5th Consultation meeting with State on Overseas Indians Concludes

The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) concluded the two-day 5th Consultation Meeting with the State Governments here today. The Consultation Meeting was held under the Chairmanship of Shri Parvez Dewan, Secretary of the Ministry to discuss issues relating to emigration and how best the Ministry could partner with state governments to provide necessary support in effectively addressing the concerns of Overseas Indians. The Meeting was attended by senior officials of MOIA, MEA and senior Government functionaries from major labour sending States such as Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Punjab, Rajasthan, Bihar, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal have been invited to attend the Meeting.

In the Meeting the States were appraised that the Government has revised the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) scheme for the larger benefits of the Overseas Indians which includes:

• Assistance towards boarding expenses per head by HOMs is enhanced from 15 to 30 days.

• Payment of penalties in respect of Indian nationals for illegal stay in the host country where prima facie the worker is not at fault;

• Payment of small fines/penalties for the release of Indian nationals in jail/detention centre;

• Providing support to local Overseas Indian Associations to establish Overseas Indian Community Centres in countries that have populations of Overseas Indians exceeding 1,00,000; and

• Providing support to start and run Overseas Indian Community-based student welfare centres in Countries that have more than 20,000 Indian students’ presence.

The State representatives were informed that in the last three years, Rs.21.70 crore has been spent from the ICWF to help 19,179 Indians. States were requested to give wide publicity to the scheme. They were further informed that the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs has undertaken eMigrate Project with a vision to transform emigration into a simple, transparent, orderly and humane process. The Project is an effort towards strengthening the regime of regular migration from India and minimizing the risk of irregular migration.

The States were requested to create awareness among the prospective emigrants for implementation of Mahatma Gandhi Pravasi Surksha Yojana which provides the overseas Indian workers a pension, a sum for return and resettlement and life insurance during the period of five years. They were also requested to strengthen the hand of MOIA in curbing irregular migration, launch regular publicity campaign to counter the menace of irregular migration, assist the Ministry in allocating space for the Migrant Resource Centres.

ECI holds First Consultation with Civil Society Organisations on Inclusive Voting and Electoral Participation

The Election Commission of India today started a two-day consultation with Civil Society Organizations on ‘Inclusive Voting and Electoral Participation’ in New Delhi. This is first formal consultation by the ECI at the national level with civil society groups from across the country. In his key note address at the consultation, Shri V S Sampath, Chief Election Commissioner called for active support of civil society organizations for higher registration and higher voter turnout. He said ECI’s goal is to build wider social support in favour of participatory democracy and to promote and sustain it through election education and voter participation.

Shri H S Brahma, Election Commissioner said that civil society organisations should sensitise people about the issues to help them make informed choices during elections. Shri Brahma said CSOs could be of great value in spreading the ECI’s message of informed and ethical voting. Ms Caitlin Wiesen, Country Director, UNDP India, commended ECI’s initiative to partner with CSOs in promoting inclusive Voter participation and said ‘It would stregthen participatory democratic governance.’

Shri Nasim Zaidi, Election Commissioner and senior officials of ECI and UNDP also attended the function. Shri Akshay Rout, Director General of the Commission highlighted the record participation of voters achieved during the assembly elections earlier this year through comprehensive outreach measures. Later, civil society organizations held intense consultation on various aspects of inclusion and participation.

The consultation is being organised by the Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) Division of ECI in association with UNDP. Around 40 Civil Society Organisations from across the country working in the field of Voter Education, Women empowerment, inclusion and other related fields are participating in this national consultation. The consultation aims at coming up with recommendations on six important issues in elections viz meeting gender gap, fighting urban apathy, overcoming youth disconnect, inclusion of marginalised and weaker section, ethical voting-beyond intimidation and inducements, and electoral services support by NGOs. The consultation also aim at preparing a framework for Commission and civil society organizations to work together.

Ministry of I&B and M/O Health to Amend Notification Regarding Depiction of Smoking Scenes in Films

Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, in consultation with the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, has agreed to amend the Notification issued vide GSR 786(E) dated 27.10.2011 regarding steps to be taken by the film industry while depicting smoking scenes in their films.

As per provisions of the amended draft notification agreed to by the two Ministries, anti-tobacco health spots of minimum 30 seconds shall be displayed at the beginning and middle of the films displaying tobacco products or their use. Also, an audio-visual disclaimer of minimum 20 seconds on the ill-effects of tobacco use shall be displayed at the beginning and middle of the films displaying tobacco products or their use. Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has agreed to bear all the costs relating to production of such health spots and disclaimers. These health spots and disclaimers prepared by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare will be provided to the Central Board of Film Certification in digital beta format for distribution to the filmmakers at the time of their application for certification.

In addition to the health spots and disclaimers, the films showing use of the tobacco products shall also be required to display an anti-tobacco health warning in the form of a static message during the period of display of the tobacco products or their use in the films. It has been agreed between the two Ministries to drop the clause that necessitated “UA” Certification for the films showing tobacco products or their use. Films showing use of tobacco products will now not be considered for “UA” certification on this ground alone.

Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has issued revised Notification in this regard.

Review of Working of Central Armed Police Forces

Minister of State for Home, Shri Jitendra Singh convened a meeting today with Directors General of Central Armed Police Forces on revamping the recruitment process for induction of Constables and other ranks. The present process has not been able to reach out to the remote areas of the country and vacancies reserved for border areas and Left-Wing Extremists affected areas have not been filled up.

The meeting has chalked out a road map so that the CAPFs are able to remove these deficiencies in the next recruitment cycle starting in December, 2012. The increased representation of minorities and women in the forces was also discussed in the meeting.

Emphasis was also laid on the procurement process existing in CAPFs especially in the light of the second phase of Police Modernization during the 12th Five Year Plan. The plan presently envisages procurement of equipment worth about Rs.11,000 crores during the current Five Year Plan with yearly procurement being over Rs.2000.

Creating a nationwide public awareness regarding the CAPFs amongst the youth of the country and also to showcase their achievements in the most difficult areas of deployment was also discussed. The meeting also provided a platform to each of the forces to show case their best practices in operational welfare and administration activities.

Earlier, in February 2012 Shri Jitendra Singh had first review meeting which had specifically focused on welfare activities amongst the CAPFs with special emphasis on their growing areas of concerns. These meetings also provide a platform for better inter-force coordination amongst the CAPFs such as Border Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, Central Industrial Security Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Force, Sashastra Seema Bal, National Security Guard and Assam Rifles.

Jairam pitches for fast-track courts to settle land right issues in Naxal Areas

Union Rural Development Minister Shri Jairam Ramesh said that if the issue of land rights of tribals would have been handled effectively in the country, the naxal menace could have been tackled in an effective fashion. Addressing the State Revenue Ministers Conference on Modernization of Land Records here, Shri Ramesh said that he also favoured the idea of Fast Track Courts to settle the land rights of tribals in a speedy fashion. He said that this issue will be taken up with the Law Ministry soon. He also called for the replication of the Andhra Pradesh model, where para-legal army helps the tribals to fight court cases. In many instances, the land belonging to the poor tribals were being grabbed forcibly by the powerful vested interests and therefore there is need for the proper survey of the land and modernization of the land records. The Minister also promised flexibility in spending of funds by the state governments and said that a detailed guideline will be issued soon in this regard and added that productivity of land is also an important issue. Referring to the Bhoodan Land, the Minister said out of the 5 million hectares of such land only 2.5 million hectares got distributed to the poor and the needy till date and a detailed survey is needed to ascertain the facts in this regard.

Health and Family welfare

A Notification has been published by the Ministry of  Health & Family Welfare, Government of India in the Gazette of India Extraordinary, Part l, Section 1, No. 163 dated 17.7.2012 on the directions of the Punjab & Haryana High Court, Chandigarh in CWP No.1332 of 2010 – Vyakti Vikas Kender Vs. Union of India and others for regulating the manufacture/trade of correction fluid/thinner liquid, which are chemical substances generally used in offices, and other similar chemical substances. These have been reported to being widely misused by children/street children as intoxicating substance/drug by inhaling them to get stimulating effects like drugs. All State/Union Territory Governments and various Central Ministries/Departments have been requested to take immediate necessary action for enforcement of the measures contained in the said notification, by sensitizing the industries producing them and the traders/shop distributing/selling them. The measures mentioned in the said notification to be enforced include:

(i)                 Banning of production of bottled Correction Fluids as well as bottled Thinners, of  any chemical composition, both for ink erasing purposes as well as for use as Nail Polish removers and similar other purposes for retail sale.

(ii)               Banning of sale of; bottled Correction Fluids as well as bottled Thinners, of any chemical composition, both for ink erasing purposes as well as for use as Nail Polish removers and similar other purposes.

(iii)             Permitting sale of Correction Fluids as well as Thinners, of any chemical composition, both for ink erasing purposes as well as for use as Nail Polish removers and similar other purposes in the form of pens or similar devices which allow limited amount of the chemicals to come out of those devices when used.

(iv)             Mandatory warning should be made on the application devices (pens or otherwise) of correcting fluids/thinners regarding the effects on health on inhalation of vapor/consumption of the chemicals contained therein.

Vayalar Ravi Announces New Measures for Welfare of Overseas Indians

Shri Vayalar Ravi, Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs inaugurated the 7th Heads of Indian Missions (HoMs) conference here today. The conference is organized by the M/o Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) every year to discuss the issues related to protection and welfare of Overseas Indian workers. In his Inaugural address, Shri Ravi said that the MOIA is considering to open a Protector of Emigrants Office (PoE) in Bengaluru. He said that Rae Bareli PoE office is also ready and Guwahati PoE office would be functional soon. He announced revised Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) scheme, which includes:

• Assistance towards boarding expenses per head by HOMs is enhanced from 15 to 30 days.

• Payment of penalties in respect of Indian nationals for illegal stay in the host country where prima facie the worker is not at fault;

• Payment of small fines/penalties for the release of Indian nationals in jail/detention centre;

• Providing support to local Overseas Indian Associations to establish Overseas Indian Community Centres in countries that have populations of Overseas Indians exceeding 1,00,000; and

• Providing support to start and run Overseas Indian Community-based student welfare centres in Countries that have more than 20,000 Indian students’ presence.

Shri Ravi called upon the HoMs to bestow special attention to Overseas Indians, particularly overseas Indian workers and address their concerns. He also asked HoMs to cooperate on the implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi Pravasi Suraksha Yojana which provides the overseas Indian workers a pension, a sum for return and resettlement and life insurance during the period of five years. He mentioned that the MOIA has undertaken eMigrate Project with a vision to transform emigration into a simple, transparent, orderly and humane process. The Project is an effort towards strengthening the regime of regular migration from India.

The Minister also mentioned that Government has given the voting rights to NRIs. The Government is also getting the PIO and OCI Card Scheme merged into one Scheme. He asked HOMs to suggest how to encourage NRIs to register in large numbers. He also said that the next Pravasi Bhartiya Divas (PBD) will be held at Kochi, Kerala in January 2012 and the Regional PBD will be held at Mauritius in October this year.

On the occasion, Smt. Preneet Kaur, Minister of State, Ministry of External Affairs and Shri. Parwez Dewan, Secretary, MOIA were also present. The conference is being attended by Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries as well as Jordan, Yemen, Malaysia, the Maldives Angola, Thailand, Nigeria, Iraq and Libya. There are approximately 7.5 million semi-skilled and unskilled overseas Indian workers in the GCC countries and Malaysia on temporary employment/ contract visas, predominantly in the construction, healthcare and household services sectors. The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) is the nodal Ministry for protection and welfare of Overseas Indian workers.

21st Know India Programme Participants Call on Vayalar Ravi

The participants of 21st Know India Programme (KIP) called on the Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs, Shri. Vayalar Ravi here today. Interacting with the diaspora youths, the Minister said that the purpose of organizing KIP is to provide a unique forum for students and young professionals of Indian origin to visit India, share their views and to bond closely with contemporary India. He also highlighted the role of the Ministry in linking ‘Youth Diaspora’ with their origin country. 36 participants have come from 11 countries including Fiji, South Africa, Suriname, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Israel, Slovak Republic, Trinidad & Tobago, Mauritius, Iran and New Zealand.

During the programme, the KIP participants visited various important and historical places in Delhi. They also met dignitaries including Lt. Governor of Delhi and the Chief Election Commissioner. Tamil Nadu was the partner state of this KIP. The participants visited Chennai, Kanchipuram, Mahabalipuram, Puducherry, Kumbakonam, Tanjore, Chettinad, Madurai and other important places including village areas in the state.

Know India Programme (KIP) of the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) is a three-week orientation programme for diaspora youths conducted in partnership with one State Government with a view to introduce India to them and promote awareness on different facets of Indian life and the progress made by the country in various fields e.g. economic, industrial, education, science & technology, communication & information technology and culture. Twenty such programmes have been organized in partnership with the State Governments of Delhi, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Goa, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Punjab, Kerala, Haryana, Assam, Meghalaya, Bihar and Rajasthan. The participants, in the age group of 18-26 years, are selected based on nominations received from Indian Missions/Posts abroad. A total of 659 Overseas Youths of Indian Origin have participated in twenty one editions of Know India Programme so far. The content of the programme broadly includes the following:

(a) Presentations on the country, the constitution, political process etc.
(b) Interaction with faculty and students at a prestigious University/College/Institute.
(c) Presentation on the industrial development and visit to some Industries
(d) Visit to a village to better understand the typical village life
(e) Exposure to Indian media.
(f) Interaction with NGOs and organizations dealing with women affairs.
(g) Visit to places of historical importance/Monuments.
(h) Taking part in Cultural programmes
(i) Exposure to yoga
(j) Call on dignitaries.

I&B Ministry monitors progress of DigitizationLaunches Campaign regarding Digitization in the Print and Electronic Media68% of the Cable TV Digitization achieved

A recent review of Digitization progress by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has revealed that 68% of Cable TV Digitization has already been achieved in the 4 metro cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai. 

The Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Amendment Act 2011 has made it mandatory for switch over of the existing Analogue Cable Television Network to Digital Addressable System (DAS) by December 2014 in the entire country in 4 phases. In the first phase, 4 metro cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai are to be covered by 31^st October, 2012.  Towards complete switch over from analogue to digital only about six weeks are remaining. 

Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has been constantly reviewing the preparedness of the industry for the Digital switch over. 

Financial Restructuring of Prasar Bharati (Broadcasting Corporation of India) based on the Recommendations of the Group of Ministers on Prasar Bharati

The Union Cabinet today approved the proposal of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for financial restructuring of Prasar Bharati (Broadcasting Corporation of India). The proposal is based on the recommendations of the Group of Ministers (GoM) on Prasar Bharati (PB), constituted under the chairmanship of the Home Minister, to examine various issues pertaining to the functioning of Prasar Bharati.

On the basis of the recommendations of GoM, the Cabinet has given its approval for the following in order to improve the overall financial management of Prasar Bharati (PB):-

i. During the next five years from 2012-13 to 2016-17, Government non- Plan support will be made available to PB for meeting 100 per cent expenses towards salary and salary related expenses. All other operating expenses to be borne by PB out of internal revenue earnings.

ii. Plan capital support by the Government to PB will be in the form of grants-in-aid only and not in the form of loan.

iii. Accumulated interest on loan-in-perpetuity, interest on capital loan and penal interest thereon payable by PB to Government will be waived off.

iv. Loan-in-perpetuity and capital loans provided to PB will be converted into grants-in-aid.

v. Accumulated arrears of space segment and spectrum charges accrued to PB upto 31.3.2011 of Rs. 1349.54 crore, to be waived off.

vi. Property and Assets will be transferred on book value to PB as per provisions of Section 16(a) of the Prasar Bharati Act, 1990. Normal accounting principles will be followed to determine their future value; and

vii. Director General of Audit, Central Revenues (DGACR) will continue to be the nodal auditor of PB and will be assisted by qualified commercial audit staff for the audit of the annual accounts.

Background:

The Prasar Bharati (PB), the Public Broadcaster in the country, has been grappling with various financial and human resource/employee issues since its inception, which have adversely affected its functioning as an autonomous organization. In view of the problems being faced by PB, a GoM was constituted under the Chairmanship of the Hon'ble Home Minister on 7th March, 2006 to examine the issues of PB. The GoM was again reconstituted on 21.2.2011 which considered PB's future revenue earning potential given its public service broadcasting mandate, and made a number of recommendations for making PB a financially viable and sustainable organization.

Over 1.57 Lakh Personnel Added to the Health System During 2005-12

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is playing an important role in bringing healthcare services to all, especially to the marginalized and vulnerable sections, living in rural, remote and difficult to access areas. This was stated by Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad in New Delhi yesterday.

Addressing the inauguration of MBBS Course in Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences and Research at Hamdard Nagar, Shri Azad said that even though the responsibility for the delivery of the healthcare rests with the States, Government of India has been playing a guiding and supporting role to strengthen the efforts of State Governments. Through National Rural Health Mission, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has made an earnest to provide healthcare facilities living in the rural areas. Under the mission mode, during 2005-12, over 1.57 lakh personnel have been added to the health system. In addition to this, co-locating AYUSH services in the health facilities has resulted in the Indian Systems of Medicine playing an increasingly bigger role in the health care delivery to the masses.

Shri Azad said that the Hamdard National Foundation has been providing health care to the people through the Indian System of Medicine for decades. The Foundation is now expanding its horizon of health care and has stepped forward to establish the “Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences & Research” from the current academic session 2012-2013. This step marks the fulfilment of the long cherished dream of late Janab Hakeem Abdul Hameed Saheb, the founder of Hamdard. Jamia Hamdard is recognized globally as a reputed centre for the Unani System and Hamdard products are renowned for their safety, quality and affordability.

Shri Azad hoped that this institution would distinguish itself in the service of the people of Delhi and neighbouring States and will add to the availability of quality human resources to meet the health needs of the state, region and country. He congratulated all the students of the first batch of MBBS course at Hamdard Institute of Medical Sciences & Research and conveyed his best wishes to all the faculty, staff and students of the college for a professionally satisfying career and prosperous life in the service of the country and humanity.

Those who addressed the inauguration programme included Dr. Kiran Walia, Minister of Social Welfare and Education, Government of Delhi, Saiyid Hamid, Chancellor, Jamia Hamdard, Najeeb Jung, Vice-Chancellor, Jamia Millia Islamia, Abdul Mueed, President Hamdard National Foundation, Dr. G.N. Qazi, Vice-Chancellor, Jamia Hamdard,

NSIC Empowering Women for Self Employment

 National Small Industries Corporation has launched specialised Incubation Program for Unemployed girls and Women to take up their own ventures. Speaking at the “12th Global Conference on “Trade Liberalization and its impact on Women Entrepreneurs, Dr. H. P. Kumar, CMD, NSIC stated that NSIC has set up Incubation Centres all over the country and invited young girls, aspiring Women Entrepreneurs to join the NSIC-Incubation program free of Cost. The NSIC Incubation program is a integrated support by way of providing hands on training on working projects, it provides necessary facilities for prospective entrepreneurs and start up companies to learn product manufacturing processes coupled with technology development and business development.

32 Women Employees From Railways Honoured For Outstanding Performances Railway Women’s Welfare Central Organisation (RWWCO) Organises Women’s Day Celebrations

Thirty two outstanding women employees of Railways were honoured on the occasion of Women’s Day celebrations organized by Railway Women’s Welfare Central Organization (RWWCO), an apex body of the chain of Women’s Welfare Organisations spread over all Indian Railways, here today. Shri Vinay Mittal, Chairman, Railway Board was the Chief Guest at the Award function. The programme was organised under the guidance of Smt. Poonam Mittal who is the President of RWWCO. Also present among others were Railway officials, staff and their families.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Vinay Mittal said that RWWCO has always risen to the call of the society and the nation - be it environmental awareness, family welfare drives, disturbances on the borders or the natural calamities. He complimented the RWWCO for being one of the fore-runner voluntary organizations in the country today which is engaged in the task of welfare for railwaymen and their families through various need based socio-welfare activities. Shri Mittal said that the services of RWWCO will always be remembered for “supplementing and complementing” the national transporter’s role as an employer with a welfare centric approach. The Chairman, Railway Board said that “What makes their task special is that they have achieved all this along with their responsibilities as a home-maker and without any financial support from the Government”. Congratulating the outstanding Railway women employees who were felicitated on the occasion for their excellent performance, Shri Vinay Mittal said that they should continue the good work in future and strive to become role models and an inspiration for others.

Smt. Poonam Mittal, President, RWWCO said that the Hallmark of this year’s function is the felicitation of a few ladies from the rail-fraternity who brought laurels for the Indian Railways. The purpose is to boost the morale of those women, who show exemplary dedication, integrity and courage in discharge of their duties and who also work quietly in any other social field like hospital, school, sports, blood donation, family welfare programme, scouts & guides etc, she added. Smt. Poonam Mittal said that the motto of RWWCO is to promote and encourage welfare activities to foster a spirit of friendship, unity and understanding among railway employees and their families.

On this occasion a special issue of ‘Unmukta’ an in-house magazine of RWWCO was also released.

Three short plays for duration of 25 minutes each viz., Chhui Muee, Nanhi Ki Nahi and Do haath written by Ismat Khanum Chughtai and directed by Naseeruddin Shahwere were also staged at the Award function.