The Union Home Minister, Shri P. Chidambaram administering the oath to the officers and staff of the Ministry of Home Affairs on the occasion of Anti Terrorism Day, in New Delhi. The Ministers of State for Home Affairs, Shri Mullappally Ramachandran and Shri Jitendra Singh and the Union Home Secretary, Shri R.K. Singh are also seen.

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Delhi,,

Anti Terrorism Day is being observed throughout the country today. Employees in Govt. offices, Public Sector Undertakings and other public institutions in the country took a pledge to oppose all forms of terrorism & violence. The Union Home Minister Shri P.Chidambaram administered the oath to the officers and staff of the Ministry of Home Affairs in North Block this morning.

The Day is observed to generate awareness in the country among all sections of people, about the danger of terrorism, violence and its dangerous effect on the people, the society and the country as a whole.

`The objective behind the observance of Anti-Terrorism Day is to wean away the youth from the terrorist/violence cult by highlighting the suffering of the common people and showing how it is prejudicial to the national interest. These objectives are aimed to be achieved by organizing debates/discussions in schools, colleges and universities; holding of symposia/seminars, lectures, etc. on the dangers of terrorism & violence and a determined and sustained drive to bring about a mass awakening against terrorism and violence.

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The Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD) has informed that water is lost from urban water supply systems due to leakages, categorized as physical and revenue leakages or technical and non-technical losses. The losses are due to water actually leaked out, theft, illegal connections and water that is not properly accounted for due to non-metering or incorrect metering. Several studies for these water losses, commonly called non-revenue water (NRW) indicate that it varies from 30 to 50% etc. The results of the pilot study in 28 cities of India in 2008-09 indicate the average NRW as 39%.

Urban water supply is the responsibility of the State Governments/Local bodies. However, MoUD is providing technical guidance to them in reducing water leakages through guidance notes and roll-out of service level benchmarks. Under the service level benchmarking programme initiated by the MoUD since 2008, the water supply providers are required to measure and quantify their service delivery performances, including reporting on NRW. These service level benchmarks have also been recognized by the 13th Finance Commission as one of the conditions for the Cities/ States to draw performance grants.

This information was given by the Minister of Water Resources & Parliamentary Affairs Shri Pawan Kumar Bansal.

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The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India has declared TB as a mandatory notifiable disease with immediate effect.

In order to ensure proper TB diagnosis and case management, reduce TB transmission and address the problems of emergence of spread of Drug Resistant-TB, it is essential to have complete information of all TB cases. For the purpose of this notification, healthcare providers will include clinical establishments run or managed by the Government (including local authorities), private or NGO sectors and/or individual practitioners.

Notification of TB cases by all healthcare providers will help patients with better access to quality diagnosis and treatment. This would facilitate early diagnosis, rational treatment, prevention of complications, drug resistance and reduce deaths due to TB. This notification system will also help the healthcare providers to offer better linkages for quality diagnostic and treatment services to the TB patients. Further it will facilitate the National TB Control Programme to realistically estimate TB disease burden, plan resources and control measures commensurate with the actual burden of disease for larger interest of the public and nation as a whole.

TB continues to be a major public health problem accounting for substantial morbidity and mortality in the country. Early diagnosis and complete treatment of TB is the corner-stone of TB prevention and control strategy. Inappropriate diagnosis and irregular/incomplete treatment with anti-TB drugs may contribute to complications, disease spread and emergence of Drug Resistant TB.

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The security of Delhi Metro has been entrusted to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and the Delhi Police. As per the Information received from Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (DMRC) and CISF, 4869 CISF personnel are deployed for security of all lines of Delhi Metro. DMRC has also reported that there are seven designated police stations for Delhi Metro for looking after law and order, prevention and detection of crime and investigation.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Urban Development Shri Saugata Roy.

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Comprehensive data with regard to acquisition of Pharma companies by multi-national companies is not maintained by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry. However, FDI equity inflows, of US $ 341.49 million, have been recorded, under the acquisition route, in the drugs and pharmaceuticals sector, between April, 2009 to February, 2012.

The existing policy on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), in the pharmaceuticals sector, was reviewed, vide Press Note 3 (2011), issued on 8 November, 2011, as under.

(i) FDI, upto 100%, under the automatic route, is permitted for Greenfield investments.

(ii) FDI, up to 100%, under the Government approval route, is permitted for investments in existing companies.

As per extant policy, FDI, up to 100%, under the automatic route, is permitted in exploration activities of oil and natural gas fields, infrastructure related to marketing of petroleum products and natural gas, marketing of natural gas and petroleum products, petroleum product, pipelines, natural gas/pipelines. LNG Regasification infrastructure, market study and formulation and Petroleum refining in the private sector, subject to the existing sectoral policy and regulatory framework in the oil marketing sector and the policy of the Government on private participation in exploration of oil and the discovered fields of national oil companies.

FDI, up to 49%, under the Government approval route, is permitted in Petroleum refining by the Public Sector Undertakings (PSU), without any disinvestment or dilution of domestic equity in the existing PSUs.

FDI in MSEs ( as defined under Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006 (MSMED), Act 2006) is subject to the sectoral caps, entry routes and other relevant sectoral regulations. FDI in any industrial undertaking which is not a Micro or Small Scale Enterprise, but manufactures items reserved for the MSE sector requires approval on the Government route, where foreign investment is more than 24% of the capital. Such an undertaking also requires an industrial Licence under the Industries (Development & Regulation) Act, 1951, for such manufacture. The issue of industrial License, is subject to a few general conditions and the specific condition that the industrial Undertaking shall undertake to export a minimum of 50% of the new or additional annual production of the MSE reserved items to be achieved within a maximum period of three years. The export obligation is applicable from the date of commencement of commercial production and in accordance with the provisions of sector 11 of the Industries (Development & Regulation) Act, 1951.

At present, no proposal for change in the FDI Policy, in these sectors, is under consideration.

Prior to 10.4.2012, investment by registered FIIs under the Portfolio investment Scheme (PIS) and investment under the FDI scheme, was under the Government approval route. The Government, vide its Consolidated FDI Policy Circular, effective from 10.4.2012, has announced liberalization of this policy and mandated the requirement of Government approval only for the FDI component of the investment.

Prior to 10.4.2012, conversion to equity was permitted for import of capital goods machinery/equipment (including second-hand machinery). With a view to incentivizing machinery embodying state-of-the-art technology, compliant with international standards, in terms of being green, clean and energy efficient, second-hand machinery has been excluded from the purview of this provision, in the Consolidated FDI Policy Circular effective from 10.4.2012.

FDI policy is reviewed on an ongoing basis, with a view to making it more investor friendly.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia.

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Delhi-based Bhasin Group, in collaboration with a Singapore based leisure and tourism attraction company, Andover Leisure Pte Limited will soon be inaugurating a public aquarium the Blue Planet at Greater Noida. It is one of its kind and first ever colossal public aquarium of international standards which is coming up in India.

Set over a carpet area of approximately 100000 square feet, the Blue Planet aquarium will showcase live flora and fauna flourishing in the mysterious world underwater. The Blue Planet is one of the major attractions which is a part of 3 million square feet mega tourist destination complex that would house a mall, multiplex, a 5 star hotel and retail shops. The entire project involves enormous amount of investment pegged at approximately INR 750 crore, and is projected to be a much sought–after tourist destination bringing in a grand display of real-life aquatic marvels.

Sounding quite excited about this new path-breaking project, SS Bhasin, Managing Director, Bhasin Group said, “Whether the marine species in Rift Valley lakes of Africa or the life underwater in the cascading River Ganges in the deltaic Sundarbans, at the  Blue Planet, people will get to see a geographically distinct eco-system including flora and fauna of a particular water body anywhere in the world which includes aquatic wonders such as sharks, penguins, walrus, octopus and dolphins.”

The major exhibits include huge sea water tanks for large marine life like sharks, lion fish and others. The shark exhibit has recreational boating at the top. These boats will have transparent bottoms to look through downwards into the water.

Talking about the awe-inspiring replication of international public aquariums such as the Atlanta’s Georgia Aquarium, Dubai Mall Aquarium, Japan’s Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium and others, Sindu Zhang Huihan, President, Andover Group stated, “Many of the exhibits will follow a combination of terrestrial and oceanic themes. Along with this, exhibits carry a particular geographical theme that is both educational and recreative in its function to visitors without compromising on aesthetics.”

This new man-made wonder debuting in India will also bring to life the tales of little mermaid which have been appealing the children since a long time. There will also be a 6 meter deep tank with a transparent window for mermaid shows at specified times. Trained personnel, dressed as mermaids or mermen will enthrall the visitors with choreographed underwater pyrotechnics in combination with music and light, much akin to a great musical dramatic saga.

There will also be a spell-binding representation of most aspects of the rainforest ecosystem with plants, water bodies, selected reptiles and amphibians  and otherwise artificially created ambience.
On the whole, Blue Planet aquarium is a never seen before amusement spot in India which can draw in footfalls to itself and the mall, that has a unique and exquisite architecture with gondola rides in a Venice themed interior. The aquarium will be facilitated to be accessible within the next three to four months.

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भोपाल,,

नर्मदा को प्रदूषण मुक्त करने के लिये शासन स्तर पर व्यापक कदम उठाने के साथ इस कार्य को जन-आन्दोलन बनाया जायेगा। अमरकंटक, ओरछा तथा चित्रकूट के प्राकृतिक पर्यावरण को सुरक्षित रखते हुए इन नगरों का सौन्दर्यीकरण किया जायेगा।

मुख्यमंत्री श्री शिवराज सिंह चौहान द्वारा यह निर्णय आज पर्यावरण विभाग की बैठक में लिये गये। मुख्यमंत्री ने निर्देश दिये कि प्रदेश के नगरों के पर्यावरण तथा विकास संबंधी मसलों पर निर्णय लेने के लिए सभी नगर निगम तथा अन्य बड़े शहर की भोपाल में बैठकें बुलायी जायं। इन बैठकों में नगरों के मास्टर प्लान, मध्यम तथा निम्न आय वर्ग के लोगों को कम कीमत पर भू-खण्ड अथवा आवास उपलब्ध करवाने के बारे में व्यवहारिक निर्णय लिये जायेंगे। आने वाले सिंहस्थ की तैयारियों सहित नदियों को प्रदूषण-मुक्त करने के बारे में ठोस पहल होगी।

बैठक में भोपाल के मिंटो हाल के जीर्णोद्धार, वल्लभ भवन के विस्तार के बारे में भी चर्चा हुई। बताया गया कि पर्यटन विभाग को मिंटो हाल के जीर्णोद्धार की जिम्मेदारी सौंपी गयी है। मुख्यमंत्री ने इस ऐतिहासिक भवन के कार्य में तेजी लाने के निर्देश दिये। वल्लभ भवन के विस्तार के बारे में बताया गया कि आर्किटेक्ट की नियुक्ति सहित अन्य अपेक्षित कार्रवाई प्रारम्भ की गयी है। बैठक में निर्णय लिया गया कि शासकीय विभागों को पृथक-पृथक भवन बनाने के लिये भू-खण्ड उपलब्ध कराने की जगह इंटीग्रेटेड काम्पलेक्स बना कर कार्यालय स्थापित करने की सुविधा दी जायेगी।

बैठक में पर्यावरण मंत्री श्री जयंत मलैया, मुख्य सचिव श्री आर.परशुराम, प्रमुख सचिव आवास एवं पर्यावरण श्री इक़बाल सिंह बैंस, मुख्यमंत्री के प्रमुख सचिव श्री मनोज श्रीवास्तव, प्रमुख सचिव वित्त श्री अजय नाथ सहित अन्य अधिकारी उपस्थित थे।

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Delhi Medical Association is deeply concerned about the total failure of a noble scheme initiated by the Govt. of India through Delhi Government in the city of Delhi to provide free health care to the persons below poverty line by providing them an insurance of Rs. 30,000/- which they could utilize in any hospital in the eventuality of medical alilment  The scheme was launched with lot of fan fare and hopes and more than hundred thousand persons were enrolled into the scheme and provided a smart card. For successful execution of the scheme, the scheme enrolled more than 100 private hospitals in the city of Delhi and authorized them to deal with any medical problem of the smart card holder.

Unfortunately, due to bad administration, illogical and impractical low packages, non payment of dues and harassment, most of the
hospitals were compelled to stop working and today this is most unfortunate situation that more than hundred thousand card holders and Five hundred thousand beneficiaries are insured by the government with no place where they can get the treatment.

At Delhi Medical Association, General Body Meeting of all the service provider hospitals was held on 28th April 2012 and it was unanimously resolved that in the present circumstances, where the insurance company in connivance with the apathy of the government is continuing to exploit the poor people, harass the hospitals, it will not be possible to continue to honour the Smart Card Holders.

It is a matter of deep concern that the government of Delhi had paid crores of rupees as premium to the Oriental Insurance company, where few officers in connivance with the some government officers have made the whole scheme an utter failure. Only 66 persons out of these five lacs beneficiaries were benefitted in the scheme in the month of April.

At this stage, Delhi Medical Association is urging the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Delhi to urgently intervene in the matter, so that lacs of  people of Delhi who have been cheated  in the scheme even after holding smart card and lots of false hopes, get justice and scheme see the light of the day in the capital city of the country.

Dr. Harish Gupta, President, DMA said  that DMA held a series of meetings with the Labour Commissioner, Labour Secretary, DG Health, Labour Minister, Health Minister and every one those showed deep concerned for injustice towards lacs and lacs of people, but none of them were able to take any effective corrective measures for the poor.

Dr. Vijay Kr. Kohli, Hony. State Secretary, DMA said that DMA has always supported the issues related to poor and needy and also support the scheme but showed deep concern to the absolute failure of the scheme, shattering the dreams of the poor.

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The Executive Director, UNAIDS, Mr. Michael Sidibe meeting the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad, in New Delhi.

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           Executive Director, UNAIDS Mr. Michael Sidibe, today met with the Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad. Mr. Sidibe congratulated India for its excellent performance in preventing the spread of HIV and remaining low prevalence country. He also remarked that India has made a significant achievement in reducing new HIV infections by 56% over the past decade. The Executive Director said this achievement needs to be showcased in international fora like the upcoming International AIDS Conference so that other nations can learn from India’s story. He also stated that India could help other countries in building capacities and sharing the models that they have developed. He also lauded the role of India’s generic industry in reducing the cost of drugs.

Minister Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad informed Mr. Sidibe about the commitments of the Government of India towards prevention and control of HIV. Shri Azad assured that inspite of donor resources shrinking, Government of India will not let the achievements of NACP III slip away. “The budget as required will be provided by the Government for the successful implementation of the next phase of NACP” he reassured. Shri Azad also briefed the delegation on new initiatives taken by the Ministry to ensure convergence of schemes like the Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram and HIV reduction efforts to bring down the MMR and IMR further.

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              Ajit Singh, the Minister of Civil Aviation informed  that NAS Air, which was the selected airline to carry pilgrims from Srinagar on the basis of the tendering process, had entered into an agreement with Air India to carry pilgrims on the Srinagar-Delhi-Srinagar sector at the fare of US D 450 per pilgrm. Air India was paid by NAS Air for their services.

The Minister further informed that the airline chosen to operate Haj Services was on the basis of tenders in which Air India as also other Indian airlines were invited to participate. The lowest tenderers for each sector were chosen as per procedure.

During the years 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011, Government of India has spent an amount of approximately Rs 477, Rs 895, Rs 690, Rs 600 and Rs 605 crores (excluding service tax) as subsidy on air travel of haj pilgrims, the Minister said.

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The Union Health Secretary, Shri P.K. Pradhan and the Under Secretary and Deputy Minister for the Ministry of Health, Kuwait, Dr. Ibrahim Alabdelhadi signing an MoU on Medical Cooperation, in New Delhi.

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Delhi,,

The Union Health Secretary Shri P.K. Pradhan on behalf of Government of India signed an MoU today with the State of Kuwait on Medical Cooperation. Dr. Ibrahim Alabdelhadi signed the MoU on behalf of the Ministry of Health, Government of Kuwait.

Indian doctors and nurses are employed in large numbers in Kuwaiti hospitals. Recognising the long standing and friendly cooperation and common desire to strengthen cooperation between the two countries and desiring to lay down institutional framework for developing medical cooperation between the two countries, the MoU signed today inter alia provides for : degree & other qualifications issued by Institutions in respect of medicine (including traditional medicine), nursing, medical technicians & paramedical recognized by Government Bodies will be treated at par by the Ministry of Health of Kuwait for appropriate job placements & benefits; appropriate training to Kuwait doctors in centers of excellence in the field of traditional and modern medicine and allied health specialities in India; provisions for treatment of Kuwaiti patients in the approved specialized Indian hospitals and to encourage medical tourism; and set up a Joint Working Group (JWG) to further elaborate the details of cooperation and to oversee the implementation of this MoU. The JWG will meet not more than once a year or as agreed upon.

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Delhi,,

The rise in prices of certain agricultural commodities, including some essential commodities, in recent months have come to the notice of the Government. There have been complaints in some quarters that excessive speculation in futures markets have also contributed to this price rise.

The fundamentals of demand and supply in the physical market decide the prices of commodities. And futures market only acts as a platform for price discovery and price risk management for the physical market participants. The Forward Markets Commission (FMC) is keeping a watch on the situation and has been asked to use all the regulatory tools available to keep a check on the excessive speculation in the futures trading in commodities and specifically agricultural commodities. The Commission has already implemented higher margin requirements for trading in agri-commodities and has also reduced position limits for essential commodities. These are steps in the right direction.

Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Public Distribution and Food has also asked the Commission to take the following steps:

(1) The Commission would keep a very close watch on the situation and would continue to take all necessary steps to see that there is no excessive speculation in the futures market.

(2) The Secretary, Department of Consumers is already conducting an enquiry into the recent fluctuations in the commodity futures market for guar seed and guar gum and the report is expected to be received within a fortnight.

(3) To advise the Government and the FMC, it has been decided to form advisory committees for all commodities including agri-products which would consist primarily of physical market participants such as representatives of farmers, producers, processors, exporters, domain experts and other stakeholders. These advisory committees would advise the Government and the FMC on how to bring about better alignment between the physical markets and the futures market so that the farmers and hedgers are substantially benefited from the futures trading which is its primary purpose. An advisory committee has already been constituted to study various issues in rubber futures trading.

(4) FMC has been asked to ascertain whether there have been attempts to hoard commodities to influence the futures markets and if so, how this activity is being financed.

It may be noted that the Forward Markets Commission is an independent regulator. However, the Chairman, FMC keeps the Government fully informed of all the important developments in the market.

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