March - 2014

Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on 2 January 2014 gave its nod for the implementation of the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project for Low Income States of Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh. The project will be implemented with the assistance of the World Bank over a period of six years (from 2013-14 to 2019-20). This project will benefit the rural population of about 78 lakh persons including 44 lakh scheduled castes and more than 8 lakh scheduled tribes. The project will help the people with improved piped water supply which will cover approximately 17400 habitations in 2150 Gram Panchayats (GPs) in the
following 33 districts of the four States. The total Project cost of 6000 crore rupees will be financed through Government of India [from the National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) allocation – 33 percent], State Government (fund sharing as per NRDWP guidelines – 16 percent), beneficiary contribution (1 percent) and external financing (World Bank-IDA funds – 50 percent). Government of India will repay the amount of US$ 500 million extended as credit by the World Bank over a period of 25 years with 1.25 percent interest rate.

• Assam: 7 districts (Hailakandi, Kamrup, Jorhat, Morigaon, Bongaigaon, Sonitpur and Sibsagar) with estimated population coverage of about 14 lakh

• Bihar: 10 districts (Patna, Begusarai, Munger, Muzzafarpur, West Champaran, Nalanda, Nawada, Saran, Purnia and Banka) with estimated population coverage of about 24 lakh

• Jharkhand: 6 districts (East Singhbum, Dumka, Garwah, Palamu, Saraikela-Kharsawan and Khunti) with estimated population coverage of about 12 lakh

• Uttar Pradesh: 10 Eastern UP districts (Gorakhpur, Kushi Nagar, Deoria, Basti, Ghazipur, Ballia, Allahabad, Sonbhadra, Bahraich and Gonda) with estimated population coverage of about 28 lakh

The key features of the project are:

• Strengthening and empowering of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) as well as ensuring direct involvement of beneficiary communities in the scheme implementation. Schemes will be implemented with integral involvement of GPs

• Sanitation in conjoint approach with water is conceptualized as an integrated component of the proposed project

• The project will implement pilot programs such as 24/7 water supply provision in select areas, and new technologies such as use of solar energy

• There shall be an intensive Capacity Building programme for all stakeholders down to the GP level

• Intensive Information, Education and Communication (IEC) and Behavioural Change Communication (BCC) programs will be carried out.

• The project will support the universal provision of household connections, meters for bulk water supply, and promotion of household meters, wherever appropriate,

• There will be a focus on monitoring and surveillance of drinking water quality,

• Grievance redressal measures of a GP, District and State level will be captured by the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) system proposed under the project,

• Technical, financial, procurement and social audits during scheme planning, implementation and O&M will be conducted

• Demonstration of beneficiary support for the schemes through a onetime upfront community contribution (Rs. 450 per household/ Rs. 225 for SC/ST household) towards capital cost

• The Project will adopt a phased approach for achieving full Operation and Maintenance (O&M) cost recovery through user fees

Implementation of the project will improve the usage and access of piped drinking water supplied into individual homes. This will help the women and children will be beneficial because of the facility as at present they bear the burden of securing the daily water supplies available to them. By adopting a convergence approach with Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan (NBA) and the National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) the implementation of the project will improve the sanitation conditions in the targeted district. 24 quality affected (arsenic/fluoride/iron) districts will be covered under the program to provide potable water. The rural population will benefit from effective IEC and Behavioral Change Communication (BCC) programs.

National Waterway-4 project in Tamil Nadu

Union Government launched the project for the development of the stretch of 37 Kilometer of the National Waterway-four (NW-4) between Sholinganallur to Kalpakkam in South Buckingham Canal in Tamil Nadu. The project was launched on 24 January 2014. NW- 4 covers a total length of 1078 Km consisting of Kakinada-Puducherry canal systems integrated with Godavari and Krishna Rivers. Main  components of the project include dredging and excavation to develop  navigational channel, construction of three terminals and navigational locks, replacement of one existing bridge at Kelambakkam, and installation of navigational aids. The project is expected to be completed in two years with 123 crore rupees. The project will ease out the transportation problems in Chennai suburbs to a great extent besides promoting tourist movement to important tourist spots at
Mahabalipuram and Puducherry.

Other stretches of the National Waterway-4, which covers the states of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, would also be taken up for development subsequently.

National Waterways of India

National Waterway 1: will starts from Allahabad to Haldia with a distance of 1620 km. The NW 1 runs through the Ganges, Bhagirathi and Hooghly river system. It will be the longest National Waterway in India.

National Waterway 2: a stretch on Brahmaputra River from Sadiya to Dhubri in Assam state.

National Waterway 3: run from Kollam to Kottapuram. The 205 km long West Coast Canal is India’s first waterway with all time navigation facility.

National Waterway 4:  connect Kakinada to Pondicherry through Canals, Tank and River Godavari along with Krishna River.

National Waterway 5: connects Orissa to West Bengal using the stretch on Brahmani River, East Coast Canal, Matai River and Mahanadi River Delta.

National Waterway 6: It is the proposed waterway in Assam state  and will connect Lakhipur to Bhangain river Barak.

National Urban Health Mission launched

National Urban Health Mission was launched by the Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad on 20  January 2014 in Bangalore.NUHM aims to

• Improve the health care status  of the urban population particularly the poor and other disadvantaged sections.

• Strengthen public health care system.

• Involve the community and urban local bodies in healthcare delivery.

• Supplement the National Rural Health Under a unified National Health Mission. Special Focus on

• Urban Poor Population living in listed and unlisted slums.

• All other vulnerable populations such as homeless, rag-pickers, street children, rickshaw pullers, construction site workers, sex workers and any other temporary migrants.

Highlights

• 30- 100 bedded Urban Community Health Centres for cities above 5 lakh population.

• Urban Primary Health Centres for every 50000 population located within or near slums like settlements.

• Strengthening existing First Referral Units (FRUs), Urban Health Centres & Dispensaries in terms of human resources, equipment, medicines & consumables.

• Special outreach sessions for the most vulnerable sections of the urban population.

• One ANM is for every 10000- 12000 population.

• One ASHA is for every 200-500 slums & urban poor households.

• Empowerment of communities through Mahila Arogya Samiti for every 50-100 slums & urban poor households.

Coverage

• State Capital, District Headquarters and all cities, towns with population above 50000.

• Estimated 22.13 crore urban populations, including around 7.75 crore poor and vulnerable population.

Two year tenure fixed for IAS, IPS

The Union Government decided to amend the rules  governing IAS, IPS and Indian Forest Service (IFoS) officers to assure them  at least two years in a given posting on 30 January 2014. The rules were amended following the Supreme Courts direction to check the  unnecessary political interference.

The highlights of the amended rules for IAS/IPS/IFoS cadre

• Every state will now have to make appointments of cadre officers on the recommendation of a Civil Services Board constituted by it under chairmanship of the chief secretary.

• The transfer of a cadre officer before the minimum specified tenure can be done only on the recommendation of the Board.

• The competent authority may reject the recommendation of the board, but the reasons thereof must be recorded.

• A cadre officer appointed to any cadre post shall hold the office for at least two years unless in the meantime, he/she is promoted, retired or sent on deputation outside the state or training exceeding two months.

• The fixed tenure may be specified by the state government in the case of cadre officer appointed to non-cadre posts.

• The Board shall examine cases of premature transfers, consider for transfer before fixed tenure based on circumstances it thinks fit, and recommend to the competent authority names of officers for premature transfer with reasons to be recorded in writing.

• The board can seek justification from the administrative department of the concerned state for premature transfers, obtain comments or views of the officer proposed to be transferred, and not recommend premature transfer unless satisfied with the reasons.

• The board shall also submit a quarterly report to the Centre giving details of officers recommended to be transferred before the minimum tenure and the reasons thereof. Earlier in a path-breaking judgement given by the Supreme

Court on 31 October 2013, the SC had directed the Centre to ensure fixed tenure for bureaucrats. The landmark judgment meant to curb political interference in civil services was delivered by the Bench of Justice KS Radhakrishnan and Pinaki Chandra Ghose. Not more than 13 States had notified IAS (cadre) rules for stability of tenure, while 11 states were yet to do so. The states of Bihar, Maharashtra, Gujarat and West Bengal
were disinclined to notify the rules, citing reasons like legal complications, existence of a similar law and already stable tenures.

March - 2014

President gave assent to Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill 2013

Pranab Mukherjee, the President of India on 1 January 2014 gave his assent to the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill, 2013. With this accent, the Bill has turned to be an Act. It provides creation of an antigraft watchdog that will bring under its purview to even the office of the Prime Minister with certain safeguards.

The Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha during the winter session on 18 December 2013. Earlier, the amended Bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha on 17 December 2013. A copy of the Bill, which was signed by Meira Kumar, the Speaker of Lak Sabha was sent to the Law Ministry by the secretariat on 1 January 2014. Further, the same was forwarded for President’s assent to the Rashtrapati Bhavan. After the signing by the President, the Bill has taken a shape of an Act following certain procedures. For publication of the Act in the official gazette, the Bill will be sent for signing to the Secretary of Legislative Department in the Law Ministry after the assent of the President. The Bill aims to set-up an institution of Lokpal at Centre and Lokayuktas in the states by the law enacted by respective legislatures within one year from the date of its coming into effect. Earlier in 2011, the Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha during its winter session, but was debated in Rajya Sabha till the adjournment of its session before voting. Further, a select committee of Rajya Sabha suggested some changes in the Bill of which maximum were incorporated and approved by the Union Cabinet.

Important features of the Act are

• As per the Act a Lokpal will be at the centre level and Lokayukta’s will be at the states levels

• A Lokpal consist of a Chairperson and a maximum of eight members, of which 50 percent should be of judicial members

• The Act provides that 50 percent of the total members of the Lokpal should be from SC/ST/OBCs, minorities and women

• The Chairperson and members of the Lokpal will be selected through a selection committee, which include the Prime Minister of India, Lok Sabha Speaker, Lok Sabha’s leader of opposition, the Chief Justice of India or the Judge of the Supreme Court nominated by the Chief Justice. Then the President of India will nominate the eminent Jurist on the basis of the recommendations of the first four members of the selection committee

• The Prime Minister has been brought under the purview of the Lokpal

• The jurisdiction of the Lokpal will cover all the categories of the public servant

• Under its also comes any/all entities, which will receive the donations from a foreign source in excess of 10 lakh rupees in context of Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA)

• The Act will provide adequate protection to the honest and upright public servants

• The Act provide Lokpal the  right to superintendence and direct any investigation agency including the CBI on the cases, which will be referred to them from the Lokpal itself

• The Director of the CBI will be recommended by the high power committee that will be chaired by the Prime Minister of India

• Director will control the Directorate of Prosecution that is headed by the Director of Prosecution

• The Central Vigilance Commission will recommend the Director of Prosecution, CBI for appointment

• Lokpal’s approval will be required for the transfer’s of the  officers of CBI, who are investigating the cases referred by the Lokpal

• The Act gives the provisions to attach and confiscate the property that has been acquired by corrupt means even in the case that the prosecution of the case remains pending

• Clear time lines for preliminary enquiry and trial has been layed in the Act. It also mentions setting-up of special courts towards the end of the trial

• It mentions that a mandate for setting up the Lokayukta institution through enactment of a law by the State Legislature within 365 days from the date on which the Act was commenced

Life expectancy rate increased by five years

India registered an increase of five years in the average life expectancy rate. The average life expectancy rate increased from 63.9 years in 2004 to 69.6 years in 2014. The increase in the life expectancy was the result of consistent investments in public health sector by the government. Life expectancy is defined as the average number of years a person born in a given country would live if mortality rates at each age were to remain constant in the future. As per the census of 2011, the life expectancy in India was 65.48 years as compared to the global average life expectancy of 67.88 years. Japan, Switzerland, San Marino are the countries with highest average life expectancy of 83 years. On the other hand, poor countries of Africa like Somalia, Lesotho have an average life expectancy of 50 years with Sierra Leone having the least life expectancy at 47 years. Although
India has improved its performance but it still has a life expectancy rate which is relatively very low in South Asia. For instance, Bhutan has the life expectancy of 65.79 years while Pakistan has managed to improve its
overall Life expectancy to 67 years. China’s life expectancy rate is 72.90 years, Bangladesh has life expectancy of 70 years and Sri Lanka has life expectancy of 75 years. Among the BRICS countries also India fares
badly. For instance, Brazil’s life expectancy rate stands at 74 years, Russia’s life expectancy is 69 years and South Africa has a poor life expectancy of 58 years.

Standardized voting compartment at Polling station

Election Commission of India on 29 January 2014 directed the Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) of states to use cardboard or flex board that are opaque and reusable for making of the voting compartments at polling stations. The direction was issued because of the use of poor quality and transparent cloth material in the poll booths for making of compartments. The Commission in its direction has barred use of flimsy material in setting up the voting compartments. In its direction, the Commission has said that secrecy maintenance is necessary for the votes casted during the upcoming general elections of 2014. It said that the compartments shall be in three
folds, each fold having minimum dimension of 23"X23". It has also ordered to Chief Electoral Officers to review the arrangements with their District Election Officer. The commission also observed that till now Standard procedure of erecting, the voting compartments have not been followed. It also observed that at many polling stations, compartments that provide specific secrecy during the voting process has not been maintained. The commission in its order has also directed the DEOs/CEOs to complete the review by 5 February 2014. It has directed to the DEOs to furnish a certificate in the matter to the CEO and these CEOs should furnish a consolidated report to the commission by 7 February 2014. Background: Earlier also, the Commission has issued guidelines related to materials that should be used along with their dimensions in the voting compartment. In its findings the Commission found that in many polling votes the compartments were not erected in a desirable manner and at some places it was not of sufficient height. It also found that at some places cloths of poor quality along with transparent flimsy materials were used in making of the voting compartments food safety guidelines for ICDS scheme

The Government of India on 31 December 2013 issued food safety and hygiene guidelines to prevent contamination of supplementary nutrition provided to pregnant women and children. The guidelines were issued under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme. The guidelines were issued by the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development. The issued guidelines have barred the anganwadi workers and helpers from wearing nail polish, and artificial nails. The anganwadi workers and helpers have been asked to trim their nails and should keep them clean while washing the hands. It has also banned them from wearing wrist watches and rings and bangles or any type of jewellery item, while cooking and serving food. These have been banned as these jewellery items may carry foreign bodied and compromise with the hygiene standard. The Operational Guidelines for Food Safety and Hygiene of ICDS has also mentions that the workers and helpers should tie their hairs neatly and it should be covered. It also mentions that any type of glass should not be allowed in the cooking areas.

As per the issued guidelines, an adequate precaution for cleanliness has been issued for the staffs to prevent the food from getting contaminated during cleaning of rooms, utensils or any other equipment. It has also mentioned that before using any equipment, while cooking food should be washed with water. It has also mentioned that toilets should be cleaned all the times to make safe disposal of stool and wastes. It has said that the activity rooms, should be well ventilated and also be spacious, which should be cleaned every day before the start of the functions in the morning.

What is ICDS Scheme

Integrated Child Development Services scheme was launched on 2 October 1975. ICDS Scheme represents one of the world’s largest and most unique programmes for early childhood development. ICDS is the foremost symbol of India’s commitment to her children – India’s response to the challenge of providing pre-school education on one hand and breaking the vicious cycle of malnutrition, morbidity, reduced learning capacity and
mortality, on the other.

Objectives of ICDS Scheme The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme was launched in 1975 with the following objectives

• To improve the nutritional and health status of children in the age-group 0-6 years;

• To lay the foundation for proper psychological, physical and social development of the child;

• To reduce the incidence of mortality, morbidity, malnutrition and school dropout;

• To achieve effective coordinationof policy and implementation amongst the various departments to promote child development; and

• To enhance the capability of the mother to look after the normal health and nutritional needs of the child through proper nutrition and health education

Services: The above objectives are sought to be achieved through a package of services comprising

• Supplementary nutrition

• Immunization

• Health check-up

• Referral services

• Pre-school non-formal education

• Nutrition & health education

The concept of providing a package of services is based primarily on the consideration that the overall impact will be much larger if the different services develop in an integrated manner as the efficacy of a particular service depends upon the support it receives from related services.

Shah Commission report

The Supreme Court of India on 13 January 2014 directed the Government of India to place the report of Justice Shah Commission on illegal mining in Odisha and Jharkhand. The Court has asked the Government to place the report to it by 27 January 2014. The green bench of the Supreme Court headed by Justice AK Patnaik has also ordered the government to provide a copy of the reports to the Central Empowered Committee. The order was passed, when the advocate Prashant Bhusan alleged the contents of the reports, which have been published in newspapers, are shocking and the Apex Court should analyse it.

The report of the commission has been marked as a secret and thus it has been decided to not to put it on the public domain, until it is tabled in the Parliament. The reports have not been tabled in the Parliament till now, whereas under the Commission of Inquiry Act 1952, a report of a committee should be tabled in the Parliament within six months of its submission.

The case has been posted to 27 January 2014 for hearing, during the hearing, the court will also hear the plea of the petitioner that seeks its direction for the centre to extend the time period of the Shah Commission of inquiry by one Year. The extension of the inquiry will help the commission to complete its inquiry highlighting the issues in accordance with its terms of reference.

About Justice Shah Commission on Illegal Mining of Iron and Manganese

The Government of India has set up Justice MB Shah Commission of Inquiry for Illegal Mining of Iron Ore and Manganese vide Notification  dated 22 November 2010.The Commission was asked to recommend remedial measures to prevent mining trade, transportation and export, which was done illegally pr without lawful authority. The commission was headquartered in Mumbai and was given a time limit of 18 months from the date of its first sitting.

Viscera test must in death due to poisoning

Supreme Court made it mandatory for the investigating agency to seek viscera test in death due to poisoning on 21 January 2014. A bench of Justices Ranjana P Desai and J Chelameswar ruled that in all the cases where poisoning is suspected, immediately after the post-mortem, the viscera should be sent to the forensic science laboratories (FSL). The prosecuting agencies should ensure that the viscera is, in fact, sent to the FSL for examination and the FSL should ensure that the viscera is examined immediately and report is sent to the investigating agencies/courts post haste. The court took serious note of a number of cases relating to death by poisoning which resulted in acquittal mainly because police failed to seek a viscera examination from forensic science laboratories (FSL).

About Viscera test In the Viscera test the internal organs of the body, specifically those within the chest (as the heart or lungs) or abdomen (as the liver, pancreas or intestines) are tested thoroughly. The Forensic Science Laboratories provide scientific assistance in crime investigation by way of examination of blood, semen, stains thereof and other.

March - 2014

Establishment of Medical colleges nod by CCEA for deficient states

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on 2 January 2014 approved the proposal for establishment of 58 new medical colleges by upgradation of existing district hospitals in deficient states. The CCEA has approved a proposal of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to set up the new medical colleges attached with the districts in existence or referral hospitals. At present, the country has about 50000 MBBS seats and the government is planning ahead to increase the seats to address the issue of shortage of doctors. This plan will increase the MBBS seats by 5800. The approved proposal says that there will be 100 MBBS seats in each medical college, which will result in an increase of about 5800 MBBS seats in medical education. The share of the central assistance for this will be over 8457 crore rupees and state share of over 2513 crore rupees.
The funding pattern will be 90:10 by Central and State Governments respectively for North Eastern States and special category States and in the ratio of 75:25 for other States. Establishment of one medical college will cost 189 crore rupees. The distance between the district/referral hospital and the medical college shall be within 10 kms and on two pieces of land. This is a step at providing more doctor and increase the doctor-patient ratio, which is low currently. India at present has 381 medical colleges with 49918 MBBS seats registered with the Medical Council of India, the apex medical regulator in the country.

Working Guidelines for Spectrum Trading released by TRAI

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) released working guidelines for trade of spectrum on 28 January 2014. The guidelines need to be approved by the government before it can be implemented.

Main Working Guideliens  are:

• Only outright transfers of airwaves have been permitted from the seller to the buyer.

• While no permission will be required from the government for trading of spectrum, the regulator has mandated that both the seller and the buyer will have to inform the licensor six weeks before the trade takes place.

• Only that spectrum will be allowed to put up for trade for which the companies have paid a market determined price, and trade of spectrum will be on a pan-licensed service area basis.

• While the transaction will be between two parties–buyer and seller—the regulator has provided that the seller has the flexibility to choose the prospective buyer of its spectrum through mechanism such as tender or auction.

• In 800 Mhz, spectrum trading will be allowed in the block size of 1.25 Mhz, in 900 Mhz and 1,800 Mhz at 200 Khz, in 2,100 Mhz at 5 Mhz, in 2,300 Mhz and 2,500 Mhz at 20 Mhz.

• A non-refundable transfer fee of 1% of the transactional amount or 1% of the prescribed market price, whichever is higher shall be imposed on all spectrum trade transactions.

These working guidelines once implemented, trading will enable companies to sell their surplus radio waves to operators facing a spectrum crunch. Spectrum trading is also expected to boost mergers and acquisitions in the sector.

About TRAI

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) was established on 20th February 1997 by an Act of Parliament, called the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997. It was established to regulate telecom services, including fixation/revision of tariffs for telecom services which were earlier vested in the Central Government.

Guidelines for the television rating agencies approved

The Cabinet approved the guidelines for television rating agencies on 9 January 2014. The guidelines were proposed by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. These guidelines will bring out a comprehensive regulatory framework for television rating agencies in India. These guidelines are based on the recommendations of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on the Guidelines for Television Rating Agencies. These guidelines will make television ratings transparent, credible and accountable.

Highlights of the guidelines

• All the rating agencies including the existing rating agencies shall obtain registration from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

• All the rating agencies should go through detailed registration procedure, eligibility norms, terms and conditions, crossholding norms, period of registration, security conditions and other obligations.

• No company will be allowed to hold not more than 10 percent of paid up equity in both rating agencies and media Company.

• Rating need to be technology neutral and shall capture across multiple viewing platforms (cable TV, Direct-to-Home, Terrestrial TV etc).

• The rating agencies should scale up a minimum panel size of 20000 households to be implemented within six months of the guidelines coming into force. The panel size shall be increased by 10000 every year until it reaches 50000 households.

• The rating agency shall submit the detailed methodology to the government and publish it on their website.

• It shall set up an effective complaint redressal system with tool free number and an internal audit mechanism.

• The guideline would come into effect immediately from the date of notification and 30 days time would be given to the existing rating agency.

Guidelines for dealing with mercy pleas

Supreme Court laid down 12 guidelines for authorities in dealing with death-row prisoners on 22 January 2014. Supreme Court said that the solitary confinement of prisoners is unconstitutional. Three judges bench headed by Chief Justice P.Sathasivam formulated the guidelines for the conduct on how death row inmates should be treated. As currently there is no symmetry between the manuals of state and central jail authorities.

Guidelines are as follows:

• The procedure should be followed while placing the mercy plea before the President. All the required documents and records should be sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in one stroke instead of piece-meal basis.

• Once MHA received all the details, it should convey its recommendations to the President within a reasonable and rational time.

• MHA should send periodical reminders if there is no response from the office of the President.

• If there is a rejection of mercy plea by the President or the Governor, the same should be communicated in writing to the prisoners and to their family.

• The death convicts are entitled “to receive a copy of the rejection of the mercy petition by the President and the Governor.

• There must be a gap of 14 days between receipt of communication of rejection of mercy petition and execution date. This would allow the death convict to prepare himself mentally for the execution.

• Without sufficient notice of the scheduled date of execution, the right of prisoners to avail of judicial remedies will be thwarted.

• There should be a provision of final meeting between condemned prisoners and their family as such a procedure is intrinsic to humanity and justice, and should be followed by all prison authorities.

• There should be regular mental health evaluation of all death row convicts and appropriate medical care should be given to those in need.

• After the issuance of execution warrant, the prison superintendent should satisfy himself on the basis of medical reports by government doctors and psychiatrists that the prisoner is in a fit physical and mental condition to be executed.

• It is necessary that copies of relevant documents should be furnished to the prisoner within a week by prison authorities to assist in making mercy petition.

• The apex court also made postmortem of death convicts after their hanging obligatory.

Mercy Petition

As per the constitution of India, There is a provision under Article- 72, which states that president of India has a power to grant pardon to any person convicted of any offence.

The President is guided and advised by the home minister and the council of ministers in his decision. There is no timeframe in which the President has to make the decision which is subject to judicial review.

Sahara directed by SC to disclose source of 22885 crore rupees refund

The Supreme Court on 9 January 2014 directed the Sahara Group to reveal the source of the 22885 crore rupees which the group claimed it had refunded to the investors. The bench said that if the Sahara group fails to comply with its order by 23 January 2014 then it will direct the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Registrar of Companies (ROC) to investigate the case. The apex Court gave the order following Security and Exchange board (SEBI) revelation to the court that Sahara group refused to disclose information about source of money to SEBI by saying that this information is immaterial. Sahara group owns two real estate companies – Sahara Housing Investment Corporation and Sahara India Real Estate. The Supreme Court had directed Sahara group to make refund to its investors two years ago.

The Group claimed that about 20000 crore rupees had been refunded to the investors in their optionally fully-convertible debentures. But, the SEBI maintains that refunding had not been done. When, SEBI enquired about source of refund money, Sahara group declined to disclose the information.

National Waqf Development Corporation Limited

Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister of India on 29 January 2014 inaugurated National Waqf Development Corporation Limited (NAWADCO) that is a new Central Public Sector Enterprise in New Delhi. It will be remain under the Ministry of Minority Affairs. National Waqf Development Corporation (NAWADCO) has been established with an authorized share capital of Rs.500 Crore. An official release said that the Waqf Corporation is an important institution that will work for development of Waqf properties for the community welfare. It will also facilitate and mobilize financial resources for the development of Waqf properties for community development purposes in a joint venture with the state and Union Territory Waqf Boards and the Mutawallis. The corporation has been establishment as a follow-up of the recommendation of Sachar Committee. In India more than 4.9 lakh registered Waqf properties are present and it fetches about 163 crore rupees annually. The recommendation of Sachar Committee says that if the properties of Waqf board are developed properly than it will bring an annual income of about 12000 crore. NAWADCO has been established with an authorized share capital of 500 crore rupees with an aim of facilitating and mobilizing the financial resources.

About Sachar Committee

The Government of India constituted a Prime Minister’s High Level, Justice Sachar Committee for preparation of a Report on the Social, Economic and Educational Status of Muslim Community of India. The Committee has submitted its report and this report is under implementation. The Sachar Committee Report is under implementation and in its findings it has established that Muslims in India are most backward community despite of their rich cultural heritage. The committee was chaired by Justice Rajindar Sachar and was constitution following the notification issued by the PMO on 9 March 2005. Apart from the Sachar Committee, the Government also constituted Justice Ranganath Mishra Commission for identifying criteria for socially and economically backward classes among the religious and linguistic minorities, and to suggest various welfare measures for Minorities including Reservation. The Government has tabled the Justice Ranganath Mishra Report in the Parliament and considering various aspects for implementation of the Report.

CAG can audit telecom companies

The Delhi High Court ruled that the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) can audit the books of accounts of private sector telecom companies on 6 January 2014. The court has ruled that the CAG has powers and jurisdiction to audit telecom companies accounts.

Companies that are operating in power, telecom sectors provide that services to the common man. License fee is paid for spectrum and the profit generated by companies is a public resource. The people have right to know whether the income goes into public exchequer is proper or not. Adviser on infrastructure to deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission said there can be no objection to the audit of the companies that share revenue with the Government. FICCI, industry body did not take the ruling positively and said that private companies are not meant to be audited by CAG. India Inc and telecom companies are likely to appeal to the Supreme Court.

Capacity Building Scheme and Rajiv Gandhi Institute for Climate Change approved

Union Government of India approved to set up Capacity Building scheme and Rajiv Gandhi Institute for Climate Change on 21 January 2014. The Capacity Building Scheme will attempt to build capacity at both centre and state levels to assess impact of climate change and associated risks. The Scheme will be worth 290 crore rupees. Besides, it will undertake and augment various activities in consonance with the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) and State Action Plan on Climate change. On the other hand, Rajiv Gandhi Institute for Climate Change Studies and Action will be an autonomous body which will have four key functional areas.

The areas are related to

• Environmental- scientific assessments and modeling

• economic and legal analysis

• monitoring and policy making

• Training, capacity building and advocacy and database, documentation and inventory management.

 A committee of secretaries (CoS) will soon take a call on structureof institute and the time period for its completion. The Committee of Secretaries will comprise of secretaries in the ministries of environment and forest, finance, renewable energy, agriculture, water resources and earth science.

About National Action plan on Climate Change (NAPCC)

The National Action plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) was launched in 2008 by the Union Government. It is comprised of eight government missions projecting India’s contribution towards combating climate change. NAPCC includes action plan on solar energy, enhanced energy efficiency, sustainable habitat, conserving water, sustaining the Himalayan ecosystem, a Green India mission, sustainable agriculture and strategic knowledge platform for Climate Change. The State Action Plans on Climate Change (SAPCC) should be in line with the objectives of the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) and ensure its implementation at the State level.

March - 2014

Cantilever Pamban Bridge completed 100 years

First cantilever bridge of India, Pamban Railway Bridge, completed its 100 years. On this occasion former President of India A. P. J Abdul Kalam inaugurated the centenary celebrations of the Pamban Bridge. The centenary celebrations will take place from 27 January 2014 to 29 Janaury 2014. To mark the occasion, Abdul Kalam unveiled the centenary plaque of the Pamban Bridge. He also released the book titled Marvels of
South Indian Railway. The 65.23- metre-long rolling central lift span was given a fresh coat of paint and decorated with light. The central lift span was named after Scherzer, German engineer who designed and built the span. It opens up like a pair of scissors to allow vessels to pass through under the bridge. The 2.06 km long Pamban Railway Bridge connects the pilgrim-island of Rameswaram with Tamil Nadu. The bridge was officially opened for the train traffic on 24 February 1914. The bridge was put to test for the first time in December 1964, when a severe cyclonic storm hit this part of the area.

About Cantilever Bridge

A cantilever bridge is built using cantilevers, structures that project horizontally into space, supported on only one end. Heinrich Gerber was one of the engineers to obtain a patent for a hinged girder in 1866 and is recognized as the first to build one. The Hassfurt Bridge over the Main River in Germany with a central span of 124 feet (38 meters) was completed in 1867 and is recognized as the first modern cantilever bridge.

Policy Guidelines for Land Management by major ports approved

The Union Cabinet on 2 January 2014 approved the Policy Guidelines for Land Management by Major Ports, 2014. Land Policy is one of the most significant policy frameworks guiding the overall functioning and development of the port sector. The guidelines has been approved with an aim for optimum utilization and for realization of the value of land reserves by linking with the prevailing market rates available with the major
ports of India. By putting in place a mechanism of leasing/licensing of port land through a transparent tender-cumaction methodology, the guideline seeks to minimize discretionary powers of the port authorities in the process of allotment. The policy has been framed with an objective to ensure that the land resources should be put to optimum use as per the approved land use plan. Due to this, the land leasing and licensing process will become more accountable and transparent and will also minimize the element of discretion and arbitrariness at port level. The approved policy will be applicable to the major Port Trusts and Ennore Port Limited, except land related to the township areas of Kandla, Mumbai and Kolkata Ports.

India Post to install 3000 ATM & 1.35 lakh micro-ATM by September 2015

India Post announced to install as many as 3000 Automated Teller Machine (ATM) and 1.35 lakh micro- ATMs by September 2015 on 27 January 2014. The facility will be available for savings account holders of post offices across the country. Initially, three ATMs were to be installed in New Delhi, Chennai and Bangalore by 5 February 2014. After six months of launch of the service, India Post might get interoperability permission from Reserve Bank of India (RBI). After that India Post will join the National Financial Switch, which will benefit India Post account holders to transact at the banks’ ATMs and vice versa. The ATMs can be used only by 26 crore savings account-holders who save with the postal department. India Post is working with software major Infosys on this project. The micro ATMs will be handheld devices to be operated at the post office level while the ATM will be similar to the one operated by any commercial bank. Postal savings are worth around 6.05 trillion rupees, which is half the savings in the largest lender SBI and more than double that of the largest private sector lender ICICI Bank. The postal department, which has 1.55 lakh post offices over 90% of which are in villages, offers the savings account to people across the country and pays an interest of 4% per annum for such deposits. The account offers cheque facility at present.

National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013

The Union Government of India notified the National Food Security Act, 2013 on 10 September 2013 to further strengthen the efforts to address the food security of the people. The Act provides for coverage of up to 75% of the rural population and up to 50% of the urban population for receiving subsidized foodgrains under Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), thus covering about two-thirds of the population.

Main provisions of the NFSA, 2013

• Identified beneficiaries by the State governments will get rice, wheat and coarse grains at the subsidized prices of 3 Rupee, 2 Rupee and 1 Rupee respectively.

• Each beneficiary will get 5 kg of foodgrain per month.

• Pregnant women and lactating mothers and children in the age group of 6 months to 14 years will be entitled to meals as per prescribed nutritional norms under Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and Mid-Day Meal (MDM) schemes.

• It provides for higher nutritional norms for malnourished children up to 6 years of age.

• Pregnant women and lactating mothers will be entitled to receive maternity benefit of not less than Rs. 6,000.

• For the purpose of issuing the ration cards, the Act identifies  eldest woman of the household of age 18 years or above as the head of the household. This will go a long way in empowering woman.

• Households covered under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY)  will continue to get 35 kg of foodgrain per month as they constitute poorest of the poor.

• Existing allocation of each state will be protected if the allocation under the proposed legislation is lower than its current allocation. It will be protected up to the level of average off-take during last three years, at prices to be determined by the Central Government.

Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY)

AAY was launched on 25 December 2000 to make TPDS more focused and targeted towards the poorest of the poor category of the population. It provides the identified persons under Below the Poverty Line (BPL) population foodgrains at a highly subsidized rate of 2 Rupee per kg for wheat and 3 Rupee per kg for rice. The scale of issue that was initially 25 kg per family per month has been increased to 35 kg per family per month with effect from 1 April 2002.

Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS)

TPDS was launched in June 1997 with focus on the poor. Under the TPDS, States are required to formulate and implement foolproof arrangements for identification of the poor for delivery of food grains and for its distribution in a transparent and accountable manner at the Fair Price Shop level. The identification of the poor under the scheme is done by the States as per State-wise poverty estimates of the Planning Commission
for 1993-94. The poverty estimates were based on the methodology of the Expert Group on estimation of proportion and number of poor chaired by Late Prof Lakdawala. The allocation of food grains to the States/
UTs was made on the basis of average consumption in the past, that is, average annual off-take of food grains under the PDS during the past ten years at the time of introduction of TPDS. The foodgrain allocation to BPL
families was increased from 10 kg to 20 kg of food grains per family per month at 50% of the economic cost and allocation to APL families at economic cost with effect from 1 April 2000.

Implementation of NFSA extended to Karnataka and Chhattisgarh

Union Government of India extended the implementation of National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 to the States of Karnataka and Chhattisgarh on 18 January 2014. With this the implementation of National Food Security Act has taken off now in seven States/ Union Territories. These are Haryana, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Punjab, Karnataka and Chhattisgarh. Uttrakhand and Chandigarh are also expected to join NFSA soon. Accordingly, the Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution allocated foodgrains to these seven States/UTs. The allocation of foodgrains was made as per requirements projected by these States/UTs to implement the Act.

Amendments to Mega Power Policy 2009 approved

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved amendments in the Mega Power Policy 2009 on 2 January 2014. The amendments will clear the road blocks in the realization of provisional Mega Power projects.
The objective is to increase power availability to boost overall growth of the country and also ensure that consumers are reasonably charged for electricity supplied. The major amendments to the Mega Power Policy 2009 are:

• The developer must tie up at least 65 percent of installed capacity through competitive bidding.

• Remaining 35 percent of installed capacity will be allocated under regulated tariff as per the respective State government policies.

• The thermal power projects of 1000 MW and above, capacity and hydro power projects of 500 MW and above are allowed duty-free equipment imports.

• To avail the a benefits, project developers must submit status certificate of the provisional mega power projects along with fixed deposit receipt from any scheduled bank as a security for a term of 36 months.

• Extend the maximum time period to 60 months instead of  36 months from the date of import for provisional mega projects for furnishing final mega certificates to tax authorities.

• The dispensation will be one time and limited to 15 projectswhich are located in the States having mandatory host State power tie up policy of PPAs under regulated tariff.

MRD signed MoU with Digital Green

The Ministry of Rural Development (MRD) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Digital Green on 28 January 2014. The MoU was signed to exchange the relevant livelihood practices among rural communities under the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM).

What is Digital Green

Digital Green is an international, non-profit development organization and it is supported by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Ford Foundation, and Government of India.

• It is an innovative ICT-based approach focusses on low-cost and effective, peer-to-peer learning processes which seek to empower poor households for increasing productivity and incomes sustainably

• It works with partners to effectively exchange relevant livelihood practices among rural communities using locally produced videos and mediated dissemination

• It aims to provide strategic direction, management, and coordination of the development, successful implementation, and monitoring of Digital Green’s livelihood-related activities.

• It builds on the existing extension systems of public, private, and civil society organizations and strengthens them to be more effective and efficient.

• It coordinates stakeholder workshops and training activities

About National Rural Livelihood Mission

• Aajeevika or National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) was launched by the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) in June 2011.

• NRLM is the biggest programme for women empowerment in India.

• NRLM aims to cover rural poor households through selfmanaged Self Help Groups (SHGs) and federated institutions and support them for livelihoods collectives.

• NRLM believes in harnessing the innate capabilities of the poor and complements them with capacities (information, knowledge, skills, tools, finance and collectivization) to participate in the economic growth.

Set up of Rail Tariff Authority approved

The Union Cabinet approved to set up Rail Tariff Authority on 20 January 2014. Rail Tariff Authority will be an advisory body which will advise the Railway Ministry on fares. RTA will comprise of a chairperson and four members at the apex level. At present railway fare and freight rates are set by the Railway Board in accordance with the Railway Act, 1989. The Rail Tariff Authority functions include

• It will recommend fare revision from time to time taking into account input cost and market condition.

• It will aim to develop an integrated, transparent and dynamic pricing mechanism for the passenger and freight segments of the Indian Railway’s business.

• It will help the government to generate requisite surpluses for growth in the future.

RTA will be the first external pricing regulatory body for the country’s rail sector. The RTA will be given mandatory powers only after the amendment of the Railway Act, 1989 by the Parliament. The RTA will make recommendations to the Railway Ministry which usually will have to accept it. If in case Railway Ministry disagrees, the ministry will send the recommendations back to the RTA to review its decision.

The Central Sector Scheme, ILDP approved by CCEA

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the Central Sector Scheme Indian Leather Development Programme (ILDP) on 2 January 2014.

The Indian Leather Development Programme (ILDP) has been approved for the implementation during 12th five year plan period aiming at overall development of the leather sector. Under Indian Leather Development Programme (ILDP), there are six sub-schemes namely

• Integrated Development of Leather Sector (IDLS),

• Human Resource Development (HRD),

• Support to Artisan (STA),

• Leather Technology Innovation and Environmental Issues (former Upgradation/  installation of Infrastructure forEnvironmental Protection),

• Mega Leather Cluster and

• Establishment of Institutional Institutes

The six sub-schemes are proposed for continuation from the 11th Plan period for implementation under the ILDP during the 12th Plan period with the total outlay of 990.36 crore rupees. Implementation of ILDP would provide trained manpower to the industry and assistance to overcome the constraints of infrastructure in the industry.

What is Airbus A-380

The Airbus A380 is a doubledeck, wide-body, four-engine jet airliner manufactured by Airbus of France. It is the world’s largest passenger airliner, and provides seating for 525 people in a typical three-class configuration or up to 853 people in an all-economy class configuration. The A380 made its first flight on 27 April 2005 and entered commercial service in October 2007 with Singapore Airlines. Airbus headquartered in Toulouse designed the aircraft to challenge Boeing’s monopoly in the large-aircraft market.

Jain community granted minority status across India

Jain community has been granted the minority status by Union Cabinet on 20 January 2014. This nod has enabled the community to avail the benefits in government schemes and programmes. With this nod of the Union Community, Jain community became the sixth community to attain minority status. Other five communities that has been granted the status of minority are

• Muslims

• Christians

• Sikhs

• Buddhists

• Parsis

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