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Mascow,,

Economic modernisation is an urgent task for Russia and Kazakhstan, the President of Russia noted in his speech at the Forum. Russia and Kazakhstan are both countries with tremendous resource potential, but that is not enough to be prosperous states. Dmitry Medvedev said that production, supply and processing of raw materials is not the way that can ensure the sustainable development and competitiveness of the two countries’ economies. The competitiveness of Russia and Kazakhstan is directly dependent on the growth of innovations.

Years of joint experience will allow the two states to either restore or create consolidated technological chains, Dmitry Medvedev said. This experience is already being applied in the implementation of promising projects in nuclear energy, space exploration and nanotechnology. The Russian leader emphasised the role of border regions in establishing such cooperation.

The Russian President called for early completion of consolidated migration legislation. Common approaches should be established to the stay of citizens of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan in the territory of the Customs Union.

Dmitry Medvedev also noted that expansion of economic ties is impossible without improving transportation, and stressed the importance of the Western Europe – Western China international route, which will pass through many regions of Russia and Kazakhstan. Mr Medvedev expressed support for the initiative of President Nursultan Nazarbayev on joint efforts in the sphere of water protection, energy efficiency, technical regulation and protection from man-made disasters.

The Forum focused on issues of cooperation in the energy sector, in particular, the development Khvalynskoye offshore deposit in the Caspian Sea. Dmitry Medvedev instructed head of Natural Resources Ministry Yuri Trutnev to accelerate negotiations with Kazakhstan on the Production Sharing Agreement on the deposit.

Following the Forum, a package of documents was signed in the presence of the Presidents, in particular in the fields of energy, environment, transportation, trade, economy, social and humanitarian spheres.

Delhi,,

H.E. Mrs. Malgorzata Tusk, wife of Prime Minister of Poland handed over the sculptural Bust of “Fryderyk Chopin” to National Gallery of Modern Art as a gift from Poland to India. The bust was received by Director, National Gallery of Modern Art, Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India Shri Rajiv Lochan at a function here today. The 28 kg. brass bust of Fryderyk Chopin, painted in black colour (Proportions: 32x25x61 cm) is a creation of eminent Polish sculptor and art historian Prof. Adam Roman. Ambassador of France to India Shri Jerome Bonnafont was also present on the occasion.

The Polish Parliament unanimously passed a vote to make the year 2010 a year of Fryderyk Chopin. This year marks the 200th birthday of this extraordinary composer and pianist.

One of the greatest musicians of the 19th century, Chopin was born on 1st March 1810 in the village of Zelazowa Wola near Warsaw. Chopin was a music composer and a maestro at playing the piano. From an early age, he was considered to be a child prodigy musician as he already had the talent of an adult skilled pianist.

By the age of six little Chopin tried to make up new melodies and he gave public performances by seven. When he was eleven years old, Chopin performed in front of Alexander I, the Tsar of Russia. His composition included songs and chamber music too. At an early age he also showed remarkable abilities in observation and sketching, akeen wit and sense of humor, and an uncommon talent for mimicry. An anecdote describes how Chopin helped quiet rowdy children by first improvising a story and then lulling them to sleep with a berceuse (lullaby)- after which he woke everyone with an ear-piercing chord.

At the age of 20, on 2 November 1830, he left Warsaw for Austria, intending to go on to Italy. He was one of many expatriates of the Polish Great Emigration. Chopin moved to Paris in 1831 where he lived for the rest of his short life. In Paris, he made a comfortable living as a composer and a virtuoso pianist.

Chopin died on 17th October 1849 in Paris at the age of 33. He is considered to be one of the greatest masters of romantic music. He is remembered as one of the first nationalist composers of Poland, using the themes and dances of his native Poland as the sources for his pieces specially the polonaises and mazurkas. His name and music have lived on for last 200 years and many more years to come.

Mrs. Malgorzata Tusk, wife of Prime Minister of Poland handed over the sculptural Bust of “Fryderyk Chopin” to the Director, National Gallery of Modern Art, Ministry of Culture, Shri Rajiv Lochan, at a function, in New Delhi on September 07, 2010.

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Washington, DC,,

Ambassador Philip L. Verveer, U.S. Coordinator for Communications and Information Policy, will lead a U.S. delegation including FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski and Department of Commerce Assistant Secretary Lawrence E. Strickling to the fourth US-China Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Consultations.
The meeting will be held in Washington. Topics to be discussed include Internet freedom, coordination at upcoming multilateral events at APEC and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and China’s domestic telecommunication and Internet market development.
The Chinese delegation will be led by Vice Minister Xi Guohua of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

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Delhi,,

Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Smt. Ambika Soni has said that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is in the process of examining a proposal regarding launching of a multi-media campaign involving all stakeholders against the menace of piracy. For the proposed campaign, the Govt. and the private sector would work in tandem to make the campaign effective. In order to refrain the people from buying pirated goods, celebrities would endorse the campaign to enhance its impact and outreach. The Minister stated this while delivering the key-note address at the “Seminar on Anti-piracy and Regulation of Content- Legal Issues” here today.

Elaborating further, Minister stated that a multi pronged approach was necessary to tackle the menace of piracy, taking into account the demand and supply equation. A solution was possible if both the demand and supply of pirated content was reduced. It was critical to position appropriate instruments and mechanisms at both the policy and implementation level to make piracy a risky proposition. In order to achieve the desired results, the deliverables had to be clearly earmarked on a roadmap that was implementable by all stakeholders involved in the process.

Regarding the issue of content regulation, the Minister said the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting set up a Task Force in Nov. 2009, with representation from all key stakeholders on the issue. Structured discussions have been held with all the stakeholders including business organizations, consumer groups, media experts and statutory bodies such as NCW and National Commission of Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) to evolve a way forward. It was necessary that civil society evinced confidence in the initiatives taken to redress the grievances vis-à-vis matters relating to content.

On the issue of self-regulation, the Minister stated that as a concept, the idea had to be effective in addressing the given concerns. As far as the technology initiatives were concerned, the Minister mentioned that the Ministry was facilitating the digitalization process. Taking into account the priorities, the Ministry was looking into a feasible sun-set date for complete makeover. The objective was to address the concern of all stakeholders and establish a roadmap in an enabling environment. A case-in-point was the HITS policy which reduced the cost of makeover for the analog operators in the move towards digitalization.

In her address, the Minister also referred to the constitution of the Committee under Dr. Amit Mitra on TRPs, which had been constituted in the backdrop of deficiencies in the present system of generation of Television Rating Points (TRPs) in India given its possible impact on the programming content of TV channels. The Minister said that the mandate of the Committee was expected to address issues related to accuracy, accountability, transparency and objectivity in the generation of TRPs. It was also expected to examine as to how misleading TRPs may not only impact broadcasters and advertisers but more importantly the viewing public. The report of the Committee would offer critical inputs in comprehensively examining all issues related to TRPs in India.

The Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Smt. Ambika Soni addressing the “Seminar on Anti-piracy and Regulation of Content- Legal Issues”, in New Delhi on September 07, 2010.

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Delhi,,

Union Finance Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee has asked all the banks to over perform to achieve their targets so that by 2011, all habitations of 2000 population and above get the facility of a bank and related financial services. Earlier this target was fixed for March 2012. The Finance Minister said that he expected the banks to achieve this a year in advance through their better performance. Shri Mukherjee was addressing the august gathering of bankers, officials and customers on the occasion of 105th Foundation Day Celebrations of Bank of India in Delhi today. Shri Mukherjee said that what we are concerned today is that our growth has to be inclusive for our continued existence and prosperity. He added that our higher growth will have little meaning if our poor and excluded people do not have access to basic needs based on equitable, sustainable as well as just and fair share of this national prosperity. Financial inclusion will enable all of us to broaden our base by empowering the poor by assisting them to improve their standard of life.

He asked the banks to use latest technology as scalable financial inclusion cannot happen without stable and reliable information and communication technology and appropriate outreach of our banks.

Minister of State for Finance Shri Namo Narain Meena, Secretary Department of Financial Services Shri R. Gopalan, Chairman-cum-Managing Director, Bank of India Shri Alok Kumar Mishra also spoke on this occasion.

The Union Finance Minister, Shri Pranab Mukherjee at the Foundation Day Function of the Bank of India, in New Delhi on September 07, 2010. The Minister of State for Finance, Shri Namo Narain Meena and other dignitaries are also seen.

Delhi,,

Timely availability of reliable data has become very important in view of number initiatives taken by the government in 11th Five Year Plan to boost agricultural production and enhance farm income.

Stating this at the national workshop on improving agricultural statistics here today, the Principal Advisor in the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. K.V. Krishnan said, “Considerable financial assistance is being provided to States under different schemes, and we need to capture the impact on production and productivity of various crops. Often we find that the impact does not get reflected through the data States provide to us. I would emphasize that the States must make systematic efforts for improving data on area, yield and production of crops. For this purpose, the Central Government is already contributing funds for collection of data relating to area under crops, Crop Cutting Experiments (CCEs), cost of cultivation, etc.”

Referring to variations in the area and productions of estimates of crops over successive advance and final estimates, the Principal Advisor emphasized on the need to be more cautious, systematic and meticulous in arriving at estimates. He suggested the participants to finalize area and production estimates on the basis of proper field remuneration and assessment of ground realities on yield levels. These estimates also need to be corroborated from other relevant inputs such as rainfall, prices of agricultural commodities, market arrivals etc., Dr. Krishnan added.

On the lack of reliable data on the horticulture sector, which is expected to play a dominant role in overall development of agriculture in the country in the coming years, the Principal Advisor said, “Inadequate and unsatisfactory data collection mechanism is causing difficulties in proper evaluation of the performance and assessment of the impact of the schemes/programmes initiated by the government for the development of this sector.”

Dr. Krishnan said, “The Ministry of agriculture has introduced a scheme on Forecasting Agricultural Output using Space, Agro-meteorology, and Land Based Observations (FASAL) for supplementing the existing mechanism of bringing out area and production estimates by making use of modern technology. The scheme is being implemented in partnership with the Department of Space, India Meteorological Department and the Institute of Economic Growth. It will be of immense use to States in providing an alternative source for cross validation of data collected through conventional systems. This endeavour will certainly result in bringing out more reliable and firm estimates of area and production of major crops in the country.”

The two day workshop is being attended by senior officers from Central Government, Secretaries of State Agriculture Departments, Directors of Economics and Statistics, Horticulture, and Land Records.

Delhi,,

As per the latest inventory of Geological Resources of Coal in India by the Geological Survey of India, 1471 Million Tonnes of Geological Resources of coal have so far been estimated in the NE region. Of this, 388, Million Tonnes are in Assam and 576 Milliion Tonnes in Meghalaya. In Assam three opencast mines viz., Tirap OC, Tikak OC and Ledo OC are in operation under North Eastern Coalfields Limited (NEC) of Coal India Limited (CIL). In Meghalaya, coal is being produced by the local people as per the extant customary and tribal land rights.

In the state of Assam, five more new opencast mines viz. Lekhapani OC, Tikak Extension OC, Tipong OC, PQ Block OC and Lachitkhani OC are proposed to be opened. In Meghalaya, the only lease held by NEC, CIL is Simsang, which had expired in 2008 and its renewal is yet to be received from the State of Meghalaya. In the absence of renewal of lease in the state of Meghalaya, at present no more mines has been planned to be opened by NEC, CIL.

Delhi,,

The Standing Committee of Parliament, which thoroughly examined The Companies Bill, 2009, has observed that as the institution of Independent Directors is a critical instrument for ensuring good corporate governance, it is necessary that the functioning of this institution is critically analyzed and proper safeguards are made to ensure its efficacy. The Standing Committee on Finance (SCF) in its Twenty-First Report, presented to the Parliament recently, has said that the appointment of Independent Directors should not be a case of mere technical compliance reduced to the letter of the law. It is important that Independent directors play their designated role to nurture the financial health of the company and to protect the interests of various stakeholders, particularly the minority shareholders. The SCF, therefore, believes provisions pertaining to the Independent Directors should be distinguished from other directors in the Bill. It further says the Government should prescribe precisely their mode of appointment, their qualifications, extent of independence from promoters/management, their role and responsibilities as well as their liabilities.

In this context the SCF has pointed that there is a need to circumscribe and limit the liabilities of Independent Directors, so that they are able to act freely and objectively and are able to share their expertise with the rest of the Board. The SCF has suggested that a provision may also be made for the rotation of Independent Directors by restricting their tenure in a company to say, five years. The Ministry of Corporate Affairs thus needs to revisit the Institution of Independent Directors and make amendments in the Bill accordingly, the SCF has said in its Report. It further says that a code for Independent Directors may be considered for this purpose. The appointment process of Independent Directors may also be made independent of the company management by constituting a panel or a date bank to be maintained by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, out of which companies may choose their requirement of Independent Directors, the SCF has recommended. The SCF has also desired that the Ministry may also explore the feasibility of Advisory Boards for bigger companies comprising of qualified persons/professional experts.

INVC,,

Delhi,,

The 3rd Conference of State Ministers for Youth Affairs and Sports was held here today under the Chairpersonship of the Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports, Dr. M.S. Gill. The Minister of State for Human Resource Development Smt. Purandeswari Devi also attended the Conference.

Dr. M.S. Gill appreciated the efforts made by States in the implementation of Panchayat Yuva Krida Aur Khel Abhiyan (PYKKA). He referred to the recent initiatives taken by the Ministry such as release of central share in a single instalment; introduction of structured course and pedagogy for training of masters trainers and kridashrees; coverage of all panchayats at one go in respect of small States/UTs like Lakshwadeep and Andaman & Nicobar; 20% annual coverage for North Eastern states against 10% for normal States. He emphasized the need to promote and protect playing fields, and urged the State Governments to set up State level Playing Field Associations. Dr. Gill also referred to the new proposal for creation of Urban Sports Infrastructure, which envisages 100% financial assistance for the setting up of community sports facilities and sports academies, engagement of coaches, coach development etc.

The Minister appreciated the innovative work done by the Government of Madhya Pradesh in setting up several professionally managed sports academies for which they have been awarded Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar for 2010. He announced that from now onwards one award will be earmarked for the best performing State in sports development.

The Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. M.S. Gill releasing the books at the Conference of State Ministers of Youth Affairs & Sports, in New Delhi on September 07, 2010. The Minister of State for Human Resource Development, Smt. D. Purandeswari is also seen.

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Delhi,,

P.J. Thomas, former Telecom Secretary, was sworn in as 14th Central Vigilance Commissioner by the President of India in a ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan today. Sh. Thomas holds Master’s Degree in Physics & Economics and has done a one year course in Public Administration at International Institute of Public Administration, Paris. He is proficient in French in addition to English, Hindi and Malayalam.

Sh. Thomas has held important assignments in the Government of Kerala as Secretary in Finance, Industry, Agriculture, Law & Justice and Human Resource Development Departments. He was the Founder Director of Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode. He became Chief Secretary of Kerala in 2007 and moved to Government of India as Secretary in Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs in January, 2009. He has been Secretary in Department of Telecommunication since October 2009 and is credited with steering 3G auction which created a new bench mark in the country.

The swearing-in was attended amongst others by the Vice-President of India, Prime Minister, Union Home Minister, Law Minister and Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions.

The President, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil, the Vice President, Shri Mohd. Hamid Ansari, the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh and Dr. Ramsingh Devisingh Shekhawat at the oath taking ceremony of Shri P.J. Thomas as new Central Vigilance Commissioner, in New Delhi on September 07, 2010.

Delhi,,

The Department of Posts (DoP) opens about eight lakh new “Mahatma Gandhi NREGS’ accounts every month across the country. Till 30th June 2010 has DoP opened 4.48 crore accounts under the scheme and disbursed an amount of Rs. 3,406 crores in the current financial year. More than 95,000 post offices are engaged in disbursement of wages under MGNREGS.

In a tie up with Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority DoP has started retailing of New Pension Scheme (NPS) through post offices in the country. So far 5186 NPS accounts have been opened in Head Post Offices in 20 Postal Circles.

As a part of financial inclusion, the DoP in another tie up with UTI Mutual Fund has launched “Ujjawal Bhavishya”, a bouquet of mutual funds relating to Retirement Benefits Pension Fund, Mahila Unit Scheme and Children’s Carrer Balanced Funds in all post offices in the country. The scheme has the convenience of systematic investment plan. It will enable investors in small towns and cities to avail investment opportunities through post offices.

Delhi,,

With the objective of making available easier grid connectivity to the hydro electric power stations and the other generating stations based on renewable sources of energy, Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has taken an important regulatory initiative. While the threshold capacity for connecting to inter-State grid will be 250 MW for thermal power stations, the threshold has been reduced to 50 MW for the hydro electric generating stations and other generating stations using renewable sources of energy.

Another important regulatory change has been made to permit connectivity to inter-State grid to such hydro generating stations and renewable energy source based stations which have individually installed capacity of less than 50 MW but approach the Central Transmission Utility (POWERGRID) collectively with an aggregate installed capacity of 50 MW and above. For example, two hydro generating stations having capacity of 30 MW and 20 MW can collectively seek connectivity with inter-State grid at a single connection point if they mutually agree to undertake operational and commercial responsibilities through a lead generator which can be one of these two generating stations.

These changes have been made by CERC in view of the feedback received that State Transmission Utilities in many stations, particularly in North-eastern states, are not presently in a position to extend connectively to their systems and this difficulty was hindering the development of hydro electric stations and renewable source based stations.

The Mr Medvedev instructed the Government to nominate Mr Khudainatov for the post of Rosneft President.

Rosneft is Russia’s leading oil company and one of the world’s biggest public oil and gas companies. The company is on the list of Russia’s strategic enterprises. Its principle shareholder (75.16%) is OAO ROSNEFTEGAZ, a fully state-owned company.

Muscat,,

The 6th Indo-Oman Joint Commission Meeting held in Muscat yesterday has reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral economic relations and means of enhancing bilateral trade between the two countries. Shri Anand Sharma, Minister of Commerce & Industry who led the Indian delegation to Oman also chaired the Joint Business Council Meeting held at Oman Chamber of Commerce which was organized by OCCI and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industries (FICCI). Shri Rajan Mittal, FICCI President represented the Indian Business while the Omani delegation was led by the Minister of Commerce & Industry, Maqbool Ali Sultan.

The two way trade which rose to $4.5 billion needs to increase further to reflect the growing India-Oman business relations. During the talks, Shri Sharma noted with satisfaction that the US $ 969 million Oman India Fertilizer Company (OMIFCO) at Sur; acquisition of the Shadeed Iron & Steel plant in the port city of Sohar for $ 464 million; raising of its stake to 26% from 4% in the $ 1 billion refinery at Bina in Madhya Pradesh by Oman Oil Company are a few shining examples of burgeoning economic and bilateral co-operation. “ Shri Sharma also called on the deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers Sayyid Fahad bin Mahmoud bin Mohammed Al Said and held substantive discussions with Special Advisor to HM The Sultan for External Liaison Dr. Omar bin Abdul Muniem Al-Zawawi.

Shri Sharma emphasized the priority attached by Indian Government for cooperation with Oman in Petroleum, Gas and fertilizer sectors while the Deputy PM underscored the need for greater cooperation in capacity building and information technology. Omani side agreed in-principle to invest in India for revival of few closed plants of Fertilizer Corporation of India (FCI) and Hindustan Fertilizer Corporation Ltd. (HFCL) and the expansion in RCF (PSU of Government of India) through investment by Oman Oil Company. Both sides agreed to form a Senior level Working Group representing Government of India, RCF, KRIBHCO from Indian side and Oman Oil Company from Omani side for initiating early due diligence. It is estimated that these will bring in investments of close to $3billion. BPCL and Oman Oil Marketing Company agreed to collaborate and jointly study the possibility of setting up a lube blending plant in Oman and marketing in neighbouring countries.

The India-Oman Joint Investment Fund with a seed capital of US $ 100 million, to be increased up-to US $1.5 billion, has been agreed upon through an MOU signed between the two sides in November 2008. This initiative is expected to function as a catalyst to promote and partnership between the private sectors of the two countries and enhance the trade and investment between the two countries. Shri Sharma stressed on the need for the fund to be operationalised and augmented immediately. A number of sectors have been identified for investment cooperation such as (a) Agriculture (b) Air ports, sea ports and railways (c) Hospitals (d) Power including nuclear power (e) Renewable energy including solar and wind energy (f) Mining (g) Oil and gas (h) Education and skill development (i) Tourism (j) Healthcare (k) Infrastructure and (l) Chemicals and Fertilisers.

Both countries agreed to pursue cooperation in field of Human Resource Development especially skill development in the fields of Technology, Management and Information Technology (IT) including co-operation in Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) sector. The Omani side expressed its keenness for setting up super-speciality hospitals in India and diagnostic facilities in the form of Joint Ventures, for which an Omani delegation would go to India shortly. Investments in agro processing specially in Indian SEZs were also discussed. Oman has a strategic location, and has entered into Free Trade Agreements with several countries including USA, which offers huge opportunities for Indian products to these markets apart from the GCC.

Chandigarh, ,
A day after the launch of the Chandigarh Chapter of the All India Mother-in-Law Protection Forum (AIMPF), the helpline of the local chapter got a flourishing response, receiving about 45 calls till late evening.

The local chapter of AIMPF was launched in the city, here last evening, being the first ever social forum that aims to create and protect the rights and interests of the mother-in-laws.

In change of the Chandigarh Chapter Mrs. Manjit Puri claimed that the helpline started receiving the calls as early as 6:45 A.M, which continued throughout the day. The callers were not from the city alone, but extended up to Punjab and Haryana and included mother in laws, the sister in laws and even father in laws, which through the helpline were guided and was made aware of their legal rights.

“It is not men who suffer from false cases under 498A but in all the cases it is the Old Mother in Law, it is the pregnant Sister in Law. It is an open fact and is the present day’s scenario In India, wherein the judiciary, the police and the government are all a part of this money game”, said Manjit Puri.

“We received calls, wherein victims were literally crying. Please help us from the clutches of our daughter in law, a member stated on the telephone, this evening. Are we independent citizens and is India free”, stated AIMPF.

“A regular meeting will be held very Sunday at the Leisure Valley (Adjoining Stop N Stare), Sector 10 from 4 P.M. to 7P.M, wherein AIMPF will work towards upliftment of these mothers-in-law by creating awareness and giving them moral support. The helpline number (9569563161) of the All India Mother-In-Law Protection Forum’s Chandigarh Chapter is will be working 24/7 for those affected”, said Mrs Puri.

All India Mother-in-Law Protection Forum (AIMPF)