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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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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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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.
GOVT. OF INDIA TO SET UP REAL TIME WATER QUALITY MONITORING STATIONS ALONG RIVER GANGA
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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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.
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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.
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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
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
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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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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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.
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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.
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.
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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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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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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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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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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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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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
The decision of lifting travel advisory came after the Japanese embassy officials met the Jammu and Kashmir Government.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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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.
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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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
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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.
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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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.
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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.
PRESIDENT OF RUSSIA VLADMIR PUTIN VISITED INDIA TO ATTEND 13TH INDIA-RUSSIA ANNUAL SUMMIT
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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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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).
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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.
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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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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,
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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-
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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.
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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.
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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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.
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
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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 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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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.
INDIA AND PAKISTAN DISCUSSED METHODS FOR SOLVING SIR CREEK ISSUE
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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.
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
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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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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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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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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
Comprehensive Current Affairs
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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.
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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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countries. The country has always been engaged in assisting in the development of the island countries of the Pacific.
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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 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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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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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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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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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.
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falling of an apple from one metre, but with much less force.
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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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.
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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.
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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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2100. Therefore, we need more yields. Phosphate fertilisers are typically extracted from layers of rock which were ocean sediments millions of years ago.
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
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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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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.
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mass of the galaxy, it leads to around 100 times increase in the mass of black hole.
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(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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
SCIENTIST DECODED GENETIC CODE OF HONEY BEES REVEALING ITS SENSITIVITY TO ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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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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.
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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.
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 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.
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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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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.
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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
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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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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.
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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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.
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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.
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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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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.
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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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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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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.
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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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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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.
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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.
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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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.
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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.
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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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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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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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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.
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.
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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.
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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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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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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.
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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.
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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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
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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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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.
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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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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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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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.
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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.
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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
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Shome Committee was set up by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in July 2012 to address the issue of GAAR.
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)
Comprehensive Current Affairs
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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
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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.
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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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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.
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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
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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).
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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.
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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.
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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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.
CCEA APPROVED 1.90 CRORE LAKH PACKAGE ON DEBT RESTRUCTURING FOR THE SEBS
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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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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
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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
PROPOSAL FOR 51 PERCENT FDI IN MULTI-BRAND RETAIL AND 49 PERCENT IN AVIATION PASSED
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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.
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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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.
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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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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
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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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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.
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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
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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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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.
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
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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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In November 2012, Ratan Tata also bowed out from Tata Global Beverages as the chairman, which paved way for Mistry.
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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.
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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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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.
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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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.
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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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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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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).
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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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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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.
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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.
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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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.
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.
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August 2012. The position was lying vacant since Kaushik Basu demitted the office 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.
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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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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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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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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.
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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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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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
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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.
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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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."
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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.
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.
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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.
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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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
Award for Bihar Contribution to Production and Productivity of Rice Award Contribution Production Productivity Wheat for Haryana 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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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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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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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.
AISHWARYA RAI BACHCHAN CONFERRED WITH FRENCH AWARD THE KNIGHT OF THE ORDER OF ARTS AND LETTER
Comprehensive Current Affairs
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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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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).
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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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.
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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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.
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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.
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
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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.
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.
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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.
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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
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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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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.
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.
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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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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 second- highest 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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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 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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Neegle and Jesko Hentschel with five more members in the core team and eight members in the Research team.
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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.
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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.
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qualify through a zonal competition. Similarly the University Hockey League would be played among the top 8 teams selected through the zonal competitions.
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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.
MONISHA KALTENBORN BECAME THE FIRST WOMAN TEAM PRINCIPAL IN FORMULA ONE
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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
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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.
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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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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.
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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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.
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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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.
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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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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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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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
Comprehensive Current Affairs
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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.
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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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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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
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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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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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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
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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.
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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.
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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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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
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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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Since its formation in the year 2000, there have been eight Chief Ministers in the Jharkhand and the state had seen President Rule twice.
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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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.
DELHI GOVERNMENT DECIDED DRAFTING NEW BILL FOR AMENDMENTS IN LAW ON RAPE, SEXUAL ASSAULT
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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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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
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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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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.
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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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.
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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.
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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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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.
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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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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Dolphin Watch Center at places where these rare aquatic species are seen.
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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.
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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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.
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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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.
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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.
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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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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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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.
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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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
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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
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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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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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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 Committees recommendation is based on the current overall status of food safety evaluation of Bt transgenic including the
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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
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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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.
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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.
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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
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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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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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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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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.
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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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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.
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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.
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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.
NAK BROWNE RELEASED A BOOK VICTORY INDIA-A KEY TO QUALITY MILITARY LEADERSHIP
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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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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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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
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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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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.
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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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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.
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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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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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
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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.
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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 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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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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Prison at Hindalga, Belgaum, Karnataka and his plea was rejected by the President on 4 January 2013
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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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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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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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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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.
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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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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
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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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.
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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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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.
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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.
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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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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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.
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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.
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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.
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
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Helicopter Unit was arrested on the charges of the bribe scandal that surfaced.
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
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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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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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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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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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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
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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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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.
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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.
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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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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.
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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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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.
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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 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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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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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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.
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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.
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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
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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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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
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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.
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CHIEF JUSTICE KHIL RAJ REGMI SWORN-IN AS THE PRIME MINISTER OF NEPAL
Current Affairs Comprehensive
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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
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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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.
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.
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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
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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.
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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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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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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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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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
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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.
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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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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
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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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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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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.
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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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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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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
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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.
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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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.
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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
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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.
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
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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
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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.
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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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.
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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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.
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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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.
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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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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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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.
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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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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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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
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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.
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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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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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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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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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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
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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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.
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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.
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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
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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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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
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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.
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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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In fact, the governments across the globe should make a concrete commitment of action to end the violence against women and girls.
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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.
12 FEBRUARY 2013: WORLD RADIO DAY WAS OBSERVED TO INCREASE AWARENESS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF RADIO
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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
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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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.
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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CHAPTER 1: AGRICULTURE
AGRICULTURE is the principal source of livelihood for more than 58% of the population of this country.
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.
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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.
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.
AGRICULTURAL MARKETING
Department of Agriculture and Cooperation has three organizations dealing with
HORTICULTURE
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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.
MILK PRODUCTION
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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.
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.
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.
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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.
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change on crop performance, was developed and registered. Trademark 'IISR' was granted to the Indian Institute for Spices Research, Kozhikode.
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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through the application of new technologies and new knowledge to production processes.
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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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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.
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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;
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TOURISM
Current Affairs Comprehensive
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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.
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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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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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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.
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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).
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BTIA terms are used to describe Agreements which consist of an integrated package
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)
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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.
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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.
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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MY STAMP
'My Stamp' is the brand name for personalised sheets of Commemorative Postage Stamps brought out by Department of Posts. My Stamp was first introduced during the World Philatelic Exhibition, www.jagranjosh.com
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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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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).
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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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.
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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.
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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.
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
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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.
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'
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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.
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literacy to non literates in the age group of 15-35 years in a time bound manner.
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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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.
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.
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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
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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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.
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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.
2.
Sunabeda
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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.
E-WASTE MANAGEMENT
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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.
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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
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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(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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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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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.
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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).
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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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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.
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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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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
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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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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".
iv. v.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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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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.
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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
(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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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.
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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.
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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
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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.)
201 1-12
Jodhpur (Rajastha n)
201 Prakasam Chalakranj 2-13 & Guntur (Mah) (A.P) Gudda &
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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
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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.
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.
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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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.
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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.
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.
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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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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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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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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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ISSUE THAT REQUIRE FOCUSED ATTENTION DURING THE TWELFTH PLAN ARE:
Securing ecology of watershed and catchments,
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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.
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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4. Agro-Forestry and Social Forestry of 3.00 m. ha. 5. Restoration of Wetlands of 0.10 m. ha.
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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(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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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 co- educational 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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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.
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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.
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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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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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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.
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3. Sustainaf e ivelihoods promotion 4. Partnerships: N.G.Os, banks, private sector, training institutions
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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.
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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.
ii.
iii.
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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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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.
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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".
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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.
SCHEME FOR URBAN INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT IN SATELLITE TOWNS/COUNTER MAGNETS OF MILLION PLUS CITIES
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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.
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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.
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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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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is produced by irradiation of uranium238. The third stage is based on the thoriumuranium-233 cycle. Uranium-233 is obtained by irradiation of thorium.
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.
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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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.
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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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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
SIBER
In order to understand the geographical setting of Indian ocean Ministry of Earth Sciences launched on June 2010 National
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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.
OCEAN TECHNOLOGY
REMOTELY OPERABLE IN-SITU SOIL TESTER
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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.
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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
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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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),
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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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.
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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.
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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).
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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.
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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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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.
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.
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At present, there are three major strategic areas on which Commonwealth Youth Programme is concentrating: National Youth Policy; Human Resource Development, and Youth Empowerment.
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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.
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.
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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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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
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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
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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$, have doubled since 2008, and increased three times as denominated in Indian rupees. 2. Gold imports are positively correlated with inflation: High inflation reduces the return on other financial instruments. This is reflected in the negative correlation between rising imports and falling real rates. 3. Reduce Gold Purchases to curb CAD: Given soaring energy and transportation needs, since there seems to be little we can do to temper oil imports, gold is the component that needs to be contained to bring the CAD back to a comfort zone. 4. The longer term way to address the rising demand for gold: The overarching motive underlying the gold rush is high inflation and the lack of financial instruments available to the average citizen, especially in
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storage and distribution, can help contain food inflation, which is hard for the RBI to control. Policy on price and procurement supports should be calibrated so as to not encourage more production of crops that are already abundantly supplied. Other measures to increase investment more broadly, and therefore supply, can also help over the medium term. Foreign Exchange Reserve In the current fiscal, foreign exchange reserves have fluctuated between US$ 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
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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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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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enablers of growth be it infrastructure, the transportation sector, housing, or sustainable agriculture grow sustainably.
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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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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
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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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:
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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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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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2.
3.
5.
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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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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findings and make available the state-wise estimates of receipts and expenditure.
4.
5.
6.
7.
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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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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
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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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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
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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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Account 39,989
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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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
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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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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
31. 1
12.9
83.6
10.4
86.7
India
23.3
81.1
Turkey
27.3
25.5
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24.1
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
46.3
139.5
56.2
209.1
14.1
40.8
9.2
88.5
24.6
14.6
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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
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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
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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
Services 28.3
9. Pearls, precious, semi-precious 6.1 stones 10. Gold & silver 11.Electronic goods India's Services Exports 12.6
18.2 4.2
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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
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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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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
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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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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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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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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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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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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.
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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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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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(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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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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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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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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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.
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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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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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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)
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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* )
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.
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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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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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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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
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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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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
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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% Growth -58.39
-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
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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
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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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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 %)
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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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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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
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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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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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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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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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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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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