Government plans to launch - Ek Saal Desh Ke Naam

A brain storming workshop was held under the Chairmanship of Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Youth Affair and Sports Shri Sarbananda Sonowal to discuss a new programme proposed to be introduced for “Youth Leadership Development – Ek Saal, Desh Ke Naam”. The workshop was attended by Secretary(Youth Affairs ), Joint Secretary(Youth Affairs), Vice Chairpersons, NYKS, Director General, NYKS, Director, RGNIYD and eminent persons/intellectuals like Dr. Vinay Sahasrabudde, Shri Amrut Bang, Shri V Muraleedharan, Dr. Jyoti Shukla, Shri Swadesh Singh , Shri Waman Kendre working in the field of culture, author, theatre, economy, social organisation , academics, etc. 

The group discussed the various issues like objectives of the programme, selection process for the fellows, course content, their training, etc. The group discussed as to how to nurture leadership talent among youth to meet societal challenges by way of comprehensive leadership training through exposure, experience, experimentation and enterprise and to equip them with the necessary skills, values and vision to increase the effectiveness of their work by giving them opportunity and atmosphere to develop their leadership talents by way of ‘Self Learning’ and to find more meaningful and joyful purpose for their life. The eminent persons discussed how to create a large group of young professionals having the desire and capability to understand and find answers to developmental issues. The members discussed ways to achieve the objectives by developing training and experience based learning process facilitating deeper search of these youth for leading a purposeful life. It is believed that such a pursuit of social problem solving will bring out the best among youth. 

Speaking on the occasion Shri Sarbananda Sonowal said that Scheme has objectives for the transformation of the ideology of the youth. The programme shall provide a learning experience to the youth to transform their outlook, offer opportunities and develop leadership qualities. While working for the programme, the youth will also understand the working of different departments of the Government and Centre State relationship. 

Reservation Facilities Provided to Senior Citizen and Female Passengers Including Pregnant Women

With a view to facilitating provisions of lower berths to senior citizens and female passengers, following facilities are available:-

(i)                  There is a provision in the computerised Passenger Reservation System (PRS) to allot lower berth automatically to male passengers above the age of 60 years and female passengers above the age of 45 years subject to availability of the same at the time of booking of ticket.

(ii)                 A combined reservation quota of two lower berths per coach is earmarked in Sleeper, AC 3Tier and AC 2Tier for following category of passengers when travelling alone:

a.       Senior citizens;

b.      Female passengers 45 years of age and above; and

c.       Pregnant women.

(iii)               Instructions are also there to assist senior citizens and physically handicapped persons who have been allotted middle/upper berths by allotting them vacant lower berths available in the train by the ticket checking staff on first come first served basis (after making necessary entry in the reservation chart).

(iv)              A six berths compartment in Sleeper Class is also earmarked in long distance Mail/Express trains for female passengers.

(v)                It has now been decided that:-

·        The existing combined quota of  two lower berths per coach in Sleeper class earmarked for senior citizens, female passengers 45 years of age and above and pregnant women (when travelling alone) may be enhanced to four lower berths per coach.  There will, however, be no change in this quota being earmarked in 3A and 2A classes.

·        The scope of instructions regarding assisting senior citizens and physically handicapped persons in getting lower berths in the train has been expanded to include pregnant women also.  Hence, onboard ticket checking staff are now authorised to allot vacant lower berths available in the train to senior citizens, physically handicapped persons and pregnant women (who have been allotted middle/upper berths), on approach, on first come first served basis after making necessary entry in the chart.

·        It has also been decided that the existing reservation quota of six berths for female passengers being earmarked in long distance Mail/Express trains should be in the middle of the coach and also to the extent feasible, the senior citizen quota should be earmarked in the middle of the coach.

Advance Reservation Period for Booking Reserved Train Tickets increased from 60 days to 120 days from 1st april 2015

The Ministry of Railways has decided to increase the Advance Reservation Period (ARP) for booking accommodation in trains from 60 days to 120 days (excluding the date of journey). Accordingly, w.e.f. 1st April 2015 the booking in trains from train originating stations will open and remain available for 120 days. For instance, as on 1.4.2015, for trains leaving on 28th July 2015, the reservation can be obtained for journey commencing on all days between 1.4.2015 upto 28.7.2015. 

There will, however, be no change in case of certain day time Express trains like Taj Express, Gomti Express, special trains etc, where lower time limits for advance reservations are at present in force. There will also be no change in the case of the limit of 360 days for foreign tourists. 

PM launches PRAGATI: a multi-purpose, multi-modal platform for Pro-Active Governance And Timely Implementation

Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi launched today his ambitious multi-purpose and multi-modal platform PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance And Timely Implementation). PRAGATI is a unique integrating and interactive platform. The platform is aimed at addressing common man’s grievances, and simultaneously monitoring and reviewing important programmes and projects of the Government of India as well as projects flagged by State Governments. 

Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said the whole world is now observing India keenly. It is imperative that governance in India becomes more efficient and responsive. He said the PRAGATI platform was a step in this direction. 

During the first PRAGATI interaction today, the Prime Minister discussed issues relating to unseasonal rain and relief to farmers, public grievances, project implementation, Swachh Bharat and ‘ease of doing business.’ The interaction lasted for two hours. 

Some of the issues discussed included: 

• Two sets of public grievances of more than 20 people relating to (a) payment of Employees Provident Fund of private sector and (b) Income Tax refunds; It was noted that all the grievances had been redressed. Also, the intervention through PRAGATI is leading to system improvement so that such grievances do not arise. 

• Two issues flagged by States of Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, regarding National Highways and clearance for Navi Mumbai airport, respectively. 

• Six Central Government projects involving more than a dozen Union Government Ministries and thirteen States. It was noted that various actions and permissions relating to projects were pending for several years. Due to PRAGATI, on several issues there was definite progress. In fact, some of the issues were almost finally resolved. 

• Progress of School Toilet Programme, and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan

PM gave suitable directions for redressal of grievances and compliance on the projects and programmes and motivated all officers to work in coordinated manner for outcome; 

A built-in feature of PRAGATI is that these directions will remain in the system for further follow up and review till the finality of the matter. 

The PRAGATI platform uniquely bundles three latest technologies: Digital data management, video-conferencing and geo-spatial technology. It also offers a unique combination in the direction of cooperative federalism since it brings on one stage the Secretaries of Government of India and the Chief Secretaries of the States. With this, the Prime Minister is able to discuss the issues with the concerned Central and State officials with full information and latest visuals of the ground level situation. Such an effort has never been made in India. It is also an innovative project in e-governance and good governance. 

Immediately after assuming office, the Prime Minister had shown his keenness to design a credible mechanism for redressal of Public Grievances. He was equally keen to see that programmes and projects launched by the Central and State Government(s) are monitored properly for timely implementation and desired outcome. With that spirit and for holistic development of the country, it was also felt necessary to facilitate from the Union Government level the projects of the States. Accordingly, with the three objectives of: Grievance Redressal, Programme Implementation and Project Monitoring, an IT-based redressal and monitoring system has been designed. It will combine Data Management and Analysis, Geo-spatial Applications as well as Video-conferencing. The application will be accessible to the Secretaries of the Government of India and the State Chief Secretaries. 

Key features of the PRAGATI application are as follows: 

• It is a three-tier system (PMO, Union Government Secretaries, and Chief Secretaries of the States); 

• Prime Minister will hold a monthly programme where he will interact with the Government of India Secretaries, and Chief Secretaries through Video-conferencing enabled by data and geo-informatics visuals; 

• The first such programme was launched on 25th March, 2015 (Wednesday) at 3.30 PM; 

• Now onwards, it will be held once in every month on Fourth Wednesday at 3.30 PM-to be known as PRAGATI Day. 

• Issues to be flagged before the PM are picked up from the available database regarding Public Grievances, on-going Programmes and pending Projects; 

• The system will ride on, strengthen and re-engineer the data bases of the CPGRAMS for grievances, Project Monitoring Group (PMG) and the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. PRAGATI provides an interface and platform for all these three aspects. 

• It will also take into consideration various correspondences to PM’s office by the common people or from high dignitaries of States and/or developers of public projects; 

• The issues flagged are uploaded seven days prior to the PRAGATI day (i.e. on third Wednesday of every month). 

• These issues can be viewed by the Union Government Secretaries and Chief Secretaries after entering into the application; 

• User ID and Password for each of the Union Government Secretaries and Chief Secretaries have been created and made available; 

• Union Government Secretaries and Chief Secretaries will be able to see the issues pertaining to their Department /State; 

• Union Government Secretaries and Chief Secretaries have to put their comments and updates about the flagged issues within three days (i.e. by next Monday); 

• One day - Tuesday is available to the PMO team to review the data entered by the Union Government Secretaries and Chief Secretaries; 

• The design is such, that when PM reviews the issue he should have on his screen the issue as well as the latest updates and visuals regarding the same; 

The system has been designed in-house by the PMO team with the help of National Informatics Center (NIC). As the name suggests, it is aimed at starting a culture of Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation. It is also a robust system for bringing e-transparency and e-accountability with real-time presence and exchange among the key stakeholders. 

Launch of Grievance Redressal Portal of UGC

The Union Minister of Human Resource Development Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani launched the UGC’s Students Grievance Redressal Portal in New Delhi today. The Students Grievance Redressal Portal is a new initiative taken up by the University Grants Commission under the leadership of the Union Minister which facilitates the students / complainants to lodge their grievance, send reminders and view the status of action taken regarding their grievances. The basic aim of the portal is to ensure transparency in admission, prevent unfair practices in higher education institutions and provide effective mechanism for redressal of the grievances. Each University has a dedicated Nodal Officer for redressal of grievance and as soon as the student lodges a complaint, the email ID, mobile number and other contact details of the Nodal Officers can be viewed. The Nodal Officer will also be responsible for redressal of the grievances related to the affiliated colleges under that University.

The Nodal Officer on behalf of the University will ensure time bound redressal of the grievance failing which every 15 days an automatic reminder will be sent to the Nodal Officer for closing the grievance. The Nodal Officer can contact the complainant whose details will also be visible to him/her for any clarification, if required. The UGC alone will monitor the grievances.  The dashboard of the Administrator will automatically display the status in a graphic manner, the time taken for redressal of the grievance, pending grievances and the classes of grievances.

The grievances can be lodged for a variety of reasons like admission process in totality including reservation policy, publication/non-publication of prospectus, discrimination of students on the basis of caste, creed and race, untimely conduct of examination, non-declaration of results, lack of students amenities, and non-payment of scholarships/fellowships, victimization of students and sexual harassment cases etc.

Students can access the portal at www.ugc.ac.in in the Student Grievance link.

Restriction on Login for Booking of Train e-Tickets

The Ministry of Railways has decided that in case of e-ticketing, there will be a restriction of only one booking in one user login session and forced logging out of the user before another booking for all users including IRCTC agents but excluding defence booking under warrant only. 

This restriction will be applicable while booking of e-ticket between 0800 and 1200 hours. However, this restriction will not be applicable while booking onward journey/return journey e-tickets. 

Zero Effect, Zero Defect Model

The Ministry of MSME is implementing a number of Schemes and Programmes for the benefit of local manufacturing in the MSME sector across the country. These Schemes include National Manufacturing Competitiveness Programme, Support for Entrepreneurial and Managerial Development of SMEs through Incubators, Cluster Development Programme, Credit Guarantee Scheme, Credit Linked Capital Subsidy Scheme and Marketing Assistance Scheme. These Schemes are aimed towards upgradation of technology, creation of infrastructure, making available collateral free credit, provision of capital subsidy and provision of marketing assistance which in turn lead to creation of high quality local manufacturing. Especially, the National Manufacturing Competitiveness Programme (NMCP) Scheme highlights the needs for enhancing the competitiveness of Indian manufacturing sector by reducing the manufacturing costs through better space utilization, scientific inventory management, improved process flows, reduced engineering time etc. 

The funds allocated towards these Schemes are aimed towards overall development of the Sector including inducing high quality local manufacturing. It is worthwhile to mention that the 12th Five Year Plan allocation for the NMCP Scheme is Rs.860.70 Crore, which is primarily geared for promoting quality local manufacturing. To achieve the targets of the recent "Zero Effect, Zero Defect Models", the Ministry has not only aligned its schemes like Lean Manufacturing Competitiveness Scheme, Quality Management Standards (QMS) and Quality Technology Tools (QTT), Technology and Quality Upgradation (TEQUP) Schemes in particular but also with Quality Council of India (QCI) has worked out a ‘ZED Certification’ model encompassing an array of quality parameters in manufacturing. 

The Ministry of MSME is providing skill development training in rural and urban areas in the widest range of skill sets, from those required for the khadi and village industries to the skill sets required by the globally competitive industries such as auto-components, electronic items, pharma products etc. Efforts are now being directed for a more co-ordinated approach in the areas of skill development i.e. accredition of institutions, certification, curriculum development, industry linkage, training of trainers, trend spotting etc through various training outfits of the Ministry, such as National Level Training Institutions, Tool Rooms and Technology Development Institutions. 

This information was given by the Minister of State, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Shri Giriraj Singh in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha 19 march 2015

Ranking of Indian Universities

The UGC has launched the following schemes for making higher education relevant to the needs of the society and industry, namely: Career Oriented Programmes (COC), Community Colleges (CC) and introduction of degrees in vocational subjects in line with National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF). The UGC, through collaboration with National Mission on Education thought ICT (NMEICT), has undertaken e-content development of post graduate programmes called e-PG Pathashala.

The UGC has notified several regulations with the objective of sustenance and improvement in the quality of higher education and for undertaking academic reforms. The regulations are on the following matters, namely: mandatory assessment and accreditation of higher educational institutions; affiliation of colleges by universities; regulation of private and deemed to be universities; minimum qualifications for appointment of teachers; minimum standards for grant of first degree, Master’s degree, M.Phil/Ph.D;  grievance redressal; promotion of equity; curbing the menace of ragging etc. The regulations are available athttp://www.ugc.ac.in/page/UGC-Regulations.aspx.

The UGC also laid down a list of Degrees specified for the Purposes of Section 22 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956. No other degree can be granted by a University/College and Institutions empowered to grant degrees by an Act of Parliament. 

The UGC supports access and expansion by financing development of the Central Universities, recognition of new State Universities and Colleges, regulation of private and deemed to be universities and establishment of Community Colleges. The UGC conducts inspection of private universities. These Private Universities are also inspected by the UGC with the help of Expert Committees, constituted by the UGC, which includes representatives from the concerned Statutory Council(s), to check their compliance with the laid down regulations and gives them opportunity for rectification of defects and non-conformity with the regulations.

The Ministry of Human Resource Development had launched a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) namely Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) which seeks to improve overall quality of existing State higher educational institutions by ensuring their conformity to prescribed norms and standards and adoption of accreditation as a mandatory quality assurance framework.  RUSA is incentivizing State Governments to reform affiliating system, governance and academic and examination system in State higher educational institutions.  The total outlay for RUSA for the 12^th Plan is Rs. 22,855 crores.

The Project Approval Board of RUSA has approved infrastructure grants for five universities and thirty five colleges, two new professional colleges and grants for faculty improvement, vocationalization of higher education and equity initiatives in higher educational institutions in Gujarat.

This information was given by the Union Human Resource Development Minister, Smt. Smriti Irani in a written reply to the Lok Sabha question 25.2.15

Improvement of Minority Educational Institutions

The Ministry of Human Resource Development implements two schemes under which funds have been earmarked for the educational empowerment of minorities, the details of which are as under:-

(i)         Scheme for Providing Quality Education in Madarsa (SPQEM)

(ii)       Scheme for Infrastructure Development of Private Aided/Unaided Minority Institutes (IDMI) (Elementary/Secondary/Senior Secondary Schools). 

An amount of Rs. 375.00 crore has been earmarked for SPQEM and IDMI during the year 2014-15.  Out of this, an amount of Rs.11.01 crore has been released till date to 118 Minority Institutions as per details  given below:

Name of the State	Amount (Rs.in lakh)	No. of Institutions
Haryana	11.08	06
Karnataka	291.51	20
Madhya Pradesh	32.11	04
Maharashtra	535.58	52
Uttarakhand	15.02	03
Mizoram	205.84	31
Tamil Nadu	4.88	01
Uttar Pradesh	5.33	01
Total	1101.35	118

This information was given by the Union Human Resource Development Minister, Smt. Smriti Irani in a written reply to the Lok Sabha question. 25.2.15

AIIMS Like Institutions

The AIIMS like Institutions at Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Jodhpur, Patna, Raipur and Rishikesh are operational with Indoor and Outdoor Patient Department services related to MBBS teaching.  Three batches of MBBS students and two batches of B.Sc (Nursing) students are receiving education.

Details of which Out Patient Departments (OPDs) functioning at the six new AIIMS are given below:-

Name of Institute	No. of departments in which OPDs are functioning
AIIMS, Bhopal	20
AIIMS, Bhubaneswar	19
AIIMS, Patna	18
AIIMS, Jodhpur	20
AIIMS, Raipur	18
AIIMS, Rishikesh	16

Infrastructural facilities for OPD’s in remaining departments are being development for operationalization.

The Health Minister, Shri J P Nadda stated this in a written reply in the LokSabha on 27.2.15

Advertisement of Tobacco Products

As per the Report of the Tobacco Control in India (2004), tobacco advertising, in direct or indirect form, boosts consumption. There are independent studies that have been conducted to determine the impact of advertising and promotion of tobacco products on the consumption of these products by Indians. Evidence suggests that exposure to promotional activities for tobacco leads to initiation and progression of tobacco use. Research also corroborates that exposure to tobacco advertisements and receptivity to tobacco marketing are significantly related to increased tobacco use among students. Further, tobacco use in Indian movies has been independently associated with ever tobacco use among adolescents in India. Brief of the key studies on impact of advertising and promotion on youth uptake is annexed. 

Section 5 of the Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003(COTPA, 2003), prohibits all direct and indirect advertisements of the tobacco products. The said prohibition also extends to any activity that promotes the use or consumption of cigarettes or any other tobacco products. 

The advertisement of Pan Masala is regulated by section 30 of the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations, 2011, issued under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, which states that every package of Pan Masala and advertisement relating thereto, shall carry the warning, “Chewing of Pan Masala is injurious to health”. 

Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011 dated 1st August 2011, issued under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 by the Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), lays down that tobacco and nicotine shall not be used as ingredients in any food products. Therefore, Gutkha is a prohibited product, under the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011 dated 1st August 2011, issued under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and hence its advertisement is also prohibited. 

The Health Minister, Shri J P Nadda stated this in a written reply in the Lok Sabha here on 13.3.15

Wi-Fi Facility at Seven Railway Stations

In order to provide Wi Fi services at Railway station cross the country,Initially,  the Wi-Fi facility will be provided at 7 Railway Stations namely Bengaluru, New Delhi, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Agra Cantt., Varanasi and Secunderabad. The internet access is provided free to the users for first 30 minutes. For usage beyond that, it is priced at Rs.25 for 30 minutes and Rs.35 for 1 Hour and is valid through 24 hours. 

Such facility is proposed to be provided to all ‘A1’ & ‘A’ category stations (Total 75+332 = 407 stations). 

This information was given by the Minister of State for Railways Shri Manoj Sinha in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha  on 17.3.15