Preliminary transcript of Prime Minister’s onboard media interaction enroute to Delhi from Beijing

Prime Minister: Ladies and gentlemen, you have been briefed extensively on the visits to Russia and China, so I won’t go into the details. My visit to Russia was primarily for the Annual Summit. Russia is, for us, a key strategic partner in many areas, including defence, energy and trade. We also have important convergences in a number of areas of regional and international interest. My visit has renewed my confidence in the strength of this relationship.

In China, my visit was to follow up on the process of getting to know the new Chinese leadership better. China is our largest neighbour, a significant economic partner and a country with increasing global presence. While we have our differences, there are many areas, bilateral, regional and multilateral, where cooperation among us is to our mutual benefit. It is only through a process of intense engagement that we will be able to move forward in all areas. I am satisfied that my just concluded visit has served its purpose.

Any questions which you would like to ask?

Question: Sir, during this China visit, as a part of the nine historic agreements, you have also signed some crucial and landmark cross-border river agreement also. At the moment you represent North-East. What is the likely impact of this agreement for our North-Eastern states?

Answer: Well, because I represent the North-East, I have been emphatic that cooperation between China and India in matters relating to the trans-border river system should proceed forward. I have been discussing this earlier also with the Chinese leadership. I raised this issue again and there is incremental progress. They have agreed to supply data for more number of days. Also they have recognized that the behaviour of the trans-border river system is of interest to all riparian states. So, our concerns have been put on the table. I hope there will be progress in years to come.

Question: The Chinese leadership termed the visit as very successful, so how do you term your visit to China and compare the two visits to Russia and China?

Answer: Both these visits have served their purpose. I am satisfied with the results that we have been able to secure, both in Russia as well as in China.

Question: Our relations with Pakistan haven’t really gone well given the sustained attacks on our border and the meeting in New York which did not go well. With that going down the tube, do you believe that with China we stand a chance with this new border agreement, possibly of settling the border issue at some stage and having peace and tranquillity in that sector?

Answer: There is a commitment on the part of both China and India that peace and tranquillity on the border is a pre-requisite for progress in our relationship. So, there is this recognition and on the whole there has been peace and tranquillity on the Indo-China border. So, I am reasonably satisfied that the Chinese leadership is as serious as we are in ensuring peace and tranquillity on the India-China border.

Question: Sir, you have mentioned at least on a couple of times, and in fact, this morning that terrorism, extremism and radicalism emanating from the region is a matter of concern. What was the response of the Chinese government on the concerns that we have on terrorism, India has on terrorism from the region.

Answer: Both in Russia and China I found growing recognition that terrorism is a threat to all the countries of the region and that terrorism and extremism both are enemies of progress, that we must work together, pool our intelligence and information system to deal with this menace.

Question: Its been over three weeks since you met Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in New York. Firing, Prime Minister, has not only increased at the LoC but also along the international border, are you disappointed with Nawaz Sharif and if Pakistan continues to fire, how should we respond Prime Minister?

Answer: Let me say that I am disappointed, because in the New York meeting there was a general agreement on both the sides that peace and tranquillity should be maintained on the border, on the Line of Control as well as on the international border and this has not happened. It has come to me as a big disappointment. We had agreed at that meeting that the ceasefire which was made effective in 2003, if it has held ground for 10 years, it could be made to hold ground later on also. The fact that this is not happening, is something which is really a matter of disappointment. I sincerely hope that at this late hour Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will recognize that this is a development which is not good for either of the two countries.

Question: Sir, I have a national question. From the last few weeks or months we are telling by the CBI, the CBI has the right to interrogate the Prime Minister. Don’t you think that you have given so much autonomy to them, they are crossing the Laxman Rekha?

Answer: Well, let me say that this matter is now in the courts and I wouldn’t like to comment on that.

Question: Sir, I know, a day before this departure, Prime Minister’s office did issue a clarification, there was nothing wrong with the Hindalco allocations. But after you have left India, there have been demand, coming in particularly form the opposition that why shouldn’t the Prime Minister also be open to interrogation, at least questioning by CBI, are you open to questioning by the CBI?

Answer: I am not above the law of the land. If there is anything that the CBI, or for that matter, anybody wants to ask, I have nothing to hide.

Question: Sir, yesterday Rahul Gandhi has spoken about that there is possibility that he could also be killed the way his grandmother and father were killed. Government, does it have any information of any threat to him or anybody targeting him or is it the hate politics of the opposition parties that are making him say that?

Answer: Well, I and all sane persons should be worried about the politics of hate which is now sweeping our country. As regards, the threat to the life of Rahul Gandhi, Government will take all possible precautions that this threat does not materialize.

Question: Over the last few years, the Supreme Court has been very active in ordering and monitoring probes in the various alleged corruption scandals as well as laying out policy directions. Do you think that overactive role of the Supreme Court is helping the Executive in dealing with issues or is it contributing to what your critics term policy paralysis.

Answer: I wouldn’t like to go into what is happening in the Court. The Supreme Court is the final court of our country. I wouldn’t like to comment on what the Court does or what the Court does not.

Question: Sir, you have responded to a couple of questions on CBI cases regarding coal allocations. Your statement before we left for Russia was very categorical. Statement said that there was no wrong doing in the case referred to by CBI regard to Kumarmangalam Birla and the case against former Coal Secretary. But sir, all these cases, and you also say that you are not above the law, you are open to answering to questions from anyone. But do all these cases which have acquired a certain political colour, are these cases in some ways, casting shadows on your Prime Ministership and your legacy at the 10 years at the helm of this country.

Answer: That is for history to judge. I am doing my duty. I will continue to do my duty. What impact my 10 years of Prime Ministership will have is something which is for historians to judge.

Question: India and China seek for further liberalisation of Visa Regime. Can we expect any positive steps in the near future.

Answer: That’s an aspiration that we both have and I hope we can find workable mechanisms to realise that goal.

Question: I have a question on domestic politics. The BJP campaign seems to be up and running for 2014 elections, the Congress party is slow on the off take. How do you expect to meet this challenge?

Answer: Well, I think the Congress party is quite active. I don’t share your view that the Congress party is not active enough. I think the BJP may have started early but I think it will also peak early and slow and steady, I think, is the thing which sometimes works in public life as well and I am confident that Congress party will come out victorious in the 2014 elections.

Question: Division of Andhra Pradesh now seems to be not a smooth affair going by the resistance of the people and the Congress leadership including CM of Andhra Pradesh. Are you confident of granting statehood before 2014 elections by solving tricky issues like Hyderabad?

Answer: The matter is now before the Group of Ministers. They are going into all aspects of the problem and I am sure they will come out with viable solution to this very difficult and complicated problem.

Question: Sir, in last 9 years, there has been 2G scam, CWG scam, coal scam and then there was a big issue of price rise and also resignation of two senior ministers. Do you think these kind of things have hit your credibility, particularly UPA-II and because your credibility is low, the people like Narendra Modi , his popularity is rising. Can you help us analyse this?

Answer: First of all, I would say the ‘scams’ that you are referring to, took place not in UPA-II, they took in UPA-I. After that we had a general election. The Congress party won in that election hands down and I am sure when the result of 2014 gets out, country will once again be surprised.

Indian Railways Restores Regular Meal and Quantity in Revised Menu for Rajdhani, Shatabdi & Duronto Trains

As the cost of raw material, Whole Price Index, cost of services etc., have increased manifold since last decade, the Indian Railways has introduced revised menu and tariff for Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Duronto trains with effect for 17th October 2013. A new concept of Combo Meal was also introduced as an every alternate meal on long distance Rajdhani/Duronto trains which was priced at half the cost of the regular Lunch/Dinner so as to reduce wastage/excess items. However, due to some feedback that these changes were not appreciated by some sections of travelling passengers, senior officers were deputed in all such trains for on the spot study. Based on the feedback received from passengers, regular Meal, in place of Combo Meal has been restored now. Quantities reduced in certain dishes have also been restored. Cyclic Menu has also been introduced to give variety. Railways are making all out efforts to ensure wholesome, quality meal to the travelling passengers. Supervision & monitoring have been strengthened by deploying Railway Personnel’s /Sr. Officers for inspections to check quality & hygiene. Passenger’s feedback will now be a regular exercise.

There will be no increase in ticket fare on this account.
The Menu and tariff of Rajdhani/Shatabdi/Duronto trains is included in the ticket fare and had not been revised since 1999. With a view to arrive at the realistic prices as well as redraw the menu more rationally, Committees had been nominated by the Board to recommend the revised rates. The committees have scientifically examined all aspects of costing keeping the objectives to provide hygiene and affordable meals with varieties to the travelling passengers on the premium trains. Based on the reports of the committee, the revised menu & tariff had been introduced from 17.10.2013 hoping to bring positive changes.

Further, keeping the objectives to provide hygiene and affordable meals with varieties to the travelling passengers on the premium trains, following major steps have also been taken in this regard:

• Stringent quality parameters like supply of branded products in hygienic condition. FPO/AGMARK approved items and compliance of instructions of Food Safety & Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) are to be made mandatory.

• Provision for external audit (Third Party Audit) by reputed and independent agency appointed by zonal railways to undertake audit of quality of services periodically to ensure the quality has been made mandatory.

Imported Onion Allowed to be Fumigated in India: Norm Extended Till November End

It has been decided, in the light of public concern over high prices of onion in the market, to extend the derogation allowed from the condition of fumigation and endorsement of PSC as per the Plant Quarantine Order, 2003 for onion imports upto 30th November, 2013 on the following conditions:

i. Such consignments of imported onion which arrive in Indian port without fumigation and endorsement to that effect on the PSC (Phytosanitary Certificate) would be fumigated in India by the importer through an accredited treatment provider. The consignment would be inspected thoroughly by quarantine officials and released only if found free from pests and diseases of concern to India.

ii. Such consignments of onion for consumption will not be subjected to the four times penal fees on account of non compliance of conditions of import under the PQ Order, 2003.

Change of Schedule for General Election to the Legislative Assembly of Mizoram– Regarding.

            The Election Commission of India had announced the schedule for General Election to the Legislative Assembly of Mizoram vide its press note dated 4^th October, 2013 wherein the date of poll had been announced as 4^th December, 2013 (Wednesday) and the date of counting had been announced as 8^th December, 2013 (Sunday).

            Subsequently, representations were received by the Commission from various political parties and other organizations of the state for changing the poll and counting dates for this election. It has been brought to notice of the Commission that casting of votes on 4^th December, 2013 would be inconvenient for a large segment of the people. Similarly, it has been brought to the notice of the Commission that 8^th Dec, 2013 being a Sunday would be inconvenient for a segment of the people for whom Sunday has special significance.

The Commission, having considered these inputs and representations, has decided to revise the schedule for the General Election to the Legislative Assembly of Mizoram as follows:

Schedule for General Elections to the Legislative Assembly of Mizoram (All ACs)

Date of Issue of Gazette Notification	Last Date for Nominations	Date for Scrutiny of Nominations	Last date for withdrawal of candidatures	Date of poll if necessary
01.11.2013 (Friday)	08.11.2013 (Friday)	09.11.2013 (Saturday)	11.11.2013 (Monday)	25.11.2013 (Monday)

Counting shall be held on:     09.12.2013 (Monday)           

Date before which the election shall be completed: 13.12.2013 (Friday)

Election Commission of India

New Delhi, 23 October, 2013

PM’s statement to media after delegation level talks with the Chinese Premier

Following is the text of the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh’s statement to media after delegation level talks with the Chinese Premier:

“I am delighted to be in Beijing once again at the invitation of Premier Li. I am touched by the warm welcome and the generous hospitality of the Government and the people of China. I recalled to Premier Li how much India appreciated his decision to make India his first overseas destination after taking over as Premier. This year, I have had the privilege of meeting President Xi Jinping and Premier Li on a number of occasions on the margins of multilateral meetings, and I am delighted to have another opportunity of meeting them during this visit.

Premier Li and I have just concluded a very productive round of talks and reached a number of important understandings.

First and foremost, we agreed that the prosperity and progress of 2.5 billion Indian and Chinese people would be a major factor of Asian resurgence and global prosperity and stability. As leaders of large re-emerging nations, pursuing socio-economic progress in a rapidly changing and uncertain global environment, we have resolved to realize the full promise of our partnership and maintain the friendliest of relations. This will be our strategic vision.

Second, we agreed that peace and tranquillity on our borders must remain the foundation for growth in the India-China relationship, even as we move forward the negotiations towards a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable settlement to the India-China Boundary Question. This will be our strategic benchmark.

Third, we agreed that, as large neighbours following independent foreign policies, the relationships pursued by India and China with other countries must not become a source of concern for each other. This will be our strategic reassurance.

Accordingly, I suggested to Premier Li that we do things that enhance mutual trust, expand common interest and deepen mutual understanding. I received his full support for this roadmap.

To build mutual trust, we have agreed to enhance transparency and strengthen strategic communication at all levels, including, as I said, on our shared neighbourhood. I flagged our interest in continued and expanded cooperation on trans-border rivers and received reassurances from Premier Li. We decided to encourage and institutionalize greater exchanges between the armed forces of our two countries.

The Agreement on Border Defence Cooperation that we have just signed will add to the existing instruments to ensure peace, stability and predictability on our borders.

Premier Li was receptive to my concern about the unsustainable trade imbalance between our twoĺ countries and we have agreed to explore avenues to bridge this gap. We are taking forward the suggestion made by Premier Li in New Delhi for a Chinese industrial park to act as a magnet for Chinese investment in India. We are also exploring the feasibility of the BCIM Economic Corridor connecting our two countries via the southern Silk Road.

We are determined to inject new dynamism into our economic relations, by working with wider stakeholders. Even as Premier Li and I were holding our discussions, the India-China CEOs' Forum was meeting here under the same roof.

To foster mutual understanding, we decided to encourage provincial and sub-regional exchanges, institutionalize the High-Level Media Forum, continue youth exchanges for the next five years and celebrate the year 2014, which is the 60th anniversary of the enunciation of the Panchsheel principles, as the "Year of India-China Friendly Exchanges”. I appreciate China’s cooperation on Nalanda University.

I conveyed to Premier Li our commitment to visa simplification to facilitate travel of Chinese nationals to India and expressed hope that China will also facilitate such exchanges.

We also had candid and constructive discussions on regional and global issues of importance to India and China. This is one of the promising developments in our relationship.

The Agreements and MOUs signed today in various areas --- covering defence cooperation, road transport sector, trans-border rivers, power equipment, cultural exchanges, Nalanda University and sister-city linkages --- will build on our impressive range of cooperation.

As Premier Li has said, India and China are two ancient civilisations. We account for 2.5 billion people. When India and China shake hands, the world takes notice. I believe that my visit to China has put our relations on a path of stable and fast growth. I thank Premier Li once again and look forward to my other engagements with the Chinese leadership and the public today and tomorrow. It has been a most enjoyable stay in this beautiful city and I thank Premier Li and the people of China for their hospitality.”

Report of Empowered Committee examining issues of certification under Cinematograph Act uploaded on Ministry of I&B website

The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has uploaded the Empowered Committee’s report examining issues of certification under Cinematograph Act on its official website, www.mib.nic.in. The proposed Cinematograph Bill, 2013 as submitted by the Committee has also been uploaded on the Ministry’s website.  The purpose of uploading the report and related Bill is to invite suggestions from the public on the issues concerned and highlighted. The suggestions may be sent to the following email ids: jsfilms.inb@nic.in, dirfilms2-inb@nic.in.

The Empowered Committee under the Chairmanship of Sh. Mukul Mudgal, Retired Chief Justice, High Court of Punjab and Haryana that was constituted to examine issues of certification under the Cinematograph Act 1952, presented its report,  along with its findings and recommendations, to the Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Sh. Manish Tewari on 9^th October, 2013. The Committee was constituted by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting on February 4, 2013.

General Election to Legislative Assemblies of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Mizoram and NCT of Delhi 2013 - Allotment of Broadcast/Telecast time to Political Parties

At the time of General Elections to the Lok Sabha in 1998, a new initiative for State funding of recognized political parties through free use of the State owned Television and Radio was introduced under directions of the Commission vide its Order, dated 16^th January, 1998. The said scheme was subsequently extended in all the General Elections to the State Assemblies held after 1998 and General Elections to the Lok Sabha in 1999, 2004 and 2009.

           

With the amendments to the Representation of People Act, 1951 vide "Election and Other Related Laws (Amendment) Act, 2003" and the rules notified thereunder, equitable time sharing for campaigning by recognized political parties on electronic media now has statutory basis. In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (a) of the Explanation below section 39A of the Representation of People Act, 1951, the Central Government has notified all such broadcasting media which are owned or controlled or financed wholly or substantially by funds provided to them by the Central Government as the electronic media for the purposes of that section. Therefore, the Commission has decided to extend the said scheme of equitable time sharing on electronic media through Prasar Bharati Corporation to the ensuing General Election to the State Legislative Assemblies of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Mizoram and NCT of Delhi 2013.

           

The facilities of use of broadcast time and telecast time will be available only to ‘National Parties’ and  ‘Recognized State Parties’ in respect of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Mizoram and NCT of Delhi.

THE SALIENT FEATURES OF THE SCHEME ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1.                  The facilities will be available from the Regional Kendra of the All India Radio and Doordarshan and in the headquarters of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Mizoram and NCT of Delhi and relayed by other stations within Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Mizoram and NCT of Delhi.

2.                  A base time of 45 minutes will be given to each National Party and Recognized State Party (recognized in respect of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Mizoram and NCT of Delhi) uniformly on the Regional Kendras of Doordarshan network and All India Radio network in the States/UT of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Mizoram and NCT of Delhi.

3.                  The additional time to be allotted to the parties has been decided on the basis of the poll performance of the parties in the last assembly election from the States/UT of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Mizoram and NCT of Delhi.

4.                  In a single session of broadcast, no party will be allocated more than 15 minutes.

5.                  The period of broadcast and telecast will be between the last date of filing the nominations for the first phase of poll and two days before the date of poll in the respective States of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Mizoram and NCT of Delhi.

6.                  The Prasar Bharati Corporation in consultation with the Commission will decide the actual date and time for broadcast and telecast. This will be subject to the broad technical constraints governing the actual time of transmission available with the Doordarshan and All India Radio.

7.                  The guidelines prescribed by the Commission for telecast and broadcast will be strictly followed. The parties will be required to submit transcripts and recording in advance. The parties can get this recorded at their own cost in studios, which meet the technical standards prescribed by the Prasar Bharati Corporation or at the Doordarshan/All India Radio Kendra. They can, in the alternative, have these recorded in the studios of Doordarshan and All India Radio by advance requests. In such cases, the recordings may be done at the State Capital and at timings indicated by Doordarshan/All India Radio in advance.

8.                  In addition to the broadcast by parties, the Prasar Bharati Corporation will organise a maximum of two panel discussions and/or debates on the Kendra/Station of Doordarshan/All India Radio. Each eligible party can nominate one representative to such a programme.

9.                  The Election Commission of India will approve the names of coordinators for such panel discussions and debates in consultation with the Prasar Bharati Corporation.

10.              Time Vouchers will be available in the denomination of 5 minutes with one voucher having time allotment from 1 to 4 minutes and the parties will be free to combine them suitably. The allotment of time to different political parties is given in a statement enclosed herewith.

HRD Ministry to Open 50 Educational DTH Channels

The HRD Ministry will soon launch 50 DTH educational channels. This was stated by the Secretary (HE) Sh Ashok Thakur in New Delhi today. He said these channels will be different from the existing programmes on air including Gyan Darshan as new one will be more interactive. He said these channels will air programmes which will be live and not pre recorded. Saying that the new initiatives will be one of the largest anywhere in the world of its kind, Sh. Thakur said later on the number of the channels will be increased to one thousand. He said that the Ministry has spent more than one billion dollars for ICT. Over 400 universities and twenty thousand colleges have been linked with bandwidth. He said there is a great potential to increase its usage. Highlighting the potential of the National Programme on National Mission on Education through Information and Communication Technology (NMEICT), the Secretary said that the entire country can be made into a big classroom which will help improve quality of instructions in engineering colleges particularly belonging to the remote areas. He said that the Ministry may approach AICTE to make on-line education mandatory and integral part of education system. Asking to promote virtual lab, Sh. Thakur said it should be possible to share classes from IITs to other engineering colleges by making the system more user friendly.

Dr. S.S. Mantha, chairman, AICTE focused on promoting quality initiatives in the country. He said that rapid expansion in institutions has led to the decline in quality. The need of the hour therefore is to nurture quality in the institutions.

The one day workshop was organized by the HRD Ministry with AICTE. More than 150 engineering colleges from the National Capital Region of Delhi participated in the programme.

Powers on Autonomous Colleges

UGC Act to be Amended to Confer Degree Granting

The Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India and the University Grants Commission (UGC) held a day-long meeting with select Autonomous Colleges and State Government representatives on 7th October, 2013 at India International Centre, New Delhi to discuss their problems. This was the first exclusive meeting of the Principals of Autonomous Colleges and State Government representatives with MHRD and the UGC, after the formulation of the scheme by the UGC a few decade ago. The Secretary, Higher Education shared with them the proposed initiatives for bringing about reforms in affiliation system which has become the bane of Higher Education system in the country. He also informed them about the provisions of the recently approved Rashtriya Ucchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA), a scheme of MHRD wherein autonomous colleges desirous of converting themselves into universities can be provided with funding upto Rs.55 crores each. The total amount earmarked for XII FYP for this scheme is Rs.2475 crores.

Some of the Universities have more than 800 colleges affiliated to them with the result that their entire time is consumed by routine administrative tasks leaving little time for research and innovation. On the other hand, many of these colleges though imparting high level of education having potential for research are not allowed to grow as they are not allowed to work beyond the limits prescribed by the University system. The Secretary felt that the system of Autonomous Colleges could provide a way out of this limiting role of affiliation system. This could be done by upgrading the autonomous colleges with ‘A’ NAAC accreditation (46 out of 441 colleges are ‘A’ grade) the status of a Deemed University, State University or just give them degree granting powers by amending the UGC Act.

The colleges welcomed the efforts of the Department of Higher Education and UGC in taking up this initiative. Ban on recruitments to teaching positions by some State Governments and overlooking of their Autonomous Status by the affiliating Universities were some of the concerns expressed by the Colleges in becoming truly autonomous institutions.

The following was decided to be done in time-bound manner:-

• The UGC Standing Advisory Committee on Autonomous Colleges under the Chair of Prof. Syed Hasnain will finalize its recommendations within two months including a draft Regulations for autonomous colleges.

• The central government will explore ways to confer degree granting powers on autonomous colleges by way of amending the UGC Act.

• It was decided that at least 10% of all eligible colleges in the country will be conferred with autonomy by end of XII Plan.

• The suggestions of colleges were taken into account to finalize programmatic norms under RUSA. It was decided that 45 autonomous colleges would be converted into Universities by end of XII Plan.

• The governance structure is the crux of the reforms in RUSA. Therefore all states and autonomous colleges were exhorted to undertake governance and academic reforms.

Prohibitory Orders against Publishing details of Investigation in Hyderabad Twin Blasts Cases

  For NIA Spl Court order, click here

            The National Investigation Agency (NIA) Special Court in Hyderabad has issued prohibitory orders against the publishing of details of investigation in Hyderabad twin blasts cases of 21^st Feb, 2013 conducted against (1) Ahmed Zarar @ Yasin Bhatkal, (2) Asadullah Akthar @ Haddi and their associates of Indian Mujahideen, by the media houses.   The court has given directions to print and electronic media not to publish any proceedings of these cases without the prior permission of the Hon’ble Court.

            In its order, the NIA Spl Court observed …“it is just and necessary to give direction to the print and electronic media not to publish any of the proceedings in this case in RC No. 1/2013 and RC 2/2013 of National Investigation Agency, Hyderabad including the publishing and telecasting in any manner touching the documents of on going investigation of this case without prior permission from this Court.”

             The print and electronic media are advised to note the directions of the Court for compliance.

Schedule for General Election to the Legislative Assemblies Five States

 The terms of the Legislative Assemblies of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Rajasthan and Delhi are normally due to expire as follows:

                        Chhattisgarh                           04.01.2014

                        Madhya Pradesh                    12.12.2013

                        Mizoram                                  15.12.2013

                        Rajasthan                                31.12.2013

                        Delhi                                        17.12.2013

Assembly Constituencies

The total number of Assembly Constituencies in the States of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Rajasthan and Delhi and seats reserved for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes, as determined by the Delimitation Commission under the Delimitation Act, 2002 are as under: -

States	Total No. of Assembly Constituencies	Reserved for SCs	Reserved for STs
Chhattisgarh	90	10	29
Madhya Pradesh	230	35	47
Mizoram	40	-	39
Rajasthan	200	34	25
Delhi	70	12	-

Creation of a new state of Telangana

The Union Cabinet today approved the creation of a new State of Telangana by bifurcating the existing State of Andhra Pradesh.

1. The city of Hyderabad will function as the common capital for both the States for a period of ten years. The Union Cabinet has approved the setting up of a Group of Ministers(GoM) to work out the various legal and administrative measures to ensure the safety and security of the residents of all the regions of the State including the guarantee of the Fundamental Rights.

2. The Union Cabinet further approved that the GoMwill go into the various issues which concern both the States and suggest appropriate measures to address them.

3. The GoM will also work out the modalities for the provision of special financial disbursements required for the setting up of a new capital for the residuary State of Andhra Pradesh and to meet the special needs of the backward regions and districts of the two States.

Cabinet Gives Nod to Flagship Programme for Higher Education- RUSA

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs last evening approved about one lakh crore Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA). It is a new centrally sponsored scheme for higher education which will spread over two plan periods (XIIth and XIIIth). It will focus on state higher educational institutions. It will be a new flagship scheme of the government that will pave the way for far reaching reforms at the state level. A total of 316 state public universities and 13,024 colleges will be covered under RUSA.

The key objectives of RUSA are to improve access, equity and quality in higher education through planned development of higher education at the state level. It is proposed to improve the Gross Enrolment Ratio from 19% at present to 30% by 2020. It will help create new academic institutions, and expand the existing institutions, that are self-reliant in terms of quality education and professional management.

They shall be characterized by greater inclination towards research and provide students with education that is both relevant to them as well as the nation as a whole.

The funding will be provided by the Central and State Governments respectively in the ratio of 90:10 for North-Eastern States and Jammu &Kashmir, 75:25 for Other Special Category States (Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand) and 65:35 for Other States and UTs. Funding will be made available to private government-aided institutions also, subject to their meeting certain pre-conditions for permitted activities based on laid down norms and parameters.

RUSA will adopt a completely new approach towards funding higher education in state universities. The key principles for RUSA funding will be performance-based funding, incentivizing well performing institutions and decision making through clearly defined norms.

These principles will help establish and rely upon a management information system to gather the essential information from institutions.

RUSA will aim to provide greater autonomy to universities as well as colleges and have a sharper focus on equity-based development, and improvement in teaching-learning quality and research.

The reforms initiated under RUSA will build a self-sustaining momentum that will push for greater accountability and autonomy of state institutions and also to unleash the potential of the state universities.

In order to be eligible for funding under RUSA, states will have to fulfill certain prerequisites which include creation of a State Higher Education Council, creation of accreditation agencies, preparation of the state perspective plans, commitment of certain stipulated share of funds towards RUSA, academic, sectoral and institutional governance reforms, filling faculty positions etc.

Under the scheme, an initial amount will be provided to the State governments to prepare them for complying with the above requirements. Once eligible for funding under RUSA, after meeting the prerequisite commitments, the States will receive funds on the basis of achievements and outcomes. The yardstick for deciding the quantum of funds for the states and institutions comprise the norms that reflect the performance in key result areas (access, equity and excellence). The State plans will capture the current position of the states and institutions with respect to these indicators, as well as the targets that need to be achieved. The State Higher Education Council will undertake this process of planning, execution and evaluation, in addition to other monitoring and capacity building functions.

At the national level, the scheme will be implemented by the RUSA Mission Authority and assisted by the Project Advisory Group, Technical Support Group and Project Directorate. The main agency through which RUSA will work in the States will be the State Higher Education Council (SHEC), an autonomous body that will function at an arm’s length from the state and central governments. SHEC will be assisted by State Project Directorate and Technical Support Group. In every institution, the Governing Body and a Project Monitoring Unit will oversee the project progress.

Revision in Fare of AC Classes of Duronto Express Trains at par with Rajdhani-Shatabadi Express for Comparable Classes with Effect from 10th October,2013

 

Ministry of Railways has decided to further revise the fares of AC classes of Duronto Express trains at par with Rajdhani-Shatabadi Express for comparable classes. There shall be no change in the fares of sleeper class and non-AC chair car classes of Duronto Express. The new changes in fares of Duronto Express shall come into force w.e.f. 10th October, 2013 in the case of tickets already issued at pre-revised rate, the difference in fare and other charge will be recovered for journeys undertaken on or after 10th October, 2013 either by TTEs on the trains or by the booking/reservation offices before the commencement of journey by passenger. The detail revised fare table is available on the Indian Railways website namely www.indianrailways.gov.in.