Heritage status to colleges

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has informed that it has launched a scheme during the XII plan to provide Heritage Grants to universities and colleges which are more than 100 years old and accorded the Special Heritage Status by the UGC.  The guidelines of the scheme of “Granting Special Heritage Status to Universities and Colleges” are available at http://www.ugc.ac.in/pdfnews/ 4170650_Guidelines-for-Heritage.pdf.

A total of Rs.2505.58 lakhs has been allocated to these colleges. The details of grants allocated to these colleges, college-wise, is at http://www.ugc.ac.in/ pdfnews/8647293_Heritage-website.pdf.

The UGC has informed that it has granted Special Heritage Status to 19 colleges in the country. The State-wise details are follows:

S.No.	Name of the State	No. of Proposals (college)  considered	No. of proposals (College) approved
1.	Assam	1	1
2.	Andhra Pradesh	6	-
3.	Bihar	2	1
4.	Gujarat	1	-
5	Haryana	1	1
6.	Himachal Pradesh	1	1
7.	Jammu and Kashmir	2	1
8.	Karnataka	3	1
9.	Kerala	8	2
10.	Madhya Pradesh	4	1
11.	Maharashtra	5	3
12.	Punjab	4	2
13.	Rajasthan	2	-
14	Tamil Nadu	6	1
15	Uttar Pradesh	8	2
16	Uttarakhand	1	-
17.	West Bengal	5	2
	TOTAL	60	19

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

Duration of B.Ed Course

The National Council for Teacher (NCTE), which is mandated with maintaining teacher education standards in the country, had revised its Regulations through notification of 1st December, 2014 increasing the duration of the B.Ed. programme from one year to two years from the academic session 2015-16. 

The syllabus of B.Ed. programme has been revised under the NCTE Regulations, 2014 and new course modules on I.C.T., Yoga Education, Gender Studies and Disability Education have been made compulsory in all the 15 teacher education programmes from 2015-16 academic session. Provision for 20 weeks of internship has been introduced for rigorous training of student teachers. With a view to improve its quality, the duration of the B.Ed. programme has been enhanced to make it a more professionalized and rigorous teacher education programme. 

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

Rs. 600 Crore Funds for States/UTs Under Swadesh Darshan Scheme

During the year 2015-16, under Budget Estimates, Rs.600 crore have been allocated to the States/UTs under Swadesh Darshan Scheme. The North East States have received the major part of the funds. Government of India sanctioned Rs 169.87 crore for States of Manipur & Sikkim in 2015-16. 

The Ministry has launched the Swadesh Darshan scheme with a vision to develop theme based tourist circuits on the principles of high tourist value, competitiveness and sustainability in an integrated manner by synergizing efforts to focus on needs and concerns of all stakeholders to enrich tourist experience and enhance employment opportunities. Under the scheme twelve themes have been identified for development initially, namely: North-East India Circuit, Buddhist Circuit, Himalayan Circuit, Coastal Circuit, Krishna Circuit, Desert Circuit, Tribal Circuit, Eco Circuit, Wildlife Circuit, Rural Circuit, Spiritual Circuit and Ramayana Circuit. 

This information was given by the Minister of State for Tourism (Independent Charge), Culture (Independent Charge) and Civil Aviation, Dr Mahesh Sharma in reply to an unstarred question today in Lok Sabha. 

Separate Toilets for Boys and Girls in Schools

In pursuance of the national call given by the Prime Minister, the Department of School Education and Literacy under Ministry of HRD has launched Swachh Vidyalaya Programme with an objective to provide separate toilets for boys and girls in all government schools within a year. States / UTs have reported construction of 3.17 lakh toilets till 27th July, 2015. 

About 300 central observers have been deputed to visit districts to review the progress of the Swachh Vidyalaya Initiative. The observers have reviewed progress with the district authorities. Review of utilization of funds was not part of their mandate. 

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

Wi-Fi at Railway Stations

            Railway proposes to provide Wi-Fi in all A1, A & B category stations on Indian Railways. There are total 709 such stations on Indian Railways (A1-75, A-332 and B-302) including 34 stations in Gujarat and 45 stations in Maharashtra.

            Trials for provision of Wi-Fi at stations with no Capital investment from Railways have been conducted. These trials were conducted to find a suitable business model to sustain the system.

            At present, the Wi-Fi facility has been provided at 11 stations on Indian Railways as detailed below:-

(1) CST Mumbai, Central Railway

(2) Howrah, Eastern Railway

(3) New Delhi, Northern Railway

(4) Varanasi, Northern Railway

(5) Ghazipur, North Eastern Railway

(6) Chennai, Southern Railway

(7) Secunderabad, South Central Railway

(8) Ahmedabad, Western Railway

(9) Agra Cantt., North Central Railway

(10) Bengaluru, South Western Railway

(11) Madgaon, Konkan Railway.

             ‘A1’ & ‘A’ category stations are likely to be completed in next two years and ‘B’ Category stations would take another one year.

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

Setting up of Tourism University

The Ministry of Tourism proposes to set up university to promote Hospitality and Tourism education with an objective to integrate all the existing institutions of Hotel Management & Catering Technology and Travel & Tourism in the university set up. The university is proposed to be set up to award degrees to the courses run under formal education in the institutions under its aegis and to explore new dimensions of understanding of tourism and hospitality education by including related areas of sciences and humanities such as food sciences, history, sociology and culture. 

It is proposed to set up the university at the existing campus of National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology (NCHMCT) in Noida. The time frame and the anticipated expenditure will be worked out on receiving approval for setting up of the same. 

This information was given by the Minister of State for Tourism (Independent Charge), Culture (Independent Charge) and Civil Aviation, Dr Mahesh Sharma in reply to an unstarred question today in Lok Sabha. 

Meeting on streamlining Internal Security mechanism

Ministry of Home Affairs organized a meeting here today to sensitize the States about the existing and emerging threats to internal security situation in the Country. 

The meeting was held to further streamline the institutional mechanisms for sharing information and to adequately meet the threats from terrorism. It was decided to strengthen the capacity building of the police officers in States through training programs, to be organized by central intelligence and security agencies. 

Some instances of radicalization of youth in some States came up for discussion. Appropriate measures on counter radicalization including counseling of such youth and their families were also discussed. 

The meeting also looked at the modalities of analyzing the suspected social media platforms run by terrorists and criminal outfits. 

The meeting was held under the Chairmanship of Union Home Secretary, Shri L.C.Goyal and the representatives of central intelligence and security agencies, Directors General of Police (DsGP) and Home Secretaries of the 12 States attended the meeting. 

List of agreements signed during Prime Minister's visit to the Kyrgyz Republic

S.No.	Agreement/ MoU	Details/ Status	Signatory from the Indian Side
1	Agreement on Defence Cooperation	To deepen cooperation between India and Kyrgyzstan in matters relating to defence, security, military education and training, conduct of joint military exercises, exchange of experience and information, exchange of military instructors and observers etc.	Mr. Navtej Sarna, Secretary (West),MEA
2	Memorandum of Mutual Understanding and Cooperation in the field of Elections	To deepen cooperation in matters relating to legislation on elections and referendums, modern systems and technologies, rights of elections process stakeholders as well as other issues of election administration. Signing of this MoU would build technical assistance and capacity support for the election commissions in electoral management and administration leading to a further strengthening of bilateral ties between India and Kyrgyzstan.	Mr V. Zutshi, Deputy Election Commissioner
3.	MoU between Ministry of Economy of Kyrgyzstan and Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) on cooperation in the sphere of Standards.	The purpose of this MoU is to strengthen and enhance technical cooperation in the fields of standardization, conformity assessment and sharing of expertise on mutual trade with the aim of exchanging necessary information and expertise between the two parties, which would be mutually beneficial and also lead to a strengthening of bilateral ties between India and Kyrgyz Republic.	Mr. Jayant Khobragade, India’s Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan
4.	Agreement on Cooperation in Culture	To deepen cultural cooperation between India and Kyrgyzstan in areas such as preservation of cultural heritage, organisation of folk arts, theatre, youth festivals and cooperation in of publishing and translation of literature, sports and physical culture, exchange of archival materials, history, geography etc.	Mr. Navtej Sarna, Secretary (West),MEA

Second Green Revolution can only take off With a Marketing Revolution: Shri Radha Mohan Singh

Union Agriculture Minister, Shri Radha Mohan Singh today addresses the Agriculture Minister of 23 States and Union Territories at Hubli to observe the live functioning of the electronic trading in APMCs introduced by Government of Karnataka. Shri Singh on the occasion said that “we are visiting a best practice introduced by a State Government for learning and sharing with other States. The visit demonstrates our spirit of cooperative federalism and the second green revolution can only take off with a marketing revolution.” 

Full text of the Union Agriculture Minister is as: 

“It gives me immense pleasure to welcome dignitaries from 23 states and Union Territories on this occasion. This overwhelming response is indeed an indication and recognition of the importance of Agri-marketing in encouraging and supporting the farmer. It also reflects our readiness and enthusiasm to adopt the latest technologies to transform this sector. I would like to welcome Hon’ble Ministers. 

I am very pleased to welcome all of you to this visit at Hubli to observe the live functioning of the electronic trading in APMCs introduced by Government of Karnataka. I am also highly obliged to Government of Karnataka for their kind hospitality and coordination in making this visit possible. 

This is a truly historic occasion and demonstrates the spirit of cooperative federalism as we are visiting a best practice introduced by a State Government for learning and sharing with other States. As you are aware, the Union Cabinet approved the establishment of the National Agriculture Market only last week and I am very pleased that we have been able to arrange this visit as a follow-up to that decision in a short time with the kind support of the State Government of Karnataka. 

All of us share the feeling that agriculture market in India needs to be modernized and reformed for the larger benefit of farmers, the trading community and consumers.Compared to several countries, India incurs too much wastage of its farm produce due to inefficient and antiquated marketing practices. We believe that without reforming the agricultural marketing practices we will not be able to deliver the true value of the farmer’s produce to him, thus depriving him of incentives to invest in technologies for higher productivity and production. The second Green Revolution can only take off with a marketing revolution.

The National Agriculture Market is envisaged as a pan-India electronic trading portal which seeks to network the existing APMC and other market yards to create a unified national market for agricultural commodities. NAM is a “virtual” market but it has a physical market (mandi) at the back end. NAM is proposed to be achieved through the setting up of a common e platform to which initially 585 APMCs selected by the states will be linked. The Central Government will provide the software free of cost to the states and in addition grant of up to Rs. 30 lakhs per mandi as a one time measure for related equipment and infrastructure. This is only a beginning and the idea is to initiate the states so that they can experience the benefits of the e platform and be encouraged enough to take it forward from there. Infact in order to promote genuine price discovery, it is proposed to provide the private mandis also with access to the software. In addition the states will be encouraged to set up soil testing laboratories in the mandis so that farmer can meet his needs holistically at the mandi itself. 

It is necessary to create NAM to facilitate the emergence of a common national market for agricultural commodities. Current APMC regulated market yards limit the scope of trading in agricultural commodities at the first point of sale in the local mandi. Even one State is not a unified agricultural market. There are transaction costs on moving produce from one market area to another within the same State. Multiple licences are necessary to trade in different market areas in the same State. All this has led to a highly fragmented and high-cost agricultural economy, which prevents economies of scale and seamless movement of agri goods across district and State borders. NAM seeks to address and reverse this process of fragmentation of markets, by lowering intermediation costs, wastage and prices for the final consumer. It builds on the strength of the local mandi and allows it to offer its produce at the national level. 

NAM is envisaged as a win-win solution for all stakeholders. For the farmers, NAM promises more options for sale at his nearest mandi. For the local trader in the mandi, NAM offers the opportunity to access a larger national market for secondary trading. Bulk buyers, processors, exporters etc. benefit from being able to participate directly in trading at the local mandi level through the NAM platform, thereby reducing their intermediation costs. The gradual integration of all the major mandis in the States into NAM will ensure common procedures for issue of licences, levy of fee and movement of produce. In a period of 5-7 years we can expect significant benefits through higher returns to farmers, lower transaction costs to buyers and stable prices and availability to consumers. The NAM will also facilitate the emergence of value chains in major agricultural commodities across the country and help to promote scientific storage and movement of agri goods. 

The State Government of Karnataka has quickly taken efforts in this direction that we all would like to learn. Karnataka for the purpose implementing trading of agricultural produce on e-platform by establishing a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), Rashtriya e Market Services Pvt. Ltd. (ReMS) as a joint venture company between Government of Karnataka and NCDEX Spot Exchange Ltd. In the last one year 55 markets have been linked to the platform and 21 lakh lots of 343 lakh quintals of agri-commodities of a total worth of Rs. 8500 crores traded on the platform. Such efforts of Karnataka are indeed worth a study in order to better appreciate the scope of Unified National Agriculture Market. The proposed National Agriculture Market will adopt many of the best practices from this model but also look at similar reform initiatives in other States to incorporate the same into its design. Unless the States have full ownership of the proposed National Agriculture Market it is not likely to succeed. We are committed to listening to each and every suggestions and adopting all the practical ones in the design of the National Agriculture Market which we hope to launch by the end of this calendar year. 

Once again I welcome all of you to the study tour and thank the State Government of Karnataka for making it possible. We will continue this process of consultation in other forums in the weeks and months to come so that the proposed National Agriculture Market truly reflects our commitment to cooperative federalism.” 

NSDF Assistance

Ministry of Youth Affairs &Sports has established the National Sports Development Fund (the “NSDF”), inter-alia, with the objective of promotion of sports in general and specific sports disciplines and individual sports persons in particular for achieving excellence at the National and International level and to construct and maintain infrastructure as may be required for promotion of excellence in sports. The objectives of the fund also include taking up research projects and development studies and promotion of international cooperation in sports. Ministry has initiated the ‘Target Olympic Podium Scheme’ (“TOP Scheme”) under the NSDF. The scheme envisages identification of athletes who are potential medal winners in Olympics and providing support to them for preparation for Olympics.

During the current financial year (2015-16) NSDF from 1.4.2015 to 17.06.2015) has released assistance of Rs. 6.1 crore for the training of 31 athletes and to 8 organizations for conduct of tournaments, participation in tournaments abroad, infrastructure development and prize money, etc. Out of the said 31 athletes ,24 have been given assistance under the Target Olympic Podium scheme.

Athletes benefitted are during the period are Manavjit Singh Sandhu, Heena Sidhu, Abhinav Bindra, Ankur Mittal, Anisa Sayyed, Kynan Chenai and Mohd. Asab (All Shooters), Mandeep Jangra ( Boxer ) Dipika Pallikal, Harinder Pal Singh and Kush Kumar (All Squash), Tarundeep Rai, Atanu Das, Jayanta Talukdar, Mangal Champia, Deepika Kumari, Bombayla Devi, Rimil Buriuly, Laxmi Rani Majhi, Sanjay Boro, Atul Verma, Ranjit Naik, Dola Banerjee, Madhu Vedwan, Viswash, Snehal and Binod Swansi (All Archers-Mental Training Programme), Aishwarya and Varsha Gautham (Sailors) and Vikas Gowda (Athletics), Nischay Luthra (Ice skating) .

Nominations for Padma Awards 2016 invited by September 15, 2015

Nominations for the Padma Awards, 2016 is presently open and the last date for receipt of the nominations for the Padma Awards 2016 is September 15, 2015.

Recommendations / nominations may be sent at the address mentioned below in the prescribed proforma along with a brief narrative citation (maximum 800 words):

The Home Minister/ the Home Secretary

Government of India

Ministry of Home Affairs

North Block

New Delhi-110001

Nominations received without the prescribed proforma and citation will not be considered.

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

The notification is available on the Union Home Ministry’s website with the link:

http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/PadmaAwards2016_010515_0.pdf

Railways Decide to Run Suvidha Trains

These Trains will Run at Dynamic Fare System

            Ministry of Railways has decided to run Suvidha trains on the following terms & conditions.

·        Tickets shall be issued only for confirmed and RAC passengers accommodation.  There shall be no provision for waiting list in the train.

·        The maximum Advance Reservation period will be 30 days while the minimum Advance Reservation period will be of 10 days.  Zonal Railways may decide the exact ARP for each train within this limit.

·        No concession shall be applicable on these trains.  Full adult fare shall be changed for all passengers irrespective of their age. Also free passes/complimentary passes/warrant/concessional voucher etc. shall not be permitted in these trains.

·        Apart from e-ticketing the sale of tickets shall also be allowed through PRS counters.

·        Modification/duplicate ticket/cluster bookings/BPT will not be allowed.

·        Only General quota bookings will be applicable.

·        Upgradation option shall not be applicable in these trains.

·        Passenger should produce one of the prescribed Identity Card during journey for verification purpose for both e-ticket & PRS ticket.

·        On the basis of demand pattern, Suvidha train services may run during peak seasons like winter rush, summer rush, Dussehara rush, Holi rush and on other occasions as jointly decided by COMs and CCMs of the zonal Railways.

·        There shall be no First AC/Fist Class/Executive class/general class/2^nd sitting coach in the train composition of Suvidha Trains.

Three types of Suvidha Trains services are proposed:-

(1)   Fully air-conditioned services with or without stoppages: Base Price: (Rajdhani base fare+Tatkal charges).

(2)   Mixed services having no enroute commercial stoppages on mixed Duronto pattern: Base price: (Mixed Duronto base fare+ Tatkal charges).

(3)   For mixed services having some stoppages enroute and running as Mail/Express: Base price: (Mail/Express base fare+Tatkal charges).

·        In addition to above, if demand arises zonal Railways may also plan for fully airconditioned Shatabdi/Double decker type Suvidha Trains with fare of the respective categories of trains as per above.

·        Suvidha trains will run on dynamic fare system. The Permissible booking pattern and charges thereon of Suvidha Trains will be as under:-

For both AC classes and non AC- classes:-

Charges*	(Base fare +Tatkal)	1.5 times of (base fare+tatkal)	2 times of (base fare+tatkal)	2.5 times of (base fare+tatkal)	3 times of (base fare+tatkal)
% of seat/ berth	20%	20%	20%	20%	20%

                       

(*Other charges like reservation charge, catering charge, S/F, service tax, etc. will be taken in full wherever applicable)

·        Vacant berths left at the time of charting will be offered for current booking counters. Tickets at current counters shall be sold at the last price sold for that class and other supplementary charges like reservation fee, superfast charges, catering charges, service tax applicable shall be levied in full.

·        The information would also be displayed to the passenger during the booking in case the fare of lower class becomes higher than the higher class to exercise option to travel by the higher class.

·        There shall be no downward movement in the fare.

·        50% refund of fare subject to minimum flat cancellation charge of rupees one hundred for airconditioned-II tier/first class, rupees ninety for airconditioned III-tier/3 economy/airconditioned chair car and rupees sixty for sleeper class will be granted for confirmed/RAC tickets upto 6 hours before the scheduled departure of the train.  No refund of fare after that will be granted. Such refund will be granted by filing TDR in case of e-tickets and in case of PRS counter-ticket across the counter.

·        The Suvidha train services shall be over and above the normal train services and special trains on Tatkal fares.

·        The above guidelines will be implemented w.e.f. 01.07.2015.

More details can be seen at website of Ministry of Railway www.indianrailways.gov.in

Amendment in Tatkal Scheme

Timings for Booking Staggered for AC and non AC Classes

At present, the booking under Tatkal scheme opens at 10.00 hrs on the previous day of journey from train originating station. It has been decided that w.e.f. 15.06.2015, timings for booking of Tatkal tickets will be staggered for AC & non-AC classes to 1000 hours onwards and 1100 hours onwards respectively. Hence, now the reservation under Tatkal scheme will open at 1000 hours on the previous day of journey from train originating station for AC classes whereas that for non-AC classes will start at 1100 hours on the previous day of journey from train originating station.

Moreover, all types of ticketing agents (YTSK, RTSAs, IRCTC agents, etc.) will now be debarred from booking tickets during the first thirty minutes of opening of booking i.e. from 0800 to 0830 hours for general bookings, and from 1000 to 1030 hours & 1100 to 1130 hours for Tatkal booking in AC & non-AC classes respectively.