Cabinet approves dissolution of Central Inland Water Transport Corporation Limited

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval to proposal for dissolution of Central Inland Water Transport Corporation Limited (CIWTC). The Voluntary Retirement Scheme for CIWTC was implemented in the year 2015 as per decision of 'the Cabinet on 24.12.2014.

CIWTC, a company incorporated on 22nd February 1967 under the Companies Act 1956 by the Government of India, when it took over the assets and liabilities of the erstwhile River Steam Navigation Company Limited under a scheme approved by the Calcutta High Court. Due to inherent limitation and infrastructure bottle necks, the operations of CIWTC could never become viable and company has been incurring losses since inception. The Company has only five employees at present.

In line with the decision of the Government to revitalize sick CPSUs wherever possible or to wind up irretrievable cases, the dissolution of the CIWTC would be initiated after disposal of movable and immovable assets. This would free up the assets for better utilization and for the benefit of the people. A number of assets would be taken up by Inland Waterways Authority of India to provide services on Brahmputra River (NW-4).

Permanent Residency Status to Foreign Investors

The Union Cabinet under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the scheme for grant of Permanent Residency Status (PRS) to foreign investors subject to the relevant conditions as specified in the FDI Policy notified by the Government from time to time.

The scheme is expected to encourage foreign investment in India and facilitate Make in India Programme. Under the Scheme, suitable provisions will be incorporated in the Visa Manual to provide for the grant of PRS to foreign investors.

The PRS will be granted for a period of 10 years with multiple entry. This can be reviewed for another 10 years if the PRS holder has not come to adverse notice. The scheme will be applicable only to foreign investors fulfilling the prescribed eligibility conditions, his/her spouse and dependents. In order to avail this scheme, the foreign investor will have to invest a minimum of Rs. 10 crores to be brought within 18 months or Rs.25 crores to be brought within 36 months. Further, the foreign investment should result in generating employment to at least 20 resident Indians every financial year.

Permanent Residency Status will be granted for a period of 10 years initially with multiple entry facility, which can be renewed for another 10 years. PRS will serve as a multiple entry visa without any stay stipulation and PRS holders will be exempted from the registration requirements. PRS holders will be allowed to purchase one residential property for dwelling purpose. The spouse/ dependents of the PRS holder will be allowed to take up employment in private sector (in relaxation to salary stipulations for Employment Visa) and undertake studies in India.

Specific design pen use in Election process of Rajya Sabha and Legislative Councils

The Commission has issued directions that in future integrated violet sketch pen of specific design and manufactured by a particular firm both approved by ECI, shall be used in all future elections. Such pen will be the instrument for recording preferences on ballot paper by the voter and at time of poll, it shall be given to each voter by the designated polling officer and shall be taken back from him after the voter comes out of the voting compartment. Any deviation from it will not be allowed under any circumstance. The Commission has further elaborated the role and responsibilities of Chief Electoral Officer in above said elections. A robust on line complaint monitoring system as well as measures to curb ostentatious display of money power and training of officials at IIIDEM have also been put in place.

Cabinet approves simplification and liberalisation of the Foreign Direct Investment Policy, 2016 in various sectors

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its ex-post-facto approval for the FDI policy amendments announced by the Government on 20^th June, 2016. The FDI policy amendments are meant to liberalise and simplify the FDI policy so as to provide ease of doing business in the country leading to larger FDI inflows contributing to growth of investment, incomes and employment.  The details are as follows:

 1.        Radical Changes for promoting Food Products manufactured/produced in India

It has now been provided that 100% FDI under government route for trading, including through e-commerce, is permitted in respect of food products manufactured and/or produced in India.

2.         Foreign Investment in Defence Sector up to 100%

Earlier FDI regime permitted 49% FDI participation in the equity of a company under automatic route. FDI above 49% was permitted through Government approval on case to case basis, wherever it is likely to result in access to modern and ‘state-of-art’ technology in the country. In this regard, the following changes have inter-alia been brought in the FDI policy on this sector:

i.        Foreign investment beyond 49% has now been permitted through government approval route wherever it is likely to result in access to modern technology or for other reasons to be recorded.

ii.      FDI limit for defence sector has also been made applicable to Manufacturing of Small Arms and Ammunitions covered under Arms Act 1959. 

3Pharmaceutical

The earlier FDI policy on pharmaceutical sector provides for 100% FDI under automatic route in greenfield pharma and FDI up to 100% under government approval in brownfield pharma. With the objective of promoting the development of this sector, 74% FDI under automatic route has been permitted in brownfield pharmaceuticals. FDI beyond 74% would be permitted through Government approval route.

4.     Civil Aviation Sector

(i)     The earlier FDI policy on Airports permitted 100% FDI under automatic route in Greenfield Projects and 74% FDI in Brownfield Projects under automatic route. FDI beyond 74% for Brownfield Projects is under government route.

(ii)   With a view to aid in modernization of the existing airports to establish a high standard and help ease the pressure on the existing airports, 100% FDI under automatic route has now been permitted in Brownfield Airport projects.

(iii) As per the earlier FDI policy, foreign investment up to 49% was allowed under automatic route in Scheduled Air Transport Service/ Domestic Scheduled Passenger Airline and regional Air Transport Service. This limit has now been raised to 100%, with FDI upto 49% permitted under automatic route and FDI beyond 49% through Government approval. For NRIs, 100% FDI will continue to be allowed under automatic route. Foreign airlines would continue to be allowed to invest in capital of Indian companies operating scheduled and  non-scheduled air-transport services up to the limit of 49% of their paid up capital.

5.     Private Security Agencies

The earlier policy permitted 49% FDI under government approval route in Private Security Agencies. Since Private Security Agencies are already required to get license under PSAR Act 2005, the requirement of putting them through another line of Government approvals through FIPB has now been done away with for FDI up to 49%.  Accordingly, FDI up to 49% is now permitted under automatic route in this sector. FDI beyond 49% and upto 74% is permitted through Government approval route.

6.     Establishment of branch office, liaison office or project office

For establishment of branch office, liaison office or project office or any other place of business in India if the principal business of the applicant is Defence, Telecom, Private Security or Information and Broadcasting, it has provided that approval of Reserve Bank of India would not be required in cases where FIPB approval or license/permission by the concerned Ministry/Regulator has already been granted.

7.     Animal Husbandry

As per FDI Policy 2016, FDI in Animal Husbandry (including breeding of dogs), Pisciculture, Aquaculture and Apiculture is allowed 100% under Automatic Route under controlled conditions. The requirement of ‘controlled conditions’ for FDI in these activities has now been done away with.

8.         Single Brand Retail Trading

Local sourcing norms have been relaxed up to three years, with prior Government approval, for entities undertaking Single Brand Retail Trading of products having ‘state­ of ­art’ and ‘cutting edge’ technology. For such entities, sourcing norms will not be applicable up to three years from commencement of the business i.e. opening of the first store for entities undertaking single brand retail trading of products having ‘state-of-art’ and ‘cutting-edge’ technology and where local sourcing is not possible. Thereafter, sourcing norms would be applicable.

Background:

            In last two years, Government has brought major FDI policy reforms in a number of sectors viz. Defence, Construction Development, Insurance, Pension Sector, Broadcasting Sector, Tea, Coffee, Rubber, Cardamom, Palm Oil Tree and Olive Oil Tree Plantations, Single Brand Retail Trading, Manufacturing Sector, Limited Liability Partnerships, Civil Aviation, Credit Information Companies, Satellites- establishment/operation and Asset Reconstruction Companies. Measures undertaken by the Government have resulted in increased FDI inflows at US$ 55.46 billion in financial year 2015-16, as against US$ 36.04 billion during the financial year 2013-14. This is the highest ever FDI inflow for a particular financial year. However, it was felt that the country has potential to attract far more foreign investment which can be achieved by further liberalizing and simplifying the FDI regime. 

Accordingly, Union Government radically liberalized the FDI regime on 20^th June, 2016 with the objective of providing major impetus to employment and job creation in India. This was the second major reform after the last radical changes announced in November, 2015. Changes introduced in the policy included increase in sectoral caps, bringing more activities under automatic route and easing of conditionalities for foreign investment. The amendments were aimed at further simplifying the regulations governing FDI in the country and make India an attractive destination for foreign investors. Most of the sectors with these changes have now been brought under automatic route for FDI, except a small negative list. The amendments have made India the most open economy in the world for FDI.

Revise FDI in Broadcasting Carriage Services

 The Government of India approved  hundred percent FDI in  Broadcasting carriage services . New sectoral caps and entry routes are as under:

Sector/Activity	New Cap and Route
(1)Teleports(setting up of up-linking HUBs/Teleports); (2)Direct to Home (DTH); (3)Cable Networks (Multi System operators (MSOs) operating at National or State or District level and undertaking upgradation of networks towards digitalization and addressability); (4)Mobile TV; (5)Headend-in-the Sky Broadcasting Service(HITS)	100% Automatic
5.2.7.1.2 Cable Networks (Other MSOs not undertaking upgradation of networks towards digitalization and addressability and Local Cable Operators (LCOs))
Infusion of fresh foreign investment, beyond 49% in a company not seeking license/permission from sectoral Ministry, resulting in change in the ownership pattern or transfer of stake by existing investor to new foreign investor, will require FIPB approval

Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose on Web Portal

The 7^th batch of 25 declassified files relating to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose will be released online on web portal www.netajipapers.gov.in on 30 August, 2016 at 12.30 PM by Shri N.K. Sinha, Secretary, Ministry of Culture. The present batch of 25 files pertain to Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) (1951-2006).

It may be recalled that first lot of 100 files relating to Netaji, after their preliminary conservation treatment and digitization, were put in the public domain by the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi on 23 January 2016, on the occasion of the 119^th birth anniversary of Netaji.  The second lot of 50 files, third lot of 25 files, 4^th lot of 25 files, 5^th lot of 25 files and 6^th lot of 25 files were released subsequently on 29 March, 2016, 29 April, 2016, 27 May, 2016, 29 June and 29^th July 2016 respectively.  In all, 250 files have been put in public domain till now.

            The present release of 25 files will further meet the continued public demand to access these files and this will also facilitate scholars to carry out further research on the doyen of the freedom movement.  These many files having passed the scrutiny of the specially constituted Committee having experts from the field of Archives which looks into the aspects such as:

1.      To ascertain the physical conditions of the files and carry out necessary repair and conservation wherever needed, through Conservation Unit.

2.      To verify the quality of digitization for enabling the digitized records to upload in the web portal ‘www.netajipapers.gov.in’.

3.      To check if there is any duplication in the files are being released on the internet for use by the researchers and general public.

It may be reiterated that in 1997 the National Archives of India had received 990 declassified files pertaining to the Indian National Army (Azad Hind Fauj) from the Ministry of Defence. Further, in 2012, 271 files/ items pertaining the Khosla Commission, and 759 files/ items of Justice Mukherjee Commission of Inquiry, in total 1030 files/ items were received from the Ministry of Home Affairs. All these files/ items are already open to the public under the Public Records Rules, 1997.

Crime in India - 2015’

The Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh released the 63^rd edition of ‘Crime in India – 2015’ . The National Crime Records Bureau publishes the report on annual basis, since the first edition published for the year 1953. The report contains information on police recorded criminal cases pertaining to the calendar year 2015. The data for the publication has been collected from 36 States/UTs and 53 Mega Cities (having population of more than 10 lakhs).

Some of the highlights of the reports include:

Ø  A decrease of 4.7% under crimes against Scheduled Tribes (from 11,451 in 2014 to 10,914 cases in 2015).

Ø  A decrease of 4.4% under crimes against Scheduled castes (from 47,064 in 2014 to 45,003 cases in 2015).

Ø  A decrease of 3.1% under crimes against women (from 3,37,922 cases in 2014 to 3,27,394 cases in 2015).

Ø  28,69,195 cases under IPC were investigated in 2015. Out of 1,05,02,256 IPC cases, 13,25,989 cases were tried by the courts in 2015, showing conviction rate as 46.9% under IPC crimes.

Ø  Out of 46,46,419 cases, investigation completed in 43,46,003 cases. Cases chargesheet rate was 98.1% and conviction rate was 92.4% under Special & Local Laws (SLL) cases.

Ø  Properties worth Rs. 8,21,040 lakh were stolen during the year 2015 and against this loss, properties worth Rs. 1,35,019 lakh were recovered.

Ø  A total of 73,26,099 offence cases [29,49,400 Indian Penal Code (IPC) cases and 43,76,699 SLL cases] were reported in 2015, an increase of 1.3% over 2014. 

Ø  An increase of 5.3% under crimes against children (from 89,423 in 2014 to 94,172 cases in 2015). Kidnapping and abduction constituted 44.5% of total cases of crimes against children.

Ø  An increase of 25.8% under crimes against Human Trafficking (6,877 cases in 2015 compared to 5,466 cases in 2014).

For more details on the report, visit http://ncrb.gov.in.

Global Crude oil price of Indian Basket was Rs. 3166.62 per bbl

Due to holiday in UK on 29.08.2016, the quotes for Brent are not available. Since Brent prices are not available, the price of Indian Basket Crude oil cannot be derived. Hence Indian Basket Prices of 26.08.2016 has been considered, which was US$ 47.14 per bbl.

In rupee terms, the price of Indian Basket increased to Rs. 3166.62 per bbl on 29.08.2016 as compared to Rs. 3159.50 per bbl on 26.08.2016. Rupee closed weaker at Rs. 67.18 per US$ on 29.08.2016 as against Rs. 67.03 per US$ on 26.08.2016.

Expert Committee submits its report on exploring other possible alternatives to Pellet Guns as Non-lethal Weapons

A seven-member Expert Committee under the chairmanship of Shri T V S N Prasad, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs for exploring the other possible alternatives to Pellet Guns as Non-lethal Weapons submitted its report to the Union Home Secretary Shri Rajiv Mehrishi here today

Other six members of the Expert Committee include Shri Atul Karwal, IG, CRPF, Srinagar, Shri Rajeev Krishna, IG (Ops.), BSF, Shri Rajesh Kumar, IPS, J&K Police, Shri Tushar Tripathy, IOFS, DDG, Small Arms, OFB, Dr. Manjit Singh, Director, TBRL, Chandigarh and Dr. Naresh Bhatnagar, Professor, IIT, Delhi 

Nominations for Padma Awards 2017

Nominations for the Padma Awards, 2017 is presently open and the last date for receipt of the nominations for the Padma Awards 2017 is September 15, 2016.

The nominations/recommendations for the Padma Awards will be received online only on an electronic management system designed by MHA. This is available on the website:www.padmaawards.gov.in. No other mode of nomination/recommendation will be accepted. Nominations received after September 15, 2016 will also not be considered.

For further details click ‘Awards and Medals’ on the Union Home Ministry’s website: www.mha.nic.in

The statutes and rules relating to these awards are available on the Union Home Ministry’s website with the link: 

http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/PadmaAwards2017.pdf

Sports Awards

The President of India, Mr.Pranab Mukherjee presenting the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, Dronacharya Award, Arjuna Award, Dhyan Chand Award, National Tenzing Norgay Advanture Award, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy and Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar at Rashtrapati Bhavan on August 29, 2016.

Cabinet approves introduction of the "Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2016"

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for introduction of the "Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2016". 

The Bill will regulate surrogacy in India by establishing National Surrogacy Board at the central level and State Surrogacy Boards and Appropriate Authorities in the State and Union Territories. The legislation will ensure effective regulation of surrogacy, prohibit commercial surrogacy and allow ethical surrogacy to the needy infertile couples. 
All infertile Indian married couple who want to avail ethical surrogacy will be benefited. Further the rights of surrogate mother and children born out of surrogacy will be protected. The Bill shall apply to whole of India, except the state of Jammu and Kashmir. 
The major benefits of the Act would be that it will regulate the surrogacy services in the country. While commercial surrogacy will be prohibited including sale and purchase of human embryo and gametes, ethical surrogacy to the needy infertile couples will be allowed on fulfilment of certain conditions and for specific purposes. As such, it will control the unethical practices in surrogacy, prevent commercialization of surrogacy and will prohibit potential exploitation of surrogate mothers and children born through surrogacy. 
No permanent structure is proposed to be created in the Draft Bill. Neither there are proposals for creating new posts. The proposed legislation, while covering an important area is framed in such a manner that it ensures effective regulation but does not add much vertically to the current regulatory structure already in place at the central as well as states. Accordingly, there will not be any financial implications except for the meetings of the National and State surrogacy Boards and Appropriate Authorities which will be met out of the regular budget of Central and State governments. 
Background: 
India has emerged as a surrogacy hub for couples from different countries and there have been reported incidents concerning unethical practices, exploitation of surrogate mothers, abandonment of children born out of surrogacy and rackets of intermediaries importing human embryos and gametes. Widespread condemnation of commercial surrogacy prevalent in India has also been regularly published in different print-and electronic media since last few years highlighting the need to prohibit commercial surrogacy and allow ethical altruistic surrogacy. The 228th report of the Law Commission of India has also recommended for prohibiting commercial surrogacy and allowing ethical altruistic surrogacy to the needy Indian citizens by enacting a suitable legislation. 

National Sports Awards – 2016

National Sports Awards are given every year to recognize and reward excellence in sports.  Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award is given for the spectacular and most outstanding performance in the field of sports by a sportsperson over a period of four years; Arjuna Award is given for consistently outstanding performance for four years; Dronacharya Award for coaches for producing medal winners at prestigious international sports events, Dhyan Chand Award for life time contribution to sports development and Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar  is given to the corporate entities (both in private and public sector) and individuals who have played a visible role in the area of sports promotion and development. Overall top performing university in inter-university tournaments is given Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy.

           

A large number of nominations were received for these awards this year, which were considered by the Selection Committees consisting of former  Olympians, Arjuna Awardees, Dronacharya Awardees, Dhyan Chand Awardees, Sports Journalists/Experts/Commentators and sports administrators. Selection Committee for Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award and Arjuna Awards was headed by Justice S.K. Agarwal, Retired Delhi High Court Judge.  Selection Committee for Dronacharya Awards and Dhyan Chand Awards was headed by Ms. M.C. Mary Kom. Selection Committee for Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar was headed by Shri Rajiv Yadav, Secretary (Sports). 

                                                     

Based on the recommendations of the Committee and after due scrutiny, the Government has  decided to confer awards upon the following sportspersons/ coaches/organizations:

           

(i)         Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ranta 2016

S. No.	Name of the awardee	Discipline
1.	Ms. P.V. Sindhu	Badminton
2.	Ms. Dipa Karmakar	Gymnastics
3.	Shri Jitu Rai	Shooting
4.	Ms. Sakshi Malik	Wrestling

(ii) Dronacharya Awards 2016

S.No.	Name of the awardee	Discipline
1	Shri Nagapuri Ramesh	Athletics
2	Shri Sagar Mal Dhayal	Boxing
3.	Shri Raj Kumar Sharma	Cricket
4.	Shri Bishweshwar Nandi	Gymnastics
5.	Shri S. Pradeep Kumar	Swimming (Lifetime)
6.	Shri Mahabir Singh	Wrestling (Lifetime)

(iii)        Arjuna Awards 2016

S. No.	Name of the awardee	Discipline
1.	Shri Rajat Chauhan	Archery
2.	Ms. Lalita Babar	Athletics
3.	Shri Sourav Kothari	Billiards & Snooker
4.	Shri Shiva Thapa	Boxing
5.	Shri Ajinkya Rahane	Cricket
6.	Shri Subrata Paul	Football
7.	Ms. Rani	Hockey
8.	Shri Raghunath V.R.	Hockey
9.	Shri Gurpreet Singh	Shooting
10.	Ms. Apurvi Chandela	Shooting
11.	Shri Soumyajit Ghosh	Table Tennis
12.	Ms. Vinesh	Wrestling
13.	Shri Amit Kumar	Wrestling
14.	Shri Sandeep Singh Mann	Para-Athletics
15.	Shri Virender Singh	Wrestling (Deaf)

(iv) Dhyan Chand Award 2015

S. No.	Name of the awardee	Discipline
1	Ms. Satti Geetha	Athletics
2	Shri Sylvanus Dung Dung	Hockey
3	Shri Rajendra Pralhad Shelke	Rowing

(v) Rashtriya Khel Protsahana Purushkar, 2016

S. No.	Category	Entity recommended for Rashtriya Khel ProtsahanPuruskar, 2016
1.	Identification and Nurturing of Budding and Young Talent	1.Hockey Citizen Group 2.Dadar Parsee Zorostrian cricket club 3.Usha School of Athletics 4. STAIRS
2.	Encouragement to sports through corporate social responsibility	India Infrastructure Finance Corporate Limited
3.	Employment to sportspersons and other welfare measures	Reserve Bank of India
4.	Sports for Development	Subroto Mukherjee Sports Education Society

 (vi) Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy 2015-16

Punjabi University, Patiala

The awardees will receive their awards from the President of India at a specially organized function at the Rashtrapati Bhawan on August 29, 2016. 

Apart from a medal and a citation, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Awardee will receive a cash prize of Rs.7.5 lakh.  Arjuna, Dronacharya and Dhyan Chand Awardees will receive statuettes, certificates and cash prize of Rs.5 lakh each.  Recipients of Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar will be given Trophies and certificates. Overall top performing university in inter-university tournaments will be given MAKA Trophy, award money of Rs. 10 lakh and  certificate.