December, 2013

VVPAT System in EVMs for 2014 Polls

The Supreme Court of India on 8 October 2013 directed the Election Commission of India to int roduce Vote Verifier Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) system in EVMs in phased manner for the next general elections in 2014.

The Supreme Court also directed the Centre to provide financial assistance for introducing Vote Verifier Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) system. The Supreme Court bench also stated that VVPAT in EVMs will ensure free and fair polls and will help in sorting out disputes. The poll panel had also informed the SC bench that VVPAT can be introduced in a phased manner and cited administrative and financial reasons for it. It had stated 13 lakh VVPAT machines would be needed for general elections. The Election Commission had stated approximately 1500 crore Rupees would be required for procuring VVPAT and installing it at all polling booths across the country for 2014 Lok Sabha polls and there are only two state-owned companies Bharat Electronic Ltd (BEL) and Electronics Corporation of India Ltd (ECIL) which manufacture the machines. The Election Commission had earlier informed the court that VVPAT was successfully and satisfactorily utilised at 21 polling stations in Nagaland during the Assembly elections in February 2013. The Supreme Court’s order came on
a plea of BJP leader Subramanian Swamy seeking a direction to the Election Commission to ensure EVMs have a paper trail and issue a receipt to each voter.

Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail System (VVPAT)

• The VVPAT system is a new initiative of the Election Commission to ensure free and fair elections.

• The VVPT will enable electors to see a printout of their ballot - displaying the name, election  symbol and serial number of the chosen candidate. However the voter cannot take the printout home.

• In case there is a dispute about the voting and a petition is filed, the votes can be tallied  electronically and physically with the ballot slips that fall into the compartment.

• The cost of each VVPAT, manufactured by Bharat Electronic Ltd and Electronics Corporation of India (ECIL) is  estimated at about 12000 rupees.

• At present, EVMs are used for voting and counting is based on the results in the machines. In comparison the VVPAT will print a voter’s selection, thus also allowing for physically verification of the vote.

Election Commission of India with an objective of free and fair polls, the VVPAT System is introduced. This new voting system is a step towards winning the public trust in election process. VVPAT system will also help to resolve the election disputes by providing physical verification of the votes in EVMs. EC would take the decision depending on feedback from the by-polls of Nagaland and it will expand the VVPAT System in a graded and phased manner throughout the country. For introducing VVPAT systems throughout the country would cost around 2000 to 3000 crore rupees.

None of the Above Option in EVMs approved by Election Commission of India

The Election Commission of India ordered on 13 October 2013 the Chief Electoral Officers of all States and Union territories to provide for None of the Above (NOTA) option in electronic voting machines (EVMs) and ballot papers. The None of the Above option will be provided at the bottom of the panel on the EVMs or as the last row in the ballot paper after all the candidates have been listed with their respective symbols in the same language used to list the candidates. Likewise, the contours of the NOTA panel will be identical to that given to each candidate. In constituencies contesting more than 16 candidates in the fray, an extra EVM will be attached to the first balloting unit for the NOTA option as the EVMs currently in use can accommodate only 16 rows. The NOTA votes will be counted and indicated in the final result chart. The Election Commission
of India clarified that in the extreme case of the NOTA option polling more votes than any of the candidates in the fray, the candidate who gets the maximum number of votes will be declared the winner. The NOTA option was made mandatory by the Supreme Court of India on 27 September 2013 and gave the direction to the Election Commission of India to provide none of the above options at the end of the list of candidates contesting an election in a constituency.

Employment and Unemployment situation in Cities and Towns in India

Eighth quinquennial survey on employment and unemployment was released on 28 October 2013 based on the 66th round of NSS during July 2009 to June 2010. The report of the survey was estimated the employment and unemployment indicators of each of class 1 cities of India. The cities are categorized into different cities as per the population census 2001.

Categorization of cities and towns:

• Class 1 Cities - with population one million and above

• Class 2 towns - with population 50000 to one million

• Class 3 towns - with population less than 50000

The employment and unemployment was measured on the basis of three different approaches and they were:

• Usual status with a reference period of one year

• Current weekly status with one week reference period

• Current daily status based on the daily activity pursued during each day of the reference week

The survey was done in 7402 villages and 5252 urban blocks covering 100957 households. It enumerated 459784 people, which included 281327 in rural areas and 178457 in urban areas. As per the survey among the
Class 1 cities, Banaras saw about 35 percent women got employed in maximum and Agra saw minimum of employment of women which was only 2 percent.

The key findings of the 66th round of NSS survey were:

• The proportion of employed males of 15 years and above was 73 percent for class 1 cities and 74 percent for size class 2 towns and about 76 percent for size class 3 towns. For females of the same age group the
  corresponding proportions were - 17 percent for class 1 cities, 18 percent for size class 2 towns and nearly 21 percent for size class 3 towns

•  Between 2004-05 and 2009-10 the proportion of usually employed males of age 15 years and above decreased by 3 percentage points for class 1 cities, 2 percentage points for size class 2 and 3 towns each. During this period, corresponding decrease for females was 3 percentage points in class 1 cities, 4 percentage points for size class 2 towns and 7 percentage points for size class 3 towns

• Among the class 1 cities, the Worker Population Ratio (WPR) for males of age 15 years and above in the usual status, was the highest in Surat and that was 87 percent and the lowest in Meerut with 49 percent. While for females, WPR was the highest in Varanasi of 35 percent and the lowest in Agra and that is 2 percent

• During the period 2009-10, the proportion of regular wage/ salaried employees, in the usual status both among males and among females was higher than that of self-employed persons or casual labourers in class 1 cities and size class 2 towns. For size class 3 towns, proportion of self-employed was higher than regular wage/salaried employees and casual labourers for both males and females

• Among male workers of age 15 years and above in the usual status about 52 percent in class 1 cities, about 43 percent in size class 2 towns and about 31 percent in size class 3 towns were regular wage/salaried employees. Corresponding proportions for females were 58 percent for class 1 cities, 42 percent size class 2 towns and 23 percent for size class 3 towns

• Among male workers of age 15 years and above in the usual status, about 39 percent in class 1 cities, about 40 percent in size class 2 towns and about 45 percent in size class 3 towns were self-employed.Corresponding proportions for females were 33 percent for class 1 cities, 41 percent for size class 2 towns and 47 percent for size class 3 towns

• For males of age 15 years and above, the unemployment rate in the usual status remained at the same level between 2004- 05 and 2009-10 in class 1 cities and it decreased by 1 percentage point for size class 2 towns and by 2 percentage points for size class 3 towns. For females, between 2004-05 and 2009-10, the unemployment  rate in the usual status increased by 1 percentage point in class 1 cities and decreased for both size class 2 and size class 3  towns by nearly 2 percentage points each

• Among the workers in the usual status, the tertiary sector had the highest share of workers in 2009-10 compared to other two sectors in all size class of towns. Among male workers of age 15 years and above in urban India, about 59 percent were engaged in tertiary sector, about 35 per cent in secondary sector and about 6 percent in primary sector. Corresponding proportions for females were about 53 percent, 33 percent and 14 percent

• Among male workers of age 15 years and above according to the usual status in all class I cities, about 64 percent were engaged in tertiary sector, about 35 percent in secondary sector and about 1 percent in primary sector. Corresponding proportions for females were about 67 percent, 31 percent and 2 percent, respectively

• Among male workers of age 15 years and above according to the usual status in size class 2 towns, about 60 percent were engaged in tertiary sector, about 36 percent in secondary sector and about 4 percent in primary sector. Corresponding proportions for females were about 57 percent, 34 percent and 9 percent

• Among male workers of age 15 years and above according to the usual status in size class 3 towns, about 54 per cent were engaged in tertiary sector, about 33 per cent in secondary sector and about 13 per cent in primary sector. Corresponding proportions for females were about 36 percent, 34 percent and 30 percent

• Among male workers of age 15 years and above, according to usual status, the secondary sector registered nearly 3 percentage points decrease in the share of total workers during 2009-10 compared to 2004-05 for class 1 cities but increased for size class 2, size class 3 towns by 2 and 1 percentage points ‘Instant Cash’

The India Post on 11 October 2013 launched instant electronic money transfer service in partnership with Wall Street Exchange, (a company of UAE’s Emirates Post Group) in New Delhi. In this regard India Post signed an agreement with Wall Street Exchange for launch of an International Electronic Money Transfer service through Instant Cash product of the Emirates Post Group. The service was launched by P. Gopinath, Secretary, Department of Posts, by receiving the first payment from United Arab Emirates. Instant Cash is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Emirates Post Group, and its services are available in 59 countries through more than 60000 locations.

December, 2013

Co-Operative Societies Do Not Fall Within the Ambit of RTI

The Supreme Court of India on 15 October 2013 ruled that cooperative societies do not fall within the ambit of Right to Information  (RTI). While ruling the judgment a bench of justice KS Radhakrishnan and justice AK Sikri told that mere supervision or regulation of a body by government would not make that body a public authority. 

Observations of the Supreme Court of India

• Societies are of course subject to the control of the statutory authorities like Registrar, Joint Registrar and the Government. But cannot be said that the state exercises any direct or indirect control over the affairs of the society which is deep and all pervasive.

• Supervisory or general regulation under the statute over the co-operative societies, which are body corporate, does not render activities of the body so regulated as subject to such control of the State so as to bring it within the meaning of the State or instrumentality of the State.

• The mere supervision or regulation as such by a statute or otherwise of a body would not make that body a public authority within the meaning of Section 2(h)(d)(i) Right to Information Act. In other words just like a body owned or body substantially financed by the appropriate government, the control of the body by the appropriate government would also be substantial and not merely supervisory or regulatory. The ruling was given by the Supreme Court of India while quashing a circular by Kerala government. According to the Kerala government circular to the Registrar of Co-operative Societies in May 2006 all institutions formed by laws made by State Legislature is a public authority and therefore, all cooperative institutions coming under the administrative control of the Registrar of Co-operative Societies are also public authorities.

National Identification Authority of India Bill Approved

The Union Cabinet of India approved on 8 October 2013 the National Identification Authority of India Bill that will give statutory status to the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). The new law will provide for the creation of a National Identification Authority of India. It will oversee implementation of the Aadhaar project. It also seeks to define penalties in case of misuse of data collected under the Aadhaar project. The Unique Identification Authority of India issues the Aadhaar card to residents, currently operates through an executive order. The cabinet took this decision in the back ground of recent Supreme Court judgment related to Aadhaar cards will not be mandatory for availing services or benefits under Government schemes without any legal status.

Supreme Court Judgment related to that Aadhaar cards

The Supreme Court of India on 23 September 2013 ruled that Aadhaar cards or Unique Identification number (UID) will not be mandatory for availing services or benefits under Government schemes like LPG subsidy, transfer benefits, food security, vehicle registration, scholarships, marriage registration, salaries and provident fund etc. Development Board for Hyderabad-Karnataka Region President Pranab Mukherjee on 23 October  2013 issued an order, allowing the Karnataka Governor to establish a separate development board for the Hyderabad- Karnataka region under Article 371 J of the Constitution. The region comprises Gulbarga, Bidar, Raichur, Koppal, Yadgir and Bellary districts. The Presidential Order was issued under the “State of Karnataka (Special Responsibility of Governor for Karnataka-Hyderabad Region) Order, 2013” under Article 371J of
the Constitution. The Board has come into force with immediate effect. Union Cabinet Approved Setting Up of Six Additional Benches of the CESTAT The Union Cabinet of India on 17 October 2013 approved the
setting up of six additional benches of the Customs, Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT). These benches include three at existing locations in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and three new benches at Chandigarh, Allahabad and Hyderabad. The setting up of six additional benches of the Customs, Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) will decrease pendency in the cases and increase the disposal cases. It will benefit both the Government and litigants.

About The Customs, Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT)

• The Customs, Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) was constituted on the on 11 October 1982.

• It was formerly known as Customs, Excise and Gold (Control) Appellate Tribunal (CEGAT).

• The headquarters as well as Principal Bench of the CESTAT are located in Delhi.

• The main function of CESTAT is to provide an independent and impartial forum to hear the appeal against orders and decisions passed by the Commissioners of Customs and Excise under the Customs Act, 1962, Central Excise act ,1944 and Gold (Control) Act, 1968.

• After coming into operation of the Service Tax vide Chapter V of the Finance Act, 1994, Service Tax Appeals also included in the Jurisdiction of the CESTAT.

• The Tribunal is also empowered to hear the appeals against the orders passed by designated authority with regard to Anti Dumping Duties under the Customs Tariff Act, 1975.

Mahatma Gandhi Pravasi Suraksha Yojana scheme

Mahatma Gandhi Pravasi Suraksha Yojana, a pension and life insurance fund scheme for bluecollar Indian workers in UAE was launched by the Union Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs, Vyalar Ravi in Dubai on 28 October 2013. The scheme will cover 5 million overseas blue collar Indian workers who have the Emigration Clearance Required (ECR) category passports in 17 countries. ECR passports are issued to those workers who have not passed Grade 10. Around 65 per cent of more than two million Indians in the UAE are blue collar workers and most of them are in the ECR category. Blue collar jobs are pertaining to wage-earning workers
who wear work clothes or other specialized clothing on the job, as mechanics, longshoremen, and miners.

About Mahatma Gandhi Pravasi Suraksha Yojana

1. Mahatma Gandhi Pravasi Suraksha Yojana (MGPSY), a special social security scheme for overseas Indian workers on temporary work permit in 17 Emigration Check Required (ECR) countries.

2. The MGPSY is aimed at helping the workers to save money for their retirement, their return to India and resettlement and provides life insurance cover against natural death during the period of coverage.

3. It provides home and a life insurance cover for 1 lakh rupees during their work abroad.

4. The Government of India will contribute up to 2000 rupees every year for male workers and 3000 rupees every year to women workers for up to either five years or until the worker returns home, whichever is earlier.

5. It will be added to the Pension and Life Insurance (PLIF) account of each eligible subscriber.

6. The workers have to contribute between 1000 rupees and 12000 rupees per annum towards the pension fund and 4000 rupees towards the return and resettlement fund. They will derive corresponding benefits when they go back home and during their old age.

7. Indian Workers Resource Centre or IWRC is the support center for Indian workers in the UAE while Bank of Baroda is the official banking partner of the scheme to enroll the workers.

National Policy on Universal Electronic Accessibility

The Union Cabinet on 3 October 2013 approved the National Policy on Universal Electronic Accessibility that recognizes the need to eliminate discrimination on the basis of disabilities as well as to facilitate equal access to electronics and Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs).

About National Policy on Universal Electronic Accessibility

The policy will facilitate equal and unhindered access to electronics and ICTs products and services by differently abled persons (both physically and mentally challenged) and to facilitate local language support for the same. The aim of the policy shall be achieved through universal access to electronics and ICT products and services to synchronize with barrier free environment and preferably usable without adaptation. Differently abled persons all over the country will benefit from this policy.

Strategies for the implementation of the policy

1. Creating awareness on universal electronics accessibility and universal design.

2. Capacity building and infrastructure development.

3. Setting up of model electronics and ICTs centres for providing training and demonstration to special educators and physically as well as mentally challenged persons.

4. Conducting research and development, use of innovation, ideas, technology etc.

5. Developing programme and schemes with greater emphasis for differently abled women and children.

6. Developing procurement guidelines for electronics and ICTs for accessibility and assistive needs.

The National Policy on Universal Electronic Accessibility has been created on the backdrop of India ratifying the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) in 2007. The UN
Convention states that State parties shall take appropriate measures to ensure to persons with disabilities, access on an equal basis with others, to the physical environment, to transportation, to information and communications, including ICTs and systems and to other facilities and services open or provided to the public.

December, 2013

North East Regional Political Front Formed

Ten regional parties of North East India on 20 October 2013 formed the North East Regional Political Front (NERPF).The North East Regional Political Front will work to safeguard the political ,economic, social and ethnic identity of the people of the North East region. Neiphiu Rio, the Nagaland chief minister appointed as NERPF convener and Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, Asom Gana Parishad President appointed as NERPF’s chief advisor. Whlie announcing the formation of the North East Regional Political Front (NERPF) Neiphiu Rio told that NERPF is a political party and it is a federation of the regional parties. He also told that NERPF will
contest in 2014 General Elections.

Ten regional parties of North East Regional Political Front

1. Naga People’s Front (NPF)

2. Asom Gana Parishad(AGP)

3. Hills State Democratic Party

4. Meghalaya United Democratic Party

5. Manipur Peoples Party

6. Manipur State Congress Party

7. Manipur Democratic People’s Front

8. Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura,

9. Peoples Party of Arunachal

10. Mizo National Front

All-weather Zojila Tunnel Project approved

The Union Cabinet on 17 October 2013 cleared the proposal for construction of a 14-km tunnel at Zojila pass in Ladakh region. The project envisages construction of an all-weather road involving 9000 crore Rupees investment to ensure undisrupted round-the-year connectivity between Ladakh and Srinagar. The Zojila pass is situated at an altitude of 11578 ft on the Srinagar-Kargil-Leh National Highway (NH-1), which remains closed during the winter season on account of heavy snowfall and inclement weather.

About Zojila Tunnel Project

• The proposed tunnel project passing through Zojila is one of the highest mountain passes in India. Located at an altitude of about 12000 feet on National Highway-1 the Zojila tunnel along with another 6.5 km long
  tunnel at Z-Morh in Sonmarg will provide road connectivity to Ladak and Srinagar areas round the year.

• Construction of the tunnel will take seven years, and the contract for collecting toll will be for 15 years.

• The project involves construction of a two-lane and bi-directional tunnel with an escape route. The project will be constructed on annuity mode, where government will pay back the private developer’s investment in
  installments once the stretch becomes operational.

Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine -JENVAC launched

The Union Health and Family Welfare Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad on 4 October 2013 launched the indigenously produced Japanese Encephalitis (JE) vaccine JENVAC in New Delhi. The vaccine has been jointly developed by scientists of National Institute of Virology (NIV) Pune, Indian Council of Medical Research and Bharat Biotech Limited- Hyderabad. JENVAC is India’s first indigenously developed vaccine for treating Japanese Encephalitis, a mosquito-borne viral disease that affects the brain. The newly developed JENVAC is the highly purified inactivated vaccine can be administered during epidemics without the fear of adverse effects. It is available in both single dose and five dose presentations. The vaccine has been developed under the Public Private Partnership mode. Japanese Encephalitis, which is prevalent in 171 districts of 19 States, affects mostly children below 15 years. About 25 per cent of the affected children die and among survivors, 30 to 40 per cent suffer from physical and mental impairment. The indigenous production will now improve the efficacy, availability and affordability of the vaccine which is presently being imported from China.

3 percent Reservation for Disabled Persons in all Govt Jobs mandatory

The Supreme Court of India on 8 October 2013 directed the Union and all state governments to provide 3 percent job reservation to disabled persons in all their departments, companies and institutions. The bench headed by Chief Justice of India P Sathasivam clarified that the principle of not exceeding more than 50 percent reservation would not be applicable while granting quota for disabled persons. Supreme Court of India also directed
the authorities to compile the number of vacancies in all their departments to give jobs to disabled persons under 3 percent reserved quota within 3 months. While giving this direction the bench also said that Government has categorical obligation to protect the right of disabled persons and passed a slew of directions for providing jobs to the Disabled Persons.

Lalu Prasad Yadav Convicted in the Fodder Scam

The Special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court pronounced a verdict on 30 September 2013 related to 17-yearold multi crore fodder scam case. In this case main convicted persons were Rashtriya Janata Dal(RJD)chief Lalu Prasad Yadav , former Bihar Chief Minister and Congress leader Jagannath Mishra and 43 others. Lalu Prasad Yadav sentenced to five year term related the fodder scam. Lalu Prasad Yadav now becomes one of the first politicians to lose his parliamentary seat after a recent Supreme Court ruling which bans convicted legislators from holding the office. Rajya Sabha member Rasheed Masood became the first
politician to lose his parliamentary seat after a recent Supreme Court ruling on convicted law makers. Supreme Court Judgment related convicted MPs and MLAs

According to the Supreme Court Judgment related convicted MPs and MLAs, once they convicted in any court regardless of appeals to higher courts they will automatically lose their MPs and MLAs seats. Supreme Court judgment on 10 July 2013 struck down sub-section 4 of Section 8 of Representation of the People Act, under which incumbent MPs and MLAs can avoid disqualification till pendency of the appeal against conviction in a higher court.

Disqualification provisions under Indian Constitution

According to the Indian Constitution Article 102 for Member of either house of Parliament (MP) and Article 191 for Member of Legislative Assembly or Council (MLA or MLC) a person shall be disqualified for following conditions:-

(a) If he holds any office of profit under the Government of India or the Government of any State, other than an office declared by Parliament by law not to disqualify its holder

(b) If he is of unsound mind andstands so declared by a competent court.

(c) If he is an un discharged insolvent

(d) If he is not a citizen of India, or has voluntarily acquired the citizenship of a foreign State, or is under any acknowledgment of allegiance or adherence to a foreign State

(e) If he is so disqualified by or under any law made by Parliament.

EC issued Guidelines on use of Social Media in Election Campaigning

The Election Commission of India on 25 October 2013 issued a series of instructions to political parties and candidates on utilising the Internet and social media websites for poll campaign and advertisements. In this regard an order sent to Chief Electoral Officers of the States and the Union Territories, and recognised national and regional political parties in the country. EC new regulations came in the interest of maintaining transparency and a
level playing field during polls. EC regulations would henceforth apply to all kinds of social media like collaborative projects (Wikipedia, etc.), blogs and micro blogs (like twitter.com), content communities (like YouTube), social networking sites (like Facebook) and virtual game-worlds (like Apps). 

Instructions of Election Commission of India

1. Every candidate, at the time of filing the nomination, has to give their e-mail IDs and accounts of their social networking sites, if any, for monitoring by poll or expenditure officials.

2. Contents of the advertisements issued by parties or candidates in such websites should be pre-certified by the appropriate authorities and all expenditure made towards such campaign or advertisement would be included in the election expenditure accounts of candidates or parties.

3. The provisions of the code of conduct and related instructions issued by it would apply to the content being posted on the Internet, including the social media websites, by candidates and parties.

4. Payments made to social media websites for carrying advertisements, expenditure on development of content, and spending on salaries for staff hired to maintain the social media accounts of the parties and the candidates would be included in poll expenses.

The Election Commission’s order is significant in view of the upcoming Assembly polls in Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram and Rajasthan and 2014 general elections.

December, 2013

Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA), a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for reforming the state higher education system, on 3 October 2013.
Steps to be taken up as per the Plan

• As per this, during the 12th Plan period, 80 new universities would be created by converting autonomous colleges or colleges in a cluster to State universities.

• 100 new colleges, including professional and technical colleges would be set up and 54 existing colleges would be converted into model degree colleges.

• Infrastructure grants would be given to 150 universities and 3500 colleges to upgrade and fill critical gaps in infrastructure especially libraries and laboratories.

• Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan would also support 5000 faculty positions. Primary features of the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA)

• In the 12th Plan period, RUSA  would have a financial outlay of 22855 crore Rupees, out of which 16227 crore Rupees will be borne by the Centre.

• Apart from this, allocation of 1800 crore Rupees in the 12th Plan for the existing scheme Sub-Mission polytechnics would also be subsumed in RUSA.

• Therefore, the total central share, including the existing scheme of polytechnics will be 18027 crore Rupees during the 12th plan.

• Centre-State funding would be in the ratio of 90:10 for North- Eastern States, Sikkim, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand and 65:35 for other States and Union Territories.

• RUSA will be a new Centrally Sponsored Scheme spread over two plan periods, for improving access, equity and quality in the state higher education system.

• RUSA also aims to incentivise States to step up plan investments in higher education. Primary Objectives of Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA)

• Improving the overall quality of existing state higher educational institutions by ensuring conformity to prescribed norms and standards and adoption of accreditation as a mandatory quality assurance framework

• Correct regional imbalances in access to higher education through high quality institutions in rural and semi urban areas as well as creating opportunities for students from rural areas to get access to better quality institutions

• Setting up of higher education institutions in unserved and underserved areas

• Improve equity in higher education by providing adequate opportunities to socially deprived communities; promote inclusion of women, minorities, SC/ST and OBCs as well as differently-abled persons

• Ensure adequate availability of quality faculty in all higher educational institutions and ensure capacity building at all levels

• Create an enabling atmosphere in higher educational institutions to devote themselves to research and innovation

• Integrate skill developments efforts of the government with the conventional higher education system through optimum interventions

• All funding under RUSA would be norm based and future grants would be performance based and outcome dependent. Commitment by States and institutions to certain academic, administrative and governance reforms will be a precondition for receiving funding.

First Mega Food Park in Uttar Pradesh Established at Jagdishpur

Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing, Government of India Dr. Charan Das Mahant laid the foundation stone on 8 October 2013 for establishment of  Shaktiman mega Food Park (the first
in the north India) in Jagdishpur of Amethi district in Uttar Pradesh.

Features of Shaktiman Mega Food Park

• The Shaktiman Mega Food Park was set up with assistance under the programme Scheme of Mega Food Parks.

• It will be developed with the assistance of Aditya Birla Group.

• The Park will have mostmodern infrastructure and facilities for food processing.

• It will help small and medium sized entrepreneurs, self-help groups and farmer-groups to set up food processing industries.

• It will create a market for raw material and in turn provide better prices to farmers for their produce.

• It will generate direct and indirect employment of 30000 persons.

• It will provide essential services like dry warehousing, cold storage.

• It will also act as a farmer friendly bank and fully equipped education and business centres.

• It will helpful for farmers, food processors and the local economy.

About MEGA FOOD PARK SCHEME (MFPS)

• The Vision 2015 of Ministry of Food Processing Industries aims to raise the processing of perishables in the country from existing 6 percent to 20 percent, value addition from 20 percent to 35 percent and the share in global food trade from 1.5 percent to 3 percent by year 2015.

• To realize the Vision 2015 Ministry of Food Processing Industries pledged support under the Mega Food Park Scheme (MFPS).

• Each Mega Food Park (MFP) will be subsidized with an amount of 50 crore Rupees on a milestone and progress achievement basis.

• The scheme aims at facilitating the establishment of a strong food processing infrastructure backed by an efficient supply chain.

• The processing centres have infrastructure required for processing, packaging, environmental protection systems, quality control labs, trade facilitation etc.

Union Cabinet Approved the Creation of a New State of Telangana

The Union Cabinet on 3 October 2013 approved the creation of a new State of Telangana by bifurcating the existing State of Andhra Pradesh.

Union Cabinet Decisions

1. The city of Hyderabad will function as the common capital for both the States (Telangana and Seemandhra) for a period of ten years.

2. The Union Cabinet has also approved the setting up of a Group of Ministers (GoM) to work out the various legal and administrative measures to ensure the safety and security of the residents of all the regions of the State including the guarantee of the Fundamental Rights.

3. The Union Cabinet further approved that the Group of Ministers will go into the various issues which concern both the States and suggest appropriate measures to address them.

4. The Group of Ministers will also work out the modalities for the provision of special financial disbursements required for the setting up of a new capital for the residuary State of Andhra Pradesh and to meet the
   special needs of the backward regions and districts of the two States.

The new state will have a geographical area of 10 of the 23 districts of undivided Andhra Pradesh. The districts that will be a part of the new State are Hyderabad, Adilabad, Karimnagar, Khammam, Mahaboobnagar, Medak, Nalgonda, Nizamabad, Rangareddy and Warangal.

December, 2013

A Committee on Babhli Barrage Project approved

The Union cabinet of India approved on 17 October 2013 the appointment of a three-member supervisory committee headed by a representative of the Central Water Commission on construction of Babhli Barrage issue. The other two members of the committee were including one representative from the state of Andhra Pradesh and one representative from the Maharashtra.The Union Government took this decision to implement the direction the Supreme Court of India. The Supreme Court wasdirected the Centre to constitute a three-member Supervisory Committee to deal with the Babhli Barrage issue on 28 February 2013.

About The Babhli barrage

• The Babhli project / barrage is a controversial reservoir project being constructed by Maharashtra state across the river Godavari.

• The project brought dispute between Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra states.

Background

• The State of Andhra Pradesh in May, 2005 brought to the notice of the Central Government that Government of Maharashtra was constructing Babhli barrage in the submergence area of Sriram Sagar Project in violation Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal award.

• In this regard Central Water Commission (CWC) held two meetings with officers of the States of Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra in 2005. Besides, another meeting was held between the officers of the States of Andhra Pradesh and Maharashstra in 2005.

• But the matter could not be resolved despite meetings by Central Water Commission between the two states.

• The Andhra Pradesh government filed a case in the Supreme Court of India against Maharashtra and the Government of India and asked the Supreme Court of India to grant a permanent injunction restraining Maharashtra from undertaking or proceeding with the construction Babhli Barrage.

• The Supreme Court directed the Union Government to constitute a three-member Supervisory Committee to deal with the issue.

About Central Water Commission

• Central Water Commission is a premier Technical Organization of India in the field of Water Resources.

• It is functioning as an attached office of the Ministry of Water Resources, Government of India.

• The Commission is entrusted with the general responsibilities of initiating, coordinating and furthering in consultation of the State Governments concerned, schemes for control, conservation and utilization of water resources throughout the country, for purpose of Flood Control, Irrigation, Navigation, Drinking Water Supply and Water Power Development.

• It also undertakes the investigations, construction and execution of any such schemes as required.

Ordinance and Bill Relating to Representation of People’s Act Withdrawn

Union Cabinet on 2 October 2013 decided to withdraw the ordinance on convicted lawmakers, as well as the Bill that sought to amend the Representation of the People Act. The Cabinet took the decision in a meeting which was chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi on 2 October 2013. The Union Cabinet had approved on 24 September 2013 the Ordinance which sought to negate the Supreme Court order of 10 July 2013 which ruled that any lawmaker would stand immediately disqualified if convicted by a court. The Ordinance was not signed by President Pranab Mukherjee as he had reservations on it. Government had resorted to the Ordinance route after it failed to get a Bill in this regard passed by Parliament during the Monsoon session which ended in September 2013. The ordinance, once promulgated, will allow the convicted MPs or MLAs to continue in office if their appeal is admitted by a higher court within 90 days of conviction by the trial court. However, they will not be allowed to vote or draw salaries till the case is decided.

About the Ordinance

The Ordinance is the Legislative Power of President of India covered in Article 123 of Constitution of India. Article 123 of Constitution of India:

Power of President to promulgate Ordinances during recess of Parliament.

(1) If at any time, except when both Houses of Parliament are in session, the President is satisfied that circumstances exist which render it necessary for him to take immediate action, he may promulgate such Ordinances as the circumstances appear to him to require.

(2) An ordinance promulgated under this article shall have the same force and effect as an Act of Parliament, but every such ordinance-

• Shall be laid before both Houses of Parliament and shall cease to operate at the expiration of six weeks from the reassembly of Parliament, or, if before the expiration of that period resolutions disapproving it are passed by both Houses, upon the passing of the second of those resolutions; and

• May be withdrawn at any time by the President. Explanation.- Where the Houses of Parliament are summoned to reassemble on different dates, the period of six weeks shall be reckoned from the later of those dates for the purposes of this clause.

(3) If and so far as an Ordinance under this article makes any provision, which Parliament would not under this Constitution be competent to enact, it shall be void.

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