Advance Reservation Period for Booking Reserved Train Tickets Reduced to 60 Days from Existing 120 Days from 1st May 2013

The Ministry of Railways has decided that the Advance Reservation Period (ARP) for booking reserved train tickets will be reduced from existing 120 days to 60 days (excluding the date of journey) w.e.f. 1st May 2013. The details are as below:-

I. With effect from 01.05.2013, the ARP will be of 60 days (excluding the day of journey) and booking will be done accordingly. However, all the bookings done upto 30.4.2013 under the ARP of 120 days will remain intact.

II. Cancellation of the booking made beyond the ARP of 60 days will, however, be permitted.

III. There will be no change in the case of certain day time express trains like Taj Express, Gomti Express etc. where lower time limits for advance reservations are at present in force.

IV. There will also be no change in the case of limit of 360 days for foreign tourists.

Problems Posed by Regular Use of Allopathic Medicines

The Indian Council of Medical Research has informed that no systematic study has been done to know that new problems caused by the regular use of allopathic medicines are increasing.

The Department of AYUSH has informed that interest of the people towards Ayurveda and Yoga has increased during the last few years.

The Department of Ayush has been undertaking several publicity and promotional activities for generating awareness about Ayush Systems including Ayurveda and Yoga. The focus of such activities is promotion of Health and prevention of diseases . No specific data is available to quantitatively estimate the increase in adoption of these systems. However, the sharp increase has been witnessed in the footfall at Arogya fairs, Health conference, Seminars and Workshops organized/participated by Department of AYUSH and attendance at OPD and IPD of National Institute of under Department of AYUSH.

This information was given by the Minister for Health & Family Welfare ShriAbu Hasem Khan Choudhuryin written reply to a question in the RajyaSabhaon 25.4.13

Helicopter Service in NE States

The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) Shri Paban Singh Ghatowar has said that Government has laid down Route Dispersal Guidelines with a view to achieve better regulation of air transport services taking into account the need for air transport services of different regions of the country including North Eastern States.

In a written reply in Lok Sabha today Shri Ghatowar said, according to these guidelines, all scheduled operators are required to deploy in the North Eastern Region, Jammu & Kashmir, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep (Category-II routes) at least 10% of their deployed capacity on trunk routes (Category-I routes). Further at least 10% of the capacity thus required to be deployed on Category-II routes, is required to be deployed for connectivity exclusively within these regions (Category-II A). However, airlines provide air services to specific places depending upon the traffic demand and commercial viability while complying with Route Dispersal Guidelines.

Shri Ghatowar said, further, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has granted initial No Objection Certificate (NOC) to M/s. North East Shuttle to operate scheduled Air Transport (Regional) Services in East/North-East Region.

Operations in domestic sector have been deregulated and flights are being operated by airlines concerned on the basis of commercial viability subject to adherence of Route Dispersal Guidelines, the Minister added.

Production of Cars in the Country

         

As per Society of Indian Automobile Manufactures (SIAM), the production of cars for the last three years is given below:

                                                                                                        (`000 numbers)

Segment	2010-11	2011-12	2012-13
Passenger Cars	2453	2537	2429

Giving this information in written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today, Shri Praful Patel, Minister of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises, said that Automotive Mission Plan 2006-16 envisages comprehensive support and development of the automobile and auto components sectors on a long term and sustained basis.

Free Connections to BPL Families

The Government of India launched ‘Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY) for creation of Rural Electricity Infrastructure and Household Electrification, in April 2005 for providing access to electricity to rural households.(2,07,21,824 )

Under RGGVY, 648 projects for electrification of 1,12,795 un/de- electrified villages (UEV), intensive electrification of 3,96,336 partially electrified villages (PEV) and release of free electricity connections to 2,74,98,652 Below Poverty Line (BPL) households have been sanctioned. As on 31.03.2013, the electrification works in 1,07,083 UE villages, 2,90,137 PE villages have been completed and free electricity connections to 2,07,21,824 BPL households have been released. The statement wise coverage and achievement for the sanctioned projects under RGGVY is given below. The scheduled time for completion of electrification works for the awarded projects under RGGVY is 24 months from the date of award.

Changes in Surrogacy Laws

There is no surrogacy law in the country. However, the Ministry of Home Affairs has issued two notifications vide their letters No. F. No. 25022/74/2011-F.I dated 9th July, 2012 and 7th March, 2013. The Ministry of External Affairs has been requested to issue the medical visa instead of Tourist Visa to the foreign nationals visiting India for commissioning surrogacy vide order dated 7.03.2013.

Keeping in view the humanitarian issues involved, directives have been issued that in cases, where the child/children has already been born through commissioning of surrogacy or the birth of the child/children is/are expected shortly, the Indian Missions/Posts may consider grant of medical Visa(up to 3 months) to foreign nationals involved in such cases on production of a letter from the ART clinic concerned certifying the status of the child/children i.e. whether actually born and kept in the hospital/clinic or if not born, the expected date of delivery of the child/children.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare Shri Abu Hasem Khan Choudhury in written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha 23.4.13

Proliferation of Banned Drugs in the Country

Drugs are permitted for manufacture and sale in the country only after due assessment of their safety and efficacy.

The compensations paid for deaths in clinical trials in the country during the last 2 years range from 0.5 lakh to 20 lakh.

Law making is an evolving process which takes care of the emerging situations through amendments or making of new laws with the passage of time.The Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 and the Drugs & Cosmetics Rules, 1945 have been amended as and when considered necessary. The Government has also given due attention to strengthening of the drug control infrastructure of the country. As many as 216 additional posts in CDSCO have been created since 2008. The Central drug testing labs have been given new and sophisticated equipments. A new centrally sponsored scheme for providing assistance to the States / UTs for strengthening of States' drug regulatory system during the 12th Five Year Plan has also been initiated.

Indiscriminate Usage of Antibiotics

Bacteria become resistant to antibiotics if taken indiscriminately. A news item had appeared in Time of India dated 20th December, 2012 stating that a trial in Europe has revealed that Amoxicillin, commonly used in lower respiratory tract infections, was found no more effective in relieving symptoms.

An article was published in the journal ‘the Lancet Infectious Diseases’ (Volume 13, Issue 2, February 2013) titled "Amoxicillin for acute lower respiratory tract infection in primary care when pneumonia is not suspected". The article referred to a study on 2,061 adults with acute uncomplicated lower respiratory tract infection in 12 European countries (England, Wales, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Sweden, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Slovenia, and Slovakia) which were randomly assigned to receive either amoxicillin or a placebo thrice daily for seven days. New or worsening symptoms were significantly less common in the amoxicillin group than in the placebo group. No selective benefits in patients aged 60 years or older were noted. The study interpreted that when pneumonia is not suspected clinically, amoxicillin provides little benefit for acute lower-respiratory-tract infection in primary care both overall and in patients aged 60 years or more, and causes slight harms likes nausea, rashes or diarrhoea.

Acute Shortage of Nurses in the Country

As per the Planning Commission’s National Taskforce Report, there would be a gap of 9.55 lakhs nurses by 2012 of which 2 to 3 lakhs would be in the Government facilities alone. 14,06,006 nurses have been registered so far in India out of which 16371 nurses have been registered with the Assam Nursing Council. Separate information regarding nurses in active service is not maintained.

The Government has identified certain districts preferably where no such Institution exists under the Scheme of Strengthening/Upgradation of Nursing Services for opening of Auxillary Nurse Midwife (ANM)/General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) Institutes in various states in 2 phases. Government has sanctioned 117 ANM and 137 GNM Schools in various states for this purpose.

This information was given by the Minister for Health & Family Welfare ShriGhulamNabi Azad in written reply to a question in the RajyaSabha

Udaan Scheme

Participation of PSUs in the Scheme Udaan has been approved by competent authority subject to the condition that the entire cost of implementation of the Scheme will be borne by the PSUs under their Corporate Social Responsibility. Proposals of six PSUs (National Thermal Power Corporation, Oil & Natural Gas Corporation, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited, Canara Bank and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited) to train 3675 candidates over a period of 5 years have been approved. NTPC and BHEL have commenced training of first batch of candidates.

This was stated by Shri R.P.N.Singh, Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs in written reply to a question by Shri Dhruv Narayana, Shri Ponnam Prabhakar and Shri M.Krishnasswamy in the Lok Sabha

Mercy Petitions

During the last six months, 11 mercy petition cases have been disposed of under Article 72 of the Constitution of India. As on date, 5 mercy petition cases are pending for consideration of the Government under Article 72 of the Constitution of India.

This was stated by Shri Mullappally Ramachandran, Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs in written reply to a question by Shri Baliram Jadhav, Shri Sajjan Verma, Shri P.Viswanathan, Dr. Padmasinha Baji Rao Patil and Shri Bhudeo Choudhary in the Lok Sabha

National Disaster Management

As of now, ten battalions of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are operational for providing response to the various natural and manmade disasters in the country. It has been proposed to raise two additional battalions of National Disaster Response Force. A proposal to set up National Disaster Communication Network (NDCN) has been sent by National Disaster Management Authority. A committee has been constituted by Ministry of Home Affairs to study the technical feasibility of the project. The approval of the project and its functions will depend upon the report of the committee and techno financial feasibility. A scheme for National Earthquake Risk Mitigation Project (NERMP) has been approved by the Government for Rs.24.87 Crore. The major components of the project are Techno-legal Regime, Institutional Strengthening, Capacity Building of practicing architects, engineers and masons and Public Awareness & Sensitization.

Promotion of Hockey

The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Youth Affairs & Sports Shri Jitendra Singh has said that as per the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, every school is required to provide playgrounds, sports equipments as well as part time instructors for physical education. However, there is no proposal for including hockey or any other specific sports discipline in the curriculum of schools and colleges.

In a written reply in the Lok Sabha today Shri Singh said, Hockey is a high priority sports for the Government. International standard training facilities are being provided and build - up competitions are being organized for the preparation of the Indian Hockey Team. Further, the Government provides all round support for the preparation of national men and women hockey teams and necessary facilities including training, foreign exposures for training and competitions, foreign and Indian coaches and other support personnel. The Government has spent Rs. 18.09 crores on hockey for the year 2011-12 for various aspects of the game including foreign exposure, foreign coaches, boarding and lodging, preparation for Olympics, 2012, etc.

The amount spent by the Government during the last three years and the current year for development of hockey, including imparting training and participation in international sports events under the Scheme of Assistance to NSFs is given below:

(Rs. in crore)

S. No.	Year	Financial Assistance Provided
1.	2009-10	Rs. 7.63
2.	2010-11	Rs. 4.36
3.	2011-12	Rs. 18.09
4.	2012-13	Rs. 4.29*

* UPTO FEB, 2013 (Provisional)

Special Area Games Scheme

The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Youth Affairs & Sports Shri Jitendra Singh has said that Sports Authority of India implements a Special Area Games Scheme to scout and nurture sports talent from amongst the tribal, hilly, rural, coastal and far flung areas of the country. In a written reply in the Lok Sabha today he said, the Scheme also envisages tapping of talent from indigenous games and martial arts and also from regions/committees, which are either genetically or geographically suited to achieve excellence in a particular sports discipline. The main objective of the Scheme is to train meritorious sports persons in the age group of 12-18 years, with age being relaxed in exceptional cases. Currently, there are 20 SAG Centres functioning across the country with 1885 trainees. Of the total, 1683 are residential trainees (981 boys & girls), and 202 are non-residential trainees (108 boys & girls).

Details of SAG trainees inducted during the last three years in various sports disciplines are as under:-

Sl. No.	Year(s)	Boys	Girls	Total
1.	2010-2011	1116	794	1910
2.	2011-2012	1116	841	1957
3.	2012-2013	1089	796	1885
	Total:	3321	2431	5752

Statement by Union Home Minister on 22nd April, 2013 on the Incident Relating to Rape of Minor Child In Delhi

Following is the text of the statement of Union Home Minister Shri Sushilkumar Shinde on the incident relating to rape of minor child in Delhi:

On 15th April, 2013 a five year old girl child was reported missing at Police Station-Gandhinagar in East District. A case FIR No. 146/13 was registered u/s 363 IPC the same evening at 10 p.m.

The Police started searching and conducting raids in the East District area. In the early hours of 17th April, 2013 the mother of the girl heard the weeping sound of the child on the ground floor of the same house where her parents lived on the first floor. The ground floor was found locked from outside. The Police was then informed. The Police broke open the door and recovered the child.

The girl was rushed to Swami Dayanand Hospital, which was the nearest hospital, where the Medico Legal Case (MLC) examination was conducted. The preliminary MLC confirms sexual assault of the brutal kind.

Accordingly, Section 342, 366A, 376A, 307 IPC and 5(M), 6 POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act were added in the FIR.

Her condition was reported to be stable after an operation conducted in Swami Dayanand Hospital on 18th April, 2013. She was later shifted to AIIMS in the evening of 19th April, 2013 for better treatment where she has undergone another operation and presently her condition is reported to be stable.

In the meantime, on 19th April, 2013 some protesters were holding demonstration at the Dayanand Hospital where the Minister concerned of Delhi Government was visiting to enquire about the health of the child alongwith the local MP. Few protesters tried to break through the police cordon around the hospital in order to enter the premises.

One ACP rank officer was seen on camera slapping one of the lady protesters. The said ACP, Shri B.S. Ahlawat has been placed under suspension with immediate effect.

A Departmental Enquiry shall be conducted by an Officer to be appointed by the GNCT of Delhi. Taking further note of the lapses in the investigation, the S.H.O. and the IO have been placed under suspension. The Joint CP (Vigilance) has been asked to conduct an enquiry. The Jt. C.P. (Vigilance) shall also enquire into the allegation that the local police paid some money to the father of the victim to hush up the case.

Meanwhile, the accused has been arrested in the night of 19th April, 2013 from Muzaffarpur District of Bihar. He was brought to Delhi on 20th April, 2013 and is presently under judicial custody. Medical Examination of the accused has also been conducted for DNA testing. In a further development another co-accused has been arrested late last night from Lakhisarai District of Bihar. Further investigation is on.

Such incidents have been reported from other parts of the Country also.

Centenary Film Festival to be launched from 25th April to commemorate 100 years of Indian Cinema

I&B Minister to inaugurate “Indian Cinema 100 (Celebrating a Century: An Audio Visual Voyage)” Exhibition

Unique screening of Silent film "Throw of Dice' with LIVE musical orchestra by Maestro Nishat Khan at the Inaugural Function

To commemorate the “100 years of Indian Cinema,” the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is organizing a six day Centenary Film Festival to celebrate Indian Cinema in all its glory. The Festival will commence on April 25th, with the inauguration of the exhibition “Indian Cinema 100 (Celebrating a Century: An Audio Visual Voyage)” by the Minister for Information & Broadcasting, Sh. Manish Tewari. The highlight of the inaugural programme of the festival will be the screening of the silent film "Throw of Dice' with LIVE musical orchestra by maestro Nishat Khan. A Play on the life and times of Dadasaheb Phalke by Aamir Raza Hussain would mark the end of the festival on 30th April. In an effort to bring the festival to the doorstep of film lovers in the capital, the festival is being celebrated at the Siri Fort auditorium as well as other venues such as Jamia Milia University, Jawaharlal Nehru University and India Habitat Center.

The six day extravaganza will include screenings of some classics as well as contemporary Indian films by master directors such as Bimal Roy, Guru Dutt, Shyam Benegal, Adoor Gopalakrishnan and their ilk. The festival will also pay tribute to some of the finest actors of popular Indian cinema who are no longer in our midst. These include special screenings on films starring Balraj Sahni, Dev Anand, Shammi Kapoor, Rajesh Khanna, among others. The films being screened represent a sprinkling of various flavours of Indian cinema from major film producing regions of the country. Eminent film makers and actors have been invited to interact with the audiences over the course of the six day festival.

A key highlight of the festival includes a special “Satyajit Ray Retrospective” and display the artwork of the iconic personality. Films Division documentaries which have captured on celluloid post Independent India in all its myriad perspectives, will showcase some gems out of its rich archive, such as news reels documentaries, shorts, features and animation films on diverse subjects. Another key highlight of the festival is the “Cut-Uncut,”a three day workshop conceived and being executed by members of the CBFC (Censor Board). This event will showcase the growth and evolution of censorship in Indian cinema, through workshops and insightful panel discussions.

The Centenary celebrations would culminate in the National Film Award ceremony at Vigyan Bhavan on 3rd May. The awards including the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke Award will be conferred by the Hon’ble President of India.

Chiranjeevi Inaugurates New Campus of IITTM at Bhubaneswar

Union Tourism Minister Shri K. Chiranjeevi today Inaugurated the new sprawling campus of Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management (IITTM) at Dumduma in Bhubaneswar. Shri Naveen Patnaik, Chief Minister of Odisha and Shri Srikant Jena, Union Minister for Chemicals & Fertilizers, Statistics and Programme Implementation also graced the occasion.

IITTM, Bhubaneswar started its activities in October 1996 when the Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India opened the first regional centre of IITTM at Bhubaneswar. Eyeing the immense potential of tourism in Eastern India and realizing the growing popularity of this region on the tourism map of the country led to the establishment of this centre which was named after the famous freedom fighter of the state Baji Rauta. Initially the centre functioned from a building provided by the State Govt. at Sishubhawan Square.

IITTM offers fulltime post graduate programmes in Travel and Tourism Management . Now with the opening of a full-fledged Campus in Bhubaneswar, IITTM is expected to begin a new chapter in the quality of Tourism and Travel education in the eastern region. Besides imparting quality education in its respective area, IITTM Bhubaneswar, since inception has been committed to sensitize and upgrade the skills of existing manpower of tourism and allied sectors in the eastern region. The Institute has accordingly conducted many programmes targeted at staff of travel agencies, tour operators, officials of the State Tourism Dept., Indian Railways and State Police personnel etc.

Moreover many Entrepreneurship Development Programmes (EDPs) and Management Development Programmes (MDPs) have also been conducted for the unemployed youth of the region in general and state in particular. Further, to enrich the knowledge on tourism education and research many Faculty Development programmes (FDPs) have been conducted by the Institute for University and College teachers. Besides this, the Institute also organises Seminars and Workshops at frequent intervals.

Incredible India Website Crosses Two Million Hits Mark

The revamped Incredible India website www.incredibleindia.org has crossed two million hits mark today. It has started receiving almost six thousand hits every day. This major increase is the result of the Ministry of Tourism’s new policy to place a large number of services on the website in pursuit of the directions of Shri K.Chiranjeevi, Union Minister for Tourism to concentrate marketing efforts through the internet in proportion to the number of potential tourists using the internet vis-à-vis other traditional media.

A study commissioned by the Ministry of Tourism two months ago, revealed that in USA 15 percent of those polled received the Incredible India message through the internet, 15 percent through television, 26 percent through the print media and the remaining through at least two of the three media. In Australia, the figures were 14 percent for the internet, 19 percent for television and 22 percent for the print media and the remaining through two or more media.

Through the Incredible India website it is now possible for an internet user sitting in any part of the world to book a domestic airline ticket in India on the five main domestic airlines and also to book a hotel room at any hotel in India that is a member of one of the three major hotel associations.

The spurt in the popularity of incredibledindia.org is also attributed to a number of other services that have been put on the website, in collaboration with Google and its affiliate YouTube. Now anyone can watch complete recordings of 14 sound and light shows at different locations in India through a collaboration between the Ministry of Tourism and YouTube.

Anyone wishing to get a glimpse of the luxurious hospitality given to delegates of the recently concluded United Nations World Tourism Organisation conference held in Hyderabad can go through a video of the hospitality and entertainment provided at the various palaces of Hyderabad through a button on the home page of the Incredible India website. This film was produced free of charge by Shri Chiranjeevi’s own production company.

Promotion of India as a Filming Destination

I & B Ministry constitutes an Inter-Ministerial Committee on Promotion and Facilitation of Film Production in India
Committee expected to promote India as a Filming Destination

In order to enhance the possibility of India emerging as a major “International Filming Destination”, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has been contemplating since sometime to put in place a mechanism which facilitates International as well as domestic film producers.  In the past, as many as 30 agencies were involved for granting permission for film producers to shoot in India. 

In order to facilitate and fast track the process which will harness the potential of the India as a “Filming Locale”, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has constituted an Inter-Ministerial Committee for Promotion and Facilitation of Film Production in India. The Committee shall act as ‘single window’ for filmmakers seeking permission from different agencies in the Government of India for filming of feature films, short films and TV programmes. The constitution of the committee is expected to mainstream a proactive mechanism and coordination process of granting permissions through a single window provision. The composition of the Committee is as under:

I.      Secretary, Ministry of Information

& Broadcasting                                                     -- Chairman

II.    Joint Secretary, Ministry of Information

 & Broadcasting                                       -   Member secretary.

III.   Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs               – Member.

IV.  Joint Secretary, Ministry of Tourism                        – Member.

V.    Joint Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs            – Member.

VI.  Joint Secretary, Ministry of Culture                          – Member.

VII. Joint Secretary, Ministry of Railways                       – Member.

VIII.  Joint Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation              – Member.

IX.  Joint Secretary, Ministry of Defense                         – Member.

 

X.            Joint Secretary level officer of any other Ministry may be  co-opted as Member depending on the case under consideration. The Committee shall also co-opt the empowered officer of the State Government on a case to case basis and as per the recommendation of the State Governments.

The Mandate of the Committee is as under:

1.    The  Committee shall facilitate granting of permission for both foreign as well as domestic producers from relevant authorities of Central and State governments.

2.    The Committee shall meet regularly to monitor the progress of facilitation process and from time to time, issue directions to the concerned authorities to fast track clearances.

3.   The Secretariat of the Committee will be provided by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The Secretariat will also be responsible for all the documentation and paperwork on behalf of the Committee and will liaise with different Ministries/States/ local authorities on behalf of the Committee. 

Veteran Film Actor Pran conferred the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for the year 2012

Shri Pran Krishan Sikand, popularly known as Pran, the veteran film actor, has been conferred the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for the year 2012. He is the 44th Dada Saheb Phalke Award Winner. The award is conferred by the Government of India for outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian Cinema. The award consists of a Swarn Kamal, a cash prize of Rs.10 lakhs and a shawl. The award is given on the basis of recommendations of a Committee of eminent persons.

Shri Pran has given sterling performances in many films along with Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand and Raj Kapoor in 1950s and 60s. Pran’s performanceshave received acclaim in films like Azaad, Madhumati, Devdas, Dil Diya Dard Liya, Ram Aur Shyam and Aadmi, Ziddi, Munimji, Amar Deep, Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai, Aah, Chori Chori, Jagte Raho, Chhalia, Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai. The list is long.

Born in the year 1920 in Delhi, Shri Pran started his career way back in 1940. He first ventured into photography but a chance meeting with a film producer got him his first role in a film called Yamla Jat. Shri Pran acted in several films, his base being Lahore in undivided India. His career experienced a brief pause due to partition in 1947. Subsequently he moved to Bombay. With the help of the famous writer Saadat Hasan Manto and actor Shyam, Pran got a break in the Bombay Talkies film Ziddi which had Dev Anand in the lead role. The film Ziddi brought him to limelight in the Bombay film industry and then there was no turning back.

His impressive performances have bestowed an entirely unique new dimension to the negative and character roles in Hindi cinema. His contribution to mainstream Hindi cinema is well recognized, assuring him the place of one of the most illustrious and celebrated actors of Indian film industry. His career spanned several decades. He has acted in over 400 films and in each one of them, he brought new mannerism and style, holding the audience spell bound by his acting.

Shri Pran is a recipient of a number of film awards including the Filmfare Award. He was also honoured with the Padma Bhushan.

INTRA-IPS Portal Launched

             INTRA-IPS (http://intraips.gov.in) official website has been launched by Shri S. Jayaraman (Special Secretary-Internal Security), Ministry of Home Affairs, at New Delhi today. The main features of this website are:-

1.                   Indian Police Service Civil List, Immovable Property Returns, Latest notifications/circulars, Rules, Police Medal Awardees list etc. related to all IPS officers all over India.

2.                   All Indian Police Service (IPS) officers will be issued  new e-mail addresses by MHA.

3.                   Knowledge Management System (KMS)will be made part of  this Portal wherein IPS officers will be able  to upload and share knowledge resources which will be useful to IPS community.

Schemes for Elimination of Gender and Social Gaps in School Enrolment and Retention

        

  To promote education among minorities, the Ministry of Human Resource Development has taken significant initiatives. The major ones are Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Scheme of financial assistance for ‘Infrastructure Development for Private Aided/Unaided Minority Institutes’ (IDMI) and ‘Scheme for Providing Quality Education in Madrasas’ (SPQEM).  

                The Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan aims at bridging of gender and social category gaps in elementary education.  The Scheme has been extended to recognize volunteering Madarsas / Maktabs supported under SSA. It also includes those other volunteering Madarsas / Maktabs which may not be registered or recognized but supported under SSA interventions in coordination with State Project Directorates.  The Scheme provides for opening of new schools, additional teachers as per enrolment, free textbooks including urdu text books, free uniform for girls, SC, ST and BPL children.  Under SSA, 88 Muslim concentrated districts have been identified wherein for 2012-13, 18% of the total allocations under SSA were approved for these districts.  For education of drop outs and never enrolled girls at upper primary level, over 3600 Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs) have been sanctioned out of which 544 are in Muslim concentration districts where more than ten thousand Muslim girls are enrolled. Overall there are 32,490 Muslim girls enrolled in KGBVs.

                The Ministry has launched Saakshar Bharat the new variant of the National Literacy Mission. The Scheme has special focus on women, belonging to minorities. It is proposed to cover one crore twenty lakh Muslims (1crore women + 20 lakh men) under the programme.  Saakshar Bharat is being implemented in 410 districts where female literacy is less than 50%.

                The objective of Scheme for Providing Quality Education in Madrasas (SPQEM) is to provide financial assistance and encourage traditional institutions like Madarsas and Maktabs to introduce Science, Mathematics, Social Studies, Hindi and English in their curriculum so that children studying in these institutions gain academic proficiency for Classes I-XII. However, the process of modernization of traditional Maktabs is voluntary. SPQEM provides financial assistance for appointment of teachers to teach modern subjects, establishment of computers and science laboratories in Madarsas of Secondary and Higher Secondary level, as also strengthening of libraries and book banks at all levels. 

                The Scheme for Infrastructure Development of Private Aided/Unaided Minority Institutes (IDMI) would facilitate education of minorities by augmenting and strengthening school infrastructure in Minority Institutions (elementary/ secondary/senior secondary schools). The Scheme will encourage educational facilities for girls, children with special needs and those who are most deprived educationally amongst minorities.

                The Scheme covers the entire country. However, preference is given to eligible minority institutions (private aided/unaided elementary/secondary/senior secondary schools) located in districts, blocks and towns having a minority population above 20%, based on available census data. The Scheme funds infrastructure development of private aided/unaided minority elementary/secondary/senior secondary schools to the extent of 75% and subject to a maximum of Rs. 50 lakhs per school for- (i)  Strengthening of educational infrastructure in the existing elementary /secondary/senior secondary school including additional classrooms, science/ computer lab rooms, library rooms, toilets, drinking water facilities etc.; (ii)  Hostel buildings for children in such category of schools, especially for girls; and (iii)  Any other educational infrastructure not covered in (i) or (ii) above, but which in view of the State/Central Grant- in- Aid Committee is justified for educational advancement of the minority institutions.

Internet acess in moving Train

The Minister of Railways Shri Pawan Kumar Bansal launched Wi-Fi- facility as a pilot project on Howrah Rajdhani Express (train no. 12302), here today. To introduce internet access in moving train was a technological challenge considering that the train passes through all type of terrain and continuous internet access in all weather is to be provided. After due deliberations on various options for providing internet access, Indian Railways decided for satellite communication link to the train and Wi-Fi connectivity to different coaches. After successful technical trails,  Indian Railways is launching the pilot project on Howrah Rajdhani express in both the directions simultaneously i.e. 12301/12302 at Howrah and New Delhi respectively.

Presently this facility is being extended free of cost to the travelling passengers. The facility is being introduced for the first time on Indian Railways through state-of-the-art Technology at a total cost of Rs. 6.30 crore covering all the three rakes of Howrah Rajdhani Express. The satellite communication link is arranged through satellite hub facility, set up by Indian Railways. Initially, 4 Mbps download bandwidth and 512 Kbps upload bandwidth is earmarked for internet facility in moving train. The satellite antenna is placed in one of the two Power Cars of the rake. This is linked through Wi-Fi radios provided outside of each coach. This is further distributed inside the coaches through indoor access point. This will help passengers of the Rajdhani Express train to access internet during their journey.

For accessing the internet facility, the bona-fide passengers will have to access Indian Railway Wi-Fi network. The passengers will be able to register by providing the PNR and other details like mobile number etc. On validation of the data entered by the passengers, as per extant DOT guidelines, the Login ID and Password will be sent through SMS to the registered mobile number. The Login ID and Password will remain valid for entire journey.

Indian Railways intend to extend this service on other Rajdhani/Shatabdi/Duronto express trains progressively based on customer feedback and acceptance.

Approval for continuation of scheme for special Infrastructure in Left Wing Extremism affected states

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs today approved the proposal of the Ministry of Home Affairs for continuation of the Scheme for Special Infrastructure (SIS) in Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected states during the 12th Plan period (upto 31.03.2017). The proposal includes an added objective of upgradation and critical gap filling of training infrastructure, residential infrastructure, weaponry, vehicles and any other related items pertaining to Special Forces of LWE affected states. The total cost would be Rs. 373 crore comprising Rs. 280 crore as central government share and Rs. 93 crore as state government share on a 75 (central) : 25 (state) funding pattern.

The scheme will enhance the security in the region which would provide an enabling environment for development.

The scheme was being implemented from the year 2008-09 with the broad objective to adequately provide for critical infrastructure requirements that are critical to the policing and security needs in the field, but are not adequately or otherwise provided for in any other scheme. During the 11th Plan period 100 percent funding was provided by the Central Government to the 9 LWE affected states for implementing various projects under the scheme. The total funds release under the scheme by the central government to the 9 LWE affected states during the 11th Plan period is Rs. 445.82 crore

                                                                           

Reservation Fee and Supplementary Charge for Superfast Trains and Withdrawal of Enhanced Reservation Fee to be Effective from  i.e. 1st April 2013

It has been announced in Railway Budget 2013-14 for revision of Reservation Fee, Supplementary charge for Superfast Trains & withdrawal of Enhanced Reservation Fee. The revision will come into effect on tickets issued on and after 01.04. 2013 The details of these reservations are as under:-                     (i) Reservation Fee:-  Class Revision Fee (in Rs.) Existing Revised Second 15 15 (No change) Sleeper 20 20 (No Change) AC Chair Car 25 40 AC-3 Economy 25 40 AC-3 Tier 25 40 First Class 25 50 AC-2 Tier 25 50 AC First 35 60 Executive 35 60 (ii) Supplementary Charge for Superfast Trains:-  Class Supplementary Charge for Superfast Trains (in Rs.) Existing Revised Second 10 15 Sleeper 20 30 AC Chair Car 30 45 AC-3 Economy 30 45 AC-3 Tier 30 45 First Class 30 45 AC-2 Tier 30 45 AC First 50 75 Executive 50 75  (iii) Enhanced Reservation Fee: The enhanced reservation fee which is levied on tickets booked for journeys originating from other than the ticket booking stations like return tickets, onward journey tickets etc. is also being withdrawn for tickets issued on or after 1st April 2013