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National News

P. K. Misra Takes over as Secretary, Steel

Shri Pradeep Kumar Misra has taken over as Secretary, Ministry of Steel, Government of India. Earlier, Shri Misra was Special Secretary and Establishment Officer in the Ministry of Personnel and Training. Shri Misra belongs to the UP cadre of the 1976 batch of the Indian Administrative Service. Shri Misra has taken over from Shri Atul Chaturvedi.

NDMA Releases Guidelines on Management of Tsunamis

The National Disaster Management Guidelines on Management of Tsunamis were released by Shri. Prithviraj Chavan, Minister of State (IC) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences here today. The Minister expressed the hope that the Guidelines will address the critical gaps and offer comprehensive strategies for strengthening the preparedness, mitigation and emergency response capacities in tsunami-prone areas. He called upon the need for adequate community awareness on tsunami risk and vulnerability, and people’s participation in strengthening disaster preparedness, mitigation and emergency response in the coastal areas
These guidelines recognize the fact that even though tsunami is a low probability event, it is capable of resulting in enormous loss of lives, loss of property, assets and public infrastructure in the coastal areas. These Guidelines are an important step towards comprehensive tsunami risk management in India, by developing resilience to face future tsunamis and for integrating risk mitigation measures as a part of routine safety culture.
General N.C.Vij, Vice Chairman, NDMA, in his address, narrated briefly the importance of the Guidelines for effective management of Tsunamis. He mentioned that Disaster Management is being mainstreamed into the developmental planning process. He also mentioned that subject of Disaster Management has been made a part of educational curriculum.
Dr. Shailesh Nayak, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, gave a brief introduction about the Early Warning System. He mentioned the significant contribution made by scientific and technological community in improving the early warning and the dissemination to the disaster-prone communities. He informed that India has been asked to lead the global Tsunami Warning System.

India and South Korea Sign two Landmark MoUs to Boost Defence Cooperation

Heralding a new chapter in the history of defence cooperation, India and South Korea today signed two landmark Memoranda of Understanding to give a huge boost to the Strategic Partnership between the two countries. The two MoUs were signed at the end of nearly ninety minutes of intensive discussions, marked by warmth, between the delegations of the two countries, led by their Defence Ministers, Mr AK Antony and Mr Kim Tae-young in Seoul. This was the first ever visit of a Defence Minister of India to South Korea. Shri Antony was accompanied by a high-level delegation including the Defence Secretary Shri Pradeep Kumar, Vice Admiral RK Dhowan, Lt General KT Parnaik, Dr Prahlada and Shri Sundaram Krishna.

The first MoU signed by Mr Antony and Mr Kim envisages exchange of defence related experience and information, mutual exchange of visits by military personnel and experts including civilian staff associated with defence services, military education and training and conduct of military exercises, exchange of visits of ships and aircraft, as jointly decided between the two countries. The MoU further envisages cooperation in humanitarian assistance and international peace keeping activities. The MoU will remain valid for a period of five years with provision for its extension by five more years.

The Second MoU was signed by the Chief Controller of Research and Development of DRDO, Dr Prahlada and Vice Commissioner, Defence Acquisition and Procurement Agency (DAPA) of South Korea, Mr Kwon Oh Bong. To be operational under the overarching umbrella of India- South Korea Defence Agreement, the MoU aims at identifying futuristic defence technology areas of mutual interest and pursuing R&D works in both the countries. It also envisages co- development and co-production of defence products with Indian industry through DRDO. There will be joint IPR on all the products developed through this mechanism. Some areas of immediate interest e.g., marine systems, electronics and intelligent systems have been identified as priority tasks.

Speaking at the meeting, Mr Antony said New Delhi will be happy to see the defence industry relationship to be more than a buyer-seller relationship and its further evolution into Transfer of Technology, joint production and joint R&D etc. He hoped that ‘his visit will start a new chapter in our already close relationship’.

Mr Kim said the two MoUs signed today will provide a win-win scenario for the two countries in a number of areas.

The talks covered a wide range of security issues- both regional and global.

Maritime Security

Mr Antony said India and South Korea share common perception of maintaining peace as well as ensuring safety and security of sea lanes of communication in the region. He said regular exchanges towards ensuring maritime security is important to both countries, especially in securing vital energy supplies that pass through the Indian Ocean. ‘ It is of particular importance for like- minded countries working in the Gulf of Aden to coordinate efforts and also exchange information on the happenings in the area. We look forward to continued and enhanced cooperation between the navies of India and South Korea in this regard’, said Mr Antony.

Regional Security Scenario

Talking about the regional security scenario in the Indian subcontinent, Mr Antony said we live in a troubled neighbourhood. ‘ Some call it a fragile region. We have to maintain balance and restraint even in the face of grave challenges to our security. Our intention is to develop friendly and cooperative relations with all our neighbours so that we can focus on our major development needs’, Mr Antony said.

East Asian Architecture

Mr Antony said India looks at itself as an integral part of East Asia. India is a founding member of East Asia Summit and as such, looks at the emerging architecture in East Asia as open and inclusive. ‘That is why we welcome the decision of ASEAN Foreign Ministers to move towards the inclusion of the United States and Russia as members of the East Asia Summit. We look forward to working closely with South Korea in the emerging architecture in this part of the world’, he said.

Earlier in the morning, Mr Antony along with the delegation drove down to the National Cemetery in Seoul and laid a wreath there. He also inspected, amid light drizzle, a traditional colourful inter-services guard of honour presented by the South Korean Armed Forces on arrival at the Ministry of Defence Head quarters.

Schedule for Bye-Election to Fill the Casual Vacancy in the Legislative Assembly of Chhattisgarh

There is a casual vacancy from 5-Bhatgaon AC in the State Legislative Assembly of Chhattisgarh which needs to be filled up. After taking into consideration various factors like, festivities, electoral rolls, etc., the Commission has decided to hold bye-election to fill up this casual vacancy as per programme indicated below: -

Programme

Event	Date
1. Issue of Notification	06.09.2010 (Monday)
2. Last date of making Nominations	13.09.2010 (Monday)
3. Scrutiny of Nominations	14.09.2010 (Tuesday)
4.Last date for withdrawal of Candidatures	16.09.2010 (Thursday)
5. Date of Poll	01.10.2010 (Friday)
6. Counting of Votes	04.10.2010 (Monday) (to start at 8.00 am)
7. Date before which election shall be completed	07.10.2010 (Thursday)
Hours of Poll	8.00 AM to 5.00 PM

ELECTORAL ROLL

The post-delimited electoral rolls in the State of Chhattisgarh including 5-Bhatgaon AC, with reference to 1.1.2010 as the qualifying date, have been revised and published on 01.09.2010.

ELECTRONIC VOTING MACHINES (EVMs)

The Commission has decided to use EVMs in this bye-election in all the polling stations. Adequate number of EVMs has been made available and all steps have been taken to ensure that the poll is conducted smoothly with the help of thesemachines.

IDENTIFICATION OF VOTERS

In consonance with the past practice, the Commission has decided that the voter’s identification shall be mandatory in the aforementioned bye-election at the time of poll. Electoral Photo Identity Cards (EPICs) shall be the main document of identity of a voter. However, in order to ensure that no voter is deprived of his/her franchise, if his/her name figures in the Electoral Rolls, separate instructions will be issued to allow additional documents for identification of voters at the time of poll in these bye-elections.

MODEL CODE OF CONDUCT

The Model Code of Conduct shall come into force with immediate effect in the district in which the whole or any part of the Assembly Constituency going for bye-election is included. The Model Code of Conduct shall be applicable to all candidates, political parties and the State Government. The Model Code of Conduct shall also be applicable to the Union Government as far as this State is concerned.

Have to consider options to save question hour: Ansari

New Delhi, Aug 31 : Expressing concern over the disruption of question hour in parliament, Rajya Sabha chairman Hamid Ansari said Tuesday that there are plans to reschedule the one-hour slot to a later part of the day.

In his valedictory address in the Rajya Sabha, which adjourned sine die Tuesday, Ansari expressed anguish that disruption of question hour was taking place with "disturbing regularity". "The practice tramples on the rights of individual members, detracts from the dignity of parliament and has invited public criticism," he added.

He said the current session, which ended Tuesday, had seen eight question hours "lost", while the house could not conduct business for five days.

"It may be noted that while the other time lost is compensated by sitting beyond the normal hours, it is only the question hour which is irretrievably lost in disruptions," said Ansari.

He said that he will continue to consult members on the rescheduling of business in order to "strike a balance between expression of perceived concerns and the normal business for the day".

"One option is to start the proceedings with the zero hour at 11 a.m.and take up the question hour later in the day," Ansari suggested.

The monsoon session of parliament had started July 26.

Bank frauds cross Rs

2017 crore: RBI

Mumbai, Aug 29 : Banks across the country have shown the increased trend in frauds in 2009-10 with the fraud amount crossing the Rs 2000 mark and the number of rackets reported by the banks touching 24,797.

According to the Reserve Bank of India Annual Report for 2009-10, from a mere 13,914 fraud cases amounting to Rs 1381 crore in 2005-06, the number of fraud cases last fiscal rose to 24,797 with the total amount involved being Rs 2017 crore. In 2008-09, the number of cases reported were 23,914 with the amount involved being Rs 1883 crore.

The Report said of the total fraud cases, those cases in which the value of frauds was more than Rs one crore numbered 225 last year with the amount lost being Rs 1524 crore. The corresponding figures for the previous fiscal were 212 cases involving Rs 1404 crore.

RBI said fraud monitoring mechanism in the Central bank had so far been primarily based on criminal intention involving financial loss to the bank and undue gain to the perpetrators or fraudsters.

As per an internal review, the fraud will have to be defined in a non legal manner without putting exclusive emphasis on criminal intention being reason. The change in definition could lead to supervisory focus on serious wrongdoings which were apparently not the outcome of simple negligence.

RBI said banks, would have to continue to take necessary legal action in respect of frauds as before.

Five rupee

commemorative coin on

Mother Teresa released

New Delhi, Aug 29 : The Central Government on Saturday released a five-rupee coin and a souvenir on Mother Teresa to mark her centenary birth anniversary celebrations.

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee released the coin and presented the first coin to President Pratibha Devisingh Patil.

On the occasion, President Patil said: "Mother Teresa was the epitome of compassion and all through her life she served selflessly to spread the message of love and compassion through her work. She was truly the embodiment of the word Mother in its fullest, truest and complete sense."

"She believed in doing simple and ordinary things, in an extraordinary manner by infusing love and care. Mother Teresa came to be known as the Messiah of the poor and abundant because she cared for those who were uncared for," added Mukherjee.

Mother Teresa was born in Skopje, Macedonia on August 26, 1910 and named Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu.

She arrived in India in 1929 at the age of 18, took up teaching, and chose the name Teresa when she became a nun on May 24, 1931.

Mother Teresa became an Indian citizen in 1948 and lived in Kolkata. She was popularly known as the 'Saint of the Gutter' for her extraordinary love and dedication to the poor, homeless and diseased.

She received several national and international awards for social service during her lifetime. They included the Bharat Ratna, the Magsaysay Award in 1962, the Pope John XXIII Peace Prize in 1971, the John F. Kennedy International Award in 1971 and the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979.

She died on September 5, 1997 at the age of 87.

The Pope beatified Mother Teresa in October 2003, paving the way for her canonisation.

IndusInd Bank ties-up

with Tata Motors for car

financing

New Delhi, Aug 27 : Tata Motors and IndusInd Bank Ltd today announced that they have entered into an agreement, under which the Bank will provide financial needs to the auto manufacturer's car customers.

IndusInd Bank has already tied-up with Tata Motors for their other range of vehicles like commercial vehicle, light commercial vehicle, multi utility vehicle and construction equipment.

Passenger Vehicle Business Unit, Tata Motors Ltd, Vice President, Mr R Ramakrishnan said, ''IndusInd ranks in the top retail financiers for Tata Motors commercial vehicle segment today and we are happy to extend this partnership for our passenger vehicle business as well. IndusInd Bank will be one of the preferred financiers for Tata cars and utility vehicles.'' IndusInd Bank Head-Consumer Banking
Sumant Kathpalia said, ''The signing of the MoU will go a long way in aiding our foray into car finance segment. We are keen to grow its portfolio exponentially and this alliance will strengthen our presence in the passenger car segment apart from enabling us to offer numerous value added services to our customers.'' The Bank has a vast network of 224 branches, over 500 business outlets and 533 ATMs spread over 180 geographical locations in 28 states and union territories across the country.

Free distribution of food grains an order, not suggestion: SC

2010-08-31

Farm Minister Sharad Pawar speaks during an interview with Reuters in New D...

New Delhi: Taking exception to Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar's statement, the Supreme Court today asserted that it had ordered free distribution of foodgrains to the poor instead of allowing them to rot in godowns and it was not a suggestion as made out by him.

"It was not a suggestion. It is there in our order. You tell the Minister," the court told the government counsel.

A bench of Justices Dalveer Bhandari and Dipak Verma referring to newspaper reports that the Union Minister had claimed there was no such order, clarified that it did pass such an order.

Rs.25 lakh foodgrain scam in Bihar flood relief

Pawar had said, "The Supreme Court's suggestion (for free grain) is not possible to implement."

The apex court in an order directed the Union government to conduct a fresh survey of the BPL/ABPL/AAY beneficiaries on the basis of the figures available for 2010 and said the authorities cannot rely on a decade-old data to extend the benefits.

The bench further said that the government must take urgent steps to prevent further rotting of food grains while maintaining that it must procure only that much quantity which it can preserve.

The bench reiterated its earlier order that persons above poverty line shall not be entitled to subsidised foodgrains but if the government was determined to extend the benefit, the same shall be given to those families whose annual income is below Rs three lakhs.

India and Switzerland Sign Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement

A protocol amending the existing Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement was signed here today between Republic of India and Swiss Federal Council. The Signing ceremony was held at the Ministry of Finance, North Block, New Delhi. The protocol was signed for the Republic of India by Shri Pranab Mukherjee, Finance Minister while the Swiss Federal Council Foreign Minister, Ms. Micheline Calmy-Rey signed for the other side. Shri Ashok Chawla, Finance Secretary, Shri Sunil Mitra, Revenue Secretary, Dr. Kaushik Basu, Chief Economic Advisor from Indian side and Ambassador Philippe Welti, Ambassador George Marlin amonth others were present from Swiss side.

The Vice President, Shri Mohd. Hamid Ansari interacting with the Heads of Missions, in New Delhi on August 28, 2010.

Demarcation of High Tide Line on Coastal Survey Plan

The State of Goa completed the demarcation of High Tide Line (HTL), 200mts line and 500mts line along the sea coast onto the Cadastral Survey Plan. With the technical assistance of National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), Dona Paula State’s Directorate of Settlement and Land Records (DSLR) completed the task along with the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA). The methodology adopted is in conformity with the guidelines framed under the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 1991.

The Coastal Regulation Zone maps are available to the public which are with the Directorate of Settlement and Land Records, Government of Goa. Further, the village-wise Cadastral Survey Plans are also provided to the Coastal Village Panchayats, which are available on request and payment of requisite fees.

Government of Goa has already initiated steps to put up the maps on the website of the Department of Science, Technology & Environment, Government of Goa.

Loan Agreements with World Bank for Industrial Pollution Prevention

The Government has signed loan agreements with the World Bank for Industrial Pollution Prevention (IPP) with the total cost of the project as Rs.339.26crores.

For the Industrial Pollution Prevention project, the contribution of the World Bank is Rs.288.68crores. The repayment period of the loan ranges upto 30-35 years commencing from December, 2020.

The IPP Project includes, the development of a framework for the establishment of a National Programme for Rehabilitation of Polluted Sites and to build the technical capacity of select State Pollution Control Boards for undertaking environmentally sound remediation action for the identified highly polluted sites.

The World Bank loan assistance alongwith Government of India and State Government contribution would be utilized for activities relating to remediation of highly polluted sites two in Andhra Pradesh and eight in West Bengal on pilot basis are undertaken.

NCP to make efforts for passage of women's reservation bill

NCP leader and Union minister of state for Rural Development Agatha Sangma on Sunday said that her party will make a concerted effort for passage of the women's reservation bill in the Lok Sabha at the earliest.

The NCP favoured passage of the women's reservation bill by the Lok Sabha at the earliest in order to provide political empowerment to the fair gender, she said at the state-level women's conference of her party.

Sangma expressed optimism that the UPA government will table the women's reservation bill in the Lok Sabha in due course of time for passage by the House with support from like minded political parties on the issue.

On the prospect of the women's reservation bill being tabled in the ongoing monsoon session of the Lok Sabha, she said that due to some pressing legislative business it could not be done so, but the government will introduce the bill at an opportune time and seek to ensure its passage by the House.

She justified the demand for political empowerment of women and their due share of representation in the decision -making process and said that the women, be it from North-East or Bihar or any part of the country faced identical socio - economic problems.

On her maiden visit to Bihar, the Union minister sought to play down the war of words between the Congress and the NDA government on the state's development with Central funds and said that both the state and Central government have contributed towards development process.

On the NCP's prospects in the ensuing assembly polls in Bihar, she said her party will seek to improve its performance even as the party was yet to decide its candidates for the polls.

PM unveils call centre 'Udyami

Helpline' for MSMEs

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday inaugurated a call centre 'Udyami Helpline', which will provide information about business possibilities and loan facilities to entrepreneurs keen on setting up small units.

After inaugurating the helpline, the Prime Minister said this initiative would help in expanding the outreach of support provided under the various schemes and programmes of the government, an official statement said in New Delhi.

"The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) call centre will satisfy the need of a single point facility providing a wide range of information and accessibility of banks to such units," it said.

The Prime Minister said first generation entrepreneurs faced hurdles in credit availability, technology and marketing.

The government support in these areas can improve their viability problems to a large extent.

He also emphasised that the MSMEs play a vital role in employment generation.

The toll-free number 1800-180-6763, which would offer services between 6 am to 10 pm throughout the year, would provide information on a wide range of subjects, including guidance on setting up a units, access loans from banks, project profiles and about various MSME schemes.

The facility, which would be available in both English and Hindi, would also help in lodging complaints with various central and state government agencies dealing with MSMEs, including banks.

"The helpline will improve public access to the government, particularly from the rural and remote areas of the country and make the government more responsive to the public needs," the statement said.

Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Minister Dinsha Patel, Secretary Dinesh Rai and senior officers of the ministry were also present on the occasion.

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The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh Chairperson, UPA and National Advisory Council, Smt. Sonia Gandhi, the Chairman of the Advisory Committee and President, ICCR, Dr. Karan Singh and the noted scholar Maulana Wahiduddin Khan at the Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana Award

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function, in New Delhi on August 20, 2010.

The President, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil receives the first copy of the book of PN Panicker, at the closing ceremony of PN Panicker Centenary Celebrations, at Kanakakkunnu Palace, Kerala on August 13, 2010.
The Governor of Kerala, Shri R.S. Gavai and other dignitaries are also seen.

The President, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil lighting of the lamp at the inauguration of the closing ceremony of PN Panicker Centenary Celebrations, at Kanakakkunnu Palace, Kerala on August 13, 2010.
The Governor of Kerala, Shri R.S. Gavai and other dignitaries are also seen.

NCC cadets participating at the full dress rehearsal of the 64th Independence Day, at Red Fort, in Delhi on August 13, 2010.

The Children in tricolor formation at the full dress rehearsal of the 64th Independence Day, at Red Fort, in Delhi on August 13, 2010.

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh meeting the Prime Minister of United Kingdom, Mr. David Cameron, in New Delhi on July 29, 2010.

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh and the Prime Minister of United Kingdom, Mr. David Cameron at the Joint Press Conference, in New Delhi on July 29, 2010.

TheSecretary, Ministry of Culture, Shri Jawhar Sircar and the Sports and Culture Secretary of UK, Mr. Jeremy Hunt signing an agreement in the field of Culture, in the presence of the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh and Prime Minister of United Kingdom, Mr. David Cameron, in New Delhi on July 29, 2010.

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