES OF TWO COMPANIES OF SAHARA
Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI) the stock market regulator of India on 13 February 2013 ordered freezing of bank accounts and attachment of properties of two Sahara group firms Sahara India Real Estate Corporation Ltd., and Sahara Housing Investment Corporation Ltd. and its Chairman Subrata Roy as well as top executives Vandana Bhargava, Ravi Shanker Dubey and Ashok Roy Choudhary after it failed to refund more than 24,000 crore rupees to investors.
INDIA'S TRADE DEFICIT FOR APRIL - JANUARY, 2012-13 WAS ESTIMATED AT 167168.12 MILLION US DOLLARS
As per the data released by Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry on 13 February 2013, Indias performance in export and import are as following: Exports Exports during January, 2013 were valued at 25587.24 million US dollars. (138981.70 crore rupees) which was 0.82 per cent higher in Dollar terms (6.67 per cent higher
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in Rupee terms) than the level of 25379.05 million US dollars (130294.02 crore rupees) during January 2012. Cumulative value of exports for the period April-January 2012 13 was 239687.01 million US dollars (1305420.39 rupees) as against 251930.14 million US dollars (1196962.33 crore rupees) registering a negative growth of 4.86 per cent in Dollar terms and growth of 9.06 per cent in Rupee terms over the same period 2011-12. Imports Imports during January, 2013 were valued at 45583.25 million US dollars (247593.63 crore rupees) representing a growth of 6.12 per cent in Dollar terms and 12.28 per cent in Rupee terms over the level of imports valued at 42952.47 million US Dollars ( 220514.54 crore rupees) in January 2012. Cumulative value of imports for the period April-January 2012-13 was 406855.13 million US dollars (2215115.46 crore rupees) as against 406820.28 million US dollars (1934946.96 crore rupees) registering a positive growth of 0.01 per cent in Dollar terms and growth of 14.48 per cent in Rupee terms over the same period 2011-12. Crude Oil and Non-Oil Imports Oil imports during January, 2013 were valued at 15899.3 million US dollars which was 6.91 per cent higher than oil imports valued at 14871.2 million US Dollars in the corresponding period last year. Oil imports during April-January, 2012-13 were valued at 140420.1 million US dollars which was 11.56 per cent higher than the oil imports of 125874.2 million US dollars in the corresponding period last year.Non-oil imports during January 2013 were estimated at 29684.0 million US dollars www.jagranjosh.com
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which was 5.71 per cent higher than non-oil imports of US 28081.3 million in January 2012. Non-oil imports during April January 2012-13 were valued at 266435.0 million US dollars which was 5.17 per cent lower than the level of such imports valued at 280946.1 million US dollars in April January 2011-12. Trade Balance The trade deficit for April - January 2012-13 was estimated at 167168.12 million US dollars which was higher than the deficit of 154890.14 million US dollars during April January 2011-12.
NET DIRECT TAX COLLECTION GREW 12 PERCENT IN APRILJANUARY IN FY 2012-2013

Gross Direct Tax collection from the period of April to January in fiscal year 2012-2013 increased by 7.02 percent at 455125 crore Rupees against 425274 crore Rupees in same period in 2011-2012 fiscal year. Gross collection of the corporate taxes increased 3.71 percent, i.e., 296451 crore Rupees in 2012-2013 fiscal year against 285837 crore Rupees in 2011-2012. Gross collection of personal income tax increased by 13.81 percent, i.e., 157913 crore Rupees in 2012-2013 fiscal year against 138746 crore in 2011-2012 fiscal year. Net Direct Tax collections registered a growth of 12.49 percent, i.e., 390310 crore Rupees in 2012-2013 fiscal year against 346959 crore Rupees in 2011-2012 fiscal year. 2.85 percent growth was recorded in Wealth Tax. It increased to 685 crore

Rupees in 2012-2013 financial year in comparison to 666 crore Rupees in 20112012 financial year. Growth in Securities Transaction Tax was on negative side. It recorded a fall of 9.99 percent. It decreased to 3731 crore in 2012-2013 in comparison to 4145 crore Rupees from 2011-2012.
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MOU SIGNED FOR SETTING UP OF MEMU COACHES MANUFACTURING FACILITY AT BHILWARA

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on 25 February 2013 between Indian Railways and Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) for setting up of Greenfield MEMU coaches manufacturing facility by BHEL at Bhilwara in Rajasthan. Main Line Electric Multiple Unit Trains, popularly known as MEMU trains were first introduced in Indian Railways in the Year 1994-95, as a mode of rapid transit system, to cater to non-suburban passengers, residing in small towns and villages surrounding urban and industrial centres. MEMU trains have higher passenger carrying capacity and higher average speed as compared to conventional loco hauled passenger trains due to faster acceleration and braking characteristics. These rakes are now being manufactured with toilet facilities to take care of passenger needs. MEMU trains increase the line capacity utilisation, and therefore are more suitable for running on high traffic density routes. Currently, there are about 160 MEMU services running. There are demands coming from all over the country for running more and more MEMU trains. The demand for these coaches will further
increase as Indian Railways have plans to Electrify approximately 15000 route kilometre during the next 10 years, in addition to the existing 22000 route kilometre of electrified track. There was a shortfall in acquisition of 800 MEMU coaches during XIth Plan Period due to capacity constraints at Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala, where these MEMU coaches are produced. Overall it is expected that the requirement of MEMU coaches will grow to nearly 9000 coaches during the next 10 year period. Setting up of factory for conventional MEMU coaches will go a long way in meeting this demand. Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) is a Maharatna Central Public Sector Unit (CPSU) company, which is a partner of Indian Railways for a period spanning more than 40 years. It has been manufacturing and supplying electric rolling stock including EMUs and MEMUs; as well as sub-assembly and equipment for rolling stock being manufactured at IRs own production units. The proposed facility for production of MEMU coaches will be set up by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) at Bhilwara in the State of Rajasthan. The entire cost will be borne by BHEL. Government of Rajasthan will provide land to Railways, for setting up the project. In order to make the project viable, Ministry of Railways will give Assured off- Take orders to BHEL.
UNION GOVERNMENT OF INDIA APPROVED EXPORT OF ADDITIONAL 5 MILLION TONNES OF WHEAT

The Union Government of India on 7 March 2013 approved export of extra five million
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tonnes of Wheat from its Godowns. The group of ministers in its meeting also decided that the added quantity of 5 million tonnes of wheat shall be exported by the private traders. It also cleared that the public sector trading firms will not be a participant in export of the additional quantity of wheat. The GoM (Group of Ministers) have also decided that bidding process would be used by the Private traders to export the 2011-12 crop and the floor price decided for per quintal is 1480 rupees. For the present fiscal, the permitted export of wheat from the godowns of the Food Corporation of India now stands at 9.5 million tonnes.
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The FSDC (Financial Stability and Development Council) meeting, chaired by RBI Governor D Subbarao also approved formulating a national strategy for financial education by incorporating the feedback received from public consultations and from a global peer review, RBI said without providing details. RBI had on 22 February 2013 released rules on allowing companies to start banks in India and such coordination among regulators is needed for effective supervision.
INDIAN FINANCIAL REGULATORS SIGNED PACT TO MONITOR CONGLOMERATES

The country's top four financial regulators on 8 March 2013 signed an agreement among each other for co-operation on consolidated supervision and monitoring of financial groups identified as financial conglomerates- large banks and other key players. The decisiveness was taken at a subcommittee meeting of the Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) held in the Reserve Bank. The regulators who signed the pact were the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority and Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority. www.jagranjosh.com
WORLD BANK ESTIMATED A GROWTH OF OVER 6 PERCENT FOR THE INDIAN ECONOMY DURING 2013-14
The World Bank in the month of March 2013 forecasted that the Indian economy is estimated to grow over 6 per cent during 2013-14. World Bank Chief Jim Young Kim, who is on a three-day visit to India asserted that India is estimated to have grown 5 percent in the current fiscal and the growth rate is likely to improve to 6.1-6.7 percent in 2013-14. The Indian economy, like any other economy, is subject to global slowdown. It has effect here and at the same time, the export market has started doing better. On the positive node, it also had be seen that share of India in global economy almost doubled in five years between 2005 and 2010. Kim is on his first visit to India after taking over as President of World Bank Group in July 2012.

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UNION GOVERNMENT GRANTED AN AID OF 41 CRORE RUPEES TO PROTECT PASHMINA GOATS

The Union Government on 12 March 2013 decided to provide a financial assistance of 41.21 crore rupees to protect Pashmina goat, which produces world-famous fine luxury fibre. The idea of providing assistance came in light of concern over the recent deaths of thousands of Pashmina goats in the Ladakh region. As per the assistance, there is plan which ideates a new Pashmina Wool Development Scheme with a special package and a financial allocation of 41.21 crore rupees. Main Components of the Scheme It includes assistance for foundation stock in new areas for Pashmina rearing activities. Inclusion of Health coverage and feed supplement. Strengthening of existing fodder bank and pashmina goat breeding farm. It will also include establishment of multipurpose extension centre and pasture farm on migratory routes. Development of Breeder orientation training camp for research and development.
14 March 2013 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at Jaipur for setting up a refinery-cum-petrochemical complex in Barmer, Rajasthan. The project will be a joint venture between HPCL and Rajasthan State Refinery Limited, apart from other equity partners. The MoU was signed by Subhash Pant, Secretary Mines and Petroleum, Government of Rajasthan and K.Murli, Director (Refineries) of HPCL. About the refinery-cum-petrochemical complex project in Barmer, Rajasthan The refinery-cum-petrochemical complex in Barmer will be set up at an estimated capital investment of 37230 crore Rupees. The project will be completed in 4 years time duration. 9 MMTPA refinery-cum petrochemicals will be a state-ofthe-art complex and will bring benefit to the state of Rajasthan and its people. The purpose of the refinery will be to process the locally available crude apart from other crudes. The refinery-cum-petrochemical complex is designed for production of motor fuels with latest environmental specifications as well as wide range of petrochemicals. The proposed complex will be the first of its kind to be specifically designed to produce petrochemicals from the indigenous crude oil.
HPCL AND GOVERNMENT OF RAJASTHAN SIGNED A MOU FOR SETTING UP REFINERY

Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) and the Government of Rajasthan on www.jagranjosh.com

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CHAPTER 8: PERSONALITIES
PATIALA HOUSE COURT FRAMED CHARGES AGAINST IROM SHARMILA FOR ATTEMPTING SUICIDE
The Patiala House Court, New Delhi on 4 March 2013 framed charges of allegedly attempting to commit suicide during her fast until death in the Capital in 2006 against Irom Sharmila Chanu, the Iron Lady from Manipur. The Court framed charges against the Iron Lady for her attempt to commit suicide. The Court also issued a show cause notice to Irom Sharmila after she refused to plead guilty. She appeared before the court under Indian Penal Code 309 (attempt to commit suicide) for fasting at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. Irom Sharmila Chanu Irom Sharmila had been fasting for more than 12 years for repealing of the Armed Forces Special Powers Actb 1958, AFSPA. Sharmila began her fast till death after ten persons, including a boy who received the National Bravery Award, were shot dead in an alleged encounter with Assam Rifles personnel at Malom near Imphal Airport on 2 November 2000. She is force fed, through her nose with a food pipe for more than a decade. Armed Forces Special Powers Act, AFSPA Violence became the way of life in northeastern States of India. State administration became incapable to maintain its internal disturbance. Armed Forces (Assam and Manipur) Special Powers Ordinance was promulgated by the President on 22 May 1958. In which some special powers have been given to the members of the armed forces in disturbed areas in the State of Assam and Union Territory of Manipur. Later the Ordinance was replaced by the Armed Forces Special Powers Bill. Iron Sharmila had been fasting for repealing of the armed forces Special Power Act from the North Eastern States. Her fast till death is a process of silent protest that had been in existence in the nation from the preindependence era to the post independence era. From Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation to Anna Hazare had carried on with their protests alongwith their demands by Fasting.
Article 19 of the Constitution of India deals with the right of expression and speech and as fasting is a process of expressing the thoughts against the government thus it can be considered as a part of Article 19. This right cannot be denied until and unless there exists an illegality in the process. In fact, none of the Indian Courts till date have banned fasts in India and every individual have the right to go on fast to protest against the government.
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Under IPC 309 her indefinite fasting is regarded as the attempt to commit suicide. IPC 309 Attempt to commit suicide-Whoever attempts to commit suicide and does any act towards the commission of such offence, shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year 1 (or with fine, or with both.)
officials, representatives from environmental, social, cultural, political and economic fields.
NICOS ANASTASIADES WON CYPRUS PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS WITH 57.5 PERCENT VOTES
Nicos Anastasiades, the centre-right DISY (the Democratic Rally) party leader won the presidential elections of Cyprus on 24 February 2013 with 57.5 percent votes. The term of his office starts from 28 February 2013. Nicos Anastasiades had a very easy-going victory over Communist-backed Stavros Malas who secured 42.5 percent votes in the election. Major challenges to be faced by Nicos Anastasiades The major challenge that would be faced by Nicos Anastasiades is that Cyprus is standing on the verge of bankruptcy because of knock-on effect of the economic despair of Greece. Nicos Anastasiades after winning therefore declared that his first priority would be to reinstate the credibility of Cyprus. For this, he would favour deals with the foreign lenders. The economy of Cyprus is in recession. Back in July 2012, Cyprus had also asked European Union for bailout in order to shore up the banks. As a result of the bailout deal for Greece as well as restructuring of debts, private bondholders had to suffer losses, resulting in Cypruss banks losing 75 percent of the investments.
MO YAN AND JACKIE CHAN SELECTED AS MEMBERS OF CHINESE PARLIAMENT

Mo Yan, the winner of Nobel Prize for literature, 2012 and Jackie Chan, the movie star were given a political role in China by being selected as members of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, one of the houses of Chinese parliament. Mo Yan and Jackie Chan were among 2237 people selected by China's new leaders led by Xi Jinping as the members of CPPCC National Committee. Out of 2237 people, 399 are women. Xi Jinping is the new general secretary of the Communist Party. He will become the President of China after two Houses of Parliament have meeting in March 2013. Apart from Mo Yan and Jackie Chan, other known face to be given a seat in this political party includes former NBA star and popular basket ball player Yao Ming. CPPCC comprises of the members from different fields and they were selected without any election process. The party includes 893 members of the Communist Party. The chosen officials include members of non-Communist parties, military officers, www.jagranjosh.com

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New president Nicos Anastasiades would be required to finalise the deal with 16 countries which use Euro as the currency as well as with International Monetary Fund (IMF). The aim of the newly elected president would also be to exploit the immense natural gas, which in turn would bring energy as well as income. About Nicos Anastasiades Nicos Anastasiades is a 66-year old lawyer and a member of the Cypruss parliament since 1981. He is the leader of centre-right DISY (the Democratic Rally) party since 1997. Nicos Anastasiades would be replacing the former President of Cyprus, Dimitris Christofias who served the office from 28 February 2008 and will remain into the designation till the end of his term on 28 February 2013. Dimitris Christofias belonged to the Progressive Party of Working People. Important Facts Presidential elections took place in the Republic of Cyprus on 17 February 2013. None of the candidates received 50 percent of the overall votes from first round. Eventually, a runoff took place on 24 February 2013 where Nicos Anastasiades emerged as the winner. The President of the Republic of Cyprus is also known as the head of the state as well as the head of the government of Cyprus. The office of the President of Cyprus was formed in 1960 after the www.jagranjosh.com
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country achieved its freedom from the UK.
HAMADI JEBALI, RESIGNED FROM THE POST OF PRIME MINISTER OF TUNISIA

Hamadi Jebali resigned from the office of the Prime Minister of Tunisia on 19 February 2013 after his attempt to end a political standoff by formation of a Government of Technocrats failed. Hamadi Jebali was trying to create coalition because of the political crisis which took birth by killing of Chokri Belaid, the opposition leader. A cabinet of apolitical technocrats was proposed by Jebali to suppress the disorder created after the assassination of the secular opposition politician Chokri Belaid on 6 February 2013. Belaid, an outspoken critic of the government and a leaning lawyer was shot dead and his death created a situation of mass protests across the nation. Assassination of Chokri Belaid on 6 February 2013 led to mass protests as well as resignations from the coalition government of Tunisia. About Hamadi Jebali Hamadi Jebali is the Tunisian Islamist politician, who remained in office as the PM from December 2011 to 19 February 2013. He was also the Secretary-General of the Ennahda Movement which is the Islamist party in Tunisia. He belonged to the Ennahda Movement political party of Tunisia. He is a member of the Islamist Ennahda party.
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T. S. VIJAYAN, APPOINTED AS THE CHAIRMAN OF IRDA

T. S. Vijayan, the former LIC Chief took over as the Chairman of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) on 21 February 2013. Vijayan will succeed J. Hari Narayan. J. Hari Narayan completed the five-year term on 20 February 2013. The tenure for IRDA chairman is five years or till 65 years. T. S. Vijayan will take over as the Chairman of IRDA when the entire industry is facing meltdown. The challenges which will be faced by him include taking the insurance industry to rural areas as well as simplifying the insurance products.
should be founded on moral integrity died at the age of 81 suffering from leukemia. He is now survived by his wife, Irene Brendel Dworkin, two children Anthony Dworkin and Jennifer Dworkin and two grandchildren. Ronald Dworkin Dworkin was a professor of law at New York University and was an emeritus professor at University College London He was one of the best known and most quoted legal scholars in the U.S. and also an expert on British law He wrote books named A Matter of Principle, Law's Empire and Justice for Hedgehogs He graduated in Law from Harvard Law School in 1957 He was a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University in England
RADHAKISHAN MALVIYA FORMER UNION MINISTER DIED AT THE AGE OF 68

Radhakishan Malviya, the former Union Minister and Rajya Sabha Member from Madhya Pradesh died on 19 February 2013 at a private hospital in Indore after suffering from a brief illness. He died at the age of 68.
AK MUKERJI IS THE NEXT PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF INDIA TO UN

Asoke Kumar Mukerji was appointed as the next Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations on 13 February 2013. Mukerji replaced Hardeep Singh Puri who retired in February 2013 after the tenure of two years. Asoke Kumar Mukerji was chosen by the Ministry of External Affairs of the Union Government of India. At present, Mukerji is Special Secretary in the External Affairs Ministry. He also served as the Consul
RONALD DWORKIN, THE CONSTITUTIONAL LAW EXPERT AND PHILOSOPHER OF AMERICA DIED AT 81
American philosopher and Constitutional law expert, Ronald Dworkin died in a hospital at London on 14 February 2013. The liberal scholar who argued that the law
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General in Dubai as well as the Deputy High Commissioner in London. Asoke Kumar Mukerji was the private secretary to External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid.
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after senior advocate Rohinton Nariman resigned from his designation. Mohan Parasaran will serve as the Solicitor General of India for a term of three years. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) cleared his name for Solicitor General of India. Rohinton Nariman resigned from his post in Early February 2013. Mohan Parasaran is a senior advocate of the Supreme Court. He was appointed by first UPA Government as Additional Solicitor General (ASG) in July 2004. Solicitor General of India The Solicitor General of India is the second highest law officer of India and a subordinate to the Attorney General for India, who is the Indian government's chief legal advisor.
OSCAR PISTORIUS CHARGED FOR SHOOTING DEAD HIS GIRLFRIEND

Oscar Pistorius, the double amputee Blade Runner from South Africa was charged on 14 February 2013 for allegedly shooting dead his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, at his home in Pretoria. Oscar Pistorius Oscar Pistorius is a South African sprint runner, who turned up to be the first double-leg-amputee, who lined up in the starting blocks with the able bodied competitors in the men's 400 metres race during the London Olympics 2012. He won gold medals in the men's 400 metre race in a Paralympic and set a record time of 46.68 seconds as well as he managed to create a world record in the 4 100 metres relay in 41.78 seconds
AERO INDIA 2013 ENDED AFTER DISPLAYING MAGNIFICENT AEROBATIC SKILLS

The 9th edition of Aero India 2013, a fiveday aviation show organised by the Defence Exhibition Organization of the Ministry of Defence ended at the Air Force Station, Yelahanka, Bangalore on 10 February 2013 after displaying its magnificent aerobatic skills and belongings that created a chance of winning potential business tie-ups and networking. Defence Minister of India, A K Antony inaugurated the Air Show on 6 February 2013. During the inauguration ceremony of the 9th Edition of Aero India show, Aero Space
MOHAN PARASARAN APPOINTED AS THE SOLICITOR GENERAL OF INDIA

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Policy of Karnataka state was unveiled by the Defence Minister of India, A K Antony. The Show was opened for general public on 9 February 2013. Aero India Show Aero India is a show and exhibition of aviation organized by the Defence Exhibition Organisation of the Ministry of Defence at the Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bangalore. To make the show the largest Air Show of Asia different bodies namely Defence Ministry of India, Indian Air Force, Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), Department of Space, the Union Civil Aviation Ministry and few more comes together to organize the same. The first Edition of the show was organised for the first time in 1996. In the previous 2011 edition of the show Boeings F/A-18 Super Hornet, Jaguars, Sukhoi Su-30MKIs, Saab Gripen and Dassault Rafale were the main highlights of Aero India 2011. The next Aero India show is scheduled to be held from 18 February to 22 February 2015 at Bangalore.
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Kalyan Kumar Chakravarty will retain his position till 31 December 2017. Chakravarty also served in Madhya Pradesh government. He had also remained member-secretary of Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts and director general of the National Museum, New Delhi apart from vice chancellor of the National Museum Institute. Lalit Kala Akademi Lalit Kala Akademi or the National Academy of Fine Art is fine art institution of Government of India with an objective to promote, develop as well as spread the culture of Indian fine art. It receives funds from Ministry of Culture.
POPE BENEDICT XVI ANNOUNCED HIS RESIGNATION

Pope Benedict XVI on 11 February 2013 announced that he would resign at the end of the month. He reasoned that he was too infirm to carry on. He is the first pontiff to do so in nearly 600 years. The decision set the stage for the election of a new Pope before the end of March 2013. Pope Benedict XVI is 85 years old. He had become the Pope in 2005. The last Pope to resign was Pope Gregory XII, who took this step in 1415 to put an end to the Great Western Split among competing papal claimants.
KALYAN KUMAR CHAKRAVARTY APPOINTED AS THE CHAIRMAN OF LALIT KALA AKADEMI

The President of India, Pranab Mukherjee appointed Kalyan Kumar Chakravarty as the chairman of Lalit Kala Akademi on 12 February 2013. Kalyan Kumar Chakravarty is the IAS officer of 1970 batch and retired from the designation of Secretary to Government of India.
US MARINE JOSEPH DUNFORD TOOK OVER THE COMMAND OF ISAF IN AFGHANISTAN

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US Marine General Joseph Dunford took over the command of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan at a change over ceremony in Kabul on 10 February 2013. He succeeded US Marine General John Allen who became the longest-serving ISAF commander in the eleven year old war against terror in Afghanistan by completing 19 months at the office. General Dunford previously served in various capacities in the U.S. Marine Corps including as its Assistant Commandant. Joseph Dunford will head the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in the final two years of the war, and may to be the last commander to serve in Afghanistan, as Afghan soldiers take over from coalition forces in time for a full withdrawal in 2014. Dunford will be the fifth top allied commander to lead in Afghanistan in five years.
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Schavan failed to cite the passages properly of the thesis in philosophy submitted to the University in 1980. Before this, Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, the former Defence Minister of Germany resigned from his office in 2011 after it was confirmed that a major portion of doctoral thesis submitted by him to avail the doctorate was copied.
ROHINTON F NARIMAN SOLICITOR-GENERAL OF INDIA RESIGNED FROM HIS OFFICE

Rohinton F Nariman, the Solicitor-General of India resigned from his office on 4 February 2013. He was appointed at the second highest law official of India on 23 July 2011 after Gopal Subramanium resigned from his office on 14 July 2011 following the issues with Government in context to the 2G Spectrum Allocation Scam. Nariman was designated as a senior advocate at the age of 37, when M.N. Venkatachaliah, the Chief Justice of India amended the rules and reduced the age from 45 years for designating a lawyer as a senior advocate. In the history of last four decades, only three Solicitor Generals have been successful in completing his five year term in the office and they are - L N Sinha from 1972-77, Dipankar Gupta from 1992-97 and G E Vahanvati from 2004-09.
EDUCATION MINISTER OF GERMANY ANNETTE SCHAVAN STRIPPED OF DOCTORATE FOR PLAGARISM

Annette Schavan the Education Minister of Germany on 6 February 2013 was stripped of her doctorate degree by the committee of academics at Duesseldorfs Heinrich Heine University. The University took the action after the committee considered the allegations of plagiarism done by Schavan in different parts of the thesis submitted to the University. The allegations were made against the Education Minister by an anonymous blogger in 2012 claiming the Annette
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P.R. VASUDEVA RAO APPOINTED AS THE DIRECTOR OF THE INDIRA GANDHI CENTRE FOR ATOMIC RESEARCH
P.R. Vasudeva Rao became the Director of the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) at Kalpakkam on 31 January 2013. He succeeded S.C Chetal, who has now retired. Dr. Rao was earlier the Director, Chemistry Group in IGCAR and is also a specialist in the field of actinide chemistry as well as a few areas of chemistry of nuclear fuel cycle. In IGCAR, Dr. Rao led various R&D programmes related to the field of chemistry.
Raja Bhaiya at the Kunda Police Station, where DSP Zia-ul-Haq was posted.
VICE ADMIRAL ANURAG G THAPLIYAL IS THE NEW DIRECTOR GENERAL OF INDIAN COAST GUARD
Vice Admiral Anurag G Thapliyal on 28 February 2013 took over as the twentieth Director General of the Indian Coast Guard. He is the successor of the outgoing Vice Admiral MP Muralidharan.
ITALIAN MUSICIAN AND COMPOSER ARMANDO TROVAJOLI DIED AGED 95

Italian musician and composer Armando Trovajoli died aged 95. He wrote the scores for 300 films. During his long stint; he worked with some of the world's great jazz musicians, including Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong and Miles Davis. His most famous song was a romantic serenade to Rome earned so much popularity with the tourists that it was regarded as the city's theme tune. Mayor Gianni Alemanno paid tribute to Trovajoli as the voice of Rome.
RAGHURAJ PRATAP SINGH RESIGNED FROM THE STATE CABINET OF UTTAR PRADESH
Uttar Pradesh Minister Raghuraj Pratap Singh alias Raja Bhaiya resigned from the State Cabinet on 4 March 2013 in the wake of the killing of the DSP in Pratapgarh district. He submitted his resignation to the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Akhilesh Yadav at Lucknow and Governor of the state, B.L. Joshi accepted his resignation. Issue that led to Resignation DSP Zia-ul-Haq was killed by a mob in Pratapgarh on 2 March 2013 when he rushed there after a village head was shot dead over a land dispute. Raja Bhaiya was accused for the attack on the DSP by his slain wife. The complaint was filed against
RAJEEV SHAHARE APPOINTED AS THE NEW HIGH COMMISSIONER OF INDIA TO MALDIVES

Rajeev Shahare was appointed as the new High Commissioner to Maldives on 28 February 2013, replacing D M Mulay. At present, Shahare is a Joint Secretary in the West Asia North Africa division of Current Affairs Comprehensive
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Ministry of External Affairs. D M Mulay, on the other hand, has now been appointed as the Indias Consul General in New York. He would take up office in March 2013. The appointment of Rajeev Shahare came at a time when bilateral relations between India and Maldives are suffering because of termination of contract to GMR for Male International Airport modernisation.
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VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT HUGO CHAVEZ DIED AT 58 DUE TO CANCER

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez died on 5 March 2013 at a military hospital in Caracas at the age of 58 due to Cancer. He died after battling from cancer for two years during which he underwent several surgeries and chemotherapy in Cuba. With his death his 14 year rule of Venezuela came to an end and bringing a challenge of electing a new President for the country within 30 days as per Constitution of Venezuela. Till then the Presidency will be assumed by the Vice-President of the country, Nicolas Maduro. The Foreign Minister of Venezuela Elias Jose Jaua Milano announced seven days mourning for the country.
MUKESH AMBANI BECAME RICHEST PERSON OF INDIA FOR SIXTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR
Mukesh Ambani retained his title as the richest person of India for the sixth consecutive year with the net worth of 21.5 billion US Dollars, according to the annual rankings published by Forbes on 4 March 2013. The richest man in the world for fourth time in a row was Mexican business tycoon Carlos Slim with the net worth of 73 billion US Dollars. In the overall list of the billionaires of the world, Mukesh Ambani was ranked at number 22. Lakshmi Mittal, on the other hand was ranked at 41st position with the net worth of 16.5 billion US Dollars. The first in the list was Carlos Slim, followed by Bill Gates with the net worth of 67 billion US Dollars, Spain's Amancio Ortega with net worth of 57 billion US Dollars, Warren Buffett with the net worth of 53.5 billion US Dollars and Larry Ellison with the net worth of 43 billion US Dollars.
FORMER CBI DIRECTOR ASHWANI KUMAR APPOINTED NAGALAND GOVERNOR

62 year old Former CBI Director, Ashwani Kumar on 9 March 2013 appointed as Governor of Nagaland. Ashwani Kumar was the Director of the agency from August 2008 to November 2010. He will be the first head of the agency to be appointed as a Governor. With the appointment of Ashwani Kumar Former Delhi Police Commissioner Nikhil Kumar, who was serving as Governor of Nagaland, has been transferred and appointed as Governor of Kerala for the remainder of his tenure. 72-year-old Nikhil Kumar is a 1963-batch IPS officer, who was
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appointed as Governor of Nagaland on 15 October 2009.
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Banaras Hindu University on 13 March 2013. He was aged 75 years.
C J GEORGE ELECTED AS THE CHAIRMAN OF CII KERALA STATE COUNCIL

C J George the Managing Director of Geojit BNP Paribas Financial Services Ltd, on 9 March 2013 elected chairman, CII Kerala State Council for 2013-14.
XI JINPING TOOK OVER AS THE NEW PRESIDENT OF CHINA

The new leader of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Xi Jinping on 14 March 2013 was appointed as the President of China. It is important to note that Xi Jinping, 59, was also chosen as the General Secretary of CPC in November 2012. He overtook the office from Hu Jintao. On 14 March 2013, Xi Jinping was approved by National Peoples Congress (NPC), the Parliament of China, in the comprehensive election process at Great Hall of the People. Out of 2963 delegates of NPC, there were 2956 delegates present. Out of the present delegates, 2952 voted for Xi Jinping. Only one vote was cast against him, while three representatives did not vote. Politburo member Li Yuanchao (63) was also chosen as the Vice President of Xi Jinping on the same day with 2839 votes in favour of him. Li Keqiang, 57, was appointed as the Prime Minister of China. He replaced Wen Jiabao. President of China: Xi Jinping Vice President of China: Li Yuanchao Prime Minister of China: Li Keqiang
SWEDISH PRINCESS LILIAN DAVIES DIED AT THE AGE OF 97 YEARS

Swedish Princess Lilian Davies died in Stockholm on 10 March 2013. She was aged 97 years. Swedish Princess Lilian was married to Prince Bertil. The Swedish Princess Lilian Davies was born in Swansea, Wales in August 1915 in a working class family. The cause of her death is unknown, but she suffered from Alzheimer's disease. Lilian Davies became the princess of Sweden in 1976 as well as the duchess of the southern province of Halland at Drottningholm Palace Chapel in Stockholm.
PROF VEER BHADRA MISHRA, THE NOTED ENVIRONMENTALIST DIED AT 75

Prof Veer Bhadra Mishra, the noted environmentalist as well as the acclaimed Hero of the Planet of TIME Magazine in 1999, died at Sir Sundarlal Hospital of
CHIEF JUSTICE KHIL RAJ REGMI SWORN-IN AS THE PRIME MINISTER OF NEPAL
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Chief Justice Khil Raj Regmi was sworn-in as the new Prime Minister of Nepal on 14 March 2013. Khil Raj Regmi will be the head of interim government which will have its elections by 21 June 2013. He took over the office from Baburam Bhattarai. Khil Raj Regmi, 63, took oath of the office and secrecy from the President Ram Baran Yadav. In the meanwhile, Madhav Ghimire was chosen as the Home Minister as well as the External Affairs Minister. Hari Prasad Neupane was chosen as the Law Minister as well as Labour Minister. Regmi will head the 11-member interim government. It is for the first time in the political history of Nepal that any sitting Chief Justice was named as Head of the Government.
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years and first pontiff from the Americas. A Pope sits in the Vatican City. Before Jorge Bergoglio, no other Pope took the Papal Name Francis after Saint Francis of Assisi. Saint Francis of Assisi was the reformer of 13th Century, who lived in extreme poverty and preached his followers to preach the Gospel always, if necessary use words. After being elected as the Pope, Pope Francis waved his hands to the huge crowd gathered at St. Peters Square. The cardinals elected Jorge Bergoglio as the new pope after completion of the fifth ballot, but in all these ballots there existed no clear frontrunner into the vote. For being elected to the position of the Pope, a winner must secure 77 votes or two-thirds of the 115 votes. Before this in the year 2005, Pope Benedict XVI was the front-runner in the fourth ballot. In 1978 Pope John Paul II was elected after eighth ballot and was the first nonItalian Pope in 455 years. Pope Benedict XVI, who was appointed pope in the year 2005 resigned from his position in February 2013 claiming that he was infirm to carry. He was the first pope in past 600 years to resign after Pope Gregory XII, who resigned from the position in 1415 to put an end to the Great Western Split among competing papal claimants. Importance of the Chimney Smoke in completion of the election process The colour of the smoke from chimney plays a vital role in indicating the completion of election process of a Pope. When the process of election of a Pope is completed and he accepts his position, the ballots are burnt immediately. Current Affairs Comprehensive
SOUMITRA BHATTACHARYA ELECTED AS THE CHAIRMAN OF CII KARNATAKA

Soumitra Bhattacharya, the Joint Managing Director, Bosch Ltd, and Sandeep Kumar Maini, the director of Maini Precision Products Pvt Ltd, in the third week of March 2013 elected as the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of CII Karnataka for 2013-14.
JORGE BERGOGLIO ELECTED AS THE NEW POPE; CHOSE FRANCIS AS HIS PAPAL NAME
Jorge Bergoglio: He is the 266th Pope (head of the Roman Catholic Church) The cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church chose Argentine Jorge Bergoglio on 13 March 2013 as the new Pope. The new pope chose Francis as his Papal Name. He is the first non-European pope in almost 1300 www.jagranjosh.com
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Traditionally, these ballots are burnt dry or with the help of chemical additives. When a pope is elected, white smoke appears from the chimney. On the other hand, appearance of the black smoke indicates that voting has remained inconclusive. After the election of the Pope, white smoke appeared from Sistine Chapel chimney on 13 March 2013, which indicated that a Pope was elected and he also accepted his position. What is Papal Name? Papal Name is the name used by the Popes at the time, when they are in the office. This activity of choosing a name first started in sixth century and became a custom in the 10th Century. Since 16th Century every pope had been choosing the papal name. Election Process of the Pope The process of electing a new pope is called conclave and a college of cardinals is responsible for his election. Conclave is the process of seizing the members of the college in the Vatican City, authorized to vote, leaving them in no-contact with the outside world. During the voting process
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the Cardinals are locked inside the Sistine Chapel in the Apostolic Palace. The Conclave is initiated after 15 days and before 20 days of Popes death or resignation. During this complete process the cardinals are made to stay in the hospital inside the Vatican called as St. Marthas House that has 130 rooms. All the arrangements are made to make sure that no one from the outside world is able to get in touch with any of the cardinals or viceversa, when they are transported from the St. Martha's and the Sistine Chapel. Rules laid down for election of a new Pope The number of electors from the College of Cardinals is 120 may be whatever is the number of Cardinals in the college. A Cardnal, who had attended the age of 80 years before the Papacy day is not allowed to participate in the Conclave. Any contestant, who is able to win more than two-third of the votes is elected as the Pope The ballot is conducted twice in morning and afternoon continuously for four days, before declaring the result In case, the cardinals fail to elect a Pope with 12 or 13 days, they can impose a majority vote and select the new Pope with simple majority
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CHAPTER 9: AWARDS/HONOURS
SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK WON FOUR AWARDS AT THE INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS
Silver Linings Playbook won four awards at the Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica on 24 February 2013. The movie won best film, best screenplay, best director for David O Russell and best actress for Jennifer Lawrence at the film awards. The awards were presented by Daniel Radcliffe, Salma Hayek and Jeremy Renner. John Hawkes got best actor award for portraying the late disabled journalist in The Sessions. Hawkes hoped that the movie would help change perceptions of disability. Major highlights of the award function were Best foreign film went to Oscar favourite Amour, directed by Michael Haneke. Best documentary award was won by The Invisible War, which addresses rape and sexual abuse in the US military. The best first feature prize went to Perks of Being a Wallflower, which stars Emma Watson.
PEACE, DISARMAMENT AND DEVELOPMENT AWARD

The President of India Pranab Mukherjee on 18 February 2013 conferred 2011 Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development Award to Ela Ramesh Bhatt, a renowned Women social worker. The award was given away at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi. Ela Bhatt was given away the award for life time achievements in women empowerment, promotion of grassroot level entrepreneurship as well as contribution towards promotion of equitable development and peace. Ela Bhatt has her organisation SEWA (SelfEmployed Womens Association). President Pranab Mukherjee while giving away the award announced that SEWA was a vehicle of self employment and self reliance for the Indian women, while at the same time being synonymous with the rural inclusiveness.
YES BANK AWARDED FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS SYNDICATED DEAL OF THE YEAR 2012
YES Bank, the fourth largest private sector Bank of India was awarded the Financial Institutions Syndicated Deal of the Year 2012 in its Asia Pacific Region. The award was given for 155 million US dollar syndicated loan.
ELA BHATT CONFERRED 2011 INDIRA GANDHI PRIZE FOR
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The award was given away by Asia Pacific Loan Market Association (APLMA), which is a leading trade association for syndicated loan market in this region. The award ceremony was held in Hong Kong. The 155 million US dollar loan which was syndicated by YES bank was distributed across 9 different countries from 14 banks.
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The Romanian film Child's Pose on 16 February 2013 bagged the coveted Golden Bear prize for best film at the 63rd Berlin film festival. The Romanian drama is about a dominating mother using her social position to try to save her son from jail. The awards ceremony brought to a close the 11-day cinema showcase, where hundreds of movies were screened across Berlin. US independent director David Gordon Green won the Silver Bear best director award for his movie Prince Avalanche. The movie, the only comedy movie among the 19 contenders at the festival, features Paul Rudd and Emile Hirsch in the lead roles as highway maintenance workers in Texas at a crossroads in their lives. The Silver Bear for best actress was won by Chiles Paulina Garcia for her role in Gloria. The movie is a feel-good movie about a middle-aged divorcee who refuses to give up her search for happiness. Best screenplay was picked up by Closed Curtain. It was directed by Iranian dissident director Jafar Panahi and his longtime collaborator Kambuzia Partovi, a film made in defiance of a ban by authorities in Tehran.
RATAN TATA AWARDED LIFE TIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD 2012 BY ERNST & YOUNG
Ratan Tata, the former head of Tata Group was awarded the Life Time Achievement Award 2012 by Ernst & Young on 21 February 2013. He was given away the award for displaying great role for the Indian businessmen on global business level. The Entrepreneur of the Year (2012) Award was given away to Adi Godrej, Godrej Group Chairman. It is important to note that entrepreneur of the year award is an only business award which is based on selfnomination. Also, Ernst & Young announced names of successful entrepreneurs in various categories and these awards were given away to TT Jagannathan, Chairman, TTK Group; Francisco DSouza, Chief Executive Officer, Cognizant Technology Solutions; Cyrus S Poonawalla, Managing Director, Serum Institute of India and Onkar S Kanwar, Chairman and Managing Director, Apollo Tyres.
PANDIT RAVI SHANKAR HONOURED WITH POSTHUMOUS LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT GRAMMY AWARD
Pandit Ravi Shankar, the sitar legend was honoured with the posthumous Lifetime Achievement Grammy award. His daughter sitarist Anoushka Shankar accepted the
ROMANIAN FILM CHILD S POSE BAGGED THE GOLDEN BEAR PRIZE

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award on his behalf on 9 February 2013 ahead of the Grammys show that took place in Los Angeles on 10 February 2013. Anoushka Shankar and Norah Jones attended the pre-Grammy ceremony at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre for accepting the honour which was given to their deceased father. Pandit Ravi Shankar died on 11 December 2012 at 92 years of age. Pandit Ravi Shankar was in the list of seven other artistes named for Lifetime Achievement Award honourees and this also included Carole King and the Temptations. The Indian sitar legend also won best world music album Grammy for The Living Room Sessions Part 1. Pandit Ravi Shankars daughter Anoushka Shankar was also nominated in this category for album Traveller.
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HARIRAM MEENA SELECTED FOR THE BIHARI PURASKAR FOR 2012

Rajasthani author Hariram Meena was selected for the Bihari Puraskar for 2012 for Hindi novel Dhooni Tape Teer. The novel was published in 2008. Dhooni Tape Teer is a novel based on the deaths of tribal people in Banswara in Rajasthan on 17 November 1913. The Bihari Puraskar is selected annually by a panel, which at present is headed by Nand Kishore Acharya.
B SURENDER MOHAN CONFERRED WITH CEO WITH HR ORIENTATION AWARD

B Surender Mohan, CMD, NLC (Neyveli Lignite Corporation) was conferred with the CEO with HR Orientation Award on 17 February 2013 at the World HRD Congress 2013 in Mumbai. Neyveli Lignite Corporation Limited is a Navratna Government of India Enterprise. World HRD Congress is actually the largest meeting of the HR professionals from the world which brings together global personalities. World HRD Congress is held annually and the purpose of the meeting is to honour best CEOs who implement as well as innovate the new techniques in HR arena. The World HRD Congress 2013 was held at Hotel Taj Lands End, Mumbai.
US STATE DEPARTMENT AWARDED WOMEN OF COURAGE AWARD TO DELHI GANGRAPE VICTIM

The US State Department awarded one of the 2013 International Women of Courage Awards to 23-year-old paramedical student who was gangraped in a moving bus in New Delhi on 16 December 2012. She died after just two weeks in Singapore after being raped in the capital. The award would be given away posthumously on 8 March 2013. Popularly the paramedical student is also called Nirbhaya. The Secretary of State John Kerry will give away the US awards. The ceremony will also be attended by the First Lady Michelle Obama. The other women who receive the same award are: Tsering Woeser, the Tibetan blogger and activist Elena Milashina and Razan Zeitunah, the Russian journalist and rights activists Current Affairs Comprehensive
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PRESIDENT OF INDIA CONFERRED WITH THE LIBERATION WAR HONOUR AWARD BY BANGLADESH
The President of India, Pranab Mukherjee was on 4 March 2013 conferred with the Liberation War Honour Award by the President of Bangladesh, Zillur Rahman. The award was conferred upon him for his contribution to 1971 war. The award was given away to Pranab Mukherjee for contributions to the Liberation War. Earlier, the top most honour of Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Freedom Honour was conferred upon former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi posthumously in 2011 for contributing towards creation of Bangladesh. Liberation War Honour Awards is the second highest honour of Bangladesh.
contest for presenting their new creatives. All entries are assessed by 45 independent international expert jurors with strong industry background.
was among the five writers to be honoured with the prestigious Literature Award. Other writers to be honoured with this award were Farheen Chaudhary (Pakistan), Abdul Khaliq Rashid (Afghanistan), Suman Pokhrel (Nepal) and novelist Daya Dissanayake (Sri Lanka). SAARC Literature Award The award is annually presented to the eminent writers of the South Asian region for their contribution in the promotion of literature through their writings as well as literary initiatives. The SAARC Literature Festival 2013 focused on environment, literature and cultural connectivity. The First-Ever SAARC Writers Conference was organized in April 2000.
FIVE WRITERS HONOURED WITH SAARC LITERATURE AWARD 2013

SAARC Literature Award was presented to five writers at Agra during the two days SAARC Festival of Literature on 10 March 2013. A poet-diplomat from India Abhay K About Golden city Gate Awards The Golden City Gate is an international film, print and media contest for the tourism industry. The Awards ceremony is held every year at ITB Berlin, the worlds leading travel trade show. The competition provides all tourism advertisers to participate in the
INDIA TOURISM FILM, FIND WHAT YOU SEEK CLAIMED FIRST PRIZE AT 11TH GOLDEN CITY GATE AWARDS
Ministry of Tourisms new film Find What You Seek received first prize at the 11th Golden City Gate Tourism Media Awards Ceremony held in Berlin on 8 March 2013. About the campaign find What You Seek Union Minister for Tourism K Chiranjeevi had launched the new campaign Find What You Seek, the second phase of Incredible India Campaign at WTM 2012 in
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November 2012 along with the new Domestic Campaign Go Beyond. By launching new campaign, the Ministry of Tourism has made a paradigm shift by shifting the focus from destinations and products to consumers (travellers). The new campaign emphasizes that there is something for every traveller in India and every traveller can find what he or she is seeking while travelling in our incredible country. Domestic campaign Go Beyond urges travellers to travel beyond the obvious, the known destinations to the lesser known destinations.
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as well as work of the organisations and individuals.
LAUREUS WORLD SPORTS AWARDS 2013: JESSICA ENNIS NAMED LAUREUS WORLD SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR
Laureus World Sports Awards 2013 were organised in Rio de Janeiro on 11 March 2013. Prestigious awards were claimed by sports stars- Jessica Ennis, Andy Murray and Sebastian Coe. Jessica Ennis who won heptathlon gold in London 2012 Olympics was awarded the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year award at the Theatro Municipal. Andy Murray won the Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year award. Andy Murray had won Olympic gold in the singles as well as silver in mixed doubles before winning grand slam title at the US Open in 2012. Sebastian Coe, the Chairman of the London 2012 organising committee acclaimed Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award. Usain Bolt, the Jamaican sprinter won the World Sportsman of the Year award for third time. Feliz Sanchez, the Dominican athlete won the World Comeback of the Year Award. Daniel Dias, the multiple Paralympic champion swimmer of Brazil was awarded with the title of World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability. This was the second time he won the award. Felix Baumgartner, the Austrian skydiver was named as the World Action Sportsperson of the Year Award. Michael Phelps, the American swimmer won the Current Affairs Comprehensive
5TH CIDC VISHWAKARMA AWARD 2013: TAPAS KUMAR LAHIRY WON ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR PUBLIC OFFICER
At the 5th CIDC Vishwakarma Award 2013, Tapas Kumar Lahiry- the chairman-cummanaging director (CMD) of Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL) and Bharat Cooking Coal Limited (BCCL) won the Achievement award for Public Officer on 7 March 2013 in New Delhi. At the function organised by Construction Industry Development Council (CIDC), Lahiry received this award. Lahiry is a mining engineer as well as administrator with leadership qualities. BCCLs turnover is 6952 crore Rupees with a profitability of 1093.69 crore Rupees in 2010-11. Lahiry has also remained associated with mining industry of America, China and Australia. CIDC Vishwakarma Awards are held annually for recognising the achievements
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Laureus Academy Exceptional Achievement Award. The Laureus World Team of the Year title was acclaimed by the European Ryder Cup Team which featured 7 UK golfers. About the Laureus World Sports Awards Laureus World Sports Awards are the global sports awards which honour the sportsmen and sportswomen for all kinds of sports every year. The Laureus Media Selection Panel gives away the awards in six different categories: Laureus World Sportsman of the Year, Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year, Laureus World Team of the Year, Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year, Laureus World Comeback of the Year and Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year. The Laureus Specialist Panel gives the award in the categories: Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability. This award is overseen by Executive Committee of the International Paralympic Committee. Laureus is basically the Latin word for laurel, which means universal symbol for victory in sport. The winner of the Laureus World Sports Awards receives Laureus statuette, which is 30 cms high as well as 2.5 kg in weight. Every Laureus statuette consists of 670g of solid silver as well as 650g of gold finish base.
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The Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Prof. K.V. Thomas on 14 March 2013 announced Rajiv Gandhi National Quality Awards for the year 2011. The Rajiv Gandhi National Quality Awards are given every year by Bureau of Indian Standards for encouraging the service as well as manufacturing organisations so that they strive for excellence. These awards give recognition to those who are considered as the leaders of quality movement in the country. The Best of All Award was given to DAV ACC Senior Secondary Public School, Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh for excellence service standards. In a category called Large Scale Manufacturing Industry, Nokia Siemens Networks Private Limited, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu was given the award for excellence in quality standards. In the Large Scale Service Industry category, R Systems International Limited, Noida, and Uttar Pradesh won the award. In the Small Scale Manufacturing Industry category, the award was bagged by Technocrat Connectivity Systems (Private) Limited, Rudrapur, Uttarakhand. Apart from these awards, ten other organisations were chosen for commendation certificates under various categories. The awardees of the commendation certificates were chosen from 55 applicants from different sectors after evaluation by the group of qualified professionals from various spheres of intellectual activities. Best Of All Award DAV ACC Senior Secondary Public School, Bilaspur, Current Affairs Comprehensive
RAJIV GANDHI NATIONAL QUALITY AWARDS FOR THE YEAR 2011 ANNOUNCED
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Himachal Pradesh Category Awards Name of the Organisation Large Scale Nokia Siemens Manufacturing Networks Private Industry Limited, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu Large Scale Service R Systems Industry International Limited, Noida, Uttar Pradesh Small Scale Technocrat Manufacturing Connectivity Systems Industry (Private) Limited, Rudrapur, Uttarakhand
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Industry Metallurgical Bengal Large Scale Service Jehangir Hospital, Industry Health care Pune, Maharashtra Large Scale Service L&T Construction, Industry Others Mumbai, Maharashtra Small Scale Hi Media Manufacturing Laboratories Private Industry Bio- Limited, Nasik, technology Maharashtra Small Scale Bangalore Biotech Manufacturing Labs Private Limited Industry Engineering Biozeen, Bangalore, & Others Karnataka Small Scale Pharma Synth Manufacturing Formulations Limited, Industry Food & Drug Haridwar, Uttarakhand
Commendation Name of the Certificates Organisation Large Scale Ultra Tech Cement Manufacturing Limited, Gujarat Industry Chemical Cement Works, Kovaya, Gujarat Large Scale Sanmina-SCI India Manufacturing Private Limited, Industry Electrical & Kancheepuram, Tamil Electronic Nadu Large Scale Tata International Manufacturing Limited (Finished Industry Engineering Leather Business), & Others Dewas, Madhya Pradesh Large Scale Banaskantha District Manufacturing Cooperative Milk Industry Food & Drug Producers Union Limited, Palanpur, Gujarat Large Scale Durgapur Steel Plant, Manufacturing Durgapur, West
TAN TWAN ENG DECLARED WINNER OF 2012 MAN ASIAN LITERARY PRIZE
Tan Twan Eng on 14 March 2013 was announced as a winner of the 2012 Man Asian Literary Prize. With this, he became the first Malaysian author to win the most prestigious literary prize of Asia. Tan Twan Eng won the 2012 Man Asian Literary Prize for his novel The Garden of Evening Mists. This is only a second time that the prize has been given to the novel written originally in English. The previous winners had won the award as English translations. The Garden of Evening Mists set during aftermath of the Japanese occupation of Malaya won 30000 US Dollars from the shortlist of five novels which spanned over the Asian continent.
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The five shortlisted novels from longlist of 15 were as follows Between Clay and Dust - Musharraf Ali Farooqi (Pakistan) The Briefcase Hiromi Kawakami (Japan) Silent House - Orhan Pamuk (Turkey) The Garden of Evening Mists - Tan Twan Eng (Malaysia) Narcopolis - Jeet Thayil (India)
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December, which is then followed by the shortlist of 5 to 6 titles. The winner of the award is declared in March every year. The winner is given 30000 US Dollars. The translator, if exists, is given 5000 US Dollars. The submissions for the best novels are invited by the jury through publishers in any country.
The judging panel of the 2012 Man Asian Literary Prize was award-winning literary critic and journalist Dr. Maya Jaggi, novelist Vikram Chandra and Vietnamese-American novelist Monique Truong. About The Garden of Evening Mists The Garden of Evening Mists by Tan Twan Eng is a novel about traumatic aftermath of the Japanese occupation of Malaya. It also covers the post-war insurgency against British rule. The novel covers themes such as love and atonement, disturbing coexistence of cultural refinement, barbarism and personal and national honour. About Man Asian Literary Prize The Man Asian Literary Prize laid its foundation in 2007. The literary award is given annually to best novel by an Asian writer. The novel can be written in English or translated into English. It should have been published in previous year. For selecting the winner, the judges select the longlist of 10 to 15 titles announced in
FIVE WRITERS HONOURED WITH SAARC LITERATURE AWARD 2013

SAARC Literature Award was presented to five writers at Agra during the two days SAARC Festival of Literature on 10 March 2013. A poet-diplomat from India Abhay K was among the five writers to be honoured with the prestigious Literature Award. Other writers to be honoured with this award were Farheen Chaudhary (Pakistan), Abdul Khaliq Rashid (Afghanistan), Suman Pokhrel (Nepal) and novelist Daya Dissanayake (Sri Lanka). SAARC Literature Award The award is annually presented to the eminent writers of the South Asian region for their contribution in the promotion of literature through their writings as well as literary initiatives. The SAARC Literature Festival 2013 focused on environment, literature and cultural connectivity. The First-Ever SAARC Writers Conference was organized in April 2000.
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CHAPTER 10: REPORTS AND COMMITTEES

INDIA DROPPED TO 140TH RANK IN LATEST WORLD PRESS FREEDOM INDEX
India dropped nine places to 140th rank in the list of 179 countries in the latest World Press Freedom Index 2013, which is the lowest since 2002. India got this lowly rank because of increasing impunity for violence against journalists and internet censorship. Netherlands, Norway and Finland topped the list. The Press Freedom Index was released by world Press Freedom index for the year 2013. China got 173rd rank. Turkmenistan, North Korea and Eritrea were placed at the bottom of the list as has been in the last three years. As per the Press index report, there has been a decline in freedom of information in South Asia and the Indian subcontinent among Asia witnessed the sharpest deterioration in providing freedom and security for those involved in news reporting in 2012. In India considered as the world's biggest democracy, the authorities insist on censoring the Web and impose numerous kinds of restrictions, while violence against journalists was not punished and the regions like Kashmir and Chhattisgarh are getting increasingly isolated. The Maldives crashed to 103rd place (-30) because of violence and threats against journalists in state television and private media regarded as Nasheed supporters by the coup leaders. Bangladesh more or less faces the same situation. Its journalists are targets of police violence frequently. They www.jagranjosh.com
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are not protected by authorities in case they face violence against them. Pakistan, which ranked 159th is one of the worlds most dangerous nations for reporters. Nepal ranked 118th position. Reporters without Borders also published an annual global indicator of worldwide media freedom which coincided with the release of its 2013 Press Freedom Index. This new analytic tool is helpful in measuring the overall level of freedom of information in the world and the performance of the world's governments in their response to Press freedom.
BLACK MONEY GENERATED IN INDIA WOULD EXCEED 10 PERCENT OF GDP: NIPFP

A 1000 page report submitted by the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP) to the finance ministry estimated that unlawful wealth would exceed 10 percent or more of Indias GDP, i.e., above 10 lakh crore Rupees as per the size of the economy. The study was commissioned by NIPFP in last week of December 2012 in order to quantify the black money that was generated in India. The study conducted by NIPFP was headed by the head of NIPFP's tax policy and research and also included former director general of income tax investigation. The report presented a sector-wise division of the scope of black money in India, for example, telecom sector, mining sector and real estate sector.

A similar study like this was conducted last time by NIPFP in 1984 where it was estimated that black money generated in India was 19 percent to 21 percent of GDP, i.e., up to 36000 crore Rupees. The government, in order to combat this had also selected three thinking tanks in March 2011 in order to estimate the quantum of black money. These three thinking tanks were - National Institute of Financial Management (NIFM), National Council for Applied Economic Research (NCEAR) and National Institute of Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP). Before this, NIPFP had also carried out the studies in 1976 and 1981 where it was estimated that black money in India was around 15-18 percent of GDP and 18-21 percent of GDP respectively. About National Institute of Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP) National Institute of Public Finance and Policy (NIPFP) is the centre for research in public finance and public policy. It was established in 1976. Primary aim of NIPFP is contributing to policy making in areas which are related to public economics. The annual grant-in-aid is received by NIPFP from Ministry of Finance, Government of India and from various State Governments.
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RETD. JUSTICE BHATT TO CONDUCT JUDICIAL PROBE IN ALLAHABAD RAILWAY STATION STAMPEDE
The State Government of Uttar Pradesh on 18 February 2013 appointed Onkareshwar Bhatt, the retired Justice of Allahabad High Court to conduct Judicial Probe into the Allahabad Railway Station Stampede that occurred during Kumbh Mela. The constituted committee that will probe into the matter is a one-man committee and was directed to submit its report in two months. The State Government ordered a Judicial Probe into the incident that occurred on the day of Mauni Amawasya 10 February 2013 at the Allahabad Railway Station during Kumbh Mela.
REPORT: INDIA ACCOUNTS TO 86 PERCENT ORAL CANCER FIGURE ACROSS THE WORLD
Experts of National Institute of Health and Family Welfare (NIHFW) in first week of February released a report on the harmful effects of gutka. It reported that 86 percent of the total oral cancer figure across the world accounted to India. A total of 75000 to 80000 new cases of cancer were diagnosed in India itself. In case of India the maximum number of cancer was a result of tobacco chewing, because Indians chew tobacco more than smoking. India consists of 14 percent smoking tobacco users and 26 percent chewing tobacco users.
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As per the report tobacco is responsible for creating 1.5 lakh cancer patients, 4.2 million heart diseases and 3.7 million lung diseases in India every year, making India an oral cancer capital. The statistics released by the Health Ministry 65 percent cancers in India are caused due to the use of tobacco. Other data released reveled that a third of the annual 5.6 million cancer deaths in India occurs due to the excessive use of tobacco. The rate of oral cancer reported in India is about twice the global average. In 2008 cancer was the cause of 7.6 million deaths worldwide. In case of men from South-East Asia Region, oral and lung cancers are the most prevalent ones and breast and cervical cancers are mainly found in women. The Government of India invests a sum of 300 billion rupees per year approximately on treatment of tobacco related illness via both private and public spending. It accounts to one-fourth of the total spending on health issues in the country. About 2500 persons die every day in India due to diseases related to tobacco.
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overall in the world. In last few months of 2012, India topped the spam spewing nations list, but eventually fell back to the third position. Second position was held by China. In the study, the spam sent from December 2012 to February 2013 was tracked. China and India took second and third positions respectively with 8.2 percent and 4.2 percent of the spam of the world. Other countries which ranked high included South Korea, France, Italy and Peru. Peru was ranked at fourth position with 4.0 percent of the spam. With 3.4 percent each, France, South Korea and Italy ranked fifth. Russia and Taiwan shared eighth position with 2.9 percent. At tenth, eleventh and twelfth position were Spain (2.8 percent), Germany (2.7 percent) and Iran (2.6 percent). In order to prevent spamming, the PC users can keep the anti-virus software updated and regularly run the malware checks. Apart from this, updating passwords regularly can also help.
INDIA RANKED THIRD ON THE LIST OF SPAM SPEWING NATION IN THE WORLD
India ranked third on list of countries, which distribute spam all over the world, after US and China, as per the new report of SophosLabs. SophosLabs is the Sophoss global network of threat analysis centres. In the study, US was single highest ranking country, but Asia ranked at number 1 position in the list of the continents with 36.6 percent of overall spam of the world. US sent 18.3 percent of the junk emails www.jagranjosh.com
ENTERTAINMENT AND MEDIA SECTOR TO DOUBLE BY 2017: FICCI-KPMG REPORT

The entertainment and media industry of India will become twice of its present size by 2017, as per the report released by FICCI-KPMG (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry) on 12 March 2013 in Mumbai. An inaugural ceremony of FICCI Frames 2013 was organised in Mumbai. It was announced that entertainment and media industry has a current size of 91700 crore Rupees, which

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would increase to 166000 crore Rupees by 2017. FICCI additionally declared that the dominant part of this industry was television. By 2017, newer media segments such as digital advertising, gaming, animation and visual effects will post double-digit growth.
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INDIA RANKED LOW ON GENDER INEQUALITY INDEX: UN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2013
The UN Human Development Report 2013 was released on 14 March 2013, according to which India has poor Gender Inequality Index, apart from the overall poor Human Development Index (HDI). Apart from Afghanistan that got a rank of 147 in comparison to 132 of India, all the countries in the region of South Asia were ranked higher on Gender Inequality Index. China was also ranked very high on Gender Inequality Index. This Gender Inequality Index measures the inequality in terms of achievements between males and females in three main aspects namely, labour market, reproductive health and empowerment. Women Representation in Parliament Women representation in Parliament in India is only 10.9 percent. The only worse country than India is Iran with 3.1 percent. The country that has best representation of women in Parliament is Nepal with 33.2 percent. Maternal Mortality Ratio
India ranks badly on the Maternal Mortality Ratio as well. Maternal Mortality Ratio measures the ratio of the number of maternal deaths to the number of live births in a given year. It is expressed per 100000 live births. In India, for every 100000 births, 200 women die during the childbirth or due to complications in childbearing. The only countries to have higher Maternal Mortality Ratio than India are Bangladesh (240), Pakistan (260) and Afghanistan (460). The countries with lowest Maternal Mortality Ratio are Sri Lanka (35) and Iran (21). What is Human Development Index (HDI)? The Human Development Index (HDI) is a combined index which measures the average achievements of the countries in three main human development dimensions. These dimensions are decent standard of living, knowledge and long and healthy life. In the 2013 Human Development Index (HDI) report, analysis of the 40 developing countries in South Asia was done.
DELHI COUNTED AMONG FIVE INDIAN HOTSPOTS OF ILLEGAL TRADE OF TIGERS: REPORT
As per the joint report by Global wildlife trade monitoring Network TRAFFIC and WWF Tigers Alive Initiative, titled Reduced to Skin and Bones Revisited, Delhi, Sunderbans and the Western Ghats emerged as the hotspots of illegal trade of tigers their parts and products. The report which was released in Bangkok in Second week of March 2013 laid claim Current Affairs Comprehensive
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that tigers were being poached in most of the 13 tiger range countries including China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. Based on the information with regard to India, five hotspot locations have been identified. The other four hotspots were close to protected areas in different parts of the country Ramnagar in Uttar Pradesh which lies along to the entrance of Corbett National Park, the towns of Balgahat and Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh where the Kanha and Pench National Park is located, Kolkata and areas spanning south to the edge of the Sunderbans in Bengal and Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve in the Western Ghats. Also as per the report, the National Capital Region is an exception among the hot spots as it is not located in or near to any tiger landscapes. The shocking part of the report concluded after an examination on trade of leopard parts and products is that Delhi accounts for more than 26 per cent of all leopards seized, making it the most important hub of illegal trade in the country. The Other major outcome of the Reports On Sundarbans hotspot, the report says that seizures on the Bangladeshi side have been at a much lower rate in comparison to India, the most recent seizure there was in 2011 when a suspect was found in possession of three tiger heads, four tiger skins, and 24 kg of bones. As per the report Corbett and the adjacent Ramnagar Forest division have healthy tiger populations, they remain a prime target for poachers and in 2012 a poaching group was www.jagranjosh.com
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found hiding out in the protected zone of the park with traps. As per the latest analysis of arrogations, which includes new data for 2010-2012, it aws revealed that parts of more than 1400 tigers have been seized across Asia in the past 13 years. The report has also arrived at a conclusion with its finding that parts of at least 1425 tigers had been seized from twelve of 13 tiger range countries between 2000 and 2012. Cambodia was the only exception from where no seizures were recorded at all during the period. A Prominent finding in the report was the high rate of seizures of live tigers. 61 individuals were seized in the three-year period since the last full CITES meeting took place in 2010, representing 50 per cent of overall numbers (123) recorded since 2000, it says. Thailand was the most significant location for interdiction of live tiger trade (30), followed by Lao PDR (11) and Indonesia (9) and Vietnam (4).
A total of 654 seizures of tiger parts ranging from skin to bones, to teeth, claws and skulls took place during this period, an average of 110 tigers killed for trade per year or just over two per week. The report was launched on 8 March 2013 at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in Bangkok.
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CHAPTER 11: PROGRAMS AND POLICY

UNION GOVERNMENT APPROVED RELAXATION IN POLICIES RELATED TO TRANSFER OF GOVERNMENT LAND
The Union Government of India on 2 August 2012 approved relaxation in policies relating to transfer of government land. The objective of the policy is to speed up private-public partnership in the country and to bring on fast-track the pending infrastructure projects. The decision will ensure that infrastructure projects are not held up for procedural delays. A ban was imposed in 2011 on transfer of government-owned land to any entity except in cases where land was to be transferred from one government department to another. This ban however excluded the cases where the land was to be transferred from one government department to another. The policy has also been relaxed for all land transfers from ministries to statutory authorities or PSUs (Public Sector Units). Besides, the government allowed use and development of railway land by Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA), as per the provisions of Railways Amendment Act, 2005. TWG (Technical Working Group): The group set up by the BRICS nation to exchange information regarding the prevailing systems and institutional mechanisms through meetings. The Health Ministers of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) in the second week of January 2013 decided to set up a Technical Working Group (TWG). As per the Agreed Action Plan released by the Health and Family Welfare Ministry, member countries will nominate their respective Nodal Officers to work jointly for the Working Group. The group will exchange information regarding the prevailing systems and institutional mechanisms through meetings.
WORLD CONFERENCE ON INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS (WCIT-12) HELD IN DUBAI

International telecommunication Union (ITU) summoned the World Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates which was held from 3 to14 December 2012. In the landmark conference, it was decided that the current International Telecommunications Regulations (ITRs) shall be reviewed. After negotiating for two weeks, the delegates from the length and breadth of the world agreed to a fresh international treaty called New Global Telecoms Treaty, which will welcome the power of
HEALTH MINISTERS OF BRICS DECIDED TO SET UP TECHNICAL WORKING GROUP (TWG)

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information and communication technologies (ICTs) to everyone in the world. More than 2000 delegates from across the world were registered for this conference. The main points of the treaty were as follows The treaty basically embarks general principles for making sure that there is free flow of the information across the world. New provisions ensured that there was special emphasis on the future efforts for helping the developing countries, on promotion of accessibility to the disabled as well as on emphasising the right to freedom of expression of people over all the ICT networks. In another provision, there was an inclusion of a Resolution for creating one, globally-harmonised number for access to various emergency services, improving the energy efficiency of the ICT networks, new text making it mandatory for the prices set for mobile roaming as well as fighting against the e-waste. Issues that provoked debate at the World Conference on International Telecommunications There were certain tough issues which led to debate at this conference. These issues were Network security Unwanted bulk content like spam emails Definition of the entities which provided services under terms of the treaty,
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Whether the language on freedom of expression in the Preamble text of the treaty should be included or not The principle of non-discriminatory access of the networks of each others countries
ITUs Gold Medal: In WCIT-12, the ITUs Gold Medal, which is the highest honour of the organisation, was awarded by ITU Secretary-General Dr Hamadoun Tour to Chairmanship of Al Ghanim. About WCIT-12 WCIT-12 was among the most open treatymaking conferences of the world which had live as well as archived webcasting. There was English-language captioning of the meetings of substantive working committee (Committee 5 Review) as well as the conference plenary sessions. There were in all, 1275 proposals to this conference from the member States. WCIT12 included around 1600 delegates onsite from 151 Member States. This also included around 70 Ministers, Ambassadors and Deputy Ministers.
NATIONAL GIRL CHILD DAY CELEBRATED IN INDIA ON 24 JANUARY

24 January, National Girl Child Day: This day is celebrated as the National Girl Child Day every year by the Government of India with an objective to raise consciousness of Indian society towards the girl children. The Women and Child Development Ministry observed National Girl Child Day on 24 January 2013. 24 January is Current Affairs Comprehensive
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celebrated as the National Girl Child Day every year since 2008 by the Government of India. Objective of the National Girl Child Day
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The primary objective of the National Girl Child Day is raising awareness and consciousness of the society towards the girl child. The primary aim is to ensure that every girl is respected and valued in Indian society.
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CHAPTER 12: SPORTS

ED SLAPPED 98.5 CRORE RUPEES PENALTY ON RAJASTHAN ROYALS
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) slapped the IPL team Rajasthan Royals with a penalty notice of around 100 crore Rupees for violating the Forex laws. ED issued this penalty notice after investigating the matter for 2 years under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). Three notices in all were sent across to the IPL franchise which totaled to 98.5 crore Rupees. The Jaipur IPL Cricket Private Limited (JIPL) as well as its directors was sent a penalty notice of 50 crore Rupees. Apart from this, 34 crore Rupees penalty notice was issued against EM Sporting Holding, Mauritius and its directors for evading the Forex duties. A notice of 14.5 crore Rupees was also issued additionally against the Ms ND Investments, United Kingdom and its directors. All these three parties are free to appeal against the penalty order in appellate authority of FEMA. According to the order, IPL team needs to make the payment in 45 days. This is said to be the first biggest order against any team issued by the ED. According to the penalty order, it was found that the foreign investment in JIPL was conducted in flagrant contravention of FEMA. The first penalty order was issued by ED against the Rajasthan Royals in mid-2011. Now, it issued the final orders after it moved to FEMA Adjudicating Authority in Delhi in order to examine investigations in the case.
ALLAN BORDER MEDAL 2013: MICHAEL CLARKE WON THE MEDAL FOURTH TIME
Michael Clarke, the Australian cricket captain won the fourth Allan Border Medal in Melbourne on 4 February 2013. 31-year old Clarke had won the medal earlier in 2005, 2009 and 2012. Apart from Clarke, the only other player to win this medal four times is Captain Ricky Ponting. Michael Clarke also won the Test cricketer of the year award for the second consecutive time after he scored 1080 runs in nine tests from 25 February 2012 to January 28 2013. List of Awardees of Allan Border Medal in different categories Domestic Player of the Year: Phil Hughes Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year: Joe Burns T20 Player of the Year: Shane Watson ODI Player of the Year: Clint McKay Test Player of the Year: Michael Clarke Women's International Player of the Year: Jessica Cameron Allan Border Medal: Michael Clarke About Allan Border Medal Allan Border Medal is a prestigious award given away in the Australian cricket. It was first awarded in 2000. The Allan Border
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Medal is named after the former captain of Australia, Allan Border.
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MS DHONI NAMED AS THE VICE-PRESIDENT OF INDIA CEMENTS

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the captain of the Indian cricket team was appointed as the vice-president of India Cements on 1 February 2013. India Cements is headed by BCCI President N Srinivasan. It is important to note that Dhoni resigned from Air India team recently and now is expected to play for India Cements in the BCCI Corporate Trophy, which started on 1 February 2013. India Cements owns IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings, the captaincy of which lies in the hands of Dhoni since 2008. The Managing Directorcum-vice-chairman of India Cements is Srinivasan. Including MS Dhonis name in the India Cements team for Corporate Trophy starting from 1 February 2013 to 8 February 2013 was actually a surprise, especially because the captain had declared to take rest for some time. Earlier, Dhoni played in the Corporate Trophy for the team of Air India, but later he resigned. The Corporate Trophy will be taking place in four main cities - Nagpur, Raipur, Indore and Pune.
Glenn McGrath and Charlie Turner, the renowned fast bowlers were unanimously chosen to be inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame on 3 February 2013. Hall of fame chairman David Crow declared that these two pace bowlers were inducted officially at Allan Border Medal ceremonies on 4 February 2013. McGrath has a test career spanning 14 years over 124 matches. The highest tally of McGrath is 563 wickets at 21.64. This is the fourth highest tally of all times. McGrath was also the winner of Allan Border Medal in 2000. He was inducted in ICC Hall of Fame in December 2012. Charlie Turner, on the other hand, took 615 on test debut at Sydney in 1887. He died in 1944. Turner took 101 wickets at 16.53 in 17 test matches between the time period of 1887 and 1895. Other Hall of Fame Inductees The other Hall of Fame inductees include Keith Miller, Arthur Morris, Bill O'Reilly, Bill Ponsford, Bob Simpson, Warwick Armstrong, Richie Benaud, Lindsay Hassett, Ian Healy, Hugh Trumble, Victor Trumper, Bill Woodfull, Rod Marsh, Stan McCabe, Allan Border, Sir Donald Bradman, John Blackham, Charles Macartney, Shane Warne, Steve Waugh, Doug Walters, Glenn McGrath, Graham McKenzie, Greg Chappell, Ian Chappell, Neil Harvey, Clem Hill, Ray Lindwall, Fred Spofforth, Mark Taylor, Alan Davidson, George Giffen, Dennis Lillee, Clarrie Grimmett, Monty Noble and Bill Lawry.
GLENN MCGRATH AND CHARLIE TURNER JOINED AUSTRALIAN CRICKET HALL OF FAME
SOUTH AFRICA ACHIEVED TOP SPOT IN LATEST ICC TEST RANKINGS

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International Cricket Council, ICC rankings for test cricket was released on 4 February 2013 in Dubai. South Africa emerged as the world number one team in the category and is followed by England, Australia, Pakistan and India. In the latest rankings released by the ICC Hashim Amla, the South African batsman has emerged as the best batsman in the category and with this he became the first batsman to hold the number one dice in both Test and One-day format of the game since 2007, before this Ricky Pointing was the cricketer to hold this position. Michael Clarke, the Australian batsman was racked at second position in the ranking. Dale Steyn, the South African bowler holds the top position in the bowling ranking and is followed by his teammate, Vernan Philander. South African, Jacques Kallis has retained his position as the number one test all-rounder with versatile performance. Pragyan Ojha is the only Indian to feature among the top ten bowlers in the test rankings released.
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Marussia F1 team unveiled their new Formula 1 car called MR02 on 5 February 2013. The specialty of this car is that it is equipped with the KERS (the kinetic energy recovery system) power-boost system which is not found in any other existing teams. KERS was legalised since 2011. The benefit of KERS is that enables 0.3 seconds per lap. New driver of the Marussia F1 team, Max Chilton drove this car on first day of the F1 pre-season testing at Jerez in Spain ON 5 February 2013. Marussia F1 team described this car as an all-inclusive evolution of older 2012 model. MR02 is first of its kind car that is designed using the technique of CFD complementing wind tunnel.
LUIS RAZIA APPOINTED AS SECOND DRIVER FOR F1 TEAM MARUSSIA

Russian Formula1 (F1) team Marussia announced on 6 February 2013 that Brazilian Luis Razia is the second driver for the 2013 Formula One Season going to start in Melbourne (Australian Grand Prix) on 17 March 2013. Razia, the runner up of the 2012 GP2 Series would race alongside Max Chilton, the British teammate.
REBECCA ADLINGTON, ANNOUNCED RETIREMENT

Britain-based Rebecca Adlington, the Olympic champion announced retirement from all forms of competitive swimming on 4 February 2013. Adlington, 23 is from Mansfield.
MARUSSIA F1 TEAM UNVEILED THEIR NEW FORMULA 1 CAR, MR02
INDIA WON 46 MEDALS IN 2013 PYEONGCHANG SPECIAL OLYMPICS WORLD WINTER GAMES
The 2013 Pyeongchang Special Olympics World Winter Games finished on 5 February 2013 after a week of competition
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among differently-abled athletes. The games took place from 29 January 2013 to 5 February 2013. Almost 200000 spectators witnessed the games in venuesPyeongchang and Gangneung. India returned with 46 medals in 2013 Special Olympics World Winter Games at Pyeong Chang, South Korea. The differently-abled athletes of India won 46 medals in all - 13 gold, 17 silver and 16 bronze from mentally-challenged 2200 athletes participating from more than 120 nations in the games. The medal tally of India doubled from World Winter Games 2009. These games were completed in eight categories of sports- alpine skiing, crosscountry skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, figure skating, short track speed skating, floor hockey and floorball.
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SACHIN TENDULKAR EQUALED SUNIL GAVASK ARS RECORD OF 81 CENTURIES IN FIRST CLASS CRICKET
Sachin Tendulkar on 8 February 2013 equaled the record of Sunil Gavaskar of 81 first class hundreds in first class cricket at Mumbai. He managed to equal Gavaskars record after scoring an unbeaten 140 runs in Irani Trophy against Rest of India in the first innings of the tournament of Mumbai team.
RANCHI RHINOS BEAT DELHI WAVERIDERS TO WIN INAUGURAL HOCKEY INDIA LEAGUE
Ranchi Rhinos beat Delhi Waveriders 2-1 to win the inaugural Hockey India League (HIL) in the match at Astroturf Hockey Stadium on 10 February 2013. Apart from winning the trophy, Ranchi Rhinos took away 2.5 crore Rupees. Runners-up Delhi Waveriders on the other hand, pocketed 1.25 crore Rupees. Uttar Pradesh Wizards that completed in the third place took away 75 lakh Rupees. Uttar Pradesh Wizards defeated Punjab Warriors 4-3 to claim third position. Mumbai Magicians player Sandeep Singh hit maximum goals (11) in the tournament.
CCI SLAPPED A PENALTY OF 52.24 CRORE ON BCCI FOR ABUSE OF POSITION

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on 8 February 2013 was slapped a penalty of 52.24 crore rupees by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) for being indulged in anti-competitive practices. The CCI ordered BCCI to deposit the penalty within 90 days from the date of issue of orders. The CCI in its verdict claimed that BCCI abused its dominant position and directed it to cease its all practices of denying market access to the potential competitors. The regulator also stated that the stance of BCCI was of serious concern and quantum of penalty which should be levied that is proportional to the seriousness of violation. www.jagranjosh.com
LYDIA KO BECAME YOUNGEST WINNER OF EUROPEAN TOUR

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GOLF EVENT, NEW ZEALAND WOMEN'S OPEN

Lydia Ko, the teenager became youngest winner of a women's European Tour golf event by winning at New Zealand Women's Open in Christchurch on 10 February 2013. This is her third victory of the professional title. She is aged just 15 years, eight months and 17 days. Lydia Ko in the meanwhile, also became the third amateur, who won on women's European Tour. First and second amateurs were Gillian Stewart and Yang respectively. Ko at present is at number 38 on professional rankings of the world. She will go for Australian Open in Canberra that would kick off on 14 February 2013. Her first victory was in pro tour event which took place at ALPG's Bing Lee Samsung Women's NSW Open in early 2012 when Lydia Ko was just 14 years of age. Her second victory came at 2012s Canadian Women's Open.
structure in tennis to represent or address the issues of the tennis players in India. The modeling of the ITPA is done on the basis of (Association of Tennis Professionals) ATP and will operate on the basic principle of self governance and consultative dialogue, to arrive at decisions that impact the professional tennis of the country. ITPA - Indian Tennis Players Association The ITPA is being constituted under section 25 company and the membership is opened for all former and current, national and international tennis players. The association is being constituted as a non-profit body and the founding members include Davis Cup winners Jaidip Mukerjea, Mahesh Bhupathi, Somdev Devvarman, Prahlad Srinath and Mustafa Ghouse, Enrico Piperno, Rohan Bopanna, Manisha Malhotra, AITA vice-president Karti P. Chidambaram and Aditya Sachdeva (High Performance Coaching Director). Every member of the body has equal voting rights for election of a general body to identify ITPAs operations. Jaidip Mukerjea is elected as the interim President of the body and will be on the post till the formative period of ITPA and until the general body and general council meets formally
INDIAN TENNIS PLAYERS ASSOCIATION FORMED TO ADDRESS THE CONCERNS OF TENNIS PLAYERS
ITPA- Indian Tennis Players Association Indian Tennis Players Association (ITPA), a collective body of Indian Tennis players was designed on 11 February 2013. The ITPA would be responsible to represent the concerns and professional interests of its members. The association is being constituted as there exist no particular
HORACIO ZEBALLOS WON TENNIS TOURNAMENT VTR OPEN 2013

World No. 73 Horacio Zeballos defeated Rafael Nadal 6-7 (2) 7-6 (6) 6-4 to win his first ATP World Tour trophy in VTR OPEN
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2013 on 10 February 2013 in Vina del Mar, Chile in Mens Singles. Horacio Zeballos became the second firsttime winner in ATP World Tour 2013. The first one was Australian Bernard Tomic who won at Apia International Sydney. 27-yearold Horacio Zeballos knocked all the four seeded opponents to grab the title. Apart from Nadal, he defeated fourth seed Pablo Andujar, fifth seed Albert Ramos and eighth seed Carlos Berlocq. Rafael Nadal, additionally also lost in Mens Doubles after he and Juan Monaco of Argentina lost to Italians Paolo Lorenzi and Potito Starace (62, 6-4). About VTR OPEN 2013 VTR OPEN 2013 was played on the clay courts. It is a tennis tournament. This was the 20th edition of VTR OPEN and also a part of ATP World Tour 250 series of the 2013 ATP World Tour. VTR OPEN 2013 took place in Via del Mar, Chile. It took place from 2 February 2013 to 10 February 2013.
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Jayawardene, who announced to quit captaincy after Sri Lankas tour of Australia. Dinesh Chandimal, the wicket-keeper batsman was appointed as the vice-captain in the test and one-day format of the game and will lead the country as a captain in the T20 format of the game. Lasith Malinga was appointed as the vice-captain for the T20 team.
GIRISHA HOSANAGARA APPOINTED BRAND AMBASSADOR OF HERBALIFE

Girisha Hosanagara Nagarajegowda, the London paralympics silver-medallist and Padma Shri awardee was appointed as the brand ambassador of nutrition company Herbalife on 15 February 2013. Herbalife is a global nutrition company that appointed Girisha as the brand personality. As per the agreement, Girisha will endorse Herbalife products such as Afresh Energy Drink Mix and Formula 1 Nutritional Shake.
ANGELO MATHEWS APPOINTED CAPTAIN OF SRI LANKAN TEST AND ONE-DAY CRICKET TEAM
Angelo Mathews, the Sri Lankan all-rounder cricketer was appointed the Captain of the test and one-day cricket team of Sri Lanka on 14 February 2013 for a period of one year. Mathews replaced Mahela
ENGLAND WON TWENTY20 CRICKET SERIES AGAINST NEW ZEALAND

England defeated host New Zealand in the third and last Twenty20 Cricket match played at Wellington on 15 Feb 2013 to win the series 2-1. England bowled first and they restricted the Kiwis to 139-8 and later achieved the winning target with 44 balls remaining. The Second Twenty20 was played at Hamilton on 12 February 2013 in which New Zealand defeated England by 55 runs to level the three match Twenty20 international series at 1-1.
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The First Twenty20 was played at Auckland on 9 February 2013 which was won by England. It defeated New Zealand by 40 runs.
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womens cricket World Cup it last won the title in 2005. Australia scored 259 runs (this is the highest score in Womens World Cup Final) at the loss of 7 wickets in 50 overs and West Indies lost all its wickets at the score of 145. Captains Australian Captain: Jodie Fields West Indies Captain: Merissa Aguilleira Tournament Report Player of the tournament - New Zealands Suzie Bates for scoring 407 runs with three half-centuries and a ton at an average of 67.83 in the series. The Australian, all-rounder Lisa Sthalekar announced her retirement from International cricket after the Australian womens cricket team won the world cup title 2013. She made her debut in the international cricket in 2001 in an ODI match against England till her retirement she managed to play 125 one day internationals, 8 tests and 54 women T20 international matches.
SERENA WILLIAMS BECAME THE NEW WORLD NUMBER ONE WOMENS TENNIS PLAYER
Serena Williams became the new World number one womens tennis player. Serena Williams who is aged 31 years thrashed Petra Kvitova of Czech Republic 63,3-6,7-5 and reached Semifinals of Qatar Open Tennis Championship in Doha. On entering the semi-finals, she achieved the top position after a period of two and a half years. Serena Williams will compete against Maria Sharapova in the Semifinals on 16 February 2013. Maria Sharapova reached semi-finals after defeating Samantha Stosur 6-2,6-4. Serena Williams (31 years, 4 months, 24 days) is now the oldest woman tennis player to hold number 1 ranking. She broke the record of Chris Evert (30 years, 11 months, 3 days) of USA.
AUSTRALIA WON ICC WOMENS WORLD CUP AF TER DEFEATING WEST INDIES
Australia won the ICC Womens World Cup Trophy after defeating West-Indies by 114runs on 17 February 2013 at Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai. Australia clinched the title for the sixth time in the history of
VISWANATHAN ANAND WON GRENKE CHESS CLASSIC TROPHY

Viswanathan Anand, the World Champion in Chess from India won the Grenke Chess Classic trophy of 2013 after defeating Arkadij Naiditsch from Germany on 17 February 2013. To secure his win in the Grenke Chess Classic, Anand also defeated Fabiano Caruana from Italy. This was his first title of the year.
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The 43 years old Anand, managed to take a 49 move win against Arkadij with his black pieces to claim the title for his all-play-all tournament title in five years. Anand last won a title in March 2008 at Linares, when he topped the field with 8.5 points in the eight player field. In January 2013, Anand finished at third position in the Tata Steel at Wijk aan Zee in although he lost the first round to Wang Hao from China.
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Goal-Line Technology (GLT) Goal-line Technology is a technology that is used to determine the fact that has the ball passed the goal-line or not with the support of an electronic-device to help the referee decided to take a call that either it was a goal or not.
FIFA CONFIRMED USE OF GOAL-LINE TECHNOLOGY AT THE 2014 WORLD CUP

Fdration Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) on 19 February 2013 confirmed the use of goal-line technology during the 2014 FIFA World Cup to be organised in Brazil. It also stated that the technology could be introduced in the next seasons Premier league. FIFA had invited tenders from more service providers of the technology to conduct an official bidding ahead of the Confederations Cup to be held in June 2013. Introduction of the technology in football is being insisted to provide a high-tech aid to the World Cup referees to rule on the disputed incidents. IFAB, the rule making panel of FIFA in July 2012 decided to approve the goal-line technology for the competitive matches after it passed an extensive test conducted by the body. The decision by FIFA was expected once its rule-making panel, known as IFAB, decided last July to approve goal-line technology at competitive matches after two systems passed extensive tests.
RAFAEL NADAL DEFEATED DAVID NALBANDIAN TO WIN BRAZIL OPEN 2013

Rafael Nadal on 17 February 2013 won the finals of Brazil Open 2013 by defeating Argentinean David Nalbandian in straight sets by 6-2, 6-3 in Sao Paolo. He won the tournament for the second time; he won it for the first time in 2005. This was the second tournament for the former world number 1 Spanish tennis star after returning back from to the game after seven months. He was absent from the game due to the knee injury that he suffered from.
MILOS RAONIC WON THIRD CONSECUTIVE SAP OPEN 2013 SINGLES TITLES BEATING TOMMY HAAS
Milos Raonic on 17 February 2013 won SAP Open 2013 at San Jose defeating Tommy Haas in the championship match. Milos Raonic completed the tournament with 6-4, 6-3 victory over Haas. Raonic won third straight SAP Open singles titles. With this victory, he became first player to grab the trophy for three years Current Affairs Comprehensive
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consecutively, since Tony Trabert in 195355. On the other hand, in SAP Open 2013 doubles final, Xavier Malisse and Frank Moser beat Lleyton Hewitt and Marinko Matosevic 6-0, 6-7(5), 10-4 to lift the trophy.
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MARINA ERAKOVIC WON HER FIRST WTA TITLE IN US NATIONAL INDOOR TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP 2013
Marina Erakovic won her first Women's Tennis Association title, US National Indoor Tennis Championship 2013 after beating Germany's Sabine Lisicki in Memphis on 23 February 2013. The match merely took place for one set with Marina Erakovic winning 6-1 and Sabine Lisicki unable to begin due to illness.
VIRAT KOHLI APPOINTED CAPTAIN FOR ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE

Virat Kohli on 20 February 2013 was appointed as he Captain of the IPL Franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for the sixth edition of the Indian Premier League. Kohli will be the successor of Daniel Vettori as the new captain of the team.
VIJITHA BANDARA OF SRI LANKA WON EIGHTH NCR CUP GOLF TOURNAMENT
Vijitha Bandara of Sri Lanka won Eighth NCR Cup Golf Tournament at Delhi Golf Club on 1 March 2013. Vijitha Bandara shot fourover 76 for a total of 293 in order to win the tournament. With the victory of this tournament, Bandara became the second Sri Lankan to clinch this title. The first one to win this title was N Thangaraja in 2012.
SANIA MIRZA AND BETHANIEMATTEK SANDS WON THE DUBAI TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP 2013
India's Sania Mirza and her American partner Bethanie-Mattek Sands won the Dubai Tennis Championship on 23 February 2013. The Indo-American duo defeated the second seeded Russian-Slovenian combination of Nadia Petrova and Katarina Srebotnik, 6-4, 2-6, 10-7. Sania bagged her second Doubles title of the season. Meanwhile, Czech Republic's Petra Kvitova yesterday clinched the Women's Singles trophy. In the finals, she defeated Sara Errani of Italy, 6-2, 1-6, 6-1 to win her career's 10th title.
WORLD NUMBER ONE NOVAK DJOKOVIC WON THE ATP DUBAI OPEN TENNIS TITLE 2013
World Number one Novak Djokovic on 2 March 2013 won the ATP Dubai Open Tennis title 2013. He defeated third seed Czech Republics Tomas Berdych 7-5, 6-3 in the finals in Dubai.
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Indias Mahesh Bhupathi and his French partner Michael Lloldra bagged the doubles crown defeating Serbian-Swedish duo of Nenad Zimonjic and Robert Lindstedt 7-6, 76 in straight sets.
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Spanish compatriot Nadal. On the other hand, in the womens final, Italy's Sara Errani defeated Carla Suarez-Navarro of Spain 6--0, 6-4.
SAHMIM KHAN WON THE PGTI PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE 2013

Shamim Khan of Delhi on 1 March 2013 defeated Mukesh Kumar of Mhow in the playoff to win the PGTI Players Championship title at the Classic Golf Resort. S Chikkarangappa of Bangalore came third with an aggregate of 11-under277. Both Shamim and Mukesh finished the regulation 72 holes with matching totals of 12-under-276. Shamim (66-70-70-70) was in third position earlier. However, he placed three strokes behind Mukesh and made a solid start to the day with pars on the first eight holes and followed that up with a birdie on the ninth.
DEBORAH WON A BRONZE MEDAL IN ASIAN CYCLING CHAMPIONSHIP 2013

Deborah from India won a Bronze medal in the final of women's juniors of 500m cycle event in Asian Cycling Championship on 7 March 2013 in New Delhi. 19-year-old Deborah helped India claim its second medal in the Asian Cycling Championship 2013 which is ongoing. Deborah finished 500 meter time trial finals in 37.841 seconds. Gold medal was won by Korea's Jang Yeonhee and Yu Shiou Cheng of Chinese Taipei won the silver medal. The two remained ahead of Deborah with 37.159 and 37.834 seconds respectively. Earlier, Indias Jashanjit Kaur qualified for bronze medal match of the 2km-Individual Pursuit, thereby giving a good start to India in the ongoing Asian Cycling Championship 2013.
RAFAEL NADAL DEFEATED DAVID FERRER TO WIN ATP MEXICAN OPEN 2013 TENNIS TOURNAMENT
Rafael Nadal defeated top seed and defending champion David Ferrer 6-0, 6-2 on 2 March 2013 in the final match of the ATP Mexican Open 2013 tennis tournament. David Ferrer was the 3-time defending champion, who had also won 19 straight matches in the event. But eventually in the final of ATP Mexican Open 2013, he lost to
SMRITI MEHRA WON SECOND TITLE IN HERO WOMEN S PRO GOLF TOUR 2013
Smriti Mehra, the veteran golfer, on 6 March 2013 won her second title in the fourth leg of Hero Women`s pro golf tour 2013 in Mumbai. Smriti played a round of one under 64 and finished with an overall score of 194 at the Willingdon Sports Club. At the second position was Neha Tripathi who completed Current Affairs Comprehensive
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with the final round score of one over 66 and an overall score of 200. Sharmila Nicollet achieved third position with lowly six over 71 and a total score of 202. Pallavi Jain came at the fourth position with par 65 and an overall score of 205. At the fifth position were Vani Kapoor and Saaniya Sharma who tied at a total score of 209.
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At the third position was golfer Smriti Mehra from India who got the total score of 142. Thai golfer Tiranan Yoopan finished at the fourth position with a score of 143. Tang Ni Nhung of Vietnam came at the fifth position with an overall score of 148. It is important to note that Neha Tripathi had won the first tournament of Hero Women Professional Golf Tour on 31 January 2013. This is her third title in the Women Tour.
TINE BAUN WON WOMEN'S SINGLES TITLE IN THE ALL ENGLAND OPEN BADMINTON CHAMPIONSHIPS 2013
Tine Baun won the womens singles title in the All England Open Badminton Championships 2013 at the National Indoor Arena, Birmingham, England on 10 March 2013. With this victory, the 33-yearold Baun became the oldest All-England womens singles champion of Open Era. She defeated three-time world junior champion Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand 21-14, 1621, 21-10. This was the last tournament of Tine Bauns career. Earlier, she had won the same title in 2008 and 2010.
MANORAMA AND DEBORAH WON BRONZE FOR INDIA IN HERO ASIAN CYCLING CHAMPIONSHIPS
India's Deborah and Manorama Devi on 10 March 2013 won a bronze in the team sprint on the second to last day of the Hero Asian Cycling Championships in New Delhi. The pair came just 0.148 secs ahead by defeating Malaysia's Faihah Shahwati Mohd Adnan and Nurul Alissa Mohamad Azman. Manorama, was little slow as she completed the first lap in 22.243 secs as compared to Malaysia's rider (21.527). In contrary Deborah, wrested back the advantage and completed the race with an aggregate of 38.645 secs to bag a podium finish in the junior category while the Malaysian duo took 38.793 secs to finsh the two-lap race. Earlier in the day, Faihah and Nurul had qualified with better timings (38.848 secs) as compared to the Indian pair (39.245 secs). Deborah is from Andaman and Nicobar.
NEHA TRIPATHI WON BT PRO AM OF CHAMPIONS GOLF TOURNAMENT 2013

Neha Tripathi defeated Thailand's Pennapa Pulsawath to win BT Pro Am of Champions golf tournament 2013 in Manesar on 10 March 2013. After initially tying up at a score of 141, Neha won the match in second playoff on 18th hole.
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DAVID BECKHAM NAMED RICHEST FOOTBALLER OF THE WORLD

David Beckham was named as the richest footballer of the world, according to the Goal Rich List 2013. David Beckham has a total income of 175 million pound. 37-yearold Beckham is the biggest brand in the world now, leaving behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. In 2012, Beckham earned more than 20 million pound from wages as well as endorsement. The Goal Rich List 2013 revealed that the worth of Beckham is 60 million pound more than Messi. At the third position is Ronaldo, aged 28 years. He earned a total of 112 million pound in his career. Wayne Rooney, the Manchester United and England striker made it to the list of Top Ten with a total of 50 million pound.
INDIA CLINCHED GOLD AND A BRONZE MEDAL IN ASIAN ARCHERY GRAND PRIX
In the Asian Archery Grand Prix, the mens compound team of India won a gold medal while mens recurve trio won a bronze in Bangkok on 12 March 2013. The mens compound team comprised of Jignas Chittibomma, Sandeep Kumar and Abhishek Verma. It defeated Vietnam team 226-218 to clinch gold. The recurve trio mens team comprised of Binod Swansi, Rahul Banerjee and Atanu Das. It defeated Russia 217-201 to win the bronze medal. India won 55-51, 53-47, 55-53, 54-50. In the meanwhile, the womens recurve team of India comprising of L Bombayla Devi, Dola Banerjee and Rimil Buriuly missed their bronze after losing 202-203 to Indonesia. India lost 48-52, 52-52, 53-51, 49-48.
SHRINIVAS WON 42ND SENIOR NATIONAL AND INTER-STATE CARROM CHAMPIONSHIP MENS T ITLE
Shrinivas won 42nd Senior National and Inter-State Carrom Championship at Akola. He defeated world no. 3 Yogesh Pardeshi in the mens final 8-25, 25-18, 25-4. In the womens final, Rashmi Kumari defeated I Ilavazhaki 25-9, 25-18 to win the womens title. This was the fifth title of her career. The nationals ended on 10 March 2013. These nationals were organised at the Desai Stadium by Vidarbha Carrom Association and All India Carrom Federation. www.jagranjosh.com
INDIA WON EIGHT MEDALS IN INAUGURAL ASIAN GRAND PRIX ARCHERY CHAMPIONSHIP
India won a total of eight medals in the inaugural Asian Grand Prix Archery Championship at Bangkok on 14 March 2013. India won two gold, two Silver and four bronze. In the category of compound Men's individual, Ch. Jignas clinched the Gold after he defeated China's He Ying 145-142. In the Compound Men's trio category, Ch. Jignas, Abhishek Verma and Ritul Chatterjee won

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the Gold, registering a victory over Vietnam, 226-218. Silver was won by Rahul Banerjee in Recurve Men and Anjali Kumari in Compound Women in the individual categories. In the Recurve Men's event, Atanu Das clinched the Bronze. Recurve Women's team of Bombayala Devi, Dola Banerjee and Rimil Biruli defeated Indonesia to win a Bronze. In the same section, Bombayla Devi won a Bronze in individual category. Atanu and Bombayala also defeated opponent team in Mixed team event to win fourth Bronze for India.
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NEHA TRIPATHI WON SECOND TITLE IN HERO WOMEN'S PRO GOLF TOUR 2013
Neha Tripathi won her second title in Hero Women's Pro Golf Tour 2013 on 15 March 2013 when she finished with three over 75 in the final round of the fifth leg. She defeated Smriti Mehra with an aggregate of 224. This is her second title of the season. Earlier, Neha Tripathi had won in the Hero Women's Pro Golf Tour 2013 on 31 January 2013. Preetinder Kaur finished at the third position with the final round score of five over 77. Her total score was 234. Delhi's Vani Kapoor stood at fourth position with nine over 81 and total score of 236. At the fifth position was Ankita Tiwana with an overall score of 241. Saaniya Sharma followed her at the sixth position with an overall score of 244.
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CHAPTER 13: STATE NEWS

JUDICIAL PROBE IN ALLAHABAD RAILWAY STATION STAMPEDE
The State Government of Uttar Pradesh on 18 February 2013 appointed Onkareshwar Bhatt, the retired Justice of Allahabad High Court to conduct Judicial Probe into the Allahabad Railway Station Stampede that occurred during Kumbh Mela. The constituted committee that will probe into the matter is a one-man committee and was directed to submit its report in two months. The State Government ordered a Judicial Probe into the incident that occurred on the day of Mauni Amawasya 10 February 2013 at the Allahabad Railway Station during Kumbh Mela. Other Two Committees conducting Inquiry on the Case Earlier, the state Government appointed Jagan Mathuews, Chairman of the UP Board of Revenue to conduct an inquiry and submit its report within one month. Railways have also appointed an Inquiry Committee being headed by the Additional member traffic Railway Board, to look into the matter An inquiry committee that was constituted by the Railways to look into the matter; the committee is being headed by the Additional member traffic Railway Board.
IMMEDIATE MEDICAL TREATMENT TO BE GIVEN TO CRIMINAL OFFENCE VICTIMS: DELHI HIGH COURT
The Delhi High Court on 31 January 2013 ordered the Government of Delhi to issue guidelines to all hospitals, including the private hospitals in the capital not to refuse treatment to the victims of criminal offences, mainly those of road accidents and rapes. A bench which was headed by Chief Justice D Murugesan ordered the Delhi government that victims of gangrape and other crimes, including road accidents should immediately be given first aid treatment, as per the condition of the victim. The directions of Delhi High Court were a result of the Delhi gangrape which took place on 16 December 2012 in a moving bus. The court also said that Police Commissioner of Delhi will issue directions with immediate effect after the order is passed by the Government of Delhi to abide by the orders of the Delhi High Court.
ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK GAVE 100 MILLION US DOLLAR LOAN TO UTTARAKHAND

The Union Government of India on 31 January 2013 signed an agreement with the
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Asian Development Bank (ADB) for 100 million US dollar loan as second tranche of urban sector development investment programme of Uttarakhand. The loan will provide support in terms of rehabilitation as well as expansion of the basic urban infrastructure in five main urban towns of Uttarakhand. The loan will also guarantee sustainable municipal service delivery. The loan will help the urban infrastructure programme which was already started under first tranche in Nanital, Haridwar and Dehra Dun. Apart from this, the loan will also be extended to include the towns like Ramnagar, Roorkee and Haldwani. This will help primarily in improving water supply infrastructure which will provide benefit to around 800000 residents. The agreement was signed by Department of Economic Affairs Joint Secretary Anup Wadhawan who acted on behalf of the Union Government, as well as Uttarakhands Urban Development Secretary M.H. Khan. In the second tranche of loan from ADB, there is a 25 year term which also includes the grace period of 5 years along with the commitment charges of 0.15 per cent. It also additionally carries interest rate which will be determined along with the Manilabased multilateral agencys LIBOR-based lending facility. Apart from this, the complementary funds of 42.86 million US dollar will be provided by the Centre for the total second tranche project investment cost amounting to 142.86 million US dollar.
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INDIA AND WORLD BANK SIGNED A DEAL FOR KARNATAKA WATERSHED DEVELOPMENT PROJECT II
The Government of India and the World Bank on 11 February 2013 signed a 60 million US dollars credit agreement for the Karnataka Watershed Development Project II (KWDP II) to further improve watershed planning and management in project areas. The Project will improve government watershed operations in 930 micro-watersheds covering 465000 ha across 7 districts of Karnataka. This project builds on the successful experience of earlier Bank-supported Karnataka Watershed Development Project I, also known as Sujala, which helped improve the lives of 230000 farmers by increasing crop yields by about 25 percent, and raising household incomes of small and marginal farmers by 40 percent. KWDP II will focus on improving the performance and results of IWMP by introducing new tools and approaches for integrated watershed planning, incorporating more information about water resources into the planning process, facilitating better convergence of IWMP with other government programs such as NREGS, and helping farmers increase agricultural productivity. The project will cover about 465000 ha and 160000 farmer households in 7 districts. Consequently, a primary focus of the project is on supporting the implementation of IWMP in the 7-selected districts of Karnataka through better planning, capacity building, monitoring and evaluation, and
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post-harvest value addition. Focus will also be on understanding local needs, like locationspecific soilcropwater interactions; expanding the scope of rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge, by partly converging the NREGS with the IWMP and developing agroclimatic zone specific technology to enable rural communities to better adapt to the effects of climate change. Among the other components of the project, horticulture is expected to play a major role in raising income of farmers even in dry tracks. The Project will support activities for promoting dry land production for annual and perennial crops; crop diversification; help farmers in carrying out soil, water and leaf analysis to identify nutrient deficiencies; create facilities for testing, training and demonstrations; facilitate farmers in availing quality seed and planting material; and support farmers to improve post-harvest handling and marketing of the produce among others. Karnatakas dry regions are among the states poorest, have low agricultural productivity, and are susceptible to drought and deepening environmental stress and degradation. The project area has 39400 landless families. Annual normal rainfall varies from 600 to 800 mm with 43 rainy days in a year. Rain fed agriculture in 278000 ha of project area, experiences at least two water deficit years in a five year cycle due to prolonged dry spells during crop season and/or delayed onset of monsoon rains. The project will be financed by a credit from the International Development Association (IDA) the World Banks concessionary lending arm which provides interest-free loans with 25 years to maturity and a grace period of five
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years. The Closing Date of the Project is 31 December 2018.
HC OF GUJARAT ORDERED STATE GOVERNMENT TO IMPLEMENT MINORITY SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME

The High Court of Gujarat on 15 February 2013 ordered the state Government to implement the Centre's Pre-matriculation Scholarship Scheme for students of minority community in the state. The court rejected the contention of Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister of the state of in implementation of the Centre's prematriculation scholarship scheme by stating it discriminatory. From the High Court Bench of five judges, three namely Justices V M Sahai, D H Vaghela and Akil Kureshi supported the implementation of the scheme upholding its constitutional validity and declared that equating it with any particular type of reservation was not possible, whereas two judges namely Justice R R Tripathi and J B Pardiwala ruled against the scheme. The orders of the court came after hearing of the PILs launched against the State Governments decision to hold on the implementation of the Centre's prematriculation scholarship scheme since 2008, when the scheme was launched across the country. The Court in its majority verdict established that the scheme doesnt violate the provisions mentioned in the Article 15 (1) of the Constitution of India. Whereas the minority verdict identified that the scheme violated the provisions of the section.
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PRE-MATRICULATION SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME FOR MINORITY COMMUNITIES

The Centre's pre-matriculation scholarship scheme is a scheme run by the Central Government of India and it covers students, who belong to five religious minorities including Muslim, Sikh, Christian, Buddhist and Parsi with annual income below 1 lakh rupees. Under the provisions of the scheme, the central government provides 75 percent scholarship to students covered under the scheme and the rest 25 percent is the responsibility of the State Government. The Scholarship is provided to students from minority community up to tenth class, who are studying in private as well as Government schools. The main objective of the scholarship is to empower the country through education and create a potential of upliftment of the socio economic conditions of minority community Monetary benefits are also provided to the deserving candidates to help the families of these students and to encourage other families of the minority community to send their children to schools
The Cabinet Committee on Investment (CCI) on 20 February 2013 cleared the proposal of the Power Ministry to set up the North Karanpura Super Thermal Power Plant (NKSTPP) (3 x 660 MW) near Tandwa town in Chatra district of Jharkhand by the National Thermal Power Corporation, NTPC. The CCI also agreed for restoring the original coal linkage for the project and declared that the project will be based on environment friendly super-critical technology. This supply will be made available in the 13th Five Year Plan. The safeguards of the project was recommended by the Chaturvedi Committee were accepted by the Group of Ministers that was chaired by the Finance Minister of Indian Union. The power project is being developed for generation of 1980 MW power. The Plant is expected to generate electricity for a period of about 35 years.
KERALA GOVERNMENT RAISED AGE LIMIT FOR BUYING AND SELLING OF LIQUOR FROM 18 TO 21
The State Government of Kerala on 20 February 2013 approved Kerala Abkari Act Amendment Ordinance 2013 that envisaged raising age limit for buying or selling liquor from 18 years to 21 years. The new policy was announced in 2012, according to which Congress had committed to raise liquor buying and selling age from 18 to 21 years. This was aimed at bringing down the consumption of liquor in Kerala.
CCI APPROVED PROPOSAL FOR NORTH KARANPURA SUPER THERMAL POWER PLANT IN JHARKHAND
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Apart from this, the Kerala Abkari Act Amendment Ordinance 2013 would obligate showing statutory warnings for movies and television, against the consumption of liquor.
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ASSAM BECAME FIRST INDIAN STATE TO PRODUCE OVER 500 MILLION KG TEA FOR 2 YEARS IN A ROW
Assam became the first state in India to produce over 500 million kilogram tea for two years in a row. Assam produced five hundred 88 million kilogram of tea in 2012, which is 53 percent of the countrys total tea production. Earlier in 2011, 5 hundred 89 million kilogram tea was produced in the state. According to an estimate, over seven thousand five hundred crore rupee turnover was recorded in Assam tea sector in 2012. It may be recalled that around seven lakh workers are engaged in the tea sector. Fifty percent of them are women.
UTTIPEC is the division of Delhi Development Authority. It has plans for conducting around 25 workshops in coming months which would focus on metro corridors between Chattarpur to Arjangarh and Peeragarhi to Teekri Kalan. The aim of these workshops is to create awareness about TOD policy. Also, the workshops will include concerns raised by stakeholders such as NGOs, RWAs, DTC, DMRC, private transporters, DTC as well as other experts. UTTIPEC planners on 21 February 2013 emphasised on the fact that TOD system would help in making the transport system friendly to women, cyclists and walkers. Aim of TOD The aim of TOD is building mass-rapid transport hubs which will have inner zone of 300 metres radius that would be called intense-zone. This intense-zone will give preference to non-motorised transport, pedestrians as well as high-density mixed use development. Two other concentric zones of 800 metres and 2 km will be built with equal road-space distribution and high-density street network. Nine themes The workshops would create strategies as well as plans which would have nine themes Visualising of the TOD-based development Economic feasibility and market testing Strategy for sustainable infrastructure Transferring development rights as well as its implementation Strategy for incentivising redevelopment
TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT (TOD) PROJECTS RECEIVE A NOD

The UTTIPEC (Unified Traffic and Transportation Infrastructure Planning and Engineering Centre) on 21 February 2013 started efforts for developing vision as well as strategy for successful implementation of the plans for mass-rapid transport system in Delhi. Already, pilot projects along the four metro corridors as well as Karkardooma have got in-principal approval for first phase of transit-oriented development (TOD).
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Strategy for sustainable transport infrastructure Strategy for effective parking Strategy for rolling out the TOD
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In order to select the models for retrofitting, green-field development and redevelopment, design competitions will be held.
The State Government announced that agricultural input-grant (that is limited to its maximum up to two hectares) to the small, marginal and other farmers who have suffered losses of 50 percent or more crop damage. Entitlement of benefits in the relief package announced 3000 rupees per hectare for nonirrigated fields 6000 rupees per hectare for fields irrigated by canals and wells For fields irrigated by diesel pumps, the decided amount is 8000 rupees per hectare Farmers who have suffered more than 50 percent crop damage would be exempted from paying electricity bills for four months The farmers engaged in contractual or partnership based farming and not listed in the revenue records needs to get a fiverupee stamp paper signed by their land owners to get the benefits of the package. A Committee constituted at the Gram Panchayat level is made responsible to take care of all sorts of problems.
STATE CABINET OF MANIPUR TO ISSUE BAN ON SALE AND CONSUMPTION OF TOBACCO PRODUCT
The State Cabinet of Manipur decided to issue ban on the use of tobacco products in the state on 15 February 2013. The cabinets decision to ban the sale and consumption of tobacco products like gutka, cigarette, zarda, khaini and others would be implemented with immediate effect. The State Cabinet meeting that issued complete ban on use of tobacco product in the state was chaired by the Chief Minister of the state, Okram Ibobi Singh at Imphal.
GOVERNMENT OF RAJASTHAN ANNOUNCED RELIEF PACKAGE FOR FARMERS

The Government of Rajasthan on 17 February 2013 announced a relief package for farmers, whose crops were destroyed due to the rains and hailstorm that happened in the second week of February. The package includes waiver from paying electricity bills for months.
STATE BUDGET OF HARYANA 2013-14: HIGHLIGHTS

Finance Minister of Haryana on 1 March 2013 presented his second budget as the Finance Minister of the State. Highlights of the Budget An outlay plan of 27071.32 crore rupees was proposed for Annual Plan 2013-14 with a growth of 18% from RE 2012-13. A growth of 17.26 % was expected in VAT to yield 19288.61 crore rupees.
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Haryana has outperformed the major States in the country in mobilizing financial resources during the 11th Five Year Plan. The State will achieve the target of its revenue collections of 19962 crore rupees under VAT Act, CST Act, Entertainment Duty Act, Passenger and Goods Taxation Act and Excise Act for the current year. Expected revenue receipts for 201314 is at 43780.33 crore constituting growth of 15.75% over RE 2012-13 Excise Policy already announced by the government will yield 4000 crore rupees in Financial Year 2013-14 Revenue deficit as a percentage to GSDP will further reduce to 0.59
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STATE BUDGET OF HARYANA 2013-14: NEW INITIATIVES

Finance Minister of Haryana Harmohindar Singh Chatha on 1 March 2013 presented the Budget of State. Some of the new initiatives undertaken by the Government of Haryana as under the Budget The State Government proposes to launch an ambitious housing scheme name Priyadarshini Awaas Yojna (PAY) in the budget for the year 2013-14 to facilitate the housing delivery in rural areas. Each of the beneficiaries, under the scheme (PAY), will be given financial assistance of 81000 rupees by the State as grant for the construction of a new house. In order to cater to the requirement of affordable housing for the weaker sections residing in the Urban Areas,
during BE 2013-14 as against 0.90 in RE 2012-13. The ratio of salary and pension to total revenue receipts is also proposed to reduce from 38.68% during RE 2012-13 to 37.94% in BE 2013-14. The debt-GSDP ratio also declines favourably from 16.50% in RE 201213 to 16.47% during BE 2013-14, much within the target of 22.8% prescribed by the 13th Finance Commission. The capital expenditure net of expenditure on food procurement is proposed to increase to 6936.99 crore in Financial Year 2013-14 as against 5509.24 crore during RE 2012-13. the Government proposes to construct 1.50 lakh houses during the next financial years 2013-14 and 2014-15 through Housing Board Haryana, Urban Local Bodies and Town & Country Planning Department. Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana (AABY) is being started during 2013-14 for which 37 crore are being provided. In order to cater to the requirement of affordable housing for the weaker sections residing in the Urban Areas, the Government proposes to construct 1.50 lakh houses during the next financial years 2013-14 and 2014-15 through Housing Board Haryana, Urban Local Bodies and Town & Country Planning Department. For effective and efficient implementation of the District Plan Scheme, the Government has constituted the District Development and Monitoring Current Affairs Comprehensive
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Committee in each district under the chairmanship of the Minister incharge of the District Grievances Redressal Committee. State Government has set up four permanent Commissions in this financial year in public interest. State Government has also approved the constitution of 21 Fast Track Courts, one in each district, to expedite the trial in crime against women. Rajiv Gandhi Panchayat Sashaktikaran Abhiyan (RGPSA) is a new umbrella scheme which is being started during 2013-14 and will strengthen the Panchayati Raj System across the State and address critical gaps that constrain it. 85 crore of rupees have been allotted to this scheme. For investment in Sports Infrastructure and promotion of sports through a multi-pronged approach, an outlay of 100 crore rupees was allocated under Plan side giving an increase of 100% from last year. Under the National River Conservation Programme, two projects for augmentation of sewerage facilities and construction of Sewage Treatment Plants for
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STATE BUDGET OF HARYANA 2013-14: SECTOR WISE ALLOCATIONS
Sonepat and Panipat towns have been approved at a cost of 88.36 crore and 129.51 crore rupees respectively to be completed by 2015-16. The State Government has approved NABARD assisted project of 68 crore for construction of 6095 separate toilets for girls along with 2910 hand pumps for water in 2910 Government High/Higher Secondary Schools in rural areas of the State. State Livestock Mission is being set up with a provision of 1 crore during 2013-14 to provide support for conservation of genetic resource, improvement of valuable native breeds, their health and nutrition etc. To set up Gau-Sewa Ayog, 1 crore has been provided in 2013-14. Extension of Delhi Metro to YMCA Chowk Faridabad with the corridor length of 13.875 KMs is being executed at a cost of `2494 crore. For this, Government of Haryana is contributing 1557.40 crore. Cashless medical facility will be implemented from the year 201314, for the employees of the Government of Haryana, its PSUs, Local Bodies, Cooperative Institutions, Autonomous Bodies, etc. to fulfill their expectation Finance Minister of Haryana Harmohindar Singh Chatha on 1 March 2013 presented his second budget as the Finance Minister of the State. Allocation to different sectors at a Glance
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Agricultural and Allied Sector The target for 2013-14 is to set up 600 hi-tech and mini units, produce 71.15 lakh tonnes of milk, 43000 lakh eggs and 13.80 lakh kg of wool with plan outlay of 125 crore rupees. 142 crore rupees is provided to the Haryana State Cooperative Agriculture and Rural Development Bank (HSCARDB) to enable the sustenance of the long term cooperative structure. During the year 2013-14, it was intend to provide a sum of 107 crore for the same purpose. Allocation for Education sector For encouraging brilliant students, stipend of 750 rupees under Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship for Excellence in Education Scheme is being given benefiting 12,000 students. Likewise monthly stipends to 7.47 lakh BPL/BCA students and 8.45 lakh SC students are being provided. During the financial year 2012-13, 45 crore of rupees is being spent to purchase dual desks and 100 crore are provided for 2013-14 to enable the department to replace and provide new furniture for students. Innovative 4 year integrated B.Sc./B.Com./ B.A.cum-B.Ed. course is being started from the year 2013-14. A number of higher professional courses and research activities would be added on the completion of infrastructure. State Government is implementing two flagship national programmes, viz., Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan and
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Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan on a sharing pattern between the Centre and the State. Both these programmes, interalia, provide for various inputs for ensuring education of reasonable quality. 2491.83 crore rupees was allocated on Plan side for School Education during 2013-14 which is 50% higher than the allocation for the current financial year. 400 crore rupees was allocated for Higher Education sector for the next financial year which is 72% higher than the allocation of current financial year on plan side. National Institute of Design (NID), a premier institute of the Government of India, is being established in Umri (on NH-1) in District Kurukshetra. Land measuring 20.5 acre has been provided by the Gram Panchayat Umri for this institute of national importance. Extension Campus of IIT Delhi is being established at Rajiv Gandhi Education City, Kundli, and District Sonepat for which HUDA has allotted a site measuring 50 acres.
Sports and Youth Affairs The Government is constructing 227 Sports Stadia called Rajiv Gandhi Gramin Khel Parisar in different blocks of the State. Out of these, 158 such stadia have already been completed. The Government has implemented Fair Play Scholarship Scheme to provide equal opportunity in sports to those belonging to the weaker section of the society.
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The new Excise Policy, the amount assigned for promotion of sports has been increased from 0.50 rupeeto 1 rupee per bottle on the sale of country liquor, IMFL and Beer. This will mobilize an additional amount of 20 crore for the sector.
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Women and Child Development The State has spent128 crore for the construction of 3147 Anganwadi buildings. The State has also augmented the resources for the construction of Anganwadi buildings by taking the NABARD assisted projects RIDF XVI and XVIIworth 164 crore for the construction of 1930 Anganwadi buildings. 891.99 crore rupees was allocated for this sector during 2013-14 which is 214.30 crore (32%) higher than the allocation for the current year. This includes 780.96 crore on Plan side and 111.03 crore on Non Plan side. Social Justice and Empowerment Government has taken a series of effective steps to provide social security to the Aged, Widows, Destitute Women, Handicapped Persons, Eunuchs, Dwarfs, Persons belonging to Minority Communities and Families having only Girl Child. Under the existing scheme Scholarship to Physically Handicapped Students, scholarship is given to physically handicapped students of 400 rupees to 1000 rupees per month. Training and Research for Mentally Retarded Persons (SIRTAR) has been set up at Rohtak with an investment of 2.18 crore rupees.
Urban Local Bodies Various initiatives are being taken by the Department to improve the civic amenities in urban areas in the State The State Government had launched the Rajiv Gandhi Urban Development Mission (RGUDMH) for urban infrastructure development programme on a mission mode approach, in all the urban local bodies of the State. A total sum of 16.86 crore has been approved by Government of India for the State to make the 9 cities slum free (Gurgaon, Faridabad, Karnal, Panchkula, Rohtak, Panipat, Ambala, Yamunanagar and Hisar) under Rajiv Awas Yojana. Roads During the year 2012-13, 1853 Kms. roads with an expenditure 1165.00 crore under various schemes have been repaired inspite of poor availability of aggregates due to ban on quarrying in Haryana. The Govt. of Haryana has approved following five roads stretches to be improved under PPP mode i. Meerut-Sonepat upto Bahalagarh Chowk (Length 11.58 km). ii. Panipat-Sanoli road SH-16 (Length 18.31 km) iii. Kond-Munak-SalwanAssandh road MDR 114 (Length 37.85km). iv. Palwal-Aligarh upto border (Length 15.41 km). v. Karnal-Meerut Road (Length 15.40 km).
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Power The establishment of 2800 MW (4x700 MW) Nuclear Power Plantat village Gorakhpur in district Fatehabad has been approved. For up-gradation of the transmission network in the State, about ` 1800 crore is planned to be spent in the years 2012-13 and 2013-14. To assist the beleaguered Power Distribution Companies, the government has given its inprinciple concurrence for joining the Government of India in its new Scheme titled as Scheme for Financial Restructuring of Distribution Power Utilities. A total of 5232.97 crore rupees was allocated for this sector during 201314. Which includes 965.09 crore on Plan side and ` 4267.88 crore on Non Plan side.
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Court, in their order of seniority. All these additional judges will serve the Court for a period of two years and from the day when they will assume the charge of their respective offices. Article 370 of Constitution of India grants temporary provisions with respect to the State of Jammu and Kashmir. (1) Notwithstanding anything in this Constitution, a) the provisions of article 238 shall not apply in relation to the State of Jammu and Kashmir; b) the power of Parliament to make laws for the said State shall be limited
UK OPENED MOBILE VISA APPLICATION FACILITY IN GOA

The UK Government on 12 March 2013 opened its first ever Mobile Biometric Clinic (MBC) in Goa. The Mobile Biometric Clinic is meant to save the time of locals from travelling to distant places like Mumbai to apply for visa to the country. Mobile Biometric Clinic is an initiative by the UK Border Agency providing convenience to the citizens of Goa with the localised option of applying for a UK visa. About Mobile Biometric Clinic (MBC) MBC is a new and optional service, which for an additional fee allows applicants who are residing in Goa to submit their UK visa application and biometric data using a mobile facility in the state.
PRESIDENT OF INDIA APPOINTED JUDGES IN THE HIGH COURT OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR
President of India, Pranab Mukherjee on 11 March 2013 appointed Ali Mohd. Magrey and Dhiraj Singh Thakur as the Judges of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court. The appointment of judges by the President took place in confirmation to the powers conferred in Article 95 of the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir. Exercising his powers provided under SubSection (1) of Section 100-A of the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir, the President also appointed Rabstan, Bansi Lal Bhat and Janak Raj Kotwal as the Additional Judges of the Jammu and Kashmir High www.jagranjosh.com

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The new MBC service offers the option to do things closer from home. The MBC uses the UK Border Agencys mobile Biometric Enrolment System (BES) equipment to take biometric data (finger scans and digital photograph).
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But in 2011-12, this number increased to 89 percent.
CONGRESS GOVERNMENT WON THE NO-CONFIDENCE MOTION INITIATED AGAINST IT IN ANDHRA PRADESH
Congress Government in Andhra Pradesh that is led by Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy on 15 March 2013 won the No Confidence Motion by 142 to 58 votes, passed against it in the Assembly by the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) and supported by YSR Congress Party and others. Result of the No Confidence Motion 142 Legislators Voted against the motion 58 Legislators voted in support of the motion 64 Legislators abstained from the motion 27 remained absent during the motion A total of nine legislators from Congress voted for the motion against the party. Speaker N Manohar declared that the No Confidence Motion moved by TRS legislature party leader E Rajender was defeated.
The service is delivered by the UK Border Agencys commercial partner, VFS Global. Earlier in the month of February, the UK prime minister had announced a new same day visa service for businessmen.
CHIEF MINISTER OF DELHI LAUNCHED A COMPREHENSIVE FIVE-INONE VACCINE

The Chief Minister of Delhi, Sheila Dikshit launched a comprehensive five-in-one vaccine on 12 March 2013 in order to provide protection to children against certain diseases such as tetanus, diphtheria and pertusis. The CM announced that instead of three injections, now there will be a requirement of only one injection for providing protection against the diseases. The injection for vaccine will be available for the general public in 650 primary healthcare units as well as 32 Delhi Government Hospitals. The life-saving injection would provide immunity to children against five threatening diseases. It would also decrease the infant mortality rate. It is important to note that in 1998-99; merely 58 percent infants received complete immunization.
MUKUL MANDA SANGMA SWORN-IN AS THE CHIEF MINISTER OF MEGHALAYA

Mukul Manda Sangma of Congress was sworn-in as the Chief Minister of Meghalaya for the second term on 5 March 2013. He
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took oath for the second term as 26th Chief Minister of the state. The Governor, R.S. Mooshahary administered him the oath of office and secrecy at the Raj Bhavan premises in Shillong. 47-year old Mukul Sangma led the Congress with 29 seats, merely two seats short of the majority in a house of 60. He was sworn-in without the Council of Ministers. Announcement of the list of Council of Ministers will be made by Mukul Manda Sangma in the second week of March 2013.
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The other eleven ministers who had taken oath for the office were from his own party, the Naga Peoples Front (NPF), which had won 38 seats in the 60-member house. The Naga Peoples Front (NPF), is supported by two alliance partners, BJP and JD(U) with one MLA each, also with an unconditional support of 7 Independents. The other 11 ministers who took oath are, Noke Konyak, T. R. Zeliang, G. Kaito Aye, Imkong L. Imchen, Kuzholuzo Nienu, Kiyaneilie Peseyie, Yanthungo Patton, C M Chang, E E Pangteang, S Pangyuh Phom and R Merentoshi Jamir. Neiphiu Rio is the only leader to have led the regional party to victory in the assembly elections for the third time in the 50-year history of Nagaland statehood. Neiphiu Rio was Chief Minister from 6 March 2003 to 3 January 2008, and has been Chief Minister again since 12 March 2008.
NEIPHIU RIO SWORN-IN AS THE CHIEF MINISTER OF NAGALAND

Neiphiu Rio 63, of Naga Peoples Front (NPF) party was sworn in as Chief Minister of Nagaland for the third straight term on 5 March 2013 along with 11 ministers by the Governor Nikhil Kumar at the Raj Bhavan in Kohima.
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CHAPTER 14: ENVIRONMENT

INDIA AND UK SIGNED MOU TO STRENGTHEN COOPERATION IN EARTH SCIENCES
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between India and UK to strengthen their cooperation in Earth Sciences and environmental research on 1 March 2013 in New Delhi. The MOU will allow the two countries to share information on meteorology, hydrology and climate variability. Major points of the MOU signed The MOU inked between India and UK will allow the two to share information on meteorology, hydrology and climate variability. The MOU will also help in promoting exchange of scientific and technical capabilities. The MOU will facilitate India and UK to identify new opportunities for collaborative activities as well as co-funding new environmental research. The MOU was signed between the Earth System Science Organisation of the Ministry of Earth Sciences and Natural Environment Research Council of UK. Science and Technology Minister of India, S Jaipal Reddy was also present. The Memorandum of Understanding will help India in improving the forecasting capability of various weather and climaterelated phenomena by sharing the expertise and knowledge. This advance forecasting will help people associated with the agriculture sector, which is the main sector of the Indias economy.
FIRST WILDLIFE SKYWALK OF INDIA TO COME UP IN MAENAM WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, SIKKIM

The first wildlife skywalk of India will be coming up in Maenam wildlife sanctuary, Sikkim. The State Government of Sikkim proposed to construct 22 km rope-way from Maenam sanctuary to skywalk which would be built on edge of Bhalleydhunga steep face. This will also have rain shelter as well as public conveniences. Maenam wildlife sanctuary in Sikkim is 65 km south from Gangtok, the capital of the state. It is a popular tourist destination as well. The environment ministry too has approved the proposal of Sikkim government for the first wildlife skywalk of India proposal that would cost 500 crore Rupees. This skywalk would be like the one in Grand Canyon in North America. The skywalk in Grand Canyon in North America gets more than 300000 visitors every year, inspite of opposition from the wild-lifers.
INDIAN REPTILES FACE SEVERE EXTINCTION THREAT: STUDY

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Zoological Society of London along with IUCN species survival commission in their largest-ever analysis found out that 19 percent of turtles, lizards, snakes, crocodiles and other reptiles were facing severe threat of extinction. One out of every five out of 10000 species of reptiles in the world, many of which are from India, is facing a threat of extinction. Out of the endangered species are the King cobra, Indian crocodile (mugger), South Andaman krait and four kinds of turtles namely, Red-crowned Roofed Turtle, Bengal Roof Turtle, Jaggedshelled turtle and Hawksbill turtle. These species were identified to be extinct forever. The conversationalists worry about the fact that at present, there is no information about conservation status of around one in every three reptiles in India. The study conducted found out that 30 percent of the freshwater reptiles were almost close to extinction. The figure increases to 50 percent when just the freshwater turtles are considered. These reptiles are affected by international as well as national trade. Also, 15 percent reptiles in Indo-Malayan region were threatened. Our of 1500 species samples in the study, it was found that 112 were from India. Out of these 1500 species, 12.2 percent had threat of extinction.
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almost the size of Dead Sea because of poor management, increasing demand of groundwater as well as the after-effects of 2007 drought. The NASA study researched on the data over a time period of seven years since 2003 with the help of gravity-measuring satellites, which are a part of NASA's Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment or GRACE. Researchers discovered that freshwater reserves in areas in countries like Syria, Turkey, Iraq and Iran along Euphrates and Tigris river basins lost 117 million acre feet or 144 cubic kilometers of total stored freshwater, which is said to be the second-fastest loss. Cause of Loss of Water 60 percent of loss was a result of pumping of underground reservoirs for ground water. 1000 wells in Iraq were pumped for groundwater. One-fifth loss occurred because of impacts of drought which included decreasing snow packs as well as drying up of soil. Another one-fifth loss happened because of loss of surface water from reservoirs and lakes. The rate at which water loss occurred is the largest liquid freshwater loss on the continents. Worsening water-crisis in Middle East The latest NASA study revealed about the worsening of water crisis in Middle East. The demand for water in Middle East is increasing because of increasing population, war as well as climatic changes. It also depicts that certain countries
NASA STUDY REVEALED ALARMING LOSS OF WATER IN MIDDLE EAST

A recent NASA study revealed that Middle East lost quantity of freshwater which is
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would face acute shortage of water in near future. When the report was released during U.N. climate talks in Qatar, World Bank had concluded that water shortage was one among the critical problems in North Africa and Middle East. This region particularly had lowest quantity of freshwater in the entire world. Climatic changes would result in more droughts in these regions with extreme situations. Water runoff would decrease 10 percent by 2050 and the demand for water would increase 60 percent by 2045. Fulfilling the increasing demand of water is the biggest challenge for improving the water conservation in Tigris and Euphrates river basins.
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ENVIRONMENT MINISTRY CONSTITUTED COMMITTEE TO EXAMINE LEGAL COVER FOR ELEPHANT HABITATS
The Environment Ministry in the third week of February 2013 constituted a committee that will review better legal protection to elephant reserves as well as the corridors in India under the green laws which are already present. The committee was constituted after National Board for Wildlife raised concerns about absence of any legal cover for the elephant corridors and reserves. The Central Government has already identified two-third elephant reserves, which cover 69582 sq km of area. The size of these reserves varies from 450-6724 sq km. These reserves not just include the forest patches of various kinds but also the tea plantations, revenue land, agricultural land, villages and townships. As of now, these elephant reserves are identified as the programme of the Environment Ministry for facilitating more funds under Project Elephant central scheme. However, it does not facilitate better legal protection against the changes to demarcated landscape like that is case of tiger reserves. The government does not face many difficulties in safeguarding the tiger reserves, national parks and sanctuaries, but in case of elephant reserves, there are certain difficulties faced by the government. This is so because the elephants travel hundreds of kilometer in a year and they run through the forest and, cities and villages as well.
Need for coordinated water management between Turkey, Syria and Iraq Tigris and Euphrates headwaters are controlled by Turkey. Also the reservoirs and the infrastructure of Turkey's Greater Anatolia Project which dictates the quantity of downstream of water flow into Iraq and Syria are controlled by Turkey. There is a need for coordinated water management, which at present does not exist among Turkey, Syria and Iraq. Also, the tensions intensified since the drought of 2007 because Turkey diverts water to irrigate farmland. As a result, decline in the stream flow puts pressure on northern Iraq. UN as well as anecdotal reports from area residents made it clear in the report that because of a decline in the stream flow, the northern Iraq had to turn up to groundwater.
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Members of the committee The committee which was set up by the environment ministry will be headed over by retired senior forest officer, Vinod Rishi. The director of Project Tiger will be the member convener of the committee. Other members will include Member of National Board for Wildlife M D Madhusudan, elephant conservation expert Ajay Desai, chief wildlife warden of Odisha J D Sharma and Supreme Court lawyer Sanjay Upadhayaya. Purpose of the committee The committee will have a one year time for examining the existing networks of elephant corridors and reserves. The committee will inspect whether these reserves and corridors sufficiently cover the habitat of elephants and that what other legal cover can be provided to these reserves and corridors under the green laws recommended by Elephant Task Force. The committee will also assess impact of wildlife protection regulations on the population that lives on or uses the land that falls inside elephant corridors and reserves.
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The Hydro Projects worth 2500 MW across various states were accorded clearance by the Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) of Ministry of Environment & Forest (MoEF) on 5 February 2013. The projects include Tawang-II H.E. Project (800 MW) in Arunachal Pradesh, Teesta-IV H.E. Project (520 MW) in Sikkim to be executed by NHPC Limited and Luhri H.E. Project (775 MW) in Himachal Pradesh to be executed by Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN) Limited. The National Board for Wild Life (NBWL) has accorded wild life clearance to Vishnugad Pipalkoti H.E. Project (444 MW) in Uttarakhand to be executed by THDC India Limited subject to clearance by the State Board of Wild Life. The clearances were pending for a long time. The way is straight clear in tapping the hydro potential of the country to meet the countrys power needs. Separately, the MoEF has recently granted Stage-I forest clearance to eight transmission projects and Stage-II forest clearance to two transmission projects of the Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd. The MoEF, through an order exempted certain linear projects including transmission lines from the requirement of obtaining consent of the concerned Gram Sabha(s) unless recognised rights of Primitive Tribal Groups/Pre-Agricultural Communities are being affected. However, all other conditions as prescribed in the MoEF`s earlier order would apply. This would help transmission projects obtain clearances faster.
HYDRO PROJECTS WORTH 2500 MW CLEARED BY THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT & FOREST
SHELLS OF SNAILS COULD GIVE INFORMATION ABOUT ANCIENT CLIMATE: STUDY

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Researchers from the University of York in the last week of January 2013 revealed that the snails could help in predicting the weather conditions, which existed thousands of years ago. The researchers described that a lot of information could be extracted about weather conditions that were there 1000s of years ago, through the snails. In their study, the researchers studied the chemistry behind shells of snail that dated back to 9000 to 2500 years ago, which were recovered from the Mediterranean caves. The study was conducted by looking at the different phases in past. A team of researchers which was led by Andre Carlo Colonese from York's department of Archaeology believed that the land snails held plethora of information about not just the palaeoclimatic conditions but also the human behaviour. Andre Carlo Colonese described that when the research on snails was put together from various sites such as Italy and Spain, a large scale regional picture of the weather conditions that existed over western Mediterranean area was produced.
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would cut off 1 percent of the economic growth of New Zealand. Farmers of New Zealand, who are said to be a crucial factor of the economy of the country, estimated that drought had cost them earnings of 1 billion New Zealand Dollars already. The capital of NZ, Wellington is left with just 18 days of water. Drought will hit parts of the South Island soon. However, it was forecasted that first rainfall in the duration of two months would come by 16-17 March 2013. The drought conditions in New Zealand were apparent through the satellite images from space. Drought hinting towards climate change According to a few scientists, dry climatic conditions hint towards an overall climate change. Climate scientists from Victoria University of Wellington forecasted that more summers and drought conditions like these were on their way in New Zealand because of global warming. The scientists explained that dry subtropical weather, which leads to the formation of deserts in countries like Australia and Africa, was inching closer towards the poles of the world. There were increasing risks of drought in the country, leading to stretching of water resources.
NEW ZEALAND DECLARED WORST-EVER DROUGHT IN 30 YEARS IN NORTH ISLAND

The New Zealand Government in the third week of March 2013 declared the worstever drought in 30 years in the entire North Island of the country. The worst-hit section of the society is the farmers. Losses from agriculture will put pressure on the economy, which in turn
HALF OF AFRICAS LIO NS FACING EXTINCTION THREAT: STUDY

The study conducted by a team of Lion Biologists of University of Minnesota in the first week of March 2013 found that around half of the wild lion population of Africa Current Affairs Comprehensive
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would decline to almost extinction over the period of 20-40 years if conservation measures were not taken. It was estimated that at present, less than 30000 lions remain in Africa in around 25 percent of natural habitat. The study led by Professor Craig Packer as well as coauthored by a whole team of lion biologists made use of the field data from 11 different African countries. In the study, the cost for managing the fenced as well as unfenced habitats was examined. Also, in the study, the lion population densities along with the trends were studied.
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EARTHQUAKE OF MAGNITUDE 8.0 STRUCK THE SOLOMON ISLANDS

A powerful earthquake of magnitude 8.0 has struck off the Solomon Islands in the Pacific Ocean on 6 February 2013 and generated a potentially destructive tsunami. The earthquake struck the Santa Cruz Islands a part of the Solomon Islands Nation at 01:12 GMT as per the reports from the US Geological Survey. The quake struck 81 kilometres west of Lata, at a depth of 5.8 kilometres. The Tsunami warning was raised for Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Nauru, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Tuvalu, Fiji, Kosrae, and Wallis and Futuna and Kiribati islands.
OKHLA COMPOST PLANT BECAME FIRST IN INDIA TO RECEIVE CARBON CREDITS WORTH 25 LAKH RUPEES
The composting plant of South Delhi Municipal Corporation in Okhla, New Delhi became the first in India to receive the carbon credits from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The civic body was given 25 lakh Rupees as an advance against the Carbon Emission Reduction (CER) earnings from this plant. The Okhla plant became operational in 2008. Since 2008, around two lakh tonnes of the waste has already been processed. In the future, the amount of waste processed everyday would be increased. The South Delhi Municipal Corporation has outsourced this operation to IL&FS (Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services Ltd), which in turn is also working on the programme for upgradation of this plant.
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CHAPTER 15: MISCELLANEOUS

INAUGURAL LAHORE LITERARY FESTIVAL (LLF) 2013
The two-day inaugural Lahore Literary Festival (LLF) 2013 which was aimed to revive creativity and art of Lahore, the cultural capital of Pakistan, concluded on 24 February 2013. The LLF 2013 ended with the discussions on literature, celebration of the international and local writers as well as social discourse of past, present and future of the literature. The first-ever LLF was meant to reclaim and celebrate essence of Pakistani culture. In the event, people got an opportunity to meet, hear and interact with some of the eminent journalists, artists, intellectuals, authors and many more, at both local and global level. Indian authors who took part in the LLF 2013 were Pran Nevile, Urvashi Butalia and Jeet Thayil. movie attracted many at Berlin Film Festival. Meaning of the phrase Kai Po Che Kai Po Che is actually a Gujarati phrase which means I have cut. It relates to the kite competition where a competitor after cutting others kite shouts Kai Po Che.
TWENTY-SEVENTH EDITION OF SURAJKUND MELA ENDED ON 15 FEBRUARY 2013

The twenty seventh edition of the Surajkund International Crafts Mela ended on 15 February 2013 at Surajkund in Faridabad (Haryana). The mela lasted for fifteen days from 1 February to 15 February 2013, presented a kaleidoscopic perspective of the rich Indian culture. Facts related to the 27th edition of the meal are The 27th edition of the mela carried Karnataka as its main theme and the theme was selected after a gap of 18 years. Craftsmen from SAARC nations participated for the first time under one roof in the history of mela Craftsmen from Eurasian countries like Tajikistan, Uzbekistan & Kyrgystan also displayed their handicrafts and handicrafts during About Surajkund the mela Mela Surajkund Mela, for the first time was held in 1987 and since then the colorful traditional craft festival is held from 1 February to 15 February every year on the Current Affairs Comprehensive
KAI PO CHE, CHETAN BHAGATS NOVEL -BASED MOVIE PREMIERED

Abhishek Kapoor's Kai Po Che based on the novel of Chetan Bhagat- 3 Mistakes of My Life was premiered on 18 February 2013. Kai Po Che is the Bollywood debut of Sushant Singh Rajput as well as Amit Sadh. The plot of the movie revolves around three friends, whose characters were played by Sushant, Amit and Rajkumar Yadav. Kai Po Che will release on 22 February 2013. In the third week of February 2013, the
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onset of spring season. The annual fair helps in showcasing the finest handlooms, handicrafts, authentic fragrances and flavours of rich Indian cuisines. State as well as National awardees artisans from every corner of India participate in the mela. Every year the mela is organised based on the theme of a particular state of India that is chosen as the state of the year. Complete mela carries the look of the selected state Surajkund and its Significance The name Surajkund means Lake of the Sun and the area lies in the backdrop of Aravalli hills. The area was built by the ruler of Tomar Dynasty, Suraj Pal in tenth century. The place holds a historic sun temple of tenth century. Surajkund being a historical place is also included in the list of Haryana Tourism department.
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In fact, the governments across the globe should make a concrete commitment of action to end the violence against women and girls.
SEVENTEENTH CONVOCATION OF NIMHANS HELD

Seventeenth Convocation of the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) was held on 14 February 2013 in Bangalore. Chief Guest of the convocation was the Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Ghulam Nabi Azad. Initiatives taken during the Convocation Ghulam Nabi Azad declared that address and telephone based Mother and Child Tracking System were available for reaching out to the pregnant women for appropriate care during pregnancy as well as for every child for vaccination. New initiative called Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram was launched on 6 February 2013 in Maharashtra for Universal Screening of Children for Disorders, Diseases, Deficiencies and Disabilities since birth to 18 years. This programme will include 270 million children in India. The Health Ministers of India and Bangladesh signed a MoU on Health in New Delhi on 12 February 2013. The MoU was signed so that the two nations can cooperate in terms of health sector. India and Bangladesh also facilitated setting up South Asian Autism Network (SAAN). The meeting between two nations was concluded
ONE BILLION RISING CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED TO END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

The entire world came together on one platform to raise the voice for the violence against women across the globe by participating in One Billion Rising Campaign. This is a global campaign to rise against violence and take a stand for the one billion women. Almost 200 hundred countries are taking part in this campaign. UN in its message stated that by standing together the world can end the violence against women and girls and build a world where all live free from harassment and fear.
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on 11 February 2013 where both nations had Adoption of Delhi Declaration. National review in mental health was conducted in which it was observed that around one out of two patients needed to travel over 5 km for care and 40 percent patients had to travel over 10 km. National Mental Health Programmes in context with this, were restrategised for upgrading all Mental Hospitals in India. Apart from this, psychiatry wings of about 90 medical colleges were upgraded and District Hospitals were strengthened for facilitating medical care to patients who are mentally ill. It was decided that 18 Ambulance services would be started for transporting the patients to District Hospitals in case of emergency. The Health Ministry also drew plan for scaling up the programme to around 300 districts and eventually to all the districts in a properly phased manner during 12th Five Year Plan. The programme would be evaluated by NIMHANS. Also, NIMHANS would facilitate a blue print for expanding these mental health services in India.
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World Radio Day was observed on 12 February 2013 to raise awareness about the importance of radio, facilitate access to information through it and enhance networking among broadcasters. On the 18th of December, 2012, the United Nations General Assembly endorsed the 2011 resolution adopted by the UNESCO General Conference, proclaiming the 13th of February as World Radio Day, the day United Nations Radio was established in 1946. Since its invention more than a century ago, the radio serves as a channel for information and entertainment. The multipurpose medium is an important source of information in those areas which are sometimes too remote to get a newspaper delivered. Across the world, the number of radio stations is increasing and the cost of broadcasting is decreasing. More than ever, the radio remains an effective means to bring social change, by sharing knowledge and providing a platform for inclusive debate.
WORLDS LARGEST PRIM E NUMBER DISCOVERED; CONTAINS 17 MILLION DIGITS

Researchers from the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg in the second week of February 2013 discovered the largest prime number of the world, beating an earlier record of largest prime number by more than 4 million digits. The findings of the researchers were a part of Great Internet Mersenne Prime Search (GIMPS). GIMPS is a distributed computing project which was specifically formulated for
12 FEBRUARY 2013: WORLD RADIO DAY WAS OBSERVED TO INCREASE AWARENESS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF RADIO
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finding out a certain kind of prime number which was first identified in 17th century. All the prime numbers in the world can be divided by themselves and 1 only. However there are certain rare kinds of prime numbers called Mersenne primes which have the form 2 multiplied by itself p times minus 1, where p denotes a prime number. The new number now shot to 2 multiplied by itself 57885161 times minus 1 and this broke the record of finding the new and even larger primes. The new largest prime number discovered by the researchers has more than 17 million digits and is an only 48th Mersenne prime found so far. It is the 14th discovery by GIMPS. The earlier record of 2 multiplied by itself 43112609 times minus 1 was also discovered by GIMPS back in 2008 and it had just a few less than 13 million digits. GIMPS discovered all the top ten largest Mersenne primes. There are infinite numbers of primes and there is not any specific formula for generating the primes like these. Therefore discovering numbers like these involves intensive computation. The Great Internet Mersenne Prime Search (GIMPS) software functions on almost 1000 university computers. One of the computers out of these spent 39 days in proving that number discovered was actually prime and later it was verified by other researchers as well.
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AND GERMANY PRESENTED TO PRESIDENT OF INDIA

First copy of the book titled Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and Germany by Professor Anita B. Pfaff was given to the President of India Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhavan on 6 February 2013. The book was brought out by the Federation of IndoGerman Societies in India. The book is a collection of the records shared by Professor Anita Pfaff as well as other known biographers and writers. The book depicts interesting facts about the life of Netaji and his contribution to freedom struggle of India. The President described the book as a tribute to Netaji.
WORLD CANCER DAY OBSERVED ACROSS THE WORLD

4 February: World Cancer Day World cancer day was observed on 4 February 2013 in order to raise awareness about this illness as well as to promote the measures, early detection, prevention and treatment of the disease. The theme for World Cancer Day, 2013 was Cancer - Did you know? The theme focused on dispelling the misconceptions associated with the disease. Various functions on the day were organised by Union for International Cancer Control, which is the leading organisation for cancer fighting.
BOOK TITLED NETAJI SUBHASH CHANDRA BOSE
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VICE PRESIDENT OF INDIA RELEASED WALKING WITH LIONS: TALES FROM A DIPLOMATIC PAST
The Vice President of India, M. Hamid Ansari released a book titled Walking with Lions: Tales from a Diplomatic Past, written by K. Natwar Singh, the former Union Minister for External Affairs on 1 March 2013. In the book, experiences of Natwar Singh have been described in interesting approach. The book will enlighten the readers. In the book, K. Natwar Singh has put together 50 episodes which will entertain and inform the readers. officials from Ministry of Steel were also present. UNION MINISTER FOR STEEL
RELEASED COFFEE TABLE BOOK TITLED INDIAN SAGA OF STEEL

The Union Minister for Steel, Beni Prasad Verma released a Coffee Table Book titled Indian Saga of Steel in New Delhi on 4 March 2013. The book which is brought out by the Ministry of Steel depicts about the progress of the Indian Steel Industry as well as its milestones from initial years to the present. The book - Indian Saga of Steel includes nine chapters. Apart from the milestones and development of the steel industry, names as well as brief profiles of some of the major steel companies in India can also be found. Areas of R&D, New Technologies, Environment and CSR can also be found in the book. Other details of the book include photos of various units of plants. On the release occasion of the book, a film based on Indian Steel Industry was screened as well. On the occasion of release of the book, Member of Parliament and Chairman, JSPL Naveen Jindal; the Secretary, Ministry of Steel, D.R.S. Chaudhary and certain senior www.jagranjosh.com
ACI PLACED THREE INDIAN AIRPORTS AMONG THE TOP FIVE OF THE WORLD
Airports Council International (ACI), the global body of Airports on 12 March 2013 declared Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport as second best airport of the world in the category of airports that handles 25 to 40 million passengers per year (MPPA). The Council placed Seoul's Incheon airport as the best airport of the world in the same category. Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji International airport was placed at the third position in the same category. For service quality in the category of five to fifteen MPPA, the Council ranked Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International airport (RGI) at second position placing Japan's Nagoya airport at the best position in the ranking. Rankings of Airports in the Asia-Pacific Region (with less than two million passengers per year) 1. Seouls Incheon

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2. Singapores Changi 3. Bejing Airport 4. Delhi Airport
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The Consumer Protection Act was enacted by the Parliament for the first time in 1986. It led to the establishment of consumer councils to settle consumer disputes and related matters. Now, the Department of Consumer Affairs looks for the possibilities of producing teleserials for empowering and educating consumers for their rights and responsibilities. Campaigns such as Jago Grahak Jago have been started in India with success in creation of consumer awareness.
Airports Council International (ACI) ACI is an autonomous and independent body that conducts the service quality passenger survey annually and measures the feedbacks from customers on different parameters of service delivery. The body tracks the experiences of the customers from the time of their arrival at the airport till the time of leaving the departure gate.
PRESIDENT OF INDIA RELEASED COMMEMORATIVE POSTAGE STAMP ON SAHIR LUDHIANVI

The President of India, Pranab Mukherjee on 8 March 2013 released the Commemorative Postage Stamp on Sahir Ludhianvi on occasion of his birth anniversary at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. Sahir Ludhianvi died on 25 October 1980 and was a renowned Urdu poet. He was known among the young for his poetry on beauty and love. Sahir Ludhianvi had converged Urdu poetry into the film songs as well. Also, he fought for recognition of lyric writers through the Film Writers Association.
WORLD CONSUMER RIGHTS DAY OBSERVED ACROSS THE WORLD FOR CREATING AWARENESS AMONG CONSUMERS
15 March- World Consumer Rights Day World Consumer Rights Day was observed on 15 March 2013 for creating awareness in terms of consumer protection measures as well as consumer rights. The theme for 2013 World Consumer Rights Day was Consumer Justice Now. This day was first observed on 15 March 1983. In 1962, the former US President John F. Kennedy, declared four basic consumer rights- right to choose, right to be heard, right to safety and right to be informed. Consumer Protection Act, 1986
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UNIT II INDIAN YEAR BOOK
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CHAPTER 1: AGRICULTURE
AGRICULTURE is the principal source of livelihood for more than 58% of the population of this country.
NATIONAL BAMBOO MISSION

In Order to harness the potential of bamboo crop, Department of Agriculture & Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture has launched a Centrally Sponsored Scheme called 'National Bamboo Mission' in 200607 with a total outlay of Rs. 568.23 crores. This scheme is being implemented in twenty-seven States of the country. Important activities being supported for increasing productivity and quality of bamboo under the Mission are: increasing area under bamboo cultivation, mass production of quality planting material of recommended species, improvement of existing stock, pest and disease management, improved post-harvest management, development of human resource and of marketing facilities.
MAJOR PROGRAMMES OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

RASHTRIYA KRISHI VIKAS YOJANA
This Scheme, launched in 2007-08 RKVY has succeeded in incentivizing States to allocate more funds to agriculture and allied sectors. Allocation to agriculture and allied sectors was Rs. 8770.16 crore (4.88% of total State Plan Expenditure) in 2006-07. This has gone up to Rs. 22158.46 crore (6.04% of aggregate State Plan Expenditure) in 201011 (RE). RKVY is projectised.
NATIONAL FOOD SECURITY MISSION

The National Food Security Mission (NFSM), a Centrally Sponsored Scheme is in operation in 480 districts of 18 important Rice, Wheat and Pulses growing states to increase production of rice by 10 million tonnes, of wheat by 8 million tonnes and of pulses by 2 million tonnes by the end of Eleventh Five Year Plan. The salient aspect of the Mission is that it has been conceptualized to target those districts which have lower productivity than the State average but have the potential to augment the productivity and production of three crops, i.e. Rice, Wheat and Pulses.
AGRICULTURE CREDIT
The target of doubling of the flow of agricultural credit in three years with base year as 2003-04 has been achieved in two years and agricultural credit flow reached Rs. 384514 crores during 2009-10 forming 118% of the target. India's export of agriculture produce has grown from the level of 4% of agriculture GDP in 1990-91 to average of 9% of agricultural GDP during 2007-2011.
KISAN CREDIT CARD

To provide adequate and timely support from the banking system to the farmers for their cultivation needs including purchase
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of inputs in a flexible and cost effective manner, a model Kisan Credit Card Scheme (KCC) was introduced in August, 1998 for short and medium term loan and was extended further w.e.f. 31.1.2006 covering all types of loan requirement of borrowers of State Cooperative Agriculture Rural Development Bank.
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marketing under its administrative control, namely, the Directorate of Marketing & Inspection (DMI) Faridabad. Ch. Char an Singh National Institute of Agricultural Marketing (NIAM), Jaipur and Small Farmers Agri-Business Consortium (SFAC), New Delhi.
SPECIAL REHABILITATION PACKAGE FOR DISTRESSED FARMERS

Government of India has implemented a Special Rehabilitation Package of Rs. 16978.69 crores for 31 suicide prone Districts in the four States, namely, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Kerala. The Implementation period of the package has ended on 30.09.2011.
DIRECTORATE OF MARKETING AND INSPECTION

The Directorate of Marketing and Inspection (DMI) is an attached Office of Ministry of Agriculture. It was set up in the year 1935 to implement agricultural marketing policies and programmes of the Central Government. Since its very inception, the Directorate continues to be responsible for bringing about an integrated development of marketing of agricultural and allied produce in the country with a view to safeguard interests of producersellers as well as consumers.
AGRICULTURE INSURANCE
National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS) with increased coverage of crops, risk and farmers is being implemented for establishing 3 Centres of Excellence at Directorate of Sorghum Research, Hyderabad for Sorghum, CCAHAU, Hisar for pearl millet and CIPHET, Ludhiana for small millets. The scheme is under implementation in 16 States namely; Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Uttrakhandand and West Bengal.
STANDARDIZATION AND GRADING

The Agricultural Produce (Grading & Marketing) Act, 1937 provides for grading and marking of agricultural and other produce. The Act empowers Central Government to make Rules for (a) fixing grade designation to indicate quality of any scheduled article (b) defining quality indicated by every grade designation and (c) specifying grade designation marks to represent particular grade designations. Standards notified as per provisions of the Act are popularly called AGMARK Standards.
AGRICULTURAL MARKETING
Department of Agriculture and Cooperation has three organizations dealing with
HORTICULTURE
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Horticulture includes a wide range of crops such as fruits, vegetables, root and tuber crops, flowers, aromatic and medicinal plants, spices and plantation crops, and facilitates diversification in agriculture. There is a growing realization that horticulture is now an option to improve livelihood security, enhance employment generation, attain food and nutritional security and increase incomes through value addition.
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vagaries of monsoon result in wide variation and instability in yields. These areas, if managed properly have tremendous potential to contribute larger share in food production and faster agricultural growth compared to irrigated areas which have reached a plateau.
NATIONAL WATERSHED DEVELOPMENT PROJECT FOR RAINFED AREAS (NWDPRA)

This was launched in 1990-91 in 28 States and 2 Union Territories based on twin concepts of integrated watershed management and sustainable farming systems. NWDPRA scheme has been subsumed in Macro Management of Agriculture scheme since 2000-2001. This programme specifically focuses on: conservation, development and sustainable management of natural resources; enhancement of agricultural production and productivity in a sustainable manner; restoration of ecological balance in degraded and fragile rainfed ecosystems by greening these areas through and appropriate mix of trees, shrubs and grasses; reduction in regional disparity between irrigated and rainfed areas; and creation of sustained employment opportunities for rural community including landless
NATIONAL HORTICULTURE MISSION

This Centrally Sponsored Scheme, launched in 2005-06 aims at the holistic development of horticulture sector by ensuring forward and backward linkages through a cluster approach, with the active participation of all stake-holders. This mission covers all States and three Union Territories of Andaman Nicobar Islands, - Lakshadweep and Puducherry, except the North Eastern and Himalayan States, which are covered under the Horticulture Mission for North East & Himalayan States (HMNEH). NHM promotes horticulture through area based, regionally differentiated strategies.
RAINFED AREA SYSTEMS

Rainfed area assumes special significance in terms of ecology, agricultural productivity and livelihood for millions of rural households in India. These areas not only constitute about three fourth of land mass under arid semi-arid and dry humid zones, but also account for nearly 55% of agricultural land spread across large parts of the country. Rainfed agriculture is complex, diverse and risk prone. It is characterized by low level of productivity and input usage which coupled with www.jagranjosh.com
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MILK PRODUCTION

India continues to be the largest producer of milk in world. The estimate of the milk production in 2010-11 was 121.8 million tonnes as compared to 116.42 million tonne in 2009-10 indicating growth of 4.66%.
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Economic Affairs on 16-02-2012. NDP-I is prepared to be implemented during the period 2011-12 to 2016-17.
EGG PRODUCTION
Poultry development in the country has shown steady progress over the years. The estimate of the egg production in 2010-11 was 63.0 billion.
AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, EDUCATION AND EXTENSION

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) provided the critical technological inputs for various processes of agriculture that led the highest ever food production of all components of cereals, pulses, fruits and vegetables, meat, milk, fish and eggs during 2011-12. The ICAR is embarking on two missions, 'Farmer First" and 'Student Ready', for bringing greater partnerships. Two major projects, viz. National Agricultural Education Project and National Agricultural Entrepreneurship Project, have been formulated. The production of major crops salient achievements of the Council are:
WOOL PRODUCTION
Wool production at the end of Tenth Plan (2006-07) was 45.1 million kgs. 42.99 million kgs. in 2010-11 indicating.
NATIONAL DAIRY PLAN

To improve productivity of milch animals this Department and National Dairy Development Board envisages implementation of the National Dairy Plan-I (NDP-I) to meet the projected national demand of 150 million tonnes of milk by 2016-17 with assistance of the World Bank. The objectives of the proposed scheme are: (a) To launch a focused scientifically planned multi state initiative to lay the path for new processes, supported by appropriate policy and regulatory measures leading to increasing the productivity of milch animals and thereby increase milk production to meet the rapidly growing demand for milk. (b) Provide rural milk producers with greater access to the organised milk processing sector. The National Dairy Plan Phase-I has been approved by the Cabinet Committee on www.jagranjosh.com
CROP SCIENCE
GENETIC RESOURCES:
Decoding of pigeonpea genome, a first time accomplishment by an entire Indian group of scientists has received appreciation and wide acclaim from peer group world around.
CROP IMPROVEMENT:
Along-duration rice hybrid, CR Dhan 701 was developed for the irrigated and shallow lowlands.
NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

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Current Affairs Comprehensive SOIL AND WATER PRODUCTIVITY:

Soil fertility maps were prepared for 62 major districts of the country. At the individual farms in rainfed production systems, biochar (fine-grained carbonized materials), developed from the crop residues, has shown the potential to sequester carbon and increase crop productivity and sustainability of the soil systems.
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now available under the brand name 'Getude'.
POST-HARVEST MANAGEMENT AND VALUE-ADDITION:

CIRCOT Minicard, a novel silver making machine having a production capacity of 1-2 kg/hr was developed for production of cotton yarn showing optimum strength for the given count. Livestock Management: In Odisha, CARl model of backyard poultry farming proved beneficial in providing household nutritional security and supplementary income.
CLIMATE CHANGE
The ICAR has launched 'National Initiative on Climate Resilient Agriculture' with the objective of undertaking strategic research on climate change adaptation and mitigation, technology demonstration on farmers' field to cope with the current climate viability and capacity building of different stockholders on climate change awareness. The ICAR has set up the stateof-the-art 'National Institute on Abiotic Stress Management'. The 'National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture', which is one of the eight Missions under our National. Action Plan on Climate Change also seeks to devise appropriate adaptation and mitigation strategies for ensuring food security, enhancing livelihood opportunities and contributing to economic stability at the national level.
AGRICULTURE EDUCATION
The ICAR promotes research, education and extension in 52 State Agricultural Universities, five Deemed Universities, and four Central Universities with Agricultural faculty by giving financial assistance in different forms; and DARE promotes one Central Agricultural University for the North-Eastern Hills Region.
AGRICULTURE EXTENSION
About 1.10 lakh short text messages (SMSs) were delivered to 13.40 lakh farmers for timely actions through Kisan Mobile Advisory functional at 310KVKs. Technological information was provided to about 10.741akh farmers through print and electronic media and 2.68 lakh farmers were given quality technological products.
AGRICULTURE ENGINEERING AND POST-HARVEST TECHNOLOGY

A twin-row engine-operated weeder for rice intensification performed well under all soil conditions and its commercial model are
INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION AND PUBLICITY SERVICES

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The Directorate of Knowledge Management in Agriculture is committed to promote Information, Communication Technology and information dissemination system for quick, effectual and cost-effective delivery of messages to all the stakeholders in agriculture. Keeping pace with the current knowledge diffusion trends, Directorate is delivering and showcasing ICAR technologies, policies and other activities through print, electronic and web mode. The Knowledge Information Repository in Agriculture for North-East (KIRAN) and Rice Knowledge Management Portal were launched.
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change on crop performance, was developed and registered. Trademark 'IISR' was granted to the Indian Institute for Spices Research, Kozhikode.
FUTURE THRUST AREAS

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research, apart from developing Vision 2030 documents for all its constituent institutions, also undertook a series of consultations with stakeholders to prioritize the programmes in the XII Five-Year Plan. The emphasis would be on research and development for enhancing both productivity and profitability of farming in all its dimensions, including climate resilient agriculture and secondary agriculture and also quality human resource development, through greater synergy and partnerships. Anovel research approach being adopted for XII Five-Year Plan includes interdisciplinary, interinstitutional and interdepartmental research consortia on AgriBiodiversity management; Cenomics; Seed (Planting material, propagules, semen); Hybrids; Climate Change. (Rainfed Agriculture/Dryland Farming); Conservation Agriculture; Water; Waste (Agro-waste, Municipal waste, Residues) Management; Health Foods and High value compounds; Feed and Fodder; Fibre; Biofortification; Diagnostics and vaccines; Precision Farming and Farm mechanization; Agri-Energy; Nanotechnology; Agri- Incubators and eExtension. The Twelfth Plan contains all measures that are required to accelerate our agricultural growth rate. India needs a Second Green Revolution that is more broad- based, more inclusive and more sustainable; India currently spends about 0.6% of its agricultural gross domestic products (COP)
NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL INNOVATION PROJECT

In order to foster an ecosystem for technology innovation and successful commercialization of technologies, the project is supporting a number of policy and institutional changes and financing investments in 185 sub-projects under the four components. Three sub-projects under the Component-3 are being funded by additional financing grant from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Trust Fund of the World Bank.
IP PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
The ICAR now has a corporate platform, 'Agri-Innovate India Limited' for technology commercialization and consultancy at home and abroad. Forty-three patent applications were filed and one international and three national patents were granted during the year. 'Weather Cock' software package, capable of agro-meteorological analysis to understand possible impacts of climate www.jagranjosh.com

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on agricultural Research and Development. This needs to be enhanced at least 2-to 3fold by 2020, since a substantial portion of our agricultural growth would come
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through the application of new technologies and new knowledge to production processes.
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CHAPTER 2: CULTURE AND TOURISM

Culture Ministry works on the protection, development and promotion of Heritage, (Tangible, Intangible, Knowledge and Culture). In addition, the Ministry also nurtures Gandhian Heritage and is responsible for commemoration of important historical events and centenaries of great personalities. Exchange Programmes and Agreements of the Government. The Lalit Kala Akademi accords recognition to art institutions/ associations and extends financial assistance to these bodies as well as State Academies. Under its publication programme, the Akademi brings out monographs on the works of Indian contemporary artists in Hindi and English and books on contemporary, traditional, folk and tribal arts authored by eminent writers and art critics. The Akademi also brings out biannual art journals, Lalit Kala Contemporary (English), Lalit Kala Ancient (English) and Samkaleen Kala (Hindi). Scholars are given financial assistance to undertake projects in contemporary projects on various aspects of Indian society and culture.
INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE

LALIT KALA AKADEMI
To promote and propagate understanding of Indian art, both within and outside the country, the Government of India established Lalit Kala Akademi (National Akademi of Arts) at New Delhi on 5 August 1954. The Akademi has regional centres called Rashtriya Lalit Kala Kendras at Lucknow, Kolkata, Chennai, Garhi in New Delhi, Shimla and Bhubaneswar with workshop facilities in painting, sculpture, print-making and ceramics. Once Every three years, the Akademi also organises Triennial India, an International exhibition of contemporary art in New Delhi. The Akademi honours eminent artists and art historians every year by electing them as Fellows of the Akademi. To foster contracts with artists from outside, it sponsors exchange of artists with other countries under the various Cultural
SANGEET NATAK AKADEMI

Sangeet Natak Akademi, India's National Academy of Music, Dance and Drama, may be regarded as a pioneer in the process of creation of modern India that led politically to India's freedom in 1947. On 28 January 1953, Sangeet Natak Akademi was inaugurated by the then President of India, Dr Rajendra Prasad. The festivals of music, dance and drama presented or promoted by the Akademi are held all over India. The great masters of the performing arts have been elected as Fellows of the Akademi. The Sangeet Natak Current Affairs Comprehensive
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Akademi Awards conferred annually on eminent artists and scholars are considered the most coveted honours in the field of performing arts. Thousands of institutions across the country, including many in the remote areas, engaged in teaching or promotion of music, dance and theatre have received financial assistance for their work, from the Akademi, as do researchers, authors and publishers in relevant disciplines. The Akademi's Gallery of Musical Instruments has a collection of more than 600 instruments of prominence and has been the source of a great deal of published documentation over the years. The Akademi also establishes and looks after institutions and projects of national importance in the field of performing arts. Chronologically, the Jawaharlal Nehru Manipuri Dance Academy in Imphal, the premier institution in Manipuri dance and music established in 1954, is the first of these institutions. In 1959 the Akademi established the National School of drama and in 1964 the Kathak Kendra, both being based in Delhi. The Akademi's other projects of national importance are in Kutiyattam theatre of Kerala, which commenced in 1991 and received recognition from UNESCO as a Master piece of oral and intangible heritage of humanity in 2001. The project on Chhau dance of Orissa, Jharkhand and West Bengal began in 1994. The project support to Sattriya music, dance, theatre and allied arts of Assam was started in 2002. The Akademi also renders advice and assistance to the Government of India in the task of formulating and implementing policies and projects in the field. The
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Akademi has held exhibitions and major festivals in foreign countries.
SAHITYA AKADEMI
Sahitya Akademi is the Indian National Academy of Letters, meant to promote the cause of Indian literature through publications, translations, seminars, workshops, cultural exchange programmes and literary meets organised all over the country. The Akademi was founded in March 1954 as an autonomous body fully funded by the Department of Culture. The three fellowships by Sahitya Akademi are:1. Sahitya Akademi Honorary Fellowhip 2. Anand Fellowship 3. Premchand Fellowship Sahitya Akademi Honorary Fellowship is the highest honour conferred by the Akademi on a writer, by electing him as its Fellow. This honour is reserved for the 'immortals of literature' and limited to only twenty-one at any given time. Anand Fellowship, instituted in 1996 in the name of the great scholar and aesthete Dr. Ananda Coomaraswamy, is offered to scholars from Asian countries to pursue literary projects of their choice. Sahitya Adademi also instituted a Fellowship named after Premchand during his 125th Birth Anniversary in 2005. This Fellowship is given to scholars doing research on Indian literature or to creative writers from the countries of the SAARC region other than India. It has three journals, Indian Literature (bimonthly in English), Samkaleena Bharatiya
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Sahitya (bi-monthly in Hindi) and Samskrita Pratibha (half-yearly in Sanskrit). Sahitya Akademi holds a number of regional, national and international seminars every year on various topics in literature, literary history and aesthetics. The Akademi holds an annual week-long 'Festival of Letters', usually in February with an Award-giving ceremony, Samvatsar Lecture and a National Seminar. The Akademi also introduced a new series of programmes entitled Sur Sahitya as part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations in 2004-05.
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NATIONAL SCHOOL OF DRAMA

The National School of Drama (NSD)-one of the foremost theatre institutions in the world and the only one of its kind in India was set up by Sangeet Natak Akademi in 1959. Later in 1975, it became an autonomous organisation, totally financed by Department of Culture. The objective of NSD is to train students in all aspects of theatre, including theatre history, production, scene design, costume design, lighting, make-up, etc. The training course at NSD is of three years duration. Each year, 20 students are admitted to the course. The eligible applicants for admission to the course are screened through two stages. The Diploma of NSD is recognised by the Association of Indian Universities as equivalent to M.A. Degree for appointment as teachers in colleges/universities and for purposes of registration for Ph.D. The School has a performing wing, a Repertory Company which was set up in 1964 with the dual purpose of establishing professional theatre on one hand and continuing with the regular experimental work on the other. The NSD has made a www.jagranjosh.com
significant contribution in promoting children's theatre. The Theatre-ill-Education Company (renamed as Sanskar Rang Toli) was founded in 1989 and has been actively involved in production of plays for children, organising summer theatre workshops in the schools of Delhi and also promoting children's theatre through Saturday Club. Since 1998, the School has organised National Theatre Festival for Children christened 'Jashne Bachpan' every year. The first ever National Theatre Festival christened Bharat Rang Mahotsav was held from 18 March to 14 April 1999 to commemorate the 50th year of India's Independence. Encouraged by the success of the first Bharat Rang Mahotsav, it has been made an annual feature.
INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL CENTRE FOR THE ARTS

The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) is a premier national institution engaged in the pursuit of knowledge on arts and culture and in the exploration of relationships of arts and culture with various disciplines of learning and diverse aspects of life. Established in 1987 in the memory of the Late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, it is involved in multifarious activities such as research, publication, training, documentation, dissemination and networking and is poised to grow into a large repository of information pertaining to the arts in India. IGNCA promotes interaction and understanding between diverse communities, regions, social strata, and between India and other parts of the world. The IGNCA has six functional Units-Kala Nidhi, the multi-form library; Kala Kosa, devoted mainly to the study and publication Current Affairs Comprehensive
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of fundamental texts in Indian Languages; Janapada Sampada, engaged in lifestyle studies; Kaladarsana, the executive unit which transforms researches and studies emanating from the IGNCA into visible forms through exhibitions; Cultural Informatics Lab, which applies technology tools for cultural preservation and propagation; and Sutaradhara, the administrative section that acts as a spine supporting and coordinating all the activities.
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The CCRT organises academic programmes on Indian art and culture for foreign teachers and students on special request. The CCRT organises various educational activities for school students, teachers and children belonging to governmental and non-governmental organisations under its extension and community feedback programmes which includes educational tours to monuments, museums, art galleries, craft centres, zoological parks and gardens, camps on conservation of natural and cultural heritage, camps on learning crafts using low cost locally available resources, lectures and demonstrations by artists and experts on various art forms, demonstrations by artists and craft persons in schools. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) was established in 1861. It functions as an attached office of the Department of Culture. The major activities of the Archaeological Survey of India are: i) Survey of archaeological remains and excavations; ii) Maintenance and conservation of centrally protected monuments, sites and remains; iii) Chemical preservation of monuments and antiquarian remains; iv) Architectural survey of monuments; v) Development of epigraphical research and numismatic studies; vi) Setting up and re-organisation of site museums; vii) Expeditions abroad; viii) Training in Archaeology;
CENTRE FOR CULTURAL RESOURCES AND TRAINING

The Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT) is one of the premier institutions working in the field of linking education with culture. The Centre was set up in May 1979 as an autonomous organisation by the Government of India. Today it operates under the administrative control of Ministry of Culture, Government of India. With headquarters in New Delhi, it has three regional centres at Udaipur, Hyderabad and Guwahati. The broad objectives of CCRT have been to revitalise the education system by creating an understanding and awareness among students about the plurality of the regional cultures of India and integrating this knowledge with education. The main thrust is on linking education with culture and making students aware of the importance of culture in all development programmes. One of the CCRT's main functions is to conduct a variety of training programmes for in-service teachers drawn from all parts of the country.
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ix) Publication of technical reports and research works.
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NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF INDIA

The National Archives of India (NAI), New Delhi known until Independence as Imperial Record Department, was originally established in Kolkata on 11 March 1891. It is the official custodian of all non-current record of permanent value to the Government of India and its predecessor bodies. It has a Regional Office at Bhopal and three Record Centres at Bhubaneswar, Jaipur and Puducherry. Major activities of the Archives include: (i) making public records accessible to various Government agencies and research scholars; (ii) preparation of reference material; (iii) preservation and maintenance of records and conducting of scientific investigations for the said purpose; (iv) evolving records management programmes; (v) rendering technical assistance to individuals and institutions in the field of conservation of records; (vi) imparting training in the field of archives administration, records management, reprography, repair and conservation of records, books and manuscripts at professional and sub-professional levels; and (vii) creation and promotion of archival consciousness in the country by organising thematic exhibitions. The Ministry of Culture has come up with an enlarged and revised version of 'Seminar Grant Scheme' which is now called the "Cultural Functions Grant Scheme". Formally, however, it goes under the title "Scheme of Financial Assistance for Seminars, Festivals and Exhibitions on Cultural Subjects by Not-for-Profit Organisations".
NATIONAL MISSION ON MONUMENTS AND ANTIQUITIES (NMMA)

The National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities was launched on 19 March, 2007 with a budgetary out lay of Rs. 90 crore. Its mandate includes preparation of a ational Register for Built Heritage, Sites and Antiques and setting up of a State level database on Built Heritage, Sites and Antiquarian wealth for information and dissemination to planners, researchers etc. and better management of such cultural resources. The time frame prescribed for the NMMA to accomplish its mandate is five years.
NATIONAL MISSION FOR MANUSCRIPTS (NMM)

The National Mission for Manuscripts was launched by the Government in 2003 with the Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts (IGNCA) as the nodal agency. Its primary objective is to reclaim India's inheritance of knowledge contained in the vast treasure of manuscripts. The Mission functions through different categories of centres established throughout the country. Major activities of the NMM are : documentation of manuscripts through survey, preventive and curative conservation, conducting training courses and workshops on conservation, manuscriptology and paleography, documentation through digitization, research and publication and public outreach programmes to create public consciousness for preserving and dissemination of manuscripts. www.jagranjosh.com
TOURISM
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Tourism plays an important role in economic development and creation of jobs in India. The Approach Paper of the 12th Five Year Plan prepared by the Planning Commission highlights the need to adopt "pro-poor tourism" for increasing net benefits to the poor and ensuring that tourism growth contributes to poverty reduction. The Planning Commission has identified tourism as the second largest sector in the country in providing employment opportunities for low-skilled workers.
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advertising in print & electronic media, participation in fairs & exhibitions, and organizing road shows, seminars, workshops and India evenings. In the Geneva Festival, a 90 minute cultural performance by India was presented which was watched, admired and applauded by more than 5000 people. In a major initiative to promote the 'Incredible India Campaign', and 'Cinemas of India' as a sub brand of Incredible India, at various international film festivals and markets overseas, the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting entered into a Memorandum of Understanding on 16th February 2012.
IMPORTANT INITIATIVES DURING 2011-12

The Ministry reinforced its efforts to bridge the skill gap obtaining in the hospitality sector through a multi pronged strategy. This include expanding and strengthening institutional infrastructure by creating new Institutes of Hotel Management (IHMs) and Food Craft Institutes (FCIs), starting craft courses in IHMs and broadcasting of hospitality education/training through ITIs, Polytechnic Institutes, Government Collages, Universities & Schools and public sector undertakings. Under its 'Hunar Se Rozgar' programme, new courses in Housekeeping, Utility, Bakery, etc. were introduced in addition to the existing courses on Food & Beverages Services and Food Production. The Scheme of 'Visa-on-Arrival" (VOA) had been introduced for 5 countries w.e.f. January 2010. It was extended for another 6 countries in January 2011. The promotional efforts undertaken in foreign markets, including through the Ministry's 14 overseas offices, include
INDIA TOURISM DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (ITDC)

India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) is a Public Sector Undertaking under the administrative control of the Ministry of Tourism. Incorporated on October 1,1966, the ITDC played a key role in the development of tourism infrastructure in the country. Apart from developing the largest hotel chain in India, the ITDC offered tourism related facilities like transport, duty free shopping, entertainment, production of tourist publicity literature, consultancy etc.
HOSPITALITY DEVELOPMENT AND PROMOTION BOARD (HDPB) FOR HOTEL PROJECTS

Construction of hotels is primarily a private sector activity which is capital intensive and has a long gestation period. A constraint being faced by the hotel industry, in addition to the high cost and limited Current Affairs Comprehensive
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availability of land, is the procurement of multiple clearances/approvals required from the Central and State Government agencies for hotel projects. In some cases, as many as 65 or more clearances/ approvals are required by hotel projects, although this number varies from State to State. This often results in delay in the implementation of the project, cost escalation, etc. To obviate the above mentioned difficulties faced by the hospitality industry, Ministry of Tourism has set up a Hospitality Development and Promotion Board (HDPB). The HDPB would be operational at three levels: Clearances that are exclusively the responsibility of Central Ministries/ Authorities. Central clearance incumbent upon State Government clearances and Clearances that are the responsibility of State, or other levels of, State Government.
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The functions will result in expeditious clearances and enable completion of hotel projects in time leading to enhancement of room availability for the tourists.
HERITAGE HOTELS
The popular concept of Heritage Hotels was introduced to convert the old palaces, havelis, castles, forts and residences built prior to 1950, into accommodation units so that they can reproduce the ambience and life-style of the bygone era. Such hotels are categorized under three categories viz. Heritage, Heritage Classic and Heritage Grand, based on the standard of facilities and services as per the applicable guidelines.
The HDPB will assist in the following manner: HDPB will implement a transparent system for effective monitoring of hotel projects. Ensure timely accrual of approvals/ clearances/No Objection Certificates (NOCs) by the multiple agencies and facilitate the implementation of hotel Projects. Act as a watch guard and facilitator for obtaining necessary clearances for setting up of hotels.
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CHAPTER 3: BASIC ECONOMIC DATA

CENTRAL STATISTICAL OFFICE (CSO)
The Central Statistical Office is responsible for' coordination of Statistical activities in the country, and evolving and maintaining statistical data. Its activities mainly include National Income accounting, conduct of Economic Census and its follow up surveys, processing of data preparation of Reports, collected through Annual Survey of Industries and compilation of Index of Industrial Production, as well as Consumer price Indices, Gender Statistics, and imparting training on Official Statistics. The subjects taken up under socioeconomic surveys are-surveys on Consumer Expenditure, Employment-Unemployment, Social Consumption (Health, Education, etc.) Manufacturing Enterprises and Service Sector Enterprises in the Unorganized Sector covered once in five years, while subjects like Land and Livestock Holding, Debt and Investment are covered once in 10 years. It regularly collects rural price data on monthly basis from shops / outlets in selected markets located in a sample of 603 villages for compilation of Consumer Price Index (Agricultural Labour/Rural Labour). For urban area, price data is being collected from compilation of new series of Consumer Price Index (Urban) from 310 towns spread over all the States/UTs. The CSO brings out an annual publication "Energy Statistics" incorporating data on reserves, installed capacity, potential for generation, production, consumption, import, export and wholesale price of different energy commodities as available from the concerned Ministries of Government of India.
NATIONAL SAMPLE SURVEY ORGANISATION (NSSO)

Set up in 1950 and reorganized in 1970, the NSSO functions under the overall direction of a Steering Committee with requisite independence and autonomy in the matter of collection, processing and publication of NSS data. The National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) carries out socio-economic surveys, undertakes data collection for Annual Survey of Industries, sample checks on area enumeration and crop estimation surveys and prepares the urban frames useful in drawing of urban samples, besides collection of price data from rural and urban sectors. The major activities of the NSSO pertain to Survey Design, Field Operations, Processing of NSSO data and Publication of NSSO Reports.
ECONOMIC CENSUS
The CSO undertook a countrywide Economic Census, for the first time in 1977 to provide a better frame for conducting follow-up surveys for collection of detailed information particularloy from unorganized establisments. The basic information, relating to the distribution of nonagricultural establishments by activity, type Current Affairs Comprehensive
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of ownership, rural/urban break up and by employment size, needed for preparation of a frame for conducting detailed surveys, is collected in the periodic Economic Census. The Fifth Economic Census was conducted in 2005 in all the States/UTs again in collaboration with State/UT Directorates of Economics and Statistics. The final results of Economic Census 2005 were released on 29th May, 2008.
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Cement, Petroleum & Roads and Civil Aviation.
TWENTY POINT PROGRAMME

The Twenty Point Programme (TPP) was conceived with the objective of improving the quality of life of the people, especially those living below the poverty line. It is meant to give a thrust to schemes relating to poverty alleviation, employment generation in rural areas, housing, education, family welfare & health, protection of environment and many other schemes having a bearing on the quality of life, especially in the rural areas. The programme, initiated in 1975 was restructured in 1982, 1986 and 2006. India has also been affected by the global changes and accordingly the growth of Indian economy too has moderated. India's GDP growth has come down from 8.4% in 2009-10 to 6.9% in 2011-12, with 6.5% as revised estimate of GDP growth. Although the primary reason for moderation in GDP growth is weakening of industrial growth in 2011-12, the effect of retrenchment in overseas demand on India's exports cannot be ignored.
INFRASTRUCTURE STATISTICS-2010
The first issue of Infrastructure Statistics 2010 has been finalized and uploaded in MOSPI Web-site by the Economic Statistics Division, Ministry of Statisties and Programme Implementation (MoS&PI). Presently, six broad sectors of Infrastructure viz. Transport, Energy, Irrigation, Communication, Sanitation & Water Supply and Storage with a total of 17 sub sectors are covered in the publication. For these sectors / sub sectors effort has been made to compile data on major indicators such as accessibility, affordability, quality and fiscal cost.
INFRACTRUCTURE AND PROJECT MONITORING

The Infrastructure and Project Monitoring Division (IPMD) in the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation is monitoring the performance of the country's eleven key infrastructure sectors, namely, Power, Coal, Railways, Shipping and Ports, Telecommunications, Fertilizers,
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CHAPTER 4: COMMERCE
TRADE SCENARIO
India's total external trade (exports plus imports including re-export) in the year 1991-92 stood at Rs. 91893 crore. Since then, this has witnessed continuous increase with occasional slowdown. During 2010-11, the value of India's external trade reached Rs. 2826389 crore. India's exports during 2010-11 reached a level of Rs. 1142922 crore registering a growth of 35.17 per cent in rupee terms. In US $ terms, exports reached a level of US $ 251.1 billion. During 2010-11, imports increased to Rs. 1683467 crore with a positive growth of 23.45 per cent from the previous year. During the period 2011-12, the share of Asia and ASEAN region comprising East Asia, ASEAN, West Asia & North Africa (WANA), NE Asia and South Asia accounted for 51.66 per cent of India's total exports. The share of Europe in India's total exports stood at 18.95 per cent of which EU Countries (27) comprises of 17.25 per cent. Both North and South America stand third together as a region with a share of 16.41 per cent in India's total exports. During the same period, in the top destinations (Table 2) United Arab Emirates (11.78 per cent) has been the most important country of export destination followed by USA (11.27 per cent), China (5.93 per cent), Singapore (5.49 per cent) and Hong Kong (4.24 per cent). As far as the direction of trade in terms of imports is concerned during the period 2011-12, Asia and ASEAN account for the highest percentage share in India's total imports with the share of 62.37 per cent, followed by Europe (18.70 per cent) and America (9.11 per cent). Among the individual countries, the share of China was the highest (11.78 per cent) followed by United Arab Emirates (7.28 per cent), Switzerland (6.59 per cent). Saudi Arabia (6.35 per cent) and USA (4.78 per cent).
EXPORT PROMOTION MEASURES

The underlying philosophy of the latest Annual Supplement to Foreign Trade Policy (2009-2014) announced on 5th June, 2012 is based on seven broad principles: Giving a focused thrust to employment intensive industry, encouraging domestic manufacturing for inputs to export industry and reducing the dependence on imports, promoting technological up gradation of exports, persisting with a strong market diversification, encouraging exports from the North Eastern Region given its special place in India's economy, endeavouring to reduce transaction cost through procedural simplification and reduction of human interface. In accordance with these principles, it provides for a number of measures to boost India's exports, some of which include extension of 2% Interest Subvention Scheme and Zero Duty EPCG Scheme up-to 31.03.2013; increase in coverage of 2% Interest Subvention Scheme to labour intensive sectors; support for Current Affairs Comprehensive
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export of green Technology Products; measures for Market and Product Diversification; duty free import of embellishments for exports of synthetic made- ups, "e-BRC Initiative" launched by DGFT, etc. Economic Cooperation Agreement)
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BTIA terms are used to describe Agreements which consist of an integrated package
INDIA'S ENGAGEMENT IN FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS (FTAS)

As a result, so far India has concluded 10 Free Trade Agreements,S Limited scope Preferential Trade Agreements and is in the process of negotiating / expanding 17 more Agreements. At least 9 more proposals for FTAs are under consideration. When completed, these Agreements would cover over 100 countries spread across 5 continents.
CEPA (Comprehensive of Agreement on Economic Partnership Goods, Services, Agreement) Investment, Mutual Recognition, Intellectual Property etc. e.g. India Korea CEPA. BTIA (Broad based Trade and Investment Agreement)
A. FTAS ALREADY CONCLUDED

1. India - Sri Lanka FfA 2. Agreement on SAFfA (India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan and the Maldives) 3. Revised Agreement of Cooperation between Government of India and Nepal to control unauthorized trade 4. India- Bhutan Agreement on Trade Commerce and Transit 5. India - Thailand FrA - Early Harvest Scheme (EHS) 6. India - Singapore CECA 7. India - ASEAN - CECA - Trade in Goods Agreement 8. India - South Korea (CEPA 9. India - Japan CEPA 10. India - Malaysia CECA
FREE TRADE AGREEMENT (FTA) TERMINOLOGY

PTA (preferential Tariff liberalization Trading Agreement): on a limited humber of lines e.g. IndiaMERCOSUR PTA. FTA (Free Agreement) Trade Elimination of Tariffs on items 'covering substantial bilateral trade between the partner countries e.g. India - Sri Lanka FTA
CECA (Comprehensive CECA or CEPA or
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B. PTAS ALREADY CONCLUDED

1. Asia Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA) 2. Global System of Trade Preferences (GSTP) 3. India - Afghanistan 4. India - MERCOSUR 5. India Chile
access in all LDCs in line with the WTO's Hong Kong Ministerial mandate. India's Duty Free Tariff Preference (DFTP) Scheme for LDCs came into effect in August, 2008 with tariff reductions spread over five years. This Scheme provides duty free and preferential tariff access on 94% of India's tariff lines.
SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONES (SEZS )

SEZs, the Special Economic Zones Act, 2005 has been enacted in February 2006 supported by SEZ Rules, 2006. The main objectives of the SEZ Act are: (a) generation of additional economic activity (b) promoting of exports of goods and services (c) promotion of investment from domestic and foreign sources (d) creation of employment opportunities (e) development of infrastructure facilities.
C. FTAS/PTAS UNDER NEGOTIATION

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. India-EU BTIA India-ASEAN CECA India-Sri Lanka CEPA India-Thailand CECA India-Mauritius CECPA India EFTA BTIA (Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland) 7. India- ew Zealand FTA/CECA 8. India-Isreal FTA 9. India-Singapore CECA 10. India-SACU PTA 11. India-Mercosur PTA 12. India-Chile PTA 13. BIMSTEC CECA 14. India-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) 15. India-Canada FTA 16. India-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic 17. India-Austraila
IMPACT OF THE SCHEME

The overwhelming response to the SEZ scheme is evident from the flow of investment and creation of additional employment. The SEZ scheme has generated tremendous response amongst the investors, both in India and abroad. In addition to earning of foreign exchange and development of infrastructure, SEZs have also created a significant local area impact in terms of direct as well as indirect employment, emergence of new activities, changes in consumption pattern and social
INDIA'S INITIATIVES FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

India became the first developing country to extend Duty Free Quota Free (DFQF)
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life, human development facilities such as education, healthcare etc. Number of Formal 589 approvals Number of notified 389 (out of 589) + (7 SEZs Central Govt. + 12 State/Pvt. SEZs)
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coal and Hydrocarbons and Non-Ferrous Metals imports by the country and one of India's largest buyers of Finished Fertilizers and Fertilizer Raw Materials.
THE STATE TRADING CORPORATION OF INDIA LTD.

The State Trading Corporation of India Ltd. (STC) is a premier International Trading Company of the Government of India engaged in exports, imports and domestic trading activities in a large basket of items. Traditionally, STC had been undertaking export/import of agricultural commodities. Today, STC exports items ranging from agricultural commodities such as rice, wheat, maize, castor oil, sugar, molasses, tea, cashew etc. to manufactured products such as iron ore, steel, textiles, garments, engineering goods, consumer products etc., from India to all parts of the world. STC imports bulk agricultural items like wheat, edible oils, sugar and pulses for Indian consumers in case of scarcity in the domestic market.
FOCUS AFRICA PROGRAMME

The "Focus Africa" Programme was initially launched with focus on seven countries of Sub-Saharan African (SSA) Region, viz., South Africa, Nigeria, Mauritius, Tanzania, Kenya, Ghana and Ethiopia. With a view to further widen and deepen India's trade with Africa, the scope of this programme was further extended to include Angola. Botswana, Ivory-Coast, Madagascar, Mozambique, Senegal, Seychelles, Uganda, Zambia, Namibia and Zimbabwe, alongwith the six countries of North Africa, viz., Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Sudan, Morocco and Algeria. Under this Programme, the Government extends assistance to exporters and Export Promotion Councils etc. to visit countries in Africa and to organize trade fairs and also sponsors African trade delegations to visit India.
MMTC LIMITED
MMTC Limited is India's largest trading company with a present annual business turnover of about US $11 billion. It is the largest exporter of Minerals and Ores from India, leading exporter /importer of Agro commodities, single largest importer / supplier of Bullion, a major player in the
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CHAPTER 5: COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

MAIL NETWORK OPTIMIZATION PROJECT
Department of Posts had initiated Mail Network Optimization Project in March 2010 with a view to streamline mail operations and to improve the quality of mail related services offered to the people. It involved optimization of the erstwhile mail network, standardization of processes and development of an effective performance monitoring system. a. Meghdoot Millennium for post office for front and back office operations. This consists of modules like Point of Sale, Postman, Sub Accounts, Treasury, Accountant Schedules, Despatches and Pension Schedules. b. eMO for transmitting money orders electronically. c. ePayment For Bill collection and settlement. d. Speed Net For processing of speed post articles with end to end tracking. e. RNet for processing registered articles with end to end tracking. INDIPEX-2011. The personalisation is achieved by printing a thumbnail photograph of the customer images and logos of institutions, or images of artwork, heritage buildings, famous tourist places, historical cities, wildlife, other animals and birds etc., alongside the selected Commemorative Postage Stamp.
RAFI AHMED KIDWAI NATIONAL POSTAL ACADEMY (RAKNPA) AT GHAZIABAD:

Rafi Ahmed Kidwai National Postal Academy (RAKNPA) is the apex training institute in the Department of Posts for meeting the training needs of the higher managerial cadres of India Post. It is one of the Central Training Institutions recognized by the DOPT. The main objective of the Academy is to impart induction and in-service training to the officers of Indian Postal Service Officers, Postal Service Group 'B' Officers and all Accounts Officers working in the Department.
DRAFT NATIONAL TELECOM POLICY (NTP)

Was released on 10 October 2011 for consultations with various stakeholders. It has following objectives: To provide affordable voice telephony and high speed broadband services to every citizen in India
MY STAMP
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To make India a global hub of manufacturing for all electronic products including telecom equipment with substantial value addition within the country and safeguard security concerns of the nation. Simplification and rationalisation of licensing regime, transparent system for allocation of spectrum and enable efficient usage of spectrum. Find of spectrum through market related processes. To achieve One Nation-Full Mobile Number Portability. To enable free roaming throughout the country. To harness full potential of mobile phones for provision of citizen centric services related to education, health, employment, agriculture, entertainment, banking & insurance services, skill upgradation, vocational training etc. To encourage indigenous manufacture of cost effective mobile devices. The faster roll out of high speed and reliable broadband in rural and urban areas will enable decentralised governance, participative democracy and delivery of basic services such as health and education to every citizen of the country. The new policy regime will be beneficial to end consumers / citizens, Telecom Service Providers, Value Added Service Providers, Government and Manufacturers.
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DRAFT NATIONAL POLICY ON ELECTRONICS (NPE)

The draft National Policy on Electronics was released on 03.10.2011. The Policy provides a clear road map for the development of electronics sector in the country for the coming decade. As part of the vision to make India a leading destination for the ESDM sector, the draft Policy proposes to achieve a domestic production of about USD 400 Billion with an investment of around 100 Billion by 2020. This inter-alia includes achieving a turnover of USD 55 Billion in the chip design and embedded software industry and USD 80 Billion of exports in the sector. Moreover, the policy proposes setting up of over 200 Electronic Manufacturing clusters. It proposes to set up two semiconductor wafer manufacturing facilities and to create and sustain a vibrant research and development and innovation eco-system in the ESDM sector. Another important objective of the policy is to significantly upscale high-end human resource creation to 2500 PhDs annually by 2020 in the sector. The renaming of the Department, as Deity and combining of Electronics with IT, is reaffirmation of the thrust that this sector deserves.
DRAFT NATIONAL POLICY ON INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY2011

Draft National Policy on Information Technology, 2011 was released on 7.10.2011. The Policy focuses on application of technology-enabled approaches to overcome developmental challenges in
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education, health, skill development, financial inclusion, employment generation, governance etc., to greatly enhance efficiency across the board in the economy. The policy seeks to achieve the twin goals of bringing the full power of ICT within the reach of the whole of India and harnessing the capability and human resources of the country to enable India to emerge as the global hub and destination for IT-ITeS Services by 2020.
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ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF SERVICES (EDS) BILL

To Speed up the process of enabling electronic delivery of public services to the citizens and for overcoming issues like resistance to change, systemic inertia, procedural hurdles, lack of transparency and legal impediments which hinder electronic delivery of services, it is proposed to enact the Electronic Delivery of Services (EDS) Bill which would mandate provisioning of all public services compulsorily through electronic means from a specified date. The Bill seeks to mandate provisioning of all public services compulsorily through electronic mode, from a specified date, by the public authorities in the Central and State Governments.
COMMON SERVICES CENTRES (CSCS)

The Goverrunent approved the CSC Scheme in September 2006 for establishing 100,000+ (one lakh) internet enabled centres in rural areas to be implemented in a Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode. The Common Services Centres (CSC) are proposed to be the delivery points for Govenunent, private and social sector services to rural citizens in the country at their doorstep. The CSC scheme is envisaged to be a bottom-up model for delivery of content, services, information and knowledge that can allow like-minded public and private enterprises - through a collaborative framework - to integrate their goals of profit as well as social objectives, into a sustainable business model for achieving rapid socio-economic change in rural India.
INDIA DEVELOPMENT GATEWAY

India Development Gateway (INOG) is a Deity initiative for providing e-knowledge and using ICT-based applications for rural empowerment. The multilingual knowledge platform/portal (ww.indg.in) launched in 2008 provides information in 10 languages (Hindi, English, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu) across 6 domains of social development at present i.e. Education, Health, Social Welfare, Agriculture, eCovernance, and Rural Energy. The portal also provides value added products/services such as online marketing platform, expert solutions, dynamic market information, employment news, online courses, weather forecasts, etc. It also offers offline knowledge CDs in agriculture, health & nutrition, and education.
E-DISTRICT
e-District is a Mission Mode Project under the National e-Goverance Plan. It aims at electronic delivery of identified high volume citizen centric services, at the District and Sub-District levels.
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E-GOVEMANCE CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT CENTERS (EGCAS)

To ensure trust and confidence of the citizens and all stakeholders involved, it is important to provide the necessary 3rd party audit and testing services for compliance and certification to various mission mode projects. Through this project, the Department has established seven 'e-Governance conformity Assessment Centres (eGCA) across the country (i.e. Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Delhi, Kolkata, Pune/Mumbai, Guwahati) to provide the requisite facilities for testing, audit and certification. Kolkata and Bengaluru centers are accredited internationally by A2La, USA for software testing. The eGCA centres are also providing services to various e-Governance projects.
over a period of 10 years. The objective of the National Knowledge Network is to interconnect Institutions of higher learning with a high speed data communication network. The network will consist of an ultra-high speed Core (multiples of 10Gbps and upwards), and over 1500 nodes. It is scalable to higher speed and more nodes also. The participating institutions can directly or through distribution layer connect to the NKN at speeds of 100 Mbps/1Gbps. The application areas envisaged under the NKN cover Agriculture, Education, Health, e-governance, Grid Computing (High Performance Computing).
TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT FOR INDIAN LANGUAGES (TDIL)

Technology Development for Indian Languages (TDIL) programme under Department of IT has taken a major initiative, to make available fonts and basic information processing software tools like open office. e-mail client, internet browser, dictionary, conversion utilities, etc.
ELECTRONICS E-NEWSLETTER
Electronics e-Newsletter was initiated in November 2011 with the objective to inform various stakeholders, including component/product manufacturers, industry associations, apex chambers, Academics, Research Institutions, Media, Trade Bodies, Concerned Ministries and Govt. Bodies, etc., about Govt. policy and activities.
SOCIETY FOR APPLIED MICROWAVE ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING AND RESEARCH (SAMEER)

SAMEER is an autonomous R&D Laboratory under Deity with a broad mandate to carry out applied research leading to technologies and products in the areas of RF microwaves and millimeter waves and provide test, measurement and design services in EMI/EMC and antennas. Current Affairs Comprehensive
NATIONAL KNOWLEDGE NETWORK (NKN)

In March 2010 the Government approved the establishment of the National Knowledge Network (NKN) at an outlay of Rs. 5990 crore, to be implemented by NIC www.jagranjosh.com
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CENTRE FOR DEVELOPMENT OF ADVANCED COMPUTING (C-DAC)

The Centre for Development of Advanced computing (C-DAC) is a premier Research & Development (R&D) organization of the nation in ICT&E (Information Communication Technologies and Electronics). C-DAC's high performance computing programs are focused towards building capabilities, systems, facilities and applications for India's high performance computing requirements. CDAC has been working on power optimisation in computing environments. The Open Source Drug Discovery (OSDD) community has been the largest user of GARUDA grid - India's national grid infrastructure setup and managed by CDAC. CDAC has initiated a major program in cloud computing for building a powerful cloud computing infrastructure with a number of important applications. C-DACs Language Technology products and solutions span a wide range of applications including publishing and printing, word processing in Indian languages, machine translation, information retrieval, speech technologies, newsroom automation and mobile devices. Professional electronics continues to be an active area within CDAC. A major project, eAgriEn-applications of electronics in agriculture and environment-is aimed at development of a number of solutions for various problems in agriculture and environment, in collaboration with a
number of academic institutions across India. These include electronic nose, vision, smell and tongue technologies for quality monitoring of agricultural products such as turmeric, chillies, rice, etc. Cyber Security is one of the priority areas aimed to deliver multilevel/multilayered security solutions against various types of threats. These demand constant work in research relating to next generation technologies & products to ensure protection and effective deployment. Bharatiya Automated Fingerprint Identification System (Bharatiya AFIS) Suite TM is a family of software development kits/systems, resulting from CDACs work in the area of biometrics, which offers highperformance fingerprint identification for Government agencies. CDACs e-Nayana software enables Regional Institute of Ophthalmology to conduct medical camps at remote rural and tribal areas, examine patients and communicate via Video Conferencing, transfer the Electronic Health Record (EHR) of patients and provide expert consultation immediately.
CENTRE FOR MATERIALS FOR ELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY (C-MET)

Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology (C -MET) has been set up as a society under the Department of Information Technology as a unique concept for development of viable technologies mainly in the area of electronics materials. C- Met, Mission is to develop knowledge base in electronics materials and their processing technology
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for Indian industries and to become a source of critical electronic materials, knowhow and technical services for the industry and other sectors of economy.
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NATIONAL INTERNET EXCHANGE OF INDIA (NIXI)

The National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) is a not-for-profit organization under Section 25 of Companies Act to facilitate handing over of domestic Internet traffic between the peering ISP members. This will enable more efficient use of international bandwidth, save foreign exchange. It will further improve the quality of services for the customers of member ISPs, by being able to avoid multiple international hops and thus lowering delays. Five additional Internet Exchanges Nodes have been operationalized at Ahmedabad (Gujarat), Bengaluru (Karnataka), Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh), Mohali (Chandigarh) and Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) to add to the existing hubs at Noida (Delhi), Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata.
EDUCATION & RESEARCH NETWORK (ERNET) INDIA

Education & Research Network (ERNET), India is an autonomous Scientific Society under the administrative control of the Department of Information Technology. ER ET India has been serving institutions in various sectors namely, health, agriculture, higher education, schools and science & technology and thus, understands the needs of these knowledge institutions. ERNET India is helping to create a truly globaJ research community where advanced resources and new learning can be effectively shared by connecting the research network in Europe with ERNET. ERNET network is a judicial mix of terrestrial and satellite based wide area network.
MEDIA LAB ASIA

The Media Lab Asia has been set up as a not-for-profit organization under Section 25 of Companies Act with an aim to bring the benefits of the most advanced information and communication technologies to the common man and the needy people. Media Lab Asia works on the paradigm of collaborative research in the task of developing relevant and sustainable technologies and bringing them to the daily lives of people. Media Lab Asia works with academic and R&D institutions, industry, GOs and Gov rnments in this endeavor. It has reached 1500 villages/ remote sites in the country in almost all the states of the country. www.jagranjosh.com
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CHAPTER 6: DEFENCE
SAINIK SCHOOLS
The Sainik Schools were established as a joint venture of the Central and State Governments. These are under the overall governance of Sainik Schools Society. At present, there are 24 Sainik Schools located in various parts of the country. Sainik Schools at Rewari (Haryana) is the latest one started in March 2009. The objectives of Sainik Schools include bringing quality public school education within the reach of the common man, all round development of a child's personality and to remove regional imbalance in the officer's cadre of the Armed Forces. before being commissioned as officers in the Armed Forces.
RASHTRIYA INDIAN MILITARY COLLEGE

The Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC) was founded on March 13, 1922, with the objective of providing the necessary preliminary training for boys of Indian birth or domicile, wishing to become officers in the Armed Forces of India. The institution now serves as a feeder institute to the National Defence Academy.
RASHTRIYA MILITARY SCHOOLS

The five Rashtriya Military Schools affiliated to CBSE are functioning at Chail, Ajmer, Belgaum, Bangalore and Dholpur. The Military Schools admit boys in Class VI, based on the results of an all India Common Entrance Test.
INDIAN MILITARY ACADEMY, DEHRADUN

Indian Military Academy is a premier training establishment imparting Precommissioned training to the Gentlemen Cadets (GC). The training is aimed to make the Gentlemen Cadet an effective Platoon Commander once he passes out. Interaction with foreign military academies through cadets exchange programme has been the highlight of the training year wherein selected Gentlemen Cadets visited France, Australia, UK and Singapore military academies.
NATIONAL DEFENCE ACADEMY

The National Defence Academy (NDA) is the country's premier Armed Forces Training Institution (AFTI). The three years course at the NDA is covered in six semesters and cadets are awarded with BA/ BSe. Degree. Thereafter, on conclusion of this training, the cadets proceed to their respective Service Academies for further training www.jagranjosh.com
NATIONAL DEFENCE COLLEGE

The National Defence College has established a name for itself as a centre of excellence on matters pertaining to National Security and Strategic Studies. Selected Armed Forces officers of the rank Current Affairs Comprehensive
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of Brigadier / equivalent and Civil Services officers of equivalent status of Director and above are nominated for training at the college. The officers undergo an eleven months programme with focus on National Security, covering all dimensions of domestic, regional and international issues to equip future policy makers with background necessary to get a broad understanding of the multifarious economic, political, military, scientific and organizational aspects that are essential for planning of National Strategy.
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Modern Naval platforms are complex and technology intensive and hence it is imperative that the country has the technological base and skill sets within, to design and develop them. The Government has, therefore, set up the National Institute for Research and Development in Defence Shipbuilding (NIRDESH) to take the country towards self-reliance in this crucial area of defence technology. Raksha Mantri laid the foundation stone on January 4,2011 for NIRDESH at Chaliyam, near Kozhikode (Calicut), Kerala.
NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN DEFENCE SHIPBUILDING (NIRDESH)
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CHAPTER 7. EDUCATION
Before 1976, education was the exclusive responsibility of the States. The Constitutional Amendment of 1976, which included education in the Concurrent List, was a far-reaching step. The substantive, financial and administrative implication required a new sharing of responsibility between the Union Government and the States. While the role and responsibility of the States in education remained largely unchanged, the Union Government accepted a larger responsibility of reinforcing the national and integrated character of education, maintaining quality and standard including those of the teaching profession at all levels, and the study and monitoring of the educational requirements of the country. Central Government plays a leading role in the evolution and monitoring of educational policies and programmes, the most notable of which are the national Policy on Education (PE), 1986 and the Programme of Action (POA), 1986 as updated in i992. The modified policy envisages a National System of education to bring about uniformity in education, making adult education programmes a mass movement, providing universal access, retention and quality in elementary education, special emphasis on education of girls, establishment of pacesetting schools like Navodaya Vidyalayas in each district, vocationalisation of secondary education, synthesis of knowledge and inter-disciplinary research in higher education, starting more Open Universities in the States, strengthening of the All India Council of Technical Education, encouraging sports, physical education, Yoga and adoption of an effective evaluation method, etc. The Government has taken a number of major initiatives during the 11th Five Year Plan. Some of the new initiatives in the School and literacy sector and Higher and Technical Education sector include: Enactment of Right to Education, Launching of Saakshar Bharat, Evolving a National Curriculum Framework for Teacher Education, introducing a System for replacement of marks by grades at the Secondary stage in schools affiliated to CBSE based on recommendations of Yash Pal Committee and National Knowledge Commission, Establishment of 14 Innovation Universities aiming at World Class Standards, Setting up 10 new National Institutes of Technology; Launching of new Scheme of Interest subsidy on education loans taken for professional courses by the Economically Weaker Students, Academic Reforms (Semester system, choice based credit system, regular revision of syllabi, impetus to research), etc.
ELEMENTARY EDUCATION
SARVA SHIKSHA ABHIYAN
Launched in 2001 Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) is one of India's major flagship programmes for universalisation of elementary education. Its overall goals include universal access and retention, bridging of gender and social category gaps in elementary education, and achieving significant enhancement in learning levels of children. Current Affairs Comprehensive
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SSA Goals are: a. Enrolment of all children in school, Education Guarantee Centres, Alternative school. b. Retention of all children till the upper primary stage. c. Bridging of gender and social category gaps in enrolment, retention and learning; and d. Ensuring that there is significant enhancement in the learning achievement levels of children at the primary and upper primary stage. Central Government has approved an outlay of Rs. 2,31,233 crore for implementation of the combined RTE-SSA programme for the five year period of 201011 to 2014-15. Under SSA India has not only been able to improve access to 99 per cent of primary level but has also been able to reduce out of school children to 3-4 per cent of the age cohort of 6-14 years. Under this programme, special focus is on girls, children belonging to SC/ST Communities, other weaker Sections, Minorities and urban deprived children.
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wise planning is undertaken for each out-ofschool child. Under EGS, educational facilities are set up in habitations that do not have a primary School within a distance of 1 km. Any habitation with 25 out-of-school children in the 6-14 age group (15 in the case of hilly and desert areas and tribal hamlets) is eligible to have an EGS Centre. It is a transitory facility till Primary School replaces it within a period of two years. Alternative Education interventions for specific categories of very deprived children e.g., child labour, street children, migrating children, working children, children living in difficult circumstances and older children in the 9+age group especially adolescent girls are being supported under EGS and AlE all over the country.
THE NPEGEL SCHEME

National Programme for Education of Girls at Elementary Level (NPEGEL) Scheme is a holistic effort to address obstacles to girl's education at the micro level through flexible, decentralized processes and decision making. It is implemented in educationally backward blocks and addresses the needs of girls who are enrolled in school, but do not attend school regularly. The scheme emphasizes the responsibility of teachers to recognize such girls and pay special attention to bring them out of their state of vulnerability and prevent them from dropping out. The scheme works through village level women's and community groups to follow up girls' enrolment, attendance and
EDUCATION GUARANTEE SCHEME AND ALTERNATIVE AND INNOVATIVE EDUCATION

Education Guarantee Scheme and Alternative and Innovative Education (EGS and AIE) are important components of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) to bring out-ofschool children in the fold of Elementary Education. The scheme envisages that child-
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achievement. The community is engaged in recommending village specific action based on their understanding of local issues.
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KASTURBA GANDHI BALIKA VIDYALAYA SCHEME

Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya Scheme provides for setting up of residential upper primary schools for girls of SC, ST, OBC and Miority communities. This scheme targets areas of scattered habitations. The Scheme provides for a minimum reservation of 75% seats for girls from SC/ST /OBC and minority communities and 25% to girls from families that are below the poverty line.
Local Body and Government aided schools, and EGS and AlE centres. (ii) Encouraging poor children, belonging to disadvantaged sections, to attend school more regularly and help them concentrate on classroom activities. (iii) Providing nutritional support to children of primary stage in drought affected areas during summer vacation.
THE SCHEME HAS THE FOLLOWING COMPONENTS:

(i) Borne entirely by Central Government (a) Supply of free food grains (b) Assistance for transportation of foodgrains from FCI god owns to the schools. (c) For North Eastern States and Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand at the rate prevalent under the public distribution system (d) For all other states and UTs @ Rs. 75 per quintal. (e) Assistance for Monitoring Management & Evaluation, (MME) at the rate of 2 per cent of total cost of: (a) food grains, (b) transport cost and (c) cooking cost. (ii) Shared with the states /UTs. (a) Cooking cost Rs. 2.69 per child per day for primary classes and Rs. 4.03 per child per day for upper Primary Classes w.e.f. 1 April 2010. This cost has been revised from 1.4.2011. (b) Payment of honorarium of Rs. 1000 per month to cook-cum-helper. (c) Assistance for the cost of construction of kitchen cum store to be determined
MID-DAY MEAL SCHEME

With a view to enhancing enrollment, retention and attendance and simultaneously improving nutritional levels among children, the National Programme of nutritional Support to Primary Education (NP-NSPE) was launched as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme on 15 August 1995. it covers all children studying in Classes IVIII in government, government aided, local body. Central Assistance under the scheme consisted of free supply of food grains @ 100 grams per child per school day, and subsidy for transportation of food grains up to a maximum of Rs. 50 per quintal. The objective of the mid day meal scheme is to address two of the pressing problems for majority of children in India, viz. hunger and education: (i) Improving the nutritional status of children in classes I-VIII in Government, www.jagranjosh.com

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on the basis of plinth area norm and State Schedule. (d) The cooking cost, honorarium for cookscum-help and the cost of construction of kitchen-cum-stores will be shared between the Centre and the NER States on 90:10 basis and with other States/UTs on 75:25 basis.
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modelling, papier mache, music, dance, drama, painting, crafts, museum activities, photography, videography, indoor & outdoor games, home management, traditional art & craft, educational & innovative games/chess, science is fun etc. Since 1995 National Bal Bhavan has also launched a scheme to identify, honour and nurture the creative children of India irrespective of their socio-economic status. The rationale behind this scheme-The Bal Shree Scheme'-is that creativity is a human potential that directly relates to selfexpression and self-development. This scheme seeks to identify creative children within the age group of 5-16 years in four identified areas of creativity, i.e. creative art, creative performance, creative scientific innovations, and creative writing.
MAHILA SAMAKHYA SCHEME

Pursuant to the objectives of the NPE, 1986, the Mahila Samakhya Scheme was started in 1989 to translate the goals enshrined in the NPE into a concrete programme for the education and empowerment of women in rural areas particularly those from socially and economically marginalized groups. The MS scheme recognizes importance of education in empowering women to achieve equality. The Mahila Sang has or women's forums at the village level provide the women a space to meet, reflect ask questions and articulate their thoughts and needs and make informed choices.
RIGHT TO EDUCATION
By the 86th Amendment of the Constitution in 2002, Article 21A was inserted in the Constitution which provides for free and compulsory education for all children in the age group of six to fourteen years as a Fundamental Right. In order to put in place a suitable legisl tion as envisaged under Article 21A, the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009 was passed by the Parliament on 4 August 2009 and the RTE was published in the Gazette of India on 27 August 2009. The RTE Act, inter alia, seeks to provide that every child has a right to full time elementary education of satisfactory and equitable quality in formal school which satisfies certain essential norms and standards. It has considerable implications for the implementation strategies of SSA. Steps Current Affairs Comprehensive
NATIONAL BAL BHAVAN

The National Bal Bhavan is an autonomous organisation fully funded by the Ministry of Human Resources Development, Department of School Education and Literacy. Since its inception in 1956, it is a creativity resource centre for children in the age group of 5-16 years. National Bal Bhavan is engaged in pursuits for the integrated growth of the child by involving them in various activities In a tension free environment irrespective of their gender, caste, creed, colour etc. To mention a few, the activities are clay
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have been taken to harmonise the vision, strategy and norms under SSA with the RTE mandate. As per roadmap of RTE (i) neighbourhood schools are to be established by 31.3.2013, (ii) provisions of school infrastructure and teachers are to be made by 31.3.2013.
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SECONDARY EDUCATION
RASHTRIYA MADHYAMIK SHIKSHA ABHIYAN
Launched in March, 2009, this Scheme with the objective to enhance access to' secondary education and improve its quality. It envisages to achieve an enrolment rate of 75 per cent (from 52.26 per cent in 2005-06) in secondary stage within five years by providing a secondary school within a reasonable distance of any habitation. The other objectives include improving quality of education imparted at secondary level through making all secondary schools conform to prescribed norms, removing gender, socio-economic and disability barriers, providing universal access to secondary level education by 2017 and achieving universal retention by 2020.
Hostels for students of Secondary and Higher Secondary Schools, under which assistance was provided to voluntary organizations for running Girl' Hostels. The main objective of the revised Scheme is to retain girl child in secondary school so that the girl students are not denied the opportunity to continue their study due to distance to school, parents' financial affordability and other connected societal factors.
INCLUSIVE EDUCATION FOR DISABLED AT SECONDARY STAGE

The cherne of Inclusive Education for Disabled at Secondary Stage (IEDSS) has been launched from the year 2009-10. This Scheme replaces the earlier scheme of Integrated Education for Disabled Children (IEDC) and would provide assistance for the inclusive education of the disabled children in classes IX-XII. The aim of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of IEDSS is to enable all students with disabilities, after completing eight years of elementary schooling, to pursue further four years of secondary schooling (classes IX to XII) in an inclusive and enabling environment. The scheme will cover all children passing out of elementary schools and studying at secondary stage in Government, local body and Government-aided schools, with one or more disabilities as defined under the Persons with Disabilities Act (1995) and the national Trust Act (1999) in the age group 14+ to 18+.
SCHEME FOR CONSTRUCTION AND RUNNING OF GIRL'S HOSTEL FOR SECONDARY AND HIGHER SECONDARY SCHOOLS
This is a new centrally sponsored scheme launched in 2008-09 and being implemented from 2009-10 to set up Girl's Hostels with 100 seats in about 35000 educationally backward blocks. The Scheme has replaced the earlier NGO driven Scheme for construction and running of Girls'
QUALITY IMPROVEMENT IN SCHOOLS
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During the 10th Five Year Plan, "Quality Improvement in Schools" was introduced as a composite centrally sponsored scheme having the following components: i) National Population Education Project, (ii) Environmental Orientation to School Education, (iii) Improvement of Science Education in Schools, (iv) Introduction of Yoga in Schools, and (v) International Science Olympiads.
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agencies for conduct of experimental and innovative programmes aimed at promoting integration of educational programmes in schools with local environmental conditions.
KENDRIYA VIDAYALAYA SANGATHAN

The Scheme of Kendriya Vidayalaya Sangathan (KVS) was approved by Government of India in November 1962 to provide uninterrupted education to the wards of the transferable central government employees. Initially, 20 regimental schools were taken over as central schools during the academic session 1963-64. The salient features of the KVs are: primarily cater to the educational needs of the wards of transferable central government employees; all KVs are coeducational; all KVs are affiliated to CBSE; in case of girl students, tuition fee is not charged; tuition fee is also not charged for boys up to class VIII, the wards of KVs staff and SC/ST students upto class XII. 31 KVs have been identified to be developed as Smart Schools. All the 31 KVs have been sanctioned Rs. 25 lakh each to enrich their infrastructure and enhance the quality of education through the optimum use of IT and Multimedia. The KVs are fully funded by the Government of India. KVs also provide hostel facility to their boys and girls who need it. There are 9 KVs having this facility.
NATIONAL POPULATION EDUCATION PROJECT

The National Population Education Project was launched in April 1980 with the over reaching objective of institutionalizing population education in the school education and teacher education systems to contribute to the attainment of population and development goals of the country. Up to 2002, this was implemented as externally aided Project which was fully funded by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). It was being implemented in the University education and adult education sector as well.
ENVIRONMENTAL ORIENTATION TO SCHOOL EDUCATION

The national Policy on Education ( PE)-1986 provides that the protection of environment is a value which, along with certain other values, must form an integral part of curriculum at all stages of education. To this end, a Centrally-sponsored Scheme "Environment Orientation to School Education" was initiated in 1988-89. The scheme envisages assistance to voluntary
NAVODAYA VIDYALAYA SAMITL

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The National Policy on Education-1986 envisaged setting up of model schools, one in each district of the country. Accordingly, a scheme was formulated under which it was decided to set up co-educational residential schools (now called Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas). The Vidyalayas envisaged a new style of growth with identification and development of talented, bright and gifted children predominantly from rural areas who may otherwise be denied good educational opportunities. Efforts are made to ensure that at least 33 per cent of the students enrolled are girls. Migration is a unique feature of Navodaya Vidyalaya scheme whereby 30 per cent ot students of Class IX from a Vidyalaya located in Hindi speaking area spend one academic year in a Vidyalaya located in onHindi speaking area and viceversa to promote national integration through understanding of the diversity and plurality of the country's people, their language and culture.
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literacy to non literates in the age group of 15-35 years in a time bound manner.
LAUNCH OF SAAKSHAR BHARAT

In the context of government's overall policy aimed at empowerment of women and in recognition of the fact that literacy is a pre-requisite for socio-economic development, the National Literacy Mission has been recast as "SAAKSHA BHARA T" with prime focus on female literacy. The flagship programme of the Government will cover all adults in the age group of 15 and beyond though its primary focus will be on worn n. The scheme has not only been relieved of the shortcomings noted in its preceding editions, but also, several new features added to it. Basic Literacy, Post literacy and continuing Education programmes will now form a continuum, rather than sequential segments. Lok Shiksha Kendras (Adult Education Centres), will be set up to coordinate and manage all programmes, within their territorial jurisdiction. State Governments, as against the districts in the earlier versions, and Panchayati Raj institutions, along with communities, will be valued stakeholders. The Mission has four broad objectives, namely: i. Impact functional literacy and numeracy to non-literate and non- numerate adults. Enable the neo-literate adults specially younger adults to continue their learning beyond basic literacy and acquire equivalency to formal educational system. Impart non and neo-literates relevant skill development programmes to Current Affairs Comprehensive
ADULT EDUCATION
Adult Education aims at extending educational options to those adults, who have lost the opportunity and have crossed the age of formal education, but now feel a need for learning of any type, including, basic education (literacy), skill development (Vocational Education) etc. With the objective of promoting literacy and adult education, a series of programmes have been introduced since the First Five Year Plan period, the most prominent being the national Literacy Mission (NLM) that was launched in 1988 to impart functional
ii.
iii.
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improve their earning and living conditions. Promote a learning society by providing opportunities to neo literate adults and other potential learners for continuing education.
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iv.
The principal target of the mission is to impart functional literacy to 70 million adults in the age group of 15 years and beyond. Auxiliary target of the mission is to cover 1.5 million adults under basic education programme and equal number under vocational (skill development) programme. Within these targets, the Mission will primarily focus on, but not limited to, women. Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), Minorities, other disadvantaged groups and adolescents in rural areas in low literacy States will be other focused groups. For each focused group and area, there will be a specific target and for each target, an explicit approach and strategy.
Administering the Copyright Act, 1957, one of the several legislations in India in the area of Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs), is the responsibility of the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development, Department of Secondary and Higher Education. The Copyright Office was established in January 1958 to register copyright of works under different categories. As per Section 33 of the Copyright Act, the Central Government also registers copyright societies for doing copyright business. he Indian Copyright Act, 1957 was comprehensively amended in 1994 taking into account the technological developments. Copyright Enforcement in India: The Indian Copyright Act, 1957, provides penalties for the offences committed under the Copyright Act and empowers the police to take necessary action. The actual enforcement of the law is the concern of the State Governments. However, during the last few years, the Central Government has taken various steps to improve the enforcement of the Copyright Act to curb piracy. These measures include the setting up of a Copyright Enforcement Advisory Council (CEAC), which has members from all concerned departments and representatives of industry to regularly review the implementation of the Copyright Act including the provisions regarding antipiracy. Cooperation with WIPO: India is a member of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) since 1976, a specialised agency of the United Nations which deals with copyright and other intellectual property rights and plays an important role in all its deliberations.
JAN SHIKSHAN SANSTHANS

Jan Shikshan Sansthans (JSSs) are established to provide vocational training to non- literate, neo-literate, as well as school dropouts by identifying skills as would have a market in the region of their establishment. The Maharshi Sandipani Rashtriya Veda Vidya Prathisthan, Ujjain Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan, New Delhi Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeetha, Tirupati Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeetha, New Delhi
COPYRIGHT
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CHAPTER 8. ENERGY
50,000 MW HYDRO ELECTRIC INITIATIVE
Under the 50,000 MW Initiative launched by the Government in 2003-04,162 hydroelectric projects spread in 16 states for the purpose of preparation of Preliminary Feasibility Reports (PFRs) were taken up by CEA as nodal agency. The PFRs were completed in September 2004 for all these projects with an installation of 47,930 MW. installation and operation of meters, concurrence of hydro-electric schemes, safety and grid standards. It also specifies measures relating to safety with respect to electricity supply. This will inculcate higher efficiency in all fields of the power sector. The CEA is responsible for the concurrence of hydro power development schemes of the Central, State and Private ectors taking into consideration the best ultimate development of the river or its tributaries for power generation, consistent with the requirement of drinking water, irrigation, navigation, flood control or for other public purposes. It also makes studies for the optimum location of dams and other river works keeping in view the norms regarding dam design and safety. It promotes and assists in the timely completion of schemes and projects for improving and augmenting the electricity system by carrying out a close monitoring of the construction, generation and transmission projects to ensure their timely completion by identifying bottlenecks and problem areas and initiating remedial measures/actions. The CEA advises Central Government, State governments and Regulatory Commissions on all technical matters relating to generation, transmission and distribution of electricity. The CEA plays a lead role in promoting an integrated operation of Regional Grid systems and the evolution of a National Grid.
CENTRAL ELECTRICITY AUTHORITY

Central Electricity Authority (CEA), a statutory organisation constituted under Section 3(1) of the Electricity Supply Act, 1948 which has been superseded by Section 70 (1) of Electricity Act, 2003, plays an important role in formulating policies and programmes for power development in the country and in planning and coordinating various development activities in the Power Sector. The CEA advises the Central Government on matters relating to the ational Electricity Policy, formulates shortterm and perspective plans for development of the electricity system and coordinates the activities of the planning agencies for optimal utilisation of resources to subserve the interests of national economy and to provide reliable and affordable electricity to all consumers. Under the Electricity Act, 2003, the CEA makes regulations/standards on matters such as construction of electrical plants, electric lines and connectivity to the grid,
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It promotes research in matters affecting the generation, transmission, distribution and trading of electricity; carries out, or causes to be carried out, any investigation for the purposes of generating or transmitting or distributing electricity and promotes measures for advancing the skills of persons engaged in the electricity industry.
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Rural Electricity Distribution Backbone (REDB)
Provision of 33/11 KV (or 66/11 KV) substations of adequate capacity and lines in blocks where these do not exist. Creation of Village Electrification Infrastructure (VEl) Electrification of non-electrified villages. Electrification of non-electrified habitations with a population of above 100. Provision of distribution transformers of appropriate capacity in electrified villages / habitation(s). Decentralized Distributed Generation (DOG) and Supply
ACCELERATED POWER DEVELOPMENT AND REFORMS PROGRAMME

Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved the 'Restructured APDRE for Xl Plan as a Central Sector Scheme. The main objective of the programme is creation of reliable and sustainable data base, demonstrable performance in terms of AT&C loss reduction to below 15% at town level on sustained basis and improved services.
RAJIV GANDHI GRAMEEN VIDYUTIKARAN YOJANA

"RGGVY - scheme of Rural Electricity Infrastructure and Household Electrification" was launched in March 2005 with approved capital subsidy of Rs. 5000 cr during the LO" plan for implementation of Phase I of the scheme. The scheme was further continued in 11th Plan for attaining the goal of providing access to electricity to all households. Under the scheme, projects could be financed with capital subsidy for provision of:-
Decentralized distribution-cum-generation from conventional or renewable or nonconventional sources for villages where grid connectivity is either not feasible or not cost effective. Remote villages covered for financing under M RE not included. Rural Household Electrification of Below Poverty Line Households: Electrification of non-electrified Below Poverty Line (BPL) households would be financed with 100% capital subsidy as per norms of Kutir Jyoti Programme in all rural habitations. Households above poverty line would be paying for their connections at prescribed connection charges and no subsidy would be available for this purpose. Current Affairs Comprehensive
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POWER FINANCE CORPORATION LIMITED (PFC)

The Power Finance Corporation Limited (PFC) is a leading Power Sector Financial Institution and a Non-Banking Financial Company, providing fund and non-fund based support for the development of the Indian Power Sector. Occupying a Key position in the Government of India's plan for the power sector, PFC performs a major role in channelizing investment into the power sector and functions as a dedicated agency for its development.
Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru who dreamt of an India equipped with scientific temper and mastery in cutting-edge technologies. Broadly, the Mission aims, to install 20 GW grid-connected and 2GW off-grid solar power, 20 million sqm of solar thermal collector area; and 20 million rural households to have solar home lighting by year. The Mission support research, development and innovation to achieve grid-parity in the shortest time frame. The Mission will be implemented in three phases. The first phase is up to March, 2013, the second till March 2017 and the third phase will continue till March, 2022.
POWER LENDERS CLUB

PFC has also established the Power Lenders Club which consists of 18 banks and includes major financial institutions like HUDCO and LIC.
THE "DEVELOPMENT OF SOLAR CITIES"

The Ministry assists Municipal Corporations and Urban Local Bodies in preparation of a Master Plan for increasing energy efficiency and renewable energy supply in the city. During 2011-12 sanction has been accorded for developing 5 cities as Solar City. With this a total of 38 solar city projects have been sanctioned under the programme. Three Cities namely Nagpur, Chandigarh and Gandhinagar are being developed as Model Solar Cities.
JAWAHARLAL NEHRU NATIONAL SOLAR MISSION

India has planned harnessing solar energy potential in a big way. In January 2010, as one of the mission under the National Action Plan on Climate Change, the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) was launched. This Mission is named after India's first and visionary Prime
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CHAPTER 9. ENVIRONMENT
ALL INDIA COORDINATED PROJECT ON CAPACITY BUILDING IN TAXONOMY (AICOPTAX)
The AICOPTAX has a sole mission "Enhancement of country's capabilities for inventorying, monitoring, conserving and utilizing biodiversity as well as for establishing leadership in the field of taxonomy at regional and global level. AICOPTAX, an active programme channelized at the National level to address the problems of inadequate taxonomic knowledge due to limited number of taxonomists available in the country, is fully funded by the Ministry. The major components of the scheme include, Forest fire control and management, Strengthening of Infrastructure, Survey, Demarcation and Working Plan preparation, Protection and Conservation of Sacred Groves, Conservation and Restoration of Unique Vegetation & Ecosystems, Control and Eradication of Forest Invasive Species and Preparedness for Meeting Challenges of Bamboo Flowering and Improving Management of Bamboo Forests.
PROJECT TIGER (NATIONAL TIGER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY)

The Centrally Sponsored Scheme "Project Tiger" was launched in April, 1973 with the objective "to ensure maintenance of a viable population of Tigers in India for scientific, economic, aesthetic, cultural and ecological values, and to preserve for all times, areas of biological importance as a national heritage for the benefit, education and enjoyment of the people". In-principle approval has been accorded for creation of five more tiger reserves are as under:SI. No 1. Name of Reserve Ratapani Tiger State
INTENSIFICATION OF FOREST MANAGEMENT SCHEME (IFMS)

While aiming to expand forest cover in the country, it is equally important to improve the state of existing forests and protect them against various threats. This centrally sponsored 'Intensification of Forest Management Scheme' aims at strengthening forest management interventions. The financial assistance is provided on cost share basis. All the NorthEastern States including Sikkim and special category States, namely, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand share 10% of the cost, while the rest of the States/UTs share 25% of the cost of the annual plans of operations.
Madhya Pradesh Orissa
2.
Sunabeda
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3. 4. Pilibhit Uttar Pradesh
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Biligiri Ranganatha Karnataka Temple Mukundara Hills Rajasthan
5.
Further, the following areas have been suggested, by the National Tiger Conservation Authority to States, for creation as tiger reserves are as follows: Name Satyamangalam Nagzira-Navegaon Bor Suhelwa State Tamil Nadu Maharashtra Maharashtra Uttar Pradesh
S.No 1. 2. 3. 4.
Implementing "e-Eye"-a tool of electronic surveillance at the Corbett Tiger Reserve as a pilot project. Steps were taken for modernizing the infrastructure and field protection systems, besides launching 'M-STRIPES' - (Monitoring System for Tigers' Intensive Protection and Ecological Status) towards effective field patrolling and monitoring.
According to CPCB, the e-waste inventory in India for the year 2005 was estimated to be 1.46 lakh tonnes, which is expected to exceed 8.0 lakh tonnes by 2012. At present, the management of e-waste is regulated under the Hazardous Wastes (Management, Handling & transboundary Movement) Rules, 2008. The draft notification of e-waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2010 was published by the Ministry of Environment & Forests in May 2010 for seeking comments from all stakeholders. The concept of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) has been enshrined in these draft rules to make EPR a mandatory activity associated with the production of electronic and electrical equipments. The Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is an environment protection strategy that makes the producer responsible for the entire life cycle of the product, especially for take back, recycling and final disposal of the product.
MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT

The draft Plastics (Manufacture, Usage and Waste Management) Rules, 2009 was notified for comments. Financial assistance has been provided to various State Pollution Control Boards/Committees for conducting awareness and training programmes on Current Affairs Comprehensive
E-WASTE MANAGEMENT
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management of Municipal Solid Waste and Plastic Waste. A draft Hazardous Substances (Classification, Packaging and Labelling) Rules, 2010 has been finalized. MoEF has reviewed the prescribed limits for non-paper recyclable material in waste paper consignments being imported from other countries. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) agreed to the elaboration of a legally binding instrument on mercury and asked the UNEP to convene an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) with the mandate to prepare the instrument. The project on "Inventorisation of Lead, Cadmium, Mercury and Arsenic in Paints, Distempers and Pigments" has been initiated. A Master Plan Study on Mercury relating to Environmentally Sound Management of Mercury in Florescent Lamps has been initiated.
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(Management and Handling) Rules 1998 and the Amendments. The new Rules are expected to be comprehensive in all respects. It is proposed in the new Rules to cover all the health care establishments, including all veterinary institutions generating bio-medical waste, irrespective of the number of patients serviced per month, for obtaining authorization from the Prescribed Authority. The Ministry of Environment and Forests is implementing a UNDP-GEF project on 'Demonstrating and Promoting Best Techniques and Practices for Reducing Health-care Waste to Avoid Environmental Releases of Dioxins and Mercury', with the aim to protect human health and the global environment from the impacts of dioxins and mercury releases.
NATIONAL GANGA RIVER BASIN AUTHORITY (NGRBA)

National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) was constituted on 20th February, 2009, under the Chairmanship of the Prime Minister as an empowered planning, financing, monitoring and coordinating authority for the Ganga River, in exercise of the powers conferred under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. In its first meeting on 5th October, 2009, the Authority decided that under Mission Clean Ganga it will be ensured that by 2020 no untreated municipal sewage and industrial effluents flow into Ganga and the Current Affairs Comprehensive
BIO-MEDICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT

For treatment and disposal of biomedical waste generated in the country, there are 177 Common Treatment and Disposal Facilities in operation which were developed by private entrepreneurs. The Ministry of Environment and Forests has prepared draft new Rules on Bio-Medical Waste Management to replace the existing Bio-Medical Waste
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investments required to create the necessary treatment and sewerage infrastructure will be shared suitably between the Centre and the State Governments. An Action Plan was approved by the NGRBA in its first meeting, to achiev the aforesaid Mission objective. The following steps have been taken by the Ministry of Environment & Forests to implement the Action Plan: Preparation of Basin Management Plan: A comprehensive River Basin Management Plan for Ganga is being prepared. This work has been entrusted to a consortium of seven IITs. Revision of Guidelines for preparation of DPRs: The guidelines prepared in 2002 for DPR preparation have been revised and placed on the web site of the Ministry. The new guidelines requires that city sanitation plan shall be prepared for cities and on that basis schemes will be selected for abatement of pollution alongwith priority for implementation. Stake holder consultation at project formulation stage included. A pre-feasibility report will be prepared for the scheme selected before preparation of DPR. Catchment area treatment has also been included in the guidelines. Funding of NGRBA Projects: The existing NRCP funding pattern i.e. 70:30 between the Centre and States is being followed for NGRBA projects. Planning
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Commission has agreed to the proposal that the O&M costs of the assets created under NGRBA will be shared by the Central and State Governments on 70:30 basis for three years. Measures for improving implementation: The following are among the measures taken to improve implementation of projects under NGRBA: State River Conservation Authorities: To facilitate coordination and implementation of the conservation activities at the State level, Empowered State River Conservation Authorities (SRCAs) have been notified under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 for all the five Ganga States. Memorandum of Agreements (MoA): Tripartite MoAs are being signed with the State Governments/Urban Local Bodies in respect of sanctioned projects. Independent appraisal of Detailed Project Reports
INSTITUTIONS RELATED TO ENVIRONMENT

G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, KosiKatarmal, Almora Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), Dehradun Centres of Excellence (i) Centre for Environment Education (CEE), Ahmedabad
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(ii) CPR Environmental Education Centre (CPREEC), Chennai (iii) Centre for Ecological Sciences (CES), Indian Institute of Science (IISe), Bengaluru (iv) Centre of Mining Environment (CME), Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad (v) Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON), Coirnbatore (vi) Centre for Environment Management of Degraded Ecosystem (CEMDE), University of Delhi, Delhi (vii) Madras School of Economics (MSE), Chennai (viii) Foundation for Revitalization of Local Health Traditions (FRLHT), Bengaluru (ix) The Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute (TBGRI), Thiruvanthapurarn (x) Centre for Animals and Environment, CARTMAN, Bengaluru.
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recognize the pioneering and innovative contribution made by individuals and institutions in the field of afforestation/wasteland development every year. These awards are given annually.
PITAMBER PANT NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT FELLOWSHIP

Pitamber Pant National Environment Fellowship instituted in 1978 is awarded every year to encourage and recognize excellence in any branch of research related to the environmental sciences.
B.P. PAL NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT FELLOWSHIP FOR BIO-DIVERSITY

B.P. Pal National Environment Fellowship Award for Bio-diversity was instituted during 1993 and is awarded annually with a view to further develop, deepen and strengthen the expertise on Bio-diversity available in the country. So far, ten Fellowship Awards have been awarded to various scientists throughout the country.
INDIRA GANDHI PARYAVARAN PURASKAR (IGPP)

For IGPP-2008, only one awardee i.e. under organization category was selected by the Prize committee under the Chairmanship of Hon'ble Vice President of India and no one was found suitable for award under individual category.
NATIONAL AWARDS FOR PREVENTION OF POLLUTION AND RAJIV GANDHI ENVIRONMENT AWARD FOR CLEAN TECHNOLOGY
Rajiv Gandhi Environment Award for Clean Technology for the year 2008-2009 were awarded to Mis Reliance Infrastructure Limited, Dahanu. National Awards for Prevention of Pollution for the year 20082009 were awarded to MI s Indian Rayon.
INDIRA PRIYADARSHINI VRIKSHA MITRA (IPVM) AWARDS

The Indira Priyadarshini Vriksha Mitra (IPVM) Awards were instituted in 1986 to www.jagranjosh.com

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AMRITA DEVI BISHNOI WILDLIFE PROTECTION AWARD

The Amrita Devi Bishnoi Wildlife Protection Award is a national award instituted by the Ministry for protecting wildlife, which carries a cash award of Rs. one lakh, apart from citation and medallion. This annual award is given to an individual! institution pertaining to rural communities for significant contribution in the field of wildlife protection.
Environmental information plays a paramount role not only in formulating environmental management policies, but also in the decision-making process aiming at environmental protection towards sustaining good quality' of life for the living beings. Realizing this need the Ministry set up an Environmental Information System (ENVIS) in 1983 as a plan programme with a comprehensive network in environmental information collection, collation, storage, retrieval and dissemination to varying users, which include decision-makers, researchers, academicians, policy planners, research scientists, etc. The ENVIS network under ENVIS Scheme continued its information related activities, database development, publication of requisite information packages through newsletters, abstracting services, etc. and also the query-response services during the year. This was done by updating and maintaining an information base that includes both descriptive information as well as numerical data. Descriptive . information in the form of publications, reports, reprints and abstracts on related subjects is stored for dissemination. Numerical data on the same subject are collected, compiled, processed and analyzed for the purpose of dissemination. Documentation in the form of publications and reports are brought out. All the information thus compiled are made available on the wrbsite of the respective Centres.
RAJIV GANDHI WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AWARD

The Rajiv Gandhi Wildlife Conservation Award is given for significant contribution in the field of wildlife which is recognized as having made or has the potential to make measurable and major impact on the protection and conservation of wildlife in the country.
MEDINI PURASKAR
The Hon'ble Minister of State (Independent Charge) honours writers under Medini Puraskar Scheme with a view to encourage writing of original books in Hindi, on the subject related to the environment.
ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION SYSTEM (ENVIS)
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CHAPTER 10. FINANCE

SOCIAL SECTOR PROGRAMMES
The eight flagship programmes continue to receive high priority, viz. Sarva Siksha Abhiyan; Mid-Day Meal Scheme; Rajiv Gandhi Drinking Water Mission; Rural Sanitation; National Rural Health Mission; Integrated Child Development Programme; Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission. Total allocation under these eight flagship schemes were enhanced from Rs. 123017 crore in 2011-12 to Rs. 133686 crore in 2012-13. iii. undertake leverage other than to meet day-to-day operational requirements as permitted in these regulations. Category 3 AIF : AIFs including hedge funds that are considered to have negative externalities.
REVISED GUIDELINES FOR EXIT POLICY OF STOCK EXCHANGES

The exit policy of stock exchanges was revised in April, 2012 facilitating voluntary derecognition and compulsory derecognition of non-performing stock exchanges as per the guidelines laid out by SEBI in this regard. SEBI has come out with a Circular on the Exit Policy for Derecognized/Non-operational Stock Exchanges on 30th May 2012. This is expected to reduce the unproductive regulatory burden caused on account of continued existence of non-functional exchanges.
SEBI (ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT FUNDS) REGULATIONS, 2012

The new Regulation seeks to cover all types of Alternate Investment Funds (AIFs) broadly under 3 categories: i. Category 1 AIF : AIFs with positive spill over effects on the economy, for which certain incentives or concessions might be considered by SEBI or Govt. of India or other regulators in India; and which shall include Venture Capital Funds, SME Funds, Social Venture Funds and Infrastructure Funds. Category 2 AIF : AIFs for which no specific incentives or concessions are given by the Government or any other regulator. These IAFs shall not
RAJIV GANDHI EQUITY SAVINGS SCHEME

To encourage flow of savings in financial instruments and to encourage financial literacy among first time investors, a new scheme called Rajiv Gandhi Equity Savings Scheme has been announced in the Union Budget 2012-13. The scheme would allow for income tax deduction of 50 per cent to new retail investors, who invest up to Rs. 50,000 directly in equities and whose annual income is below Rs. 10 lakh. The
ii.
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scheme is envisaged to have a lock-in period of 3 years. This initiative is expected to widen the retail investor base by encouraging new retail investors to enter the market, while promoting financial inclusion and depth of the capital market.
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FINANCIAL SECTOR LEGISLATIVE REFORMS COMMISSION (FSLRC)

Today we have over 60 Acts and multiple Rules/Regulations that govern the financial sector. Many of them have been written several decades back. Large number of amendments to these Acts made at different points of time have increased ambiguity and complexity. Financial sector regulations are as a consequence, fragmented. It was therefore proposed to set up the Financial Sector Legislative Reforms Commission (PSLRC), which would, interalia, evolve a common set of principles for governance of financial sector regulatory institutions. The Commission would also examine the case for greater convergence of regulations and streamline regulatory architecture of financial markets.
INDIA'S SOVEREIGN DEBT RATING

Presently, India's sovereign debt is rated by six international credit rating agencies namely, Standard and Poor's (S&P), Moody's Investor Services, FITCH, Dominion Bond Rating Service (DBRS), Japanese Credit Rating Agency OCRA) and Rating and Investment Information Inc., Tokyo (R&I). Information flow to these credit rating agencies has been streamlined and the interaction process has been made more structured.
FINANCIAL STABILITY AND DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (FSDC)

With a view to strengthening and institutionalizing the mechanism for maintaining financial stability, enhancing inter-regulatory coordination and promotion financial sector development, Government setup an apex-level Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) in December 2010. The Chairman of the Council is the Finance Minister of India and its members include the heads of financial sector regulatory authorities, Finance Secretary and/ or Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Secretary, Department of Financial Services, and Chief Economic Adviser. The Council will also invite experts to its meeting if required.
FINANCIAL ACTION TASK FORCE (FATF)

The FATF is an inter-governmental body whose purpose is the development and promotion of policies, both at national and international levels, to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. It has established global standards and measures for countering money laundering and terrorist financing and it regularly fosters and monitors implementation of the standards by countries. In 1990, FATF issued 40 recommendations providing a comprehensive plan of action to prevent abuse of financial systems for money laundering. Subsequently it issued 9
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special recommendations to set out the basic framework to detect, prevent and suppress the financing of terrorism and terrorist acts. Presently, there are 49 recommendations of FATF, commonly known as 40+9.
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on the IMF's own holdings of SDRs in the General Resources Account.
WORLD BANK PROJECTS APPROVED IN FY 2011-12

PROJECT NAME 1. Rajasthan Agricultural Competitiveness Project 2. Secondary Education Project 3. National Dairy Support Project 4. Assam State Roads Project 5. Assam Agricultural Competitiveness Project 6. Uttar Pradesh Health Systems Strengthing Project 7. North East Rural Livelihoods Project 8. Second Kerala Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project 9. West Bengal Accelerated Development of Minor Irrigation 10. Capacity Building for Urban Local Bodies-NURM 11. National Rural Livelihoods Project 12. Vishnugad Pipalkoti Hydro Electric Project 13. National Ganga River Basin Project 14. Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor-I 15. Biodiversity Conservation and Rural Livelihoods Improvement Project
FINANCIAL STABILITY BOARD (FSB)

The Financial Stability Forum (FSF) was established by the G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors in 1999 to promote international financial stability through enhanced information exchange and international cooperation in financial market supervision and surveillance. It decided at its plenary meeting in London on 11-12 March, 2009 to broaden its membership and to invite as new members the G20 countries that were not initially in the FSF.
FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS PLAN (FTP)

The Financial Transactions Plan of the International Monetary Fund is the mechanism through which the Fund finances its lending and repayment operations, to its members, in the General Resources Account. The members of the Fund can take loans from IMFwith limits corresponding to their quota. IMF lends to its members in both foreign exchange and SDRs. Credit extended in foreign exchange is financed from the quota resources made available to the IMF by members. The creditor gets benefited as their position gets increased. When extending credit in SDRs, the IMF transfers reserve assets directly to borrowing members by drawing
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FOLLOWING NEW LOANS HAVE BEEN NEGOTIATED/SIGNED WITH ADB:

Project Name 1. Agribusiness Infrastructure Development Investment Program 2. Madhya Pradesh Power Sector Investment program 3. Himachal Pradesh clean Energy Transmission Investment Program 4. Gujarat Solar Power Transmission Project 5. Assam Power Sector Enhancement Investment program 6. Madhya Pradesh Energy Efficiency Improvement Investment program 7. Madhya Pradesh Energy Efficiency Improvement Investment program 8. National Power Grid Development Investment program 9. North Eastern State Road Investment program 10. Railway Sector Investment program 11. National Power Grid Improvement Project 12. Assam Urban Infrastructure Development Investment program 13. North Eastern Region Capital Cities Development Investment program 14. Uttarakhand Urban Sector Development Investment Program 15. Bihar Urban Sector Development Investment Program 16. Infrastructure Development Investment Program forTourism www.jagranjosh.com
17. Second India Infrastructure Financing Facility
INDO-JAPAN BILATERAL RELATIONS

LIST OF PROJECTS SELECTED UNDER FY 2011 PACKAGE 1. Delhi Mass Rapid Transport System Project Phase 3 2. West Bengal Forest And Biodiversity Conservation Project JICA has appraised the following five projects under the second batch of FY 2011 ODA package: 1. Delhi Water Supply Improvement Project 2. Rajasthan Rural Water Supply and Flurosis Mitagation Project Phase-II (Nagaur) 3. Guwahati Sewerage Project 4. Tamil Nadu Transmission System Project 5. Campus Development Project of lIT, Hyderabad
GOI-UNDP COUNTRY PROGRAMME DOCUMENT (2013-2017)

The new Country Programme Document (2013-2017) formulated by the Government in partnership with the UNDP Country Office, flows out of India UN Development Assistance Framework 2013-2017 (UNDAF) which encapsulates the entire UN System's Development interaction with Government of India for the period. The new Country

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Programme (CP) would concentrate on the four UNDAF outcomes' namely Inclusive growth, Governance, Sustainable Development and Gender Equality. The new CP will focus on nine states with the highest level of deprivations and concentration of poor people states namely Odisha, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Assam.
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FINANCE ACT, 2011

Finance Act, 2011 brings various changes in the tax structure for different classes of individual tax payers (for the income of financial year 2011-2012) The changes made are as under. (i) Basic exemption limit in the cases of resident individual, not being a woman, and Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) has been increased to Rs. 1.80 lakhs from Rs. 1.60 lakhs.
(ii) The qualifying age for senior citizens for the purposes of claiming higher basic exemption limit has been reduced to 60 years from 65 years. (iii) Basic exemption limit in the cases of such senior citizen of the age above 60 years but less than 80 years has been increased to Rs. 2.50 lakhs from Rs. 2.40 lakhs. (iv) A special category for the resident individual tax payers above 80 years of age has been created having the basic exemption limit of Rs. 5 lakhs. The tax slabs have not been altered and income up to Rs. 5,00,000 will attract tax@ 10%. Income between Rs. 5,00,000 and Rs. 8,00,000 will be taxed @ 20% and income above Rs. 8,00,000 will be taxed @ 30%.
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CHAPTER 11. CORPORATE AFFAIRS

NATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Ministry of Corporate Affairs has set up National Foundation for Corporate Governance (NFCG) as a not-for-profit Trust to provide a platform to deliberate on issues relating to good corporate governance and to sensitize corporate leaders on the importance of good corporate governance practices, to facilitate exchange of experiences and ideas between corporate leaders, policy makers, regulators, law enforcing agencies and nongovernment organizations. The FCG has a three-tier structure for its management, viz, the Governing Council under the Chairmanship of Minister of Corporate Affairs, the Board of Trustees and the Executive Directorate. The NFCG has been sponsoring orientation programmes for Directors through the various Institutes of Excellence and has been organizing seminars and conferences to propagate the need for following good corporate governance practices. NFCG also functions as a platform to harmonize various initiatives on corporate governance at the national level and remains in contact with similar organizations across the world. think-tank, a Capacity Building and Service Delivery institution to help corporate growth, reforms through synergized knowledge management, global partnerships and real-time solutions. The hallmark of the I1CAis its flexibility of learning modules. The I1CA supports the Ministry in evolving policy and legislative responses to meet the requirements of a dynamic economic environment and extends support in organizational reforms initiatives.
MCA21 E-GOVEMANCE PROJECT

The Ministry of Corporate Affairs launched its pioneering e-Governance initiative 'MCA21' in January 2007. It is one of the Mission Mode Project of the Government of India under the ational e-Governance Plan. The Project envisages easy and secure online access to all registry related services provided by the MCA, including registration and filling of documents, throughout the country for all the corporates and other stakeholders at any time and in a manner that best suits them.
COMPETITION COMMISSION OF INDIA (CCL)

India witnessed a paradigm shift in its economic policies in early nineties moving from a command and control economy to a more free market economy. The results are visible in many sectors of the economy besides acceleration of economic growth. Sustenance of the growth momentum, however, calls for more investment and Current Affairs Comprehensive
INDIAN INSTITUTE OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS (ILEA)

The Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IlCA) has been set up to serve as a holistic www.jagranjosh.com
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innovation, prompted by vibrant, dynamic and consumer-friendly markets. Keeping these objectives in mind, the Competition Act, 2002 was enacted paving way for the establishment of the Competition Commission of India (CCI), the institutional framework to support healthy and fair competition in markets. This Act moved away from the earlier emphasis of MRTP on curbing monopolies to a more particular and directed approach towards promoting competition and thereby increasing efficiency, innovation and competitiveness. Section 49(3) of the Competition Act lays responsibility on the Commission to take suitable measures for the promotion of competition advocacy, creating awareness and imparting training about competition issues. In pursuance of these objectives, the Commission has organized various workshops, seminars conferences, interactive meetings with various stake holders viz, students, industry associations,
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public sector enterprises, consumer organizations, professional institutes etc. The Competition Appellate Tribunal (CAT) is comprised of a Chariperson and two members. The CAT is vested with following powers:(i) To hear and dispose of appeals filed against any direction issued or decision made or order passed by the CCl established under the Competition Act, 2002. (ii) To adjudicate on claim for compensation that may arise from the findings of the Commission or the orders of the Appellate Tribunal in an appeal against any finding of the Commission and pass orders for the recovery of compensation under that Act.
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CHAPTER 12. FOOD AND CIVIL SUPPLIES

OPEN MARKET SALE SCHEME (DOMESTIC)
In addition to maintaining buffer stocks and for making a provision for meeting the requirement of the TPDS and other Welfare Schemes, FCI on the instructions from the Government sells wheat at predetermined prices in the open market from time to time to enhance the supply of wheat especially during the lean season and thereby moderate the open market prices especially in the deficit regions. The Ministry of Women and Child Development administers the scheme at the central level and State/UT Governments implement the scheme. The SABLA Scheme was launched on 19.11.2010 by merging two schemes namely Nutrition Programme for adolescent Girls (NPAG) and Kishori Shakti Yojana (KSY) into a single scheme. The Scheme aims at empowering adolescent girls of 11-18 years by improvement of their nutritional and health status. The requirement of food grains under the scheme for nutrition is @ 100 grams of grains per beneficiary per day for 300 days in a year.
OTHER WELFARE SCHEMES

MID DAY MEAL SCHEME (DISCUSSED EARLIER) WHEAT BASED NUTRITION PROGRAMME (WBNP):
This Scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Women & Child Development. The foodgrains allotted under this Scheme are utilized by the States/UTs under the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) for providing nutritious/ energy food to children below 6 years of age and expectant/lactating women from disadvantaged sections.
EMERGENCY FEEDING PROGRAMME (EFP)

Emergency Feeding Programme is a foodbased intervention targetted towards old, infirm and destitute persons belonging to BPL households to provide them food security in their distress conditions. This programme was introduced in 1995- 96 covering initially 5 KBCJr Districts of Odisha with 45,141 beneficiaries. The Scheme is now being implemented by Government of Odisha in eight KBK Districts namely Bolangir, Kalahandi, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nawarangpur, Naupada, Rayagada and Sonepur of Odisha covering around 2lakh beneficiaries.
RAJIV GANDHI SCHEME FOR EMPOWERMENT OF ADOLESCENT GIRLS (RGSEAG) 'SABLA'
VILLAGE GRAIN BANK SCHEME

Village Grain Bank Scheme was earlier implemented by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs in 11 States. However, since November, 2004, the scheme has been Current Affairs Comprehensive
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transferred to the Department of Food & Public Distribution. The main objective of the scheme presently being implemented is to provide safeguard against starvation during the period of natural calamity or during lean season when the marginalized food insecure households do not have sufficient resources to purchase rations. Such people in need of foodgrains will be able to borrow food grains from the village grain Bank. The grain banks are to be set up in food scarce areas like the drought prone areas, the hot and cold desert areas, tribal areas and the inaccessible hilly areas which remain cut off because of natural calamities like floods, etc.
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profits by the sugar mills or the Government. The new system also assures the margin on accounts of profits and risk to farmer in all the years, irrespective of the fact whether the sugar mills generate profit or not and is not dependent on the performances of any individual sugar mill.
ETHANOL BLENDING PROGRAMME

Ethanol is an agro-based product, basically produced from the by product of the sugar industry, viz molasses. In the years of surplus production of sugarcane, when the sugar prices are depressed, the sugar industry is unable to pay cane price to the farmers. This is mainly due to surplus production of sugar. Diversions of surplus cane juice into production of is expected to control the falling sugar prices. It is the considered opinion of the experts that in the years of surplus availability of sugarcane, diversion of surplus sugarcane juice into ethanol will not only control the sugar price but timely and adequate payments to farmers which will go a long way in controlling the cyclicity of sugarcane and sugar production in India.
SUGARCANE PRICING POLICY

With the amendment of the sugarcane (Control) under, 1966 on 22.10.2009 the concept of Statutory Minimum Price (SMP) of sugarcane was replaced with the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcanes for 2009-10 and subsequent sugar season. The FRP now give margins on account of profit and risk payable to the farmer up front which was not available earlier under SMP regime. Unlike the system payment under the SMP where there was a provision of sharing of profits of sugar mills at 50:50 with the farmers after the end of the sugar season, the FRP now being determined by the central Government ensures margins on account of profit and risk to sugarcane farmers on cost of production and transportation of sugarcanes and are paid up front. Under the FRP system, the farmers will not be required to wait for the end of the season or for any announcement of the www.jagranjosh.com
WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME

Government of India allocates food grains at BPL issue prices for the development schemes administered by United Nations World Food Programme. A Country Programme Action Plan (PCAP) 2008-12 has been signed between the Government of India and the world Food Programme (WFP). Under this Programme, Departments of Food & Public Distribution has committed to allocate following

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quantity of foodgrains for utilization of WFP assisted project in India. Through the Country programme of WFP, Government of India is inching forward to attain the Millennium Development Goals through improved implementation of existing food-security programmes by focusing on developing institutional capacity to manage them. The WEP's projects involving food delivery are currently under implementations in states of Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh Jharkhand, Rajasthan. Capacity Development Programmes for food security are being implemented by WFP in these states and also in Gujarat, Utarakhand Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Tamil Nadu.
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known as international Wheat Council up to 1996 and is an intergovermental forum of exporting and importing countries for cooperation in wheat and coarse grain matters. It administers the Trade convention 1995. The IGC Secretariat based in London since 1949, also services the Food Aid Committee, established under the Food aid Convention International Crains Agreement comprises of Grains Trade Convention (GTC) and Food Aid Convention (FAC).
ESSENTIAL COMMODITIES ACT, 1955

The Essential Commodities Act, 1955 was enacted to ensure the easy availability of essential commodities to consumers and to protect them from exploitation by unscrupulous traders. The Act provides for the regulation and of production, distribution and pricing of commodities which are declared as essential for maintaining or increasing supplies or for securing their equitable distribution and availability at fair prices. The enforcement implementation of the provisions of the Essential commodities Act, 1955 lies with the State governments and UT Administrations. The Central Government has also empowered to add, remove and modify any essential commodity in the public interest in consultation with State Governments. The list of essential commodities has been reviewed from time to time with reference to the production and supply of these commodities and in the light of economic liberalization in consultation with the concerned ministries/Departments administering these commodities. The Current Affairs Comprehensive
FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL ORGANISATION (FAO)

FAO is one of the largest specialized agencies in the UN system founded in 1945 with a mandate to raise levels of nutrition and standard of living by improving agricultural productivity and living conditions of rural population. The Committed on World Food Security (CFS) serves as a forum in the United Nations system for review and follow-up of policies concerning world food security including food production, physical and economic access to food. India is a member of both FAO and CFS. Committee on World Food Security (CFS) monitors the progress of implementations of the WFS plan of Action.
INTERNATIONAL GRAINS COUNCIL (IGC)

India is a Member of the International Grains Council (IGC) which was previously www.jagranjosh.com
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number of essentials commodities has been brought down to seven at present through such periodic reviews. In conformity with the policy of the Government towards economic liberalization, Department of consumer Affairs is committed to the development of agriculture and trade by removing unnecessary controls and restrictions to achieve a single Indian Common Market across the country, for both manufactured and agricultural produce and to encourage linkage between agriculture and industry.
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FORWARD MARKETS COMMISSION

Forward Markets Commission (FMC) headquartered at Mumbai, is regulatory authority for commodity futures market in ndia.It is a statutory body set up under forward Contracts (Regulation) Act 1952. The Commission functions under the administrative control of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India. The functions of the Forward Markets Commission: (a) To advise the Central Government in respect of the recognition or the with drawal of recognition from any association or in of any other matter arising out of the administration of the Forward Contracts (Regulation) Act 1952. (b) To keep forward markets under observation and to take such action in relation to them, as it may consider
necessary, in exercise of the powers assigned to it by or under the Act. (c) To collect and whenever the commission thinks it necessary, to publish information regarding the trading conditions in respect of goods to which any of the provisions of the Act is made applicable, including information regarding supply demand and prices, and to submit to the Central Government, periodical reports on the working of forward markets relating to such goods; (d) To make recomendations generally with a view to improving the organization and working of forward markets; (e) To undertake the inspection of the accounts and other documents of any recognized association or registered association or any member of such association whenever it considers it necessary.
COMMODITY EXCHANGES
Currently 5 national exchanges, viz. Multi Commodity Exchange, Mumbai; National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange, Mumbai and national Multi Commodity Exchange, Ahmedabad Indian Commodity Exchange Ltd., Mumbai and ACE Derivatives and Commodity Exchange, regulate forward trading in 113 commodities. Besides, there are 16 Commodity specific exchanges recognized for regulating trading in various commodities approved by the Commission under the Forward Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1952.
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Current Affairs Comprehensive BENEFITS TO FARMERS AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS

Fanners and growers benefit through the price signals emitted by the futures markets even though they may not directly participate in the futures market. The futures markets lead to reduction in the amplitude of seasonal price variation and help the farmer realize a better price at the time of harvest. This also helps the farmer in planning his cultivation in advance as well as to determine the kind of crop which he would prefer to raise, by takings advantage of the advance information of the future price trends, and probable supply and demand of various commodities in advance. By providing the manufacturers and the bulk consumers a mechanism for covering price-risks, the futures markets induces them to pay higher price to the producers, as the need to pass on the price-risk to farmers is obviated. The manufacturer are able to hedge their requirement of the raw materials and as also their finished products. This results in greater competition in the market and ensure viability of the manufacturing units.
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the country has been the enactment of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986. The Salient Features of the Act are as under: The Act provides for establishing a three-tier consumer dispute redressal machinery at the national, state and district levels commonly known as National Commission, State Commission and District Forum respectively. As on date 631 District Fora,35 State Commissions and one National Commission have been established in the country. It is an umbrella legislation covering all goods & services, excluding only commercial transactions from the purview of the Act, A consumer can seek redressal against any manufacturer and trader of goods / service provider whether it is an individual or public/private enterprise or a cooperative society etc. so long as the purchased or service availed of was for a considerations. The Act also provides for setting up of a Consumer Protection Councils at the Central, State and District levels, which is an advisory body to promote and protect the rights of the consumers. The provisions of the Act are in addition to and not in derogation of the provisions of any other law for the time being in force.
CONSUMER PROTECTION
A separate Department of Consumer Affairs was created in the Central Government in the year 1998 to act as the nodal Department to exclusively focus on protecting the rights of consumers including redressal of consumer grievances as well as to promote standards of goods and services, etc.
CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT, 1986:- One of the most important

milestones in the consumer movement in
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Current Affairs Comprehensive COMPUTERIZATION AND COMPUTER NETWORKING OF CONSUMER FORA IN THE COUNTRY (CONFONET)
A scheme of Computerization and Computer Networking of Consumer Fora in the country (CONFONET) was launched during the 10th Plan period in March, 2005 at a cost of Rs. 48.54 crore. Under the scheme, the Consumer Fora at the three tiers throughout the country are being fully computerized & connected through network for exchange of information which would enable them to have access on information faster, facilitating quicker disposal of cases. The project is being implemented by the National Informatics centre (NIC) on a turnkey basis.
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BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS

Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) came into existence on 1 April 1987 through an Act of Parliament dated 25 ovember 1986. It took over the staff, assets, liabilities and functions of the erstwhile Indian Standards Institution (ISI) with an enlarged scope and enhanced powers for harmonious development of activities of standardization, marking and quality certification of goods and for matters connected there with of incidental there to. In order to attain this, the Bureau would strive: a) To provide efficient timely service for harmonious development of standards. b) To satisfy the customer's need for quality and safety of goods and services
through operation of Certification Schemes of BIS. c) To generate awareness on standards, standard mark, and safety & quality of products through Seminars, Awareness Programmes and Publicity Campaigns. Standards formulation Product certification Scheme Laboratories Hallmarking Management Systems certification Enforcement activity International Activities Consumer protection Consumer Awareness Programmes Educational Utilization of Standards Programmes (EUS) Industry Awareness Programmes Information and SSI Facilitation Cell Rajiv Gandhi National Quality Award
VISION 2015 ON FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES

A vision, strategy and action plan has also been finalized for giving boost to growth of food processing sector. The objective is to increase level of processing of perishable food from 6 per cent to 20 per cent, value addition from 20 per cent to 35 per cent and share in global food trade from 1.6 per cent to 3 per cent. The level of processing for fruits and vegetables is envisaged to increase from the present 2.2 per cent to 10 per cent and 15 per cent in 2010 and 2015 respectively. The Cabinet has approved the integrated strategy for promotion of agri business and vision, strategy and action plan for the Food Processing Sector, based
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on the recommendations made by the Group of Ministers (GOM).
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INTEGRATED FOOD LAW

An Integrated Food Law, i.e., Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 was notified on 24 August 2006. The Act enables in removing
multiplicity of food laws and regulatory agencies and provide single window to food processing sector. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has been designated as the nodal Ministry for administration and implementation of the Act.
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CHAPTER 13. HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

NATIONAL RURAL HEALTH MISSION (NRHM)
The National Rural Health Mission was launched on 12th April 2005, to provide accessible, affordable and accountable quality health services to the poorest households in the remotest rural regions. The thrust of the Mission is on establishing a fully functional, community owned, decentralized health delivery system with inter sectorial convergence at all levels, to ensure simultaneous action on a wide range of determinants of health like water, sanitation, education, nutrition, social and gender equality. The architectural correction envisaged under NRHM is organized around five pillars, each of which is made up of a number of overlapping core strategies. i. ii. iii. Increasing Participation and Ownership by the Community Improved Management Capacity Flexible Financing: The central strategy of this pillar is the provision of untied funds to every Village Health and Sanitation Committee, to the subcenter, to the PHC, to the CHC including District Hospital Innovations in human resources development for the health sector Setting of standards and norms with monitoring
NATIONAL URBAN HEALTH MISSION (NUHM)

The proposed National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) aims to address the public health care needs of urban population. Addressing the needs of public health care services for urban population would involve revamping/ creation/upgradation of primary, secondary and tertiary health care service delivery system in urban areas. This will be done by investing in health professionals, appropriate technology, creating new & upgradation and utilization of existing infrastructure and strengthening the extant health care service delivery system. Recognizing the seriousness of the problem, urban health will be taken up as a thrust area for the 12th Five Year Plan.
FAMILY WELFARE
In 1952, India launched the world's first national program emphasising family planning to the extent necessary for reducing birth rates "to stabilize the population at a level consistent with the requirement of national economy".
SCHEMES AND INITIATIVES

FAMILY PLANNING SCHEMES
Delivery of contraceptives at doorstep of beneficiaries Compensation scheme for sterilization acceptors 'National Family Planning Insurance Scheme' (NFPIS) under which clients are Current Affairs Comprehensive
iv. v.
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insured in the eventualities of deaths, complications and failures following sterilization and the providers I accredited institutions are indemnified against litigations in those eventualities. Promoting spacing between births-The Govt. has launched a new scheme to promote spacing between births under which incentives would be paid to ASHA. ASHA would be paid following incentives under the scheme: Rs. 5001- to ASHA for ensuring spacing of 2 years after marriage. Rs. 5001- to ASHA for ensuring spacing of 3 years after the birth of 1st child Rs. 10001- in case of couple opts for a permanent limiting method up to 2 children only.
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Performing Status (LPS) the remaining States have been named as High Performing States (HPS). Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK): Government of India has launched Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram (JSSK) on 1st June, 2011. The initiative entitles all pregnant women delivering in public health institutions to absolutely free and no expense delivery, including caesarean section. The entitlements include free drugs and consumables, free diet up to 3 days during normal delivery and up to 7 days for C-section, free diagnostics, and free blood wherever required. This initiative also provides for free transport from home to institution.
CHILD HEALTH PROGRAMMES

Navjat Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (NSSK): NSSK is a programme aimed to train health personnel in basic newborn care and resuscitation, has been launched to address care at birth issues i.e. Prevention of Hypothermia, Prevention of Infection, Early initiation of Breast feeding and Basic Newborn Resuscitation. Newborn care and resuscitation is an important starting-point for any neonatal program and is required to ensure the best possible start in life. The objective of this new initiative is to have a trained health personnel in Basic newborn care and resuscitation at every delivery point. Mother and Child Tracking System (MCTS): Mother and Child Tracking System (MCTS) is another ambitious e-Governance initiative of the Ministry. This is a web based system for collecting information on some key indicators related to the pregnant women and new-born. When fully functional, MCTS
MATERNAL HEALTH PROGRAMMES

Janani Suraksha Yojana : Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), a safe motherhood intervention under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), was launched on 12th April 2005 to promote institutional delivery among the poor pregnant women. The Yojana is being implemented in all States and Union Territories. JSY is a 100% centrally sponsored scheme. The scheme focuses on the poor pregnant women with special dispensation for States having Low institutional delivery rates, namely, the States of Uttar Pradesh, Uttrakhand, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Assam, Rajasthan, Orisha and Jammu & Kashmir. While these states have been classified as Low www.jagranjosh.com

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would help to track each beneficiaries for ensuring full ante-natal check up of the pregnant mothers and immunization of the children. This is expected to reduce the Infant Mortality. 'Rate and Maternal Mortality Ratio, as mandated by Goals 4 and 5 oif the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Last year MCTS has been included as a Mission Mode Project under the National e-Governance Plan (NeGP). "2012: Year of Intensification of Routine Immunizatoin" India has declared year 2012 as the year of intensification of routine immunization. The present full immunization coverage of children is 61%. The key objective of this campaign is to improve full immunization coverage and rech all children, particularly in remote, inaccessible and backward areas as well as in urban slums. Pulse Polio Immunization: In pursuance of the World Health Assembly resolution of 1988, the Pulse Polio Immunization (PPI) Programme was started nation-wide from 1995 to eradicate polio in India covering children in the age group 0-3 years.
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Programme was launched by the Govt. of India in 1955. Multi Drug Therapy came into wide use from 1982 and the ational Leprosy Eradication Programme was introduced in 1983. Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) : The Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP), based on the internationally recommended Directly Observed Treatment Short-course (DOTS) strategy, was launched in 1997 expanded across the country in a phased manner with support from World Bank and other development partners. National Programme for Control of Blindness (NPCD) : National Programme for Control of Blindness (NPCB) was launched in the year 1976 as a 100% centrally sponsored scheme with the goal of reducing the prevalence of blindness to 0.3% by 2020. National Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control Programme (NIDDCP): Iodine is an essential micronutrient required daily at 100-150 micrograms for normal human growth and development. Deficiency of iodine can cause physical and mental retardation, cretinism, abortions, stillbirth, deaf mutism, squint & various types of goitre. Thus NIDDCP aims to assess the magnitude of the Iodine Deficiency Disorders in districts and propagate Supply of iodated salt in plae of common salt.
OTHER NATIONAL PROGRAMMES UNDER NRHM

National Vector Borne Diseases Control Programme (NVBDCP): The National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme is a comprehensive programe for prevention and control of vector borne diseases namely Malaria, Filaria, Kala-azar, Japanese Encephalitis GE), Dengue and Chikungunya which is covered under the overall umbrella of NRHM. National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP): The National Leprosy Control
OTHER NATIONAL HEALTH PROGRAMMES

National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS): National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) :
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Launch of the dedicated National Tobacco Control Programme in the 11 th Five Year Plan has been the major milestone to facilitate the implementation of the tobacco control laws to bring about greater awareness about the harmful effects of Tobacco and to fulfil the obligation(s) under the WHO-FCTC (Framework Convention on Tobacco Control). Health Insurance Scheme: Ministry of Labour and Employment launched the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) to cover the unorganized sector BPL workers. The Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) provides for smart card based cashless health insurance cover of f 30,000 per annum to BPL families [a unit of five} in the unorganized sector. The scheme is presently being implemented in 25 States/UTs by State Nodal Agencies. Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY): Government of India has approved the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) in March, 2006 with the objective of correcting regional imbalance in the availability of affordability of affordable/reliable tertiary healthcare services and also to augment facilities for quality medical education in the country. PMSSY has two component in its first phase: (i) setting up of six AIIMS-like institutions and (ii) upgradation of 13 existing Government Medical College institutions. Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN) : Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi was set up under Ministry of Health & Family Welfare in 1997 to provide financial assistance to patients, living below poverty line, who are suffering from major life threatening diseases to receive medical treatment in Government Hospitals. Under the scheme of Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi, www.jagranjosh.com
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grants-in- aid is also provided to State Governments for setting up State Illness Assistance Funds. Such funds have been set up by the Governments of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Mizoram, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, West Bengal, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Manipur and NCT of Delhi and Puducherry. Health Minister's Cancer Patient Fund (HMCPF) Health Minister's Cancer Patient Fund (HMCPF) within the Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (Ran) has also been set up in 2009. National Pharmacovigilance Programme: The National Pharmacovigilance Programme by the name of Pharmacovigilance of India (PvPI) was launched on 14.07.2010 to capture Adverse Drug Reactions data in Indian population in a systematic way. The programme is being coordinated by the Indian Pharmacopeia Commission, Ghaziabad.
NATIONAL INSTITUTES
National Institute of Ayurveda (NIA), Jaipur, National Institute of Homoeopathy (NIH), Kolkatta, National Institute of Naturopathy (NIN), Pune, National Institute of Unani Medicine (NIUM), Bangalore, Institute of Post Graduate Teaching and Research in Ayurveda (IPGTRA), Jarnnagar, Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY), New Delhi, National Institute of Siddha (NIS), Chennai, Rashtriya Ayurveda Vidyapeeth (RA V), New Delhi. All India Institute of Ayurveda, New Delhi (under Construction), North Eastern Institute of Ayurveda and Homoeopathy, Shillong

(under construction), and North Eastern Institute of Folk Medicine, Passighat (under construction).
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CHAPTER 14. HOUSING

Ministry of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation has recently comprehensively revised the National Policy on Urban Street Vendors (2004), taking into account the views of States/UTs and other stake holders. To prevent the extortion of street vendors, the collection of revenue through TVC introduced. TVC to be responsible for redressal of grievances and resolution of disputes arising amongst street vendors or between street vendors and third parties-as the first point of intervention. Demarcation of 'Restriction Free Vending Zones', 'Restricted Vending Zones' and 'Novending Zones' to be made city /town specific; Mobile vending to be permitted in all areas unless designated as 'Novending Zone'. Master/zonal/local development plans to address the requirements of space for street vending as an important urban activity through "norms" for reservation of space for street vendors in accordance with their current population and projected growth of street vendors. Reservation of space for street vending to be made in all new local area plans and implemented. There should not be any cut-off date for registration or limit imposed on the number of vendors to be permitted in any city /town, subject to registration of vending and regulation through TVC. Registration and issuance of Identity Cards to street vendors with details such as vendor's code number, vendor's name, vendor's nominee, category GIS Mapping of vending zones/vendors' markets etc. envisaged. Current Affairs Comprehensive
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NATIONAL POLICY ON URBAN STREET VENDORS (2009)

Salient Features: A Town Vending Committee (TVC) consisting of Municipal Commissioner / Chief Executive Officer of the urban local body as Chairperson and members representing local authority; planning authority, police authority, associations of street vendors, resident welfare associations, Community Based Organisations (CBOs), other civil society organisations such as NGOs, representatives of trade and commerce, representatives of scheduled banks and eminent citizens, is to be constituted by the appropriate Covernment in all cities/towns and wards. Functions of TVC clearly specified with reference to : Undertaking periodic surveys of street vendors, Registration and issuance of Identity Cards, Assessing and determining maximum holding capacity of each vending zone, Monitoring of vending activities.
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Concept of roster-based time-sharing model of space introduced where demand for space exceeds supply. Provision for reservation for SCs/STs and priority to differently-abled persons in the alloca tion of vending stalls / spaces. A time limit for stationary vendors-1 0 years with a further extension of another 10 years introduced. The Credit Guarantee Fund Scheme for Small Industries (CGFSI), designed by the SIDBI and similar schemes to be extended to the street vendors.
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MODEL BILL ON STREET VENDING: 'THE STREET VENDORS (PROTECTION OF LIVELIHOOD AND REGULATION OF STREET VENDING) BILL, 2009Salient Features It would be obligatory for appropriate Government to constitute a Town Vending Committee in each local authority. Ward Vending Committees may be constituted, if so needed. Office space and employees to the TVC would be provided by the local authority. There would be a fixed tenure of three years for the non-official members of the TVe. The appropriate Government may terminate their nomination earlier. The TVC would be responsible for identifying spaces for 'Restriction Free
Vending Zone', Restricted Vending Zone', or 'No-vending Zone', assessing holding capacity of particular areas for vending, granting registration and issuing Identity card to vendors, monitoring vending activities etc. Every street vendor would be required to get registered with the TVC on prescribed fee. A person would be entitled for registration for one vending spot only. Registration would be renewed periodically. The Local Authority would frame necessary bye-laws for street vending apart from supervising and monitoring activities of the TVe. They would provide civic amenities in the vending zones. Fees/levies to be charged from street vendors would be fixed by the Local Authority in consultation with the TVe. It would be the responsibility of the Planning Authority to earmark adequate space for vending zones in the master plan/ development plan, zonal plan, etc. Appropriate penalties, ranging from ~ Two hundred to five hundred, would be imposed on the vendors by the TVC for offences relating to violation of the terms and conditions of vending.
RAJLY AWAS YOJANA (RAY)

In pursuance of the Government's vision of creating a Slum-free India, a new scheme 'Rajiv Awas Yoj ana , (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 Current Affairs Comprehensive
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scheme with a budget of ~ 5,000 crores. The Scheme will provide financial assistance to States that the willing to assign property rights to slum dewellers 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, rental housing, and transit housing for in-situ redevelopment-e-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. The central assistance under RAY is conditional to reforms by the States. The
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reforms required here are directly linked to the objectives of the scheme, and necessary for the scheme to be successful. The overarching aim of RAY is to drive a fundamental change in policy and reform in the existing urban development systems to make cities inclusive and equitable. Release of funds under RAY would be predicated upon the acceptance and implementation of the following necessary policy actions by the states. The commitment and willingness to assign property rights to slum dwellers, preferably in the name of the wife or in the name of both wife and husband, and enactment of legislation within one year of the first project sanctioned.
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CHAPTER 15. INDIA AND THE WORLD

INDIA'S foreign policy is integrated with the national priority of sustained, rapid, and inclusive socio-economic development. It is aimed at garnering an appropriate role for India in the changing international environment; to maintain an atmosphere of peace, security and stability in the extended neighborhood, that is conducive for national growth and development and by the need to enhance India's economic and technological development. Its foreign policy has demonstrated dynamism in responding to the shifting international strategic and political environment, and addressing the global challenges of terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, energy security, threats to space and cyber security, maritime security, reform of international organizations and environmental degradation, etc. Given its location in an extremely complex neighborhood, India considers, as 'its foremost priority, the promotion of a politically stable and economically secure periphery. Her relations with the neighboring countries are anchored in this conviction. Its neighbourhood policy emphasizes the benefits of fostering networks of inter-connectivity, trade and investment, and sharing the dividends of India's rapid economic growth with her neighbours, to the benefit of the subContinent. India's stead fast support to Bhutan in its economic and social development and for the strengthening of its democratic institutions continued to underpin the bilateral relations.
TECHNICAL AND ECONOMIC COOPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP (ITEC)

The Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme, the Special Commonwealth Assistance for Africa Programme (SCAAP) and the Technical Cooperation Scheme (TCs) under the Colombo Plan, are aimed at capacity building, skills development, transfer of technology and sharing of experiences, form an integral part of India's development partnership and cooperation with the developing world.
DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP ADMINISTRATION (DPA)

In January 2012, a Development partnership Administration (DPA) was set up in the MEA with the principal responsibility of ensuring speedy and efficient implementation of India's external economic assistance programme inclose cooperation with developing countries for capacity-buildi g. The DPA will also be responsible for projects being executed under Indian grant assistance or lines of credit through the stages of concept, launch, execution and completion.
INDIAN COUNCIL FOR CULTURAL RELATIONS (LCCR)

Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), implements a wide range of programmes
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pertaining to India's existing cultural relations with a view to deepening India's cultural ties with other countries.
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INDIAN COUNCIL OF WORLD AFFAIRS (ICWA)

The ICWA organized more than forty events during the year including lectures, seminars and book launches. The notable events, iner-alia, include organization of an Academic Conference in Addis Ababa on "India Africa Academic Forum: Partnership for Enhancing Development and Growth"; another international conference on "Reinvigorating Indian Ocean RimAssociation for Regional Cooperation (IORARC)", and an Address by the Prime Minister of Japan, Mr. Yoshihiko Noda. The ICWA was one of the partners in organizing the Delhi-Dialogue IV in February 2012. It also hosted several foreign dignitaries in the year.
Keeping in view the Government's deep commitment in engaging People of Indian Origin (PIOs) with the land of their ancestors in a mutually beneficial relationship, the OCI Scheme was launched in August 2005 by amending the Citizenship Act, 1955. The OCI Scheme is operated by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Scheme provides for registration of all PIOs as 'Overseas Citizens of India', providing they were citizens of India on or after January 26,1950 or were eligible to become citizens of India on January 26,1950 and who are citizens of other countries, except Pakistan and Bangladesh. The Scheme provides for the issue of OCI documents, consisting of an OCI registration certificate and a Universal Visa Sticker to PIOs.
KNOW INDIA PROGRAMME (KIP)

The objective of the Ministry's Know India Programme is to help familiarise Indian Diaspora youth, in the age group of 18-26 years, with developments and achievements made by the country and bringing them closer to the land of their ancestors. KIP provides a unique forum for students and young professionals of Indian Origin tovisit India, share their views, expectations and experiences and to develop closer bonds with the contemporary India. The Ministry has conducted 19 KIPs so far and a total of 591 Overseas Indian youth have participated in these programmes.
RESEARCH AND INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES (RIS)

Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) is a New Delhibased autonomous think tank under the Ministry of External Affairs specialising ill. international economic relations and development cooperation. RIS has the mandate to function as an advisory body to the Government on matters pertaining to multilateral economic and social issues.
OVERSEAS CITIZENSHIP OF INDIA (OCI)

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BILATERAL SOCIAL SECURITY AGREEMENTS (SSA)

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Most countries have an umbrella social security system mandated by law. It is funded through a mandatory social security tax collected from all workers and their employers (in a prescribed ratio). The system provides for multiple benefits like old-age pension, disability insurance, health insurance and unemployment insurance.
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(iv) Adapting training material developed by ILO 110M for specific States I country and gender. The Ministry, therefore, established the 'Indian Council of Overseas Employment', as a Society under the Societies Registration Act of 1860. The Council is a two-tier body comprising a governing Council and an Executive Directorate. The Council functions: performs the following
INDIAN COUNCIL OF OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT (ICOE)

The rapidly globalising world is characterised by competition amongst the labour sending countries for optimising benefits from the international labour migration. There is, therefore, a need to bring a strategic dimension to the process of emigration of Indians in search of employment and to forge partnerships that will best serve India as a supplier of skilled and trained manpower and to meet the expectations of the Overseas Indian Workers (OIW) as a significant constituency across the world. In order to make Indian workers globally competitive, an urgent need was felt for a proactive national body to leased the following key interventions: (i) Commission studies on the international labour markets and identify emerging overseas employment opportunities for Indian youth. (ii) Positioning of Potential OIWs as 'consumers' of employment services provided by the private recruitment industry. (iii) Projecting India as a supplier of skilled, trained and qualified workers.
(i) Build and maintain a database on emerging country I sector specific employment opportunities Abroad. (ii) Identify labour supply gaps in overseas labour markets and the skill sets required by Indian workers to fill those gaps; (iii) Initiate programmes for skills development and skills upgrade in consultation with professional bodies and the private sector and promote employment opportunities abroad; (iv) Initiate pre-departure orientation programmes for various categories of workers; (v) Coordinate with other employment promotion agencies, including state manpower development corporations, project manpower suppliers and foreign employers; (vi) Initiate and support the study, monitoring and analysis of the trends and dynamics of the international labour market, problems faced by emigrant Indian workers in India and abroad, benchmark the best practices of
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other labour sending countries, and recommend policy initiatives/strategies.
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the Prime Minister. The functions of the Council are: (i) Serve as a platform for the Prime Minister to draw upon the experience, knowledge and wisdom of the best Indian minds wherever they may be based; (ii) Develop an inclusive agenda far a twoway engagement between India and Overseas Indians; (iii) Consider ways and means for accessing the skills and knowledge of the Indian Diaspora for meeting India's development goals and facilitating investments by Overseas Indians into India; and, (iv) Institution and capacity building in India to respond to the economic, social and cultural needs of the Overseas Indian community.
INDIAN COMMUNITY WELFARE FUND (ICWF)

Overseas Indian workers are estimated at over 6 million, with a net outflow of about a million each year, excluding returnees. A significant number of them are women. The vast majority of these workers are temporary migrants and 90 percent of them work in the Gulf. The framework for their protection and welfare needs to be institutionalised with emphasis on delivery of innovative, financially sustainable social security and support services to vulnerable emigrant workers and those in distress.
PRIME MINISTER'S GLOBAL ADVISORY COUNCIL (PMGAC)

The Ministry has constituted the Prime Minister's Global Advisory Council of People of Indian Origin (PMGAC-01) to draw upon the experience and knowledge of eminent people of Indian origin in diverse fields from across the world. The Council is chaired by
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CHAPTER 16. INDUSTRY

INDUSTRIAL POLICY
Industrial policy since 1991 has been more of facilitating the industrial development rather than anchoring it through permits and controls. Industrial licensing has, therefore, been abolished for most of the industries and there are only 5 industries related to security, strategic and environmental concerns where an industrial license is currently required: (i) Distillation and brewing of alcoholic drinks; (ii) Cigars and cigarettes of tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes; (iii) Electronic aerospace and defence equipment; all types; (iv) Industrial explosives including detonating fuses, safety fuses, gunpowder, nitrocellulose and matches; (v) Specified hazardous chemicals i.e. (i) Hydrocyanic acid and its derivatives, (ii) Phosgene and its derivatives and (iii) Isocyanates and disocyanates of hydrocarbon, not elsewhere specified (example Methyl isocyanate) For all other industries, a non-SSI entrepreneur is to file an Industrial Entrepreneurs' Memorandum (rEM) to the Secretariat for Industrial Assistance (SIA), Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP). Along with the removal of the industrial licensing, reform has also been initiated in areas of reservation of products for exclusive production in the small scale www.jagranjosh.com
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sector. With the reduction in the tariff rates and removal of quantitative restrictions on imports, product reservation for small scale sector created an anomalous situation since entry of a domestic large scale player was not permitted though the product could still be imported from outside.
FACTORS AFFECTING INDUSTRIAL GROWTH

The deceleration in industrial growth in the past few months has largely been attributed to both domestic and external economic environment. On the domestic front, subdued business sentiments has affected the growth of Industrial Sector in the current year. Investment growth moderated substantially in 2011-12, largely due to policy hurdles in infrastructure sectors, dampened investor sentiments and higher interest rate environment. Besides, uncertainty in the Euro Zone, fragile global economic recovery has resulted in slackening of external demand and increased volatility in capital flows. The parameters that drive growth have also witnessed moderation in the last three years. The under performance of the construction sector, which is the lead indicator of capital formation, also contributed to the moderation of GFCF. A decline in the rate of growth of capital formation and consumption expenditure has affected the demand for both capital goods and consumer goods. Industry outlook and business perception parameters also indicate moderate expectations.

There has been hardening of interest rates. This increase considerably raised the interest cost of financing new projects. Further since the inflation is expected to be moderated in next six months, with a likely moderation in interest rates, there has been a significant postponement of investment.
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DELHI MUMBAI INDUSTRIAL CORRIDOR (DMIC) PROJECT

During the visit of the Hon'ble Prime Minister to Japan in 2006, a MoU was signed by Minister of Commerce and Industry. India and Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Japan for establishment of the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) project. This was also indicated in the Joint Statement issued by both the PMs at the conclusion of their visit as an important project in the "Japan India Special Economic Partnership Initiative". DMIC project is conceptualized to take benefit of the high quality rail and road connectivity offered by Delhi Mumbai Dedicated Rail Freight Corridor (DFC), existing rail passenger-cum-freight corridor and National Highways. The region already has several industrial clusters. Based upon the stock of industrial clusters and the transport infrastructure, existing and planned, it is proposed to develop an industrial corridor on both the side of DFC. The vision of DMIC is to create strong economic base on both the sides of the 1483 km long Dedicated Freight Corridor with globally competitive environment and state-of-the-art infrastructure to activate local commerce, enhance foreign investments and attain sustainable development. Looking at the magnitude and diversity, the entire project has been planned to be implemented in phases. Initially, the following industria 1 cities have been taken up for development as industrial cities: i. Ahmedabad-Dholera Region, Gujarat; Investment
NATIONAL MANUFACTURING POLICY

The Government of India has notified a National Manufacturing Policy vide a press note dated 4th November, 2011 with the objective of enhancing the share of manufacturing in GDP to 25% within a decade and creating 100 million jobs. It also seeks to empower rural youth by imparting necessary skill sets to make them employable. Sustainable development is integral to the policy and technological value addition in manufacturing has received special focus. The policy is based on the principle of industrial growth in partnership with States. The Central Government will create the enabling policy frame work, provide incentives for infrastructure development on a Public Private Partnership (PPP) basis through appropriate financing instruments, and State Governments will be encouraged to adopt the instrumentalities provided in the policy. One of the instruments in the NMP, is the creation of National Investment and Manufacturing Zones (NIMZ) as planned integrated industrial townships. Nine NIMZs have been announced, eight of which are along the Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC).
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ii. iii. iv. v. vi. vii. viii. Shendra-Bidkin Industrial Park city near Aurangabad, Maharashtra; Manesar-Bawal Investment Region, Haryana; Khushkhera-Bhiwadi-Neernrana Investment Region, Rajasthan; Jodhpur-Pali-Marwar Industrial Area, Rajasthan; Pith.ampur-Dhar-Mhow Investment Region, Madhya Pradesh; Dadar-Noida-Chaziabad Investment Region, Uttar Pradesh; Dighi Port Industrial Area, Maharashtra.
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TRADE MARK (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2010

The Trade Mark (Amendment) Bill, was passed by the Parliament and assented to by the President on 21.9.2010 and become the Trade Mark (Amendment) Act, 2010. The Amendment enables India to accede to the Madrid Protocol. The Madrid Protocol is a simple, facilitative and cost effective system for registration of international trade marks. India's membership of the protocol will enable Indian companies to register their trade marks in Member Countries of the Protocol through filing a single application in one language and by paying one time fee in one currency.
alia to undertake design awareness and effectiveness programmes within India, act as a platform for interaction with all stakeholders for the purpose of accrediting design institutions, developing and standardizing design syllabi, as also coordination with government to facilitate simplification of procedures and systems for registration of new designs. One of the major agendas the IDC has undertaken is to recognize good design practices in the country through launching 'I-Mark' (India Design Mark), The IDC, now a Society under the aegis of Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP), has already launched the I-Mark (India Design Mark) and started awarding the same from 2012. India Design Mark is for everyone. Anyone, from global enterprises, micro, small and medium-sized enterprise or cottage industry, can apply for India Design Mark for their product. Till now 30 product entries have been granted India Design.
MEGA CLUSTER
The schemes for mega cluster support weavers/ artisans, both in and outside the cooperative fold, including those in Self Help Groups (SHGs), etc. The schemes provide for development of all the facets of selected clusters like raw material support, design inputs, up-gradation of technology, infrastructure development, marketing support, welfare of weaves etc. The development of 6 Mega Clusters in Handloom, Handicrafts and Powerlooms were first announced by the Finance Minister in his Budget Speech 2008-09. Consequently, following three Central Sector Plan Schemes were approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) in the meeting held on 20.11.2008: Current Affairs Comprehensive
NATIONAL DESIGN POLICY

Announced for the first time on 8th February 2007, the policy envisages a design enabled Indian industry which could impact both the National economy and the quality of life in a positive manner. India Design Council (IDC) was constituted on 2.03.2009 as a mandate of the Policy inter www.jagranjosh.com
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(i) Comprehensive Powerloom Development Scheme (ii) Comprehensive Handloom Development Scheme (iii) Comprehensive Handicrafts Development Scheme. Cluster Cluster Cluster neighbouri ng Distt. (jharkhand )
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Based on Budget Announcement made in 2008-09, 2012-13 the following 15 centres are being developed as mega clusters on a Public Private Partnership (PPP). Megacluster Project Announced till March, 2012 Year Handloom s Powerloom s Erode (Tamil Nadu) Bhiwandi (Maharasth ra) Handicra fts Narasapu r (A.P.) Moradab ad (U.P.)
SILK MARK ORGANIZATION OF INDIA (SMOI)

The Silk Mark Scheme was launched in India primarily to protect the silk consumers' interest, as silk in India has been facing unfair competition from man-made substitutes like viscose, polyester, nylon, ete. which is passed on to the unsuspecting consumers as pure natural silk, depriving them and the stakeholders like farmers, reeler, ete. the real value. This has been a serious problem in the Indian silk industry leading to lack of trust among consumers while buying silk. Such unfair practices have also been affecting the Indian sericulture farmers, rearers, reelers, graineurs and other stake holders who do not seem to get real value for their produce since these substitutes take the market share. The Govt. of India realising the seriousness of the issue, launched Silk Mark Scheme in June 2004 to help the consumers in identifying pure silk products. The Scheme is being implemented by the Silk Mark Organisation of India presently functioning under the Central Silk Board, Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India.
200 Varanasi 8-09 (UP.) Sivsagar (Assam)
200 Virudhuna Bhilwara 9-10 gar (T.N.) (Rajasthan) Murshidab ad (W.B.)
Srinagar (J&K) BhdohiMirzapur (U.P.)
201 1-12
Jodhpur (Rajastha n)
201 Prakasam Chalakranj 2-13 & Guntur (Mah) (A.P) Gudda &
INTEGRATED SKILL DEVELOPMENT SCHEME (ISDS)

Objectives of the Development Scheme Integrated Skill
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1. To address the trained manpower needs of textiles and related segments by developing a cohesive and integrated framework of training based on the industry needs. Addressing this need is critical for enhancing the competitiveness of the industry in the globalized economy. 2. To increase the employability of residents of the target areas through imparting of skills in the above segments. 3. To ensure that the scheme is so designed as to cater to the wide range of skill sets required in various segments as listed above, while simultaneously ensuring sufficient flexibility to meet the dynamic needs of these segments over a period of the next five years. 4. To create a trainers' pool by conducting the advance training programmes at a cluster level. 5. To ensure training in design development programmes. This is critical for handloom weavers/handicraft artisans/jute artisans, to help them produce diversified products with innovative uses and improved quality to meet changing market trends.
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with the merging of the erstwhile Prime Minister Rojgar Yojana (PMRY) and Rural Employment Generation Programme (REGP) schemes of this Ministry with a total plan outlay of Rs. 4735 crore including Rs. 250 crore for backward and forward linkages. MAIN OBJECTIVES The main objectives of the PMEGP are: To generate employment opportunities in rural as well as urban areas; To bring together widely dispersed traditional artisans/rural and urban unemployed youth and give them selfemployment opportunities to the extent possible, at their place; To provide continuous and sustainable employment to a large segment of traditional and prospective artisans and rural & urban unemployed youth; and To increase the wage earning capacity of artisans.
SALIENT FEATURES The salient features of the scheme are as follows: Any individual, above 18 years of age, is eligible. No income ceiling has been prescribed for assistance. For setting up of project costing above Rs. 10 lakh in the manufacturing sector and above Rs. 5 lakh in the business/service sector, the beneficiaries should possess educational
PRIME MINISTER'S EMPLOYMENT GENERATION PROGRAMME (PMEGP)

A new scheme titled 'Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), has been launched in 2008-09
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qualification of having passed at least VIII standard. Assistance under the Scheme is available only for new projects sanctioned.
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Hindustan Organic Chemicals Limited (HOCL) was incorported in December, 1960.
HINDUSTAN INSECTICIDES LIMITED Hindustan Insecticides Limited (HIL) was incorporated in 1954 and set up its factory in Delhi for manufacturing DDT to meet the demand of National Malaria Eradication Programme (NMEP) presently known as National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) launched by Government of India.
FERTILIZERS: PUBLIC SECTOR UNDERTAKINGS

National Fertilizers Limited (NFL) has, at present, five operating units producing Urea, viz. Nangal,Bhatinda, Panipat and Vijaipur I & II (two units). Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers Limited (RCF) is operating five fertilizer plants at Trombay. Brahmaputra Valley Fertilizer Corporation Limited (BVFCL) has been constituted into a new company from 1 April 2002 after hiving off the amrup units from HFCL. FCI-Aravali Gypsum and Mineral India Limited (FAGMIL) (Jodhpur) has been incorporated as a PSU on 14th February, 2003. The Fertilizers and Chemicals Travancore Limited (FACT)-Udyogmandal (Kerala) has three operating units, two at Udyogamandal and one at Cochin. Madras Fertilizers Limited-(MFL) is a joint venture between the Government of India and the National Iranian Oil Company with the rest as public equity holding.
NATIONAL POLICY ON PETROCHEMICALS

The Government approved the National Policy on Petrochemicals on 12 April 2007. The National Policy on Petrochemicals aims to: a) Increase investments in the sector (both upstream and downstream) and capture a slice of the resurgent Asian demand in polymers and downstream processing through additions in capacity and production by ensuring availability of raw materials at internationally competitive prices, creating quality infrastructure and other facilitation to ensure value addition and increase exports; b) Increase the domestic demand and per capita consumption of plastics and synthetic fibres from the present level of 4 kgs and 1.6 kgs, increase the competitiveness, polymer absorption capacity and value addition in the
CHEMICAL SECTOR: PUBLIC SECTOR UNDERTAKINGS

Hindustan Organic Chemicals Limited
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domestic downstream plastic processing industry through modernization, research and development measure and freeing it from structural constraints; c) Facilitate investment in the emerging areas of petrochemicals; d) Achieve environmentally sustainable growth in the petrochemical sector through innovative methods of plastic waste management, recycling and development of bio-photogradable polymers and plastics; and e) Promote Research and Development in Petrochemicals and promote Human Resource Development.
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3. To monitor the availability of drugs, identify sortages, if any, and to take remedial steps. 4. To collect/maintain data on production, exports and imports, market share of individual companies, profitability of companies etc. for bulk drugs and formulations. 5. To deal with all legal matters arising out of the decisions of the Authority. 6. To render advice to the Central Government of changes/revisions in the drug policy. 7. To render assistance to the Central Government in parliamentary matters relating to drug pricing.
NATIONAL PHARMACEUTICAL PRICING AUTHORITY (NPPA)

The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) was established as an independent body of experts under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers by Gazette notification dated 29.08.1997. The Authority is entrusted with the task of price fixation/revision of the 74 scheduled bulk drugs and formulation containing any of the scheduled drugs under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 1995 as well as monitoring and enforcement of prices. The functions of the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) are: 1. To implement and enforce the provisions of the Drugs (Price Control) Orders (DPCO), 1995 in accordance with the power delegated to it. 2. To undertake and/ or sponsor relevant studies in respect of pricing of drugs/ formulations.
IMPORTANT FEATURES OF NATIONAL MINERAL POLICY, 2008

As a sequel to the recommendations of the Hoda Committee which was constituted by the Planning Commission to review the National Mineral Policy, a ew National Mineral Policy, 2008 was approved by the Government. The policy advocates:(i) use of State-of-the-art technology for exploration; (ii) zero waste mining; (iii) development of capital market structures to attract risk investment into survey and prospecting; (iv) Transparency in allocation of concessions; (v) auction of ore bodies prospected at public expense;
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(vi) Independent Mining Administrative Tribunal; (vii) A framework of sustainable development to take care of biodiversity issues etc.
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CHAPTER 17. JUSTICE AND LAW

LEGAL AID TO THE POOR
Article 39A of the Constitution of India provides for free legal aid to the poor and weaker sections of the society and ensures justice for all. Article 14 and 22(1) of the constitution also make it obligatory for the State to ensure equality before law and a legal system which promotes justice on the basis of equal opportunity to all. binding on all parties and no appeal lies against thereto before any court. With a view to providing compulsory prelitigative mechanism for conciliation and settlement of disputes relating to 'Public Utility Services', the Parliament has amended the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. The amended Act stipulates the establishment of Permanent Lok Adalat for exercising jurisdiction in respect of disputes relating to Public Utility Services, such as transport service, postal, communication, supply of power, service in hospital! dispensary, insurance service, etc. A party to a dispute with such public utility service has to make an application to the Permanent Lok Adalat established under Section 22B of the Legal Services (Amendment) Act, 2002 which has been vested with jurisdiction to decide the matter.
FUNCTIONING OF NALSA
The NALSA issues guidelines for the State Legal Services Authorities to implement the Legal Aid Programmes and schemes throughout the country. Primarily, the State Legal Services Authorities, District Legal Services Authorities, Taluka Legal Services Committees, etc. have been asked to discharge the following two main functions on regular basis:1. To Provide Free Legal Services to the eligible persons; and 2. To oganize Lok Adalats for amicable settlement of disputes.
LEGAL AID COUNSEL SCHEME

NALSA has initiated Legal Aid Counsel Scheme to provide meaningful legal assistance to undertrial prisoners, on account of lack of resources or other disabilities who cannot engage counsels to defend them. Now, Legal Aid Counsels have been attached to each Magisterial Court who provide assistance and defend a person who is not able to engage a counsel, right from the stage he/she is produced in the court by the police.
LOK ADALATS
Lok Adalat is a forum where the disputes/ cases pending in the court of law or at prelitigation stage are settled/compromised amicably. The Lok Adalat has been given statutory status under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. Under this Act, an award made by a Lok Adalat is deemed to be a decree of a civil court and is final and www.jagranjosh.com
ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE REDRESSAL (ADR)

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With the steep growth in the number of laws and the number of cases, the Court system is under great pressure. In order to reduce the heavy demand on Court time, efforts need to be made to resolve the disputes by resorting to Alternative Dispute Resolution Methods before they enter the portals of the court. The Arbitration, Mediation and Conciliation are tools of Alternative Dispute Redressal System.
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Indian context, often a Government official whose report contains recommendations. So far as Department of Legal Affairs is concerned, this Department provides annual recurring Grants-in-aid to National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) which is a statutory body.
ADVOCATES WELFARE FUND

Social security in the form of financial assistance to junior lawyers and welfare schemes for indigent or disabled advocates has always been a matter of concern for the legal fraternity. Certain States enacted thereon legislation on the subject. The Parliament enacted "Advocates Welfare Fund Act, 2001" applicable to the Union Territories and the States which do not have their own enactments on the subject, for consideration of "Advocates Welfare Fund" by the appropriate Government.
ARBITRATION
Arbitration is a process in which a neutral third party or parties render a decision based on the merits of the case. In the Indian context, the scope of the rules for the arbitration process are set out broadly by the provisions of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act 1998, and in the areas uncovered by the Statute the parties are free to design an arbitration process appropriate and relevant to their disputes.
MEDIATION
The process of mediation aims to facilitate the development of a consensual solution by the disputing parties. The mediation process is overseen by a non-partisan third party - the Mediator. The authority of the mediator vests on the consent of the parties that he should facilitate their negotiations.
NATIONAL COMMISSION TO REVIEW THE WORKING OF CONSTITUTION

The National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution was set up on 22 February 2000. The terms of reference stated that the Commission shall examine, in the light of the experience of the past 50 years, as to how best the Constitution can respond to the changing needs of efficient, smooth and effective system of governance and socio-economic development of modem India within the framework of Parliamentary democracy, and to recommend changes, if any, that are required in the provisions of the Constitution without interfering with its basic structure or features.
CONCILIATION
This is a process by which resolution of disputes is achieved by compromise or voluntary agreement. In contrast to arbitration, the conciliator does not render a binding award. The parties are free to accept or reject the recommendations of the conciliator. The conciliator is in the www.jagranjosh.com

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The Central Government maintains Central Police forces, Intelligence Bureau (IB), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Institutions for training of police officers and forensic science institutions to assist the States in gathering intelligence, in maintaining law and order, in investigating special crime cases and in providing training to the senior police officers of the State governments.
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Battalions on 01 Dee 1965, as against the present size of 166 Battalions.
ASSAM RIFLES
The Assam Rifles raised as Catchar Levy in 1835 is the oldest Central Para Military Force in India. The force was raised mainly to guard the alluvial plains of Assam from the wild and unruly tribes inhabiting the surrounding hill tracts.
PARAMILITARY FORCES OF INDIA

INDO-TIBETAN BORDER POLICE
The Indo-Tibetan Border Police was conceived on October 24,1962 in the wake of Chinese aggression for re-organizing the frontier intelligence and security setup along the Indo-Tibetan border covering 2115 kms from Karakoram pass to Lipulekh pass.
NATIONAL SECURITY GUARD

Terrorism, both National and International raised its head in the West during the seventies. It manifested in many forms including hijacking of aircraft, taking of hostages, assassination of dignitaries and others. The normal law and order machinery and the defence forces of the West were found wanting to deal with this menace. Specially equipped and trained Forces like SASof UK, Delta Force of USA and GSG-9 of West Germany were raised abroad. The need for creating a Special Forces for executing surgical operations based on tactical intelligence was felt in India when Operation Blue Star was carried out by the army at the Golden Temple, Amritsar in 1984. This operation not only caused extensive damage to the Golden Temple but also occasioned a large number of casualties, and above all the Sikh psyche was badly hurt. NSG was conceptualised and created after studying and ana lysing Special Force like SAS in the United Kingdom, GIG in France, GSG-9 in Germany. Shar-et-matkal in Israel and Delta Force in the USA. Accordingly, NSG was raised on 16 Oct 1985.
BORDER SECURITY FORCE

International borders of India with Pakistan both East and West were being manned by the respective state police forces till Indo-Pak war in Sept 1965. Certain inherent shortcomings of this arrangement came to light during the war and it was decided by the Govt. of India to have one single force under the Union of India for guarding the International Borders of India with Pakistan. Based on above premise, BSF came into existence on 1st Dee, 1965 by amalgamation of various State Police Battalions into B.S.F. The Force was thus raised with a meager strength of 25
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Current Affairs Comprehensive CENTRAL RESERVE POLICE FORCE

The history of CRPF is a saga of sacrifice and sustained dedication for national integration, unity and maintenance of peace in the country. Whether it is external danger, insurgency, Left-Wing Extremism, communal clashes or natural calamities, CRPF is always there to protect the lives of the citizens. The Central Reserve Police Force was formed 71 years ago on 27th July, 1939 at Neemuch as the Crown Representative's Police.
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additional responsibility of guarding IndoBhutan border in 2004.
CIVIL DEFENCE
Civil Defence includes any measures not amounting to actual combat, for affording protection to any person, property, place or thing in India or any part of the territory thereof against any hostile attack whether from air, land, sea or other places or for depriving any such attack of the whole or part of its effect, whether such measures are taken before, during or after the time of such attack, or any measures taken for the purpose of disaster management, before during, at or after any disaster. The amendment bill to the Civil Defence Act 1968 has been passed by the parliament.
RAPID ACTION FORCE

Presidental colour to RAF was Presented by the then Sh. L.K. Advani, Hon'ble Dy. PM on 7th Oct. 2003. CRPF being the first Central Armed Police force who have two Presidential colours. RAF was raised to deal with communal problem and continues to deal with militancy in J&K & Punjab, Insurgency in North-East, overseas deployment for UN Peace Keeping in Haiti, Bosnia & Kosovo, Rescue and Relief.
HOME GUARDS
Home Guards is a voluntary force, first raised in India in December 1946, to assist the police in controlling civil disturbances and communal riots. Subsequently, the concept of the voluntary citizens force was adopted by several States. In the wake of Chinese aggression in 1962, the Centre advised the States and Union Territories to merge their existing voluntary organisations into one uniform vohmtary force known as Home Guards. The role of Home Guards is to serve as an auxiliary to the police in maintenance of internal security, help the community in any kind of emergency such as an air-raid, fire, cyclone, earthquake, epidemic, etc., help in maintenance of essential services, promote communal harmony and assist the administration in protecting weaker sections, participate in socio-economic and welfare activities and perform Civil Defence duties.
CENTRAL INDUSTRIAL SECURITY FORCE

Raised in the year 1969, CISF is providing security cover to 303 units including 58 domestic and international airports and fire protection cover to 81 Industrial Undertakings.
SASHASTRA SEEMA BAL

SSB, the 'Sashastra Seema Bal" is newest Border Guarding Force of Union of India entrusted with the guarding of Indo- epal and Indo-Bhutan borders. "Sashastra Seema Bal" is guarding Indo-Nepal border since 2001, and later on was also given the www.jagranjosh.com

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THE ADMINISTRATIONGENERAL (AMENDMENT) ACT, 2012 (ACT 33 OF 2012)

The Administrators-General Act, 1963 is an Act to consolidate and amend the law relating to the office and duties of Administrator-General. In the Act originally enacted in 1963, the monetary limit specified in section 29 was only Rs. 5000/-. On account of considerable decrease in money value and escalation in the value of assets and also for protection of the interests of poor persons and legal heirs of the deceased persons especially widows, minor children and other dependents from protracted and expensive litigation in civil courts, the monetary limit in the said section was enhanced to Rs. 15,000 in 1972 vide the Administrators-General Act, 1972, to 50,000 in 1983 vide the AdministratorsGeneral Act, 1983 and to Rs. 2,00,000/- in 1999 vide the Administrators General Act, 1999. Vide the said Act, this monetary limit provided in section 29 of the Administrators-General Act, 1963 from Rs. 2,00,000/ - (Rs. Two lakhs only) to be enhanced to Rs. 10,00,000/- (Rs. Ten lakhs only) on account of the decrease in money value escalation of prices of properties.
THE ANAND MARRIAGE (AMENDMENT) ACT, 2012 (ACT NO. 29 OF 2012)

The Anand Marriage Act, 1909 (7 of 1909) was enacted to remove doubts as to the validity of the marriage rights of the Sikh called II Anand" and it does not provide for the provisions of registration of marriages. The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 applies to all Hindus, Buddhists, [ains or Sikhs by religion. It also applies to all other persons who are not Muslims, Christians, Parsis or Jews unless they establish that they were not governed by Hindu law, custom or us age prior to the Act. Section 8 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 provides for registration of Hindu marriages and as Sikhs were included in the definition of Hindu, under Section 2 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, a Sikh marriage performed according to the Sikh marriage ceremony called" Anand" or other customary ceremonies could be registered here her to under the provisions of Section 8 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955. However, vide the Anand Marriage (Amendment), Act, 2012 (Act No. 29 of 2012), the Anand Marriage Act, 1909 was amended to provide for registration of Anand marriages which commonly known as Anand Karaj.
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CHAPTER 18. LABOUR

LABOUR REFORMS
THE MINIMUM WAGES ACT, 1948 NATIONAL FLOOR LEVEL MINIMUM WAGE (NFLMW) THE PAYMENT OF WAGES ACT, 1936 THE PAYMENT OF WAGES (NOMINATION) RULES, 2009 THE MINIMUM WAGES ADVISORY BOARD) RULES, 2011 (CENTRAL prohibited. Some of the important prohibited occupations and processes are carpet weaving, building and construction work, brick kilns, production of hosiery goods, work as domestic servants, and in tea-shops, road side eateries, etc. On the advice of the Technical Advisory Committee on Child Labour the Centre in September, 2008, notified inclusion of one Occupation and eight Processes in the list of Hazardous Occupations/Processes which include Diving as an Occupation and Exposure to excessive heat (e.g. working near furnace) and cold, mechanized fishing, Food processing, Beverage Industry, Timber handling and load in Mechanical Lumbering, Ware housing, xposure to free silica such as slate, pencil industry, stone grinding, slate stone mining, stone quarries, agate industry as Processes. Further, on the recommendations of the Technical Advisory Committee on Child Labour, the Government has shown its intention; vide notification dated 7th June, 2010, to add two more occupations, viz. Circus and Caring of Elephants to the Schedule listing to the occupations where employment of children is prohibited. Programmes Government had initiated the National Child Labour Project (NCLP) Scheme in 1988 to rehabilitate working children in 12 child labour endemic districts of the country. Enforcement Government is also laying down lot of stress on the enforcement of the Child Labour Act. State governments are the appropriate
THE PAYMENT OF BONUS ACT, 1965
CHILD LABOUR
Constitutional Provisions Government of India stands committed to the elimination of child labour in the country. Our Constitution provides for the protection of children from involvement in economic activities and vocations unsuited to their age. Directive Principles of State Policy in the Constitution strongly reiterate this commitment and this is also provided for in the Fundamental Rights. Policy As per the Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, employment of children below the age of 14 years is prohibited in notified hazardous occupations and processes. The Act also regulates employment of children in non-hazardous occupations and processes. There are at present 16 hazardous occupations and 65 processes, where employment of children is
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authority for implementation of the Act for areas under their jurisdiction. Convergence As poverty is the primary cause of such a social evil, the educational rehabilitation of such children is further complemented by the economic rehabilitation of the families of child labour through the convergence approach so that the child labour and their families are covered under the benefits of the schemes of various Ministries/Departments of the Government of India, like Human Resource Development, Women & Child Development, Urban Housing & Rural Poverty Alleviation, Rural Development as well as Panchayati Raj Institutions. International Cooperation A new Project named "Converging Against Child Labour: Support For India's Model" with funding from the Department of Labour, Government of USA, has been approved by the Government of India for development of convergence based model, wherein ILO is working with the Ministry for developing these models in ten identified districts in five Sta tes of Bihar, Jharkhand, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa. The Project was formally launched by Shri Malikarjun Kharge, the Union Minister of Labour & Employment on 31'1 July, 2010 for child labour elimination in association with ILO, one in Karnataka, funded by Government of Italy and another in Andhra Pradesh, funded by DFID.
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worker or a wage worker in the unorganised sector and includes a worker in the organised sector who is not covered by any of the Acts mentioned in Schedule-Il of ASt. The "unorganised sector" means an enterprise owned by individuals or self employed workers and engaged in the production or sale of goods or providing service of any kind whatsoever, and where the enterprise employs workers and the number of such workers is less than ten. In order to take care of the social security and welfare of unorganized workers, twopronged strategy i.e. legislative measure and implementation of welfare schemes and programmes has been followed so far. The legislative measures include the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1923; the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976, the Contract labour (Abolition and Prohibition) Act, 1970; the Inter-State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1979, the Building and other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment & Conditions of Service) Act, 1996, and the Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare (Cess) Act, 1996, etc. The Government enacted the Unorganised Workers' Social Security Act, 2008. The Act provides for constitution of National Social Security Board at the central level and State Social Security Boards at the State level which shall recommend formulation of social security schemes for unorganised workers. The National Board shall recommend social security schemes viz. life and disability cover, health and maternity benefits; old age protection, and any other
UNORGANISED SECTOR
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benefit as may be determined by the Central Government. The salient features of the Act are as under: Section (2) provides for the definitions, including those relating to unorganised worker, self-employed and wage worker. Section 3 (1) provides for formulation of schemes by the Central Government for different sections of unorganised workers on matters relating to (a) life and disability cover, (b) health and maternity benefits; (c) old age protection (d) any other benefit as may be determined by the Central Government. Section 3 (4) provides formulation of schemes relating to provident fund, employment injury benefits, housing, educational schemes for children, skill up gradation, funeral assistance and old age homes by the State Governments. Section 4 relates to the funding of the schemes formulated by Central Government. Section 5 envisages constitution of National Social Security Board under the chairmanship of &ion Minister for Labour & Employment with Member Secretary and 34 nominated members representing Members of Parliament, unorganised workers, employers of unorganised workers, civil society, Central Ministries and State Governments. Provision for adequate representation to persons belonging to the Scheduled
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Castes, the Scheduled Tribes, the Minorities and Women. The functions of National Board, interalia, are to recommend to the Central Government suitable schemes for different sections of unorganised workers; monitor the implementation of schemes and advise the Central Government on matters arising out of the administration of the Act. Section 6 has provision for constitution of similar Boards at the State level. Section 7 relates to funding pattern of the schemes formulated by the State Governments. Section 8 prescribes record keeping functions by the District Administration. Section 9 provides for setting up of constitution of Workers' Facilitation Centre to (a) disseminate information on social security schemes available to them (ii) facilitate the workers to obtain registrati.on from district administration and enrollment of unorganised workers. Section 10 provides for eligibility criteria for registration as also the procedure for registration under the Act.
AWARDS
PRIME MINISTER'S SHRAM AWARDS
The Prime Minister's Shram Awards (PMSA) Scheme was instituted in 1985, for the workers (as defined in industrial Dispute Act, 1947) in recognition of outstanding contribution in organization both in public sector and private sector and who have Current Affairs Comprehensive
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distinguished record of performance, devotion to duty of a high order, specific contribution in the field of productivity, proven innovative abilities, presence of mind and exceptional courage and also to the workmen who have made supreme sacrifice of laying down their lives in the conscientious discharge of their duties. Public and private sector organizations employing 500 or more workers are' eligible to participate in this scheme.
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SKILL DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE

A new scheme- "Skill Development Initiative" for imparting vocational training/ testing of competencies to one million persons over a period of five years by imparting short term training courses with an outlay of < 550 crore has been initiated.
NATIONAL SAFETY AWARDS

National Safety Awards are given in recognition of good safety performance on the part of the industrial establishments registered under the Factories Act, 1948, the employers covered under the Dock Worker (Safety, Health and Welfare) Act, 1986 and Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996 and installations under the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AFRB) Shields and Citation Certificates are awarded to Winners and Runners up.
THE OBJECTIVES OF THE SCHEME ARE:

To provide vocational training to schoolleavers, existing workers, ITI graduates, etc. To improve their employability by optimally utilizing the infrastructure available in Govt., Private institutions and the Industry. Existing skills of people can also be tested and certified under this scheme. To build capacity in the area of development of competency standards, course curricula, learning material and assessment standards in the country.
VISHWARKARMA RASHTRIYA PURASKAR

It is designed to give recognition at the national level to outstanding suggestions resulting in (i) higher productivity, (ii) improvement in safety and working conditions, (iii) savings in foreign exchange (import) substitution as well as quality and safety of products, (iv) improvement in overall efficiency of the establishments. It covers workers employed in factories, docks, construction sites and Nuclear installations.
KEY FEATURES OF THE SCHEME

Demand driven short term training courses based on Modular Employable Skills (MES) decided in consultation with Industry. MES is the 'minimum skills set' which is sufficient for gainful employment. Central government facilitates and promotes training while industry, private sector and State Governments train the persons.
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Optimum utilization of existing infrastructure to make training cost effective. Flexible delivery mechanism (part time, weekends, full time, onsite/ offsite) to suit needs of various target groups. Different levels of programmes (Foundation level as well as skill upgradation) to meet the demands of various target groups. The services of existing or retired faculty or guest faculty to be utilized.
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Testing & certification of skills to be acquired informally. Testing of skills of trainees by independent assessing bodies, which are not involved in training delivery, to ensure that itis done impartially. The essence of the scheme is in the certification that is nationally and internationally recognized.
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CHAPTER 19. MASS COMMUNICATION

BHARATENDU HARISHCHANDRA AWARDS
In order to promote original writing in Hindi, the Division instituted the Bharatendu Harishchandra Awards 29 years back. These prestigious awards are given annually in four categories namely Journalism and Mass Communication, Women's Issues, Children's Literature and National Integration.
CHAPTER 20. PLANNING

To stimulate the growth of IT-ITes and Electronic Hardware Manufacturing industry in the country, five key initiatives as given below have been identified. 1. To set up a National Electronics Mission (NEM). 2. To set up Semiconductor Wafer Fabs. 3. To introduce Modified Special Incentive Package (M-SIPS) Scheme by providing capital grant and setting up ofElectronics Manufacturin Clusters. 4. To set up a dedicated "Electronic Development Fund" for promotion of innovation, R&D, Indian Intellectual Property (IP) and Development of Indian Micro processor. 5. To provide preferential access to "Indian Electronics Products/ Manufactured-inIndia Electronics Products" for all Government procurements and procurement by Government Licensees,PSUs, etc. selected States in developing and implementing an improved coastal anagement approach for India's coastal zones to preserve the long-term productivity of this highly populated region for continued sustainable development and economic growth and poverty reduction. The project consists of two components: National Component and State Component. MoU has been signed with the World Bank and hazard mapping as a national component has already been started by the Survey of India during 2011-12. Activities include mapping ecological sanative areas, coastal sediment cell mapping, setting up of Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management at Chennai capacity building of Ministry of Environment and Forests and implementation of Coastal Zone Management Project. The project is aided (Rs. 267.60 crore) by External Agency with a State share of Rs. 24.50 crore and general Grant-in- aid of Rs. 48.17 crore.
NATIONAL COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME

The overall objectives of the Project is to support the Government of India and www.jagranjosh.com
ISSUE THAT REQUIRE FOCUSED ATTENTION DURING THE TWELFTH PLAN ARE:
Securing ecology of watershed and catchments,

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Cumulative Environmental Impact Assessments (CEIAs) for vulnerable regions, Carrying capacity studies in selected river-basins, Maintaining acceptable water quality and quantity through pollution control of water resources, Restoration of wet lands/lakes, and Management of waste water discharge from industrial and commercial establishments into major water bodies is necessary.
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CLIMATE CHANGE
The Prime Ministers Advisory Council on Climate. Change has outlined a National ActionPlan for Climate Change (NAPCC). The Action Plan was released by the Prime Minister in June 2008 and consists of eight Missions that are listed.
NATIONAL ACTION PLAN FOR CLIMATE CHANGE

National Solar Mission seeks to deploy 20,000MW of solar electricity capacity in the country by 2020. The first phase, (2010-12) is currently underway during which 1,000 MW are planned to be installed. National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency creates new institutional mechanisms to enable the.development and-strengthening of energy efficiency markets. Various programmes have been initiafed, including the Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) mechanism to
promote efficiency in large industries, and the Super-Efficient Equipment Programme (SEEP) to accelerate the introduction of deployment of superefficient appliances. National Mission on Sustainable Habitat promotes the introduction of sustainable transport, energy-efficient buildings, and sustainable waste management in cities. National Water Mission promotes the integrated management of water resources and increase water use efficiency by 20 per cent. National Mission for Sustaining tIle Himalayan Ecosystem establishes an observational and monitoring network for the Himalayan environment so as to assess climate impacts on the Himalayan glacier and promote community- based managernent of these ecosystems. National Mission for a "Green India" seeks to afforest an additional 10 million hectare of forest lands, waste lands-and community lands. National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture focuses on enhancing productivity and resilience of agriculture so as to reduce vulnerability to extremes-of- weather, long dry spells, flooding, and variable moisture availability. National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change identifies challenges arising from climate change, promotes the development and diffusion of knowledge on responses to
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these challenges in the areas of health, demography, migration and livelihood of coastal communities.
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4. Agro-Forestry and Social Forestry of 3.00 m. ha. 5. Restoration of Wetlands of 0.10 m. ha.
GREEN INDIA MISSION

Green India Mission (GIM) is one of the eight mission announced by Hon'ble Prime Minister under National Action Plan for Climate Change in june 2008. The Mission Document is a roadmap for sectoral efforts in tandem with other sectors for improving green cover of the country both qualitatively and quantitatively. It is also a trans-disciplinary approach, andincludes recognizing ecosystem services, carbon sequestration potential, livelihood of forest dwellers, food security, hydrological security, bio-diversity conservation, local self-governance, institutionalization etc. Mission objectives Increased Green cover -10m. ha. (On public/private/forest lands). Improved Eco-system Services over areas of 10 m. ha. under greening. Increased forest based livelihood income of 3 million households. Enhanced annual CO2 sequestration by 50 to 60 million tonnesm2020.
SARVA SHIKSHA ABHIYAN (SSA)

Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) is one of India's major social sector flagship programmes, addressing the national resolve of Universalizing of Elementary Education (UEE). Its aim is to provide useful and relevant elementary education for all children in the age group of 6-14 years. The Other goals are to bridge social, regional and gender gaps with active participation of the community in the management of schools. The reducation in drop out ana repetitiorrrate, enhancement in the achievement levels and making learning joyful are some of the key elements of SSA. Objectives of SSA Provide useful and relevant elementary education for all children in the 6 to 14 age group. Bridge social, regional and gender gaps with the active participation of the comrnunity in the management of schools. Encourage enrolment of girls and teacher training. Achieve significant enhancement in learning levels of children.
Sub Mission: GIM has 5 sub-missions: 1. Enhancing quality of forest cover and improving eco-system services of 4.90 m. ha. 2. Eco-System Restoration and increase in forest cover of 1.80 m. ha. 3. Enhancing tree cover in urban and & Peri-urban areas of 0.20 m. ha.
EDUCATION OF GIRLS
SSA focuses on girls, education through the National Programme for Education of Girls
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at-Elementary level (NPEGEL) and the Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas.
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RIGHT OF CHILDREN TO FREE AND COMPULSORY EDUCATION ACT, 2009

The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act,2009, represents the consequential legislation to Article 21A inserted in the Constitution of In'dia through the Constitution (86th Amendment) Act, 2002. The RTE Act has become operative with effect from 1st April 2010. SSA has been harmonized with RTE mandate. The salient features of the RTE Act, 2009 include: (a) The right of children to free and compulsory education till completion of elementary education in a neighborhood school. (b) It clarifies that 'compulsory education' means obligation of the appropriate government to provide free elementary education and ensure compulsory admission, attendance and completion of elementary education to every child in the six to fourteen age group. 'Free means that no child shall be liable to pay any kind of fee or charges or expenses which may prevent him or her from pursuing and completing elementaryeducation. (c) It makes provisions for a non-admitted child to be admitted to an age appropriate class.
(d) It specifies the duties and responsibilities oLappropriate Governments, local uthority and parents in providing free and compulsory education, and sharing of financial and other responsibilities between the Central and State Governments. (e) It lays down the norms and standards relating inter alia to Pupil Teacher Ratios (PTRs), buildings and infrastructure, school working days, teacher working hours. (f) It provides for rational deployment ofteachers by ensuring that the specified pupil teacher ratio is maintained for each school, rather than just as an average for the State or District or Block, thus ensuring-that there-isno urban-rural imbalance in teacher postings.It also provides for prohibition of deployment of teachers for non-educational work, other than decennial census, elections to local authority, state legislatures and parliament, and disaster relief. (g) It provides for appointment of appropriately trained teachers, i.e.) teachers with the requisite entry and academic qualificatians. (h) It prohibits: (i) physical punishment and mental harassment, (ii) Screening procedures for admission ofchildren, capitation fees, (iii) private tuition by teachers, (iv) running of schools without recognition. (j) It provides for development of curriculum in consonance with the
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values enshrined in the Constitution, and which wauld ensure the all-round development of the child, building an the child's knowledge, potentiality and talent and making the child free of fear, trauma and anxiety through a system of child friend1y and child centered learning. (k) It provides for protection and monitoring of the child's right to. free and compulsory education and redressal of grievances by the National and State Commissions far protection of Child Rights, which shall have the pawers of a civil court. Some areas of concern Issues such as teacher absenteeism, single teacher schools and multigrade teaching are being resolved. While the access has Improved significantly dropout rates remain high and this may be part due to. quality. About 81 million children are aut of school system. While high GERs aver 100% in several states indicate delayed provisioning of access and consequently, enrolment of a significant proportion of aver-aged children, retention of girls in school gets exacerbated with aver 63 percent rural schools having no. usable toilet facilities for them (ASER, 2010). This has to be addressed in convergence with Total Sanitation Campaign. Besides, there are equity concerns of disadvantaged, vulnerable social groups and urban-deprived groups with regard to access and retention; decentralization of teachers recruitment and decision-making. All these issues need to be addresse in the Twelfth Plan in accordance with RTE mandate.
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Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) primarily cater to tfie educational needs of the wards of transferable Central Government employees including efence personnel. Ther are 981 KVs with 10.34 lakh students as on date. The total sanctioned strength of teachers in 81 Kendriya Vidyalayas is 40,552 and the student teacher ratio is 25:1. Performance of the students in Board Examinations in Class X and XII has been above the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) average. Planning Commission has supported the proposal of setting up of new KVs in metros, extremism affected and defence areas and also in Bundelkhan region. The Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) schools are fully residential coeducational institutions from Class VI upto senior secondary stage providing free boarding, lodging, textbooks and uniforms to all students. There are 561 JNVs with 2.06 lakh students, of which SCs and STs constitute 24 per cent and 17 percent, respectively. Twenty JNVs have been recently sanctioned in SCs ana STs concentrated districts. The performance of JNV students has been excellent in Class X and XII examinations of the CBS . Additional JNVs are required in highly populated districts Iik Midnapore (West Bengalj.several districts of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh and also in some tribal districts like Bastar (Chhattisgarh).
NEW INITIATIVES
RASHTRIYA MADHYARNIK SHIKSHA ABHIYAN
(RMSA) is a major scheme launched in March, 2009 with the objectives of making secondary education of good quality
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available, accessible and affordable to all young persons in the age group 15-16 years, removing gender, socio-economic and disability barriers, making all secondary schools conform to prescribed norms, achieving a GER of 75 percent in secondary education in a period of 5 years, providing universal access to secondary level education by 2017 and universal retention by 2020. The fund-sharing arrangement between the Centre and the States is 75:25 in the XI Plan and 50:50 in the Ian. For North-East States, the fund sharing ratio is 90:10 in both Plan periods.
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sewerage and solid waste management in the urban areas for 65 Mission cities and is being implemented with a 7 year budgetary allocation of Rs. 31, 500 crore For covering smaller towns and cities, another component, namely Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Small & Medium Towns (UIDSSMT) has been launched with budgetary outlay of Rs. 11,400 crore. Basic Services to the Urban Poor (BSUP) being implemented by the Ministry of Housing and urban Poverty Alleviation (MoHDPA) with an overall 7 year budgetary outlay of Rs. 16,356 crore primarily aims to target rehabilitation of slum in Mission cities. For non-Mission cities another component, namely Integrated Hou ing & Slum Development Programme (IHSDP) has been launched.
JAWAHARLAL NEHRU NATIONAL URBAN RENEWAL MISSION (JNNURM)

It is a 7 year mission-mode programme which is being implemented since December 2005. It has an overal1budgetary outlay of about Rs. 66,000 crore the central objective of JNNURM is to create urban infrastructure and civic amenities and to incentives reforms. Key reforms include devolution of powers to ULBs, levy of reasonable user charges by ULBs, rationalization of stamp duty to 5% or below, earmarking of developed land for housing for EWS, reform in rent Control Act, repeal 01 Urban Land Ceiling & Regulation Act and encouraging PPP. Assistance under the programme is provided to the States after approval of City Development Plan and DPRs and signing of Memorandum of Agreements for essential urban reforms. The programme a fo c mponents as given below. Progress achie ed therein is briefly enumerated: Urban Infrastructure & Governance (UIG) covers provision of wafer suppl , sanitation,
RAJIV AWAS YOJANA (RAY)

Residential vulnerability is perhaps one of the most defining aspects of urban poverty. To address it in the current year, 1st phase of Rajiv Awas ojana has been launched with a budgetary outlay of Rs. 5,000 crore the scheme adopts 'whole city all slum' approach and recommends 'in-situ' rehabilitation' and mandates enactment of legislation for providing tenurial rights to slum dwellers and for reserving 20-25 percent of land in new residential projects for economically weaker sections (EWS) and poor. To increase supply of affordable housing, RAY also mandates review of Rent Control Act. Another novel feature has been creation of a credi mortgage fund to channelize the flow of institutional credit to urban poor.
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Current Affairs Comprehensive IMPLEMENTATION OF E-OFFICE PROJECT

With a view towards improving the organizational efficiency by providing a onestop access point to various pplications and ease of monitoring wifuinPlanning Commission, a flexible Platform for Document Management, Content Management, Collaboration/ Messaging Services, Electromc File movement was required. Various features of the e-Office Portal 1. e-File e-File is the salient feature of e-Office to enable paperless office by scanning, registering and routing in ward correspondences along with creation of files, Noting, draft for approval and finally movement of files and recei ts etc. 2. Payslip: All employees generate Payslip of current as wen as that of previous months through the portal. 3. GPF Statements: All employees generate GPF statement of current and last two financial years through this portal. 4. e-Leave: The portal has a link to the leave management system from which employees can apply for leaves and has been successfully implemented for all employees of the Planning Commission. 5. Library: The portal has a link to the Planning Commission Library database which helps employees to search books from the portal.
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6. Knowledge Management System: The Knowledge Management System which is an integra part of the portal, he ps various divisions to manage their information independently on the porta.
MIS ON INTEGRATED ACTION PLAN FOR SELECTED TRIBAL AND BACKWARD DISTRICTS (IAPMIS)
The MIS on Ifitegrated Action Plan (IAP) for 60 Selected Tribal and Backward Districts is a web-based application to facilitate online onitoring of various programmes. It may be mentioned that a Task Force on Left Wing Extremism (LWE) was constituted under the Chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary on 12th February, 2008 to promote coordinated efforts across a range of development and security activities-to..tackle-thenaxalproblems in a more comprehensive manner.
NATIONAL LAND RECORDS MODERNIZATION PROGRAMME

The Departmentof Land.Reforms (LR) was implementing two centrally Sponsored Schemes, viz. Computerization of Land Records (CLR) & Strengthening of Revenue Administration and Updating of Land Records (SRA&UrR). Later on 21.8.2008, the Cabinet approved merger of these schemes into a modified scheme name National Land records Modernization Programme (NLRMP). The main aims of LRMP are to usher in a system of updated land records, automated and automatic mutation, integration between textual and spatial records, inter-connectivity-between revenue and ergistration, to replace the
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present deeds registration and presumptive title guarantee. The NLRMP has 3 major components - (a) Computerization of land record; (b) Survey / resurvey; (c) Computerization of Registration. The district has been taken as the unit of implementation, where all programme activities are to converge. It is hoped that all districts in the country wou a be covered by the end of the 12th Plan period except where eadastral surveys are being done for the first time. A major focus of the Programme is on citizen services, sue as providing record of rights (RoRs) with maps; other land-based certificates such as caste certificates, income certificates (particularly in rural areas), domicile certificates; information for eligibility for development programmes; Iand passbooks, etc. Socially Disadvantaged Groups Scheduled Castes (SCs) Scheduled Tribes (STs) Other Backward Classes (OBCs) Minorities Persons with Disabilities Older Persons Substance (Drug) Abuse
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A Special Programme for Development of Roads in the Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected areas" as been taken up on priority. A proposal for de-velopment of abou 1,126 km. of national highways and 4,351 km. state roads in areas affected by Left Wing Extremism (LWE) nasbeen a proved. Some of the issues that need to 15 resolved to taKe road development programme at higher level are: 1. Enhancing implementation capacity through Restructuring of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). Training. 2. Flexibility in restructuring of projects to be in synchronization with traffic requirement, safety concerns and availability of resources. 3. There is a need to build up expressway network for meeting the long term road transport traffic requirements. 4. There is a need to expedite the work on SARDP-NE. The capacity for evolving and implementation of rojects in the NorthEast needs to be built up. 5. Preparation of work and financing plan. It may indicate road length to be constructed to achieve the target of PMGSY, requirement of funds and identify the sources of funding. 6. Provision of adequate funds for the maintenance of existing rural roads.
Special Accelerated Road Development Programme for North East (SARDPNE)" has been taken up. The programme is to e implemented m two phases i.e, Phase-A & Phase-B. Phase-A includes improving 6418 k of roads (including 2319 km of roads under Arunachal Package).
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CHAPTER 21. RURAL AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

MAHATMA GANDHI NATIONAL RURAL EMPLOYMENT GUARANTEE ACT (MGNREGA)
Evolving the design of the wage employment programmes to more effectively fight poverty, the Central Government formulated the Mahatma Gandhi National-Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in 2005. With its legal framework and rights-based aeproach, MGNREGA provides employment to those who demand it and is a paradigm shift from earlier rogrammes. Notified on September 7, 2005, MGNREGA aims at enhancing livelihood security by providing at least one hundred days of guaranteed wage employment in a financial year to every rural household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work. Salient features of the Act Right based Framework: For adult members of a rural household willing to do unskilled manual work. Time bound GuararrteeiIf days for provision 0 employment, else unemployment allowance Guaranteed Employment: Upto 100 days of guaranteed wage employment in a financial year per household, depending on the actual demand. Labour Intensive Works: 60:40 wage and.material ratio for permissible works at the Gram Panchayat; no contractors/machinery. Decentralized Planning Gram Sabhas to recommend works At least 50% of works by Gram Panchayats for execution Principal role of PRls in planning, monitoring and implementation Work site facilities: Creche, drinking water, first aid and shade provided at worksites Women empowerment: Priority shan be given to women in such a way that at1east one third of the beneficiaries shall be women who ave registered and requested for work under this Act. Transparency & Accountability: Proactive disclosure through Social Audits, Guievance Redressal Mechanism, Funding: 90% borne by Central Government and 10% by, State Government
Implementation The Gram Panchayat is the single most important implementation agency for executing works as the Act mandates earmarking a minimum of 50 per cent of the works in terms of costs to be executed by the Gram Panchayat. This statutory minimum, upto hundred per cent of the work maybe allotted to the gram Panc ayat (GP) in the annual Shelf of Projects (SoP). Important instrument to monitor and ensure transparency in implementation of the Act
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Management Information System (MIS) Social Audits District Level Ombudsman Transparency in Execution of Works Proactive Disclosure Payment through Bank and Post Offices
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PRADHAN MANTRI SADAK YOJANA

Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) was launched on 25th December, 2000 with the objective of providing Allweather roads (with necessary culverts and cross-drainage structures, which is operable throughout the year), to the eligible unconnected habitations in the rural areas. The Programme envisages connecting all habitations having population of 500 persons and above (as per 2001 census) in plain areas and in respect of the Hill States (North-East, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Uttarakhand), Desert Areas (as identified in the Desert Development Programme) the Triba (Schedule V) areas and in the Selected Tribal and Backward Districts under Integrated Action Plan (lAP) as identified by Ministry of Home Affairs /Planning Commission, having population of 250 persons and above (as per 2001 census). In addition, it also has an element of upgradation, though it is not central to the Programme.
the case of UTs, entire funds of lAY are provided by the Centre. In case of NE States, the funding ratio between the Centre & States is 90:10. The ceiling on construction assistance under lAY is Rs. 45,000 per unit in the plain areas and r 48,500 in hilly / difficult areas/ lAP districts. For upgradation of kutcha house, the financial assistance of Rs. 15,000 per unit. In addition to the unit assistance availe un er lAY, a beneficiary can also borrow a to -up loan u to Rs. 80,000/- from any nationalized Bank at 4% interest per annum under Differential Rate of Interest (DRI) Scheme.
SWAMAJAYANTI GRAM SWAROJGAR YOJANA/NATIONAL LIVELIHOODS MISSION NRLM

Minisfry of Rural Development with the mandate of poverty alleviation in rural india is implementing various poverty alleviation and rural India is implementing various poverty alleviation and rural development schemes. One such scheme, the Swarnjayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojana (SGSY), under implementation since April, 1999, is designed as a holistic self employment scheme aimed at providing sustainable income to rural BPL families through income generating assets/ economic activities so as to bring them out of the poverty line. It is a process oriented scheme involving processes like organization capacity building & training, provision of revolving fund, making available credit and subsidy, technology, infrastructure & marketing. The SGSY has been restructured as National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM), now renamed as 'Aajeevika' to implement it in a Current Affairs Comprehensive
INDIRA AWAS YOJANA (LAY)

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mission mode in a phased manner for targeted and time bound delivery of results. The main features of NRLM are as follows: Mission: 'To reduce poverty by enabling the poor households to access gainful self employment and skilled wage employment opportunities resulting in appreciable improvement in their livelihoods on a sustainable basis, through building strong and sustainable grassroots institutions of the poor. NRLM Goal: Every family in the rural areas should be out of abject poverty and enjoy a decent quality of life. NRLM Guiding Principle Social mobilization and building strong institufions of the poor is critical for unleashing the innate capabilities of the poor. An external dedicated and sensitive support structure is required to induce the social mobilization, institution building and empowerment process. Facilitating knowledge dissemination, skill building, access to credit, access to marketing, and access to other livelihoods services enables them to enjoy a portfolio of sustainable livelihoods. Task under NRLM is to reach out to 7.0 crore rural poor houseolds (35 crore population) an stay engaged with them till they come out of abject poverty. Building strong, self manage a and self reliant institutions the poor, through: 1. Dedicated su ort structures 2. Financial inclusion
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3. Sustainaf e ivelihoods promotion 4. Partnerships: N.G.Os, banks, private sector, training institutions
RURAL SELF EMPLOYMENT TRAINING INSTITUTE (RSETI)

The Ministry has also taken a new initiative of setting up Rural Self Employment Training Institute one in each district of the country for basic and skill development training of the Rural BPL youth to enable them to undertake micro enterprises and wage employment. These will be bank led institutions i.e. will be managed and run by the Public Sector /Private Sector Banks with active co-operation from the State Governments.
MAHILA KISSAN SHASAKTIKARAN PARIYOJANA (MKSP)

A new scheme Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana (MKSP) has been initiate as a sub component of the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) to meet the specific needs of women farmers, predominantly small and marginal farmers. In order to operationalize this scheme, the Ministry of Rural Development has formulated Guidelines, projects template and appraisal sheet for MKSP.
NATIONAL SOCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME (NSAP)

Article 41 of the Constitution of India directs the State to provide public assistance to its citizens in case of Current Affairs Comprehensive
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unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement and in other cases of undeserved want within the limit of its economic capacity and developme t. In accordance with the directive principles of State Policy, the Government of India introduced in 1995 the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP). At present, NSAP comprises the following schemes: i. ii. iii. iv. v. Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) Indira Gandhi National Widows Pension Scheme (IGNWPS) Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS) National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS) Annapurna
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restructured PURA, two projects have been launched in Malappuram and Thirssur districts of Kerala in February, 2012.
CAPART
The Council for Advancement of People's Action and Rural Technology (CAPART) is an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of Rural Development. It was set up in September 1986, as a supporting and funding agency for the voluntary organisations. Its primary objective is to promote voluntary action through community participation and to propagate appropriate rural technologies for the benefit of downtrodden people (SC/ST IOBC and others) living in rural areas.
PROVIDING URBAN AMENITIES IN RURAL AREAS (PURA)

This Scheme was implemented on a pilot basis from 2004-05 for three years in seven lusters, one each in the State of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. The restructured scheme has been approve or implementation during 11th Plan on a pilot basis. The objectives of the scheme are to provide livelihood opportunities and urban amenities in rural areas for bridging rural-urban divide and improving the quality of life. The scheme will be implemented under the framework of Public Private Partnership (PPP) between Gram Panchayats and Private Sector Partners. Under the pilot phase of the
INTEGRATED WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PROGRAMMES (IWMP)

About 60% of cultivated area in the country is rainfed. Rainfed areas are usually perparations of poverty, water scarcity, low productivity, malnutrition and are prone to severe land degradation. Watershed development programme is considered and adopted as an effective tool to address problems of rainfed/ degraded areas in the country. Under the aegies of the Planning Commission, National Rainfed Area Authority (NRAA), in consultation with.the concerned Ministries, framed Common Guidelines, for watershed programmes based on the Parthasarathy Committee Report Accordingly, a single modified programme called Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) was launched in 2009-10. This programme is Current Affairs Comprehensive
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being implemented as per the Common Guidelines for Watershed Development Projects, 2008. The main features of the Programme are as given below: i. The activities to be taken up under IWMP are spread over three phases. The reparatory Phase (1 to 2 years) mainly.i volves preparation of DPR, Entry Point Activities and Institution & Capacity Building. The Watershed Works Phase (2 to 3 years) involves the Watershed Development Works, Livelihood Activities for the assetless ersons and Production System & Micro Enterprises. The Consolidation and withdrawal Phase (1 to 2 years) involves consolidation and completion of various works. The cost norm for IWMP is Rs. 15000/per ha for hilly & difficult area, Rs. 12000/ - per ha for other areas and upto Rs. 15000 per ha for IWMP projects in lntegrated Action E an (lAP) Districts. The funding pattern under the scheme is ill the ratio of 90:10oetween the Centre and States. Th projects under IWMP undertake a cluster of microwatersheds of area about 5000 ha in rainfed/ degrade areas having 0 assured irrigation. Livelihood orientation: 900 of the project cost is earmarked for development of sustainable livelihood options for assetless people whereas 10 % of the project cost is dedicated fOJ roductivity enhancement and development 0 microenterprises fo small & marginal farmers. iv.
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Scientific inputs: The Programme emphasizes utilizing the information technology, remote sensing techniques, GIS facilities, with spatial & non-spatial data, into planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the projects.
RURAL DRINKING WATER SUPPLY

Provision of safe drinking water is a basic necessity. Rural drinking water supply is a State subject and has been included in the Ele enth Schedule of the Constitution among the subjects that may be entrusted to Panchayats by the States. The Ministry of Drinking water an anitation ismandated to provide safe drinking water in all rura habitations. To achieve this Objective, the Ministry is implementing the flagship programme of National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) to assist States in provision of drinking water supply-to all rural habitations. The Accelerated Rural Water Supply Program (ARWSP) was started in 1972- 73 to assist States and UTs with 100 per cent grants-in-aid to implement drinking water supply schemes in roblem villages. Mission approach was given to the entire programme when a Technology Mission on Drinking Water Management, named as the National Drinking Water Mission (NDWM) was introduced in 1986. The NDWM was renamed as Rajiv Gandhi ational Drinking Mission (RGNDWM) in 1991 ana the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation came into existenc during August 2011.
ii.
iii.
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Current Affairs Comprehensive NATIONAL RURAL DRINKING WATER PROGRAMME (NRDWP)

The Govt. of India is implementing the ationaTRuralDrinking Water Programme (NRDWP) to support States and UTs with financial and technical assistance to implement drinking water supply schemes in all rural habitations. The Vision and objectives of NRDWP are: Vision Safe drinking water 0 all, at all times, in ural India. Objectives To ensure provision of safe and adequate drinking water supply to all uncovered, partially covered and quality affected habitations in the rural areas of the country; To ensure that all schools and anganwadis have access to safe drinking water; To enable GPs/VWSCs to plan, manage, operate and maintain local water sources and water supply; to provide enabling support and environment for PRls and local communities for this purpose; Enable rural communities to monitor and keep surveillance on their drinking water sources, water supply and initiate corrective action to have contaminants free water; Ensure equity-high priority in coverage/investment habitations with high, SCs/STs and minority population;
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Promote participatory integrated water resources management with a view to ensure drinking water security-water availability, supply and consumption till be measured; Provide access to information through online reporting system with information in public domain to bring in transparency and informed decision making; Ensuring householdlevel drinking water security tKrough water budgeting and preparation of village water security plans; Consciously move away from high cost treatment technologies for tackling arsenic and fluoride contamination to development of alternative sources in respect of arsenic and alternate sources/ dilution of aquifers through rainwater harvesting for tackling fluoride contamination; Encourage 'handing over of management of rural drinkin water schemes (RWS) to the Panchayati Raj Institution; To provide access to information through online reporting mechanism with information placed in public domain to bring in transparency, accountability and informed decision making.
QUALITY-AFFECTED HABITATIONS
Arsenic and Fluoride: Out of 2.171akh quality affected habitations in the country as an 1.4.2011, there are 5339 habitatians Current Affairs Comprehensive
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reported to. be affected with Arsenic contamination and 23107 habitations with Eluroide. contamination of which 2832 and 5070 were covered with completed schemes upto 31/3/2011. Iron: At the start of Bhart Nirman, 1,18,088 habitations were reported to have Iron contamination, These have been planned to be tackled by law-cast solutions since it is easy to address Iron contamination by dilution and stand alone filter plants. Iron contamintion through use of Terracatta filters (Terafil water filter systems) throughout the country. Salinity: Similarly, 28,398 habitations have salinity problems which are mostly located in coastal areas. Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute (CSMCRI), Bhavnagar - a CSIR laboratory has been identified as the nodal agency for the dissemination of simple / cost effective technologies for tackling the salinity problem. Nitrate: In the country, 13,958 habitations were reported to be affected with Nitrate contamination. Out of these, 386 habitations as on 1.4.2011 are yet to be tackled. This can be tackled by improving sanitation conditions and in some places by changes in the use of fertilizers etc. Besides the above problems, of late, problems of polution of drinking water sources from insecticides and pesticides also have emerged. Uranium contamination is traced in water in 4 districts of Punjab. Efforts need to be made to carry out laboratory tests and find solutions to these new emergent issues. ii.
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JALMANI - INSTALLATION OF STANDALONE WATER PURIFICATION SYSTEMS IN RURAL SCHOOLS

With the objective of providing safe and clean drinking water to the children studying in water deficient rural schools, under Ialmani Programme, 100 per cent financial assistance is provided to states to install stand alone water purification systems in rural schools. Keeping in view the average. cost of Rs. 20,000/- per school, Rs. 200 crores provided for the purpose have been allocated and released to 28 States, with target to cover 1,00,000 rural school under the programme during 200809 and 2009-10. National Rural Drinking water Quality Monitoring and Surveillance Programme (NRDWQM&SP) was launched in February 2006. The Programme aimed at erqpowering rural communities by: i. Bringing awareness through Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities to address ownership of the systems, health hazards due to poor drinking water quality, hygiene, sanitary survey, importance of environmental sanitation, etc.; Training 5 grassroot level workers in each Gram Panchayat, Which may be ASHA worker, Anganwadi worker, science teacher, high school girl child, panchayat member, retired army officials, etc.; 2 persons at the State level, 4 persons at the district and 5 persons at the Block level;
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iii. Provision for water quality field testing kits for each Gram Panchayat.
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TOTAL SANITATION CAMPAIGN (TSC)

Rural sanitation came into focus in the Government of ndia in the World Water Decade of 1980s. The Central Rural Sanitation Programme was started in 1986 to provide sanitation facilities in rural areas. It was a supply driven, high subsidy and infrastructure oriented programme. As a result of these deficiencies and low financial allocations, the CRSP had little impact on the gargantuan problem. The experience of community-driven, awareness-generating campaign based rogrammes in some states and the results of evaluatio of CRSp, led to the formulation of the Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC) approach in 1999. Objectives The main objectives of the TSC are as under: Bring about an improvement in the general quality of life in the rural areas. Accelerate sanitation coverage in rural areas. Generate felt demand for sanitation facilities through awareness creation and health education. Cover schools/ Anganwadis in rural areas with sanitation facilities an promote hygiene education and sanitary habits among students. Encourage cost effective an appropriate technologies in sanitation.
Eliminate open defecation to minimize risk of contamination of drinking water sources an food. Convert dry latrines to pour flush latrines, and eliminate manual scavenging practice, wherever in existence in rural areas.
NIRMAL GRAM PURASKAR

The incentive award scheme of irmal Gram Puruskar (NGP) has been aunched to encourage the anchayati Raj Institutions to take up sanitation promotion. The award is given to those PRIs whic attain 100 per cent open defecation free environment.
BRGF (ONLY SIGNIFICANTLY FUNDED SCHEME OF MOPR)

The BRGF-programme is designed toredress regional imbalances in development. The fund provides financial resources for supplementing and converging existing developmental inflows into 272 identified districts so as to:i) Bridge critical gaps in local infrastructur not being adequately net through existing inflows: ii) Strengthen Panchayat and Municipal level governance with more appropriate capacity building to reflect local felt needs; iii) Provide professional support to local bodies are responsible for the planning, implementation and monitoring of the works taken up under BRGF. Each district under BRGF can access up to an average of
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Rs. 14.00 Rs. 28.00 crores per annum.
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RAJIV GANDHI PANCHAYAT SHASHAKTIKARAN ABHIYAM (RGPSA)

It has been decided in principle to launch a new Umbrella Scheme, namely Rajiv Gandhi Panchayat Shashaktikaran Abhiyam (RGPSA) during the 12th Five Year Plan Period by subsuming certain scheme of this Ministry therein. RGPSA seeks to: Enhance capacities and effectiveness of Panchayats and ram Sabhas; Enable democratic decision-making and accountability in Panchayats and promote people's participafion; Strengthen the institutional structure for knowledge creation and capacity building of Panc ayats; Promote devolution of powers an responsibilities to Panc ayats according to the spirit of the Constitution and PESA Act; Strengthen Gram Sabhas to function effectively as the basic forum of people's participation, transparency and accountability within the PRl system; Create and strengthen democratic local self government in areas where Panchayats do not exist; Strengthen the constitutionally mandated framework on which Panchayats are founded.
The 'Peer Experience and Reflective Learning" (PEARL) programme was launched to foster cross learning and knowledge sharing through networking between the Mission cities. To achieve this objective, the Mission supported formation of groups/networks amongst JNNURM cities having similar socio-economic profile and urban issues, along with natural affinity to peer pair. The National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) has been appointed as the National Coordinator for the PEARL program for coordinating the overall functioning of the networks, with an appreciation of the independent self driven nature of the networks, and assisting the Mission Directorate in supporting and monitoring the programme. Under the programme, network of heritage cities have organized knowledg sharing workshops. A website has been made operational providing tools to support networking and knowledage sharing NUIA has brought out three newsletter called "PEARL Update".
URBAN INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT SCHEME FOR SMALL AND MEDIUM TOWNS

Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Small and Medium Towns (UIDSSMT), one of the sub-components of JNNURM was launched in December, 2005 by subsuming the erstwhile scheme of Integrated Development of Small and Medium Towns (IDSMT) and Accelerated Urban Water Supply Programme (AUWSP). The Objectives of the Scheme are to: a) Improve Infrastructure facilities and help create durable public assets and
PEER EXPERIENCE AND EFLECTIVE LEARNING (PEARL)

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quality oriented services in cities and towns; b) Enhance public-private partnership in infrastructural development; and c) Promote planned integrated development of towns/cities.
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Ministry of Urban Development has formulated a Scheme for Urban Infrastructure Development in Satellite Towns /Counter Magnets of Million Plus Cities. The objectives of this scheme are as under: To develop urban infrastructure facilities such as drinking water, sewerage, drainage and solid waste management etc. at satellite towns/ counter magnets around the seven mega-cities and to channelize their future growth so a to reduce pressure on the mag a cities; To implement reforms such as EGovernance, property tax, double entry accounting, creation of barrier free environment, structural safety norms in compliance with the National Building Code, water and energy audit of water and wastewater utilities ana implementation of service level benchmarks; Strengthening implementation of reforms such as levy of reasonable user charges, earmarking of budgets for basic services and at least 10-15% of housing sites for the urban poor, formulation of bye-laws to incorporate provisions for disaster management, water harvesting and reuse and recycle of waste water and implementation of Public Private partnership (PPP) projects.
CAPACITY BUILDING SCHEME FOR URBAN LOCAL BODIES (CBULB)

The Capacity Building Scheme for Urban Local Bodies (CBULB) brought out by this Ministry is aimed at strengthening urban local governments through capacity building for better governance and financial management as articulated in the 11th Plan. The scheme covers a wide range of activities with respect to Capacity Building like setting up of Centres of Excellence, addressing specific gaps in Urban Planning, DPRs, Implementation of Property Tax reforms, e-governance, accounting reforms, socio-economic and environmental planning, project implementation and managemenf, sewerage and sanitation, solid waste management, financial anagement, urban transport, cost recovery and user charges.
SCHEME FOR URBAN INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT IN SATELLITE TOWNS/COUNTER MAGNETS OF MILLION PLUS CITIES
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CHAPTER 22. SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS

NANO SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY (NANO MISSION)
It was launched in 2007. The main objectives of the Nano Mission are basic research promotion, infrastructure development for carrying out front-ranking research, development of nano technologies and their applications, human resource development and international collaboration.
KISHORE VAIGYANIK PROTSAHAN YOJANA

In order to motivate bright young minds at their secondary school/college levels, and to encourage them to stick on to a career in science, a scheme called Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana was initiated in 1999. Talent is scouted through a competitive mechanism at school level and scholars are selected for an attractive fellowship / scholarship until they pass their Masters Degree in Science.
FUND FOR IMPROVEMENT OF S&T INFRASTRUCTURE IN UNIVERSITIES AND HIGHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS (FIST)
It was initiated during the 9th Five Year Plan. Under this programme support is provided for up-gradation of laboratories by providing equipment, computer networking, library facilities etc. The programme identifies active university / academic department for support through a peer review mechanism including on-site visits. In appreciation of the R&D contributions of the performing universities, Promotion of University Research and Scientific Excellence (PURSE) programme has been initiated. The PURSE scheme provides substantive research grant to cover manpower-cost, augmentation of equipment, computational facilities etc.
INNOVATION IN SCIENCE PURSUIT FOR INSPIRED RESEARCH (INSPIRE)

Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) programme has been launched to attract talent to the study of science at an early stage and help to build the required critical human resource pool for strengthening and expanding the Science & Technology system and R&D base.
TECHNOLOGY INFORMATION, FORECASTING AND ASSESSMENT COUNCIL (TIFAC)

Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC) is an autonomous society set up under the Department of Science and Technology in
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1988. The primary objective of TIFAC is to assess the state-of-the-art technology and help set directions and priorities for future technological developments in India, in key socio-economic sectors. IFAC also helps in ensuring timely a availability of technologies by up-scaling successful results from R&D laboratories towards commercialization, and facilitates and promotes early stage technology development.
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COUNCIL OF SCIENTIFIC & INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH (CSIR)

CSIR is an autonomous, non-profit publicity funded R&D organization under Department of Scientific & Industrial Research, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, established in 1942 with the objective to provide scientific and industrial R&D that maximizes the economic, environmental and societal benefits for the people of India. CSIR has a network of 37 national laboratories and 39 outreach centres attached to them, with pan-India footprint. Since its inception, it has been a source of indigenous technologies for industrial competitiveness, S& T base for strategic sector, technology for common mass and science for advancement of knowledge. CSIR as regrouped and repositioned its key sectors of knowledge and technology generation in five clusters which are: Biological Sciences; Chemical Sciences; Engineering Sciences; Physical Sciences; Information Sciences, and CSIR 800.
MISSION REACH
Mission REACH (Relevance & Excellence in Achieving new heights in educational institutions) seeks to address the industryoriented problems of technical manpower by creating TIFAC-COREs (Centre of Relevance and Excellence), in educational institutions through a public-private partnership model. With a view to overcoming the constraints in technical education and to address the issues of quality, new approaches, such as technology enhanced learning, are being attempted.
THE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT BOARD (IDB)

The Technology Development Board (IDB) was constituted in September 1996. The Board provides financial assistance to industrial concerns and other agencies for attempting development and commercial application of indigenous technology or adapting imported technology for wider domestic application. Gluten with the brand name Suryamin Cefixime an orally active fourth generation Cephalosporin antibiotic.
BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
A indigenously drug formulation against tuberculosis called Risorine' has been developed by CSIR in public private partnership mode which could drastically cut short the duration of TB treatment. Recombinant streptokinase-a clot bluster from E.coli developed by CSIR has been launched for Indian market under the brand name 'Lupifio' and 'Klotbuster". CSIR has developed a unique single plant based natural memory enhancer formulationBESEB ("Bacosides Enriched Standardized
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Extract of Bacopa") from the herb Bacopa monniera. The product under the brand name 'Memory Sure' has been launched in. India. A new bacterial genus named 'Indibacter' has been isolated from a water sample which could be used as potential source for enzyme required for hydrolysis of starch under extreme conditions of salinity and pH.
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transmission of digital time data via telephone line which is simple to use and can be implemented in any country with a very low investment, probabilistic seismic hazard map of India etc. have also been developed by CSIR.
PHYSICAL SCIENCES:
CSIR provides space weather information/ alerts (solar flares, solar winds, radiations etc.) to the users. Besides this, some medical instruments for various applications have also been developed and the technology has been transferred to industries by CSIR.
CHEMICAL SCIENCES
CSI has developed an improved process for Propane Deasphalting (PDA) technology for producing high viscosity lube base stock from vacuum residues. It has designed and developed microprocessor- based rotary Viscosity transmitter (VISCOTRAN) which helps control parameters to obtain better sugar quality and to reduce sugar losses in molasses.
INFORMATION SCIENCES:
CSIR has been playing a major role in protecting the traditional knowledge base of the country, through unique programme on Traditional Know edge base Protection in which CSIR has digitized the archives of Indian Traditional Knowledge by creating a Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL); TKDL contains information in 5 international languages. Government of India has granted the patent examiners of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) access to a new digital database containing a compilation of traditional Indian knowledge.
ENGINEERING SCIENCES:
To extend the life of opencast mines without disturbing the surface dwellings and maintaining economy and productivity, CSIR has developed a technology on Highwall Mining. First indigenous Wankel Engine powered unmanned Air Vehicle 'NISHANT' developed by CSIR has performed its maiden flight successfully meeting all the requirements of Air Vehicle. Besides this, solid film lubricant coatings as an alternate material to be used for BRAMOHS missile a special variety of nonphotonic crystal fibre made of pure silica useful in various applications, head up display-for LCA, Fibre Bragg Grating (FBG) sensor, portable analog seismic recorder to monitor field seismic data, a Mobile Teleclock, an innovative system for www.jagranjosh.com
CSIR-800
CSIR recognizes that S&T inputs significantly contribute to improve the quality of life of masses. It launched an ambitious and socially relevant programme named 'CSIR800'. This programme will have an impact on the lives of 800 million Indians and will give the opportunity to small .scale

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enterprises. Some of the achievements that can be recognized under the programme are: design and development of Terafil water filters for safe drinking water. Potable Instant Water- filter which serves as a disaster management tool for drinking water supply under flood affected situations. An economically viable, green technology for the production of stevioside from Stevia rebaudiana has increased the production and generated employment.
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is produced by irradiation of uranium238. The third stage is based on the thoriumuranium-233 cycle. Uranium-233 is obtained by irradiation of thorium.
NEW MILLENNIUM INDIAN TECHNOLOGY LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE (NMITLI):

NMITLI Programme is being operated in diverse-areas of technologies to yield (a) new cutting edge technologies that are globally competitive and/or (b) establish, globally new technology paradigms for industry that are sustainable and ecofriendly.
The first stage of Nuclear Power Programme is already in commercial domain. The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. (NPCIL), a::public sector undertaking of DAE, is responsible for the design, construction and operation of nuclear power reactors. The "Fast Breeder Programme is in the technology demonstration stage. To gain experience in the second stage, the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) has been engaged in the design and development of liquid sodium cooled fast breeder reactors. IGCAR has successfully developed the Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR) technology. The third stage of the Nuclear Power Programme is in technology development stage. The ongoing development of 300 MWe Advanced Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR) at BARC aims at developing expertise for thorium utilization and demonstrating advanced safety concepts. Thorium-based systems such as AHWR can Fe set up on commercial scale only after a large capacity based on fast breeder reactors, is built up.
NUCLEAR POWER PROGRAMME

DAE has been pursuing the following 3stage Nuclear Power Programme: The first stage comprises setting up of Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) and associated fuel cycle facilities. PHWRs use natural uranium a fuel and heavy water as moderator and coolant. The second stage envisages setting up of Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs) backed by reprocessing plants and plutoniumbased fuel fabrication plants. Plutonium
FUEL REPROCESSING
The Indian nuclear power generation programme is based on closed -cycle approach that involves reprocessing of spent fuel and recycle of Plutonium and Uranium-233 for power generation. From
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the inception of its nuclear power programme, DAE had commenced development of fue1 reprocessing technology. It has a Pilot 'Plant for fuel reprocessing at Trombay and industrial scale plants at Tarapur and Kalpakkam. The plant at Trombay processes spent fuel from research reactors while the other two plants process spent fuel from power reactors. The recycling and optimal utilization of uranium is essential to meet India's current and future energy security needs. A significant milestone towards this end was the commissioning of the second Power Reactor Reprocessing Plant by BSRC at Tarapur.
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reprocessing of spent fuel and waste management, commenced at Kalpakkam. BARC has constructed an Advanced Vitrification System at Tarapur for high level waste immobilisation based on Joule Melter Technology. India has become one of the six countries who have developed the Joule Heated Ceramic Mixer (JHCM) and set up such facilities for vitrification of high level waste. Vitrified waste is stored in a specially designed Solid Storage Surveillance Facility (SSSF) for about 30 years prior to its disposal in deep geological formation. The first such facility has been in operation at Tarapur since 1999. One more such - facility is under design and development at Kalpakkam.
NUCLEAR WASTE MANAGEMENT

The radioactive wastes generated at various stages of nuclear fuel cycle are categorised as low, intermediate and high level wastes. The plants for management of all types of radioactive wastes have been in operation at many nuclear facilities. The high level wastes, generated in very small quantities, are fixed in a glass matrix. Vitrification, a complex technology possessed by a few nations only, has been successfully developed at Trombay. Based on this technology, two Waste lmmobilisation Plants (WIPs) have been operating at Tarapur and Trombay. A facility for the immobilisation of waste in a cement matrix has been commissioned at Kalpakkam. Here, the trials on the second ceramic melter are underway. Recently, work on setting up of an integrated Nuclear Recycle Plant with facilities for both
THORIUM BASED REACTORS

Thorium utilisation is the long term core objective of the Indian. Nuclear Power Programme for providing energy security for the country on a sustainable basis. The third stage of the Indian Nuclear Power Programme is based on the thoriumuranium-233 cycle. A beginning has already been made by introducing thorium, in a limited way, in research reactors and in pressurised heavy water reactors. The research reactor KAMINI operating up to a nominal power of 30kW or neutron radiography of various materials, at Kalpakkam, uses uranium-233 fuel derived from thorium. This fuel is bred, reprocessed and fabricated indigenously. BARC is engaged in developing 300MWe advanced Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR).
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SAFETY & ENVIRONMENT

The safety operations through the entire nuclear fuel cycle, from prospecting an mining of ores to management of waste, encompass all the aspects of safety, viz. radiological safety, industrial safety, occupational health, fire safety and environmental protection. An independent body, the Atomic Energy Regulatory; Board (AERB) monitors safety. The safety standards formulated by AERB are at par- with those recommended by the international organisations such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). NPCIL is a member of the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO). The Association has conducted peer reviews of the atomic power stations at Kakrapar and Narora. Also, from time to time, Indian experts have participated in peer reviews in a number of countries including USA, Japan and South 'Korea' As a result of consistent efforts, the nuclear power plants have achieved about 260 reactor year of safe operation. Safety surveillance inspections are regularly carried out and comprehensive Emergency Preparedness and Response Plans to handle postulated emergency scenarios are in action at the DAE facilities. BARC and the laboratories accredited by it conduct countrywide personnel monitoring in about 3000 industrial, medical, research and DAE organisations which benefit over 30,000 radiation workers annually.
Environmental radiation monitoring and environmental surveillance are the regular features of the environmental protection programme of DAE. At different sites, the Environment Survey Labs (ESLs) of BARC continuously monitor environment, and collect site-related meteorological data. Sophisticated weather monitoring SODAR systems are operational at Kaiga, Kalpakkam, Tarapur and Trombay. IREMON, a nationwide network of environmental radiation monitoring stations detects radiation releases. Interfaced with global postitioning system, a Compact Aerial Radiation Monitoring System (CARMS) for estimation of large area contamination using unmanned aerial vehicle, is also in operation at Trombay. To educate the public living around nuclear power plants, public awareness programmes by DAE organisations are organised on a regular basis. The Nisarga-Runa technology developed at BARC converts biodegradable solid waste into useful manure and methane. So far about 125 such plants have been set up at various places in the country. BARC has successfully developed green manure-crop - Sesbania rostrata that is proving highly cost-effective for small farmers. KRUSHAK (Krishi Utpadan Sanrakshan Kendra), set up by BARC at Lasalgaon near Nashik, for low Bose applications of radiation for food preservation This plant processes onion, pulses, rawa and turmeric. BRIT has been operating radiation sterilization plant ISOMED, now ISO-9002
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accredited, at Trombay. The plant provides radiation sterilization services to several users. This plant processes more than 14000 cubic metres of medical product annually.
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INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS OF RADIOISOTOPES

Detection and re-charge conditions of ground water bodies. Some of-these include evaluation of the groundwater recharge conditions in the Delang-Puri sector of coastal Orissa, determination of the origin of thermal waters in the geothermal areas in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Himalayas, and establishement of the ancient course of the legendary 'Saraswati' river in Western Rajasthan. Origin of groundwater along paleo channels in Jaisalmer disrict, Western Rajasthan, and seepage and source of salinity in the Indira Gandhi Nahar Pariyojana Command Area, Hanumangarh, Rajasthan. The studies conducted by BARC on sediment transport at almost all the major ports have resulted in increasing the intervals between de-silting campaigns, which saved huge cost of de-silting operations. A nucleonic suspended sediment concentration gauge developed at Trombay has proved to be a useful tool of the dredging operation in ports. BARC's expertise in gamma scanning is being used by the major petrochemical industries for troubleshooting in process equipment, detecting leaks in buried pipelines, industrial process controls etc.
The radiation technology equipment manufactured by BRIT for use in industry include radiography camera for ascertaining internal defects of we ding, casting etc., Gamma chamber, a compact self- shielded Cobalt-60 research irradiator for irradiating samples, and Blood Irradiator for radiation processing of blood and blood products by gamma rays to eliminate the risk of post transfusion graft versus host disease. A new Stainless Steel based ROLI-1 camera was introducted and 70 radiography exposure devices were supplied by BRIT.
BASIC RESEARCH
The Harish Chandra Research Institute, Allahabad Institute of Mathematical Sciences at Chennai, Tamil Nadu The Institute of Physics, Bhubaneshwar Harish Chandra Research Institute National Centre for Biological Sciences of TIER at Bangalore The Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Kolkata National Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhubaneswar
OVERVIEW OF INDIA'S SPACE PROGRAMME

Over the years, India has established two major space systems viz., Indian National Satellite (INSAT) system for communication, television broadcasting and meteorological services, and Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellites system for natural resources monitoring and management. In recent times, specific initiatives are also taken Current Affairs Comprehensive
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towards realisation of Navigation facilities through space based systems. ISRO has developed and operationalised two satellite launch vehicles, Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV), to place IRS and INSAT satellites respectively in the required orbits. A landmark achievement in the area of space science/planetary exploration has been the India's first Mission to MoonChanrayaan-1-which made remarkable contributions in understanding the Moon's surface including the detection of water.
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satellites are in orbit - TES, RESOURCESAT-1, CARTOSAT-1, CARTOSAT-2, CARTOSAT-2A, CARTOSAT-2B, IMS-1, RISAT-2, OCEANSAT-2 and the recently launched RESOURCESAT-2 IRS series of satellites provide data in a variety of spatial, spectral and temporal resolutions (better than 1 m). With these inorbit satellites and the planned ones, such as SAT-, Megha Tropiques, SARAL and INSAT-30, The Indian EO system will continue to provide high quality data products and services, enabling a host of applications relevant to national development. IRS data is marketed globally through a network of International ground stations. RESOURCESAT-2 was successfully launched on-board PSLV-C16 on 20th April 2011. RESOURCESAT-2 is built with enhanced capabilities for crop applications, vegetation dynamics and natural resource census 'besides providing continuity of services and data for RESOURCESAT-1. Realisation of Radar Imaging Satellite (RISAT-l) is in the advanced stages. RISAT-1 carries a C-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) payload, and has the unique capability of imaging during day and night, all weather conditions including fog and haze.
SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS AND NAVIGATION

Indian National Satellite (INSAT) system, established in 1983, is the largest domestic communication satellite system in the Asia Pacific Region with nine satellites in operation viz., INSAT-2E, INSAT-3A, NSAT3C, INSAT-3E, GSAT-2, INSAT-4A, INSAT-4B, INSAT-4CR and GSAT-8, GSAT-12, was launched on July 15, 2011. The overall coordination and management of INSAT system rests with INSAT Coordination Committee. INSAT system currently has 187 Transponders in different bands such as Cband, extended C-band, Ku-band and Sband which are used for telecommunication, TV broadcasting, OTH services, business communications, rural 'area connectivity, Tele-education, Telemedicine, Village Resource Centres, Search and Rescue operations and Emergency Communications. The Indian Remote Sensing satellite system (IRS) is one of the largest constellations of remote sensing satellites in operation in the world today. Currently, ten operational www.jagranjosh.com
SPACE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS

In India, the launch vehicles development programme began in the early 1970s. The first experimental Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-3) was developed in 1980. An Augmented version of this, ASLV, was launched successfully in 1992. India has made tremendous strides in launch vehicle technology to achieve self-reliance in Current Affairs Comprehensive
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Satellite launch vehicle programme with the operationalisation of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV).
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liquid engine and the third stage (GS3) is a cryo stage.
POLAR SATELLITE LAUNCH VEHICLE (PSLV)

PSLV is the first operational launch vehicle of ISRO. PSLV is capable of launching 1600 kg satellites into 620 km sun-synchronous polar orbit and 1050 kg. satellite in geosynchronous transfer orbit. In the standard configuration, it measures 44.4 m tall, with a lift off weight of 295 tonnes. PSLV has four stages using solid and liquid propulsion systems alternately. The first stage is one of the largest solid propellant boosters in the world and carries 139 tonnes of propellant. A cluster of six strap-on's attached to the first stage motor, four of which are ignited on the ground and two are air-lit. With its variant configurations, PSLV has proved its multi-payload, multi-mission capability in a single launch and its geosynchronous launch capability. In the recent Chandrayaan-1 mission, another variant of PSLV with an extended version of strap-on motors, the payload haul was enhanced to 1750 kg in 620Km SSPO. PLSV has become the workhorse launch-vehicle of ISRO.
GSLY MK-III: INDIA'S NEXT GENERATION LAUNCH VEHICLE

GSLV-Mk III is envisaged to launch four tonne class of satellite into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit. GSLV-Mk III is a three-stage vehicle with a 110 tonne core liquid propellant stage (L-110) and a strap-on stage with two solid propellant motors, each with 200 tonne propellant (5-200) The upper:, stage will be cryogenic with propellant loading of 25 tonne (C-25). GSLV Mk-III will have a lift-off weight of about 629 tonne and will be 42.4 m tall. The payload fairing will have a diameter of 5 metre and a payload volume of 100 cubic metre.
ASTROSAT
ASTROSAT is multi-wavelength space brone astronomy observator, which would enable simultaneous observations of the celestial bodies, cosmic sources in X-ray and UV spectral bands. The uniqueness of ASTROSAT lies in its wide spectral coverage extending over visible (3500-6000A), UV (1300-3000A), soft X and hard X- ray regions (0.5-8 keV, 3-80 keV). Activities for realisation of the satellite are progressing well. Government have approved, in November 2009, Aditya-1 project. Aditya-1 will be India's first space based solar coronagraph mission for research in the field of solar astronomy. The work on development of spacecraft and scientific instruments has been initiated.
GEOSYNCHRONOUS SATELLITE LAUNCH VEHICLE (GSLV)

Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV), is capable of placing INSAT-II class of satellites (2000-2,500 kg) into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). GSLV is a three stage vehicle. First stage comprises S125 solid booster with four liquid (L40) strap-ons. Second stage (GS2) is
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EARTH SCIENCES
India Meteorological Department (IMD) New Delhi, Indian Institute of tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, National Centre for medium Range Weather forecasting (NCMRWF), NOIDA, National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai, National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR), Goa, Indian National Centre for Ocean and information Services (INCOIS), Hyderabad, Integrated coastal and marine area management (ICMAM), Chennai and Centre for marine living resources and Ecology (CMLRE), Kochi.
MONSOON MISSION
The ESSO has launched the Monsoon Mission for improving the predictability of the Indian Monsoon. Better Monsoon prediction will help the Nation in taking advance action in preparing for the agricultural and other impacts of the monsoon. It consists of two sub-themesSeasonal and Intra-seasonal Monsoon Forecast and Medium Range- Forecast. The mission will support focused research by national and international research groups with definitive objectives and deliverables to improve models in the medium range as well as in the extended and seasonal range scales through setting up of a framework for generating dynamical forecasts and improving skill of forecasts. The Mission will www.jagranjosh.com
also support observational programs that will result in better understanding of the processes. Under the Mission, Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) will coordinate and lead the effort for improving the forecasts on seasonal and intra seasonal sc le. National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF) will lead and coordinate the effort for improving the forecasts in the medium range scale. These will be made operational by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). In a bid to improve the skill of the forecasts in various temporal and spatial ranges, proposals will be invited from national as well as international Institutes on very specific projects and deliverables, provisions for funding the national as well as the international partners will be provided. These partner will be allowed to use the HPC facility at IITM and NCMRWF which will be suitably enhanced for the purpose. A National Steering group is being put in place to steer the program and review the progress of the mission.
OCEAN STATE FORECAST (OSF)

The Indian ocean forecast system (INDOFOS) was upgraded with regional ocean modelling system set up at 1/8th degree. This up gradation has significantly improved the quality of the forecasts particularly in the vertical temperature profiles and surface and subsurface currents.
SIBER
In order to understand the geographical setting of Indian ocean Ministry of Earth Sciences launched on June 2010 National

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programme entitled 'Sustained Indian Ocean Biogeochemical, Ecological research' and Geotraces during 11th Plan period which will continue during Part of the 12th Plan Period. This understanding will be required in order to predict the impacts of climate change, eutrophication and harvesting on the global oceans and the Earth System. The SIBER Programme seeks J to understand biogeochemical and ecological processes in Bay of "Bengal and Arabian Sea by putting time series Stations. This is multi-institutional and multidisciplinary research programme of the MoES.
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international workshop on scientific drilling in the Indian Ocean under IODP was organized by NCAOR, Australia IODP and IODP-MI in Goa on 17-18 October, 2011. The workshop provided a unique platform for scientists from countries like India, USA, Japan, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, etc. to interact and prioritize existing ideas as well as to explore new research frontiers having larger societal relevance such as climate change, earthquake hazards, biotechnology and natural resource potential etc. A total of 150 scientists participated in the workshop to deliberate on different aspects of the scientific drilling in the India Ocean. Gas Hydrates Exploration The programme on gas hydrates is being implemented with a view to explore the gas hydrates and for this purpose the programme was divided into two components, viz. science component and technology component. While, the details of science component are enumerated below, information about the technology developments for gas hydrate exploration is provided in the chapter on Ocean Technology. Under the Science component, the data collected under the continental shelf programme was utilized for identifying the possible locations towards undertaking a detail survey. Accordingly, the KrishnaGodavari and the Mahanadi Basins have been identified, where detailed seismic survey was carried out.
GEOTRACES
Similarly GEOTRACES Programme seeks to determine global ocean distributions of selected trace elements of isotopes to evaluate the sources, sinks and internal cycling of these species to characterize more completely the physical, chemical and biological processes regulating their distributions and to understand the response of these cycles to global change and their impact on carbon cycles and climate. It also aims to understand the process that control the concentrations of geochemical species used for proxies of the past environment, both in the water column and in the substrates that reflect the water column.
INDIA OCEAN DEEP-DRILLING PROGRAM (IODP)

Under this program, Indian scientists participated in three IODP expeditions and attended the Science planning Committee (SPC) meeting and the International Working Group (IWG+) meeting. An
OCEAN TECHNOLOGY
REMOTELY OPERABLE IN-SITU SOIL TESTER
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In order to harness deep sea resources, development of various equipments such as Remotely Operable Submersible (ROSUB) to assess environmental conditions and Remotely Operable Subsea In-situ Soil Tester (ROSIS) to test mechanical properties of sea-bed has been undertaken. The information provided by these equipments will be utilized to develop mining equipments. ROSUB has already been developed and tested beyond 5000 m. A Remotely Operable Subsea In-Situ Soil Tester (ROSIS) has been developed and was tested at a water depth of 5462 m in the Central India Ocean Basin (CIOB).
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sediment at twenty locations are being collected with the help of seven academic and research institutions upto 5 km from the coastline of the country. Marine Living Resource Programe (MLRP) Marine Living Resource Programme is multy-disciplinary and Multy-institutional in nature with focus on studying the marine ecosystems and correIating the living resources with their physical environment with a view to develop predictive capabilities.
LOW TEMPERATURE THERMAL DESALINATION (LTTD) PLANTS

The desalination plant based on Low Temperature Thermal Desalination technology plant utilizing the temperature difference between the sea surface water and deep sea water with a capacity of producing 1 lakh litre of fresh water was successfully commissioned at Minicoy in March 2011. The plant is continuously producing fresh water and it is being distributed to island community by the local authorities. The plant performance, in terms of various parameters, is being monitored.
OCEAN BIOGEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM, OR OBIS

The Ocean Biogeographic Information System, or OBIS, is an international information system focused on marine biodiversity. It provides expert georeferenced data on marine species an as of early 2011 contained more than 30 million georeferenced, accurately identified species records from more than 800 databases. OBIS provides spatial query tools for visualizing relationships among species and their environment. This information is readily and freely accessible by the Internet and requires no special software to use. IndOBIS & CoML: Indian Ocean Biogeographic Information System (IndOBIS and Census of Marine Life (CoML) activities were initiated. Under IndoBIS, a web module has been developed for query and display. Additional 1400 records were added to the IndoBIS holdings. Voucher specimens of IndoBIS are maintained at the Referral Centre. ESSO participated exhibitions: in the-following
COASTAL OCEAN MONITORING AND PREDICTION SYSTEMS (COMAPS)

Monitoring the health of coastal seas is highly essential to find suitability for fisheries and other human related uses. Data on 25 environmental parameters including physical, chemical, biological and microbiological characteristics of water and www.jagranjosh.com

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1. International Exhibitions: 'INMEX INDIA2011' at Mumbai, International Conclave on 'Climate Change (ICCC-l) 2011' at Hyderabad, 7th International Conference on Asian Marine Geology (ICAMG-7), at 10, Goa. 2. Indian Exhibitions: '9th Infra Educa 2011' at Patna, Bihar, New Delhi and Agra, 'Science and Technology Expo- 2010' at Dharmshala, HP in June 2011, 'Bharat Utsav', at Hyderabad, '17th All India National Science Exhibition' on the theme of 'Evolution of India as a Great National in the Twenty first Century' at Kolkata, 'India R & D 2011' at New Delhi, 'MTNL Health Mela' at New Delhi, Exhibition during Ministry's foundation Day at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
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tubercle bacilli in culture. This test confirms NTM versus MTB and provides results within twenty minutes. The kit has been launched and is being manufactured by M/ s Span Diagnostics Ltd, Surat.
INDUSTRY SCHEMES
Small Business Initiative (SBIRI) Innovation Research
EARTH DAY CELEBRATION2012

Earth Day is the largest, most widely celebrated international event. 'Earth Day' was celebrated across the country on 22nd April 2012 and the event was organized at 32 locations across the country including schools, college and universities. A biopesticide formulation, Bollcure which is economically friendly and suitable for both organic and IMP practices was developed from eucalyptus and the technology was transferred to two industries. Central insecticide board has approved the registration of "TERI-DBT Bollcure" for commercialisation across India. An immune-chromatographic, rapid visual test named "Crystal TB confirm" was developed by scientists at University of Delhi South campus for detection of www.jagranjosh.com
Small Business Innovation Research Initiative (SBIRI) is the pioneering programme of the department that supports R&D, process and product development in industry. SBIRI has helped many small and medium enterprises to establish proof of concept and to work on innovation R&D through phase-I funding wherein industries are primarily supported in the form of grants-in-aid.
BIOTECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMME (BIPP) AND BIOTECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY RESEARCH ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME (BIRAP)
BlRAP has initiated an electronic journal consortium with the help of DELCON to facilitate access to over 900 journals to the scientific community and industry, BlRAP also has mentoring programme for supporting travel and other expenses of experts to facilitate access to important workshops, meetings and conference. The Cabinet has given approval for setting up of "Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC)" under the BlPP scheme to support high risk futuristic technology and process development to make India globally competitive in biotech Current Affairs Comprehensive
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innovation and entrepreneurship and to create affordable products and services.
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Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development, Imphal Rajiv Gandi Institute for Biotechnology RGCB-HINDUSTAN Life Care Limited (HLL) Joint technology development Incubator for Diagnostics Institute of Regenerative Bengaluru stem cell Medicine Science and (In Stem),
BIOTECHNOLOGICAL APPROACHES FOR FOOD AND NUTRITIONAL SECURITY

A major initiative was undertaken to address rehabilitation of children suffering from Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM)by forming an alliance among Departments of Health Research (DHR), Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Ministry of Health and Family welfare. The major aim of the SAM programme was to generate evidence for development of practical and scalable regimens to medically rehabilitate children suffering from SAM without serious complications at home/community level and/ or at peripheral facilities and also to develop indigenous products suitable for rehabilitation of SAM children.
Translational Health Science and Technology lnstitute (THSTI), Faridabad National Institute of Biomedical genomics (NIGMG), Kalyani, West Bengal Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB), Gurgaon National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI), Mohalli, Punjab National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NIAB), a new autonomous institution of DBT, is being established within the campus of University of Hyderabad
AUTONOMOUS INSTITUTIONS
National Institute of Immunology National Institute of Immunology (NII), New Delhi National Center for Cell Science (NCCS), Pune National Brain Research Centre (NBRC), Manesar, Haryana Centre for DNA Fingerprinting Diagnostics (CDFD), Hyderabad National Institute of Plant Research, New Delhi (NIPGR) Institute of Bhubaneshwar Life Sciences and
BIO-CLUSTERS
The department has established a Biotech Science cluster at the NCR region of Delhi. The heads of four founding institutions namely, the National Institute of Immunology, the Regional Centre for Biotechnology the Translational Health Science and Technology Institute and the National Institute for Plant Genome Research signed a MoU to create a new entity called the Cluster Board. The Cluster Board is enabling mechanisms by which these institutions, while
Genome (ILS),
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maintaining their own autonomy can address not only administrative issues but also synergize their complementary intellectual strengths and facilities to create a seamless campus. This Cluster will coordinate the development of the new campus at Faridabad' Efforts are being made to create this Cluster as a legal entity. A "Centre for Molecular Medicine" has been established at this Cluster. The Focus of this Centre is on infectious diseases, cancer, cell therapy and drug design.
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multiple disciplines that would be an autonomous body under statute of parliament as an institution of international importance and research. Anew 13 ill has been introduced for the establishment of an institution of national importance to be known as the Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Training and auspices of UNESCO to undertake research in the field of biotechnology and to provide for matters connected therewith of incidentally thereto. Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India (BRAI) is proposed as an independent, autonomous, statutory agency to be established through the Act of Parliament by the Government of India to safeguard the health and safety of the people of India and to protect the environment by identifying biotechnology and managing those risks through regulating the safe development and deployment of biotechnology products and processes. The Authority will be responsible for regulating the research, transport, import, manufacture and use of organisms and products in health care, agriculture, veterinary and environment. The BRAl Bill after cabinet approval has been sent to the Lok Sabha for introduction.
INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR GENETIC ENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY, NEW DELHI

Human DNA profiling bill has been formulated by the department in consultation with CDFD, Hyderabad, to regulate of the use of DNA analysis of body substance profiles; making provision for establishment of DNA profiling board to lay down standards for laboratories, collection of body substances; to establish a National and/or state DNA data bank/banks; to create policies for use and access to information from data bank, etc. and for matters connected herewith or thereto. The draft bill was circulated to the ministries concerned and departments of the central government to obtain their comments and has been revised, whereas. Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCE) Bill is for an international nodal point for biotechnological sciences at the interface of
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CHAPTER 23. TRANSPORT

CENTRAL ROAD FUND
The Central Government has created a dedicated fund, called Central Road Fund (CRF) for collection of cess on petrol and high speed diesel Oil. Presently, Rs. 2/ - per litre is collected as cess on petrol and High Speed Diesel (HSD) Oil. The fund is distributed for development and maintenance of National Highways, state roads, rural roads and for railway over bridges / under bridges and other safety features as provided in Central Road Fund Act, 2000. Ministry of Shipp ling has prepared a Maritime agenda for the decade 2010-20 to give a vision and road map for comprehensive development of shipping. The agenda envisages to create, build and sustain the maritime infrastructural needs of the country of the next decade. The overall vision of the Ministry as per the Maritime agenda aims towards navigating and steering the Indian Maritime sector realistically into the premier maritime nations of the world. This ten year period agenda of the Ministry of Shipping covers the last two years of the 11th Five Year Plan, the entire period of 12th Five Year Plan and the first three years of the 13th Five Year Plan. This document basically presents an agenda in the Shipping sector for consideration within overall objective to increase efficiency of the delivery system and overall pace of growth in the sector. Indeed, this is a pathbreaking document which will serve as road map for all ports (major as well as non-major ports) and shipping sector during the decade 20102020, which includes maritime sector development by maritime states.
NATIONAL MARITIME DEVELOPMENT EROGRAMME

The National Maritime Development Programme has been formulated envisaging an investment of Rs. 1, 00,390 crore, comprising 276 projects covering all major ports entailing activities like construction/upgradation of berths, deepening of channels, rail/ road connectivity projects, etc. at a cost of Rs. 55,804 crore and 111 projects covering tonnage acquisition, maritime training, coastal shipping, aids to navigation, shipbuilding and building up of IWT infrastructure at a cost of Rs. 44,535 crore. The objective is to upgrade and modernize the infrastructure in India considering global standards as the benchmark.
INDIAN MARITIME UNIVERSITY

The Ministry of Shipping have set up an Indian Maritime University (IMU) on 14.11. 2008 in Chennai with campuses at Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai and Visakhapatnam as a Central University through IMU Act, 2008. Objective To facilitate and promote maritime studies.
MARITIME AGENDA FOR THE DECADE 2010-2020
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To promote advanced providing institutional facilities. knowledge by and research
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National Waterway is under consideration of the Government.
To take appropriate measure for promoting innovations in the teaching learning process in inter-disciplinary studies and research.
CRUISE SHIPPING
To promote the growth of Cruise Shipping, an inter-Ministerial Steering Committee with Secretary (Shipping) as Chairman has been constituted in June, 2010 to address the issues relating to development of cruise shipping. The Steering Committee has identified five ports, namely, Mumbai, Goa, Chennai, Mangalore and Cochin for development of Cruise tourism. In its second meeting held on 6.6.2011, it has been decided to: Include Chairman Mangalore Port Trust as a member of the Steering Committee on cruise tourism. Ministry of Tourism to consider imparting training to the frontline officers coming in direct contract with visitors under the scheme 'capacity building for service providers'. The respective ports-to communicate the requirement of such training programmes. Ministry of Tourism to initiate the joint participation of high level delegation consisting of representatives of Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Shipping, Chairman of various ports in the sea trade in cruise shipping convention to be held in Singapore, Miami, Dubai and India.
INLAND WATER TRANSPORT

Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAl) was set up in 1986 for regulation and development of inland waterways for the purpose of shipping and navigation. IWAI is primarily responsible for development, maintenance and regulation of national waterways. Following five waterways have so far been declared as national waterways:Allahabad - Haldia stretch (1620km) of the Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly river system (NW-l) in 1986. Sadiya - Dhubri stretch (891 km) of Brahmaputra river (NW-2) in 1988. Kottapuram-Kollam stretch of West Coast Canal along with Champakara Canal and Udyogmandal Canal (205 km) (I'Jw:3) in 1993. Kakinada-Puducherry stretch of Canal and Kalurelly Tank, stretches of river Godavari and Krishna (1028 km) in 2008. Talcher-Dhamra stretch of river Brahmani, Geonkhali Charbatia stretch of East Coast Canel, Charbatia-Dhamra stretch of Matai river along with Mahanadi delta river system (585Km.) in 2008. In addition, declaration of Barak River-from Lakhpur to Bhanga (121 km) as sixth
SETHUSAMUDRAM SHIP CHANNEL PROJECT

To ensure that vessels moving between eastern and western coasts of India could have a continuous navigable route within
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India's own territorial waters; the implementation of Sethusamudram Ship Channel Project envisaging cutting of a channel to connect the Gulf of Mannar and Bay of Bengal through Palk Strait and Palk Bay is under way.
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AIRPORT ECONOMIC REGULATORY AUTHORITY (AERA)

AERA was established on 12.05.2009 with the prime objective to create a level playing fie and foster healthy competition among all major airports (Government owned, Public Partnership based, Private), encourage investment in airport facilities, regulate tariffs of aeronautical services, protection of reasonable interest of users, operate efficient, economic and viable airports at notified airports. The AERA is in the process of formulating approach, philosophy in economic regulation of airports and air navigation services for regulation of tariff in consultation with stakeholders.
The Central Water Commission (CWC) is a premier technical organisation in the country in the field of water resources since 1945. The Commission is entrusted with the responsibilities of initiating, co-ordinating and furthering schemes for control, conservation and utilisation of water resources throughout the country in consultation with the State governments concerned for purposes of flood control, irrigation, drinking water supply and hydro power development. CWC also undertakes investigation, construction and execution of any such schemes as required. The implementation of the inter-basin water transfer link schemes can be taken up in a phased manner depending on the priorities of the Government and availability of funds. The links namely (i) Ken-Betwa link; (ii) Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal link: (iii) Godavari (Polavaram) - Krishna (Vijaywada) link; (iv) Damanganga-Pinjallink; and (v) ParTapi-Narmada Link have been identified as priority links for consensus building amongst concerned States for taking up preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR).
CENTRAL WATER COMMISSION
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CHAPTER 24. WELFARE

Welfare of Scheduled Castes Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act 1989 Centenary Celebrations of Bharat Ratna Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. The General Body is the Supreme Body of Dr. Ambedkar Foundation. It is headed by the Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment. There are 11 ex-officio members representing various disciplines of Education, Social Justice and Empowerment from amongst the eminent social workers, educationists, journalists etc.
BABU JAGJIVAN RAM CHHATRAWAS YOJANA

The object of the Scheme is to provide hostel facilities to SC boys and girls studying in middle schools, higher secondary schools, colleges and universities. The State Governments/Union Territory Administrations and the Central and State universities/ institutions are eligible for Central assistance, both for fresh construction of hostel buildings and for expansion of the existing hostel facilities while NGOs and deemed universities in the private sector can avail the benefit only for expansion of their existing hostel facilities. In addition to the admissible Central assistance under the Scheme, one-time grant of Rs. 2500 per student would also be provided for making provisions of a cot, a table and a chair for each student.
NATIONAL SCHEDULED CASTES FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

The National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC) was set up by the Government of India in February, 1989 under Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1958. The broad objective of NSFDC is to provide financial assistance in the form of concessional loans to all the Scheduled Castes families living below Double the Poverty Line [presently Rs. 40,000 per annum for rural areas and Rs. 55,000 per annum for urban areas] for their economic development, uplift and economic empowerment through the various schemes.
DR. AMBEDKAR FOUNDATION

The main objective of the Foundation inter alia include implementation of programmes and activities for furthering the ideology and message of Babasaheb Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar among the masses in India as well as abroad. The foundation has been entrusted with the responsibility of managing, administering and carrying on the important and long-term schemes and programmes identified during the
WELFARE OF BACKWARD CLASSES

National Commission for Backward Classes: In pursuance of the Supreme Court Judgement popularly known as the Mandal Judgement (1992), the National Commission for Backward Classes was set Current Affairs Comprehensive
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up in 1993 as a permanent body for entertaining, examining and advising the Government on requests for inclusion and complaints of over-inclusion and under inclusion in the lists of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) of citizens.
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NATIONAL POLICY FOR EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN

In 2001, the National Policy for Empowerment of Women (NPRW) was formulated as the blueprint for the future, with the express goal of bringing about the advancement, development and empowerment of women. The NPEW laid down detailed prescriptions to address discrimination against women, strengthen existing institutions which includes the legal system, provide better access to health care and other services, equal opportunities for women's participation in decision- making, and mainstreaming gender concerns in the development process, to name a few.
Home Ration or Hot Cooked meal for 11-14 years out of school girls and 14-18 years all AGs (out of school and in school girls). In the Non-Nutrition Component, the out of school Adolescent Girls 11-18 years are being provided IFA supplementation, health check-up and referral services, nutrition and health education, counselling/ guidance on family welfare, adolescent reproductive sexual ealt (ARSH), child care practices and life skill education, and accessing public services. Under te scheme, 16-18 year old AGs are also being given Vocational Training. It also aims towards mainstreaming out of school AGs into formal/non-formal education. Anganwadi Centre (AWC) in the village is the focal point for implementation of the scheme SABLA.
INDIRA GANDHI MATRITVA SAHYOG YOJANA (IGMSY) CMB SCHEME

A new Scheme for Pregnant and Lactating women has been introduced by the Government of India for implementation on a pilot basis in 52 districts in 2010-11. It is a Conditional Cash Transfer Scheme under which cash incentive of Rs. 4000 in 3 installments is provided to pregnant women of 19 years and above, for their first two live births, between the second trimester of pregnancy till the infant completes six months of age, subject to fulfillment of specific maternal and child health conditions. The scheme aims to provide part compensation for wage loss so that the women are not under economic compulsion to work upto the last days of pregnancy and immediately after delivery.
RAJIV GANDHI SCHEME FOR EMPOWERMENT OF ADOLESCENT GIRLS (RGSEAG) - SABLA

A new Centrally Sponsored Scheme introduced in the year 2010 on a plot basis in 200 districts across the country. The scheme focuses on all out-of-school Adolescent Girls in the age group of 11 to 18 years under all ICDS projects in selected 200 districts. It also covers school going girls in the same age group. The scheme has two major componentsNutrition and Non- Nutrition Component. Nutrition is provided in the form of Take
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SUPPORT TO TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMME FOR WOMEN (STEP)

The STEP Scheme was launched as a Central Sector Scheme in 1986-87. The scheme aims to make a significant impact on women by upgrading skills for employment on a self- sustainable basis by mobilizing women in viable groups, arranging for marketing linkages, support services and access to credit. The scheme covers 1.0 traditional sectors of employment i.e., Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Dairying, Fisheries, Handlooms, Handicrafts, Khadi and Village Industries and Sericulture and Waste Land Development and Social Forestry for enhancing their productivity and income generation. The objective of the scheme is as follows: 1. Mobilizing women in small viable groups and making facilities available through training, access to credit and other inputs; 2. Providng training for skill upgradation; 3. Enabling groups of women to take up employment-cum-income generation programmes of their own or to access wage employment. 4. Provide support services for improving and employment conditions of women and for access to health care, literacy, and other information. Women Emprowerment and Livelihood Programme in Mid-Gangetic Plains "Priyadarshini: The Ministry is administering this IFAD assisted pilot project in 13 blocks spread over four districts viz, Shravasti, Bahraich, Rae Bareli, www.jagranjosh.com
Amethi and Sultanpur in Uttar Pradesh and two districts viz, Madhubani and Sitamarthi in Bihar. The Programme aims at holistic empowerment (economic and social) of vulnerable groups of women and adolescent girls in the project area through formation of women's Self Help Groups (SHGs) and promotion of improved livelihood opportunities.
SWADHAR
The Swadhar Scheme was launched by the Ministry during the year 2001-2002 as a Central Sector Scheme for providing holistic and integrated services to women in difficult circumstances such as destitute widows, deserted by their families in religious places like Vrindavan and Kashi, women prisoners released from jails and without family support, women survivors of natural disasters who have been rendered homeless and are without any social and economic support, trafficked women/girls rescued or runaway from brothels, women victims of terrorist violence who are without any family support and without any economic means for survival, mentally challenged women who are without any support of family or relatives and women with HIV / AIDS deserted by their family and without social/economic support etc.
UJJAWALA
'Ujjawala' is a Comprehensive Scheme for Prevention of trafficking, with five specific components Prevention, Rescue, Rehabilitation, Reintegration and Repatriation of victims of Trafficking. It was launched on 04th December, 2007, comprises of five components:

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Prevention Rescue Rehabilitation Reintegration Repatriation
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Directorate and a National Resource Centre for Women (NRCW) have been set up which are working towards achieving the objective of convergence of multiple women centric schemes and programmes for effective implementation. The Mission began a unique initiative in 2011-a new model of 'convergence centres' for women, called 'Poorna Shakti Kendras'. These are centres dedicated to helping women access the benefits made available to them through various government programmes, in select districts of the country. Still in its nascent stage, NMEW has been making steady progress.
NATIONAL MISSION FOR EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN

Drawing strength from the constitutional commitments, Government of India has been engaged in continuous endeavours towards ensuring all round well being, development and empowerment of women. Announced on 8th March 2010 on International Women's Day, the National Mission for Empowerment of Women (NMEW) is the result of a strategic step taken by Government of India towards realisation of the dream of empowering the women of the country through convergence. Conceived as an umbrella mission, NMEW has the mandate to strengthen inter sectoral convergence across various Ministries and Departments to address structural and institutional biases that impact women. It has a mandate to forge partnerships and inter sectoral convergence between 14 major Ministries, Departments, State & DT Governments with the Ministry of Women and Child Development working as the nodal ministry. The Mission addresses cross-cutting issues affecting the women of India, varying from education, poverty alleviation, health, legal rights, socio-economic empowerment and gender mainstreaming of Policies, Programmes and Institutional arrangements. The Mission
AWARD
Stree Shakti Puraskar: As a measure of recogonition of achievements of individual women in the field of social development, the Government of India has instituted six national awards known as 'Stree Shakti Puraskar'. These awards will be in the name of the following eminent women personalities from Indian history, who are famous for their personal courage and integrity: Devi Ahilya Bai FIolkar Kannagi Mata Jijabai Rani Gaidenliou Zeliang Rani Lakshmi Bai Rani Rudramma Devi
The Award under category Rani Rudramma Devi has been added from the year 2007 which is awarded to individual women for their outstanding administrative skill, leadership quality and courage.
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RAJIV GANDHI NATIONAL CRECHE SCHEME FOR THE CHILDREN OF WORKING MOTHERS
Rajiv Gandhi National Creche Scheme provides day care facilities to the children in the age group of 0-6 years from families with monthly income of less than Rs. 12,000-. In addition to being a safe space for the children, the creches provide services as supplementary nutrition, preschool education and emergency health care, etc. The scheme is presently being implemented through the Central Social Welfare Board (CSWB), Indian Council for Child Welfare (ICCW).
protection. The Award carries a cash prize of Rs. 1.00 lakh, a silver plaque and citation. The awards for the year 2010 were presented by Hon'ble Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ministry of Women and Child Development at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi on 14th November, 2011.
BEIJING PLATFORM FOR ACTION

The Fourth World Conference on Women, held in Beijing in 1995 was a landmark event that set the pace for women's empowerment when a Declaration and Platform for Action (BPFA) were adopted. BPFA has identified 12 critical areas of concern for women. India adopted both without any reservations. The Committee on Status of Women reviews progress made by member countries in the critical areas. The 56th session of CSW was held on 2729th February, 2012 and was attended by representatives from MWCD.
RAJIV GANDHI MANAV SEVA AWARD

The Award was instituted in 1994 to honour individuals who make outstanding contribution towards service for children. The Award is given to three individuals who have done outstanding work in the field of child development, child welfare and child
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CHAPTER 25. YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS

NATIONAL YOUTH POLICY, 2003
The first National Youth Policy (NYP), 2003 recognizes training and employment, health and family welfare and education as key sectors of concern for the youth. 2. The target groups identified are: (i) Student Youth (ii) Migrant Youth (ill) Rural Youth (iv) Tribal Youth (v) Youth At Risk (vi) Youth in violent conflicts (vii) out of school / dropouts (viii) groups with social-moral stigma (ix) Youth in Institutional Care. Young women, Youth belonging to socially and economically disadvantaged communities/groups, and differently abled youth form the three priority groups among the target age group. 3. The Draft NYP 2012 proposes to change the target age group from the existing 13-35 years to 16-30 years. This change is proposed mainly to realign the definition of Youth with the prevailing international definitions. The definition of Youth as per UN is 15-24 years and as per Commonwealth, it is 15-29 years. 4. The concerns of target groups and the priority groups therein, shall be addressed through a subsequent action plan based on policy interventions mentioned in the thrust areas of this policy. 5. Draft NYP 2012 plans to divide broad age bracket of 16-30 years into three groups-the first sub-group will be 16-20 years covering mostly youth who require educational facilities. The second sub-group is 20-25 years who require access to employable skills. The third sub-group 25-30 who require access to self employment and enterprenuerial skills. Current Affairs Comprehensive
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DRAFT NATIONAL YOUTH POLICY (NYP) 2012:

The Draft NYP 2012 is first of its kind as it recognizes that Youth is not a homogenous group and has numerous differentials based on habitat, environment, socio- economic status of their families and their own life styles. In addition, the Draft Policy proposes to change the target age group from the existing 13-35 years to 16-30 years. The Draft Policy not only spells out the objectives but also elaborates the details of the policy interventions required and identified partners responsible for achieving the objectives. In a first, Youth Development Index (YDI), that would serve as the baseline and ready reckoner for evaluators and policy makers, has also been incorporated as a part of the policy. Key Features of Draft NYP 2012 1. Draft NYP 2012 recognizes that youth is not a homogenous group and there are numerous differentials based on their habitat, environment in which they live, socio-economic status of the families they belong to and their own life style.
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6. The draft NYP 2012 aims at empowering youth through skill development for enhancing employability and providing entrepreneurship opportunities through convergence with other Ministries/Departments. 7. The thrust areas are promotion of National values, social harmony, national unity, empowering youth through employable skills, education, health, sports and recreation, gender justice, participation in community service, environment and local governance. 8. The Draft NYP 2012 has monitorable indicators under five domains. Accordingly, Youth Development Index will include the indices viz. Youth Health Index, Youth Education Index, Youth Work Index, Youth Amenities Index, Youth Participation Index. 9. The Draft NYP 2012 advocates establishment of strong coordination mechanism at the Centre and State Levels. 10. The NYP 2012 proposes that Youth Policy be reviewed after every National Census.
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Mahatma Gandhi in 1969 in 37 Universities involving 40,000 students.
RAJIV GANDHI NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT (RGNIYD)

Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development (RGNIYD) was established in 1993 as an autonomous organisation under the Department of Youth Affairs as a society under the Registration of Societies Act, XXVII of 1975 S. No. 67 of 1993. It was meant to be a National Think Tank for training, higher education and research in youth related studies. It was accorded the status of deemed University by the Ministry of HRD on 23rd October, 2008. This Institute has launched five post graduate programme viz. M.A. In Youth Empowerment, M.A. in Career Counseling. M.A. in Gender Studies, M.A. in Local Governance and M.A. in Life Education. Students from various states have joined these courses.
NEHRU YUVA KENDRASANGATHAN (NYKS)

The Nehru Yuva Kendras (NYKs) have been established since 1972 with the objective of providing rural youth avenues to take part in the process of nation building and opportunities for the development of their personality and skills. NYKS has 623 Kendras, 28 zonal offices and over one lakh village based youth clubs with enrollment of about 08 million volunteers. The aim is to form village level voluntary action groups of youth at the grass root level so that they come together with the concern for the poorest of the poor.
NATIONAL SERVICE SCHEME (NSS)

National Service Scheme (NSS) is a centrally sponsored scheme with the objective develops character and personality of student youth in schools and colleges. National Service Scheme was launched during the birth centenary celebration of
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NATIONAL YOUTH CORPS (NYC)

The Government has launched a new Scheme "National Youth Corps" during the financial year 2010-11 to tap the potential of the youth and channeling their energy towards nation building. This is in pursuance of the President's Address to both Houses of Parliament in June 2009 and also the Prime Minister's announcement in October 2009 for Jammu & Kashmir. The Scheme, called "National Youth Corps" (NYC) has been launched, amalgamating the existing two volunteer schemes namely National Service Volunteer (NSV) and Rashtriya Sadbhawana Yojana (RSY). The objective is to set up a group of disciplined and dedicated youth who have the inclination and spirit to engage in the task of nation building who will facilitate the realization of inclusive growth (both social and economic) act as points for dissemination of information, basic knowledge in the community and act as group modulators and peer group educators.
At present, there are three major strategic areas on which Commonwealth Youth Programme is concentrating: National Youth Policy; Human Resource Development, and Youth Empowerment.
PANCHAYAT YUVA KRIDA AUR KHEL ABHIYAN (PYKKA)

With the objective of broad-basing sports, the Government has in March 2008 approved the introduction of a centrally sponsored scheme titled Panchayat Yuva Krida aur Khel Abhiyan (PYKKA), which aims at providing basic sports infrastructure at the panchayat level over a period of 10 years through concerted efforts of all stakeholders, particularly the state governments, panchayats, educational institutes, sports promotion bodies and youth clubs. All the 2,50,000 village and block panchayats and equivalent units will be covered during this period. Apart from contributing to publish health, social inclusiveness, the promotion of indigenous games, and the expansion of the talent pool through the identification and nurturing of rural sports talent, PYKKA is also expected to stumulate the economic activities within the sports sector, as it would lead to an exponential growth in the demand for sports instructors, coaches, sports equipment and consumable and sports events and related support services.
COMMONWEALTH YOUTH PROGRAMMES (CYP)

This programme came into being in 1974 with the overall purpose of promoting the development of youth in the Commonwealth Countries. This programme encourages and supports the youth in the process of national development and provides opportunities for increasing international understanding.
NATIONAL SPORTS DEVELOPMENT FUND (NSDF)
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This was instituted by the Central Government with a view to mobilizeresources from the Government as well as non-governmental sources, including the private/ corporate sector and non-resident Indians, for promotion of sports and games in the country. In order to make contributions to the Fund, attractive 100% exemption from income tax is available on all contributions.
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Dhyan Chand Award for Lifetime Achievement in Sports and games instituted in the year 2002. This award is given to honour those sportspersons who have contributed to sports by their performance and continue to contribute to promotion of sports even after their retirement from active sporting career. The awardee is given a statuette, a certificate, ceremonial dress and a cash award of ~ 5.00 lakhs. Not more than three awards are given every year.
RAJIV GANDHI KHEL RATNA AWARD

The scheme was launched in the year 199192 with the objective of honouring sportspersons to enhance their general status and to give them greater dignity and place of honour in society. Under this scheme an amount of Rs. 7.5 lakhs is given as award for the most spectacular and outstanding performance by a sportsperson in the preceeding year.
DRONACHARYA AWARD
Was instituted in 1985 to honour eminent Coaches who have successfully trained sportspersons or teams and enabled them to achieve outstanding results in international competitions. The awardee is given a statuette of Guru Dronacharya, a certificate, ceremonial dress and a cash prize of Rs. 5.00 lakhs. Not more than 5 awards are given every year.
ARJUNA AWARDS
Was instituted in 1961. To be eligible for the Award, a sports person should have had not only good performance consistently for the previous three years at the international level, with excellence for the year for which the Award is recommended but should have also shown qualities of leadership, sportsmanship and a sense of discipline. The awardee is given a statuette, a certificate, ceremonial dress and a cash award of Rs. 5 lakhs. Not more than 15 awards are given every year.
MAULANA ABUL KALAM AZAD (MAKA) TROPHY

Was instituted in 195 - 57. The top overall performing university in the Inter-University Tournaments is given the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy, which is a rolling-trophy. A small replica of the MAKA Trophy is also awarded for retention by the University. In addition, the University also gets a cash prize of Rs. 10 lakhs. The second and third best universities also receive cash awards amounting to Rs. 5 lakh and Rs. 3 lakh respectively.
DHYAN CHAND AWARD FOR LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENTS IN SPORTS AND GAMES

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RASHTRIYA KHEL PROTSAHAN PURUSKAR

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With a view to recognize the contribution made to sports development by entities other than sportspersons and coaches, Government has instituted a new award entitled Rashtriya Khel Protsahan, Puruskar from the year 2009, which has four categories, namely, community sports development, promotion of sports
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academies of excellence, support to elite sportspersons and employment to sportspersons. The awards consist of a citation and a trophy in each of the above mentioned categories. There is no cash award.
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UNIT - 3 Economic Survey 2012-13
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CHAPTER- 1 STATE OF THE ECONOMY AND PROSPECTS

Following the slowdown induced by the global financial crisis in 2008-09, the Indian economy responded strongly to fiscal and monetary stimulus and achieved a growth rate of 8.6 per cent and 9.3 per cent respectively in 2009-10 and 2010-11 (Table 1.1). However, with the economy exhibiting inflationary tendencies, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) started raising policy rates in March 2010. High rates as well as policy constraints adversely impacted investment, and in the subsequent two years viz. 201112 and 2012-13, the growth rate slowed to 6.2 per cent and 5.0 per cent respectively. Nevertheless, despite this slowdown, the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for gross domestic product (GDP) at factor cost, over the decade ending 2012-13 is 7.9 per cent. The moderation in growth is primarily attributable to weakness in industry (comprising the mining and quarrying, manufacturing, electricity, gas and water supply, and construction sectors), which registered a growth rate of only 3.5 per cent and 3.1 per cent in 2011-12 and 2012-13 respectively. The rate of growth of the manufacturing sector was even lower at 2.7 per cent and 1.9 per cent for these two years respectively. Growth in agriculture has also been weak in 2012-13, following lower-than-normal rainfall, especially in the initial phases. Why has the economy slowed down so rapidly despite recovering strongly from the global financial crisis? A number of factors are responsible. First, the boost to demand given by monetary and fiscal stimulus www.jagranjosh.com
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following the crisis was large. Final consumption grew at an average of over 8 per cent annually between 2009-10 and 2011-12. The result was strong inflation and a powerful monetary response that also slowed consumption demand. Second, starting in 2011-12, corporate and infrastructure investment started slowing both as a result of investment bottlenecks as well as the tighter monetary policy. Thirdly, even as the economy slowed, it was hit by two additional shocks: a slowing global economy, weighed down by the crisis in the Euro area and uncertainties about fiscal policy in the United States, and a weak monsoon, at least in its initial phase. GDP at factor cost is GDP at market prices less indirect taxes plus subsidies. Part of the reason for the differences in growth at factor costs and at market prices lies in the fact that the growth of indirect taxes tends to fall in a slowdown while the expenditure on subsidies often increases. This reduces the growth of net indirect taxes, which is the difference between the two items, in a slowdown. Part of the reason for the general slowdown in consumption could be that higher inflation tends to reduce real disposable incomes of households. Growth of durable goods consumption (under the assumption that growth of consumption for these items would not be significantly different from the growth in production) may have slowed even further recently, because high interest rates and resulting high monthly instalments restrained purchases. At the same time, the seasonally adjusted Current Affairs Comprehensive

consumer non-durable index of industrial production (IIP), which is typically a smoother series than durable goods production, has been picking up since August 2012. The growth rate of the economy since 2003-04 has been strongly correlated with investment rate. The investment rate averaged 34.5 per cent between 2003-04 and 2011-12, much higher rate than before. Private sector is the major source of investment in the country. Within the private sector there are two categories of investors, viz. the private corporate sector and household sector. The share of public investment in total investment (excluding valuables) has remained fairly stable at around 24 per cent for all the years, except in 2008-09 and 2009-10 when it was 27.6 per cent and 26.5 per cent respectively. The increase in these years could be attributed to the fiscal stimulus provided by the government in order to overcome the slowdown in the economy in 2008-09 following the global slowdown. Gross capital formation (investment) 35.0 Public sector 7.9 Private sector 24.9 Corporate sector 10.6 Household sector 14.3 The reduction in private investment could be attributed to a number of factors. First is www.jagranjosh.com
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the increase in policy rates. Another reason for lower private investment could be lower demand for Indian exports from the rest of the world. Growth in net exports can be an important source of demand. Unfortunately for India, net exports growth has been low because of global weakness. The net invisibles balance (in which net service exports and remittances are prominent) usually offsets the trade deficit. However, it also declined in dollar terms in H1 of 2012-13. Current Account Balance Items 2011-12 H1 2012-13 H1 (April - (April September September 2011) 2012)
US$ billion Exports Imports Trade deficit Net invisibles CAD 158.2 247.7 89.5 146.5 237.2 90.7
53.1
51.7
36.4
39.0
Memo items as per cent of GDP Trade 9.9 10.8

deficit Net invisibles CAD 5.9 6.2
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4.0
4.6
the rural areas. The rising demand for gold is only a "symptom" of more fundamental problems in the economy. Curbing inflation, expanding financial inclusion, offering new products such as inflation indexed bonds, and improving saver access to financial products are all of paramount importance. Fiscal Consolidation Government appointed a committee headed by Dr Vijay Kelkar to chalk out a roadmap for fiscal consolidation. Following its recommendations, the government unveiled a revised fiscal consolidation roadmap in October 2012. It targeted a fiscal deficit of 4.8 per cent of GDP for 2013-14 and through a correction of 0.6 percentage point each year thereafter, a fiscal deficit of 3.0 per cent of GDP in 2016-17. Controlling the expenditure on subsidies will be crucial. Domestic prices of petroleum products, particularly diesel and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) need to be raised in line with the prices prevailing in international markets. The number of subsidized gas cylinders has also been capped at nine. Efforts will also have to be made to contain subsidies through better targeting limit other expenditures, and raise revenues over time so as to take the revenue to GDP ratio to 2007-08 levels. The disinvestment process has also been speeded up. Gross tax revenue was budgeted at 10, 77,612 crore for 2012-13. As a proportion of BE, gross tax revenue in April-December 2012 was 63.2 per cent, lower than the last five-years' average of 69.0 per cent. It is better to achive fiscal consolidation partly through a higher tax-GDP ratio than Current Affairs Comprehensive
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The fiscal deficit of the centre widened to 5.7 per cent of GDP in 2011-12. The Gold Rush 1. Demand for gold has been rising worldwide: The global financial crisis, turned debt crisis, has seen a steep rise in commodity prices, especially gold. This, now in hindsight, rather unsurprising fact, has mostly been driven by the meteorically increasing demand for safe havens to park the world's savings. Global gold prices, as denominated in US$, have doubled since 2008, and increased three times as denominated in Indian rupees. 2. Gold imports are positively correlated with inflation: High inflation reduces the return on other financial instruments. This is reflected in the negative correlation between rising imports and falling real rates. 3. Reduce Gold Purchases to curb CAD: Given soaring energy and transportation needs, since there seems to be little we can do to temper oil imports, gold is the component that needs to be contained to bring the CAD back to a comfort zone. 4. The longer term way to address the rising demand for gold: The overarching motive underlying the gold rush is high inflation and the lack of financial instruments available to the average citizen, especially in
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merely through reduction in the expenditure to GDP ratio, in view of large unmet development needs. Savings Savings come from three sources, viz. households, the private corporate sector, and the public sector. On average, households accounted for nearly threefourths of gross domestic savings during the period 1980-81 to 2011-12. Within households, the share of financial savings vis--vis physical savings has been declining in recent years. Financial savings take the form of bank deposits, life insurance funds, pension and provident funds, shares and debentures, etc. Financial savings accounted for around 55 per cent of total household savings during the 1990s. Their share declined to 47 per cent in the 2000-10 decade and it was 36 per cent in 2011-12. The share of public savings in total savings progressively declined from over 20 per cent in the 1980s to 7.3 per cent in the 1990s and further to 3.3 per cent in the 2000s. Household savings will also have to be raised. The financial savings of the household sector are likely to improve with lower inflation, especially as the real rate of return on financial savings rises. Inflation From the government's perspective, a major contribution to the fight against inflation will be to reduce the fiscal impetus to demand. Also a focus on incentivizing food production through measures other than price supports, while facilitating www.jagranjosh.com
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storage and distribution, can help contain food inflation, which is hard for the RBI to control. Policy on price and procurement supports should be calibrated so as to not encourage more production of crops that are already abundantly supplied. Other measures to increase investment more broadly, and therefore supply, can also help over the medium term. Foreign Exchange Reserve In the current fiscal, foreign exchange reserves have fluctuated between US$ 286.0 billion and US$ 295.6 billion. External Debt India's external debt stock stood at US$ 365.3 billion at end-September 2012, recording an increase of about US$ 20.0 billion. The strong post-financial-crisis fiscal and monetary stimulus in India led to spectacular growth in the immediate aftermath of the crisis. But with corporate and infrastructural investment not keeping pace, and food production constrained, the boost to consumption eventually led to higher inflation. And falling savings, partly as a result of government spending and partly as a result of high inflation, have led to a widening CAD. Monetary policy has been tightened, even as global headwinds to growth have increased. India has been caught in a vicious circle of falling growth and stimulus withdrawal that could well exacerbate the decline. Of some concern is India's increased dependence on foreign borrowing even as growth has slowed. NPA

Because of the slowdown and high levels of leverage, some industry and infrastructure sectors are experiencing an increase in nonperforming assets (NPAs). Some of the reasons for the increase in NPAs are technical (a switch to systembased identification by public-sector banks), but stress also stems from slow growth and project delays. A revival of growth will help contain NPAs, but going forward, more attention will have to be paid to whether projects are adequately capitalized up front given the risks, and to whether distress resolution systems work effectively in recapitalizing distressed assets and putting them back to work, while excising ineffective promoters from management and imposing losses on those who contracted to take the risk. The way out, and the hope for starting a virtuous circle, lies in shifting national spending from consumption to investment, removing the bottlenecks to investment, growth, and job creation, in part through structural reforms, combating inflation both through monetary and supply-side measures, reducing the costs for borrowers of raising financing, and increasing the opportunities for savers to get strong real investment returns. In practical terms for government policy, this translates into containing the fiscal deficit especially by shrinking wasteful and distortionary subsidies. It means working on reducing the impediments to investment such as delays in getting permissions, clarifying difficult and non-transparent processes for land acquisition, and increasing access to good infrastructure such as power and roads. It warrants reworking the regulatory and incentive
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structure that keeps small businesses tiny and prevents them from creating good productive jobs. It calls for reducing the barriers to entry in various areas of business and allowing FDI, even while ensuring domestic companies are not disadvantaged. It entails providing the incentives and means for the farmer to increase production, even while improving the management and the logistics of food procurement and distribution. And it necessitates continuing financial sector reform to increase the entry of new institutions, reduce transactions costs for investors, increase access for borrowers and savers to one another, and improve the quality of regulation. The government has already taken some important steps in this direction, some of which we have already alluded to. In addition, two helpful potential developments are in sight, one on the revenue side and the other on the expenditure side. The goods and services tax (GST), if approved, would replace a number of state and central taxes, make India more of a national integrated market, and bring more producers into the tax net. By improving efficiency as well as revenues, it can add substantially to growth as well as helping government finances. On the expenditure side, the direct benefit transfer scheme that will allow the transfer of government benefits directly to targeted recipient bank accounts can help reduce transactions costs, prevent duplication, leakage, and fraud, and improve choices for the poor. The government has also taken a number of steps to revive investment and growth. These comprise setting up the CCI headed by the Prime Minister to fast-track mega
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projects of over ` 1,000 crore; a scheme for restructuring the debts of state power distribution companies, which includes incentives for them to charge reasonable tariffs so that they do not get over-indebted again; movement towards a land acquisition bill that will clarify and make the process of land acquisition fairer; permitting FDI in a number of areas including multibrand retail, power exchanges, and civil aviation; increasing investment in irrigation, storage and cold storage networks; and undertaking programmes to improve the production of protein foods. Steps have also been taken on financialsector reform. The Banking Laws (Amendment) Act 2012 strengthens the regulatory powers of the RBI and paves the way for grant of new bank licences by the RBI. The Financial Sector Legislative Reforms Commission is examining the laws governing the financial sector with a remit to suggest ways of modernizing them. AGRICULTURE AND FOOD MANAGEMENT India does not fare well, however, in terms of agricultural yields or productivity. Improvement in yields holds the key for India to remain self-sufficient in foodgrains. Another challenge is how to maximize agricultural income while adopting a more sustainable agricultural strategy. The concerns here are land and water degradation due to soil erosion, soil salinity, waterlogging, excessive application of nutrients, and overexploitation of water resources in some parts of the country. Better management practices for rehabilitation of degraded land and water resources hold the key. Expenditure on agricultural research also needs to be raised in the Twelfth Five Year Plan.
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Another critical issue is supply-chain management in agricultural marketing in India. It is necessary to evolve mechanisms for linking wholesale processing, logistics, and retailing with farm-production activities so as to generate enhanced efficiency, better farm prices, etc. Recently the government allowed FDI in retail, which can pave the way for investment in new technology and marketing of agricultural produce in India. HUMAN DEVELOPMENT Expenditure on social services by the general government (centre and states combined) has increased in recent years reflecting the higher priority given to this sector. Expenditure on social services increased considerably in the Twelfth Plan, with the education sector accounting for the largest share, followed by health. As a proportion of GDP, expenditure on social services increased from 5.9 per cent in 2007-08 to 6.8 per cent in 2010-11 and further to 7.1 per cent in 2012-13(BE). In the last few years public expenditure on social programmes increased dramatically. In the Eleventh Plan period nearly Rs. 7 lakh crore has been spent on the 15 major flagship programmes. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT CLIMATE CHANGE AND
Though multilateral efforts on sustainable development and climate change have led to several positive outcomes, there are still areas of concern where further work is needed to safeguard the interests of developing countries. The key question to be addressed is equity in the evolving arrangements. It has to be ensured that domestic goals continue to be nationally Current Affairs Comprehensive
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determined even as we contribute to the global efforts according to the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR). More importantly, equity, fair burden sharing, and equitable access to global atmospheric resources have to be protected and addressed more adequately. With the Twelfth Plan's focus on 'environmental sustainability', India is on the right track. However, the challenge for India is to make the key drivers and
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enablers of growth be it infrastructure, the transportation sector, housing, or sustainable agriculture grow sustainably.
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CHAPTER 2 STATE OF THE ECONOMY AND PROSPECTS

Growth optimists are confident in India's demographic dividend--the fact that India's dependency ratio, as measured by the share of the young and the elderly as a fraction of the population, will come down more sharply in the coming decades (see Figure 2.1). More working age people will mean more workers, especially in the productive age groups, more incomes, more savings, more capital per worker, and more growth. Also, because demographic change is associated with fertility declines, the transition period may be accompanied by greater female participation in the labour force (Bailey, 2006). Growth optimists point to another reason for cheer. Cross-country evidence suggests that productivity is an increasing function of age, with the age group 40-49 being the most productive because of work experience (Feyrer 2007). Nearly half the additions to the Indian labour force over the period 2011-30 will be in the age group 30-49, even while the share of this group in China, Korea, and the United States will be declining. That India will be expanding its most productive cohorts even while most developed countries and some developing countries like China will be contracting theirs in the coming decades can be another source of advantage. Growth pessimists are not convinced. A larger workforce translates into more workers only if there are productive jobs for it. Will there be enough productive jobs? One way to make progress in answering this question is to understand the commonalities as well as the differences between India's growth path and that of other populous fast-growing Asian economies. By comparing where India is today, with where those countries were at similar stages in their development, as well as by looking at what they did next, we might get a better perspective on what India might need to do. Of course, any such analysis has to be accompanied by two important caveats. First, countries differ and do not necessarily follow similar trajectories. Second, the global environment has changed. The opportunities India faces now are different from those that previous fast growers faced when they were at a similar stage of development. Blindly replicating their trajectory may be unwise. The increase in the fraction of people working is probably not the main consequence of the demographic dividend. Instead, the effects of the demographic dividend are channelled through the increase in labour productivity, which comes from more physical capital employed per worker (in turn resulting from greater saving and investment), more human capital per worker (which comes from more education as smaller families lead to greater spending on education per child), and greater total factor productivity (TFP). TFP measures how productive the job intrinsically is, capturing aspects such as the technology used, efficiency with which the
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work is carried out, and use of hard-tomeasure aspects of work such as tacit knowledge, organizational capabilities, and trust. It is therefore useful to see how much each of these factors contributed to labour productivity. As Figure 2.6 suggests, better human capital accounts for only a small part of the growth in labour productivity for Asian fast growers. Instead, the two biggest contributors are the growth in capital deployed per worker and growth in TFP. WHY IS BUSINESS NOT CREATING MORE PRODUCTIVE JOBS? In India, too many small firms stay small and unproductive and are not allowed to die gracefully. Too many large profitable firms prefer relying on temporary contract labour and machines than on training workers for longer-term jobs. Impediments to the growth of business emergence and Government Purchase And Price Preference Policy for MSEs
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building/occupancy permits and utility connections. These require separate visits to various authorities whose employees often inspect the site. It takes as long as 1.5 months to obtain an electricity connection in 7 out of the 17 benchmarked Indian cities. Many processes especially at state level remain complex, forcing companies to hire a consultant, thereby adding to the costs. The MSME ecosystem needs an easier process of exit, where the claims of workers and financiers are quickly resolved and the assets of the failed firm put to better use. SCHEME National Manufact. Competitiveness Programme DESCRIPTION Assistance aimed at improving processes, designs, technology 358 items reserved for exclusive purchase from MSEs. 20% of annual value of goods and services purchased to be procured from MSEs. 15% capital subsidy for Tech. Upgrade on term loan from approved inst. Credit guarantee for
Too many firms in India stay small, unregistered, unincorporated, largely informal, or in the unorganized sector because they can avoid regulations and taxes. These firms have little incentive to invest in upgrading skills of largely temporary workers or in investing in capital equipment that could bring them into the tax net, so their productivity stays low. Low productivity gives them little incentive to grow, completing the vicious circle. The regulatory environment plays an important role in the lifecycle--birth, growth, and deathof MSMEs. After getting done with the initial procedures, entrepreneurs have to obtain a number of clearances when applying for www.jagranjosh.com
Credit Linked Capital Subsidy Scheme for Technology Upgrade Credit Guarantee Fund Scheme for

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MSE collateral free loan for loans upto Rs. 1 Cr. Training, tech, etc.: grant of 75% of project cost Tangible assets and infrastructure: grant of 80% of project cost Reimburse 75% of ISO certification expenses (max. Rs. 75K one time) SLDBI supporting NGOs/Micro Finance institution in providing loans
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MSE-Cluster Development Programme
increases transaction costs disproportionately for MSMEs which typically cannot create customized alternatives such as access roads and captive power plants which larger firms can. Lack of this supporting infrastructure causes greater cash burn and distraction of management from core business operations. The DMIC: An Integrated Approach to Industrial Growth and Development* The DMIC is being developed by the Government of India with a view to using the high-capacity western Dedicated Freight Corridor as a backbone for creating a global manufacturing and investment destination. The project seeks to develop a series of futuristic infrastructure-endowed smart industrial cities that can compete with the best international manufacturing and industrial regions. The master plan has a vision for 24 manufacturing cities. Possible socio-economic impact: The DMIC Project Influence Area of 436,486 sq. km is about 13.8 per cent of Indias geographical area. It extends over seven states and two union territories, viz. Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Daman and Diu, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli. Around 17 per cent of the countrys total population will be affected. The project goals are to double employment potential in 7 years, triple industrial output in 9 years, quadruple exports from the region in 8-9 years, and target 13-14 per cent growth per annum for the manufacturing sector on a sustained basis over next three years. Urban governance: The innovative urban governance framework corporatizes the urbanization process. The central Current Affairs Comprehensive
Quality Upgradation in MSEs Incentives for Certification
Micro Finance Programme
Getting funding Banks and other financial institutions are wary of lending to MSMEs because they lack adequate credit histories or collateral. A cluster-centric approach is one way of addressing this because it reduces transactions costs for the lender, while repeated interactions for a lender with cluster members increases the scope for building trust. Angel investors, venture capital funds, and impact investors are still at a nascent stage and small compared to global peers. Getting access to quality infrastructure The absence of quality infrastructure roads, utilities, real estate, logistics www.jagranjosh.com
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government will create a corpus fund, the DMIC Project Implementation Revolving Fund, as a trust administered by a board of trustees. The fund will contribute debt and equity to the special purpose vehicles (SPVs) on a case-by-case basis. The state government will make land available. The city SPVs will be vested with the responsibilities of planning and development and the power to levy user fees. Financing: The basic provision of trunk infrastructure is unlikely to be commercially viable. This would require government funding. Such internal infrastructure projects include land improvement, road works, earthworks, sewerage, storm water drainage, flood management, and solid waste management. Once such infrastructure is in place, the subsequent additions to the cities will be commercially viable and can be implemented through public private partnerships (PPPs). Physical infrastructure: At the heart of the infrastructure is the Multi-modal High Axle Load Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC), a high-capacity railway system. It will cover 1483 km and will have nine junction stations along which other railroad networks will connect allowing the system to extend its reach across a wide swathe. Industrial infrastructure: The project seeks to upgrade existing industrial clusters and also develop new industrial facilities. These will be developed on the concept of nodebased development based on Investment Regions (IRs) and Industrial Areas (IAs). Skill development: The skill-building strategy underlying the DMIC is based on a hub-and-spoke model. There will be one Skill Development Centre in every state www.jagranjosh.com
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with subsidiary institutions linked to it. Curricula will be based on the types of industries located in the region and identified regional strengths. Labour Practices as Possible Impediments to Growth Thus far we have not examined labour practices directly. India has a number of labour practices that, economists have argued, further impede the creation of productive jobs in the large-scale organized sector. There exists considerable variation in hiring practices across firms of different sizes in India. The Nuts and Bolts of Improving Business Climate for Small Businesses* There are several regulatory changes that can be made to improve the business climate for MSMEs. Formulate a common policy on business development and regulation: Help business facilitation: Establish independent facilitation and coordination agencies as PPP service companies with mandate from the state government, staffed with specialists and responsible for getting work done through various departments for starting up and running of businesses. Simplify registrations for starting up: Ease burden of compliance as the firm grows: Enable compliance ratings of MSMEs (through ISO-like common standards) and allow easier compliance norms to firms with higher ratings. Allow for easy exits:

Transform employment exchanges enable effective job matching: to
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Improve value/benefits from statutory pre-emptions: Currently for low wage workers in formal employment, the plethora of statutory pre-emptions, especially for provident fund and health insurance, can lead to very low net salary and act as disincentive to formal employment. The value and benefits received from these pre-emptions can be improved by encouraging competition between different pension and health schemes. Reduce attractiveness of staying small: Indias labour regulations have been criticized on many grounds including sheer size and scope , their complexity, and inconsistencies across regulations. There are 45 different national- and state-level labour legislations in India (Panagariya 2008). The labour laws apply only to the organized sector. As the size of a factory grows, it increasingly becomes subject to more legislation. A few specific pieces of the legislation are particularly constraining. Informality of Employment in India: Stylized Facts and Policy Implications* Extent of Informality Despite impressive economic growth over the past 20 years, the vast majority of Indian workers continue to toil in informal employment. Roughly 85 per cent of the workforce is engaged in the informal sector.1 Causes of Informality Informal employment results both from workers being excluded from formal jobs
and from workers or firms voluntarily opting out of formal employment. The exclusion view of informality emphasizes the dual nature of labour markets, in which a highly productive formal sector coexists with a subsistence informal sector, which absorbs excess labour. Constraints to the expansion of the formal sector (such as insufficient capital accumulation and natural resources as in the Lewis [1954] model, or overly burdensome costs of registering as in De Soto [1989] lead to persistent informal employment. According to the voluntary view, firms and workers decide on whether to become formal by comparing the perceived costs of being formal with its perceived benefits. In this setting, labour institutions, taxation, and regulations primarily explain the prevalence of informal employment, by effectively increasing the costs of formality. At a cross-country level, countries with more burdensome entry regulations have larger informal sectors (Djankov et al. 2002). Indias labour laws may also lead firms to resort to informal arrangements, rely more on capital instead of labour, or limit their scale in order to remain outside of the formal sector altogether (see Box 2.4 on labour regulations in India). Consequences of Informality Indias high rate of informality is a drag on its economic development and a source of considerable inequity. Productivity differences between workers in the formal and informal sectors are large (Figure 5, Panel A), suggesting that moving a worker from an informal to a formal firm would bring about sizeable gains from improved allocation of resources.
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estimates suggest that an informal job in the formal sector has double the value added than an informal job in the informal sector. And importantly, the value added per worker in a formal job within the formal sector is almost ten times that in an informal job in the formal sector (Figure 5, Panel B). Therefore, loosely speaking, the benefits of moving into contracts within the formal sector are likely to be substantial and significantly higher than the gains from moving an informal-sector worker into an informal job within the formal sector.4 Besides earning less, informal workers are also more vulnerable to violations of basic human rights such as reasonable working conditions and safety at work. With little job security and limited access to safety nets, most of the informally employed remain extremely vulnerable to shocks such as illnesses and loss of income. Not surprisingly, a strong correlation exists between informality and poverty in India (NCEUS 2009). From the point of view of firms, informal work arrangements bring benefits: lower price and greater flexibility in adjusting the quantity of labour in response to fluctuating demand. Yet, these benefits are partly offset by costs, such as low worker loyalty and inadequate incentive to invest in worker skill building. Moreover, any net benefits need to be weighed against the social costs to the workers and the economy as a whole. Finally, persistently high levels of informality come at a significant fiscal cost in terms of forgone fiscal revenue Formal Apprenticeships: An Idea Whose Time Has Come*
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Why is Apprenticeship important? Equipping the labor force with productive skills lies at the heart of tapping the demographic dividend. Apprenticeships are an effective way of ensuring that entry-level workers have the skills required to join the formal workforce by learning on the job and even earning while learning. It has been amongst the oldest social institutions in India. However, it needs to be formalized and scaled up. In the current environment, Indias educational system is overburdened by sheer demand for quality education. According to Team Lease (2012), 80 per cent of Indias higher education system of 2030 is yet to be built and is grappling with the threefold problem of cost, quality, and scale. This is compounded by the inability of much of the current education system to produce work-ready labour. In fact, the disconnect between the formal educational system and requirements of the employers becomes even more acute in times of rapid structural and technological change. In this environment, company-led apprenticeship programmes, that place employers at the heart of education, can play a powerful role in imparting jobrelevant skills and also repairing, preparing, and upgrading the labour force. They can aid five important transitions that the labour force is currently making--from agriculture to non-agriculture, from rural to urban, from the unorganized sector to the organized, from school to work, and from subsistence self-employment to wage employment. Several countries have benefited greatly from focused programmes on skilling the workforce on the job, including Japan, US, UK, and Germany. Germany, in particular, has a Current Affairs Comprehensive
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well-known dual education system that combines classroom/online courses at a vocational school with workplace experience at a company. What does India already have? Apprenticeship programmes in India are governed by The Apprentice Act 1961 and the Apprenticeship Rules 1992. The organizational structure and rules and regulations overseeing it are complex and burdensome. The Ministry of Labour and Employment oversees trade apprentices through six regional offices. How can it be made to work? The rules and regulations overseeing apprenticeships need to be changed such that employers and prospective apprentices can choose each other freely by just requiring information on what will be learnt on the job and a minimum wage. Some recommendations including those from the 2009 Planning Commission taskforce are described below: 1. Simpler regulation: A single window mechanism is needed to clear company applications for pan-India apprenticeship programmes. Currently, companies need to approach each state apprenticeship adviser separately. Partnerships between companies and industry 4.
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federations should be facilitated by giving timely permissions. Wider reach: Apprentices are only allowed in specified trades. Majority of graduates are not currently covered under formal Apprenticeships. Flexibility to companies: Currently many schemes are required to be unnecessarily long (up to four years), and have rigid requirements on worker to apprentice ratio. Moreover, the penal provisions for companies, even for small violations of the rules, are very severe. Dual system of training: Partnerships between companies and educational institutions should be encouraged. Like the German model, corporates can be allowed to outsource theoretical training, and educational institutions can be allowed to outsource practical training. Active exchanges: There should be active exchanges and portals, matching prospective apprentices to employers.
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CHAPTER 3 PUBLIC FINANCE

The Budget for 2012-13 introduced amendments to the FRBM Act as part of the Finance Bill. These amendments contained two important features of expenditure reforms. First is the introduction of the concept of effective revenue deficit, which excludes from the conventional revenue deficit, grants for the creation of capital assets. The second important feature is the introduction of the provision for 'Medium Term Expenditure Framework Statement in the FRBM Act. This medium-term framework provides for rolling targets for expenditure, imparting greater certainty, and encourages prioritization of expenditure. Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) The DBT plan was introduced on 1 January 2013 with seven schemes in 20 districts. India has embarked on a DBT scheme in selected districts wherein it has been envisaged that benefits such as scholarships, pensions, and MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) wages will be directly credited to the bank or post office accounts of identified beneficiaries. The DBT scheme will not substitute entirely for delivery of public services for now. It will replace neither food and kerosene subsidies under the TPDS nor fertilizer subsidies. The DBT is designed to improve targeting, reduce corruption, eliminate waste, control expenditure, and facilitate reforms. Electronic transfer of benefits is a simple design change and transfers that are already taking place through paper and cash mode will now be done through electronic transfers. This has been enabled by rapid roll out of Aadhar (Unique Identity) now covering 200 million people and rapidly growing to cover 600 million (nearly half of our population), with the National Population Register covering the other half of the populace. The DBT in tandem with such unique identification will ensure that the benefits reach the target groups faster and minimize inclusion and exclusion errors as well as corruption that are associated with manual processes. Terms of Reference of 14th Finance Commission The following are the broad Terms of Reference and the matters to be taken into consideration by the 14th Finance Commission in making the recommendations: 1. (i) the distribution between the union and states of the net proceeds of taxes which are to be, or may be, divided between them under Chapter I, Part XII of the Constitution and the allocation between the states of the respective shares of such proceeds; (ii) the principles which should govern the grants-in-aid of the revenues of the states out of the Consolidated Fund of India and the sums to be paid to the states which are in need of assistance Current Affairs Comprehensive
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by way of grants-in-aid of their revenues under article 275 of the Constitution for purposes other than those specified in the provisos to clause (1) of that article; and (iii) measures needed to augment the Consolidated Fund of a state to supplement the resources of the panchayats and municipalities in the state on the basis of the recommendations made by the Finance Commission of the state. 2. The Commission has been mandated to review the state of finances, deficit, and debt levels of the union and states and suggest measures for maintaining a stable and sustainable fiscal environment consistent with equitable growth including suggestions to amend the FRBMAs currently in force. The Commission has been asked to consider and recommend incentives and disincentives for states for observing the obligations laid down in the FRBMAs. 3. In making its recommendations, the Commission inter alia is required to consider: the resources of the central government and the demands on the resources of the central government; the resources of the state governments and demands on such resources under different heads, including the impact of debt levels on resource
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availability in debt-stressed states; the objective of not only balancing the receipts and expenditure on revenue account of all the states and the union but also generating surpluses for capital investment; the taxation efforts of the central government and each state government and the potential for additional resource mobilization; the level of subsidies required for sustainable and inclusive growth and equitable sharing of subsidies between the central and state governments; the expenditure on the non-salary component of maintenance and upkeep of capital assets and the non-wage-related maintenance expenditure on Plan schemes to be completed by 31 March 2015 and the norms on the basis of which specific amounts are recommended for the maintenance of capital assets and the manner of monitoring such expenditure; the need for insulating the pricing of public utility services like drinking water, irrigation, power ,and public transport from policy fluctuations through statutory provisions; the need for making public-sector enterprises competitive and market oriented; listing and disinvestment; relinquishing of non-priority enterprises; the need to balance management of ecology, environment, and climate change consistent with sustainable
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economic development; and the impact of the proposed goods and services tax on the finances of the centre and states and the mechanism for compensation in case of any revenue loss. The Commission is required to generally take the base of population figures as of 1971 in all cases where population is a factor for determination of devolution of taxes and duties and grants-in-aid; however, the Commission may also take into account the demographic changes that have taken place subsequent to 1971. The Commission is to review the present public expenditure management systems in place including budgeting and accounting standards and practices; the existing system of classification of receipts and expenditure; linking outlays to outputs and outcomes; best practices within the country and internationally and to make appropriate recommendations thereon. The Commission is to review the present arrangements as regards financing of Disaster Management with reference to the funds constituted under the Disaster Management Act 2005(53 of 2005) and make appropriate recommendations thereon. The Commission is to indicate the basis on which it has arrived at its
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findings and make available the state-wise estimates of receipts and expenditure.
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CHAPTER-4 PRICES AND MONETARY MANAGEMENT

Why has inflation persisted? Inflation in protein foods, particularly eggs, meat and fish, and in fruits & vegetables has persisted because of changes in dietary habits and supply constraints. Long time series data from National Accounts on private final consumption expenditure (PFCE) indicate a structural shift in per capita consumption. The share of food consumption in total consumption has declined over time, from an average of 51.34 per cent during 1950- 60 to an average of 27.17 per cent during 20072012. A secular decline in expenditure on food relative to that in other commodities and services as expected has been associated with rising income levels The input costs for producers in both the food and non-food segments, as reflected in the prices of feed, fodder and other inputs also increased. Inflation in India, as in other countries stems from a traditional mismatch between demand and supply. The relative magnitude of the imbalance, which varies across sectors, leads to relatively high or low inflation. Also, a change in controlled prices,as with diesel, can lead to inflation. Two factors contributed to an increase in inflation in cereals. Besides an increase in the MSP for wheat and rice, there has been a mismatch between open market availability and demand, particularly for wheat. Prices of vegetables have remained volatile in the recent past. Apart from a demand and supply mismatch, inefficient intermediation and the loss in the value of vegetables at different stages of their movement from farm to mouth have contributed to an increase in prices, high volatility, and significant dispersion across locations. All these could be reduced considerably with improvements in the supply chain. There was an upsurge in sugar prices in first half of the current year with domestic and global= prices showing a divergent trend. The Rangarajan Committee, after studying the problems of the sugar industry, has recommended deregulation of the sugar industry and dismantling of the regulated release mechanism together with the levy obligations. These recommendations are under consideration of the Department of Food and Public Distribution. Residex, an index to capture changes in the prices of residential buildings at the national level. Residex, launched in July 2007, covers 20 cities and has been released with a quarterly frequency from 2011-12.
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Reserve Money (M0) Broad money (M3) money multiplier (ratio of M3 to M0) LIQUIDITY MANAGEMENT One of the objectives of the monetary policy is to provide adequate liquidity to the economy. A liquidity deficit, however, is considered necessary for quicker and correct signaling of the monetary policy stance.
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CHAPTER-5 FINANCIAL INTERMEDIATION

Priority-sector Lending In view of the need to ensure adequate institutional credit flow to the vulnerable sectors, the RBI has mandated that banks should lend a minimum of 40 per cent of their advances to the priority sectors. Priority sector broadly includes advances to agriculture, small scale industries, weaker section, exports, education, SHGs, etc. Revised guidelines issued by the RBI on priority sector lending (PSL) on 20 July 2012, mandates commercial banks and foreign banks with 20 or more branches to allocate 40 per cent of their adjusted net bank credit (ANBC) or credit equivalent amount of offbalance sheet exposures (OBE), whichever is higher, to the priority sector. Within this, sub-targets of 18 per cent and 10 per cent of ANBC or credit equivalent amount of OBE have been mandated for lending to agriculture and the weaker sections respectively. For foreign banks with less than 20 branches, the target PSL is 32 per cent of ANBC or credit equivalent amount of OBE, whichever is higher. Foreign banks have been given a period of 5 years beginning April 2013 to achieve their PSL target. RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT FUND The Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) was instituted in the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) through an announcement in Union Budget 1995-6 with the objective of giving low cost fund support to states and state-owned corporations for quick www.jagranjosh.com
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completion of ongoing projects relating to medium and minor irrigation, soil conservation, watershed management, and other forms of rural infrastructure. Allocation to the RIDF is made from the shortfall in meeting PSL targets by the banks. Setting up of Ultra Small Branches Considering the need for close supervision and mentoring of the business correspondent agents (BCAs) by the respective banks and in order to ensure that a range of banking services are available to the residents of such villages, ultra small branches (USBs) are being set up in all villages covered through BCAs under financial inclusion. These USBs will comprise a small area of 100-200 sq. feet where the officer designated by the bank will be available with a laptop on pre-determined days. While cash services will be offered by the BCAs, the bank officer will offer other services, undertake field verification, and follow up banking transactions. Interest Subvention Scheme 2012-13 The Interest Subvention Scheme 2012-13 for short-term crop loans up to ` 3 lakh is being made available during 2012-13 with the following stipulations: (i) Interest subvention of 2 per cent per annum to PSBs, cooperative banks, and RRBs on their own funds used for short-term crop loans up to ` 3,00,000 per farmer provided the lending institutions make available

short-term credit at the ground level at 7 per cent per annum. Interest subvention is calculated on the crop loan amount from the date of its disbursement/drawal up to the date of actual repayment, subject to a maximum period of one year. (ii) An additional interest subvention of 3 per cent is available to the prompt-paying farmers from the date of disbursement of the crop loan up to the actual date of repayment or up to the due date fixed by bank for repayment of crop loan, whichever is earlier, subject to a maximum period of one year from the date of disbursement. (iii) Further, in order to discourage distress sales, post-harvest benefit of interest subvention was made available in the year 2011-12 to small and marginal farmers holding KCCs for a further period of up to six months on the same rates as available to crop loans against negotiable warehouse receipts for keeping their produce in warehouses. This has been continued in 2012-13 as well. (iv) In order to provide relief to farmers, it was also decided that in cases where crop loans were restructured due to drought during 2012-13, the interest subvention of 2 per cent per annum which is already available for short-term crop loans to PSBs, RRBs, and rural cooperative credit institutions will continue to be
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available for the current financial year on the full restructured loan amount. However, the restructured loans will attract normal rate of interest from the next financial year onwards. The Interest Subvention Scheme is being implemented by the Government of India since 2006- 7 to make short-term crop loans up to ` 3 lakh for a period of one year available to farmers at the interest rate of 7 per cent per annum. The High Level Committee to assess the capitalization of PSBs in the next 10 years, headed by the Finance Secretary has inter alia recommended various options for funding of PSBs. Given the budgetary constraints, it may not be feasible for the government to infuse huge sums into the PSBs. The High level Committee has, therefore, recommended the formation of a non-operating financial holding company (HoldCo) under a special act of Parliament with the following key objectives: to act as an investment company for the Government of India; to hold a major portion of the Government of India's holdings in all PSBs; to raise long-term debt from domestic and international markets to infuse equity into PSBs; and to service the debt from within its sources.
Recapitalisation of RRBs to improve their CRAR With a view to bringing the CRAR of RRBs up to at least 9 per cent, Dr K.C. Current Affairs Comprehensive
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Chakrabarty Committee inter alia recommended recapitalization support to the extent of ` 2,200 crore to 40 RRBs in 21 States. NON-BANKING FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS (NBFIS) The NBFCs as a whole account for 12.7 per cent of the assets of the total financial system. With the growing importance assigned to financial inclusion, NBFCs are being regarded as important financial intermediaries particularly for the smallscale and retail sectors. There are two broad categories of NBFCs based on whether they accept public deposits, viz. deposit-taking NBFCs (NBFCs-D) and nondeposit-taking NBFCs (NBFCs-ND). The Non-Banking Financial CompanyFactors (Reserve Bank) Directions 2012: Factoring business refers to the acquisition of receivables by way of assignment of such receivables or financing, there against either by way of loans or advances or by creation of security interest over such receivables but does not include normal lending by a bank against the security of receivables etc. A new category of NBFCs, viz. non-banking financial company-factors, has been introduced and separate directions have been issued in this regard by the RBI. These directions include a mention that every company intending to undertake factoring business shall make an application for grant of CoR as NBFC-factor to the RBI. Existing NBFCs that satisfy all the conditions enumerated in these directions can also apply for change in their classification. An NBFC-factor, will need to commence business within six months from the date of grant of CoR. NOF for every company seeking registration as NBFCwww.jagranjosh.com
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factor has been fixed at a minimum of ` 5 crore. MAJOR POLICY INITIATIVES Primary Market SEBI (Alternative Investment Funds) Regulations 2012: With a view to extending the reach of regulation to unregulated funds, ensuring systemic stability, increasing market efficiency, encouraging new capital formation, and providing investor protection, SEBI has notified new regulations covering alternate investment funds (AIFs) under three broad categories: Category 1: AIFs with positive spillover effects on the economy, for which certain incentives or concessions might be considered by SEBI or the Government of India or other regulators in India; and which shall include venture capital funds, small and medium enterprises (SME) funds, social venture funds, and infrastructure funds. Category 2: AIFs for which no specific incentives or concessions are given by the government or any other regulator; which shall not undertake leverage other than to meet day-to-day operational requirements as permitted in these regulations Category 3: AIFs with funds (including hedge funds) that are considered to have negative externalities.
Financial Literacy: With the objective of promoting financial education in a Current Affairs Comprehensive

synergistic manner, under the aegis of the Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) Sub-Committee a draft National Strategy on Financial Education has been formulated and public consultation on the same has been undertaken. The document is in the stage of finalization. Secondary Market Rajiv Gandhi Equity Savings Scheme New tax saving scheme called the Rajiv Gandhi Equity Savings Scheme (RGESS), exclusively for first-time retail investors in the securities market. This scheme provides 50 per cent deduction of the amount invested from taxable income for that year to new investors who invest up to Rs. 50,000 and whose annual income is below Rs. 10 lakh. Liberalization in External Commercial Borrowings Policy during 2012-13 The important steps taken in the arena of external commercial borrowings (ECB) policy liberalization include: Enhancing the limit for refinancing rupee loans through ECB from 25 per cent to 40 per cent for Indian companies in the power sector Allowing ECB for capital expenditure on the maintenance and operation of toll systems for roads and highways so long as they are a part of the original project subject to certain conditions, and also for low cost housing projects Reducing the withholding tax from 20 per cent to 5 per cent for a period of three years (July 2012-
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June 2015) on interest payments on ECBs Introducing a new ECB scheme of US $10 billion for companies in the manufacturing and infrastructure sectors Permitting the Small Industries Development Bank (SIDBI) as an eligible borrower for accessing ECB for on-lending to the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) sector subject to certain conditions Permitting the National Housing Bank (NHB)/ Housing Finance Companies to avail themselves of ECBs for financing prospective owners of low cost / affordable housing units
Insurance Penetration The growth in the insurance sector is internationally measured based on the standard of insurance penetration defined as the ratio of premium underwritten in a given year to the gross domestic product (GDP). Insurance density is another well recognized benchmark and is defined as the ratio of premium underwritten in a given year to total population (measured in US dollars for convenience of comparison). NPS Lite is a model specifically designed to bring NPS within easy reach of the economically disadvantaged sections of the society. NPS Lite is extremely affordable and viable due to its optimized functionalities available at reduced charges. Under the Swavalamban scheme, the government provides subsidy to each NPS account holder and the scheme has been
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extended until 2016-17.
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CHAPTER-6 BALANCE OF PAYMENTS

Item 2012-13 H1 (AprilSept. 2012)p Account -38,973 The trade deficit, as a result, increased to US$ 189.8 billion in 2011-12, which was 10.2 per cent of the GDP. With invisible surplus of US$ 111.6 billion (6.0 per cent of GDP), the current account deficit widened to record 4.2 per cent of GDP. This is unlike the situation during the 2008 crisis, when the high trade deficit of 9.8 per cent of GDP in 2008-09, was partly offset by an invisible surplus of 7.5 per cent, lowering CAD to 2.3 per cent of GDP. The signs of strain on BoP continued in the first half of 2012-13 (April-September 2012) with the trade deficit of US$ 90.7 billion increasing to 10.8 per cent of GDP and CAD of US$ 39.0 billion at 4.6 per cent of GDP. The high CAD has had implications for rupee volatility and business confidence in the economy. A positive development is that high CAD has lately been financed by capital inflows, which explains why the downhill movement of rupee, witnessed till July 2012, has been largely arrested. There has however been high dependence on volatile portfolio flows and external commercial borrowings. This makes capital account vulnerable to a 'reversal' and 'sudden stop' of capital, especially in times of stress. Liberalization of FDI norms Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is preferred to the foreign portfolio investments primarily because FDI is expected to bring modern technology, managerial practices and is long term in nature investment. The Government has liberalized FDI norms overtime. As a result, only a handful of sensitive sectors now fall in the prohibited zone and FDI is allowed fully or partially in the rest of the sectors. Current Affairs Comprehensive
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Current Balance Capital Balance
Account 39,989
Overall Balance Reserves change
363 -363
Impact of Euro Zone Crisis on Current Account The unfolding of euro zone crisis, the austerity measures in advanced economies, recession in many euro zone countries, risk on/ risk off behaviour of investors and the uncertainty surrounding the future of euro zone have adversely affected the global economy. The fallout for the Indian economy has been a sharp deceleration in exports and a slowdown in GDP growth. Import demand however has remained resilient because of the continued high international oil prices that did not decline, unlike what happened after the Lehman meltdown of September, 2008. The high value of gold imports, driven mainly by the 'safe haven' demand for gold that has led to a sharp rise in prices, contributed to the high import bill and widening of the trade deficit.
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Despite successive moves to liberalize the FDI regime, India is ranked fourth on the basis of FDI Restrictiveness Index (FRI) compiled by OECD. FRI gauges the restrictiveness of a country's FDI rules by looking at the four main types of restrictions viz. foreign equity limitations; screening or approval mechanism; restrictions on the employment of foreigners as key personnel; and operational restrictions. As there is moderation in FDI inflows to India in the current fiscal vis--vis last year it is imperative therefore to rationalize FDI norms further. At present, defence sector is open to FDI subject to 26 per cent cap. It also requires FIPB approval and is subject to licensing under Industries (Development & Regulation) Act, 1951 and guidelines on FDI in production of arms & ammunition. There is a strong case for a hike in the 26 per cent FDI limit in the defence production sector. By beginning to produce defence goods that advanced countries currently produce, there is scope for productivity improvement, strengthening of manufacturing, generation of employment and lowering of imports in the country. There is need to review increasing of FDI cap in insurance and public sector banks. By raising cap to 49 per cent in the insurance sector, there is scope for substantial growth in the coming years. EXCHANGE RATE The exchange rate policy is guided by the broad principles of careful monitoring and management of exchange rates with flexibility, while allowing the underlying demand and supply conditions to www.jagranjosh.com
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determine the exchange rate movements over a period in an orderly manner. Subject to this predominant objective, intervention by the RBI in the foreign exchange market is guided by the objectives of reducing excess volatility, preventing the emergence of destabilizing speculative activities, maintaining adequate level of reserves, and developing an orderly foreign exchange market. Reasons for High Volatility in Rupee Exchange Rate The rupee has experienced unusually high volatility in the past few months. The currency touched the low of ` 57.22 per US dollar on 27th June, 2012, before appreciated to ` 51.62 per US dollar on October 05, 2012. It again began declining thereafter and has since been in the range of ` 53-54 per US dollar. Such volatility has introduced a measure of uncertainty in the domestic market and has impacted business confidence. The rupee has been under pressure since August 2011, when US sovereign rating was downgraded and the euro zone crisis escalated. The currency went steadily downhill till the end of July, 2012, except for intermitted respite and appreciation in January-February 2012, mainly due to European Central Banks Long Term Refinancing Operation (LTRO) that injected more than euro 1 trillion in three-year loans to banks and created a risk-on environment. The rupee fell due to decline in exports on account of euro-zone crisis and widening of trade deficit, as imports remained resilient due to high oil prices and gold imports. The widening of trade deficit to 10.2 per cent of GDP in 2011-12 had upset the supplyCurrent Affairs Comprehensive

demand balance in the domestic foreign exchange market, placing downward pressure on the currency. The trade deficit has remained high at 10.8 per cent of GDP in the first six months of the current financial year (April-September 2012), with current account deficit at 4.6 per cent of GDP. Improved capital flows in recent months, particularly FII flows, however have dampened the downward pressure on the rupee. Such an increase in portfolio flows is partly due to the risk-on behaviour of investors, following series of policy initiatives in the euro zone that lowered the 'tail risk' of euro zone disintegration. The launch of quantitative easing (QE3) by the US Federal Reserve further helped the process. Capital flows have also been attracted by the confidence -inducing effects of major policy reforms that have been announced recently. The resulting increase in capital flows has more than balanced the widening current account deficit in recent months, curbing the rupee slide. Volatility however remains high because of high share of FII flows in total capital flows, and the week-to-week variation in such flows. Another contributory factor is the fluctuation in the dollar exchange rate vis-avis other international currencies. Since bulk of global trade is invoiced and settled in US$ and most capital flows are denominated in US dollar, the volatility in the value of US dollar exchange rate in the international market has an immediate impact on rupee-US dollar exchange rate. Thus, the fall in the US dollar exchange rate in the international market leads to rupee appreciation, unless offset by widening
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trade deficit/ changes in the volume of capital flows and vice-versa. Nominal Effective Exchange Rate and Real Effective Exchange Rate The nominal effective exchange rate (NEER) and real effective exchange rate (REER) indices are used as indicators of external competitiveness of the country over a period of time. NEER is the weighted average of bilateral nominal exchange rates of the home currency in terms of foreign currencies, while REER is defined as a weighted average of nominal exchange rates, adjusted for home and foreign country relative price differentials. REER captures movements in cross-currency exchange rates as well as inflation differentials between India and its major trading partners and reflects the degree of external competitiveness of Indian products. Risks in Foreign Currency Borrowings Corporate borrowers in India and other emerging economies are keen to borrow in foreign currency to benefit from lower interest and longer terms of credit. Such borrowings however, are not always helpful, especially in times of high currency volatility. During good times, domestic borrowers could enjoy triple benefits of (i) lower interest rates, (ii) longer maturity and (iii) capital gains due to domestic currency appreciation. This would happen when the local currency is appreciating due to surge in capital flows and the debt service liability is falling in domestic currency terms. The opposite would happen when the domestic currency is depreciating due to reversal of capital flows during crisis situations, as happened during the 2008 global crisis.
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A sharp depreciation in local currency would mean corresponding increase in debt service liability, as more domestic currency would be required to buy the same amount of foreign exchange for debt service payments. This would lead to erosion in profit margin and have mark-to-market implications for the corporate. There would also be 'debt overhang' problem, as the volume of debt would rise in local currency terms. Together, these factors could create corporate distress, especially because the rupee tends to depreciate precisely when the Indian economy is also under stress, and corporate revenues and margins are under pressure. In this context, it is felt that one of the factors contributing to faster recovery of Indian economy after the 2008 global crisis was the low level of corporate external debt. As a result, the significant decline in the value of rupee did not have major fallout for the corporate balance-sheets. Foreign currency borrowings, therefore, have to be contracted carefully, especially when no 'natural hedge' is available. Such natural hedge would happen when a foreign currency borrower also has an export market for its products. As a result, export receivables would offset, at least to some extent, the currency risk inherent in debt service payments. This happens because fall in the value of the rupee that leads to higher debt service payments is partly compensated by the increase in the value of rupee receivables through exports. When export receivables and the currency of borrowings is different, the prudent approach is for corporations to enter currency swaps to re-denominate asset and liability in the same currency to create natural hedge. Unfortunately, too many Indian corporations with little foreign
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currency earnings leave foreign currency borrowings unhedged, so as to profit from low international interest rates. This is a dangerous gamble for reasons described above and should be avoided. Table 6.10 : International Comparison of Top Twenty Developing Debtor Countries, 2011 countri Sl. es N o. Total exter nal debt stock (US$ millio n) Tot al de bt to GN I (pe r cen t) 4 9.4 Short -term to total exter nal debt (per cent) Foreig n excha nge reserv es to total debt (per cent)
1 1
2 China
3 685,4 18 542,9 77
5 39.6
6 467.3
Russian Federat ion Brazil
31. 1
12.9
83.6
404,3 17 334,3 31 307,0 07
16. 6 18. 3 40. 1
10.4
86.7
India
23.3
81.1
Turkey
27.3
25.5
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6 Mexico 287,0 37 25. 2 26. 0 83. 3 72. 3 77. 9 26. 3 28. 4 41. 0 34. 8 24. 0 24. 3 33. 6 21. 17.9 50.2 ela 19 Pakista n 20 vietna m 8 60,18 2 57,84 1 8 27. 3 49. 1 4.2
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24.1
Indones 213,5 ia 41 Ukraine 134,4 81 Romani a 129,4 37
17.9
49.9
17.2
23.4
24.3
22.6
22.9
33.1
10 Kazakhs 124,4 tan 37 11 Argenti na 12 South Africa 13 Chile 114,7 04 113,5 12 96,24 5 94,46 8 80,03 9 76,91 8 76,04 3 67,90
7.2
20.2
14.5
37.7
16.6
37.5
17.8
43.6
14 Malaysi a 15 Thailan d 16 Colomb ia 17 Philippi nes 18 Venezu
46.3
139.5
56.2
209.1
14.1
40.8
9.2
88.5
24.6
14.6
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CHAPTER- 7 INTERNATIONAL TRADE

Trends in growth in trade volumes 12, and South Africa (11.5 per cent). The rise in gold imports is due to many factors. The love of Indians for the yellow metal is well known. India is one of the largest consumers of gold in the world with consumption increasing from 721.9 tonnes in 2006 to 933.4 tonnes in 2011 and 612 tonnes in the first three quarters of 2012, accounting for around 27 per cent of world gold consumption in 2011, and 26.4 per cent in 2012 (total of first three quarters). India is one of the largest importers of gold in the world, with import growth of 11.2 per cent in terms of quantity and 39.0 per cent in terms of value during 2011-12. Gold is the second major import item of India after POL and constitutes 11.3 of its imports in 2011-12 in value terms. The rise in imports of gold is one of the factors contributing to India's high trade deficit and CAD in 201112, forming 30 per cent of its trade deficit. The RBI in its draft report of the Working Group to Study 'Issues Related to Gold Imports and Gold Loans by NBFCs in India' has stated that if gold imports in India had grown by 24 per cent (an average of growth in world gold demand during past three years) instead of 39 per cent in 2011-12, the CAD would have been lower by approximately US$ 6 billion and the CADGDP ratio would have been 3.9 per cent instead of 4.2 per cent. Globally, the demand for gold is rising, mainly due to demand from emerging economies like China and India. The major source countries for import of gold include Switzerland, responsible for 52 per cent of the total imports by India of raw gold during 2011www.jagranjosh.com
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This has inevitably led to its import. Gold is also used for trading/investment. Net retail investment constitutes 39.2 per cent of the India's total gold consumption in 2011 and 32.5 per cent during the first three quarters of 2012 in terms of quantity. Rising gold prices in recent years have not deterred the acquisition of gold in India, implying that investment in gold is becoming price inelastic. India also imports gold for manufacturing purposes and exports a portion of it as jewellery. In the case of export of gold jewellery, the major export destinations include the UAE (57.9 per cent), Hong Kong (14.1 per cent), and the USA (12.0 per cent). International gold price movements which have been volatile in recent years also have a bearing on the value of the country's gold imports. The worsening global situation has also led to a rise in purchase of gold as a safety metal and a further rise in its price. Fluctuations in international gold prices get automatically reflected in India's gold prices along with the markup due to duties and taxes. Current Affairs Comprehensive

To restrict the rising trend in gold imports which is adversely affecting India's balance of payments, measures were and are being taken by the government. In Budget 201213, import duty on standard gold and platinum was raised from 2 per cent to 4 per cent and non standard gold from 5 per cent to 10 per cent. On 21 January 2013, the Import duty on gold and platinum was increased from 4 per cent to 6 per cent. It has also been proposed to provide a link between the Gold ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) and Gold Deposit Scheme with the objective of unfreezing or releasing a part of the gold physically held by mutual funds under Gold ETFs and enabling them to deposit the gold with banks under the Gold Deposit Scheme. While the supply of gold through organized channels can be constricted, there is need to be vigilant regarding gold inflows through unauthorized channels. Ultimately, the best way to reduce gold imports in a sustainable way will be to offer the public financial investment opportunities that generate attractive returns. This means bringing down inflation as well as expanding the range of investments investors have easy access to. Trade Composition Export composition While the share of primary products in India's exports fell over the years from 16 per cent in 2000-1, in 2012- 13 (AprilNovember) it regained the share of 16 per cent mainly due to the export of agricultural items like rice and guar gum meal. The share of manufacturing exports fell drastically from 78.8 per cent in 2000-1 to 66.1 per cent in 2011-12 and further to 64.5
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per cent in 2012-13 mainly due to the fall in shares of traditional items like textiles and leather and leather manufactures even though the share of engineering goods and chemicals and related products increased. Share of gems and jewellery fell marginally. Share of petroleum, crude & products exports, which also include refined items, increased from 4.3 per cent in 2000-1 to 18.3 per cent in 2011-12 and 18.6 per cent in 2012-13. Import composition The share of POL imports increased from 28.7 per cent in 2010-11 to 31.7 per cent in 2011-12 (with a very high growth rate) and 34.6 per cent in 2012-13 (April-November). The share of gold and silver imports increased from 9.3 per cent in 2000-1 to 12.6 per cent in 2011-12 with a high import growth rate of 44.5 per cent. Another important development is related to the share of capital goods imports which increased from 10.5 per cent in 2000-1 to 13.6 per cent in 2010- 11 and further to 14.1 per cent in 2011-12, declining thereafter to 11.9 per cent in 2012-13. The share of electronic goods, which includes both consumer electronics and capital goods, also fell in 2012-13 (AprilNovember). Commodity Composition of Indias Imports Commodity Group 201112
I. Food and allied products, of 3.1 which
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1. Cereals 2. Pulses 3. Edible oils II. Fuel, of which 4. POL III. Fertilizers IV. Capital goods, of which 0.0 0.4 2.1 37.4 31.7 2.4 14.1
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India's services export growth has been faster than that of merchandise exports with the export of services growing at a CAGR of 23.6 per cent during 2001-2 to 2011-12, while merchandise exports grew at a CAGR of 21.4 per cent during the same period. Indias Export of Services Commodity Group Travel Transportation Insurance GNIE 2011-12 13.0 12.8 1.8 0.3 72.0 43.7
5. Machinery except electrical & 7.2 machine tool 6. Electrical machinery 7. Transport equipment V. Others, of which 8. Chemicals 1.0
Miscellaneous 3.0 Software Services 49.0 5.1 Non-Software of which:
Services 28.3
9. Pearls, precious, semi-precious 6.1 stones 10. Gold & silver 11.Electronic goods India's Services Exports 12.6
Business Services Financial services
18.2 4.2
Communication Services 1.1 7.1 India's Regional Trading Arrangements: Recent Developments Agreement on South Asia Free Trade Area (SAFTA): The SAFTA Agreement was signed www.jagranjosh.com
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on 6 January 2004 and came into force on 1 January 2006. Under SAFTA, India has granted zero basic custom duty to all LDCs, viz. Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Maldives, on all items except 25 items relating to alcohol and tobacco. India-Thailand FTA, Early Harvest Scheme (EHS) under the Framework Agreement for establishing IndiaThailand FTA: On 9th October 2003, India and Thailand signed a Framework Agreement for establishing an IndiaThailand FTA, which includes trade in goods, trade in services, investment, and other areas of economic cooperation, to be concluded as a single undertaking. India-ASEAN Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA): Services and Investment Agreements. The Trade in Goods Agreement, which was signed on 13 August 2009 under the broader framework of the CECA between India and ASEAN has already come into force. Conclusions of negotiations for the Services Agreement and Investment Agreement have been announced during the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit held on 20 December 2012 in New Delhi. Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement among ASEAN + 6 (Australia, China, India, Japan, Korea, and New Zealand): During the 20th ASEAN Summit held in Cambodia in April 2012, ASEAN States agreed to move towards establishing an RCEP involving ASEAN and its FTA partners. The objective of launching RCEP negotiations is to achieve a modern, comprehensive, high-quality, and mutually beneficial economic partnership agreement among the ASEAN member www.jagranjosh.com
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States and ASEAN's FTA partners. The RCEP will cover trade in goods, trade in services, investment, economic and technical cooperation, intellectual property, competition, dispute settlement, and other issues. India - EU Broad Based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA): Fifteen rounds of negotiations and a number of intersessional and Chief Negotiator level meetings have been held till date. Global System of Trade Preferences (GSTP): The Agreement establishing the GSTP among developing countries was signed on 13 April 1988 at Belgrade following the conclusion of the First Round of Negotiations. Forty-three countries have ratified the Agreement and become participants. India has offered tariff concessions on 70.08 per cent of dutiable tariff lines with an across-the-board margin of preference (MoP) of 20 per cent on the applied tariffs prevailing on the date of import. Diversifying Technology-intensive Export Products through the Regional Process Tradable products can be classified into five different groups based on the technology intensity. (1) Primary products have very little technology basis for retaining comparative advantage, (2) resource-based products having competitive advantages, generally arising from local availability of natural resources and using simple and labour-intensive technology, (3) low technology products having simple technologies mainly embodied in capital equipment, with labour constituting a major element of cost in competitiveness and operating under low-scale economies

with low entry barriers, (4) medium technology products comprising skill- and scale-intensive technologies in capital and intermediate products where product development takes place with complex technologies, involving high level of research and development (R&D) expenditure and which require lengthy learning periods and are subject to high entry barriers, and (5) high technology products having advanced and fast changing technologies with emphasis on product design requiring high R&D investment, sophisticated infrastructures, high levels of specialized technical skills, and close interactions between firms and universities/research institutions. Trends in global trade indicate that there has been a proliferation of trade in technologyintensive manufacturing products. Among the globally dynamic products of trade, a significant proportion of items are high and medium technology-intensive items. India has been diversifying into technology intensive products with a fair amount of success with exports of high technology and medium technology products growing faster than the total exports of India during 2004-2011 (Table 1). Further, diversifying India's exports to include more technologyintensive product groups is of vital importance. Reviving and Accelerating India's Trade: Micro, Sector- and Port-specific issues Some trade-related issues and suggested policies at the micro, sector-specific and port-specific levels are as follows: Infrastructure Related: Even the best of Indian ports do not have state-of-the-art technology as in Singapore, Rotterdam, and Shanghai. Port Infrastructure issues include
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poor road conditions and port connectivity, congestions, vessel berthing delays, poor cargo handling techniques and equipment., resulting in multiple handlings, increased lead time, high transaction costs and thus loss of market competitiveness. Trade Facilitation Measures: While India is ranked 132 in the 'ease of doing business', on 'trading across borders' India is ranked 127 with Singapore at first rank and China at 68th as per the World Bank and IFC 'Doing Business 2013'. India requires 9 export documents to be cleared, while China needs 8, with good practice economies like France needing 2. Time to export is 16 days for India and five for Denmark. Cost to export is $1120 per container, compared to $580 in China and $435 in Malaysia. Number of import documents that need clearance is 11 in India, 5 in China, and 2 in France. Time to import is 20 days in India and 4 in Singapore. Cost to import is $1200 per container in India, $615 in China, and $439 in Singapore. There are many trade facilitation measures that can help the export sector without any cost to the government exchequer. Tax and Customs Duty Related: These include fixing a time limit for disbursal of duty drawback, service tax refunds, and central excise rebate claims to the exporters as delays in the release of these claims adversely affect working capital, making them less competitive; crediting payment of central excise rebate claims directly to the bank account of the exporter; introducing value added tax (VAT) refund system for purchases in India by foreigners which can increase purchases in India by foreign tourists; and reviewing inverted duty structure under the India-
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Thailand FTA as finished jewellery imports from Thailand are cheaper than primary gold (raw material) available in India. These include simplification of the multiple documentation procedures as on an average an Indian exporter is required to sign at about 130 places to complete an export transaction (from pre-shipment till receiving export related benefits) as per the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO).
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CHAPTER- 8 AGRICULTURE AND FOOD MANAGEMEN

Agriculture Sector: Key Indicators S.No. Item 2011-12 1st Revision on account of the levy as sugar mills are under a transition, some level of central support to help states meet the cost to be incurred on this account may be provided for a transitory period; d) dispensing with the regulated release mechanism (of nonlevy) sugar; e) stable trade policy; no quantitative or movement restrictions on byproducts like molasses and ethanol and dispensing with compulsory jute packing. A stable, predictable, and consistent policy reforms have to be brought about in a fiscally neutral manner and issues considered for implementation in a phased manner. AGRICULTURAL INPUTS Improvement in yield, which is the key to the long-term growth, depends on efficient use of quality seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, micronutrients, and irrigation. Each of these plays a role in determining yield level and in turn augmentation in level of production. Seeds Seeds are a critical input for agricultural crops. Farmers typically rely on farm-saved seeds, over use of which leads to a low seed replacement rate and poor yield. An Indian Seed Programme for encouraging the development of new varieties and protecting the rights of farmers and plant breeders has been put in place with the participation of central and state governments, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), state
Growth in GDP in 3.6 Agriculture & Allied Sector Share of Agriculture 14.1 & allied sectors in total GDP Agriculture Forestry and logging Fishing 12.0 1.4 0.7
3 4 5
A report on 'Regulation of the Sugar Sector in India: The way forward' has been submitted by the Committee under the chairmanship of Dr C. Rangarajan, Chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister. The ways forward suggested include: a) phasing out cane reservation area; b) dispensing with minimum distance criteria; c) dispensing with the levy sugar system; states that want to provide sugar under the PDS may procure it from the market according to their requirement, fix the issue price and subsidize from their own budgets. Currently, there is an implicit cross-subsidy www.jagranjosh.com

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agricultural universities, seed cooperatives, and private sectors. A central-sector Scheme for Development and Strengthening of Infrastructure Facilities for Production and Distribution of Quality Seeds with the aim of making quality seeds of various crops available to farmers at affordable price is under implementation since 2005-6. As a result of this initiative, availability of certified quality seeds has increased from 140.5 lakh quintals in 20056 to 328.6 lakh quintals in 2012-13; For achieving timely availability of seeds at affordable price to farmers in hilly/remote areas of north-eastern states, a Transport Subsidy on Movement of Seeds scheme is in operation whereby grants-in-aid of Rs. 12.6 crore was reimbursed to A Sub-Mission on Seed and Planting Material under the National Mission for Agricultural Extension and Technology with an allocation of Rs. 2088 crore is under consideration for the Twelfth Five Year Plan. Mechanization and Technology Tractors are the main power source for various farm operations and India is the world leader in tractor production with over 5 lakh tractors produced annually. Studies reveal that adoption of appropriate mechanization of farm operations can increase production and farm productivity by 10-15 per cent, cropping intensity by 520 per cent and effect savings in seeds fertilizer and chemicals and time and labour Progress in farm mechanization at present is hindered by the low and erratic availability of farm power and shrinking holding sizes. Shrinking landholding size with majority of the farmers being small and marginal is also making individual ownership of agricultural machinery progressively uneconomical. This requires
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steps for the setting up of custom-hiring centres/high-tech machinery banks so that small and marginal farmers can reap the benefits of farm mechanization. The government has initiated a Sub-Mission on Agriculture Mechanization in the Twelfth Five year Plan, with a focus on custom hiring. Integrated Nutrient Management India meets 80 per cent of its urea requirement through indigenous production but is largely import dependent for meeting its requirements of the potassic (K) and phosphatic (P) fertilizer requirements. The consumption of fertilizers in nutrient terms has shown improvement, indicating that the policies for increasing availability and consumption of fertilizers at affordable prices in the country have been successful. However over-use of nitrogenous and limited use of P and K fertilizers are matters of great concern and need appropriate price incentives by reducing fertilizer subsidies so that sustainable practices are encouraged. Irrigation India has made considerable progress in developing irrigation infrastructure. However irrigation efficiency is low for both surface and ground waters. In order to help the rainfed farmers improve productivity and profitability, in situ soil and water conservation practices are developed for different agro-climatic regions with special emphasis on effective rainwater management along with a suite of locationspecific technologies. Substantial irrigation potential has been created through major and medium irrigation schemes. The central government initiated the Accelerated
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Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) in 1996-7 for extending assistance for the completion of incomplete irrigation schemes. MAJOR SCHEMES / PROGRAMMES FOR THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR National Food Security Mission Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana National Mission Agriculture for Sustainable
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Bringing Green Revolution to Eastern India Rainfed Area Development Programme Macro Management of Agriculture Integrated Scheme of Oilseeds, Pulses, Oil Palm, and Maize National Horticulture Mission Agricultural Credit Major crop insurance schemes National Agricultural Insurance Scheme Pilot Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme
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CHAPTER 9 INDUSTRIAL PERFORMANCE

Why has growth moderated? The moderation in industrial growth, particularly in the manufacturing sector, is largely attributed to sluggish growth of investment, squeezed margins of the corporate sector, deceleration in the rate of growth of credit flows and the fragile global economic recovery. Government's key initiatives to Boost Manufacturing Apart from the government's recent steps to uplift overall business sentiment and boost investment, several specific initiatives have been initiated to strengthen industry and in particular the manufacturing sector in the country. The Twelfth Five Year Plan document lays down broad strategies for spurring industrial growth and recommends sector specific measures covering micro, small, medium and large industries in the formal as well as informal sector. Some of major initiatives that can change the manufacturing landscape of the country are announcement of National Manufacturing Policy (NMP), implementation of the Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) Project (see Chapter 2) and policy reforms to promote foreign direct investment (FDI) and an e-Biz project. MICRO, SMALL AND ENTERPRISES (MSME) SECTOR MEDIUM Twelfth Five Year Plan policy framework is guided by the recommendations of these key committees. The Plan covers various aspects of the MSME sector and its key recommendations fall under six broad verticals, viz. 1) finance and credit (ii) technology (iii) infrastructure (iv) marketing and procurement (v) skill development and training, and (vi) institutional structure. In order to boost the MSME sector, several schemes are under operation including the following ones. 1. Procurement Policy: The government has notified a Public Procurement Policy for Goods Produced and Services rendered by Micro & Small Enterprises (MSE) order, 2012 effective from 1st April, 2012. 2. MSECluster Development Programme (MSECDP): The Ministry of MSME has adopted a cluster approach for holistic development of MSE in a cost effective manner. To build capacity of MSMEs for common supportive actions, soft interventions are undertaken in the existing clusters/new industrial areas/ estates or existing industrial areas/estates. 3. Credit Guarantee Scheme: The Government is implementing the Credit Guarantee Fund Scheme for MSEs with the objective of facilitating flow of credit to the
In the recent past the Prime Minister's Task Force on MSMEs and the Twelfth Plan Working Group on MSMEs have discussed issues related to the MSME sector. The
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MSEs, particularly to micro enterprises by providing guarantee cover for loans upto Rs. 100 lakh without collateral / third party guarantees. 4. Credit Linked Capital Subsidy Scheme for Micro and Small Enterprises (CLCSS) for MSEs: The scheme aims at facilitating technology upgradation of MSEs by providing 15 per cent capital subsidy (limited to maximum Rs. 15 lakh) for purchase of plant & machinery. Maximum limit of eligible loan for calculation of subsidy under the scheme is R.s 100 lakh.
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CHAPTER 10 SERVICES SECTOR

Growing competition to Indias IT and ITeS Services The IT and ITeS sector has started facing competition from many developing countries. While the EU has the highest share in computer and information services exports, followed by India and the USA, many new competitors like China, Israel and the Philippines have emerged in recent years. Between 2005 and 2011, the annual average growth of computer services was 69 per cent in the Philippines, 28 per cent in Sri Lanka, 59 per cent in Ukraine, 27 per cent in the Russian Federation, 37 per cent in Argentina and 35 per cent in Costa Rica. Even if in some cases the export values are relatively low, the average annual growth of computer services in these economies is well above the average of the top exporters. In the BPO sector, countries such as the Philippines, Malaysia and China in the Asian continent; Egypt and Morocco in North Africa; Brazil, Mexico, Chile and Columbia in Latin America; and Poland and Ireland in Europe are emerging as attractive destinations for voice contracts, posing a significant threat to Indian firms. According to NASSCOM, in the last five years, India has lost about 10 per cent market share to the rest of the world in the world BPO space, most of which is in the voice contract segment. Though China faces challenges, such as language proficiency, the country is spending large amounts in mission mode to increase English proficiency, and thus may eventually emerge as a threat to India. Though the Philippines, the second largest www.jagranjosh.com
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destination for outsourcing, is currently facing the challenge of appreciating currency, it is a serious competitor having developed both the hardware and software segments of IT. Outsourcing has also become a national issue in several developed countries, like the USA and the UK, who are supporting the local BPO industry through various means. According to industry sources, the BPO industry in the UK employs 800,000 British workers and is emerging as a vital part of the economy. In such a situation, the Indian BPO industry needs to gear up to address the challenges. Information campaigns to dispel the myths and fears about outsourcing needs to be undertaken by the industry in the developed economies. India should also move up the value chain in software services. Equally important is the need to focus on the large domestic sector where there is a huge opportunity which, if tapped could also lead to lower costs due to scale economies. To address the rising wages in the urban BPO space, there is a need to move more towards rural areas, for which skill development, and English language training with American and different European accents is necessary.
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CHAPTER 11 ENERGY, INFRASTRUCTURE AND COMMUNICATIONS

New Initiatives by Indian Railways Kisan Vision Project: To encourage setting up of cold storage and temperature-controlled perishable cargo centres through PPP mode, logistics based PSUs including the Container Corporation of India Limited, Central Warehousing Corporation, and Central Rail-side Warehouse Company Limited have been asked to provide infrastructure at six Indian Railways locations under a pilot project--the Kisan Vision Project. High-speed passenger trains: Indian Railways is adopting a multi-pronged strategy to provide safer, faster, cleaner, and more comfortable passenger trains. Seven corridors have been identified for conducting pre-feasibility studies for running high-speed trains (popularly referred to as bullet trains) at speeds above 350 kmph. These corridors will be set up through PPP route. Induction of LHB Coaches: Linke Holfmann Busch (LHB) coaches are being inducted in train services including existing and certain important Rajdhani and mail/express trains. LHB coaches have higher carrying capacity, better riding comfort, higher-speed potential, longer life, upgraded amenities, provision of control discharge toilet system, lower maintenance requirement, enhanced safety features, and aesthetic interiors. A rail coach factory at Palakkad has been sanctioned in PPP mode for production of such coaches. Introduction of bio-toilets: With a commitment to providing hygienic environment to its passengers and staff, Indian Railways along with the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has developed environment-friendly bio-toilets for its passenger coaches.
Prime Minister's Reconstruction Plan for J&K The Hon'ble Prime Minister announced a Reconstruction Plan (PMRP) for Jammu and Kashmir during his visit to the state on 17 and 18 November 2004. Construction of Mughal Road, widening of Domel-Katra road (NH-1C), double-laning of BatoteKishtwar-Sinthanpass-Anantnag Road (NH1B), upgrading of Srinagar-Uri Road (NH1A), construction of Khanabal--Pahalgam Road, construction of Narbal-Aangmarg Road and doublelaning of Srinagar-KargilLeh Road (NH-1D) are the seven works under this project amounting to ` 3,300
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crore. An expenditure of around ` 2,708 crore has already been incurred. NTP-2012 The Government approved National Telecom Policy (NTP) 2012, which addresses the vision, strategic direction, and the various medium- and long-term issues related to the telecom sector, on 31 May 2012. NTP-2012 is aimed at maximizing public good by making affordable, reliable, and secure telecommunication and broadband services available across the country. The objectives of NTP-2012 include the following:
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CHAPTER 12 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Twelfth Five Year Plan Approaches for Sustainable Development and Lower Carbon Strategies The Twelfth Plan strategy suggests that there are significant 'co-benefits' for climate action with inclusive and sustainable growth. India as a large responsible player with very low income has also to ensure that these efforts are matched by equitable and fair burden sharing among countries, taking into account the historical responsibilities for emissions. These issues are being discussed in the UNFCCC. India's approach to a lower-carbon growth strategy explicitly recognizes that policies have to be inclusive and differentiated across sectors according to national priorities, so as to lower the transaction costs of implementing the policy, and conform with a nationally fair burdensharing mechanism. An Expert Group on Low Carbon Strategies appointed by the Planning Commission has outlined the lower carbon strategies for major potential carbon mitigation sectors: (i) Power: On the supply side, adopt super-critical technologies in coalbased thermal power plants; use gas in combined heat and power systems; invest in renewable technologies; and develop hydropower in a sustainable manner. On the demand side, accelerate adoption of superwww.jagranjosh.com
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efficient electrical appliances through market and regulatory mechanisms; enhance efficiency of agricultural pump sets and industrial equipment with better technology; modernize transmission and distribution to bring technical and commercial losses down to world average levels; universalize access to electricity; and accelerate powersector reforms. (ii) Transport: Increase the share of rail in overall freight transport; improve the efficiency of rail freight transport; make it price competitive by bringing down the levels of crosssubsidization between freight and passenger transport; complete dedicated rail corridor; improve share and efficiency of public transport system; and improve fuel efficiency of vehicles through both market-based and regulatory mechanisms. (iii) Industry: Greenfield plants in the iron and steel and cement sectors adopt best available technology; existing plants, particularly small and medium ones, modernize and adopt green technology at an accelerated pace, with transparent financing mechanisms.

(iv) Buildings: Evolve and institutionalize green building codes at all levels of government. (v) Forestry: 'Green India Mission' to regenerate at least 4 million ha of degraded forest; increase density of forest cover on 2 million ha of moderately dense forest; and overall increase the density of forest and tree cover on 10 million ha of forest, waste, and community lands. SAPCC Since the launch of the NAPCC, there have been serious efforts to dovetail national programmes of action to regional and local levels consistent with varying socioeconomic and ecological conditions. At the Conference of State Environment Ministers held on 18 August 2009, the Prime Minister of India requested all state governments to prepare SAPCCs. The State Action Plans took their lead from National Mission documents while formulating mitigation/ adaptation strategies. So far, 21 states have prepared documents on the SAPCC focused on approaches that are sectoral but with regional ramifications. The State Action Plans include strategies and a list of possible sectoral actions that would help the states achieve their adaptation and mitigation objectives. The common threads that bind these State Plans together are the principles of territorial approach to climate change, sub-national planning, building capacities for vulnerability assessment, and identifying investment opportunities based on state priorities. This framework provides a broad, systematic, and step-wise process for the preparation of SAPCCs and advocates a participatory approach so that states have
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enough ownership of the process and final plan. The major sectors for which adaptation strategies envisaged are agriculture, water, forests, coastal zone, and health. Together with efforts to incorporate sustainability in the rural development process, India is increasingly making efforts to integrate the three pillars of sustainable development into its national policy space. In fact, environment protection is enshrined in our Constitution (Articles 48 A and 51 A [g]). Various policy measures are being implemented across the domains of forestry, pollution control, water management, clean energy, and marine and coastal environment. Some of these are policies like Joint Forest Management, Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment, Coastal Zone Regulation Zone, eco labelling and energy efficiency labelling, fuel efficiency standards etc . Rio + 20 The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD), was held in June 2012 at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, (also known as Rio+20) and was attended at the heads of states level. The objective of the Rio+20 Conference was to secure renewed political commitment for sustainable development, review progress made and identify implementation gaps, and assess new and emerging challenges since the UNCSD held 20 years ago in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. Towards this end, the Conference had two themes, viz. (a) green economy in the context of sustainable development & poverty eradication; and (b) institutional framework for sustainable development. The most significant
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outcomes of the Rio Summit have been the restoration of the principles of equity and of common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR) in the global environmental discourse and placing poverty eradication at the centre of the global development agenda. The outcome also ensures the required domestic policy space to countries on a green economy and launched four processes/ mechanisms, i.e. developing SDGs, financing strategy, technology transfer, and defining the format and organizational aspects of the proposed high level political forum to follow up on the implementation of sustainable development. 'Fairness' as an issue received attention. It is a matter of satisfaction and achievement for India that the Rio outcome document reaffirms equity and the principle of CBDR among other Rio principles. India together with other developing countries played an instrumental role in this. CBDR is especially important for developing countries, as it implies that while all countries should take sustainable development actions, the developed countries have to take the leading role in environmental protection, as they have contributed the most to environmental problems. On the issue of Green economy, the outcome document affirms that there are different approaches, visions, models, and tools available to each country, in accordance with its national circumstances and priorities, for achieving sustainable development. It identifies green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication as one of the important tools for achieving sustainable development but specifies that while it could provide
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options for policy-making it should not be a rigid set of rules. The Rio+20 Conference will also be remembered for kick-starting the process on developing SDGs. The SDGs would address and incorporate in a balanced way, all the three dimensions of sustainable development and their inter-linkages. The Rio Summit did not lead to any specific commitments on the finance and technology front. The developed countries, having obligations and responsibilities, need to commit to provision of adequate public funds including for transfer of technology and capacity building to developing countries. There has been no mention of provision of new and additional financial resources by developed countries, something that India would have wanted to see. While developing countries remain disappointed with the outcome document on means of implementation, they managed to secure many of their key positions and demands in the negotiations. Convention on Biological Diversity Global concerns about biodiversity found expression in the CBD adopted in 1992. The objectives of the Convention are: conservation of biodiversity, sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic resources. The Convention has near universal membership with 193 countries. The USA is the only major country that is not a Party. Following the ratification of the CBD, India also enacted the Biological Diversity Act in 2002 and notified the Rules in 2004 to give effect to the provisions of the CBD. Current Affairs Comprehensive
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Being committed to the cause, India successfully hosted the COP 11 to the CBD, and the sixth Conference of the Parties serving as Meeting of the Parties (CoP/MoP-6) to the CBD's Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety in Hyderabad from 819 October 2012. The event provided India an opportunity to consolidate, scale up, and showcase its initiatives and strengths on biodiversity. One of the most important outcomes is the commitment of the Parties to doubling the total biodiversity-related international financial resource flows to developing countries by 2015 and at least maintaining this level until 2020. This will translate into additional financial flows to the developing countries to the tune of about US $ 30 billion over the next eight years. The Prime Minister of India, during COP 11 announced India's ratification of the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing under the CBD and also launched the 'Hyderabad Pledge' of US $ 50 million during India's Presidency to strengthen institutional mechanisms and capacity building in developing countries. The Prime Minister unveiled a commemorative pylon in Hyderabad to mark COP-11. It has been decided to establish a biodiversity museum and a garden on this site. At national level, efforts will be made to strengthen the implementation of the Biological Diversity Act and provide support to the State Biodiversity Boards and at local level prepare Peoples Biodiversity Registers. Doha Climate Change Conference 2012 The 18th session of the COP to the UNFCCC, that started on 26 November and concluded on 8 December 2012 in Doha, Qatar has resulted in a set of decisions
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(clubbed together as 'Doha Climate Gateway') aimed at advancing the implementation of the UNFCCC and its Kyoto Protocol (KP). The key issues for the Doha conference were: amending the KP to implement the second commitment period under the Protocol; successfully concluding the work of the Bali Action Plan (BAP) within which there was urgent need for a clear path to climate finance; and planning the work under the Durban Platform (DP) for enhanced action. The Conference addressed all three issues and came out with a package which balanced the interests and obligations of various countries At the Doha Conference, the three issues of equity, technology-related IPRs, and unilateral measures raised by India resounded in the decisions. These outstanding or unresolved issues under the BAP are now part of the planned or continuing work of various bodies of the Convention. At Doha, India also ensured that no hasty decision is taken on aspects related to mitigation in agricultural sector at global level as agriculture is a sensitive sector for developing countries. The Conference has explicitly recognized that the action of Parties will be based on equity and CBDR including the need for equitable access to sustainable development. The Conference also recognized that issues relating to global peaking that could place a cap on emissions of developing countries and restrict their development space were controversial and best avoided at this stage of development. At the same time, in an effort to cater to the interest of all countries and come up with a balanced package, some elements of
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the package required compromise or deferral. In many cases, ambitious and strong demands were collectively made by developing countries, but in the act of balancing, countries were made to accept the mellowed down and subtle versions of their demands. Key Doha Outcomes It has been agreed that the KP, as the only existing and binding agreement under which developed countries commit to cutting emissions of GHGs, will enter a second commitment period that will run for eight years. Governments have agreed to speedily work toward a climate change agreement under DP applicable to all countries from 2020, to be adopted by 2015. Further governments have decided to find ways to scale up efforts before 2020 to meet the gap in global ambition for emissions reduction. Governments have launched a robust process to review the longterm temperature goal. This will start in 2013 and conclude by 2015 and is a reality check on the advance of the climate change threat and the possible need to mobilize further action. The Work Programme on Long term Finance launched last year has been extended for another year to contribute to the ongoing efforts to
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scale up mobilization of climate finance. Developed countries have reiterated their commitment to deliver on promises of mobilizing US$100 billion both for adaptation and mitigation by 2020. Decision also encourages developed countries to increase efforts for providing finance between 2013 and 2015, and at least to the average annual level provided during the 2010-2012 fast-start finance period. Finance pledges of about $ 6 billion for period upto 2015 announced by Germany, the UK, France, Denmark, Sweden and the EU Commission. The selection of the Republic of Korea by the Board of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to host the GCF has been endorsed. The unresolved issues of Technology-related Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) and the Unilateral Measures under the BAP are now part of the planned or continuing work of various bodies of the Convention. Based on the decisions, the Technology Executive Committee (TEC) will initiate exploration of issues relating to enabling environments and barriers, including IPRs in its future workplan. The TEC has already identified IPRs as one of the key messages on which further work is necessary. Similarly, a decision has been taken for facilitating discussion on the issue of unilateral measures under Current Affairs Comprehensive
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the existing implementation measures. forum on of response
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A Look at CO2 Emissions of the G 20 Countries As CO2 is the predominant GHG, an analysis of its emissions across countries in per capita terms in 2009, compared to 2005 presents an interesting picture. Although the G20 is referred to as a group, there are stark disparities on the ground between member countries in terms of incomes, stages of development as well as respective per capita CO2 emissions. In 2005, the USA had the highest CO2 emissions in metric tons per capita at 19.7, followed by Australia (18.0). The lowest per capita emitters in 2005 were Brazil (1.9), Indonesia (1.5), and India (1.2) who continued to be the bottom three in 2009 as well. In 2009, Australia ranked first within the G20, followed by the USA Domestic Resources and Mechanisms The assessment and quantification of the costs of adaptation and mitigation is a difficult task. However, it is clear that these costs are significant and will likely be higher in the future as initiatives are taken in line with the goals outlined in the NAPCC. The preliminary estimates indicate a sum of ` 230,000 crore to fulfill the mission objectives under the NAPCC alone, let alone other lower carbon strategies and environment policies and programmes of the government. The most obvious source of financing for climate change action is government budgetary support. Most of it would come as sectoral finance since some of the
resources for adaptation and mitigation are built into the ongoing schemes and programmes. The Finance Bill 2010-11 created a corpus called the National Clean Energy Fund (NCEF) out of a cess at the rate of Rs. 50 per tonne of coal to invest in entrepreneurial ventures and research in the field of clean energy technologies. The government expects to collect Rs. 10,000 crore under the NCEF by 2015. Perform Achieve and Trade (PAT) and Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) are examples of cap and trade market mechanisms promoting energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy respectively in India. PAT and RPO PAT is a scheme for trading energyefficiency certificates in large energyintensive industries under the National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency. Identified industries are required to improve their specific energy consumption (SEC) within the specified period of three years or face penalty provisions. At the same time this mechanism facilitates efficient industries to trade their additional certified energy savings (that go beyond the assigned target) with other designated consumers who could use these certificates to comply with their SEC-reduction targets. In the Twelfth Five Year Plan, the PAT scheme is likely to achieve about 15 million tonnes oil equivalent of annual savings in coal, oil, gas, and electricity Similarly, the RPO is creating domestic markets for renewable energy through regulatory interventions at state level. The RPO is the minimum level of renewable energy (out of total consumption) the
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obligated entities (DISCOMs, Captive Power Plants, and Open Access Consumers) are entitled to purchase in the area of a distribution licensee. The obligation is mandated by the State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC). Since the renewable energy sources are not evenly spread across India, SERCs cannot specify a
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linear level of RPOs for all states. Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) under the RPO mechanism is an instrument that enables the obligated entities to meet their Renewable Purchase Obligation by trading surplus or deficit RECs among themselves with the owner of the REC being able to claim to have purchased renewable energy.
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CHAPTER 13 HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

INCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT This section and the one that follows examine the major dimensions of inclusive development like poverty alleviation, employment generation, health, education, women's empowerment, and social welfare besides reviewing the progress of important government programmes in these sectors. Inclusive development includes social inclusion along with financial inclusion and in most cases the socially excluded are also financially excluded. Many segments of the population like landless agricultural labourers, marginal farmers, scheduled castes (SCs), scheduled tribes (STs), and other backward classes (OBCs) continue to suffer social and financial exclusion. INEQUALITY HDR measures inequality in terms of two indicators. The first indicator is the income Gini coefficient which measures the deviation of distribution of income (or consumption) among the individuals within a country from a perfectly equal distribution. For India, the income Gini coefficient was 36.8 in 2010-11. In this respect, inequality in India is lower than many other developing countries e.g. South Africa (57.8), Brazil (53.9), Thailand (53.6), Turkey (40.8), China (41.5), Sri Lanka (40.3), Malaysia (46.2), Vietnam (37.6), as well as countries like USA (40.8), Hong Kong (43.4), Argentina (45.8), Israel (39.2), Bulgaria (45.3) etc., which are otherwise ranked very high in terms of human development index. The second indicator is the quintile income www.jagranjosh.com
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ratio, which is a measure of average income of the richest 20 per cent of the population to that of poorest 20 per cent. The quintile income ratio for India was 5.6 in 2010-11. Countries like Australia (7.0), the USA (8.5), New Zealand (6.8), Singapore (9.8), the UK (7.8), Argentina (12.3), Mexico (14.4), Malaysia (11.4), Philippines (9.0), Vietnam (6.2) had higher ratios. Human Development: comparisons Inter-state
Narrowing inter-state and inter-regional disparities is also one of the objectives of inclusive development. Population Related: Bihar has the highest decadal (200111) growth rate of population (25.07 per cent), while Kerala has the lowest rate (4.86 per cent). Some big states like Gujarat, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh also have high decadal growth of population. In 2011, Kerala has the highest sex ratio with 1084 females per 1000 males, followed by Tamil Nadu (995), while Haryana is at the bottom (877). Interestingly, the sexratios in some of the developed states like Gujarat and Maharashtra are also low at 918 and 925 respectively.
Growth Related: Current Affairs Comprehensive

The best performers in terms of growth during 2011-12 are Bihar (16.71 per cent) followed by Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. The growth of these states is much above the all India average. The worst performers are Rajasthan (5.41 per cent) followed by Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. States with the highest growth rate for the period 2005-6 to 2011-12 are Bihar (10.17 per cent) followed by Gujarat and Maharashtra. In terms of growth in per capita income, the best performer is Bihar (15.44 per cent) followed by Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra due to high growth in gross state domestic product (GSDP) in 2011-12 and despite their high decadal growth in population. Per capita income growth is the lowest in Rajasthan (3.72 per cent), followed by Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Odisha which are all below the all India per capita income growth.
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per cent) followed by Kerala (12 per cent). Rural-Urban Disparity: Bihar has the lowest MPCE both in rural and urban areas at ` 780 (with 65 per cent food share) and `1238 (with 53 per cent food share) respectively. In comparison, Kerala has the highest in both rural and urban areas at `1835 (with 46 per cent food share) and ` 2413 (with 40 per cent food share) respectively. It is obvious that poorer states spend a greater proportion of income on food in total consumption expenditure.
Unemployment: As per usual status (adjusted) NSS 66th round 2009-10, the unemployment rate (per 1000) among the major states is the lowest in Gujarat(18) and highest in Kerala(73) and Bihar(73) in urban areas and the lowest in Rajasthan (4) and again highest in Kerala (75) in rural areas. The low unemployment rate in rural areas in Rajasthan may partly be due to high absorption of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) funds in the state. Kerala, which has performed well in terms of most indicators, performs less well in terms of unemployment (both rural and urban). This may be
Poverty: The poverty estimates indicate that the highest poverty headcount ratio (HCR) exists in Bihar at 53.5 per cent as against the national average of 29.8 per cent. In 2009-10 compared to 2004-5, Bihar has displaced Odisha as the poorest state, with Odisha's situation improving considerably in 2009-10. Lowest poverty is in Himachal Pradesh (9.5
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due to the higher level of education in Kerala resulting in people not opting for manual jobs as observed by some studies. Health: Kerala is the best performer in terms of life expectancy at birth for both males (71.5 years) and females (76.9 years) whereas Assam is the worst performer for both males (61 years) and females (63.2 years) during 2006-10. Infant mortality rate (IMR) in 2011 is the lowest in Kerala (12) and highest in Madhya Pradesh (59) against the national average of 44. Birth rate is lowest in Kerala (15.2) and highest in Uttar Pradesh (27.8) against the national average of 21.8. Death rate is lowest in West Bengal (6.2) and highest in Odisha (8.5) against the national average of 7.1.
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Bihar the lowest (14.4 per cent). Even a north-eastern state like Assam (16.5 per cent) is better placed than Bihar. Himachal Pradesh (89.1 per cent) has the highest percentage households availing of banking services while Assam (44.1 per cent) is the lowest followed by Bihar (44.4 per cent). Thus in terms of both these financial inclusion indicators, Bihar's performance is among the worst. Key Social-sector Programmes: While there are state-wise indicators for some social-sector programmes, it is not possible to evaluate the performance of states based just on numbers. The average person days per household under the MGNREGA in 2011-12 is the highest in Andhra Pradesh (58 days) followed by Himachal Pradesh (53 days) and lowest in Assam and Punjab (both 26 days) against the national average of 43 days. While the share of women's employment under the MGNREGA is the highest in Kerala (92.76 per cent) followed by Tamil Nadu (73.36 per cent), it is the lowest in Uttar Pradesh (16.98 per cent). While the stipulation of onethird women's participation has been maintained at the all India level, in states like Uttar Pradesh, Assam, and Bihar, it has been below the stipulated level.
Education: Madhya Pradesh has the highest gross enrolment ratio (GER) (6-13 years) in 2010-11 while Assam has the lowest. Pupil-teacher ratios in primary and middle/basic schools are the lowest in Himachal Pradesh and high in states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
Financial Inclusion: In terms of decadal growth rate in bank branches, Haryana (59.5 per cent) has the highest growth and
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Progress in terms of 24x7 primary health centres (PHCs), additional PHCs, CHCs and other sub districts health facilities under the NRHM is the highest in Tamil Nadu and lowest in Himachal Pradesh. Under the Indira Awas Yojana (IAY), Bihar has the highest share followed by Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh whereas Himachal Pradesh has the lowest. Rural SanitationTotal Campaign (TSC)
Page 721 Sanitation
URBAN INFRASTRUCTURE, HOUSING, AND SANITATION Jawahar Lal Nehru Urabn Renewal Mission (JNNURM) Rajiv Awas Yojana (RAY) Integrated Low Cost Sanitation Scheme (ILCS) SKILL DEVELOPMENT
Some important poverty alleviation and employment generation programmes are as follows: Mahatma Gandhi NREGA National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM)Aajeevika Swarna Jayanti Shahari Rozgar Yojana (SJSRY) SOCIAL PROTECTION PROGRAMMES Aam Admi Bima Yojana (AABY) Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) The Unorganized Workers Social Security Act 2008 and National Social Security Fund Social Security Agreements (SSAs) RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT Bharat Nirman Indira Awas Yojana (IAY) Pradhan Mantri (PMGSY) Gram Sadak Yoyana AND
UNIQUE IDENTIFICATION AUTHORITY OF INDIA (UIDAI) EDUCATION Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan Education (RTE) Mid-day Meals (MDM) Rashtriya (RMSA) Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA)/Right to
Model Schools Scheme Saakshar Bharat (SB)/ Adult Education HEALTH National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH)
Rural Drinking Water
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India Selected health indicators Sl. No . 1. Parameter 1981 1991 Curren t level 6. Urban Child (0-4 41.2 years) Mortality Rate ( per 1000 children) 13.3 Life (1981 Expectancy -85) at Birth: Total Male Female 55.4 55.4 55.7 26.5
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29 (2010* )
Crude Birth 33.9 Rate (CBR) (per 1000 population ) Crude 12.5 Death Rate (CDR)(per 1000 population ) Total Fertility Rate (TFR)(per woman) Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) (per 100,000 live births) 4.5
29.5
21.8 (2011* ) 7.
(1989 -93)
(200610)**
2.
9.8
7.1 (2011* )
59.4 59.0 59.7
66.1 64.6 67.7
3.
3.6
2.5 (2010* )
WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme
4.
NA
NA
212 (20079*)
Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls (RGSEAG)-Sabla Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana (IGMSY) National Mission for Empowerment of Women (NMEW)
5.
IMR (per 110 1000 live births): Rural
80
44 (2011* ) 48
Rashtriya Mahila Kosh (RMK) WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT OF SCS, STS, OBCS, AND OTHER WEAKER SECTIONS Special Central Assistance (SCA) to the Scheduled Castes Sub Plan (SCSP)
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Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for SC Students Under the Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship Scheme Under the National Overseas Scholarship Scheme
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Special Central Assistance (SCA) to Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP). Persons with Disabilities
Scheme of Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/Fitting of Aids/ Appliances (ADIP) Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS) Incentives to Employers in the Private Sector for Providing Employment to Persons with Disabilities
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Page 724
ANNEXURE A POPULATION CENSUS 2011

CENSUS 2011 Census 2011 is the 15th Census of India since 1872 Census 2011 was held in two phases: Houselisting & Housing Census (April to September 2010) Population Enumeration (9th to 28th February 2011) Reference Date: 0:00 Hours of 1st March 2011 In Snow Bound areas the Population Enumeration was conducted from 11th to 30th September 2010 Reference Date: 0:00 Hours of 1st October 2010 Number of Administrative Units in Census 2011 States/UTs Districts Sub-districts Towns Villages 35 640 5,924 7,936 6.41 lakh
Some Facts about Census 2011 Cost Cost per person No. of Census Functionaries No. of Languages in which Schedules were canvassed No. of Languages in which Training Manuals prepared No. of Schedules Printed Rs. 22000 Mn Rs. 18.19 2.7 Mn 16 18 340 Mn
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No. of Training Manuals Printed Paper Utilised Material Moved
Page 725 5.4 Mn 8,000 MTs 10,500 MTs
Population Census 2011 (Provisional) Population Persons Males Females 1210.2 million 623.7 million 586.5 million
Males include Males and Others Population 2001-2011 2001 1,02,87,37,436 53,22,23,090 49,65,14,346 2011 1,21,01,93,422 62,37,24,248 58,64,69,174 Difference 18,14,55,986 9,15,01,158 8,99,54,828 % Growth 2001-2011 17.64 17.19 18.12
Persons Males Females
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INDIA compared to 9 other most populous countries in the world
Page 726
Population Highlights The population of India has increased by more than 181 million during the decade 20012011 The absolute addition is slightly lower than the population of Brazil, the fifth most populous 10 country in the world! The population of India, at 1210.2 million, is almost equal to the combined population of U.S.A., Indonesia, Brazil, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Japan put together (1214.3 million)!
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Share of different States in Indias population
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Population
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Population Highlights 2001-2011 is the first decade (with the exception of 1911- 1921) which has actually added lesser population compared to the previous decade. The percentage decadal growth during 2001-2011 has registered the sharpest decline since Independence - a decrease of 3.90 percentage points from 21.54 to 17.64 percent Population Highlights
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Uttar Pradesh (200 million) is the most populous State in the country - population is more than the population of Brazil. Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra (312 million), is greater than the population of USA Largest and the Smallest States/UTs Top 5 States/UTs Bottom 5 States/UTs Lakshadweep Daman & Diu D. & N. Haveli A. & N. Islands Sikkim
Uttar Pradesh Maharashtra Bihar West Bengal Andhra Pradesh
Districts Ranked as per Population 2011 Top 2 Districts Thane North Twenty Four Parganas 1,10,54,131 Dibang Valley 1,00,82,852 Anjaw Bottom 2 Districts 7,948 21,089
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Growth of population
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States/UTs ranked as per % Growth of Population 2011 Top 2 States/UTs States/UTs Dadra & Nagar Haveli Daman & Diu % Growth Bottom 2 States/UTs States/UTs 55.50 Nagaland 53.54 Kerala % Growth -0.47 4.86
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Districts ranked as per % Growth of Population 2011 Top 2 Districts District Kurung Kumey (Arunachal Pradesh) Yanam (Puducherry) % Growth Bottom 2 Districts District
Page 733
% Growth -58.39
111.01 Longleng (Nagaland)
77.15 Kiphire (Nagaland)
-30.54
Population (0-6 years) 2001-2011 2011 Persons Males Females 16,38,37,395 8,50,08,267 7,88,29,128 2011 15,87,89,287 8,29,52,135 7,58,37,152 Difference -50,48,108 -20,56,132 -29,91,976 % Growth -3.08 -2.42 -3.80
Population (0-6 years) Highlights The total number of children in the age-group 0-6 is 158.8 million (-5 million since 2001) Twenty States and Union Territories now have over one million children in the age group 0-6 years. On the other extreme, there are five States and Union Territories in the country that are yet to reach the one hundred thousand mark. Uttar Pradesh (29.7 million), Bihar (18.6 million), Maharashtra (12.8 million), Madhya Pradesh (10.5 million) and Rajasthan (10.5 million) constitute 52% Children in the age group of 0-6 years. Population (0-6 years) Highlights The proportion of Child Population in the age group of 0-6 years to total Population is 13.1 percent while the corresponding figure in 2001 was 15.9 percent. The decline has been to the extent of 2.8 points. Current Affairs Comprehensive
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The share of children in the EAG States, at 53.2% in 2011 has increased by about 1.3 percent compared to 2001. The proportion of Child Population in the age group of 0-6 years to total Population is indicative of fall/rise in fertility
Proportion of child population in age group 0-6
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Districts ranked as per Proportion of Population (0-6 years) 2011 Top 2 Districts District Kupwara (Jammu & Kashmir) West Khasi Hills (Meghalaya) Proportion (0-6 )years Bottom 2 Districts District Proportion (0-6 )years 6.69 7.65
22.50 Kolkata (West Bengal) 22.47 Pathanamthitta (Kerala)
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Gender Composition of Population 2011 2001 Population (in mn) Males Females Sex Ratio 532.2 496.5 933 Proportion (in %) 51.74 48.26 Population (in mn) 623.7 586.4 940 2011 Proportion (in %) 51.54 48.46
Gender Composition of Population 2011 Overall Sex ratio at the National vlevel has increased by 7 points since Census 2001 to reach 940 at Census 2011 This is the highest Sex Ratio recorded since Census 1971 and a shade lower than 1961 Increase in Sex Ratio is observed in 29 States/UTs Three major States (J&K, Bihar & Gujarat) have shown decline in Sex Ratio as compared to Census 2001.
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Sex Ratio
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States/UTs ranked as per Sex Ratio 2011 Top 2 States/UTs States/UTs Kerala Puducherry Sex Ratio States/UTs 1,084 Daman & Diu 1,038 Dadra & Nagar Haveli Bottom 2 States/UTs Sex Ratio 618 775
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Districts ranked as per Sex Ratio 2011 Top 2 Districts District Mahe (Puducherry) Sex Ratio Bottom 2 Districts District 1,176 Daman (Daman & Diu) 1,142 Leh (Ladakh) (Jammu & Kashmir) Sex Ratio 533
Almora (Uttarakhand)
583
Child Sex Ratio (0-6 years) 2001 Population (0-6) (in mn) Proportion (0-6) (in %) Population (0-6) (in mn) 82.9 75.8 914 2011 Proportion (0-6) (in %)
Males Females Sex Ratio
85.0 78.8 927
51.89 48.11
52.24 47.76
The Child Sex Ratio at India level (914) is lowest since Independence Whereas overall Sex Ratio has shown improvement since 1991, decline in Child Sex Ratio (0-6) has been unabated since 1961 census Sex Ratio (0-6 years) Highlights Increasing trend in the Child Sex Ratio (0-6) seen in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Mizoram and A & N Islands In all remaining 27 States/UTs, the Child Sex Ratio show decline over Census 2001
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Child Sex Ratio in Age Group 0-6
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States/UTs ranked as per Sex Ratio (0-6 years) 2011 Top 2 States/UTs States/UTs Mizoram (0-6 years) Sex Ratio States/UTs 971 Haryana Bottom 2 States/UTs (0-6 years) Sex Ratio 830
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Meghalaya 970 Punjab
Page 742
846
Districts ranked as per Sex Ratio (0-6) 2011 Top 2 Districts District Lahul & Spiti (Himachal Pradesh) Tawang (Arunachal Pradesh) Sex Ratio (0-6) District Bottom 2 Districts Sex Ratio (0-6) 774
1,013 Jhajjar (Haryana)
1,005 Mahendragarh (Haryana)
778
Literates 2001-2011 2001 Persons Males Females 56,07,53,179 33,65,71,822 22,41,81,357 2011 77,84,54,120 44,42,03,762 33,42,50,358 Difference 21,77,00,941 10,76,31,940 11,00,69,001 % Growth 38.82 31.98 49.10
Effective Literacy Rate 2001-2011 2001 Persons Males 64.83 75.26 2011 74.04 82.14 Difference 9.2 6.9
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Females 53.67 65.46 11.8
Page 743
Literacy Status: Highlights As per provisional population totals of Census 2011, literates constitute 74 per cent of the total population aged seven and above and illiterates form 26 per cent. Literacy rate has gone up from 64.83 per cent in 2001 to 74.04 per cent in 2011 showing an increase of 9.21 percentage points. The literacy rate for males and females works out to 82.14 per cent and 65.46 per cent respectively. The increase in literacy rate in males and females during 2001-2011 is in the order of 6.88 and 11.79 percentage points respectively. It is encouraging to note that out of total of 217,700,941 literates added during the decade, female 110,069,001 outnumber male 107,631,940. A significant milestone reached in Census 2011 is that a decline of 31,196,847 among illiterates is noted. Out of total decrease of 31,196,847 in number of illiterates, the female 17,122,197 outnumber males 14,074,650. Ten States and Union Territories viz., Kerala, Lakshadweep, Mizoram, Tripura, Goa, Daman & Diu, Puducherry, Chandigarh, NCT of Delhi and Andaman & Nicobar Islands have achieved literacy rate of above 85 per cent, the target set by the Planning Commission to be achieved by 2011- 2012. The gap of 21.59 percentage points recorded between male and female literacy rates in 2001 Census has reduced to 16.68 percentage points in 2011. Planning Commission has set up target of reducing this gap to 10 percentage points by the year 2011-2012. The States/Union Territories which have achieved male female gap in literacy rate of 10 percentage points or less are Chandigarh, Nagaland, Mizoram, Tripura, Meghalaya, Lakshadweep, Kerala and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
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Effective Literacy
Page 744
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Ranking of States/UTs-Literacy Rate-2011 Top 2 States/UTs States/UTs Literacy Rate Bottom 2 States/UTs States/UTs Literacy Rate
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Kerala Lakshadweep 93.91 92.28 Bihar Arunachal Pradesh 63.82 66.95
Page 746
Districts ranked as per Literacy Rate 2011 Top 2 Districts District Serchhip (Mizoram) Aizawl (Mizoram) 98.50 Bijapur (Chhattisgarh) 41.58 Literacy Rate 98.76 District Alirajpur (Madhya Pradesh) Bottom 2 Districts Literacy Rate 37.22
Density of Population 2001-2011 2001 Density 325 2011 382 Difference 57 % Difference 17.5
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Density of Population
Page 747
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Ranking of States/UTs as per Population Density-2011 Top 2 States/UTs States/UTs NCT of Delhi Density 11,297 Bottom 2 States/UTs States/UTs Arunachal Pradesh Density 17
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Chandigarh 9,252 A. & N. Islands 46
Page 749
Districts ranked as per Population Density 2011 Top 2 Districts District North East (NCT of Delhi) Chennai (Tamil Nadu) Density 37,346 26,903 Bottom 5 Districts District Dibang Valley (Arunachal Pradesh) Samba (Jammu & Kashmir) Density 1 2
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