Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award

           Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA) is the highest honour conferred on overseas Indians. During the period 2009-2012, 58 awards were given to Overseas Indians as stated below:

      Year           Number of recipients

      2009--         13

      2010--         15

      2011--         15

      2012--         15

          Out of above 58 awards given from 2009-2012 no award was given for literary achievements. Most of the awards were given for Community Service, Public Service, Business, Philanthropy, Medicine, Science, Arts, History and Management.

Study Centres

Under the Scheme of Intellectual Property Education, Research & Public Outreach (IPERPO), IPR Chairs are set up in various Universities/Colleges/ Institutions for the development and growth of IPR Education, Research & Training.

The Government has already set up 20 MHRD IPR Chairs in various Universities/Colleges/Institutions. During the year 2012-13, one application has been received and is under consideration.

Out of Rs.6.00 crore earmarked under the IPERRO Scheme in the year 2012-13 Rs.1.91 crore has been released as on 17th December, 2012 for MHRD IPR Chairs.

Refund of Fees

The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has received 520 representations from Students and their Parents regarding refund of fee during the year 2012. Out of these, action has already been taken on 495 representations.

The AICTE has published a Public Notice in various Newspapers on 06.07.2012 where provisions have been made for the establishment of a Grievance Redressal Committee and the appointment of an ombudsman by all the affiliating Technological Universities for the purpose of redressal of grievances of the students, parents and others. All aggrieved students, their parents & others may henceforth approach the Grievance Redressal Committee in the first instance; and if they are not satisfied with the decision of the committee, they may send their appeals to the ombudsman directly.

On conclusion of the proceedings, the Ombudsman shall pass appropriate orders in the matter. AICTE has also issued a letter to all Technical Institutions to follow the AICTE Regulation, 2012.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has also issued a Public Notice on 23.4.2007 regarding the refund of fee and return of original documents to students, and directed all the universities/deemed universities for its strict compliance vide its letter dated 7.6.2007.

DROP in Child Sex Ratio

As per Census 2011, the child sex ratio (0-6 years) has declined from 927 females per thousand males in 2001 to 914 females per 1000 males in 2011.

The State/UT Government have the key responsibility to effectively implement the PC & PNDT Act. Government of India on its part, is committed to strengthen effective implementation of the PC & PNDT Act to address the declining child sex ratio in the country and has been providing technical, financial and IEC support to the States. Further Government has been regularly monitoring the progress of implementation of the Act.

As an outcome of increased efforts by the Government, Quarterly Progress Reports are now reflecting an improved compliance of the provisions of the Act by States/ UTs. So far, a total of 556 cases have been registered against violation of the PC & PNDT Act in last two years as against only 739 cases between 1995 and 2010. There are 111 convictions secured so far and medical license of 33 convicted doctors have been suspended by respective State Medical Councils.

The measures include the following:

1. Regular meetings of Central Supervisory Board and other statutory bodies under the PC & PNDT Act

2. Scaling up of inspections of ultrasound facilities by the by National and State Inspection Committees and action against violations of the Act

3. Comprehensive awareness generation activities through print and electronic media, community mobilization by Non Governmental Organizations, involvement of religious leaders, women achievers etc in the campaign against discrimination of the girl child.

4. The Government is rendering financial support to the States and UTs for Information, Education and Communication campaigns and for strengthening structure for the implementation of the Act under the National Rural Health Mission.

5. Sex Ratio to ascertain the causes, plan appropriate Behaviour Change Communication campaigns and effectively implementation provision of the PC & PNDT Act.

Government of India accords high priority to the issue of missing children on account of sex determination and will continue to implement a multi-pronged strategy to curb female foeticide in the country. The steps include awareness generation and legislative measures as well as programmes for socio-economic empowerment of women. The Government will continue to take necessary steps for effective implementation of the PC & PNDT Act with the co-operation of the states.

Appointments of DG ITBP, DG BSF and DG NSG

Shri Ajay Chadha, Special Secretary (Internal Security), MHA has been appointed as Director General, Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP)

Shri Subhash Joshi, Director General, National Security Guard has been appointed as Director General, Border Security Force (BSF).

Shri Arvind Ranjan, Special Director General, Border Security Force has been appointed as Director General, National Security Guard (NSG).

The above appointments will be effective from the dates these officers assume charge of their posts and till their superannuation or until further orders, whichever event takes place earlier.

Incident of gang rape in South Delhi

A student of Physiotherapy and her friend took a lift at Munirka Bus Stand on the Outer Ring Road at around 9:15 PM on 16th December, 2012 in a chartered bus which was not authorized to pick up passenger. During the journey, these six persons beat up the couple, gang raped the girl injuring her grievously, robbed them of their belongings and clothes and left them by the side of NH-8 in Mahipalpur area. The victims were immediately taken to Safdarjung Hospital by PCR. The boy was discharged after treatment on the same day. The girl is admitted in the hospital and is recuperating according to the doctors.

Delhi Police immediately launched an investigation, identified and seized the bus and arrested the main accused Ram Singh (33 years), the regular driver of the bus. He disclosed the names of the other five persons involved. Three of them have already been apprehended bringing the total arrest to four. Arrest parties have been sent to nab the remaining two persons. The bus DL-IPC-0149 belongs to a private transporter and is used to transport children of Birla Vidya Niketan School in Pushp Vihar, Saket.

The case was detected without loss of time, and four of the six accused have been arrested. It is proposed to have this case tried by a fast track court, with a request for day to day hearing, so that the trial does not linger.

I will take a detailed review with Delhi Police officers and ensure that all the necessary steps which need be taken to make Delhi safer for women.

If there are any lapses, strict action will be taken against the concerned police officers.

Some facts about the steps taken by Delhi Police for making Delhi a safer place for women at night:-

a. All roads are covered by PCR vans at night. The frequency of patrolling kept as high as possible.

b. Specific routes have been identified which are used by women returning from their workplaces like call centers/BPOs at night and the number of emergency Response vehicles and PCR Vans on these routes have been increased; apart from introducing Motorcycle patrols.

c. Delhi Police has issued orders to BPOs and other establishments that at night they must drop their workers at their door-step.

d. Three dedicated helplines have been set up for women and publicized.

A Special Task Force at the level of Home Secretary will be constituted to look into the safety issues for women in Delhi by taking into consideration the suggestions made by the Hon’ble Members in the House.

A Criminal Law Amendment Bill, 2012 has already been introduced in the Lok Sabha on 4th December, 2012 with the objective of rationalizing the various sections of IPC and Indian Evidence Act dealing with sexual offences against women so that the conviction rate is improved.”

Viral Diseases in the Country

The pandemic of Influenza A H1N1 has subsided. The H1N1 influenza has moved into the post-pandemic period and is now circulating as seasonal influenza A H1N1 virus. Sporadic outbreaks have been reported from across the country. A total number of 4568 cases and 344 deaths have been reported from various parts of the country during the period January 2012 to November 2012.

Laboratory based surveillance to detect clusters of influenza like illness is continuing through Integrated Disease Surveillance Project (IDSP). Forty five laboratories throughout the country have been identified for testing of samples. Hospitals have been identified in States for strengthening isolation facilities. Critical care facilities at district level have also been earmarked. States have been requested to earmark screening centers of influenza like illness. For treatment of Influenza A H1N1, adequate quantity of Oseltamivir capsules is available.

Bye-Election to the Council of States from Maharashtra.

            The Election Commission has decided to hold a Bye-election to the Council of States from Maharashtra, to fill up the vacancy occurred due to the death of the sitting member             Shri Deshmukh, Vilasrao Dagdoji on 14^th August, 2012, whose term of office will expire on              2^nd April, 2018.

Accordingly, the aforesaid bye-election will be held in accordance with the following programme :-

S.No.	Events	Dates and Days
1.	Issue of Notifications	26th December, 2012 (Wednesday)
2.	Last Date of making nominations	2nd January, 2013 (Wednesday)
3.	Scrutiny of nominations	3rd January, 2013 (Thursday)
4.	Last date for withdrawal of candidatures	5th January, 2013 (Saturday)
5.	Date of Poll	12th January, 2013 (Saturday)
6.	Hours of Poll	9.00 A.M. to 4.00 P.M
7.	Counting of Votes	12th January, 2013 (Saturday) at 5.00 PM
8.	Date before which election shall be completed	14th January, 2013 (Monday)

Joint Entrance Exam for Hotel Management Course to be held on April 27, 2013

The All India Joint Entrance Examination ( JEE) for admissions to B.Sc. in Hospitality and Hotel Administration program will be conducted on April 27, 2013.The course is offered jointly by the National Council for Hotel Management & Catering Technology ( NCHMCT),Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India and Indira Gandhi National Open University. The Program equips scholars with knowledge, technical skills and service attitude for Hospitality Industry. Students who have passed 10+2 exam or equivalent with English as a subject or appearing in that exam next year are eligible to apply for this course. Maximum age of the candidates as on 1st july 2013 should be 25 years for SC/ST categories and 22 for others.

Application form and information broachers will be available for sale w.e.f. 26th December, 2012 at NCHMCT office, Noida and 50 affiliated Institutes of Hotel Management and six Food Crafts Institutes across the country. For their addresses and details access WWW.nchmct.org.

Duly filled in application form should reach National Council for Hotel Management & catering Technology, A-34, Sector-62, Noida- 201309 by Speed Post latest by 15th April, 2013. For online submission of application form log on to http://applyadmission.net/nchmjee2013.

Illegal Trading of Human Organs

The Ministry has introduced the National Commission for Human Resources for Health (NCHRH) Bill in the RajyaSabha for setting up of NCHRH which inter-alia envisages updation of professional knowledge and skill of medical professionals by making it mandatory for them to attend seminars, conferences, workshops or any other programme of minimum standard for re-registration in a periodic manner. However, as per information provided by Medical Council of India, periodical re-registration is already being done by the State Medical Councils of Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Kerala, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim and Uttarakhand have provisions for periodical re-registration of medical practitioners.

Health being a State subject, such information is not maintained centrally. However, in order to curb such practice, the Central Government has made the penal provisions and punishments in the Transplantation of Human Organs (Amendment) Act, 2011 more stringent.

As regards unethical clinical trials, the MCI has informed that complaint received by the Council regarding such trials is under process, awaiting the final investigation report from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).

Government Encouraging Power Generation Projects from Biomass

The Minister of New and Renewable Energy, DR. Farooq Abdullah Informed Rajya Sabha on 17th December 2012  that Biomass power developers have initiated various steps to collect agro-residues from villages, its storage and proper transportation to biomass power plants.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is encouraging setting up of power generation projects from biomass through various technological routes such as combustion, gasification and cogeneration. MNRE has proposed to continue various fiscal and financial incentives such as capital subsidy linked with capacity and fiscal incentives such as concessional customs duty on import of machinery and components, excise duty exemption, accelerated depreciation on major components and relief from taxes which are being provided for setting up of biomass based power projects besides, preferential tariff is being provided for sale of power from biomass power projects during the Twelfth Five Year Plan period. Besides, MNRE is also supporting awareness raising through organizing business meets, seminars and workshops on promotion of biomass power.

A target of 29,800 MW grid interactive renewable power capacity addition, comprising 15,000 MW from wind, 10,000 MW from solar, 2,100 MW from small hydro, 2,000 MW from biomass and 700 MW from urban and industrial waste and 900 MW off grid solar photovoltaic systems which includes 9 million solar lighting systems for rural and urban areas has been proposed for the Twelfth Five Year Plan period.

Government to Develop 54 Cities as Solar Cities.

The Minister of New and Renewable Energy, DR. Farooq Abdullah informed Rajya Sabha on 17th December 2012  that in-Principle, approval has been given to 54 cities for developing as Solar Cities.

The draft Master Plans have been prepared for 28 cities, out of which 8 Master Plans have been approved by his Ministry for implementation. So far, an amount of Rs.19.23 crore has been sanctioned for preparation of Master Plans, Solar City Cells and Promotional Activities for 41 cities, out of which Rs. 4.22 crore has been released. Further, an amount of Rs.11.98 crore has been sanctioned for execution of renewable energy projects in 5 cities, out of which Rs.3.87 crore has been released. The minister further informed that the criteria set by the Ministry for the identification of cities include a city population between 50,000 to 50 lakh (with relaxation given to special category States including North-East States), initiatives and regulatory measures already taken along with a high level of commitment in promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy.

So far, an amount of Rs.19.23 crore has been sanctioned for preparation of Master Plans, Solar City Cells and Promotional Activities for 41 cities, out of which Rs. 4.22 crore has been released. Further, an amount of Rs.11.98 crore has been sanctioned for execution of renewable energy projects in 5 cities, out of which Rs.3.87 crore has been released for utilization by the concerned State Nodal Agencies/ Municipal Corporations.

So far, the Master Plans for 8 cities namely Agra, Moradabad from Uttar Pradesh, Thane &Kalyan-Dombivli from Maharashtra, Indore from Madhya Pradesh, Kohima from Nagaland, Aizawl from Mizoramand Chandigarh have been finalized and the development of projects is in progress.

Integrated Skill Development Scheme

 

The ISDS was launched as a pilot scheme in 2010 for two years to cater to skilled manpower needs of Textile and related segments through skill development training programmes.  The scheme envisages participation of training institutes within the Ministry and private sector as implementing agencies. The scheme has two Components– Component-I for training Institutes within the Ministry and Component II for private sector.  The Government meets 75% of the total cost of the project with balance 25% to be met by the implementing agencies with a provision of enhanced level of government assistance in certain circumstances.  The average cost per trainee to be borne by the Government is limited to Rs. 7300 for Component-I and Rs. 7500 for Component-II.  Under the scheme, funds are not released sector wise or state wise but are released directly to implementing agencies.   Funds released so far to implementing agencies are given below:-

	2010-11	2011-12	2012-13 (as of Aug 2012)	Total (Rs. In Crore)
Component I	41.72	54.51	32.30	128.53
Component II	-	-	21.28	21.28

Of these the funds to the tune of Rs. 63.43 crore have been released for Apparel sector,                         Rs. 7.57 crore for Jute sector and Rs. 73.00 lakh for Handicrafts sector.  

Under ISDS, the physical targets are computed implementing agency wise to cover beneficiaries Pan India. Statewise targets are not fixed. These implementing agencies establish training centres across different states.  The statewise number of people trained under Component I of ISDS as on October, 2012 is given at Annexure-I.  Statewise details of the employment /placement of the trainees under Component I are given at Annexure-II.

The industry has considered the scheme to be useful.  During the pilot phase, 30 projects with an outlay of Rs. 594.84 crore targeting 5.87 lakh trainees were sanctioned. As on October, 2012, 74094 persons have been trained under the scheme. The scheme has covered 24 states in all the sub-sectors of Textiles and clothing. A dynamic web based management information system (MIS) has been developed to capture the progress and information on the projects being executed under Component-I of the scheme.  

The slow down in the global economy, leading to a de-acceleration in demand and the hiatus between the termination of MTUFS and sanction of RTUFS (i.e. 29.6.2010 to 27.4.2011) contributed to the fall in investment under TUFS during 2010-11.

In 2009-10, 2352 new cases were sanctioned, in 2010-11, 256 new cases were sanctioned and in 2011-12 1249 new cases were sanctioned.  TUFS subsidy allocations in 2009-10 were Rs. 2900 crores, in 2010-11, Rs. 3100 crores and in 2011-12 Rs. 3700 crores. No sanction is refused assistance if it is sanctioned by the bank as per the norms and guidelines of the Scheme.  Government compiles bank-wise, beneficiary wise sanctions which are to be reimbursed under the Scheme.  Funds are reimbursed bank-wise/beneficiary-wise.